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bbllue banner HAEL’S COLLEGE SC ST. MIC HOOL Volume 19 ~ Fall/Winter 2015 10 What Is a Basilian Education? 18 Room 12 Memories 20 e Basilian Migration 32 RIP Dan Prendergast, OSM Basilian Issue Basilian Basilian Issue Basilian letters to the editore bann bblu er class of 1966 – 50th reunion AEL’S COLLEG T. MICH E SCHOO S L On Saturday, May 14, 2016, the Class of 1966 is invited to St. Michael’s College School to celebrate its 50th Reunion. The Class of 1966 committee is looking for assistance locating the following lost classmates: The St. Michael’s College School alumni magazine, Blue Banner, Stephen Barringer Ivan Deveau Robert Hendry Frank Medal John Seminsky is published two times per year. It reflects the history, accomplishments Edward Batna Peter Devita James Hodgins William Miklasevics Orest Solonynka and stories of graduates and its purpose is to promote collegiality, George Belanger Sal DisPasquale David Humphnry Robert Mullen David Sorenson respect and Christian values under the direction of the Basilian Fathers. Ian Birnie Geoffrey Donoghue David Hurley Mike Mullins Ronald Spizzirri William Birnie Thomas Etele Peter Inokai Brian Myers Andrew Subrits PRESIDENT: Fr. Jeff Thompson, CSB ’79 CONTACT DIRECTORY Leo Breen Paul Farraro John Jeffries Peter Neubauer Herb Terry EDITOR: Gavin Davidson ’93 St. Michael’s College School: Peter Brent Mario Fedel Peter Kallos James O'Reilly Robert Tobin www.stmichaelscollegeschool.com CO-EDITOR: Michael De Pellegrin ’94 Claus Brugger Mario Fedele Fergus Lyons Christopher Otrysko Anthony Ucci Blue Banner Online: www.mybluebanner.com Raymond Buchowski Gabriel Felpeci William Martin Robert Ouellet Jurgen Varga CONTRIBUTORS Basilian Fathers: www.basilian.org Thomas Burns Jules Gagné John McBride Michael Pejskar John Vining Kimberley Bailey, Fr. Jeff Thompson, CSB ’79, CISAA (Varsity Athletic Schedule): www.cisaa.ca Robert Coffey John Greb Michael McCarron Brian Regan Gordon Wilton Frank Di Nino ’80, Joe Younder ’56, Pat Mancuso ’90, John Corrigan John Harti Vincent McEwan William Robb Colin Wright Stephanie Nicholls. Twitter: www.twitter.com/smcs1852 PHOTO CREDITS: St. Michael's College School Archives, Advancement Office: [email protected] Patrick Coyle Robert Hayward Kenneth McGuigan Richard Rogacki David Daigle Paul Heenan Paul McIsaac Maurice Rudisi General Archives of the Basilian Fathers, Alumni Affairs: [email protected] Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto Colin Damer Thomas Hegarty Donald McKay Michael Rutsey Archives Office: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS Blue Banner Feedback: [email protected] Class of 1966 – 50th reunion 3 Communications Office: [email protected] Message from the President 4 Tel: 416-653-3180 ext. 292 Alumni Association Message 5 Fax: 416-653-8789 Editor’s Letter 6 E-mail: [email protected] Letters to the Editor 7 • Admissions (ext. 195) Men of St. Michael’s: Pal Di lulio ’69 8 • Advancement (ext. 118) What is a Basilian Education? 10 • Alumni Affairs (ext. 273) Basilian Future Looks to Past 14 • Archives (ext. 457) Securing our Future by Giving Back: • Arena (ext. 422) Recognizing Influential Basilians 16 • Communications (ext. 292) Room 12 Memories 18 • Finance (ext. 239) Basilian Origins: From Canada West to St. Clair West 20 • Main Reception (ext. 0) Thank you Basilians 23 • Mporium – school store (ext. 431) Please forward any information to Stephanie Nicholls, Alumni and Special Events Officer, 416-653-3180 ext. 273 or Significant Dates in Basilian History 24 • Property Manager (ext. 129) [email protected]. Alumni Association 2016 Event Calendar 25 • President – Fr. Jeff Thompson, CSB ’79 (ext. 174) Sincerely, Where Are They Now 26 • Principal – Mr. Greg Reeves ’73 (ext. 139) Paul Baker - [email protected] Doug Bannan - [email protected] In Memoriam 28 • Vice Principal – Mr. Emile John ’87 (ext. 156) Don Bannan - [email protected] Bill McNeill - [email protected] The Way We Were: I remember it well – • Vice Principal – Mr. David Lee ’94 (ext. 179) Carlo De Pellegrin - [email protected] Paul Thomson - [email protected] RIP Dan Prendergast 32 Canada Publications Mail Agreement #40006997 Paul Downs - [email protected] Jack Daley - [email protected] Blue Banner | Fall/Winter 2015 message from the president alumni association message Dear St. Michael's Alumni The divine light radiating from the stable in Bethlehem My Fellow SMCS Alumni, and Friends, draws us into God’s loving embrace, a beautiful and life-giving gift that inspires us to move outward from I am honoured and humbled to have the opportunity to In these mid-December ourselves to embrace the world as God’s gift to us, become your president for the next three years. I want to thank Marc Montemurro ’93 for his tireless efforts days when our students and in particular our own little worlds and all the improving the SMCS alumni experience. Under Marc’s are busily studying and people in them as God’s especially precious gifts to us. leadership the Alumni Lounge was finished, the Spring writing their mid-year Reunion & BBQ has returned, the Enzo Montemurro ’81 If this loving embrace, in imitation of Our Father, is exams, when our teachers Touch Football Classic was created, and most recently, are busily evaluating our flourishing through the teaching and learning of the Evans Tannis Alumni Soccer Showdown premiered. students’ work, when Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge at St. Michael’s the world around us is College School, and it is, it is because our students, Thank you Marc; replacing you will be a mighty task. busily crushing the teachers, and parents have heeded and responded original divine reason for generously to the invitation of the Child in the manger The yellow-brick halls of SMCS have always held a gift-giving by calling it holiday shopping, we wonder – to give Him our heart. special place for me. While many things have changed again: When is it not a busy season in our lives? Can since I graduated in 1980, it is refreshing to see that many things have remained the same. Whenever I have we at least agree that Christmastime is a happily In the bleak midwinter, in this busy season of the opportunity to speak with current students, it is busy season? studying and grading and shopping and baking, in incredible to see that the same values of bonitatem et the gifts and in the wrapping, in the quiet humility of dicipliniam et scientiam doce me have remained a I think my favourite Christmas tune – more a hymn the human heart, God is still giving himself to us now, constant. This is a true testament to the Basilian Fathers’ changed in both post-secondary education and the than a carol – is “In the Bleak Midwinter.” It is a and God is still inviting us to give ourselves to him caring and thoughtful approach to Catholic education. entry-level job market since 1980. I often receive calls deeply moving 19th-century poem by Christina and to each other now. from students wondering what courses they should Rossetti that was set to a sweet and haunting melody Building on the hard work of past alumni administra- take, or whom they can talk to about their career inter- by Gustav Holst in the early 20th century. Just Yet what I can, I give Him – tions, I believe that the activities of the Alumni Associa- ests. The alumni can play an active role in providing Google and YouTube it, and I’m sure you’ll agree too! Give my heart. tion fall into three areas. First, we will continue to reach guidance and helping to establish networks, which are out to alumni through various activities throughout the critical for success. In the fifth of five eloquent verses, we are left to Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. year. Engagement is the key to keeping the Alumni Asso- ponder this invitation: St. Michael, pray for us. ciation strong and relevant within the SMCS community. We encourage you to stay involved and we always want to hear your ideas and feedback. Please make use of Second, I believe we can build closer ties with the my contact information found in the alumni section of What can I give Him, Sincerely in Christ, parents of current students. I have attended a number the school website. Even though you have graduated, Poor as I am? of parent-sponsored events and they are a remarkable you remain a vital part of St. Michael’s College School – If I were a shepherd group of dedicated people who are passionate about SMCS will always be your school. I would bring a lamb; the school. If I were a wise man Fr. Jefferson Mark Thompson, CSB ’79 I would do my part; Lastly, I think the alumni can play a more active role in Yet what I can, I give Him – the mentoring of our students, whether they are at Frank Di Nino ’80 Give my heart. SMCS or away at university or college. A lot has President SMCSAA PAST PRESIDENTS Marc Montemurro ’93, Josh Colle ’92, Romeo Milano ’80, Peter Thurton ’81, Denis Caponi Jr. ’86, Rob Grossi ’72, Paul Grossi ’69, Daniel Brennan ’70, John McCusker ’57, William Metzler ’65, John Bonvivere ’50 †, Michael Duffy ’65, Ross Robertson ’64, William Rosenitsch ’57, Paul Thomson ’65, John G. Walsh ’58 †, Frank Thickett ’57, W. Frank Morneau ’59, Frank Glionna ’53 †, George Cormack ’49, Richard Wakely ’64 †, Gordon Ashworth ’45 †, Peter D’Agostino ’42 †, G.J. McGoey ’58 †, Paul McNamara ’40 †, Joseph Primeau ’28 †, Dick Foster ’30†. Fostering a relationship of discipleship with Jesus Christ Blue Banner | Fall/Winter 2015 editor’s letter letters to the editor Dear Readers, qualities to the role of president and will continue to Dear Editor, Ont. when he died.