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
Thank you all SO much for your kind words about my dad!
Maya Angelou once said, “When Mark Antony declares to an angry mob that “the evil that men do lives after them, the good is often interred with their bones”, I’m certain that neither Mark Antony nor Shakespeare meant us to believe that facile statement. Rather, it was employed with the same sardonic imperative which Marc Antony used in the often repeated, “Brutus is an honourable man; so are they all, all honourable men” (Julius Caesar, III, 2).
Angelou continued, “I’m convinced that the evil that men do lives after us, but then I believe the good we do lives after us.”
When my dad saw “Schindler’s List”, he said that he didn’t find it depressing because, “it showed how much good one person can do!” (I add the exclamation point, because papa was a major enthusiast.)
I’m personally humbled by your comments because they’re proof that YOU have obviously absorbed the concept of the value of doing good, such as performing acts of kindness small or large that can have positive consequences long after you’re gone, in ways that you can’t imagine.
Dad would be proud of you excellent students and teachers! (He already was, long ago!) Thanks again!
I have very strong and good memories of Mr Schaffter.
He came to SJR to be Headmaster one year after my own arrival to boarding in grade 5 in 1967, and he moved on to SMUS shortly after I graduated from grade 12 in 1976. His sons Tim and John were just a few grades ahead of me. So, we shared a common time at the SJR.
There were many great teachers at SJR, with many great qualities to impart to us students, but what I recall most about Mr Schaffter, apart from academic rigour, was his utmost belief in honesty, justice and kindness.
I recall a noontime lunch address, when he was clearly very angry that an unidentified individual had placed a padlock on another boy’s locker that morning, causing the victim much distress in getting to classes that day. He was outraged at the anonymous theft of time, calling it one of the worst of crimes. It is only as I, too, have aged that I have come to fully appreciate his point, emotionally as well as not just intellectually.
When my daughter, admittedly one of the “Harry Potter” cohort, came to inquire about boarding there was really no choice in my mind other than SMUS. You see, it had the stamp of quality of John Schaffter and the teachers who followed him there from SJR.
I deeply regret that I never related to him in his later years the profoundly positive influence that he had on my upbringing.
He was a great teacher and individual. My condolences to his family.
Tim Beaumont, Bismarck, North Dakota
John educated all four of our children the last of which was a lifer at St Michaels. He was a gifted teacher and adroit leader of that school and his legacy lives on. Like most dedicated teachers he was not without quirks. One of them was lefthanded children should be avoided. Luckily his admission test, holding up a roll of paper and looking through, it was only applied to one child. Even more lucky he picked the right handed one we shall miss you John
It is wonderful seeing all of these names from the past celebrating in their ways the life of John Schaffter — Shifty or Mr. Schaffter as we students knew him.
I suspect that he touched all of his students deeply and that they all feel, as I do, that that they had a special relationship with him.
He was someone who during a very difficult period in my life showed enduring patience, calm, and firmness in all the right proportions despite repeated provocations of a (very) rebellious youth. I can’t help but think that had someone else been headmaster, my life would have turned out very differently and that in a very real way I owe what successes I have enjoyed to his patience and confidence in my potential.
Many years later I remember him with gratitude for giving me the second through nth chances that I needed. It is sad to think that he will no longer be around to help and support others.
The world is a better place for him having been here. He touched my life in innumerable ways and helped make me a better person, something for which I will always be grateful.
Dear Anne and family, it was only on the 28th day of May this year that you and John came to SMU on a sunny Saturday to celebrate the life of our father , John Nation. While i somehow missed seeing you , my sister Sarah, at the very least did not ,so she was able to thank you on our family’s behalf for making the effort to come and pay your respects to a “prince among men “. What a strange, sad twist of fate it is that leads us just 3 months later to acknowledge the life of your John .These 2 guys left their modest mark in a way that is pure and powerful and we are all the better for having known them. The sadness is so deep yet running along side is the pride and gratitude that they were who they were , that we had them for as long as we did and that they were loved fiercely – it was as simple as that and that will never die. With love and holding you all in my heart thea nation
On behalf of all the Nation family I would like to say what an honour it was to have had the Schaffter’s in our lives.
We were incredibly touched that John and Anne came to Dad’s memorial service in May. It meant a great deal to have those who, along with Dad and so many others, loved, supported and were part of SMU during it’s years of amalgamation and transition. The school it is today is, in part due to Mr. Schaffter. He was a first rate headmaster and educator, and a wonderful man. Reading the other stories and memories above show that his enjoyment of his work touched many other lives, and will be passed on to generations to come.
I was so glad to have had an opportuniy for a final hug and expression of appreciation in May. He was a real gentleman and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
The class was falling asleep during geography class at Upper Canada College in the early 60s. Frustrated, John suspended the class, put someone in charge and went to the office. A few minutes later he came back with forms for our parents to sign requesting $25?. At the time, most kids parents at the school could afford it.
The class was reviewing the Niagara escarpment. The next day a bus arrived and took us to the airport. A chartered plane flew us over the escarpment and John taught the class in the sky.
Nobody fell asleep. And nobody ever forgot the class or the determined teacher who wouldn’t be denied his opportunity to enlighten us.
That was just one example of a very exciting educator who never stopped looking for new ways to get through to the kids he was charged to educate – even when they tried to catch a few winks. His enthusiasm for education and the delight he took in what he did was infectious.
Such a good man!
What I remember best about my years with him at SJR was that his belief in what we students could accomplish was greater than anything we’d imagined for ourselves.
He fully expected us to fly higher, faster and farther than anyone before — he had such confidence in us!
As well, he always exuded an air of gentlemanly refinement and elegance, something which cannot have been easy amongst a slough of hormonal adolescents!
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Schaffter, Cathy, Tim and John.
Dear Anne and Family;
There is a great deal more happiness in this world because of John’s influence on many, and especially on me. He was a mentor and friend, he would raise me up all the time, and generously shared his wisdom and experience. I shall not ever forget him. God bless you and your children. Don Farnsworth
Dear Anne and family,
I will never forget how much of an influence Mr Schaffter had on my life. I would never of had the opportunity to attend SMUS and get such a great education (in and out of the classroom) without his support. I met so many wonderful people, teachers and students alike because of him. I feel blessed to have been chosen as one of the first girls of St Mikes and I owe it all to Mr. Schaffter.
Take good care Anne, best regards, Gillian