Obituary of John Kersell

BA, MA (Queen's), PhD (London School of Economics, GB.) On February 23, 2013, Jack Kersell graduated to a new life of mind and spirit, shedding the constraints of his physical body in his 84th year. His life was filled with learning and teaching in world class universities around the globe, including 30 years at the University of Waterloo as well as lecture tours in Australia (Commonwealth of Australia Senior Fellow, 1965) and India (Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute). Born January 29, 1930, in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, Jack's academic teachings and publications influenced a number of governments in British West Indies islands. His books include Parliamentary Supervision of Delegated Legislation; the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (1960) and under the nom de plume Jock O'Hazeldean, his personal Random Reflections, which explores spiritual issues learned through his many years of volunteer participation in addiction recovery support groups. He is remembered through the Professor and Mrs. Kersell Scholarship in Political Science awarded to promote the study of political science by the University of Waterloo for academic achievement by a full time student in the Faculty of Arts. Early in Jack's career, he attained the rank of Captain in the Officer Training Corps, 1960-65. A member of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, he served as general chairman for the centennial year conference in 1967. He was a member of the Canadian Political Science Association and was the New Democratic Party candidate during the 1975 general election for the Ontario Legislature in the riding of Waterloo North. He retired in 1996 from the University of Waterloo's Department of Political Science, where he specialized in public administration, micro-state governance, and public service. Before moving to the University of Waterloo, he was an assistant professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., and before that lectured at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont. Later in his career, he was associated with Bermuda College in Bermuda and the International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI). For ICCI, he served as Acting Dean in 1998. Throughout his career, he was a consultant to various governments in Canada and the West Indies. Jack is survived by his soul mate and wife of 38 years, Mardi Kersell (formerly Robinson, née Eastbury). His brother Ivan Kersell and sister-in-law, Norma (née Grummet) of Alberta are deeply saddened, as are their daughters Brenda, Linda and Stephanie. Jack is also survived by his first wife, Marlene Florence (Betty) Rossi (née Munn) and their children, John, Heather, Montgomery (Monty), and his wife, In A Lee; His memory is cherished by grandchildren Mary Boleyn (née Frank), Iris Rendon, and Jazz John Adam Kersell; and great-grandchildren Lyla Hallihan and Jack James Carter Boleyn. He will be lovingly remembered by extended family: Mardi Ann Gostovic (née Robinson), Trent Robinson, and wife, Carol; grandchildren Patrick Gostovic, and wife, Orsolya, Colleen Richter (née Robinson), her husband, Paul; Brendan Robinson, Sung Taek (Brian) Lee, Sung Bin (Richie) Lee, and wife, Min Hee; and great-grandchildren, Lilly & Oliver Gostovic, Lauren & Luke Richter, and most recently Gio Lee. Jack requested there be no funeral or solemn service. Instead he wished for a Graduation Party, for those who knew him to rejoice, imagining how free and unconfined, how exciting and fulfilling his spiritual life will be. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. A private family service was held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cystic Fibrosis Canada are appreciated and may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.