|
St. George's College
Old Boys'
Association
ON, Canada
Part 1 of 4
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
|
|
|
|
Christopher Chin |
Greetings fellow Georgians, friends
and well wishers.
Summer is here ...that means it is
time for our Annual Summer Ball. This year the Summer Ball will be held on
Friday, July 31, so make sure that you book your tickets now. Fify/50, with our
own Aggrey Irons, will be back. Contact any member of the Executive to
secure your tickets … see listing, bottom right of this page.
Both St. Georges College and Alpha
garnered much media attention in the Jamaica press, radio and TV with the
staging of their 50th Anniversary reunion of the graduating classes of 1959.
The bevy of activities over three days (May 28-30) including mass at the
Cathedral, School tours, formal & informal get-togethers and a panel discussion
with the Prime Minister put us in the public spotlight and gained us most
welcome and positive publicity. Our Canadian contingent included Robbie
Vernon, Trevor Summers, Lloyd Chung and Godfrey Lue.
They all reported a most unforgettable experience. Robbie was actually a guest
on Trevor Munroe's morning radio talk show "The Breakfast Club" discussing the
reunion event. (see part 3).
If you have been keeping up with the
news, you know that Fundraising for the O'Hare Building is taking the number one
spot in our priorities right now.
The termite infestation was in far
worse state than imagined (see part 4) and the danger to students from a
collapse was very real if we attempted to keep it in use. To rectify this, it
was necessary to begin work immediately on the O'Hare Building and use the
summer holidays to get it gutted, termite free and rebuilt before the school
reopens in September.
Everyone is being called on now to get involved to make this a reality in the
shortest possible time. Are you involved? We need you! Contact a member of your
Executive to see how you can help.
Despite the infrastructural
weaknesses, the school continues to do well academically, improving year over
year, matching their prowess in the sporting world. They claimed the Under 19
Basketball title and made us very proud with their showing at the recently
concluded Penn Relays.
Kudos to Principal Margaret Campbell and her team in continuing to do a
great job at the school.
The challenges are many but we can
overcome them. The joint efforts of the various Associations and individuals who
have stepped up need to be supported by all of us. Let us do our share and lend
our support when it is most needed.
See you at the Ball!
Chris
Chin
 |
|
Class 1959-Reunion Panel Discussion speakers&
panellists-L-R .Prof. Trevor Munroe, Prof. Patricia Anderson,
PM Hon. Bruce Golding, Mrs. Jean Lowrie-Chin,JP, Ronald G Thwaites ,MP, &
Stephen Hill. |
|
STGC OBA (Ontario)
2008-2009 Executive
|
|
|
|
|
President: |
CHRIS CHIN |
(416) 436-3540 |
|
1ST V.P/President Elect: |
MILTON HART |
(905) 841-9771 |
|
Secretary:
|
DOMINIQUE NASH |
(905) 486-0059 |
|
Treasurer: |
RAY CHANG |
(416) 364-1145 |
|
Regional V.P. (East): |
TYRONE HOLLBROOKE |
(905) 726-2469 |
|
Regional V.P. ( Central): |
PATRICK HADDAD |
(905) 294-9471 |
|
Regional V.P. (West): |
RICHARD SAUNDERS |
(905) 454-8780 |
|
Liaison Director : |
CARL CHANG |
(905) 887-9407 |
|
Communications Director: |
PATRICK GAREL |
(905) 475-3430 |
|
Membership Director: |
ROBBIE VERNON |
(416) 622-9408 |
|
Social Director: |
JOHN FLYNN |
(905) 796-9735 |
|
Sports Director:: |
VICTOR MORGAN |
(416) 742-5234 |
|
Care Committee Director : |
PAT FERGUSON |
(905) 837-9442 |
|
Director at Large: |
NEVILLE (TONY) MCDOWELL |
(905) 883-3416 |
|
Director at Large: |
FRANCIS COOKE |
(905) 686-7728 |
|
Imm.Past President: |
DANIEL HO LUNG |
(647) 891-0489 |
|
|
 |
|
Robbie
Vernon |
Since our last newsletter there are,
sadly, several deaths to report on in our extended St. George's family and
friends. Hunter Yap,
brother of Arthur. Arthur, we are pleased, is recovering well from
surgery. Garth deLeon lost his daughter Mara on March 30th and
sadly Fr. Michael Lewis, shepherd at Stella Maris Church, lost his Dad,
Aston, in April. In Jamaica, Dudley Hall passed on, as did
Ronnie McKay (JC) but well known with the Emmett Park Georgians. Tragedy
again struck for Dennis Chung who, following the loss of his sister,
reported in our February issue, has since lost his mother-in-law in March.
Noel Lopez, brother of Francis and Carlos, also passed away in
Brantford, Ontario in April and Warwick Lyn, that giant of a footballer,
who shot to prominence in Manning Cup football, playing for St George's College
and also Jamaica College. In the 1960s, Warwick got involved in the music
business, working as a sound engineer and A&R (Artiste and Repertoire) man for
producer Leslie Kong's Beverley's Records. He later gained fame as manager of
Toots and the Maytals and is credited as co-producer of two of their best
albums. He emigrated to the States in the 1980's and with his wife, 1973 Miss
Jamaica, Patsy Yuen, also ran the Miss Jamaica Miami beauty pageant. Our
Social Director, John Flynn, suffered the lost his cousin in Maryland in
April.
May all the deceased rest in peace
and our prayers go out to their families.
Here is some good news-
Our President-Elect, Milton Hart
and wife Nov, are celebrating the birth of their second son Nickolas
born March 5th; now Matthew has a soccer partner. Go for the team, Mil.
|
 |
|
Ray Chang & Savanna Grace |
I hear his face just "lights up"
whenever he pays her a visit; yes sir, our Treasurer, Ray Chang, joins us
granddads with the birth of Savanna Grace Addorisio on May 29,
daughter of Brigette and Anthony.
Life will never be the same, Ray!
|
|
 |
|
Harry & Meta Anderson
with Joe Burrell right. |
Joe Burrell (Class
of 1957) and his wife, Gail, returned to their home in Brighton, Ontario on June
1st after a "trip of a lifetime" motor voyage across the North American
continent. They travelled over 16,000 km over two months. One of the highlights
of Joe's trip was a 3-day visit with Harry Anderson (Class of 1957) as
Harry's guest in his beautiful Adobe-style home in El Ancon, New Mexico. Joe
and Harry had not seen each other in about 50 years. Joe and Gail, in their
tour, visited many cities including New Orleans, San Antonio, Austin, San Diego,
San Mataeo, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Anaheim and Chicago in the U.S. They crossed
over into B.C., Canada visiting Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Whistler, Tofino
and Kelowna. What a trip! Joe, thanks for sharing. |
Adrian Chang
(Class 1969) , brother of Herman, was in the news recently when invited
to be a speaker at a major conference in resource-rich Calgary for CFO's of some
of Canada's major companies. The conference was to examine best practices for
evaluating mergers and acquisitions. This was held on June 16 & 17th and major
participants included Deloitte & Touché LLP, Ernst & Young Corporate Finance
Inc., Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, Meyers Norris Penny LLP,
Nexen Inc., RSM Richter Inc. and TransCanada Corporation.
Adrian Chang
CGA, CFA, P.Eng, has over 30 years experience in the power, oil and gas and
petrochemical fields; proving that Georgians are succeeding and creating an
impact worldwide.
|
 |
|
Robin Mahfood left gets a warm greeting from President Ma Ying-Jeou
|
But that's nothing new! Just look at
this other outstanding Georgian, Robin Mahfood (Class 1960)
President Ma Ying-Jeou
of Taiwan met with the visiting head of the American aid organization Food For
The Poor recently. The President had nothing but praises for its founder and
CEO, Robin Mahfood. President Ma said that Taiwan could tap into the experience
and global network of major international groups such as Food For The Poor,
which is the largest charity organization in the United States.
President Ma made these comments in a
meeting at the Presidential Office with a visiting delegation of representatives
from Food For The Poor. According to Taiwan's International Cooperation and
Development Fund, an implementation arm of the government foreign aid program,
Taiwan and Food For The Poor have been working on several joint aid programs
since 2005 in Central American and Caribbean countries that have diplomatic ties
with Taiwan. St. George's
College has indeed equipped many to succeed and prosper in the international
market place and moreso, taking as well, the message that "we are our brother's
keeper".
|
|
 |
|
Lancelot Jones & Chris Chin |
Our President, Chris Chin, has
also been doing some travelling and was recently in Nashville, Tenn. with first
lady, Charmaine, for a mini reunion of her Holy Childhood high school
classmates. He was not to be alone as along came Georgian, Lancelot Jones,
all the way from Houston, Texas. Turns out he is married to one of Charmaine's
former classmates. They had a grand old time line dancing and bar hopping
reminiscing on St. George's. |
|
 |
|
Allie Binns |
Great hearing from Allie Binns
(Class 1947). Allie, thanks for sharing a bit of your life after cricket.
Allie played cricket for Jamaica and
the West Indies; many of the older Georgians will recall that record sixth
wicket partnership of 277 runs with the young Collie Smith, playing for Jamaica
in 1955 against Australia. His decision to retire from cricket after the New
Zealand tour and take up teaching was primarily due to the influence of
Archbishop Joyce of Christchurch. Upon learning that Allie had graduated from
St. George's College in Kingston, Jamaica, he introduced him to St. George's
High School in Christchurch where the faculty and students made him an honourary
Student- teacher. "I had a wonderful time in New Zealand and even taught them
our school cheers, including "the June Bug", the Archbishop’s favourite. Allie
graduated from Wentforth Institute of Technology in 1959 with an Associate
Degree in Engineering. He later gained a BSc in Education and MEd (Hons) in
Administration from Northeastern University, and taught for the next twenty five
years in Massachusetts with the final sixteen years in the Boston School System.
On May 17th, 2009, Allie received an Honourary BSc in Engineering Technology
from Wentworth Institute of Technology. He retired from teaching in 1987 and
spends his retirement years in Weston, Florida with his lovely wife, Henrietta.
Congrats, my friend, and thanks for spreading the Georgian culture and values -
it's what we expect of Georgians.
|
|
 |
|
Michael Rogers |
Just got word from Georgian
basketballer, Michael Rogers, that he has been selected and invited to
return to Jamaica to play with the Jamaica National Senior Basketball team this
Summer. They will be participating in the Caribbean Basketball Championships (CBC
) in the British Virgin Islands. Mike, one of StGC Basketball Coach Clifford
Brown's outstanding protégées, attended Redemption Christian College and is
now at Valparaiso University in the States. He was one of six Georgians who came
to Canada with the Jamaica schoolboy team led by StGC coach, Clifford Brown,
in December 2004. The team was aided, feted and entertained by our association
during this memorable tour. |
|
 |
|
Keshaun Saunders |
A younger basketballer in the making
-"Rising Star" Keshaun Saunders led his Oakville Venom Basketball team to
a fourth place finish in the AAA division at the Ontario Provincial Championship
in Chatham, Ontario. Keshaun is the son of VP West, Richard Saunders, and
wife, Michelle.
|
|
 |
|
No.20-Adrianna McCatty in action. |
More than thirty years after her
father, Roy McCatty, traveled to Trinidad and Tobago, under the
leadership of the legendary Easton "Bull" McMorris, to represent Jamaica in the
Shell Shield Cricket Tournament, Adrianna (Adrie) prepares to make the
same trip as a member of the Vin Blaine-led Jamaica women soccer team, to
contest the 2009 U-17 World Cup of Soccer. At 15 years of age, Adrie is one of
five young USA-based Jamaicans who were selected to the squad. The team's agenda
includes training camps in Florida and Jamaica before heading off to Trinidad
and Tobago for the World Cup from July 28 to August 9. A very talented,
all-around athlete, Adrie demonstrated great prowess at (figure) skating,
gymnastics, swimming, basketball and soccer at a very early age. But it was
soccer that won the greatest attention, and by her ninth birthday became, by
far, her favourite sport. At more than 5'7" tall and blistering fast, Adrie is
considered one of the "most dangerous" strikers in Florida at her age. Her
thunderous left-foot shot and her unselfish approach to the game, coupled with
the unbelievable ability to "thread the needle" with precision passes, make
defending her extremely difficult. Her dad Roy McCatty was a former
Director of our Ontario OBA Association before moving on to Florida.
|
|
 |
|
1st
VP & President Elect Milton Hart 4th left & Robbie Vernon far
right
representing us at Jesuit alumni/ae social with Fr. Winston Rye S.J.
|
On Wednesday May 20th, 1st VP and
President-Elect, Milton Hart, represented us at the Spring Social
Gathering of the International Jesuit Alumni group. This was held at the new
offices of the Jesuits in English Canada at 43 Queens Park in Toronto.
Spearheading these sessions is Fr. Winston Rye, SJ, who has
successfully brought together alumni of Jesuit institutions, not only in Canada
but India, Scotland, England, Guyana, Holland, Jamaica, Japan, Africa and
elsewhere - all who reside in the Toronto area. It's a wonderful forum for
exchanging ideas. From time to time, Fr. Rye also brings in special guest
speakers on wide ranging topics of interest. With Fr. Jim Webb, SJ, who
spent over 22 years in Jamaica and is quite familiar with St. George's College
now the new Provincial Superior for the Jesuits in English Canada, we see
greater involvement from the Old Boys here.
|
 |
|
Fr. Michael Lewis with our Ontario Executive
L-R- Robbie Vernon, Danny Ho Lung & Pres. Chris Chin |
Just got news that ever popular
Georgian priest, Fr. Michael Lewis, has been made a Monsignor. This is
wonderful news and certainly well deserved. You could not meet a stauncher
supporter for StGC than Fr. Lewis. He was in Toronto recently for the ordination
of Jesuits Rohan Tulloch and Michael Davidson to the diaconate and
is shown here catching up on StGC news with members of the Ontario executive.
Understand that Fr. Ken Richards (Holy Trinity Cathedral) and Fr.
Gregory Ramkissoon (Mustard Seed Community) will be Monsignors as well. |
|
 |
|
Dwayne Campbell with Ontario executives and their wives
L-R -Danny HoLung, Charmaine & Chris Chin, Dwayne Campbell &
JoJo Holung. |
It's good to see not only the
athletic but the academic tradition preserved in the alumni. Dwayne Campbell
has just received the top scholarship for doctorial candidates - the Scandling
Scholarship, from the University of Rochester in New York State. He will be
researching Educational Leadership: Policy & Theory. Prior to this, Dwayne
completed at Boston College two masters degrees (M.Ed in Curriculum &
Instruction, and CAGS in Educational Administration). There he was - a Practicum
Supervisor- responsible for assessing, guiding and mentoring student-teachers.
Dwayne graduated from StGC in 1997
with Dwayne Henclewood who is presently doing his PhD in Transportation
Engineering at Georgia Tech. 1998 graduate, Andre Watts, is also doing
his PhD in Organic Chemistry with the University of Pennsylvania, and his fellow
1998 class graduate, Azizi Seixas, is pursuing his PhD in Clinical
Psychology from Fordham University.
During the break, Dwayne is now in
Jamaica lecturing for the summer at graduate and undergraduate classes at Mico
College University. He is involved with volunteer service at Alpha Boys Home and
will be travelling to Barbados to mark CXC Literatures in English. He was the
recipient of the teacher of the year Award at StGC during the tenure of
Principal Fred Kennedy, whom he thanks for encouraging him to pursue studies in
Education.
|
|
 |
|
Saying
farewell to Michael Davidson L-R-Robbie & Heather Vernon, JoJo
Holung, Michael & Danny Ho Lung. |
Saying farewell
to a dear friend as he continues on his spiritual journey in the Jesuit order
was not easy. Michael Davidson S.J had indeed endeared himself to a large
number of Georgians while at the school as Dean of Discipline and endeared
himself as well to several in our Ontario executive. He introduced many of his
younger Georgian alumni in the States and Canada to our chapter. Immediate past
president Danny HoLung arranged the farewell luncheon for Michael. God go
with you, my friend.
|
 |
|
1st
form student Martin Davis centre with L-R- Dave Soares,
lower school Vice Principal, Natalia Fong Kong-MustardSeed,
Principal Margaret Campbell & form teacher Mrs Davia Bryan
Campbell. |
Staff and students of StGC in their
outreach to others less fortunate donated to the children of Martha's House who
lost their belongings in a disastrous fire at the Mustard Seed Communities Home
in March.
Martha's House,
also on North Street, was home to 30 children until it was destroyed. First form
student, Martin Davis (every student in his class participated) presented the
class’ contributions. He was accompanied by Dave Soares, lower school
vice-principal, Margaret Campbell, Principal, and Davia Campbell
his form teacher. The tin drive was conducted as an outreach project to help
others in need and to teach our students to have a social conscience, said Mr.
Soares. He said that the response from the students was overwhelming and that
they would continue to do these drives for Mustard Seed and other charitable
institutions.
That's our St. George's students
embodying, in their outlook, our motto "ad majorem dei gloriam" or everything
"for the greater glory of god" - well done!
|
|
 |
|
L-R-
Everton & Margaret Campbell, Charles Williams, Sen. Dwight Nelson, Ray
Chang, Pat Terrelonge |
Showing support for President
Charles Williams and the Jamaica Old Boys Association, our Treasurer, Ray
Chang and Liaison Director, Carl Chang while in Jamaica, attended
their quarterly luncheon in April. Special guests also were old boys, Sen.
Dwight Nelson and Patrick Terrelonge. Ray made a plea for support for
the Lawrence Burke, SJ Centre and O'Hare restoration projects. Patrick
Terrelonge spoke of the historic Alpha/StGC Class of 1959 reunion held May
28-30.
Just heard from our Liaison Director,
Carl Chang, who is assisting in ticket sales, that The Jamaica Old Boys
will be staging their Monsignor Gladstone Wilson Awards Banquet 2009
at the Mona Visitors Lodge, UWI on Saturday September 26 at 6:30 p.m. The
Honourees this year are Neville Bell, Paul Chavannes (dec'd),
Deacon Trevor Graham, JP, Cecil Knight (dec'd) and Charles
Williams. Tickets are J$5,000 and we urge support for our brother chapter.
|
 |
|
All-Smiles-PM Hon. Bruce Golding, Ronnie Thwaites MP & Philip Wong
handing over donation cheque |
Jumping in again to help St. George's
College, Philip Wong (class 1959) made a surprise presentation of a
cheque for five million Jamaican dollars. This was at the Class of 1959 Reunion
Panel Discussion event. Flying down from Florida for the special occasion,
Philip cited the frequent promptings by Florida old boy, Dennis Barnett,
to come through for the school and, brother, did he, and this is not the first
time either. Also rising to the occasion in this time of great need was MP and
deacon, Ronnie Thwaites, also class of 1959 with a donation of five
hundred thousand Jamaican dollars.
|
 |
|
Carl Chang embracing & thanking
“Juicy” |
Of equal import and just as
magnanimous was the astounding gift of five thousand Jamaican dollars from
Cecil Mason, school juice vendor, "Juicy". Seeing the plight at the
O'Hare, he gave all he could. It’s donations like this that warm the heart and
give a great lift to our cause and the spirit of our indefatigable Liaison
Director, Carl Chang, who has been going full speed ahead on the
project.
Fellow Old boys,
where is your contribution! "Every mikkle mek a mukkle"
Robbie Vernon
|
|
