Mount Forest remembers ‘smiling crossing guard’

By Isabel Buckmaster

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE 

ELORA FERGUS TODAY

MOUNT FOREST – Residents in the Mount Forest and Ottawa communities have been left reeling after the sudden death of a beloved crossing guard. 

Known as “the smiling crossing guard” by local families, former Mount Forest crossing guard Peter Clark was killed in a hit-and-run on March 23 – National Crossing Guard Appreciation Day – while working as a crossing guard in Barrhaven, a suburb of Ottawa, where he’d moved to be closer to family a few years ago. 

“(Peter) loved interacting with the children, families and seniors whom he guided safely from one side to the other and treasured every card, kind word, and trinket they gifted him,” stated Clark’s obituary.

“One of his greatest joys was making a child who was frowning smile.”

He previously worked as a crossing guard at the corner of Highway 89 and Normanby Street in Mount Forest, ushering children to Victoria Cross Public School.

The news has devastated many in the Mount Forest community, including resident Becky Wagner, who said Clark was her children’s crossing guard for several years.

“It’s hard to see that for someone as happy and energetic as he was,” said Wagner. “He was such a nice person, so to see that he just needlessly lost his life like that, it’s really sad.”

Describing Clark as a cheerful guy who always had a smile or a joke for the kids, Wagner said it was typical to see the crossing guard participating in school dress-up days and she’ll always remember the time he went out of his way to attend one of her son’s hockey games to cheer him on.

“I don’t know who started it, but he and my daughter would always wish each other the wrong holidays, just silly stuff like that,” said Wagner. “Going to school in the mornings wasn’t always (my kids’) favourite time, but (Peter) would always get them smiling with something.”

Wellington North clerk Karren Wallace called Clark an “amazing member” of the Wellington North crossing guard team who loved his job.

She said she hopes the situation serves as a reminder for people to appreciate and be respectful of crossing guards, noting they often face abuse in the township.

“He was just the nicest guy. Everyone at team Wellington North is still in disbelief. Just no words ... he was just the nicest man,” said Wallace.

A post on the Mount Forest What’s Happening Facebook page has attracted over 100 comments from residents sharing memories of Clark, including one from his sister-in-law, Amanda Hough-Clark, who called him the “kindest soul to every person and animal that came his way.”

Calling the hit-and-run “despicable,” Angie Linnit stated in a post that she’ll remember Clark as a really sweet fellow, neighbour and friend who absolutely loved his job and the kids and always wanted to help.

“This is truly devastating news. (Peter) was a wonderful human, always ready with a smile, and he was the first there and the last one to leave every single school day,” stated another person.

“His absence has been noticed since they moved ... the angels received one amazing person.” 

A GoFundMe campaign started for the family has raised over $39,000 as of April 6. 

Its webpage states Clark “found his calling” as a crossing guard, which combined his love of children and seniors with his need to be outside and serve the community. 

“(Peter) was the kindest, most generous and considerate human being ... he was intelligent in a way that most did not understand and he had an extraordinary imagination,” stated Clark’s obituary.

“He loved serving others and dedicated his life to making all those around him feel safe, heard, seen and cared for.”