Niagara College officials are saying a very sad goodbye to the NC Greenhouse's chief of natural pest control.

Basil the cat passed away yesterday after being with the college for fifteen years.

He was a common sight around the school, greeting guests to Benchmark Restaurant, acting as a fearless mouser, and providing stress relief for students and staff.

In 2016, a $500 student bursary was named in his honour and keychains are still being sold in his likeness to support the fund.

Vistors to Benchmark Restauarant will be able to find a small piece of Basil's legacy through the pawprints he left behind in 2018 in the new concrete path connecting the greenhouse to the restaurant.

People are encouraged to share their memories of Basil using his Instagram handle, @Basil_theNCcat

courtesy Niagara College