Several of West Vancouver’s most accomplished residents went to Hillside Secondary School. They left a legacy that reaches far beyond their years there.
Mark Sager, Ron Nairne and Mary Sheridan are all renowned for their work in politics. In this article, we explore their achievements and how they shaped the community of West Vancouver.
Mark Sager
Mark Sager has long been a West Vancouver resident who has always had an active role in the community, starting when he was just a young child living above his parents’ furniture store in Dundarave. He has a deep passion for the area and a commitment to serving its people. He was first elected to the school board in 1979, and served four years as chair. He was also on municipal council from 1987 to 1990 and sat on the police board for a number of years. He was then elected as mayor in 1991 where he served two terms.
During his election campaign, he made numerous promises to be more open and transparent and to avoid the pitfalls of politics. Unfortunately, he has not followed those promises. Instead, he has been hiding information from our community which, as we all know, is a very important element of local democracy. He has applied for anonymization with the Law Society and this is clearly not a way to protect our community from any reputational damage or mental health challenges but an attempt to conceal the truth of what he has done in the past. This is not the kind of transparency that we need for our community or the District of West Vancouver to function at its best.
Mary Sheridan
One of the more fun parts of the thorny cherry is choosing which of the many schools your children will attend. A good school will make all the difference in a child’s life. As a parent, it is your duty to be on the lookout for misplaced homework. Thankfully, there are several organizations in town to help keep your children on the right track. The best place to start is the public library. Its illustrious librarian will be happy to assist.
Mike Smith
Among the teachers who worked at Hillside Secondary School West Vancouver for 40 years, Mike Smith was a dedicated educator who left a lasting impression on his students. Known for his enthusiasm, energy and lively discussions, Mike served as the Vice-Principal, PE Department Head, and Geography teacher at Hillside.
For more than 40 years, he helped build the school’s stellar reputation in British Columbia and never missed a chance to go above and beyond for his students. From helping to organize Provincial Athletic Tournaments to reviewing the Provincial Geography curriculum, Mike was always willing to help out in any way he could.
He was known for his energy and enthusiasm, and it was this energy that made him one of the best teachers at Hillside. He was always ready to engage in a lively discussion, and he was committed to providing his students with the highest quality education possible.
When he wasn’t in class, Mike had many other passions including sports and music. He played rugby and football with his brothers at Kitsilano High, and he sang in choirs. He also enjoyed caroling, listening to CBC Saturday Afternoon at the (Metropolitan) Opera and attending a wide range of concert venues.
Mike was also an avid reader and had a passion for collecting stamps. His passion for learning and love of music influenced his career as a Geography teacher. He also worked in the technical department of Prince Rupert Pulp Mill, and as a boiler water treatment specialist at various other BC mills.
His dedication to teaching and his passion for student learning helped establish Hillside Secondary School’s stellar reputation in British Columbia. He was also known for his enthusiasm, and he loved to take on new projects and challenges.
He was also an accomplished athlete who played on both the senior boys’ and girls’ rugby teams at Hillside. He later coached the Hillside men’s and women’s basketball teams at the provincial level. His love of sport and coaching will be greatly missed by the many sports teams he coached, the athletes he inspired, and the many students who were touched by his energy and enthusiasm.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.