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Danny Ho Lung

Greetings fellow Georgians, let me just say a big ‘thank you’ to you, our membership. Our continued success as an association is due only to your continued support and participation. You made our main event, our Annual Ball, a huge success with over 1,000 people in attendance. The word now is "it was the best one yet". We plan to make it better next year, so plan for it and come with your dancing shoes.

We also had the good fortune to reciprocate the hospitality to some of the "Miami" and "Jamaica" old boys. The likes of Dennis Barnett, Philip Wong, Howard Williams, the Summers brothers, Tony Wong, and their spouses were here with us. A golf tournament and get-together was held in their honour and we even had "our own" Archbishop Burke here to celebrate with them. I am sure they enjoyed their trip as we enjoyed entertaining them. All I can say is “come again”.

We also had an excellent turnout for our joint Alpha, ICHS & StGC picnic, with fun, games, prizes, sumptuous food and, best of all, friendship. Make sure you plan to attend next summer.  Just pack a picnic basket, and be sure to bring the family.  

Our soccer team came through again this year, winning their league for the 4th consecutive year. Congrats to Milton Hart and the team, you gentlemen make us proud, not just because of winning, but  you exemplify the principles of Family value, Christian fellowship and sportsmanship of true Georgians, both on and off the field. Keep up the good work.

I am pleased to welcome to our Georgian family, Mrs. Margaret Campbell, and I can only describe her as "St. GC's First Lady”, the new principal of St. George's College. She is a 3rd generation Georgian, the daughter of a previous headmaster and Georgian, Mr. Van Hitchener, and previously taught at the University of the West Indies (U.W.I.) in Jamaica. I had the pleasure of meeting her recently, only to find out that her grandfather, all her uncles, nephews and son attended or attend StGC. She is as "white and blue" as you can get. Welcome Margaret and congratulations on your new post. We are confident that you will do an excellent job. So far, your efforts in your tenure can only be described as "most impressive".

Congrats to Fr. Peter McIsaac the recently appointed Jesuit Superior and Chairman of StTGC Board in Jamaica. Fr. McIsaac met with a few of our executives quite recently. He is an international Jesuit, born and raised in Toronto, has lived in western Kingston (very tough neighborhood) for the last 7 years. In my opinion, his experience of living in a poor area of the city, will give him a grass roots understanding of the poor and will definitely be an asset in his future endeavours. He is also taking an active part in the school’s fund raising, in particular the Endowment fund. We wish him well and look forward to working with him.

To "our own" Ray Chang, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, a man of education, and a true Georgian, congratulations. As the saying goes, action speaks louder than words, and a man of action he is. Ray, among other dignitaries, officially opened Heaslip House, the new home of the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, which is a part of Ryerson University. I understand that this is the largest continuing education school of its kind and offers over 1200 university accredited courses, and has an enrollment of over 65,000.

Added to that, Ray was officially appointed Chancellor of Ryerson for a term of 3 yrs. and is the 3rd Chancellor in the history of the university. One may ask, what is a chancellor. He is the ambassador for the institute, but more importantly, also a living example for the students of the university.  And you couldn't ask for a better example.

To complete my list, Ray has also been inducted into our own St. George's College Hall of Fame, along with Father Leo Quinlan S.J., who is 91 yrs. old this year and who taught at George’s for many years. Also inducted were Fr. Frank Ryan, Claude McMorris and Ryan Thompson, both of class of '44.  Congratulations to all.

Congrats to Anne-Marie Bonner (Jamaica Consul General in Toronto) and her team on the successful debut of the Jamaica Help Foundation's first annual Ball. Their hard work and efforts paid off, as they raised over  Can $15,000.00 which will be going to aid two hospitals in eastern Jamaica.

To all Georgians, your family and friends, we are actively looking for your financial help in building up the Endowment Fund for the school. At present, StGC is running at a huge deficit and it is our goal to build the Endowment Fund so that it will be able to support and help maintain the school for generations to come. This will undoubtedly be beneficial in the education and moral guidance of the students and their respective communities of St. George's College and ultimately make this world a better place to live in. Both Ray Chang and Philip Wong of Deltana Enterprises in Florida, lead the way in donating substantial sums to the school this past September and October. Our thanks go out to them. Let's follow their lead and make this happen.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,

Daniel Ho Lung

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Chris Chin

Time waits on no one, so on we must go as we mourn the loss of several old boys since we last spoke. Gone but not forgotten are Maurice Tenn, Peter Norman Chang, Ian Stewart, Mike Feres, John Garel, and most recently Teddy Chin Quee. Also passed are Jennifer Wong (Ray's wife) and our dear friend, Louise 'Miss Lou' Bennett-Coverley. Our prayers are also with Keith Garel who is recovering from recent surgery.

John Garel

A truly outstanding Georgian who gave generously of his time and talent to many causes, including his school StGC and his church. Many of the executive and members of the Ontario OBA, joined with the Garel family to mourn the loss of John Garel. Sons, Chad and Danny were pillars of our Toronto soccer team and dad and mum (John & Cecile) and sister Leilani were also strong supporters of their children and the team. We will all miss John, but his memory and legacy lives on in his wonderful wife and offspring.

In September, Ray Chang, alerted the executive that the new Regional Superior for the Jesuits in Jamaica, Fr. Peter Mc Isaac was on a brief visit to Toronto, and he quickly assembled at his home a group from our executive to meet with him.

There was a good exchange of ideas, particularly on fundraising in general for the school and the Endowment Fund in particular. It was a good opportunity for us to get to know each other and one thing Fr. McIsaac would take back with him was our commitment to  the school.

Harrison College, Barbados has been, over the years, strong supporters of our annual summer Ball and  St.George's OBA Ontario sent a strong contingent, led by President Danny HoLung  to support their annual fundraiser event.

Hugh & Denise Palomino's costumes caught many eyes and the George's table was a centre of attention, not the least because of President Danny's enthusiastic support of their Dutch auction.

On November 2nd Fr. Leo Quinlan celebrated his 91st birthday. The Jesuit Retirement Centre was flooded with telephone calls for him, and he was elated.

Robbie Vernon sang his usual Happy Birthday song over the phone. Fr. Q said that Aggrey Irons was the first to call. He seemed to have had a great day and sounded good too. God Bless you Fr. Q, you mean a lot, to a lot of people.

Down in Jamaica for the Awards Banquet, there were several reunions taking place including this one with Danny HoLung and some of his class of 1973. Fr. Hosie had a busy time doing the rounds.

Flying in from Houston was another 76er who took time out to visit with us. Curtis and Sharon Warren. Great to see you guys again and hope to see you again soon.

Well we didn't win the Manning Cup, but we played well and had some decisive victories, including a clincher against J.C. Here, in the visit to the school and address to the assembly, Ray Chang took time to single out and congratulate the Manning team captain Jabari Wallace and the winning goal scorer Christopher Johnson on that victory.

          Chris Chin

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