John David Kester

JOHN DAVID KESTER John passed away peacefully on June 24, 2009, in his 96th year at Centennial Place Nursing Home in Millbrook, Ontario. He was the beloved husband of the late Christine (nee Miller), loving father of Ralph and his wife Ilse of Leeds, Yorkshire. Much-loved dad of Victor and his wife Lurline of Fraserville, Ontario. Revered father of Jean and her husband Dwight Triegaardt of Pretoria, South Africa. Greatly missed by loving daughter Patricia and her husband Murray McDonnell of Lashburn, Saskatchewan. Lovingly remembered by grandchildren Anthea (Keith), Bruce (Aine´), Gretchen, Nicole (Nigel), Allison, Melanie, Lesley (Adam), and James (Katy). Fondly remembered by great- grandchildren Ruairi, Niall, Aili´s, Darraugh, Kim, Charlize, and Sierra. Survived by his sister Mildred Kleintjes of Worcester, South Africa. John was a dedicated teacher, vice-principal and principal who cared deeply about his profession and his students. Growing up in Beaconsfield, South Africa, John was educated at the Beaconsfield Primary School, Perseverance Practising School, Kimberley, qualified as a teacher at Perseverance Training College, Kimberley, completed consecutively his Matriculation Certificate and his Bachelor of Arts degree by correspondence in South Africa, and, after emigrating, his Master of Education degree at the Ontario Institute for Education in Toronto, Canada. John was principal of Perseverance Practising School, Kimberley, 1943, principal of Perseverance (Teachers) Training College, Kimberley, 1948-1962, principal of Arcadia High School, Cape Town, South Africa, 1962-1967. After emigrating to Canada John continued his teaching career in Milton, Ontario, Dixon Grove Middle School, Etobicoke, 1968, vice-principal at Millwood Junior School Etobicoke, 1969, and vice-principal at Rosethorn Junior School, Etobicoke, 1970-1979. Upon retirement John briefly became a real estate salesperson for a few years but ultimately returned to his first love of teaching and became an occasional teacher from 1989-1994, finally retiring from his beloved profession after 55 years of teaching experience. While living in South Africa John played rugby for many years afterward becoming involved with rugby administration culminating in being appointed President of the South African Rugby Union (SARU). In Canada John became an active member, and eventual President of the Queensway Lions Club in Etobicoke. In 1996 John and Christine relocated to Peterborough, Ontario, where he joined the Peterborough Lions Club. Visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday, June 30, at the Benson Funeral Home, 24 King Street, Millbrook, 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be at St. John's Anglican Church, 1758 County Road 10, in the village of Ida, on Thursday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m.