H. John P. Schaffter, M.A. (Cantab.), died suddenly on Friday, July 29, 2011, in Victoria, B.C. Born in Isfahan, Persia, in 1926, he was the son of a Church Missionary Society surgeon and nurse/hospital director, the cherished husband of Anne, his wife of 59 years, devoted father to Cathy, Tim (Diana) and John (Cheryl), loving grandfather to Scott, Kevin, Claire and Alexandra and brother to predeceased Jim. He was an author, teacher at Upper Canada College Preparatory School, Toronto (1950 – 1969) and headmaster of St. John’s-Ravenscourt School, Winnipeg (1969-1978) and of St. Michaels University School, Victoria (1978-1989). Under his leadership, St. John’s-Ravenscourt became the first all-boys independent school in Canada to accept girl students and later, St. Michaels University School also became co-educational.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4049 Gordon Head Road, Victoria, on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. Donations in his name may be made to a scholarship fund of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.mccallbros.com.
`He was a good man.’
21 Responses
My experience and opinion is that Mr Schaffter role at S.J.R. like many Teachers is a division between
Scholastic goals and pragmatic Life Skills which is not a easy Task at all.
In this light Mr Schaffter led a positive up beat personality is his Job and especially was supportive
in S.J.R’s Hockey Program.
I hope his family is accepting his passing as well as possible.
Doug R. Hall S.J.R. 1976 Student