AlerThe neewsl etteFr of the Lislgara Alummni Associmation am Volume XXIX • 2 nd Issue • Fall 2014 20 Years of Pancake Breakfasts for United Way

Nina Acharya still is the object of many students’ curiosity and attracted much attention. n 1995, Lisgar ran its first ever In addition to a reverence for tradi - United Way Pancake Breakfast, tion, Lisgar students also recognize the raising around $700. This importance of progress, and it is this yIear, on November 14, some 330 balance between the old and the new Lisgar students, parents, staff, and spe - that we sought to capture in this year’s cial guests raised over $2,000 for peo - breakfast. Social media plays a much ple in need around . bigger role now than it did in 1995, Although Lisgar and its Students’ and our event was advertised to stu - Council have changed considerably in dents on Facebook, Instagram, and the past twenty years, the Pancake Twitter. Last year’s breakfast actually Breakfast remains remarkably true to saw the development of a hashtag, original form. The Executive Council #PB2K13, which allowed social media still braves the 4 AM wake-up call, and users to easily group all posts related eager students still pile into the cafete - PUTTING VIPs TO WORK: Colleen Mooney (Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa), Helene Slater (United to the breakfast. Our performers also ria for pancakes and sausages. In fact, Way), Jennifer McKenzie (School Board trustee), and Paul Dewar (Member of Parliament) help out. reflected a wide variety of genres, from this breakfast is one of the most antici - Way Representative, and guest speaker those posts?” I would like to thank the classical piano, to classic rock, to pated events of the year. Colleen Mooney, the Executive Alumni Association for renewing this Disney, to rap. The Pancake Breakfast also contin - Director of the Boys and Girls Club of appreciation for the past Lisgar’s 20th Annual United Way ues to generate interest in our commu - Ottawa, were also in attendance. In order to celebrate this occasion Pancake Breakfast was a success in nity, attracting guests from the School Unfortunately, Mayor Watson had to in Lisgar history, the Goodwill terms of the funds raised and also the Board, City Hall, Queen’s Park, and cancel due to a scheduling conflict. Committee decided to add a new enthusiasm seen amongst the atten - . The 1995 breakfast Many other prominent figures, includ - attraction to this year’s breakfast: a dees. We look forward to many more was attended by then Mayor Jacquelin ing the Prime Minster, the Premier, grand prize of a trip to the fifth floor! years filled with the same tradition and Holzman, and by Nancy Cooper, Max and the Governor General all congrat - When I first approached Principal innovation that Lisgar students so Keeping, and the Ottawa Rough Riders. ulated Lisgar on the 20th anniversary McMahon with the idea, he laughed, admirably strive to achieve. This year, students saw many familiar of the Pancake Breakfast and the devo - saying it did not seem like a very [Editor’s note: Nina Acharya is faces serving them pancakes, including tion to community service it reflects. “grand” prize to him. He proposed Director of the Goodwill Committee MP Paul Dewar, MPP Yasir Naqvi, City Lisgar students are very proud of adding in a trip to the roof, and with of Lisgar’s Students’ Council, and the

Councillor David Chernushenko, the tradition associated with the school that our idea took off—the fifth floor organizer of the breakfast.] ■ School Board trustee Jennifer and as such we incorporated many McKenzie, and Superintendent of aspects of this into our raffle prizes. Instruction and Learning Susan The Alumni Association generously Macdonald. Helene Slater, a United donated two sesquicentennial history books, which were the objects of much Alere Flammam lunchtime discussion, as well as a beautiful limited edition Babelowsky Lisgar print. Both were among the first Inside prizes to be collected at the raffle Members’ Forum 2 table, at which students had stopped by In Memoriam 3 throughout the morning to flip through Lisgar Archives 4 the pages of the book. In the days Interview with Charles Hill 5 since, a variety of facts have been float - Farewell to Erik Spicer 6 ing through the student body, with Downtown Lockdown 6 questions such as “did you know the cafeteria used to be the gym, even with EARLY MORNING: Students set alarm clocks for 4 AM to have pancakes ready for over 300 attendees. Members’ Forum

tact him or her. If enough of you are Members’ Forum interested in getting together after so 175th Anniversary Reunion Louise Siew (1970) e-mailed: I really Lisgar in 1990, I would never have many years, we’ll start planning the appreciated the article on Mr. thought I would be working in medi - weekend. Of course, you are welcome Planning for the 175th, in 2018, Roebuck in your last issue. He was cine in French in New Brunswick. That to help us with the reunion planning. is just getting underway! Please one of my favourite teachers and I was being said, I will be changing jobs to And be honest—some of you may join us in Lisgar’s Library at 7 PM sad to hear of his passing. I never become a full-time emergency room need a bit of excitement like a reunion on Monday, April 20 if you’d like knew he was a submariner. doctor this fall, but am proud to say to liven up your retirement! to become involved. You can also that I will be one of the very few here reach out at [email protected] to Christopher Jorna (1989) posted on in Fredericton that can provide fluent Allison Perch (1993) contacted us let us know you’d like to help! our Facebook page: This year is the service in both official languages. with an update via Facebook: I have 25th Anniversary of the graduation of been married for 19 years, and my the class of 1989—last batch of the Bruce Thom (1968) e-mailed: I husband and I have seven children. I during his studies at Carleton ’80s! Is anyone organizing any events noticed in the 2014 Spring issue of the moved to Wedgeport, NS, in 1999. We University’s School of Architecture. around this? Elizabeth MacIntosh Hale newsletter that John Roebuck had lost our home in a fire in February of The couple lives in Hafnarfjörður did a great job a few years ago getting died. He was a real free spirit and 2013. I currently reside in Yarmouth, with their two teenage children. folks together for the 20th reunion of added an immensely important NS, and am a stay-at-home mom. the class of ’90. dynamic to the Lisgar music program. Jeffrey Weiner (1969) wrote: Please He was an inspiration to all of us Lawrence Erwin (1941) wrote: find enclosed a donation to the library Dr. Yogi Sehgal (1990) wrote: I read struggling sax players and he also took Enclosed is a copy of the obituary of in memory of my mother, Miriam with interest of the retirement of Mr. the time to get to know us as individu - my life-long friend Lloyd A. Barrett. Weiner (Katz, 1939), who passed Derry and it reminded me of all the als. Always fondly remembered. The obituary was published in the away from cancer on November 12, wonderful French teachers I had at Times Colonist in Victoria, BC—the 2013, at the age of 92. Lisgar. Thanks to their enthusiasm Douglas Burns (1952) e-mailed: As a newspaper for which he worked prior during my years at Lisgar, I actually life member, I am always interested to to his retirement. Ian Brodie (1991) is an Associate became fully fluent. After 12 years in receive the newsletter and catch up on Professor of Folklore at Cape Breton several remote communities, includ - events involving former Lisgarites, Alice Olivia Clarke (1988) has a University, where he has been teach - ing ten amazing years in the communi - particularly those of my era. I present - critically lauded supporting part in ing since 2005. He is married, with ty of Sioux Lookout in Northwestern ly live in Pointe Claire, QC, and have the Sundance Festival film Land Ho! one child. He has recently published , my wife Lynne and I decided since university. However, my sisters The film is a roadtrip movie about a book, A Vulgar Art: A New Approach to move to Fredericton, NB. For the are still in Ottawa: Alison Scott (Burns, two former brothers-in-law travel - to Stand-Up Comedy . past four years I have been working as 1954) and Margaret Dempsey (Burns, ling through Iceland and meeting a a family physician at the Centre de 1949). I also visit my long time closest wide array of life-changing charac - D’Arcy McNamara (teacher 1966- Santé Noreen-Richard. My wife and I friend David Owen (1952). ters along the way. Clarke plays one 72) wrote : What prompted me to have two sons, Ori (2) and Kéo (4 of those transformative people, write is Bob Hursti’s article on John months). When I graduated from Doug Jones, Bill Shore, and Bill Nadine, a bank manager who stud - Roebuck in your latest issue. I spent Hines (all 1965) wrote: Some of us ied photography and followed her the summer of 1969 travelling the UK Editor who graduated in 1965 would like to own dreams to Iceland. Alice moved with John and, yes, playing lots of golf. Avi Caplan organize a reunion in Ottawa in May to Iceland in 1993, following her I remember someone in Northern Contributors or June of 2015 to commemorate our Icelandic husband, whom she met Ireland asking me if John was my Nina Acharya 50th anniversary. A great chance to Elizabeth Hale catch up on what some of us have Joy Heft David McMahon been doing in the last half-century; an Philippe Roy opportunity to compare ourselves now to what we were then; and most of all, Alere Flammam is the semi-annual a chance to renew old acquaintances, newsletter of the Lisgar Alumni Association. to revisit our past, to remember the days when our lives were much less Lisgar Alumni Association complicated than they appear to be 29 Lisgar Street Ottawa, ON K2P 0B9 now. We’d like any member of the [email protected] Class of 1965—remember that there (866) 236-1450 were over 200 of you!—to contact us http://www.lisgar.net at [email protected] if you’d like to take part in this reunion We are proud to use FSC certified, a year from now. And if you know the processed chlorine free, 100% post- e-mail of another member of the class consumer recycled paper. I CAN MANifest CHANGE: Constable Khoa Hoang (2000) appeared in a public and would like to pass it on, we’ll con - awareness campaign this fall to positively engage men and boys in ending violence against women.

Alere Flammam • Fall 2014 • Page 2 Members’ Forum father. I was perplexed because I the way public education should be thought of John as my buddy, although delivered. I have many fond memories this comment made me realize there of staff and students. was a substantial age and experience difference between us. I did lose track Jean Kapur (Mulvie, 1943) wrote: I of John over the years but I am sure am always pleased to receive a copy of the guy I knew was the same through - the latest issue of Alere Flammam . out his life. John was, in a word, irre - Sadly, there aren’t many times that the pressible. He was always the most class of 1943 is mentioned. However, wired guy in a room. His energy was I saw the name of Irene Broad infectious, and I am sure that he (Woolford, 1943) was listed with the inspired many people to broaden their donors. I’d love to get in touch. horizons, as he did me. I also wanted to add that I’d like to thank Wright Leezah Cohen (1965) was married Neil for hiring me and believing that I in North Carolina this August. Fellow was teacher material. I went on to Lisgar grads Nancy Gnaedinger teach 32 years with the Ottawa Board, (1965) and Niki Cohen (Sicotte, SASSY SIX: All Cohens and all Lisgar grads, Jonathan (1960), Eric (1966), Alan (1964), Leezah and Lisgar remained my template for 1965) were in attendance. ■ (1965), Niki (Sicotte, 1965), and Gobby (1969) celebrate the night before Leezah’s wedding.

away on January 7, 2012. He was very University of Toronto and an MS from In Memoriam active in Ottawa’s Jewish community. Columbia. He was a professor in the MARTINDALE , Robert (1953) School of Library and Information BAILEY , Mary (Moxley, 1943) She graduated from Carleton and passed away on November 17, 2013. Science at Western. passed away on November 11, 2013. raised three boys (David attended He graduated in Civil Engineering QUARRINGTON , Dr. A.J. (1956) She graduated from the Royal Victoria Lisgar in 1966-67). Janet was involved from Queen’s and worked most of his passed away on February 17, 2014. He Hospital in 1947 and pursued a nurs - with UNICEF, the Maycourt Club, and career with Imperial Oil in Toronto. was a member of the Senior Football ing career in Montreal, Toronto, the University Women’s Club. MAXON , Phyllis (Connett, 1950). Team, Boy’s Hi-Y, and Vox Lycei staff Halifax, and Ottawa. GRAHAM , Dr. James (1935) MCMONAGLE , Robert (1947) in his graduating year. BARRETT , Lloyd (1941) passed passed away on May 7, 2014. He passed away on September 7, 2014. SLADE , Bill (1967) passed away away on July 5, 2014. He attended attended McGill and completed his He studied at Western and became a on April 19, 2014. He studied English Carleton for Journalism and worked postgraduate residency training in management consultant in Toronto. at Brock, then worked for the govern - for several newspapers across Canada Internal Medicine at the Montreal MURRAY , Catherine (Costello, ment in Ottawa. He received his MA before retiring from the Times General Hospital and the Peter Bent 1944) passed away in Port Moody, BC from the University of Ottawa in 1979. Colonist in Victoria, B.C. Brigham Hospital (Harvard) in on August 10, 2014. Catherine served SLEEMAN , Warren (1938) passed BLACK , James Bernard “Bernie” Boston. He practised in Ottawa from as a WREN in the Navy during the away on August 9, 2014. He was the (teacher 1953-58) passed away on 1947 to 1966, as a member of the Second World War and as a dental younger brother of Fred (1925) and July 22, 2014. He taught English and Department of Medicine at the Ottawa nurse in Nova Scotia, and obtained her the uncle of Rick (1964) and Judy Phys. Ed., and coached the Lisgar foot - Civic Hospital. He became a Member BA from Western and Bachelor of Eardley (Sleeman, 1956). Warren was ball teams to city championships in of the Order of Canada in 1979. Journalism from Carleton. She worked the father of John Sleeman, who suc - several years. Dubbed the “master - GREENBERG , Mervin (1947) for both the National Film Board and cessfully resurrected the Sleeman mind of basketball” by players, he was passed away on May 22, 2014. As a the CBC. Brewing and Malting Company in later Head of Athletics at Ridgemont. teenager he worked as an usher at the PEACHY , Diane (1962) passed Guelph, ON, in 1988 and built it into BRYANT , Barry (1963). He was a Capitol Theatre, delivered telegrams away on July 9, 2014. She was active the third-largest brewery in Canada. ski instructor during his Lisgar years, on his bicycle, worked in a lumber with the Lisgar cheerleaders. SPICER , Erik (1944) passed away as well as an active canoeist, kayaker, yard and in the family grocery store, PERRIN , George (1942) passed on September 27, 2014. [See article hiker, camper, and summer camp and sold vacuum cleaners door-to- away on July 12, 2014. He was editor on p. 6]. counselor. Barry studied Outdoor door. He found his true calling in of the Vox , and graduated from WEINER , Miriam (Katz, 1939) Recreation at the University of Ottawa. 1952 when he started selling real Queen's in 1949 after serving as an passed away on November 12, 2013. COWAN , Penny (Sherwood, 1946) estate. He founded Mervin Greenberg officer in the RCNVR. He worked in WHERRETT , Doreen (Johnson, passed away in East Sussex, UK. Limited and Arrowood Homes. From life insurance, as an estate planner. 1952) passed away on February 17, ELLIS , Waltraud “Wally” (Hentschel, his grad write-up: Merv is one of PRODERICK , Gerry (1938) 2008. 1958) passed away on June 2, 2014. Lisgar’s basketball stars. This six feet passed away on February 14, 2014. He WOOD , Gillian (McPherson, FERGUSON , Margery (Turnbull, of smiling sunshine hasn’t disclosed attended the University of Toronto, 1967) passed away in Halifax, NS on Lisgar secretary 1968-84) passed his plans (if he has any) for the future and served overseas in the Second January 22, 2013. away on May 9, 2014. (if he has one). His hobby, to quote World War, where he held the rank of WOODBRIDGE , Anne (Moerel, FOX , Janet (Macdonald, 1947) him, is “Wimmin!” Captain in the Canadian Army. After 1961) passed away on September 11, passed away on September 30, 2014. LIEFF , Joseph, Q.C. (1935) passed the war, he obtained an MA from the 2013. ■

Page 3 Features From the Lisgar Archives: Notes from “Down Below”

Joy Heft wondered if she might have relatives women during the Second World War. who would be interested in having the Much of the film, entitled Something e have had many inquiries this medal. None of the Williams contacted Dancing About Her , was shot in the year from persons interested in using our alumni database know of home on Second Avenue in which she LWisgar alumni from the two World Wars. Emily, but Steve has nonetheless sent the grew up. This excellent portrayal of this The first such inquiry came from medal, which he believes was dug out of lively and talented woman includes orig - Barbara Mennill, step-mother of Lisgar the ground, to our archives. His reaction inal footage from ski forays into the music teacher Laura Mennill. She had to the fact that we have an alumni asso - Gatineaus, among other activities. The visited many of the war memorials in ciation: “It must be quite a school!” film is available on DVD from the public Belgium and France and was interested Mr. Johnson’s sentiment was echoed library and at some rental outlets. There in researching those commemorated on closer to home by a gentleman who had is also a book, Pegi by Herself , by Laura the plaques in Memorial Hall. Barbara fallen from his bike crossing the Brandon, Curator of Art at the Canadian was delighted to discover our history Corktown Bridge. He subsequently sent War Museum, that some may be inter - books and was able to glean consider - a letter to Principal David McMahon. By ested in reading. able information from the Vox available his own embarrassed admission he had Speaking of books, a new composite through our website. She was the pre - LEST WE FORGET: Barbara Mennill spoke to “foolishly” overloaded his bicycle with copy of five consecutive editions of Vox senter at Lisgar’s Rememberance Day students at the Rememberance Day assembly. fresh fruit from the market, along with from 2009 –2014 is currently being assembly this year, and shared a binder in the city, a crack middle distance run - his “very amateur painting equipment.” bound for the Alumni Association. The with her research and some pictures ner, a football and lacrosse player, and a Six Lisgar students rushed to his rescue. inscription will read: ‘This volume is with the school. member of the champion war canoe They were by his account “very attentive dedicated to Principal David McMahon Following on Barbara’s heels, crew of the New Edinburgh Canoe Club. and charming,” and his assessment to in grateful recognition of his faithful ser - Boudewyn van Oort sent a missive to say He enlisted at the outbreak of the war as the principal was that he has “a fine vice to Lisgar Collegiate.” he was taking the Children’s Choir of a private in the 2nd battalion of the group of students at Lisgar.” It is good to Finally, we have received a number which he is president to Holtenburg, in famous Canadian Ironsides, and was know that some things never change. of donations of Lisgar clothing, mostly the Netherlands, next year as part of the decorated with the Military Cross in In other news, Abbotsford House in athletic wear from different eras. celebrations commemorating the 70th 1917 “for conspicuous gallantry and Ottawa recently showed the National Sometimes such items just appear out of anniversary of the liberation of that devotion to duty.” Film Board documentary regarding the thin air, as was the case some time ago country. In making arrangements for Speaking of medals, Steve Johnson of life and art of Pegi Nicol McLeod. A stu - with a girl’s small gym bag. Judging by this trip, he discovered a family attempt - Nautilus Designs in Las Cruces, New dent at Lisgar in the 1920s, Pegi, whose the contents, the owner (circa 1967) ing to personalize the image of soldiers Mexico, contacted us during the spring father spent some time as principal at was a leading gymnast, basketball play - whose names appear on the war graves to say he had in his possession a bronze Lisgar, became a recognized artist dur - er, volleyball player, and member of the in their town. He produced a list of medal awarded to Emily Williams, Class ing her relatively short life, and was G.A.A. executive. Will the owner please those from Ottawa and asked if some 2K in 1925, for general proficiency. He commissioned to document the role of identify herself? ■ might have attended Lisgar. In fact, Frederick J. Sims, who graduated in 1938 and attended RMC, was among them. His name appears in a number of copies of Vox and he is listed in the active service list in 1942. The third such inquiry came from David Bluestein, who is writing an exten - sive article about Leslie Tubman (1907), who distinguished himself in the First World War. In addition to infor - mation available in the online Vox, Mr. Bluestein was also very pleased to receive digital photos of the plaques bearing the name of Leslie Tubman and he likewise submitted pictures of medals Leslie received for his distin - guished service. A laudatory article in the 1918 Vox announcing the death of Leslie Watters Tubman indicates that he was one of the most prominent athletes WAR MEDALS: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal with Mentioned-in-Dispatches Oak Leaf of Leslie “Tubbie” Tubman (1907).

Alere Flammam • Spring 2014 • Page 4 Features Interview with Charles Hill, Curator of Canadian Art

What route took you to Lisgar? I attended Rockcliffe Park Public School and Sedbergh School near Montebello, then began grade 12 at Lisgar in 1960. What memories do you have? I have fond memories of the Lisgar Players productions directed by Tim Bond, but less fond ones of gym class - es which were exercises in bullying. What did you study at university? I studied French at Université de Grenoble, 1962–63. I did a BA in Art History and French Literature at McGill University, 1963–67. I then completed an MA in Art History at the University of Toronto, 1968–70. Did you have any particular out - side interests? At the University of Toronto, I became active in the gay liberation movement in 1969. I had known I was gay since the age of 12, and political action was an important tool in achieving a per - sonal and social acceptance of what this meant. This political activity great - TRAVELLING THE WORLD: Charles Hill (1962), recently retired after 42 years at the National Gallery of Canada, is seen here at Istanbul’s Galata Tower. ly assisted my appreciation of the con - nection between art and greater social record, as exhibitions are ephemeral What interesting places have you received an honorary doctorate from issues. once they close. travelled to during your career? Concordia University in 2007. My Tell us about your career at the You met some very distinguished The discovery of many regions of essay “Tom Thomson, Painter” and National Gallery of Canada. Canadians during your career, Canada would be first on my list. I the exhibition catalogue Emily Carr: I started working at the Gallery as a including Prime Minister Trudeau. have also travelled to China and Saint New Perspectives on a Canadian summer student in 1967 and was Trudeau understood the importance Petersburg with exhibitions. Icon both won awards. I received the appointed Assistant Curator of Later of art for Canadian society. I was privi - Do you have any favourite artists Award of Distinguished Service from Canadian Art in 1972, Curator of Later leged in having him open two exhibi - or colours? the Canadian Museums Association in Canadian Art 1979–80. I was Curator tions that I organized, Canadian I love the colours of artists James 2012. of Canadian Art 1980–2014. I was Paintings in the Thirties in 1975, Wilson Morrice and Tom Thomson. What advice would you offer to very privileged to have been able to and To Found A National Gallery: What honours and awards have someone wishing to become a fine work at the Gallery for forty-seven The Royal Canadian Academy of the you received? arts specialist, curator, or director? years. I don’t think I would have been Arts 1880–1913 in 1980. Trudeau I am privileged to have been appoint - Being a director is a very different ket - able to do what I did at another insti - was a supporter of the Gallery, and it ed a Member of the Order of Canada, tle of fish from being a curator, but in tution. was thanks to him that a new National and to have received the Queen all fields a desire to see and learn, and What are some of the major exhi - Gallery was opened in 1988. Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal. I also recognition of the professional knowl - bitions you helped to organize? edge of others and a desire to work Artists, Architects, Artisans: cooperatively, are essential assets. Canadian Art 1880–1918 (2013); What is next for you? Emily Carr: New Perspectives Now that I have retired, I want to com - (2006); Tom Thomson (2002); The plete a biography of the Montreal art Group of Seven: Art for a Nation dealer Dr. Max Stern that I began (1995); Morrice, A Gift to the many years ago when I had a short Nation: The G. Blair Laing Collection sabbatical. I am currently in Ireland (1992); Canadian Painting in the with my partner, Brian Foss, and will Thirties (1975)—to name just a few. return to Ottawa in July. We’ll see The catalogues are the enduring CLASS OF 1962: Charles Hill’s write-up in the Vox Lycei spoke to an appetite for books and learning. where the next months lead me. ■

Page 5 Features Farewell to Parliamentary Librarian Emeritus Lisgar Responds ne of Lisgar’s best-known alum - to Downtown ni in Ottawa circles passed away Lockdown tOhis fall. Erik Spicer (1944) was Canada’s longest-serving Parliamentary David McMahon Librarian, holding the post from 1960 to 1994, and the first professionally lthough Wednesday October 22, trained librarian in the role. He was 2014, began as a regular day at also the longest-serving holder of LAisgar Collegiate Institute, it became Deputy Minister rank in Canadian his - one that staff and students will tory, serving over his 34 years under remember. At 10 AM we realized that eight Prime Ministers, and reporting to something very serious was happen - twelve Speakers of the Senate and ten ing in . Lisgar’s Speakers of the House of Commons. administration quickly consulted with Erik was born in Ottawa in 1926 to the local authorities before moving Violet Manhart (née Gunderson) and into a “secure school,” which means Clifford Spicer. He attended the Model that all exterior doors and windows School, part of the Normal School for are locked and blinds are drawn, and teachers adjacent to Lisgar, now incor - regular activities continue in secure porated as part of Ottawa City Hall, and areas—meaning students must stay attended Lisgar from 1940 to 1944. inside classrooms. The Second World War had been We remained this way until close raging for nearly five years, and many to 3 PM, and having to keep students student activities at Lisgar were thus secure in their classrooms for almost focussed on knowledge about the five hours presented some challenges. Canadian war effort and on acquiring The staff worked together to provide practical war skills through the Cadet LONGEST-SERVING: Erik Spicer (1944) in his second of more than three decades on the job as washroom breaks and lunch, while Canada’s Parliamentary Librarian. Bill Brennan / Ottawa Citizen. Reprinted by permission. Corps. Perhaps as a result, Erik joined the main office dealt with hundreds of the Royal Canadian Air Force upon Michigan. He began his career as a and with an entrance leading from the phone calls from concerned families graduation, later transferring to the librarian at the public libraries in Gothic splendour of the main reading in a calm and professional manner. Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. After Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa, as well room.” He was proud to give tours of Carol, who runs the cafeteria, pre - the war, he joined the Governor as at the university libraries in Victoria the Library to visiting dignitaries and pared a huge amount of additional General’s Foot Guards, eventually and Michigan. In 1960, while Deputy students, and loved to explain how the food and worked with our teachers to achieving the rank of Major. Librarian at the , Library of Parliament was saved during deliver it around the school. Erik earned three university he was hired away by Prime Minister the Great Fire of 1916. Many students were receiving texts degrees while in the military: a John Diefenbaker to become the In recognition of his long and dis - and e-mails from parents who also Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of youngest-ever Parliamentary Librarian. tinguished service, Erik was named found themselves in a form of lock - Library Science from the University of There were many challenges to the Parliamentary Librarian Emeritus and down at work, so when police gave Toronto, and a Master of Arts in renewal of the Library of Parliament at Honorary Officer of both Houses of Lisgar the go-ahead to release stu - Library Science from the University of this time—integrating the French and Parliament. In 1994, he was appointed dents we dismissed them for the day English systems, modernizing manage - to the Order of Canada. knowing that some parents might not ment processes, and before too long Erik and his wife Helen enjoyed be home for hours. Transportation Life Members bringing in modern technologies. Erik their retirement years at their cottage, also created problems for students in We are delighted to report that ten did all this and more with profession - going to diplomatic functions, and reg - that bus routes had been diverted to alumni have become Life Members alism and grace, earning a great deal ularly attending events at the National avoid the downtown core. since the last issue of Alere Flammam : of respect from those around him. Arts Centre. Erik continued to enjoy Reflecting back on the events of Robert Bedard (1963) According to his obituary, Erik saw reading and research, and also served October 22, we are extremely proud Laleah Carscallen (1970) himself not only as Parliamentary between 1995 and 2002 on the Alumni of our students and staff for how they John Fairchild (1960) Librarian, but also as the chief custodi - Association Executive, taking an active responded to a challenging and diffi - Dianne Heslop (Duval, 1956) an and advocate for the beautiful and interest in the establishment of the Life cult day. Members of our community Meredith Laird (1988) iconic building itself. “For 34 years,” Membership Fund. supported each other, remained Mary McNamara (Bruce, 1973) his obituary reads, “he happily occu - Erik’s funeral was held at The calm, responded quickly to what Beverley Smith (1969) pied what had to be one of the finest Guards’ Chapel, St. Bartholomew’s needed to be done, and, most impor - Joe Su (2012) government offices in Ottawa, with a Church, in Rockcliffe Park, where he tant, remained safe. Meredith VanStone McNally (2003) panoramic view of the , was honoured by his former regiment, [Editor’s note: David McMahon

Lawrence Wardroper (1977) Gatineau, QC, and the hills beyond, the Governor General’s Foot Guards. ■ is Principal at Lisgar.] ■

Alere Flammam • Fall 2014 • Page 6