The memorable
Ed Lavalle

Eduard Marcus Lavalle 
1941-2020
Susan O’Donnell
1946-2020


Eduard (Ed) passed away on August 7, 2020 following a brave struggle with Aphasia (frontal lobe dementia). Susan O’Donnell passed away on December 18, 2020 after a battle with cancer. They are deeply missed by their daughter Michelle and dog Zoe.
 
Ed's academic life belonged to Capilano University. His forty-three-year career teaching Political Science and Labour Studies earned him the deep respect and affection of his students and colleagues.
 
Eduard was instrumental in creating significant educative programs at Capilano. While Ed taught a variety of courses, he was particularly interested in international/global affairs and institutions. He developed the Model United Nations at Capilano and his students successfully competed against other students from North American Colleges and Universities at the UN in New York.

The Capilano University Labour Studies Program (LSP), recognized and modeled across Canada, was one of Ed's most significant contributions. Between 1977-2014 over 12,000 union members were enrolled in the Program. In many ways, the LSP was a testament to his belief that education was fundamental to establishing and protecting the rights of employees.

More globally, Ed established, and was the Director of, the European Union Study Tour and Internship Program for students at various North American and European institutions. Drawing on and bringing academics and faculty from various sectors of the European Union into the program, Ed exposed students to a variety of intellectual perspectives. They also had the opportunity to travel to Europe and experience and discuss the political organizations of the European Union.

Close to Ed's heart was the Capilano University Faculty Association (the union). He helped to build and lead the union for over 40 years. Ed served in many capacities in the faculty association. Despite numerous political differences, Ed remained a loyal and committed advocate. His most significant role was as Chief Steward and Negotiator.  For many decades, tirelessly working for the good of the members, he often had to weave through the competing interests and different political views to establish a collective agreement. His measured and astute reading of the membership enabled disparate individuals to recognize the benefits of collectively working towards the common interest. Of note, one of Ed's most successful negotiations was the regularization of part time faculty. This provided employment security for faculty - especially single mothers -and became the template for bargaining for part time faculty at other institutions. Another significant article Ed negotiated was the provision for a form of tenure - the Alerting and Guidance principle, that protected faculty from termination without due process. Most importantly, Ed was a mentor to many, but especially those who he coaxed into following his footsteps into the Chief Steward's and Negotiator positions.

Eduard's commitment to the faculty at Capilano transcended that institution. In turn, and in conjunction with other faculty associations, he initiated the creation of Colleges Institutes Educators Association (CIEA), a provincial bargaining body. Again, he managed to weave together the interests and cultural particularities of the local institutions with the need for the collective interests of all faculty. He served 7 terms as its President. More recently, when changes were made to the educational structure of colleges and universities, Ed, again, was a principal participant in the establishment of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE).

Ed was instrumental in building the federation into what it is today: an organization with two full-time officers and 12 staff, 20 locals, 10,000 members, affiliated to the BC Federation of Labour, the Canadian Association of University Teachers and the Canadian Labour Congress through the National Union of CAUT.

Eduard's legacy is a truly political one, in the best sense of the term. True to Aristotle's dictum we are political beings, seeking what is best for the community through reasoned discussion.

 

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Susan, a lifelong community activist and organizer, and Ed's wife, preferred to work behind the scenes. Her life’s work includes founding and leading the BC Human Rights Coalition for 30 years, and establishing the BC Human Rights Clinic, that continues to serve the public to this day – both extraordinary achievements.
 
Susan was passionate about social justice and no job was too big or too small, from directly advocating for those affected by discrimination, delivering much needed educational programs province-wide, and bringing people together to protect our human rights system.
 
Susan inspired and changed the lives of those who knew her. She will be remembered as an extraordinary executive director, mentor, friend and much more. Susan had time and room in her heart for anyone who needed it: clients, community partners or employees. She was a wonderful listener, offered novel approaches to difficult problems, and invaluable guidance.

Susan’s circle was large and she will be missed immensely.

Finally. Their neighbours and friends in the West End community, where they lived were very important to them. Ed and his much-loved dog Zoe were known everywhere.