John Fraser, long-time educator in Mississauga, has died at age 92.
There are not many people who have a school named after them and live to build a relationship with its students.
John Fraser was one of them.
Fraser, a longtime educator in Mississauga who spent his retirement years as an actor, spokesperson, singer, dancer, comedian, politician, motivational speaker, and pretty well, everything else, has died.
He was 92.
Fraser’s legacy was already cemented when John Fraser Secondary School was named after him and opened in Erin Mills in 1990. But his public profile began much earlier, when he launched his educational career in Mississauga.
Starting as a teacher, he worked his way up through what was then the Peel Board of Education, becoming a principal and then director of education — a position he held for 15 years before retiring in 1988.
Under his leadership, Fraser helped guide a relatively rural school system through the challenges of rapid urban growth in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
Colleagues who worked with Fraser still admire his leadership and interpersonal skills, which put him in the rare position of being a popular boss.
But did he ever really retire?
For Fraser, not quite.
He quickly turned his attention to acting.
To hone his skills, he took several courses, including a comedy class at Humber College, where Chevy Chase was a guest instructor. He also studied improvisation at Second City.
Soon, his second career began to flourish.
He landed a role as a clown on Showcase Television and later appeared in commercials for Wiser’s Whisky, Glade air fresheners, Radio City Music Hall and Distributel long-distance services.
But there was more to come.
In 1997, he appeared in the film Good Will Hunting, starring Robin Williams and Matt Damon.
Later, in a role for which he may be best remembered, he became the spokesperson in long-running television commercials for Toronto-based Preszler Injury Lawyers. He was so convincing that the firm had to issue a statement clarifying that he was not, in fact, a lawyer.
He did all of this while also working as a dance host on a cruise ship, a mall Santa Claus, a pool player, and even appearing as a pinup in a fundraising calendar alongside firefighters and models.
Amid it all, he still made time for his family, enjoying his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
At the school that bears his name, he was a frequent and honoured guest, engaging with students from the very beginning. He spoke about education, ambition and life goals, sharing his enduring enthusiasm and zest for life.
“He helped shape the foundation of public education in Peel, always guided by a deep belief in the power of learning and the potential of every student,” a statement from the Peel District School Board reads. “John Fraser’s legacy lives on across the board, including at John Fraser Secondary School. More importantly, it lives on in the generations of students, staff and families whose lives were shaped by his leadership.”
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