Condolence: Mr Pender was my Grade 10 English teacher at OCHS, way, way back in the deep, dark 1970s. After all this time - more than 40 years, including other schools along with a post-secondary education - he remains one of the most inspirational teachers in my memory.

Mr Pender was among the first teachers in those days who didn’t mind being known by his full name. Even during the morning intercom announcements, he was often referred to as “Joe Pender” - almost unheard of in those days.

Joe was never shy about expressing his affection for his beloved wife. I recall one English class, he sat at the front, not behind the teacher’s desk, but up closer to the students on top of a class desk. He recited a poem to us, of which I only recall the first line: “I sleep now, in the cradle of your arms...”. He cradled his arms to show us what that meant. While I didn’t fully understand it all at the time, I could feel the emotion in his words.

Years after my schooling in Ontario, I journeyed west to British Columbia. As soon as I heard of Pender Island just off the coast of Vancouver, of course I thought of my inspiring English teacher from so long before, and wondered if he ever traveled to that island.

Recently, when I read about his unfortunate passing (now more than two years ago), the announcement included a picture of him at a dinner table, taken shortly before his death. The kindness of that wise, gentle and inspiring man still shone in his eyes.

As so much time has passed since Joe’s departure, I’m not sure if any of his beloved survivors still read these notices. If so, please know that he touched so many of us, and left this world a far, far better place.

RIP Joe Pender, from one of your many fans.

Condolence: Joe Pender’s Family and Friends,

I met Joe in September 1966, when we were teaching English and coaching basketball, all at around the Grade 8 and 9 level, at different but related schools in the Vancouver area. There were quite a few occasions to come together, and Joe was generous with friendship, advice and strength in my challenging first year of teaching. Unexpectedly, he moved on to Ontario in the summer.

Now, unexpectedly learning that Joe passed on in 2016, I feel loss for this gone-again friend, a couple of years older than me, who was so thoughtful and helpful and so significant for my future success. Thanks to Joe, I am full of gratefulness.

Condolence: Joe Pender Joe Pender teach them to think, English and reading with a pun and a wink, exam time and worry help us spread some ink, good solid learning to form our spiritual link.......Run Joe Pender Run.

Condolence: Dear Martha,

I was very sorry to hear of Joe's death. We worked together at the former O.C.H.S. for three years, and we ran a fair number of miles together.

He was always good for a joke or story and I always looked forward to talking with him. I told him at the 50th reunion dinner that I copied his cross Canada fitness run in London. Joe was a great teacher and touched many lives in a very positive way.

I pray for the repose of his soul, and for you at this time of grief.

Sincere Sympathies,

Pat O'Brien

Condolence: Dear Martha,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a good person with a big heart. I’ve always been grateful that he gave me the opportunity to join the Striders Running Club. I think the most important lesson he taught me was to focus on improving my personal bests and ignore the competitors around me. You don’t have to win the race to have run a good race. It applied in both running and in life. He will be missed but his legacy lives on in each of us.

Condolence: Martha, we were deeply saddened by the passing of Joe, our good friend of many years. He was not just a friend but a teacher, coach and mentor who will always be fondly remembered. Although we were separated by a great distance, we still managed to keep in touch with each other.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Condolence: Martha, Our deepest condolences to you on Joe's sudden passing. He was a very fine man and a very fine teacher. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Blessings to you both.

Condolence: Mr. Pender was a committed and thoughtful teacher whose presence in the hallways of Paul Dwyer will be remembered for many, many years. That's thanks both to his own friendly spirits and to his record of chronicling school events and people as a tireless and very talented photographer. Beyond his time at Dwyer, he was integral to sharing information about alumni and former teachers with a broad community and many of us in that community are so very grateful for his efforts to share stories. May he rest in peace. Randy Boyagoda and family.

Condolence: Mr. Pender was a very likeable teacher. He had a great sense of humour even when the joke was on him. He taught me about Caesar and Ogden Nash. I cannot listen to the song, “I am a Rock” without thinking of him. He also taught me about running the good race even when I could not keep up with the competition. Well Mr. Pender you have “fought the good fight”, you have “finished” your race, you have kept the faith. So long Joe.

Condolence: We are very sorry to hear about Joe's passing. Please accept our most heartfelt condolences. Rest assured that you are both in our prayers.