Terry Wilson became the headteacher of Calverton Primary School in King George Avenue around 1970 where he remained until retiring in 1994.
On September 23, Terry died at a care home in Buckhurst Hill.
His only son Ed Wilson posted on Facebook to announce the news and was surprised at the number of comments he received.
“The amount of comments we got from ex-pupils was off the chart,” he said.
“It is amazing – I’m even going to use some in my eulogy at Dad’s funeral.”
Tributes have been made to Terry on social media(Image: Ed Wilson)
Linda Burelli was one of hundreds to reply to the post. She wrote: “He was such a lovely man – always kind to his students and staff.”
Jenny Stafford described Terry as “a wonderful, caring man whom all of Custom House respected” and Chris Day wrote: “Terry was the best teacher/headmaster any child could of hoped for.
“The fact we still all call him sir shows the respect he so truly deserved.”
Jason Haynes addressed Ed and said: “I can’t thank you enough for sharing an amazing man with us, his pupils.
“I’m absolutely devastated for you.”
Terry also taught at Mission Grove Primary School in Walthamstow and Storey Primary School in North Woolwich throughout the 1960s.
Ed explained that his dad was keen on taking pupils on “life-changing” school trips.
“He had some tough jobs in tough areas and he did lots of school trips – which weren’t really a thing for average state schools in the 70s,” he said.
“He managed to take kids to Holland and south Wales and for some of these kids, it was their first time seeing sheep and cows for the first time in their lives.”
One former pupil recalled a memory from one of these trips: “When I was in Year 5 at Regent Primary before it was changed to Calverton Primary, Mr Wilson organised a trip abroad that my family couldn’t afford.
“He promised me that I’d have a special opportunity the following year – and he kept that promise.
“When the trip couldn’t go ahead, he arranged a smaller adventure to Wales and even let me choose the group.
“I ended up breaking my arm on the first day, but he stayed by my side through it all, taking me to hospital, calling my parents, and making sure I could still enjoy the week with alternative activities.
“That was the kind of person he was — he never broke his word, and he cared for every pupil as if they were his own.”
In Terry’s final 24 hours he was surrounded by his two children – Ed and his sister Megz as well as his six grandchildren.
Ed described Terry as a “loving and caring” father and “quite the modern man”.
Current Calverton headteacher Mr Lando Du Plooy told this paper: “Terry Wilson’s legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of Calverton Primary School.
“We are proud to carry forward his vision, and as headteacher I am so proud to walk in the legacy of a great school leader.”
His funeral will take place at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium in Aldersbrook Road on Friday (October 17).
