News

R.I.P. PROFESSOR EMERITUS JACK A. SAWYER
December 19, 2018
It was with great sorrow that we learned of the death on December 17 of macroeconomist and longtime faculty member Jack Sawyer


Professor Sawyer in 2014 (Photo courtesy of Robert J. Sawyer)

Toronto-born, Jack Sawyer was a graduate of Oakwood Collegiate Institute and the University of Toronto (Victoria College, Commerce & Finance, 4T7; MA), and his PhD from the University of Chicago was awarded in 1966.

He was an economist at the Dominion Bureau of Statistics (1953-60). and subsequently taught economics at the University of Alberta (1949-50), the Royal Military College of Canada (1951-53), and the University of Toronto (1960-90). He was Director of the Institute for Policy Analysis (1975-80) and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Management (1985-86) at the University of Toronto.

Jack was predeceased by his wife Virginia. At this sad time, our condolences go to sons Peter, Robert and Alan, and to all family and friends.

At the Dominion Bureau of Statistics he directed the construction of the first inter-industry input-output table of the Canadian economy. At the University of Toronto he led the team that built the TRACE econometric model of the Canadian economy. He wrote two textbooks on macroeconomic theory and a number of articles, including a history of business education at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus.

Ever the educator, Jack’s instruction was that his body be donated to the Division of Anatomy at the University of Toronto; thus there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate a donation to your favourite health science charity.


(with files from Robert J. Sawyer)