ROGER STARR

Condolences & Memories (6 entries)

• Erin, Greg, and Robyn, my husband Bill, and I send you our condolences on the passing of your dear Dad Roger. His obit and tributes are a true fit for this awesome Starr. The photo of him is like a band cover head shot. Well, it might as well be, knowing his passion of music. When Bill and I were engaged, one afternoon we were sitting with my Mom and Dad at their dinner table and needed to substantiate the correct way of using a word, my brother Jeff walked in and said he knows just who to call. Lol. Yep! Mr.Starr. Roger gave us the pros and cons with really no concrete answer. I think he remained neutral to his friends, (the considerate chap that he was) and made us feel that it was simply a win win overall. What can you say? In that phone call we shared Bill's and my news of our soon to be wedding and mentioned he should come or stop by. When he and his date Louis Regnier showed up, that was the icing on our cake!! We have a photo and I will try to to submit on the tribute site. A wonderful time! Your Dad will always be remembered. Hugs to all of you. Jill Palmer (McWhinney) and Bill Palmer - Posted by: Jill Palmer (Student and friend) on: Oct 27, 2025

• Goodbye Mr Starr Mr Starr was one of my favorite teachers at John Henderson Jr High. He was such a kind man and filled with passion for teaching. I will always remember him and his voice as he read us the book “Goodbye Mr.Chips” outloud. Now that I’m nearly 70 I think I will read that book again to see why it held such deep place in his heart. Thank you for being such a kind and gentle man and a great teacher Mr Starr, you are definitely part of the fabric of my life. Trudy Campbell ( Nee Stoopendaal) - Posted by: Trudy Campbell ( Nee Stoopendaal) (Student at John Henderson Jr High) on: Oct 26, 2025

• Mr. Starr was my math and home room teacher at John Henderson. One of my all time favorites. He left a lasting impression. Was also my Soccer coach for years. Great experiences all around. RIP sir. You made a positive difference in the world. Well Done!! Condolences to the family! - Posted by: doug krause (student) on: Oct 26, 2025

• I’m so sorry to hear that Mr. Starr (or ‘Roger’ as he insisted when we occasionally met once I was older) has passed. He was definitely one of my very favourite teachers - he was my home room teacher for grade 7. We began the year at Melrose Junior High and moved to John Henderson Junior High, once construction was complete. Back then, North America was in the midst of the ‘British Invasion’, so being a young man with a British accent and very good looks, he was immediately popular with the young people. Combining his obviously excellent teaching skills along with his interest and involvement made him a memorable individual generating wonderful memories. I regret that as a young teenager I wasn’t cognizant of what a talented and skilled teacher he was, to which I had the good fortune to be exposed. Even when meeting Roger after 50 years had passed (John Henderson 50th anniversary), he recognized me and remembered my name - hopefully for positive reasons. The world has lost a good, caring man. Again, please accept my deepest condolences. - Posted by: Linda Mayor (Student John Henderson Jr. High ‘61-‘62) on: Oct 25, 2025

• Condolences to the family. He was a great man and teacher. - Posted by: Kelly Kapilik (Student) on: Oct 25, 2025

• Awe Rog, as we affectionately called him! Or as my mom, Vi Kowalker called him, the absent minded professor! I think it had something to do with Rog have two different coloured socks on at a ringette game. What can you say about the ringette parents!! The Starrs The Kowalkers, The Melynchucks, The Ericksons and the Petersons? Man they knew how to have fun! I have many fond memories of Mr. Starr. Not the least of which was him peering over the top of his half glasses at me in Grade 9 math class. It was usually followed by, "get on with it PK!" as I was likely socializing as opposed to using the magic river solving binomials (I hope that's right or Rog won't be pleased with me :)) The best part of math class was when Mr. Starr would treat us to reading aloud a few pages of Dickens at the end of class. Mr. Starr would always oblige Robyn and I as we asked him to say Ozzy Osbourne with his English accent! I doubt he was a big Ozzy fan as his music perhaps isn't as easy to tap along to on the dashboard of the car as Glen Miller is! I can picture Rog doing just that on the dashboard of the huge green station wagon he used to drive. I know all the fond memories that will be shared with Erin, Greg and Robyn will help to put smiles on their faces to know how well loved their Dad was. - Posted by: Paula Husmann (Long time family friend) on: Oct 25, 2025