Arthur Wesley Cragg

Born in Bowmanville to Rev. Arthur Cragg and Florence (Clare). Husband of Mary Boyd Cragg (nee Newbery), father of David (HyeRan), Beth (Peter), and Paul (Anna), grandfather of Noah, Hannah, Theo, Mila, Nellie, and Flynn. Survived by brother David (Barb) and sister Clare (Willie). Passed away at home in Aurora, surrounded by family.

Wes received his MA from the University of Alberta and D.Phill from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. From 1967 to 1992 he was a professor of philosophy at Laurentian University, where he developed an interdisciplinary program in Law and Justice and edited and published Contemporary Moral Issues, the first Canadian textbook on moral issues, which shaped the Canadian philosophical discussions of ethics.

In 1992, Wes became the first George R. Gardiner professor of Business Ethics at the Schulich School of Business at York University, where he worked to ensure that ethics became a core part of the MBA program. His early research and teaching were pioneering in a business school setting where the introduction of ethical considerations was initially met with substantial resistance. He worked hard to change perceptions, ultimately earning international recognition and respect and making great strides for the integration of ethics in the business field. Following ‘retirement’ in 2006, Wes founded the Canadian Business Ethics Research Network (CBERN), promoting business ethics initiatives and research in Canada by encouraging networking and dialogue across the private, government, NGO and academic sectors. Wes was a past president of the Canadian Philosophical Society and the John Howard Society of Canada, and the founding Chair and President of the Canadian Chapter of Transparency International.

His personality was such that his commitment and engagement with public and corporate ethics shone through all his actions and words, and he matched this moral commitment to a very precise and analytical mind. He was dedicated to the causes he held dear, and worked tirelessly to promote the importance of fighting corruption at home and around the world through transparency, accountability, solidarity, courage, justice and democracy.

Wes loved and was fiercely loyal to his family. He loved spending time with them at the cottage and on canoe trips. Wes was always working on a wood pile and had a beautiful J-stroke. He was, in essence, a piler of wood and hewer of water. He enjoyed sports and derived much joy from his athletic pursuits; he played hockey and tennis, was a black diamond downhiller and an avid cross country skier. He was passionate about music and an accomplished pianist. He travelled extensively and found inspiration in the beauty and complexity of the world. Man of faith and son of the manse, Wes loved to sing in the choir and taught a Kerygma Bible study. His Christian faith guided his personal and professional actions.

Wes was a man of integrity, generosity and determination who spent his life trying to make the lives of the people around him better. He will be missed.

A service will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 10:30am at Trinity Anglican Church, Aurora. In memory of Wes, please consider a donation in his name to the John Howard Society of Canada or to a student scholarship in business ethics: www.giving.yorku.ca/cragg