Dear Carole and girls,

I will be having a toast to Ramo this Christmas. He was very helpful in teaching me the discipline of studying. I often wonder what my life would have been like if we had not become friends. Ramo was really one-of-a-kind. 

I am sure this past year has been one of healing your hearts. I wish you peace and health this Holiday Season. And may his memories keep him close. 

Hugs, Jennie Milligan

We met at salsa class in late 2016, I stopped taking lessons in 2017 but Ramo continued on with other instructors and difference dances. End result, he became an amazing dancer of salsa, bachata and kizomba while I stayed at the same level. His passion for dancing  is phenomenal,  his kind and warm personality is inviting and his grin when he's dancing with you is absolutely riveting. We'll sorely his Ramo in the salsa community. My deepest condolence to the Gencay family.....

Sending deepest condolences to the Gencay Family on behalf of the North Shore Trail Runners Alliance Board of Directors and all trail runners in the alliance.  Ramos' cheerful,  helpful and selfless contributions will be profoundly missed by the North Shore trail running community. His spirit is sure to live on in eternity along the trails and high in the mountains on the North Shore. 

While I also teach at SFU, I knew Ramo best as a fellow trail runner.  We would cross paths frequently at running events and while training on the trails of Vancouver's North Shore mountains... and when we did, I knew I could count on a warm smile, a hug and some interesting trail talk.  Ramo was a positive person and an example to so many.  On behalf of my wife (Sibylle Tinsel) and his many friends in the Club Fat Ass running club, I share our sincerest condolences with family and the many others who will miss him.  Happy trails, Ramo!   


Reading the memories shared by others I wish I had known Ramo better than I did. 
When chatting in the SFU hallways he always captivated me with his positive energy,  kind demeanor, and quiet assuredness.  I will never forget Ramo's speech at Meiyu's memorial not too long ago, he certainly had had a special  gift of expressing difficult things in simple words,  Rest in peace Ramo, and my heartfelt condolences to Carole and the family.  

 

I will always remember Ramo as a dedicated, caring and extraordinary person .  Ramo has been a teacher of life:   With deep conversations and the great passion he showed about what he liked, he made a big difference on people. Getting to know him a little bit more has been wonderful. I have only beautiful words about  Ramo. I was astonished by his patience, his loving and peacful character, his dedication and, above all, I can say that he is a model for me and others. 

My heart is with the family in those moments. My deep condolences and  all my love and support from Pamplona. 

Dear Ramo’s Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies on the untimely passing on of your husband, father and our beloved teacher and friend, Professor Ramo. We are students of the Master in Economics and Finance at the University of Navarra, and we were blessed to have had the wonderful privilege of being taught by Professor Ramo during the first weeks of our Masters course in September 2018. We were only with Professor Ramo for a few days, but in those few days, we grew quite fond of Ramo through his kind spirit and the warm, welcoming smile that he wore both in and out of class. 
For most of us, we will remember Ramo as the first professor in our Masters Class who through his encouraging words, assured us that it was all going to be okay. At that time, we were all very new in the masters course, and we were naturally frightened and quite nervous at the enormous and demanding task ahead of us. However, during his classes, Ramo inspired us with his smooth and encouraging words, and motivated us that it was all possible! He had a unique and simple way of communicating, and his reassuring messages will echo in our hearts all through.
Professor Ramo was a very gifted soul, both in and out of the classroom, and we loved that he took the time to visit new places, enjoy nature, and share his lovely spirit with everyone he met. It was with great sadness that we received the news of his passing on, and we will surely miss him. It really saddens us to bid Ramo farewell, but our hearts find comfort and peace in knowing that he left a permanent footprint of love and humility in our hearts, and we celebrate the life and impact of this wonderful soul.
We wish you and your family God’s blessings, peace and love during these difficult moments. You have our deepest condolences, and we hope that the love of family and friends will comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead.
With love,
Pedro, Nico , Cristina, Paolo, Julieta, Juanse, Charlie and Prince

It is no secret that Ramo was an exceptional professor and a highly accomplished economist. Moreover, neither is it that he was a great person who lived life to its fullest. He continuingly transmitted this to his students. When worringly looking for him with doubts about the difficult topic of wavelets, he would explain a bit and then spend some time showing why there was so much more to life than work. He would visit Spain each year to teach a master's course, and I was lucky enough to be given the task of receiving him in the University. Each year he would take the time to learn a bit of Spanish, and to continue his dancing lessons. He would also take the group of students out for drinks by the end of the course. He was more than a teacher; he was a dear friend, and his loss leaves a big hole in our hearts. He once told me that he had the rule not to ever return home from a trip from the same city to which he left to. That is how much he enjoyed traveling, and deeply understood the value of different cultures and people. He was a man of the world, with an enormous heart; and for those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, no matter which our beliefs are, we are sure that he is now and forever with that quirky smile on his face and dancing away.

Ramo and I had dinner one night in "Pil Pil", a restaurant nearby the University of Navarra. He would enjoy Spanish cuisine. I was impressed by his demeanor and how friendly he was, despite not knowing each other too much. He had fallen in love with the trails of the Navarra mountain ranges, as he would do impressive long and demanding runs while he taught in Navarra. I recall him saying how much more one would enjoy doing trail-running by knowing well the structure of trails of the region. It was amazing for me, having lived almost 15 years at the time -and having done a good deal of trail-running- that someone from Vancouver would appreciate trail-running in Navarra even more than the locals!
Ramo, we miss you and pray for you and your family.


Ramo, a great teacher who made me love statistics with his elegant and sincere way of teaching. However, teaching for Ramo was a mean to an end and this anyone could discover when you went to office hours in the middle of a Problem Set crisis and you left that office with the illusion of keep on going and make your life something precious because he received us with serenity and always a good advice. Ramo has been a human being who was devoted to any person and really loved life, I have always believed that these two characteristics must be highly correlated and Ramo showed us that I was no wrong. I remember when he proposed to his MEF students to go dancing. And there you realize that the same elegance, serenity and kindness are still the halo that surrounds that discreet and simple man. I will never forget him, above all, his kindness and desire to live. I will always remember and admire you.

I will never forget how in his first class, Ramo gave us a straightforward and simple definition of regression; the average behavior of Y given what we know (X). When I look back at the moments I shared with him I realize he taught me more important things than math. His average behavior was defined by simple, but very significative variables. No matter how difficult the problems seem, they will always be simpler if you face them with a smile, discuss them with friends over drinks with friends or surpass them with a dance. He was always happy to share his knowledge, eager to really get to know his students, their research, their dreams, and their lives and every time he had a piece of positive and encouraging advice. I will always be grateful towards such a wonderful man

Dear Ramo:
You taught us not only statistics but to be better persons. You encouraged us to follow our dreams but in a different way, knowing that there are other people expecting the best of us, knowing that there must be an equilibrium between our job or studies, our family and nature. I will have forever the best memories of you. I am sure, you are now enjoying of a peaceful and lovely dance in Heaven in hands of our Lord.
I hug your family and will have always you in my heart! Thank you for being a great person.

Ramo, you told me many things, many were advices ... Although several of our chats pertained to academia, to which you contributed a lot, one that I like to remember, I believe, describes your approach to life. About 7 years ago you said:"I like trail running because you are in the nature--in the mountains--and because you can meet people. These people are making an effort, along with you, ... You learn from the situation and you learn from the people; all of them are interesting and, during the breaks, have an interesting story to narrate. Thank you, Ramo!

Our students enjoyed his classes in the Master very much. Ramo gave them a different perspective and taught them a lot not only in Financial Statistics but also about doing a Master and a PhD, and life in general. He was one of the kindest persons I ever met and we miss his smile and warmth towards other people.

Almost 6 years ago, I had the enormous privilege to cross my path with Ramo's. Since then, he was visiting Navarra almost every year and was always so grateful to me for giving him the chance to know Pamplona! I remember Ramo as a really warmhearted person who transmitted peace and trust wherever he went. We will not have the chance to meet him in person any more but his spirit and memories will keep with us forever. Ramo, thanks for your always so charming and deep attention and dedication to your friends! All the best.

From Nuria, Iván, Asier, and me, our deepest condolences to Carole, Rana and Yasmine with all our heart and with all our affection in these sad times. Big hugs. You have a home and a family in Spain if you ever need us. What can I say about Ramo? I can say trully he was my friend.
I remember the first day I met him at the School in Pamplona, 2015, it was my birthday four years ago and I was sharing some sweets with the secretaries downstairs and I met him. “Hi, my name is Ignacio”- I said. “Hi, my name is Ramo”- he answered. And we started laughing with those hahaha.
He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. He was friendly and close to everybody. I learnt from him how to enjoy more about our MEF students. He invited me to have a wine with the students, and share other things with them, dreams, their future, and of course laughs. That became a tradition during his stays in Pamplona. He was able to work hard, to explain extremely difficult concepts in an easy way, but above all he was able to take things not too seriously.
I remember we cried laughing when we were talking about the meaning of the word research. “It is when you lose something, and you cannot find it. That is why we have to do re-search”.
He was a hard trail runner, he loved hiking, and he showed me the beauty of Vancouver rainforest during last summer. We were hiking once to Mount Seymour and we were going  fast. When we took a rest for a while, a twenty year-old man overtook us. Then he told me: “let’s overtake him again”. And of course we were able, but I ended up exhausted, he overtook me too.
He was sensitive, and you could breathe peace being with him. He was also very spiritual, enjoying nature anywhere.
Thanks, Ramo, my friend, for having the chance to know you and share funny moments and great times researching, hiking, having a cup of wine, a coffee or dancing
I will miss your wholehearted hugs. I will remember ypu for the rest of my life.

My deepest heartfelt sympathies to Carole, Rana and Yasemin. 

I am deeply saddened to lose my friend. I know Ramo from the Mountain Madness trail running clinics and from our many trail runs together. He always inspired me to explore new trails and I discovered so many routes by following him up a climb on Seymour or Grouse, descending, stopping and making decisions about where to go next, could we explore this trail? Where does this go? Hours of trail running, talking and laughing. He always made me laugh and he had the warmest smile. 
In 2014 I was interviewed for my first professional position after finishing my degree. The interview was with SFU and when I told Ramo about it, he offered to write me a letter of recommendation. This was an unbelievably kind gesture and I was so touched that he took the time to do this for me. I got the job and got a text from Ramo with a big “Congratulations!!!!!!”  (he always used a lot of exclamation points to show his enthusiasm).
There are so many memories I have of these simple and kind gestures from Ramo. He was a very generous person. 

I enjoyed hearing about his traveling adventures and appreciated his attempts to explain his work to me. (I tried to understand, Ramo. I really did!) I may not have understood economic theory, but I definitely understood his love for the mountains. I will continue to be inspired by him, discovering new trails, sharing stories with my running buddies, and enjoying the beauty of the mountains.  


I have not have the words to express what Ramo is still for me until now. Just I hope and wish all the strength to his family in this difficult moments. 
   
I met Ramo in 2017, and from the first time, he captured my admiration. He is and will always inspire me. I will always  love and try to emulate him for my entire life. His way of speaking, his understanding of economic concepts, etc; but overall, his way of looking to the world. He just wanted the best for me as future supervisee, not only academically but personally as well.  Last time I was speaking to him, I asked him: "How do you achieve to do (in economics) what you are already doing, given all the circumstances?" His answer astonished me: "Being nice to people". He was not just an academic guide for me, but also of a way of living. I do not have more words to express the great and wonderful impact he made on me. Just say that he is being a life changer for me as well as to everyone in my surrounding that has shared moments altogether with him. Thank you magister.  

Ramo was always a gentleman and showed respect and sensitivity to everyone around him.  Academics are constantly debating ideas, hiring and other group decisions, everything.  Ramo had a strong personality and strong opinions but was a role model in how he expressed them. He was always so calm and positive, and so caring when it came to his students.

During all these years running with you, spending long hours on the trails around the North Shore, talking about everything from Turkish recipes to how to solve world problems using equations, it has been my pleasure to be part of your life.  Not only were you my trail running buddy, you were also someone who I looked up to intellectually.  Since I knew we had the same professors in Guelph a few years back, you had inspired me to rethink my passion in econometrics, the part of my happiest graduate student's life which had left 20+ years ago. In the last couple of months, I have also learned that you had touched many people's lives around the globe with your good deeds and characters.  Life is always full of surprises, twists and turns and I trust very much that our conversations over the years on the trails, the inspirations that you had cultured and the students you have taught would make us better.

For years, Ramo was a well-loved running Leader in our Sun Run In-Training clinic out of Parkgate Community Centre. He was always a positive force - lovely to talk to and supportive of all runners in the clinic. All of us who got together, and ran with him, every week, will miss him so much. Our hearts are broken  for Carol, Rana and Yasemin.

I will always remember Ramo for his unfaltering dedication to his PhD students, for his passion for travel (we would meet randomly at conferences in London, Barcelona and elsewhere) and for being an avid hiker (I wish we went together to more hikes). Rest in peace my dear colleague and friend.

I still remember Ramo very dearly as my teacher for Time Series Econometrics at SFU. He inspired me to learn more about econometrics like he did for many of his students. Every students I talked to ever about Ramo, they loved him from the bottom of their heart. It pains my heart a lot seeing him gone and I remember him with upmost respect. May the almighty grant him heaven and give strength to his family to cope with this tragedy. Amen. 

We have struggled to find the words.  Anastasia and I are deeply sorry for your lose.   Our thoughts are with you Carole, Yasemin and Rana.

We remember Ramo from grad school at the University of Guelph.  It was a very special time back then.   The class was small and the department was relatively small.   It really felt like one big family and we all spent a lot of social time together. Even though many of us have note seen each other for a while it didn’t take long for that community to come together and talk about our old friend. We used to go out to the pub and of all things we would discuss economics and write out graphs and formulas on napkins.  I still fondly remember those experiences and those good times.   Ramo was always quiet and polite, but that didn’t mean he didn’t engage and didn’t have a sense of humour.   He was actually a very funny guy.   Some of us still reminisce about the Magic Bus joke, which is one of the best ever, but that can be shared in person.

Memories are precious, and we will always cherish those we have with Ramo.

The picture is the 4 of us who managed to graduate – Ramo was clearly the star.


Martintxo and me met Ramo a couple of years ago, on one of his visits to Pamplona to teach at the university. His passion for dancing led him to contact the dance academy of which we are part. It was an intense week. The hours outside the classroom were divided between learning Spanish and taking dance lessons. His desire was such that it was not enough for him to go to a group class that decided to hire private lessons. And this is where the funniest part of all comes from.
The academy was not available at the time he was free. However, for him that was no problem. He invited us to give him classes in his hotel room, because as he said himself, “it was big enough”. There the professor and I appeared. And we had a fantastic time.
I can see ourselves moving the beds, changing the tables of place…We danced, we laughed, we talked a lot ...
He told us about his family, especially his daughters, of whom he was deeply proud.
And talking about the following year, that he would return to Pamplona, we would see each other again.
Since then, we did not stop having contact with him. Not very assiduously, but enough to know in which part of the world he was moving. Always with the desire to return to share dance and talks. September 2017 arrived and he returned to Pamplona. This week was even more intense than last year. He took dance lessons every day. Could not take more advantage of his stay in the city. We loved seeing him again… Ramo is one of those magical people who transmit a mixture of peace and vitality.
Martintxo gave him a T-shirt from the academy and we took the photo post attached. This year, he returned to Pamplona but we were out and could not see each other, although we did talk.
He was an extraordinary man. He always treated us with immense affection. He will remain alive as long as it lives in your memory.
On our side, we will remember him dancing and smiling.
Lot of strength and love, family


MY FRIEND RAMO
I met Ramo at the University of Guelph. I lived in the basement of this house and Ramo and Tim lived in rooms on the top floor. When I first was getting to know Ramo, there was such a cultural comparison. It seemed that everything should be done the Turkish way because it was superior. I finally said to him one day, "Ramo....I know we are different and do things differently, but can 
we not still be friends?" And friends we became.  
I watched him make the best potato salad like his mother would make. And he taught me that to reach my potential I should study homework every night in the library until 11pm.  And then go to the Bullring and have fun for an hour.  That is how I learned to study and succeeded. Hard work and  then dancing. 
Ramo loved to dance. After each song I would turn to go sit down and he would say, "Come on! One more song!" I think I was able to eventually keep up with him for 5 songs in a row. I also remember him wanting to go on dates. I wasn't much help and Tim told him to go to parties and give girls he liked his phone number.  One day he came to me and said, "I have to show you this girl. She is beautiful and I want to ask her out." He took me to the library where Carole was working and shyly pointed her out. I knew it was love at first sight.  
And that love gifted them two beautiful girls....a family of four he could love forever.  It has been years since Ramo and Carole and the girls have been back to Muskoka, Ontario. But what is time? I know it ticks by but I also know that Ramo lives on in our hearts. And no amount of time will change that.  
Jennie Milligan,  Bracebridge, Ontario

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Ramazan "Ramo" Gencay

Né(e) 17 FÉVRIER 1961

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