Obituaries

1948

Robert (Bob) Putnam

passed away on March 5, 2022, in Waterloo, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1944 to 1946 and was Captain of the Junior Prep Basketball team, on the Boxing team, played Third Football, and placed third in the javelin event at the Track and Field competition. At the Upper Canada Relays, he was part of the record-setting relay team that won the intermediate 880 relay and co-won the intermediate broad jump category. After leaving SAC, Bob started his career at Canada Health and Accident, a business his father founded. He and his family moved to Hawaii, where he worked for First Insurance Company of Hawaii. After returning to Canada, he purchased the Waterloo Glove Mfg. Co. Ltd., which he ran for 25 years until his retirement. Bob is survived by his daughters, Mary Rebecca, Margaret, and Melissa, four grandchildren, one great-grandson, and a brother. He was predeceased by his wife, Marie, and two brothers.

1950

David Trent passed

away on Aug. 11, 2021. He started at St. Andrew’s in 1942, graduating in 1950. He was a Librarian, Chapel Boy, Vice-President of the Literary Society, and a debater. David graduated from Trinity College, University of Toronto, and Oxford University. He worked mainly for the federal government in commerce and foreign affairs. He and his family lived in Ottawa before moving to Toronto. David is survived by his children, Deborah, Jennifer, and Michael; five grandchildren; and his brother, John ’53. He was predeceased by his wife, Diana, and brother, Peter ’48.

1952

Richard Barr passed away on Dec. 30, 2021, in Vermont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1945 to 1948. He played U16 Cricket. Richard started playing the bagpipes at St. Andrew’s, and the first tune he learned was Road to the Isles. In June 2005, at the 50th reunion of his class at Dartmouth College, Richard played Amazing Grace in front of 500 people with the same set of Henderson pipes he had at SAC. After leaving St. Andrew’s, Richard attended high school in New Jersey, then attended Dartmouth College and graduated with a BA. Richard became a designer and importer of woman’s fashion and Scottish woollens in New York City. In 1980, he moved to Vermont, attended Harvard to study art history, and started teaching at a local community college. In 1999, Richard donated to Towers Library to create The Richard H. Barr Art History collection. Richard is survived by his daughters, Sabrina and Capucine, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, brother, Douglas ’48, and former wife, Nicole.

1952

Thomas Landreth passed away on Oct. 7, 2018, in Cambridge, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1948 to 1950. Thomas devoted his working life to what began as a family business, Dominion (Canadian) Tack & Nail in Cambridge. He is survived by his children, Mary, Kathy, John, and Jane, and a great-nephew, Caden Taylor ’25. He was predeceased by his brother, Ian ’47, and sister, Lois.

1952

Ian McKillop passed away on March 24, 2020, in London, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1950 to 1952. He played First Football and was a Librarian. Ian obtained his BA from Assumption College (now the University of Windsor) and had a long and rewarding sales career. He purchased W H Graham, a London-based safety product supplier, which was sold in the mid-1970s. Ian took the opportunity to be a manufacturers agent for three companies, primarily the Huck Glove company of Kitchener, Ont. Ian would remain in this role until retirement. He is survived by his children, Christena and Dougald, and four grandchildren. Ian was predeceased by his wife, Ann.

1956

William Weiss passed away on Oct. 8, 2021, in Toronto. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1946 to 1956. William played First Football, Clan Hockey, was a member of the Track and Field and Gym teams, a drummer in the band, and a member of the Literary Society. After receiving his degree in electrical engineering at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, he worked for Boeing in Seattle, training colonels on how to launch Minuteman missiles. William did a stint at NASA, where he wrote the specs for the life support monitoring system for the Gemini program. He returned to Canada to attend medical school at the University of Toronto and was a family and emergency medicine physician in Meaford, Ont. He authored a book called Health Care: Conflicting Opinions, Tough Decisions. William is survived by his wife, Florence; four children, Courtney, Bill, Marni, and Heather; and six grandchildren.

1956

Michael Wood passed away on Feb. 12, 2022, in Fredericksburg, Va. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1950 to 1956. He was Head Prefect and Head Boy. Michael played First Soccer, First Hockey, and tennis. He was Editor-in-Chief of The Review, President of the Literary Society, President of the Debating Society, Pipe Major, and involved in dramatics and the dance committee. Michael attended McGill University, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, then completed a postgraduate course in business administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He followed that up with an MBA from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg. Michael also earned his pilot’s licence. A native of Halifax, N.S., for more than 50 years he lived in Fredericksburg, where he worked at Aero Nautics, Inc., the company he helped found. Most recently, as a licensed commercial real estate agent, he worked with Johnson & Glazebrook as a business broker. Michael is survived by his brother, Andrew ’60; his children, Philip ’84, Caroline, and Sylvia; and grandchildren, Michael Kurp ’18, David Kurp ’21, Reid, and Samantha. He was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne, and father, Stuart ’25.

1957

Edward Roberts passed away on Jan. 14, 2022, in St. John’s, Nfld. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1954 to 1957. He was a Scholar, Chapel Boy, Librarian, and Literary Editor of The Review, and was involved in debating, dramatics, and pool patrol. He was a Corporal in the Cadet Corps. Edward completed a law degree at the University of Toronto, then returned to Newfoundland to start a career serving his province and its people. He was called to the Bar of Newfoundland in 1965, became Queen’s Counsel in 1979 and a Master of the Supreme Court in 1989. At age 26, he was elected to the provincial legislative assembly. Edward was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Public Welfare and Minister of Health. In 1985, he retired from politics, but in 1992 ran again and was elected in Labrador’s Naskaupi district. Edward held the positions of Attorney General and Minister of Justice before retiring from politics permanently in 1996. He was appointed Lieutenant Governor

of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2002. In 2006, he completed a Master of Arts degree in history at Memorial University. In recent years, he edited and authored several books on Newfoundland and Labrador history. Edward is survived by his wife, Eve; daughters, Catherine, Caroline, Jessica, and Alison; and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Doug ’62.

1960

Peter Hood passed away on Nov. 15, 2021, in Guelph, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1957 to 1960 and was a Prefect, President of the Athletic Society, and a member of the Students’ Council (formerly the Literary Society). He played First Football, First Hockey, and Track and Field. Peter followed his father and grandfather into the family-owned business, Gummed Papers Ltd and GP Chemical in Brampton, Ont. He was also a camping and white-water canoe enthusiast and for many years participated as an instructor, marathon racer, and historical reenactor with the Voyageur Canoe Company of Millbrook, Ont. Peter is survived by his wife, Susan; three sons, David, James, and Jeffery; and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Donald ’37.

1959

Hugh Coulson passed away on March 17, 2022, in Campbellford, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1951 to 1957. He played Third Football. Hugh started his working life as a stockbroker in Montreal, later moving to Toronto, becoming a well-known figure on Bay Street. His semi-retirement years were enjoyed at his farm in Campbellford. He also opened a real estate firm and, for a time, served as a member of the local Rotary Club. Hugh is survived by his wife, Anne; children, David, Carey, Peter, Shoshannah, Douglas ’82, and Robin; and several grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Daphne, and his brother, Jock ’59.

1968

Guy Baker passed away on May 24, 2021, in Mississauga, Ont. He started at SAC in 1962 and graduated in 1968, having left to attend high school in Regina, Sask., before returning to Aurora to finish high school. While at St. Andrew’s, Guy played First Football, was an officer in the Cadet Corps, and earned the lead in the school production of Finian’s Rainbow. He was awarded the Isabelle Cockshutt Prize in History and the Theatre Prize. Guy attended Carleton University, where he studied history, then went to teachers college in Ottawa. Guy spent more than 30 years with the Peel District School Board, where he specialized in teaching special education students. He is survived by his wife, Linda.

1968

Lee Shinkle passed away on Oct. 19, 2021, in St. John’s, Nfld. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1960 to 1968. He played First Soccer and Junior Rugby. Lee graduated initially from the University of Toronto and continued at the London School of Business and the Institute of Corporate Directors. He was a business leader in Atlantic Canada for more than 50 years in the insurance, oil and gas, research, innovation, and mining industries. He was recognized as a Top 50 CEO in Atlantic Canada and was honoured to receive the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the NOIA Outstanding Contribution Award. Lee is survived by his wife, Martha; children, Malindi, Geoffrey, Jessica, and David; nine grandchildren; his brother, Matt ’76; and brother-in-law, Charles Hawke ’71. He was predeceased by his uncle, John Crosbie ’49.

1971

John McSherry passed away on Feb. 13, 2022, in Barrie, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1966 to 1971. He played Second Soccer and was in the founding year of the Health Club, which was devoted to physical fitness. After attending university for a short while, John worked in a management position. He and his wife purchased a convenience store in Shanty Bay, Ont., which they ran for nearly 15 years. They moved back to Barrie and worked in retail before retiring. John is survived by his wife, Lou Ann; children, David, Beverley, and Melanie; and one grandson. passed away on June 14, 2018, in Sarnia, Ont. She attended St. Andrew’s from 1967 to 1969. While at SAC, she played Mac House Football. Dayna is survived by her wife, Donna, and many family members.

1981

Albert Harding

passed away on July 26, 2021, in Brantford, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1976 to 1981. He played First Soccer, Second Cricket, and U15 Hockey, and was in the cast and crew of the school play, Anything Goes. Albert attended Mohawk College and studied mechanical engineering technology. He ventured into the business world in 1997 by creating his own company, Brant Engineered Systems Technology (B.E.S.T.). Albert is survived by his wife, Lisa; their children, Joshua, David, and Madison; and his brothers, David ’83 and Mark. He is predeceased by his sister, September, and his uncle, Al Matthews ’54.

2002

Matthew (Matt) Gingrich passed away on

Dec. 26, 2021, in Waterloo, Ont. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1998 to 1999. He played U16 Football and was on the Senior Swimming team. He swam at the national level with the Region of Waterloo Swim Club for many years. Matt attended the University of Waterloo and was passionate about finance. He was proud to work as a financial advisor at RBC Canada. Matt is survived by his father, Kenneth, and siblings, Sarah, Kit, Jennifer, and Josh. He was predeceased by his mother, Lynne, and brother, Jeff. X

Edward Roberts ’57 was the Reviewing Officer at the 2006 Cadet Inspection. See page 56 for an excerpt from his speech.

Reviewing Officer at the 101st Cadet Inspection in 2006. Here are excerpts from his speech on that sunny afternoon.

Forty-nine years ago, almost to the day, I stood in this Quad as a member of the St. Andrew’s College Highland Cadet Corps. It never crossed my mind as I marched and counter-marched that afternoon that I might someday be the Reviewing Officer. As a Lieutenant Governor and as the Honorary Colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, I am often invited to parades and other military functions. I must begin by telling you that I’ve never seen a better performance by any cadet corps or military unit than that carried out here today. This is only the third time I have been back to the school since I left it in June 1957. But…there hasn’t been a day in those years that the school wasn’t with me. Had anybody told us 50 years ago that St. Andrew’s would shape our lives, I would have scoffed at the notion, and so would all my classmates. We all learned much at St. Andrew’s. Some of the knowledge we gained was tested by examinations, but most of it has been tested by our lives throughout the years.

We learned to accept responsibility for our own actions.

We learned that one must know how to take orders before one is fit to give them.

We learned the need for discipline, particularly for self-discipline, the most valuable of all qualities.

We learned the value of comradeship and the skills of living together, many of us far away from home. And we learned to stand up for ourselves. The magnificent prose of the King James version still resonates: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” It’s a mighty watchword. There’s no military performance as glorious as that of a Highland Regiment marching well, with pipes playing and drums beating. You’ve added lustre to the laurels won by all the young men who have marched in the ranks of the Corps over its century-long history. You are a credit to yourselves, you are a credit to your families, and you are a credit to your school – to our school. Edward Roberts ’57 at the 2006 Cadet Inspection. His personal coat of arms reflects a strong St. Andrew’s influence.

Edwin Cecil Blomfield

was a teacher at St. Andrew’s for a few years in the mid-1910s. He had three sons who attended: Vernon and Raymond, who both attended from September 1914 to June 1918, and Noel, who attended for two months, also leaving in June 1918. According to our records, Vernon served as a “Senior Prefect” and returned to SAC in 1930 to teach French for two years. E. C. Blomfield is credited with writing the words and music to Played St. Andrew’s, Old St. Andrew’s, a hymn dedicated to Old Boys who died during the First World War. It was sung for the first time on Prize Day in 1916.