Circular No 899

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 26 January 2019 No. 899

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Dear Friends,

I would like to clarify and remind you about the CODE numbers and letters that are listed at the bottom of each photo. You are invited to suggest corrections.

The first two numbers have to do with the year when the photo was taken,

The next two letters belongs to the author of the photo. When I get the photo sent to me, these would be the initials of the person in the photo, but when I use Facebook to fish photos then I use my initials. LK. I also use LK when I take the photo myself.

The next four numbers have to do with a sequence I  invent or a number that Facebook uses.

If the next two letters are FB, it means that it was taken from Facebook.

Following FB, if there is FB, the next three letters are the initials, first letter the initial of the first name; then two letters for the surname

When there are only two individuals on the photo, I repeat the before written sequence.

When there are more than two individuals I use the three letters of the principal person where the photo is going to be filed, and add GRP.

Sometimes the CODE ends in WFE = wife, GRP = group, EDIMSB = buildings and others

I hope you will help me if I have the wrong person or wrong CODE.

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Caracas, 28 of March 2002.

Dear Fr. Augustine

I am resending my 1 of February email to you, since I do not know if you have received it. There has been no communication between the Monastery´s computer and our group or in that case with me. Please send us a short note indicating if you are well or any news that you might want others to have.

1 of February 2002.

This is the first time I write to you since my visit to TT. The visit brought back good memories and as you see in my lines written for msb oldboys and the web page there is a movement to inquire about old friends and classmates.

Your Guava Jam was very good, I left some for the Vaughan family!!!.

I am glad to have been able to meet you and have the conversation, I am sorry that the time was short and that I could not exchange all the ideas that were in my head as I was being escorted by the friends where I stayed, and I did not want the take more of their time than would have been excessive.

By now you must have read several of my circulars. I hope that you like them. In my addressing system I still do not know how to separately address the circulars so that Fr. Benedict would get his personally and Fr. Cuthbert but some day. I write to all of you with the same kindness.

I would like to get the address of Fr. Paul and Fr. Francis, whom you said to be still living and in a retreat house. Of course if there is an e-mail it would be good and if you could send some lines for those dead, the year, where, and how, that would be interesting. I remember you answering to my questions but my hard drive was full and cannot reproduce your answer for my circulars.

I am including the general list of msb students, I am sure you can add some more and eliminate those that were not. I shall keep you informed if new ones appear. The biggest problem is to find out the Form V graduation year because of the Hi C  and other additional courses that were given after the Oxford and Cambridge exams. Maybe Mrs. Markus can help with the list that she worked on. Do you show her the circulars???. How can I get an access to her year listing???. Don Mitchell who visited you last May told me that Fr. John offered the listing and photos from Fr.Bernard??  Maybe you can follow up.

I am in constant contact with Dr. Isaias Farcheg whom you know and he send his best greetings.

I need a two-line information on those that have been in contact with you during these last years. Many of us have lost contact with others and are curious.

Has there been a book of magazine written about the mount, outside the Jubileum issues?? It is interesting that when I was in TT I have heard promotion to visit the mount in a radio station but no information appears in the internet??

This part is new: I hope that you are well and that you get my circular every week. The circulars are for all of you although I do not address them to anybody in particular. My system does not allow this.

God Bless

Ladislao

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Roland D'Abadie is meeting with Anthony Barclay and Annette Barclay.

20 December 2017 · 

Treasure Island, FL, United States · 

Chilling in "Mel".

Spent three lovely days with Tony and Annette, visit to Blue Springs to view the amazing clear blue green waters, variety of fish and numerous manatee that gather in the river this time of year.

Today we drove to Port DeSoto, Judie had her walk on the beach while I got my rod out and cast to the uninterested fish that were frolicking in the bay.

A visit by a blue and white heron was an unexpected bonus.

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David de Verteuil "Baje".

We live in Ancaster, Ontario and have two daughters and a son.

After 37 years I finally hung up my rugby boots and took up fly fishing and golf.

I have worked mostly in the graphic and printing industry and have started my own company as a Broker.

(I have him in my list as: RIP 2018, please someone confirm. Ed)

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Robert deVerteuil

Monday, December 17, 2007 9:54:50 AM

Hello Ladislao

I have been reading with interest the various reports and comments reported recently in your bulletins regarding the 2007 Reunion.

I did not attend the function mainly because I heard (or read) about it only a few days/weeks before and had already committed to another gathering on that date.

Anyway, I recall that the planned event sounded very impromptu and casual and not a formal meeting of the MSB Old Boys especially those from my era (’55-’58).

This I mentioned to Gordon Mitchell prior to the date.

I can endorse a lot of what Jon and Don have said in their ‘reports’ and most certainly the fact that I would undoubtedly feel a total stranger amongst a group of MSB boys who were there 15-25 years after me.

I was away from Trinidad from ’58-’67 and after that the Mount was just buildings on the hills that I passed twice a day on my way to eke out a living in Arima.

My memories are confined to those I met there, co-students, foreign and local, priests, sports, scouts and general activities.

I recall hearing that MSB had become a drug rehab center at some point.

Mentally, I may have switched off from the goings on at the Mount from then on.

As time went on, I always enjoyed an impromptu gathering to those of my era to relate happenings and especially the function held in POS when Manuel visited.

As said by others, your bulletins are what seem to hold the Old Boys together, albeit in a somewhat fragile manner.

I say fragile because most of the contributors or those mentioned are, or seem to be, from the pre or circa 1965 era with a few into the ‘70s and precious few after that.

The listing you sent me some time ago has over 500 names on it of which about 20% have email addresses.

I cannot add or update addresses unless they are sent to me or are shown in your circulars. (Incidentally, the list contains only 2 ‘deVerteuil’s both of which I added.

Maybe your mailing list has the other umpteen!).

So, where were the other hundreds on Re-union day? The local committee needs to find them.

Surely, Don, David Bratt and I were not the only one’s missing.!!!

Enough!

Keep up the good work you do Ladislao with the publishing of the circulars.

I do enjoy reading them and on the very odd occasion, hearing about those who I knew and now live and work in far off distant places.

Regards

Robert deVerteuil

(PS I was away for 10 days hence the mail bounce back.)

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What’sApp:

Toddy enjoyed the El Dorado  Neal Charles how are you

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: I hope Toddy is selling his doubles machines. Is Winston retired or still trying to be Rothschild? I am doing well thanks, still trying to spend my kids inheritance

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: I will knock on you door very soon ...my calaloo soup almost there  You doing that 5 ,yrs

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: U got that right

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: Did u experience heavy rains in Orlando

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: No, heavy winds But we had no problems in our neighbourhood

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: God heard your prayer

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: He heard my wife's prayers I am a hedon pray for More wine  I wish the rain would turn into wine

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: Then you will find your calling  Then I will retire  Nice to reconnect buddy we expected some more guys at MSB  Fr Cutty received a Dutch style funeral lots of rain

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: I said that So many old boys in Trinidad  and such a small turn out  Including Big head Colm,if I happen to see that asshole in Trinidad, I hope he has his buddy guards around Winston,u can afford to jump on a plane anytime and come visit me.so don't start no shit now

11-09-2017   Ramsahai Winston 99: Acting PM at least it's first fur Abbey School

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: It's a disgrace u mean

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: It's long overdue just have an El Dorado

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: Let's tell everyone he went to CIC,that's where he took his A levels

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: If you were acting PM maybe the same

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: So book your damn ticket  and get your ass in Orlando

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: Yes Sir  Call me anytime 774-4999

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: If I was Pm or acting, I will call your ass at 3am

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: That my Bandit hour  Don't call 3-7 that's my siesta

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: To give u a contract to kill all the niggars that causing trouble  I call me anytime I am as free as a bird have my Home number  Winston, stopped your shit and retire  the world and enjoy the short time we have left  If u don't want to see the world. Then come see me and some of the old boys

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: See you soon my scout word

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: U know I hold u that. Going to take a shower and get my ass to bed. I give u one month

11-09-2017 Ladislao: If he does not go can I replace him, haha. I might work up a reunion

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: I was out in the porch sipping on some Hennessey Le Parradis,I will save u some. its $1000 a bottle 

My kids don't drink so have enjoy it

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: Anyone  that gets into politics Will become corrupt. Money talks...bullshiit ...walks.just be a

Business man make an honest dollar,I am not rich..but I enjoy life.  I don't have to worry about someone trying to kidnap or kill me.

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

14LK9957FBMDV, Mark de Verteuil

18UN0012FAU, Fr, Augustine 2018

60LK0001FAUTAS, Fr. Augustine 1960

14LK1342FBJKA, Jean Kalideen, Past Secretary of Fr. Augustine

Circular No 898

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 19 January 2019 No. 898

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Dear friends,

Here is a nice chat between Don Mitchell and Bernard Fontaine.

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soincabf@gmail.com

Oct 19, 2017 at 6:14 PM

Hi Don:

Yes, it has been 53 years since we graduated at Mount, being almost 3 generations that we have not seen each other.

As I remember you, you have a very positive attitude and are able to manage, with great spirit all obstacles caused by mother nature with a smile, with Maggie`s always supporting you after so many years of marriage.

You have no restriction on working and/or sleeping hours in adjusting your hours to solve adversities the best way as possible.

But in Anguilla you find all medicines and food required without long waiting hours and lines to obtain the basic living requirements.

In Venezuela, many areas in Caracas and in the interior, there are constant electrical cuts for hours and quite often days; the same with water; you have to eat what you find at a very high costs for citizens whose income is only in Bolivars.

Two months ago we decided to move to Porto, Portugal, where fortunately, we find everything you want from US, France, Germany, Portugal, Swiss, Italy, etc. in great abundance.

We plan to stay 3 years; my son in Boca Raton, Florida, is calling me to get a green card in USA; it is too early to know if we will move to the US because the cost of housing and living in Portugal is a lot cheaper than in the US.

If you get a chance to come to Portugal you are welcomed, both of you, and visit us in Porto. The Portuguese have been extremely cooperative and kind with us;

Flor, my wife, is already belonging to a chat group of latinoamericans from Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, etc. and she is extremely happy up to now.

Our 14 year old daughter is at the Porto British School and she loves it.

Well Don, am very happy to hear from you and hope to see each other before we turn 75 years old!

Good luck and be happy,

Bernard Fontaine

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From:  Don Mitchell

Sent:  Wednesday, October 18, 2017 4:22 PM

Hi, Bernard,

How good to hear from you.  It has been about 55 years, has it not?

There is no problem in Anguilla with water. 

What distinguishes Anguilla from Puerto Rico and Dominica is that nearly every house has a substantial cistern under the house.

We have no connection to the public water supply.

We have two large cisterns.

All our water is caught on our two roofs, including that needed for the garden and the swimming pool.

With water, no matter how bad the hurricane damage, you can always have a shower (even if the water has to be dipped from the cistern and headed upstairs) and that guarantees you will feel human.

Without a plentiful supply of clean water, you are barely human.

Without water, I think I might join the looters in the Virgin Islands myself. 

Since the Hurricane, every morning at about 6:00 AM, I dip six buckets of water from the house cistern and take them upstairs for the days use.

All my life I have woken up at about 3:00 AM to head into the office.

Now I go downstairs with a torch or flashlight, light the kitchen candles and do the washing up.

Maggies deal with me is that she cooks (dirties the dishes) and my job is to clean the dishes (all our cooking is done on propane gas).

Now with the hurricane, I choose to do the washing up at 3-4:00 AM in the cool of the morning.

Then, I go out and sit on the veranda by the pool and talk to the 4 dogs while I finish my pint of coffee and breakfast for an hour or so.

Then, I go back upstairs to bed for an hour to listen to the morning news on the radio.

We considered buying a generator after Irma took out the electric grid.

Many of our friends have done that.

Some have gasoline powered ones (very, very noisy) and others have diesel powered ones. One or two even have solar powered generators.

After Hurricane Luis in 1995, we acquired a gasoline powered one.

The experience was so awful that we swore never again.

The noise when it worked gave me a constant headache.

The misery of having the generator repeatedly go off for no reason at all, and the frequent unanswered calls to technicians to come and get it working again, will never be repeated.

We are perfectly happy with a couple of bags of ice a day to cool our salads (and my beers and Maggies wine) in our picnic coolers.

We have our e-readers to keep us busy in the evenings (while sipping our wine and beer respectively) until it is time to go to bed. We hardly miss the electricity.

That is why I am so content waiting until the electricity grid is repaired.

Most of the built up area of Anguilla, The Valley, is already restored.

But, we are at the end of a rural connection, and expect to be one of the last to be restored, probably early next year.

Our house suffered only minor water damage, but our Guest Shack had several windows and doors blown-in, and has to undergo substantial repairs, mainly to doors and windows.

I have suggested to Maggie that next year she should take her European holiday/visit to her siblings in the UK and Europe starting on or about 1 September, and keep away from the West Indies for at least 6 weeks.

I shall stay behind to feed the dogs, peacocks and tortoises, and fend off any looters. That is the most likely period for major hurricanes.

Attached is a snapshot of me with my Afghan scimitar waiting for any looters :-)

Keep well.

Don

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From:  soincabf@gmail.com

Sent:  Monday, October 16, 2017 5:54 PM

Good afternoon Don:

I am astonished that after so many years living in Jamaica you have no water nor electricity for months caused by mother nature that hit your islands with Irma, Maria, etc. hurricanes.

You will probably have to buy a small power plant for electricity and collect water from the rain in addition to process sea water to have normal water.

The Israelis are very good in this field!

My wife and 14 year old daughter migrated from Venezuela, for at least 3 years, to Porto, Portugal.

The daughter is studying at the Oporto British School and I am trying to survive with the US stock market.

We all have some good and bad times and migrating at our age is hard but Venezuela is everyday getting worst and insecure.

The Portuguese are extremely kind and helpful, thank God!

I am very glad that Maggie and you only suffered material damage, as well as your family.

Keep well and kind regards,

Bernard Fontaine

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From:  Don Mitchell

Sent:  Monday, October 16, 2017 3:41 PM

Dear All,

Many thanks to all who have been inquiring after how Maggie and I are surviving.  We are fine, but without electricity for another few months.

Thank heavens we all build with cisterns under our houses. With water, you are human no matter what happens.  Without water, you are a mere dirty animal.  That is what is so piteous about those poor Puerto Ricans and Dominicans.

I have a ton of Circulars of Ladislao´s to post.  They will be going up in batches.  Here are the first three:  https://abbeyschool2017circulars.blogspot.com/ 

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CLASS 1960 members

Baichoo                      Patrick Egan

Boos                            Nigel

Brown                         Vincent Wayne          RIP

de Marothy                 Kristof

De Matas                    Francis

de Verteuil                  Daniel

de Verteuil                  David                         RIP

de Verteuil                  Maurice

Galt                             Randall                       RIP

Galt                             Richard

Gokool                        Ronald                                    RIP

Gorinsky                     Luke

Gransaull                    Richard

Guildner                     Harry

Herrera                        Michael

Howard                      Michael

Johnson                       Anthony

Kerry                           Winston

Kertesz                       Ladislao

King                            Michael                       RIP

Knowles                     Christopher                 RIP

Lacour                         Louis  

Lee Kam                     Roger

Lorenzo                      Richard

Pampellone                 David

Prada                           Manuel

Seheult                        Mark

Serrette                       Owen

Tang                            Norman

Tang                            Tilson                          RIP

Vieira                          Clyde

von Marothy               Kristof

Webster                      Christopher                 RIP

Maybe you can certify this list?

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What’s App

11-09-2017 Ladislao: Luis Guio lives here in Bogotá

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: The Guio in the 70's lived in Valencia, his mother  is the person that organised the trip for the aqualads in 1972.They had horses and some of us went horse riding on their farm. i went back in 1974 and stayed at Gustavo Tar home and also spent a week in Caracas at The Holmes brothers. Jimmy Samaroo was also spending time at the Guio's home in VALENCIA.

11-09-2017 Coscarart Salvador: There is also another Carlos Guio in canada

11-09-2017 Joseph Habib: Thanks for clearing that up. The Guios that I'm speaking about, went Mount from 1975 - 1979. They would be in they mid 50s by now.

11-09-2017 Coscarart Salvador: Yes The guio Neil is talking about went to mount

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: Yes,I know know Joe.  Guio is the way their name was spelled

11-09-2017 Joseph Habib: Ok. Thanks

11-09-2017 Coscarart Salvador: Yes

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: I know the Guio's  that was in your time  Joe. I had already left mount We had an old boys association from 1975=77 and went there on Saturdays .we had full use of all the facilities. Thanks to Cutty.  We also played volleyball with the flight attendants from BWIA. Johnny Garcia, Poggy, Jimmy,Pig and myself were the ones that had the first old boys association

11-09-2017 Joseph Habib: Bring back those old time days. Let's have  reunion before the world comes to an end. Lol

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: Joe, I tried so fucking hard, I am just fed up  And I know some other of the old boys did also But we have so many old boys that have pussies instead of a dick as they get older  We still have Fr Augustine and Bro Rupert, let's not forget them

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: They played a big role in my time The fucking Canadian guys can kiss my ass. they are all full of shit. Must be the cold that freeze their fucking brain And when I say Canadian, I meant the ones in my time that migrated there

11-09-2017 Rampersandsingh Anand: Like  Who

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: Anand, u probably just know them by name, no big deal. They are not worth remembering

11-09-2017 Joseph Habib: Oh!!! I see. I will talk to some of the guys that live in Trinidad. Hear what they have to say or suggest. There's no more Fr. Cuthbert and was the one keeping us together. Now that he's gone, we have only ourselves. I will be in touch.

11-09-2017 Charles Neil: Anyway. Time for my cocktails. Will chat tomorrow  Joe Berment called me from New York to see how I was doing,my brother was worried about me because of Irma  Salvador is also a godsend. His heart is bigger than most of us I remember when  I went to visit all the priests at the mount after not seeing  me for over 7 years in 1985,I first saw Fr Odo, he was not too excited, then told me Cuthbert was at the yogurt facilities, I went there and he was filling the yogurt bottles. He did not recognize me, but when I told him who I was, he put down every thing and gave me a big hug.  I then saw Fr Benedict, he held my hand right and said....let me pray and bless you. I then went to visit Fr Vincent  who was principal at the time, he knew who I was right away. I spent about 2 hours with him, talking about my time after leaving the mount, we walked the whole school  grounds, and then went down to the church area.  Bernard Lange and Bro Rupert was down at the pool. i stopped there and they were also happy to see me. The pool pump was giving trouble and I offered to donate one, but they said they had it covered.

11-09-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: Happy Birthday to my dear brother

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

15LK4725FBGDIWFE, Garnet Diaz and wife

85LK1384FBWDI, Wbladimiro Diaz

11ND0004NDE, Nicholas de Verteuil

10LK7858FBMDV, Michael de Verteuil