Alere Flammam The newsletter of the Lisgar Alumni Association Volume XXI • 1st Issue • Fall 2005 Remembering Léonard Zamor By Davida Aronovitch puter screen. Ask to see his collection Indonesia in April 2004 and lived to climbed onto the roof of his house as a of photographs, and he will call up one the fullest his last months of mobility. boy just to find out what was out of is canal-side apartment on of dozens of portfolios. If urged, he He would joke lightheartedly that the sight. It was this appetite for discovery Clegg Avenue in Ottawa was will produce articles published in a doctors had given up on him. He, how- that he taught his students. Hjust as one might have political newspaper for which he was ever, would do nothing of the sort. Shy and quiet, Mr. Zamor rarely imagined it: the sunny open space is briefly editor. I once asked Mr. Zamor His classroom was unlike any spoke of himself. But some digging draped with lush greenery, and the why, with so many talents and inter- other. In every aspect of his teaching, turns up childhood quiz show wins, rooms are filled with exotic artifacts ests, he chose to become a teacher. He his love of language, music, literature, innumerable travels, various journal- collected on his extensive travels. laughed and replied simply “Teaching and art came bursting forth with conta- ism, a love of spices and cooking, Towering wooden shelves are is my vocation.” gious enthusiasm. Once a month, Mr. choir singing, and a street theatre pro- crammed with books of all kinds. Even on inhospitably wintry days, Zamor held what he called Café des gram for troubled youth in Indonesia, Classical music plays softly from where Mr. Zamor would be found cycling to Poésies. Students brought in poems for instance. Even the number of lan- Mr. Zamor sits, smiling in his signature and from Lisgar, where he taught and excerpts, musical instruments, guages he spoke—five in all—and his purple-striped Guatemalan shirt. Even French and Spanish and coached soc- and baked goods. He would provide a country of origin were unknown to us now, weakened by illness and physi- cer for eight years before he was diag- classical soundtrack, serve his home- at the time as his students. Yet, beyond cally deteriorated, he is in good spirits. nosed in 2003 with ALS, commonly brewed tea, and occasionally offer an any one remarkable thing, it is the per- Unable to speak or write, he uses a known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Born impromptu verse from memory. I was son he was—his passion, his benevo- joystick to indicate letters on the com- in Haiti in 1957, Jean Léonard Eugène hardly surprised to learn from Gisèle, lence, and his taste for adventure that Zamor came to Canada with his family one of his three younger sisters, that a so strongly marked his students. in 1969 at the age of 11. He took both favourite childhood game of Mr. On April 8th, Mr. Zamor died at his his B.A. and his Bachelor of Education Zamor’s was reading the dictionary— home, overlooking the canal. He was at the University of Ottawa. He also a habit that, despite his best efforts, he 47. If I am ever complimented on my studied for a year on scholarship at the never managed to pass on to his stu- French, I explain that I had a truly Goethe Institute in Germany. While he dents. More than what he taught, it was exceptional French teacher. I now would travel habitually throughout how he taught that made him so excep- understand that this description, which Asia, South America, and Europe, tional. Although sometimes undeserv- he would surely have waved off blush- Ottawa was his home. ing, he treated his teenage students as ingly, is only the beginning of who Mr. When Mr. Zamor learned that he young adults. His classroom was a Zamor was to me and so to many oth- was ill, he did anything but capitulate. community for novel and lively think- ers, and for which he will be dearly Rather, he planned a final trip to ing. After all, this is a man who once missed. I Léonard Zamor poses for a Vox photo Lisgar Welcomes Karen Gledhill as New Principal aren has served the former As well, she is a strong believer in con- in Manotick with her husband. Her Alere Flammam KCarleton Board of Education tinuous learning, encourages profes- daughter is in third year at York and the Ottawa-Carleton District sional development of staff, and sup- University taking Kinesiology and her Inside School Board, for the last 31 years, as ports creative and innovative ideas and son is a professional ballet dancer in a teacher (predominantly Physical technology in the classroom. Students Sweden with the Gotenberg Ballet. She Members’ Forum 2 Education, Dance, Guidance have heard Karen speak of the three is thrilled and excited to be at Lisgar. In Memoriam 2 Counsellor), assistant department Rs—self-respect, respect for others, We say goodbye to Principal Pat Notes from Down Under 5 head, department head of Physical and and taking responsibility for choices, Irving, who retired from the Board this Here and There 5 Health Education and Fine Arts, and actions and decisions. She loves to past June. We wish her well in future From the Secretary 6 administrator at five secondary visit classes, to participate and to endeavours and thank her for her ser- Friends of Lisgar 6 schools. She supports student involve- watch the co-curricular activities. Her vice to Lisgar over the last few years— Guys and Dolls 6 ment in all aspects of school life and door is always open—for staff, stu- including the weekend of the 160th involvement in the community at large. dents, parents and visitors. Karen lives reunion. I Members’ Forum Members’ Forum In Memoriam A couple of corrections to note— (Smiley, 1938). We apologize for the ADKINS, Bert (1942). On January 1943, (Liri Valley). Bill also worked confirmation that we really need an error. 19, 2005, aged 78 years, Bert William for 41 years at CIBC. editor: Adkins, born October 24, 1926, dear ARTHUR, Elseke Irene (teacher). From Marg Pippy: In the Fall 1999 Janet Whitfield writes: I would just brother of Helen Cox. Bert enjoyed a Passed away on May 15, 2004 in her issue (XV, no. 1), Lois Tewsley’s maid- like to take a moment to thank you for career as an announcer with CBC in 81st year. Proud mother of David and en name was omitted in the list of Life your kind words about our father, Montreal where he worked for the Mark of Toronto and Elaine of Members. She phoned to asked if we David Whitfield (1947), in the fall International Service, local radio and Calgary. Lovingly remembered by her could correct it, saying that Tewsley newsletter. It was very touching to see T.V. Bert was the male lead in one of brother Robert and his wife Persis of wouldn’t mean anything to anyone the article in the newsletter and to see the first Canadian “soap operas,” Naples, Florida. Elseke was a dedicat- who knew her at Lisgar. She was Lois a different side of him presented. You which was broadcast daily, as well as ed high school teacher, most recently Bayley, and graduated in 1934. have no idea how proud he was to an announcer of a T.V. sport show at Laurentian High School and Lisgar And from Elizabeth Hale: Dr. have gone to Lisgar and always spoke called “For Golfers Only.” He regularly Collegiate, as well as an avid gardener. Donald W. Mills (1949) of London, very highly of everything Lisgar repre- was ring-side announcer at the week- Many people were touched by her ON, wrote that “like Mark Twain, I sented. I thank you again for taking end boxing matches in the Montreal strength of character, wit, stories and believe that the report of my death has the time to dedicate some space to Forum. One of his fondest memories support. been greatly exaggerated.” Alere him in the newsletter. was of interviewing Rocket Richard on BRABAZON, Stephen G.E. (1943). Flammam (Fall 2004) had published the night of his retirement. Bert's act- August 7, 1924 to June 7, 2005. It is that he had passed away, but it was a W. Robert Wellwood (1950) wrote to ing career took him to Toronto, New with great sadness that the family case of mistaken identity. He wants to express his sadness at hearing of the York and London, England. He announces the death of Stephen assure everyone that he is warm and passing of his dear friend Godfrey returned to Ottawa to work for CBO George Edward Brabazon. Beloved breathing. He retired from the Faculty Massé. He remembered his friend and his beloved Ottawa Little Theatre. husband of 50 years to Connie (nee of Medicine at the University of from their Lisgar days and also at For many years, his Ontario-wide Jarvis). Loving father of Catherine and Western Ontario four years ago but the Bytown Inn. radio program “Listen to My Music” Shaun. still works five half-days a week caring was a popular start to the day of lovers BRAY, Marion (1928). Peacefully for patients as a sub specialist in glau- Lois Beach (Gibson, 1955) writes: of Big Band and jazz music from the on May 22, 2005, aged 95 years. coma. Congratulations on the wonderful 30s, 40s and 50s, bringing him fans Beloved sister of Dick of Kingston.