FRANK HESLER MEMORY

90-year-old Wellander recalls years at WHS

By Eileen Zarafonitis

[Welland Tribune, 25 May 1979]

At 90 years of age Frank Hesler still vividly recalls the years spent at Welland High.

It was shortly after the turn of the century in 1903 when Frank Hesler transferred from St. Peter’s German Lutheran school in Humberstone to pursue a secondary school education at Welland High.

Commuting to and from school by train, Mr. Helser remembers, “It used to cost me $2.30 a month for 23 return rides. The train left at 8:15 in the morning, and was supposed to leave Welland at 4:15 in the afternoon, but it was never on time.” At that time he was the only boy attending the school from Humberstone.

Reminiscing about his schooldays and principal H.M. McCuaig, he said, “I remember him well. His father was a Presbyterian minister in Welland. Not only was Mr. McCuaig a good principal he was a darned good Latin teacher, but I never found out how he handled discipline because I was never called up on the carpet.”

FOUR ROOMS

In those days the school consisted of four classrooms with seats. “There were five forms so we had a lot of study sessions while lessons were going on. There were also only four teachers, then, but as I remember, there were only about five students in the fifth form.” Mr. McNeice was the math teacher. “I got along well with him.” Could be that respected math teacher was instrumental in Mr. Hesler’s decision to pursue a career in accounting.

Literature was taught by Miss Clara Buchner whose brother had taught Mr. Hesler at public school. Speaking on the various subjects of the day he recalled, “You had to take Latin and one other language, but for reason nobody took Greek,” he laughed. The only library was located in the principal’s office.

“There was no phys ed in my days. Everybody threw in a dime or quarter for a pair of boxing gloves. In the warmer weather we’d do some jumping and kick a ball around outside.”

He remembers the confusion over the names of his classmates Ross Gordon and Gordon Ross. Then there were the Corcoran brothers from Port Robinson and the Stanley boys from Port Colborne. Some of them died in W.W. 1. The doctor never told me why I wasn’t accepted. I was 90 when I found out I have only one kidney. If I’d known then I probably would have died from worry.

Mr. Hesler went on to lead a distinguished career which included 19 years on the Board of Education. “When I went on the board which was all volunteer work then, things were moving up. I was on council in 1928 when we got the OK to build a new vocational school. I was appointed to the vocational committee and was responsible for the typewriting and bookkeeping department.”

By the 1930s, Marguerite, Bill and Dick Hesler had followed in their father’s footsteps and were attending what had become the Welland High and Vocational School. As a school board member “I always disagreed with the rule that said children of staff or boards members couldn’t receive any school awards. Anyway after the rule was changed my son Dick and Guy Johnson’s son both won awards. Guy Johnson was the school principal at the time.”

Even though 76 years have passed since Frank Hesler first walked the halls of Welland High, the memories remain alive. And yes, he and his wife Emily will return for the anniversary celebrations if his health permits.