Our condolences go out to his family.

See the  article on John Zigarlick from the Edmonton Journal.

Or you can scroll to the bottom of any page on this website and click on the Picasa icon in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Canadians at a Mexican Wedding

On November 19, 2011 Rodrigo Anaya (SJSA 92-95) wed his fiancee Alejandra in San Juan Cosala (a small town south of Guadalajara located on Lake Chapala).  The service took place in a beautiful church built in 1740.

From the church the reception moved east to Ajijic, the venue was located on a hill overlooking Lake Chapala.  True to Mexican tradition the party carried on well into the night with great food and much dancing.

There were a few Canadian SJSA alumni in attendance (Mike & Kristin Jaskiw, Keith & Barbara McKay and Jay Berg). As well, there were a few Mexican SJSA alumni (Juan Carlos Munoz (’86-’88) his wife Cintili, Juan Pablo Anaya and Diego de Anda).  It was wonderful to meet Rodrigo and Ali’s families and to share in their special day.

Click here to read the story, taken from the 1966 SJCBS yearbook.

Or, click on Stories in the top menu bar.

Enjoy the read.

(A story taken from the SJCBS yearbook of 1966)

“Don’t expect great things from me,” said Dr. John P. Norquay. “I’m not young anymore, you know, and besides you’re using the wrong boats.”

It was July, 1960, and the doctor was discussing the proposed 400-mile expedition from The Pas, Manitoba, to Winnipeg by rowing cutter. The school needed another man for the trip and had approached the doctor. Though over 50, he certainly looked tough enough.

The doctor, a veterinary inspector with the federal department of agriculture whose son was in the school, had agreed to come, but not without first protesting the type of boat then used by the school. The rowing cutters, he said, were ungainly, slow and European.

“What you need are canoes. They are the beautiful craft – long, light, fast and incidentally genuinely Canadian. One of the days you’re going to discover them.”

Having said this, he threw himself into the expedition with all his enthusiasm. It proved to be one of the school’s toughest. He endured mosquitoes so thick in the Summerberry marshes that he boys and men had to wrap towels around their faces as they prepared their camp. On a height above the old Demicharge Rapid, he astonished the crew by hoisting an 80-pound wet tent up a 60-foot cliff to a camp site.

Twice severe storms on Lake Winnipeg drove the cutters ashore, the second time onto the rocks of Wicked Point. Here “Old Doc”, as the boys called him, leapt out of the boat into the surf and helped brace the cutter against the waves as the crew unloaded it.

Each morning he was up before his youngsters, got the fire going and then awakened the crews with the same refrain: “It’s daylight in the swamp, gentlemen.”

When one of the two boats was damaged at Wicked Point, Doc Norquay volunteered to remain behind in charge of a stranded crew on short rations as the sailing boat St. Peter came north to pick them up. The other cutter pushed on and eventually reached Winnipeg.

The cutters, said the doctor later, were better boats then he thought. But he’d still stick with canoes and he thought the school should do the same.

Last November at Winnipeg General Hospital Dr. John Prichard Norquay died of cancer. He was 57. During his year-long illness there had been a pathetic incident.

Unknown to the school, the doctor had moved into a home in St. Norbert on the banks of the Red River. Here for months he fought his last fight. One fine June evening, he lay on a cot watching the old river when suddenly from far upstream he heard singing voices. Within minutes nine canoes appeared before him. He pulled himself to his feet and made his way to the edge of the river, waving his hand and softly calling.

But the wind was on the water and the paddlers didn’t hear. Some waved back but none knew who it was. Moments later they were gone.

They’d missed Doc Norquay’s last salute. But as he beheld those long, low craft, the joyful swing of the paddles, the yellow gleaming in the evening sun and the cross blazing on every bow, he knew at least that the day had finally come. St. John’s had discovered the canoe.

The group included Dave Hunt, Sean Freeland – new students together in 1983, Cam Hawrish – new in 1985, Jay Berg – new in 1992, (these guys are featured in the photo gallery); also Charles McKay – new in 1997, along with Blaine Thauberger – new in 1976, Keith McKay – new in 1963 (SJCBS) and a friend of Sean’s, Fran Tully. (Some pictures shown in the gallery below.)

What are your ideas to continue the ‘living memories”? Send in an idea and get in touch with your classmates to see if any of them want to participant in a new outdoor adventure.

Nancy Wiens

In the early hours of September 13, 2011, Nancy Wiens (wife of founding father Frank Wiens) surprised us with her passing. Nancy was 87, but was still living on her own and determinedly independent to the last.  Nancy along with Frank and Ted and Virginia Byfield began the adventure of the St. John’s  Schools back in 1957. She worked as the school nurse and administrative office assistant.  Along with the school adventure; Nancy raised 10 children and in later years enjoyed her 23 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  In her retirement years she gave her time to volunteer activities in the Selkirk community; as a member of the Rotary Anns, working at the Selkirk Food Bank and the secondhand clothing shop ‘the House of Economy”.  She was predeceased by her husband Frank in May of 2010.

Funeral services will be held at St. Peter’s Parish, Dynevor, in the old stone church near East Selkirk on Monday, September 19th at 3:00pm. Interment will follow immediately in the cemetry.

A complete obituary can be seen in the Winnipeg Free Press

Reaching the Heights 1985

This was the time of year for the “new boy” trips at St. John’s. At SJSA they were generally hiking trips, and the first outdoor experience for most new students.

Reaching the top of that pass was always exhilarating – not to mention a tough go to get there! This photo was taken in 1985 on the Grade 9 hiking trip.

Send us your stories of “reaching new heights”.  Who did you share the experience with?

Click on the title and scroll down to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the photo for a larger version.

Methye Crew 2011

In mid-August several Manitoba alumni and their children tackled the Methye portage. They began at the bridge on highway 955 north of La Loche and traveled on the Clearwater River west to the portage. Yes, that’s right they did the portage backwards.

The weather and bugs cooperated to make it a memorable trip. Included in the crew are; Richard Bird SJCBS ’67, Jim McKay SJCBS ’67, Mike Solmundson SJCBS ’79 and his sons Kyle and Kevin, and Danny Lynes SJCBS ‘ 80.