Embodying Truth and Courage: The Story of Bernard Goward

Bernard Goward, a GNS alumnus, weaves a compelling tale of truth, courage and generosity, tracing the roots of his core values back to his formative years at Glenlyon.

Bernard’s father, a Canadian from Victoria, worked in the Oregon timber business during the 1920s. He moved there as a young man and remained until Bernard was born. Bernard was the third of five children, with three siblings born in Portland and two in Victoria. His father, a logging engineer, primarily worked in eastern Oregon’s woods. 

In 1946, the family moved back to Victoria, where his father took over the family home built by Bernard’s grandfather in 1908. Today, this home is known as Goward House, a senior’s activity centre in the Cadboro Bay area. Goward House still sits on six acres of mostly woodland property.

When the family returned to Victoria when Bernard was three years old, his father started working for Canadian lumber logging industries. This job often took him away from home for two to three weeks at a time, after which he would return to tend the garden and spend time with the family before heading out again. Meanwhile, Bernard’s mother managed the household and raised the children. 

Bernard was homeschooled through a cooperative effort between his mother and a neighbour up the road, who took a few children under her wing and provided some preschooling. Bernard completed the equivalent of Grade 1 and 2 at home before starting at Glenlyon. 

He remembers the day Mr. Simpson visited their family home, had a cup of tea on the lawn, and interviewed him. Bernard specifically recalls reading from a primary primer book during the interview. Satisfied with his performance, Mr. Simpson admitted Bernard into Grade 3 at Glenlyon.

“I remember my first day,” he recalls. “Mrs. Simpson consoled me on the bench outside Mr. Green’s classroom because I was so overwhelmed by entering school as I think I was only seven. I was a little bit younger for the age group.”  

Bernard described Mrs. Simpson as very motherly, always looking after the children and overseeing hot meals in the dining room. “Mr. Simpson presided over the great table, which is no longer used as a dining room today,” said Bernard. 

Bernard’s brother, Albert, followed him to Glenlyon and eventually their younger brother Billy joined as well. All three brothers attended Glenlyon until Grade 9. Bernard’s older sisters attended Norfolk House.

During his Grade 9 year, Bernard was one of the prefects, responsible for calling the roll and ensuring everyone was present at morning assemblies. “Mr. Simpson always read scripture at the assemblies, his deep, resonant voice with a Scottish brogue, it made an indelible impression on me.” He can still remember his favourite passages of scripture read by Mr. Simpson. 

Bernard believes that truth and courage were admirable values to have as a school motto, a motto that he has taken with him through his life. “These values were inherently built into the school’s ethos and culture.”

Bernard said that these values become the bedrock of one’s life, influencing culture, behaviour and relationships with others. They were central in his later teaching career, and he believed that students sensed and appreciated this focus.

After Glenlyon, Bernard went on to finish high school and then to the University of Victoria. “It was Victoria College when I started and the University of Victoria by the time I ended. I was in the first graduating class of 1964.”

After finishing university, Bernard had an opportunity to attend a 10-day youth conference in Michigan. “I had no intention that it would become a permanent departure from Victoria,” he said.

That trip marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life because it led to his involvement in various activities in Ontario, which would then lead him to pursue teacher training at the Ontario College of Education in Toronto. Bernard became a high school teacher and worked in Ontario for 30 years before retiring a few years ago.

Bernard’s involvement with music was also significant in his life. His teacher, Mary Hammond (later Mary Evans), was principal cellist with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. She played a pivotal role in his musical journey, inviting him to play with the Victoria Symphony as an apprentice player when he was in college. This opportunity allowed him to join the union and get paid for playing, which was an exciting milestone for him.

Bernard still plays the cello and is involved in a chamber group. Over the years, he has participated in various local amateur orchestras, continuing to nurture his passion for music.

Bernard’s commitment extends to supporting initiatives that uplift educational opportunities for youths. “Every little bit counts,” Bernard said when discussing his contributions to financial assistance programs at GNS and beyond. His belief in the power of education fuels his ongoing support, ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities he cherished.

“I am just very grateful that I had the start in life that I did in that my mom and dad sacrificed to put us all through private schools,” said Bernard, “It’s had foundational values for my life all along and so I’m more than happy to contribute. The thing that interested me, particularly about the Ties of Success, was that it’s focused on young children just starting into school who needed financial assistance, and I thought that’s a wonderful idea.”

Today, as he enjoys retirement and continues his passion for music, Bernard remains deeply connected to his roots. His advice to others considering similar philanthropic gestures is simple yet profound: Reflect on what shaped you and consider how you can pass that gift forward.

“I think it’s part of our responsibility as we find ourselves in a position to be able to share something. To think of the things that were of value to us in our formative years and to do what we can to encourage them to continue what they’re doing.”

As Bernard reflects on his journey from Portland to Victoria, through Ontario and beyond, his legacy of generosity and commitment to education continues to resonate particularly deeply at GNS, where his influence and roots are profoundly felt.