On September 30th, the School hosted a memorial service for John Anthony Mervyn (Tony) Prower. Tony was 95 when he passed away peacefully earlier this year, on June 25th, at home. He was a graduate of TCS, in the class of 1946. After he graduated from McGill University he returned to the School on the Hill and taught for 42 years.

Tony was an active, enthusiastic and talented musician and teacher within our local community. He was the organist and choirmaster at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Port Hope and played for Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, during their Canadian tour in 1959; he composed and published his own music (The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came, Sing Lullaby, Sing Joyfully Christmas is Here) and played in multiple local concert bands and symphonies. But make no mistake, he gave his professional life to Trinity College School.

Tony was the former organist, choirmaster and music teacher at TCS. He also led the Glee Club, was co-founder of the Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival and led innumerable musicals (Gilbert and Sullivan was a specialty!). He tutored, mentored and coached hundreds of music students over the course of his tenure.

But, he did much, much more. (And to that I would say: “Welcome to teaching at TCS!”)

Tony was also the manager of the school store for 15 years, he assisted with the Cadets program, coached hockey, refereed football, painted the lines for track and field competitions. He also was the projectionist for Saturday Night Movies, a detention master and a house duty master.

His impact on the lives of TCS students and staff is immeasurable. He visited me last year around Christmastime, to drop off his locally-famous rum balls. He reminisced about what a great life he had enjoyed and how TCS played a massive part in that sentiment.

That conversation with Tony, and his recent memorial service, caused me to reflect on the many faculty and staff members who have devoted their professional lives to Trinity College School. The Edwin Nash Garden, at the entrance to Trinity College School, is a tribute to the 94 faculty and staff members, to date, who have served 25 years or more at the School.

You have just cause to believe that the days of long-standing employees at the same organization, company or school, is a thing of the past. Certainly, the projected data for young people indicates that their individual career paths will span multiple companies and, in many cases, a variety of professions!

But, once again, welcome to Trinity College School! At present, we have two faculty and staff members who have served the school community for over 40 years; nine for more than 30 years and 52 who have worked at the School for over 20 years!

In total, that adds up to 1,344 years of service.

The years can be measured; the enormity of their positive impact cannot be. Thank you, all.

And, God bless you, Tony.