Laurier mourns death of Instructor John Saville

Oct. 27, 2020

It is with deep sorrow that Wilfrid Laurier University mourns the loss of instructor John Saville, who taught in the Department of Physics and Computer Science for 13 years. John passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 25. He was 59.

The university has been in close contact with John’s family to offer support and extend heartfelt sympathy on behalf of the Department of Physics and Computer Science Department, the Faculty of Science and the entire Laurier community. Flags have been lowered to half-mast across the university in recognition of this loss. 

John taught about 1,500 Laurier students every year, primarily through the popular Computer Science course Information Processing with Microcomputer Systems. The department often received positive and sincere feedback about him from students. When the university began offering courses through a remote-learning model in the spring, John was a resource for his fellow faculty members who were learning how to teach online. He will be missed by all who knew him.

John leaves behind his wife, Cory Tanguay, their children Eugene, Jeffrey (Sarah), Sidney (Jeanie), Jason (Julie), Jessie (Sadie) and Raven, many grandchildren and one great grandchild. By request of the family, there will be no public service held at this time. Donations in John's memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 

The loss of a faculty member has a significant impact on the entire Laurier community. Support is being coordinated for those impacted by this loss. Additional assistance can be accessed from the following resources: