Those of you who are longtime members and supporters of Solar Nova Scotia may remember Vaughn Munroe, a board member and energy expert, who was a regular at the Friday night beer and supper get-togethers for many years. Vaughn and his family moved to Ottawa in 1996, but his heart was always in Nova Scotia. Vaughn died in Ottawa, Ontario on June 29, 2021, at only 73; he had been quite ill the last two years.
Vaughn’s first degree was a BSc in Chemistry from Acadia, where he was drawn to both politics and applied science. While attending TUNS in the early 1970s, studying to become a professional chemical engineer, he became involved with the Community Planning Association of Canada as a student intern with the Planning Aid program. Vaughn played a major role in the work CPAC did on alternative energy, especially solar. He became a research assistant to Dr. John Young, then chair of CPAC – and the rest is history.
Vaughn, Joanne Lamey (the executive secretary of CPAC), and John were instrumental in creating Solar Nova Scotia. John was our first chair, and Vaughn was the first signatory on the 1980 Memorandum of Association.
Vaughn remained involved with both organizations as long as he lived in Nova Scotia. When I became “the new Joanne” in 1985 at CPAC, he was the vice-chair of the board, and incredibly helpful. When Vaughn said he would do something, you knew it would be done. He introduced me to the Solar Nova Scotia Friday get-togethers, which started back in the 70s when after CPAC meetings Vaughn, John Young, Joanne Lamey, Marion Kerans, and Maureen Vine would get together for darts and beer at the Ocean Tavern on Water Street.
Another passion of Vaughn’s was heritage – he loved the historic home he had on Fairbanks Street in Dartmouth, and was so proud of restoring it.
Outside the volunteer world, he was just as highly dedicated to his work, including St. Mary’s University, Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Resources in Halifax, and Natural Resources Canada in Ottawa. His creative and impressive career focused on understanding and utilizing sustainable energy sources, natural resources, and environmental conservation.
He was a lovely man, a good friend, a brilliant engineer, passionate about energy efficiency and good design - with a kind heart, thoughtful advice, wonderful stories, and smiling eyes. I will miss him. My heart goes out to his family: his daughter Joy, son Mark, and his wife Valerie. If you remember Vaughn, please share your thoughts with his family, at jvgmunroe@gmail.com.
A service to remember and celebrate Vaughn’s life will take place on Friday Sept 17, at 1 p.m., at TJ Tracey’s Funeral Home on 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, NS. All are welcome; A reception is to follow. Following, Vaughn will be laid to rest alongside his parents at Forest Haven Memorial Garden (1510 Grand Lake Rd, Sydney, NS) at 3 p.m.
Many thanks to Joanne Cook for this writeup.