The CMS Honours the Memory of Dr. Alfonso Gracia-Saz

The Canadian Mathematical Society is extremely saddened by the news of Dr. Alfonso Gracia-Saz’s passing from COVID-19. Dr. Gracia-Saz was to receive the 2021 CMS Excellence in Teaching Award this June at the CMS Summer Meeting, notably for his inventive work with University of Toronto’s legendary MAT137 (Calculus with Proof). The award will be presented to his partner. He was known among his colleagues as a dynamic and innovative teacher. Dr. Gracia-Saz cared deeply about math outreach. In addition to being active in various competitions, math camps and science fairs, he also worked in a prison university project, a work of which he was very proud.

CMS Executive Director, Dr. Termeh Kousha, expresses deep sadness at the news and at the loss of yet another valuable member of the community to COVID-19: “This is very tragic. Dr. Gracia-Saz was a mentor and an inspiration to many math educators. The CMS will continue to honour his memory.”

Alfonso Gracia-Saz’s passing is a great loss for the Canadian Mathematical Society and the Canadian mathematical community. The Society offers its sincere sympathies to his partner, Nick, and his friends and family.

For more information, please contact:

Prof. Javad Mashreghi (Laval) President Canadian Mathematical Society president@cms.math.ca

or

Dr. Termeh Kousha Executive Director Canadian Mathematical Society director@cms.math.ca