Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt.
St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 4 January 2020 No. 948
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
Here is an interesting report that appeared in
a local newspaper on an illustrious Oldboy, Don Luis Cubillan Fonseca.
He is believed to have gone to the Mount in the
years 1952 to 1953, maybe some of you might remember him??
---------------------------------------------------------.
A
man-made heart June 19, 2018
A
man-made heart smiles like a child who searches the sea and its waves in his
eyes and sleep.
A
man with a heart caresses the bronze deer of his paternal house and trembles
when he remembers the murmur of the fountain that wet the silent but chanting
legs of the deer.
A
man-made heart collects in silence the recognition of an institution, as mature
coffee beans are collected in the branches.
On
Thursday, June 14, 2018, Luis Cubillán Fonseca received from the magnificent
rector of the University of Carabobo a well-deserved tribute, the medal of the
order of the institution in its only class, for having been elected
corresponding member by the Carabobo state of the Venezuelan Academy of
Language.
Former
rectors, the director and the secretary of the Academy of History of the
Carabobo State, a good part of the Valencian intelligentsia, family and friends
who were honoured with the invitation, we were there, in the hall of the
University Council, accompanying Luis in his house
For
many years, an old railway station that still serves as a railway for knowledge
and ideas, dreams and projects, for a possible country, broad, inclusive,
memorable from its past.
My
eyes not only saw Luis or rector Jessy Divo de Chacón, Elys Mercado or Carlos
Cruz, the vice chancellors of the university, Mrs. Irma and her daughters, Mr.
Asdrúbal González and Mrs. Cora de Páez, Mr. Germán Fleitas Núñez and his
illustrious progeny, to Dr. César Peña Vigas or to a young man with
blue-colored hair that applauded with carelessness, my eyes trembling with
emotion almost as much as those of Luis saw, of course, what we all saw or
thought we saw, but they also contemplated a potential based on tradition, a
country fed and enriched by the presence of the so-called “province” despised
by centralism, although the province has defined history, as the Orinoco and
the Tacarigua lagoon have done, the Andes and Guayana, Cariaco and Casacoima,
Carabobo and the old Valencia, not only of the King but also of Venezuela, of
that country filled with nascent Venezuelanity before the convulsions of 1830.
Luis
Cubillán Fonseca, stunned writer, rigorous historian, discoverer of figures
such as Nicolás Romualdo de Ascanio y Herrera who may have been the first
writer born in the province of Venezuela, art curator, conservation expert,
collector and bibliographer, chronicler of With a strong vocation and
expertise, he was there to teach us a lesson in what is called patriotism,
integrity, dignity and intellectual greatness.
Later,
at a family lunch, under the benevolent and beautifying look of Mrs. Irma
Mijares de Cubillán, at her home in Guaparo, at the foot of a tall mirror, next
to colonial paintings and figures, between the voices of distinguished friends
and relatives, the presence of Luis Cubillán Fonseca presiding over that
invitation together with the archbishop and the rector, filled me with faith in
the future of the country.
A
man-made heart for Valencia, a love city, a city made of love, thought again.
A
city blessed by the Virgen del Socorro, a story and stories that in the pen of
Luis Cubillán Fonseca can help as a chronicle, as a timely reminder, the memory
of the Valencians and Venezuela as a whole.
------------------------------------------------------.
From: Salah Wilson <sal_wils@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday,
23 December 2019 12:47
Greetings,
everyone,
I
feel obligated to make a small contribution to the editorial and to thank
everyone responsible for keeping this conversation and re-union alive.
I
am now called Salah Wilson, but when I attended Abbey School (1963-1970), I was
known as Anthony “Tony” Wilson or “Willy”.
I
was a day-student living in the village- St. John’s village.
The
year before I began at the Abbey School, I was attending the elementary school
in the village St. Benedict RC. Fr. Gregory (Duck) was the parish priest.
My
cousin Mervyn Theroulde had passed the Common Entrance Examination to attend
St. Mary’s College in Port of Spain, that was a big thing.
Apparently,
Abbey School thought that they might have a few more smart guys, so the
following year offered scholarships.
A
few of us were selected to do the exam, Abbey School retained three of us
Franklin Chin, Anthony Cedeno and me.
My
good friend, Anthony Cedeno lived just above the field so everyone would have
had to pass in front of his house to go to the playing field.
Unfortunately
Cedeno passed, way back in 1991 (R.I.P.).
I
have no present knowledge of Franklin Chin, neither has he signed into this
Alumni program.
Anyways,
more interestingly was the fact that my mother was working at the Abbey School
from around 1950 or before.
I
just asked her, but she just could not remember exactly when.
It
was however before my birth in 1952, because she said that after two-three
months she had to go back to work.
My
mom has been the matron since that time to the mid-sixties.
She
can still re-call some students’ names and their kindness shown to her.
I
want to thank those students.
I
am humbled and happy to announce that I returned to Trinidad to celebrate my
mom’s 101st birthday on December 1st, 2019.
So
technically speaking my mother (Matron Wilson) is probably the oldest living
person connected to the Abbey School.
I
just could not resist sharing that information.
I
have just shown her some photos of her good friend Kitty Marcus (R.I.P.) when
we visited her at the St. Peters home quite a few years ago.
I
did a steelpan performance for the assembly and I was introduced by Miss
Marcus, who expressed to the audience that I was one of her chemistry students.
Today,
December 23rd, 2019, I am still in Trinidad, my wife Adiylah, and I
went up to the old playing field, I said a prayer for my old friend Tony Cedeno
as we walked and jogged around the field.
Reminiscing
on how it used to be… all my school mates … all the goals I scored for St.
Lawrence and the college (LOL).
On
the other side there are some renovations for the swimming pool, but alas the
lawn tennis is just an empty looking pitch.
But
the scenery is still beautiful, come back home and visit guys, it is just
wonderful.
It
inspired me to share this information.
I
am attaching some photos of my mother, (Matron Wilson) 101st birthday
and some photos of our visit to Miss Kitty Marcus.
Only
if you were part of that Abbey School experience would you understand.
I
am still a student, completing my PHD in musicology/ethnomusicology at York
University in Toronto.
I
am presently writing my dissertation and of course the topic is on steelpan
development.
(Feliz
Navidades to my Venezuelan amigos) …will try to send a steelpan recording
Please
listen to the recording that is attached
Best
regards to all
Salah
Wilson
(The picture of Salah will be
posted in a future issue, EDITOR)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Peter Gittens <peter.gittens@bell.net>
Sun, 29 Dec 2019, 17:59 (6 days ago)
Dear
Nigel,
In
response to your query in the latest blog about Leo de Gale, I reached out to
his son, Fr. Simon de Gale, pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Toronto, whom I
know very well,
He
confirmed that his father Leo de Gale never attended the Abbey School, instead
attended GBSS (Grenada Boys Secondary School).
On
a sideline, maybe of interest to you, Fr. Simon’s mother (or grandmother) was a
Salles-Miquelle from St. Lucia.
Best
wishes for a Happy and Blessed New Year.
Peter.
---------------------------------------------------------------.
GEORGE
MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>
Dec
31, 2019 at 9:18 AM
Hi
Joe,
Thanks
so much for continuing to lead this effort; am very proud of you for doing it
and for all those who are helping you.
Sharing
the year end status of the Team George fund raising effort over the last 2.5
months. A time of the year when folks are very appreciative and thankful
for the gifts that God has blessed us with.
Some
thoughts:
What
is the 2020 fund raising goal?
When
and how do we plan to share the funds collected?
Are
there any other fund raising activities currently taking place?
How
many alums will be supported in 2020?
Will
we continue to use the USA $35/alum/month factor = USA $420/alum/year
The
$1500 collected so far represents donations made by 8 families; some of whom
have contributed 3 times.
It
would be great if the ASAA and those alums receiving the assistance could share
a thank you note with the donors to create a personal link.
I
do it every time that I receive a donation but it would be more meaningful and
effective coming from the ASAA and/or an alum.
Developing
another idea for 2020 which I will share shortly when it is completed; we can
all probably use it among our family and friends.
A
Blessed 2020 to all,
George
----------------------------------------------------------------------.
idmitch@anguillanet.com
Sun, 22
Dec 2019, 18:51
Hi,
Ladislao,
Thanks,
I must be going blind. I missed the
number on the Circular.
We
were hoping to have a quiet Christmas just by ourselves.
But,
an old friend is having visitors (nine persons) from Canada, and we have agreed
to host a Christmas dinner for him at our home on Christmas night, so he can
entertain them properly.
It
will be exhausting.
I
have bought a seven-pound tenderloin which I will cook on my Bar-b-q and
pretend it is a turkey.
Maggie
is a vegetarian and does not allow any meat in her kitchen.
All
I know how to cook is a tenderloin on the Bar-b-q.
I
know you will be much more comfortable in Spain than in Venezuela.
It
will not be too expensive if you know where to live and where to shop, and if
you are not too demanding
Best,
Don
-----------------------------------------------------------------.
Years should not be published on FB.
Lol
Are you sure?
That was a month after my father's death
We left in 1965 didn't we?
I took shots of the entire class, which I still
have.
May your parents rest in peace.
Do you recall I was with you and at your lunch
table the day your Dad fell ill?
I'll never forget.
Yes. We had gone to play cricket on Taylor St.
It seems like yesterday Terry
--------------------------------------------------------------.
E D Lloyd
Don,
Ladislao
Please
continue to keep Nigel in your prayers.
Yours
Sincerely
Edward
Lloyd
--------------------------------------------------.
From: John Boos [mailto: jaysyd60@gmail.com]
Sent: January
10, 2020 8:55 PM
Dear
ones,
This
is the latest from Nigel, who thanks each and everyone for the prayers and
wishes for his recovery.
Thanks
for your interest, and please keep up the prayers, the good Lord will certainly
hear them, and may His will be done.
JB
-------------------------------------------------.
Nigel
Boos
Fri, 10
Jan, 22:31 (12 hours ago)
Dear
family and friends,
First,
thank you so much for all your emails, cards, phone calls, prayers and visits.
It’s very nice to know I’m still remembered.
Next,
I want to wish you all a very happy New Year, filled with many blessings from
Almighty God.
OK,
so I’ve got my biopsy report now.
I’ve
now found out I’ve got Stage 3 Stomach Cancer. I’ll be meeting with chemo and
radiation oncologists in the next few days to assess my situation, and to see
whether, in the opinion of the doctors, I’m strong enough to begin chemo and/or
radiation therapy, with a view to beginning a few months (6??) of treatment.
Please say one for the old man, and with your help, I’m going to do my best
fight this thing.
With
love, always,
Nigel
---------------------------------------------------------------------.
GEORGE
MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>
Jan 11 at
8:50 AM
Dearest
Nigel,
Sharing
with you our love and our great concern for your well-being as you continue to
bravely deal and permanently recover from your health challenges.
Good
thoughts and strong prayers are being raised to Our Lord for your permanent
recovery, for Jackie and for your family.
Stay
strong….. beloved brother, leader and great friend.
------------------------------------------------------------------.
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Photos:
18LK0001FBLCU,
Luis Cubillan
18LK0002FBLCU,
Luis Cubillan
15LK4425FBAFRDAU,
Andres Freytez and daughter
65LK2871FBPTATFE,
Peter Tang and Terrence Ferreira
MP·
recording by Salah Wilson
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