The Brock University community is mourning the loss of Michael Manley-Casimir, a former Dean of the Faculty of Education and a champion of educational justice and equity.
Manley-Casimir passed away on Saturday, June 7 in Toronto. He was 85.
Appointed Dean of Education in 1998, Manley-Casimir served in the role until 2005, helping to shape the Faculty's academic direction during a period of significant growth. He later served as Acting Vice-President, Academic, and most recently completed a term as Director of Brock's Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education, furthering his long-standing commitment to equity in education.
"His favourite thing was working with students. Even after he retired, he always wished he was back there. He really loved the work," said Distinguished Professor Susan Drake, his partner and long-time academic collaborator in the Department of Educational Studies.
Born on the island of Jersey during the German occupation, Manley-Casimir's early experiences with resilience and injustice informed a life devoted to fairness, education and democratic values. A lifelong learner, he held a PhD from the University of Chicago, a Master of Laws from the University of British Columbia, and was completing a Creative Writing certificate at the University of Toronto at the time of his passing.
Prior to joining Brock, he spent 24 years at Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Education, where he co-founded the Education and Law Project, which later became the Centre for Education, Law and Society, bringing together law, education and advocacy.
At Brock, Manley-Casimir was known for his approachability, humour and mentorship.
Drake noted colleagues and former students alike remembered him as someone who truly listened.
"People are all saying the same thing, that he was so supportive," she said. "Whether it was a student or a new professor feeling lost, he treated everyone like an equal."
His research focused on the intersection of education and the law, especially the ethical use of administrative discretion. He published widely and secured more than $750,000 in external research funding, earning recognition from the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration and a national mentorship award.
"The theme of his life was social justice," Drake said. "He was always looking out for the underdog, the new student, the struggling professor, the ones who needed a hand."
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 20 at 1:30 p.m. at the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club.
