Principal Patrick Trench Johnson

Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted June, 2012

Located near the southwest corner of the William P. Wilder Arena on the Upper Canada College grounds, north of the corner of Avenue Road and Lonsdale Road, is this plaque. Here's what it says

Plaque coordinates: 43.691633 -79.403326

He was born in Assam, India in 1926, and schooled in England before receiving his commission with the Gurkha Rifles in 1944. After service overseas, he attended Oxford where he received his Master's degree in English, and then taught at schools in the USA and England.

In 1957, Patrick and Eleanor Johnson joined the UCC community, where he served as teacher, Senior Housemaster of Howard's and Wedd's, and advisor to many. His life-long interest in sports began as a schoolboy, where he was captain of the football, hockey, tennis and boxing teams. On faculty at UCC, he coached football, hockey and cricket teams, and throughout his association with the College, showed passion for sports and its impact on boys.

In 1965, he was appointed UCC's 14th Principal, a position he held until retirement in 1974. He passed away on November 29, 1994. The Patrick Johnson Arena stood as a tribute to his leadership, his passion for UCC, and the esteem in which he was held by the UCC community.

"As a teacher, Patrick Johnson was masterful and inspirational. As Principal, he re-established UCC's role as the nation's pre-eminent independent school. As a friend and mentor, he was abundantly generous and supportive."

- University of Toronto President Emeritus Robert Prichard '67

Related websites
Assam
Gurkha Rifles
Oxford

Related Toronto plaque
Upper Canada College

More
Education

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