SPECIAL SECTION ALUMNI STAFF AT ST. MIKE’S BLIMEY! Where are they now? Alumni inspiring alumni, Everything is so dierent, + SMCS alumni taking They’re still here! a virtuous circle but I haven’t changed over London ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 7 14 16 ___ 23 ___ ALUMNI MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017 | VOLUME 21 CONTACT DIRECTORY once continued and began again anew, because instinctively, St. Michael’s College School: MESSAGE magically, miraculously, almost www.stmichaelscollegeschool.com overnight a new SMCS tradition was born among current students Blue Banner Online: www.mybluebanner.com FROM THE and recent alumni, proclaiming that, since the dawn of our time, no Basilian Fathers: www.basilian.org PRESIDENT student passes under the Arch until The St. Michael’s College School alumni magazine, CISAA (Athletic Schedule): www.cisaa.ca his Graduation Day when he emerges from it onto Bathurst Street and into the world which Blue Banner, is published twice a year. It reflects the Twitter: www.twitter.com/smcs1852 he will change through his life of faith, character, and service. Dear St. Michael’s Alumni and Friends, history, accomplishments, and stories of graduates and its Advancement Office: [email protected] The St. Michael's Arch, both an Would you agree that the hearts of St. Michael's alumni purpose is to promote collegiality, respect and Christian architectural gem and a powerful Alumni Affairs: [email protected] would burn to ponder such a story? values under the direction of the Basilian Fathers. symbol – Double Blue spirituality that is always grounded in reality – Archives Office: [email protected] Generations of St. Michael's Men were educated and formed first served as a doorway in and for by the Basilian Fathers in the building that was constructed in Blue Banner Feedback: [email protected] the vibrant present, and then it came PRESIDENT: Fr. Jefferson Thompson, CSB ’79 1902 along Bay Street as an addition to the Clover Hill to link the ages by reminding us campus of St. Michael's College, a new wing that rose Communications Office: [email protected] how the riches of the past continue EDITOR: Gavin Davidson ’93 intentionally to house St. Michael's College School. And to flow into and shape the blessings Tel: 416-653-3180 (ext. 292) generations of SMCS alumni returned to visit and thank their CO-EDITOR: Michael De Pellegrin ’94 of the present, and it has now Alma Mater at many ceremonies of pride and joy in this become a portal leading into the Fax: 416-653-8789 building on Clover Hill. Now, none of us is surprised because bright future of every St. Michael’s we understand the many good reasons why this building was CONTRIBUTORS E-mail: [email protected] Man. Is this merely the serendipity bursting at the seams halfway into the twentieth century. of fortuitous happenstance (to coin a Joe Younder ’56, Frank Di Nino ’80, • Admissions (ext. 195) phrase!), or is it rather the providential, guiding, loving hand And so it came to pass that a few yellow bricks were stacked Kimberley Bailey, Stephanie Nicholls, Peter Fillman of God writing our St. Michael's story in our very living of it, a • Advancement (ext. 118) upon each other at the corner of Bathurst and St. Clair in story whose dramatis personae always include students and 1950 to raise a new landmark and inaugurate a new era in • Alumni Affairs (ext. 273) alumni alike. the Basilian Catholic education and formation of St. Michael's Men. The Tower rose tall and strong, and was immediately • Archives (ext. 457) Is it not, then, both a natural and a looked up to as the symbol for everything good that was special calling for our students, who TABLE OF CONTENTS • Arena (ext. 422) going into and coming out of the ‘new’ St. Michael's College look forward to their emergence School. But it was Fr. Norman Fitzpatrick, CSB's historic President’s Message 3 from the Arch into the world, to feel • Chief Operating Officer (ext. 239) vision to reach back as much as it strived forward when he warmly welcomed back by the was inspired, with the generous support and assistance of Alumni Association Message 4 • Communications (ext. 292) same Arch as alumni who bring the the SMCS Alumni Association, to salvage the Students' world of teaching and learning into Entrance Arch from the Clover Hill school building in the nick Editor’s Letter 5 • Finance (ext. 117) the home of yellow bricks and new of time before its demolition in 1971. Fr. Fitz understood, as generations of St. Michael's Men? • Main Reception (ext. 0) we students and alumni also came to understand, that the Letters to the Editor 6 In this issue of the Blue Banner, we relocation of the Arch on Bathurst Street not so much • Mporium – School Store (ext. 431) celebrate the stories, experiences, Where are they now? They’re still here! established but rather maintained the unbroken, daily history and perspectives of precisely these Alumni from across six decades working at St. Mike’s 7 and tradition of St. Michael's Men entering and leaving the • Property Manager (ext. 129) alumni who have chosen to answer school. The hollowed concrete step that found its way from the call to illuminate our Securing our future by giving back: John Walsh ’73 13 • President – Fr. Jefferson Thompson, CSB ’79 (ext. 174) the Bay Street Arch to the selfsame Bathurst Street Arch classrooms, hallways, fields, and speaks eloquently for the generations of SMCS students who courts with their vocation of education and leadership. Alumni inspiring alumni, a virtuous circle 14 • Principal – Mr. Greg Reeves ’73 (ext. 139) understand and appreciate the significance of following in the hallowed footsteps of SMCS alumni before them. And • Vice Principal – Mr. Emile John ’87 (ext. 156) Do you not agree that the hearts of St. Michael's alumni, Everything is so different, but I haven’t changed! 16 when we see beautiful images of the Tower framed by the regardless of age or era, understand why they are burning while Arch, we behold in a moment the Archangel's protection of • Vice Principal – Mr. David Lee ’94 (ext. 179) reading such a story? Double Blue pictorial: Turkey Roll 20 St. Michael's Men through all of time from 1852 until the Canada Publications Mail Agreement #40006997 present. And thus the genius of Fr. Fitz ensured that the Blue Banner reader survey results 22 Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us. important significance of the past was never to be forgotten St. Michael, pray for us. or lost in the exuberant achievements of the present. Blimey! St. Mike’s alumni are taking over London 23 Sincerely in Christ, Where are they now 26 But then it came to pass in 2006 that the Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony moved out from Holy Rosary Church On the Cover: Alumni staff members gather for a group (where the Graduation Mass is still celebrated to this day) St. Michael’s Buzzers Alumni Update 29 photo. Approximately 40% of school staff and faculty are and back into the yellow bricks at 1515. The Exercises of Fr. Jefferson Mark Thompson, CSB ’79 the day closed with the Graduating Class processing In Memoriam 30 alumni. President ceremonially through the Arch. Suddenly, as these things go, all of time since 1852 stopped, took a deep breath, and at 2 A VIRTUOUS CIRCLE OF ALUMNI INSPIRING ALUMNI 3 ALUMNI LETTER ASSOCIATION FROM THE MESSAGE EDITOR pair of Grade 7 students. All the students on hand directed Dear Readers, and answered questions, providing a very welcoming and informative environment. The evening provided reassurance It will most likely come as a surprise to absolutely none of our that sending your son to SMCS provides an unparalleled readers when I tell you there are many reasons St. Michael’s level of education and growth. It is a strong reminder of how College School is a special place. However, it did come as blessed we are to be St. Mike’s boys. a surprise to me when I learned that one of the things that makes St. Mike’s so special is that close to 40 per cent of the The number of alumni currently working at the school as faculty and staff are graduates of the school. educators, administrators, and support staff provide further The ongoing involvement of alumni in all aspects of St. Mike’s evidence of the uniqueness of a St. Mike’s education. life speaks to the quality of education they received while This special issue of the Blue Banner takes a closer look not at the school and the strength of the bonds within our Dear Alumni, only at who has returned to work at the school, but why. But their stories had one thing in common - the same things community. Returning to work at the school, whether as an One theme is consistent throughout – St. Michael’s is a very that all the stories in this magazine share in common – each educator or an administrator, speaks to something even Since last writing to you, I am pleased to report that special place. of these individuals is a proud and caring St. Michael’s man, the Young Alumni Networking event was a big success. stronger, and felt it was worth taking a closer look. dedicated to living their lives according to the Basilian ideals of ‘Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge’, and dedicated Alumni from a variety of industries met with more than Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or Accordingly, this special issue focuses on alumni currently seventy university students to discuss possible career options to making a difference, both within these walls and beyond.