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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Graeme Stewart Mount, on July 22, 2025, just four days shy of his 86th birthday. Graeme fought a five-year battle with cancer, showing unbelievable positivity and a truly unwavering spirit. He left this world with his family right by his side.
Graeme was a proud Laurentian University Professor Emeritus. He touched countless lives through his teaching and mentorship. In 2000, Graeme was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” award. His dedication to students included inviting them on research trips to archives across Canada and internationally.
His absence will be felt from Sudbury to Victoria, and around the entire world by friends, students, and family, many of whom visited his beloved cottage on Long Lake.
His research interests were extensive and led to an impressive array of publications. Books about Canadian-American relations, and most recently his co-authored work on Northeastern Ontario, marked the beginning and end of a long publishing career. His doctoral thesis on the establishment of the Panama Canal was the beginning of numerous publications about the Caribbean and Latin America. Graeme had a passion for travel, canoeing, and keeping up with world and domestic events.
Graeme is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Eva Janet Biggar Mount; his two sons, Fraser (Patrick) and Andrew (Laurie); his beloved grandsons, Blake and Sawyer; and by Graeme’s brother, John (Elizabeth).
He was deeply loved, and his presence will live on in our memories and countless “G.S.M.” stories. Graeme’s family would appreciate donations in his memory to the local S.P.C.A., Pet Save, or the BC Cancer Foundation, or your local equivalent.
Virtual Memorial Reception
Recorded Saturday, January 24, 2026
Graeme’s family invites you to view the interactive online memorial reception to honor his life and legacy.
Slideshow
Photo Gallery
Dear Joan, Fraser, and Andrew,
What a lovely tribute to Graeme that enabled so many people to attend from all over the world. I wanted to share a few of my favourite memories of Graeme. The first, is when I came to visit Joan and Graeme in Trinidad with my Mom in March of 2004. This was the most time I had spent with both of you, and with Graeme in particular. I was struck by Graeme’s incredible ability to speak (at length) about the country, and his generosity of time and energy. I recall him driving us around in that tiny green car all around Mayaro, and on day trips into Port of Spain and other places of interest. At each stop, he would be able to tell us the historical significance like he had lived in the place his whole life. Another memory is from August of 2016. I had planned a trip with my friend Darian, and his then girlfriend, Karen to camp in Temagami, and had arranged with Graeme to stop overnight at the cottage on Long Lake. Graeme was such a welcoming host even though it was clear that he was not set up to receive visitors and was deep into a book writing project. Nevertheless, we had a lovely meal on the screened in porch where I later slept on an air mattress – leaving Darian and Karen to the bunkie (and its resident mice). The last, is my most recent trip to see you all in Victoria in July of 2024. It was such a nice surprise to find Graeme in such high spirits and health. Lindsay and I really enjoyed spending time with all of you, and were so happy to celebrate Graeme’s 85th birthday. It’s clear that Graeme’s life was light that warmed many people’s faces and hearts, and he will be remembered very fondly. I hope that the sting and void left by his loss – with time and healing – is readily turned to thankfulness and remembrance of a life well-lived.
With Much Love,
Paul Newman
How fortunate we were to find our new home in Victoria right next door to Graeme and Joan! We admire Graeme’s indomitable positive spirit which he maintained throughout his illness. He said, in his last days:
“It doesn’t hurt when I sit”, and
“The architects of this hospital managed to create beautiful views to Juan de Fuca Strait!”
Graeme’s conscious decision to focus on the bright side of life was contagious. It lives on with all of us who knew and loved him.
Graeme and I were friends colleagues and collaborators since I first met him at the airport in Bogotá in 1968. When I returned to Toronto where we were finishing our doctorates we had lunch almost daily until he moved to Sudbury where we visited and continued to do when we moved to Montreal Eest where his parents lived. We wrote on article and one book together and corresponded almost weekly until a few days before his passing. He was a kind, generous and gregarious man who got and gave the best of life. I will greatly miss our regular exchanges and our friendship
Dear Joan and family: From The Hague in The Netherlands, we hold you and Graeme in our hearts. So many wonderful memories…
Your visits to Costa Rica, to see you and enjoy learning from you, enriched our lives. Our deepest admiration will be with you always. We love you both!
To dear Joan: please send me your contact info (cel number, WhatsApp and email) to keep in touch to beapiza@yahoo.com
I am so glad to have interacted with Graeme, Joan, Fraser and Andrew! I remember the times I spent with them and with Graeme in a Sudbury and in the Washington DC area. Thank you Graeme for your kindness, understanding and support over the many years that we have known each other. May you Rest in Peace!
It was such an honour to meet both Graeme and Joan. Graeme and I shared many war stories of people in WW1 and WW2 from both Canada and Newfoundland (then an English colony). He was so kind to take the time to escort me round and about Victoria to share history stories of the area. I will always have warm memories of our brief time together.
Remembering excellent moments passed with Graeme and Joan. Here on the Parry Sound watch tower, 2013.
We miss you Graeme.
Dearest Joan, Graeme and you won our hearts and honored us with your friendship. Every time we got together we were so impressed with the work done by both of you. It was always so special to listen to Graeme with his passion and dedication shining through. He will be so missed…
Our deepest condolences to you and your family!