Stanley was born in Islington, Ontario on August 7, 1932 to parents Moses and Charlotte (Thompson) Teggart. The Teggart family had immigrated from County Armagh, Northern Ireland just a few years prior to Stan’s arrival. He joined older brothers Moses “Moe”, Thomas, William “Wig” with brother John “Dodie” completing the family. The Teggart family operated a large market garden, selling produce to the Campbell Soup company and locally at the Kensington market. It was hard, laborious work, but allowed Moses and Charlotte to work side-by-side with their children and teach them many admirable lessons and traits through the boys early years. Market gardening also gave them a connection to the earth that would remain a theme throughout their lives.
Stan attended nearby Richview Public School in his younger days. As he got older he had a few jobs outside the farm which included driving truck and hauling solid 12 inch concrete blocks by hand, much of which built the area of Toronto known today as Regent Park. One unique feature of the family farm was that it had its own boxing ring… probably to keep five growing boys entertained and in line! 🙂 Stan excelled at boxing. In the late 40’s, after finishing a day’s work at the market garden, he drove to New York State and proceeded to win a Golden Glove Heavyweight Championship. An amazing accomplishment, and one that he was extremely proud of.
In 1954, Stan joined the Toronto Township Police Department and later went on to work for the Chinguacousy Township Police Service. It was during this time that he met and married his wife, Elizabeth “Betty-Lou” Davis. The young couple were married on April 10, 1956 and called Marsden Cres. in Brampton home. Their family soon began to grow with the arrival of children, Bryan, Kelly, and Garry.
In the mid 60’s Stan became the Governor of the Norfolk County Jail, whereby the Teggart family relocated to Simcoe. In the early 70’s he joined the Ontario Correctional Services as an Inspector with the Jails Branch. Once again, the Teggarts returned to Brampton, this time calling Terra Cotta Cres. home. In 1978, Stan purchased and moved with his family to a 10-acre parcel of land on the outskirts of Ballantrae. The property was beautiful, and Stan soon returned to his roots and began his own Market Garden known as Beech Hill Acres, where Garry was his #1 (and only) employee. Stan loved the outdoors, animals, birds, flowers, and gardening, so it was his paradise. However, if you ask his kids they may suggest otherwise! 🙂 Just ask Garry about his time “thinning the carrots” or Kelly about her and her best friend’s escapades toilet papering the outside of the house, only to have her dad come home early… yikes! All joking aside, Stan instilled in his children that they must work hard throughout their lives. Each day had a purpose, and something to accomplish, no matter how big or small. The Market Garden was his labour of love, along with raising German Shepherds, and he thoroughly enjoyed this work on evenings and weekends.
In time Stan became the Assistant Administrator for Correctional Institutions in Southwestern Ontario. Stan was involved with a variety of other organizations and committees while working, including being the only Canadian member of the National Sheriffs Association. He was later promoted to Chief Inspector of the Investigation and Security Branch for all Correctional Services, a position he held until his retirement in 1991, following 38 years of service. Throughout his years in Correctional Services, Stan met many amazing people. He was a true gentleman to everyone he met, and was well-liked and respected in return. Stan Teggart was a role model to many, and he will live on through those traits he passed onto others.
After retirement, Stan found love again when he met Debbie Ann McCaslin. Debbie had a history in Correctional Services as well. The couple were married on July 30, 1999 and enjoyed spending their retirement together at their home in Nestleton.
As you can imagine, Stan did not want to just sit back and relax in retirement, he wanted to remain active, and that he did. He soon joined the Rolling Hills Golf Club team, as a groundskeeper. He loved being outside in nature and took great pride in maintaining the rough. I am also told that because of this, he never had to buy golf balls! 🙂 Stan also worked as a Funeral Director’s Assistant at Wagg Funeral Home in Port Perry. He was a perfect match for this role and often remarked on the satisfaction he received when working with a team of people who had a genuine interest in assisting families during a most difficult time. He remained a member of the Wagg team for 16 years.
Life was not all work for Stan. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his free time. This also led him to collect an assortment of guns through the years as well. He loved traveling, with Hawaii being his favourite destination. Why Hawaii, you ask? Well in Stan’s words, “There are no bugs and lots of birds!” 🙂 He also enjoyed returning to Ireland and did this four times throughout his life. On his last time to Ireland, he was joined by Debbie and sons, Garry and Bryan. There they dedicated a lambeg drum from Stan and his brothers to the Loyal Orange Lodge 60 Northern Ireland, the Lodge their dad had attended years earlier.
Horse racing was another passion of Stan’s. In his youth he became involved with Thoroughbreds, often travelling as far as Montreal and upstate New York to race. Once retired he again returned to racing, after a friend willed him a Standardbred horse. As luck would have it he met horse trainer Scotty MacKenzie, who became a very special friend for years to come. Stan also dipped his toe into auctioneering and became a licensed auctioneer, something he shared with Garry and Bryan. In his downtime, Stan enjoyed watching old Westerns, especially those featuring John Wayne as well as historical shows from the World Wars. When it came to music, it had to be classic country and the likes of George Jones and Charley Pride. He was a true country boy, enjoying meat, potatoes, and all the fixings, but his meat always had to be well done! Some of his favourite quotes included, “Don’t worry about the things you have no control over” and “Leave no stone unturned.” He was also known to say, “Right is right and wrong is wrong!”
Stan was a loving, caring man who was always on task. He was strong, hardworking, never complaining, and always willing to support those around him. Garry might have put it best: “Dad was the toughest SOB I ever met.” He was a man with raw courage, true grit, and when it came to pain and suffering, a man of steel! His family and friends are so thankful for all the skills, traits, and memories he has left them. Sadly, with his passing, it feels like the end of an era.
Life forever changed for Stan in 2013 when his eldest son Bryan died after a courageous battle with cancer. In true Stan fashion, he delivered the eulogy at Bryan’s funeral, honouring his family and their accomplishments. He and Debbie relocated to her hometown of Hanover in 2015 along with her mother Dorothy and their Wheatens, Guiness and Lurgon. As always, he continued to make improvements and update their home until recently when he felt it was complete. Stan passed away peacefully at Hanover & District Hospital on Sunday, July 26, 2020 in his 88th year.
He left us quiet
His thoughts unknown
But left us a memory
We are proud to own.
So treasure him Lord
In your garden of rest
For when he was on earth
He was one of the best.
Beloved husband of Debbie McCaslin-Teggart. Loving father of Garry (Donna) of Lindsay, Kelly Teggart (Tom Hirschler) of Toronto and father-in-law of Laura Teggart of Wasaga Beach. Stan will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Cashlyn, Kylie, Bryan (Ellie), Brie (Yona), Andrew, Amy, and great-grandchildren Max, Henry, Molly, and Finn. Cherished brother of John (Marg) Teggart of Halton Hills and brother-in-law of Joan Teggart of Streetsville. Stan was predeceased by his son Bryan (2013), brothers Moe, Tom, William, and his parents Moses and Charlotte (Thompson) Teggart.
Finally, please remember that through all our sadness and heartache, Stan would want us to remember… “Don’t forget to feed the birds!”
Private services will be held with inturnment to follow in Durham Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Hanover & District Hospital Foundation or Ontario SPCA would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
