CSBA IS SAD TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF A KEY LEADER IN THE HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION AND IN THE WORLD OF EDUCATION

MONTREAL, January 2013 –   It was with great sadness that the CSBA received the news from the family of Dr. Roy Wilson, that he passed away peacefully recently from cardio-respiratory issues in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  He was 74 years old.

Roy Wilson was the longest serving school board trustee in Medicine Hat, and the second longest serving trustee in the Province of Alberta.  First elected to the Board of Trustees of School District #76 in 1980, he served continuously from that date, acting as board chairman on three separate occasions.  He was, during the 1990’s, president of both the Alberta School Boards Association and the Canadian School Boards Association.  Dr. Wilson recently completed serving his second term as senator in the University of Alberta Senate.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Roy received his B.Ed, M.Ed and Ph.D from the University of Alberta.  His teaching career began in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1960.  He would go on to teach at schools and colleges in Edmonton, Camrose, the Crowsnest Pass and Medicine Hat, retiring in 2003.

He taught over 5000 students in his tenure, and receiving many honours for his work, including the Alberta Home and School Association’s Presidents Award, the Medicine Hat College Academic Achievement Award, the Alberta Centennial Medal for his service to public education in Alberta, Medicine Hat College’s honourary applied baccalaureate degree and honourary life memberships in the Alberta School Boards Association and the Canadian School Boards Association.  Dr. Wilson also authored numerous articles on local and educational history and was involved in the production of several historical videos.

Active for many years in the local, provincial and national Canadian Music Festival movement, Dr. Wilson was also a long-time board member and past Chairman of the board of the Good Samaritan Society.  And while known throughout the province for his contributions as an educator,  trustee and volunteer, his first dedication was to his family.  He was a deeply devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Sandi Urban Hall, CSBA President, noted that “Roy’s contributions to education and to the Canadian School Boards was substantial and greatly appreciated.  He will be missed by all and his legacy will remain with us”.