GEYSSEN, JOHN WILLIAM - It is with great sadness that the family of Prof. John Geyssen announce his death at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on Saturday, June 4th, 2011. Born on April 21st, 1962 in Oakville, ON he was the husband of Margaret Geyssen of Fredericton. John leaves behind his wife, Margaret; children, Sean Geyssen and Rebecca (Andrew McGilligan) Geyssen; mother, Diane Geyssen and sister, Cheri Gagnon (Barry Laverdure). He was predeceased by his father, John; grandparents, Johannes and Maria Geyssen and maternal grandparents Howard and Jean Copeland. A beloved University professor John earned his Bachelor (1985) and Masters Degrees (1987) at Queen`s University in Kingston, Ontario. He went on to earn his Ph.D. from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina in 1992. John began teaching at the University of New Brunswick in 1992. Popular with students both inside and outside the classroom, he received the Faculty of Arts Teaching Award in 2000, and the UNB Student Union Teaching Excellence Merit Award in 2008. Perhaps his greatest benefit to the Department was his long-standing service, sympathetic and adroit, as undergraduate advisor. His lectures were a draw both in large first-year courses and in advanced-level and graduate seminars. He was an intimate part of the Department’s pioneering overseas study programs in Italy and Greece. He was also the current co-editor of the scholarly journal Mouseion. A devoted husband and father, John`s interests outside family and the classroom included travel, sports (especially his Duke Blue Devils basketball team and the Philadelphia Eagles), spending time with friends, fine wine, food and art, and enjoying his vast music and literature collections.
Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York St., on Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 from 6 to 8 pm. A memorial gathering will be held at Memorial Hall on the University of New Brunswick campus, on Thursday, June 9th, 2011 from 2 to 3 pm with Gary Waite as celebrant. Reception to follow at The Alden Nowlan House (The Grad House) at 676 Windsor St. from 3 to 6 pm. For those who wish, donations to the Viator Award at UNB, which assists students in their studies abroad, would be appreciated. Online condolences can be made at www.mcadamsfh.com