Dr. Julian Reginald Desgrand Jermy Gwyn (1937-2023), third son of Quintin Peter Thorsby Jermy Gwyn, Knight of Malta (1906-94) and Barbara Leonardine Mitchell (1910-98); born in Birmingham, England, 30 March 1937; died peacefully at home on 18 March 2023, in Berwick, NS, after a lengthy illness with Parkinson's. One of eight children, he is survived by his wife, Carol Tobin, his brother, Peter (Pamela) of Hingham, MA, Hugh (Susan) of North Hatley, QC, and Rosemary (Cecil) of Toronto, ON. He was pre-deceased by his brothers, Nicholas (1934-2004) and Robin (1948-2019), his sisters, Caroline (1939-2020) and Isabel Mary (1943-2018),) his sister-in-law, Monique Lacoursiere, brother-in-law, John Fox, his son, John Joseph (1967-69) and grandson, Aidan Thorpe (1996).

Julian/Dad being a lifelong historian with a loyal respect for archivists wrote the following obituary in 2018. We, his family, have added a postscript.

Julian attended St Leo's Academy in Westmount, Loyola High School in Montreal; BA Loyola College, MA McGill University, MLitt and DPhil Oxford University (Balliol College). Professor of History, University of Ottawa 1961-96; professor emeritus, 1997; honorary life member Canadian Historical Association, 1981.

Married firstly Clare Devlin, children born in Ottawa, Frances Thorpe (Rob and Nathaniel [Amy], Rhiannon [Jonathan and Theodor, Eloise] Olivia [Raxx]), Anya Gwyn (Saskia, Natasha, Stefan), Elin Gwyn (Rob and Perrin [Keira and Cedric, Xavier, Naomi] Alexandre, and Madeleine), Christopher Gwyn (Lisa, and Sarah, Julia, Matthew), and Matthew Devlin (Alexandra, and Caleb, Zoë, Orlá); secondly Agnes Fadden; son, born in Ottawa, Andrew Gwyn (Elise, and Asher), and thirdly Carol Tobin of Berwick, NS. He is further survived by his mother-in-law, Carmel Tobin, and many sisters-and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Much of his historical research and publishing focused on the social and economic impact of war. He was a widely published, controversial, and award-winning author of a dozen books and sixty scholarly articles and book chapters largely relating either to Nova Scotia or to colonial New York.

A military career was an early ambition. Trained at the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps in Camp Borden, Ontario, 1954-5 Julian was commissioned 2 ^nd Lieutenant 1955, served in West Germany with the 1 ^st Battalion Royal 22 Regiment, promoted Lieutenant 1956; assistant adjutant Royal Montreal Regiment (Militia), 1956-8; intelligence officer 10 ^th Battalion Parachute Regiment (Territorials), 1958-9. During that time Julian was deployed to serve in a camp for refugees displaced by the war in Ulm, Germany. He then spent the rest of his life as a pacifist.

In politics, he joined the NDP in 1965 and stood for the riding of Ottawa West in the 1967 Ontario provincial election. He was defeated by the Speaker of the Legislature in a three-party contest.

Julian had a rich volunteer life, serving as president of the Ottawa West NDP Riding Association; president of Ottawa Historical Society; treasurer & president of University of Ottawa Professors' Association; treasurer of Ontario Heritage Foundation; founding treasurer of Friends of the Public Archives of Canada; associate editor, Histoire sociale-Social History ; volunteer at Isaac Walton Killam Health Centre (Halifax) and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa) 1983-94.

Julian's words above fail to mention his honesty, generosity, compassion, and integrity. The pageant of lives he touched, the families and individuals he helped, and the memories he has given to generations of his extended family are an enduring tribute. He was a beloved husband, an empathic friend, a loving father, uncle, and grandfather. He was always ready to help those in need. Always appreciative of a willing pupil, he inspired his kids, their friends, and everyone else he could persuade to ski, skate, dance, run, travel, think, write, work and to strive for what they believed in.

Upon retirement and moving to Nova Scotia, Julian continued to write and give lectures about NS history while also farming, a lifelong passion. From a very young age he fell in love with the rhythm, the seasonality, smells of the soil, twice owning farms in Ontario, he and Carol later bought a farm near Berwick, in the Annapolis Valley. New and old friends, family, and especially grandchildren have many very fond memories of those times. He will be dearly missed by Carol's family, especially Thalia, Natasha, and Jasper.

As a lasting legacy of Julian's support for research, scholarship, and Nova Scotia history he set up the annual Julian Gwyn Prize offered through the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies (ACBAS) for the best article approved for publication in a peer-reviewed journal by a doctoral- or masters-level student, in French or English.

With Carol's dedicated care Julian was able to remain at home throughout his illness, as was his wish. We would also like to give thanks to his devoted caregivers from VON, Senior Homecare by Angels, his nurse practitioner, Melissa Stoddard, and pharmacist Zach Morse.

Julian had a deeply rooted faith and prayed daily for his large, extended family and friends. Today we are filled with fond and lovely memories of Julian, Dad, Jules, Papa J., Dr. Gwyn, Prof. Gwyn, Uncle Julian. You will be missed.

Cremation has occurred. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 22 , in St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 120 Mill Street, Berwick, with Rev. Fr. Michael Walsh officiating. A reception will follow in the parish centre. He will be interred with his parents in Berwick Cemetery.  Donations in memory may be made to Parkinson Canada or a charity of your choice. You might also want to plant a tree in Julian's memory. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., toll free 1-855-825-3448. The online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com