Larry Shortt loses his battle with cancer
Sep 04, 2008 - 12:35 PM
By Crystal Crimi
DURHAM -- After 19 years, Lester B. Pearson Public School has been forced to say goodbye to longtime teacher Larry Shortt.
The Grade 6 teacher, who was 56, died Aug. 30 at Lakeridge Health Oshawa after a battle with cancer, much to the sadness of the school community.
"How much he's already missed, and it's not even the end of the first day," said parent Tonya Tewnion, on the first day of school Tuesday.
Mr. Shortt, a Brooklin resident, fought cancer for two years, said David Fitchett, Lester B. Pearson's principal.
The school's received a number of calls from the community in regards to Mr. Shortt's passing.
"School was a huge part of his life," Mr. Fitchett said.
"He was very well respected; he had the admiration of the students, staff, and the community," Mr. Fitchett said.
Mr. Shortt was a teacher students gravitated toward and even those who had moved onto high school and, in some cases, post-secondary, still came back to visit him.
"That was his strength as a teacher I would say, his humanity and the way he connected with people," Mr. Fitchett said.
Even during his cancer treatments, Mr. Shortt continued teaching, Ms. Tewnion said. He taught her eldest daughter and was scheduled to teach her youngest this year.
"They loved going to class with him; they loved learning," Ms. Tewnion said. "One of those teachers the kids just seemed to gravitate toward."
Staff spoke face to face with students about Mr. Shortt's death, while letters were sent home for parents. Teachers and staff were contacted the day before school so they wouldn't be hit with the news Tuesday morning.
The school had support and grief counsellors on site for those who needed them.
"Even the people here a short time, he had an impact on," Mr. Fitchett said.
Kids at the school have been creating pages of their memories of Mr. Shortt to bring to the visitation and to copy for Mr. Shortt's family. Long term, the school is planning a more permanent memorial, possibly an award for a graduating student dedicated in his honour.
"It's a big loss for our community," Mr. Fitchett said.
The school shares its deepest sympathies with Mr. Shortt's family, he said.
His family is receiving friends at the McEachnie Funeral Home at 28 Old Kingston Rd., in Ajax's Pickering Village on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
A memorial service is on Saturday Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. at Pickering Village United Church, 300 Church St. N., in Ajax. Those wishing to can make donations to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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