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
Wishing heartfelt condolences and fantastic memories of Glen ( or as I knew him: Mr. Atkinson), to you all. I have such fond memories of time spent with your family, especially one day row boating and trout fishing with Glen and Peter. Always a warm welcome… have thought of you all through out these years… left a wonderful lasting impression.
Sincerely, Nerissa.
R.IP. Mr. A.
I was blessed to have you as both a bball coach and biology teacher. You were definitely one of the good ones! You will be missed
Condolences to your family and friends
Jack and I were initially dance friends of Glen and Pat. We all took lessons from Elsie and then went to monthly dances to show off our new skills but when Glen and Pat heard some jive music their lessons were ignored and they just did what they started as teenagers and everyone stopped to watch them. In latter years we attended choir concerts and really enjoyed listening to Glen perform.
I’m sorry we won’t be able to attend on the 10th as we will be out of town.
Our deepest sympathy Pat. Our hearts ache for you and your family.
Sincerely Pat and Jack
Mr. Atkinson (I remember him under that name, and I will always remember him) was nothing less than heroic as a teacher. He was endlessly patient with kids like me who would have tried anyone’s patience, and he made his subject lively and compelling. He had a great sense of humour, and he made his students feels that they mattered, both in and out of the classroom. I send my warmest condolences to his family.
I am sorry for your loss. Although I was not privileged to be taught by Mr. Atkinson, I remember his friendly helpfulness in the corridors to this lost child from a small town suddenly adrift in a huge school.
He sang at a few assemblies and his voice was transporting for we music lovers.
My friends who were in his classes spoke very highly of the experience, leaving those of us left out a little jealous. I well remember the celebration that greeted the return of the winning reach for the top team, and the fun of watching the try outs in the gym at lunch time. I also remember being hurried along by him if I dawdled a little too long near the lockers with my nose in a book, at bell time. He was nice but also firm about the rules!
My thoughts are with Mr. Atkinson’s family. He was my favourite teacher in my two years at Oak Bay. His class was always so fun and interesting. I looked forward to it immensely and never forgot the day he warned us to look out for the “piggy parts” in the lab sinks (he was kidding, but it was so funny to this gal who was a very cynical teenager at the time). He was a fantastic teacher.
I had the pleasure of having gone to Oak Bay High School while Glen was a teacher/coach, I had the pleasure of teaching him with him at Oak Bay, and I also had the pleasure of enjoying some good parties with him. He was certainly a talented man. No mention of the “Atkinson” jive step in the obit. It was a sight to behold.
My thoughts are with the family.
RIP
Glen was an inspiration for students and teachers alike. He was a true Renaissance Man. He made a really positive difference in the lives of so many people. Thanks Glen-Rest In Peace.
Our Condolences to the Atkinson family for your loss.,
Mike and Nana Spence Victoria, (neighbours of Croftons)
I was blessed with a number of good teachers at Oak Bay, but only Glen and Mrs. (Miriam) Taylor can take credit for keeping me in school and encouraging me to stay on track through difficult times. Bi93 and Bi97 were sheer magic, and Mr. A’s labs left me breathless.
I remember, a year or two after graduation, bringing him a perfectly mummified squirrel and intact nest I found in a spruce tree I’d felled for firewood in the Yukon. His pure delight and gratitude for thinking of him were one of the highlights of my life — imagine, HIM thanking ME, when so much gratitude was and continues to be owed in the other direction.
To Pat and the family, thanks from a legion of us for sharing this spectacular man for a while.
Mark Smith (1967)