Profile Derek Shenstone ’53
SAC’s youngest-ever student remains energized at 81
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Derek Shenstone ’53 may well be the youngest student ever mentored a few students. Then came night courses at Carleton to have attended St. Andrew’s College. His father, Beverley, and McGill while working at odd sales jobs, including selling had been on the design team for the heralded British Spitencyclopedias. fire fighter plane. His work took him around the world, and he Sales worked out as a career, and 30-plus years ago, in his wanted his sons to experience more stalate 40s, he started OEM Sales, which bility than that, so in 1940 Derek and today consists of three diverse entities, brother Brian ’52 were sent to SAC. all under one roof. Two represent compoAt the time, Derek was in grade 1, nent manufacturers in various industries, but SAC Primary School started in while the third is a clinic that uses laser grade 3. So Connie Wright, wife of technology to help smokers kick their Macdonald House Housemaster Jack habit. At 81 years old, Derek still puts Wright, tutored him full time. in a full week of work (“Sometimes more Derek spent the next eight years than a week!”) and shows no inclination here before the family moved back to to slow down. the U.K., where he was sent to Fettes During the summer months, he College in Edinburgh. “My memories coaches sailing on the Toronto waterof SAC are fonder than those of any front, a passion his father instilled in other school I went to,” Derek recalls. him by building the two young brothers “The care and attention I received a boat. Rest up in the winters? No way. were extraordinary and unique. During the snowy months he is a ski “When you get into bigger schools instructor on Ontario hills. He also curls they don’t seem to care much about you in a mixed league and about three years anymore. But the Wrights really looked ago was talked into taking up Scottish after me, as did Ken Ives [SAC art Country Dancing by former SAC architeacher from 1937-73]. That was really vist and Old Boy, Douglas Worling ’50. important and it really influenced me.” He reads voraciously, gives talks to Some years later, Derek returned to church groups and to the Positive Thinkers Canada. “When I was 21 I was pretty Group, and believes that happiness is not full of myself,” he recalls. “My father the result of material achievement alone. suggested I go back to Canada and “During my long life I’ve seen many peomake a future there. He arranged a job ple who have accomplished a great deal for me at the aircraft company de Havilbut who still lack fulfillment,” he says. land. It didn’t take long before I realized Derek is the boy on the extreme right “I think the key to life is to becoming hunkered down working. His brother, I didn’t know very much.” more aware of the world around you, to Brian, is in the foreground. Derek spent the next few years learn how to share with people, care for upgrading his skills, including taking them, and help them live better lives. courses at Pickering College for a year while coaching the senior Lasting pleasure comes from giving not getting.” soccer team and track enthusiasts. As a tutor and part-time Derek has enjoyed life as a bachelor and still lives in staff member, he also took on some staff responsibilities and Toronto. JIM McGILLIVRAY 36 Spring 2014