Ernest W. Kendall

Ernie Wakefield Kendall was born in Guelph in 1908. He attended and graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph in 1932. Ernie won the Track and Field Championship in 1930 and the Aquatic Championship four times. He broke four records in aquatics, as well as the record for the mile race and one for the Harriers (long distance running).

Kendall taught at Elmira High School from 1933 until his retirement in 1970. From 1946 to 1967, he formed and supervised the local high school Teen Town for young teens 16-19 years of age and was the leader of the Cadet program from 1946 to 1969. His teaching career was interrupted from 1942-1946 while he served as an active member of the Canadian forces, eventually attaining the rank of Major.

He loved his 100 acres of bush property, and with the help of his students was awarded the responsibility of marking trees for the Department of Lands and Forests. He was heavily involved with his community as a Scout Master, working with mentally-challenged children at the local swimming pool, visiting shut-ins and taking flowers and fruit from his own garden. He canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart & Stroke Foundation for more than 30 years.

In 1973 Kendall was named one of the local citizens who had contributed the most to Elmira in the past 25 years. In 1978 he was named Citizen of the Year by the Elmira and Woolwich Chamber of Commerce. He was also named the Citizen of the Year for Woolwich Township and received the Governor General of Canada Award for the 125th Anniversary of Canada.