Longtime Vancouver Aquarium leader John Nightingale passes away

The Vancouver Aquarium is mourning the passing of a man who led the facility for over a quarter-century.

John Nightingale passed away on Monday in Vernon, B.C. after a short illness “looking out from his sunny patio surrounded by family and music,” an obituary reads.

John Nightingale, who led the Vancouver Aquarium for over 25 years, died Monday at the age of 75. (Source: raincoast.org)

The longtime researcher was director of the Vancouver Aquarium for over 25 years and also founded Ocean Wise — a global ocean conservation organization.

“At his core, John was both a professional biologist and a superb communicator who helped millions of people to become aware, interested and active in preserving the world’s oceans. He inspired children to become marine scientists, citizens to become volunteers and donors, and governments to enact policies protecting marine mammals, fisheries, and ecosystems,” the obituary continued.

Nightingale was born in Colorado and raised in Oregon, previously working at marine facilities in New York, Seattle, and Maui before coming to Vancouver.

The Vancouver Aquarium tweeted about Nightingale’s passing on Thursday, calling him “an inspirational leader and a champion for ocean conservation.”

The Nightingale Bursary in Ocean Management is accepting donations in honour of the former director’s memory. The bursary is meant to inspire “curiosity, knowledge and commitment to ocean conservation.”

Nightingale was 75 years old.