Retired English professor and department chairman Paul Gaudet died Feb. 1 at the age of 66.
Gaudet had 31 years of service when he retired in July, 1998.
Gaudet joined the department in the late 1960s as part of the hiring wave enjoyed by Canadian universities. His undergraduate work was completed at the University of Toronto; his doctorate was from Princeton, where he worked on the humanist and ethicist William Baldwin.
At Western Gaudet taught first-year courses and Renaissance drama, becoming a great favourite in particular among extramural, part-time and adult students taking Shakespeare. In the 1980s he was an exemplary department chairman, highly efficient, effective and fair.
Gaudet was proud of his roots from Acadian stock in Prince Edward Island, and of his athletic skills. For many years he was a member of the legendary East York Track Club in Toronto, a chief source of Canada’s Olympic sprinters.
At the University of Toronto he was a superb sprinter, excelling at the 100- and 220-yard distances. For three years he was Ontario-Quebec universities champion in both events (and ran anchor in the relays), and was skilled enough to challenge the American star sprinters at a track meet in Toronto when they returned from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Even after retirement Gaudet worked out at the gym tirelessly until ill health intervened. Gaudet was also a gifted singer, performing for 30 years in London choirs, most notably with “Pro Musica.”
Gaudet is survived by his spouse Minnette, professor emerita in the Department of French Studies.