On Monday, November 13th at the age of 84, Dr. Ozay Mehmet passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by his loved ones.
He is survived by his cherished family; his wife Karen, his 3 sons Sean (Reiko), Erin (Karen), and Aidan (Stacey), and grandchildren Tara, Paige, Duncan, Fiona, and Spencer.
He was born in British Cyprus, attended London School of Economics, and received a Commonwealth scholarship to complete a master’s and PHD at University of Toronto.
He combined careers in development work abroad in Malaysia, Indonesia, Uganda, Liberia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Guyana with university teaching in Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, and Carleton.
Continuing his connection to his beloved Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, he was Dean of Economics at Eastern Mediterranean University, and a founding rector of Finale University.
As an academic he wrote many books and articles. He also was influential in establishing the Centre of Modern Turkish studies, which continued to be a primary concern in his death.
After retirement he loved to garden, to spend time at the cottage with his family, and continue his writing.
Family and friends are invited to a farewell reception on Sunday, November 19th at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON) from 1 to 4pm.
He will be dearly missed.
Digital Guestbook
Harry Anthony Patrinos
Bilgin Buberoglu
He will be deeply missed in the Ottawa Turkish-Canadian community.
Marie Reid
Ozay was ever the gentleman, gracious and accommodating to friends, students, and colleagues. His career in development and academia was outstanding. His many publications range from issues in economics all the way to popular fiction, describing events in his homeland. He took a special interest in his graduate students and balanced this busy life with a closeknit family life as a loving husband and father.
Ozay was a friend, mentor and teacher. He will be greatly missed.