John T. Sears
1931-2020
Sears, John Tulloch, Johnny to many, 88, of
Hawthorne Street, Antigonish died on February 5, 2020, in the company
of many he loved and loved him back double.
John was born in Antigonish on October 19th, 1931 to the late
Cyril Francis Sears and Irene Genevieve MacDonald. Dad married Mom,
Mary Ann Hemeon of Liverpool, NS in 1955, and together they raised
five children, starting in Antigonish, moving on to Boston to study,
and then back to Antigonish to his alma mater of StFX.
Dr. John T. Sears graduated from St. Francis Xavier
University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1952. After
completing his MBA from the University of Detroit in 1954, John
returned to his alma mater as a member of faculty where he remained
until his retirement in 1996. He earned a D.B.A. from
Harvard University in 1966.
During his career at StFX, John was a respected and beloved
teacher, fondly remembered by his students for his engaging style,
depth of knowledge, and sharp wit. He taught courses in a variety of
disciplines but most notably in the fields of financial management,
strategy, small business management, and corporate social
responsibility. As a result of his reputation in the
classroom, Dr. Sears was an invited visiting professor at both the
University of Western Ontario (1968-69, 1978-79, 1987) and the
University of British Columbia (1988, 1996) during his time at
StFX.
In addition to serving as a member of the teaching faculty,
John was called upon to serve the university in a variety of
administrative capacities during his career. He was Dean of
the Faculty of Arts from 1970 to 1972. From 1972 to 1980 he
accepted the dual role of Dean of Arts and Dean of Science. He then
served as Academic Vice-President on two occasions, from 1984-87 and
from 1991-95. John is credited with many significant
accomplishments during his time in administration. The vibrant theatre
tradition at StFX is said to owe a great deal to his efforts and
support. In addition, Dr. Sears was instrumental in the
development of a program to recognize teaching excellence at the
university.
While a well-known and respected member of the university
community for over forty years, he played a similarly significant role
in his hometown of Antigonish. Having been born and raised in
Antigonish, Dad was quick to give back in a variety of ways.
He served as chair of the board of St. Martha’s Regional
Hospital, vice-chair of the board for the Casket Printing and
Publishing Company, treasurer and board member of the Eastern Counties
Mental Health Centre, director of Atlantic Broadcasters Ltd., chair of
the board of the Antigonish Early Childhood Intervention Program,
among many other roles.
John was sought after regionally and nationally as well to
share his leadership abilities and management acumen to numerous
review committees, boards of directors, and advisory
councils. Most notably, serving as a member of the board of
the Institute of Canadian Bankers, a member of the regional advisory
council for the Atlantic Provinces (Federal Business Development
Bank), a member of the board for Canadian National Railways, CN
Hotels, CIDA, Halifax Industries Limited, Industrial Estates Limited
of Nova Scotia , and the Advanced Management Centre at Dalhousie
University, amongst many more.
In recognition of his many years of dedication to his alma
mater, as well as his service to community, Dr. Sears was awarded a
Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa by StFX in May
2002.
On December 13, 2016, Dr. John T. Sears received further
recognition when The Dr. John T. Sears Chair in Corporate Social
Responsibility was inaugurated during ceremony in the Gerald Schwartz
School of Business at StFX. This was a further honour for a
distinguished alumnus, faculty member and senior administrator at St.
Francis Xavier University.
He was also active in his church, having served on St. Ninian
Parish Council for a number of years.
Dad was a big Boston Red Sox fan and waited until the week
after his 73rd birthday for them to win the
World Series. He cheered equally for the Toronto Maple
Leafs.
Those who will miss him dearly are his children Stephanie
(Ron) Giammarino, Meaghan (Joe) Petruzzella, Mark (Cathy) Sears, and
Mairi (David) MacFarlane; his grandchildren, Matt (Sarah) Giammarino
and their sons Henry and James; Jessica Giammarino; Jake
(Tanya) Giammarino and their sons Charlie and Huxley; Markie
Giammarino (Marnie Smith), Luke Petruzzella (Riannon Gustar),
Genevieve Petruzzella; Stephen (Abby) Sears, Siobhan Sears, Sarah
Sears (Brent Schmidt), Hannah Sears (Lee MacDonald), Caitlin (Ryan)
Shimozawa, Johnny MacFarlane, Samantha MacFarlane (Josh Dunbar), and
Melissa MacFarlane. He is also survived by his sister
Elizabeth (Bernie) Cusack.
He was predeceased by his wife Ann, their daughter, Siobhan;
and his siblings Estella, Mary, and Gerald.
Visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in
C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish.
Funeral Mass will be held Saturday at 11:00am in St. Ninian Cathedral,
Reverend Bill Crispo presiding. Burial in the parish
cemetery at a late date.
In Memoriam, donations made be made to The Antigonish Food
Bank, The Alzheimer’s Society, or a charity of your
choice. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
QUAECUMQUE SUNT
VERA

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John T Sears 19312020..

c.l.curry funeral services

Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice John T Sears 19312020

mortuary notice John T Sears 19312020