Circular No 936

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

Caracas, 12 October 2019 No. 936

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Dear Friends,

Here is a copy of the old OASIS bulletin written by Arthur Knaggs in 1983.

It is time again for a new copy of the Bull, this time it is No.8, dated November 1983.

Arthur, I am sorry that I cannot include the beautiful layout and all the newspaper cut outs. You did a wonderful job.

Please send me comments in case you would like to add, delete or modify anything.

This same note is for all ALUMNI, those that want to add to history.

Need information on the ALUMNI that are to be mentioned, I do not have all the email addresses and telephones, or even the wellbeing for some of them.

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Dear Beloved

You must be wondering where I absconded to with all the subscription money, as there has been utter silence since June.

The fact of the matter is that I was on summer holidays (3 month) and then got writer’s cramp from the overflow of correspondence that rolled in; and am now in the throws of changing my job and going back to my old sales field at RNG; having had a year’s worthwhile experience in the “Oil Patch”: No regrets.

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Feelings are neither right nor wrong; it’s what we do with them that are.

In other words, it’s better to be pissed off – than pissed on.

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Well let’s get cracking with the news.

Got a letter from LOUIS LACOUR of Guadeloupe, to whom I apologize for calling Allain (who never went to Mount).

He also has a brother called MAURICE, they jointly run SOCIETE GENERALE D´EXPLOITATION COMMERCIAL (Speciality Tools).

MAURICE is married MARIE-CHRISTIANE and has two sons, LAURENT 15 and CYRIL 12.

LOUIS is married and has ODILE 14, and twins FLORENCE and FREDERICK 12.

His wife NICOLE runs her own insurance business.

He wants to get news on “SWAMI” GALT, “TURTLEBACK” GALT, “GUNK” GOLDING, “KOKY-JOE” BROWN, “GABY” JOHNSON, “PUPSY” KNOWLES, MIKE HERRERA, MANUEL PRADA and MICHAEL KING.

So if any of you know the whereabouts please drop a line.

c/o B.P. 82, Point a Pitre, Guadaloupe, W.I.

He also passed on RAYMOND and MICHELLE VIVIES address, but I have not heard from them, yet.

Louis plays tennis, fishes and hunts, and would like to met any old boys who pass through, as long as they don’t stay.

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Never got JOHN “SLIM” SKINNER´s May letter into the June issue, and he says that “OASIS” revives a host of memories even with the short stay at Mount, somewhere in 47/48.

His son, Robert is married and is an avid Cross Country Motor Bike Competitor.

His Daughter Joy is also married (1year) and hunting for a home in London.

John and Gill are at 54 West Drive, Mickleover, Derby, England, DE3 5EW, so some of you guys in the North Sea can give him a buzz on your days off.

His youngest daughter Alison completed her final exams but has not decided what she is going to do yet.

His hobbies: watching his wife grow flowers.

Does some oil painting and bends elbow at the “PUB”.

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BRIEFS:

Got a thank you letter from PHILLIP NASSIEF of Dominica re our MAY issue.

Heard that PAT GOMEZ, one of the original old boys of Mount, (somewhere in 1943) has unfortunately lost a leg.

Our prayers for strength and courage in his recuperation are needed.

I don’t have his address but would like it.

Got a splendid update in June from STUART HENEDRSON, 75 Vernon Joseph´s, San Fernanado Trinidad as follows:

JEOFFREY GRANSAULL is a pilot with BWIA and was owner / skipper of a yacht that recently won the Tobago Race.

BRIAN LEWIS designed the Gulf City Mall at La Romain, with first ever Bowling Alley for Trinidad.

HARRY LAUGHLIN who owns his furniture business, is rated No. 3 in Local Squash. ROGER GELLIZEAU is No. 2.

RICHARD ANDERSON runs his own landscaping / gardening company.

JEAN DE MEILLAC is in the Real Estate business (recently had one of his houses up for $ 8.000.oo per month rent, can you imagine!!!)

MICAHEL AMES recently left Texaco and opened an engineering workshop in the Oil Belt.

Hear, MICHAEL FARAH who is also in the furniture business, held a “Late Sixties” Fete, long hair, beads and flowers. Would like ton hear more of this.

CHRISTOPHER (PUPSY) KNOWLES is “beering” up, and an ardent bowling fan. Perhaps Louis can contact him at the Pelican Inn.

GERALD (JINX )ANDERSON works at Chas McEnearney in San Fernando selling Ford’s no doubt.

RANDALL (SWAMI) GALT, lives near Stuart and still plays his week end cricket. Should we call “the Oval”?

JEFFREY CAMACHO has a hamburger business “Around the Savannah” and is doing very well.

FRANLYN (STONES ) KERRY runs his old man’s Quarry al Wallerfield.

BENEDICT HUTTON still playing golf (at his age?), Treads on his carpet business.

DAVID BRATT is a doctor at the P.O.S. General. That guy got patients.

RICHARD FARAH is the Manager of Claude Noel, ex-middle weight boxing champion.

STUART also advised me that Mr. TOM (of the sport’s field) died about 2 years ago for those of you who didn’t know.

Thanks, Stuart for all these “briefs”, much appreciated, and it makes my life easier. Would like some addresses to put these guys all on the mailing list.

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Got a super $100.oo donation to the OASIS from PHIL POLLONAIS for which we give grateful thanks.

Phil´s letter is fine, outlined the recession that Trinidad was in at that time, and from all accounts it has not improved since.

The entire economy hinges on the Oil Industry, and Governments´ indecision on Taxation has virtually brought the Island to a standstill.

But on the lighter side Phil has 5 boys and one princess.

His eldest son Ross has just completed his second year at University of Miami, and is doing International Law, and may move to Barbados to do English Law.

He is trying to get his next two sons to University in Port Hope, Canada; perhaps we will even see them out here in the Atlantic.

They could use the summer Offshore jobs with the experience they got from Dad.

He still loves the life in dear old Trini, even with all the hastle.

He says GORDON & DAPHNE VILLANUEVA has twins (boys) after 21 years of trying – way to go.

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Albert Knowles, 82 Long Circular Rd, Maraval, wrote to give me Christopher’s address.

He also let us know that Fr. Vincent COMPTON “Copperhead” is actively involved in Marriage Encounter.

He is Parish Priest of Point Fortin.

Anthony Bolo Krogh is a quantity surveyor with Ellis and Borde, Saddle Road, Maraval.

ESMOND LANGE, who was with Dowell in Norway, has now moved to 3 Creekview Close, Rossmoyne, Western Australia 6155, in August.

He passed on the addresses of JON GOLDING and MIKE (Donkey man) KENNY.

Wish you good luck and hope to hear from down under when you get there.

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Got a letter from ABBOT VAN DUIN, with news of the Canadian Jamboree that Fr. Cuthbert attended, so I hope to get some more details when (Cuthie) writes. YES?

Fr. Abbot continues to suffer greatly from good health and great happiness and sends his love and prayers to all the old boys.

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STEVEN WEBSTER´s letter of July should really have been published in this issue, but, it has been withheld to protect the innocent.

He still plays Tennis at St. Augustine Club where many old boys continue to lower the tone of the place.

The Hendersons, Vernon De Lima, the Farinha´s (two generations) and many wild tribesmen, Costellos from the Valley, etc.

His brother, Richard, is with Home Insuranse (N&M) he is also active in Marriage Encounter.

He has three girls.

CHRISTOPHER and PETER WEBSTER are with Trinidad Oilwell Services.

He also gave me LAWRENCE MACAULAY´s address, Phoenix Eng. Ltd. Point Salinas.

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Shared some wonderful memories and times with LEARY O´CONNOR in July, frolicking amongst the Rocks, Forests, Lakes and Seashore of Nova Scotia.

He has a wealth of memories to share and ad made a world tour of visiting “Old Boys” all over the globe.

Was wonderful having you with us. Love to all.

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PHILLIP, have you got QUINTIN SCOTT´s Address in Maracaibo??

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RON LAMBKIN of Hunting Drilltech, Box 134, San Fernando writes to accuse me of only waiting till issue No. 7 to get him on the mailing list, but he went to Mount so long ago that even I forget.

Ron is now a paid-up member to year 2000, GOD SPARE LIFE.

Thanks for your trust in me, and your confidence in my health.

Ron has 4 kids. Joanne is married and lives here in Halifax with one grandson.

Gary is with Rabco in South, married with one girl, and one on the way.

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Wayne is also with Rabco, but no kids yet.

Rick is a commercial Pilot and shaping up to build his own airplane.

Ron worked for years with Philip & Andrew Scott before the business was bought out.

Phillip, as you know is operating in the North Sea.

Ron & Baba had planned a honeymoon cruise to Orlando in September, but I have not heard yet how it went.

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The secret of Happiness is not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do.

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Got the most wonderful prescription in August, from Dr. TYRONE SOODEEN, his life history, which has gone into C.I.A. files (Correspondence from Interested Abbeyboys).

Tyrone left Mount in 1953 to go to CIC, and then to Leeds in U.K. for his M.D..

Worked in San Fernando then in Winnipeg and Vancouver before settling in the Fraser Valley.

Married with 3 daughters (18, 15 and 12) is Encountered and has tested the Charismatic.

All well and happy at 3441 Doulyn Ave, Abbotsford, B.C. Canada V2S 4W6.

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My most cherished correspondence is from my old friend PETER GAFFNEY, who philosophically writes of the old rogues whose memories have stirred his past and cast doubtful aspersions on his future.

He has crossed paths with many of the Mount Mafia; ADRIEN ACHE, PHILIP SCOTT, the O´CONNORS, etc.

He has three sons, two in English boarding school (15 & 13).

His eldest is still a Scout and likes camping, mountain climbing and parasailing.

His 10 year old is a Cub, and his wife Tessa a Cub Mistress.

So hat’s off to Fr. Ildefonse for the early grounding of the father of these bright lads:

Peter, remember (oh, too vividly) our famous bicycle ride around Trinidad.

What a host of experiences.

He asked about MICKY MCCOY, but the last I heard was that he was with Aeronautical Research at Cape Canaveral, but that was many years ago.

Peter, I cherished your insight and reflections on life before and now in our little island and understand and appreciate your disillusionment.

When you are looking at Trinidad from a distance you get a completely different view, which residents (being so tied up and occupied with their local problems), fail to conceive.

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A wise man makes more opportunities than he finds.

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Some Knaggs News,

My sons, Derek and Edward ¨(hidden) winning the “Float” race in Dartmouth with Dad’s designed “Fun Boat” (Two truck tubes and a sheet of Ply board).

Derek was recently the recipient of his Chief Scout Award and St. Mary’s University. See Photo attached.

My daughter, Anne-Marie, graduating from the Convent of the Sacred Heart, and now attending St. Mary’s University, taking Commerce.

There are quite a few sons and daughters of Trinis and Mounties at St. Mary’s.

Ian Shoul´s and Gordon Lang’s daughters are there.

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ANSELM BRUNTON has certainly moved up in life, and feels that the present Mount Students do not enjoy the same atmosphere that we had in long past days.

He sees LAWRENCE MACAULAY now and then at Caroni.

Amselm and Vilma are married 23 years and have one daughter 7 at St. Xavier’s Private School in St. Josephs.

They just returned from a trip to London, where he revelled in the history of that wonderful old city.

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Bro. RON YEE-MON wrote in September to get some addresses in Florida for a trip hen planned there, I sent them off and hope he was able to contact some old boys on his trip.

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My latest letter from EARLE KAYNE, in October, was the one that jolted me back into the realization that I was very much behind in my correspondence.

Thanks Earle. So here I am once more.

Earl is heading for his 20^th Anniversary at 39 Glengarry Cress, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada. T8A 3A1 and works as Parts Mgr. for WAYAX (Equipment Dealer not unlike TRAC MAC).

He compares Calgary to the easy going life of Trinidad, although things have been very quiet there (as in Trini).

Just had a new addition to his family, white and small, only 4 legs- Hot Dogs!

Still plays tennis, squash and racquetball.

He did not give an update on the quantity of kids, only the quality, outdoors, sporting types.

Earl does a lot of camping, but in Hotels.

He hears form ANDREW SCOTT in Houston off and on.

He meets WLLIE STONE and IAN WITTET, once in a while.

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So this one was a very long one, hope you appreciate the efforts of Arthur Knaggs.

Those that are not getting every Circular please let me know as I made changes to the way I am mailing these and even some of you might have been left out.

Please ask your friends if they are getting this Circular, if not tell them to write me.

God Bless

Ladislao

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list do not hesitate and subscribe

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Photos:

19JB0001JBE, UNKNOWN sent by Joseph Berment

17LK2263FBAKNWFE, Arthur Knaggs and wife

04LL0001LLAFM, Louis Lacour

83SW0001SWE, Stephen Webster