OCHS Math Teacher Linda Langero ~ RIP

 

Linda Langero

(below while at OCHS)

Obituary

On February 18, 2025, our dear Linda was taken from us unexpectedly and far too soon, in her 76th year. She is survived by her sister, Margaret; her brother, Larry (Patricia); her nieces, Alison Varney (Dave) and Jessica Caister (Jeff); her great-nephews, Theo and Malcolm; and her great-niece, Lennon. Linda faced any challenge in life with calm resolve and cool logic. When confronted with a difficult choice, her friends often came to Linda for sound advice. Linda had a distinguished career in education. She was a caring, competent Math teacher (St. Joseph’s College), a respected Vice-Principal and Principal (Loretto Abbey, Our Lady of Victory), and a Student Services Consultant at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. After retirement, she devoted herself tirelessly to her passions: travelling the world, supporting opera, ballet and theatre, and caring for cats. She established a thriving cat-sitting business and still found time to volunteer at cat rescue shelters. She will be sorely missed by her furry friends and their owners.

There will be a private service for the family at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Toronto Cat Rescue and the Toronto Humane Society would be appreciated.

in pace requiescat

The California Cuties Came To OCHS in 1969

 

Melinda Marks wrote the above Teen Talk column for the Oshawa Times, taken from their archives. In it, among news of a Christmas dance played by a band called the "Rubber Banned" (which ironically is a strange name for a band to play at a Catholic school), Melinda also told of a toboggan party at the Oshawa Golf Course. I must say that Sister Conrad, the principal liked these sort of student activities and encouraged them.

But the big news was that the California Cuties were coming to play the boys basketball team at OCHS. I looked them up. They were a comedy, wannabe team emulating the Harlem Globetrotters. They had a midget on their team. I was able to find an online image of some of the players.

Since this was entertainment and not real basketball, I don't think that the score mattered. This was big news in the Oshawa Times:

Ronald Black ~ RIP

 

Ron Black was an early student at OCHS. Joanne Bond was a classmate of his and sent along this obituary.

Ronald BLACK Obituary

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ron Black of Thorndale, Ontario, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, September 27t, 2026. Ron leaves behind his loving wife, Janet, and his four sons: Chris, Ryan, Steven (Madison), and Jeff (Steph). He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren and his sister, Diana Black. Ron was predeceased by his parents (Robert and Geraldine Black) and his brother David.

Ron grew up in Oshawa, working at Miracle Food Mart in his early years, where he met Janet, and they have enjoyed life together ever since. Ron worked at General Motors Oshawa for over 34 years before retiring to the family cottage at Carnahan Lake in Mountain Grove, Ontario. Ron and Janet spent many winters in Yuma, Arizona, where they met many friends. Ron received a second life in 2014 after receiving a double lung transplant and spent his final years in Thorndale, Ontario, north of London.

When not at work, you would find Ron coaching his children's sports teams, fishing or with family at the cottage, playing Euchre with family and friends, or travelling with Janet. He loved spending time with his family, hosting his grandchildren at the cottage or home and cheering them on through life.

The family thanks all the caregivers and medical teams and staff who have provided care to Ron throughout the years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Memorial Funeral Home (1559 Fanshawe Park Road E., London) on Saturday, October 17th, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. with refreshments. A time to share memories of Ron will begin at 2:00 p.m.

The family asks that anyone wanting to give a donation please donate to one of the following health care organizations that have provided care and support to Ron. (London - Victoria Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society).

in pace requiescat

Another One of My Distinguished Classmates, Doug Zochodne

 

I first met up with Doug Zochodne at Grade 6 in St. Joseph's primary school on Simcoe Street North. Myself along with Tim McKenna and Barb Gannon had skipped Grade 5 and went directly into Grade 6 and Doug was my new classmate. That association lasted right up until Grade 13 and the end of high school. He went on to a storied career in medical research. Here is his bio from the University of Alberta. He was at the Mayo Clinic, as is one of my other classmates, Shawn O'Driscoll. I had a really amazing bunch of classmates who went on to amazing things, as did many alumni from the school in its early days.

About

Dr. Douglas Zochodne is a Neurologist and Neuroscientist, Divisional Director of Neurology at the University of Alberta and Director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, UofA. His training included an MD and FRCPC in Neurology at the University of Western Ontario under the supervision of Dr. Charles Bolton and a research fellowship with Drs. Philip Low and Peter J. Dyck at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Zochodne’s career has included faculty positions at Queen’s University, Canada, the University of Calgary and more recently the University of Alberta. He has devoted his career toward understanding the biology and diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Dr. Zochodne’s roles have included  Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences (1999-2007), President of the Peripheral Nerve Society (2009-2011) and lead on the Regeneration Unit in Neurobiology, University of Calgary (2009-2014). He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Dr. Zochodne has channeled his research role as an investigator of diabetic polyneuropathy and peripheral neuron regeneration. His most recent work emphasizes intrinsic molecular mechanisms involved in adult sensory neuron plasticity including unexpected roles for tumour suppressor pathways repurposed within neurons. His laboratory has been funded continuously since 1988 and it has published over 280 research papers and chapters including four books.  His work currently focuses on identifying new molecular mechanisms of peripheral neuron plasticity, regeneration and resistance to diabetes.  His laboratory is currently funded by CIHR,CDA/DC, and ADI.  

Clinical Interests

Clinical Neurology

Neuromuscular disease

Peripheral nerve disease

Diabetic polyneuropathy

Clinical Electrophysiology (EMG)

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Research

Peripheral Neurobiology

Neurosciences of Regeneration

Experimental peripheral nerve disease

Neurological complications of Diabetes Mellitus

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Teaching

Clinical Neurology

Neuromuscular disease

Peripheral nerve disease

Clinical Electrophysiology (EMG)

Peripheral neurobiology

Beginning of The School Year 1969

 

The Oshawa Times printed this article in 1969 after the opening of the new school year in September of 1969. Several interesting facts jump out. First, OCHS had an enrolment of 320 students. It would more than double by the time that I graduated, and now, there is less than 1,000 (now called Monsignor Paul Dwyer High School) after ballooning to over 2000 a couple of decades ago. 

The other interesting fact is that initiation was held where the Grade 10's could haze and torture the Grade 9's or Minor Niners. It was pretty rough and no longer allowed. Kids were humiliated and doused with all sorts of stuff like honey and feathers and made to eat horrible stuff.

Mentions in this article include students Adrone Zelvys, Matt Gimpelj, Ken Johnston, Jim Dyl, Bill Van Veghel and Betty Ann Yanch. Also mentioned are Monsignor Paul Dwyer and Oshawa Mayor Ernest Marks whose children attended the high school.