Remembering Hector McGrigor, a lion who accomplished much

From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:

During the week of Sept. 15, 1956, Hector McGrigor was proclaimed as ‘Sault Citizen of the Week’, but do you know what made him such a notable citizen of our city?

Born in St. Mary’s Ontario he attended elementary and secondary school there. He would later attend Stratford Normal School (Teacher’s College) and the University of Toronto in 1937 receiving two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Pedagogy degree in 1941. Following his graduation, he taught in several communities in Southern Ontario including, Westport, St. Mary’s and Waterloo. 

Hector McGrigor arrived in Sault Ste. Marie in 1952, to fill the position of Inspector of the Sault’s Public Schools, a position he held until 1966. He was the sole Inspector until 1965 when amalgamation occurred, joining the Townships of Korah and Tarentorus with Sault Ste. Marie. 

During his tenure as Inspector, he witnessed the growth of the public schools from a staff of 132 in 13 schools to 400 staff in 36 schools, due to the post-war and Baby Boom period in history. 

In addition to his vital work in education, McGrigor was active in a variety of community organizations. He was President of the Algoma Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, the Ontario Tuberculosis Association, the Y.M.C.A, Highland Games Committee, Home and School Associations and the Association for Retarded Children to name a few. 

McGrigor was a member of the Lions Club for approximately 16 years and held the office of President of both the Sault Ste. Marie and Waterloo Lions Clubs.   McGrigor was elected to Deputy District Governor of Zone 1 in 1957 and in 1958; he was elected Governor of District A 5. 

In addition to his service to the community, Mr. McGrigor attended and was an elder of the Presbyterian Church.

One of his initiatives was to institute a Church and School Week in Sault Ste. Marie.  According to McGrigor, he saw church attendance in students increase from 40 to 75 per cent. 

In 1966, Mr. McGrigor resigned from his post locally to accept the position of Superintendent of Public Schools for the city of St. Thomas. 

In 1972, Hector McGrigor died at his home in St. Thomas Ontario. He left behind the legacy of a life of service to his communities and to education.

Each week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and its Archives provides SooToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past.

Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here