Eugene Reno Tustanoff

Peacefully at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 in his 95th year of life, Eugene passed away.  Ironically this is where he spent most of his professional career as the Director of the Department of Biochemistry, overseeing the hospital’s chemistry labs.  He is off to join his beloved wife Patricia Mae (1929-2003).  They met in Windsor, Ontario when Gene was attending Assumption College (an affiliate of the University of Western Ontario).  They were married on August 7, 1954.

Gene received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario in 1952, followed by his Master of Science from the University of Detroit in 1954.  His goal of receiving his Ph.D. started at the University of Tennessee in 1955 and was completed at the University of Western Ontario in 1959.  Post doctorate, he worked in the Department of Pharmacology at the Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio from 1959-61 before he took on an assistant research role in concert with Hans Krebs (Krebs Cycle) at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

In 1962, Dad returned to Canada and worked as a research biochemist at the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto, followed by an appointment as Professor in the department of Chemistry at McMaster University from 1965-67.  In 1967, he moved his family to Oakridge in London, Ontario to take on his role as Professor at the University of Western Ontario in the Department of Biochemistry, in concert with his appointment at Victoria Hospital, ultimately retiring in 1992.

During his term at UWO, Gene travelled the world as a guest lecturer and he had over 140 research publications to his credit.  His arenas of interest initially revolved around mitochondria biogenesis, lipid-protein interaction in biological membranes and oxidative phosphorylation in yeast mitochondria.  He then shifted his focus to cancer research, specifically to the biochemistry of hypoxia as it relates to cancer physiology and steroid receptors in breast carcinoma, among other things.  All these efforts were accomplished with the help and tutelage of his post doctorate students in his lab on South Street at Victoria hospital.  He was designated as Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry in 1986 and the National Academy of Biochemistry United States in 1992.

In his personal life, Eugene along with his wife Patricia, raised four children, Roger, Marion, Paul and Karen.  He loved to travel, and it is literally easier to point on a world map where he has not been as opposed to where he has.  From China to Machu Pichu, Europe to Australia, Russia to Washington, he saw it all.  His passion for skiing took him to the world’s best resorts in North America and Europe, and he was an annual participant in Red McConville’s bachelor ski trips.  Patsy and Dad also loved to cruise and spent many nights on the oceans of the world.  He loved his gardens at Normandy Gate and his neighbours.  The Tustanoff clan will be forever grateful to the neighbours for all their support and care of Dad over the years, it was very much appreciated.  Dad also had a passion for Michigan football (GO BLUE), the Detroit Tigers and he passed on the curse of being a fan of the Detroit Lions to his kids.

As a first-generation Canadian and only child of two immigrant Russian parents, Dad grew up in the town of Walkerville/Windsor.  He had survived all his lifelong friends and was very close with Tony Techko and Sol Segal, both great athletes and friends in their time.  Many nights were enjoyed over dinner at their favorite haunt of Joe Muir’s seafood joint in Detroit across the river.  All the worlds political and sports issues were solved by this crew.

And finally, regarding his beloved partner Patsy; he loved her dearly.  She was the levity and balance in his life.  Her sense of humour was a perfect compliment to Dad’s stoic character and intellectual demeanor.  Dad worked his entire life to have the means to waft off into retirement with Patsy and travel the ends of the world together.  Unfortunately, this vision was cut short by Mom’s battle with dementia.  We were all deeply saddened by her premature decline and death. He missed her joy to the last day of his life and Dad spent every day of 6 plus years taking care of her until her eventual passing in 2003.  There was not a week that went by that he didn’t express how much he missed her, and now its our time to miss them as one.  We love you both.

Private family burial will be conducted on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. The family would like to invite friends and family to raise a glass and celebrate the life of their father on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Civic Garden Complex, 625 Springbank Drive, London. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Eugene are asked to consider the Alzheimer Society of Canada or a charity of your choice.