RVRHS Alumni February 02 Newsletter

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The URL for the RVRHS site is still good, but the new URL is http://www.rvrhs.org - eventually you will not be able to access the site via GeekStreet so you might want to update your URL now.

Not unusually I am asking for anyone who can to put out word about the site to former RVRHS students - especially to siblings to please spread the word. Also I am very interested in getting more pictures on the site so if you have pictures in electronic format (jpg, gif, bmp) feel free to forward them to headgeek AT geekstreet.com. If you would rather mail hard copies to me to scan the address is:

Denis Bernicky
552 Prince Charles,
Dorval, Qc H9P1Z3

Some of you may be aware that Meredith Ewart (Class of 89) lost her life in the World Trade Center on September 11, 01. Another RVR student found this poem by Meredith - I thought it worthwhile to distribute it.

What is Peace?

What is war?
An Answer of pride to your country?
Or ignorance?
What is victory?
Taking the lives of men and boys...
To show pride in country?
Or just murder?
What is sadness?
Losing a war?
or losing a life?
What is honour?
Dying for your country?
What is peace?
What IS peace?

Meredith Ewart
Secondary V, RVRHS
from Reflections '89: A literary anthology

This guy is not an RVRHS grad but is looking for someone who went to RVR so here is his message:

Derradji Belghouar, belghouar_de AT yahoo.fr
I am seeking for someone who has already belonged to your school, and graduated from it. He carries the same family name like mine, which is: Karim Belghouar, Class of 96.

Now on with the updates.

Norman John George Noel (Class of 70) nnoel AT telus.net
Currently living in Prince George, BC. Married late to Sarah and raising two fine boys,Matthew and Daniel. Been teaching for 22 years and currently teaching French at high school. email: nnoel AT telus.net.

Geoffrey Dowd, (Class of 71), gd AT trafalgar.qc.ca
My biggest (oldest) brother is currently headmaster at Trafalgar school in Montreal. He married in the late 80's, and has two girls. He lives in Pointe Claire.

John Stephen Dunn (Steve),(Class of 71),crdunn AT hfx.eastlink.ca
Talk about a trip down memory lane - when I stumbled on this web site!

I started at RVRHS in grade ten - a result of the catholic teacher's strike and displacement from MacDonald Cartier. Being from Nova Scotia and transplanted to St. Bruno for
three years, I basically spent my 'growing up' years on the South Shore.
After all these years, I must confess of a memory that I've told my kids many times - but never shared with anyone else from RVRHS:
Does anybody remember the big computer problem we had at the start of Grade 11 - where everyone was in the wrong classes? Well, I had failed every(all) of
my grade ten courses and had to take both English and French at Summer School (failed all four of those - duh). As it turns out we were all registered in the Spring for the next
year and when we started in Grade 11, for some stupid reason the computer-generated schedule had me in all grade 11 classes! The Dean at the time
had said that everyone was to stay in the classes on your schedule until they got the problem sorted out (some of my buddys were in Home Economics - hehe).
Well I went to classes and waited, and waited - and no one came to me to put me back into grade ten.
By Christmas, I was really worried - so I went to see my French teacher (what was his name - the guy who all of a sudden became the snappy dresser - nice guy.?.) and
asked for advise - he said: "Don't tell anyone - you're doing well in all of your classes..." And that's what I did - finished my grade 11.
And until this day - I have never stopped being thankful for the invention of the computer! :-)

Moved back to Halifax, finished grade 12, and then headed to college:
B.Chem Eng. '78 Technical University of Nova Scotia
MBA '92 Saint Mary's University

Epilog: Four kids, a Golden Retriever, one Hamster and we live in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Questions:
1. What was the name of the grade 10 English Teacher from... Transylvania? - the one who was always kicking me out of class?
2. What was the name of the little gas station (Fina?) on the other side of the No. 7 Highway where we got our Joe Louis and Pepsi and listened to CCR on the juke box? (Updated Feb 24,02)

Lynne Pratt-Dyson, (Class of 72), qpainter AT sympatico.ca
After high school, I took a course in Library Technology in Quebec. After graduating in 1975 I went to work for Sun Life. In 1978 I married my husband and was transferred to Toronto. For the past twenty four years we have resided in Burlington, Ontario and have raised three wonderful children, 4 fish, a hamster and a dog. After 25 years in the insurance industry and being declared redundant, I am now working close to home, in the education system. No more commuting to Toronto! Would love to hear from anyone from RVR or St. Bruno. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Stephen Dowd, (Class of 73), sdowd AT fournierpharma.com
Married in 1983, now lives in Halifax, works as a manager for a drug company. He is married to Jane McKay (an RVR alumni from 1973 - you could add info on her too), and has two boys. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Rob Jude,(Class of 73),heyrsjude AT shaw.ca
Living in Vancouver, with wife and 2 kids, Chem Eng graduate (MCGill 1979) working in Pulp & Paper Industry for Pall Canada (Updated Feb 24,02).

Karen Darville,(Class of 74), BlueStar124 AT hotmail.com
Married with children (3). (Updated Feb 24,02)

Brent Walker, (Class of 74),walker457 AT cogeco.ca
Up until January 2001 I had still been living in St. Bruno and then moved to Toronto (Oakville) to take up a position at the National office of BDO Dunwoody LLP (www.bdo.ca includes pictures and all). McGill BComm(1981), CA (1984) and CPA (1999) and have been a partner with BDO (including pre-merger firms) since 1989. Been married to Judy (Lamoureux) (1974) since 1979 with a son (16) and a daughter (13).

Not much skiing here in Toronto, but I have been taking a number of western trips to satisfy my ski cravings (not carvings). Drop me an e-mail to say hello.(Updated Feb 24,02)

John Hood, (Class of 74),geeshere AT shaw.com
Yes I'm still alive and married to a wonderful woman, a great boy Graeme, and living in Mission B.C. Would like to here from all you old RVR rats. lol.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Ed Stover,(Class of 74), revotsde AT yahoo.com
Moved from St. Bruno to Edmonton after graduation; moved to the Maritimes in 1984; moved back to Edmonton in 2001. Married for almost 25 years; have 4 children (1 daughter who is married and living in NS; 3 children [1 boy, 2 girls] living at home). Also have a 3-month old granddaughter! Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me - have only kept in contact with 2 or 3 people over the years. Have never even heard about a reunion except the one that was cancelled for 2001 - how about one sometime? I'm sure we have all changed a lot since graduation, but in many ways, isn't that a good thing!(Updated Feb 24,02)

Ted Jeary,(Class of 75),tjjj AT golden.net
Hello All former RVR'ers. Left RVR December 1975. Am currently living in Cambridge Ontario with my lovely wife Julia of 17 years and two great sons David (13) and Adam (10) both Green belts in Karate and both honor role students at school. Am currently working at Air Canada where I have been for 23 years (jees~!).
Hope to hear from any old RVR'ere or even former Mountain View folks who can remember days gone by! (Updated Feb 24,02)

Barclay Dowd, (Class of 76), dowd AT reach.net
Married in the late 80s, he is currently the king of Mini Golf in Brockville Ontario (he operates "Monster Mini Golf" each summer). He lives near Stirling, Ontario, with his wife June and three children, Sebastion, Emerson, and Madeline (Updated Feb 24,02)

Jim Ursulak, (Class of 76),jimursulak AT aol.com
Vancouver has been my home since 1977. For years I have been working as a documentary film sound recordist, a job which has kept me on the road exploring the wonders of the world. No matter where I am there is usually an internet cafe nearby, so if you want to write I will do my best to answer you from wherever. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Lesley Walker,(Class of 76),teleapps AT cpol.com
Have only been back to RVR for a reunion in 1995. After RVR went to Dawson College and got Retail Management Diplomia. Worked for NTI on St. Jacque St for 4 years then moved to Sydney Australia in 1982.

Married John Wilson from TO while in Australia and enjoyed working for Hanimex/Fuji Film down under for 6 years. Left Hanimex and joined Mitsui Computer where I stayed until 1990.

Returned to Toronto, Canada in 1990 and founded a business called Tele-Applications. Have one child Rhonda born 1993 and a stepson Jason born 1975.October 2001 left TO and moved to Atlanta Georgia where I am enjoying the fun, sun, tennis and golf. (Updated Feb 24,02)

October 2001 left TO and moved to Atlanta Georgia where I am enjoying the fun, sun, tennis and golf.

Richard Wadden,(Class of 77),rwadden AT aol.com
I started working for the Canadian national railways (CN) as a locomotive engineer. I got married in 1984 to the most beautiful Newfie by the name of A Fish Called Wanda. (That's really her name)
I have 2 beautiful daughters,Sara-15 years old and Jessica-12 years old. I live in Chateauguay, Quebec. Life couldn't be better. Feel free to e-mail me. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Jeff Strange,(Class of 78),JeffMStrange AT AOL.com

A few years after graduation, I hooked up and eventually married the girl that turned down my request to be her grad-date (fate would have it that I had a fantastic grad night anyway, without her!). Lynn (Waters),class of '78, and I were married in Montreal and now have As a young family, we moved to British Columbia in the fall of 1989. Our present home is Mission B.C., which is nestled between the beautiful coast mountains and the Fraser River - about an hour's drive from Vancouver. I work as a Registered Nurse in the prison system, specializing in infectious diseases. Lynn's athletic influence has been good for me as well, helping me shuffle my way through a few 10km runs and a half-marathon (no record times though). The whole family lives a pretty balanced life that includes sport, the arts and recreation. We frequently keep in touch with Annabelle Murray, but have also had a few brief, but wonderful revisits with Dan Caulderhead, Richard and Nancy Howe (Langevin), Steve Dubuc, Paul McAvoy and Denise Clement. I hope to get in touch with others in the future. I encourage more grads to post their stories. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Lynn Waters, (Class of 78), DLHStrange AT AOL.com
Lynn went on to study fine arts in college, but years later finds herself working with seniors in the health care sector. Now living in Mission B.C. since '89 with her husband Jeff Strange (class of 1978), they have a son and daughter, both wonderful teens, now 16 and 14. When the kids grew a little older , Lynn rekindled her athletic beginnings, and became a successful age-group distance runner and triathlete. In 1996, she ran the 100th Anniversary Boston Marathon and in both 1999 and 2000, completed the Ironman Canada Triathlon in Penticton B.C. Lynn remains active in the community and is the co-organizer of an annual 10km. community run. Although Lynn was the "quiet" one in high school, she has come into her own and is loved by her many friends, especially for her subtle wit and forever positive attitude. You know what they say: "You don't get older, you just get better!" (Updated Feb 24,02)

Dale Wilkinson, (Class of 79),hayes AT look.ca
Hi, Still living in Chambly, married Rupert Hayes (1977) We have owned and operated a Domino"s Pizza in Le Plateau for the past 12 years. Have 2 great daughers Erin 10 and Rachel 5.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Ainslie Dowd, (Class of 80), ainsliedowd AT shaw.ca
Fiona Randerson (Class of 80) and I had our third child in November, 2001, baby Olivia. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Janet Waters, (Class of 80), jjaneric AT aol.com
I am living in Toronto (well Etobicoke) and have four children - two girls 17 and 6 respectively and two boys 8 and 7. One of my children is an insulin dependent diabetic. My children are the center of my life. I am married and work at a nearby hospital. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Lynda Strange,(Class of 80)
After finishing high school in Ottawa (instead of going on to CEGEP), Linda travelled and worked a year with Katimavik. She then attended Queens U., graduating from their nursing program. She met her husband-to-be at Queens and they now have two young children living in T.O. with plans to move to Kingston in the future.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Kevin Rochford,(Class of 80),krochford AT dawsoncollege.qc.ca
I live in the former municipality of Montreal West with my wife, Marilyn Meikle (Traf, class of '80 & Marianopolis) and our kids, Kathleen (born in 1994) and Julia (born in 2000).(Updated Feb 24,02)

Lisa Boissonneault {now Crowe},(Class of 82),crowescooter AT hotmail.com
I came too Montreal 1978 from Lahr, Germany.
I think I left RVRHS in grd 10 {did not want 2 repeat the yr} I already had 2 repeat grd 9 because of the diff school system in Germany...
Moved to Kentville, Nova Scotia 1981 came back too Montreal 1982 went back 2 school and graduated from night school at "Sir George Williams High" located in Concordia University, continuing education division. Moved too Lenox, Ma 1983-84. Found a wonderful American man {Bear} and married Aug ,1985. And now reside in Easley, South Carolina USA.
I have 4 beautiful kids, lol, I mean cats. They act like kids.
Bear and I enjoy riding motorcycles and camping. I am a private caregiver for an elderly couple and Bear is a Motorcycle Service Technician.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Paul McHenry, (Class of 83), paul.mchenry AT shaw.ca
I can't believe it's actually been 19 years since I left RVR. I spent most of the 80's in Lennoxville playing football for Champlain and Bishop's. Left the townships for NDG, then moved to Vancouver, in 1993. I worked for Dictaphone selling Enterprise software in hospitals across Canada, got hit by the dot.com craze in 1999 and was national sales manager for an ASP voice recognition company until I saw the writing on the wall and an opportunity at Bell Intrigna here in Vancouver. I am married to Janne Fossberg (class of 1982), we have a great house by the beach, and a big German Shepherd named Hank, still ski and play hockey, and the odd flag football game. Ted Gurr is my brother-in-law - who would have thought that we would marry sisters! I travel back to Montreal often to visit family and friends. Shoot me an email.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Meriel Randerson (Class of 84), is pursuing spiritual growth in northern India. She didn't actually marry David Critchlow, as planned. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Darlene Greenough, (Class of 84), tonydar AT sympatico.ca
Hello everybody! After grad I worked in different office jobs till 1998 when came our pride and joy a beautiful baby boy named Cody Anthony Bruno. I am now a full-time mom and enjoying every minute. In may 2002 it will be 20 years that I am with Tony Bruno (who did not go to R.V.R) and we are still living in Otterburn Park where we own our house, and run our business (a used car dealership) for the last 12 years. Our hobbies are still pretty much the same rebuilding and drag racing muscle cars, cruising on our Harley, and travelling. We would love to hear from you! at tonydar AT sympatico.ca (Updated Feb 24,02)

Jocelyn Mackay,(Class of 84),jossbaby AT hotmail.com
There's so much to say...it would be impossible to summarize all the experiences in a few lines...but I am happy, divorced, and have an amazing 10 year old son named Harrison! Not like Ford!! I can be reached at jossbaby AT hotmail.com if anybody wants to make contact. Guess I could let it be known that I'm currently living with Kerry Powell on the Plateau, Mt Royal.Kisses!! (Updated Feb 24,02)

Stacy Davies, (Class of 85), stacyjdavies AT hotmail.com
Well howdy folks just when ya thought it was safe I'm baaccckkkk.
I'm a long distance trucker doing all 48 states,10 provinces, the territories and the occasional trip up to Alaska. still single but am the proud uncle to 7 nieces and 3 nephews.not to mention i`m godfather to more kids than i can remember. all i know is that toys r us loves me at this time of year. should be having internet access shortly in the truck via the Qualcomm satellite so if anyone cares to email I'll answer it asap.oh by the way bob is letting me use his computer temporarily so if there is a problem I'm sure bob will let me know. take care everyone and merry Christmas to all your families and loved ones.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Victoria Gubbe, (Class of 85), victoria AT pinnaclewebdesign.net
Hi,If anyone remembers me.Drop me a line. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Laurie Hall, (Class of 85), lauriejenw AT hotmail.com
Hi everyone, I still see lots of you around Otterburn, where yes I still live. I moved into the big city and did the work thing for about six years, I became a Corporate Travel Agent. Met my husband (Bryan Wensley) at the Knowlton Pub, thanks to my friends Mark and Derek!! Well After getting married, bought a house in Otterburn and settled down, we have two beautiful boys, Gage is 7 and Reid is 5. I tried to go back to work last year but found it too difficult with two very active boys. So for now I am a stay at home Mom and loving it! Would love to hear from any of you. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Eva Akow, (Class of 87), akowem AT smartt.com
Update: My husband (David) and I were married on September 16,2001 in New Westminster BC. My maid of honour was Claudine Key ('87) who attended with her beautiful daughter (My god daughter). After the wedding, David and I had a great time honeymooning in Bali. Now back home, I am settling in and loving married life. Still, working hard as a RN and enjoying West Coast life. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Martin Allen, (Class of 87), mallain AT videotron.ca
After RVR, I went on to Champlain College and soon after, graduated Honours Political Science and Economics from Concordia. Got married in Aug of 1995 but divorced in 1999. Had a serious accident in early 2000 which kept me off my feet for over a year. Have custody of a 4 year old daughter named Catherine (born same day I was, oddly enough, during my 2 year stay in Ottawa). Recently, I returned to McGill University and obtained a Masters in Engineering. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Gail Prosser, (Class of 88),pawprint17 AT hotmail.com
Well... a lot has changed since I last wrote on here! Am newly married to a wonderful guy I met over coffee and we live in Montreal with our two cats (no kids yet!). Am working as a rental agent for furnished apartments and very much enjoy the job. I get to meet lots of people from all over the world, and I am not at a desk all day long, so it's never boring. Still keep in touch with Joanna Bowles, Michelle Desmarais and Cindy Courtemanche to name a few... Often wonder what happened to people, where they are, what they are doing, so it's great to be able to read about everyone on here. Feel free to drop me a line to catch up! All the best! (Updated Feb 24,02)

Gitanjali Mohit, (Class of 88),glmitchell AT telus.net
Hi everyone! Would love to hear from you all! Blissfully married since 1992 with 4 kids and loving it! (Updated Feb 24,02)

Eileen Gillis (Herron), (Class of 89),Eileen_Gillis AT swissre.com
After RVR - I went to Marianopolis and then on to McGill to study Poly Sci. After changing my major three times, I got married and left McGill to go to computer school. Then I thought that I would try McGill again but a great job offer in Vermont lured me away. In Vermont I worked for IBM and Banknorth Group and then my husband joined the US Army and we moved to Ohio and Fort Drum, NY. After his Tour of Duty, we settled in Greenwhich Connecticut where I am a Global It Analyst for the largest Reinsurance Company in the World. I have two great kids, my daughter is 9 and my son is 3. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Steve Clark,(Class of 89),ssteveclark AT hotmail.com
I was just thinking the other day what some of you were up to. For me I have been running my business on the west island of Montreal (chimney maintenance and wood stove installations). It has grown slowly over the last 5 years but I' m very happy with where it is now. I will be getting married to Iris this may (2002). We currently live in a small town in Ontario (Dalkeith). We have a small hobby farm (only chickens for now). Iris and I met through the Baie d' Urfe Fire Dept. (which is now been taken over by the Montreal dept.) If anybody would like to contact me ssteveclark AT hotmail.com (Updated Feb 24,02)

Shelley Williams,(Class of 90),swilliamsca AT yahoo.com (Updated Feb 24,02)

Charlene Levesque (now Kinney), (Class of 90),kinnbrn AT aol.com
I'm presently living in Saint John, New Brunswick. I'm married to a wonderful guy, Brian, and we have a beautiful daughter, Kayla. I hope to hear from any from our grad class.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Kathryn Gatien,(Class of 91),steeve11 AT videotron.ca
I was married in February of 2001 and our daughter Mia was born on January 7th, 2002. I am currently on maternity leave from my job as an accountant for a pharmeceutical company in St-Hilaire. We live in Rougemont. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Natalie Olinyk,(Class of 92),nolinyk_srobert AT sympatico.ca
Also, the info I wanted to have added was that our second daughter, Alice, was born on January 6, 2002, in Brockville. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Karl-James Breton, (Class of 92),karlb993 AT hotmail.com
Hello all! Well after graduating in 92 I went on to CEGEP in St-Hyacinthe. Now I manage the service in a car dealership. I also have a mobile disco (D.J.) which is my sideline. I am single and having a great time! Would love to get in touch with my friends from RVRHS.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Anne-Marie Charland,(Class of 92),acharland AT riteaid.com
Hello every one, glad to be able to get back in touch with you. I worked for the National Bank of Canada as an IS QA Analyst and took 1 yr off to get a programmer's certification. I then returned to the Bank in the IS department working as a consultant with CogniCase. Finally, in July 2001, I made the BIG move to ElizabethTown, Pensylvania where I work as a System's Engineer for RiteAid and live with my wonderful boyfriend Jim. No, not married and no kids...That's the next thing on my list, worked out the career thing first. I'm anxiously awaiting to hear from you...!(Updated Feb 24,02)

Paul Charrette,(Class of 93),pcharret AT hotmail.com (Updated Feb 24,02)

Julie (Maurice) Larose,(Class of 93),michellarose AT hotmail.com
Julie's second daughter, Alice, was born on Jan. 6, 2002, in Brockville, Ontario.(Updated Feb 24,02)

Alice Li, (Class of 93),li_alice AT sympatico.ca
Helloo! I'm so glad to read that those of you who have posted are doing well; hope that the same is true for everyone else! After finishing my biology degree at Concordia, I lived in London, UK for two years, working and doing some travelling around Europe. I then moved to Vancouver for six months, and in March, I'll be on my way to China to teach English in the city of Dalian. No husband or sprogs yet... If you have the time, it'd be great to hear from you! (Updated Feb 24,02)

Elizabeth Mavor, (Class of 94),lizphoto AT sympatico.ca
Presently living in Montreal. Alive and well (and not dressed in black all the time anymore.) I am presently working for TD Canada Trust and pursuing a career in photography on the side. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Sagar D Patel,(Class of 95), mcse_78 AT hotmail.com (Updated Feb 24,02)

Mike Farrell,(Class of 95),michael.farrell AT eulergroup.com
Another update! I got engaged in Feb 2002 to Monika (my Polish Princess). I am returning with her to Poland in May 2002 to start a new chapter. Hope to hear from those who are lost. (Updated Feb 24,02)

Ryan Blue, (Class of 97), r_blue AT hotmail.com
What's up to all my peeps from RVR. Boo-yah! Since graduation I have led a pretty eventful life. I attended CEGEP for a year before wallowing away in my own self-pity. Within a year I had turned to the sauce. A year after that I spend a brief six months in prison. But now I am back on my feet and on the swift road to recovery, hopefully my boxing career will take off, I'm still undefeated and have yet to be punched. Flip-diddy-yay-ha. Peace (Updated Feb 24,02)

Lindsay Nuttall, (Class of 97), nuttall_lindsay AT hotmail.com
Getting married in April. April 20th to a wonderful man and well my son (Brendan) is now a year old. Whoever remembers me just e-mail me take care (Updated Feb 24,02)

Tiffany Loiselle,(Class of 98),tiffanyloiselle AT mail.mcgill.ca
Studying Canadian History at McGill University. (My thanks to Mr. Emperor) (Updated Feb 24,02)

Geoffrey (Now Shane) Williams,(Class of 98), the_scarlet_one_13 AT yahoo.ca
I'm currently doing nothing and getting myself geared for university. In other words I'm still not where I want to be but working my way there backwards. (Updated Feb 24,02)