John NIGHTINGALE

JOHN NIGHTINGALE PhD July 15, 1947 – June 5, 2023 With sadness and love, the family of John Nightingale wish to announce his passing on June 5, 2023 in Vernon, BC, Canada. Born in Boulder, Colorado and raised in La Grande, Oregon, John is survived by his wife, Jacqueline (Jacquie) Gijssen; John's children, David, Katherine (Katy) and Elizabeth (partner KC); and six amazing grandchildren – Isaac, Gavin, Clara, Gus, Frank and Tilly. John Nightingale was a person who truly made a difference in this world. For 25 years, he led the global conservation organization Ocean Wise, formerly the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, bringing to life his vision of a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing. His role in founding / co-founding Ocean Wise and many of its initiatives is unparalleled – from the Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program, to Plastic Wise, the Coastal Ocean Research Institute, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and much more. As a result of John's leadership, Ocean Wise / Vancouver Aquarium was not only the 'greenest' cultural institution in Canada, it was the only one financially self-sufficient, operating without an annual subsidy from government. Under John's leadership, Ocean Wise grew to harness the talents of over 500 staff and 1300+ volunteers. At his core, John was both a professional biologist and a superb communicator who inspired children to become marine scientists, citizens to become volunteers and donors, and governments to enact polices protecting marine mammals, fisheries, and ecosystems. Prior to the Vancouver Aquarium / Ocean Wise, John helped lead the New York Wildlife Conservation Society / New York Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, the Maui Ocean Centre, and Bios Inc. More recently, John worked with POLAR Knowledge Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, in addition to volunteering with various local community groups. A celebration of life will be held in the Fall. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to: The Nightingale Bursary in Ocean Engagement honoring John's legacy in ocean conservation. The Bursary will be part of the Raincoast Foundation annual Ocean Awards. https://www.raincoast.org/nightingale/ The Nightingale Scholarship for the Arts at Eastern Oregon University, John's Alma Mater and where both parents served as professors and Dean of Humanities / Chairman of Art Department, and Dean of Women. Donations can be made to EOU Foundation, Inlow Hall 212, La Grande, Oregon, 97850 USA.