Peterborough Community Mourns the Loss of Local Sports Enthusiast and Former City Councillor Paul Wilson

Trent University’s founding athletics director Paul S.B. Wilson has passed away Sunday at the age of 86.

Pete Dalliday and Paul wilson for a hometown ptbo segment in 2023. file photo.

Wilson, who held the position with Trent for 36 years, was also granted honorary alumnus status with the University in 1996.

His local efforts were further recognized in 2001 when he was inducted into the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame.

After his retirement in 2002, Wilson received the Symons Award for Teaching Excellence and the Eminent Service Award, being recognized as the longest serving athletics director at a Canadian university.

"From the earliest days of Trent, he imagined what athletics and recreation could mean for students and spent decades turning that vision into reality,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University in a press release. “He established programs and facilities that shaped the student experience and brought people together through sport, recreation and enjoyment.”

A dedicated community builder, Wilson also served Peterborough as Town Ward councillor from 1985 to 1997.

“Paul had an important and impactful influence on the City of Peterborough. As a multi-sport athlete, Paul reached his personal potential in rugby and squash,” said Mayor Jeff Leal in a press release. “Paul was an independent thinker who inspired great conversations. He profoundly cared about our community as he served as an Alderman and later as an interviewer on Your TV.” 

In an interview with PTBOCanada in 2023, Wilson reflected on his local politics career and passion for squash.

“I was lucky enough that during the war in England, my mother and I were evacuated to a school that had a squash court,” he said. “That’s where it started.”

Wilson is survived by his wife Gillian, whose passion for the performing arts sparked her involvement with the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

“She’s been hugely involved during our time in Peterborough,” Wilson reflected. “In fact, she told me the other day that she’s been involved in 250 productions. I said ‘What, and counting?!’”

Wilson’s legacy lives on through his involvement in local athletics development and time on City council.

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