Dr. John (Jim) Patterson Mayberry
Professor Emeritus, Mathematics, Brock University
July 17, 1929 — September 8, 2014
Born in New Haven, Connecticut to John Sibbald Mayberry and Maude Aileen (Patterson) Mayberry (later, Roenigk). Grew up in Stratford, Ontario. Died in St. Catharines, Ontario. Loving husband of 60 years to Kerstin (Bengtsson) Mayberry; beloved father of John (Laurie Cumming), Kristina, and Elna; and much-missed grandfather of Mark and Anna Mayberry, and Stuart and Timothy Williamson.
Jim wore his school colours proudly: Upper Canada College 1946, University College, University of Toronto 1950, and Princeton University (PhD.) 1955, where his thesis was on Topology (Knot Theory), leading to his interest in Game Theory. Over his career he wrote many articles, chapters, and books at the highest level of theoretical inquiry, and had the distinction of co-authoring with five different Nobel Prize winners.
In 1958 Jim became an Operations Analyst with the United States 5th Air Force in Tokyo until 1961, when he moved to the Pentagon in Washington DC where he was Senior Analyst and Chief, Research Group, until 1967. On leaving the Pentagon to become a consultant, Jim was awarded the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service by the U.S. Air Force. The citation reads, in part, “Manifesting the highest ideals of public service, he has devised solutions to the most difficult problems in applied mathematics and computation, pioneered unique techniques that have impacted significantly on the national security decision process, provided an inspiring leadership and example for fellow analysts, and most ably represented the Air Force in scientific conferences both in the United States and abroad.”
Jim also received a Letter of Commendation for Outstanding Service to the Japan Air Self Defense Force, and was an honorary Member of Faculty of the United States Army Logistical Management Center. He taught at the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, the Institut für Höhere Studien in Vienna, and George Washington University in Washington DC.
Brock University was the beneficiary of Jim’s experience and expertise in 1971 when he joined the Mathematics Department, where he taught thousands of students, served as Chair, sat on Senate, and was an active member of that community until retirement in 1995.
Those who knew Jim know that mathematics was only a part of the gallant, polite, imaginative, and curious person he was. A passionate student of languages, he delighted in learning enough of a new language to communicate with a new friend, or to find out the etymology of someone’s name. His lifelong interest in the theatre started with school productions of Gilbert and Sullivan, and he told stories of building scenery in Hart House Theatre as an undergrad. His love of building, and especially electrics, meant that he was always working on a house renovation project.
At heart, Jim was a dancer, and he and his treasured Swedish bride, Kerstin, first met on the dance floor and continued their dancing of many kinds until just a few years ago when failing health caused them to stop performing with the Toronto Swedish Folk Dancers. A singer too, Jim loved singing with his family on car trips, in church choirs, and with the Toronto Swedish Singers.
As Kerstin cared for Jim at home, the last few years saw him gradually succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease, but even in that process his inquiring, puzzle-solving mind marveled in the changes he was experiencing, and he shared his observations as long as he could. He was especially interested in how his ability in languages seemed to ebb and flow.
Last Saturday, after months of fewer and fewer waking hours, Jim complained of some pain, and was admitted to hospital for the first time in his life. Palliative care was called for, and he slipped away peacefully and naturally two days later. His last words to Kerstin had been, “Thanks for coming, Sweetheart.”
Donations in Jim’s name may be made to two of his favourite charities, the John Howard Society and Médecins Sans Frontières, or to any other charity of your choice.
A Memorial Celebration of Jim's life will be held at St. George's Anglican Church, 83 Church St., St Catharines, at 1:00pm Tuesday September 23. Arrangements entrusted to the HULSE & ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 75 Church Street, St. Catharines (905-684-6346),
On-line tributes may be made at www.hulseandenglish.com.
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