Remembering John O'Brien, Concordia's First Rector
Dear colleagues,
With his sudden passing on December 16 at the age of 80, we say goodbye to John O’Brien, who was one of Concordia University’s founders, and an inspiration to all those who worked with him.
John O’Brien dedicated his entire career to Concordia, and to mark his passing the university will be holding a special memorial event on Friday, January 20 at 1 p.m. in the 11th floor atrium of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV).
John believed in the importance of higher learning, and this belief guided him throughout his career and during his pioneering tenure as the university’s first Rector.
It was not easy to merge the two dynamic institutions of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, with their distinct histories, identities and campuses, into what has become one of Canada’s most innovative and diverse comprehensive universities.
But John did not shy away from difficult tasks. He assumed leadership of the newly founded Concordia University in 1974 and ensured that the mission, vision and values of the merged institution would be defined and fostered.
John was born in 1931 in Toronto. He studied at McGill, where he had obtained a BA, an MA and a PhD. He began his academic career in 1954 as a lecturer in economics at Sir George Williams College. By 1961, he was an associate professor, and two years later he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
In 1969, at just 38 years old, John was named Principal of Sir George Williams University, making him the youngest head of a Canadian university. He held the position for five years until the downtown university’s merger with Loyola College in 1974, when he became Concordia’s first Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
For the next decade, an era of rapid growth at Concordia, John led with a steady hand. His efforts to maintain Concordia’s commitment to higher learning while retaining its close connection to the Montreal community enabled this institution to become a vibrant and engaged university.
John remained committed to Concordia even after he left the Rector’s office in 1984. He continued at the university as a professor of economics until his retirement in 1996, after which he continued to serve the university and offer guidance as Speaker of Senate and Rector Emeritus.
Dr. O’Brien was a thoughtful man who tended to weigh the implications of his words before speaking. He had his eye on Concordia’s long-term future as a leading comprehensive university, and he took on an extraordinary personal responsibility for making that happen.
He was a dedicated leader and an example for all of Concordia’s staff and faculty. He will be missed. On behalf of the Concordia community, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.
Frederick Lowy
President and Vice-Chancellor
Read the eulogy for John O'Brien by longtime friend and colleague Jim Whitelaw.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fraser-Hickson Library would be appreciated. Private condolences for his family may be posted to the Kane & Fetterly website. Public condolences may be posted here, using the comment feature below.