William A. Dimma Memorial Initiative

An esteemed business leader and beloved husband and father, Dr. William A. Dimma, C.M., OOnt. (MBA ’69, Hon. LLD ’98) passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022, leaving a legacy of distinction and public service.

Dr. Dimma was a Professor and the fourth Dean of the Schulich School of Business, formerly known as the Faculty of Administrative Studies, since the School’s founding in 1965. As Dean from 1974 to 1976, he helped shape the School’s development and growth while contributing to its growing eminence in global management education. Dr. Dimma was a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council (now called the Dean’s Global Council) since 1998 and a member of York University’s Board of Governors from 1976 to 1997, which included a term as Board Chair from 1992 to 1997. Dr. Dimma was honoured with the Schulich Alumni Recognition Award for Outstanding Executive Leadership in 1992 and was the recipient of a York University Bryden Alumni Award for Leadership in 2001.

A strong advocate of higher ethical awareness and business standards, Dr. Dimma was a well-regarded leader and role model in the corporate community. He held notable leadership roles throughout his long and distinguished career at organizations such as Union Carbide Canada Ltd., Torstar Corporation and Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd., A.E. LePage Ltd., and Royal LePage Ltd. Dr. Dimma also served on close to a hundred corporate and not-for-profit boards, supported various philanthropic and educational initiatives within Schulich and York, notably the creation of the Jarislowsky-Dimma-Mooney Chair in Corporate Governance, established jointly at the Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School in 2006, and authored several books on corporate governance.

Dr. Dimma’s accomplishments went beyond business, having enjoyed a solid reputation as an accomplished swimmer, cross-country skier, water polo and squash player, Bridge Master, and most notably, a sensational pool player. Bill, as he was called by family, friends, and colleagues, lived as he led, with character and compassion. He will live in the hearts of those who loved him the most: his wife of 61 years, Louise, and daughters, Katherine and Suzanne, as well as beloved cat, Pluto.

We invite you to join us in our fond remembrance of Bill and in honouring his long-standing service and support of the Schulich and York community by clicking here. Thank you for your support.