Miss you (from Karen Breeck, MD)

Was very saddened to open up the MUN Gazette and see the announcement of Jon’s passing. He was undoubtably my favorite prof when I was at MUN doing a bio/psychology joint honour degree. My thesis was on the effect of geomagnetism and whale strandings and I had the great pleasure of having Jon as my academic advisor. I also spent a wonderful summer in 1986 on a NSERC grant as his “helper” for the whale release program – releasing around 10 whales together. I will remember him most for his wonderful sense of humour.. when asking him why he had selected me to be his summer student over so many other applicants he said “I was perfect”.. the city slicker girl from Calgary and the come from away academic prof… he figured that any self-respecting fishermen would take one look at the two of us and say to himself… if that lot can release a whale on their own… surely to God it couldnt be that hard to do and next time they might well try it on their own…and often they did… I still think back often to the many words of wisdom shared on those long drives throughout the province on our way to/from whale rescues. Jon, you and your passion for life and the ocean and all the things in it will always be remembered and you will be missed. R.I.P.

This post was submitted by Karen Breeck MD.