Obituary for Colin Ivor Mayfield
COLIN IVOR MAYFIELD
It is with great love and sadness, we announce Colin came to the fullness of life the morning of May 3, 2022. Beloved to Mary Ellen Starodub and cherished stepfather and friend to Leigh, Julian, and Michael. Born in Nottingham England, 1943. Predeceased by his parents Harold and Ida, and his brothers, Peter (Kathleen) and Derek (Thelma). Recognized for his ability at an early age, Colin became Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (Professor of Microbiology, included 8-years as Associate Dean of Computer Science), and at the United Nations University (Tokyo, Japan). His early degrees, a B.Sc. Honours (1966) and Ph.D. (1969) were from the University of Liverpool, UK. He came to Canada in 1970, completed a Post-Doctoral Fellow at MacDonald College of McGill, University in Montreal. Colin chose to stay in Canada upon accepting the offer of a faculty position at the University of Waterloo in 1970. His passion for learning, innate curiosity in biology and technology underpinned his life’s work and research interests in microbiology, toxicology, water, remediation and groundwater microbiology, distance education, and in the fields of information technology, environmental software development, data management, sharing and application. Colin was a founding member and Assistant Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), headquartered at McMaster University and the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW), Burlington, ON. Among the work he led was the Water Virtual Learning Centre for distance education on integrated water resources management (IWRM) delivered in developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central America.
In his spare time, between coffee and cigarettes, Colin enjoyed his “James Bond” style sports cars, motorcycles, fine wine collection, his gardens, and music – especially classical, opera, jazz and 60s Rock ‘n Roll. Among his favorite past-times were photography, a good conversation and story, dispelling myths, and the love of our family. Colin believed fully in Murphy’s Law, and that there’s likely a scientific basis for most instances when we blame Murphy! He provoked minds to think! His legacy includes 74 graduate students, countless microbiology students, fostering in those who listened a healthy skepticism in the name of science. He was known to say “It’s not what you’ve done that counts; it’s what you’re doing now!” His world travels included places others would never think to venture; he met and conversed with peoples of all walks of life. A man of reason, scientific principles, and fairness. Colin’s youthful vibe, high intelligence, grace, attentive listening, compassion, and delightful sense of humour set him apart. He led by example for the betterment of others. He knew what he wanted and made it happen. He never stopped thinking, and when compelled spoke up. Colin will be deeply missed. We give thanks for this wonderful man and his life of unrelenting precision, vision, and persistence. His belief in today and in making opportunities for tomorrow.
Special thanks to those nurses, healthcare staff, doctors and others at Juravinski Hospital who provided compassionate care. Private Service for family is planned. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. If desired contributions to the Nature Conservancy of Canada or to a Women’s Shelter in your community would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
It is with great love and sadness, we announce Colin came to the fullness of life the morning of May 3, 2022. Beloved to Mary Ellen Starodub and cherished stepfather and friend to Leigh, Julian, and Michael. Born in Nottingham England, 1943. Predeceased by his parents Harold and Ida, and his brothers, Peter (Kathleen) and Derek (Thelma). Recognized for his ability at an early age, Colin became Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON (Professor of Microbiology, included 8-years as Associate Dean of Computer Science), and at the United Nations University (Tokyo, Japan). His early degrees, a B.Sc. Honours (1966) and Ph.D. (1969) were from the University of Liverpool, UK. He came to Canada in 1970, completed a Post-Doctoral Fellow at MacDonald College of McGill, University in Montreal. Colin chose to stay in Canada upon accepting the offer of a faculty position at the University of Waterloo in 1970. His passion for learning, innate curiosity in biology and technology underpinned his life’s work and research interests in microbiology, toxicology, water, remediation and groundwater microbiology, distance education, and in the fields of information technology, environmental software development, data management, sharing and application. Colin was a founding member and Assistant Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), headquartered at McMaster University and the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW), Burlington, ON. Among the work he led was the Water Virtual Learning Centre for distance education on integrated water resources management (IWRM) delivered in developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central America.
In his spare time, between coffee and cigarettes, Colin enjoyed his “James Bond” style sports cars, motorcycles, fine wine collection, his gardens, and music – especially classical, opera, jazz and 60s Rock ‘n Roll. Among his favorite past-times were photography, a good conversation and story, dispelling myths, and the love of our family. Colin believed fully in Murphy’s Law, and that there’s likely a scientific basis for most instances when we blame Murphy! He provoked minds to think! His legacy includes 74 graduate students, countless microbiology students, fostering in those who listened a healthy skepticism in the name of science. He was known to say “It’s not what you’ve done that counts; it’s what you’re doing now!” His world travels included places others would never think to venture; he met and conversed with peoples of all walks of life. A man of reason, scientific principles, and fairness. Colin’s youthful vibe, high intelligence, grace, attentive listening, compassion, and delightful sense of humour set him apart. He led by example for the betterment of others. He knew what he wanted and made it happen. He never stopped thinking, and when compelled spoke up. Colin will be deeply missed. We give thanks for this wonderful man and his life of unrelenting precision, vision, and persistence. His belief in today and in making opportunities for tomorrow.
Special thanks to those nurses, healthcare staff, doctors and others at Juravinski Hospital who provided compassionate care. Private Service for family is planned. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. If desired contributions to the Nature Conservancy of Canada or to a Women’s Shelter in your community would be sincerely appreciated by the family.