PIQUER, MARIANO JULIO - The passing of Dr. Mariano Julio Piquer of Fredericton, NB, occurred on Monday, February 18, 2013 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. He was born on April 29, 1931 in Zaragoza, Spain. At the University of Zaragoza, Dr. Piquer graduated in the History of Art and then completed his PhD in Literature (thesis on Hemingway and Spain), before moving to the United States and Canada, he taught at the American Air Base High School near Zaragoza. He then came to the United States to teach at Hobarth and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. In 1963, Dr. Piquer joined the Department of Romance Languages at UNB (subsequently Spanish) where he continued to teach until his retirement in 1996. While at UNB, Professor Piquer developed very popular courses on the civilization and culture of Spain and Latin America. He was an avid and accomplished photographer and gathered a comprehensive collection of photographs which he used extensively in his teaching. Professor Piquer organized a Junior Year Abroad Program in Spanish between UNB and the University of Zaragoza. He gave lectures in Latin America and was also invited to lecture in New Brunswick high schools and universities, as well Professor Piquer contributed actively to the Fredericton Multicultural Association. On several occasions, he served as Acting-Chairman of the Spanish Department at UNB. Professor Piquer travelled extensively in the Spanish speaking world and felt at home in his beloved Spain, as well as in Mexico, Cuba, Peru or Argentina. He was known for his warmth, keen sense of humour, loyalty and hospitality and made life-long friends wherever he taught or travelled. He will be sadly missed by his friends here in Fredericton as well as those elsewhere. Professor Piquer is survived by his sister, Maria Antonia Piquer Branco; brother-in-law, Antonio Camilo Branco; nephews, Antonio Mariano Piquer Branco (wife- Maria Fernanda da Silva and children, Tiago and Diana) and Joao Carlos Piquer Branco (wife- Isabel Albino and children Tatiana and Hugo) of Portugal.
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 1, 2013 at St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Church at 12 noon with Father Bill Brennan and Father Jack Dolan as celebrants. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to York Funeral Home (458-9538). Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com