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IN MEMORIAM
IN MEMORIAM GEORGE SAVOY
George's vision and generosity touched countless lives, and his legacy will inspire future generations in the fight against epilepsy. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and dedication. The Savoy Foundation (savoy-foundation.ca) Savoy, George M. (1930 - 2024) | Groupe LeSieur et frère (lesieuretfrere.com) |
The Canadian League Against Epilepsy pays tribute to George M. Savoy, whose leadership and dedication have profoundly impacted the epilepsy community in Quebec and Canada. Born in 1930, George M. Savoy continued his family's legacy, significantly advancing the Savoy Foundation's mission. Under his guidance, the foundation distributed over $10 million in grants since 1971, fostering innovation in epilepsy research. The Savoy Foundation has also been a longstanding supporter of the CLAE annual meeting, contributing over $50,000 since 2007 and continuing to support it, notably by sponsoring the Savoy plenary session.IN MEMORIAM MAC BURNHAM
He was born in Chicago and grew up in Highland Park, Illinois. Some of his fondest memories were of school in Crow Island in Winnetka Illinois, although he went on to enjoy his years at Deep Spring's College in California as well. Mac earned a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University and PhD from the Psychology Department at McGill University in Montreal, where he met Carole Darabaner, who would become his best friend and wife. Following a postdoctoral position at the Neurological Institute in Montreal, he and Carole moved to Toronto in 1974 where he began working in the U of T Pharmacology Department. He was an admired and favourite teacher who inspired his students to pursue careers in Pharmacology and Medicine, so many of whom considered him to be a true role model. Mac has left a large intellectual and personal imprint on the world of epilepsy and the many people he mentored and with whom he collaborated. He has volunteered and served as President of the Ontario Epilepsy Association and the Canadian Epilepsy Association. For many years, he was intensely involved in epilepsy research, even directing several group epilepsy programs. He was an active member of the Eastern Association of Encephalographers, serving as President and Secretary Treasurer and is indeed the principal reason the Association continues to exist. Mac particularly loved teaching and discussions with students. In his spare time, he loved opera, singing, especially Schubert, gardening and spending time with Carole in Stowe (Vermont), Stratford (Ontario) and Everglades City (Florida). He leaves his beloved wife, Carole; a niece and family; and a half brother Alfred. Donations in his memory may be made to Epilepsy Ontario. |
IM MEMORIAM ROBERT MARK SADLER
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Robert Mark Sadler, age 70, on December 26, 2023, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after a brief illness. Mark was born in Saint John, New Brunswick to Robert and Shirley (Fulton) Sadler. He is survived by wife Keltie English, daughters Meredith (Luke Siemens) and Leigh (William Mackay), grandson Henry Mackay, brothers David (Paula Barry) and John (Barbara Sadler), and numerous nieces and nephews. After obtaining his medical degree at Dalhousie University in 1977, Mark completed a Neurology residency and Epilepsy fellowship at the University of Western Ontario. He started his practice in St. John’s, Newfoundland, then returned to Halifax in 1988 for the remainder of his career where he was Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at Dalhousie University. He served as Neurology Residency Program Director at Dalhousie University from 1995-2001. For decades, Mark was the leading light in epilepsy care in Atlantic Canada. He was pivotal in establishing a state of the art 4-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre and the only comprehensive epilepsy surgical programme in Atlantic Canada. He served terms as President for the Canadian League Against Epilepsy, Chief Examiner for the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists EEG Examination, and Vice-President for Epilepsy Canada. It is impossible to quantify the impact that Mark has had on thousands of people with epilepsy and their families. He will be greatly missed by his family and a global network of friends and colleagues. In memoriam donations can be made to The R. Mark Sadler Fellowship in Clinical Epilepsy and Neurophysiology via https://my.qe2foundation.ca/the-mark-sadler-fellowship For the full obituary please visit here. IM MEMORIAM JUHN WADA
1924–2023 It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Dr. Juhn Wada, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UBC, at his home in Vancouver. He was Co-founder of the Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE) and President of the CLAE from 1977 to 1979. He had just celebrated his 99th birthday. For the full obituary please click here. |
Juhn Atsushi Wada, O.C., M.D., Med.Sc.D., F.A.A.N., F.R.C.P.(C), D.Sc. h.c. IN MEMORIAM MICHAEL POULTER
It is with great sadness that we announce that Michael Poulter, former head of CERI, suddenly passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2019 after a short illness. Born in Oshawa Ontario, Michael completed a BSc in Pharmacology from the University of British Columbia and his PhD in Pharmacology from McGill University. He then did a postdoc at the NIH in Washington, followed by further postgraduate research in Strasbourg, France. In 1995 Michael returned to Canada, first at the National Research Council in Ottawa, and subsequently at the Institute for Neuroscience at Carleton University, becoming head in 2003. In 2006 Michael relocated to London, taking a position as Scientist at the Robarts Research Institute and as Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Western University. In addition to his science, Michael was also an avid skier, canoe tripper, sailor, a great bass player, and an excellent cook. Michael was a major contributor to epilepsy research both in fundamental science, but also as a Member of the Board and the Research Committee of Epilepsy Canada. In addition, he is the founder of a start-up, OB Pharmaceuticals, which is poised to launch human trials for a novel anticonvulsant. Michael was a dynamic, effective and passionate leader of CERI, and organized some outstanding conferences encompassing the breadth of epilepsy research. For us in the epilepsy community, he is sorely missed.
IN MEMORIAM FRED ANDERMANN
It is with great sadness that we announce that Frederick Andermann, Emeritus Professor at the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University, passed away on Sunday June 16 in Montreal, at the age of 88. Dr. Andermann was a giant of epilepsy with contributions in numerous areas of clinical epilepsy. He also trained and inspired a large number of fellows who have become recognized leaders all over the world. He is a past vice-president of the ILAE and was involved in many activities of the League.
Fred is survived by his wife and lifelong collaborator Eva Andermann, his children Lisa, Anne and Mark, and his six grandchildren, Hanna (12), Lara (11), Jamie (9), Leila (9), Benjamin (7) and Kaya (7). He will be lovingly remembered by his family and his many friends and colleagues.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Frederick Andermann Clinical and Research Fellowship in Epileptology and EEG at McGill University to continue his legacy of training epilepsy specialists worldwide. For more details see: https://www.mcgill.ca/channels/news/new-fellowship-targets-epilepsy-174860. Donations to the Fellowship can be made at www.alumni.mcgill.ca/give under “I want to support - Other” and specify the “Frederick Andermann Fellowship in Epileptology and EEG” or by calling Arnav Manchanda at the McGill Faculty of Medicine Advancement Office 514-398-2529 or Wendy at the Jewish Community Foundation 514-734-1592. For any questions, you can also contact the Program Director of the Fellowship, Dr. Eliane Kobayashi, ateliane.kobayashi@mcgill.ca.