Sydney Dennis Bulman-Fleming

Born in Revelstoke, BC, Syd spent his early years in Vancouver and Kelowna with his parents, Stanley and Isabel, and younger brother Brian. A gifted pianist from a young age, Syd studied with his mother and later Noël Smith and Boris Roubakine, winning numerous awards, including the City of Victoria Medallion Tray (1960 and 1962) and top marks provincially in Royal Conservatory exams. A formative summer at the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1961 broadened his musical world; however, by his late teens, Syd’s academic brilliance in science and math began to emerge.

Having made the difficult decision to pursue university over a professional music career, Syd enrolled in physics at the University of Victoria in 1962. There he excelled academically, winning top student honours, forming lifelong friendships, and continuing his friendship with Robert (Bob) McKellar. A letter to Bob’s sister Barbara while on a summer work term in Ottawa (sent on a dare) led to a flood of letters between them, and love. Syd and Barbara married in 1967 and embarked on their lives together, moving to Kingston, Ontario, to continue their studies, then to Germany, where Syd completed his PhD in pure mathematics and where their first son, Andy, was born. At each location, they made life-long friends.

After post-doctoral studies at the University of Waterloo, and a year teaching at Shawnigan Lake School, Syd began a tenure-track position at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON, teaching and researching semigroup theory for over three decades. Research collaborations with Estonian and English colleagues brought lifelong friendships and satisfaction. Alongside his work, he remained deeply engaged in music — performing with musical friends for the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society and in countless informal gatherings at home.

Syd and Barbara raised three sons — Andy, Jon, and Neil — while cultivating a warm home full of music, laughter, and intellectual curiosity. In 2009, they returned to Victoria BC, renewing old friendships and forging wonderful new ones through music, tennis, and Pilates. In Victoria, Syd continued to accompany young musicians in competitions and academic performances, volunteering with the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, and the Victoria Summer Music Festival, and serving as president of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra over his 15 years on its board of directors. He treasured his time alongside stalwart youth orchestra manager Sheila Redhead.

Playing music with friends brought him the deepest joy, and there are truly too many beloved collaborators to mention. Especially strong were his musical bonds with Niky Kamran, Yasuko Eastman, Yariv Aloni, and son Andy, but he cherished playing with each one of his dear, talented musical friends.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024, Syd faced his illness and final days with bravery and grace. He died with medical assistance, surrounded by family and listening to Mozart. He has joined his cats Neptune and Lion in the great hereafter, where they are politely taking turns on his lap — he rests easy at last about their whereabouts.

Syd was predeceased by his parents Stanley and Isabel Bulman-Fleming, and his brother Brian Bulman-Fleming.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (née McKellar); his sons Andy (partner Natalie and sons Stan and Walter and their mother Jasmine), Jon (wife Meghan and children Eric and Mary Jane), and Neil (partner Jen and son Kai); his sister-in-law Margaret Bulman-Fleming (widow of Brian); his brother-in-law Bob McKellar (wife Barbara Merriam), and nieces and nephews.

Syd will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, funny, analytical, and profoundly artistic person. He loved his family and friends above all.

Donations can be made to the Syd Bulman-Fleming Collaborative Piano Award through the University of Victoria at https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate/. Select "Other fund" from the Designation drop-down list and enter the name of the award in "How would you like to direct your donation?".