One of the longest-standing supporters of Brock University has passed away.<\/p>\n
Peter Partridge Sr., a former Brock Board of Trustees member and the longtime Chair of the Rodman Hall Advisory Committee, died suddenly Thursday night.<\/p>\n
Partridge\u2019s ties to Brock go back to the late 1960s when he was asked by then-President James Gibson to run a new University choir. A talented musician who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Partridge\u2019s support for the arts at Brock and across Niagara was unwavering. He was a generous contributor to the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The Partridge Family Music Suite at the downtown arts school is named in his honour. At the nearby FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, one of the main halls \u2014 frequently used for music classes by Brock University students \u2014 also bears his name.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeter provided outstanding leadership and support to Brock and the Niagara community,\u201d said Pamela Shanks, Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations. \u201cPeter\u2019s passion for music and art, and his generous philanthropy, have created a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n
Partridge served on many boards and committees over the years at Brock, including serving on the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2010. When Rodman Hall was taken over by Brock University in 2003, Partridge was named Chair of the Advisory Committee, a role he was still serving in at the time of his death.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeter was asked by President David Atkinson at the time to take on that role and he was honoured to do it,\u201d said Rodman Hall Director Tom Arkell. \u201cDuring his 15 years as chair, Peter offered leadership, guidance, encouragement and support. He will be missed dearly by all of us who had the chance to work with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Partridge was also an ardent supporter of Brock athletics, and was a devout fan of the Badgers men\u2019s basketball team. Partridge and his son, Peter Jr., were regular faces at Brock home games, and the pair travelled to Halifax earlier this year to watch the team compete in the U SPORTS National Championships. The men\u2019s basketball team dressing room was renamed the Partridge Family Locker Room after a contribution in 2016 allowed it to be completely renovated.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery university program should be able to experience the type of support, passion, commitment and dedication someone like Peter Sr. and his family provided,\u201d said former Badgers men\u2019s basketball coach Charles Kissi, who is on a one-year leave to coach with the Raptors 905 development team. \u201cI learned a lot from him in terms of my coaching and the way he was always smiling and vibrant and how he engaged with others.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tremendous loss to his family and to the community and I would say to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t