Owen, Julie and Family,
We just heard of your loss, words are not adequate at this time, but I hope it helps knowing others care and are thinking about you. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Carl and Brenda Ezekiel

Dear Owen, Julie, Josh and Justin’s family.
We are so very saddened to hear of Justin’s passing.   We send you our deepest condolences.   Our memories of Justin as a child with Josh and our sons, are very fond as we watched them grow up together on the soccer field and the hockey arena – especially the day Justin got a hat trick and Owen threw his hat on the ice.  What a fabulous game that was!   Plus the fun the four of them  had being super active at Family Day together at the Club.   Justin was always full of energy and his big toothy smile always brought so much happiness.   We wish to express to you our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy and please know you are very much in our thoughts and prayers.   

Sincerely,   Peter, Bonnie, Jeremy & Kyle Jova


I knew Justin only a few years but he swiftly became a good friend. He taught me more than he knew about metaphysics, and life. I miss him greatly.

With Riin's help, I've started a fundraising campaign to set up a memorial prize in metaphysics. If you'd like to donate please contact Riin or you can search for "Justin Zylstra Memorial Prize in Metaphysics".

I learned of Justin’s passing while boarding a flight to a conference full of philosophers who knew him or his work. His absence was acutely felt. 

Justin and I met when I visited the University of Alberta while he was a PhD student. He immediately impressed me. Soon after, I was happy to serve as an examiner of his excellent PhD thesis. Since then, we’d exchange papers every now and again. Corresponding with him was always enlightening. So much so that he was one of the youngest authors I invited to write for a book I was editing. He was a promising philosopher with a bright future. The impressive quality his work will continue to benefit his ancient discipline without him. I wish it were with him. 

The last time I saw Justin was about 2 years ago in New York. He was at first concerned about the profession. I had just commented on a paper of his which, as usual, was impressive. I tried to reassure him and encourage him to persevere. We may have drank and gossiped a little too much. We certainly had a great time. I’m very lucky for those fond memories. 

Riin wrote that Justin considered himself to be very lucky. I’m glad he felt that way. We were luckier still to know him.

My deepest condolences to Riin, Aalep, and all Justin’s family, friends, and loved ones.

Dear Julie and Owen and family my deepest condolences for the passing of Justin. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Yves

Dear Owen and Julie,

Our sincere condolences for the passing of Justin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. Colette and Gil 

Julie & Owen,
We send our deepest sympathy at the loss of your son. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 
Your USA friends, Kathy & Paul Boron

Julie, Owen and family, Pat and I were saddened to hear of the death of your son. Our thoughts and prayers are with you family at this sad time. Pat and Peggy Graham

I was very sad to hear that Justin had passed.  I knew him mostly as a philosopher.  Nominally, I "sponsored" his post-doctoral project on the logic of essence.  But, really, he was the teacher and I was the student, offering, I hope, occasionally helpful questions.  He worked with me for only a year, but he made our short time together count.  He was a great philosopher and a great friend: thoughtful, kind, patient, insightful, serious, and persistent.  You are all in my thoughts.

Louis deRosset

Dear Riin and Family,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Justin, and we offer you our prayers.  Mark and I first met Justin in Edmonton, where I kept hearing from Riin what a great person he was, and what a stellar philosopher as well.  We were privileged to also get to know Justin when Riin and he visited us in Berlin; it was such a joy to share that wonderful city with him and to get to know him better.  I was also so happy to hear about Riin and Justin's forays as new parents.  We will miss having Justin in our lives, and again, our thoughts are with all of you at this time. Love, Jen Ronyak and Mark Maynor

Dear Owen,Julie, Josh,Rini and Aalep, and Family
I can’t begin to express how saddened we are about Justin. Justin was an amazing courageous man. An amazing son, brother, husband, father, and friend. Justin accomplished so much in such a short time. We will forever treasure the time we spent living next door, watching the boys play and grow into beautiful young men. Our hearts are broken. Justin played a big part in my children’s childhood. We are so grateful for that. He will forever be in our hearts
You are all surrounded by loving family and friends, know we are all here for you during this sad time and always 
“When the heart grieves over what is lost the spirit rejoices what it has left”

Love Sally,Josh,Victoria and Kevin Dewar


OBITUARY

Justin Michael Zylstra

May 2, 1987 – September 23, 2019

MacKinnon Family Funeral Home

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