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blue banner st. michael’s college school volume 2 ~ spriing 2007 what’s inside: tireless Christian Peacemaker nurturing friendships st. michael’s celebrates 100 years of hockey a tribute to Shawn O’Sullivan “When you send your boy to St. Mike’s, he will have friends for life.” St. Michael’s College School Alumni Association ~ 1515 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M5P 3H4 the blue banner The St. Michael's College School Alumni Magazine, Blue Banner, is published two times per year. It reflects the history, accomplishments and stories of graduates and its purpose is to promote collegiality, respect and Christian values under the direction of the Basilian Fathers. President: Fr. Joseph Redican, C.S.B. Editor: Joe Younder ’56 Co-editor: Michael De Pellegrin ’94 Publisher: The Mohan Group - Patrick Mohan ’76 contributing editors Christian Cotroneo (Toronto Star), Margaret DeCourcy, Les Duff ’54, Stephanie Gough, Andrij Harasymowycz ’00, Jim Junkin (CTV), Joe LeMoine ’54, Pat Mancuso ’90, Romeo Milano ’81, Marc Montemurro ’93, Peter Murphy ’56, Stephen Scharper (University of Toronto), Marc Teskey ’92 alumni executive 2006 – 2007 President: Romeo Milano '81 Past President: Peter Thurton '81 Vice President: Josh Colle '92 Vice President: Marc Montemurro '93 Treasurer: Wiz Khayat '96 Secretary: Paul Nusca '96 Chaplain: Fr. Leo Burns '54, C.S.B. SMCS Staff Rep: TBA Councillors: Marco Berardi ’84 Dominic Montemurro ’78 Dominic DeLuca ’76 John O'Neill ’86 Rui DeSousa ’88 Art Rubino ’81 Frank Di Nino ’80 Anthony Scilipoti ’90 James MacDonald ’72 John Teskey ’00 Dennis Mills ’64 Paul Thomson ’65 Andre Tilban-Rios ’03 past presidents Peter Thurton, Denis Caponi, Jr., Rob Grossi, Paul Grossi, Daniel Brennan, John McCusker, William Metzler, Michael Duffy, Ross Robertson, William Rosenitsch, Paul Thomson, John G. Walsh, Frank Thickett, W. Frank Morneau, Frank Glionna (Deceased), George Cormack, Richard Wakely (Deceased), Gordon Ashworth (Deceased), Peter D’Agostino (Deceased), G.J. McGoey (Deceased), Paul McNamara (Deceased), Joseph Primeau (Deceased), Dick Foster. Tel: 416-653-3180 x202 e-mail: [email protected] Fax: 416-653-8789 alumni e-mail: [email protected] CANADA PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40006997 useful websites St. Michael’s College School - www.stmichaelscollegeschool.com Basilian Fathers - www.basilian.org CISAA (Varsity Athletic Schedule) - http://cisaa.ca St. Michael’s Majors – www.stmichaelsmajors.com St. Michael’s Buzzers – www.stmichaelsbuzzers.com contactdirectory Tel: 416-653-3180 x292 E-mail: [email protected] table of contents Web: www.stmichaelscollegeschool.com • Admissions (x195) Page 4 Message from the President • Advancement (x118) Page 5 Letter from the Editor Page 6 Letters to the Editor • Alumni Affairs (x273) Page 7 Message from the Alumni President • Arena (x422) Page 8 It’s Nice to be Important, but It’s More Important • Communications (x292) to be Nice • Dean of Students (x229) Page 9 Alumni Reunion News and Business Directory Info • Finance (x239) Page 10 Order of St. Michael • Main Reception (x0) Page 10 Alumni Incentive Program • MPorium - school store (x431) Page 11 Homecoming • Property Manager(x129) Page 12 SMCS Golf Tournament / Coach ‘P’ Classic • President's Office (x174) Page 13 Class Bursary Program Initiatives • Principal’s Office (x340) Page 14-15 Turkey Roll & Reunion • Vice Principal – Mr. John (x156) Page 16 Class of 2006 Christmas Dinner • Vice Principal – Mr. Sheridan (x139) Page 17-25 Where are they now Page 26-30 Marriages, Births, In Memoriam Tributes Page 31-32 Fr. Bob Holmes Profile useful e-mail addresses Page 32-33 Councillor Joe Mihevc Profile Advancement Office – [email protected] Page 34 Former Teacher Brian McGowan is Top of His Class Alumni Affairs – [email protected] Page 35 Gene Cuccia – A True St. Michael’s Man Blue Banner Feedback – [email protected] Page 36-38 A tribute to Sean O’Sullivan Communications Office – [email protected] Page 39-41 SMC… For Many a Family Tradition Page 42-46 100 Years of Hockey Celebration Staff Update: Page 47 Duke of Edinburgh Award Program Andrij Harasymowycz '00 has left St. Page 48 St. Michael's Moot Court of Appeal Michael’s College School to pursue other Page 49 St. Michael’s Majors AD employment opportunities. We wish him Page 50 Amcare Surgical AD the best in his future endeavours. Page 51-52 MPorium, Calendar of Events and Feedback Form Stephanie Gough has assumed the position Page 53 Back Cover of Alumni and Special Events Officer. Your Privacy is Protected! St Michael's College School Alumni Association respects the privacy and sensitivity of personal information. We do not sell or trade mailing lists to other organizations. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni & Friends: 4 St. Michael’s is a wonderful place to be. It is truly a marvellous experience to watch and listen as our boys grow into men. A boy that I am towering over one year is looking me in the eye the next and looking down at me a few months later. I can only imagine what it is like keeping them fed and clothed! We see kids survive minor and major injuries, the hurts of family problems and the chal- lenges of matters of the heart! We see them become scholars, athletes, musicians and leaders. When we observe these miracles of life, we know we are looking straight at the presence of our wonderful, life-giving God. While we teach, counsel and coach these boys, we also pray constantly that they will become good men, men of and for God. Thanks to you our alumni and friends for sharing in this important ministry. Of course your financial support for our programs and scholarships is appreciated. However, even more important is for our students to see you when you come in to help out with career days and events like Hockey Day in Canada. You help us teach them that St. Mike’s is not just a four, five or six year experience but part of their whole lives. Sincerely, Rev. Joe Redican C.S.B. President & CEO BLUE BANNER ~ 2007 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR When you send your boy to St. Mike’s he will have friends for life. 53 One way to open up any conversation is to tell a story. The Irish are great at it. I have two such stories to tell you. The occasion was Gene Cuccia’s ’52 “no frills” semi annual Old Boys Golf tournament at Streetsville Glen on September 14, 2006. It was a special day for many reasons. Dick Duff ’55 was there along with Murray Costello ’53, and Dave Keon ’60 - all Hall of Fame members. It was not their illustrious history or golf scores that we all remember from that gathering; rather, it was what they said that remains in my mind and I know in the memory of some 150 grads from the 1950’s. In the post game gathering, Murray lead the way by recalling the time when he was thinking of going to St. Mike’s and asked his older brother Les ’46 for advice. Without hesitation, Les’s reply was simple. “I went to St. Mike’s because people told me I would make friendships there that would last a life time.” These remarks were echoed by Dick who was told by his parents that St. Mike’s would complement what they had taught him at home. In my editorship of the Blue Banner, I am amazed at the number of connections, relationships that exist and continue to be nurtured long after the final bell. Witness the recent successful Turkey Roll, and the 100th Anniversary of Hockey celebrations. Read the Where Are They Now column – amazing - the continuity from grandfathers to fathers, to sons, to uncles, cousins through marriage, business, and neighbours - the connectivity goes on. What really made my day at Gene’s ‘green memory classic’, and for many others, was the appearance of Fathers Brian Higgins ’45, C.S.B. and Rocco Volpe ’48, C.S.B., coaches, teachers and friends from those early years. It was what Fr. Higgins said to the gathering honouring the three Hall of Fame members that was memorable. In enduring terms, he spoke of knowledge, example, faith, goodness and friendship and then in a quiet gesture he blessed and presented each of them with a medal of St. Michael. There was not a dry eye in the place. There is yet another story. This one is about a person not directly familiar with St. Mike’s. Lisa Ferkul, who handled countless team playing schedules, for the 100 Years of Hockey Day at St. Mike’s, sums up her feelings from the many letters of appreciation she received. She writes, “On a personal note I want to thank all of you for the e-mails I have received. I have never encountered a more gracious and classy group of men. Your kind words are much appreciated. I truly respect the pride and passion you all feel towards St. Michael’s College School, its teachers, its hockey, its tradition and of course one another.” Now these are stories of fellowship and you don’t have to be Irish to tell them! Joe Younder ’56 Joe Younder ’45 Blue Banner Editor WHEN YOU SEND YOUR BOY TO ST. MIKE’S, HE WILL HAVE FRIENDS FOR LIFE Letters to the Editor 6 “I just received my copy of the Blue Banner. It has improved substantially and shows dedica- tion and pride of staff. I’m proud to be a part of the school that produces it.” Gene Fritsch ’69 “What a fabulous inaugural issue. Kudos to all involved. Layout is innovative and the con- tent is interesting and meaningful to an alumnus like me. It was great to see all of those old pictures again that brought back so many good memories-looking forward to subsequent issues.” Paul Finlay ’55 retired math head, St.