Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Community,
With a heavy heart, I share that my father, Mervin Paul Symes, Jr., is on the final lap after a courageous battle with multiple system atrophy. His legacy, however, is far from over.
For those who knew Merv Symes, he was more than a leader—he was a mentor, a problem-solver, and a builder of people and organizations. And to Mark Symes and I, he was Dad, Mentor, Champion, Business Partner, and in his final act Gampie to my two daughters.
His impact stretched from corporate boardrooms to hockey rinks, from classrooms to government offices, and into the heart of countless small businesses across Atlantic Canada.
He was a teacher in every sense, driven by the belief that knowledge only matters when put into action.
A Life Well Lived
In May 2020, my father was diagnosed with MSA, a terminal neurodegenerative illness. We were told he wouldn’t make it long. And yet, he kept going.
He kept moving forward—cycling (on his trike) over 150km per week when he could, trading his boat for one with a joystick, and later traveling in a motorhome so he could still see the world. He watched Tom Brady play multiple times, took his oldest granddaughter to Disney, and made sure he was there for the moments that mattered. When he could no longer do something, he adapted.
Through it all, he continued to teach. Perhaps more in these last years than in the decades before.
If you want to read more: https://lnkd.in/gcY-xM2e
Continuing His Legacy
As we prepare to say goodbye, we want to ensure his legacy of leadership, mentorship, and continuous improvement lives on. In his honor, Mark and I have established the Mervin Symes, Jr. (BSE.CHE’81) TME Scholarship at the University of New Brunswick. This award will support engineering students who demonstrate the same entrepreneurial spirit and practical thinking that defined Merv’s career.
How You Can Help
If Merv’s impact has touched you—whether through his work, his teachings, or his mentorship—we invite you to join us in celebrating his legacy. Contributions to the scholarship fund will ensure that future generations of leaders and innovators benefit from his vision and commitment to excellence.
To Donate: Visit www.unb.ca/donate to donate online. To ensure that your gift is directed to this Scholarship, select “Other” from the “I would like to direct my support to the following project” dropdown menu and type M. Symes Scholarship in the “Provide additional details for your donation” box.
Alternatively, you can call 1-844-968-0039 to provide your credit card information to UNB’s gift processing office.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us honour a man who dedicated his life to making things—and people—better.
With gratitude,
Matt Symes & Mark Symes
