Courtesy of family
Reginald Shadbolt: Educator. Leader. Community builder. Patriarch. Born Nov. 10, 1933, in Stockdale, Ont.; died May 11, 2025, in Kingston; of natural causes; aged 91.
Reg Shadbolt was a clear, independent thinker, an excellent communicator and believed in doing a job well. He was driven to provide children with the best start in life. These traits propelled him into a career in public education. He took to heart the adage “it takes a village to raise a child,” and acted in many ways to provide children and youth with tools to thrive.
Reg was the youngest of six children. His father was a Methodist minister and the family moved frequently. He was athletic and a team player, allowing him to quickly make friends, no matter where he was. He also emerged as a natural leader, well liked and trusted by others; when he went to high school, in Madoc, Ont., he was voted “best all-around student” by his peers.
After high school he wanted to teach. In 1953, he taught physical education and science in Kingston, and met his future wife at one of his first schools. When he did not get the science marks to fellow teacher Audrey Johnston on time, she reported him to the principal. Despite the jolt from this initial encounter, a few years later in 1956, Reg and Audrey married.
They had two daughters, Katherine and Christine. Reg subtly taught his daughters to consider their options and choices, and to think independently. He encouraged them to, as he often said, “stand tall and be counted.” This led to important teaching moments. For example, when his elder daughter signed a popular student petition in high school, she had no idea it would end up on her Dad’s desk later that day. After supper, he asked whether she sincerely believed in the issue she was petitioning for or did she sign it simply to follow her friends? From her feeble answers, Katherine knew she had much to learn before signing another petition.
Reg taught his daughters (and his grandson) to be positive, saying “If you think you can, you can.” This did not always work. On the ski hill, Reg was convinced that after a few lessons, his daughters could navigate the most difficult runs on the mountain. Katherine would follow him down, slipping and sliding and careening in all directions. At the bottom, she would tell her father that while she was thinking positively all the way down, this clearly did not translate into the desired result.
Reg loved bringing his family together, participating in family games and providing unique trophies for each one. He was often the champion of any tournament, except when his younger daughter won (much to her delight).
Reg became a principal and a teaching master at the Ottawa Teacher’s College and co-authored mathematics textbooks to make math more fun. Eventually he became director of education for the Frontenac County Board of Education.
After Reg retired in 1989, he was instrumental in transforming a decommissioned school in Kingston (the Robert Meek school where he had started to teach in 1953) into a Boys and Girls Club centre. (Years later, a learning centre would be set up in his name.) He was also key in establishing the Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network, an invaluable resource network for teachers and administrators.
He was touched to receive tributes such as JCI Citizen of the Year (2006) and five Paul Harris Awards from the Rotary Club.
During 69 years of marriage, Reg and Audrey travelled to 60 countries and taught English in China. They cheered on their grandson, Ben, in all his sports and at school.
Reg planted dozens of wild and native flowers in a ravine running beside his home in Kingston. Neighbours delighted in his well-tended garden and made a sign to mark it as “Reg’s Ravine,” which he could see from his window.
Reg enjoyed golf, Skittles and skiing with his many friends. He skied right up to age 89. Often on the chairlift, strangers asked him how he was doing that day; he would cheerfully reply, “Well, I am 89 and diabetic, but it’s a great day to be alive.”
In his last weeks, he said he felt thankful, humbled and blessed to have been part of all aspects of life’s journey.
Katherine Shadbolt is Reginald Shadbolt’s daughter.
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