Wed

17 Sep

Remembering Phil Thurston

Faculty, staff, students, friends, and colleagues are commemorating Dr. Phillips (Phil) Cole Thurston, who passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025. 

Born in Trois-Rivières (QC), Dr. Thurston had a long and distinguished 33-year career as a geologist and senior scientist with the Ontario Geological Survey. Upon his retirement in 2001, Phil joined the Harquail School of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University as an Adjunct Professor. He quickly became an integral part of the School, and up until his passing, taught courses, supervised graduate students, conducted world-class research on his beloved Archean rocks, and published many scientific papers. Phil was a founding architect of Laurentian’s Metal Earth Research initiative, Canada’s largest mineral exploration research program.

Our thoughts are with Phil’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church (111 Larch St., Sudbury, ON) on October 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

Details: https://www.sudbury.com/obituaries/thurston-dr-phillips-10882326

All who knew and loved Phil are welcome to attend and share in remembering a life well lived.

Flags on campus will be lowered on October 4, 2025, to honour Dr. Thurston's life and contributions.