The Brock community is mourning the passing of educator, innovator and University champion Bill Cade.
Cade passed away Dec. 29, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 79.
A member of the Brock community for more than 20 years, he served as Chair of Biological Sciences from 1988 to 1989, Acting Vice-President Academic from 1996 to 1997, and Dean of the Faculty of Math and Science from 1989 to 1999.
Cade was instrumental in the creation of Brock University's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), which launched in 1996.
Today, CCOVI has grown to an internationally recognized research institute focused on priorities of Canadian grape growers and wine producers and the continuing education and outreach needs of the industry.
One of the institute's first employees, Barb Tatarnic, was hired by Cade in 1997 to serve as CCOVI Co-ordinator.
"Bill pushed for the initial meetings with Brock to create a plan for an institute to work alongside industry. He then brought together industry members to establish the path forward, assembling a team that consisted of Research Chairs in oenology and viticulture, an experiential learning staff position, as well as my own position as CCOVI Co-ordinator," says Tatarnic, who now serves as CCOVI's Manager of Continuing Education and Outreach.
She remembers Cade as a kind and purposeful man who was pioneer and innovator.
"He was a man of vision and determination and wonderful human being," adds Tatarnic. "On behalf of CCOVI and Brock University, we would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Bill's entire family."
Cade is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elsa, his daughter Tamez and her husband, and his granddaughter.
CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis was also hired by Cade as the institute's oenologist in 1999.
"Bill had a larger-than-life presence, and I always take pride in telling the story of how CCOVI came to be," she says. "His lead in creating CCOVI in partnership with industry was an innovative model at Brock. Together with Donald Ziraldo, Karl Kaiser, John Howard, Don Triggs and so many others from the industry, they created an entity that grew to be a world-class institute."
Ziraldo, who founded Inniskillin winery along with Kaiser, was co-chair of the capital campaign that helped in the creation of Inniskillin Hall, CCOVI's current home at Brock.
"Bill came to speak to Karl and I about the opportunity to get the wine industry more involved at Brock, and from that innocent beginning began a vision," Ziraldo says. "He was truly a leader. The entire Canadian wine industry has benefitted from that vision."
Lesley Rigg, Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor, says Cade was a pioneer who will be greatly missed.
"Bill Cade's contributions to Brock and the grape and wine industry are immense," she says. "Today, CCOVI stands as a flagship institute at our University. We have valued greatly from Bill's presence and vision. The Brock family is deeply saddened by his passing."
Cade's wife, Elsa, describes the couple's time in Niagara as both personally and professionally rewarding.
"Being part of the initiative to bring CCOVI to fruition was exciting for us," she says. "Those were wonderful years at Brock."
After leaving Brock in 2000, Cade served as President of Lethbridge University in Alberta until his retirement in 2010, where he guided the institution through a period of significant growth and helped to strengthen its academic reputation.
Throughout his distinguished career, Cade also became known for his work in behavioral evolution and cricket behaviour, discovering Ormia orchracea and his impact as a supervisor for students.
