Blue Banner - V33 - Summer 2023

BLU E BANNER

e St. Michael’s College School alumni magazine, Blue Banner, is published twice annually. It re ects the history, accomplishments, and stories of graduates and its purpose is to promote collegiality, respect, and Christian values under the direction of the Basilian Fathers.

PRESIDENT: Fr. Andrew Leung, CSB

CONTRIBUTORS:

Vito James Burdi ’18, Lawrence Lam ’00, Kerry Dupuis ’78, Paul Ronan ’76, Mary Catherine Ronan, Jamie Bertolini, Dr. Daniel Lumsden ’96 , Gianluca Mazzanti ’09 , Phil Branston ’69, Ryan Gardner, Paul Gardner ’76, Joe Younder ’56, Ron Clarkin ’75, Anthony Papini ’18, Mark Viola ’97, Bill McDonnell ’73, Don Burns ’78, Stan Kuliavas ’98, Andrew King

stmichaelscollegeschool.com

BASILIAN FATHERS: basilian.org

CISAA (ATHLETIC SCHEDULE): cisaa.ca

SOCIAL MEDIA: @smcs1852

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE: advancement@smcsmail.com

ALUMNI AFFAIRS: alumni@smcsmail.com

ARCHIVES OFFICE: archives@smcsmail.com

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE: communications@smcsmail.com

TEL: 416-653-3180

FAX: 416-653-8789

EMAIL: info@smcsmail.com

• Admissions (ext. 200)

• Advancement (ext. 118)

• Alumni A airs (ext. 273)

• Archives (ext. 457)

• Arena (ext. 422)

• Chief Operating O cer (ext. 239)

• Communications (ext. 292)

• Facilities (ext. 230)

• Finance (ext. 117)

• Main Reception (ext. 0)

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• Marketing (ext. 288)

• Mporium – School Store (ext. 431)

• President – Fr. Andrew Leung, CSB (ext. 233)

• Principal – Mr. Pat Daly (ext. 233)

• Vice Principal - Dean of Students – Mr. Daniel Blaik (ext. 265)

• Vice Principal – Mr. Emile John ’87 (ext. 156)

• Vice Principal – Mr. David Lee ’94 (ext. 179)

Canada Publications Mail Agreement #40006997

ON THE COVER:

(L-R) Peter urton '81 and Gianluca Mazzanti '09

President’s Message

Dear Alumni,

As we conclude a busy school year, we are grateful for the many blessings bestowed upon our St. Michael’s College School community.

We are grateful to have a loyal, dynamic, and supportive community that works daily to foster goodness in our students. From our commi ed families to our dedicated faculty and sta , alumni and friends we all work in our own ways to build the best possible experience for current and prospective students. eir transformation from fresh-faced students to St. Michael’s graduates is a result of our collective contributions to their formation.

As an inclusive, Catholic community, much of our work focuses on building positive, character-building educational opportunities for our students. As adults within our community, we aim to serve as models of goodness in our support and interaction with our students. Although removed from the school’s daily operations, our alumni play an integral role in our community, modeling and reinforcing the success of our programme through their good works and acts of service.

In the spring, we unveiled our renewed young alumni wall, showcasing to students, families, and prospective families our recent alumni who have risen to prominence in their careers in a diverse number of professions. It is inspiring to see how our young alumni are impacting the world with the formation they received at St. Michael’s.

ank you to our new Alumni Association executive, who made the most of their rst year of service, engaging alumni with a full schedule of in-person events coupled with online o erings. It is heartwarming to see the passion of our alumni around the world, young and old, embrace the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce about their alma mater.

Although summer is here, we know the work of our Alumni Association continues, as plans are well underway for our featured fall events such as Homecoming on September 30 and the annual golf tournament on October 5. ank you to those, pu ing forth their time and talent to support these beautiful celebrations of community.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 on successfully completing their time at SMCS, and we wish them the very best as they move onto the next phase of their educational journey. We look forward to following your success and catching up with you upon your return home to St. Mike’s.

Have a wonderful summer and thank you for your continued support.

Blessings,

Fr. Andrew Leung, CSB President

Alumni Association President’s Message

To my fellow Alumni,

As the school year ends and the summer is upon us, I am happy to welcome the graduates of 2023 to the SMCS alumni community. We wish you all well in your future endeavors and want to remind you that as you leave the physical yellow brick halls, you are now part of a more extensive network that will continue to support you throughout your life. I encourage you to stay engaged with the school and participate in the many alumni events and programmes available to you.

e Alumni Association has had a good year, returning to normalcy and in-person events. We capped o the academic year by hosting the Spring BBQ, welcoming back grads from the last 10 years. anks to our e orts and the donations of the many alumni at the Turkey Roll last November, we were able to host this free event for the grads and give them an exclusive St. Michael’s gi .

We have also welcomed back in-person networking events this year. is programme aims to provide an opportunity for young alumni to connect with more established grads and create mentor/mentee relationships. ank you to Martin Fox ’02 for being the keynote speaker and providing guidance on the job market, and insight into what companies seek in the new post-pandemic work environment. We hope to continue this programme with another edition in the fall.

In exciting news, the Alumni Association has established a planning commi ee for the SMCS Annual Golf Tournament. is tournament is a signi cant fundraiser for the school, as all money raised supports the Financial Assistance Programme. is commi ee, co-chaired by Brian Bannan ’96 and Brady Jones ’01, includes eight members representing alumni and parents

PAST PRESIDENTS

John P. O’Neill ’86

Frank Di Nino ’80 †

Marc Montemurro ’93

Josh Colle ’92

Romeo Milano ’80

Peter urton ’81

Dennis Caponi Jr. ’86

Rob Grossi ’72

Paul Grossi ’69

Daniel Brennan ’70

John McCusker ’57

William Metzler ’65

We are excited to announce that the tournament will be hosted at Eagles Nest Golf Club in October, and we hope the entire SMCS community will support it.

At the April Association meeting, we met with David Fischer, Director of Admissions, who spoke about the SMCS admissions process. Working as school ambassadors, the Association is dedicated to assisting the Admissions O ce. As a follow-up idea from this meeting, Josh Colle ’92 and I met with Nicholas Maiese, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy at the school, to discuss an annual Grades 5-6 touch football tournament. e idea is to invite elementary schools from across the GTA to a yearly tournament in the fall to create positive associations with SMCS and bolster Grade 7 applications and admissions.

If you are interested in joining the Alumni Association commi ee, please feel free to contact me at alumni@smcsmail.com. We are always looking for new members!

ank you, and God Bless,

Andrew Gidaro ’02 President, SMCSAA

John Bonvivere ’50 †

Michael Du y ’65, OSM

Ross Robertson ’64

William Rosenitsch ’57 †

Paul omson ’65

John G. Walsh ’58 †

Frank icke ’57 †

W. Frank Morneau ’59

Frank Glionna ’53 †

George Cormack ’49 †

Richard Wakely ’64 †

Gordon Ashworth ’45 †

G. J. McGoey ’58 †

Paul McNamara ’40 †

Joseph Primeau ’28 †

Dick Foster ’30 †

Please note that the Past Presidents of the Alumni Association are listed in the order in which they served. † Deceased

From the Editors

Dear Alumni,

Welcome to the summer edition of the Blue Banner

Although pu ing together the magazine is a long process, we truly enjoy sharing so many beautiful stories of success throughout the pages of this important alumni communications tool.

e alumni community at St. Michael’s College School is vibrant, dynamic, and full of energy now that the restrictions of the pandemic are in the rear-view mirror. As much as we are profoundly commi ed to delivering excellent Catholic education and formation, we realize that so much of our work is about people and relationships! Now that we can gather, rejuvenate many longstanding events, celebrate reunions, and discover new ways to connect, we can rebuild the strength of our alumni community in-person, as it was meant to be!

In this issue, we draw your a ention to the power of mentorship as experienced rst-hand by Gianluca Mazzanti ’09, thanks to the generosity and expertise of Peter urton ’81 (p.26). A er reading this story, we encourage others who have bene ed from alumni mentorship as SMCS students or alumni to share your story with us at bluebanner@smcsmail.com. ese connections are so critical to the foundation of the Alumni Association.

Our featured section, e Man of St. Michael’s, continues as we spotlight the accomplishments of Flavio Volpe ’94 (p.7) on his journey to be the best for the world. Although his peacetime work during the pandemic was incredibly impactful for the country, his recent work in the auto industry has caught the a ention of many at home and internationally.

SMCS is continuously grateful for the many donors who have stepped forward to support the school in a myriad of ways. is issue highlights a long-supporting alumnus and donor, Lou Ode e ’69, who has once again found a unique way to in uence SMCS students who excel in and are passionate about math (p.32) ank you to the Ode e family and the many other alumni who

continue to demonstrate their support of SMCS through opportunities such as this one.

Finally, we thank our readers for continually showing your support through le ers, calls, visits, and more. Your help and feedback are essential to the success of the Blue Banner, so please keep on sharing! As always, you can nd a brief survey on this current edition at mybluebanner.com.

Congratulations and best wishes to our newest alumni, the Class of 2023! Please stay in touch and share your personal news and success stories as you move forward to university.

To all, have a safe and happy summer!

Remember to check and confirm your MySMCS subscriptions.

MySMCS is the platform used to send community newsletters and other important updates, including our Vision E-Newsletter (monthly community newsletter), and Tradition (quarterly alumni newsletter). Address and contact information can also be updated in MySMCS

Alumni, check out our searchable online business directory exclusive to SMCS alumni!

mysmcs.com

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

ank you so much for honouring Sr. Frances in the last edition of the Blue Banner which arrived today. It was a lovely format and I know that her former students would be interested in reading this tribute.

Best Wishes, Mary Jane

Irving

Ed’s Reply: Thank you Mrs. Irving. Sr. Frances was a wonderful educator and person, and a special part of our community. She will be missed.

coach under the guidance of Mr. Tony Adams and Fr. Neil Hibberd, CSB. Sidebar story: this 1983 win was on the very day I found out I was going to be a father for the rst time. Going full circle my oldest child, Ashley Masterson (teacher/coach at Neil McNeil) is now the TDCAA Track and Field Convenor. I hope there is some possibility of these two milestones being presented in a future publication. I have thoroughly over the years enjoyed reading the many accomplishments of my alma mater. ank you for your time and consideration.

Steve Masterson ’76.

Ed’s Reply: Thanks Steve! We will most certainly look to highlight these important milestones in the next edition of the Banner!

Dear Editor,

I enjoyed Volume 32, Winter 2022-23 from cover to cover, especially the Joe Vernon ’98 article and the In Memoriam section, especially my friend George Olah ’60

e Blue Banner of today is so wonderfully comprehensive. Keep adding.

Tom O’Hara ‘59

Ed’s Reply: Tom, we appreciate your kind words and support. Happy reading.

Good a ernoon, editors of the Blue Banner,

I just wanted to bring to your a ention that 2023 will mark the 50th anniversary of St. Mike’s rst TDCAA Senior Boys Football Championship and the 40th Anniversary of St. Mike’s rst TDCAA Overall Track and Field Championship. I was a proud member of that 1973 football team which ba led Michael Power for a 26-25 Victory. e team was also able to defend the title in 1974 with a 13-6 win over rival Michael Power. For the 40th anniversary of the track title, I was honoured to be an assistant

Man of St. Michael’s: Flavio Volpe ’94 Driven to be the best for the world!

“With the support of family, iends, and teachers, and the examples set by my peers, I know that one day, when I return to this school, assembled perhaps with this, my graduating class, I will nd evidence that what I see as a esh-faced eighteen year old will be true: speci cally, that there is no man more willing, more determined, no man with more grit, no man whose pride wears the suit of humility like a St. Michael's man, the men of the Double Blue.” – excerpt om Flavio Volpe’s ’94 valedictorian address.

Inspired by almost any challenge, driven to push the limits, and motivated to make those around him be er.

Flavio Volpe ’94 is a gentleman of in uence in many walks of life, an internationally recognized champion of Canada’s automotive industry, and the proud leader of the APMA (Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association), which represents over 200 suppliers to the worldwide automotive industry.

A er graduating from SMCS, Volpe a ended the University of Toronto, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations, followed by a master’s degree in business administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

In the initial stages of his career, he spent time working in real estate. Focused on the marketing end of the business, he was responsible for the rebranding of two of Canada’s largest residential and commercial asset portfolios - SmartCentres and

“I have had a good career, and most of what I have accomplished has some roots in my formative years at SMCS. Anything with a leadership perspective was learned at St. Mike’s and at home watching my parents.”

However, the work is almost second to the process with Volpe, who wholeheartedly embraces the grind of a day’s work. Without question, he is motivated by change and inspired by doubters who indirectly o er respect through the abundance of media a ention he garners on everything from the auto industry to international trade and politics.

At the end of the day, Volpe has a keen eye on building relationships as the key to a successful life. “ e only thing that ma ers is how we treat each other,” he adds, re ecting on what inspires him daily.

Long a well-respected voice in the auto industry, Volpe became a regular face in mainstream media news during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Canada, like many other countries, was devastated by a dangerous medical equipment shortage. In response to federal and provincial government pleas for industry support and collaboration, Volpe launched the largest peacetime mobilization of Canada's industrial capacity in its history.

A passionate technology leader, Volpe’s response to the prime minister’s challenge for a net-zero economy by 2050 was to launch an all-Canadian, zero-emissions, autonomous concept prototype, ‘Project Arrow’. e Globe and Mail described it as “an audacious play to build an all-Canadian electric car.” Project Arrow was revealed at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to global coverage and serves as a premier showcase of Canada’s automotive technology cluster.

“Flavio is an embodiment of the vision of SMCS. is is evident through his work with the APMA toward be ering the lives of Ontarians by helping build a strong economy and preserving the environment,” says Dr. Phil Gerretsen ’94. “Project Arrow is emblematic of this. Personally, I know him to be a good man. He is a devoted father and a loyal and dependable friend. Like most of us graduates of SMCS, he would a est to his character being shaped by the Basilian mission to instill ‘goodness, discipline, and knowledge’ in the men of St. Mike’s.”

Dubbed a “manufacturing hero” by the Toronto Star, under Volpe’s leadership, the auto manufacturing industry was, in short order, retooled to support the production of PPE (personal protective equipment), including masks, ventilators, respirators, and other vital resources. During this time, Volpe’s leadership and faith in humankind were on full display as he criss-crossed the province to help rms retool to build vital gear to help those in need.

“It was the most ful lling thing I’ve ever been a part of, and I carry the implicit trust that people put in me then, everywhere,” adds Volpe.

When the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor was blockaded in 2022 at a cost to the automotive industry of $1 billion, he led the APMA to secure an injunction in the Ontario Superior Court to force the reopening of Canada’s most critical international border crossing. Later that year, Volpe was named to the Ontario Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Industry Competitiveness.

His career in Canada’s automotive industry has included advising many top-tier government o cials in O awa, Washington, and Mexico City during the 2017-2019 NAFTA renegotiations. Volpe has also led the e ort to secure an unprecedented increase in Regional Value Content (RVC) for suppliers in the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), requiring motor vehicles to meet a de ned threshold of North American content to be considered as ‘originating’ and receive the duty-free bene ts. Much of his formation can be linked to his time at SMCS, where he was active in every facet of school life, from athletics and clubs to service, o en in a leadership capacity.

“I fondly recall my time at St. Michael’s as a young man who played baseball, ran for student government a few times, and was an active member of the Out of the Cold and Meals on Foot programmes. I loved wearing the double blue, and the great pep rallies around hockey and football, hosting the St. Mike’s basketball tournament, and spending time in the weight room.

“St. Mike’s taught me the hard work and discipline necessary to prepare for university and life in general, along with the strong undercurrent of the value of service,” says Volpe.

Some of his more recent accolades include:

• Top 100 Most In uential People in Government and Politics, e Hill Times, 2023; Top 50 People In uencing Canadian Foreign Policy, e Hill Times, 2021, 2022, 2023;

• Industry Leader of the Year, Canada Newsmakers, Automotive News Canada, 2017;

• Impact Award, Champion for Diverse Talent, Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement, 2021;

• Industry All-Star, Automotive News Canada, 2018, 2019, 2020; and

• Top 100 Lobbyists in Canada, e Hill Times, 2022, 2023.

“Sr. Susan was a dedicated and compassionate educator that I respected a lot. Mr. McCann was my English teacher with a keen sense of the real world. Mr. Quinn was a thoughtful and gentle soul. Mr. Chi le and Mr. Ribarich were normal, smart human beings with great senses of honour that knew how to teach young men about what ma ers in life. Mr. Narducci and Mr. Tessaro were great guys that I would have loved to stay in touch with and learn more from a er graduation.”

Volpe feels that St. Michael’s is special for its complex and rich history of training young men to lead by serving. Its pursuit of excellence in the classroom and in athletics is a great way to develop the leaders of tomorrow.

“Flavio was an exceptional student known for his brilliance and compassionate nature, always more than happy to help anyone in need. His sel ess acts of kindness enabled many individuals and families to lead be er lives,” says Rocco Piccininno ’94. “He truly inspires those around him with his contagious passion, unwavering commitment to his beliefs, and ability to listen and o er guidance.”

All of which can be seen demonstrated daily by Volpe in his career.

“I have been named to various awards and lists, but those that come from inclusion and compassion are probably most closely related to the lessons I learned at the school,” states Volpe.

“I really enjoyed my time at the school and the dozens of active relationships that continue today. I am very proud to be an alumnus,” adds Volpe, who prioritizes his relationships with his three children, o en travelling the province to support their academic and athletic pursuits.

When asked what life message he might o er our newest graduating class and recent graduates, he says, “Always be the lion.”

Premier Ford and Volpe at the Empire Club of Canada

Volpe and his children sharing a passion for baseball

Memories of Fr. Henry Carr Farm

e Blue Banner would love to hear om alumni with any memories of their time at the Farm along with photos. We encourage you to share your memories by emailing bluebanner@smcsmail.com.

e Fr. Henry Carr Farm was unlike any other experience. During the Kairos retreat, one morning on the Farm, a er a day of connecting with my classmates and connecting with God, I stood outside looking at the barn and the eld. ere was a thick fog that clouded the treelines. At that moment, I felt a sense of peace and serenity. e Farm created an atmosphere where nothing else ma ered, and everyone’s burdens were stripped away. “My teachings will come like the rain, like a mist falling to the ground, like a gentle rain on the so grass, like rain on the green plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2

Vito James Burdi ’18

anks for the article and update on the Fr. Henry Carr Farm! I visited the farm just before moving to the U.S. back in 2006.

I visited Fr. Henry Carr Farm with my classmate Andrew Chun ’00 in August 2006 as part of me making my rounds to say farewell to all my closest friends, family, and in uences before moving to the Paci c Northwest to start a new job at Microso . Fr. Mohan ’48, CSB, OSM was our Principal throughout our time at SMCS and we kept in regular, albeit sporadic

I suppose I procrastinated on responding to the open invitation until the last possible moment before I le the GTA and found a splendid sunny day to visit. It was great to take in some quietness outside of the city and re ect before embarking upon my career. Fr. Mohan was gracious to welcome us, take us around the property, celebrate Mass, and introduce us to the horses they kept there. We nished the day with a hearty meal full of great food and great conversation and I know he was very happy to hear about our future career prospects. I'm glad to know that there is a bright future for this property and that it's in fact a growing presence for future generations of students and alumni!

Lawrence Lam ’00

Fr. Henry Carr was a real person who inspired Fr. Ronan ’41, CSB to build this farm. On several occasions, Fr. Carr mentioned that he wished there was a place where the kids could go to learn about nature. It was as simple as that, and for some reason, it tweaked something in Fr. Ronan to say, ‘I think I might be able to pull that o .’ Father Ed had an idea about this place, which my dad (Fr. Ed’s brother), a legitimate farmer, thought was crazy. However, Judge Couture really supported his vision of a place where city boys could come to God’s country to learn about and experience the land and nature. He was a special person who knew the power of community. Having grown up in the area, Fr. Ronan would visit people in the local community to ask for their help and assistance by donating their services over time to the Farm. e students loved being at the farm and working, and Fr. Ronan was in his glory. One of the things that was very important to this place, other than the land and the farm was the chapel. Fr.’s vision was to have a spiritual aspect – there had to be prayer, there had to be thoughtfulness, there had to be re ection, and there had to be an understanding and appreciation for nature and what it can teach you.

Paul Ronan

’76 and sister, Mary Catherine

e Farm had a wonderful and long-lasting in uence on my life. Fr. Ronan was a friend of the family, and he was very aware that ‘ e Farm’ would be good for me (and I hopefully for it). Well, that was Grade 9, and I faithfully went to ‘ e Farm’ as o en as I could, until I graduated in 1978.

e Couture family made all the St. Mike’s city boys feel welcome and I have fond memories of taking in the straw or hay with the Judge. Or cultivating the elds, boiling maple sap, mucking out stables and if you look closely, you will nd my initials in a lot of the concrete of the original Fr. Ronan lodge.

I returned to ‘ e Farm’ irregularly a er graduating to visit with Fr. Ronan, Mrs. Couture, and later Fr. Mohan and see the slow but steady changes to the property, including the moving of the barn, moving of the bird run and most recently the renovation to the now retreat house which we called Fr. Ronan’s lodge.

e news that the Couture home is to undergo renovations is grand news indeed. To see the house standing now empty and cold is such a dichotomy to what I remember. e house was always full of laughter and the noise of a busy happy family. I only hope that I might witness this transition.

I don’t think the Judge, Mrs. Couture, or Fr. Ronan truly had a true grasp of the in uence that they were to have on the students that came to ‘ e Farm’ to broaden their perspective on life. ey were most de nitely forward thinkers and outside the box is where they must have started. It was certainly a very in uential experience for this St. Michael’s grad.

Kerry Dupuis ’78

I rst came to the Farm in the 90s when Fr. Ronan had moved on, and Fathers Mohan and Higgins were the two principals running the farm. Fr. Higgins loved horses and was responsible for having horses on the Farm. I remember the scene of the urban cowboy out there with his hat on. When I was the chaplain at Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Bradford, I would bring classes to the Farm for retreats. Our walks on the land would follow indoor classes. Fr. Mohan and Fr. Higgins ’45 were very passionate men who loved God, loved education, and believed in character development. ey believed that goodness needed to be in all aspects of life and challenged you to be a be er person, not just academically. ough it may sound odd, they helped me discover the value of inner re ection, which was a good lesson for me as a young man.

Tom Eagan, friend of the Basilian Fathers

Around St. Mike’s

Wellness in Focus at SMCS

Student mental health and well-being were the focus throughout the month of December as students prepared for their mid-year assessments. In addition to the one-on-one support the Student Wellness O ce provides students, a variety of wellness initiatives that take place throughout the school year, particularly around assessment times. Ahead of the mid-year assessments, students had the opportunity to participate in a smart study snacks session with a registered nutrition consultant practitioner, have a visit from therapy dogs, and a quick and nutritious snack from a breakfast/snack table sponsored by the Parents’ Association.

Renowned Basketball Tournament Marks 60th Year

In January, SMCS hosted the 60th Dan Prendergast Invitational Senior Basketball Tournament, a major tournament renowned for welcoming some of the top teams in the province. e tournament was renamed to honour the late Dan Prendergast, OSM, teacher and vice principal at SMCS. Prendergast also coached the basketball team from 1962 to 1989 and was recognized as one of the top basketball coaches in the country. is year, the tournament welcomed 12 teams hailing from Richmond Hill to Chatham, Ontario.

New Experiences and Learning at Grade 8 Winter Camp

Community building and personal growth were among the common themes that ran throughout the Outdoor and Experiential Education Programme at SMCS, and they remained the focus of this year’s unique Grade 8 winter camp experience. With the unseasonable warm temperatures and lack of snow, some of the traditional activities students’ experience weren’t possible this year. New rotations included orienteering, Arctic and Inuit games, and winter low ropes courses and climbing initiatives. Another rst included an outdoor winter camp re liturgy!

Grade 12 Student Recognized for Impact on Indigenous Youth

A er ve years of dedicated service to Indigenous youth in Canada from an initiative that he co-founded, Daniel Berton ’23, was honoured with an ‘Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Community 2022 Award’ by Yvan Baker, MP for Etobicoke Centre. Berton and his friend Ethan started a hockey equipment drive in 2018 and have collected roughly 700 bags lled with equipment, almost 2,000 hockey sticks, and more than 100 sets of goalie pads, all generously donated to Indigenous communities in need.

Academics and Hockey a Perfect Match for Morello

Earlier this year, Jonathan Morello ’24, earned a scholarship to Clarkson University to continue his academic journey and compete in Division I hockey. “A major part of my decision came down to the coaching sta and the team culture at Clarkson,” says Morello. At SMCS, Morello’s commitment to academics has been evident and he has been a perennial honour roll student since Grade 7, boasting an average of over 90 per cent in three of his rst four years at the school. His high school career has also been complemented by a busy co-curricular schedule, playing hockey, lacrosse, and volleyball throughout his time at SMCS.

Soaring Creativity Flourishes in Makerspace

e makerspace is a weekly Ode e Library Learning Commons initiative that is ge ing students’ creative juices owing all while they learn new things, problem-solve, and explore. Students from all grades – but particularly intermediate school students – have access to 3D pens, glue guns, woodworking tools, motors, a Cricut machine, bu on making machine, and many other materials including upcycled items to build and create whatever their imaginations come up with. “ e idea is to provide a low stake environment that gives students space to fail and problem solve. In a makerspace, the goal is the exploration itself, not the end product,” says Lisa Lipetz, teacher librarian.

Alumni Information Series: The Basics of Investing and Insurance - Part Three

e SMCS Alumni Association hosted the nal installment of its Alumni Information Series: e Basics of Investing and Insurance. Special guest, Chris Smith ’06 joined moderator Ma Montemurro ’05 discuss various topics including breaking down the sometimes daunting idea of investing into segmented, easily understood concepts as well as how to progressively work through them. e three-part session focused on types of investment accounts, how they are taxed, and where to open these accounts.

Bringing Science to Life: Biology Presentation

Grades 11 and 12 biology students had the unique opportunity to interact with Dr. Jennifer Coughlan, assistant professor in Yale University’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, over Zoom during a special presentation and Q&A on the history of genetics, science in the media, gene ‘hunting’, diversity in STEM, and more. Students were responsible for their understanding of the topics as content from her discussion was included in future evaluations.

VEX Robotics Club Celebrates Successful Season

e SMCS VEX Robotics Club nished their season with three teams that advanced to the Provincial Championships, with one placing within the top 20 of 64 teams! e VEX Robotics club begins preparing for the season in September where they have access to the main robotics classroom along with an adjoining room that further expands their workspace when building their robots. A week prior to the provincial tournament, SMCS hosted its annual iDESIGN Central Toronto VEX Robotics Competition in the gymnasium.

Exploring Creativity through the New Music Production Club

e new Music Production Club is inspiring student musicians while providing invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience with digital music production. e club meets weekly in the Midi Room where students can collaborate, share their work, and get valuable

feedback from peers. In early March 2023, Patrick Bodi ’15 and Liam Jessup, founders of 254sound, met with club members to showcase songs they’ve worked on, demonstrate their process, and listened to and provided valuable feedback on student projects.

Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. Finally, France, Italy, and Spain were the three countries visited as part of a modern languages experience.

Looking back on the 2022-23 Winter Athletics Season

e successful winter athletic season saw a total of 263 student-athletes competing for 13 teams, across six sports, in a season that would see SMCS compete in nine di erent playo championship events. Highlights include: CISAA silver medals for Jr. Basketball, CISAA and OFSAA bronze medals for Sr. Basketball, CISAA gold for both U14 and Jr. Hockey, and many individual accolades on our Alpine Ski, Snowboarding, and Swim teams.

Youth Motivational Speaker Inspires Students

SMCS sta and students

welcomed Sam Demma, youth motivational speaker, author, and two-time TEDx speaker, for an engaging discussion as part of his ‘Empty Your Backpack’ tour. Demma’s tour centres around helping students and youth ‘unpack their beliefs, rede ne their self-worth, and embrace their authentic selves.’ Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive with some sharing that he was among the best speakers to visit the school during their time.

Original Production Marks Return of Spring Musical

is year’s Spring Musical, Love & Revolution, was an original show exclusively created for SMCS — a rst in the school’s 71-year tradition of staging Broadway-style musicals. In total, 31 male and female student-actors made up the cast, along with 12 stage crew members, and two pit musicians. e show, which was wri en by Anne Morrone, director of the Spring Musical, incorporates well-known numbers from 14 di erent musicals. “Love & Revolution has a strong message of hope, inspiration, and love that will likely resonate with audiences and provide a memorable experience,” says Morrone.

A New Look for Career Day 2023

e 19th Annual Grade 11 Career Day returned to its in-person format for the rst time in three years. To be more collaborative and engaging for students, this year the event adopted a conference feel, with a keynote speaker followed by reside chats and speed rounds with guests. e new format focused on allowing students as much opportunity to meet as many of the guests as possible, with a variety of touchpoints to ask questions in a small and interactive se ing. Headlining the event was Rob Nickerson, an actor, writer, producer, and teacher, best known as a pioneer in using improvisation as a teaching tool in non-theatrical applications.

Alumni Connect Over Health and Wellness

Special guest, Mike Levine ’03 joined moderator Ma Montemurro ’05 and alumni for the virtual Alumni Information Series on health and wellness. He broke down the fundamental methods that can help men build healthy habits and foundational nutritional tips, while providing best practices for general wellness. During the session, Levine spoke passionately about the di erent ways participants can improve their nutrition and physical tness habits to get to where they want to be in their tness journey. e session concluded with an in-depth Q&A on a variety of health topics inspired by questions submi ed by alumni.

Celebrating Excellence at CIS Black Student Conference

Black brilliance and resilience were on display at the inaugural CIS Black Student Conference on April 28, 2023. e conference welcomed 93 students and sta from SMCS and nine other schools within the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario (CIS Ontario). Keynote speakers, Marlon Majdoub, senior sales director at Teladoc Health, and Kurt Michael Downes ’97, regarded as one of Canada’s leading track and eld coaches and current head coach at Border City Athletics Club, kicked o the morning and a ernoon sessions. Additional guest experts led smaller group workshops on topics such as black mental health, surviving the ‘grind culture’, experiences of black students in CIS schools, and more.

Spring Music Concerts 2023

e annual Spring Music Concerts debuted on May 16 and 18, showcasing the talent, dedication, and hard work of the students and sta in our music programme. Almost 250 music students from Grades 8 to 12 represented nine di erent ensembles with the largest performing ensemble, Chicago Trip Band, being composed of 90 students all on one stage. Another highlight was graduating student, Joshua Leduc ’23 performing a medley from Carmen on solo ute with accompanying pianist, Joshua Tamayo.

A Summer of Fun and Learning: SMCS Camps 2023

Now in its ninth year, the SMCS Summer Camps experience has expanded to 19 camps in academics, athletics, and the arts for boys and girls. New o erings this year include a spring/summer hockey league, a strength and conditioning programme with a hockey focus, and a revamped basketball programme. Returning to head up the basketball programme this summer is Mike Selliah, assistant coach of the Ryerson men’s team and head coach of Team Ontario’s U17 men’s basketball team. Also, SMCS alumnus John Dean (1994-97), head coach of the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds and assistant coach of Canada’s U18 team will lead the on-ice hockey sessions.

Success at Provincial French Public Speaking Competition

In May, four students had the opportunity to represent SMCS at the 38th annual provincial Concours d’art oratoire held at York University’s Glendon Campus. e competition provides an opportunity for students to develop and use their oral French skills, a key component of their journey to bilingualism in both o cial languages. ree students walked away with top prizes of gold, silver, and bronze medals in di erent categories.

Building Community: Annual Father and Son Event Returns

A er a four-year hiatus, the Parents’ Association was proud to host the Annual Father and Son BBQ which saw more than 400 a endees participate in the festivities! It was a day of fun for fathers and their sons to relax, play some sports to engage the mind and

Deputy Director of IMF Visits SMCS

Several SMCS students were treated to an overview of the intersection of economics and politics from Mark Flanagan ’86 of the International (IMF) Strategy, Policy and Review Department. Students in 12 economics, accounting, issues and members of the Model United Nations Club made up the a entive audience for the ‘World Economy, Macroeconomics, and the Role of the IMF’ presentation.

Celebrating Arts Month at SMCS

Arts Month is in May at SMCS and is a time dedicated to celebrating the arts and recognizing the incredible artistic contributions of our students. In media arts, Grade 12 student Henry Li’s ’23 photographic work hangs outside the classroom. His project was inspired by two of the pioneers of colour photography, Saul Leiter and Ernst Haas. roughout the month, the Music Department was buzzing with activities showcasing our students’ abilities, including Club Bluenote and our annual Spring Music Concerts. Finally, in visual arts, many projects and other artistic creations were displayed in the main hallway to acknowledge their hard work throughout the year.

Students and Alumni Connect at Science

their networking skills while learning more about life at prospective universities straight from current university students.

In total, 25 alumni joined 35 Grade 12 students and ve Grade 11s for the a er-school event on May 24, 2023. Patrick Feghali hopes to also invite third- and fourth-year alumni to future events and provide even more value to student and alumni a endees as they could o er guidance not only to students but to younger alumni as well on summer programmes, jobs, and internships.

Alumni Networking Event Returns

e in-person Alumni Networking Event on June 28 continued to bring to life opportunities for alumni to help each other. e evening’s theme was: Navigating networking in the current

Recapping the 2022-23 Spring Athletics Season

With 345 student-athletes competing for 14 teams across nine sports, the SMCS spring athletic season marked the busiest time of the year. “Outdoor sports were able to relish the warmer weather, and tremendous personal development and team successes were enjoyed across the board,” says Alex Frescura ’92 the return to a traditional dinner format for our annual Athletic Awards Banquet which welcomed more than 420 a endees!

SMCS Grad Settling in as Toronto’s New Chief of Police

From the cozy con nes of the yellow brick halls to the top of Toronto Police Service headquarters, Myron Demkiw ’85 was recently appointed Chief of Police of the fourth largest municipal police service in North America. e 30-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service says his top three priorities include: improving trust within the Toronto Police Service, accelerating police reform and professionalization, and supporting safer communities. e proud St. Michael’s man says the school helped prepare him for his career in policing and the role he’s in today.

My school inspires me to goodness, challenges me through discipline, and equips me w ith k nowledge, ever y day.

Community Engagement and Learning

A er a 20-year teaching career at SMCS, Dr. Daniel Lumsden ’96 has added a new layer to his vocation as a Catholic educator by reducing his teaching role to take on the responsibilities of the Community Engagement and Learning programme.

e outward-looking programme actively supports the development of key skill sets for student success in post-secondary pursuits and beyond. rough strategic partnerships with community members and organizations, the programme connects curriculum programming directly to real-world knowledge by taking classroom learning into the outside world.

Alumni, parents, friends of SMCS, and community partners play a signi cant role in the success of the programme, which has recently completed its h year at SMCS. Here are a few Community Engagement and Learning highlights from 2022-23.

· Partnership with Unity Health, where students will o er over 90 hours of community service. e student will be involved in several roles while ful lling their volunteer hours with their respective hospitals

· U.S. visit to the University of Michigan Business School and basketball game

· IMF speaker Mark Flanagan ’86

· March Break European Trip (Budapest, Vienna, London) to visit professors and employees of their respective companies

· Science Breakfast

· First host of the inaugural CIS Black Student ConferenceA great success with approximately 100 people in a endance Grade 11 Career Day with a new format which included an improv speaker in the morning, followed by reside chats and speed rounds, where students had the opportunity to speak to individuals in di erent industries

· Planning for the Grade 12 Graduation Formal

· Plans made to visit the University of Notre Dame Business School in 2023-24 academic year

· Proposed potential trip to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt

· TEDx Talk 2023-24 academic year

· Author of ‘Caste’ – Isabel Wilkerson conducted a one-hour Q&A session with sta and faculty

Looking forward, Lumsden hopes to focus future initiatives on the following areas as the programme develops into a core component of a SMCS education.

Service – Creating impact with students by providing opportunities in our community for our students to grow into strong global citizens and be of service to others.

Foster Collaboration – Working with other stakeholders, businesses, educational institutions, and organizations to build networking opportunities and provide an opportunity for our students to use these skills and resources to apply them back into the classroom and enhance their learning experience.

Critical Thinking – Help our students make informed decisions based on reasoning and facts. It helps students analyze a problem and make e ective decisions by weighing out the pros and cons, considering potential consequences, and making appropriate decisions. Critical thinking is one of the major facets of education, and our goal is to ensure students are well-equipped moving forward.

Alumni are encouraged to get involved by contacting Lumsden at 416-653-3180 x 151 or lumsden@smcsmail.com.

The Way We Were: The Gardner Family

One of these guys was Dave Gardner ’71, who he met in 1968. Gardner had played Major Midget in 1967 and Branston had the good fortune to become his Jr. B Buzzer teammate in 1968.

Gardner’s father Cal Gardner played for New York Rangers and later Toronto Maple Leafs. Paul Gardner ’76, Gardner’s brother, also played for the Leafs. In fact, it was Gardner’s father who got Branston a tryout with the Leafs, enabling him to play in their farm system in Oklahoma. Nevertheless, he was in good Gardner company throughout his life. Branston relates that before practice, the team would gather and study together, and that’s where their friendship grew. As Branston went on to university, he remembers Gardner se ing a scoring record in 1969-70 when he scored 54 goals with the Buzzers, and then in 1970-71 playing for the Marlies and winning the Red Tilson Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League's most outstanding player. He was on a supercharged line with Steve Shu and Billy Harris.

Ever since he could remember, Phil Branston ’69 wanted to go to St. Mike’s. His father would take him to Sunday doubleheader hockey games between the St. Mike’s Majors and the Toronto Marlboros or St. Catherines’ Teepees. Maple Leaf Gardens was packed with mostly ‘double blue’ wearing students. So, it was in Joe Younder’s ’56 classroom. He recalls, “ ere were about 17 laymen and more than 40 priests and seminarians teaching at the time.” Branston was passionate about hockey, and the fact that they had a rink made him very happy. It was here that he met young men

John Connelly ’69, Glen Williamson ’69, John Hirst ’69, Sean McDonough ’69, Grant Cole ’67, Rick Tarullo ’69, Brian Galbraith ’68, Ed Zuccato ’68, Terry Ca ery ’66 †, some of whom would become lifelong friends.

In Branston’s words, “My family was very close with Dave’s – my kids called him Uncle Dave and his kids called me Uncle Phil. We spent many weekends in the summer at Gards’ co age on Lake Scugog. I’d like to say that it was all sun and fun, but it was mostly spent working our bu s o … a labour of love, he might call it! ‘Gards’ was an elite athlete; however, at St. Mike’s, he was a rookie. I was the captain – two years his senior. He viewed athletics in the same way as he considered life: he was unsel sh; generous, and respectful of everyone – except his opponents; he wanted to see his teammates succeed and viewed your success as his success.

With contributions from Phil Branston ’69, Ryan Gardner, Paul Gardner ’76, Joe Younder ’56

Former Maple Leaf Cal Gardner gives fatherly advise to son Dave of St. Michael’s

“He cared about people… If you had a chance to play hockey or golf with him, he made a point of helping you to be a be er player, a be er person. He enjoyed a long career at Molson’s –and he loved being part of the Molson team. Actually, he loved everything about the business, but especially the people – he developed many great friendships with his colleagues and with owners, managers, and sta of the many establishments he worked with. He participated in many charity events, sometimes as a celebrity, sometimes as a speaker, and was particularly fond of the Special Olympics and of the annual black-tie silent auction event – it was right in his wheelhouse – tuxedo and all! Dave was no stranger to St. Mike’s. His yearly contribution to the Skate for Kids Program and ge ing former players to suit up to support the school was a great event.”

In March 2023, Dave Gardner passed away and the SMCS community and the greater community, lost a great friend, brother, and father.

“Living in Leaside, there were many guys that went to St. Mike’s like Kevin Burke ’62, Reg Bellomo ’71, as well as SMCS teachers, Hugh MacDougall and Peter Morris. I followed my brother in 1970 and had seen many of his games. Growing up in a hockey family was special, but Dad kept it low-key. We played all sports: baseball, golf, and of course, hockey,” remembers Gardner’s brother Paul. “Mom was always there for support and saying the rosary that we didn’t get hurt. Being successful, David helped and quietly supported me by including me in many sporting activities. I could never beat him in golf. A er St. Mike’s, I moved on to pro hockey and made a career of playing and coaching. I am proud of both my brother and the fact that I went to St. Mike’s.”

Gardner’s son, Ryan, remembers all the lessons his dad imparted to him, along with his endless support for his family and others.

“My father was my hero, my idol, and most of all, my best friend. He taught me, listened to me, and pushed me, gave me the tools to succeed in life. I will miss every minute we spent together — all the fun times, wise words, and guidance. He was one of a kind. His athletic accomplishments in hockey are well known. He was an amazing all-around athlete from a young age, there was nothing he couldn’t do, and he did everything so well.

“Growing up in Leaside, along with my Uncle Paul, they had an amazing childhood. e love of sports and the amazing career that he had allowed him to do what he loved most, and that was being around people. My father’s greatest pleasure was talking with his friends, telling stories, or cha ing with someone he had never met before. If you spoke with my dad for a quick moment, it made you feel like he was your best bud; I have heard from so many people how much my father meant to them – it was the same for him. He was the most caring and compassionate person I know — he would do anything to help or sometimes just listen. He loved being part of a team, if that was in hockey, work or just a four-man scramble golf group. He was a great leader, teacher, and coach. His personality was infectious — everyone wanted to be around him. My father will never be forgo en because of the memories and the stories that will be told with great fondness by all of us in the many years to come.”

Dave Gardner ’71 (seated) with Joe Younder ’56 (le ) and Phil Branston ’69 (right)

Alumni Artists Flourishing

Ron Clarkin ’75

My submissions include: PEI, and Summerside Harbour. I do mostly landscapes, which are acrylic on canvas. Everything I know about art I learned from Fr. McKinnon, CSB, many years ago. I have a website for my art: ronclarkinart.ca. anks, and keep up the great job at the Blue Banner.

Mark Viola ’97

‘Lando Norris’, 2023

48” x 36” — Acrylic on Canvas

is piece is part of a collection titled ‘Icons and Idols’, which explores the fascination with celebrity within pop culture. My work is rooted in a strong design aesthetic with a tendency toward minimalism and vibrant colour pale es. Drawing on my passions for pop-culture and vintage stylistic elements, I produce one-of-a-kind artworks that are distinct for their creative use of texture, colour layers, visual elements, and typography.

mark@prpldesigns.com

PRPLdesigns.com

@PRPLdesigns on social media

Anthony Papini ’18

I currently a end Carleton University for architecture. A er seeing the Instagram post asking for alumni art for the Blue Banner, I thought I’d send over some of my works from architecture school. Below is a 25-story condo building I designed. I also included an art piece that made it into the publication Building 22, published by Carleton every year.

Inspiring Young Alumni 2023

St. Michael’s

College

School

(SMCS)

is excited to introduce the newest alumni group featured on our Inspiring Young Alumni Wall. First established in 2019, this is the second rendition of the wall prominently featured outside the main o ce. e wall features 22 diverse and accomplished alumni under 35 making a di erence in the world.

Marco Ciarlariello ’09 Lawyer

A er graduating, Liam earned a scholarship to a end Chapman University in California, completing a bachelor of ne arts in lm production with a minor in entrepreneurship. Liam's work has been screened at lm festivals across North America. He aims to continue producing video content that challenges and questions traditional aspects of lm and media.

Marco earned a bachelor of arts in English literature from Western University, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. His practice at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP focuses on intellectual property, information technology, and the sports and entertainment industries, he leads the rm’s blockchain and cryptocurrency practice group. Since 2018, Marco has been a guest lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Toronto faculty of law.

Michael earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Toronto, a graduate degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and York University. Michael founded the cyber security company Iceberg Cyber, and was the former Chief Technical O cer of the photonic sensing startup, Fibos. His expertise has led to motorsports, cleantech, and security leadership positions. All while maintaining a strong connection to SMCS as a valued part of its alumni Mentorship Programme.

Haig Chahinian ’13 Seminarian

Haig earned a degree in international relations with a double minor in French language and history. Working at Apple Canada, he co-led the launch of the rst-ever Apple Watch. In 2018, he answered the call to priesthood, entering the Armenian Catholic Seminary. He has since moved to Rome to begin his studies in Philosophy and eology in preparation for his 2023 ordination.

Andrew was a well-rounded student-athlete at St. Michael’s College School. A er two successful seasons with the St. Michael’s Buzzers Junior A team, Andrew earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan, where he spent two seasons. Andrew has represented Canada at the international level, earning a gold medal with the Men’s Under-18 team and two golds with the IIHF World Junior Championship. He was selected in the rst round of the 2005 NHL dra by the Edmonton Oilers. Playing for Anaheim, Dallas, San Jose, and, most notably, the Colorado Avalanche, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Kevin Collins ’13 Director of Rooms

Kevin a ended the University of St. Michael’s College, majoring in history and political science, while also playing on the Varsity Blues football team. Kevin is currently working at the Park Hya Toronto and was recently promoted from the director of front o ce to director of rooms. He oversees the activities of the rooms department, including telephone, housekeeping services, front o ce, concierge and guest services. He is an integral part of the reimagined Park Hya Toronto guest experience, while still maintaining his involvement in football as an on- eld o cial for the Canadian Football League and U-Sports.

Liam Abbott ’19

Film Producer

Michael Bakaic ’07 Technology Entrepreneur

Ma hew is an epidemiologist at ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences), a research organization producing quantitative evidence to inform e ective and responsible provincial health policy. Previously working as an epidemiologist with the Government of Canada, Ma hew was responsible for brie ng senior government o cials on opioid-use and COVID-19 response, surveillance, and planning.

Justyn Knight ’14

Professional Track and Field Athlete

Justyn’s passion for track and eld was fostered as a St. Michael’s College School student-athlete. He received a full scholarship to Syracuse University with an outstanding career that included two NCAA championships, a world championship nalist, and All-American honours in track and eld. He signed a contract with Reebok Boston Track Club, where he trained for the Tokyo Olympics as part of Team Canada. He is currently preparing for the Paris Olympics.

Andrew Lobo ’21 Harvard Student-Athlete

Tony accepted an NCAA Division I soccer scholarship to Holy Cross and later Bryant University, studying psychology and economics. Touring the continent with motivational speaking tours for students as “Mr. Good Vibes,” a brand he conceptualized in high school to promote positivity and unity. He is currently the CEO of Jobify, an app connecting students across North America to employment

Endurance Athlete / World Record Holder

A er graduating, Connor a ended Queen’s University, earning a bachelor of commerce degree while participating on the Queen’s triathlon team. He started a career in business development with Uber. In March 2020, he completed his rst Ironman competition in New Zealand, se ing the stage for the journey of a lifetime. In the span of two years, Connor made world history as the youngest person to nish an Ironman on six continents.

Greenhouse Infrastructure Specialist

Liam earned a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in environmental engineering and a master’s in bioresource engineering at McGill University’s Macdonald Campus. He now works as a greenhouse infrastructure specialist alongside other horticultural professionals at Berger, studying the properties of horticultural mixes in an experimental greenhouse.

At St. Michael’s College School, Andrew earned the second-highest GPA in his graduating class and served as head prefect, senior councillor, house captain, wellness team moderator, and volleyball captain, all the while accumulating 750 volunteer hours and founding a non-pro t. He is studying social studies and computer science at Harvard University, where he’s on the board of Harvard Global Research & Consulting, through which he has led pro bono consulting projects while playing Division I volleyball.

Dr. Ryan Muir ’08 Neurologist

Ryan is a neurologist who completed his medical degree and specialization at the University of Toronto. He is one of seven physicians in Ontario to have received the prestigious Resident Teaching Award for excellence in teaching and mentorship from the Professional Association of Residents in Ontario in 2022. Ryan is a member of the Research Ethics Board at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where he reviews the ethical conduct of research studies. He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and currently pursuing further specialization at the University of Calgary.

Ryan Neeson ’13 Global Immigration Law Clerk

A er graduating, Ryan earned a double major in criminology, socio-legal studies, and history from the University of Toronto. A licensed paralegal, Ryan began his career as a court clerk and registrar at the Ministry of the A orney General, where he helped conduct multiple high-pro le cases. Currently, he is a global immigration law clerk at Vialto Partners, a leader in providing globally integrated solutions supporting global workforce mobility.

Matthew Crocker ’14 Epidemiologist

Tony Downey ’16

Chief Executive Officer – Jobify

Connor Emeny ’14

Liam Fitzpatrick ’12

Prem Nichani ’13 Ophthalmology Resident

Prem is an ophthalmology resident at the University of Toronto. He has completed an honours health sciences degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a master's and medical degree from the University of Toronto. He was recognized for his ophthalmic research by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Prem’s accomplished career has not been restricted to medicine, but has also included entrepreneurship.

Nickolas Aurilius Papadopoulos ’19 Performer

Nickolas is an accomplished singer, musician, composer, lmmaker, and actor. In Grade 12, Nickolas wrote, directed, and produced his rst full-length feature lm and composed an original musical score. A er graduating, he earned his bachelor of motion picture arts from Capilano University in Vancouver, B.C. Professionally, he has wri en, directed, and edited over 15 short lms, and his bands have performed at venues across North America and several European countries.

Mitchell Louis Passarelli ’12 Aerospace Engineering

A er graduating, Mitchell completed his undergraduate in applied science in engineering science from the University of Toronto, followed by his master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto. Mitchell volunteered as a mentor and judge for the Launch Canada rocketry competition. Currently, he is working towards his PhD in aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Franco Junior Recchia ’10 Chief Executive Officer – Door 24

Since graduating, Franco has pursued a professional career in the creative arts, a passion cultivated during his four years at SMCS. Franco received an honours bachelor of arts degree in performance and history from the University of Toronto.

Franco is currently the CEO of Door 24, a creative agency where he showcases work in lm and media for small businesses and global brands such as Fairmont Hotels and Make-A-Wish.

Michael Reynolds ’20 Biomechanical Engineering

Michael is studying at Queen’s University, majoring in biomechanical engineering, and is a member of the biomechatronics design team that is focused on providing physical support to rst responders. Michael also works as a content developer and instructor with Queen’s Connections, a department that o ers STEM-based education for underprivileged youth in Ontario. At the same time, he balances being the Chief Marketing O cer of the startup Motiv App Inc, an event planning and organizational application for post-secondary students.

Chris Rossetti ’08 NFL Pro Scout

As a successful student-athlete, Chris was recruited to a end the University of Guelph to play football and continue his education, earning a bachelor of arts in history. His career as a professional football scout began with the Toronto Argonauts before moving to the Miami Dolphins as a pro scout and later the assistant director of pro scouting. He is currently the director of pro scouting for the New York Giants.

Todd Stewart ’12 Infantry Officer – Canadian Armed Forces

Todd earned a bachelor of arts in history from Brown University in 2016. While at Brown, he received the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes college lacrosse players who helped their teams succeed on and o the eld. Todd used the lessons he learned at Brown and St. Michael’s College School and applied them at tech startup, Hubdoc, where he worked for two years before transitioning to the Canadian Armed Forces, where he currently serves as an infantry o cer.

Prakash Thambipillai ’08 Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology

Prakash earned his BA in psychology from York University and a master of science from Queen’s University. He currently works at Mount Sinai Hospital on the SUMMIT trial, the world's largest randomized control psychotherapy trial for perinatal women struggling with depression and anxiety. Prakash is also pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Queen’s University, studying the relationship between trauma and emotion regulation in immigrant and refugee populations.

Mentorship that Bridges Generations

e SMCS Mentorship Programme aims to instill a feeling of pride, tradition, and community in each student and alumnus throughout their lives. In this edition, we explore a rst-hand account of the impact meaningful mentorship had on a young alumnus thanks to the generosity of a recently retired alumnus following an accomplished 30-year career.

Gianluca Mazzanti ’09

St. Michael’s is a special place. Every year when November rolls around, I partake in the holiest of rituals: dusting o my graduation ring and a ending Turkey Roll with my classmates from the Class of 2009. While grey hairs and a few extra inches to the abdomen reveal that it’s been over 10 years since I walked the arches with my brothers, without any hesitation we pick up almost as if we had only graduated yesterday. While I like to think this special bond is unique to the Class of 2009, this scene repeats itself every November among all alumni in a endance – stories of Metro Bowls, Hawaiian Shirt Days, the plentiful parties, and even more plentiful garden duties with Fr. Zinger, CSB, OSM all come rushing back.

What makes St. Michael’s particularly special is that this bond extends itself well beyond the boundaries of any single graduating class. While thirty years may separate two graduates from one another, the shared experience of walking the yellow brick halls, shouting a ‘Hoikety Choik,’ and the pride in pu ing on a double-blue jersey bridges any generational gap. We all share a thread on this tapestry woven by over 171 years of St. Michael’s men.

An important piece of that tapestry is Peter urton ’81. I rst met Peter when a ending the barbecue hosted by the St. Michael’s College School Alumni Association (SMCSAA) in 2010 that welcomes the school’s most recent alumni. Peter took the time that evening to speak to me about his career path towards becoming a lawyer and promised me that he would do whatever he could to help me with my own aspiration to one day become a lawyer.

In the spring of 2013, I had the daunting task of nding a summer job between my third and fourth years of university. Armed with three-quarters of an undergraduate history degree and modest experience at various roo ng, construction, and landscaping jobs,

I was determined to trade in my work boots for dress shoes. Naturally, I turned to Peter for advice, and he encouraged me to apply for a position at the Ontario Lo ery & Gaming Corporation (where Peter worked as the vice president of compliance). Remarkably, I landed the job and that summer I had the privilege of frequent visits from Peter to my o ce, lunches at Swiss Chalet across the street, and countless introductions to executives of the company. Peter was determined to “put me on the map”, even if all I brought to the table was a shared alma mater in St. Mike’s.

My road to law school was not an easy one – I wrote the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) three times over two years (which is the maximum number of permi ed a empts). Peter was always my rst call a er the gruelling four-hour tests, where he would impart words of wisdom and encourage me to stay the course.

When it came time to apply to law school, I naturally turned to Peter. I distinctly remember receiving a phone call from him while he was at the post o ce: “Can you tell me where this reference le er needs to be sent to? Oh, and you owe me $3 for stamps and postage fee. You can pay me back when you’re a lawyer.”

A er submi ing my law school applications, I made what must have been weekly calls to Peter – “What can I do to help my application? Who should I call? Can I show up for an interview so they can just meet me? What are they looking for in an applicant?” Peter later admi ed that he was also calling Osgoode simultaneously, pleading with them to consider my application. Despite his busy schedule, he went out of his way to advocate for a St. Mike’s alumnus, regardless of the 30-year gap between us.

On a Monday morning in mid-August, I returned to my desk at OLG following a meeting to a missed call, voicemail, and email from Osgoode Hall. My heart at-lined. I had been o ered (one week before classes would start) the nal spot in Osgoode’s graduating Class of 2019. My dream was coming true. A er making the natural rst calls to my mom and my girlfriend (now ancée), I called Peter urton. Don’t worry, my father got the news over dinner with my brothers Christian ’12, Andrew ’13, and Ma hew ’16. Peter’s voice on the other end of that phone was lled with an authenticity and joy you’d expect from a family member.

Peter would continue to check in with me throughout law school to see how I was doing, always reminding me of the importance of work/life balance and the need to be kind to others and extend even a li le bit of help whenever the opportunity arose. His job as a mentor was evidently not done, nor was it meant to be transactional. Pete’s commitment to my own success – personally and professionally – was a meaningful one grounded in the tenants of sel ess giving to others. Peter remained a champion of mine beyond OLG and law school and, as a client of the law rm I now work at, would never miss an opportunity to espouse my virtues with colleagues (err, bosses), knowing it would make an impact on my career.

rough Peter’s guidance and unwavering support, I not only found a successful start to my legal career, but also a lifelong connection that I know will continue to shape my future. I know I’m not the only one that Peter’s helped throughout the years, and I know he isn’t the only SMCS alumnus helping make an impact in our young boys’ lives every day. e careers and lives that have been built on the support of St. Mike’s alumni helping other St. Mike’s alumni are immeasurable and one of the core strengths

of this community. Peter is and will always remain one of the rst calls I make if ever in need of perspective or advice.

As we ip the pages of the Blue Banner and celebrate the achievements of our alumni, let us remember the immeasurable contributions of those mentors who empowered the next generation of successful St. Michael’s men.

By way of prologue, my law school graduation was a ended only by family, but we made one exception for Peter. Being able to celebrate the journey that began in 2010 and concluded in 2019 is a special memory for me. Without Peter, that day would not have been possible. As my graduation celebration wound down that evening, I said goodbye to Peter, but knew that our journey was far from over. He would end up recruiting me to join the SMCSAA as a board member, a position I ll with immense pride to this day. Peter and I embrace the simple fact that St. Mike’s served as the foundation for a bond that transcends generations and has the potential to transform lives, reminding me of that central unifying theme: St. Mike’s is a special place. And yes, Peter did get his $3 back.

THE “HISTORY” CONTINUES

To help ensure the authenticity of the article and the relationship between Gianluca Mazzanti ’09 and Peter Thurton ’81, the Blue Banner asked Peter to share the impact the mentorship journey had on him.

I have always enjoyed mentoring, there is reward in giving. Mentoring does not have to be formal; small, honest, meaningful gestures often go a very long way. I recall my dear friend John Callaghan ’81 speaking to his father, then the Chief Justice of Ontario, allowing me into his courtroom and chambers while still in high school. Walking the halls of the Supreme Court of Ontario as a young black teenager and being embraced by the Chief Justice of Ontario profoundly impacted my desire to be a lawyer. This act of generosity was mentorship.

Turning to Gianluca, I was completely surprised when my dear friend Gianluca shared his story with me, a story I am deeply honoured to be part of. From my perspective, I don’t understand how you can look at someone with positive drive, measured ambition, diligence, with a genuine sense of charity towards others, and from a hard-working and supportive family not want to help them in any way you can. I think it is a moral imperative to assist Gianluca — and anyone for that matter, who crosses our path at a time when they are less fortunate than us. This is what Chief Justice Callaghan did for me.

Truth be told, this is not work, it is fun, and the reward is seeing this young man, a graduate of our esteemed St. Michael’s College School — probably the last person to gain acceptance to Osgoode Hall Law School in his year of entrance — by the time of his graduation, become the recipient of the W. Struan Robertson, Q.C. Memorial Prize for academic excellence! Gianluca is now a successful lawyer at one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, McCarthy’s, in their Manhattan office.

A dear friend of mine who observed Gianluca for three years describes him this way: “I saw in Gianluca from the very beginning a very determined, respectful, and focused young man with a compassionate and generous soul. With his drive and character, he was destined for success and succeed he did.” These are the words of Louise Resendes, Osgoode Hall Law School Admissions Officer, the person I repeatedly petitioned to accept Gianluca.

Finally, as Matthew Cumming, the Managing Partner of McCarthy’s New York Office shared with me, “Gianluca is a special lawyer. Not only does he have superb legal skills, but he goes above and beyond to connect with his clients and colleagues and lift up everyone around him daily. Amidst the hustle and bustle of deadlines and deals, he always finds a way to genuinely and thoughtfully consider the human impact of everything he does on those around him.”

Peter Thurton ’81

Where are they now

has been touring the globe leading the charge on small business cyber security. His startup, Iceberg Cyber, has created the cyber equivalent of a credit score for small businesses. Last year, one in ve Canadian small businesses were devastated by a cyber-a ack, and it’s Bakaic’s mission to defend the people behind this statistic.

His travels have taken him from Tokyo to Paris, with a stopover in Israel. Between conferences and meetings, Bakaic made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and knelt at the Tomb of Christ within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. While in Tel Aviv, he promoted his startup to customers and investors alike. A fun lesson in staying calm for this year’s Archangel’s Den applicants: Bakaic pitched to the world’s largest cyber venture capital rm, where the lead reviewer was from the Israeli Special Forces.

As one of our Alumni Association’s new VPs, Bakaic is working to connect with every SMCS man through LinkedIn. Connect and say ‘Hi’.

Aidan Bischoff ’20 is now in his third year of the commerce programme at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business.

In his studies, he specializes in nance and building a career in the wealth management industry. He is currently participating in an exchange programme at IAE Aix-Marseille Graduate School of Management in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Outside of the classroom, Bischo serves as chief nancial o cer of the Smith Commerce Society (ComSoc), Canada’s largest undergraduate business society. With more than 50 clubs in the society, ComSoc provides commerce students with exposure to a wide range of personal and professional opportunities across all industries. In addition to his involvement in ComSoc, he is a teaching assistant in the department of organizational behaviour at the Smith School of Business.

Bischo has continued to pursue his love for running, which he developed while racing with the St. Mike’s cross-country team. In May 2022, he completed his rst half-marathon at the Toronto Half-Marathon and, on April 2 ran the Berlin Half-Marathon.

Michael Mazza ’21 currently a ends the Schulich School of Business, where he has excelled in his studies and made the dean’s list. rough his studies, he has decided to pursue a dual specialization in nance and accounting.

Outside of the classroom, Mazza is a member of the Schulich Finance Club and the Accounting Society, where students work on case competitions to prepare for the various business scenarios they would encounter in the real world.

Academics aside, he actively participates in the Schulich Olympics, where his team competes in volleyball, basketball, and soccer tournaments. is summer, Mazza is interning as a nancial analyst at Noble Corporation, overseeing the nancials and investment opportunities for 12 of the 55 Noble branches across Ontario.

Hoikety Choik on C!

Cassidy Preston ’05

A er completing his PhD in sport psychology, he founded CEP Mindset, a mental performance coaching rm, one of North America's largest rms. Instead of the traditional cookie-cu er strategies, their approach has focused on providing practical and personalized strategies that deliver repeatable and reliable results.

His team of coaches works with elite athletes and business professionals. On the athletic side, clients range from youth to professionals (eg. NHL, MLB, CFL) and Olympians. On the business side, his team has worked with surgeons, hedge fund managers, broadcasters, entrepreneurs, and business executives.

His approach to mental performance combines his education with his applied experience playing for the St. Michael’s Majors in the OHL. He has also studied and worked with world leaders in human performance, such as Dr. John Demartini, T. Harv Eker, and Todd Herman.

is a ending the University of O awa, where he will graduate in 2024 with a bachelor of commerce and a double degree in accounting and management. He has been fortunate to secure multiple co-op positions at the University of O awa, including two with the Bank of Montreal (BMO) in the nance

Along with his studies and being a student-athlete on the RJ Brock ’17 created the ‘RJ Brock and Conor Bundy Scholarship’ for student-athletes in the commerce or engineering programme who

is summer, he returns to BMO as a nancial analyst in the wealth nance and nancial reporting department.

Joseph Cressatti ’20 is the CEO of PennyDrops, a student-run non-pro t that provides personal nance and nancial literacy education to youth across Canada. Since 2015, PennyDrops has taught over 20,000 students from Halifax to Vancouver.

Before becoming chief executive o cer, he oversaw operations for chapters in Montreal and Toronto. Recognized for his service, Cressa i has won the Marcel A. Desautels Leadership Scholarship and Janet Angela Rinaldi Tribute Scholarship. ese awards have allowed him to continue his studies as he develops the skills and know-how to improve the lives of those in his community.

Cressa i is also a third-year accounting and political science student at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management.

Edward Opoku-Dapaah ’19

A er graduating from SMCS, he pursued his passion for architecture at Laurentian University, where he actively contributed to the university’s soccer team, both on the eld and as a team captain in his senior year. e challenges faced in balancing athletics and academics cultivated discipline, time management, and teamwork, which have become integral to his personal and professional growth.

Recently, he accepted a position as a Junior Architectural Technologist at KFA Architects and Planners. Excitingly, he was also accepted into the Master of Architecture Graduate Studies Program at the University of Calgary, continuing his educational journey. At St. Michael’s, Opoku-Dapaah honed his leadership skills and love for soccer as part of the senior soccer team.

Tyrone Edwards ’04 is currently the owner and head trainer of Optimize Potential Training. He created the programme to help athletes and their parents understand what it takes to advance to the next level in their sport and lives.

Not only is it his goal to help athletes learn the skill of speed to get faster, but more importantly, to help that athlete become a great person. “St. Mike’s was a great foundation; the teachers, coaches, and peers helped me become the person I am today. I’m grateful for my experience while I was there,” Edwards says.

Richard Morad ’22

Since graduating, Morad has been pursuing a degree in economics at Queen’s University and plans to study computer science. Alongside his studies, he joined the CREO Solutions Consulting Club as an analyst, gaining practical experience and problem-solving skills. He also participated in intramural sports and became a member of the student government in residence at Queen’s.

Overall, he is grateful for the opportunities that have come his way since graduating. Studying economics at Queen’s and being part of the consulting club have expanded his knowledge and provided a platform for collaboration. Engaging in extracurricular activities has enhanced his teamwork and leadership skills. He currently works at Terroni restaurant, learning valuable lessons in

is a music producer who has earned six Billboard 200 Albums MultiPlatinum and four Billboard Hot 100 Songs Multi-Platinum awards. He is working with some of the biggest stars of hip-hop and soul today. Check out his website at 254sound.ca.

and his wife, Susan Silveus, embarked on a 3.5-year mission trip to Haiti in January 2023. e Catholic Register featured them in an article about their history of service and the important initiatives they support. e article titled ‘Next mission step on life journey – Haiti’ by Quinton Amundson can be found in the January 15 edition of the Catholic Register.

Marcus Ouellet ’22 has commi ed to a end the American International College on an NCAA Division I scholarship and compete with the Yellow Jackets men’s hockey programme. Ouellet is playing for the Cochrane Crunch of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) this year. As a goaltender, Ouellet sees a lot of action in the net. During his rst 16 appearances, he made 706 saves.

Joseph Gibbs ’79 has enjoyed a career in hockey since graduating from SMCS. A er his playing days, he worked in real estate while maintaining a support position with the OHL St. Michael’s Majors

In 1996, Gibbs was named general manager of the Kau euren Hockey Club and served as team manager for the German National Team. He became manager of the Kassel Huskies in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in 1999. In 2005, he was cast as the European Judge in the TV series, ‘Making the Cut’.

During the 2006-07 season, Gibbs became CEO for the Nürnberg Icetigers in the DEL, and spent time as european scout for the Anaheim Ducks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He is currently the owner of the Kassel Huskies in the German Hockey League.

Jason Stachelek ’14 of applied science in chemical engineering at the University of Toronto in 2019. As a process engineer at Woodbridge Foam, his love of business, science, and technology was combined to deliver value to the company’s operations.

A er a chance encounter with discussion about pursuing an MBA, he connected Je rey Oke ’03 who mentored him by guiding him through the MBA application process. A true example of the “St. Mike’s pay-it-forward culture.” He is a ending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (Class of 2024), and has been appointed as an associate with McKinsey’s Chicago o ce within their operations practice.

“I believe the values and skills I acquired at St. Mike’s have been essential to ge ing me to where I am today.”

James Boyd (SMCS 1992-93) once again led Team Canada to a gold medal as the team’s general manager at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship!

Boyd returned as the U20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group a er a gold medal victory at the summer 2022 tournament, rescheduled from December 2021 due to COVID-19. e Canadian squad went undefeated throughout the 2022 tournament to win the gold.

is a member of the Notre Dame engineering seniors in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, inspired by the vision of the National Academy of Engineering for making our world “more sustainable, secure, healthy and joyful.” Reford’s major is mechanical engineering and his project was ‘Using Algae to Manage the Nitrogen Cycle’. Notre Dame’s Grand Challenges Scholars Program is for students inspired to understand and contribute to

On the weekend of January 21, and a few friends ran from Vancouver to Sea le, covering over 240 km in under 24 hours.

Why? Well, a few years ago when everyone was stuck at home, Emeny started ‘Project 24’, a community run that encouraged people to come together (virtually) and move for 24 hours. “ is is a really challenging thing to do, but the idea was if we can conquer a tough day, run for a cause bigger than ourselves (each team picks a charity to represent), and come together, we can get through any

In the last three years, more than 150 runners have partaken in Project 24, and he is proud to say that this year there were teams that spanned across Australia, Argentina, Ireland, United States, and Canadaall raising money and awareness for well-deserving charities.

Brendan Cahill ’97

On Valentine’s Day in 2017, Brendan’s wife Joanne was admi ed to UHN’s Toronto General Hospital for a kidney transplant. Two days later, through the Kidney Paired Donation Program run by

Canadian Blood Services, Brendan donated his kidney. A year later, the two co-founded the Centre for Living Organ Donation to improve access to living organ donation for people who need a life-saving kidney or liver transplant and those who want to give a transformative gi of life.

Listen to their entire transplant journey on Season 3, Episode 6 of this Living Transplant Podcast, Two Bellybu ons and the End of the Waitlist here: h ps://lnkd.in/gT86NWaK

Jeff Woods ’03

A er high school, Woods worked in the entertainment industry, allowing him to explore his passion for customer service and event management.

Woods pursued an advanced public relations diploma from Humber College, recognizing the importance of furthering his education. A er graduation, Woods ventured into digital advertising, specializing in client services. His expertise in this eld enabled him to forge strong client relationships and e ectively promote some of the world’s largest brands.

Woods made a signi cant shi and transitioned to the landscaping and snow removal industry, focusing on the commercial and

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Woods has built a ful lling personal life. He is happily married to his wife Tara, and together they have three beautiful children: Daelen, Kohen, and Della.

Mary and Bill McDonnell ’73 recently joined classmate Mike Sco ’73 and his wife Pa i for lunch in nearby Brighton. e pair have not seen each other since graduation 50 years ago.

e class reunion reconvened four months later, when approximately 40 members of that class convened in Toronto to celebrate their 50th reunion.

On April 22, 2023, Burns was inducted into the University of O awa Football

A er graduating from SMCS, Burns a ended the University of O awa, where he made his mark on the Canadian University Football record book as an all-star wide receiver.

He was dra ed 12th overall in the 1981 CFL Dra , but returned to the Gee Gees where he was named to the 1982 All-Canadian team a er recording 60 receptions for 742 yards and six

He nished his university as the rst member of O awa’s 2,000 yards club and still ranks third in team history. He was a two-time conference all-star in 1980 and 1982, and found his way to the endzone with historic regularity.

Peter Haile ’22

A er graduating from SMCS, he a ended Queen’s University, enrolled in the prestigious Smith School of Business program. Haile gained admission into the commerce program a er spending time as an arts and science student.

During his rst year, he balanced the demands of being a varsity athlete and serving as an equity ambassador for Queen’s University. Drawing upon the knowledge and experiences he gained at St. Michael's, he actively contributed to improving the Queen’s campus environment. ese e orts paid o when Haile secured a summer internship as a real estate corporate banker at CIBC.

In September 1968, several young men, many born in the year 1954, entered the ‘hallowed’ halls of St. Michael’s College School. Fast forward 50 years to the fall of 2022, more than 30 of the original 150 classmates pictured in the 1973 yearbook showed up at the school’s renowned Turkey Roll & Reunion.

“It's important to note that failures have accompanied every victory I've achieved,” says Haile. “ ese setbacks have ultimately strengthened the foundation I established at St. Michael's.”

Securing our Future by Giving Back –Opening Doors for Future Mathematicians

by mathematical explorations of their own design, a chance to play with a community of their peers. Math camp!”

Both Ode e and SMCS hope that the opportunity to a end math camp will kickstart a lifelong interest in mathematics for students.

is past year, Grade 10 student Shiyu Zhang '25 is taking his passion and aptitude for math south for the summer. Zhang adds his name to the SMCS history books as the youngest Fr. Maurice F. Whelan, CSB Award recipient.

When Ode e and Ga ney established the award, they wanted to ensure that the recipient would receive funds to assist with registration fees, tuition, board, and travel costs associated with their chosen programme.

In 2015, thanks to the generosity and vision of Lou Ode e ’69 and M. Ellen Ga ney, long-time benefactors to SMCS, the Fr. Maurice F. Whelan, CSB Award was established.

e award serves to recognize and honour Fr. Whelan’s many years teaching mathematics at SMCS by allowing a mathematics student to a end a summer residential math programme typically between his Grade 11 and Grade 12 school years.

e late Fr. Whelan, CSB taught Ode e twice during his student days at SMCS, in Grades 9 and 13.

“SMCS provided role models for giving back, particularly the members of the Order of St. Michael,” recalls Ode e on his impetus for giving back. “It's an important award because a student interested in math should have an experience of how mathematicians do math, to evaluate their options for a career in math. is award is meant to make that experience available.”

e goal behind the award is to encourage strongly motivated students to explore the creative world of mathematics in-depth in a supportive community of peers, counsellors, research mathematicians, and visiting scientists.

“Maths, to me, evokes the joy of play - fun and voluntary, and with a big role for the imagination. And math is not isolated problem solving, but shared social exploration,” says Ode e.

“ e Fr. Whelan Award gives a student the freedom to be inspired

Zhang a ended a three-week residential programme at Columbia University from June 26 to July 14. Columbia, well-known for its academics and, being a research centre, is exactly the opportunity that the Ode e and Ga ney wished to provide a St. Michael’s student.

Ode e and Zhang will have the chance to meet face-to-face in the fall to catch-up and discuss this unique opportunity.

If you are interested in creating a speci c experience for a current student, we invite you to contact the Advancement O ce to discuss the possibilities: advancement@smcsmail.com.

Kimberley Bailey, Director of Advancement, presents the Fr. Maurice F. Whelan, CSB, Award to Shiyu Zhang

In Memoriam

John “Bud” Douris ’50 passed away peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre on Saturday, December 3, 2022, in his 92nd year. He was the loving husband of the late June Douris, and will be sadly missed by his companion of 22 years, Marion Mather. John was the beloved father of Christopher (Diane), Mark (Ruth Anne), Jacques (Caren), Catharine and Kelly (Gord) and a proud grandfather of 12. He was predeceased by his sisters Ann and Joyce and brothers Ma ’51, Bill ’54, and Drew ’53. John had a rewarding career as a teacher, and he thoroughly enjoyed many years of retirement.

Michael James Sheehan ’51 passed away peacefully at ARCH with his family at his side on Monday, December 20, 2021. Loving husband of Linda (nee McQuain) and devoted father of Colleen (Greg), Kathy (Eddy), Erin, Terry (Lisa), and Michaela (Ma ). Michael was also a loving grandfather and greatgrandfather to many. He was predeceased by his parents, Dan and Jessimae Sheehan and his siblings. He was the heart of his and extended family, who looked to him for guidance and were comforted by his strength and faith throughout their lives. Michael had a great sense of humour and was an outdoor enthusiast who loved camping, shing, and hunting.

Remembering Stan MacLellan ’55

In the Summer 2021 Blue Banner paid tribute to Stan MacLellan ’55. Recently, his daughter, Cristine Donovan, shared memories of her father. “Anyone who knew Stan knew that he was a determined and creative man, constantly seeking new challenges. He thrived on being busy, improving situations for others, developing his business career, contributing to charitable organizations, mentoring young and old, being loyal to his friends, especially deeply loving his family and participating in his Church community. One of Stan’s greatest contributions was to the Fr. Henry Carr Farm and the Basilian community.” Stan’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of so many, including his family, friends, and the SMCS community.

Gerard (Gerry) John Patrick Scallen ’55 passed away on September 25, 2022. He is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Mary Helen. He was the loving father of Mark (Maggie), Stephen (Denine), and Greg (Talitha), grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a passion for sports, played and followed hockey, but cheered for all the teams his family supported. Spy novels brought him great joy and were read and reread. He was devoted to the Church and lived his faith by donating his time, clothing, and food, particularly to support people who wanted to improve their lives and situations.

Daniel Michael Bourke ’56 passed away on May 19, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Margaret and the loving father of eresa (Ian), Carol (John), Michael (Caroline), and Laura (Roy). Daniel was the cherished grandfather of Adam, Ma hew, and Nicole, Beverly and Emily, Sarah, Andrea and Kaitlin as well as a proud grandad to his eight great-grandchildren.

James Francis (Frank) Kielty ’56 passed peacefully on January 12, 2023. A proud husband to Mary Patricia, father to Brendan, Patrick (Silvia), Kevin (Patricia) and John (Mapi), and grandfather, Frank was supportive of every life endeavour his family undertook. At St. Michael’s College School, Frank excelled at sports, especially football, as quarterback of the city champion, Kerry Blues. His hockey success led to many years later co-founding the St. Mike’s Old Timers hockey club. He would wish to pay the highest tribute to the order of Basilian priests, the educators who were an enduring in uence in Frank’s life.

George Michael White ’57 died peacefully on February 11, 2023, at the Civic Hospital a er a one-month illness. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Julienne; children Micheline (Fraser Cole), Christine (Andrew Goss), and Desmond (Catherine White); grandchildren; and sister Mary Ellen Grenier. He a ended St. Michael’s College School and studied engineering physics at the University of Toronto, where he met Julienne, an arts student. ey married in 1964 and lived in Calgary, where he completed his PhD in physics before moving to Dublin for a postdoctoral fellowship. George died as he lived - in the powerful embrace of his loving family.

John Joseph Stanislaus McRae ’59 was called by God to eternal life on April 27, 2023, at the age of 87. John is survived by his beloved and treasured wife of 47 years, Susan Rose, his brother Michael (Tricia), his sons John, Joseph, Peter, Ma hew, Mark, and daughter Virginia, son-in-law Frank and his daughters-in-love Susan, Jeane e, Amy, Natalie, and Kristen. He was also a blessed grandfather to 14 grandchildren. John was a gi ed athlete, a lover of the lessons of hockey and golf, and a proud St. Michael’s Man.

Karl Popow ’68 passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the age of 73. e Tweed, Ontario resident will be remembered by his son Ma hew ’03

much. Mourning his passing are his brothers, Stephen and Michael and his sisters-in-law, Margaret, Kumiko and Robin, his cousin, and his many nieces and nephews.

Kevin Joseph O’Sullivan ’76 passed away suddenly on January 25, 2023. Beloved husband of Jacinta (nee Kelly) and devoted father to Aidan and Conor. Kevin was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Rita O’Sullivan, and his brothers, Michael and Gerald. He is survived by his siblings Brian (Ginny), Maureen (Joe Mulcahy) and Shawn, as well as his 14 Canadian nieces and nephews. Kevin will

Joseph (Joe) Graf ’73

September 28, 2022, a er a lengthy illness. roughout his life, he was a devoted son to his parents, Stephen (1998) and Maria (2021). Joe is survived by his wife, Lori, of 44 years, and his beloved children, Christina and Rene, Ma hew and Jennifer. His grandchildren, Claire, Rohin, Ravi and Adam and his two cats, Toby and Taz, will miss their Papa very

uninterrupted years with them and Lorraine before his passing.

who told them the best bedtime stories, and who constantly supported them in anything and everything they sought out to do. Next to his family, Michael’s passion was his school, Jarvis C.I., where he was the proud principal for the past 10 years.

of 58. He is survived by his mother, Helen; his three elder brothers, Frank ’76, Mike ’78 (Erica), and Dan ’79 (Julia); his younger sister, Mary Ann (Mark); and many nieces and nephews. Tom earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and followed in his father’s footsteps in working with the London Life Insurance Company. He went on to spend time in the wine, beer, and spirits business and most recently worked in the golf industry, which was a true passion for him. omas will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him.

Ra aele Albano ’93 passed away on February 17, 2023, at the age of 48. He will be forever missed by his loving wife, Giulia and was a devoted and proud father to Luca and Emma. He will be held dear in the hearts of his family, relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours near and far. Ra aele is now reunited in heaven with his parents Carmine and Lidia, and his fathers-in-law Nicola and Germano. He will never be forgo en by his mother-in-law, Maria, his sister Antonella (Giuseppe), brothers-in-law Joseph, Frank (Denise) and his nieces and nephews.

Cosimo Bagge a, grandfather of Jack Bagge a ’28; Dr. Victor G. Bethune, grandfather to Josiah ’23; Delko Blazanin, grandfather of Delko ’23 and Ante ’25; Ramona Caporicci, mother of Leo ’21 and Gianluca ’24; Shanyn Cashore, grandmother to Maria (SMCS sta ); Maria D’Angelo, grandmother to Sarah (SMCS sta ), great grandmother to Christian ’22 and Noah Skalnik ’25; Anica Dejak, mother of Michael ’71, Frank ’73, and omas ’77; Lino Di Iorio, father of Elio ’89 and Anthony (1989-1992); Pauline ‘Polly’ Dunford, mother-in-law of Paul Fitzpatrick ’95 (SMCS sta ); Noreen Findlay, wife of Frank Findlay ’52; Caroline Kawa, sister of Lucas ’08; Maria Lombardi, grandmother of Alessandra (SMCS Sta ) and Stefan ’21 and omas ’21 Cosentino; Vi orio Panza, grandfather of Joseph Luongo ’10; Jaroslav Petruck, grandfather of Mitchell Petruck ’12; Anne e Po er, grandmother of Benjamin Po er ’23; Wallace Robson, grandfather of William ’22 and Trenton ’24; Luigi Rovazzi, father of Frank ’77, Massimo ’77, and Paolo ’88; George Sapp, grandfather of Bryn McLeod ’23; Anna Salvatore, grandmother of Guiseppe Tropea (SMCS sta ); Joan Schmidt, wife of Ted Schmidt ’57; Susan Christina Sweeney, mother of Eugene ’81 and Peter ’82, grandmother of Robert ’06, Peter ’07, Patrick ’08, Daniel (Kearney) ’10, Niall ’11, and Declan ’13; Michael Yates, father of Andrew ’20.

Loving God, we ask that all our alumni and their families who have departed this world may rejoice in Heaven by your side. May all our souls be united once more in the a erlife.

Eternal rest grant unto our deceased alumni, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

BLU E BANNER

St. Michael’s College School Alumni Magazine