Wilson was suffering from pancreatic cancer, diagnosed last October. He is survived by his wife Rita Wilson, his son Amit and daughter Anu.

Family, friends, students and staff of the college gathered at the St James’ Church in the evening to pay their last respects. Later, the funeral procession moved to the Nicholson Cemetery at Kashmere Gate.

Wilson did his schooling from St Edward’s School, Shimla. He graduated in Science with additional English from the Panjab University and followed it up with a Masters’ degree in English Literature from the Centre for PG Studies, Shimla.

“I knew him for over 22 years,” said Rev Walson Thampu, Principal of St Stephen’s College. “He was a role model for work culture. Even while battling ill health, he did not lose any of his brilliant sense of humour.”

Dr SY Qureshi, Central Election Commissioner, was also present at the gathering. A student at St Stephen’s from 1964 to 1967, Qureshi’s association with Wilson dates back to 1991, when he joined the college as principal. “My association with him grew as my daughter was a student at the college while he was the principal,” said Qureshi. “Although not a Stephanian himself, the uniqueness of the college grew on him and he was proud of the institution.”

Arvind Malhotra, General Secretary of the college’s alumni association, said Wilson was to attend a felicitation ceremony that was to be organised for Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla shortly. Chawla was a student at the college from 1962 to 1965.