WILFRED WHYTE McCUTCHEON

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WILFRED WHYTE McCUTCHEON 1919 - 2008 B.Sc. (McGill), B.A. (Sir George Williams), B.Ed. (Acadia); M.A.S. (Toronto), Ed.D. (Cornell), LLD. (Concordia), Associate - Institute of Education (London). D. Ed (Hon) Brandon Passed away peacefully on March 31, 2008 at St. Patrick's Home, Ottawa, ON. Born in Leeds Village, Quebec to Robert and Harriet Whyte McCutcheon. Predeceased by his dear wife Phyllis Bishop in 2003. Survived by his brother, Donald, his sister-in-law Dot, of Holly Hill, Florida, niece Donna Stratton of Stanstead, Quebec and Jane Bishop of Marbleton, Quebec, sister-in-law Doreen Mulcahy and nephew Terry of Sydney, Nova Scotia. A gifted scholar and distinguished educator, Dr. McCutcheon devoted much of his career to teaching at Brandon College (University) 1954 -1967, where he was installed as the first Dean of the Faculty of Education. In 1989, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his development of one of the most innovative teacher education centres in Canada. Well liked and highly respected, he also enjoyed positions at the Ottawa Teachers' College and the University of Ottawa until his retirement in 1974. Many teachers from rural western Manitoba benefited from his guidance and instruction. A scholarship has been created in his honour at Brandon University by the alumni of his education classes. During his career, Dr. McCutcheon published over fifty academic papers and influenced the futures of aspiring educators across Canada through his library endowments and scholarship funds. A generous mentor, Dr. McCutcheon gifted the Art Gallery of Acadia University with a collection of Canadian works in water colour, pencil, oil and gauache by artists from the Group of Seven including A.Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer and Henri Masson. This collection represents different periods and styles from 1880 to 1971. Dr. McCutcheon was an active volunteer at the Heritage Canada Foundation and received a Commemorative Medal in 1993, on Canada's 125th birthday. He was also a member of the Canadian College of Teachers, and among his many contributions, he facilitated the creation of the CCT Trust Fund. In 2002, he was honoured with the George C. Croskey Memorial Award for outstanding service. Dr. McCutcheon was a long-time member of Dominion-Chalmers United Church, where he served in various capacities over the years. Friends were invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Friday, April 4 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service was held at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, Ottawa on Saturday April 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Interment of ashes will follow in Malvern Cemetery, Lennoxville, Quebec at a future date. The family extends heartfelt thanks to St. Patrick's Nursing Home, its staff and volunteers. A special thanks to his private caregivers. Memorial donations may be made to CODE (Canadian Organization for Development Through Education), 321 Chapel Street, Ottawa or to the Dr. W. W. McCutcheon Scholarship Foundation, Brandon University, Brandon, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2008