Obituary of Donald Jardine

Dr. Donald Andrew Jardine

Professor Emeritus, Queen's University School of Computing

July 23rd 1930 - February 7th 2019.

Peacefully in Kingston, Ontario, in his 89th year, Donald Andrew Jardine, son of the late Harry and Louie Jardine (nee Annis). Survived by his daughter Jennifer, his son Peter (Nancy), his step children Christine Haggarty (Dan), and Tal Wolf (Annmarie), and grandchildren Chelsea Wolf (Dustin), Mitchell Wolf, and Jessica Jardine (Craig).

Predeceased by his wife Mary (nee Smart), and second wife Dorothea (nee Geist).

Donald was born in Kingston, rode his tricycle in the halls of the Annandale, attended KCVI, Queen’s University (Chemical Engineering 1952), then went on to complete his doctorate at the University of Delaware (1956). He returned to Kingston in 1956 to work for DuPont Research. He was hired to the newly formed Queen’s Computing Science department in 1969, and was Department Head for many years. Following his retirement from Queen’s, Donald was deeply involved in the tech start-up team for the entrepreneurial venture Legasys Corporation.

Donald was active in Kingston’s musical activities as bass soloist in St. George's Cathedral Choir under Dr. George Maybee, as clarinetist in the Kingston Symphony starting in 1956, and singing in the Kingston Choral Society and the Cecilian Consort. He loved music, and had many friends in the musical community and Queen’s Music Department.

A long-time member of the Kingston Yacht Club, he served as Rear Commodore and Harbour Master while enjoying several boats, and voyaged as far as the Bahamas with his wife Dorothea.

A world traveller, a life-long student, a lover of pun and wit, a master martini mixer, and never lacking in a strong opinion, Donald lived a long, interesting and full life and absorbed all of his experiences and knowledge into his immense intellect to pass on to those who were curious. Discussions around the dinner table were about books, world events, politics, religions, history, boats, science and much more. He was a lifelong student, a teacher, a scientist, a yachtsman, a husband, a father and a grandfather. He will be missed.

There will be a visitation held at the James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd.) on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 11-12pm followed by a chapel service at 12 noon.

Donations to St. Georges Cathedral, or the Kingston Symphony would be kindly appreciated in Donald’s memory.