PEMBROKE – The Ottawa Valley community has lost a pioneer and leader in Renfrew County education.
Renfrew County District School Board Trustee Terry Harkins, 76, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 4 in hospital with family by his side. Trustee Harkins had been battling cancer for some time.
Trustee Harkins was an educator long before he was elected to represent the board as a trustee. The former teacher came to Renfrew County in 1964 acting as principal at Arnprior’s Walter Zadow Public School. He was the school’s principal for eight years before being promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Education.
Trustee Harkins became the RCDSB’s Superintendent of Education in September 1975 and held the position until 1995.
During this time with the RCDSB Trustee Harkins is credited with initiating the Very Exceptional People program to assist senior elementary students and was the spark behind the successful RCDSB Booster Program – a summer school for primary students designed to boost their self-esteem and basic academic skills. The Booster Program celebrated its 34th year last summer.
Trustee Harkins was also a champion of the Ontario Education Leadership Camp and sat on that board for several years as well.
Eleven years following Trustee Harkins’ retirement, he was appointed to the board of trustees in 2006. In 2010 Trustee Harkins earned the mandate of the Pembroke community for a second term representing the RCDSB. Trustee Harkins sat on the Special Education Advisory Committee, was Chair of the Joint Session of Committees and also served as Vice Chair of the Board for a time.
“Terry was a giant of a man, his abundance of energy and passion for his work in education and auxiliary policing was well known across the province,” RCDSB Director of Education Roger Clarke said. “Terry was an outstanding advocate for underprivileged students, our early learners and for students with special needs. You knew when Terry walked into a room; he made us all better as educators because he challenged our thinking and focused our energy on what really mattered – the students in our classrooms.”
Trustee Harkins contributed to his community in many other ways as well at various times including being the Chief Superintendent of Auxiliary Services of the Ontario Provincial Police of which he received the Commissioner’s Coin last year; President and Chairman of the United Way; member of the Masonic Lodge; minor hockey coach; and a member of the Calvin United Church.
Trustee Harkins married his wife Coreen Verch in 1961. They have two children, Kelly and Christopher, and four grandchildren.
