The life of acclaimed author and University of Windsor professor Alistair MacLeod was celebrated in Windsor Saturday at Our Lady of Assumption Church.

MacLeod died on April 20th at the age of 77 after complications from a stroke.

MacLeod came to the University in 1969 where he taught English and Creative Writing for more than 30 years.

"He expressed his own hopes, fears and ideals in the stories he wrote," says former colleague at U of W, Eugene McNamara.

"His life was seamless. A family man, good husband good father, good grandfather, fantastic writer and terrific teacher" he adds.

After receiving his doctorate, MacLeod became an acclaimed short story writer who won many national and international awards for his work and eventually he turned to teaching.

Over the years he taught thousands of students.

Greg Pearson was a close friend of more than 25 years.

"He was very kind, very soft spoken and so very generous with his time," Pearson says.

"Anyone who has had him as a professor has just excelled. They all thought the world of him."