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Remembering Professor Patrick Nicholson
March 27, 2009
by David S. Wilkinson
It is with sadness that I write to inform you that Professor Patrick Nicholson passed away on the afternoon of March 25th after a prolonged illness. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Ena, their children Natasha, Ian and Lara and their families and friends.
Patrick's long career at McMaster was marked by his dedication to the discipline of Materials Engineering, with a strong emphasis on education and research on ceramic materials. He was the prime mover of McMaster’s Ceramic Engineering program, which later became a “stream” within Materials Engineering; he was an innovative researcher in the development of novel ceramic materials. In acknowledgment of his many accomplishments, he was elected Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and was President of the Canadian Ceramic Society.
Patrick was instrumental in the advancement of ceramic research in Canada and beyond. In particular, he initiated and organized a series of leading edge conferences on recent developments on composites, held annually at Lake Louise.
He took pleasure in working with graduate students and research associates; he also greatly enjoyed playing social bridge and telling stories, and was author of several books of fact and fiction.
He will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues.
Friends will be received at the Hill & Robinson Funeral Home & Cremation
Centre, 30 Nelson Street, Brantford, ON on Monday, March 30th, from
10-11 a.m. A Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel at 11
a.m. Donations in lieu of flowers to a charity of your choice
would be greatly appreciated.
