February 2025

2025 All Years Reunion News

Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 16, 17, 18 & 19*, 2025

*While no “official” events are planned for Monday, May 19th, we encourage Alumni to get together with classmates or a small circle of friends and have one last celebration (until next time). Plan a picnic, a luncheon, a tour of Montreal or whatever you desire.

The reunion starts in

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Time to Book Your Accomodation

Don't delay. Rooms on the long weekend will go quickly. We've reserved some rooms but only for a short time. 

Get Your Reunion Gear From Joey

Joey Notargiovanni (Class of ‘97)

We’re making available a large selection of CCHS-branded T-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, tuques, and hats. CCHS Alumnus, Joey Notargiovanni (Class of ‘97) has a local business that produces these and he’s offering them to us at a reunion discount.

Reunion Gear

Pick it up at the reunion or have it delivered.

Can You Help Us Find Them?

As we gear up for our unforgettable Reunion 2025, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible teachers who shaped our lives at CCHS/CA! Maybe you have a favourite educator who inspired you back in the day!

Are you still in touch with any of them or know someone who is?

Now's your chance to honour those amazing mentors and have them invited to join us. If you've got their contact info or know a teacher who'd love to join us in 2025, let us know!

Email reunion@chambycounty.com and help us create a heartwarming celebration of our shared educational journey!

Can't Attend the Reunion? You can still help!

If you know you won’t be able to attend please make a donation to the Alumni Association
to help us continue our philanthropic efforts on behalf of the school. Just click on the donation button and use your credit card.

Donate to Your Alumni Association

Send us a donation in any amount you want. Donate with PayPal or Credit Card. Just click the Donate button. Thank You so much!

Editorial

January 1
I woke up this morning to more green grass and temperatures just above the freezing mark. My heat pump is working overtime trying to raise the house temperature after being turned down for sleeping. And it’s a good thing I have a heat pump as the gauge on my oil tank reads “0”. I called the Norco who I have a contract with and they said “don’t worry you should have about 100 liters of heating oil left”.. Easy for them to say but I get a little bit paranoid and like to have some visual proof that the tank won’t run dry. They said I am on the delivery schedule for this week so that means either the January 2 or 3. I doubt they are working on New Year’s Day.

More violence in the US as a deranged “true believe” rams a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans. Claims to be inspired by ISIS but it looks like his many personal problems may have pushed him to use his ISIS beliefs as an excuse to commit suicide by cops.

January 2
I just got another year older and my body feels like it. My birthday present was a very nice bottle of scotch and it came just in time as I had just finished the bottle (same brand) given to me for father’s day. I don’t get into it every day and when I do it is usually less than one once at a time. Of course you all have probably heard the latest admonishments about alcohol and cancer and the pressure to put warning labels on cans and bottles highlighting the dangers of drinking alcohol - even one drink a day. Well it is too late for me and a lot of my friends, we can’t turn back the clock so we might as well carry on drinking in moderation and trying to eat healthy – lots of red meat and salt.

I just wonder what impact this is going to have on people’s drinking habits, certainly there was a sharp decline in smoking once the general public came to believe that the risks were serious and real. Then again not everyone quit and some just switched to vaping, which is probably just as bad.

Alcoholic beverages, in the form of wine, beer, mead and other fermented concoctions have been around for literally thousands of years so breaking the habit and changing lifestyles will be tough. And just think a few short years ago reputable scientists were extolling the benefits of having a daily glass of red wine – something about anti-oxidants.

January 3
Had to get an exterminator squirrel(s) running around in the attic. Has nothing to do with my grandson’s squirrel house project created a hole in the soffit and crawled in. One exit device put over hole he can get out but never return.

I received a robot call from Hydro Quebec announcing that on January 8 they were shutting off the power in our neighborhood for up to 4 hours to perform some maintenance work. The 8th was supposed to be cold (-13C) and windy, not a good time to shut off electricity. I figured the house temperature would drop to about 15 C (about 60 F) and it wouldn’t be pleasant. Hydro came to their senses I guess because on the 7th they put out an update telling people the planned outage had been cancelled with no new date specified.

January 4
I starting reading Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey. The Washington Post review called it a great read but Infuriating.I agree. Police, prosecutors and even judges stack the deck, lie, coerce, fabricate damning evidence and hide exculpatory evidence from defense teams. I kid you not, but some of the stories upset me so much I had to stop reading them. I literally put the book down and picked up something else. Once I calmed down I would go back and try to finish the particular case I was on. Took me a lot longer to finish the book than expected.

Next on the agenda is Nexus by Yuval Harari. I took a quick glance. Looks like this one will probably take a couple of months to get through. Great mind, but I think he used about five dictionaries to write this one and where ten words might suffice he will use a hundred.

January 7
Wildfires devastate the Los Angeles area stoked by the Santa Ana winds that were gusting to 100 MPH. After one day the fires were 0% contained and almost 5,000 acres and hundreds of homes had been turned to ash. Given the ferocity of the winds and weather forecasts there is no immediate relief in sight.

January 8
Letter form the SAAQ (Societe de l’assurance automobile Quebec) letting me know that I had to get a form filled out by my family doctor letting them know I was still fit to drive. They recently changed to rules so that every two years people my age (over 80) have to go through this process - it used to be every five years - cost me $80 (cash) to have it prepared.

January 12

Fires in California continue to rage creating apocalyptic carnage. In just a few short days the spread has been staggering with over 12,000 buildings burned to the ground and over 35,000 acres under siege. The firefighting effort is being aided by other states, Canada and Mexico but until the Santa Ana winds die down it will be hard to make any progress. Off course the Donald jumped on the situation and tried to score political points out of the situation. 2024 was the hottest year on record beating 2023 which at that time was the hottest. No signs of abating in the next 10 years. The world is in for a rough ride.

January 16
A ceasefire deal in between Hamas and Israel sounds tenuous at best - too many radicals/extremists on both sides who might have a vested interest in keeping the conflict going. I really hope it holds and Gaza can start rebuilding. A disturbing but not unexpected development is the re-emergence of Hamas in even greater numbers. Scene from Gaza show Hamas supporters actively involved in distributing humanitarian aid and helping citizens move back home – if they even have a home anymore. I don’t think this bodes well for long term peace prospects.

January 20
Got my shingles booster shot 8:15.AM today. I was OK for about two hours then lost the use of my left arm and developed severe flu like symptoms with extreme pain. In bed almost all day maxing out on Tylenol. I swear I had a Tylenol hangover the next morning but the pain had eased somewhat and range of motion in my arm had improved. I was warned the reaction might be more severe than the original shingles shot but I didn’t expect anything like this. Something good did come out of this, I wasn’t subjected to Trump’s coronation – oops I mean inauguration event which was carried by every imaginable TV channel. Adolf – oops I mean Elon Musk was front and center along with the second and third richest men in the world Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. Middle class people don’t stand a chance so buckle your seat belts it is going to be a very bumpy ride for the next few years.

January 21
Between 1500 and 1600 Jan.6 rioters are being released via Trumps pardon while the Donald’s sycophants pretend everything is normal. And Trump continues his push to put Canada on the defensive with threats of tariffs and/or annexation. I wonder how much it would take to buy us and how many Electoral College votes we could get. Quebec would not be pleased but Alberta might..

January 22
Medical news about the perils of drinking even moderate amounts seems to be having an effect. The SAQ (Quebec’s liquor board) has announced that sales have declined significantly and they are planning to shut down several outlets, one of them in Brossard, and lay-off hundreds of employees. No word yet if a similar trend is affecting beer sales.

January 25
Woke to the news that Pete Hegseth had been approved by the US Senate for the Secretary of Defense position – I should go back to bed.

That’s all for me this month I have to prepare for the NFL playoffs tomorrow. I am hoping for the Bills but if I was a betting man and was looking for a long shot I would back Washington.

Thanks to all who contributed, Brenda Fisk, Bill Croucher, Jim Groundwater and all you jokers Jim Baxter, Rob Ellicott and Bob Wrigley. But most of all I'd like to thank John Charlton for the composing, editing and contributions he makes each month, Without his help the newsletter wouldn't happen.

You too can get involved, send along any stories or pictures that may be of interest to our readers. It doesn’t have to be a ten page essay and should only take you a few minutes.

Oh one more thing. Go to the reunion website and buy your reunion 2025 tickets - either a full Passport or an individual event ticket don’t wait too long.

Until next month please take care.

Stay Strong Ukraine

Harvey Carter

Life Member - C'60 - Editor, Alumni Connection

Welcome New and Renewing Alumni Association Members

New Member
Heather Barclay (Haas)
Class of 1965
London, ON
Renewing Member
Joy Michalek (Smith)
Class of 1964
Port Orange, Florida
Renewing Member
Constantin Loudiadis
Class of 1967
Ottawa, ON
Renewing Member
Neil Ferguson
Class of 1973
Somewhere in NB
Renewing Member
George Mitev
Class of 1965
St. Lambert, QC
Renewing Member
Brenda Kipps (King)
Class of 1972

St. Laurent, QC
Renewing Member
Arlene Bardin (Green)

Class of 1957
San Diego, CA, USA

Generous Donors

Robert WrigleyBob Wrigley
Class of 1961
Winnipeg, MB

Expiring Memberships

Memberships expiring in February
Catherine Paque
Robert Phillips
Memberships expiring in March
Rene van der Aa
Peter Grayton
Angela De Riggi

LETTERS AND MORE

Brenda Mary FiskBrenda Fisk
Class of 1969

Hoping to see you at the 2025 Reunion

Dear Harvey,

Well, that is one way to get someone to contribute to the newsletter…single them out for purchasing the first passport ticket to the 2025 Reunion. Yes, I’ve attended all the reunions since they started and enjoyed everyone. The Committee puts in lots of work and should be congratulated each time for the success of all the planning.

I attended CCHS from Grade 8 to 11 and was in Mrs. B. Peebles’ Grade 8, Mrs. M. Hallett Grade 9. Mr. Dalys Grade 10. I have no idea whose home room class I was in for Grade 11.

We lived at 610 Logan and so the high school was a short walk up the 2 blocks to Green Avenue. I often walked to school with Marjorie McKeown (Topham) and Rosemary Gosse (Garnett). We were great pals throughout our elementary and secondary education years.

Marjorie is now living in Brossard, Rosemary in China and I’m in North Augusta, Ontario (just north of Brockville).

My parents were transferred to Toronto in 1971 and I soon followed, thinking that there were more opportunities in Toronto than Montreal. I lived there until 2005 in a downtown apartment near Queen and University streets. I worked for Commercial Union Insurance, Canada Permanent, CIBC, Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, American Express mostly as a certified software quality engineer. Now, I am fully retired and enjoying cutting grass in the summer and snow blowing the driveway in the winter months (when we have snow!!)

I moved here in 2005 to be married and moved from a 1-bedroom apartment looking out at the CN Tower in Toronto to a 50-acre property with a 225-year-old stone farmhouse. I never looked back. Sadly, my husband died of cancer in 2010 and I’ve been here on my own since then.

My sister, Barbara, moved in with me in 2021. Barbara does the gardens, and I cut the grass. She also has her own travel agency and does part-time work for CIBC. Barbara joined Rotary when she moved back from England in 2001 and is on the path to become District Governor in 2027.

We are doing o.k. so far. Barbara has a King Charles Spaniel and I have a Shih Tzu. Both animals are 12 years old and they certainly enjoy running around the large backyard we have. There is always lots to do around the property.

I’m looking forward to the 2025 Reunion. At the 2005 reunion, there were 9 of us; John MacArthur, Cathy (Ascah) Paquet, Bronwin Taylor, Catherine Farrish, Susan Bonell, Barbara (Proctor) Friend, Helen McDowell, Betty jo (Seath) Christiani and me. At the 2010 reunion, there were 7 from our class, Colin Hynes, Brent Daigle, Peter Charron, John MacArthur, Betty Jo (Seath) Christiani, Cathy (Ascah) Paquet and me.

For some reason, I don’t seem to have a picture of our class from the 2015 reunion. In 2023, there were only 5 of us and only 4 got into the class picture. Colin Hynes, Cathy (Ascah), Paquet, Peter Charron and me. Dave Sharpe was there; however, he couldn’t step away from his bar tending duties to be in the class picture. I love these class pictures as they really keep me connected.
The Organizing Committee works hard all year long to make it a memorable event. Last year, it was fabulous that Freddie Hore got onto a ladder, took 5 pictures of the Saturday evening gala event and the pieced them together seamlessly for a panoramic group picture. I hope he can do it again. It is a wonderful memory to have.

Hoping to see you there. Get those wallets out and purchase your 2025 Reunion Ticket today!

Thanks Brenda for the wonderful article and the great memories. I hope all who read about your Reunion experiences take heart and get on board for May 2025. We probably could have used you to write some of our promotional material.

Readers will also be interested to know that Brenda took on the duties as Class Ambassador for 1969 and has been busy beating the bushes and encourages classmates to sign up,

If you would like to be a class ambassador or volunteer to help with the reunion just go to our reunion page, scroll down and near the bottom you will find sign-up information, or just click this link.

Harvey Carter

Life Member - C'60 - Editor, Alumni Connection

Bill Croucher
Class of 1968

Proposed St. Lambert Schools

Hi Harvey
Here's a copy of an article from the "Suburban News", dated May 13th, 1948, that may be of interest to the more senior members of the alumni.

Younger folks will know the locale as the current St. Lambert library.

Regards,

Bill Croucher

Thanks Bill. I guess in 1948 there wasn’t a lot of red tape, the approval came quickly and contractors were put to work almost immediately.

I started going to kindergarten in the Annex, as it was called back then, in the fall of 1948 and continued there through grade five before moving across the street to the elementary school for grades six and seven. I lived just down the street on Mercille Ave. so it was very short walk. No excuse for being late.

I have to confess when I first read the article I didn’t make the connection between 110 Green Avenue (should have said Street) and the Annex - it took me a while to figure it out. Must have been brain fog.

Harvey Carter

Life Member - C'60 - Editor, Alumni Connection

Jim Groundwater
Class of 1959

A Message for President Trump from Jean Chretien

Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien is 91 years old today and he gave himself a birthday present. He told Donald J. Trump to piss off in the The Globe and Mail. Here's his column:

From One Old Guy to Another
and to this generation of political leaders

Today is my 91st birthday. It’s an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. To look back on the life I’ve had the privilege to lead. And to reflect on how much this country we all love so much has grown and changed over the course of the nine decades I’ve been on this Earth.

Jean Chretien, Age 91

This year, I’ve also decided to give myself a birthday present. I’m going to do something in this article that I don’t do very often anymore, and sound off on a big issue affecting the state of the nation and profoundly bothering me and so many other Canadians: The totally unacceptable insults and unprecedented threats to our very sovereignty from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

I have two very clear and simple messages.

To Donald Trump, from one old guy to another: Give your head a shake! What could make you think that Canadians would ever give up the best country in the world – and make no mistake, that is what we are – to join the United States?

I can tell you Canadians prize our independence. We love our country. We have built something here that is the envy of the world – when it comes to compassion, understanding, tolerance and finding a way for people of different backgrounds and faiths to live together in harmony.

We’ve also built a strong social safety net – especially with public health care – that we are very proud of. It’s not perfect, but it’s based on the principle that the most vulnerable among us should be protected.

This may not be the “American Way” or “the Trump Way.” But it is the reality I have witnessed and lived my whole long life.

If you think that threatening and insulting us is going to win us over, you really don’t know a thing about us. You don’t know that when it came to fighting in two world wars for freedom, we signed up – both times – years before your country did. We fought and we sacrificed well beyond our numbers.

We also had the guts to say no to your country when it tried to drag us into a completely unjustified and destabilizing war in Iraq.

We built a nation across the most rugged, challenging geography imaginable. And we did it against the odds.

We may look easy-going. Mild-mannered. But make no mistake, we have spine and toughness.

And that leads me to my second message, to all our leaders, federal and provincial, as well as those who are aspiring to lead our country: Start showing that spine and toughness. That’s what Canadians want to see – what they need to see. It’s called leadership. You need to lead. Canadians are ready to follow.

I know the spirit is there. Ever since Mr. Trump’s attacks, every political party is speaking out in favour of Canada. In fact, it is to my great satisfaction that even the Bloc Québécois is defending Canada.

But you don’t win a hockey game by only playing defence. We all know that even when we satisfy one demand, Mr. Trump will come back with another, bigger demand. That’s not diplomacy; it’s blackmail.

We need another approach – one that will break this cycle.

Mr. Trump has accomplished one thing: He has unified Canadians more than we have been ever before! All leaders across our country have united in resolve to defend Canadian interests.

When I came into office as prime minister, Canada faced a national unity crisis. The threat of Quebec separation was very real. We took action to deal with this existential threat in a manner that made Canadians, including Quebeckers, stronger, more united and even prouder of Canadian values.

Now there is another existential threat. And we once again need to reduce our vulnerability. That is the challenge for this generation of political leaders.

And you won’t accomplish it by using the same old approaches. Just like we did 30 years ago, we need a Plan B for 2025.

Yes, telling the Americans we are their best friends and closest trading partner is good. So is lobbying hard in Washington and the state capitals, pointing out that tariffs will hurt the American economy too. So are retaliatory tariffs – when you are attacked, you have to defend yourself.

But we also have to play offence. Let’s tell Mr. Trump that we too have border issues with the United States. Canada has tough gun control legislation, but illegal guns are pouring in from the U.S. We need to tell him that we expect the United States to act to reduce the number of guns crossing into Canada.

We also want to protect the Arctic. But the United States refuses to recognize the Northwest Passage, insisting that it is an international waterway, even though it flows through the Canadian Arctic as Canadian waters. We need the United States to recognize the Northwest Passage as being Canadian waters.

We also need to reduce Canada’s vulnerability in the first place. We need to be stronger. There are more trade barriers between provinces than between Canada and the United States. Let’s launch a national project to get rid of those barriers! And let’s strengthen the ties that bind this vast nation together through projects such as a real national energy grid.

We also have to understand that Mr. Trump isn’t just threatening us; he’s also targeting a growing list of other countries, as well as the European Union itself, and he is just getting started. Canada should quickly convene a meeting of the leaders of Denmark, Panama, Mexico, as well as with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to formulate a plan for fighting back these threats.

Every time that Mr. Trump opens his mouth, he creates new allies for all of us. So let’s get organized! To fight back against a big, powerful bully, you need strength in numbers.

The whole point is not to wait in dread for Donald Trump’s next blow. It’s to build a country and an international community that can withstand those blows.

Canadians know me. They know I am an optimist. That I am practical. And that I always speak my mind. I made my share of mistakes over a long career, but I never for a moment doubted the decency of my fellow Canadians – or of my political opponents.

The current and future generations of political leaders should remember they are not each other’s enemies – they are opponents. Nobody ever loved the cut-and-thrust of politics more than me, but I always understood that each of us was trying to make a positive contribution to make our community or country a better place.

That spirit is more important now than ever, as we address this new challenge. Our leaders should keep that in mind.

I am 91 today and blessed with good health. I am ready at the ramparts to help defend the independence of our country as I have done all my life.

Vive le Canada!

Jim sent me Chretien’s Globe and Mail article which is so relevant considering what is going on south of the border – especially for all you Canadian expats now residing tin the US. Jim said he never was a big Chretien fan but thought this message hit the spot – I certainly agree.
I admired Chretien for his feistiness and his never back down attitude. He could be very blunt at times which to me was a refreshing departure from a lot of politicians and there wishy washy answers.

Jim previously let me know that he and his wife Marion have sold their house in Calgary and moved to Comox, BC where their two daughters Jennifer and Susan C-1989 reside. Of course since its January they are probably now wintering in the warmth of Arizona

Harvey Carter

Life Member - C'60 - Editor, Alumni Connection

THE ARTS CORNER

Canada Geese in Flight

by John Charlton
Class of 1973

Is it just me or does it seem like more and more Canada Geese are choosing to stay in Canada over the winter months. Part of a trend perhaps?

Canada Geese in Flight (Jan 2025) by John Charlton
Do you have some artwork you'd like to share in The Arts Corner?
Submit your artwork by email to harvey.cchs.ca@gmail.com or john.charlton@gmail.com. Don't forget to include a short description.

OBITUARIES

Howard Shrimpton
Life Member
Class of 1953

Howard Shrimpton

The family of Howard Thomas Shrimpton is sad to announce his passing on October 17, 2024, at the age of 88.

Howard was born and raised in 1936 in Greenfield Park, QC. He was a proud graduate of McGill Engineering in 1961. In 1957, his world was forever changed when he met Beverley Scane. Howard and Bev were married in 1962 and together they travelled, raised a family and enjoyed all life’s adventures.

Along the way, they welcomed Jill, Jennifer, and Ian along with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Howard spent most of his working life at James F. McLaren Engineers which was later acquired by Lavalin. In 1988, he joined with five partners to launch MacViro Consultants Inc. His work took him around the world to Haiti, Malaysia, Lesotho and Algeria to name only a few. Howard and Bev made friends everywhere they went.

Howard was a dedicated and principled worker and was recognized with the George Fuller Award in 1999. He enjoyed golf, bridge, cheering for the Habs, and sharing a bottle of good wine with good friends.

He was never happier than when he had his family around him. He will be sadly missed by Beverley, his wife of 62 years and by his children: Jill MacRae (Dayle Hogg, and grandchildren Lisa, Melody and Jeremy), Jennifer Murray (grandchildren James and Allison (Scott) Buchman and great-grandchildren Felicity and Caroline) and Ian (Belinda and grandchildren Catherine and Evelyn). Howard was more than a little proud that Ian, Catherine and Evelyn followed him into the engineering profession.

The family thanks Country Home Care in Stouffville for their compassionate care to Howard in his last days. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dixon-Garland Funeral Home in Markham. 


Thomas Williams
Class of 1956

Thomas Williams

September 9, 1939 – January 3, 2025

Thomas Williams

Thomas Robert Williams – "Tom" to those who knew and loved him and "Dr. Tom" to generations of students – passed away peacefully, on January 3, 2025, in Kingston, Ontario, surrounded by his adoring family. Tom was born in Peterborough, Ontario, to parents, Thomas Williams Sr. and Marion Archibald Williams. With his younger brother, Rick Williams (Doris), Tom spent his childhood between Peterborough and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce in Montreal before settling in St. Lambert, Quebec. Family was everything to Tom. He was a larger-than-life figure to his four children, Chris (Karen), Leigh (Erik), Glen (Lalage) and Hilary; in addition to his seven beloved grandchildren, Will, Sydney, Tommy, Luke, Kate, Storey and Sallie.

Tom was predeceased by his parents; and Sherrill Williams, his first wife and mother of Chris, Leigh and Glen. Tom and Sherrill first met in Tom's senior year at Chambly County High School and reconnected a few years later while both studying at McGill University. They were married in 1964 and remained happily together until her untimely death in 1991.

Tom is survived by his wife, Maureen Ball. For more than 26 years, Tom and Maureen were partners in every sense of the word. Tom and Maureen first met in 1994 when their respective careers at Queen's University and the law firm, Fraser & Beatty, intersected. They married in 1998, and Tom was delighted to welcome Maureen's daughter, Hilary, to the family. In Maureen, Tom met his intellectual equal, travel partner and culinary guide (notwithstanding a brief and ill-fated foray into veganism). They pursued successful careers and explored the world together. In retirement, Tom and Maureen split their time between Kingston and their home in Arizona. Tom pursued his passion for photography, while Maureen picked up jazz piano after a lifetime playing classical piano. Tom's children are immeasurably grateful for the love, devotion and support Maureen gave him throughout their lives together.

Tom was an educator. His professional life was spent in academia, but more importantly, it was dedicated to students. In 1960, he graduated from McGill with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, where he also completed two further degrees in education before earning his PhD in Education Administration at the University of Michigan. In the following decade, he taught at the University of Chicago and then in Toronto at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. But by far, the most important university to Tom was Queen's, where he spent most of his career and left an indelible imprint on the school, its students and the community. In 1977, Tom moved the family from Toronto to Kingston after accepting the role of Dean of Education at Queen's. In 1986, he moved into administration as Vice Principal of Operations and Vice Principal of Institutional Relations. Tom's career culminated in 2008 with his appointment as Queen's 19th Principal and Vice-Chancellor, after many unsuccessful attempts at retirement. In 2009, Tom received an honorary doctorate from Queen's.

Outside of his professional life, Tom was an avid golfer, a passion he shared with Maureen, Chris and several grandkids. He rightfully declared certain of his other children temperamentally unsuited to the sport, though he was happy to indulge them in drinks and club sandwiches at Cataraqui Golf Club, where he and Maureen enjoyed many years with friends. Tom's other sporting passion was his lifelong love of the Montreal Canadiens, or, framed more precisely, his enduring disdain for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Competitive to the end, he celebrated the Habs' many Stanley Cups almost as much as he revelled in the Leafs' perennial futility. Tom's competitive streak extended beyond sports, evidenced by his delight in reminding Chris and Glen that their father maintained his spectacular head of silver hair until the end while they… ahem… did not. Sports and activities were a lens that highlighted Tom's dependability and commitment to family. From countless early morning drives to hockey or rowing practices, to endless evenings in basketball gyms, Tom always showed up. Wearing a suit and folding his 6'3" frame into the bleachers, he was an immediately recognizable and reassuring presence. A simple act that highlighted his unfailing support for those he loved, and a lesson absorbed by the kids and grandchildren he cheered on.

As the end of Tom's long battle with cancer approached, a recurring theme emerged in the well-wishes of friends, colleagues and former students. Above all else, Tom was an utterly decent man. He was thoughtful, funny and fair, and he possessed an unwavering moral compass. We are all better for the time we had with him.

Tom's family would like to thank the medical teams who cared for him in recent years, including his family doctor and friend, Dr. Kathie Kilpatrick, the cancer and palliative care teams at Kingston General Hospital, and the cancer team at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage those who wish to donate to the Tom Williams Award in Policy Studies at Queen's University, which supports students in the Master of Public Administration Program at givetoqueens.ca/drthomaswilliams.

And Finally...

Time Marches On

A group of 40 year old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the waiters there had tight pants and nice buns.

10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the food there was very good and the wine selection was good also.

10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and they even had an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because they had never been there before.

A Poignant Religious Discussion

A priest and a rabbi were sitting in adjacent seats on an airplane.

After a while the priest turned to the rabbi and asked, “Is it still a requirement of your faith that you not eat pork?” The rabbi responded, “Yes, that is still one of our laws. ”The priest then asked, “Have you ever eaten pork?” “Yes, on one occasion I did succumb to temptation and ate a bacon sandwich. ”The priest nodded in understanding and went on with his reading.

A while later the rabbi spoke up and asked, “Father, is it still a requirement of your church that you remain celibate?” The priest replied, “Yes, that is still very much a part of our faith. ”The rabbi then asked him, “Father, have you ever fallen to the temptations of the flesh?” The priest replied, “Yes, Rabbi, on one occasion I was weak and broke the pledge of my faith.” The rabbi nodded understandingly and remained silent for several minutes.

Finally the rabbi quietly observed, “Beats the hell out of a bacon sandwich doesn’t it?”

An Oldie but Goody

Horses Ass

Bus Stop Romance

When the bus stopped for passengers to board, a woman realized that her skirt was too tight to allow her to step onto the bus.

Somewhat embarrassed, she smiled at the driver and reached behind her and lowered the zipper of her skirt a little, thinking that maybe that would help.

She tried to climb up, but she couldn't.

Feeling even more embarrassed, she pulled down her zipper a little more and tried again to get on the bus, but to no avail.

Almost crying from shame, she lowered the zipper completely and again could not get it up.

Then a tall guy who was behind her in line picked her up by the waist and put her on the bus.

Furious, she turned to the good Samaritan and shouted:

"How dare you touch me? I don't know you!"

The man, with a broad smile, said softly:

"Well, ma'am, I don't normally do these things; but after you pulled down my fly three times, I thought we were already friends."

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