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Bill Cade (left), Donald Ziraldo (centre) and former Brock President David Atkinson (right) in the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) wine cellar. The three played key roles in the creation of CCOVI.<\/p><\/div>\n
Today, CCOVI has grown to an internationally recognized research institute focused on priorities of Canadian grape growers and wine producers and the continuing education and outreach needs of the industry.<\/p>\n
One of the institute\u2019s first employees, Barb Tatarnic, was hired by Cade in 1997 to serve as CCOVI Co-ordinator.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill pushed for the initial meetings with Brock to create a plan for an institute to work alongside industry. He then brought together industry members to establish the path forward, assembling a team that consisted of Research Chairs in oenology and viticulture, an experiential learning staff position, as well as my own position as CCOVI Co-ordinator,\u201d says Tatarnic, who now serves as CCOVI\u2019s Manager of Continuing Education and Outreach.<\/p>\n
She remembers Cade as a kind and purposeful man who was a pioneer and innovator.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a man of vision and determination and wonderful human being,\u201d adds Tatarnic. \u201cOn behalf of CCOVI and Brock University, we would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Bill\u2019s entire family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cade is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elsa, his daughter Tamez and her husband, and his granddaughter.<\/p>\n
CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis was also hired by Cade as the institute\u2019s oenologist in 1999.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill had a larger-than-life presence, and I always take pride in telling the story of how CCOVI came to be,\u201d she says. \u201cHis lead in creating CCOVI in partnership with industry was an innovative model at Brock. Together with Donald Ziraldo, Karl Kaiser, John Howard, Don Triggs and so many others from the industry, they created an entity that grew to be a world-class institute.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ziraldo, who founded Inniskillin winery along with Kaiser, was co-chair of the capital campaign that helped in the creation of Inniskillin Hall, CCOVI\u2019s current home at Brock.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill came to speak to Karl and I about the opportunity to get the wine industry more involved at Brock, and from that innocent beginning began a vision,\u201d Ziraldo says. \u201cHe was truly a leader. The entire Canadian wine industry has benefitted from that vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lesley Rigg, Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor, says Cade was a pioneer who will be greatly missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill Cade\u2019s contributions to Brock and the grape and wine industry are immense,\u201d she says. \u201cToday, CCOVI stands as a flagship institute at our University. We have valued greatly from Bill\u2019s presence and vision. The Brock family is deeply saddened by his passing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cade\u2019s wife, Elsa, describes the couple\u2019s time in Niagara as both personally and professionally rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing part of the initiative to bring CCOVI to fruition was exciting for us,\u201d she says. \u201cThose were wonderful years at Brock.\u201d<\/p>\n
After leaving Brock in 2000, Cade served as President of Lethbridge University in Alberta until his retirement in 2010, where he guided the institution through a period of significant growth<\/a> and helped to strengthen its academic reputation.<\/p>\n Throughout his distinguished career, Cade also became known for his work in behavioral evolution and cricket behaviour, discovering Ormia orchracea<\/a>\u00a0and his impact as a supervisor for students.<\/p>\n\n\t