Ginette St. Pierre R.I.P.

 Sigh .. another obituary from my days at OCHS. Ginette St. Pierre was in my brother's class a year ahead of me. Her brother Roger was in my class. Here is her obituary:

St. PIERRE, Ginette Marie St. Pierre   -  It is with heavy hearts we announce that Ginette passed away unexpectedly on Monday August 8, 2022 at Belleville General Hospital at the age of 68. 

Beloved wife of Paul LaChapelle for 40 years who was with her by her side. 

Dear sister of Jean-Guy, Gilles, and Roger and sister-in-law of Dale (Jean-Guy) and Georgette (Gilles).

Predeceased by her parents Lucien and Yvette, her siblings Monique, Robert, Jean-Marc, Jacques, and Maurice and her brother-in-law Eugene. 

Beloved Aunt to Lori and Keith, Brent and Serena and to Ron, Anna Marie, Allan and Theresa, Bob, and Ryan, Dustin, Colin, Cori and their families.

Loved by sister-in-law Barbara and Jack Martel and their children Lisa and Summer. 

Predeceased by Brother-in-law Gene LaChapelle and remembered by his wife Gwen and their children Christine & Andrea. Dearest Aunt Jeannie to all of her great nieces and nephews. 

All who knew Ginette loved her.  She was a lifelong caregiver to her best friend and confident, her mother, and to all of her siblings. 

Ginette was dedicated to her church, work and volunteer service in healthcare and in the community. 

She was an extremely thoughtful, outgoing, funny and generous person and an avid cat lover.  She loved being outdoors with the wind on her face. 

Ginette will be remembered as a truly gracious, loving, compassionate woman – beautiful inside and out.  We will miss her so much. 

Visitation will take place at ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME , (124 King St. E. Oshawa) on Wednesday August 17, 2022 from 10am-11am, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the People Catholic Church.

Urn interment Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.  

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the CNIB. 

in pace requiescat 

Tony Pallone - RIP

 Tony Pallone was a year behind me at OCHS, part of the large, vibrant Italian community at the high school. This is his obituary:

Anthony "Tony" Pallone

SEPTEMBER 14, 1955 – MARCH 30, 2022

PALLONE, Antonio (Anthony) (Tony) Peacefully with his family by his side at Scarborough Centenary Hospital on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022 at 66 years of age. Tony is now reunited with his beloved wife Nora. Loving father of Joseph (Andrea) and Joanna (Jhomar). Devoted son of the late Giuseppe and Maria Pallone. Dear brother of Ralph (Doris), Marisa (Frank) and Laura (Ron). Tony will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Visitation will be held at the OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Monday, April 4th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Masks are required. Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARY OF THE PEOPLE PARISH, 570 Marion Avenue, Oshawa on Tuesday, April 5th at 10:30 a.m. Masks are required. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hearth Place or Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.oshawafuneralhome.com

in pace requiescat

Joe Pender's Old Emails -- About Mark P. Fusco SJ

 

(click to enlarge)

So I was going through my old emails from Joe Pender (RIP) and I came across one where he had attended a funeral of an acquaintance of his, a Mrs. Fusco, and was amazed to discover her son, Mark Fusco, a Dwyer grad celebrating the Mass. Joe was surprised to learn that Mark had been ordained a Jesuit priest ... at age 46, I might add.

Of course, this was no surprise to me, as Mark was a boyhood, lifelong friend of my brother George. So Joe sent along these pics from the 1984 year book. 

I was amazed to see that boys football team had a female manager named Bridgette Griggs. I bet it was enjoyable for both her and team. This would never had happened ten years earlier.

If you are wondering what happened to Mark Fusco, SJ, he looks something like the pic below and he teaches religious studies at a California university.

Merry Christmas 2021 to all the alumnus and friends of OCHS and Paul Dwyer

 

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 - RIP

 

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

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album7 - Len McAvoy and ?

 

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. 

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album6 - Marilyn McAvoy, Gary O'Connell

 

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.

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album5 - Miss Horrigan

 I am not sure, but am waiting for Anne to confirm that this is teacher Regina Horrigan on the left. Her tenure at OCHS wasn't very long. The person on the right is vaguely familiar, but a name won't come to me. Drop me a comment if you can positively identify either one.

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album4 - Marilyn McAvoy, Gary O'Connell

 There is a series of pics from Anne Stovell's (Venning) albums that are portraits in front of a garish, 1970's drape or curtain backdrop and this is one of them. I am fairly certain that this is Marilyn McAvoy and Gary O'Connell who is starting to look bored with the photo shoot.

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album3 - Anne and Len McAvoy

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.

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album2 - Hockey

 Another photo from Anne Venning's album -- The OCHS Saints Hockey Team in action. The coaches visible are Father Paul Woodcroft and Mr. Lehman. I think that the washed out face belongs to Dan O'Neill. From left to right on the bench are Wayne Stovell, unidentified and Jim Nemish.

Finally, New Photos That Aren't Obituaries - Anne Stovell's Album1 - Larry Hopkins, Gary O'Connell

 

As the title says, finally some new (new to this blog) photos of my era at OCHS. Anne Venning (Stovell) sent along some scans from her album. Here we have Larry Hopkins and Gary O'Connell posing for this. I will update when Anne tells me the occasion.

Len McAvoy - RIP

 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 

Ernie Kaleny ~ R.I.P.

 

Ernie in high school

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

Obituary - Sister Anne Schenck, CSJ

 

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"

Another Classmate of Mine

 

Sigh ... another classmate of mine has passed away. Barb Lambourne was in my class at Oshawa Catholic High School. Here is her obituary:

Barb passed away at Etobicoke General Hospital on December 20, 2020 due to surgery complications. She was predeceased by her loving parents Joan and Mark (aka the Grinch) Lambourne. Best friend and loving wife of Christopher Chapman, loving and doting mother to Samantha Chapman, devoted daughter-in-law to Dawn (Prof. Terence-deceased) Chapman, younger sister (and Buttercup Baby) to Cathy (Bob) Gordon, Mark Lambourne, and Teresa (Jim) MacDonell, aunt to her favourite nephews James Gordon and Chris (Joanne) Gordon, delighted great aunt to Jamie, Alex, Grace and Gavin Gordon. She was blessed with many wonderful cousins and aunts and uncles who were dear to her. She was generous with a huge heart, dearly loved and will be missed. Thank you to all her friends and family who brought joy to her life. Special thanks to Father Bollo for performing her final blessing. Arrangements entrusted to Armstrong Funeral Home, Oshawa.

In pace requiescat.

Some More Memorabilia from the Salad Days in OCHS Times

I'm getting tired of posting obituaries of OCHS alumnus and teachers, so I thought that I would add a blog posting of those wonderful days in the 1970's

Remember Becker;s?

There was a Becker;s milk and convenience store a block down from my primary school, St. Joseph's on Simcoe Street North in a plaza near Beatrice Street that is no longer there. Becker's was ubiquitous in Oshawa.

And of course these were the jugs that the milk came in at Becker's:

A typical Becker's store during the 1970's.:

And then there was a young Wayne Gretzky selling GWG jeans:

Long before WalMart, there was Woolco, and Woolworths:

And finally you had Eddie Shack, the Toronto Maple Leafs star selling pop for the Pop Shoppe:

Those were the days!

Another Obituary ~ Terry Hughes R.I.P.

This is getting to be a much too regular occurence -- posting obituaries of my high school classmates. Terry Hughes was in my class. The photo is from my class yearbook in 1971.  Here is his obituary:

Passed away on March 26, 2020 peacefully at home in Bobcaygeon, Ontario. Beloved husband to the late Bonnie (Kimble) Hughes. Devoted father to Preston Hughes and Michael Hughes (Jayme). Loving grandfather to Hudson and Briar. Predeceased by his parents Faye and Louis Hughes and sister Wendy Hughes. Deeply missed by his sister and brother. Terry will be missed by his many nieces, cousins, aunts and friends.

Terry had a personality that you couldn't miss.

in pace requiescat 

Ivor Boyagoda's Email

The above is how I remember Ivor Boyagoda and the last that I saw of him when he signed my Grade 13 yearbook. Ivor was one of my favourite teachers (I had a list of cool and respected and he was on that list).  He taught what I thought was a cool subject, chemistry, and it was my pleasure to have him teach me for more than one year. I also got fabulous marks in his class.

Ivor sent me an email a couple of days ago. In that email, he sent notice of his son Randy's promotion at the University of Toronto (the notice is in the post below this one). The thought struck me that Ivor as a young man, looks more hip than his son.  Here is his email to me:

Hi Ken

Thank  you so much for  on line Dwyer alumni news/ history etc

Your work brings back fond memories of 60's 70' 80's , OCHS ,  ... the way we were.

One of the most memorable events at Oshawa Catholic High school  ( there are  many of them ) was going fishing during grade 13 last period  Chem class  to Wilmont creek with , Italo Labignan, John Crease , Marg Fitzpatrick, Serge Dupont ( ? )etc.  I phoned Shirley Smegal,  at the front office and said we are going  fishing and  that was it , no red tape etc

You mentioned University of Ottawa( i was not a student there  ) , It reminds me of my work as a chemistry lab instructor in 1967 ( Dr Conway's class ).

i know that you were a university  student there in the 80 's  ( year ?  )

My son Randy Boyagoda , former Dwyer student just got a promotion at U of T ,  asst : dean ( please see  attachment ) 

I thought i would  share this with you in case you consider this is an outstanding achievement of  a former Dwyer  student........ to include in Dwyer alumni news letter 

Thank You 

Ivor

You are welcome Ivor. I thanked you privately for your influence on my career, and I thank you publicly.

Noted Dwyer Alumnus Randy Boyagoda Now Vice Dean U of T

Ivor Boyagoda was an icon at OCHS and Dwyer. He sends along this news of his son Randy's recent achievement. Randy is a graduate of Dwyer. Randy is married,  lives in Toronto with his wife Anna , and has  4 kids  ages 4 to 14 years. Ivor's email is in the post preceding this one:

From:

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Faculty of Arts & Science

Council of Chairs, Principals and Academic Directors
Coalition of Arts & Science Directors

Melanie Woodin, Dean

Re:

Appointment of Professor Randy Boyagoda as Vice-Dean, Undergraduate


I am pleased to announce that Professor Randy Boyagoda has been appointed to a five-year term as Vice-Dean, Undergraduate effective July 1, 2020. I would like to thank Professor Nicholas Rule who is serving as Interim Vice-Dean, Undergraduate from January 1 to June 30, 2020.

Professor Boyagoda completed his PhD at Boston University in 2005 and took up a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Notre Dame. In 2006, Professor Boyagoda joined the English Department at Ryerson University, where he was promoted to the rank of Professor and also served as Chair. He was the founding Director of Zone Learning at Ryerson from 2013-16. In 2016, Professor Boyagoda joined the University of Toronto as a Professor in the Department of English, the Basilian Chair in Christianity, Arts and Letters at the University of St. Michael’s College, and as Principal and Vice-President of the University of St. Michael’s College. Under his leadership, the College has renewed its sponsored programs and first-year seminars, and also pursued broader initiatives focused on student wellness, undergraduate research opportunities, and international and experiential learning. 

Throughout his work as a professor and university leader, Professor Boyagoda has pursued a career as a novelist, critic, and essayist. He is the author of an academic monograph and a critical biography, and of three novels, including most recently Original Prin, the first in a trilogy. His work has been supported by SSHRC and the Canada Council for the Arts, and has been nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize, in addition to being named a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice (2012 and 2019) and Globe and Mail Best Book of the Year (2018). Professor Boyagoda regularly writes essays and reviews on subjects ranging from race and family life to faith and fiction, literary politics, religion and modernity, and the ethics of technology. More broadly, across his teaching and writing, he explores the stakes, possibilities, and perils of human dignity and flourishing in an age of conflict and confusion. Professor Boyagoda has written for publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times (UK), Globe and Mail, Guardian, Harper’s, New Statesman, Chronicle of Higher Education, First Things, the Paris Review, The Walrus, and The Atlantic, and is a regular presence on CBC Radio, where he is a columnist for The Next Chapter. He also co-produces, writes, and presents the Toronto Public Library podcast Writers Off the Page. Professor Boyagoda’s next novel, Dante’s Indiana, will be published in 2021. It began as a research project with the Scholars-in-Residence program at the Jackman Humanities Institute.

From 2015 to 2017, Professor Boyagoda was President of PEN Canada, a non-governmental organization committed to celebrating literature, defending freedom of expression, and aiding writers in peril. He currently chairs the PEN Canada Advisory Board.

Please join me in welcoming Professor Boyagoda to his new position.

Sister Marie Howorth

SISTER MARIE HOWORTH, CSJ (formerly Sister Eulalie Marie) Died peacefully at the Sisters of St. Joseph's Residence, 2 O'Connor Drive on Thursday, January 16, 2020, in the 68th year of her religious life.

Sister Marie was predeceased by her parents, Francis James Howorth and Eulalie Margaret (McGuire) Howorth, her sisters, Angela Howorth, and Bette Guentner, and her brothers Richard, Frank, and John Howorth. She will be missed by her family, cousins, friends and Sisters in community.

Sister Marie was born and raised in Toronto where she taught elementary school prior to entering the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto in 1952. Following her profession of vows, Sister Marie taught and was principal in elementary schools in St. Catharines, Thorold and Toronto. As well, she was on staff at Oshawa Catholic High School (now Paul Dwyer Catholic High School), St. Joseph's College School, where she was vice principal and Michael Power - St. Joseph's High School, where she was a teacher and a chaplain.

 Sister Marie was an excellent teacher who was well-loved by her students. As a woman of high energy and compassion, she was a wonderful role model as she raised consciousness with her students with regard to the needs of the world. She taught students how they could make a difference by reaching out in compassion to those in need in Canada as well as in Haiti and other parts of the world. Her great love of sports, especially tennis and skiing as well as her love of bridge were always a wonderful part of her life.

In her later years as her health declined, Sister Marie resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph's Residence. Visitation will take place at the Sisters of St. Joseph's Residence, 2 O'Connor Drive, Toronto Ontario, on Friday, January 24, 2020, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel, 2 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, Ontario. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fontbonne Ministries, 101 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Toronto ON M4H 1M2.

Sister Marie Howarth was my Latin teacher in Grade 9.  KB

in pace requiescat 

Merry Christmas 2019 and Happy New Year 2020

(click to enlarge)

I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my friends, former classmates, former teachers and friends of this blog. Health, Happiness and Prosperity in the New Year.

Best
Ken

Oshawa Memories: 1960's & 1970's

So I got a little tired of printing OCHS alumnus obituaries, so I did another webscrape of Oshawa memories during those halcyon salad days when we were in high school there. Without further ado:

Steve Thompson
Do you remember the arcade at the O.C.?

Derek Snelgrove
I spent some time in Oshawa some 40 years ago . We met some real cool people there. Harrys Hideaway Bar was, the bees kneez! As was the Carousel bar.

Lori McKendrick
The Villa, across from Central Collegiate. The Genosh, My Sisters Place. Corkys. Main Street. Mothers Pizza. Flying Squirrel. Woodys. The Tartan.

Sharon McIlhargey
Mickey Finn's. Jubilee Pavilion wedding receptions. Kmart Plaza car shows.

Mike Lee
The Rosebowl had the best shoestring French fries... and how about the outdoor skating rink in North Oshawa...the best of the shoeshine guys on Simcoe street just up from the 4 corners.

Sandy Cuffy
Jury and Lovell Drugstore
Woolworths
Dairy Queen on Simcoe Street across from Central Collegiate
GM Picnics with rides at Lakeview Park
Drive-in theatre on Thorton Road
The Oshawa Times Building Fire
I even remember when The Oshawa Centre was one level and had an opening where the roof was and you had to wear your winter coats while shopping. My mom had a picture of us there once. I was about 4 or 5.

Wendy Mchappy
The Shops up top had a great record store. Kresges, Lil' Bo Peep, Tats Tavern, The Red Baron restaurants in the OC.. also Sears and Eatons had their own restaurants. All of them made the Centre Burger.. would love that recipe as you cannot get it anymore.

Kresge's on Simcoe near the four corners, Laura Secords on the southeast corner, Woolworths up the street, the Metropolitan, Young Moderns, Henderson's Book Store, The Globe on King St.

Janice Wilson-Fontaine
I grew up in Oshawa. Childhood ,I remember it for being ,such a lovely city. The older downtown stores,were wonderful to me to shop at.There was nothing dirty, or armpit,shwa, about it, as you say.Thats ignorant people being degrading,it's all on them.Like any growing city it has it share of problems.Then help the underprivileged, quit complaining. I'm proud of living in Oshawa,I do my part to help. Try it ,it's very rewarding.

Michele Buller
Rose bowl best fish &chips, cherry coke.

Wendy Mchappy
I remember the downtown hotels that were really rooming houses... The Queen's Hotel, and Genosh. Although the Genosh had a great restaurant at one time with a Sunday buffet. Also Magic Car and roller skating halls...Caesar's Palace and the one on Athol that used to be the Loblaws. You had to walk down 2 flights of stairs, pay, get your skates, then walk up 2 flights of stairs to the rink!

Brad Alexander
I remember when the OC was a totally outdoor mall. Mom would take me shopping for clothes at St Michael’s there and the ventilation was so bad I would fall asleep. LOL

Debbie Woods
I remember the OC when Dominion grocery store was still there by the theatre and you could get a piece of apple pie with a scoop of ice cream and a small coke for 25 cents. My parents took us to the Bo Peep restraunt for dinner once in a while - it was a BIG treat to dress up and go out for dinner then.

(pic stolen from John Barker's blog: https://soundingsjohnbarker.wordpress.com/)

Pat Poirier
Do any of you remember The Red Barn or The South End Tavern? Spent a lot of fun times at both these places... lol

Barry Oso Mosko
We use to own the North Golf Oshawa Driving Range north Simcoe Street !

Tony Woodcock
I remember when the OC was a strip mall and to walk to school you had to go across the parking lot that was filled in by the Sears store, about 1967

"Our High School days may have been short and temporary in our lives, but the memories are forever."

School Board Archives

While trolling through the school board archives, I came across this pic of the trustees including Stanley Karwowski in the lower bottom right.

Stanley was a year behind me and his brother was a year ahead of me in my brother's class. I actually met Stanley again at the pub night for the 50th Anniversary of the School a few years back.

History of the Feeder Schools for OCHS

I found this history of the feeder schools for Oshawa Catholic Highschool on some old documents from the Durham Region Roman Catholic School Board:

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Catholic schools in Ontario experienced serious economic challenges. Given the fragile nature of provincial funding and given the economic depression of the 1930s it is not surprising that only two Catholic schools built in the inter-war years, namely St. Bernard (Whitby) 1923 and Holy Cross (Oshawa) in 1938. There were no Catholic high schools built in Durham Region at all.

In the Toronto Archdiocese during World War II, a major fundraiser was required to keep existing Catholic high schools open. If it wasn’t for the dedicated religious orders such as the Basilian Fathers, the Christian Brothers, the St. Joseph Sisters and the Loretto Sisters who essentially ran the Catholic high schools at their own expense, the system might have disappeared. Wealthy Toronto Catholic businessmen, such as Senator Frank O’Connor (founder of Laura Secord Chocolates) were known to
contribute generously from their own funds to support Catholic education during this time. However, in Durham Region, which lacked a wealthy Catholic business community, Catholic high schools were not established until the 1960s.

Renewed immigration from Europe after World War II, and the natural increase in Ontario’s baby boom, placed increased demands on Ontario’s Catholic schools. A decline in religious orders and the increase of lay teachers placed additional financial burdens on Catholic school boards that were already desperately trying to finance their school facilities and programs.

This Ontario post-war boom occurred across Durham Region too. In the 1950s, there was an unprecedented building boom as new schools were established in Pickering at St. Mary (1952); in Uxbridge at St. John Training School (1957) and St. Joseph (1958); in Ajax at St. Francis de Sales (1953) and St. Bernadette (1951); in Whitby at the present St. John the Evangelist (1955), St. Theresa (1957),and St. Paul, (1959); and in  Oshawa at St. Christopher (1956), Msgr. Coffey (1959), St. Gertrude (1954) and St. Joseph (1958).

This boom in school construction in Durham was even more pronounced in the 1960s.This growth was also assisted in 1964 when provincial school grants were issued to Catholic school boards to provide similar educational funding as public schools in their community. However, it should be pointed out that this unprecedented growth was not coordinated on a regional basis. There was not a regional Catholic board of education at the time and the responsibility for this growth fell upon individual Catholic school boards located in the municipalities of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Uxbridge, Mara and Oshawa.

In the early 1960s two new high schools were established St. Joseph Catholic School (run by the Sisters of St. Joseph) and Archbishop Denis O’Connor (run by the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception). Credit is also due to the Felician Sisters who worked in the region at this time teaching in Durham’s elementary schools. The funding of these high schools counted on generosity from the community (such as the annual student D’OC walk-a-thon) or surprising acts of generosity, such as a $10,000 cheque given by Col.R.S. McLaughlin to the St. Joseph Sisters to purchase musical instruments for St. Joseph High School.

In the 1960s, growth was particularly focused in Oshawa with a new school opening almost every year namely, Fr. Francis Mahoney (1963), John F. Kennedy (1964), Sir Albert Love (1965),  St.Thomas Aquinas (1965), St. Michael (1966), St. Philip the Apostle (1968), and John XXIII (1969). Elsewhere, schools were built in Pickering at Holy Redeemer (1962) and Our Lady of the Bay (1969) and in Brooklin at St. Leo’s (1964).

In 1969, all Ontario boards of education were permitted to amalgamate into larger boards that would have more access to funding and be more efficient. In 1969, the Ontario County Roman Catholic Separate School Board was created, amalgamating Catholic school boards in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Uxbridge, Mara and Oshawa. In addition, some provincial funding was extended to Catholic schools for Grades 9 and 10 in 1970, making Durham’s Catholic high schools more financially viable. This post war boom in Catholic schools did not repeat itself in the 1970s. In that decade only two schools were built – Father Joseph Venini (1970) and Canadian Martyrs (1973)—and both were in Oshawa. That decade, the board was renamed Durham Region Roman Catholic Separate School Board (1974).