Circular No 187

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. Caracas, 4 June 2005. Circular No. 187
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Dear Friends,

An email from a great guy.

Unfortunately!!! he retired from work happy Germany to contagious laziness of Spain.

I hope to hear from him someday again from the sunny Mediterranean shores.
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From: CJakobszen@aol.com
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2002 14:08:01 EST

Hello Ladislao,

First of all thanks a lot for having sent me various "Mount" circulars.

I've enjoyed reading every one of them and now I would like to participate more actively in the MSB circular mailing.

If you wish I can also send you in the near future a short rundown of my activities since I left Mount (1957) and since I left Caracas (1975).

I have had, of course, contact to various Mount boys during all these years, and as I had been flying over regularly to Caracas till the year 2000 (when my mother died).

I've had the luck to be able to meet personally many of my old and closest friends as Urbano de Fedak, Azier Atela , Isaias Farcheg, Ricardo Figuera, Roberto Lipavsky, Pedro Castro etc.

Now that I haven't been travelling to Venezuela for a couple of years this new communication method is in a way an excellent substitute to keep in touch with the old gang.

Besides that, now I'll have more time available for personal pleasures of this kind, first of all because my children have now become independent; my daughter Christine, 25 got married in June and my oldest son Gabor, 31 has set up his own company in Budapest and my youngest son Peter, 29 graduated from the University of Heidelberg.

Secondly, I'll be retiring at the end of May 2003 and right after we'll be moving to Spain, (next to Valencia) where we had bought an apartment some years ago.

I am closely following with anxiety the daily happenings of Venezuela and am very worried about what the future will bring.

Over here it's no cake walk either but nothing comparable to what you're having over there.

I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year and please count on me for the future.

If you have any kind of "collective e-mail address list" of the Mount boys I'll be much obliged if you send it to me.

Un abrazo

Csaba

(Would like to hear from you again. Ed.)
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From: CJakobszen@aol.com
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 15:00:11 EDT

Hi Ladislao,

First of all thanks a million for your constant and substantial flow of good calibre "MSB Information"

I appreciated it a lot and sorry that up to now I didn't have time to contribute to it.

As far as that goes, on one of the lists you have "Joel Blandin" RIP ???

Unfortunately I can confirm that.

Joel Blandin died in Poitier, France where he had been for a long time export manager of the chamber of commerce; at that time, I had been in close contact with him.

As far as I'm concerned I'll be going off-line as far as this e-mail is concerned on Tuesday, June 10, as we're moving for good to Spain.

As far as I get an e-mail connection I'll let you know.

Cheerio till then

Csaba
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From: "Csaba Jakobszen"
Date: 10 Nov 05:27 (PST)
Subject: online again!

Hello Ladislao,

At last I'm online again!

As I had let you know some months ago it had been our intention to move to Spain for good and we'd bought an apartment in the vicinity of Valencia more than 6 years ago.

Now, thank God, we are finally here and enjoying fully the benefits of this subtropical climate which cannot be compared to the weather of central Europe.

I am actually in a kind of a "pre-retirement" stage and will retire officially in May 2004 when I'll be 65 years old.

Right now, my wife and I are pretty busy with all the changes we want to realise in the apartment, but in a month or two we should have most of these things done and then I¡¯ll have more time to engage in more frequent communication with you and the "Mount boys".

As far as personal achievements go, I can brag about the fact that in August I've also become grandfather as my daughter Christine bore a son!

Postal address: Apartado de Correos N¨¬ 122

E-46220 Picassent (Valencia)

Phone: +34 96 117 5109

Mobile +34 627898511 or +34 627024049

I'll be very grateful if you start sending me again all the circulars which you do so well and with which you contribute so much to help so many of us to re-establish contact with so many dear old friends.

Un abrazo

Csaba
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From: Csaba Jakobszen
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 11:00 AM

Dear Ladislao,

I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in spite of all the adversities you are having locally at the time.

Thank you for your beautiful Christmas Card with music and all; I could open it without any problem.

Please keep up the good work with the Mount Boys' Circular which you are doing so well.

I'm sure that it has helped to re-establish many old friendships among the old MSB bunch.

As you published my message of late, Ian Cope, of whom I hadn't even heard since 1957, saw my address and we started corresponding: this is just great.

I'll also write Maroth de Marothy whose e-mail address I found in your Circular.

Un abrazo muy fuerte,

Csaba
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From: Csaba Jakobszen
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2004 8:58 AM

Hello Ladislao,

Sorry for the delay to answer you regarding this picture; I'm flying to Germany today to attend the baptism of my grandson.

As soon as I'm back (coming Wednesday) I'll send you the names (of the ones I know) appearing on the picture.

I know the names of most of the boarders.

As far as other pictures go, I have one of the Class of 1956.

I¡¯ll get it scanned and I'll send it to you in the coming weeks.

Wish you and your family a happy New Year and good health.

Un abrazo

Csaba

(Need the picture!! Ed.)
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Dear Csaba

I am glad that you have been able to correspond with your friends.

I would like you to help me with the class photo, please place names on the faces.

Also send me photos if you still keep any for the bunch.

How about the scouting days. Badges??

I hope we can keep on going thru 2004.

Have a prosperous and healthy new year.

God Bless

Ladislao

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From: Donald Goddard
Sent : Sunday, January 11, 2004 8:36 PM
To: "Csaba Jakobszen"

Csaba,

What actually happened was that just before I called, lightning hit next to my house and knocked out my computer cable modem.

I noticed that my emails would not go out and after checking I realized what had happened. It took me a couple of days to replace it.

Christian and I occasionally bombard Urbano, Manual and Peter with dirty jokes.

Manuel and Brian answer and sometimes send the ubiquitous anti-Chavez news.

Even though I copied Peter De Morvay here I believe that his Lasmo email address has changed since I haven't heard from him lately.

Every so often we hear from Urbano but he's always travelling and/or is too busy working so we don¡¯t hear from him as much as we would like to.

Fortunately, Ladislao keeps us updated with the Mount boy newsletter.

Un abrazo,

Donald

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From: Csaba Jakobszen
To: Donald Goddard
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 1:04 AM

Hi Donald,

Thanks for your call of the other day and your e-mail.

Must have been a hell of a sandstorm when you called as the e-mail you'd mentioned arrived 2 days later.

I¡¯ll answer you in more detail when I get back from Germany as I'm flying up to Frankfurt right now for 5 days to attend the baptism of my grandchild.

Just got an e-mail from Urbano; he is at the time in Caracas.

Un abrazo

Csaba

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Hola Csaba:

First of all, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2004.

I would like to apologize for my late reply, and today I'm finally getting around to answering my emails from over two weeks ago.

I'm glad that you sent me this e-mail because your last address didn't seem to be working.

We are all just fine here in Baton Rouge and decided to stay home for the holidays this year for the first time in five years.

We had been rotating between Miami where my daughter Daniela lives and Colorado where my wife's parents have a ski place.

We live at 120 Seyburn Dr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808.

My home phone is 225 766.2243 and my office phone at Louisiana State University where I work is (225) 578.4538.

I sure hope that during your visit to the USA next year you can stop by for a visit.

We have a small guest room for friends that visit us.

You are probably in contact with Brian and Christian, but just in case I've copied them here so that you'll be in touch with all of us.

After you've settled into your place in Valencia we may come to visit you.

I sure envy you since I would also love to retire in Spain.

However, for us most of Europe and in particular Spain is way too expensive.

For this reason, I occasionally play the lottery and the powerball to see I can win a few million $.

If this ever happens you'll surely have me as a neighbour the next day.

By the way, you just beat me by a few months since I will also be a grandfather in January or February since my oldest daughter will be having a boy.

Well, Csaba best wishes to all.

Un abrazo,

Donald

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From: Csaba Jakobszen
To: Goddard, Donald ; Goddard 2, Donald
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 12:06 PM

Hello Donald,

Have you received this e-mail of mine in November??

Please reply

Best regards

Csaba

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Hello Donald,

First of all I wish to let you know that at long last I am online again.

We moved in June from Germany to Spain and since then we are fully enjoying this mild Mediterranean climate.

The move was naturally no cakewalk and we are still in the process of renewal, i.e. of adapting our apartment to our requirements.

This is no easy task here as you have to be chasing the electricians, the plumbers, etc etc and beg them to do something for you.

The reason for this is that at the time there is a construction-boom in Spain as they have never had before.

They are raising over 800.000 houses and apartments per year and the prices are skyrocketing (Thank God, we bought our apartment 7 years ago as we could hardly afford to buy something at the actual price level.)

Anyway, in a couple of weeks we should be finished with all this and then we can hopefully start to relax and to plan the trips we wish to undertake.

(Right now we couldn't undertake any trips anyway, as I am not officially retired as yet but am classified as unemployed in Germany until May 2004 when I'll be 65 years old and therefore I should be permanently in Germany.)

Next year, most probably in the late summer or in autumn we would like to make a big calibre USA - Canada trip to visit Nova Scotia, where I haven't been since I left Saint Mary's University in 1963, then Windsor (Ontario) and Detroit area where my cousins live and then most probably New York, North Carolina (to visit David Ames), Cleveland (Hungarian friends) and Houston (to visit Bill Groeschel whom you surely remember from PLC and with whom I've always been in touch.

He also visited us with his family in Germany) AND naturally I would also like to see you after all these years.

Please send me your phone numbers (home and office) as with the move to Spain a couple of things have been misplaced and I can't find the e-mail in which you'd sent them.

I hope you'll keep sending me all the corny and not corny jokes; I really enjoyed some of them very much and passed them on to other friends.

Un abrazo fuerte to you and your loved ones

Csaba

P.S. The big change with me is that since August 16, I am grandfather. Asi que mucho respeto !

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REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUE, 50 WORDS PER YEAR, OR SEND A CHECK ANY U.S. BANK to my address:
Ladislao Kertesz
Apartado 69072
Caracas 1062A Venezuela
For those that prefer this way to cooperate with the Circular and the expense that this generates. It is 52 issues per year.
God Bless
Ladislao
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Photo: By Bodington, file 0002d2, 0002d3. I am sure nobody remembers those numbered in the photos.
Not even those that are in the photos, like Farcheg, Lipavsky, De Marothy??? I have not had any communication from them for years. Please I need your certificate of wellbeing.
Look us up at http://www.theabbeyschool.com, an all class msb web site.
Look at www.paxabbey.com for information on the Monastery, Mt St. Benedict.
For those that want to communicate with the web, use, webmaster@theabbeyschool.com
Send information to: Ladislaokertesz@hotmail.com if you would like to be in the circular's mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include. Telf. 0 (212) 263.5346 Caracas.
Use kaviacion@cantv.net or kertesz11@yahoo.com for photos as I leave enough storage space for these.
Please note: you may have missed some of the circulars, if you have not received one every week, do not hesitate to ask for the missing number to idmitch@anguillanet.com
For those that would like to contact me here I include my telephones:
Telf.Office: 58 (212) 263.5346, 267.2416, From: 11:00GMT to 22:00GMT
FAX: 58 (212) 261.0829,

Home: 58 (212) 238.4084. From: 00:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Cellphone: +58 (0416) 612.5695
Remember that Venezuela's time is the same as Trinidad's, -04:00 GMT.

Circular No 186

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 28 of May 2005. Circular No. 186

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Dear Friends,
I am including the Class photo 1964 for those that like to reminiscence on
those free of worry times when our only problem was on what to do on
vacations and maybe think about the results of an exam or two.

From: Jeremy <tobagojo@trinidad.net>
Date: 23 Feb 11:09 (PST),
Subject: Class 1964

Hello Ladislao,
Having a short go (guess) at the Class of 1964. It looks like a snapshot out of 'The Boys on a break from the War -Singapore lets say!' Christ, what a collection!

1 . Russell Cunha, need his email address if he is alive!!!!!
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 . (A) Clarke - Smart guy; Destined to become a doctor. Sat at the back right-hand corner of the Study Hall.
7 . One of those 'Box-Heads' Mitchell - Most likely Gordon 'Alex' [Don't think it's you Don - Alex was always smartest in pose]
8 . Paul Tadros, Lived in Couva.
9 . (Christian?) Gurley [or Brendon]
10. Could be a Tang
11.
12. The American. Good friend of Don Mitchell. [Paul Zeven???]
13. - Can't recall this teacher yet. But must have been a tough bastard to be able to control this lot.
14.
15. Possibly Richard 'Jiggs' Anderson
16. John 'Johnny'/'Bram' Abraham - The Wild bush-man who made 'Brams Den' in the hills & Guitarest, need his email address if he is alive!!!!!
17. (Guessing all this now) The resemblance to John (16 above) places him as his brother. [Some years after leaving MSB, I believe that this person died tragically by drowning while aqua-lunging in the caves in the Northern Hills - Coura/Valencia?!] Need to check 'Bram' on that one.
18. A remarkably cool character.
19.
20.
21. Mervin Assam, need his email address if he is alive!!!!!
22.
23. An ubiquitous Herrera. God knows which one though.
24. (This is a shot in the dark) Coonhow? (South Trinidad) A possible genius of pholosophy, from what I recall. [Applicable to the person in the picture - Not the name indicated if incorrect]
25. Possible Galt
26 T T T T ?????? David Narrine's left hand. [Topping??]
27. None other than 'Nazi'
28.
29. Could it be: The Posing 'El Tigre' Himself? [Reported dead by suicide on Curacao]. Poor fella - A bit overly strung; and was in love with....
30.
31. A short-ass lively head-case out of Pointe-a-Pierre, Trinidad. Can't recall your name bro, but were you a bunch of trouble! Hope you are well and still kicking strongly. (A de Bruin or something!)

Having read what I've just written + the comments added to the 1966 picture; seems that I have an avid obsession with death recall!.

Not so strange how we all became brothers; strange how one wishes to recall their passing.
[Hoping however that I may be at least accurate.]

That's it for now.
Cheers,
Tobagojo
(Jeremy maybe you would like you add information, please advice if you have contacted Abraham? Make reference to the code in the photo. Ed)
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I have added the email address with those that are in contact with me, maybe you can help with those that do not have one.
Your help is needed to locate your friends, you can write me the last known whereabout of your friend and any pertinent information.
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Here is an email from Ann recently about the Circulars:

Dear Ann
I am sorry that the Circular cannot send out weekly issues with class information for those that attended your husband's class group or friends. The Circular is for all mount boys and our work is to reprint the emails that we get.
From my records there has been no article written or photos by your husband, just as there is very limited articles by the 1970+++class. Your husband's age group didn't have prolific writers and since no information ever gets to my desk, I cannot help with news that is appropriate or photos that do not exist. I can only say that this might change in the weeks to come and there might be someone writing who might be of interest for your husband and he might miss it !!!
As to the computer, not all alumni have computers, and in many case those that have one, are used by the wife and have her email address, just like in your case.
God Bless
Ladislao
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Dear Mr. Kertesz,
I have been receiving a number of photos & circulars from you on behalf of my husband, but I should point out that he doesn't use a computer & whenever I show him various pictures, etc. he says that they were of boys who were at school after the period he spent at Mount and so he doesn't know them. In view of this I would like to ask you please to remove my email address from your list.
With kind regards.
(The name was eliminated as per request. Ed.)
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Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 2:23:24 AM EST
From: Shaun <scg1@tstt.net.tt>

Ladislao,
Just thought I'd let you know that a few days ago, one of our Abbey Boys Jean Pierre Tardieu was killed in an auto accident on the Solomon Hochoy Highway.
He was in a car heading to Couva where he worked as a Helicopter Pilot for National Helicopters.
A car heading north lost control and crossed the highway, smashing into the car.
He died later at hospital.
He was 45 and was in a class ahead of me.
The driver was killed instantly.
It is a very sad loss.
All the Tardieu boys were swimmers in the Aqualads Team.
Shaun Gianetti
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Subject: MSB news-letter :: notes June 2005
Date: 6/10/2005 3:05:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Jeremy <tobagojo@trinidad.net>

Hi Ladislao,
Your the greatest as usual.
Here is a new eMail name to you I think.
See if you would like to pop this one up in your next news-letter.
Very Best Regards,
Jeremy de Barry

Extract from eMail in reply to:
Norman Smith nsmith@filmsmith.net
And CC'd to Rafael Echeverria G reglaw@netuno.net.ve

Norman starts with:
Subject: Blast from the past
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 17:05:20 -0400

Jeremy,
It's been almost 4 decades since I've seen or heard from any Mount old boy, (etc).

I would also like to contact other old friends like Roger Ames and Rafael Echeverria ... (email reply body - then..)

Finally, for now; [Sorry Norman - You triggered this one off!]

Two score years, and counting, is a lifetime to many, and the mark to a generation.

We have all done well in our separate ways, scattered as we now are, like pollen in the wind.

We remain forever loose brothers, (You too Rafael) united by our past.

Yes, we were part of a brotherhood.

It was never our choice to be where we were placed, out parents patronage ruling our futures.

Obedient to the times, we sullied to the benefice rhythms of the Mount, to have our adolescence squandered over years, for the higher stake of education.

We learnt tolerance, and found brothers for those who had none; or found brothers to add to family, or to exchange for those who were not in sympathy.

We learnt love and hate and discovered our strengths and weaknesses.

Boredom and apathy were never a part of the fabric of that life; there was too much going on all the time; so much to do; and literally, so many hills to climb.

Moments of introspection, should one fall prey to that aloneness or disjuncture, perhaps on arrival for the start of those long terms, could be soothed by glances into the beckoning background hills, or by steering down the slope and across the distant planes; where on a clear day 'You could see forever'.

But not for long in contemplation, least you got caught napping, as violence could career around the corner, and gears would mesh in you head and legs to implement strategies of escape in quick movement; some new, some old, to avoid 'the hedging' or 'the flushing'; and then you were back in the game of Mount.

In the end we hated few, and loved many.

We were deeply moved as friends or role models came to term and moved to depart from this pediment.

We knew for many, we would never meet again.

And then it was our turn.

With few regrets but hearty goodbyes, we would descend down that ever winding road, taking our last glimpses of arches, bee-hives, battered VW busses, bottle works; and scattered through the trees the Abbey, rest house and guest house.

Then the bamboo way past the seminary; and dropping, through the row of cashew trees, the convent, pool and playing field; then it all disappeared round the bend.

Pax.

Over the years, some would return in pilgrimage; either on their own, with friends, or with members of their families.

Reasons aside, to most who made the journey, there were those instants of queasy excitement, that would rise with the upward journey, and subside surprisingly, to tranquillity on arrival.

And then it would slowly hit you.

As you began to explore; every corner, every angle, every shadow triggered cascades of long forgotten moments.

Each space held its own story.

Then a light sadness and a thin puzzlement would arise.

It was too quiet.

Beyond the saddening realisation that an era and a unique institution had passed into the annals of history; were those jolting wisps of imaginings for the sights of cream shirts, karkie shorts; or white longs, blue yellow striped tie and the ubiquitous crimson jumper or blazer with that vivid yellow pocket emblem; the odd white robe, sashes curtaining a wide black belt; and the animated faces.

Always a spin of movement, to a cacophony of chatter in Trini English, ringing Panyol and broken Patois! Mon Dieu!

Those of us who withstood long internment as boarders of The Abbey School, Mount St. Benedict, would only truly realise this privilege that we had shared, as the years of living slowly stacked to rise in metaphoric counterpoint to the height of Mount itself.

Our schooling was in the main solid.

Our activities had made us tough; even the fat ones were no wimps.

Our ever present hunger, and our trademark of withstanding 3 minute cold showers (and to a timely few of us the simultaneous bombasting of Luongo's bass Cantatas); saw us leave the Mount in sinewy good form.

Most left as young men, not quite as Captains of Industry or Movers of Nations, but generally to be persons of some consequence.

Our psychologies were a little warped and biased to the antisocial and loners at first; coming out of that nest was a new learning curve all by itself.

But mildly structured by a Benedictine benevolence of moral philosophy, together with that wild environment of a multicultural enclave, produced in us an adaptability for survival and an ability to integrate; though painful at times to achieve, that proved in the main, adequate for our lives needs.

We are the Boys from The Mount; that is our mark.

We were few, but what a bunch!

To those of us who occasion to traverse the East-West corridor of Trinidad, we always take a moment to look North, to that range of tropical mountains, with a whimsical turn of mind to that old home, The Mount; creamily pixillated with hints of red orca, to a background of green, on the crest of the distant foothills.

May your Gods be with you my Brothers.

tojo - 10 June 2005

(Good to read twice. Ed.)
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REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUE, 50 WORDS PER YEAR, OR SEND A CHECK preferably from any U.S. Bank, to my address:
Ladislao Kertesz
Apartado 69072
Caracas 1062A Venezuela
For those that prefer this way to cooperate with the Circular and the
expense that this generates. It is 52 issues per year.
God Bless
Ladislao

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Photo: Class 1966 no 150 15

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Articles on Jeremy de Barry and Steelbands:
http://ethnonet.gold.ac.uk/illustrations/ch4illustrations/419panencycl/pro42a.htm
http://www.panonthenet.com/woman/2005/Drjean.htm
http://www.seetobago.com/trinidad/pan/2005/event01.htm
Look us up at http://www.theabbeyschool.com, an all class msb web site.
Look at www.paxabbey.com, for information on the Monastery, Mt St. Benedict.
For those that want to communicate with the web, use, webmaster@theabbeyschool.com

Send information to: Ladislaokertesz@hotmail.com, if you would like to be in the circular's mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.
Telf. 0 (212) 263.5346 Caracas.

Use kaviacion@cantv.net, or kertesz11@yahoo.com, for photos as I leave enough storage space for these.
Please note: you may have missed some of the circulars, if you have not received one every week, do not hesitate to ask for the missing number to idmitch@anguillanet.com,
For those that would like to contact me here I include my telephones:
Telf.Office: 58 (212) 263.5346, 267.2416, From: 11:00GMT to 22:00GMT
FAX: 58 (212) 261.0829,
Home: 58 (212) 238.4084. From: 00:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Cellphone: +58 (0416) 612.5695
Remember that Venezuela's time is the same as Trinidad's, -04:00 GMT.

Circular No 185

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

Caracas, 21 of May 2005. Circular No. 185

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Dear Friends,

I just received a letter and an enclosed check that will be use as seed money to improve the mailings and create a file for the posterity.

So here is what Deacon Lionel Roberts wrote:

April 27, 2005

My dear Ladislao,

Greetings in Jesus name and thanks a million for all the wonderful informational work that all your circulars are doing and providing for all of us.

The “Mount” remains an unforgettable institution in the lives of all of us who were fortunate to be part of its history.

These few notes, handwritten instead of being typed in a computer convey a sense of brevity in order to send this off to you quickly.

So I do not intend to be lengthy here.

But I want to embrace this opportunity to enclose the attached little donation to assist you in you wonderful work.

It is my hope that it would emphasize several things, such as how much I appreciate your Circulars also my tardiness or inability to contribute many articles (I hope later on to do better in this regard) and my thanks for providing me with at least the e-mail of so many “old Boys” whom I intend to write when more time allows me to do so.

I have been in close touch with Dr. David Bratt and his family in Trinidad.

I also had he opportunity to meet with Mervyn Assam as well as Fr. Benedict and Bro. Rupert.

I can also in the process of purchasing a house in Trinidad where, God willing I hope to spend time.

Hoping to split my time between the U.S. and Trinidad.

I am also in close touch with Abbot John Perreira of the Mount, so busy as I am, I have not been completely out of the “Loop”.

That is all for now Ladislao and I ask our dear Lord to bless you and your family abundantly.

Your Lionel

(formerly Brother Vincent)

Now: Deacon Lionel V. Roberts.

Enclosed USD 75.00

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I am going to start with this issue to recall some of the old stories and write about the old boys here in Venezuela, those that although think that written words are mightier than a sword, of course.

The first in the list is Pablo Kecskemeti.

I had the pleasure to meet him again about four years ago, after a hiatus of 40 years.

He looked a little different since I left him at the Mount the 1960, just like all of us.

I am enclosing a photo of his class Venezuelan kids.

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Caracas, 24 de Julio.

Estimado Pablo,

Gracias por la agradable estadía y la invitación en tu casa.

No te escribo en Húngaro por la falta de práctica.

Mis felicitaciones a Eva por la sabrosa comida que preparo.

Tu hija es “Super” como dicen los chamos.

Le he escrito a Hector, Alfredo, Csaba y a Rafael, vamos a ver como ira!.

Mañana scaneo las foto para mandarlo a Anthony Johnson.

Saludos

Ladislao

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From: "Pal Kecskemeti"

Date: Wed, 3 Jul 11:42:14 -0400

Dear Ladislao,

I just received your Invitation for the 8^th. and remembered that I promised you something: We generally used to sing as we returned to Mount from any event or escape that we had from school.

The chorus I think was: When the saints are marching home + Glory glory alleluia I can’t remember if there was something else in between or if these were 2 different songs all together.

Mount Verses:

The bread at mount was mighty mighty fine, a slice fell off the table an it killed a friend of mine.

The chicken at mount was mighty mighty fine, a leg fell off the table and it started to mark in time (like in the parades)

The (refresco de Mount = tenia un nombre especifico ?)(EXCEL??) at mount was mighty mighty fine but it tasted like Turpentine.

There was something else that tasted like Iodine ???

Anyway I appreciate the invitation, but unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to attend, got to work, maybe an other time.

Don’t forget my pictures

Say Hi to everyone

Pál

(Can anyone complete the missing sentences? Ed.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Pablo was very kind in receiving my daughter Viki and I at his home in 2001, we stayed one day on our way to Trinidad, by ferry.

On a later visit we got together with Hector Ahow and talked about the other old boys that lived about one hour drive East from us.

Unfortunately, none of these have email and although I have planned to meet them, no luck in these four years.

So back to the story, Pablo used to have a fishing boat and spent many weekends fishing.

Eva his wife runs a tight ship and their home is in a pent-house overlooking the bay of Puerto La Cruz.

They have two kids, a boy and a daughter. The son is studying in Caracas.

The daughter is living with them.

He is working for Polar Industries, beer and alike!.

Maybe Pablo would have a few line for us.

By the way his pet at home in an IGUANA and a river fish from the Orinoco river.

(It would be nice to include the names in the photograph, please help me. Ed)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

CREATIVE PRINTING LTD.
Address: Lot 24A, O’Meara Industrial Estate, O’Meara Road, Arima, Trinidad
Tel.: (868) 646-2661, 646-2646, 646-2536, 646-0796Fax: (868) 646-2647
E-mail: datavis@tstt.net.tt
Contact: Mr. Richard Knox, Managing Director
Services: Printing

(This is all the information I have on Richard, maybe he can drop us a line? Ed.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------.

From: “Lifestyle Management Limited" < Lifestyle@tstt.net.tt

Subject: Class of '59

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 15:01:55 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Ladislao,

It was good to hear from you but I am still trying to put a face to the name.

I have a very vague image in my mind.

The photo you sent me is indeed part of the Class of 1959.

It was taken one week after graduation at the end of a retreat conducted by Fr. Peter Nicholson (#13) from St. Mary's College who, incidentally, now suffers from severe Alzheimer's Disease.

I remember this photo well and the exact spot where it was taken.

I will identify by number and list the missing classmates:-

#1 - PAMPELLONE: Gerard

#2 - LAQUIS: George Dr.

#3 - JOHNSON: Bernard

#4 - HERRERA: Michael

#5 - ?

#6 - DE VERTEUIL: Alex

#7 - JOHNSON: Claude

#8 - CHARLES: Donald Dr.

#9 - SERRETTE: Owen

Missing from the photo are Dr. David Ames, Richard Galt, Randall Galt which brings the total to 12 pupils.

God Bless

George (Pud)

(Flags@tstt.net.tt)

(We are missing you emails, hope you are well. Ed.)

(This photo is available at the website)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUE, 50 WORDS PER YEAR, OR SEND A CHECK preferably from any U.S. Bank, to my address:

Ladislao Kertesz

Apartado 69072

Caracas 1062A Venezuela

For those that prefer this way to cooperate with the Circular and the expense that this generates. It is 52 issues per year.

God Bless

Ladislao

Photo: Class foto venezuelas, iguana, daughter with iguana

Look us up at http://www.theabbeyschool.com, an all class msb web site.

Look at www.paxabbey.com, for information on the Monastery, Mt St. Benedict.

For those that want to communicate with the web, use, webmaster@theabbeyschool.com,.

Send information to: Ladislaokertesz@hotmail.com, if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include. Telf. 0 (212) 263.5346 Caracas.

Use kaviacion@cantv.net, or kertesz11@yahoo.com, for photos as I leave enough storage space for these.

Please note: you may have missed some of the circulars, if you have not received one every week, do not hesitate to ask for the missing number to idmitch@anguillanet.com,

For those that would like to contact me here I include my telephones:

Telf.Office: 58 (212) 263.5346, 267.2416, From: 11:00GMT to 22:00GMT

FAX: 58 (212) 261.0829,

Home: 58 (212) 238.4084. From: 00:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT

Cellphone: +58 (0416) 612.5695

Remember that Venezuela’s time is the same as Trinidad’s, -04:00 GMT.

__________________________________________________

Circular No 184

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

Caracas, 14 of May 2005. Circular No. 184------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Instead of sending out a copy of O.A.S.I.S. Bull, I am going to send you a photo of a reunion that took place in Barbados just a few weeks ago:

From: Elizabeth Ince
Subject: Mount Boys
Date: 5/1/2005 8:56:36 PM

Dear Ladislao,
Further to my email earlier today with photos, here with approximate years of attendance at Mount:
(Photographs taken at my home when Jack and Arthur visited Barbados recently.

LEFT TO RIGHT (PHOTOS)
CECIL INCE - 1948/49
SCIPIO SOODEEN - 1946/51
JACK KNAGGS - 1945/47
ARTHUR KNAGGS - 1945/51

CECIL INCE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Elizabeth Ince
Date: 4/11/2005 2:53:51 PM

Dear Ladislao,
Yes, receiving your circulars but have been travelling the islands a bit.
Forgive my silence.
I want to remit some funds to you.
Would US $100 be adequate - please advice as not sure of costs and your personal effort is not measurable in dollars.

(Thank your for the check which shall be put to good use. Ed)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Las,
Enclosed as promised USD 100.oo.
I telephoned Paul Carrington, who is now retired.
He sends his best wishes.
After a bout with a heart problem last year, he is keeping very well.
All for now
Cecil

Do you know what this means UIOGD??
P.S. Ut In Omnibus Gratia Dei.
In my years (48 + 49) we had to head each written page with PAX (Pease) and end with UIOGD

----------------------------------------------------------------------
MAURICE CORREIA says he received your e-mail but apologies for his silence - he started the term after College opened - thinks 1946.
He e-mail is correm@sunbeach.net
He may need pushing a bit.

CLIVE's telephone - 34968-537082 and his address is

APTDO 13
LA MANGA CLUB
30385 - LOS BELONES
MURCIA
SPAIN

Two weeks ago, Arthur and Jack KNAGGS and their wives were visiting Barbados - had them around to our home for dinner along with SCIPIO SOODEEN plus Clive's sister Terry Foster and husband Tony.
We telephoned TREVOR EVELYN at his home in Canada, so as to include him in spirit.
Took some photos - will send soon.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely
CECIL INCE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Elizabeth Ince
Date: 10/25/2004 10:57:44 PM

Dear Las,
Scipio's e-mail which we seem to have omitted is soodeen@caribsurf.com - you can reach Stephen Tempro at
Date: 28 Apr 08:37 (PDT)

DEAR LAS,
I used to be one of the recipients of Arthur Knaggs - oasis - I really enjoyed reading the exchanges on the history of the takeover by yourself.
Arthur, as has been said, deserves a lot of praise for his efforts.
Jack Knaggs lives in Tobago with occasional trips to Barbados to visit his daughter Eve who is married and lives two houses west of me.
His Tobago telephone is 868 639 6284 and his cell is 760 9795.
All for now - continue to enjoy your reports and hope some of my l948/49 contemporaries begin to surface.

CECIL INCE

(Just wonder if this time Jack Knaggs would like to get the Circular?, ed.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Cecil & Liz Ince"
Date: 10 Mar 15:08 (PST)

Dear Laszlo,
Richard de Verteuils recollection of the Boy Scouts from Mount in Arima 1948 - 56 years ago.
I actually lived opposite Lord Harris' Square where the group stayed under tents (I think).
I spent a lot of time with the boys I knew - ALAIN DEVAUX (Raymonds younger brother) - Arima was then a quiet town so the invasion of school friends (I was a day boy) from Mount was a great interlude.
My recollection of Father Ildephonse - he expelled me from his History classes - I just could not grasp the subject due to a rather sketchy earlier education.
In my more mature years, I developed a great love for the subject in general - a bit of irony.
I wrote to 'SCROOTS' in the early 80's for some special occasion in his life, and he replied saying that he had not been a contented person, for most of his life and that it was only in the late 60's to early 70's that he had found the Lord.
So we reconciled any hard feelings of my youth and his History classes.
Father BERNARD VLAAR, just weeks before he died, visited Barbados and for the first time, he and I spoke as adults - he said that the original objective of the Mount was to cater to a select elite group of boys.
I was only a day boy from Arima - one of about nine or ten day boys - inference was that we were seen then as rather second class citizens - a bit of tokenism to the community on Mounts part.
So of course, my achieving the Cambridge Exams of l949 at First Grade was significant in my life.
NOEL LLANOS was l948 - brilliant boy (I think 14) and he gained 1st Grade and was awarded the JERNINGHAM Medal for his outstanding marks.
I called PETER BOOS - he was there l954-55 and says he hears from you.
I tried STEPHEN TEMPRO who runs Smugglers Cove, a hotel on our West Coast (Payne's Bay) but got no reply.
SCIPIO SOODEEN lives 3 houses East of me - we became very friendly over the past several years - he celebrated his 72nd birthday some weeks ago.
One of his daughters, NEYSHA, publishes from Trinidad - a highly successful glossy magazine called MACO - covers architecture and some culinary fancies indigenous to the Caribbean.
RICHARD DRIVER is a cousin of mine and lives somewhere on the West Coast of Canada.
My telephone number is 246-427-752l - my fax at home is 246-228-l8l0.
JOHN DULIEU lives in St. Lucia - as per my last contact some years ago - sorry I cannot help more on him.
Years, ago, he and his family lived several houses East of me on the same ridge when he was a Captain with the airline LIAT.
Regret, I do not have any class photos - but my Form Four classmates (and most moved up to Form Five - with some who were in Form Five doing a repeat year.
ANGUS FRASER (studied for the Priesthood and was last heard of somewhere in Africa)
LOUIS ACHE, SCIPIO SOODEEN, TREVOR EVELYN (lives in Canada but we are in occasional phone contact)
HAMIL MARCELIN, FATHER VINCENT COMPTON (then a Seminarian)
GERALD FARINHA (from then British Guiana) - aborted his Seminarian studies when last I saw him over 30 years ago
SYDNEY RAYMOND ( I think now a Priest) –
RAYMOND DE VAUX, RAYMOND 'FRENCHIE' VIVIES (Guadeloupe - where he became a Prefect in Government).
ANTHONY INKIM (also from Arima).
I do not recall if there were others.
Our Masters were DOM BASIL MATHEWS, former was English Literature
FATHER ILDEPHONSE, Geography and History.
FATHER PAUL, Math
FATHER LEO, Latin,
FATHER CHYSOSTOM LEE SING - French and Spanish.
All for now - congrats on your superb effort to cement the group of yesteryears.

P.S. On February l5th - I spent one night at the Mount Guest House - Room #l4 - overlooking the airport and what has become a tapestry of colourful lights after sunset - sat on the bench which we used as day boys waiting for our Abbey Bus - some of my friends in that group were FRANKSIE COOK, IAN LEE KAM (Guinea was his nickname) - ARCHIE DIDIER and ANTHONY INKIM (the three of us usually came to Tunapuna from Arima on the same bus) - DESMOND BRUNTON (brunts) - PHILLIP (PIP) VIRE who were also in my class
I was unable to get into the College on this visit.

CECIL INCE

(Dear readers: need help with the above old boys. Ed.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
De: "Cecil & Liz Ince"
Fecha: 14 Jan 11:20 (PST)

Dear Ladislao,
I have been receiving your e-mails regularly.
While 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

IP.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 (2001) but stayed on as Chairman in what is now a fairly substantial service supplier to cruise ships.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUE, 50 WORDS PER YEAR, OR SEND A CHECK preferably from any U.S. Bank, to my address:

Ladislao Kertesz
Apartado 69072
Caracas 1062A Venezuela

For those that prefer this way to cooperate with the Circular and the expense that this generates. It is 52 issues per year.

God Bless

Ladislao
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo: Reunion Barbados
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look us up at http://www.theabbeyschool.com, an all class msb web site.
Look at www.paxabbey.com for information on the Monastery, Mt St. Benedict.
For those that want to communicate with the web, use, webmaster@theabbeyschool.com
Send information to: Ladislaokertesz@hotmail.com if you would like to be in the circular's mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include. Telf. 0 (212) 263.5346 Caracas.
Use kaviacion@cantv.net or kertesz11@yahoo.com for photos as I leave enough storage space for these.
Please note: you may have missed some of the circulars, if you have not received one every week, do not hesitate to ask for the missing number to idmitch@anguillanet.com
For those that would like to contact me here I include my telephones:
Telf.Office: 58 (212) 263.5346, 267.2416, From: 11:00GMT to 22:00GMT
FAX: 58 (212) 261.0829,
Home: 58 (212) 238.4084. From: 00:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Cellphone: +58 (0416) 612.5695
Remember that Venezuela's time is the same as Trinidad's, -04:00 GMT.



__________________________________________________________________

Circular No 183

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

Caracas, 7 of May 2005. Circular No. 183
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Here I am enclosing communication from Salvador Coscarart on his chat with Anthony Garner, who is in Canada.

I had hopped that somehow I may have the pleasure to talk with him also, but no luck as yet.

De: Salco56 Salco56@cs.com
Fecha: 12/01/2005 11:27:21

Hello
Ladislao aqui estan varias fotos de dos hermanos que fueron al Abbey School class of 74.
Assam & Alloy Garner venezolanos y viven en Canadá ahora.
Saludos
Salvador Coscarart

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fecha: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 10:03:24 -0500
De: Anthony Garner chongsing@sympatico.ca
Para: Salco56@cs.com
Asunto: 3 great iPhotos

Salvador,
Gracias por las fotos.
Here I am sending you a photo of myself, wife and daughter.
The girls in the garden are daughters of Sam.
Estamos en contacto.
Mono loco

(I hope to hear from you, Anthony, send information, ed.)
( what would be Assam´s email address?, ed.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now another oldboy has been added to the list. Welcome

dharris@lawyers.ca

David Allan Harris
420 North Service Rd E
Oakville, Ontario L6H 5R2 Canada
Tel.: (905) 842-3211

(All I need is the resume and you are on the list, ed.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A long lost email, sorry Gregory.

From: "gregory farfan"
Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 21:38:59 +0000
To: g4iuz.icope@ntlworld.com, edwardlloyd@yahoo.co.uk, manderson17@cfl.rr.com

Dear Eddie, Richard, and Ian,
Eddie are you an “OLD BOY " of Mount St. Benedict ??? If you are try looking at these old photos 1958/59. See if you can help.
You must read on. Richard and Ian, I know you both are old mount boys, so please try your luck and help out Ladislao Kertesz.
Richard I will see you on the weekend, since I will be in Orlando.
Friends try and help out.
Regards and best wishes for Christmas.
Gregory Farfan --- Class of 1967.
Trinidad
P.S Ronald Charles lives at, No 15. Eagle Crescent, Fairways, Maraval. Home Phone 868-628-5596.

(Need Geoffrey Farfan address, email, etc., ed.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Farfan, Gregory - I have read with great interest (your website) our old school.
The great Mount St. Benedict, our Abbey School.
I am Gregory Farfan , of Lot # 3 St. Michael Road, Blue Range .Diego Martin, Trinidad Phone. 1-868-632-2509
E-Mail :mail to jgfarfan@hotmail.com or at my office Gregory_Farfan@themutual.com. My years at Mount are 1960 to 1964, when I left to attend Fatima until 1967-June.
Please make contact with myself, I happen to know a lot of " OLD BOYS " in Trinidad and the Caribbean Islands.
Will love to help expand your web site.
Regards Gregory.
P.S My home was the first house looking down (facing south) from Mount. We used to run away from school penance through the bush, for home St Augustine etc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Annabella Johnson
Date: 2/22/2005 11:52:43 PM

Dear Ladislao,
Thank you for contacting me again and for the circulars.
The last one I received is No. 167.
If you have sent more since that one, I will appreciate receiving them.
I have not been back to Trinidad for at least 4 years when I went for my Aunt's funeral so that visit was a very short one.
I am hoping to go some time in late April or May for a week as I need to renew my T&T passport which expired last November.
I am just so busy at work that I could not get the time to go yet.
Anyway when I go, I plan to visit the Mount and Santa Margarita Hill where we lived close to MSB.
Your circulars are really interesting and I have received emails from old friends of the past through these circulars.
Thanks a lot and God bless you.
Annabella

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 6:15 PM

Dear Annabelle
I hope that you are getting the Circulars again.
If you need old issues please contact idmitch@anguillanet.com
God Bless
Ladislao

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Annabella Johnson
Sent: 1/10/2005 2:11:48 AM

Dear Ladislao,
First of all, a very Happy New Year to you and may you have a very good, healthy and blessed 2005.
I really enjoy getting the circulars and catching up on the news of the some of the guys we used to know in our youth.
I noticed you had not sent me any circulars recently and just thought that maybe you were on a Christmas break or away on holiday somewhere.
Anyway please try again as I don't know why my address is rejecting your circulars.
I hope you get this from me.
Some guys e.g. Paul de Labastide, Howard Ho saw my address and wrote me.
It was nice making contact again.
Best regards
Annabella.

(Maybe you would know Geofrey Farfan´s address, ed.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUE, 50 WORDS PER YEAR, OR SEND A CHECK preferably from any U.S. Bank, to my address:

Ladislao Kertesz
Apartado 69072
Caracas 1062A Venezuela

For those that prefer this way to cooperate with the Circular and the expense that this generates. It is 52 issues per year.

God Bless

Ladislao
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo:
anthony garner and family 2005
assam garner 2005
assam garner daughters 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look us up at http://www.theabbeyschool.com, an all class msb web site.

Look at www.paxabbey.com for information on the Monastery, Mt St. Benedict.

For those that want to communicate with the web, use, webmaster@theabbeyschool.com

Send information to: Ladislaokertesz@hotmail.com if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include. Telf. 0 (212) 263.5346 Caracas.

Use kaviacion@cantv.net or kertesz11@yahoo.com for photos as I leave enough storage space for these.

Please note: you may have missed some of the circulars, if you have not received one every week, do not hesitate to ask for the missing number to idmitch@anguillanet.com

For those that would like to contact me here I include my telephones:
Telf.Office: 58 (212) 263.5346, 267.2416, From: 11:00GMT to 22:00GMT
FAX: 58 (212) 261.0829,
Home: 58 (212) 238.4084. From: 00:00 GMT to 04:00 GMT
Cellphone: +58 (0416) 612.5695
Remember that Venezuela’s time is the same as Trinidad’s, -04:00 GMT.