J. Pemberton Cyrus

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. James Pemberton Cyrus B.Sc. (Eng.), M.A.Sc., Ph.D., F.E.C., P.Eng. Pemberton passed away suddenly, but peacefully, at his home in Bedford, Nova Scotia on June 24, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Gail Bowen-Cyrus, and his two adoring daughters, Shanni and Akili Cyrus.

Pemberton was born on September 27, 1959 in St. George’s Grenada. He was the fourth of five children to Verna Maitland-Cyrus and Sydney Littleton Cyrus, both deceased. He was the brother of Vernon Cyrus,deceased (Janice), Carleton Cyrus (Ruth), Astrid Cyrus and Dr. Sheridan Cyrus (Heather). He is also survived by his aunt, Janice Maitland, and uncle, Charles Maitland, his nephews, Jason and Brendan, his nieces, Jamie, Keeva and Sydnie and goddaughter, Nzingha Bernard Millar.

He attended Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS) and earned his BSc. in Industrial Engineering from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad. He then immigrated to Nova Scotia to pursue graduate studies at the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS), where he obtained his Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, focusing on routing and scheduling. His seminal doctoral research culminated in the thesis: “The Vehicle Scheduling Problem: Models, Complexity and Algorithms,” approved in 1988, one of his many academic contributions. He received his treasured Iron Ring in 1984, an honour symbolizing the professional ethics and obligations of engineers, which he would later share with his daughters when he presented them with their Iron Rings.

Dr. Cyrus’s 43-year academic career began as a Graduate Assistant. He advanced to Assistant Professor in 1988, earned tenure in 1992, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995. His significant administrative leadership included roles as Department Head of Industrial Engineering, Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies and Associated Universities), and Acting Associate Vice-President of Academics. Key institutional contributions featured curriculum reform, an 87% increase in first-year enrollment, process automation, and the creation of a remedial study skills course for dismissed students.

Complementing his academic work, Dr. Cyrus co-founded the industrial engineering consultancy “Logix Consultants” with Dr. Harvi Millar in 1989. He served on the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) for 11 years, holding the positions of vice chair and chair, traveling across Canada and internationally to countries such as Costa Rica and India. His dedication to the engineering profession extended to his involvement with the Engineers Nova Scotia Board of Examiners, where he was Chair from 2002 to 2003 and a member from 1999 until his passing. Furthermore, he contributed significantly to the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC), serving as Vice Chair from 2022 to 2023 and as a member from 2018 to 2024.

Dr. Cyrus’s contribution to humanity was limitless. He served as President of Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA), a program formed to grow the number of Black students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Over the 13 years that Dr. Cyrus was President, ILA secured millions of dollars in funding, and he greatly impacted the lives of countless students, employees, and board members as a mentor, teacher, uncle, and friend. His volunteering efforts were most recently recognized when he received the “Science Champion” Discovery Award for his work with ILA in 2023. Other significant awards include the “Citizenship Award” (Engineers Nova Scotia, 2023), “J.D. Fraser Service Award” (Engineers Nova Scotia, 2019), “Fellow of Engineers Canada” (Engineers Canada, 2008), and “APENS Zone Achievement Award” (Engineers Nova Scotia, 1997).

Pemberton was an accomplished artist. His talent was recognised from a young age, he created a mural for his alma mater GBSS, drew cartoons for publications, and was hired to write calligraphy on signs and for the name of the local newspaper in St. George’s, Grenada. He created many colourful and mesmerizing abstract art pieces, with shading so precise his works seemed to pop out of their frames. His art was featured in galleries and festivals, with several favourites being sold, to be admired by their new owners. He also loved photography, leaving countless photographs, albums and rolls of film to discover.

Pemberton was a founding member and the treasurer of his church. During the period that he attended, “Brother Pemberton” could be seen sitting with his family in his favorite row, bobbing his head to the music or marching around the church with the congregation.

He cared greatly for all living things and enjoyed tending to the many plants in his home where he often said, “I don’t like to see the plants suffering”. Known as an animal whisperer, even the most stubborn cats and guarded dogs warmed up to him immediately. He loved to groom and play with the family’s cat, Gina, scolding her when she sat too close to the wheels of his office chair.

While his work and service to others was of utmost importance to him, Pemberton loved being a father the most. His commitment to his wife and daughters was immeasurable. Pemberton had an incredible love for his daughters and was their life-line and support from the moment they were born. He would help them with anything and everything. He was the designated photographer in recitals, school plays and track meets; the fashion consultant and taxi driver for their various social events; a mentor, inspiration, and tutor through their engineering undergraduate degrees; and finally, he was a handyman in home renovations, a taste tester for new cake recipes, and the consulted professor for conference papers. His daughters were everything to him and he was everything to them.

Pemberton was deeply connected to his home country of Grenada. Earlier this year, he had the opportunity to return home for his work as a consultant for the Grenada Ports Authority (GPA). He created the Grenada Ports Authority Information System (GPA-IS) software, which has powered the operations of the nation's ports for over three decades. Designed to manage everything from manifests and invoices to marine, yard, and cashier operations, GPA-IS remains a cornerstone of Grenada’s port infrastructure. He was very dedicated to the project and travelled to St. George’s, Grenada to lead the deployment of an updated release of GPA-IS. After the project, he gave his daughters a tour of his hometown, including their ancestral land, his Secondary School (GBSS), his childhood home, the house he designed for his mother, and his favourite beach. Upon returning to Nova Scotia, he fondly recalled visiting Grand Anse Beach and said, “I should have gone to bathe on the beach every single day.”

The family would like to thank all the relatives, friends, and co-workers who have visited, called, and offered a helping hand during this difficult time.

Open visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by a wake from 6 to 8 p.m. at JA Snow Funeral Home, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. at JA Snow Funeral Home with Bishop Michael Gardner officiating. Burial will take place immediately following at the Brookside Bedford Community Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed.

Repast: Immediately following the burial at JA Snow Funeral Home.