I’ve posted a few pictures showing the conditions as we progressed through the month. And although I don’t usually complain about missing golf games, this year has been severe – probably the worst I have seen since taking up the game. And my game is quickly going down hill, it must be the weather coupled with my age.
Last month’s jokes received only positive comments and in fact were “blessed” by Archdeacon Brian Evans, Peter Charron and others - so maybe the right balance has been struck. Not a hint of controversy this month, wait for July.
I have been going through some of the class contact information on the website and it is in need of updating. Many of the email addresses are out of date and I know that some of the Alumni in the missing category can be found. That being the case I have a job for all of you. Please take a look at the “Members Only Page” for you graduating year and review the “Class Contact Information” including those Alumni with valid email addresses and Alumni classified as missing. If you notice email addresses that are wrong, missing Alumni whose whereabouts you know or if you are aware of Alumni who are deceased please let me know. Your efforts will not only help clean up the data but it will also help us get a start on work leading up to the 2020 reunion.
I have also discovered a number of Alumni who were not set up in our email contact file although they had previously indicated they wanted to receive the newsletter. I don’t know the reason for this oversight so I have added them back in. They will be getting the newsletter this month for the first time in a long while. If you are one of these new recipients and you do not want to be on the mailing list, let me know and I will delete you from the file. A list of the names is shown below.
Many thanks to Rod Brown for his thoughtful article triggered by Art Matheson’s obituary. I did not know Art very well but he was good friends with my brother Russ for several years, until Russ moved back to the USA and took up residence on a mountain top in Maine. I hope more of you will send in articles or pictures that might be of interest of the members, we need content to keep things going.
On a somber note, Angus has been steadily failing with no possible hope of recovering. I will miss his council and support. And, all members will certainly miss his dedication, perseverance and hard work that he put forth to create and maintain our Association.
Welcome New Alumni Association Members and renewed Members
New Life Member
Bill Croucher
Class of 1968
From Waterloo, ON
New Life Member
Keith Blizard
Class of 1973
From Montreal (NDG), QC
New Member
Gordon Macfie
Class of 1983
From Montreal, QC
Renewed Membership
Dennis Schuller
Class of 1973
from Greenfield Park, QC
Renewed Membership
Heather Nesbitt (McCallum)
Class of 1961
from Kemptville, ON
New Member
Mike Latremouille - No Photo Available
Class of 1976
from Greenfield Park, QC
New Member
Jill Bench (Allen)
Class of 1964
from Kanata, ON
Renewed Membership
Maureen Lyon (Knight)
Class of 1953
from Oshawa, ON
Memberships expiring in June
Frances Hampson (Roach) 1943
Cynthia Seath 1972
Memberships expiring in July
Rob Holmes 1967
Phillippa Settels 1988
Found Subscribers
Bill Grambrell
Calvin Gregory
Carole Archer
Cliff Morham
Daniel King
Edith Asbil
Judy Yaccato
Found Subscribers
David Coates
Alexa Brewer
Craig Bishop
Eric Paulsen
Eva Lohman
Gillian Salmon
Found Subscribers
Glenna Vipond
Graham Bourne
Irene Watson
Jean-Luc Patenaude
Jim Stickles
Johanne Lacombe
John Forsyth
ALUMNI COMMENTS
A Glance Backward from Rod Brown Class of 1966
People much smarter than I am claim that our formative years are between 10 & 20. If true, and I believe it is, this could well explain why I still ‘pop my collar’ at every opportunity and consider penny loafers the height of ‘shoe-cool’. James Dean aside, my most influential experience could be attending Chambly County High School in the 60s. No great insight here … every bad coming of age movie features the mean halls of high school.
In our last newsletter (May, 2019) I read of Art Matheson’s tragic passing and as I read about his life, family and accomplishments a door opened through which many people, from 50 years ago, walked.
Big John Martin whose broad face, unruly hair and infectious laugh found humour in just about everything, especially the notion that school required effort. We shared the distinction of being voted, on more than one occasion, the least likely to succeed or get a date for the graduation dance. Art was the Fonz long before Winkler and Happy Days. He had the walk, the look, the metaphorical snap of the fingers. Jim Charlton, my friend of 65+ years wanted to go to university (which he did) and he actually studied which set him apart from others stranded in room 11-6. For the record, we were streamed by academic standing… the smartest in 11-1, the next 25 in 11-2 and so on. There was an 11-7 but I think it was a phantom class to make 11-6 feel a little better about themselves. Pity the poor teachers saddled with our class – more than one probably considered selling real estate.
And, of course, the girls. Janice and Fern, Sarah and Nancy, Dorothy and Helena – they were worshipped from afar with the casual (totally unforced) indifference of 15 year olds whose main mission at school dances was to hold up the cinder block walls until the end and then walk home alone. As a father of 2 daughters and grandfather with a granddaughter, I was, and still am, struck by their maturity while the boys flounder about like enthusiastic Labrador puppies. Some things never change.
Teachers – those underpaid, harassed souls who despaired repeatedly and loudly that their pensions were doomed if they had to rely on us to get jobs and pay taxes. Miss Montgomery, whose name makes me want to check that my tie is straight and the top button of my shirt is buttoned, taught us algebra and geometry (I think Jim took trigonometry because he was among the smart ones). Mrs. Bennett was the ½ time guidance teacher. Imagine today a school of nearly 1000 having only .5 guidance … I guess we were less needy. Mrs. Bennett scared me. Her solution to any teenage angst was, “Suck it up.” Her job was to get the worthy into university and John and Rod were Unworthy. Mr. Weeks, our physics teacher, had the worst classes because he was a big man with WW II combat experience which was a clear advantage coping with 11-8.
When I left Quebec in 1968, I never returned. I attended University in PEI and then even more at the University of Manitoba where I settled, raised a family, taught English (sorry Mrs. Home) for 45 years and retired. CCHS has, in so many ways, become legend as I told my classes about John or Art or Mr. Weeks. I’m positive that the truth disappeared somewhere along the way and I was left with memories that, over time, have morphed into something … different. There are precious few with whom I have reconnected (Jim of course, Janice and Allan …) which is in many ways, sad. Each month I read the pages of this newsletter avidly searching for a name which kick starts my stroll down that famous memory lane. Art’s obituary took me back. In my mind, Art had never become the successful businessman or grandfather or accomplished all the things he did. Art was 16, cool and, like the song, forever young.
But there’s a silver lining – no one has aged, gone bald, become flabby with a bad back or uttered the phrase, “When I was your age…” We’re still teenagers at CCHS with a life ahead filled with possibility and a world simply awaiting our arrival.
Take care, John, and Art, Jimmy and Sarah, And Mr. Weeks, I really will ‘buck up’ before I bailout.
Something New In St. Lambert
You all probably know that St. Lambert has virtually run out of space for development but, they were able tear down an old building on Victoria Avenue and start erecting another apartment building. It is situated across the street from Castonquay Sports and, for those of old enough to remember, just about where the Garden BBQ used to be. Coupled with the three large apartment/condos complexes just off Victoria and behind the CN train station, a lot of extra pressure has been placed on the already over crowded infrastructure. Finding a parking space during the week is extremely difficult, as train commuters from outside St. Lambert use every conceivable space in the area bordered by Notre Dame, Desaulnier, Oak and Mercier.
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Rob Ellicott, Class of 1961, a Life Member and strong supporter of the Alumni Association, is a golfing buddy of mine and during a game in early May, I think it was on the third or fourth hole, he told us that his wife, Maria Della Posta, had just been named President of Pratt & Whitney Canada - first woman President in the 91 year history of the company. He knew for some time that the announcement was coming but received a text message confirming it was official and therefore allowing him to make it known to his friends. If you do the math you realize that Rob is in his mid seventies and you might also know that he also had a very successful career at Pratt and has been retired for about thirteen years.
Obviously Rob and Maria met on the job, and knowing Rob, I'm sure there wasn't any supervisor/employee relationship that would have been considered inappropriate, they just hit it off despite the age difference. Good for them - much better for him. It must be nice to be a kept man.
On the other hand, perhaps not all the luck:
Oh yes and just a short word about the new traffic circle at the bottom of Simard Blvd that I wrote about last month. Rob just had his summer tires put on the car and the next day, in early April, we had a snow storm with freezing that made the roads very treacherous. His car, travelling too fast for the icy conditions, entered the circle and started sliding side ways (good old centrifugal force). It slid into the curb and just about took off the right front wheel and completely destroyed the steering mechanism. Bad news was that the damage was estimated at about $16,000. The good news is nobody was hurt and Rob has been entertaining us with stories about his battles with the insurance company. Slow down people.
Here is the press release of May 8, in case you are interested:
Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp., has announced the appointment of Maria Della Posta as president of Pratt & Whitney Canada, effective June 1. Della Posta will report to Pratt & Whitney president Bob Leduc.`
Della Posta succeeds John Saabas as president, Pratt & Whitney Canada, who has announced his retirement.
“Pratt & Whitney Canada has a leadership position in all of its markets, with a portfolio of more than 64,000 engines in service and 13,000 customers worldwide,” said Leduc. “Maria has been instrumental in building Pratt & Whitney Canada’s portfolio throughout her career. Maria brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of our customers and the markets in which we operate.
“As leader of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s global business, I am confident that Maria will continue to drive sustainable growth and deliver exceptional customer service while maximizing operational performance worldwide. I wish to thank John for his outstanding contribution to Pratt & Whitney.”
Della Posta joined Pratt & Whitney in 1985 and progressed through roles of increasing leadership in supply chain, finance and customer service. She was named vice president, customer support in 2001, senior vice president, sales and marketing in 2010, and senior vice president, Pratt & Whitney Canada in 2012.
Severe Winter Damages The Golf Course
I'm frequently harping about bad weather and the effect it has been having on the golf course and our ability to play. Well this year has been exceptionally bad, the freeze and thaw cycles coupled with several episodes of freezing rain did a real number on both fairways and greens. I know some of you probably do not believe me so I've include a couple of pictures from late April. The course opened on May 6 even though the conditions were far from good. It was probably a desperation move by management trying to generate some cash flow from green fees and the concessions. That water you see isn't suppose to be there, we have no permanent lakes or ponds.
April 26, 2019 looking up the 1st fairway
April 25, looking down the ninth hole
Then The Rains Came
Our Friday game on May 10 was cancelled after a deluge of biblical proportions on Thursday night. I took theses pictures at 10:30 AM and the water had actually receded a bit from earlier in the day. Small lakes and standing water were everywhere and the sand traps were full to the brim.
May 10, starters cabin at the 1st tee
May 10, small lake forms in front of ninth green
After signing a new lease last year, the City invested heavily in the club house. They installed new, energy efficient doors and windows through out and will be installing air conditioning in the bar and dining area some time this spring. The way things are going they might only have to use it for two or three days in July.
Getting a permanent caterer to run the kitchen and bar has been an ongoing battle for the past ten years. The owners of Cafe Passion on Victoria Avenue signed a contract to run the operations this year but, they lasted only one week before pulling the plug. Lack of customers brought on by rainy weather, coupled with disputes about what services they were to provide, made them walk away. We have a new operator running things now and hopefully they will last a full year.
Class Contacts Needed
If you are interested in representing your class year as Class Contact. Please contact Harvey Carter
Obituaries
Shirley Ahern (North) Class of 1950
Leslie Keelty Class of 1970
Leslie Keelty of Vancouver BC, age 65, died May 12, 2019 in Malaga Spain after complications during cancer treatment. Ms. Keelty was on vacation in Spain with her husband, Vaughn Fraser, when her illness was discovered.
Leslie was born June 1, 1953 in Montreal and grew up in St. Lambert, Quebec. Leslie held a B.Ed. from McGill University (1975) and an M.Ed. from UBC (1987). She taught school in Quebec, Manitoba and BC.
In January 2018, Leslie retired after a 23-year career with Kumon Canada as a Field Consultant. Since retirement Leslie has tutored students in both Math and Reading. She has appeared on Global TV Morning News as an Education Consultant and she has written a blog (lesliekeelty.wordpress.com) with the tag “Restless Retiree”. Leslie enjoyed tennis, hiking, meditation, reading and ballroom dancing and was an active member of The University Women’s Club of Vancouver.
Predeceased by her parents George and Doris Keelty. Survived by her husband Vaughn Fraser, sisters Lynne and Glenna, nephews Scott (Catherine) and Richard, great-nieces and great-nephews Olivia, Eva, Liam and Tiernan.
“Leslie was a remarkable and uplifting spirit.”
“I remember Leslie as a lovely positive person and very accomplished.”
“I will miss Leslie’s generosity and sensitivity.”
“I was so looking forward to seeing Leslie on the courts this year.”
“She was such a beam of light.
Sylvia Hunter (Gruber) Class of 1953
Sylvia Evelyn Hunter April 30, 1935 - January 27, 2019 SAN DIEGO
Sylvia Evelyn Gruber Anderson Hunter (1935-2019).Sylvia E. Hunter grew wings and rejoined her Heavenly Father from San Diego, California on January 27, 2019. She slipped to the other side peacefully in her sleep from causes incident to age.
Born on April 30, 1935, she lived in San Diego for over 50 years, and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the last 43 years, always serving others in that community with enthusiasm and kindness. She was small in stature, but mighty in spirit. As a young girl growing up in Eastern Canada, Sylvia loved summertime adventures at their family's cottages, first at the Severn River, then at Lake Memphremagog. She worked as a drafting supervisor for Bell Telephone. Through mutual friends, she met her future husband Frank Ross Anderson, an International Chess Master and 2X Canadian Champion, at an airfield where he was a glider pilot. Later, they realized that as children they had resided only a few blocks from each other.
In 1965, they married, embarking on a two-year honeymoon throughout Europe and North Africa in a VW bus. Then, due to Frank's arthritis, they settled in the warm Mediterranean climate of San Diego. There they gave birth to two daughters, in 1968 and 1971.
A year after Frank passed away from cancer in 1980, Sylvia met Harlo Arthur Hunter at an LDS singles conference. Harlo was a widower with three grown daughters, and was well known for his wise and thorough analytical nature, as an aeronautical engineer. In perhaps the quickest decision of his life, he was inspired to ask Sylvia and her daughters for Sylvia's hand in marriage only a week after they met. Two months later, the combined family rejoiced at their wedding. During their happy 35-year union, they loved traveling, connecting with the multitude of cherished family and friends, taking excursions on Harlo's boat, and visiting historical sites. For 14 years, they served together in the San Diego Temple. After Harlo retired in 1993, they enjoyed taking care of her three grandchildren. When Harlo passed away in 2016, Sylvia sold the house in Pacific Beach, "returning to the land of her birth" for a year with her daughter Ava, then moved back to San Diego due to Sylvia's respiratory health.
Greatly beloved, she is survived by her two daughters, Carol and Ava; three step-daughters, Heather, Jill, and Cathy; 29 grandchildren, 94 great- grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Her sweet memory will always hold a dear place in our hearts.
Murray Dorning - Class of 1962
freelance artistic and financial advisor.
Unexpectedly, age 73, at Montfort Hospital, Ottawa on May 21, 2019. Son of the late Jack and Alyce Dorning, brother of Audrey and Ainsley, and house-mate and dear friend of Brian Harvey.
please forward details to Harvey Carter at harvey.cchs.ca@gmail.com
And Finally...
Best Paranoid Dog Pic
Another Lawyer Joke
If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer's credibility.
Q: 'Officer --- Did you see my client fleeing the scene?'
A: 'No, sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.' Q: 'Officer, who provided this description?'
A: 'The officer who responded to the scene.'
Q: 'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?' A: 'Yes, sir. With my life.'
Q: 'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?' A: 'Yes sir, we do!'
Q: 'And do you have a locker in the room?'
A: 'Yes, sir, I do.'
Q: 'And do you have a lock on your locker?'
A: 'Yes, sir.'
Q: 'Now, why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?'
A: 'You see, sir, we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.’The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called.
The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year's 'Best Comeback' line -- and we think he'll win.
Ron Chester
Ron Chester, 89 years of age, was stopped by the police around 2 a.m. and was asked where he was going at that time of night.
Ron replied, "I'm on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking and staying out late."
The officer asked, "Really? Who's giving that lecture at this time of night?"
Ron replied, "That would be my wife."