William Edward Patrick Fleck

Our wonderful Pat will be deeply and forever missed by his loving wife Sue, his children Leslie (Courtenay), John (MaryAnne), Stephen (Paolina) and Sue’s children Eric (Maria) and Jane (David).

Pat and Sue were lucky to share many wonderful grandchildren: Jessie, Brianna, and Lindsay; Josh; and Matthew; Katherine and Jamie; and Sara who all will remember the many stories, great music, backyard birds, and hikes along wonderful seaside and forest trail adventures during their many visits.

Pat was a consummate educator, and a connoisseur of the arts, especially classical music. He was an ardent birder. His love of nature was instilled early by his grandfather, Reverend Herbert Cotton during summers spent at the family cottage, Roscrea, on the Severn River, which shaped his keen observation and life long love of science.

As a young man, Pat was a stellar student and athlete, and attended the University of Toronto Schools, when he was suddenly paralyzed in both legs at age 15 with poliomyelitis - just two years before vaccines were available. After a year long stay in hospital, followed by extensive rehabilitation, Pat was able to return with great determination to Malvern Collegiate, followed then by undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Toronto, and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

After certification at the Ontario College of Education, Pat taught mathematics and science at Thomson Collegiate (Scarborough), becoming Science Head, and then Vice-Principal. In 1969 he joined the Ontario Ministry of Education as Education Officer, and then Program Consultant with the Ministry’s Niagara Regional Office in St Catherine’s. Over the next 24 years Pat held several senior executive posts in the Ministry, including Branch Director of Curriculum Development, Regional Director for Western Ontario, and Director of the Education Exchange and Liaison Branch. His leadership in this latter branch led to the development of the largest network of interprovincial and international student and teacher travel-study program exchanges of its time. Protocols developed for this work are still used across many school districts nationally.

During this time, it was an honour for Pat to represent several of Canada’s delegations to Paris for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD), as well as serving as a delegate to both UNESCO and the International Bureau of Education in Geneva. Just shortly after retirement, Pat was invited by the Canadian Education Association (CEA) to coordinate six research teams in the development and publication of The Exemplary Schools Project, which examined best practices in unique secondary schools across Canada.

Pat served on several national and provincial boards, including the March of Dimes, the Prologue to the Performing Arts, and the Festival Singers of Canada, reflective of his keen interest to provide support and give back.

In 1998 Pat and Sue moved to North Saanich near Victoria, BC where he was able to indulge much of his time to his love of symphony music, opera, and birding. Pat was eager to continue to actively volunteer in the broader Victoria community for a number of organizations municipally and regionally. As a member of the Regional Post Polio organization he developed and supervised a warm water swim rehabilitation program. Under his fifteen year tenure as member and Chair of both the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society, and the CRDI Arts Advisory Committee many artistic and improved access projects were undertaken. His proudest accomplishment now sits on the stage of The Royal Theatre for all patrons to enjoy, having led the fundraising effort to purchase a new Steinway Concert Grand piano.

Pat lived life to the full despite the ongoing degenerative effects of post polio over his last 27 years in BC. Although experiencing increasing disability, and surviving two heart attacks, Pat rarely complained. He never saw himself as disabled, even though the last few years confined to wheelchair and ultimately hospital bed at home proved unbeatable. Being able to stay in the comfort of the home he loved, made a huge difference to his quality of life. The family extends their warmest and heartfelt thanks to the many wonderful care workers and nurses who truly showed how much they cared.

Pat never lost his spirit, or keen eye for the beauty around him. A man of kindness, sensibility, science, music, and art, Pat knew how to endure. And, he will endure now in the hearts, minds, and memories of all those who were blessed to know him.

Arrangements for cremation are with Dignity ( First Memorial, Victoria). a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Please make any donations to The Heart and Stroke Foundation

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the FLECK family.