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Obituary - Jack Martin
We are saddened to inform the Selwyn House School community of the passing of former teacher and coach Jack P. Martin who died on October 10, 2023 at the age of 91. Mr. Martin taught at the school for 33 years. He was involved in many aspects of the school and was perhaps best known as the school’s Latin teacher. Mr. Martin introduced the curling program to the school and was also key to the annual Medieval Banquet. He leaves to mourn his wife Peggy, son Alasdair Martin '89, grandsons Euan and Gavin (Jennifer-Lee Thomas, former staff), daughter Iona and grandson Cameron.
Mr. Martin taught at Selwyn House School from 1963 to 1996. Jack was highly regarded on many levels as can be seen in this excerpt from the 1996 yearbook honouring his tenure at SHS:
"In over four decades, Mr. Martin has taught almost everything to almost everyone at SHS with the exception of chemistry, physics and kindergarten. Flexible and creative, he taught French, had a hand in woodworking, worked for a time as the Registrar, and directed the Middle School. However, it is his dedication to Latin, having single-handedly kept it alive and well at Selwyn for so long, that he considers to be one of his greatest achievements."
Former student John Despic ’68 (pictured below) fondly describes Mr. Martin as being "'old school', kindly, a sort of gentle giant in the mold of the character, 'Mr. Chips'... I think we may be forgiven for having forgotten much of the Latin Jack taught us. It happens with any language one does not have the opportunity to actually speak.”
Funeral services and a celebration of Mr. Martin’s life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex, 1297 Chemin de la Forêt, Outremont Quebec, H2V 2P9
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Condolences
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Funeral
