December 2025

Advanced Dynamics - A Family Affair

Ferg Groundwater
Class of 1956

In 1965, Ferg Groundwater (class of 56), and three fellow grads from McGill engineering started a Montreal-based company called Advanced Dynamics Corp. They had all been involved with the McGill project in Barbados using very large naval guns to fire projectiles into space. The leader of this project was Gerald Bull who was later murdered in Brussels, rumored by Mossad.

Initially the new company had one client, the US Navy which was trying to increase the range of navy ship guns. Having only one client proved to be not suitable for a start-up company so the firm began developing commercial machinery for any company who needed it. Various interesting projects followed including packaging crackers, bagging three bags of milk andpackaging commercial explosives, lubricating small bore ammunition, and putting ribbons on Seagram's VO  whisky bottles.  Most of these (except the whisky project) did not provide steady or profitable work. In 1968 I (class of '59) joined the company as the business guy, initially keeping the books but later running the manufacturing end of the business.

We worked hard, had some good years and some not-so-good. The company moved into an industrial park in Longueuil in 1970, a move which joined the design and the manufacturing groups. We were there until 1982 when we moved to our own building of 12,000 sq. ft in Mt. Bruno. This was a time of great financial stress due to huge inflation and business was very slow. Ferg and I decided we needed improved sales and more focus on what we did well. Along came Ray Banham (class of 56) who had been involved in the paper-making business as a supplier. 

Ray Banham
Class of 1956

The later 80's had a boom in paper mill growth and demand for heavy machinery at the packaging end was great. About the same time a number of new aluminum plants expanded in Quebec providing demand for automation/packaging equipment. Our plant was expanded twice using up all of the space on our lot. We had moved in with about 20 employees but that had grown to close to a hundred by the end of the decade.

By the turn of the century we had three more CCHS grads, Ferg's and Ray's sons working at design and management positions. All three have gone on to successful careers in other industries.

Andrew Banham
Class of 1988

Ferg Groundwater Jr,
Class of 1989

James Groundwater
Class of 1992

I retired after 38 years in 2001, Ray about the same time and Ferg about 2010.

Advanced Dynamics still operates under managers who learned and earned on-the-job. It has grown to upwards of 200 employees in 50,000 square feet in two plants. Equipment made in Canada is all over the world in multiple industries. All this from a few CCHS grads!

- Jim Groundwater

Pickleball Anyone?

Hi - I enjoyed your newsy letter. You asked for photos. Here is me, age 78, no aches or pains, playing pickleball outdoors in Calgary on November 1. We are all addicted to this game. Great exercise, so much fun.

My husband David Bisanti that you worked with at CP Rail had a bad experience recently. He had a flu shot and a pneumonia shot at our local pharmacy. The next morning he was delirious. One arm was all red, and when the EMTs came, he didn’t even know his name. He was taken by ambulance to the Rockyview Hospital where he received excellent care. They said he was extremely dehydrated and he was released after two days. Moral of the story - drink water! 
 
Here is my joke - I stayed up for hours wondering where the sun went at night….and then it dawned on me. 

Maureen

Are You Still Playing Hockey?

I have known for a long time that Rob played senior (“old timers") hockey, in fact he plays twice weekly - just for the love of the game and a way to keep fit. He has entertained his golfing buddies with stories about some of his teammates, many who are very good and others not so good, two who are in their 90's "one of who has lost his Driver’s License for health reasons" but all who want to remain involved and enjoy the fellowship (or as an excuse to get out of the house).

It has been at least 45 years since I have been on skates and I wouldn’t dare try it nowadays. However, I do respect and admire those who still lace up two or three times a week. No slap shots, no cheap shots and definitely no fighting, just good clean competition. Maybe I’m a little jealous.
 
Like a lot of us Rob started his hockey career playing on the outdoor rink at L’Esperance in the CSA Mosquito league, graduating to Midget and Juvenile. He also played on the CCHS Junior Team Coached by Bill Weeks and the CCHS Senior Team Coached by John (Cuts) Murray. 

It seems that life then got in the way - marriage, a career, family and other responsibilities kept him off the ice for about 40 years. Upon retirement he joined “Les Gerihatricks” (for those over 60) originally a St. Lambert based league now situated in Laprairie. At 77 he graduated to “Les Sages”, a St-Hubert based team for players over 70. He gets in 56 games between September and April.

 
The Gatineau Based Hockey Hall of Fame inducts players currently over 80 years old still playing organized league hockey. Their 2025 event included 37 inductees who played an afternoon exhibition games which featured player and politician introductions and the National anthem with family and friends in the stands. Just like the pros. 

The day was capped off by a banquette for about 250 people and the induction ceremonies, which included the players being piped in by a Bag Piper. 

By all accounts a very well done, memorable evening.  

Remembering Mel

Larry knew Mel from St Lambert and both of course attended CCHS. They went their separate ways after high school, Mel travelling west to Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and Larry to the US Air Force. Mel was married and he and his wife Shirley had two children. They were an amazing couple and great friends.

According to Larry she made the best egg salad sandwiches. She passed away before Mel after suffering with cancer for almost four years.

Larry and Mel reconnected in 2017 both being car enthusiasts. Both frequented vintage car swap meets, including the largest British Car show in North America at Bronte Creek in Burlington, ON. Mel with his 1954 MG and Larry with his 1977 Triumph TR7 coupe.

Both attended the 2010 Reunion, Larry driving down in his TR7 and Mel in his Mercedes. Shirley didn’t trust the MG and wouldn’t let Mel make the trip with it. They arrived Friday night but as they approached the underpass at Victoria Bridge Larry’s TR7 died. Mel backed up to help with the problem, got the car restarted but had to crawl along at 30 MPH to get to their motel. Turned out to be perforated diaphragms on both carburetors.

As luck would have it, Mel’s wife Shirley had an old boyfriend who owned an auto parts shop in Montreal who she hadn’t spoken to in years. She contacted him and he agreed to open up his store on Sunday and they were able to get replacement parts. Early Sunday morning they “hobbled” to the antique car show that was being held in the park across from Taylor’s. The repair took place at the show and Larry was able to drive the TR7 back to Toronto.

Larry is often reminded of some of the other help like installing a bathtub grab bar that on a few occasions saved him from a catastrophe.

Larry says “not a day goes by when I don’t reflect on my dear friend” R.I.P

Two trains are currently rolling westward on the iron rails through Canada and the
United States. This was the scene in Sherbrooke, Quebec on Sunday evening on
November 23rd. Canadian musicians entertain audiences at each stop. It's a fun gathering for children, families and adults young and old. It's all about supporting your local food banks. Tents are set up with volunteers collecting food donations. Cash donations are greatly appreciated too!
You can find the full Canadian and US Schedule for the two Holiday trains at:
https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain
Dress warmly and have fun!

Margaret Hume Swift

Margaret passed away on October 7, 2025. No obituary was published but we have been advised that details of a memorial service will be available in the spring.

Vicki Barber Sheltus

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Vicki-Ann Sheltus (Barber), at the age of 78. Beloved wife of David Sheltus. Loving mother of Amanda (Jean-François) and Jeffrey (Leanne). She will also be remembered by her sister, Sandra Barber and many relatives and friends. Vicki passed away suddenly at her beloved cottage in Holiday Point, Vermont, surrounded by the comfort of the place she loved most. Vicki had an incredible green thumb and spent endless hours working in her beautiful flower gardens. She had a gentle heart and a lifelong love for animals, caring for them with compassion and joy. Her kindness, warmth and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her. Vicki will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love by her family and friends,

Family will receive condolences at: Collins Clarke MacGillvray White Funeral Home, 307 Riverside, St-Lambert, QC J4P 2H7 on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 7 to 9:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in her memory to the SPCA Montérégie.

Mel Smith

Mel passed away on August 19, 2025 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mel will be missed by all who knew him, especially his family and good friends Sam and Larry.

I don’t think I’m welcome at Costco anymore.

Yesterday, I was in the checkout line with a giant 50-pound bag of Purina dog chow for Necco, my 191-pound “Wonder Dog.”

The woman behind me looked at the bag, then at me, and asked, “Oh! Do you have a dog?”

(What did she think I had—an elephant?)

Since I’m retired and have way too much free time, I decided to have a little fun. I told her, dead serious, “No, I don’t have a dog. I’m going back on the Purina Diet.”

Her eyes widened, so I continued, “Last time I tried it, I lost 50 pounds before I landed in intensive care—tubes everywhere, IVs in both arms. But hey, it works! The diet’s simple: fill your pockets with Purina nuggets and eat a few whenever you feel hungry. Perfectly balanced nutrition.”

By now, everyone in line was listening like I was giving a TED Talk.

The poor woman gasped, “Oh my goodness! Did the dog food poison you?”

I shook my head. “Nope. I just stopped to pee on a fire hydrant and got hit by a car.”

The guy behind her nearly collapsed from laughing so hard.

And that, my friends, is why Costco doesn’t let me shop there anymore.

Moral of the story? Be careful what you ask retired people… we’ve got nothing but time to come up with nonsense.

Nun Grading Papers

Can you imagine the nun sitting at her desk grading these papers, all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure! Pay special attention to the wording and spelling. If you know even a little about the bible, you'll find this hilarious! It comes from a Catholic elementary school test.

Kids were asked questions about the old and new testaments. The following 25 statements about the bible rewritten by children. They have not been retouched or corrected with the spellings the way the kids wrote their answers.

1. In the first book of the bible, guinessis, God got tired of creating the world so he took the sabbath off.

2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of Ark. Noah built and Ark and the animals came on in pears.

3. Lots wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.

4. The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic genitals.

5. Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a jezebel like Delilah.

6. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.

7. Moses led the Jews to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread, which is bread without any ingredients.

8. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up to Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Commandments.

9. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

10. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

11. Moses died before he ever reached Canada then Joshua led the hebrews in the Battle of Geritol.

12. The greatest miricle in the bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

13. David was a hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times.

14. Solomon, one of Davids sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

15. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

16. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived they found Jesus in the manager.

17. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

18. St. John the blacksmith dumped water on his head.

19. Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says to do unto others before they do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

20. It was a miricle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

21. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels.

22. The epistels were the wives of the apostles.

23. One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

24. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, he preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marraige.

25. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.