Educator, coach, writer.
Born in 1917, son of Archibald Blair “Archie” Book (1890-1952) and Gertrude Neville (c1883-1965), he graduated with a BA degree (1938) from the University of Manitoba and began teaching. He worked at MacGregor School (1938-?) and Carberry School (?-?) prior to becoming Vice-Principal of Bowsman School (1942-1943) and Principal at Swan River School (1943-1945) and Brookdale School (1945-1946). He then moved to Ontario, teaching at Fort Frances where he later became a guidance counsellor and high school sports coach. His career continued as Principal of Lively District High School (1956-1967) and Fort Frances High School (1967-1977). After retirement, he took up writing for the Thunder Bay Times-News. He served as President of the Ontario Headmasters Council, Ontario Secondary Teachers Federation, and Superannuated Teachers Federation of the Rainy River District, as well as Chairman of Northern Community Development Services, and an Advisor to the Rainy River First Nations. For his community service, he was awarded the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation Medal (1992). While residing at Bowsman, he married Jessie Lois Brown (1919-2000) in the United Church parsonage at Swan River on 5 December 1942. The couple had six children. He died of cancer at the St. Boniface Hospital on 30 June 1998.
“University of Manitoba announces scholarship winners,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 May 1938, page 6.
“Book - Brown,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 December 1942, page 11.
Obituary [Archibald Blair Book], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 March 1952, page 31.
Death registrations [Archibald Blair Book], British Columbia Vital Statistics.
Obituary [Gertrude N. Book], Winnipeg Free Press, 4 November 1965, page 33.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 11 July 1998, page C6.
Obituary [Jessie Lois Book], Winnipeg Free Press, 25 April 2000, page C9.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 12 November 2016
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