In Memoriam -- Paul Maycock

Professor Emeritus Paul Maycock, a specialist in plant ecology in the Department of Biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, passed away on Feb. 23.

Born in Hamilton, Maycock studied biology at Queen’s University and the University of Wisconsin. He taught at McGill University from 1957 until 1969, when he joined what was then Erindale College at the University of Toronto.

Along with various students and collaborators, he built up an extensive database relating to plant community structure and distribution in Ontario. Maycock’s research examined forests in Ontario, Quebec and many regions of the world, and he served as a visiting professor in both Poland and Japan. He could read multiple languages, including French, Russian, Polish and Latin.

In 2010, Maycock was presented with the Field Botanists of Ontario John Goldie Award for his significant long-term contributions involving studies of plant communities in Ontario. Maycock cared passionately about ecological conservation, and was often sought out as an expert in botany and environmental preservation in Ontario, including local botanical sites such as the Ivor Bird Sanctuary, the Erindale College Forest Research Tract, as well as Cawthra Woods and the Creditview Bog.

Visitation will take place at the Kitching, Steepe & Ludwig Funeral Home, 146 Mill St. N., Waterdown, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services at will take place at Grace Anglican Church, 157 Mill St. N. on Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 1 p.m. Interment to follow at Grace Church Cemetery. Reception to be held at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, and an acknowledgment of Paul's passion for botany and conservation, the family has asked that donations be made to the Royal Botanical Gardens.