In honour of his decades of coaching, Roger Poirier was recognized with OFSAA's prestigious Pete Beach Award in June 2016. (RCI photo)
Tributes are pouring in following the news that beloved retired Renfrew teacher and coach Roger Poirier has died.
Poirier was a teacher at Renfrew Collegiate Institute (RCI) for more than 26 years and the school paid tribute in a social media post. News of his death sparked many reactions, comments, memories and condolences from former colleagues, students and athletes.
Raised in Alexandria, Ont., where he graduated from Glengarry DHS, Poirier completed his undergraduate degree from Carleton and his teaching credentials from Lakehead. He worked as a supply teacher in Ottawa before being hired to teach at Arnprior high school in 1987.
“He then moved over to RCI and was a teacher here for over 26 years. Mr. Poirier along with Principal O’Brien founded RCI’s first media studies class that many remember fondly,” reads the post. “Mr. Poirier says his proudest moment as a Raider was winning his first school overall Track and Field Championship 1997. He helped RCI win 12 straight Renfrew County Track and Field School Aggregate Championships and 17 consecutive Cross Country Renfrew County School Aggregate Championships.”
Poirier coached more than 58 teams throughout his career, winning some 30 Renfrew County championships, seven Eastern Ontario championships and coaching everything from running to volleyball to basketball.
“He has taken over 200 athletes to OFSAA, the all-Ontario Championships. He, along with Madame Mottershead, convened OFSAA Cross Country in Renfrew in 2003,” reads the post. “In honour of his decades of coaching, he was recognized with OFSAA’s prestigious Pete Beach Award in June 2016 – a few months after his retirement.”
Outside of his school accomplishments, he ran four Boston Marathons (and qualified for a fifth).
“We will miss his Poirierisms, his outside-the-box thinking, his eccentric lesson planning, and his undeniable care for students,” reads the post. “We send our deepest condolences to his three sons and family.”
(Sherry Haaima)
