It’s with great sadness that we report the passing of Gregory MacIsaac. MacIsaac was a pillar of the Beijing expat community, a dear friend, teammate, and colleague to many who call this city home. During his time in Beijing he was one of the founding teachers at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) where he worked for 25 years and ran the beloved bar Fella’s just outside the WAB campus in northeastern Chaoyang where so many parents and teachers found sanctuary after work.
MacIsaac passed away peacefully Sunday morning in Toronto after a long battle with cancer. He’ll be missed by his former colleagues and friends.
“Heartbroken to receive the news of my dear friend, fellow Canadian, teammate, and WAB colleague, Gregory MacIsaac, who passed in Toronto over the weekend. I last saw him two years ago in Beijing during a visit to WAB – Western Academy of Beijing – before his move to Toronto. Mr. Mac did so much for the community from the Terry Fox Run to Special Olympics, and most of all, the Jane Goodall Institute in China. He fought a long hard and courageous battle with cancer. We shall miss his laughter, generosity, and kindness. You can lay your camera down and rest easy, Fella!”, says Richard Liu.
WAB remembers MacIsaac as a teacher and colleague who embodied the essence of the school and touched the lives of students and faculty.
Dr. Marta Medved Krajnovic, Head of School at Western Academy of Beijing says, “Greg MacIsaac was the essence of WAB. He helped shape us as a joyful, ‘everything is possible’ type of school. He helped make WAB a place that, no matter what, always put student learning and wellbeing in the center or everything we do.
He was an unshakeable believer in every child’s potential and experiential learning. He has influenced lives and future paths of many of our students and colleagues. His camera was tireless in recording the history of WAB and he was a master of storytelling.”
Rest in peace Gregory. You’ve touched the lives of so many people and you’ll be missed.
Images: Facebook page of Gregory MacIsaac
