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Peter McCall Obituary
If you ever spent time in Peter McCall's class, you knew three things:
1. he was a brilliant teacher, 2. his sense of humor was exceptional, and 3. if you were late a Snickers bar would be required for entrance.
Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1938, Peter McCall's calling to teach began early as an educational officer in the Navy following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, 11th Company, Annapolis in 1959. He was tasked with helping other officers obtain diplomas to improve their rank. It was in Jacksonville, FL where he met his wife and fellow educator, Jean Mcall, while teaching on TV at WJCT. But it was his move to Gainesville, FL after he and Jean married in 1967 that truly defined Peter's life and career trajectory. Peter and Jean came to Gainesville when Peter was awarded a fellowship for graduate school at UF. He raised a family and became an integral part of the P.K. Yonge Laboratory School teaching math there for 37 years.
"He is the reason I became an engineer," said former student Sam Sherwood (Canto) on learning of his passing. The impact Peter McCall had on his students is hard to quantify in a paragraph. On any given afternoon you could find Peter with a former student at his kitchen table helping them prep for the GRE as he offered a 100% guarantee for all students on their math education, for life. If you needed help with thermodynamics or advice on how you should handle a difficult family squabble, Peter was always there with his compassion, his pragmatism, and his biting sense of humor that made some of life's most daunting moments bearable. Ask any student what they thought of him and the answer will come swiftly, "I loved Mr. McCall!" His love for his family and students and theirs for him is what will endure from a life well lived.
For many years, Peter and Jean enjoyed spending time at their condo in Crescent Beach where they had many friends. In retirement, they also fulfilled their dreams of seeing the world, exploring international travels --from Europe to China and Tibet.
Peter is survived by his wife Jean Campbell McCall, daughter Claire McCall Noguerol, son-in-law Carlos Noguerol, grandsons Joaquin and Simon Noguerol and was predeceased by his daughter Lisa McCall.
He was also predeceased by his sister, Joan McCall Bainbridge (Russell) and His brother-in-law, Charles Graffeo and survived by his sister-in-law, Anne Graffeo, niece and nephews Christine St. John (Ron), Steven Bainbridge (Sue Ellen), and Campbell Graffeo. He is also survived by daughter, Kathleen Davis (Roger), grandchildren and great grandchildren: Leah (Jeremy) Kilgore with Zoe and Avery, Janna Davis, Joelle (Josh) Seis with Jadyn, Jesse, Jenelle, and Journey, and Andrew Davis.
The service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Thursday, April 29th at 3:00 pm with a maximum seating capacity of 100. Protocols include wearing a mask and social distancing. The service will be live streamed and the link will be distributed by the family. There will be a reception to follow at the The Depot Event Hall - 201 SE Depot Ave.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make donations to your favorite charity.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter McCall
Sponsored by Gainesville.com.
Kent Johnson
May 21, 2021
He was the first teacher I had that I realized how lucky I was to have. He was a Brilliant Geometry teacher. I can still remember things he taught me in 10th grade. He wasn't as good in algebra, but I remember that too. Not many people can say a teacher changed their life, but Mr. McCall changed my life. One of the best teachers I ever had. The first teacher to make me realize what it meant to be good teacher, to have passion for teaching, to care that the students feel the passion.
Mark Litzkow
April 30, 2021
I was blessed to have been one of Mr. McCall's students and yes I do remember paper football. He was an amazing teacher that could actually make math class fun and educational at the same time. I know I speak for many of my classmates when I say he will never be forgotten.
Flia Kekutt
April 29, 2021
Juana Luya
April 29, 2021
I never met Peter, but have had the fortune to be friends with Claire, Carlos and the children. My heart goes out to you, he had a beautiful life. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Viva Benton Brown
April 27, 2021
Did anyone else play paper football in Mr. McCall's math class? Those were fun times. He will always be a beloved member of the PK Yonge Family. Rest in Peace, Mr. McCall.
Cathy Nathan
April 26, 2021
Pete and Jean were such good friends when we were all young teachers and/or graduate students in Gainesville. We could always depend on Peter to give us a good laugh and was always there to help when needed. He and Jean were a wonderful match. While we have lived miles apart for many years now, we will always consider them to be best friends. Rest in peace Peter. We love you, Cathy and Rick Nathan
Carolyn leath martin
April 26, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Bowles
April 26, 2021
My condolences to the entire McCall Family. He's left us all with so many amazing memories. ❤
Dana Haviland
April 25, 2021
Like so many here - more than we could count - Mr McCall was my math teacher at PKY. Verbal skills I had in abundance, but math? He found a way to make me love the elegance of it, the ubiquity of it in everyday life, and the fun underpinning the patterns. A distinct memory I have involves us learning about metric measurements, and Mr. McCall, at a distance from the blackboard, suddenly wheeled around and threw the chalk like a fastball directly over our heads, and it hit the blackboard with the crack of a bullet. "THAT'S A MILLIMETER!" he yelled (oh, so much yelling) and sure enough, it was. That'll get your attention when you're in middle school. It's difficult to believe such a vivid life has come to a close, but my god - look at his legacy. My deepest condolences to his family; perhaps you will find some comfort knowing that he lives on in both memory and the careers of so, so many people.
Beth (Bazer) Bishop
April 25, 2021
I loved growing up going to the McCall’s and Peter’s breakfasts. My favorite was homemade waffles with vanilla ice cream in between them. My deepest condolences ❤
Nick
April 25, 2021
Hi Kathy, Roger and family; after reading your dad's obituary and the article from his retirement, I can see many of his best traits in you. As a child, I remember your mom's wedding to Peter, and how impressive the NAVY honor guard was as the newlyweds exited the church. His naval picture reminds me exactly as I would think of him many years later. Our condolences for your loss and those of your extended family, Donna & Nick
Mary Alford (‘79)
April 25, 2021
I too became an engineer because of Peter McCall. I never thought to contact him to help me with thermodynamics or the GRE but as a young girl in the 1970’s he helped me develop a confidence towards math and an appreciation for the everyday applicability of good math skills. His Friday drills helped me understand the importance of a good foundation of basic skills which served me well as I reviewed geometry, trigonometry, and the basics of calculus before each step in my engineering education. If you had asked me in the 8th grade if I thought I’d ever be an engineer I’d have thought that was a crazy idea. But by the the time I graduated from high school it was something I thought I could do. I credit Peter McCall with my appreciation for the elegance, logic and usefulness of math. Thank Mr. McCall. I’m not sure you ever knew what an influence you were in my life.
Rodney Leath
April 25, 2021
He was a great teacher. His humor was what made class interesting and never boring. He's going to be missed.
Jessica Morris
April 24, 2021
McCall family. I was just a kid. But you guys were so important to my mom and I learned from watching you all in the best and the very worst of times. I played music with Lisa in the band, watched Claire from a far with much admiration, knew my mom felt a true kindred partnership with Jean and Peter. I wish I had been in his class. But, maybe in a way, I was. Certainly, I was in his orbit - in all of your orbits - and learned a lot about love, grief, family and the fellowship of educators, from you all. Claire and Jean, sending you both lots of love and thanks and remembering Peter’s humor and friendship with so much appreciation.
Robin Wehrung
April 24, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. McCall was a great math teacher and he always made us smile in class! My deepest sympathies, Robin Parker Wehrung (class of 1995)
Kenny and Vicki Altman
April 24, 2021
I never met Peter but have heard many stories from his family. My prayers go out to the family during their loss.
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