Michael Jurist

MICHAEL EVAN JURIST
Taken from us suddenly and too soon on Monday, July 30, 2007. Born June 22, 1985, Michael Evan Jurist had already realized outstanding academic achievements and made an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of those he touched. The cherished only child of Vesna Nowell-Jurist and Paul Michael Jurist and grandson of Lola Leman and Judith Sorgen. He leaves behind many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. Michael was about to begin a new career at Deutsche Bank, New York following graduation in May from Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., on the Dean's List with a B.Sc. in Foreign Service, Major International Politics ­ Foreign Policy. While at Georgetown University, Michael's successes were many; including an Advanced Certificate in European Studies, Member, Pi Delta Phi (National French Honor Society), Member Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honor Society) and Chair of Georgetown University Lecture Fund in his last year of his 2003-2007 involvement. It was the latter that piqued his interest in geopolitics and stimulated his astute intellect. It was those times when Michael would talk about some of the speakers -such as Senator Barack Obama, King Abdullah of Jordan, Margaret MacMillan and actor Robin Williams - - encountered through Georgetown and the Lecture Fund that the normally calm composure would slip just for a moment and the passion for thought and burgeoning beliefs would shine through. Michael achieved Advanced Proficiency in French and Intermediate Proficiency in Spanish; the former which he honed during a six month interchange at Institut D'Etudes Politiques, Lyon, France in 2006. His success at Georgetown University was mirrored in his earlier formative years where he excelled at Upper Canada College, Toronto, graduating in top 10 percent of Class, International Baccalaureate Diploma. To focus only on Michael's academic accomplishments would not reveal the fervent essence of his shining spirit; the part of him we mourn the most and the part that leaves the greatest vacuum in the lives of those left behind. Michael's love of tennis and travel were in fierce competition. His tennis skills earned him Accredited Tennis Canada Coach status and led to summers coaching at Tournament Park Tennis Club, Toronto, Matchpoint Academy, Mont Tremblant, and Swarthmore Tennis Camp, Philadelphia, PA and playing on Georgetown University Club Tennis, a nationally-ranked intercollegiate team. His language proficiency and interest in international affairs spurred his extensive global travel interests, most recently a post graduation family trip to Dubrovnik and Tuscany. Michael's perpetual intellectual curiosity always led to asking why; his sense of adventure always asking why not; and a generosity of spirit that gave effortlessly and with grace to everyone he encountered along the short path that was his life. Michael Evan Jurist was laid to rest in a private family ceremony on Thursday, August 2, 2007. A Memorial Service will be held to remember Michael on Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 6:00 p.m., Laidlaw Hall, Upper Canada College, 200 Lonsdale Road, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Michael Jurist Trust Fund will be accepted at any Scotiabank branch account or email transfer to Jurist.Trust@db.com. The Fund will be used to perpetuate Michael's memory in the field of education. Cheques (in Canadian or US dollar) may also be mailed to Michael Jurist Memorial Trust Fund, c/o Deutsche Bank AG, 199 Bay Street, Commerce Court West, Box 263, Toronto, Ontario, M5L 1E9.