From Lorne Dickie
Sent Monday, October 26, 2015 at 4:36 PM
[Begin forwarded message:]
From: "Heather Harris"
Date: October 26, 2015 at 4:22:11 PM EDT
To: "Heather \(Maclean\) Harris"
Subject: A Tribute to Peter Mackenzie
Hello SHCI Alum!!
Plans are well underway for a very special evening that will pay tribute to our dear friend, Peter Mackenzie, who succumbed to cancer at far too young an age this past September. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he was a well respected educator and head of the history department at Richview Collegiate until his retirement two years ago. Decades of his former students attended his memorial and it was evident that Peter had been a positive influence on their academic careers.
Please join us, your fellow SHCI ALUM, on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH at Richview Collegiate in Etobicoke. This will be an evening to gather together to remember Peter and be part of the launch of 'The Peter MacKenzie Humanities Award'. It will be given annually, at Richview's commencement, to a deserving Grade 12 student in recognition of his/her integrity, creativity and overall academic performance.
The evening's festivities will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the school's cafeteria where there will be time to mingle with friends. There will be a cash bar. A group of Peter's former students will be demonstrating some of Peter's 'classroom games' - all designed it would appear to make the learning process more interesting!
Tim Lowman has been working with Richview's Principal, Sam Miceli, with regards to the fundraising for this event. Our stated goal is to raise $100,000.00 and in theory, the capital amount should be sufficient to provide for an annual award of $5000.00. During the first part of the evening, in the cafeteria, there will be an opportunity to make a donation and tax receipts will be issued for all donations exceeding $25.00. Please bring a cheque made payable to the" Toronto District School Board - Richview CI - The Peter Mackenzie Humanities Award". I realize that is a lot to fit in on one line!!
At 8:30 p.m. all attendees will convene in the Auditorium for the ceremonial part of the evening which will feature speeches and remembrances - in a manner that Peter would approve of! Please note that there will be a section of seats being set aside for SHCI ALUM. There will also be AV memories and the formal dedication of Peter's classroom. A sign is being made that will permanently hang outside of it that will read:
THE PETER MACKENZIE CLASSROOM:
Learn a lot.
Laugh a lot.
Every Day.
Please note there will be a 'dress code' for the evening! We are encouraging everyone to wear jeans & a plaid shirt - which was Peter's daily attire. If you want to add on some suspenders - go for it!!
We expect to wrap up the ceremonial part of the evening by 9:30 p.m. and please feel free to continue socializing. We have received a great response to this event. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to any alum from the early to mid 70s that that you may still be in touch with. We are anticipating a 'sell out' crowd!
I am co-ordinating the RSVPs - so please let me know by return email if you are able to attend (or if you are unable to as well). If you are unable to attend but wish to make a donation, please send your cheque (made out as per the above information) to:
Mr. Sam Miceli, Principal
Richview Collegiate
1738 Islington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M9A 3N2
We look forward to seeing you on November 13th. Please email me if you have any questions or to RSVP.
Best regards,
Heather Maclean (Harris)
SHCI ALUM
(Note from Sonja:) My most sincere condolences. I remember Peter Mackenzie tried to date me in high school but my mother wouldn't let me because I had been going steady with Rick Travers and my mother liked him too much. Peter was a nice and very good looking guy. (Sorry Heather ;)