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St. George's College
Old Boys'
Association
ON, Canada
Part 1 of 4
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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Christopher Chin |
Greetings fellow
Georgians, friends and well-wishers.
Happy New Year to you all!
Yes, it is already two months old and three by the time we go to press but I
would be remiss not to extend such greetings to such a deserving group.
When last we spoke, I had
extended congratulations to our Manning Cup Team on bringing home the Cup; well
they took it up another notch and brought home the Olivier Shield as well. What
a way to end the year, great job guys! (See Part 2)
We ended the year with a new
beginning, our 1st Annual New Year's Eve Ball held jointly with our friends at
Jamaica College at the Pearson Convention Centre. A grand time was had by all in
attendance with our 1st V.P. and President Elect, Milton Hart officiating
as the Countdown Maestro and emceed by Jamaica College's President, Chris
Wynter. In the end it was clear this is the MUST ATTEND event of the year,
so drop all other plans and make it a point to be at the 2nd, same venue! (See
Part 2 pictorial coverage)
The work for our School
continues in earnest with remarkable results. On Wednesday, January 28th an
official ground breaking ceremony was held on the School grounds for the
Lawrence Burke S.J. Building which will house an additional 12 badly needed
classrooms. The ceremony was attended by a star-studded list of Georgians
including the current Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding, Senators
Dwight Nelson and Don Wehby, Ministry of Finance, Member of Parliament,
Ronnie Thwaites, former Archbishops Lawrence Burke S.J. and Edgerton Clarke S.J.
Other notables attending included Archbishop of Kingston Donald Reece and
the Min. of Education Mr. Andrew Holness.
Believe it or not, this was
being orchestrated from Toronto by the extremely capable hands of our own Ray
Chang and Donette Chin Loy who eventually flew down for the event.
In Jamaica ahead of them
was our own Liaison Director, Carl Chang, that human dynamo, who
spearheaded much of the groundwork that lead to this auspicious occasion. Thanks
Ray! Thanks Donette! Thanks Carl.! Georgians can count on you wherever and
whenever action is required. But we need all hands on deck if success is to be
achieved. Old boys in Jamaica, USA, Canada and elsewhere please step up to the
plate and help out the school in whatever way you can. You know the old Jamaica
saying "one one cocoa full basket".
To hear more on this
project, attend our Family Brunch. Yes, you read correctly. This year we will be
having a Family Brunch on March 29th at the Rouge River Community Centre at
which our speaker, none other than our own Ray Chang will give an overview of
the school and this particular project and how we can all participate. Space is
limited so get your tickets early. Contact any member of the Executive for
tickets.
See you all there! Chris Chin
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Archbishop Lawrence Burke S.J. pondering/praying for our future.
Let�s make sure it happens (see part 3 & 4) |
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STGC OBA (Ontario)
2008-2009 Executive
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President: |
CHRIS CHIN |
(416) 436-3540 |
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1ST V.P/President Elect: |
MILTON HART |
(905) 841-9771 |
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Secretary:
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DOMINIQUE NASH |
(905) 486-0059 |
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Treasurer: |
RAY CHANG |
(416) 364-1145 |
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Regional V.P. (East): |
TYRONE HOLLBROOKE |
(905) 726-2469 |
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Regional V.P. ( Central): |
PATRICK HADDAD |
(905) 294-9471 |
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Regional V.P. (West): |
RICHARD SAUNDERS |
(905) 454-8780 |
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Liaison Director : |
CARL CHANG |
(905) 887-9407 |
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Communications Director: |
PATRICK GAREL |
(905) 475-3430 |
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Membership Director: |
ROBBIE VERNON |
(416) 622-9408 |
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Social Director: |
JOHN FLYNN |
(905) 796-9735 |
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Sports Director:: |
VICTOR MORGAN |
(416) 742-5234 |
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Care Committee Director : |
PAT FERGUSON |
(905) 837-9442 |
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Director at Large: |
NEVILLE (TONY) MCDOWELL |
(905) 883-3416 |
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Director at Large: |
FRANCIS COOKE |
(905) 686-7728 |
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Imm.Past President: |
DANIEL HO LUNG |
(647) 891-0489 |
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Robbie
Vernon |
Since our last newsletter
there are, sadly, several deaths to report on in our St. George's family.
Bernadette Lorraine Chung
sister of our Dennis (Patsy) passed away in December after a valiant
battle with cancer. Also in Florida just heard that Phillip Wong lost his
beloved mum.
In Ethiopia, Patrick
"Dread" McGaw, brother of Errol and Dave and a key member of
the great 1968 Manning cup Team.
In Jamaica Dr. Donovan
Forte class of 1948 and brother of well respected legal luminary Ian
Forte OJ, CD,QC passed on, as did the son-in-law of Joe Richards, Kayode
Siyanbola, husband of daughter Karen. Also passing away in Jamaica
was Beryl Joyce Hopwood Lee mother of Kurt Lee (Class of
1976-affectiontely known as 'Pope'); Pat Teape -Class of 1949 in
Discovery Bay; Georgian John Barnes, England World Cup soccer star and
present coach "Reggae Boys", lost his father Col. Ken Barnes.
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Ryan Paralto |
Old boys were in shock at
the death of former Member of Parliament Ryan Peralto on January 23rd .
Ryan was with us and in
great humour at the Hall of Fame Banquet in October, delivering a moving tribute
to fellow Georgian and new Hall of Famer Karl Largie.
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An official funeral service
was held for him at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church on February 9th, with
tributes given by Georgian Prime Minister Bruce Golding; former Prime
Minister, Edward Seaga and representatives of the Jamaica Labour Party,
LP, The Peoples National Party, The Electoral Commission, the Kingston and St.
Andrew Corporation and The Jaycees of Jamaica.
All paid tribute to his long
political career beginning in the 1970s. He also served as mayor of Kingston;
Minister of State in the Ministries of National Security and Trade and Industry;
and General Secretary and Chairman of the Jamaica labour Party. He was a member
of the Electoral Advisory Committee, and contributed significantly to the
electoral reform process and patented the design of Jamaica and the world's
first electronic voting system bringing commendations here and abroad. Ryan's
life included heavy involvement serving the St. George's College Old Boys'
Association, the Lions Club and then Jaycees of Jamaica. He was also a vice-
President of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and Director of the
Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce. His book " Insure Your Democracy
" outlines his lifework.
Our thanks to his wife
Lorna, of 51 years for allowing him the time to share his zeal and
commitment for the betterment of his school and country. We Georgians are proud
of him and forever grateful for his outstanding dedication and service.
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Kennedy Tai |
We lost another Ontario
Georgian, George Chang, in Tecumseh, Ontario. Also, just got news our
Liaison Director Carl Chang lost his brother-in-law Kennedy Tai.
Kennedy was a long time member of our Toronto chapter. Also Louis Lee
advised his wife Claudette's, mum Una Hurley passed on in Florida.
May all the deceased rest in
God's peace and our prayers go out to the families left behind. |
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Craig & daughter Erica admiring baby Leah |
Here's some good news:
Heartiest congratulations to
Wilbert and Janet Wong on the birth of their second grandchild
Leah Marie Wong. Leah is the daughter of their son Craig and
Heather. Here is Craig with proud daughter Erica and little Leah
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Clovis Metcalf |
Clovis Metcalf,
caught in action in our last newsletter with Tony McDowell at the Hall
of Fame Banquet in October in Jamaica has been promoted to head the Jamaican
operations of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB). A 36 year banking
veteran, Clovis was the director of corporate banking for FCIB which is ranked
number four of seven commercial banks in Jamaica. |
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Gail Chang Bohr |
Deacon Patrick Chang is elated at the appointment of his sister Gail who has been elected a
US judge in the Ramsey County District Court in Minneapolis. Gail Chang Bohr
is the ninth of 15 children born to "Maas" Percy Chang and wife Alice
of Chang's Emporium in Half Way Tree. Deacon Patrick was the 8th. Gail moved to
the United States in 1962 on a full scholarship to Wellesley College in
Massachusetts earning a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. From there she commenced
a 19 year career in social work culminating in a Masters Degree in Sociology
from the Simmons College of Social Work. She was a psychiatric social worker in
Boston and taught social work in Hong Kong. In order to strengthen her ability
to advocate for children and Families, Gail obtained a law degree and continues
in her advocacy work.
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Aaron & Luarne -check the ring finger |
One of our local team's star
soccer players Aaron Sani, famous for his clever shifts and mad dashes
down the wing, has made another deft move- Yes! and Milton confirms this is
true. He announced his engagement to the beautiful Luarne Shillingford.
They have been seen together at many of our functions and were captured in our
last newsletter's coverage of our family picnic in August last.
Congratulations to them
both. We wish them well, they are contemplating a big, big step. Aaron is the
son of Georgian Tony Sani and wife Katie (President ICHS Ont.
Alumni Assoc.) |
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Queen Sofia
kisses the ring of Archbishop Lawrence Burke S.J. |
The Spaniards are back !!
The Spaniards are back !!
And in a big way. Spanish
investment over the last ten years in the Jamaican economy has exceeded US $1
billion dollars with construction of 10 hotels and 5,000 rooms and expectations
of a further US $1.5 billion over the next five years. Columbus arrived in St.
Ann's Bay on May 5th 1494 and was greeted by Arawaks. Little is left other than
place and area names: Ocho Rios, Rio Minho, Rio Cobre. And we often forget that
the Catholic Church was the first Christian church in Jamaica. Mass was said
here in many churches and there was, at one time, a Dominican monastery in
Spanish town.
Our own St. George�s was
founded in 1850 by 21 Spanish Jesuits expelled from Columbia.
King Carlos and Queen Sofia
have just concluded a historic official visit to Jamaica and a must stop was our
Holy Trinity Cathedral. Her majesty, Queen Sofia of Spain kisses the ring of
Georgian Rev. Lawrence Burke SJ, Archbishop emeritus of Kingston, during her
visit to the cathedral. |
Hall of Famer Dr. Herbie
Ho Ping Kong's daughter, Christine, an upcoming Toronto architect, was
recently featured in the Toronto Star as one of the 10 people to watch in 2009.
She and her husband Peter Tan, an architect as well, are making waves in
the profession by their clever and inventive use of space and limited material
in their work. Their home carved out of an old industrial site in Toronto was
used as an excellent example of their work in creating an urban compound with
courtyard and very utilitarian architecture.
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Aubrey Lowe |
This bit of news from
Danny Simpson in New York re the legendary footballer Aubrey Lowe.
"Hi Guys: It was great being able to spend a couple of hours with Aubrey
today. He is in the Bronx Park Rehab, located at 3845 Carpenter Ave., Bronx, NY
10467-5204. He is on the 5th Floor and the telephone number is (718)-652-8004.
The nurses are very fond of him and will try to get him to the phone. However,
based on my observation, the best time to call him seems to be between 11:00
a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For those of you that spoke with him, be assured that there
was joy in his countenance as he was able to speak with Ken East, Keith Noad,
Clinton Lewis, Cecil Chew, and Gary Nash. I plan to make every effort
to visit him again before the Christmas holidays."
Danny did visit Aubrey again
with his youngest daughter spending some three hours with him and bringing
Christmas cheer. Thanks Danny, you are a true Georgian.
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Michael & Ernest King�s
parents celebrate 70th wedding
Anniversary:
Who can forget the
unbeatable Manning Cup star Michael King in goal or brother Ernest
pounding around the track in the mile event. Thanks to our former president
Derrick Potopsingh who attended the special event for providing the picture
capturing the happy parents Ethan and Lilian King. My, don't they look
good! The couple celebrated their platinum anniversary at the Village of Erin
Meadows, their retirement residence in Mississauga. Both were born and raised in
St.Lucia and were married on Dec. 26,1938 in Barbados.
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The Kings :Front L-R Ernest, Colin, Lillian, Monica
Back L-R Trevor, Dennis, Barbara, Raymund, Michael |
Because of Ethan's work, the
family of seven children lived in St. Lucia, Grenada, Belize, Jamaica and the
UK. The couple retired to Canada in 1984. They have 15 grandchildren and 16
great grandchildren.
We thank them for the
Jamaica stop and our getting to know their fine offsprings at St. George's.
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Many Georgians on the
executive were out in support of JC's fundraising dinner dance which had our own
treasurer Ray Chang, Chancellor Ryerson University, StGC Hall of Famer as
its guest speaker. Ray delivered a moving address touching on his own
educational experiences and that of his family at St. George's College; which
led to his own fervour for education, and efforts to give back to correct a
system in Jamaica which by all Government reports was failing our youth. Ray
expounded on the value of a post secondary education and what drew him as well
to be a passionate advocate of lifelong learning. He congratulated the JC OBA
for their efforts to assist their Alma Mater. Ray was pleased at the painting of
the O'Hare Building given to him as a gift of Appreciation
Congrats Ray, you did us and
St.George's proud by the eloquence and relevance of your talk.
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At JC Function centre JC President Chris Wynter presenting
painting to Ray Chang, keynote speaker.
Other Georgian Supporters: L-R: Robbie Vernon, Milton
Hart, Danny Ho Lung, Chris Chin, St.G.C President. |
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Hear Ronnie Nasralla
is launching in Jamaica a book " Lessons to learn". This popular Georgian
Jamaican personality will highlight his sports, Show Business and Advertising
experiences. Should be very interesting reading for his many Georgian friends
and they are legion. Am advised it will be available on Amazon.com
News just in from Antigua
that we now have a new monsignor - yes, Rt. Rev. Monsignor George Bardowell. Our
congratulations go out to this outstanding Georgian.
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Tyrone Hollbrooke & Charmaine Chin |
Caught in action at the
recent Toronto Motor Show is our energetic V.P East Tyrone Hollbrooke in
conversation with Charmaine Chin wife of President Chris Chin. |
Robbie Vernon
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REUNION CLASS
OF 1959
Plans are
well under way for the reunion in Jamaica of the class of 1959 which
takes place May 28-30, 2009 in Kingston. We are being joined in some of
the festivities by the Alpha class of 1959. This should be an event of a
lifetime and possibly a last chance in this life to chum with our
schoolmates of 50 years ago.
For details
check out the reunion website:
www.stgc59.askaccessible.com |
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