Michael GOLDRICK

1933 - 2021

MICHAEL GOLDRICK Michael Clippingdale D'arcy Goldrick died in Burnaby, B.C. on December 4, 2021, not far from the house where he was born on April 1, 1933. His parents were Dorothy Clippingdale Goldrick, a nurse and actor, and Kevin D'arcy Goldrick, a clerk from Australia. Michael was a beautiful, highly principled person who cheered everyone with his big laugh and caring nature. He spent his life teaching, engaged in politics and working for people and social causes. He received a BCom. from the University of British Columbia, an M.A. from Queen's University, and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics. The jobs he had in early life formed an appreciation for the struggles of workers. He was a logger in BC, a kitchen helper on cross-country trains, and a labourer in the Artic building the DEW line. Michael's first professional jobs were as executive assistant to Ottawa Mayor Charlotte Whitton and then as Director of the Toronto Bureau of Municipal Research. Michael spent most of his academic life at York University in Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Urban Studies. When teaching municipal politics, he was challenged by students to experience real electoral politics, which he did by running in the Toronto municipal election in Ward 3, a mostly working-class area. This was the Famous 1972 election of the 'reform' council that focused on rectifying the abuses of the old regime, particularly to counter its unbridled support of developers' interests. Michael's main contributions during his six years as an Alderman was on building affordable housing and providing neighbourhood services. He initiated a project to secure a public land bank to create dedicated space for affordable housing. This led to the creation of the largest single redevelopment site in the centre of any North American City in the 20th century - the St Lawrence development. Michael is recognized as the prime author of the city's new housing policy and as being crucial for making the St. Lawrence development happen. Michael especially loved carpentry, opera, long-distance running and marathon cross-country skiing. He also loved being involved with the Breezy Bay farm group on Saturna Island, which was an important focus in his retirement years. He was active in community issues there as well and one of the most memorable was his work as chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission where he ensured that those living on Saturna Island had public right access to the ocean and cliffs. This was hotly opposed by some owning adjacent properties, but Michael succeeded in ensuring that the lands were cleared, benches installed and those not wealthy enough to own ocean-front land could have access. Michael was a significant athlete and especially excelled at running and cross-country skiing, His best marathon time was 2 hours and 47 minutes when he was in his early 50s in the Chicago marathon, finishing 2nd in his age group. Michael had a big, close family who adored him: his wife Marjorie Griffin Cohen; his sons Chris Darcy Goldrick (Emmanuelle Latraverse) and Tim Darcy Goldrick (Kayla); stepson Sam Cohen (Nikki Marks); stepdaughter Sophie Cohen (Brian Ptashnik); grandchildren Catherine-Anne Goldrick, David Goldrick, Zane Darcy Goldrick, Devlin Ptashnik, Sukey Ptashnik, Zoe Cohen, Clara Goldrick, Talia Cohen, and former wife Penny Goldrick; nieces Amanda Goldrick-Jones, Gabrielle Jones, Cynthia Johnston and nephew Jamie Jones. A gathering will be held in Toronto to remember Michael when COVID-19 conditions allow. For details, contact (mcohen@sfu.ca). Donations honouring Michael can be made to Normanna Long Term Care: normanna.ca