Old Boys’ Obituaries
1970 BLAIR ROTHWELL CHRISTIE Blair Rothwell Christie died on August 22, 2008 at the age of 56. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1966-70, and was one of only three Old Boys to receive the four top awards at Prize Day: The Governor-General’s Medal (Head Boy), Head Prefect, Macdonald Medal and Chairman’s Gold Medal. Blair was also on the 1st Swim team, played 1st Football and was Pipe Major. He went on to earn a B. Engineering at the University of Toronto, followed by an MBA at the University of Western Ontario. Blair worked at Bell Canada in Ottawa and ATCO in Calgary and Saudi Arabia before settling in Calgary where he bought and managed the McCuts and PRO Systems hair salons. He leaves behind his 62 FALL 2008
siblings Brian Edward, Alan William and Frances Maia; and six nieces and nephews. 1980 JEROME JOHNSTON passed away on June 7, 2008 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Jerry attended St. Andrew’s from 197780 and was a Major in Cadets, and involved in 1st Football (on both of the ’78 and ’79 championship teams, which his father Frank “Blackie” Johnston helped coach), 1st Rugby, and as a Prefect. He loved the theatre and had major roles in the SAC productions of West Side Story and Guys and Dolls, and helped direct and produce Hello Dolly in his final year. Jerry spent the majority of his career in transportation safety in the trucking industry. He was Director of Safety and Recruitment for JBT Trucking Services at the time of his passing. He leaves his wife, Kimberly, and daughters, Shelley and Amanda. 1984 CHRIS ANDREWS Chris (Punch) Andrews died on March 30, 2008 of lung cancer at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. He attended St. Andrew’s from 1978-1984 and
THE ERA-BANNER
St. Andrew’s from 1957-1959 and served as Head Prefect in his second year, an occurrence not only rare, but indicative of his outstanding leadership qualities. An accomplished athlete, he played 1st Basketball, 1st Football and broke records in Track & Field. He served as Cadet Captain in his final year. Ed went on to enter the broadcasting industry, starting in television advertising sales for Paul Mulvihill & Co. in Montreal and later transferring to Global TV in Toronto where he retired as VP National Sales. He is survived by his three daughters Taylor (Craig Walsh) Whistler, BC, Andrea Edwards (Mike) and Samantha – both of Ottawa, and their mother Ann of Picton and Mont Tremblant, QC.
wrote in his yearbook his time spent here was “an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.” As a student Chris played hockey, squash, was the lead drummer in the Pipes & Drums Band, and won the best-actor award for house plays in 1983. While at SAC, he got his start in broadcasting as an on-air host at Cable 10 in Aurora. Chris went on to study Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson University, then worked at a radio station in Newmarket, was a producer for AM 640 and an evening announcer at a station in Prince Edward Island, before joining MIX 99.9 FM working overnights. He became a wellknown voice on the Toronto radio scene and was heard weekly in his Punch persona as the host of MIX FM’s Saturday Night Party, and as a traffic reporter on CFRB 1010. Chris also taught communications technology classes at Vaughan Secondary School and Humber College.
Former SAC Chaplain JOHN WILKIE Former SAC Chaplain The Rev. Dr. John Wilkie died on July 2, 2008 in North York General Hospital. Born in Dundee, Scotland in 1922, Dr. Wilkie was hired by Headmaster Coulter as the first full-time Chaplain at St. Andrew’s College in 1966. While here for only three years before returning to the United Church, he and the late Tony Dawson made a good team in the Chapel. Upon his departure he recalled some humorous moments, including the time he and Geoff Smith caught a student and his
date coming out of the Chapel the evening of one of the formals: “What were you doing in there?” they asked. “Praying, Sir” was the response. Dr. Wilkie came to Canada as a United Church Minister serving charges in Sutton West – Knox United Church, and Toronto – Deer Park, Forest Grove, Forest Hill and St. George’s. He is survived by his devoted wife Marjory and their three sons Ian ’68, Norman ’70 and Robin ’72 – who is also a minister.
Former Andrean Community Member PEARL BENNET Pearl Bennet passed away in her 83rd year on August 18, 2008 in Washago, ON. The second wife of the late John (Jack) A. Bennet, the SAC Bursar from 1952-80, Pearl was the Founding Director of the Yellow Brick House in Aurora and a longtime volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society.