REMEMBRANCES AND REFLECTIONS

MARY LYNN WEYLIE, NÉE HUTCHINGS (BA ’69), 1945-2021

A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Lynn was an ESL teacher in Toronto. She and her husband, John, were long-time supporters of the Innis College Alumni Association.

“I have known Lynn for many years since we were classmates in high school. Both of us applied to attend Victoria College, but, fortunately for us, we were accepted by Innis College as founding frosh in September 1964. Lynn (aka "Pinchy") became quickly and deeply involved in many activities during the formative years of the College. Her enthusiasm, energy, and smile were infectious to all who had the good fortune to be near her. I know that Lynn's heart was in Innis College, and it never left.”

—Robert Patrick (BA ’67 Innis, BEd ’72, MEd ’79)

DAVID FINLAY (BCom ’84 Innis), 1959-2020

A loving father, accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, chef, and avid Leafs, Blue Jays, and Ti-Cats fan, David was known for his encyclopedic knowledge and humour.

“I first met Dave when we were living at Vlad House in the late 70s. The first thing that impressed me was the fact that he was a pretty good-looking guy who didn’t act at all like he thought he was. He was warm and welcoming and told the silliest jokes. He was friendly with everyone in the house, no matter how uncool you might be. We will really miss him.”

—Ana Sardinha (BA ’81 Innis)

“[Dave’s] natural gifts of loyalty, generosity, humour, entrepreneurial spirit, kindness, and competitiveness made him a genial host and a world-class party planner! In 1978, he threw the first Vlad House toga party, which became quite a tradition for the residence.” Christine Kovach, fellow Vladnick

“Dave was always a smiling, engaging presence at Vlad House. Whether we were plotting a scheme to raid the New College cafeteria or invite 'Honest' Ed Mirvish to a just-created Young Entrepreneurs Association, Dave was always keen for whatever mischief we could dream up. He was someone that we all looked up to—a great guy and a force of nature.” —John Cash (BA ’84 Innis, MA ’85)

Peter Allen

Professor of English at Innis from 1977-96 (1935-2021)

A devoted husband, dad, and grandpa, Peter was a respected teacher, accomplished professor of Victorian literature, jazz fan, cyclist, and paddler.

“Peter was one of the first professors to join the College, and he brought to Innis a great respect for students as well as a deep commitment to good teaching. … I believe Peter came to consider the College to be an extension of his ‘neighbourhood’ and therefore deserving of his attention and care. … Peter’s students returned his respect by selecting him as an outstanding teacher, a well-merited distinction. I always found Peter to be an involved and thoughtful colleague who kept the betterment of the College and of his students among his primary concerns.”

—John W. Browne, Innis’s fifth principal

IVAN (GRAEME) FERGUSON

Arthur Wood

Assistant to three Innis College principals during the 70s (1942-2021)

Art was a medieval scholar and a farmer, a storyteller and dog lover, former chair of the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and board member of numerous charitable and political organizations.

“Art Wood had an outsized presence in the common room of the old Innis at 63 St. George during my undergraduate years. Gregarious, witty, engaging, and deeply learned about the exotic world of the Middle Ages—Art modelled the scholarly life I aspired to. I will always be grateful to him for that.” —Professor Robert Vipond (BA ’75 Innis, MA ’77)

“Thinking back to my first year at U of T, Art Wood comes sharply into focus. Art was warm and welcoming and helped make me feel at home. He had a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh, which I can still hear 50 years later.”

—Stephen Marcus (BA ’74 Innis)

Film industry pioneer and IMAX co-founder (1929-2021)

Artist, filmmaker, writer, co-founder of IMAX Corporation, and co-inventor of the IMAX Experience, Graeme believed that his greatest success was the relationship with his wife, Phyllis, and his family.

“Graeme was a student of Harold Innis, and he knew Marshall McLuhan. He also took classes taught by Northrop Frye, as did I. Wonderful training for someone destined to create a new medium. One of my friends who met my father, Professor Rachel Barney, described him as ‘the perfect advertisement’ for the University of Toronto. Graeme had an incredible life: filming in the jungles of Africa, India, and the South Pole and sending IMAX cameras into space. He was a good father— very kind to me—a great teacher, and a voracious reader. Always curious, always engaged, he treated everyone he met with respect and courtesy.” —Munro Ferguson, son of Graeme Ferguson