Remembering Jack Gray It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Jack Gray translated a visionary idea into a reality that had profound effects. The founding board of directors of the Deep River Science Academy aimed to provide some of Canada’s brightest high-school students with an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research. The idea was that these students would see the reality of research; would see research as investigations of the unexplored and not an activity where the answers were at the back of the textbook. It was a brilliant vision but it would never have come to fruition without the guidance of someone versed in the workings of education. As a recently retired Superintendent with the Renfrew County School Board, Jack Gray brought the ideal background to turn vision into reality. Jack was always characteristically self-effacing but at the same time committed, professional and enthusiastic. That was the way in which he embraced his role as the first Principal of the Academy during its formative years. Eight years after the Academy’s launch, on his retirement as Principal in 1995, the Academy’s annual report paid fitting tribute to Jack: “Since our inception, Principal Jack Gray has been a pervasive influence on the standards and character of the Academy through our original campus in Deep River. All those associated with the Academy have firmly believed that it should be more than an academic experience. Jack’s personal integrity and his respect for each student’s individuality have created a spirit through which our Deep River graduates find new depths of personal accomplishment and ability and his attitude has become the standard for all [at that time three] campuses. The Academy was delighted when Jack was awarded the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Teaching Science earlier this year in recognition of his work in education. This past year also marked Jack's last year as Principal. However his dedication to the Academy continues after retirement as a member of the National Board of Directors.” The Science Academy operated for 29 years and there were very few of the well over one thousand students who were not profoundly influenced by the experience. And as the founding directors had always hoped, the Academy’s influence rippled out into the high schools that its students came from. Jack Gray made it all possible. Alistair Miller Co-founder of the Deep River Science Academy