Another year is gone, and as is the case every year, 2023 has seen the passing of Sudburians who have made a mark on the city or on the wider world in their own unique way.
Every year, we also use this list to mark the deaths of one or two people who didn’t live in Sudbury, but nonetheless made valuable contributions to the Nickel City.
Our condolences go out to everyone who has lost a loved one over the past year.
Below is a list of Sudburians who died in 2023:
Gregory Maskwa
A Sudbury artist who lived for many years with chronic health conditions that left him in pain died early this year at the age of 69. Gregory Maskwa passed away peacefully Jan. 17 at Maison McCulloch Hospice. “Greg was a true artist who loved depicting his life using his craft,” said his obituary. “Some would say even more so, he loved speaking about his experiences in person — painting you a true visual of his experiences by his spoken word. Whether it was on a canvas or in person, Greg shared about all of the experiences he went through, both good and bad. He didn’t shy away from or regret any aspect of his life.” Maskwa lived with chronic pain caused by an extreme condition related to his HIV called ‘peripheral neuropathy’. In 2019, Sudbury.com ran a story about Maskwa, who had donated an award-winning painting called “Things Could Be Worse (Self-portrait with Pain)” to the Integrated Chronic Pain Program from Health Sciences North, where he was a patient. It is a display of the way Maskwa saw his pain, and felt his pain.
Doug Craig
Former Greater Sudbury city councillor Doug Craig passed away Feb. 8 at the age of 82. Craig’s obituary said he was a high school teacher and vice-principal for 24 years with the Sudbury Board of Education. As well, he was a dedicated city councillor in Greater Sudbury for 19 years, and was the longest serving member in the city’s history, having never lost an election, his obituary said. Craig last served on council in 2014, when he did not run for re-election in Ward 9. In a November 2014 Sudbury.com story, written on the occasion of his last meeting as councillor, Craig said he had “enjoyed every moment” of his time in municipal politics.
Bev Brisco
Devoted Sudbury volunteer Bev Brisco passed away at Maison McCulloch Hospice on March 25 at the age of 74 after being diagnosed with lung and bone cancer in 2020. “Bev was an inspiring and impressive person who truly made the City of Sudbury ‘Greater,’” said her obituary. “She provided leadership, mentorship, and friendship to many people and worthy causes. “She received many awards for her efforts, most recently a national award for her work at the hospice. Whether galas, golf tournaments, walkathons, or festivals. Bev has raised thousands of dollars from building the hospice, acquiring equipment for the cancer centre, or providing daily needs for seniors; truly, Bev embodied Jesus’ teaching of Loving Thy Neighbour on a daily basis.” The former manager at Sears and then Sears home was a member of the Sudbury Hospice Foundation board, and was the chair of the hospice’s annual fundraising gala for five years. Beyond her work with the hospice, Brisco was also a well-known volunteer with the Northern Cancer Foundation, and was part of Angels in Pink, a team of Sudburians who raised money for breast cancer equipment and a van that takes women to and from breast screening appointments.
Richard Joly
A health-care administrator who had held several senior posts in the Greater Sudbury area and in Northern Ontario passed away May 3. Richard Joly was 51 years old. His LinkedIn account said he was the CEO of the North East Community Care Access Centre for 11 years, between 2006 and 2017. He was also the vice-president of the North East LHIN, home and community care from 2017 to 2019. After those posts, he also briefly was the organizational change management lead at Health Sciences North in 2020, before becoming the president and CEO of the North Shore Health Network in 2021. Joly held a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Laurentian University and an MBA from Franklin University, his LinkedIn profile said. His obituary said Joly was a Rotarian for the past 21 years and has always lived by their philosophy of “service above self.” He was honoured to receive the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International Foundation in 2019. Throughout his life, Joly dedicated a lot of his time volunteering with numerous organizations.
Mitchell Speigel
Sudbury business and community leader Mitchell Speigel died May 8. His daughter, Lisa, posted a message on her father's Facebook page to confirm his passing. "It is with extreme sadness that Lisa Speigel, Jeremy Speigel and Dara Speigel announce the passing of Mitch Speigel.” His obituary describes him as a”larger-than-life” character who loved his family and his faith, and who was a consummate storyteller and the life of the party. Making and admiring art and music were among his passions, as was giving back to the community. Long-time friend Roger Nash called Speigel's passing a big loss to the city's Jewish community and Sudbury. Known for his wit and mischievous musings, Speigel was a community booster and a faithful supporter of The Shar Hashomayim synagogue that his uncle and father had helped to build. The former president of Acme Building and Construction, a major commercial and industrial construction company with offices in Sudbury, Toronto and Montreal, Speigel continued to work in property management and as a mortgage agent up to his death, said Nash.
Arnel Michel
Well-known Sudbury businessman Arnel Michel died July 9 at the age of 89. Michel co-founded A&J Home Hardware store in 1973, which this year celebrated its 50th year in business. The Michel family also owned Gloria's Restaurant for many years. Michel is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Laurette (nee Beaumont), said the notice. Michel was the father of Brigitte (Jim), Claude, Bruno (Jennifer), Mario, and Valérie (Paul). He was pre-deceased by his son Marc (Lynn). Michel was also grandfather to Lianne (Sam), late Zachary, Patrick, Geneviève (Evan), Kyra (Mike), Cassia (Jasmin), Sophie (Jérémie), Samuel, Maximilien, Zachary and Emily. He was also great-grandfather to Marc and Félix.
Folly Markle
Greater Sudbury lost one of its oldest citizens July 13. Mafalda (Folly) Scagnetti Markle was 105 years old. Sudbury.com and its sister publications have featured Markle several times over the years, including an article this spring in honour of her 105th birthday written by freelancer Vicki Gilhula as part of our Success series. Born April 1, 1918, Markle was the guest of honour at a party at her home of Southwind Retirement Residence on April 23. Guests were asked to make a donation to the Health Sciences North Foundation instead of bringing gifts. Almost $4,000 was raised. Born in Garson, she was named after Princess Mafalda of Savoy, the second daughter of Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III. She was the oldest of nine children.
Tony Anselmo
Iconic downtown business owner Tony Anselmo passed away July 19. As word of his passing spread through Sudbury’s musical community, tributes on social media soon followed. Opened in 1974, Records on Wheels was a downtown staple until 2014, when its final location at the corner of Durham and Elm streets closed for good. Records on Wheels was born in 1974 when Anselmo decked out an old bus and transformed it into a makeshift store. Every day, he'd drive the record-mobile to a parking lot across from the old Odeon Theatre and set up shop for the day. The “moveable feast” for the ears was a hit, selling copious amounts of the Steve Miller Band's "The Joker" and Paul McCartney's "Band on the Run.”
Bruce Jago
Bruce Jago, the founding executive director of Laurentian University’s renowned Goodman School of Mines in Sudbury, died at the age of 66 on Aug. 5, 2023, following “a heroic battle with young onset Alzheimer’s disease,” according to his obituary. The respected exploration geologist had more than 30 years of experience in the mining industry. He was announced as executive director of the newly minted Goodman School of Mines in January 2013, a position he maintained for six years. Known as “Canada’s mining school,” the Goodman School of Mines offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programming across the mining spectrum.
Anne Marie MacInnis
Many Sudbury residents were saddened on learning that Anne Marie MacInnis, 58, died Aug. 21. A formal obituary notice said MacInnis passed away peacefully with family members at her side. MacInnis was the mother of Travis MacInnis (predeceased, 2001), and the daughter of Evelyn (predeceased, 2011) and George MacInnis (predeceased, 2013). She is survived by siblings, Janet Strum (Bill), Heather Castanguay (Rene), and George MacInnis (Lori). MacInnis was well-known as an activist and labour leader, advocating for workers in the community. She also served for several years as president of Unifor Mine Mill Local 598. She rose to that position in 2013 and became the first ever female president of that well known Sudbury mining local, one of the largest union locals in Northern Ontario. MacInnis had assumed the position when Local 598/Unifor president Richard Paquin accepted a position as staff representative with the national union.
Raymond Moryiama
Tributes came in from across Canada following the death of one of the country's best-known architects, Raymond Moriyama, who died Sept. 1. He was 93. Moriyama was known for his visionary architectural approach for some of Canada's best known buildings, which includes the Science North science centre in Sudbury. Background on the Science North design was provided on the Canada Modern website. "Science North (Science Nord) is an interactive science museum in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, consisting of two snowflake-shaped buildings on the southwestern shore of Ramsey Lake. These buildings are connected by a rock tunnel, which passes through a billion-year-old geologic fault. The museum’s architect, Raymond Moriyama (of Moriyama & Teshima Architects, Toronto), said that his concept was “a snowflake falling on a rock”, this became the inspiration for Kramer’s icon, and remains in use to this day."
Dena Morrison
Dena Morrison, longtime Sudbury school trustee, died Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the age of 64 years. After a 20-year career in government service, Morrison followed in her mother Betty Morrison's footsteps, becoming a trustee with the Rainbow District School Board upon its creation in 1998. Morrison served as both chair and vice chair at the board. She was honoured provincially and locally this year for her dedicated service to public education, earning the President’s Award from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and a certificate for 25 years of service to Rainbow Schools. Her obituary states that she was a stalwart advocate for many, “constantly striving to create paths for success and happiness for the younger generation.” Morrison was an avid Toronto sports fan, with her obituary noting her enthusiasm “was infectious, brightening up every game day.” Morrison was born in Sudbury on August 26, 1959, and attended Col. David Younger Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, and Lasalle Secondary School. Her obituary notes that her presence “was a vibrant source of light, embodying thoughtfulness and a spirit of independent thinking.” Although she never had children of her own, her obituary said she embraced her niece, Erin, and nephews, Taylor and Jordan Ablitt, and her great-nephews, Nash and Bentley Ablitt, as her own.
Victor Duhamel
Hailed as a pillar of the Canadian boating industry, Victor Duhamel, the founder of Legend Boats, died Oct. 5. He was 82. “It is with deep sadness and profound respect that we announce the passing of Victor Duhamel, the dynamic and pioneering co-founder of Legend Boats,” the company said in a news release today. Born Feb. 15, 1941, in Lively, Duhamel and Carl Dewar partnered to sell tires under the Duhamel & Dewar name in 1968. According to the company history at LegendBoats.com, they sold everything from tires to recreational vehicles, but found it was too difficult to buy a boat in Canada and even harder to find a boat built in Canada. Thus, in 1986, Legend Boats was born. “Vic and Carl started by creating affordable and complete boat, motor and trailer packages and created a fully-priced catalogue so that pricing was easy for anyone interested in getting their family on the water,” the history states. “Then, they beefed up their boats with thicker aluminum and made full stand-up tops standard on most full windshield models to make sure every Legend boat could handle the rugged Canadian climate while keeping boaters safe and comfortable.” Besides their innovative catalogue, Legend Boats pioneered other industry firsts, including the rear bench that converts into an extended casting deck and sleek molded consoles in aluminum boats.
Dwayne Trudeau
Sudbury.com had just featured local bluesman, Dwayne Trudeau, and shared some of his music when we learned that he unexpectedly passed away a week after our story came out. Trudeau died on Nov. 13 at the age of 48. He leaves behind family, four children, and the eternal respect of Sudbury’s music community. Born April 29, 1975, Trudeau was originally from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and moved to Sudbury in 1987. He told Sudbury.com in early November he began playing on the streets just to make a few bucks for diapers, and ended up playing just about every stage in Sudbury. Trudeau, however, never quite made it big. Not the fame that would match his talent, anyway, because if anything, Trudeau had chops. After his death, musicians and fans across the city took to social media to express their sadness, including Matt Foy, Vic Theriaiult (of Sudbury's Bluez Brothers) and even Dominic Beaudry, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs at Laurentian.
Ali Reguigui
Laurentian University linguistics professor Ali Reguigui passed away in a motor vehicle collision Nov. 29. Interim provost Brenda Brouwer announced Reguigui’s death in an internal email to the Laurentian University community on Nov. 30. “I am deeply saddened to inform you that early yesterday, Dr. Ali Reguigui passed away in a tragic motor vehicle accident,” said the email from Brouwer. “This news is a shock to our community, and please know that support services are available to you. Dr. Reguigui was a highly regarded faculty member who contributed immensely to all areas of Laurentian University since he began his role in 1990. “He was the editor of the journal Nouvelles perspectives en sciences sociales and the Revue du Nouvel-Ontario, and the editor of the Human Sciences Monograph Series. He also served as director of the Department of French Studies, director of the PhD Program in Human Studies and the French-speaking vice-dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Laurentian University. “He was also a member of the PhD Program in Human Studies and founder of several university programs including the Bachelor and Master of Health Sciences in Orthophonie. He was also the co-founder of the Observatory for French Language in Ontario (OLFO). He published many articles and books and directed several collectives.”
Jim Smith
A retired director of education with the former Sudbury Board of Education and the longtime organizer of the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival passed away Dec. 5. Jim Smith was 90 years old. “Jim led his life with a beautiful balance of grace and compassion,” said his obituary. “He was fiercely dedicated to our community and was delighted by the successes of his family. As the retired director of education, he was keenly interested in his students as they moved through the education system and transitioned into working life.” David Farrow, chair of the Rainbow District School Board, issued a written statement in light of Smith’s death. “Jim Smith was a highly regarded director of education of the former Sudbury Board of Education from 1983 until his retirement in 1995,” said Farrow’s statement. “He served the public education system locally with distinction throughout his 38-year career. A consummate people person, he valued the contribution of every member of the school system and earned the admiration of all those who had the privilege of working with him.”
Dr. Jacob Holub
Dr. Jacob “Jake” Holub, family physician and former team doctor for the Sudbury Wolves died Dec. 15 at the age of 69. His obituary states he died on Long Lake “with his loving family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.” A passionate Toronto Maple Leafs’ fan, Holub served as his hometown team’s doctor for many years. His contributions to the team were honoured Dec. 15, when Ken McKenzie, coach of the Wolves, dedicated the game to Holub. Holub enjoyed “great camaraderie” with his fellow Idylwylde golf club members golfing and winter vacationing with family and friends in Innisbrook,” his obituary reads. “Jake found profound solace at his remote camp on Burns Lake and family cottage on Fairbanks Lake.”
