A line of more than 30 yellow school buses snaked their way through the streets of Duncan on the morning of April 7 to honour Tom Clark.
Clark, who spent most of his 23-year career with School District 79 as a school bus driver, recently died and his friends and colleagues in the district decided to honour him with a procession of buses that wound their way slowly from the bus yard on Beverly Street past Clark’s house on Jaynes Road.
Members of Clark’s large family were in the street in front of the house as the buses passed by, with each bus driver handing Clark’s grandchildren a yellow flower through their windows.
“It was very powerful for everyone involved,” said Monroe Grobe, Clark’s supervisor and long-time friend.
“Tom had a real passion for life and for the kids in the school district. In tribute to him and his family, one of our drivers suggested we take as many buses as we have drivers that want to participate and have a procession to Tom’s house. It was very emotional for all of us.”
Grobe thanked members of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment who helped guide the bus procession through the busy streets.
“I would also like to thank other motorists for the patience during the procession,” he said.
