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.
Recommend :
Latest News
Seven Durham-connected homicides in 2008DURHAM -- The deaths of an Oshawa woman and her young son at the hands of a man who was later shot dead by police marked the sixth and seventh homicides involving a Durham ...
Youngest child of Leslie Kelly diesOSHAWA -- The three-year-old boy injured in a shocking attack on his family last Saturday in south Oshawa has passed away.
Durham ...
United Way half-way to targetDURHAM -- With the end of the campaign looming, the United Way is half-way to its goal of $1.75 million. Fundraising campaign chairman John G. Smith said $889,000 had been ...
Growth plan debate heats upDURHAM -- It will have to be a quick, fierce debate on how Durham should grow as the June deadline for Durham to complete its plan draws closer. The Region is working on ...
Tense stand-off results in arrestOSHAWA -- Police officers responding to a report of a drunk driver found themselves in a tense stand-off with a man who held a knife to his own throat Monday afternoon. Police...
Ajax makes changes to stop sign requirementsAJAX -- With a little tweaking, the method used to decide if stop signs should be installed has been updated. While councillors will have the final say, the all-way stop ...
Three sought in Sam's Club heistPICKERING -- Three suspects are being sought in the theft of an estimated $50,000 worth of cigarettes from the Pickering Sam's Club outlet early Monday. A worker was ...
For sale by owner: Tiny village for $250,000OSHAWA -- It would make a dandy Christmas present for someone with the space. And it's a steal at $250,000, a fraction of its appraised value.The miniature village of 174 ...
Emergency care workers fought fiercely to save Kelly familyOSHAWA -- Fervent efforts from hospital staff and emergency services went into caring for the Kelly family, victims of a brutal stabbing in south Oshawa last weekend. The ...
Tories say constituents are "outraged"DURHAM -- Two are Tory MPs who say they're hearing from constituents who are "outraged" at the possible overthrow of their government by a coalition of the left....