I was born in Hamilton and raised in Peterborough where I graduated from Crestwood Secondary School. I have earned degrees from Trent, Queen’s, and McMaster Universities.

After having to move to Peel County to begin my teaching career, I was able to return home as Head of History at Lakefield District Secondary School. I was seconded to the Board office for two years as the Secondary School Program Consultant. In 1997, I moved to Lakefield College School where I was the Dean of Social Science and then Director of Summer Programs. I retired in June 2022.

I met Sue when we were 17 and students at Crestwood. We are still very much in love. We have a strong and beautiful daughter and two wonderful granddaughters and are blessed that they live close by.

I have always believed in serving the community. When I was 37, I was elected to serve as Lakefield’s  Deputy Reeve and Peterborough County Councillor. I have served on the Boards of the Otonabee Regional Conservation Authority (ORCA), Lakefield Police, and Children’s Aid. I chaired the Boards of the Lakefield Literary Festival, Lakefield Library, the Peterborough Social Planning Council, and the Morton Community Healthcare Centre. In addition, I have volunteered with many groups including Imagine the Marsh, the Lakefield Jazz, Arts and Crafts Festival, the Lakefield Environmental Action Forum, and Ontario’s Fair Tax Commission.

In the fall of 2022, I was happy and humbled to have been elected Selwyn Township’s Lakefield Ward Councillor. I am, again, Chair of the Board of the Lakefield Literary Festival and a member of the Boards of the Morton Community Healthcare Centre (now Morton Medical Centre), ORCA, Lakefield Jazz, Arts and Crafts Festival, and the Lakefield Liaison on the Peterborough Police Board.

I have written eight books addressing Canadian history and politics including The Devil’s Trick: How Canada Fought the Vietnam War, Cold Fire: Kennedy’ Northern Front, and Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation. I contribute editorials for newspapers across Canada and write entries for the online Canadian Encyclopedia. I have been invited many times to appear on television and radio to discuss my books and current political events and have enjoyed public speaking across Canada.

I have run four marathons and several half marathons and play increasingly slow hockey. I was once signed to a recording contract and released three songs that I composed, one of which was a minor hit in Canada and even made #2 in Sweden – go figure. I am the lead guitarist and singer in a pop-rock band called The Footnotes – grown men playing rock ‘n’ roll and having far too much fun for our own good.

I’m enjoying a busy life informed by family, friends, fun, and service.