Date de Décès: 2005-03-26
Date de Parution: 2005-03-29
Source: The Standard, St. Catharines, ON
HAYES, Robert T., October 31, 1917 - March 23, 2005, of Orillia, died in Tucson, Arizona, from complications of living life to the fullest. Bob is survived by his wife Enid of 62 years; five daughters: Emme (Gord) Burnet of Port Perry, Adrienne (Bob ) Davies and Pixie (Darin) Burns of Orillia, Merry O'Neill of Burlington and Louise Hayes (Pete Medig) of Jasper, AB; two sons: Charlie (Margaret) Hayes of St. Catharines and John (Leslie) Hayes of Toronto and son-in-law Bill Hewitt of Toronto. Bob w as predeceased by his daughter Diane Hewitt of Toronto. Bob is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Bob will be remembered by the education community in St. Catharines and the province of Ontario as a tremendous innovator, an educational entrepreneur. There are two major innovations that have had a great effect on Ontario high school programs since 1970. First and foremost, when he was Principal, Merritton High School was one of two schools in Ontario to pilot the current credit system. Secondly, as the founding Principal of Governor Simcoe Secondary School, Bob pioneered the semester system as one of two Ontario schools to pilot the program. Bob also felt that students would learn better in unphased or open courses. He was a strong advocate for special needs students, gifted education and the French immersion program. When he retired in 1978, Bob moved to Orillia where he enjoyed gardening at his home, golfing with his friends at Couchiching, playing cards and pool at the Legion and all the social stuff at the Golden K, where he is a past president and regional governor. Bob and Enid loved to travel and have enjoyed winter golf in Tucson for the past 12 years. Bob Hayes was a well respected and beloved mem ber of the community. He lived life right to the end. He was coherent and intelligent with visitors in his home up to an hour before he died. There will be a memorial service in Orillia later on in April. Donations to Heart & Stroke, Cancer Society o r Red Cross in lieu of flowers. We shall miss you Dad. 3/29/2005- ID5900494 - St. Catharines Standard