We are sad to announce the passing of John Eerkes-Medrano of Victoria, BC, on Monday, June 15. John was a long-time member of the association (first joining in 1981), a former national executive council member, and a two-time winner of the Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence (1984 and 1997). He was involved in the development of Professional Editorial Standards and was also one of the original authors of the association’s career guide, So, You Want to Be an Editor?
“I remember him as a gentle, sensible voice at (F)EAC’s earliest meetings, many of which were held in his house when he lived in Toronto,” said Greg Ioannou, EAC past president.
“John’s was the voice of reason, of gentleness, of kind humour,” said Heather Ebbs, another former president of EAC. “He will be missed.”
From the BC branch
Those of us who had just seen, spoken to, eaten with and joked with John at the EAC conference in Toronto know that he spent his last days surrounded by his tribe: editors from across Canada who liked and respected him, who admired his work and valued his sincerity, who collaborated with him and sought to emulate him. We will miss him deeply.
A memorial page has been set up for John. Friends and colleagues are invited to leave comments there.