Peterborough's Beloved Retired Substitute Teacher 'Mr. Wadsworth' Passes Away

Wadsworth Dharmasudandaran Kulatungam, better known as Mr. Wadsworth and one of Peterborough’s most beloved substitute teachers, passed away peacefully on Friday.

Wadsworth Dharmasudandaran Kulatungam a year later after his retirement in 2020. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kulatungam earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of London and returned to his home country of Sri Lanka in 1960 for a 32-year career in education at his alma mater, Jaffna College. He held titles such as teacher, hostel warden, athletics house master, vice-principal and more during that tenure.

Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1993, Wadsworth taught at a Christian Private co-educational recreational school started by the American Missionaries of the Haystack Mission in 1823.

After coming to Peterborough, he worked as a substitute teacher with the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.

His students quickly learned of his kind-hearted, calm and positive nature as classrooms were eager to have Kulatungam teach them.

“I remember having Mr. Wadsworth as a substitute teacher back in grade school,” said Mike Adams. “Everyone always got excited when we saw him. We knew it was going to be a great day at school when we saw him in our classroom.”

“A lot of the time kids take advantage of when there is a substitute teacher, but he managed the impossible - everyone was excited to see him but also respected him and didn't give him the usual 'substitute teacher experience,’” said Emily Jones. “He was just always so happy, funny and never seemed bothered. I don't think I ever saw him mad, actually; he was always smiling.”

“High school students are always happy for a supply teacher, but every student was over the moon when that teacher was Mr. Wadsworth,” said Fraser Cossar. “(He’s) Always patient, kind, and soft-spoken. He brought a great sense of happiness to everyone he met and taught. He thoughtfully remembered students’ names and was consistently a great teacher and wonderful influence on many students.”

Wadsworth was known for his entertaining jokes and calm demeanour. As a teacher, he was renowned for seeing the positive in everyone and pushed each student to reach their potential.

“Never put down anyone,” explained Wadsworth in a past interview. “Everyone has their talents, good and bad. None of us are perfect. I don't think any student is useless. I don't use that word at all. Everyone has capabilities and goodness in them. That was my philosophy. Criticism doesn't carry you anywhere.”

“He encouraged everyone; it was just his personality,” said Cherry Kulatungam, Wadsworth’s wife. “He worked with students who would have difficulty; he would take time and encourage them. There were some late bloomers so if you encourage them now, they feel they can go on and do something in life. It was his goal; it encouraged them to do whatever they wanted him to do.”

Kulatungam retired as a supply teacher in Peterborough in December of 2020 after a 25-year tenure. He said it was his time and he wanted to leave on a good note.

His positive personality never stopped in the classroom. He took the same approach with his wife and two kids, Lakshi and Philip Kulatungam, as he did with his students.

“He always loved his former students and they used to take such good care of him,” said Cherry. “He was just a wonderful man and a wonderful husband.”

“He was not a strict disciplinarian. He led with kindness and patience,” said Lakshi. “The man had a lot of patience and was slow to anger. He was very forward-thinking for a gentleman in a different culture. He gave us the best lifestyle we could ever have. He made a lot of sacrifices for us.”

While the family mourns the loss of Wadsworth, they take solace knowing that he was unanimously loved and respected by the community.

“Based on the tributes that have come in, they will remember him as a fine teacher but the kindest and gentlest human being,” explained Lakshi. “A lot of people have respect for him. It’s comforting.”

Viewing hours for Wadsworth are this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m at Highland Funeral Home. The funeral is Sunday at 2 p.m.

Wadsworth was the second oldest of five children.

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Beloved Teacher Receives Video Montage Congratulating Their Retirement

It was a heartfelt moment for the now-retired supply teacher Wadsworth Kulatungam as he received a video montage from former students, friends and coworkers congratulating his retirement sent Wednesday.

PTBOCanada Editor David Tuan Bui with Wadsworth Kulatungam circa 2008 and 2021. Bui was a former student of Kulatungam periodically as a supply teacher since 1998. Photos by David Tuan Bui

Kulatungam — better known as Mr. Wadsworth — said he was touched when he was surprised by the 34 people that congratulated him on his retirement of the video montage.

"It was sort of overwhelming looking at it,” said Kulatungam. “It was quite emotional too.”

He retired in December 2020 after 25 years as a supply teacher. He retired citing that it was his time and he wanted to leave on a good note.

The montage was started by former colleague Colleen Crawley, English teacher at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School. It was Kulatungam’s last place of employment.

She started an open campaign on Facebook to allow anyone to send video clips of their well-wishes to Kulatungam.

“He is so well-loved by students and staff alike that I always imagined his retirement would call for a big celebration,” said Crawley. “Since the pandemic did not allow this, I decided to make the group video to allow people the opportunity to wish him well.”

Colleen Crawley’s recruitment of people to give videos to Kulatungam was shared 89 times on her Facebook post alone. Photo Courtesy of Colleen Crawley.

Kulatungam believes his attitude is what resonated with the students and staff. Telling jokes and smiling is what helped keep everybody positive he said.

“Never put down anyone,” explain Kulatungam. “Everyone has their talents, good and bad. None of us are perfect. I don't think any student is useless. I don't use that word at all. Everyone has capabilities and goodness in them. That was my philosophy. Criticism doesn't carry you anywhere.”

Kulatungam was a teacher and a vice-principal in his home country of Sri Lanka until he immigrated to Canada in 1993.

He is the second oldest of five children with an older brother and his sister as the youngest. Kulatungam says he will spend his spare time either reading or gardening.

"Don't be shy about being wrong,” said Kulatungam.

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