Track and Field Day II

Some more shots from track & field day. In the back left is Karen Smegal standing facing the camera. Linda Kawecki is sitting on the grass in the white shirt. If you know the names of anyone else in the photo, please leave a comment.

Yearbook Receipt

I was thumbing through a yearbook to look up some names and came across this OCHS yearbook receipt signed by Kathie Andrews (RIP). The total price was $4.00 for a yearbook. I wonder what they cost these days.

July 18th, 1970

The above image of OCHS is in the archives of the Oshawa Historical Society. The information on the photo that the historical society chose to associate with it, is that the picture was taken on July 18th, 1970.

You have to click on the photo to get its full effect. It quite a large photo.

Anne Brady at Track & Field Day

Teacher Anne Brady sits on the grass with an unidentified student at Track & Field Day at OCHS.

Track and Field Spectator

I came across this blurry shot in a series of negatives on a track and field day being held at OCHS. This person is so oooooooo 1970's. I am struggling for a name here, and the deep recesses of my memory bank want to say that perhaps the surname of this student is Shutka or Shine, but I can't come up with anything more definite. If you know the name of this student, leave a comment.

Thank you to the reader who left the comment that this is indeed Daniel Shutka.

Monsignor Dwyer's Golden Jubilee

The year was 1973. I can't remember what I did to warrant this "thank you" card from Monsignor Paul Dwyer on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee of Ordination into the priesthood. If my math is correct, it means that he was ordained in 1923. I believe that he died in 1975 or 1976.

Message From Ivor Boyagoda

Hi everyone,

It was such a pleasure to go back in history to the late sixties, the seventies, and the eighties and see so many photos and names of former Oshawa Catholic High School students and teachers. I taught at the school for thirty-eight happy years. Thank you Greg Bodnar for setting this up.

I would like to organize an old-timer's badminton tournament for teachers and students, for Spring 2011. I need some help contacting former students. Please pass this message on to any former OCHS badminton players, including:

Mary Kreisz
John Smegal
Guy Lacroix
Brian O'Connell
Stella Stanko
Lyn Levandoski
Patty Comerford
Rob Van Derlaan
Donna Whorms
Rita Grotenhuis
Jane Gimpelj
Marg Simmons
JOhn Finley
Brian Mitchell
Paul Corey
Brian Noonan

If you are yourself interested in playing or have contact information for anyone who would be, I can be reached at i_boyagoda@hotmail.com.

Thanks,

Ivor Boyagoda

Thanks, Ivor. One small correction. I am Ken Bodnar, not Greg. And I will always be grateful that you went to the University of Ottawa. I went there too, and your chemistry courses perfectly prepared me for the courses by Dr. Keith Laidler et al.

I will pass this along and we shall see if we can find these people.

More Faces in the Crowd

Above is another crowd shot. I will need some help from the readers identifying people. I can make out Joanne Karas (? -- I think -- the blonde at the left), next to Cathy Clinton. (?) Bathe is clapping and I believe Mike Dionne is blowing the horn. I can also see Mark Foley to the right. Please leave a comment if you can help me identify these spectators..

Admit Slip

By the time the 1970's rolled around, the school introduced late slips or admit slips to get into class if you missed the bell. You had to go to the office to collect one from one of the secretaries. Here is one from the archives for Henry Kowalewski in 1973. I still love the fact that our school secretary was named Mrs. Dubie.

Spectators At the COSSA Football Game

Our football team made it to the COSSA championship. There was a large spectator turnout. In this picture starting at the back left is Serge Dupont (in the porkpie hat), next to him is Wayne Stovell, unknown, Bob Gibbs. In the Center is Mike Taras. In front of him is Diane Brisebois, and next to her is Marilyn MacAvoy. I cannot recall the name of the blonde girl in the right foreground.

If you can help with the names or spelling, please leave a comment.

Update: The blonde student at the bottom right is Mary Mamelka. Thanks to the reader who left the comment.

Jiri Jelen at the Switches

Physics teacher Jiri Jelen motions over the electrical controls that supplies power to the physics lab desks. Michael Ivanco (glasses) and Shawn O'Driscoll look on.

Sadie Hawkins Day Dance

At the Sadie Hawkins Day Dance, the character of Marryin' Sam is played by Leo Barrett (R.I.P.).

Cartoonist Al Capp had a hillbilly comic strip called Lil Abner that ran from 1934 to 1977. In that strip, an ugly old spinster was Sadie Hawkins. Her father wanted to marry her off, so he declared Sadie Hawkins Day.

All of the eligible bachelors of the town of Dogpatch were rounded up and run in a race and Sadie would chase them all. The one that Sadie caught would be her husband. At high school, the Sadie Hawkins Day dance was popular because the girls asked the boys to the dance. For shy teenage boys, it was the ideal way to find out who liked you.

Update: I managed to find a Li'L Abner cartoon with Marryin' Sam in it. This cartoon I scanned from a 1964 comics supplement to the Toronto Star. Click on the image to get a bigger picture.

Judy McLinton, Paul Smegal, Ron Yanch

Paul Smegal and Ron Yanch (hidden left) clown around behind Judy McLinton.

Graduation Program - 1974

This program from 1974 was in my memorabilia. I was already at University, but I came back to Oshawa for a couple of awards.

The valedictory address was delivered by Anne McNeely. The Master of Ceremonies was Donald Hamlyn. Monsignor Dwyer presented the Diplomas, the prayer was by Rev. John Markle, and Mr. Angus Dixon gave the address to the graduates.

After the ceremony, the following clipping appeared in the Oshawa Times:

R.I.P. Leo Barrett

In Pace Requiescat -- Leo Barrett -- October 11, 2010, 6:20 AM. Regina Saskatchewan. Married to Gloria Chisholm, in his 56th year.

LEO MICHAEL BARRETT January 28th, 1954 October 11th, 2010 It is with heavy hearts that Leo's family announces his passing at Royal University Hospital at the age of 56, with his family by his side.

Leo was born in Oshawa, ON and arrived in Saskatoon, May of 1972. He spent a short period of time doing odd jobs and living on the riverbank until he was hired by the City of Saskatoon Engineering Dept. in June. He married Gloria, his high school sweetheart, in July of that year.

He transferred to the Saskatoon Fire Department in March of 1974. He was an active Executive Member of the Saskatoon Professional Fire Fighters Union, Local 80 IAFF for more that ten years. He was appointed Assistant Chief in January of 1996, until he retired due to illness from a job he loved.

Leo absolutely adored his family and extended loved ones, many of whom called him Grandpa. He loved golfing, and especially enjoyed his time up at Elkridge. He always felt blessed and had a strong personal faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He will be dearly missed. Leo is survived by his most beloved wife of 38 years, Gloria; sons, Kim (Karen) and their children, his cherished grandsons, Cody and Jarrod; sons, Michael, and Adam (fiance, Sarah); daughter, Alia Tamke and grandsons, David and Bentley; extended grandsons, Thomas and David Olson; his niece who was like a daughter, Heather Chisholm; sisters, Maureen (Tom) Saxby, Nancy Christie, Mary-Ellen (Larry) Cyr; brothers, Clancy (Paula) and John Barrett; mother-in-law, Mary (Frank) Rochfort; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Less) Morgan, Laura (Tim) Oak; brothers-in-law, Garry (Gail), Mark and Paul Chisholm; numerous nieces, nephews and some very close friends that were just like family. Leo was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Bernice Barrett; father-in-law, Stuart Chisholm; sisters-in-law, Arlene Dennis and Mary Barrett and brother-in-law, Wayne Christie. The family would like to thank all of the compassionate and caring staff at RUH in ICU.

New Images of Monsignor Paul Dwyer Emerge

I was going through my archives and was pleased to find these new images of Monsignor Paul Dwyer greeting parishioners after mass at St. Gregory the Great, in Oshawa.

Below, is an image of the sacristy after Monsignor Dwyer celebrated mass. His chalice, still not put away, is visible to the left.

There are two objects visible in the alcove in the center of the picture. The large one holding a sign is St John Vianney, the patron of all priests. The second to the left is a small monstrance for display and veneration of the Host.