Walter Henry "Pete" Jackson

WALTER HENRY ''PETE'' JACKSON July 7, 1905 - December 28, 2008 Teacher Coach Mentor Friend On December 28, 2008, Pete passed away peacefully in Etobicoke where he had lived almost all of his adult life. He was in his 104th year. Predeceased by his beloved wife of more than 60 years (Irene Britnell), Pete leaves daughters Judy (Alan Shiels), Susan (Ross Whyte) and Sally (Rick Coomber); grandchildren Peter Whyte (Tracy), Jeff Whyte (Charlene Norlock), Stacie Branton (Shane), Todd Coomber (Melissa); and great- grandchildren Mackenzie and Carter Whyte, Jacob and Lily Branton and Lucy Coomber. Born July 7, 1905 in Pickering Township, into the family of a blacksmith, Pete attended the one-room Brock Road School. He lived with an aunt while attending Oshawa High School. At the University of Toronto, he studied maths and physics and played intercollegiate soccer, graduating as a T-holder in 1929. He joined the staff of Etobicoke High School (now Etobicoke Collegiate) in 1930 as a math teacher, and became the coach of numerous boys' and sometimes girls' sports teams. His teams won titles in gymnastics, track and field, basketball and football in the high school competitions throughout the 30's, 40's and 50's. During WW II he instructed the Islington Air Cadets in navigation. Retiring from the classroom in 1959, Pete assumed administrative roles at Royal York and West Humber Collegiates. Pete was a founding member, and later a director, of the Etobicoke Teachers Credit Union. He loved gardening, particularly growing raspberries and strawberries, and then made the best pies and jams to be shared with envious neighbours and friends. In 1997, Pete was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame as a builder. In 2003 on the 75th anniversary of Etobicoke Collegiate, he was further honoured by the creation of a scholarship in his name. He was a fine golfer and a member of Islington Golf Club for almost 50 years, where on his 100th birthday in 2005, he was given a Life Membership. Throughout his career and into retirement, Pete and Irene were active members of Islington United Church. In 2008, the church honoured him with the Order of Islington in recognition of his work with youth. Pete Jackson was a gentleman and a gentle man who touched the lives of thousands of students and countless friends. As teacher, coach, mentor and friend he will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all who knew him. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto on Friday, January 16, 2009 at 11 a.m. In memory of Pete, donations may be made to Islington United Church, or to the W. H. ''Pete'' Jackson Etobicoke Collegiate Institute 75th Anniversary Scholarship Fund.