BRIDGEO, WILLIAM ALPHONSUS, PhD - December 1927 - January 2014 - Peacefully, January 6. Predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret by just three weeks, by parents William and Caroline Bridgeo, sister Mary Ferris, brother Robert (Bob), and infant sister Caroline. Survived by children Anne Marie Abraham (Paul) of Abu Dhabi, UAE, Mary (Richard Lochead) of Ottawa ON, Paul (Pam) of Bracebridge, and Gina (Andy Fogarty) of Cincinnati OH; grandchildren Caroline Abraham Magwood (Ian), Anne Louise Abraham; David, Will and Ian Lochead; Jocelyn, Jenni and Gregg Bridgeo; and Elizabeth, Rachael and Fiona Fogarty; great grandchild Paul Magwood; and numerous nieces and nephews in particular the Ferris family of John, Tom, Mary (Best), Jim, Diane (Hodge) and Brian, with whom he felt a special bond. Born and raised a proud St. John-er from New Brunswick, he graduated from St. Vincent’s Boys School in 1944, received a Bachelor of Science from St. Francis Xavier University in 1948 and a PhD from University of Ottawa in 1952. He did post graduate studies at Notre Dame University, Indiana (1952-53), and at New York State University, College of Ceramics in 1961-63. He met Margaret Campbell at a function of the Newman Society in 1955 and they were married shortly afterward. Three children soon arrived and a fourth was born in New York State. Margaret kept the home fires burning while Bill pursued his many professional activities. He joined the Chemistry Department of Saint Mary’s University (SMU) in 1954 and continued full time until his retirement in 1993. In 1967 he was appointed the university’s first Dean of Science to lead the development of the faculty and held that position until 1977. From 1953 to 1969 he also played a key role at the Nova Scotia Research Foundation, serving as Head of the Technical Services Division and later the Chemistry Division. In 1971 he founded BRIDCO Values Ltd. to apply research to commercial use, developing strontium ceramic glazes and conducting research into the synthesis of strontium chemicals. He was a fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada and the American Institute of Chemists and a member of the International Association of Water Pollution Research (now the International Association on Water Quality). He served as President of the Canadian Association on Water Pollution Research and Control in 1981-82, organizing an international conference in Yellowknife on water pollution research in the Arctic (1985). Member of the Central Committee of the Atlantic Provinces Inter-University Committee on Sciences (APICS), now Science Canada, he served as Chair from 1972-75. During his tenure the objectives of APICS and a governance model were established which are still largely in place today. Bill was dedicated to science research issues in Atlantic Canada, serving on joint committees to develop computer technology in universities and research organizations, a member of the Committee on Federal Support of University Research for inter-institutional coastal and maritime research and promoting student exchanges between the University of West Indies and Atlantic universities. In 2012 he became an Emeritus Member of the Science Atlantic Hall of Fame. He was a lifelong environmentalist, activity involved with water resources research and oil pollution. He was keenly interested in issues of natural resources, research and education and the role of values in humanity. Outside of work and family, his greatest passion was for the forest and he spent every hour possible at his land in Antigonish County, building his cottage, nurturing the trees, and enjoying the prospect of Lochaber Lake below.
Visitation at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax, (455-0531) Thursday, January 9, from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm, Catholic Service to be held on Friday, January 10 at 10:30am in St. Benedict’s Church, Clayton Park. Burial to follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com