Glen Atkinson passed away suddenly at home on December 28, 2014, leaving behind his wife of 54 years, Patricia; his sons, Michael (Marlys) and Peter (Lorinda); daughter, Maureen (Mike); granddaughter, Shanae; grandsons, Kieran, Graham, and Finn and his brother, Brian and sister, Susan.
What a full life Glen led! He was a native Victorian, living here nearly his entire life. He earned his BSC at UBC, where he met Patricia, and was soon teaching biology at Oak Bay High School in a career full of high points. He coached Reach for the Top, including the 1968 team that won the Canadian championship, and also coached successful girls’ basketball teams. He became a Mr. Chips of Oak Bay and was greatly loved by the over 7,000 students he taught or had in his home room during his 36 years at the school. He never failed to notice a new haircut and greeted students he encountered in the halls. He excelled in the classroom, inspiring many students to pursue careers related to biology, and was considered by many students to be their favourite teacher.
Glen brought the family of five to Northern Queensland, Australia in 1974, where both he and Pat taught for two years. Aussie friends have visited them in Victoria every year since. A three month backpacking trip home through Southeast Asia (with the kids) kicked off a lifetime of adventure travel for Glen and Pat. Together, the two visited far-flung places such as Zanzibar and Papua New Guinea, spending time in tropical rain forests (where they could add to their bird count) and connecting with fellow travellers and local inhabitants wherever they went.
Glen was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and was a singer throughout his life. He won trophies at the Victoria Performing Arts Festival as a boy, sang solos at UBC, performed in musicals and sang solos at Oak Bay High School. He was a member of the Arion Male Voice Choir and enjoyed his practices and performances with the Grandview Quartet/Trio over the last 10 years.
Glen retired from teaching in 1996 and spent the next eight years mentoring student teachers through the UVic Education program. On retirement he also began a life full of new activities. He became a master wood turner, a member of a wood turner’s guild, and a wood turning teacher at the Juan de Fuca seniors centre. Interested in photography throughout his life, he became more keen in retirement, learning techniques with the camera and also with Photoshop.
Glen loved to keep up with his many lifelong friends. He and his wife Pat hosted many memorable parties over the years, including their annual musical Christmas Eve party for family and friends. Glen had a great capacity for love and adored his wife, children and grandchildren. Glen lived life truly and deeply and will be greatly missed by his family and the many other people whose lives he enriched.
There will be a celebration of Glen’s life at Centennial United Church, 612 David St, Victoria, BC on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
65 Responses
The Atkinson house was like a second home to me when I was growing up. Mike was my best friend (still is) and I remember many evenings playing games with the whole family in the living room on Glenairlie Drive. I remember playing with the button machine that Glen made for Reach for the Top practice. I remember the Atkinson family inviting me to go fishing with them on Cowichan River and me catching the biggest fish. I remember the dogs from Shadrack on. I remember the cat Glen trained to run around the living room before dinner. I remember the way Glen talked to us when Mike and I got into trouble. He was always reasonable and all was always forgiven. I can imagine what kind of teacher Glen was. He had a way of talking to you like an equal even if you were only 11. I’d talk about plants and he’d listen, then he’d talk about fossils and I’d be totally fascinated. Still am. Besides my own father, no man made a bigger positive impression on my life than did Glen Atkinson.
Mr Atkinson was an amazing teacher. I had him for bio 11 in 95. He found a way to make learning. I will always remember his pig collection, i gave him one for Christmas to add to his display…
I have thought of him many times since I graduated. He truely was an amazing man who cared very much about his students. He was my favorite teacher and will always have a piece of my heart.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. The world has lost an amazing man and heaven has gained another angel.
We are so glad we were able to see Glen ( Mark’s cousin and our teacher) at cousin Lil’s 90th birthday. He looked well and we never expected him to leave us so quickly! He has been a wonderful teacher to us as well. In later years we worked together at UVic as faculty colleagues. My most grateful memory of Mr. Atkinson, as my teacher, before he became my cousin by marriage, was in the spring of 1968 when he accompanied me to the funeral of my friend and classmate Ritchie Hall, just before we were to graduate. Ritchie was killed by a drunk driver who crossed the centre line and was also from my Métis Nation family. Mr. A helped me raise money to dedicate a large fish tank for the biology lab in Ritchie’s name, with a memorial plaque to Richard Hall. Mr. A’s compassion was as strong as his sense of humour and was sustained by his strong faith. His life on earth has been well lived and he is now in the company of that great cloud of witnesses who compassed him about and cheered him on as he finished his race on earth with patience, keeping his eyes fixed on the author and finisher of his faith. He has been a good and faithful servant, doing everything to the best of his ability, to bring honour to his Lord.
We first met the Atkinson family in 1974 when they came to Atherton in Queensland to teach at the schools. What a delightful family they are and we shared many camping trips and barbecues with them and party games they organised. We have stayed with them in Canada a few times. On our last visit we watched Pat and Glen practise their singing and music in readiness for performing at the Aged Care Home. Our family enjoyed two Christmases with them while we were on exchange in 1989 and the kids were totally spoilt. Glen was well loved and respected by all of us and will be sadly missed. Lots of love to Pat and the family. Pat recently invited us to come to the Atkinson Hotel again soon. We are all very sad at this time.
Dear Pat and Family – I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.
The difficulty with having such a charismatic and wonderful man in your life for so many years is that his loss will be felt that much more keenly.
I so enjoyed catching up with you both at the Cridge, and both of my parents (Ken and Frankie Smith) are incredibly saddened at this news.
He was a fantastic teacher, a wonderful friend to so many, a great singer, and an incredible man.
You are in my prayers.
Sarah Smith
He was a good man, a man who earned and deserved his place. He was a good husband and father, a teacher, an adventurer, a seeker of knowledge. To have cared so much for others and that they should know their world and to have shown others how to live and learn will be remembered by so many. Such a life, such a man. Thank you, Glen—you are always in our hearts.
Although we have known Glen for only a couple of years, we quickly learned to love him and his gentle soul. I first met him when he came to our house to work with Merrilee on photoshop. Although serious learning took place, even with homework, there was much teasing and laughter.
I was thrilled when Glen invited me to learn how to work on his lathe. It was after our work, over coffee and muffins or a Pat made lunch, that we quickly realized how much we had in common: teaching, basketball coaching, bird watching, fossil collecting, travelling, love for Captain Cook, crazy golf shots and singing. He loved to speak of his family’s accomplishments, travelling with them and traditional house parties where the elders would compete against the kids. I believe that this Christmas, the elders won.
He had a wonderful sense of humour and loved to banter about questionable bird identification, goofy golf shots or holding bowls up to the light to check for their thinness.
Glen was a master wood turner and perfectionist when it came to finishing his beautiful pieces. I realized this when he took out a dusty old magnifying glass to look for scratches on my work. I thought that he was joking and later had many laughs about his inspections. Our lathe work was often interrupted as one of us would start telling another story. Glen offered to help me with a special project. My “Little Brother” had an unfinished lamp base which he had started in a high school wood turning class. After Bob passed away last April, Glen patiently guided me to uncover its beauty.
I was lucky to know Glen, even for a short time. When I turn the lamp on in the morning, I remember them both. Thanks Glen.
Dan & Merrilee
There are times that an individual’s contribution to the lives of others goes unrecognized but I think Mr.Atkinson knew he touched many. Thanks to him I developed an interest in the sciences and went on to an undergraduate and graduate program in nursing. He kept you engaged and focused.
He was a gift to many but no words can take away the pain of loss to his family. Know that he was admired, respected and carried in the hearts of many. My condolences to his family.
Barbara Miler Oak Bay High School Class of 81
So sorry for your loss. Mr. A was a great teacher and mentor. His impact lives on in the many whom he inspired (myself included) both in the classroom and outside of it. Best wishes. Noni (Grad ’94 and now teacher)
I am so saddened to hear of Glen’s passing. He was a wonderful teacher and coach. I have such fond memories of my days at Oak Bay especially playing basketball for Glen and all the laughs we had. He also was a wonderful singer and sang at our grad ceremony(1973). My condolences to Patricia and all of the family.