HARRY SHEPHERD

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HARRY SHEPHERD Harry was born in Bradford, Yorkshire on April 16, 1919 and passed away in Victoria, BC on December 15, 2003. Following service in the RAF during the Second World War, he entered teacher training and taught in his hometown. Harry Shepherd came to Canada from England to join St. Johns-Ravenscourt School for Boys (as it was then known) in Winnipeg in 1964 and retired in 1984. He taught English language and literature to grades 4 to 7 in the Lower School, quickly establishing and maintaining exceptionally high standards in all classes. Years later, young men in business and the professions who had laboured under his demanding gaze would write back to express their appreciation for his invaluable ground work in grammar, vocabulary, spelling and clear, logical writing. At the same time, he instilled in them a love for literature and creative writing. Second to his teaching duties were his responsibilities as the resident Lower School Boarding Master. With the other male teachers who lived off campus, he was in loco parentis for up to 30 boarders ranging from grade 4 to 7. Here again, his high standards and expectations meant that the boys soon were most proficient in learning how to care for themselves and each other; as well as the domestic skills in bed making and dorm cleaning! He is fondly remembered by legions of boys for his invitations to tea to break the school routine. Harry provided skill, time and effort in most of the Lower Schools sporting and extra-curricular activities. At tennis and field sports he excelled. He also was choir master for the combined Upper and Lower School Choir. His greatest extra-curricular contribution was in theatre. Each year, he directed the Annual Lower School Play. Literally hundreds of boys experienced the thrill of grease paint and opening night, or learned the intricacies of stage construction and lighting through his tireless and always optimistic efforts. Indeed, such was his contribution that the stage and hall area, on his retirement, were named Harry Shepherd Hall. A fitting tribute to a man and teacher who helped to fashion the Lower School into an institution of excellence and caring in all areas. Harry moved to Victoria in 1986 and from his comfortable apartment adjacent Beacon Hill Park continued to enjoy his pipe, the opera, Marks & Spencers cookies and visits from former students, colleagues and friends. Harry is survived by his niece Elaine Serfaty, who lives in Victoria, BC. A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 20 at 4:00 p.m. at First Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4725 Falaise Drive, Saanich, BC. A separate service is being planned in Winnipeg for sometime in May.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2003