Circular No 825

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

Caracas, 26 of August 2017 No. 825

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Dear Friends,

Emails follow.

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De: "Cecil & Liz Ince" <shadowlawn@sunbeach.net>

Fecha: 14 Jan 11:20 (PST)

Dear Ladislao:

I have been receiving your e-mails regularly.

I am interested to read them I belong to the l948/49 years - as a day-boy from ARIMA where I lived.

I went to work at l6 at Huggins & Co - as an office boy.

After two years, I joined BWIA - transferring to Jamaica l954 - Barbados where I have lived since l956 - with a transfer to Guyana and Antigua during l965-68.

Arthur Knaggs persevered for years with another newsletter - OASIS - but I think he eventually gave up some years ago.

I could supply, from Memory, some names of my contemporaries at Mount.

PAX/UIOGD.

Sincerely

Cecil

CECIL I

P.S. In l969, I joined a small Travel Company here of which I was part owner. Since then the Company - Foster & Ince and its associates have grown nicely.

I am retired (200l) but stayed on as Chairman in what is now a fairly substantial service supplier to cruise ships.

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From: Stuart Monplaisir <stumon@yahoo.com>

Subject: Camping Hell

Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2003 16:44:34 -0400

Ladislao

I have forgotten the badge for which we were trying to qualify and the name of the place where we were to camp.

Fr. Ildefonse dropped us off west of Tunapuna at the base of some mountain. We were to climb to the top and pitch camp there for the night then the next day we were to find our way to the area around Tunapuna while collecting information for an accurate map of the route that we took.

The instructions were that we were to camp on the very top of the mountain not down on the side somewhere. When we got to the top we found that it was bare of any vegetation but grass and part of it was rocky. We debated whether to pitch the camp down from the top a bit where there was less rocky soil but we were afraid that Fr.Ildefonse would find out, so we camped at the very top.

There were three tents one modern and two were vintage World War II, or maybe even WW I, heavy canvass things which had snap fasteners at the top. One was used for the storage of the equipment and food. Some guys slept in the other old one and we were in the newer one.

That night it turned cold, the wind started to blow and the rain came down in buckets.

Suddenly there was someone trying to open our tent and in piled the rest of the group.

The snap fasteners on their tent had become unfastened in the wind and the water had drenched them. Make room, don't touch the tent... too late, in came the water.

Needless to say it was a miserable, damp, cold night, worrying all along whether we were going to get struck by lightening.

By morning the storm was over. However, the storage tent had also opened up and any extra clothes were wet.

We broke camp and proceeded to map our way down an old road carrying the extra weight of the wet stuff, grumbling all the way.

We drew our maps got grilled by Fr. Idefonse and got our badges, glad that we didn't have to do it all over again.

Stu Monplaisir

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From: Raymond Devaux <raydevaux@netscape.net>

Date: 10 Dec 14:22 (PST)

Dear Ladislao,

I am in Florida now but will be going to Montreal on December 18.

When I will be in Montreal I will give you the date that I graduated (Senior Cambridge Certificate at that time) it is a long time ago, sometime in the early 1950's, but I will check the date on my certificate.

I know Richard and Leary O'Connors who were at MSB during my time, are they the one's you are referring to in your e-mail?

They live in Australia and I have their e-mail address in Montreal which I will forward to you when I get there..

I do not know Driver nor Anthony Lucky.

Do you know Arthur Knaggs? He is also one of my generations and he has a lot of contacts with the boys of our time. If you wish I can also get the information as to how you can contact him.

I do not know anyone on the circular that you sent Alain, but it is interesting.

What year did you graduate a MSB.? (ed. 1960)

Best,

Raymond

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On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 20:25:41 -0500, Raymond Devaux wrote:

Dear Ladislao,

You sent a message to my brother, Alain Devaux, saying that you are looking for myself who attended Mt St Benedict in the nineteen forties and also for my other brother Patrick Devaux whose e-mail is: (patrick.devaux@chubbsecurity.com) or (pdevauxchubb@hotmail.com).

Alain Devaux also attended Mt St Benedict in the nineteen fifties.

Unfortunately I do not know any of the people that you mention in your e-mail but I would like to hear from you.

I live in Montreal, Canada during the summer months and in Ft Lauderdale, Florida during the winter months.

Best,

Raymond Devaux

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From: "Raymond Devaux" <rdevaux@attglobal.net>

Date: 1 Jan 12:30 (PST)

Subject: Happy New Year

Dear Ladislao,

Thank you very much for your card which I only received today because I did not open my e-mails since I left Florida for Montreal on December 18.

I also wish you a very happy year 2004 and a lot of good health.

I looked for my Cambridge certificate but I am unable to find it, however, I believe that I graduated in 1950 or 1951. I do not remember too many of my class mates. Some of them are: Dr Hamelin, Desmond Rostant (Died a few years ago), Phillip Nassief from Dominica, Leary & Richard O'Connor, now living in Australia, Crompton DuBoulay from St Lucia. It was a small class of about 12.

Others who were also in form 5a or 5b were Arthur Knaggs, now living in Halifax, Phillip Scott (Also died), Trevor Evelyn (who was a very fast short-run runner), Ronney Lambkin (now living in Halifax), Peter Ferguson.

As you can see we were among the first students at Mt St Benedict.

I remember I loved mathematics and therefore was very close to Fr Paul who taught maths, I was the first and only student at the time to take higher mathematics at school.

I also became a King scout under the guidance of Fr Ildephonse.

I saw my brother, Patrick, who told me that he was very happy to have received your news, he told me that he left in 1960 so he knows many of the people that are mentioned.

I do not have pictures since at that time cameras were not too common. I do have one when we were in Tobago, sitting in the back of a open small jitney with Brother Anthony and a few students. I will try to find it and send it to you.

Well, Ladislao, thanks again for the news from The School and please keep in touch.

Best regards,

Raymond Devaux

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Hi Las,

Keep up the good work. While it is great to see the number of old boys coming under one roof, it is unfortunate that very few see it fit to write about all the crazy exploits that we as students under the watchful or not so watchful eyes of Fr(s). Bernard, Augustine, Gregory and others would get up to.

While I would admit that not every day was a happy one, the memories that I have of MSB today are lasting, and looking back were enjoyable.

I remember the hikes to white stones and continuing on to the old Monastery on Mount Tabor, playing in the scout band and the long weekend camps in Mayaro. As Sparrow would say, school days were happy! happy! days.

Hey Manuel remember the scout band, may not remember me, but then again many should.

I was the most miserable young student together with Gordon Mitchell (young boxhead), where did you get that name from? that loved to "terrorize" the "big boys".

It was hit and run, run like you never ran before, because when you got caught, God help you. Cut ass for days.

I remember playing in the Mount band as a drummer, dressed in either white, or scout uniform. With the scout hat on my head, and drum at my side, I was invisible. 

Manuel was head drummer at the time, with others like Daniel de Verteuil, Roger Ames, Nigel Boos, and others whose names I can't remember at this time.

At that time, the Mount band was the best in the island, no other scout troop had a band. What do you expect! We where the best.

Something else always fascinated me. Where did all the nick names come from? how where they derived?  But then that might be another story, maybe one for you Don? or Chris? Wayne?

Robert.

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04-05-2017 16:12:08: Ladislao: Please notice Gabe and Toddy, Remember Winston, that I wrote to you that Frank will repay the loan, the cost of the ticket as soon as he is in TT. There is an exchange rate difficulty when purchasing in bolivares Frank asked me to write this to all that have helped with the loan.

04-05-2017 23:55:59: Mt Ramsahai Winston 99: BOX FOOD WAITING TO BE COLLECTED IN GUIRIA

05-05-2017 00:11:58: M Coscarart Salvador: What happened with Frank?

05-05-2017 07:12:54: Ladislao: Frank is in Margarita.  Going to TT to buy medicines. Will pick up boxes on return

05-05-2017 21:37:56: Ramsahai Winston 99: Welcome Jimmy Samaroo Gabe Faria and Toddy Ramsahai paid for Frank Malaver ticket to Trinidad from.Venezuela.... Frank is coming fur medicines Abbey Boys .....Thank.You guys God Blessings

06-05-2017 10:40:14: Ladislao: Friends, would anyone send thru this media the reservation or authorization code for Frank Malaver flight from Margarita to Trinidad?  The ticket was purchased according to Winston Ramsahai but it has not possible to locate it at the airline. The flight is for Sunday 7.

06-05-2017 12:50:49: Ramsahai Winston 99: It's standard procedure ....once paid the airlines airport counter will see the ticket once he shows them his passport .....Frank also have contact with airlines We used this information

06-05-2017 13:11:54: Farias Gabriel: Winston, all I did was make the payment to the travel agents account, did they actually issue a ticket?

06-05-2017 13:19:12: Ramsahai Winston 99: Transaction completed Friday, Navaroo close on Saturdays Ticket will be issued on Monday ... informed Ladislao accordingly Reservation issue resolved ......enjoy Tobago and we look forward to meeting Frank and connecting him with Dr Bratt, and others as arranged by Ladislao

06-05-2017 14:05:03: Kenny Azizul: Hey Ram quick question if the reservation is approved then he just has to go to the airline counter and show his passport and they are suppose to pull up the reservation

06-05-2017 14:51:35: Ramsahai Winston 99: Yes issue resolved .......when are you coming TT met Allen in airport this morning  my El Dorada seal open May 17- 20 unavailable

06-05-2017 14:53:42: Kenny Azizul: I think may 27

06-05-2017 14:58:54: Ramsahai Winston 99: Good will connect Joe. Faria,  Jimmy Ian , Garth, Yunnus, Ross, and others ... there is ranch in Piarco for blue food plus: Plus Toddy doubles

06-05-2017 15:03:26: Kenny Azizul: Oh my god I haven't eaten ah Trini doubles in Like 2 years

06-05-2017 15:05:49: MRamsahai Winston 99: Soon in NYC we discuss when in TT

11-05-2017 17:12:18: Coscarart Salvador: Arturo .Me han pedido  que por favor no mandes demasiados mensajes . Esto es un chat para los abbey boys y solo para cosas y asuntos de los abbey boys .Por favor comprende. Gracias un abrazo.

11-05-2017 17:15:57: Zavarce Arturo: OK

11-05-2017 19:20:36: Bodington Roberto: Ola Chica. Tiempo sin saber de Uds. A Gordon le escribo pero no contesta. Se que esta ocupado. Saludos.

11-05-2017 19:36:19: Ladislao: Quien es Gordon?

12-05-2017 17:35:41: M Kenny Azizul: Ok

12-05-2017 18:35:05: M Ibarra Frank: Congratulations 🎊🍾🎈🎉

12-05-2017 18:37:30: M Coscarart Salvador: Le faltan dos mas.

12-05-2017 18:37:57: ‪+1 (813) 440-0251: Gracias! Lo se!

12-05-2017 22:04:37: Zanelli Enrique: Felicidades a los dos, Sarkis y Frank...el pxmo fin de semana me toca a mi, nr 4 se gradúa de High school...😀??

12-05-2017 22:05:43: Ibarra Frank: Que bueno, felicidades!!!

13-05-2017 22:40:37: Coscarart Salvador: Sad story but it does happens .

14-05-2017 11:56:26: Ibarra Frank: Happy Mother's Day to everyone!!!!!  Well said!!!!

14-05-2017 12:00:25: Rampersandsingh Anand: Thank you 🙏

14-05-2017 12:02:47: Bodington Roberto: Also remember that all fathers came from a Mother. God Bless them all.

14-05-2017 18:36:45: Kenny Azizul: That's it

15-05-2017 10:43:08: Bodington Roberto: Sera que el respeto a los demas no significa nada para algunas personas?? VULGARES!!!! Read Ahow Hector Tx Respeto a los que creemos que para expresar su opinion no hay que ser vulgar. Te gustaria que tus hijos (tu familia en general), este expuesto a tanta vulgaridad?? Si es asi siento pena por ti. Sorry.

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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:

70UN0001CLASS1975, Class 1975

76LK2844FBDEVAUXFAM, Devaux Family

08LK4502FBJBGRP, Jerry Bain, Richard Johnson and Wilson Salah

13LK7425GMILKE, George Iwaszkiewicz and Ladislao Kertesz