Harold 'Pat' Dooley's legacy lives on at UOIT

Harold 'Pat' Dooley, a man passionate about education and a steadfast supporter of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and its students, has left a $300,000 bequest to the university that will keep his spirit alive on campus and in the hearts of students for years to come. Dooley passed away on November 15, 2009 at the remarkable age of 103.

"Mr. Dooley was an incredible man and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him," said MaryLynn West-Moynes, vice-president External Relations UOIT. "He understood the importance of investing in education and the leaders of tomorrow. His incredible generosity will enable many UOIT students to focus on their studies and their career goals. We are deeply grateful to receive this legacy gift because of it many more students will benefit from his support and will go on to make a difference in the world."

An orphan from England, Dooley, at the age of 12, was one of thousands of orphaned children who was brought to Canada for the chance at a better life. He never forgot the opportunity that he was given, and he worked hard to build a life for himself in his new homeland.

An electrician by trade, Dooley worked and lived across North America. He retired from Lasco Steel (now Gerdau Ameristeel) when he was 74 years old and settled in Oshawa, Ontario. Throughout his career and well into his retirement he was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and attended many of the organization's activities. Never married and without children of his own, he adopted the IBEW as his family.

In honour of his gift, the Harold 'Pat' Dooley Endowed Education Fund will be created to provide eligible students with financial assistance so they can acquire the real-world and high-tech skills needed to meet the demands of the knowledge-based economy. An application for matching funds will be made to the Ontario Trust for Student Support, which will create a permanent endowment of $600,000.

When asked his secret to living well, Dooley once said "I just keep thinking about doing more for the kids. That's what keeps me going." Many of those 'kids' will achieve their goals because Pat Dooley never lost sight of his.

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