Like the title says: Merry Christmas to all of the alumnus and friends of OCHS and Paul Dwyer. As the years march on, there are less and less of us who can say that they went to Oshawa Catholic High School as it was known then.
I hope that you have the merriest of Christmas, the best of 2022 and live a long and happy life. Live Long and Prosper. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.
Ken
Chris Montgomery was in my class at OCHS. He married Christine Roach, also from OCHS. Here is his obituary:
Early On October 12th, Christopher Robert David Montgomery passed away in his Oshawa home; just eight weeks after receiving a devastating diagnosis of Glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. Chris was Born on February 15, 1956 at St Michael's hospital in Toronto.
A loving husband of 43 years to Christine, son of Bruce and the late Roberta Montgomery. Devoted father to Colleen, Patrick, Emily, Michael. Much loved grandfather to Connor, Keira, Owen, Victoria, Olivia, and Oscar. Brother to Susan, Brian, Michael and Cathy. Brother-in-law to Daniel, Heather, Patti and Michael. Will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews.
Chris retired from Durham Catholic District School Board in 2019 after 31 years of service. He taught English at Dennis O'Connor and retired as the President OECTA Secondary. He was a lifelong coach, a passionate educator and confidante; a deeply cherished friend.
It was a privilege and honour to be able to offer a sanctuary of love and comfort to Chris during his last weeks. The family expresses gratitude for the prayers and extraordinary support from neighbors and friends. A special thank you for the compassionate care provided by Dr. Kevin Workentin and nurses (Elaine, Jane, Mary).
Visitation was held on Monday, October 18th at DeStefano Funeral Home 1289 Keith Ross Drive in Oshawa from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with the funeral mass afterwards (1 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, Simcoe Street in Oshawa). Burial followed at Resurrection Cemetery.
Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, the funeral mass is limited to registration, however visitation is open.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Glioblastoma Foundation (glioblastoomafoundation.org)
Brain Cancer Canada (braincancercanada.ca/) Canadian Association for Parish Nursing, Ministry Faith Community Nursing Interest Group, Holy Cross Oshawa Parish Renovation Fund.
I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing. Herman Melville / Moby-Dick
In pace requiescat
It's just ironic and sad that Len McAvoy's obituary is eight posts down from this one. Here he is in the 1970's with Anne Stovell.
This is Father Paul Woodcroft roaming the halls of OCHS. (Paul Woodcroft left the priesthood later.) He was one of the hockey coaches of the OCHS Saints. The person on the right is Anne herself.
Anne Venning (Stovell) series of pics from her albums continues. This is Anne herself and Len McAvoy. Don't know who the partial face is on the right.
This blog is slowly becoming an obituary page. Len McAvoy was a couple of years ahead of me at OCHS, but he was a presence, as was his sister Marilyn.
Leonard Brian McAvoy
Passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at the age of 69 in Chatham, Ontario. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (nee Hill), and children Kelly Ann McAvoy (Michael Hall) and John McAvoy (Diana). Leonard will be missed by his grandchildren Erica, Brian and Megan. He is also survived by siblings Lawrence McAvoy (Jeanette), Marylin McAvoy (Ted Fulcher), Anne VanHoof (Andy), Mary McAvoy (Andy Austin) and is predeceased by his parents, Edna and Dorian McAvoy. Born in Oshawa, Ontario, Leonard learned to love the game of hockey and found success on the ice. One of Leonard's proudest achievements was becoming a loving husband and father. Leonard was a plumber by trade and enjoyed many years working in his field at the Chrysler plant in Windsor, Ontario. He was an active member of the union and KBD club. Sports were particularly important to Leonard throughout his life. He was an avid tennis player, a golf enthusiast and was recently conquering the pickleball courts. Leonard was loved by many and we will all miss his sense of fun and playfulness. Rest in peace Leonard, and play on. A celebration of life will follow at a later date. Donations are welcome, in lieu of flowers, to the Jumpstart Sports Program. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc.in pace requiescat
Kevin Duignan left me a comment on this blog, telling me that Ernie Kaleny died. That was a bit of a shocker. Ernie & I went back to the time that he was in Grade 8 at Holy Cross School, and my uncle was principal there. He brought the graduating class to camp on a property that my grandfather used to own. We had a total blast. I was a counselor as were several students from OCHS. Teacher Teresa Horrigan also camped with us. Ernie was a good guy, collegial and genial and it is a shock to me that he is gone -- passed away two years ago.
Ernest John "Ernie" Kaleny
1958 - 2019
Passed away suddenly at his home in Keswick on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at the age of 61 years. Dearly loved husband of Annis Dupont. Beloved son of Stella Kaleny of Keswick and the late John Kaleny (1980). Much loved brother of Elsie (Trevor Bertrand) of Brampton and Iris (Andrew Warenycia) of Whitby. Loving Uncle of Kira and Kylee Bertrand of Brampton and Nicholas and John Warenycia of Whitby. Ernie will be missed by his extended family and friends. Funeral Mass will take place at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, 597 Albert St. Oshawa on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Cremation to follow. In memory of Ernie, Donations made to the War Amps of Canada would be appreciated.
In pace requiescat
Sister Anne Schenck, CSJ (formerly Catherine Anne [Kay] Schenck) died peacefully at St. Joseph’s Residence, 2 O’Connor Drive, Toronto Ontario on February 17, 2021 in the 68th year of her religious life.
Sister Anne was predeceased by her parents, Louis M. Schenck and Anne B. (Flynn) Schenck, her brothers Louis J. and John T. and her sister Mary (Schenck) Brennan.
Sister Anne is survived by her sisters Gretchen (Walsh), Joanne (Diamond), and Margaret (Sawchuck).
She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and Sisters in community.
Sister Anne grew up in St. Catharines of Alexandria Parish, in St. Catharines. She attended St. Joseph’s Convent School, St. Catharines School and St. Catharines Collegiate. She obtained her B.A. in 1952 at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. Sister Anne spent many years in the field of education both as a teacher and a principal. She brought energy and a love for sports to St. Joseph’s High School in Barrie, St. Joseph’s College School and St. Joseph’s Morrow Park in Toronto, St. Patrick’s High School in Vancouver and Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in Oshawa.
After her years in education, Sister Anne turned her many skills and passion to assisting refugees and immigrants. She was administrator at Herron Place Refugee Centre. She founded the Toronto Furniture Bank, which was formally incorporated in 1998, and until her recent illness was a devoted volunteer in Becoming Neighbours where she accompanied immigrants and refugees. Whatever Sister Anne did, whether with students, staff in schools, or her work with refugees, she did it with energy, compassion and joy.
Due to the pandemic, there will a Mass of Christian Burial at a later date.
There will be a private Interment on Saturday, February 20, 2021
at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill.
"In pace requiescat"
