Greater Saint John Community Foundation, donors

The Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville Bursaries in Business

Far left: Dr. Kathryn Hamer, Vice-President, UNBSJ, Stephanie Chappel, Bursary recipient, Lino Celeste, Foundation Chair and Dr. Somerville seated; not pictured: recipients Terra Lynn Crossman and John James Skerry

Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville, left, assists with a foundation grant presentation to The Muscular Dystrophy Association

A Family Man

Malcolm )Mac) Somerville was born in1921 in Saint John, N.B. He spent five years of his youth in Fredericton and a brief stint in Ontario working for a subsidiary of the Eddy Match Co. but has lived and been actively involved in community life in Saint John ever since. He worked in the general insurance business for several decades.

Dr. Somerville remains a force in the business community and has been a strong advocate for the city of Saint John and the University of New Brunswick for many years. His early involvement in gymnastics, swimming and the “Y” as well as Camp Pascobac probably contributed to his good health. He later joined the board of the YMCA and became president in 1969. In 1995 he received the YMCA Red Triangle Award. During World War II, he served nearly six years in the Reserves and on active service with the army.

He enjoys reading and is a Commissioner of The Saint John Free Public Library. In 2000, Mac spearheaded the publication of a pocket-sized reference book on Saint John’s unique accomplishments. The Somervilles delight in their son and two daughters, their families, careers and now, their four grandchildren.

Giving to his Community

It is no wonder that Dr. Malcolm Somerville was recognized as a Freeman of The City of Saint John in 1983. In 1995, he received the Board of Trade’s President’s Award.

The community foundation’s patron, the Honourable Hermenegilde Chaisson chats with Dr. Somerville at a recent foundation event.

“Mac” is still very interested and involved in community affairs.

His involvements in city planning and development, as well as business affairs include: Chairman of the Saint John Urban Renewal Commission, New Brunswick Chairman of The Community Planning Association of Canada, past member of the Canadian Housing Design Council and of The Saint John Planning Commission, President of The Saint John Central Business Development Corporation, President of The Saint John Board of Trade, Vice-Chair Bicentennial Committee, Co-Chair, Saint john Unity Committee and Chair, Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Development.

Supporting post-secondary education

As a member of the Saint John College Development Board, Dr. Somerville recognized the importance of a university presence in Saint John. In 1993, he was honoured for his contribution to the Faculty of Business and in 1996 was awarded an Honourary Degree (D.Litt) from the University of New Brunswick.

His sister Aileen Smith and brother, Graeme Somerville , decided to mark the event with the establishment of a Bursary Fund in honour of their brother with The Greater Saint John Community Foundation. It is known as The Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville Bursary Fund. To date, six local students entering the Faculty of Business at UNBSJ have received a Saint John Foundation-Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville Bursary in Business and benefited from the earnings on this permanent fund. It is a fitting way to recognize a community leader.

The Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville Bursaries in Business

			Far left: Dr. Kathryn Hamer, Vice-President, UNBSJ, Stephanie Chappel, Bursary recipient, Lino Celeste, Foundation Chair and Dr. Somerville seated; not pictured: recipients Terra Lynn Crossman and John James Skerry Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville, left, assists with a foundation grant presentation to The Muscular Dystrophy Association

A Family Man Malcolm )Mac) Somerville was born in1921 in Saint John, N.B. He spent five years of his youth in Fredericton and a brief stint in Ontario working for a subsidiary of the Eddy Match Co. but has lived and been actively involved in community life in Saint John ever since. He worked in the general insurance business for several decades. Dr. Somerville remains a force in the business community and has been a strong advocate for the city of Saint John and the University of New Brunswick for many years. His early involvement in gymnastics, swimming and the “Y” as well as Camp Pascobac probably contributed to his good health. He later joined the board of the YMCA and became president in 1969. In 1995 he received the YMCA Red Triangle Award. During World War II, he served nearly six years in the Reserves and on active service with the army. He enjoys reading and is a Commissioner of The Saint John Free Public Library. In 2000, Mac spearheaded the publication of a pocket-sized reference book on Saint John’s unique accomplishments. The Somervilles delight in their son and two daughters, their families, careers and now, their four grandchildren. Giving to his Community It is no wonder that Dr. Malcolm Somerville was recognized as a Freeman of The City of Saint John in 1983. In 1995, he received the Board of Trade’s President’s Award.

	The community foundation’s patron, the Honourable Hermenegilde Chaisson chats with Dr. Somerville at a recent foundation event.	“Mac” is still very interested and involved in community affairs.
His involvements in city planning and development, as well as business affairs include: Chairman of the Saint John Urban Renewal Commission, New Brunswick Chairman of The Community Planning Association of Canada, past member of the Canadian Housing Design Council and of The Saint John Planning Commission, President of The Saint John Central Business Development Corporation, President of The Saint John Board of Trade, Vice-Chair Bicentennial Committee, Co-Chair, Saint john Unity Committee and Chair, Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Development. Supporting post-secondary education As a member of the Saint John College Development Board, Dr. Somerville recognized the importance of a university presence in Saint John. In 1993, he was honoured for his contribution to the Faculty of Business and in 1996 was awarded an Honourary Degree (D.Litt) from the University of New Brunswick. His sister Aileen Smith and brother, Graeme Somerville , decided to mark the event with the establishment of a Bursary Fund in honour of their brother with The Greater Saint John Community Foundation. It is known as The Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville Bursary Fund. To date, six local students entering the Faculty of Business at UNBSJ have received a Saint John Foundation-Dr. Malcolm M. Somerville Bursary in Business and benefited from the earnings on this permanent fund. It is a fitting way to recognize a community leader.