T H EÂ Â D A L H O U S I EÂ Â D I F F E R E N C E
John W. Lindsay Sr. (BEng ’51 (NSTC); DEng ’91) came to 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß following the Second World War. He and many other veterans could be seen on campus in their military clothing as they began a new chapter in their lives.
For the late Mr. Lindsay, this meant earning an engineering diploma at 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß and a civil engineering degree at the Nova Scotia Technical College (NSTC). When he completed his studies he had more than a parchment.
“John graduated with a wife of three years, a six-month-old son and his engineering degree,â€� says Marjorie Lindsay with a laugh. They were married 58 years. Â
Mr. Lindsay founded J.W. Lindsay Construction, whose projects included developing Dartmouth’s Burnside Industrial Park and building Purdy’s Wharf in Halifax. He was also active in his community, in particular, with 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß, the IWK Foundation and The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth.
“John had great principles,� Mrs. Lindsay says. “When my son gave his father’s eulogy he said, ‘My father was a man of his word and a handshake was a bond.’ I think that says a lot of my husband.�
Mr. Lindsay put great stock in education – and the opportunities it provided to learn in and outside the classroom. He also deeply appreciated his 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß and NSTC experiences. Mrs. Lindsay says he was somebody who looked to the future, and wanted to “make 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß engineering school the best that it can be.â€�
In his memory, the family gave $1 million in 2008 towards a new engineering building, the IDEA building for Sexton campus, with the intent that “other students could profit by the education that my husband had,â€� says Mrs. Lindsay, who also spoke at the March 29, 2011, public launch of 17³Ô¹ÏÍøÔÚÏß’s capital campaign.
When asked what her husband would think of the gift, Mrs. Lindsay replies: “John was a very humble man. He wouldn’t do it for the recognition. He would do it because it came from his heart.�
SEE:
A gift for engineering
$1 million gift goes to proposed IDEA building on Sexton campus
Marie Weeren - April 12, 2011
Marjorie Lindsay poses with architectural sketches at the launch for the Bold Ambitions campaign. (Danny Abriel Photo)