John Abbott College scholarship honours Springate
John Abbott College will present a new scholarship in memory of George Springate, a former Montreal police officer who co-founded the Police Technology program at John Abbott in 1973.
Springate died Nov. 20, 2019 at the age of 81.
The new scholarship bearing his name will be awarded by the John Abbott College Foundation beginning in June. The George Springate Memorial Scholarship of $2,000 will be given annually to a third-year Police Technology student who “best illustrates their kind, supportive and unselfish desire to help their fellow students in need, without any expectations in return.”
“During his 33 years at the college, Springate was a highly respected law professor, mentor and friend to countless students and faculty,” the college said in a statement.
Springate's multi-faceted career included a stint as a politician, journalist and kicker with the Montreal Alouettes. He was a member of the Als team that won the 1970 Grey Cup.
He also was elected to Quebec's National Assembly, worked as a TV sports commentator at the CBC, and was a newspaper columnist. He ended his career as a federal citizenship judge. He was a recipient of the Order of Canada in 1989.
Springate died in Ottawa, but he was a longtime resident of Pierrefonds, where a sports complex was named after him.
“Accomplished and generous, George Springate was known for his kind disposition and boundless love of his country. He touched many lives with his friendship, community service and philanthropic work,” the college said.
Donations are being accepted in support of the new Springate scholarship. Cheques can be mailed to John Abbott College Foundation, 21275 Lakeshore Rd., Ste-anne de
Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, H9X 3L9. Online donations can be made at www.johnabbott.qc.ca/foundation. Tax receipts will be issued by the foundation.