De Kezel that the school space was for the students first and foremost, he had a right to be there but not interfere with the comings and goings unless necessary.
“I never considered myself a hallway snitch as long as it never crossed the line and no one was getting hurt. I always felt that students and staff had mutual respect and that respect had to be earned from both sides. As far as influencing the students, I hope I earned their respect and showed them to take pride in hard work and to take pride in whatever they did in their life and always do their best, and be a good person.”
A lot has changed during De Kezel’s tenure when reflecting on changes in society. Thinking back to the 90’s all communication was verbal, there was no email, no text or Twitter.
“Now kids are so reliant on electronic devices, there is a lot of communication but not so much of it is verbal. But I must say through the past 16 months of COVID, thankfully the kids and everyone else had electronic devices in order to keep in touch with friends and family.”
One significant change, which De Kezel believes the education system may have gone a little overboard with is the fair play component in schools.
“With trying to be fair, everyone gets a ribbon, a certificate and no one fails. None of the students learn to experience hardship and how to deal with adversity. I sometimes feel we are setting them up for failure.”
There have also been many highlights. De Kezel says he had the great fortune of working with some great staff members over the years and also witnessed a lot of tremendous students enter and leave Deloraine School.
“The things I remember most about my time at Deloraine School was the excitement, preparation and anticipation of staff the week or two prior to the kids coming back to school in September. Watching all of the kids coming back to school that first day of school, how excited they were, how much they had grown over the summer. The first week of school was always awesome. Then at the end of June getting to watch with pride the kids having graduation and celebrating all of their accomplishments with their classmates. Like a proud dad,” he joked.
Some other highlights included working at both the old elementary school and old high school (where he began his career in June 1999) and witnessing and participating in the construction of the new school (now 15 years old). A significant memory includes moving every book and piece of furniture into the new school and the opportunity of setting up all the new rooms in the building.
“That was a great feeling of accomplishment.”
About retiring, De Kezel said he thinks there is a point in everyone’s career when the time comes that you realize it is time to move on.
“I look around the staff room and I see staff members who were students when I was custodian at the school, or some staff who I coached in minor hockey. Now I am seeing the kids of the parents when I was custodian back years ago. It really is something to watch somebody come through the school as a kindergarten student and then graduate from grade 12. Such a transformation and each student’s story is unique and different.”
The staff and administration also appreciate De Kezel’s work ethic and persona.
“Dan’s pride and commitment to the school is obvious to anyone who has ever stepped foot on his shining floors. Although it may be joked about, there is a lot of truth to the statement ‘no decision can be made final without checking with D.K. (the real principal) first.’ For anyone who really knows the ins and outs of a school, the two most important people in the building are the secretary and the custodian,” said Franklin.
According to Franklin, De Kezel has always been much more than a custodian. He has been an integral part of the staff and has cultivated countless relationships with students through the years.
“To say there are big shoes to fill would be an understatement (especially considering he wore out two to three pair each year). He arrived most mornings around 5:30 am and could still be found tidying lockers and classrooms well after the end of day dismissal.”
“I hope Dan enjoys his newly found freedom. From here on in, the only reason he will be up and out the door at 5:30 will be to get 36 holes in before lunch time.”
As for De Kezel’s plans he considers himself a free agent and is open to suggestions.
“I am really looking forward to having this summer off as I have worked every summer since I was a young boy. Siggi (De Kezel’s wife) isn’t retiring so we have no definite plans other than doing some travelling and taking more trips in the future,” he concluded.

by JUDY WELLS, Recorder Staff