The deaths of two longtime employees of the Upper Grand District School Board are being mourned around Guelph and Dufferin County.
Steven Ratz and his wife M.H. Lessard were killed Sunday night in a crash near Orangeville.
Police believe a Volkswagen vehicle went through a stop sign and crashed into Ratz and Lessard’s Jeep.
The driver of the Volkswagen was also killed.
Lessard was a longtime French teacher at Credit Meadows Elementary School in Shelburne.
Outside the classroom, she was actively involved in the equine community.
A memorial post on the Ontario Equestrian Foundation’s website says Lessard was a “respected competitor, coach, judge, official, horse show organizer and volunteer” who provided a big boost to Canada’s national equestrian coach training program.
“Her passion and dedication to equestrian sport was infectious and she inspired all who crossed her path,” OEF executive director Dianne Graham said in the post.
Working as a vice-principal, Ratz’s path took him to schools in locations all around the UGDSB – including Guelph, Erin and Orangeville.
He had just started working in Orangeville after several years at Guelph’s John F. Ross CVI.
Students at John F. Ross recalled Ratz as an administrator who regularly attended sports games and other school events.
“He was the only VP that I ever saw do the splits,” said Hillary Wetherall.
At the school, posters were set up to leave messages of condolence.
Another student Lauren Dziepak, called Ratz a “really good guy” who spent lots of time walking around the school, connecting with students.
“I’m a pretty good kid, so I didn’t get in a lot of trouble – but if I ever needed anything, he was there,” she said.
Ratz and Lessard had two sons, who both graduated from Erin District High School and were away at post-secondary institutions when the crash occurred.
