JOHN RENNIE

John Rennie

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, John Rennie. He passed on August 15th, 2023 with family by his side, due to complications associated with the onset of multiple blood clots.
John was born on November 4th, 1944 to George Rennie and Frances Pinhas, who met while serving during World War II. They settled down in Hamilton and then in the Kitchener area. His younger sister Kathleen has fond memories of them tobogganing and playing "Stretch" together during those early years.
After graduating from high school, he attended university and became interested in learning and education. He completed both undergraduate and graduate studies in education, and innovated and served in the field as a teacher, principal, superintendent, ministry officer, and inspector. During his career, he became well known for delivering practical teaching methods, systems, and curricula that consistently led to dramatic improvements in student performance.
John will be remembered by his colleagues, students, and parents for his passion for teaching and the learning process, and his influential work in various elementary, secondary, and private schools in Ontario. After retiring from the Peel District School Board and then the Ministry of Education as an Operations Officer, John finished his career as a consultant to private schools inspected by the Ministry of Education located both in Ontario and overseas. His work was one of his greatest joys, and he often said that he could not remember a day that he did not want to go to work. His work days were long, but fulfilling. In his spare time, John most enjoyed spending time with friends and family in the great outdoors, and particularly enjoyed fishing. 
John lived an intense life of great courage, forgiveness, gratitude, humor, and love---what he considered "the basics" of life. He firmly believed in personal responsibility, self-determination, and the power of "fun" in life and learning, and that every thought was creating the future.
John, beloved grandfather of Alyssa, Jacob, James, and Helen, will be greatly missed. His children Steven, Nicole, and Evelyn, his siblings Kathleen, LeeAnne, and Michael, and all who have developed a relationship with him, have many fond memories to comfort them.
John wished to have a private funeral, and the family has respected his decision. He wanted to be remembered by each of the many people that he interacted with in their own personal way, and he expressed his hope of happiness for everyone. For more information or to leave a tribute or condolence, please contact the Paul Funeral Home, 705-724-2024 or visit paulfuneralhome.ca. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any education-oriented fund.