Ken Hammond’s face lit up as he began pulling items out of a time capsule that was sealed in 1949 at Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute (ODCVI).
It was March 29, 2019, and Hammond was invited to do the honours at Orillia Secondary School.
“This triggered many other memories from when I was there,” Hammond, a former ODCVI principal, said at the time. “I was remembering the good times with staff and, particularly, the extracurricular events we had.”
And, what a memory he had.
Even in his early 90s, he could recall the names of former students from decades ago. He could remember the streets they grew up on, who their siblings and parents were.
It was a testament to his passion for people, particularly during his time as an educator.
Hammond joined ODCVI as a shop teacher in 1950. He moved up through the ranks and became principal — a position he held until his retirement in 1981.
Hammond died Feb. 6 at age 95, but he has left a legacy that will carry on in the community, said his son, Stuart Hammond, and Stuart’s wife, Joanne Hammond.
“He was really well liked and respected,” Stuart said. “He had an impact on the community, especially the students.”
One of those students was Gordon Lightfoot. Ken taught the future folk music icon in shop class.
Stuart recalled seeing Lightfoot not many years ago at St. Paul’s Centre. He introduced himself to the musician and said he was Ken’s son.
“He said, ‘Mr. Hammond’s here? I’ve got to see Mr. Hammond,’” Stuart recalled. “He was so excited.”
Ken was a proud member of the St. Paul’s congregation, but it was his decades of involvement with ODCVI that many will remember him for.
“He always said ODCVI was the greatest school. He used to say a 70 at ODCVI was an 80 at Park Street,” he said with a laugh.
Stuart said his dad “put a lot of his life into that school.”
After his retirement, he showed up at the high school and the principal at the time saw him walking the halls but didn’t recognize him, so he asked Ken what he was doing.
“Just making sure everything’s still in order,” Ken replied.
“He was so proud of that school,” Stuart said.
He was a proud family man, too, cherishing his five children and seven grandchildren. He also treated his children’s spouses as part of the family.
“He was way more like a father to me than a father-in-law,” Joanne said. “He welcomed me with open arms into the family.”
Ken relished his independence until his final days. He was still driving up until three weeks ago. Prior to the pandemic, he would get together every week with friends — fellow members of a group they called ROMEO (retired old men eating out) — for food and fellowship.
Joanne referred to Ken as “one of the smartest people” she knew. It helps that he forged a career in education — something he seemed destined for.
His parents boarded Ken’s teacher at their farmhouse in Shelburne. That experience inspired Ken, Stuart said.
Ken would ride either his horse or his bike to the one-room schoolhouse before his teacher would arrive.
“He’d start the fire and get the school ready for opening,” Stuart said.
Ken’s sister, Hilda, also went on to become a teacher.
He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 18, serving as a sheet-metal specialist. After his service, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Toronto.
His passion for education was not lost on Jodi Lloyd, a Simcoe County District School Board trustee who got to know Ken during the accommodation review process that would determine the future of local high schools.
ODCVI was eventually closed and its student body was merged with that of Park Street Collegiate Institute to become what is now Orillia Secondary School.
Ken was not in favour of that move at the time.
“He and I had some wonderful conversations and debate back and forth. We didn’t always agree, but, at the end, we had a meeting of the minds,” said Lloyd, who now serves as chair of the board. “He was open to listening to all sides.”
While planning for the opening of the ODCVI time capsule, Ken was the first person Lloyd thought of.
“I said, ‘We have to include Mr. Hammond,’” she said. “He was such a big part of ODCVI, such a big part of the community.”
That was obvious when Lloyd took part in a drive-by celebration last year to recognize Ken on his 95th birthday.
“I was overwhelmed by the number of cars that were there,” she said. “He sat in his lawn chair under the umbrella and was just thrilled.”
Lloyd said Ken was “respected by the staff and students” at ODCVI.
“What greater legacy can there be than that?”
It’s a legacy that extends beyond the school and the church. Ken was also a member of the Orillia Minor Hockey Association and the Rotary club and served as a board member with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Salvation Army. He was also a supporter of the Building Hope campaign to have a new homeless shelter and services hub constructed in town.
He always had a lot on the go, which meant he had to be prepared for anything. In a final show of those preparation skills, he wrote his own obituary and included his desires for his funeral service.
A stack of notes he wrote in cursive includes everything from details of his life to point-form directions for his service.
“Caterer: sandwiches, veggies, fruit, sweets, coffee,” he wrote.
And, while Ken often had a lot to say, he included this note for those planning to provide anecdotes during the service: “3 mins max.”
Ken is survived by his wife, Alva, sons, Dean (Julie), Kent (former spouse Nancy), Stuart (Joanne) and Susan (Alex), and grandchildren, Laura, Michael, Katelyn (Kyle), Leigh, Dean, Annemarie and Mary.
The family will attend a funeral service for Ken that will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. It will be streamed live on YouTube and can be viewed here.
