Mayor bids farewell to long-time teaching career
By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor
Miriam Ostermann Photo
After the Oct. 16 election, when a landslide victory solidified Fule’s position as mayor, the former English and physical education teacher vowed to continue teaching as long as necessary to ease the transition for his students.
Then two weeks ago, the local politician was faced with myriad emotions as he bid adieu to a career spanning 34 years.
“It was like I could see the finish line finally after a long race, so I was relieved and yet I didn’t know what it was going to be like to break the tape and to finally be done,” said Fule. “It was a combination of happiness, excitement and a little bit of sadness too, but it was a neat day.”
Fule is a first-generation Canadian whose parents settled in Canmore after the Second World War. Over the years, his parents were relentless about their two sons attending university and not to follow in their father’s footsteps as a coal miner.
Fule’s decision to turn to education was rooted in the experiences and mentors he had in high school. Inspired by his English and physical education teachers who related coursework to everyday scenarios and travelled with sports teams, Fule enrolled in education at the University of Calgary.
Together with his wife Debbie, who is also a teacher and has been married to Fule for 34 years, the couple left the mountains to move to Strathmore – and never left.
“The people are amazing in Strathmore, they’re friendly, they’re grounded, they’re down to earth, there’s a mix of people from all walks of life,” he said.
“The people are the main reason that kept us here. We had chances to go back to teach in Canmore but we always wanted to stay here.”
Fule taught physical education and English at SHS, and coached basketball and volleyball teams, as well as a little bit of cross country and track and field, including to his own children Brennan and Breanne.
Things changed in 2010, when the now 51-year-old, who describes himself as reticent, decided to take a risk and run for Strathmore’s town council to improve pathways and the park systems.
Seven years later, he decided to once again toss his hat in the ring, but this time as mayor of Strathmore.
“I just decided that sometimes the timing is the most important and I was at a time period where I could retire from teaching,” Fule said. “I would still need to do something because if I’m not busy I tend to be a bit of a couch potato. And then it just seemed like the momentum and the timing was good now.
“Things were going good on council, I was young enough, still had enough energy that if I was going to try it I should probably try it sooner rather than later, and I didn’t want to look back and say, ‘oh I could’ve had a chance,’ or ‘I should’ve tried this.’”
On Dec. 6, his fellow council members also acknowledged his retirement and presented him with a painting that Fule has hung in his office at the municipal building.
“It’s not my intention to embarrass our mayor tonight but the fact remains that we as a council are very pleased to have Pat Fule as our mayor,” said Councillor Bob Sobol at the meeting. “We’re also quite proud of the fact that this man has donated 34 years of his life to teaching and guiding so many of our young people. As a teacher Pat has been respected, cherished and loved. Their loss is our gain.”