John J. Jonas OWN 1933-2025

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of our dear friend and founding member of the Order of Wednesday Night, McGill Professor emeritus of metallurgy John Jonas.
Our joyful memories of John, his beloved late wife Holly, their children and grandchildren span many years and range from festive occasions to quiet weekends in their beautiful Georgeville home, Oxford Cambridge events, as well as many contributions to the collective knowledge of Wednesday Night.
A celebration of his life will be held at the McGill Faculty Club on Wednesday 12 February from 6-8, with online access for those unable to attend in person (See below).

Our tribute to John -read by Jeremy at the Celebration of John’s Life:
Dear Jen, Jeremy, Jon, Jodie,
And to the extended Jonas clan, John’s professional colleagues, much loved students, and friends of all ages- concrete examples of DEI!
How incredibly fortunate we all are to have shared some part of our lives with John.
His love for his family, devotion, loyalty and generosity to family, friends and colleagues were legendary.
I think, too, of his abiding affection for the beloved Georgeville home where David and I spent so many happy times with Jonas family and friends, cosy by the fire on a winter evening, or sitting on the deck, under the stars, on a summer night – where John led the conversation over a merry meal produced with seeming effortlessness by Holly.
NEVER a moment of puttering about, however.  There was always something to be trimmed, fixed or improved as he prowled about the woods and waterfront.
His McGill colleagues attest to his achievements at an academic and professional level – the Man of Steel-  recognized with every possible award,  honoured by numerous international students and researchers.
(How ironic that we should be celebrating his life at a time when we live with the threat of tariffs on steel and could benefit greatly from John’s expertise and views).
Beyond his academic achievements, his intellect and probing interest in a vast array of topics led many of us on a somewhat breathless chase to keep up with him, and made him one of the most valued of Wednesday Night participants.
Most inspiring was his probity –his strong moral principles, honesty and decency. Sometimes perhaps taken to an extreme, as those of us frustrated for many years by the lack of Internet at the Georgeville house may remember!
In Canada, we confer the honorific ‘The Honourable’ on certain politicians. I would suggest that in John’s case, ‘The Admirable’ would be most appropriate.
Dear John, as you rejoin your beloved Holly and are greeted by many friends including Chairman David, who welcomes you to Wednesday Night in The Cloud, we wish you Fair Winds and Following Seas.
With greatest affection,
Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Dr. John Joseph Jonas, long-time resident of Westmount, and Emeritus Birks Professor of Metallurgy, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on February 3rd, 2025, at the age of 92.
Born in Montreal to a Hungarian family, he attended Montreal High School and graduated from McGill University in Mechanical Engineering in 1954. He then attended Cambridge University on an Athlone Fellowship. John had a passion for teaching and research at his beloved McGill University, his second home. His discoveries in Thermodynamics of steel garnered him a number of awards and honours. Those of note include the Canada Council Killam Award and international recognition for his research contributions such as the Alexander von Humboldt Research Award (Germany), the Sawamura Award of the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan, Réaumur and Gold Medals from France’s Société Française de Métallurgie et de Matériaux. He was also recognized at home as an Officer of the Order of Canada and the Order of Quebec.
Loving husband to the late Holly Higgins in over 58 years of marriage, John was a family man first who was happiest at his Georgeville cottage surrounded by loved ones. He had a lifelong need for speed – shown while driving his BMWs, racing with his MGA, boating, downhill skiing, motorcycling, and as a Chipmunk pilot with the RAF in his Cambridge days. He was a lifelong learner, curious and open to all walks of life – highlighted by his sabbaticals and travels across the world.
Many knew him from his natural habitats of his McGill lab and his cottage, where he was a mentor and host to many. John was adventurous, passionate, patient, observant, easily amused, and kind. He had a rare sense of humour, wit, and was a prolific storyteller who shone brightly at parties, which he thoroughly enjoyed. His character will be dearly missed.
John is survived by his loving sister Anita and brother Leslie, his four children Jennifer (Leonard), Jeremy (Véronique), Jonathan, and Jodie, and his honorary daughter Susan, along with his six grandchildren Nicholas, Gabriel, Chloe, Ella, Juliet and Florence.

The celebration of John’s epic life will be held at the McGill Faculty Club on February 12th from 6 – 8:00 PM. 3450 Rue McTavish.
In lieu of flowers, (tax deductible) donations can be made to McGill’s Department of Metallurgy.
https://www.alumni.mcgill.ca/give/index.php?
Online link access for Faculty Club event: Online link access for Faculty Club event: us06web.zoom.us/j/87543972958?pwd=aCQuqUu57FxbHabGRRTx2UYngSuLIb.1