CBU Mourns the Loss of Dr. Scott Moir

It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of our dear colleague, comrade and friend, Dr. Scott Moir, on Friday May 2, 2025. Scott completed his PhD in Medieval and Early Modern History in 2002 from University of Guelph and began his career at Cape Breton University in the same year, as a full-time faculty member in the Department of History.

Over two decades at CBU, Scott accumulated an impressive service record within the university community, particularly in the faculty association. He was recruited into union work by his History colleague, the late Donald MacGillivary. From that point forward, Scott never looked back. It was a path to which he was extremely well-suited. His calm demeanor and diplomatic approach to grievance and bargaining issues earned him much respect over the years. Scott was a ‘gentle giant’ on so many levels. Behind that friendly smile was his fierce Celtic fighting spirit, always on the ready to take up the charge for justice on matters that impacted the association.

Scott was very passionate about labour issues and he became a dedicated member of the union’s Executive Committee.  Throughout the years, Scott would serve the faculty union in multiple important capacities. Scott’s good humour and comradery complemented his professionalism and easy-going demeanor. Scott’s contributions to the faculty union are too numerous to simply list as a tally. He did all this work selflessly and with tremendous pride. That is the measure of his character.

A gifted classroom professor, Scott is perhaps best remembered for his commitment to experiential learning. Scott’s use of mock trials, live-action role playing, archival workshops, and simulated parliamentary debates made his innovative courses dedicated Vikings, witches, and monsters legendary among students. It is perhaps no surprise that Scott’s contribution to CBU’s “Children’s University” initiative in the early 2010s – “Medieval Warfare: Reality vs Myth” – was among the most successful!

Nominated for the CBU Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2008, Scott supervised dozens of honours theses, archival interns, and directed study projects – inspiring a love for the late classical, medieval, and early modern eras among many generations of CBU students.

Scott had an ability for compassionate understanding that made him a brilliant academic, teacher, community leader, and friend to so many.  He used his position as a teaching academic to instill a love of history amongst his students: there was always a line of students waiting to sit in Scott’s office and talk about Vikings and witches. There was always laughter emanating from his office. If you talked to anyone who knew Scott, they would tell you that he was bigger than life, not just in size but in heart. Scott’s passion in the classroom, his generosity with his time and sharing of his knowledge will be greatly missed.  Outside the classroom, Scott regaled those who congregated outside his office door with stories of his dear da, and more importantly, the two delights of his heart, his children Callum and Chloe. Many a tale sits in the hearts of those who regularly heard the fables of a proud father, of his two cherished children.

We are only just beginning to realize the large hole that Scott’s absence creates in the everyday realities of all the many lives he touched. He personified the qualities that so many of us aspire to possess; kindness, compassion, understanding, dedication, innovation and passion that made him an exemplary teacher, a selfless advocate for his fellow colleagues and the best of friends.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Bay Gardens Funeral Home in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday May 9th from 5:00-7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will also take place in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia at a later date – the community will be notified at that time. This is a time of great sorrow for the entire University community. As we grieve together, please know that there are a variety of services and resources available to anyone in need.

Please join us in offering our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Scott’s family, Julie, Callum and Chloe whom he loved with all his heart.

Rest in peace. We will miss you.

Ruby Ramji (who was fortunate to have an office next to Scott), on behalf of friends and colleagues of Scott Moir.