OBIT: Retired Prof. John Chomay was 79
MONTREAL – The 㽶Ƶ department of athletics
regretfully announces the passing of John Chomay, a retired
professor from the department of physical education, in Rosemere,
Que., Sunday. He was 79.
“He was a great man,” recalled head football coach Sonny Wolfe. “Of
all the professors I had during my undergraduate days at McGill, he
was by far the most influential.”
An avid supporter of intercollegiate sports, Chomay helped organize
an overseas trip to Czechoslovakia for the basketball Redmen in
1977 and a Redmen hockey tour of the Czech and Slovak republics in
1998.
“It’s a sad day for McGill and the department,” said Martin
Raymond, another former student, currently in his 14th year as head
coach of the men’s hockey team. “Prof. Chomay was well-respected, a
wonderful teacher and helped me tremendously as a person. He will
be sorely missed.”
Born June 6, 1929 in Montreal, he graduated from McGill in 1951
with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in physical education,
and went on to teach at McGill from 1968 to 1990.
Chomay coached the junior varsity football and hockey teams in
1957-58 while serving as director of the freshman physical
education program. He was the first graduate program for the
Department in the 1970s and also served as coordinator of
admissions, student teaching and advising.
Prior to lecturing at McGill, he taught at Luther College in
Regina, Sask., Beaconsfield high school (1958) and served as an
administrator at Lindsay Place and Rosemere high schools.
Renown for an immaculate memory, Chomay knew all of his students by
name long after they graduated. Upon his retirement in 1990, the
John Chomay Award was established by former students, varsity
athletes, colleagues and friends and it has been presented annually
to an undergraduate student in physical education.
He is survived by wife Helen, daughters Linnea and Perian, plus
five grandchildren and many relatives and friends in Canada, the
United States and Slovakia.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, from 2 to 9 p.m. at
Jasko Moshonas Ouimet Funeral Home, 693 Jean Talon West (corner
Champagneur).
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at
Ascension Lutheran Church, 865 Jarry St. West, followed by
internment at Mount Royal Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made
to Ascension Lutheran Church or contributions to Rosemere high
school "John Chomay Physical Education Fund" c/o Rosemere high
school, 530 Northcote St., Rosemere, Que., J7A 1Y2.
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OBIT FROM THE GAZETTE:
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CHOMAY, John. June 6, 1929 - December 14, 2008. Retired professor
of Physical Education, 㽶Ƶ.
In Rosemere, at the age of seventy-nine, passed away to be with the
Lord. Devoted husband of Helen (nee Klein). Most beloved father of
Linnea (Victor Cabral) and Perian (Colin Crankshaw). Adored
grandfather of Alexander and Kristen Theodore, Stefan Perrier and
Samantha and Nicholas Crankshaw.
Also survived by many relatives and friends in Canada, the United
States and Slovakia.
Resting at Jasko Moshonas Ouimet Funeral Home, 693 Jean Talon West
(corner Champagneur) on Thursday, December 18, 2008, 2 to 9
p.m.
Funeral service on Friday, December 19, 2008, 11 a.m. at Ascension
Lutheran Church, 865 Jarry St. West, Montreal, thence to Mount
Royal Cemetery for internment.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Ascension Lutheran Church or
contributions to the Rosemere High School "John Chomay Physical
Education Fund" c/o Rosemere High School, 530 Northcote St.,
Rosemere, Quebec, J7A 1Y2, 450-621-5900, would be greatly
appreciated.
John's Christian faith permeated every aspect of his life. He will
be sadly missed. Do videnia Janko!