Obituary of John Pierre Vaillancourt
JOHN PIERRE VAILLANCOURT
1944 – 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of John, at the Greenview Retirement Residence, Toronto, on February 5, 2022. His struggles with multiple myeloma have ended.
John leaves Sheila (Conrad), his wife of over 50 years; son, Stephen (Christie), Hudson, MA; daughter, Anna (Alan) MacInnis, Toronto; grandchildren Kailyn, Aiden, Liam and Lauren; nephews, Luke, Geoff, Josh; and cousins. His younger brother, Gregory, predeceased him.
Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, he was the son of the late Joseph Jules and Grace (McDowell) Vaillancourt. His childhood years were spent on air bases in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He was a graduate of Summerside High School, Prince of Wales College, and Dalhousie University, where he earned Bachelor Degrees in Arts and Education and a Master of Arts.
John’s public school teaching began at Halifax West High School in 1968 and continued in the Annapolis Valley schools of Central Kings Rural High School, Wolfville Senior High School and Horton District High School. In 1977 he was appointed English curriculum supervisor for Kings County. In addition, John spent nine years as Summer School P. From 1994 to 2004 he taught courses in the School of Education at Acadia University, as well as being Coordinator of the Student Teaching modules and the Bachelor of Education admissions.
John was a creative and engaging teacher, much admired by his many students. Outside of teaching, he was involved in committee work on curriculum development, technology and professional behaviour. He was also a popular workshop presenter. He gave his “Public Speaking Skills” over 40 times around the province of Nova Scotia. While at Acadia, he developed and taught the Continuing Education course called “Train the Trainer.”
John loved drama, both acting and directing others in student productions or at CentreStage Theatre in Kentville. For a number of years he served on the Board of Directors of the Mermaid Theatre Company in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
He was production manager on the construction site of the second phase of Tideways senior complex. In addition, he was involved with minor hockey, the Canadian Red Cross, the property committee of St. Andrew’s United Church, and the Chair of the Wolfville Historical Society.
John was a past master of St. George’s Masonic Lodge, Wolfville, and a member of Chapter, Kentville. He volunteered actively in provincial and federal politics, helping numerous local candidates in Nova Scotia and Ontario.
While at Acadia University, he was approached by Pearson Education to develop a Canadian edition of the American book, Becoming a Teacher. With contributions from two others at the University, he developed editions in 2005, 2009 and 2012.
After moving to Toronto in 2012, he joined the stewardship committee of Lawrence Park Community Church and promoted such projects as landscaping, revitalizing the parking lot, a successful flea market and solar heating.
He loved fishing, taking in the air, and playing duplicate bridge. He played Scrabble, read voraciously, especially scientific studies, science fiction and archeological research. He enjoyed solving problems of a mechanical nature and finding solutions in his children’s houses to “problems” they didn’t know existed, often at the expense of kitchen knives and other “tools.”
His vibrant personality will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville) on Friday, February 11th from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held in Lawrence Park Community Church on February 12th at 11:00 a.m. Due to Covid, attendance will be by invitation only. Live streaming may be accessed at www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca. Following cremation, burial will take place later in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Donations to the Nature Conservancy of Canada or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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