MEDIA RELEASE: 7 November 2017 – R00205
Brock University is in mourning after the passing of Professor Zopito Marini, a beloved teacher and academic colleague who died suddenly while travelling overseas on Oct. 23 in his hometown of Montebello di Bertona, Italy.
A prolific researcher who was so popular with students that The Student’s Guide to Canadian Universities listed him as one of Brock’s favourite professors, Marini won numerous awards for teaching excellence during his career. He was also a recognized international expert in sociocognitive development, writing and lecturing on such issues as family and school conflicts, bullying and victimization.
Marini, a developmental psychologist, received his PhD from the University of Toronto in 1984, and joined Brock the following year as an assistant professor in Child Studies. By 1993 he co-founded Brock’s renowned Department of Child and Youth Studies, serving as its inaugural Chair.
In 2010, Marini was awarded the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, given by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education to recognize post-secondary teaching excellence. Other honours have included the Brock University Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Faculty of Social Sciences Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Ontario Confederation of Faculty Associations Teaching Award. A year ago, the Canadian Association for Educational Psychology presented Marini with the Robbie Case Memorial Award, recognizing excellence of work as evidenced by publication, exemplary practice and considerable influence on the profession.
The news of his death hit hard with colleagues.
“A renowned international scholar, an award winning teacher, an engaged citizen of the community and the world, and a warm and generous spirit,” said Ingrid Makus, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. “Zopito exemplified the kind of person we can only strive to be. This is an irreplaceable loss for us at Brock and the wider community.”
Drew Dane, Associate Professor of Psychology, described a friend “who was there to listen. He was a wonderful mentor and role model, who guided me through my early days as a professor, and helped me to make tough decisions and get through difficult situations.
“He never allowed the pressure or stress of the day’s events to detract from the joy that he took in sharing each moment with family, friends and colleagues, and in this respect, he has given us all a great example of how a life can be well lived.”
Marini is survived by his wife Helen, sons Michael and Matthew and his sister Anna Sablone. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at St. Julia’s Church in St. Catharines. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to the Zopito Marini Scholarship Fund.
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
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