'He was very well liked. He just had a way about him.'
Toronto (29 March 2006) - A memorial service was held this week at Centennial College for John Stammers, the accounting faculty member who died after a picket-line incident during the province-wide strike by college staff.
The 62-year-old teacher died of head injuries after an incident involving a car. No charges have been laid by police.
About 200 people attended the service to pay tribute to Stammers who passed away at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, hours after a settlement of the strike was announced.
"The sheer number of you seated in this room clearly shows how much John will be missed," Dennis Dowker, dean of Centennial's School of Business, was quoted in the Globe and Mail.
"He was very well liked," said Reggie Plateo, an accounting teacher who worked with Mr. Stammers since he started at Centennial seven years ago. "He just had a way about him that students, I think, could really appreciate and identify with."
Some at the service were critical that no charges were filed in his death. "I just don't understand it," said Joan Davis, an accounting teacher who was picketing at the time.
Eileen Burrows, president of Local 558 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), said the union is taking steps to obtain and review the same security tapes that police say they used in making their decision.
"We've had a lot of calls from angry citizens all over the province that simply can't believe that the driver is getting away with this," Ms. Burrows said.
Funeral services for Stammers are scheduled Wednesday.
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Obituary STAMMERS, John Reginald - Passed away after a tragic accident, on Saturday March 25, 2006 at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre at the age of 62. Beloved husband of Janet for 34 years. Loving Dad of Ryan and David. Dear brother of Rick and his wife Rosemary and Michael and his wife Anthea. Dear son-in-law of Marion Kent, and brother-in-law of Farrell Fulkerson and his wife Joanne. John was a Professor in the School of Business at Centennial College, and will be lovingly remembered by his family, friends, colleagues and students. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W, at Windermere, east of the Jane subway on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. A Celebration of John's Life will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday March 29, 2006 at 1 o'clock. If desired, remembrances may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation |
Footnote:
At the National Executive Board meetings this week in Ottawa, NUPGE's Executive Board Members expressed their respect for John Stammers by participating in a minute of silence in his memory. National President James Clancy later sent a letter to Eileen Burrows, president of Local 558 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE). John was a member of the local. NUPGE
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