Alumni News: Stories from your LCC Family

KEEP YOUR NEWS COMING! Send your photos & news updates to: communications@lcc.ca

50s

PETER BURPEE ’53 writes: “Always quiet in my time and shy with girls. How life changes with the years, as I later found myself having activist leanings.” He now lives in Kingston, ON, pursues an interest in urban design and works with undergraduate students in an advisory role on a project about promoting and coordinating exercises for older adults.

PETER BURPEE ’53 at home in Kingston

Having worked since 1960, this is the first year of near-total retirement for FRITHJOF AKERBLOM ’58. His working life included a six-year stint with Texaco Canada, followed by 11 years teaching high school students and running his own school for a few years in Gaspé, QC. After years in sales, he finally returned to teaching in 1987, in Delta, BC. He writes: “My time in Delta was especially interesting, as I spent these 32 years teaching French immersion, from K–12, and the last 17 years as a substitute teacher on call. My full-time classes included grades 4–12. So, after an exciting educational career, I am sad that my working life has come to a halt. The keys to my success are the values and discipline instilled by LCC. Forever grateful.”

CHARLIE ROBERTSON ’59 has a new album available. It is a recording of traditional acoustic blues sung and played by Charlie, including some barrelhouse piano tunes by Juno Award winner Julian Fauth, tin pan alley blues by Beverlie Robertson and current music by Mike “The Mighty Lopez” Phillips. The album is available in CD from Brandy Creek Music & Publications.

(CHARLIE ROBERTSON ’59)

DITLEF (DICK) KNUDSEN ’59 has been living in a suburb of Oslo, Norway, since 1972 and retired in March 2015. Unfortunately, his wife Birgit passed away. His two children, Espen and Christina, have provided him with two grandchildren each, three boys and a girl. He enjoys playing golf in Norway, and in Spain and Portugal in the winter. He sings in a choir and keeps fit by attending fitness classes twice a week. He will be celebrating his 80th birthday in October.

(DITLEF (DICK) KNUDSEN ’59) View of the Tyrifjord golf course clubhouse, 25 miles from Oslo

JOHN LASCHINGER ’59 came to Montreal in February to watch his grandson, Lucas Laschinger, play in the LCC U14 Hockey Tournament. Lucas is in grade 7 at UCC in Toronto. Their highlight of the weekend was seeing Max Domi of the Montreal Canadiens, and former UCC player, watching the game from behind the bench and having his picture taken with the UCC team. “It brought back many memories from my days in grade 7 at LCC in 1954,” John writes.

(JOHN LASCHINGER ’59) Max Domi and the UCC team at LCC on February 7, 2020, with Lucas Laschinger second goalie on the left of the picture

60s

DANNY HEFFERNAN ’61 is enjoying retirement and playing golf while living in San Francisco. He spends summers in France, in the Languedoc region. His wife, Barbara, is an artist. Their daughter, Annie, is getting her PhD from the University of Chicago this June after having completed her bachelor’s degree at Harvard in 2015. Danny is looking forward to the 60th reunion next year!

ALAN LASCHINGER ’62 is happy to announce that the 33 straight days of radiation therapy, coinciding with hormone therapy since October 2018, have successfully ridden the cancer from his body. He is appreciative of the technicians and doctors at both the Queensway Carleton and Ottawa General campuses. He is even happier to announce his upcoming marriage in July to Penelope Jane Walton of Ottawa.

ALAN LASCHINGER ’62 and Penelope Jane Walton

ERIC KLINKHOFF ’66 continues to enjoy running his art gallery on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal, where former classmates have been known to congregate. In winter, he always manages to ski in the Alps, usually in Austria. He writes: “Life is great, notwithstanding the occasional knee and hip surgeries. Recently, I reached no. 10 in Tennis Canada’s national rankings of senior players. That’s roughly 55 years after hitting tennis balls with former LCC Latin teacher, Mr. Howard, on the Monkland Tennis Club courts.”

70s

Fifty years after taking the 105 bus to and from LCC, GORDON BARKER ’70 is still applying—at Bishop’s University—the writing and research skills that he acquired from the great teachers on Royal Avenue. On weekends, he and his partner Christiane can be found heading up the 401 or down Interstate 87 or 81 to dog shows with their Grand Champion Conestoga Bailey Irish Creme C Major, Canada’s number one otterhound for the last three years. “He is as tough and as competitive as some of the great hockey and football coaches we had at LCC,” Gordon writes.

CHRIS BOOKLESS ’70 retired as deputy chief information officer for the Government of Yukon and chief information officer for Yukon Health. He travelled to Sierra Leone and Portugal recently, with more adventures to come. He is enjoying the camping, fishing and hunting that Yukon and Alaska have to offer.

ALAN KLINKHOFF ’70 and his wife, Helen, operate fine art galleries in Toronto and Montreal with their two sons, Jonathan ’00 and Craig ’06. They specialize in transacting classic Canadian art of quality, from the period ranging from Paul Kane to JeanPaul Riopelle. In the spring of 2020, they will have the distinction of offering the highest value single-family collection ever offered in a Canadian art gallery. Their daughter, Virginia ’02, is married, the mother of two children, a teacher, and lives in Montreal. Caroline (Pre-U ’05) is also married and practicing law at Torys in Toronto.

Jonathan ’00, Helen, Alan ’70 and Craig ’06 Klinkhoff at the opening of their 190 Davenport location in Toronto

On Remembrance Day in 2019, DR. PAUL KAVANAGH ’70 , founder of Operation Veteran, was honoured with a plaque that has been permanently installed in the cafeteria of the Canadian War museum in Ottawa. Over 18,000 complimentary meals have now been served to veterans at the museum, thanks to donations from schools across Canada. “I am so very proud of LCC and its support since the inception of Operation Veteran in 2009,” he writes.

Mark O’Neill, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Museum of History Corporation, presenting a plaque to Dr. Paul Kavanagh and his wife, Trudy Glaudemans, at the 10th anniversary of Operation Veteran

MICHEL DE MARTIGNY ’70 resettled in Montreal in 2014 at a time when he felt that his son needed some Canadian roots. He is proud of the stamps from over 70 countries in his passports and of his pursuits, such as competing in the Ironman World Championship. After a diverse professional career in Canada and overseas, he is now consulting in international business development with clients in IT, distilling, and highnet-worth family risk planning. He is also enjoying reconnecting with LCC friends and alumni, thanks to Ken Hague ’70 and Kirk LLano.

MICHEL DE MARTIGNY ’70

KEN HAGUE ’70 spent a month in Sicily and Corsica over Christmas and New Year’s – 4,000 km in his rental car. He will be returning to Corsica in July for his daughter Daphne’s wedding to Julien Lorenzi. He is looking forward to this year’s LIONfest at the school in October, the 50th reunion for the grade 11 Class of 1970 and grade 12 Class of 1971. He expects a record turnout from his classmates.

KEN HAGUE ’70 in Venice in January 2020

DAVID GOLDBLOOM ’70 interviewed former classmate Wade Davis ’70 on the stage of the Stratford Festival in September 2019 about his extraordinary experiences and perspectives. The talk began with vintage photographs of them in LCC school and hockey uniforms. The interview was recorded for broadcast on CBC Ideas. The second edition of David’s textbook, Psychiatry in Primary Care , was published in 2019, as was a Chinese edition of his book, How Can I Help? A Week in My Life as a Psychiatrist . Most importantly, he is loving being a grandfather.

RODNEY BIRRELL ’70 is the chairman of Troubadour Theatres Limited, a theatrical experience company currently in London but with expansion plans for New York, Madrid and elsewhere. “Following the successful run of War Horse , we look forward to welcoming the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time later this year,” he writes. When he is not involved in wine investing or theatrical endeavours, Rodney is a trustee of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, which is mandated to safeguard animals in Africa and Asia in their natural habitats.

HAL HANNAFORD ’73 is retiring as headmaster of Selwyn House School. He has served in the role for 31 years at three Canadian all-boys schools.

DAVID RIVINGTON ’78 is proud: “I can still do 20 chin-ups, and just welcomed my first daughter and fourth child.”

(DAVID RIVINGTON ’78) Daughter Hannah, born February 11, 2020

Over the past six months, ANDREW KAVCHAK ’79 (PRE-U ’80) published three books that are available on Amazon. He writes: “ Remembering Gouzenko: The Struggle to Honour a Cold War Hero is about the defection of Igor Gouzenko in 1945 and my efforts to have his heroism and service to Canada recognized by the federal and municipal governments. The second is the English translation of my grandfather’s book, Dying Echoes: Memoirs of the War 1914–1920. My most recent book is The Fight For Autism Treatment In Canada — Reflections of a Parent Activist . In this book, I document the efforts of many members of the autism community across Canada over the past two decades to improve access to autism treatment.”

(ANDREW KAVCHAK ’79 (PRE-U ’80)

80s

On September 5, JAMES GILL ’83 was presented with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Hon. Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia at Government House in Victoria. James was recognized for ongoing volunteer work with organizations in the performing arts, community recreation and immigrant settlement in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

JAMES GILL ’83

After relocating back to Spain in July 2019, DIEGO BRAVO ’83 returned to his previous position of teaching at university. He also remains connected to the company he worked for in California, in an advisory role for future expansion into Spain. “Please reach out if you are ever in Madrid,” he writes.

GEORGE PAPP ’87 writes: “Making the best of the situation with my buds, Class of 1987.”

(GEORGE PAPP ’87) Sticking together

90s

MARK OHASHI ’91 is settling down in Toledo, OH, with his wife, Martha, of 17 years and three children, Anna, Faith and Immanuel. He writes: “It was great seeing 1991 alums in 2016—no one has changed! Looking forward to the next time we meet.”

On a beautiful, crisp day at the peak of fall foliage, PAUL CONNER ’93 and Lara Stone were married in Winooski, VT. Originally from Morgantown, WV, Lara moved to Vermont in 2016 to pursue her career as a podiatrist with the University of Vermont Medical Center. Paul and Lara take full advantage of Vermont’s access to the outdoors and commitment to local foods.

PAUL CONNER ’93 and Lara Stone

OWEN REES ’94 was appointed deputy assistant deputy attorney general in 2019 after having joined the Department of Justice Canada as senior general counsel in 2018. He provides strategic management of the federal government’s litigation.

VINIT SONI ’94 has moved back to Montreal after seven years in New York City. He is looking forward to his daughter, Amelia [future member of the Class of 2032], starting LCC in the fall and catching up with alumni throughout the city. “I left for New York alone and we return as a family of four. Couldn’t be more excited for the family to enjoy our great city.”

ANDREW GROVE ’95 was recently awarded the honour of Most Admired Travel Advisor— Canada by the Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network. Voting took place among the network’s 1,800 suppliers in the luxury travel industry, an industry in which Andrew has been active since 2005. While still maintaining his business in Montreal, he finds time to travel with his wife and 10-year-old daughter.

ANDREW GROVE ’95, Most Admired Travel Advisor—Canada award presented by Virtuoso Travel

DAVID PERLMAN ’95 is the Montreal branch manager and managing director equity sales at Stifel GMP. His previous employer, GMP Securities, was acquired by US financial firm Stifel Financials, valued at US$5 billion. The company operates in institutional equities in the US, Canada and Europe and specializes in small and midcap growth companies. He is also pleased to report: “My son, Jayden [future member of the Class of 2025], is starting at LCC in grade 7 in September 2020. I’m officially passing the torch to the next generation!”

SLINGBAUM ONE is the highly-anticipated collaborative record produced by TARIQ KHAN ’98 . The album from composer/arranger Slingbaum features legendary artists across multiple genres. Tariq is the founder of HighBreedMusic, a platform that celebrates New York City’s thriving and vibrant musician culture, which is made up of Grammy-winning and nominated artists from all over the world. He attributes much of his success to the education, training and creative values instilled in him during his formative years through LCC’s music program.

TARIQ KHAN ’98

CHRISTINE DILULLO ’98 married Peter Stubbings and moved to London, England from Bermuda. Having left her job at KEMH in Bermuda, she is now an urgent care physician with HCA Healthcare UK at London Bridge Hospital and Princess Grace Hospital.

2000s

MICHAEL HARPER ‘02 (PRE-U’03) and his wife, Francesca Benedetti, had a daughter on April 15, 2020, in Montreal. Tessa Christine is the first granddaughter of LCC Foundation Chair Gary Harper ’73 (Board Chair 2001–2004) and his wife Dawn. Michael’s siblings Laura ’01 (Pre-U ’02), Jaime ’04 (Pre-U ’05) and Megan ’07 (Pre-U ’08) are delighted to welcome their first niece to the family. Tessa is the first great grandchild of Christine Harper, wife of the late Board chair, Ralph Harper ’47.

MICHAEL HARPER ’02 (PRE-U ’03) and Francesca Benedetti with their daughter, Tessa Christine

PHILIP CAPLAN ’06 received his PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. He now lives in Middlebury, VT, and is an assistant visiting professor of computer science at Middlebury College.

TANYA FENTON ’06 (PRE-U ’07) has started at a company called Refinitiv as the software development team lead. “After teaching myself code five years ago, I didn’t expect to be here so quickly,” she writes. She has also set up her own digital agency called Fentonite Ltd, which she currently manages in her spare time and expects to eventually operate full time. The agency builds websites and offers search engine optimization and marketing.

TANYA FENTON ’06 (Pre-U ’07) A day hiking with the family

RYAN CAPLAN ’08 received his M.Sc. in physical therapy from McGill University and has been working as a physiotherapist in Montreal for the past five years. He owns and operates his own physiotherapy clinic, Delta Physio Montréal.

BRANDON FARNSWORTH ’08 is happy to announce that his dissertation, Curating Contemporary Music Festivals: A New Perspective on Music’s Mediation , will be published by Transcript Verlag as a hard copy and open access publication in May. He pursued his PhD in historical musicology at the Carl Maria von Weber Music University in Dresden, Germany. Those interested can order a copy by visiting music.curating.ch.

(BRANDON FARNSWORTH ’08)

ALEX CAPLAN ’11 recently received his B. Eng. in chemical and biological engineering from UBC and is currently living in Vancouver, BC.

KENNETH HSIUNG ’12 is enjoying life and fishing in Washington state.

Kenneth caught a fish THIS big!

JIANGTIAN LIU ’17 received an outstanding graduate award from Marianopolis College and will be attending the University of Toronto in the Rotman Commerce program.

+ STAY CONNECTED Keep track of what is happening with LCC alumni by visiting lcc.ca/alumni