Saturday, 21 November 2009

Circular No 420



 
Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. 
Caracas, 21 November 2009 No. 420
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Dear Friends, 
Some more news on the Incorporation of MSB Old Boys Assn, and I invite you to look up the new name for the WEB page, www.msbaatt.com, conducted by Kazim Abalasi.
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Saturday, October 17, 2009 8:30 PM
From: "dgurley@jdsellier.com"  
Dear Old Boy Promoters; 
I regret that such a significant amount of time has passed without a report from me. Unfortunately the “go-between” contact who has some influence over the Abbot had to undergo by-pass surgery and this has resulted in a significant delay. 
Through the intervention of the now-recovered go-between I am still hoping to persuade the Abbot that he should withdraw his objection to our use of the preferred name for our Non-Profit Association.
If I have not succeeded by the middle of next month I will speak directly with the Registrar of Companies and see if I can persuade him to ignore the Abbot’s objection. 
I will report further next month or before if there is a break through before then. 
Regards,
Dennis Gurley 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
AND NOW OLDER COMMUNICATIONS
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1:02 PM
From: Carlos Dvorak" carlos_dvorak@aincosa.com 
Dear Peter,
Please make sure that Fr. Abbot understands that WE ARE PROUD TO BE alumni of THE ABBEY SCHOOL, and we feel that thanks to that we are special type of persons.
God bless you.
CARLOS DVORAK 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On 29-Jun-09, at 4:27 PM, Don Mitchell CBE QC wrote: 
Hi Azizul,
You got the point.
We can register the company with any name that is acceptable. 
Then, all we have to do is call it what we want as an "aka".  
A company is not normally allowed to do business using an aka. 
But, so long as we keep it an informal aka, there should be no legal problem. 
So, just as an example, the company could be registered as "Company No MSB123 Limited." 
We put that official name on the company letterhead. 
Then, we also put on the letterhead, not as part of the name, but as a sort of banner, something like, "An Association of Old Boys of the Abbey School, Mount St Benedict, Tunapuna, Trinidad", or whatever we want.
That way, it is not part of the legal name, but we make it clear to anyone reading our stuff who we are.
Don 
----- Original Message ---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: azizul mohammed
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 3:43 PM 
So how about “The Abbey Mt ST Benedict Old Boys Association”? 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Monday, June 29, 2009 5:51 PM
"Attila GYURIS"  
My brothers:
I agree that the name "Abbey School" belongs to us, alumni, and we should be able to use it for good purposes.
BUT the unfortunate reality is that if the name cannot be incorporated or registered in Trinidad, because the Registrar of Companies of Trinidad will not accept it as a legal entity then we can only exist in cyberspace, and we cannot have any legal / financial standing.
We live in a different world today, with all the litigiousness and abusive legal manoeuvring that exists in our society.
So in a way I can understand the Abbot's caution. 
I am sure he did not make this decision unilaterally, I am sure he was advised by others.
I think one of our options maybe then to incorporate/register it in another country where the registrar will not have any objections and no permission from the Abbot is required (?).
While this maybe a legal workaround, it may still antagonise the Abbot towards us, and do we want that? 
Should we even care about that? 
Or should we forge ahead and disregard the Abbot's wishes and use the name Abbey School anyway?
I am not sure what the consequences, if any, there would be.  
Just because something is legal to do, it may not be the right thing to do.
That is the question we must answer first.
Once we answer that, we can go to the next decision: 
1) If we decide to use the name "Abbey School" anyway, then one of the options would be to incorporate in another country.  "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead." 
2) If we decide to bend over and obey the Abbot's wishes, then we will have to come up with another name which would acceptable to the Registrar of Companies in Trinidad. 
I am personally for option 2.
Regards,
Attila Gyuris 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Glen Mckoy mckoy43glen@hotmail.com

Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 9:54 AM 
CHECHE, ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE,  THANKS MAN. G#1.
A KNIGHT OF THE LAW. 
My Dear Brother Dennis,
I first, must thank you, on behalf of all of us out here, as Shaun said, out in CyberSpace, yes the invisible members, the support you cannot see,
However we stand with you, our faces on the Front. 
I understand that the Abbot does not approve of the name "Abbey School" as part of our Home Base, Non-profit association of us past students, of the school.  
We came is Peace, where is the Love and where is the Compassion?
The Abbot has made this decision based on recent unfortunate circumstances, in which the name of the Abbey has been used with detrimental consequences. 
With great respect to the Abbot, who the hell gave these people permission to use our name ?? 
If the people who used out name are old abbey school boys, we need to know this, and we will fix this problem, and correct the situation. 
If these people are not old abbey school boys, we cannot accept your decision. 
As other Abbey schools around the world are registered, and sanctioned to have a non-profit Club, by their respectable church, I hope that these rules are not being broken as we go along.     
Also the Abbot must have no fear of the school re-opening, all pipe dreams, and not single thing can be done on the mount with out his permission, so I see absolutely no problems, but assumptions, now we in the realm have Faith, we hope the Abbot also have Faith. 
In God we Trust. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
(This is what my brother Trevor had to say) 
Just saw an email from Glen regarding the matter of the name The Abbey School
The objection of the present Abbot to the use of this name
Well as far as I am concerned the name belongs to all of us who spent many years of our lives at that place.
I think that his request should be ignored 
One would have thought that he would have been Proud to have the name of the Abbey portrayed around the world and understand that most of the old pupils are proud to have been a student of the MOUNT 
What ever is finally decided I am with you all
Regards Trevor Evelyn
1945 to 1949 and proud of it 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------. 
Dear Shaun, 
Thank you for your opinion. 
I must 1st. say how proud; it is to read your email, a younger Knight who has seen the light. 
The Abbey School/ Old Boys Private Club 1942-2009. 
We have paid our dues, a long time ago, this is our show, if you did not attend the Abbey School, during the years of preparation for this time, in the Power of Now, you will not know, for we are sacred, secret, we are an invisible elite alumni, we have been here, in Cyberspace conducting our activities, long before an official alumni was established. 
We are world wide, with the only common denominator, that holds us together, The Abbey School,Mt.St.Benedict, Tunapuna, Trinidad & Tobago. 
We extend ourselves only with kindness and support, to our good brothers who still reside, in the land of our Castle.  
We even pay respect for the people who worked around us, teachers etc, from our past, we offer honorary membership. 
To the few that we have come to respect.  
We are of no ego no more, we do not want for our selves, but only the survival of the Castle, if possible ?? 
If not, we will continue, as we did before, as we are doing now, and we will do again, in the future.
Long Live The Mount.  
Glen McKoy. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------.
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:10:36 -0400
From: reglaw@gmail.com 
Dear Dennis,
How pleasant to know about you!
Thank you for your information which I have carefully reviewed.
In spite of Fr. Abbot's explanations, which I deeply respect, I admit not to fully understand the reservations which Fr. Abbot may have with respect to old students using the "Abbey School" name. 
It is clear that we would not make any wrong use of the name or take advantage of it for any particular agenda.
That issue could even be ruled in the institutional bylaws. (Could we suggest this to Fr. Abbot?)
However, Fr. Abbot bears the authority to decide and he has expressed his opinion which we must observe.
Please extend my warm regards to all at home !
CheChe/ Rafael 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: peter.a.tang@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:11:46 +0000 
Don,
Don't think we should cave in so easily.
Part of the problem I believe is that the Abbot was never a part of the Abbey School and can't be expected to feel what we all do.
The challenge is, to transfer our feelings to him.
Logic won't work because, his response is not logical but is solely based on, a bad experience he appears to have had.
We will get him to feel the light.
Take good care.
Regards,
Peter 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On Jun 29, 2009, at 4:42 PM,
"Don Mitchell CBE QC" <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote: 
Hello Old Boys,
Since I now understand that the principal obstacle is the refusal of the Registrar of Companies to permit the name, I recognise that there is no way around it, having once served as a Registrar of Companies myself.
May I suggest "Escapees from the Prison on the Hill", for those of you who remember the old school song?
Alternatively, and as a second choice only, if Trinidad permits letters and numbers to form the name of a company, as Anguilla does, how about the acronyms "ASOBA" or "MSBOBA"?  We would know what the word means, which is all that is important.
Regards,
Don 
----- Original Message -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dgurley@jdsellier.com
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 4:45 PM
Subject: RE: THE ABBEY SCHOOL - different ways to skin a cat 
Hi Don;
Peter Tang (who is quite friendly with the Abbot) has agreed to have a quiet word with him.
Peter is reasonably confident that he will be able to get him to withdraw his objection to the use of the words “Abbey School” as part of the proposed name.
I suggest that we give Peter a chance to work his magic.
Regards,
Dennis  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: Rafael Echeverría [mailto:reglaw@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, 27 June, 2009 11:20 AM  
I fully agree with Attila ... Rafael/CheChe 
------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 9:23 PM,
Attila GYURIS <gyuris@yahoo.com> wrote: 
I agree with Carlos.
I don't think he can deny us the right to use the name (?) "Reasons unknown" ??? WTF
I really wonder what the problem with using the name of the school as part of our organisations name?  
Is it copyrighted?
But I think the best approach would be: ... why don't we find out first what the Abbot's objections are ?    
Maybe we can work this out without pissing-off the Abbot. 
After all, we need him on our side.
Attila Gyuris 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: Carlos Dvorak <carlos_dvorak@aincosa.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 8:58 AM 
Who can tell me that I am not an ALUMNI OF THE ABBEY SCHOOL, which happened to be located somewhere in a mountain known as “MOUNT SAINT BENEDICT” and therefore I also was a student at THE ABBEY SCHOOL, regardless THAT PERSON CARES, LIKE IT OR NOT.
Atentamente,
CARLOS DVORAK  
------------------------------------------------------------------.
De: azizul mohammed [mailto:salo00011@hotmail.com] 
Enviado el: Martes, 23 de Junio de 2009 06:52 p.m. 
Well who cares? I am in The Abbey School Old Boys Association.
Any objections?
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: scg1@tstt.net.tt
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:48:15 -0400 
Well, first of all the Abbot is out of place making such demands (in my opinion).
We are, first and foremost, an Alumni of the Mt. St. Benedict - Abbey School .
I don't even think we need to even use the word association.
Alumni says it all. 
The Abbot has no rights to take that away from past students.
We earned that status. 
The Abbey School Alumni, for the most part conducts its activities in cyberspace - email, blog and web site.
We are World Wide. 
You think he'll bring the "posse" and start sharing licks? 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On Jun 23, 2009, at 6:33 PM, Glen Mckoy wrote: 
Coscarart,
Thank you for questioning our identity, the one and only thing we should be able to have, why? Are we treated like strangers; we are the ex-students
We are reasonable men; a good explanation should help us understand why, around every corner, we have a new surprise.  
Where is the unity of our school & church, I thought we had these ties last reunion ??  Who is in charge ? 
As we are getting mixed massages out here. 
I am concerned, ex-student from ???? where the castle in the sky.
Let’s get this party started, Love to all my bothers, from the no name school. Ha! Ha!   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: coscarartsalvador@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:02:07 -0500 
Dear Mr. Gurley,
My name is Salvador Coscarart , I was a student at the abbey school from 1967 to 1974.
I was chatting with Mr. Ladislao Kertesz and he told me that the Abbot father John Pereira does not want to use the abbey school name for the association.
Reasons unknown, but what if we called it “the old abbey school association of Trinidad and Tobago" there are many abbey schools all over the world.
Why can't we use this one I just proposed?
I don't see any reason why not.
Please let me know if we can use it or Kertesz told me about the situation and am taking upon my self and on behalf of all the old abbey boys on this matter.
I live in Lafayette, Louisiana my cell is 337-412-8751,.
Thank you very much.  
Ps: Will it help to get signatures from the old boys that are very much interested on keeping in touch with their brothers from the abbey school .I just got back from a reunion in Ajax Ontario Canada, and there were old abbey boys from 1945, as well as different years, we all want to keep in touch, but will like to do it with an organized association that will keep it private and only for the old abbey school boys. If there is any out put on this matter please be nice and address it to Mr. Gurley whom is the attorney for the present association.
Sincerely and with all my respect Salvador Coscarart abbey boy 67 -74. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
I believe that this is all on the emails for the Association.
Now to the photos.
Regards
Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com
So now you have all the exchanges and photos.
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Photos:
09LK0055TTVISITWC, The woodcraft shop.
09LK0087TTVISITEDIMSB, Alms box in front of the church
09LK0092TTVISITEDIMSB, Mass schedule at the church
09LK1769TTVISITTTASS, Members of the Association??
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Saturday, 14 November 2009

Circular No 419





Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. 
Caracas, 14 November 2009 No.419
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Dear Friends, 
Here is some news from Cornel De Freitas, received in February.  Part II shall be sent in Circular No. 423. 
Unfortunately I have received this.
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Subject: RE: There comes a point in your life when you realize....
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:27:38 -0400 
Hi Glen,
It's been awhile...but I 'religiously' read and enjoy everything you send to me!
See, I even went out of my way to make 'everything' look special... you might not know this; but you definitely help us get along from day to day with the time you put into what you do for us (The Old Boys). A Heart felt thank you.
This I would like to share with you, 'because' you Are that type of person.
I was recently diagnosed with a "Pulmonary embolism" (I hope I spelled it correctly), it's a (one or more) blood clot in the lungs.
The attending Doctor handed me some info he printed for me off of a Medical site. 
The first few lines say that this is 80% fatal. 
Needless to say it is certainly changing the way I look at the remainder of my life and I thank GOD for not taking me away from my two little Angels; Lorenzo (7) and Christian (6) - my two grandsons. 
They started treatment immediately. 
I had to endure two injections into my stomach for seven days- two because I am heavy and required the maximum dosage, and I am now on 'Coumadin' a blood thinner for at least six months.
I would like to encourage All of our brothers that are suffering in any way to share their 'pain' so that they in turn will realize that others do care.
If you don't mind >>>I just received your email about 12 poisonous .....<<<< Thanks!
Send me your tel.# so we could have a chat.
GOD bless you and your loved ones.
Cornel 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 12:09 AM 
Eion,
Thanks so much for the news you sent to Cornel about yourself.
Would you have any objection to my passing your bio on to Ladislao for general distribution among the OB's.?
 (No pressure. Just let me know, please.)
Keep well.
Nigel  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On 19-Feb-09, at 7:15 PM, Eion O'Connor wrote: 
Thanks. 
You have good info man! 
I forgot about Glen, don't know him well but have met him through a good trini friend (Wesley Paul) who was a contemporary of Glen's at SMU - they played in a student band together. 
Richard Lawrence I don't know. 
----- Original Message ------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 11:16 PM 
Eion,
Cornel passed your email to me. Thanks for all the details. 
I thought you'd like to know - there are 2 other MSB OB's living in NS. 
He is GLEN MC KOY, (Class of '74) of 80 Adelaide Ave., Halifax, NS. B3N 2N8 (Ph: 902 443-5437) 
Then, there's RICHARD LAWRENCE, Address unknown (CLASS OF 79)
Perhaps you might run into these guys one day.
Nigel Boos 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
On 18-Feb-09, at 10:00 PM, Cornel de Freitas wrote: 
Since you asked here's my bio
Spent 7 yrs at the mount - 61 to 68
Godalming, Surrey, England  - 68 to 69;  O and A levels. 
St Mary's Univ ,Halifax, NS - 69 -74 ; B.Comm, B.A - many mount boys from my time passed through SMU - Michael de Verteuil (Fr.); Alexandro Lew (Nazi); former Bro. Maurus (mutty); Jeffrey, Hamish  & Allan Harrera, Jacques DeVerteuil, Nylon and Stuart Henderson, Dennis (fives) and Christian Gurley, Harry Laughlin, Roger Ames (sausage), Peter Chandler, Frank, Michael (terror) and Roger Farah, Richard de Verteuil (B'dos).
Fell in love with arts student Ann Marie Gay 1971, married 1973
First child, daughter Emily born 1976
Worked at university until 1977
Returned to T&T '77 - 85
Worked McEnearney, San'do and then WA Barron for Christian Quesnel.
Two boys born T&T , Brendan 1979 and Sean 1982
Continued close friendships with several mount boys - Christian Gurley, Bernard Large, Phillip Laughlin
Split that scene, returned to NS Dec 85 to present
Last child Michael born Jan 1986 Canada
Live Waverley, NS just outside Halifax
VP sales & mktg for local HVAC manufacturing co. - travel Canada and some states. 
Two other mount boys live in NS  - Arthur Knaggs (a close friend) and Tommy Jardine. These two must be from the first graduating class of the mount (class of late 40's) along with my uncle Mike Darwent (Longwood, Florida). 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Nigel P. Boos
Monday, February 16, 2009 11:54:48 PM 
Pablo,
Since Terry and Eion are talking about you, I thought you'd like to get into the discussion as well.
Over to you.
Nigel 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Date: February 16, 2009 10:46:40 PM GMT-05:00 
Hi Eion,
From behin' de seawall is correct.
It's a delight to hear from you and to know that you actually lived long enough to mature; boy you were a massive headache for them priest.
However I recall you and Father Cuthbert pulling it off quite well.
He is truly a great man, a man who could see and understand things.
You might feel better if you knew that I was a member of the first "One B" class.
Yes man, they invented that class for guys like you and I, and you are correct when you say that today we would have been labelled with some sort of crap and thereafter given a wash of little pills. 
Where do you reside?
I'm in New Jersey and would love to get reacquainted; I'm not sure how. 
Tonight you made me laugh.
You still wear your St Lawrence pants, and on Trinity Sunday?  
What, how so, as a hat? You weighed about 15 pounds back then.
All you do keep in touch man.
By the way, my younger brother Ronald was nicknamed Towsie, not I.
Nigel has me listed as towsie on the MOB web site so don't feel too bad eh.
Sincerely,
Terrence
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Mistake, mistake!
It was Pablo deLabastide, not Charles who was my Form 1B demotee pardner.  
----- Original Message --------------------------------------------------------.-
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 10:02 PM 
Well, well, well, if it isn’t that fine Demerara cricketer (all round natural sportsman) from behin' de seawall.
Towsie, never thought I’d hear from you again after all these years. 
Yup that was me, always looking for trouble.
Today they would have some kind of label for that... .ADD...ADHD....LMOH (let me outta here )???
In 1962 they called it immature - Charles deLabastide and I were the only mount boys I know of that were demoted because we were rabble rousers in class.
Didn't change a thing! 
Anyway, I think I finally matured in my mid-thirties, what a drag!
Your memory serves you well, I was in St.Lawrence; still have the green & white shorts.....wear them on Trinity Sunday every year.
Eion 
----- Original Message --------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 3:47 AM 
Corneal,
You need to eat more fish boy.
Look, you better ask Nigel if next Friday he could swing a fish roti for you. 
How could you ever misplace the "Rab"? Eion in my time, although he was one of the smallest guys around, I suspect he might have been one of Mount's biggest and best rabble rouser.
[Eion you know you were, you were miserable man, always creating some sort of trouble.
If you weren't stealing mangoes you were troubling some one of us or tapping guys just for fun it seems.
I loved your spirit kid, and I think you were in St Lawrence to boot.]
Hopefully the attached Voosh will kindle fond memories.
Corneal how come you didn't join up for Scouts?
Regards,
Terrence   
From the right but in the foreground's back line consisting of parrot-toe Sabga, Eion is eight in line wearing the spectacles left of Norman Tang but right of Jerome DeBarry, Pin Head [Charles?], Austin, Narine and so on. [yuh got to eat fish.]     
(Can make the corrections a soon as I get the photo or the photo´s code number, ed) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:32:34 -0500 
Dear Eion:
(It takes a few minutes to put the face to the name)
Many thanks for reaching out... no words could really express what an amazing feeling it is ... to finally be able to actually make contact ... like I said, there just aren't enough words to express my feelings about it!
I have been getting quite a bit of mail and doing my best to respond directly, often copying to Nigel Boos and to Ladislao Kertesz; 
I am so very appreciative of these guys –
I love them both for what they are doing for us, as well as the others who are rethreading the fabric of friendship that has always tied us all together, some tears and also some rips, but I believe we have all grown up and matured, and come to realize what we all meant to each other.
If I could reach out to any brother that I may have hurt or ever offended and left without ever having the chance to make amends, to them, whomsoever "They" may be, my heartfelt "sorry" and please do not hesitate to reach out to me so I could finally express to them,
on a one on one basis how I feel, so that they would realize that I care about every single one of them as I do for any of my natural brothers and sisters.
Next time, could you please let me know what picture I could recognise you in, (the Circulars have a number of them)  your full name,, when you graduated and left the Mount and what you have been doing etc.etc...
I am so totally blown away that you remember all of that.
Believe me when I tell you, for the last 40-45 years,
I have often thought about the cabin we all worked so hard to build, it was a damn good one too. 
All the wood and galvanize we stole, even a mattress.
If I remember correctly, it was a two room- albeit small- but a lot of sweat went into the building of it.
I have such great memories of my life at the Mount with all of my 'brothers'. 
That's what they all mean to me, and I mean this sincerely. 
I know and realize that there were disagreements and misunderstandings, but then again, in any family of brothers and sisters, that happens.
But we all "grew up together" in close proximity, and as we moved forward and got a little older year after year the new younger 'brothers' would join us, and we would look out for them as any big brother would.
But I have always maintained that with all the ups and downs, good times and hard times, great times and even harsh or bad times, I am very proud to be a MOUNT boy!
I have two brothers and sisters, but because I was the eldest, and at the time they were a lot younger, their 'big' brother was away most of their lives, and did not grow up and 'bond' with them as most brothers and sisters do.
I was more or less a brother that would come home from away, spend some time and then leave again. 
Even when I left the Mount, I didn't stay in Aruba for very long, because I left for the United States (New York City) to study Electronics. 
I enrolled in the Delehanty Institute of Radio Television and Electronics and completed with a 4.0 average. 
After that I went on to take Computer Programming at E.C.P.I.  (The school was in the sub basement level of the Empire State Building).
I went back to Aruba, and my father used his influence to get me a job with an accounting firm, where I worked for a year to gain some experience while I applied for Immigrant status in Canada.
When my papers got approved, I took off for Canada, and I am now a Canadian Citizen for the last 39 years.
I have visited Trinidad and went up to the Mount.
The first time I went up, Cecil and a few of the boys were still there, of course, they were older and had moved forward a few grades, but It's been a long (very) long time since I've been back to Trinidad.
I believe this may have had a lot to do with my parents passing away and they always travelled to Trinidad to visit our family that live there and also on to St. Vincent where I was born and where my family originated from.
Sorry about the long history, but it helps shed some light on the story.
I believe it was my friend Jeremy du Barry that for some reason was told that I met my demise in, of all places, "Curacao".  
Even though Aruba and Curacao are sister islands along with Bonaire,  (these three are often referred to as the A B C islands) Aruban people did not care too much for Curacao, and even though I have visited/passed through a few times for connections to other islands etc., I had no real reason to visit often.
Aruba is now independent of the other 5 Dutch islands.
The other 3 were St. Martin, Saba and St. Eustatius. 
Saba is basically a mountain in the Caribbean sea.
For your information, Terence Ferreira, (do you know him?) is coming up for a visit in about a week.
Nigel and I plan to meet with him for a kind of mini reunion.
Write again and send some pictures if you have some from the 'old days at the MOUNT, I would love to see them.
You wouldn't happen to have one of the old "cabin" would you?
Take care, it was GREAT to hear from you, all the best to you and your loved ones for the new year.
GOD bless you and hope to hear from you soon again.
---By the way...Where do you live? 
Cornel de Freitas ... 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:38:25 -0400
Is this the "el tigre" cornel?
I heard you were dead man! so its real nice to see you are still around - another witness to the 'back to jail we go' years.
Remember the den we built up behind the scout house; let's see, it was Raymond deVerteuil, Phillip Laughlin, pin head, Christian Gurley, Cecil, ... can't remember all. Perhaps also Bookie Deveau..
You would go to town on weekends and bring back all kinds of eats we were starving for at the mount, go to the den, eat, smoke cigarettes and talk shit.
You were one weird dude man.. ..
Do you ever see your country man Crofton Stroud?  He was a kind fella.
Eion O'Connor
(Rab - Flaco to the Venezuelans) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From Cornel de Freitas
Date 6 February 2009 03:17 
Hi Trevor:
Greetings from another "Old" MSB student.
Nigel, in his introduction, has proclaimed nice things about you, and yes, I too must say that I treasure the time I spent in The Abbey School "Jail" (affectionately of course).
Thank you Nigel, for your introduction to Trevor.
I have already related a number of stories of my time and experiences at Mount St. Benedict. 
But with all of the ups and downs at the Mount, The 'Ups' far outweigh the 'Downs'.
I do not know whether or not you knew Father Eugene (he was the Dean for the beginning of my years at MSB), But he was probably the most 'serious' of all the Monks.
I can't remember ever seeing him smile...
I am so looking forward to reaching out to as many of my 'Brothers' as I am able to, with the hope that they too feel the same way.
So many stories I've read about 'White Stones', never new there was 'treasure' buried up there, or that there was a secret organization associated to it - all very interesting - I love reading all that stuff to do with the Mount.
I picked up on a lot of the old Circulars, which I am still in the process of reading. (I was fortunate to have been 'discovered by Ladislao just before Christmas (2008)
I just wish that that there was a data base that could be accessed (how does that sound Kazim? - Food for thought?)
There don't seem to be too many photographs of the buildings of the earlier years.
Like some of the buildings Nigel speaks of, i.e.: the old refectory where they had their meals.
My memories of our refectory at the time when I started going to the Mount, was: you would go down the staircase near to the Prep Dorm, walk pass the old showers, through the door at the end of that corridor which led to a narrow path downward like a "Z", where the bottom of the letter " Z " as is related to the path, went by the workshop.
Does anybody remember that?
I also remember a 'foodfight' we had one night at dinner time, when father Augustine was supervising.
The lights went out and people were pelting buns all over the place, some even threw oranges.
The mess made as a result was...incredible... He was soooooo pissed off (I don't believe that word was invented yet.)   But what a MESS!!!
Were any of you attending the Abbey School at the time to witness this?  And, we used to get a Trini version of Spaghetti and meat sauce,
I still remember how good that meatsauce was - I make my own, but I wish I had the recipe for the one we ate at the Mount.
Like I said there are a thousand stories and then some.
Anyway, Take care all and GOD bless you all
Cornel de Freitas 
P. S. Sorry I forgot to "caption" the snapshots, Next time it is 2:18 am in Toronto, and I need to get some shut-eye, or I'll be useless in the AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: To: corneldefreitas@hotmail.com; tevelyn@rogers.com
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 14:37:45 -0500 

Hi Trevor and Cornel,
In light of the fact that you both are always so enthusiastic and upbeat about anything related to MSB, and also, since you live rather more closely together than the distance from Etobicoke / Mississauga to Ajax, I thought it might be a good idea to introduce you to each other.
Trevor - meet Cornel de Freitas, grad 1965, lives in Etobicoke (Tel > 416-748-8805)>
Cornel - meet Trevor Evelyn, grad 1949, lives in Mississauga (Tel: > 905-275-7832) Perhaps you could plan a get together at a local Timmy's to meet.
Best wishes,
Nigel 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Now to the photos 
Regards
Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com 
So now you have all the exchanges and photos.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCOUT PHOTOS 
95CF0001CDFFAM, Cornel with son Michael
99CF0001CDFFAM, Cornel de Freitas with Santa
73CF1973CDFTO, Cornel de Freitas in Toronto
08AG0010EDIMSB, Monastery taken from a helicopter by Attila Gyuris
08AG0010EDIMSB, Fr. Augustine´s room




Saturday, 7 November 2009

Circular No 418




Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. 
Caracas, 7 November 2009 No. 418
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Dear Friends, 
A new comer, KEVAN TORRY, thanks to Attila Gyuris.
Please use kertesz11@yahoo.com to send information and photos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1 Oct 2009
From: Attila GYURIS  
Hello Kevan:   
How did you find me?  Are you getting the MSB old boy circulars? 
Thanks for contacting me. 
I often wondered whatever happened to you too. 
You certainly remember me well.
You are all correct, about my Hungarian parents via Venezuela.
Yes I also remember you very well.
You used to wear glasses, didn't you?. 
Your father was a pilot also wasn't he? 
I remember you telling me stories about your dad flying the DC-3.
One time, during study hall high up on the 4th floor in the center of the main school building, we were sitting next to each other, and we were talking about aviation.
Next you wrote down the aviation phonetic alphabet.
You knew it all by heart, which impressed me greatly. 
When I wasn't hiking in the bush up to the White Stones plinking with my air rifle,  
I used to sit in the center window up there just under the cross (see .doc photo attached) and make paper airplanes and see how far I got them to fly out into the distance.
That was until I got royally chewed out by Bobo for littering the hillside.
I also remember you cousin Michael, who was blond and did not look like you at all. 
In fact look in the attached .jpg image at the blond kid half covered behind Azar with the frying pan, isn't that your cousin Michael Torry? 
I guess, indeed, our career paths have been parallel as far as the aviation part goes. Somehow I just knew that you would end up as a professional pilot.
I guess my gut feeling wasn't wrong 
Impressive all the equipment you have and are still flying. 
Quite a varied career you've had.  
Sorry to hear about the "selective" layoff you had from BWIA.
I am guessing you guys didn't have a strong union to protect your rights.   
But such is life in the airlines. 
Back in 86' I also got furloughed from USAir. 
Never went back when they recalled me 2 years later.
By then I was already employed in the federal gov't as a special agent /pilot and that's where I stayed.
Now, with the economy being what it is, I am very glad I did. I am lucky to have locked in a quite nice retirement and all the benefits that go with being a former fed..
Although I flew the B727 and B737 with USAir early in my career, I do not fly any airline-size aircraft anymore. 
I fly the small and manoeuvrable stuff with which we can do the missions at any altitude and land almost anywhere we need to. (currently I am checked out as Capt. in the Citations, King Airs, & Sikorsky UH60 and Eurocopter helicopters).
I also fly missions in the MQ-9 Reaper, but I am not allowed to say anymore than that on those.  
Next I will be getting checked out in the Pilatus PC-12.
All our Sim and flight training is done either with the military or with Flight Safety Int'l.
Unless it is hard IFR, we seldom even file a flight plan; just use the Sat Track with home base.  
Almost like having your company assigned car and the gas credit card (& body armour and all the guns & ammo we need), except it is an airplane or a helicopter.
I can tell you that I have really have been enjoying it for the last 25 years.
It will all come to an end on 31 Dec 2010, at the end of next year, when I will be up for an early retirement incentive. 
Now I have the Dyn Corp people courting me to go work for them as a contract pilot. We'll see. 
Sorry to hear about your separation after so many years of marriage.
That is always hard, both emotionally and financially. 
However pilots have always been known for having multiple wives (mainly consecutively).  
All those long trips away from home don't make for good family life.  
Sometimes I think it is cheaper when you meet you future ex-wife to just give them your house and belongings up front instead of marrying them. : - )  
Yet I can see that those Venezuelan beauties have got a hold on you.
I can definitely understand that. 
My wife is also Latina Americana, from Quito.
What part of the US are you domiciled? Florida?
Or are you living full time in Abu Dhabi?
Keep in touch,
Un abrazo y Muchos saludos,
Attila Gyuris 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On Thu, 10/1/09, Kevan Torry <kevtorry@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Kevan Torry kevtorry@gmail.com
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009, 12:57 AM
Hi Attila,
I'm ex MSB and was there about the time you were.  
Was there from about 63 to 66 and believe I remember you, were you of Hungarian background from Venezuela.  
I was born in Venezuela of Trini parents and was a boarder; used to hang out with the Venezuelans and the Trinis as I was fully bilingual at the time (my Spanish is still OK but not perfect).  
Had two cousins there Michael Torry, who was my age and Ronnie Torry who was older.
Reason I am contacting you is that our career paths followed similar lines, except for the law enforcement part.
Currently in Abu Dhabi where I am flying the Airbus 330-200 and the A340-500 and 600 series on worldwide routes.  
Used to fly for BWIA in Trinidad until the government reorganized the company and selectively terminated pilots in 2007, was very political.  
Flew the Boeing 707, DC9, MD83, L1011, HS 748, Boeing 737 NG and the Airbus 340-300.  
Was captain on all except the 707 and L1011.
I'm separated now after being married for 28 years, the ex is a Trini whose mother is from Maracaibo and my current girlfriend is from Margarita, guess I can't keep away from my Venezuelan roots .
Have three children Charles 27, doing his Masters in Miami after getting laid off; Michelle 26, getting her Doctorate in Physiotherapy in Jacksonville;   and Diana 23, Sports Management in Cincinnati working for the Cincinnati Reds.
Hope all is well with you.
Regards,
Kevan Torry 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
American Boys ...1 oct 2009
From:   Elspeth O'Connor pethrich@westnet.com.au 
Nigel,
I was wondering that now your subscription is so far and wide whether you could ask if anyone knows the names of the three American Boys who were at Mount St. Benedict with Richard in the early years. 
All Richard can remember is that they were called Tom, Dick (Richard) and Harry and their father was at the American Base in Wallerfield and he, the father, took pictures of the College from an aeroplane, which were among the first to be taken and published of the College. 
Now with Facebook, Twitter etc. (none of which I understand or am a member of) you may be able to find out some history about the Mount if you can discover their surnames. 
Cheers.  Elspeth 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From:  "Elspeth O'Connor"
Date:  23 Nov 04:30 (PST) 
I note from one of the recent circulars that I was one of the earliest at Mount. 
I think I was there before 1945 as I was there during the war years and there before the College started to be built. 
I think I was the 13th boarder and that included the seminarians. 
Have you been able to make contact with the American boys, Tom, Dick and Harry whose father was the commander at Wallerfield during the war? 
Keep up the good work. 
Sincerely. 
Richard O'Connor 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Desmond is here at the moment visiting his children but he still lives in Trinidad. 
Not sure of his address there but if I can, I will try and tell him you are looking for him. 
----- Original Message -----
From: laci kertesz  
Dear Leary and Gillian
No such luck, Circulars have been sent but with my trying to automatize I still am loosing contact.
Although I am late on some, but trying to catch up.
Same good wishes for this Xmas and a Happy New Year that I hope would be with lots of health.
Did Desmond Littlepage move to Perth???
I have no news of his whereabouts, can you help??
God Bless
LAdislao 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Glad you are back on board. 
We missed your circulars and thought you may have gone on strike or got fed up with the job.
Happy Christmas to you and your family and all the best
Regards
Leary & Gillian 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From:  Gillian O'Connor
Date:   
Thanks for all the Mount News during the year.
Keep up the good work. 
Leary says that everyone in his year must be too old as there's no news of that era. 
He does not help by not sending something but maybe in the New Year.
Leary & Gillian  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From:   Gillian O'Connor  
Did not see Desmond while he was in Perth but his daughter says his email address is dclittlep@hotmail.com. 
Guess that would be the best way to contact him. 
Hope this helps. 
Good to get your news although everyone seems years younger! 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
...29 sep 2009
From: Attila GYURIS   
Hi Salah:
I remember your mom, Matron Wilson, very well. 
Very sweet and wise lady.
I used to have long conversations with her while she sewed up a button or something for me, or just to pass the time. 
At that time, her sewing room was on the third floor in the main building in the middle between the Form III-I Form V dormitory on the West wing and the Form V cubicles on the East wing.
Although more than likely she won't remember me, please give her a big hug for me.
Attila Gyuris 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Attila GYURIS
Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:29:31 AM 
Estimado Amigo Cheche:
Thank you for writing.
Sorry for the delay in writing back.
I was gone on a trip and I didn’t want to rush my response.
Yes I remember you quite well, especially when you were playing the base guitar up on the stage at the Refectory with the rock band.
All the Venezuelan boys were proud of you.
We had one of our own up there! 
Of course I also remember Norman Smith playing rhythm guitar.
Then also you were in Scouts.
I remember you a somewhat blond curly hair.
I also remember that you always treated the younger boys very fairly and you were not a bully at all. 
You might not remember me because we were in different periods.
You were older and I was still 10 years old when I started at the Mount in1964.
At that age even a few years mean a world of difference in friends and interests. 
I think one tends to remember the boys who were at one’s same level or older.
I remember very few of the kids who were in classes below me, but quite well those who were at the same or higher classes.
It’s a matter or perspective.
I was friends with Raul Leoni and his group at the time.
Also with your younger brothers Leo and Javier although I would have a hard time distinguishing them now.
I stayed until Form V in 1969 and you left way before that in 1967, so again, that is one more reason not to remember me. 
In any case, it is good to reconnect with you after all these years. 
A little about me.
In an earlier circular I had sent my bio, but here is a summary.
After a circuitous route as a Military Officer and as a graduate Chemical Engineer in the 70’s and an Airline Pilot for US Air in the early 80’s, I finally got it together made career as a Federal Criminal Investigator for a US Federal Agency.
My title is Senior Special Agent / Pilot at a grade equivalent of a Lt. Colonel. 
Among other things, I fly helicopters and airplanes in the course of tactical law enforcement missions for the government.
I have been doing this for over 23 years and have had a good ride, went everywhere, did far too many things.
My latest thing is that I am getting geared up to pilot the Predator B MQ-9 in Homeland Security missions. 
I live in California, not Florida, but occasionally I have work in FL, so when I do I will certainly look you up. 
Regarding anecdotes from the Mount, I can certainly provide you with a few for your Mount Chronicles project. 
Just let me know what kind you need.
I have quite a few “snapshots” in my head about stuff that happened while there.
Some of it might not have coincided with your time at the Mount, as most of my real good anecdotes are from the time after you left the Mount, since I was bigger by then, and was not as afraid of to get in trouble with Bobo and Cutty.  (Although I was always fearful of pissing off  Fr. Theo or Rughead.)
Cheche, what kind of law do you practice in FL?
I know you are an attorney in Venezuela.
Do you have the Florida Bar also?
Bueno, hasta la proxima amigo,
Escribeme,
Attila Gyuris 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Now to the photos. 
Regards.
Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com 
So now you have all the exchanges and photos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCOUT PHOTOS 
69AG0001SCOUTCAMPTREE, Tree houses built by scouts
67AG0010SCOUTCAMPFC, Camp activities
68AG0010SCOUTCAMPCH, Camp activities
66NB0001SCOUTSIVER, Newspaper article on awards to five scouts