TREVOR WEEKES

TREVOR WEEKES

Trevor Cecil Weekes, aged 74, died at his home in Sahuarita on May 26, 2014 surrounded by his wife, Ann; sister, Laraine; daughters Karina, Fiona, and Lara; sister-in-law Frances, and brother-in-law Paddy after a long battle with cancer. Trevor was born in Dublin, Ireland, to Gerard and Florence Weekes. He married Ann Owens, also from Ireland, in 1964.

Trevor obtained his Ph.D. from University College, Dublin, in Physics in 1964. He came over to the United States in 1966, first living in Boston until he moved to Arizona, where he helped start the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Trevor pioneered the techniques that the very successful Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) telescope system uses to detect TeV gamma rays. He was the winner of numerous awards, including honorary degrees from the National University of Ireland and from the University of Chicago. He won the Rossi Prize of the AAS in 1997 and the Yodh prize of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in 2007. Trevor took a deep personal interest in the welfare and careers of the many people he drew into very high energy astrophysics. He went out of his way to welcome new scientists into his collaborations and into his home, mentoring 30 students from his alma mater as well as many others from throughout the world. Trevor was recently honored by his colleagues around the world in a celebration humorously titled "Trevorfest" in which his achievements were honored by his many colleagues and former students. Trevor frequently lectured in the Green Valley area. For more information about his life, you may wish to see http://azstarnet.com/news/science/visionary-trevor-weekes-pioneer-of-gamma-ray-detection-dies-at/article_6d793cc6-f671-55bd-a09a-6c5d5a621f98.html

In addition to his scientific achievements, Trevor was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ann Katherine; daughters, Karina, Fiona, and Lara; grandchildren, Catherine, Trevor, Frances, and Lauren; sister, Laraine; sister-in-law, Pat; niece, Tara; and numerous other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces. The family will miss the twinkle in his eye, his quick wit, and his great love.

A Mass celebrating his life will take place at the Most Holy Trinity Church, 1300 N. Greasewood, Tucson on June 1 at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Casa Maria, 401 E. 26th St., Tucson, AZ 85713 (www.casamariatucson.org).