Arthur Forer, a professor emeritus in York University’s Department of Biology, who specialized in molecular research, passed away on June 6.

Forer joined the Department of Biology in 1972, after time spent at several prestigious post-secondary institutions such as the Carlsberg Foundation Biological Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark; the University of Cambridge in England; Duke University in North Carolina; and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed his PhD at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire under the supervision of Shinya Inoue, a pioneer in microscopy and cell imaging. 

Forer spent his career studying how chromosomes move during cell division, and was one of the first cell biologists to use ultraviolet micro-irradiation techniques in that pursuit. His work in the field was something he looked to advance even until recently. “Forer continued doing research in his lab until he passed away,” said Robert Tsushima, Chair of the Department of Biology. “In fact, he was excited about renewing his NSERC [Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council] grant later this year and mentoring a cohort of new scientists.”

His passion for his work, and teaching, was something readily felt by others. “Art was a wonderful supervisor and brilliant microscopist,” said Professor Paula Wilson, a former doctoral student of Forer’s. “What he most enjoyed was working with living cells at the microscope and ‘talking science.’ It was a privilege to be in his lab.”

Forer was also a strong advocate of social justice. He attended Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., championed civil rights and equality, stressed the importance of protecting the environment, and advocated for equality and equity women in science. He spent more than five decades supervising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, almost all of whom were women.

In recognition of his work, he was inducted as a member of the American Society for Cell Biology and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Beyond academics, Forer loved hiking with his longtime friend Professor Emeritus Ronald Pearlman and was an avid cyclist who routinely biked – into the 89th year of his life. He was also a dedicated musician involved with many musical groups.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a musical charity.

Robert E. Simmons, a former York University professor and Chair of the English department, passed away on May 19 at the age of 87.

Simmons joined York U in 1966 as a professor of English at the then newly formed Glendon College. He did so after obtaining his master’s of philosophy degree from the University of Toronto, an experience that included classes with renowned philosopher Marshall McLuhan and literary critic Northrop Frye, which intensified his lifelong love of literature, learning and writing.

During his time at York U – where he remained until his retirement in 2000 – Simmons taught English literature, linguistics and creative writing. He also co-authored the linguistics textbook The Language of Literature and the geography textbook Urban Canada.

Being a longtime fan of William Blake – whose poetry and vision of the human condition deeply affected Simmons and influenced his own writing and creative work – led Simmons to publish a book of literary criticism called A New Interpretation of Blake’s Minor Prophecies.

Even after his time in academia, Simmons continued to pursue teaching and literature, offering weekly creative writing classes at his local library in Chesley, Ont., and editing local authors’ works.

A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 13 in Guelph, Ont., at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home’s Dublin Chapel. All are welcome to attend. RSVP to Barb Simmons at barbsimmons22@gmail.com

Donations in the late professor’s memory can be made to Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington.

Natasa Bajin, a retired School of Kinesiology & Health Science faculty member and York University gymnastics coach, passed away on May 13.

A Serbian-Yugoslavian gymnast, Bajin came to York in the early 1970s as one of the world’s best in her field, with an illustrious career that included 13 first-place finishes as the national senior champion of the country formerly known as Yugoslavia, and 14 championships in the province of Serbia. Between 1965 and 1974, she also she competed in two Olympic Games, three world championships and four European championships.

At York, Bajin began serving as the head women’s gymnastics coach in 1974 and remained in the role for nearly 20 years. During her tenure, the team she coached enjoyed great success, earning 12 Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association gold medals and four Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union national champions. In recognition of her accomplishment, she would go on to be inducted into York University’s Sport Hall of Fame in 2001. She was also a tenured faculty member who taught fitness and gymnastics in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science.

Bajin’s influence spread beyond York as well, as she was involved in Gymnastics Ontario as a judge at the highest level of qualification, and she spent many days visiting schools to assist teachers in running after-school gymnastics programs. 

Over the course of her 50-year career, she trained thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to teach gymnastics themselves in schools across Ontario – in the process, ensuring Bajin’s influence will continue to resonate in a field she so excelled in.

Joy Cohnstaedt, an esteemed professor emerita and former dean of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design at York University, passed away on March 27.

Prior to her tenure at York University, Professor Cohnstaedt held several prestigious roles, including Chair of the Ontario Council of University Affairs, deputy minister of culture, heritage and recreation in Manitoba, and executive director of the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

Her field of study focused on comparative cultural policy, arts and the law, arts and cultural administration, and minorities and the arts. She was a respected figure in her field, as demonstrated by her receiving the Bora Laskin National Fellowship in Human Rights Research. This prestigious award was in recognition of her work related to cultural and communication policy.

After retiring from her tenured position at York, Cohnstaedt continued to teach and supervise graduate students for an additional decade, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to education and her students.

“Joy Cohnstaedt arrived at York with extensive experience bridging arts practice, cultural heritage, and cultural policy-making and practice. As Dean, she steered the then Faculty of Fine Arts at York at a moment of intense global political and cultural change. Her approach to both to heritage and cultural preservation and to Canadian Multiculturalism had a profound influence on students and colleagues,” says Michael Darroch, Interim Dean, School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design.

Beyond her academic contributions, Cohnstaedt also made a significant impact in the community. She volunteered with the Canadian Textile Museum for over a decade and served as a board member of the Baby Point Heritage Foundation. In 2019, her contributions to local heritage activities were recognized by the Etobicoke Historical Society with the Jean Hibbert Memorial Award.

A simple memorial will be held this month, both in person and online. To receive details about this spring gathering, email rememberingjoycohnstaedt@gmail.com.