“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” was one of Michael Locke’s favourite quotes.
Michael Locke’s walk among us came to an end on July 27th. We were deeply saddened to learn of his passing. A 1975 Glendon College graduate, Mr. Locke enjoyed not only a brilliant career in banking but also distinguished himself as a philanthropist highly devoted to his alma mater. Creator of the scholarship in political science and economics named for him, he also agreed in 2006 to play a major fundraising leadership role for the College, leading the campaign committee along with two other graduates, Claude Lamoureux (LL.B., 2007) and Martha Shuttleworth (B.A., 1972). The aspiration of this group, led by this trio was to provide educational support for the next generation of public leaders to enable them to meet the challenges of an economically and politically changing world.
As reported in 2008 in Glendon Magazine, “the real source of Michael’s inspiration was Glendon’s promising future. Glendon’s liberal arts and bilingual mission have great merit, it’s a good place for Canadian students to get exposed to public life and the campus is both a refuge from and very much a part of big city life,” he says.
For Mr. Locke, Glendon was, in many ways, more relevant today than 30 years ago. His donation to fund the Michael Locke Scholarship in Political Science and Economics will make it possible to recognize and support talented undergraduate students in need and will ensure that his memory and generosity live on.
A Renaissance Man
The only drawback to this brief evocation of Michael Locke’s career and commitment to Glendon College, however, is that it masks the warm, friendly, curious and open nature of this exceptional man. Everyone who knew and loved him will tell you that just running into him was an inspiring gift that lifted your spirits and made you feel like a better person.
“If I happened to chance upon Michael when I was feeling discouraged or sad, simply shaking hands and exchanging a few words with him would always give me a boost,” his friend Theresa Mersky shared.
Michael Locke was no ordinary, conventional banker. Prior to his MBA at York University’s Schulich School of Business, he completed a degree in political science. Thanks to this academic background and his own personal inclinations, he developed a limitless curiosity and showed an interest in everything: local and world politics, the real estate market, our health system – and assorted ways to prepare lamb for cooking! His curiosity and intelligence were attracted to everything. In a word, he was Renaissance man. Moreover – and especially – Michael Locke felt immense gratitude for everything and everyone he came across. He understood friendship and chose to love others in spite of any shortcomings. He took a genuine interest in you and your children, your challenges and rewards – and always the world as a whole.
It’s not often that we meet a person who leaves us feeling better than we did before seeing them. Michael Locke always had that effect on other people. Invariably greeting everyone with a warm and cheery hello and holding the unshakable creed that “life is beautiful,” he was always happy to be part of life’s great journey. With his admirable combination of character, curiosity, charm, intelligence and optimism, he was a rare human being indeed. In one of his last emails to a friend, he said that all he hoped for was that people would smile when they remembered him. It would be hard to come up with a more fitting epitaph for a man so admirable and endearing – and who left us all too soon.
The Glendon administration and community express our sincerest sympathy to all of his family and friends and our gratitude for the work that Michael Locke did for the benefit of his alma mater.
By Michel Héroux
