On September 24, 1995, a founding member, Lifelong Learning Award recipient, past President, and long-standing good friend and builder of AACE passed away as the result of a tragic car accident near Field, BC after hiking in his beloved mountains. John Tewnion - a man of dreams with an incredible love of life, a spirit free as the winds which cross the Rockies, and a quest to find a beer in this world which he did not like - has left us for another world. In passing he joins in spirit his lifelong partner and friend Margaret, who predeceased him on July 20th of this year.
At AACE conferences, if John was not found in assisting in some activity, he could be found in the company of his very good friend Ray Jewison, or any number of the Directors of Continuing Education, or walking around Lac Beauvert (Jasper) with some of us who were just plain friends. John believed in quality and always worked to achieve the same, whether in developing relationships, organizations, buildings or appetizers for a cross-country ski trip. He lived life to the fullest in the great outdoors as a life member of the Alpine Club of Canada, as club president for two terms, and managing the General Mountain Camp for eight years.
AACE member will remember John Tewnion as a leader, a friend, a fun seeker and lover of early morning wake-up walks at AACE conferences.
We have lost an organizational pillar. However, we know that by his example, others have begun to build new pillars to meet new organizational dreams. Let's help to keep the AACE dreams alive by taking AACE forward into the future as the primary voice for adult learning in Alberta. Let's build a trail for adult learning in Alberta as strong and meaningful as the Canada 125 Trans-Canada Trail - another project which involved John - which will connect all of the provinces and territories of Canada and fulfill yet another dream.
Submitted by June Morgan with thanks to Peggy Quinney
November
13, 1995