Colonel R.S. McLaughlin, the founder of Canadian General Motors was a great friend and benefactor of the school. He provided money for the first band instruments, and he endowed the school with the R.S. McLaughlin awards for academic excellence. I am the benefactor of those awards, and the money came in handy when I won it.The friendship was based on Col. Sam's (as he was universally known) friendship with Monsignor Paul Dwyer. They were neighbours in Oshawa. Maureen Moloney has been in touch with the Parkwood Estate archivist, and she mentioned that Col. Sam's mansion had a room upstairs with "Catholic Stuff" in it, which was probably Monsignor's doing.
In this picture, Sister Conrad is having tea with Colonel Sam.
Several members of the Student Council accompanied Sister Conrad to the Parkwood estate when the cheque for the band instruments was presented to Sister Conrad. I was very lucky to be one of them!
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