WATERLOO, Ont. - Recently retired men's golf coach Jack Pearse has passed away at the age of 87 after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday.  Pearse, known to his teammates and peers as 'Coach Emeritus', was a long serving member of the Warrior community and beyond.

"Jack's passing is a huge loss for Waterloo and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and his wife of 60 years, Helen Pearse", commented director of athletics Bob Copeland. "He was a wonderful, caring, benevolent man who gave more than he took throughout his life."

Pearse started his coaching duties in 1968 as the head coach of the golf program, leading the Warriors to four provincial championships.  In 1972, his team won the first Canadian University Championship, amidst a season in which the Warriors were undefeated. Pearse instilled the 'team' concept into the 'individual' sport of golf, promoting a spirit of co-operation and cohesiveness amongst the players that continues to be evident after some 30 years.

Pearse was a founding faculty member of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo. He then returned to Warrior golf in 2003 as assistant coach alongside good friend Dave Hollinger with Doug Painter as the head coach who played a significant role in the advancement of the Warrior golf program including participation at the Canadian University Golf Championship.

Pearse was also the driving force behind the Jack Pearse Warrior Golf Endowment established in 2000 to create a legacy of support for future generations of Waterloo golfers. Adding to his legacy, the golf association of Canada introduced the Jack Pearse Coaches Award in 2010, presented to the coach that has contributed to the growth of post-secondary golf.  Fittingly enough, Hollinger was the inaugural winner of the award.

Amongst all that Pearse has done to become a legendary figure, his most treasured memory he leaves for us is his work with children as one of the great leaders of camps across Ontario.

After a stint as the director of Camp On-Da-Da-Waks (now Camp Red Pine) in the Ottawa Valley, he founded Camp Tawingo in Huntsville in 1960 and was director until his retirement.  Pearse was a president of the Ontario, Canadian and American camp associations, and longtime chair of the International Camping Fellowship. The Jack Pearse Award of Honour is given annually in recognition of outstanding service to the Canadian Camping Association.

He built Tawingo into a place where interactions are guided by fun and respect. At the core of the Jack Pearse method of leadership is the idea that if you focus on character, skill will follow.  To Jack it wasn't about being the most talented golfer it was about having fun and being positive.

"Golf was certainly one of Jack's greatest passions, but he was truly defined by the relationships he had with people", expressed Copeland. "Golf was a vehicle through which Jack was a consummate teacher of what is important in life, and his greatest legacy can be seen in the quality and character of those who had the privilege of knowing him and playing for him."

"If a person feels like they matter, and that you believe in them, the learning comes," Pearse told the Toronto Star during an interview in 2011.

"When I was the golf coach in the late 60's at Waterloo, even though I knew almost nothing about the sport, we won all sorts of championships," Pearse once said. The secret? "Go right to the hole and cheer for them. Tell them they're the best."

Simply put, Coach Emeritus always reminded us that positivity and kindness can go a long way.  Ask any of his student-athletes and they will tell you the lifelong impact Pearse has left with them.

"Jack was a man of great integrity who brought out the very best in people" concluded Copeland. "He will be dearly missed."

Funeral Details:

Friends are invited to share their memories of Jack with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Wednesday August 28, 2013 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. A private family committal and burial will take place at Parkview Cemetery. A Celebration of Jack's Life will be held at Camp Tawingo in Huntsville on Sunday, September 15 from 1-3 p.m., with a reception to follow at Camp (www.tawingo.net).

Condolences for the family and donations to the Camp Tawingo Campership Fund or the Jack Pearse Warrior Golf Endowment Fund may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445.

Hum-Bah-Nay-Callay, Everyone…
Hum-Bah-Nay-Callay, Jack.
Go well and safely, Dad…
"Keep singing, 'til we meet, again."

More about Jack's contributions to Applied Health Sciences at uWaterloo