People who are larger than life are known by one name only. At OCHS, it was Jack !!!He was Vice Principal, disciplinarian and ironically considered a "cool" guy by ever one.
During my first year at OCHS, there was student/teacher hockey game. The first time that he carried the puck, it left his stick and dribbled between his feet. Without even looking down, he gave it a shot with the back of his skate, which put the puck back on his stick and the little deke got him around the defense. We looked at each other dumbfounded, knowing that we had just seen pure artistry on ice.
Jack played Junior A hockey, and was part of the winning 1960's Championship team, the Saint Michael's Majors, who withdrew from the Ontario Junior Major A Hockey League in 1962 to be replaced by the Toronto Marlies. Our understanding was that Jack had a chance to turn pro, and chose teaching instead. One of his peers at St. Mike's was famous Toronto Maple Leaf Goalie Gerry Cheevers.
Jack taught another Toronto Maple Leaf and goalie as well -- Rick St. Croix who was a year ahead of me in my brother's class.
Jack's tenure lasted 21 years at OCHS. It was a record until Debbie (Micheli) Pankhurst came along. She has 41 years into the school. Five years was spent as a student, and she has been teaching there for 36 years.
In case you thought that Jack was pure jock, one of the subjects that he taught was calculus. He signed his full name in my yearbook: John D. Cole.
I loved Mr Cole. I spoke to his son Michael last June. Apparently he is loving his retirement.
ReplyDeleteJack would give me a ride home in the evening after basketball practice or games....
ReplyDeleteThis comment was accidentally deleted: I'm at a loss for words, as no one had an impact on students and teachers alike, like this great Christian...who walked the talk.
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