Jack Simpson Maclean High teaching legend remembered as he passes away aged 95.

One of the school’s first teachers, he helped abolished the cane and inspired many with his quiet, humble manner.

JACK Simpson is remembered as one of Maclean High’s foundation teachers, but to those who knew him, he was a quiet, humble man with a wicked sense of humour, and devoted to his family.

Jack passed away at the age of 95 in Mareeba after living more than half his life in the Clarence Valley.

Born in Enfield in Sydney in 1926, he began training in science at Sydney university, graduating in 1948 at age 22. He then undertook a year’s training at Sydney Teacher’s college.

He taught at Yass, Corrimal, Woollongong and Farrer before moving north to Coffs Harbour. It was here that one day Jack sent a student late to their art class. “Science was far more important than art,” he said.

The art teacher, Marlene, took exception to her student arriving late, and marched up to give the science teacher a piece of her mind. That was the first time Jack met Marlene, and as they say, the rest is history – the couple marrying in 1961.

The couple began teaching at Maclean High School on the year of its opening in 1961.

During his time at the school, Jack fought alongside a group of teachers to have the cane abolished at Maclean High.

The couple’s two children were born within a year, Robin in 1962 and Lyndel in 1963. In the 1970s they bought a bush block near Grafton.

In 1973, Marlene became sick with cancer.

Sadly, she died in 1978, devastating Jack, who then shouldered both parental roles for his children in his own quiet, stoic way.

Jack retired from teaching in 1986, but soon found other interests in the arts, selling quite a bit of drawing, watercolour, photography and woodwork.

Jack continued to live quietly in Convent Lane in Yamba right up to the age of 93.

“He was a wonderful father and grandfather and we will be forever grateful for his love and support,” daughter Robin said.