Page 112 - 2013

We WarRemember.
MARK DAVID SPENCER
June 24, 1963 - November 16, 2012
Mark Spencer was a music teacher at Collingwood Collegiate since 1989 and an integral part of one of the best music programs in any secondary school in the province. His vivid life experienced an untimely and abrupt interruption in the early winter of 2011. Having being diagnosed with cancer of unknown origins, Mark was forced to take time off work to deal with his declining health. The community network, made up of Mark's colleagues, students, friends, and family reeled only momentarily before staunchly asserting their unanimous response to his prognosis: letting him know vehemently that he was not alone in his fight. School and community members organized various acts such as hundreds showing up on the front lawn of the Spencer household to surprise Mark with vocal encouragement; a special team in the CCI Relay for Life event; a constant flow of emails and texts conveying messages of courage and resilience, building Mark a backyard deck, regular delivery of dinners, and much more.
Throughout his battle, Mark often exhibited a disposition nothing short of the spirit with which he was most commonly attributed with possessing: keen, enthusiastic, beaming and always having a characteristic hop in his step. It was sometimes as though he had never been diagnosed with his illness at all — and many were optimistic about a timely return to his teaching position, greatly but only briefly missed.
To the surprise of all, after much progression but sudden regression, Mark would eventually succumb to his condition. He passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on the 16th of November 2012, almost a year after his preliminary diagnosis.
Yet Mark's memory has been eternalized through the spirit that he ingrained both within the high school and beyond. With each student he encountered, each colleague or friend or passer-by who happened to find themselves engulfed with him in conversation, he sparked a captivating intrigue. He instilled a passion for music in everyone whom he could reach, and a penchant for kindness and altruism to all. The gifted musician, brilliant instructor, devoted father and husband, and dedicated community member had left his mark on an innumerable amount of individuals. Rest in Peace, Mark.
On January 26th, 1994 the world was blessed with one of the greatest human beings. Jacob Brownlee-Saunders was a bright, happy, easy going young man. Jacob loved unconditionally, trusted completely and could light up a room with his infectious laugh.
The staff and students of CCI will miss Jacob Brownlee-Saunders. Jacob was a student in the Life Skills class at CCI since grade 9. Before CCI, he attended Connaught Public School, and had many friends there.
Jacob will be most fondly remembered for his laughter and incredible sense of humor. For a boy who didn't speak, he sure knew how to make people laugh! We will always
remember the Halloween when Jacob's Mom helped him dress up with an extra leg! H e had a sly little smile about it and loved being in on the joke.
o b loved being out of the class on walks, and especially going to watch gym classes. We think his favorite, though, was going out to the football field in the fall to bask in the sun and listen to the cheers of the crowds.
Jacob was a great CCI Owl and loved school spirit. He even sang along when he went to watch CCI's Beauty and the Beast! Jacob always enjoyed dressing up for spirit days at school. He brought joy and laughter to many of us, and will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Jacob..
JACOB ALEXANDER
BROWNLEE-SAUNDERS
January 26th, 1994-September 15th,
2 0 1 2
J a c