Passing of Gerald J. Maier '46 - A Life of Vision, Integrity and Service

The College received very sad news that alumnus Gerry Maier ’46 passed away November 4, 2025 at the age of 97.

Throughout Gerry's life, Notre Dame and Wilcox retained a special place as he regarded attending Notre Dame as one of the more important decisions of his life. He attended the College from 1944-1946 for grades 11 and 12 and he began serving on the College's Board of Regents in 1993, was the Chairman of the Board from 1998-2008, and held the title of Chancellor from that time onward. In 2017 he was awarded the Notre Dame Humanitarian Award in appreciation and recognition for his contributions to education, Canada, international business, leadership, engineering, sport, ecumenical unity and Notre Dame.

WATCH >> Gerry Maier Tribute for 2017 Notre Dame Humanitarian Award

One of Notre Dame's most accomplished graduates, Gerry had a distinguished business career in the oil and gas sector. His career took him around the globe until his return to Calgary as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas followed by CEO of Bow Valley Industries before being recruited to lead TransCanada PipeLines as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he held until his retirement. In 2003 he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada with his citation stating, "Growing up in a small Saskatchewan town during the Great Depression, Gerald Maier enjoyed few material comforts but was infused with a strong set of values by his parents. Now chairman emeritus of TransCanada PipeLines Limited, he is a recognized leader in the exploration, acquisition and sustainable development of our natural gas and crude oil reserves. Through his dedication to a number of civic and charitable organizations including Athol Murray College and the Canadian Olympic Foundation, he stands as a model of social responsibility."

Father Murray and Notre Dame's lasting impact on Gerry was undeniable. In Gerry's words, “The fundamentals of success were imparted and reinforced at Notre Dame. Father Murray’s Notre Dame Man poem was sort of implanted in our minds, as it still is at the school today. I didn’t think about it a lot, but those principles just guided my life. I was also deeply influenced by Père’s ‘global thinking.’ When he wanted to get his voice heard he wrote to world leaders, and they often wrote back! As a result, when I got asked to work in other countries, this bigger perspective inspired me to agree when a lot of other guys refused. I worked in the U.S. and Canada, Australia and the U.K. With Continental Oil, I had operational responsibility for Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, and this all happened because I’d lost the fear of challenge.” 

For more on Gerry’s life, please see the following link to his obituary: Obituary information for Gerald J. Maier O.C.,C.D.,LL.D.,FCAE.,FEC

Tributes from Notre Dame alumni:

He sure was one of the great Hounds inspired by Père!! 
- Joe McCormick '69

 

He was one of Pere's great Hounds.
- Alice Stefan Henderson '51

Gerry caught Père’s fire then lived it.  One of the great ones.