The St. Clair College community is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former College President, Dr. John Strasser.
Dr. Strasser was the College's fifth and longest serving president, serving in that role from 2000 to 2015.
"The remarkable growth of St. Clair College during the second half of its half-century of existence can be attributed, in large part, to Dr. John Strasser's personality, energy and foresight," said President Michael Silvaggi. "This is evident in concrete form - literally - when one considers the architectural expansion of the school that occurred under his presidency: our residences, the SportsPlex in Windsor and HealthPlex in Chatham, obtaining the former Cleary Convention Centre and converting it to the Centre for the Arts to establish a college presence in the downtown, the MediaPlex, the downtown Student Centre, the Toldo Centre for Applied Health Sciences, and the Centre for Construction Innovation and Production. I am probably missing a few projects because that is how much of a whirlwind Dr. Strasser's presidency was. And it was all of that development that has allowed St. Clair College to expand its enrolment - and enhance its academic offerings - so substantially in recent years."
"St. Clair's involvement with the community also blossomed during Dr. Strasser's time here. He was a proud supporter of The S'Aints annual Christmas concert to assist area foodbanks, authorized substantial donations by the College and its Alumni Association to a number of charities, and ensured that St. Clair would be there whenever a worthy event needed a venue or a sponsorship," Silvaggi said.
"The staff, students and alumni of the College extend our deepest condolences to Gayle, Andrew, Kirby and the rest of the Strasser family. John will be mourned and fondly remembered by St. Clair and the people of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent."
Dr. Strasser passed away with his wife, Gayle, by his side on Sept. 14, 2024, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, N.S. He was 79.
https://memorials.sydneymemorialchapel.com/john-strasser/5488452/index.php
