Academy Pupils pay facebook tributes to their popular teacher

Geoffrey Wilkinson, 42, who lived in Cullybackey, taught geography and careers at the school where he had been amember of staff since 1993.

He is survived by his daughter, Annabel; parents, Hugh and Ruby,and brother, David.

A website set up on Facebook attracted a phenomenal number of tributes in 24 hours.

One pupil said: “Five hundred likes in a day shows how much he is respected and how hard this has hit everyone!”

Principal, Ronnie Hassard, said his colleague had been ill this year but that nobody anticipated that he would die at this time.

“I was speaking to him at the end of term and he was anticipating returning once again in the autumn,” he said.

“But sadly that was not to be. I am amazed at the number of people who have got in touch with me during the summer break to pass their sympathy on to his family.

“Many pupils benefited from his guidance and support; he was a willing participant in a number of educational trips and visits over the years and, as a keen angler, he had passed on his enthusiasm and expertise through the Fly-fishing Club. his contribution will be missed by colleagues and pupils alike.”

It is understood Mr Wilkinson was diagnosed with leukaemia at Christmas but that it was a treatable form. However, his condition worsened unexpectedly over the summer.

Mr Wilkinson’s brother, David, paid tribute to him during the funeral service at Ballymena Baptist Church, where

Geoffrey had been a member.

“Geoff was also a devoted father to his daughter, Annabel, who was the apple of his eye,” he said.

“Annabel is only six, but we will ensure in the years ahead that she remembers her father, and that she knows how much she was loved by him.”

He mentioned Geoffrey’s love of playing rock guitar, his love of salmon fishing, his mountain trekking in Switzerland and his driving a red Ferrari at 150mph two years ago when he turned 40.

David said he had “no idea” of the impact his brother had had on pupils until he saw the tributes on Facebook.

One pupil said he “never set a homework in his life...the people’s teacher”.

Another student said he was his favourite teacher throughout his schooling; “[He] told my mate while teaching careers that he could be a rock star if he really wanted. Top teacher, total gentleman and a great man.”

One telling tribute said that thinking about him did not bring the word teacher to mind: “More so I think of an inspirational man who influenced those who had the pleasure of being around him.

“He impacted many hearts and built bonds of trust and understanding with his students – not because he was a teacher, but because he was an incredible individual.”

David said Geoffrey had many struggles during his last few years, adding: “It is a great comfort to his family that three days before he passed away, Geoff re-committed his life to God and put his trust in him.”