Class Notes

Catch up on classmates, housemates, faculty, and friends.

We Want Your Class Notes

Marking career and personal achievements, special milestones and the birth of future Queen's alumni - Class Notes helps you stay in touch with former classmates, housemates, and faculty.

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  • Colin Gardiner holds up a copy of his album cover which depicts a baby wearing headphones. Max Gardiner stands beside him with a wall covered in album covers behind them.

    1980s

    Colin Gardiner

    – Artsci’88

    Spring 2023

    As a student from 1984–1988, Colin Gardiner dreamed of getting into the music industry. He spent countless hours playing the pianos in Harrison-LeCaine Hall and performed at virtually every campus venue. As a member of Queen’s Players, he also appeared at Clark Hall Pub. While hosting a weekly show on CFRC, he would occasionally slip in demos of his own songs. Upon graduation, he got sidetracked by an exceedingly fun job as a flight attendant with Air Canada, which diverted his focus. Now, after three and a half decades, he has finally released his debut album. It was produced and mixed by his wizard of a son, Max, who has been accepted to attend Queen’s this fall (Artsci’27). Colin’s album is called Zero to Sixty, by Gard-Dog (his nickname), and can be found on most streaming platforms. 

  • 1970s

    Melodie Campbell

    – Com’78

    Spring 2023

    Melodie Campbell has been invited by the Toronto International Festival of Authors to share the spotlight at MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, June 2-4, 2023, presented by Kobo Plus. The events coincide with the publication of her 17th novel, The Merry Widow Murders, from Cormorant Books. Melodie has won 10 awards for crime fiction, including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence. She is married to Michael O’Connell (Com’78). 

  • 1970s

    Sheelagh Anne Barrable

    – Arts’72

    Spring 2023

    Sheelagh Anne Barrable, who lives in Bermuda and is a tireless advocate for the island’s children and vulnerable families, was appointed as an officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in January 2023. In 1992, Sheelagh was the founder of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, serving as chair of the charity for 27 years. In collaboration with the Women’s Resource Centre, she also helped bring the Transformational Living Centre to completion in 2021. The centre provides safe shelter for women and their children, along with support in education, life skills, and employment.  

  • A man, with grey hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a suit, smiles at the camera. He has a medal pinned to his lapel and there are painted portraits in the background.

    1960s

    Barry Wellar

    – Arts’65

    Spring 2023

    In recognition of 35 years of practise as a full member and qualifications as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) in good standing, Dr. Barry Wellar received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute at its 2022 joint conference with the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. 

  • 1960s

    John Armstrong

    – Arts’64, MBA’66

    Spring 2023

    John Armstrong is pleased to share the news that his granddaughter, Madelaine Armstrong (NSc’26), is the fourth generation of her family to attend Queen’s. Maddie follows in the footsteps of her great-grandparents Malcolm Armstrong (BA’29) and Elizabeth Murdie Armstrong (BA’30); great-uncles William Armstrong (BA’54, MA’55) and James Armstrong (Sc’58); and cousins Steven Armstrong (Artsci’83) and Kenneth Armstrong (MSc’96). 

  • John Devai sits in a chair holding a baby in his lap.

    1950s

    John Devai

    – Sc’56

    Spring 2023

    John Devai celebrated his 90th birthday this year on March 7. John proudly graduated from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science in 1956. Upon graduation, he and his wife, Irene, moved to Oakville, Ont., where they raised two children, John Jr. and Susan. John and Irene were married for 63 years. Irene sadly passed away in 2018. John had a successful engineering career, which included senior positions at Petro-Canada and Sunoco, as well as consulting internationally. He has three granddaughters and three great-grandsons.