The Ridley Tiger, Vol. 41, No. 3

28 Pages·1991·7.3 MB·English

by  Ridley College

Vol. XXXXI No. 3/Fall 1991
Ridley ‘Tiger
W. Darcy McKeough ‘51
Chairman of the Board of Governors 1986-1991
ee
Vee
Ridley College Association
is pleased to sponsor the
94th Toronto Annual Dinner
Thursday, February 13, 1992
Toronto Board of Trade,
First Canadian Place
Cocktails: 6:00 P.M. Dinner, 7:00) PMC
$40.00 per person
$25.00 per student in Classes 1988-1991 (Note: 40 ticket limit)
All alumni and spouses, current and past parents, and friends of Ridley
are cordially invited to attend and enjoy an evening of friendship.
Quest Speaker:
TIMOTHY H.E. REID OR ‘54
| President of the Canadian Chamber of
| Commerce, perhaps the most influential
_ lobbyist group in Canada today. Tim is a
graduate of the Class of 1954, a former
player with the Hamilton Tiger Cats, an
Ontario Rhodes Scholar, and a lively and
entertaining speaker.
We will also honour Jon Silver who retired last June after 25 years of dedicated work
at Ridley and recognize Mrs. Connie Cosgrove who will receive the Long Service Award in
Recognition of a Quarter Century of service to Ridley.
Join us for a great evening!
Ticket enquiries, please phone the Development Office at [phone]
eo. . Ridley Tiger
Ridley Tiger | 3
Published by Independent Schools Should Lead The Way To Excellence.
The Development Office
We are stressing excellence in every endeavour that we ask of our students.
Ridley College
P.O. Box 3013,
St. Catharines, Ontario By DOUGLAS J. CAMPBELL
[2zRs{Goy Canada
Solely for Alumni, 4
Parents, Friends, Staff and
others interested in the | ?
Soet eal I _ W. Darcy McKeough, The Right Man At The Right Place & Time.
contained here-in may not
be published without
peru Darcy has just stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Governors.
Etdaittoerisal Baoaar d By ROBERT E. STANLEY '47
erek D. Frase
| Donald P. Hunt
| Brian A. Iggulden
7
| Robert E. Stanley
4) Contributors
v
James F. Bryan RIDLEY PROFILES - John Aldham Robarts ‘18
Douglas J. Campbell
Paul E. Lewis
Rick Mauro John Robarts passed away this past June; he was an accomplished Ridleian.
R. Bruce McCarthy
Canon Don Willis
By REVEREND DONALD PUN I
Photography
Derek D. Fraser
Brian A. Iggulden
Rod Seapillati 8
Donald S. Rickers
Robert E. Stanley
Cree ees Hubert T. Mandeville Dinner - December 4, 1991
Mary Bates ; area
Diana Taylor 25 years on the Board; 'T' is honoured by his friends.
Cover Drawing by
Irma Coucill | By ROBERT E. STANLEY '47
Imagesetting by
The Moyer Imaging Service Co., Inc., _—— = 3 aie ae = =
Hamilton, Ontario 9
Printed by
Peninsula Press Limited. — : “ah:
St. Catharines, Ontario Planned Giving # 4 - Charitable Giving With Annuity Purchases
Charitable giving is yet another way in which you can help Ridley.
ByahopRUGEMcGAR TEI G/
Tiger/Fall 1
10
Association Weekend - A Good Time Had By All.
An earlier than usual celebration didn’t keep alumni away.
Poores by ROMS OGAPIRATT Ge BRIA iINEA IGG EDEN G?
12
1992 Mazda Miata Raffle and Impressions of Spring Auction
A beautiful poster has been prepared for the raffle - only 600 tickets available!
Stacey Graham, captain of 1st Team
Field Hockey, shows off the SOSSA
Championship Trophy. Designed by KEITH HILLMER '64 & Photography by ROD SCAPILLATI
14
Jon Silver Retires after 25 Years of Service to Ridley.
Jon has served as Housemaster, Dean of Students and Faculty - a great career.
By JAMES F BRYAN €
15
Founders’ Day and Miller House Opening
John Tucker thought he would lead
Miller House was officially named on Founders’ Day, Sunday, September 22, 1991.
by example in support of the new
hair length regulations.
By ROBERT ESSTANLEY 47
17
St. Catharines Task Force Chose Ridley For Ad Campaign
Ridley was chosen to represent St. Catharines in a newspaper campaign.
By RICK MAURG, VICE PRESIDENT, OE B INTERNATIONAL
20
The drama production this term was
Alumni Notes & Milestones
Jitters by David French. Joel Clark
played Phil, the aging effeminate actor.
2 Tiger/Fall
@ The Quest For Excellence Should
Be Led By Independent Schools
BevOUGlAs we wie
Headmaster
quick review of the history of any
established independent school in
Canada will reveal that their original aim
was to educate the sons and/or daughters
of the gentleman class. Sound minds and sound
bodies in a Christian atmosphere represented an
alternative to the perceived weaknesses of state
education. In those heady days, schools were allowed
to function as independent entities with little outside
pressure and could determine their own curriculum
and direction. The headmaster of the time was an
absolute monarch, or at least a benevolent dictator.
Life has certainly changed! To begin with,
em )covernment direction has resulted in a marked loss of
independence. Perhaps in the interests of “equality of
opportunity”, curricular offerings from the Ministry of
Education have been watered down, and academic
rigor has been lost in the minds of many. You can’t
pick up a newspaper today without finding articles
pointing out that Canada’s competitive position in
Josie Ho ’92 concentrates on her art work in the drawing studio.
the world is in jeopardy because our educational
institutions are not delivering the goods. There is a I sense the need for independent schools to
growing national consensus that accountability and take a stronger stance in the years ahead. The
standards must be applied to our nation’s schools. philosophy and experience of Ridley and others may
Even though we are an independent school, well be a model. It would be difficult to deny that the
Ridley must also adhere to the government imposed growth in independent schools’ populations during
the last ten years has been fueled by parents
curricula if we are to continue to operate, and we are
inspected annually to see if we are conforming. While concerned with providing an education for their
naturally we take every opportunity to broaden and children which is characterized by accountability,
enrich the curriculum, we are faced with the fact that breadth of opportunity, academic rigor and sound
our independence has been greatly curtailed. values. Quite rightly, parents are looking for an
Compounding the problem is the fact that Ontario educational experience that will challenge the
universities do not distinguish between schools and potential of their children. The world of the year
accept students purely on the basis of marks. The 2000 demands nothing less. All schools must aspire
broad-based approach espoused by independent to something beyond the minimum if Canada is to
schools -- while sound and sensible -- is of little keep pace. We must never apologize for our own
consequence to universities when their entrance quest for excellence. We deal with the most important
requirements are based on the best six marks at the and precious resource the world has -- our children.
O.A.C. level and nothing else. That is a responsibility none of us can ever take lightly. @D
Tiger/Fall 3
W. Darcy McKeough ‘51
The Dual Chairman
ex Oleianl ile, . SIVSUNikea e
Director of Development
he last decade has been one of the most One of Darcy’s contempories tells a story that
historic ten years in the history of Ridley speaks volumes about him and Ridley. This young
College. Ridley has been twice blessed man. was new at the school and he needed sports
during this exciting period to have had W. equipment and asked Darcy, who was a prefect, if he
Darcy McKeough as the Chairman of the 2nd could open Mel Brock’s sport cupboard for him.
Century Campaign from 1983 until its successful Darcy gave the boy the key with instructions to get
conclusion in our centennial year, 1989, and, also to what he needed from the cupboard, sign the book
have had him as the Chairman of the Board of and bring the key back to him. The boy came back
Governors from 1986 until his retirement in with his equipment and remarked that he couldn’t
December of 1991. believe that Darcy would let him go alone to the
Mr. McKeough’s association with Ridley sports cupboard. Darcy replied, “that’s the way we do
College started in September, 1945 when he entered things at Ridley.”
the Lower School. He played an active part in many Upon graduation from Ridley, Darcy attended
areas of school life during his Ridley jg the University of Western Ontario
career. Foreshadowing his public and graduated with a BA in 1954.
life, Darcy was the president of the He soon entered the business world
Speakers’ Club for three years and and the political arena. His business
the winner of the Dr. W.H. Merritt career is far too extensive to
prize for public speaking at Ridley. recount here, but suffice it is to say
He was the first student editor of that he has served as Chief
Acta. When the changes the new Executive Officer of Union Gas,
editor introduced were not met Union Energy and Redpath
with overwhelming approval from Industries and presently holds 12
all segments of the Ridley family, he Directorships in Canada and the
commented tartly, “Our opinion is United States.
that while at Ridley the boys are Darcy’s political career
died-in-the-wool radicals, but when began with him being elected to the
they leave Ridley, they promptly Chatham City Council where he
become sure-fire conservatives”. served as Chairman of the Finance
The Right Man n the Right Place
Darcy was a stalwart in the Committee. In 1963, he was elected
at the Right Time
Dramatic Society playing a number to the Ontario Legislature, holding
of leading roles. One of his most memorable was that numerous portfolios in the governments of John
of Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Ernest. Robarts and Bill Davis. His most senior posting was
He revisited this role to the delight of all who as Treasurer and Minister of Economics and
attended the gala opening of the Mandeville Theatre Intergovernmental Affairs where he was arguably the
in May, 1989. To cap his active Ridley career, Darcy best Treasurer that the Province of Ontario has ever
was a school prefect and an officer in the cadet corps had. In 1987 he was appointed Chairman of the
in his final year. Canada Development Investment Corp. (CDIC) and
4 Tiger/Fall
he held this position until recently, when we was
@ven: Chairman of the Harbourfront Review.
During this active business and political
career, Darcy married the former Joyce Walker of
Toronto, daughter of David Walker, a cabinet
minister in the Diefenbaker administration and today
a retired senator after 25 years in the Upper House.
The McKeoughs have two sons, James and Stewart,
both graduates of Ridley College during the 1980's.
In 1978 Darcy joined the Ridley College
Board of Governors. Three years later he was made
Vice President and on July 8, 1983, following Terry
Cronyn’s memorial service at the Chapel, Mac Irwin
Darcy presided over the opening of the 2nd Century Building with
asked him to accept the chairmanship of the 2nd
Kitty Miller and Jeremy Packard on May 7, 1989.
Century Campaign. His vast network of friends in the
upper echelons of the Canadian business world, and it worked. The success of this campaign was due to
coupled with his highly respected political reputation, the efforts of many dedicated members of the Ridley
made him an ideal campaign leader. College Association but the campaign would not have
The inaugural campaign meeting, chaired by been so successful if it were not for the leadership, fund
Darcy, was held in the Union Gas board room on raising abilities, and the tireless efforts of the Chairman
September 26, 1983. Henceforth for the next six of the 2nd Century Campaign.
years, monthly steering committee meetings were In November 1986, just as the 2nd Century
held, first in the Union Gas board room and latterly, Campaign was moving into high gear, Darcy was
~~) breakfast meetings in the King Edward Hotel. In all appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of
that time, Darcy never missed a 2nd Century Steering Ridley College. During his five year tenure, he gave
Committee meeting. In addition, starting in direction and leadership to both the Board and the
September, 1986 in Hamilton, Ontario, he attended Administration of the School. Always accessible for
the first 2nd Century Kick-off reception followed by advice, and in contact with the Headmaster and the
another 35 from Bermuda to Vancouver and from administrators of the school on a near daily basis for
Florida to St. John’s, Newfoundland. the past five years, he provided focus, motivation and
Darcy literally made thousands of phone calls encouragement to us all. He introduced a number of
and wrote hundreds of letters during the campaign. procedural changes in the operation of the Board of
He took donor prospects to breakfast, lunch and Governors. All committee minutes were circulated to
dinner. He solicited individuals, families, the members of the Board. Fewer executive
corporations and foundations. He attended cocktail committee meetings were held allowing more issues
parties, theatre nights, and he even performed on one to go before the full Board. Committees started
occasion, as mentioned above. Darcy presided at reporting to the Board at different times of the year
special dinners, sod-turnings and the official opening on a rotating basis rather than all committees
of the new 2nd Century Building. It was the most reporting at a marathon and exhausting annual fall
ambitious and successful fund raising campaign ever meeting. The result of the above was arguably the
undertaken by a Canadian independent school and best informed and most involved Board of Governors
raised $15,050,000, $ 8.5 million for the “state of the that Ridley has ever experienced.
art” 2nd Century Building, $5.9 million for academic Continuing with Don McFarlane’s (his
and bursary endowment, and $600,000 for expenses. predecessor) initiative to develop a closer relationship
During the campaign ‘What’s a Million between the staff and Board members, Darcy contin-
QM Keoust’ was always announcing we were a million ued to appoint faculty to all Board committees. On
a head of the most recent total. If we were at $7 million numerous occasions he entertained many faculty
Darcy was saying “nearly $8 million” — no doubt an members for dinner when he and Joyce were in town.
old political technique to keep the money rolling in He initiated the Board, Faculty and Graduating Class
Tiger/Fall 5
Burgoyne House recognizing a St. Catharines family
who have been benefactors of Ridley for four
generations. The swimming pool was officially named
the Staples Pool in recognition of Al Staples’ 39 years
as swimming coach. On Founders’ Day this year a
plaque was unveiled naming the residence outside the
Chapel entrance Miller House, in memory of Ridley’s
first Headmaster John Ormsby Miller and his wife
Katherine. Two other plaques that will be erected
shortly are in recognition of Wilmot and Janet
Matthews whose generosity made the Matthews
Library possible; and a plaque to recognize Col. R. S.
McLaughlin whose contribution to the Program for
Excellence campaign built the classroom block above
the Library. Three masters, Sid Bett, Gwyn Morris and
Terry Cronyn, who all contributed much to Ridley’s
pw Z
Darcy has always invited our senior Ridleians back to the school to
musical and dramatic traditions, fittingly had their
take part in ceremonies or to remind us ofo ur roots. Here with Kitty
names and dates at Ridley carved on seats in the new
Miller '21 after she unveiled the Miller House plaque.
Mandeville Theatre.
Dinner now held annually every spring. All the Ridleians everywhere can take pride in what
above has helped to promote understanding and has been accomplished at Ridley during Darcy’s dual
strengthen the bonds of friendship between members Chairmanship, not only in additions to the physical
of the Ridley Family. plant and in fund raising, but perhaps in the long run
In the post campaign period Mr. McKeough and more importantly, in friend raising.
has not rested on his laurels but has presided over an On behalf of all the members of the Ridley
extensive building and renovation program. Kenyon family — thank you Mr. McKeough.
Lett House has been built and is now occupied by the
Headmaster, Douglas Campbell, and his family. TERAR DUM PROSIM @®D
Renovations to the stem of the 'T' in Gooderham
House have provided more girl boarding spaces. The
old Headmasters’ residence now houses the House-
master of Gooderham West. School House has ceased
to exist as a residence and houses the Guidance,
Academic, Development and Business offices. The
old ‘Pest House’ has been converted into Ridley’s
newest residence, Governors House, for Middle
School boys.
Darcy has been very aware of, and eager to
preserve, the history of Ridley and to recognize the
contributions made by individuals and families to the
school in the past. He had the Great Hall portraits of
Board Chairmen and Headmasters restored and
re-hung in chronological order. The one missing link
was Dr. N.W. Hoyles, Chairman of the Board for a few
months in 1900. Darcy found a portrait of the missing
Chairman at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, commissioned
a copy to be made and hung it in the Great Hall, thus
completing this valuable historical record. The newest
During the Centennial Celebrations, Jeanne Sauvé, the Governor
residence in the Lower School Building was named General, accepted an invitation to preside over Prize Day. Darcy
accompanied her to the podium after the academic procession.
6 Tiger/Fall
» RIDLEY PROFILES
BY REVODONA Libs seins:
John Aldham Roberts 1901- 1991
Reals
“Those souls that are the symbols of
detachment are the leven of the
world.” - Baha'u'llah
ohn A. Robarts, an older cousin of the former
Premier of Ontario, was a native of Waterloo,
Ontario, where he was born in 1901, but his
family was living in Port Arthur (now
i : Thunder Bay) when he entered Ridley College in been named “Hand of the Cause of God”. It was the
1916. His school years were unremarkable in that he responsibility of these people to inspire and
was neither an outstanding scholar nor athlete, but encourage Baha'i individuals and communities
he must have earned the respect and affection of his around the world, and he continued in this work on a
fellows, for he was elected first Vice President of the world-wide basis. John and his wife, Audrey, returned
Ridley College Old Boys’ Association in 1939. By to Canada in 1967, and became active with Canadian
that time he had already founded his own company, Native communities in the Yukon and Northwest
The Overhead Door Company of Canada, and had Territories. He was known in some of these
moved on to the executive level of the life insurance communities as “Wolfs Tooth”.
business in Toronto. It is perfectly obvious that John Robarts’ life
It was not, however, in the ranks of business was one of complete and unremitting devotion to his
that John was to make his primary mark on the chosen faith, and one is struck by the energy and
world. In 1938 he became a member of the Baha'i steadfast courage with which he faced the social
faith. In 1948 he was elected to its national opposition which he must have encountered. One of
governing body and remained with that organization his Ridley friends commented, “I feel his existence
until 1953, when he and his family moved to South contributed more to the World as a whole than many
Africa. (His three sons had already attended Ridley: of our more prominent Old Boys”. Very few of our
Aldham '45-'47, Gerald '46-'49 and Patrick '49-'50). eraduates have attained the world-wide recognition of
In South Africa he continued in the insurance John Robarts, very few have worked as hard for the
business, and became a promoter of racial equality cause of world peace and understanding, and very few
and strove for closer relations between the black and have been as actively devoted to their religion as he.
white societies. He helped to establish a Baha'i John Aldham Robarts died in Rawden,
community, and for opening Bechuanaland to his Quebec, on 18 June 1991, in his ninetieth year.
faith he was honoured with the prized title “Knight of Memorial services were held in Baha'i communities
Baha'u'lla”, and was appointed to the highest rank of across Canada and around the world. Ridley has cause
the Baha'i faith, joining twenty-six others who had to be proud. We honour his memory.
liger/Fall 7
The Hubert T. Mandeville Dinner ¢@
let IRICMBI SIE Vel. SAAMI: 407)
Director of Development
'T’ is congratulated by Peter Gooderham '44, Dick Meech '40 and Terry
Scandrett '61 after his remarks.
n December 4th, the eve of the 1991 College and his wise counsel as a member of the Board
Annual Meeting of the Board of of Governors for the last 26 years. 'T' responded in his
Governors, a group of 'T' Mandeville’s modest and self-effacing way, reflecting on his years at
friends held a dinner at the Toronto Ridley and regaling his audience about his exploits
Club, to honour him for his contributions to Ridley with an illegal car he and his classmates shared in
College over the past quarter century. their final year at the school. On a serious note he
Seldom have so many distinguished Ridleians returned to the theme he is best known for among
been gathered together to honour anyone. Seventy Board members — endowment. He challenged Ridley
people attended the dinner, including 'T’’s brothers, to start another capital campaign to raise money for
Peter and Michael, three Ridley Headmasters and six endowment alone — $30 million was the target he
Ridley Board Chairmen, past and present (see photos). suggested!
Darcy McKeough was the chairman for the Mr. McKeough concluded the evening by
evening. Jere Packard, Bob Stevens '44 and Richard asking the Reverend Donald Hunt to lead all the
Bradley spoke briefly about 'T'. One common thread guests in singing the first verse of the Ridley Song, in
in all their remarks was the generosity of 'T' to Ridley honour of 'T' Mandeville.@D
Five former Chairmen and the present Chairman: L-R: Darcy The Headmaster and his two predecessors were also on hand to
McKeough, Mac Irwin, Don McFarlane, Britt Osler, Bob Stevens, honour 'T', L-R: Doug Campbell, Richard Bradley and Jeremy
and George Hendrie pose for a rare photo opportunity. Packard.
8 Tiger/Fall