Greig Cosier (left) and Leigh Andersen, Facilities Management (right).
Photo provided by UVic Ceremonies and Events
The halls of the Cunningham Building have lost some of their cheer this year, as science students and faculty mourn the passing of Greig Cosier, a long-time custodian with UVic Facilities Management. Cosier died suddenly on Saturday, Jan. 7.
“It was a shock to all of us,” said Lawrence Lu, Janitorial Services manager.
Cosier, who had over 24 years experience in Facilities Management, was highly regarded by those he met across campus.
Ada Saab, director of Graduate Admissions and Records, described him as a “super happy guy” who made time to chat with staff and students working late into the evening.
“He was always asking what I was working on,” Saab said. “I saw him more than I saw my husband sometimes.”
Rhiannon Bray, a labour relations officer with the Professional Employees Association, often saw Cosier while working in UVic’s Office of the Registrar from 2006 to 2008 during her master’s degree. She said Cosier consistently “went over and above” in connecting with people.
Cosier was an active seeker of knowledge, and contributed to the community in other ways as well: he frequently attended student’s thesis defences, and created the Custodians Trophy while working in the science buildings, awarding it to whoever he saw working most often in the late evening. He also hosted an awards dinner for twelve and funded a stipend for graduate students in the sciences.
Bray said she hopes the UVic community can come together and remember Cosier’s spirit.
“I don’t think enough people know about the work he did,” she said. “He touched everybody.”
A public memorial service for Cosier will be held at the Interfaith Chapel on Thursday, Jan. 26, from 1:30–2:45 p.m. There is also a public Facebook group for UVic community members to contribute.
