Circular No 959

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

Caracas, 21 of March 2020 No. 959

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Dear Friends,

Sad news, the passing away of a dear friend, Arthur Knaggs, Editor of O.A.S.I.S..  You can read the bulletins in earlier issues of the Circular in the Blog.

I would like to thank those that have subscribed to the Newsletter, for their continued support.

I need additional help to be able to keep this Circular going,

If you feel inclined, please let me know and I shall send you information as to the yearly subscription and bank.

Unfortunately, the situation here in Venezuela is restricting my abilities to operate.

And now to the substance of this weekly newsletter.

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On Mar 20, 2020, at 5:26 PM, Art-Val Knaggs <av_knaggs@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi Nigel,

Sad news...Arthur passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.

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Nigel Boos

Fri, 20 Mar, 21:56 (5 days ago)

Dear Val,

I am so sad to hear of the passing of your husband and my dear friend, Arthur. He has left an indelible impression on me and I will continue to try, in whatever way, to emulate him and to try to develop those loving qualities of life which he consistently showed during the times we shared together. I particularly appreciate the fact that he passed away in his sleep, and that he was, in God’s mercy, spared the indignities and suffering which he might have had to endure, were he laid up with a coronavirus attack 

Arthur was the eternal youngster, always ready to see joy in any situation, always ready with a smile, recognizing the power of communication, adventurous, excitable, leading from the front, a great father and husband and a wonderful friend.

As the founder of his “OASIS” newsletter, he regularly encouraged the Old Boys of Mt. St. Benedict’s Abbey School to submit notes, letters, post-cards, business cards and personal anecdotes to him. These he put together and copied verbatim on his Gestetner machine and mailed out to his “hungry” former school-buddies and in so doing, he built up a wonderful following, something which we younger OB’s ourselves emulated under the wise continuing leadership of Ladislao Kertesz, helped by a few stalwarts.

Because of current Gov’t restrictions on travel, I shall not be able to attend his funeral, which, I presume, will be held in Nova Scotia. But my heart will be with you and your family as you lay Arthur down. I believe he was a living embodiment of goodness and dare I say it, a saint. I shall certainly pray and ask him to intercede fo my personal intentions before the throne of Almighty God.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace now and forever.

Nigel

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From: Ralph Echeverria <ralph.echeverria@gmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, 19 March 2020 15:55

Subject: FIDEL'S VISIT TO MOUNT 

Hi Mitch!

It's me... CheChe ... 

After such long period of silence, our contact is kept alive thanks to your good efforts of keep in all Mount Boys updated with Mount's affairs of a very important past (no doubt !!!) for all of us !!! ... for that you deserve recognition for your noble efforts I thank you sincerely. 

Mitch .. do you happen to have any photos of the visit that Fidel Castro paid to Mount ? I remember .. vaguely,,, that here was a story written by a Mount Boy regarding that visit which I found fascinating. I am in fact gathering memories of those times. If you find a photo of that, you would be doing me a big favour. 

Thank you ... in advance .. for your attention and effort.

Blessings to you my friend!

Rafael ... Cheche 

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From:  Art & Val Knaggs <av_knaggs@hotmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005

Dearest Cintra & Anthony,

How is life with you two? Guess that you had a marvellous tour of Canada, and have settled back home.

Anthony, did you get to Europe for your Judicial Adventure?

Must have been a fabulous opportunity for you (just to be offered the challenge).

Val & I have completed our Year of travel, gallivanting about the (restricted) World, visiting family and friends and generally having a ball.

Started in Sept '04 at our Island Resort, finishing off our summer, and 'falling' into the colder month till mid Oct.

Our Eldest daughter and family (three) took over our house for the Year.

From mid Oct till mid Dec we drove through the U.S.A. from Maine, along the Eastern Coast to South Carolina; then cut across towards Louisiana, spending a few days at each stop (visiting & sight-seeing); then through the pan-handle to Florida (north); and swung back up the Eastern States once more before carousing back to jolly old Canada, in time to spend Christmas with the 4 siblings of ours here in Nova Scotia.

After that we shunted off to Tobago (as in Trinidad) for 3 months; where we were swarmed with relatives, and other wonderful people; settled daughter (F) Fleurette in Tobago; where Fr. Ildefons' teachings and scouting skills helped us (daughter & I) build a Tiki Hut of bamboo & coconut branches as their outdoor rec centre of entertainment.

In between, we took a trip to Barbados, where Cecil Ince hosted a Old Mount Re-Union of real oldies (the originals) including brother Jack & Scipio Soodeen (see Ladislao's latest Mount Bulletin) hope you are on the mailing list.

Then we returned through Toronto in April, visiting Val's Mum and seeing family there, and a few Old Mounties.

Back in time to get the boat in the water, and open up our Log Cabin, (where we were temporarily housed - on & off - very backwoods like - one solar light - 4hrs - 8.00 to 1200 p.m.; no running water, unless you count running up the hill to the Cabin with a bucket full; plus outhouse, on the edge of a cliff - with fabulous view - known as "Loo with a View", where one sits, contemplates, and witnesses the goings on on the Lake).

In June we visited Spain to house & dog sit Val's brother's Hacienda, and our son (E) Edward, wife Michelle, and daughter Jesse visited us for 2 weeks.

We then went to Sheffield, England where he works as Project Director of Symmetry Medical, who manufactures titanium body joints, World Wide.

Back to Halifax to enjoy the balance of the summer, and to gradually re-inherit our house and turn it back into our home. Busy bees.

I am experiencing a little "Ticker Flicker" at the present time, and the Doctors are wavering between the Lungs & Heart; so going through a host of tests etc., which all takes so much time.

So, let us have some of your news, and if you have any old boys of Mount e-mail addresses, please send them on to me (and Ladislao).

Happy Thanksgiving, we celebrate that up here,

As ever, with prayers and love,

Art & Val

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From: Art & Val Knaggs <av_knaggs@hotmail.com>

Sent: Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Ladislao,

Great to hear from you so promptly, and Vity's Tel#306-586-7072 in his Condo in Regina, Sascatch.

He will be moving to Toronto within a month and asked of us to hold off with addresses till he settles in.

I will try to contact Trevor Soodeen/

As ever,

Art

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From: "Ladislao Kertesz" <ladislaokertesz@hotmail.com>

Date: Tue, 01 Nov 2005 14:55:01 +0000

Dear Art

Need address and telephone for Viatlis Gomes and David de Castro.

The last address for Trevor Soodeen is tzsoodeen@shaw.ca, telf  604 853 6252

God bless,

Ladislao

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From: "Desmond LITTLEPAGE" <dclittlep@hotmail.com>

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 23:17:10 +0000

Art,

The report from Vity is correct.

I am now almost in transit to Australia for 4-5 months and leave Trinidad very soon.

My business here keeps me very busy with little time to respond to non-essential e-mails which may lead to more time on the computer which I can little afford.

Whilst in Australia, I will have lots of time and will be happy to respond to "The Abbey Old Boys" club.

This was not however, my last high school in Trinidad.

Pass this on.

Regards

Desmond Littlepage

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From: "Art & Val Knaggs" <av_knaggs@hotmail.com>

Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 15:09:20 -0400

Desmond,

How is life with you these days? Mount Old Boys (Ladislao in Venezuela) are trying to locate you in Trinidad, and need an address (or phone #); and I got hold of Ken last night at a Halloween Disguise Party, and he suggested I e-mail you.

Has your office # as 652-6644!?! but was not sure where you were staying, or how to get hold of you.

I heard from Vitalis Gomes (another old boy) that last Fri there was an Earth Quake of 5.6 on the Richter Scale; and that 5 weeks ago you had waves of 20 ft at Maracas Bay and in the Gulf of Paria at Mosquito Creek and Pointe-a-Pierre, is this all true?!?

Vity is in Regina, Sascatchewan, but is in the process of selling his Condo and moving to Ontario, probably near Niagara.

I offered to give him some 'old Mount' contacts there like, Trevor Evelyn, Mickey Chatterton, Trevor Soodeen (lost touch with him about 3 yrs ago), and David de Castro (who sings Calypso's, and composed one for Caribanza a couple of years ago.

Loads of Trinis in the big TO.

Keep in touch, and all the best,

Art

P.S. Copying Ladislao above.

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From: Art & Val Knaggs <av_knaggs@hotmail.com>

Sent: Thursday, October13, 2005

Dearest Fr Cuthy,

Go very gently with the "Old Man" thing, as I still think that I am quite young (you know 'pride' the Devils favourite).

My own Guardian Angel has a hard time keepin up (will have to polish her wings).

I am feeling much better now on the new medication, and have a date for the Heart Clinic on 18th & 19th, where they will do the so we should get the prelims and other Tests under our belts, and see where we are after that.

The Mount Old Boys are doing a tremendous job under Captain Ladislao of the Ship "ABBEY" and new 'old' boys are popping out of the woodwork, it is so marvellous and encouraging to witness the response.

Keep the Yogurt up to your great standard, and regards from us all to the Community at the Mount.

Vaya con Dios,

Art & Val

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From: cuthbert lande <cuthpax@yahoo.co.uk>

Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 01:38:14 +0100 (BST)

Dear Art and Val and Ass.

Thank God you are a lucky two even with all the rest of the family.

We did not pray too much, for your guardian-angels may wonder what their responsibility is.

But keep up the spirit and more miracles may happen.

With best wishes from us all,

Fr. Cutty.

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Art & Val Knaggs <av_knaggs@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Latest on Art (as of yesterday).

Still alive and kicking; and we are pleased to say, a little harder than before; same prognosis, heart, and the tests etc. are still underway.

He is feeling much better on the new medication; less shortage of breath; a bit more energy; and lots of love and attention from Val.

E-Mails are not necessary, but welcome; Knee-Mail (prayer) is the better choice, but don't want to strain your spirituality.

Still no date for the 'Heart Clinic', but hopefully next week.

All else bubbles along with 12 of us in the house, feels like old times.

All our love.

Art & Val

Thanks for your prayers (they certainly work).

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

99AK0001AKNLETTER,  Letter from Arthus Knaggs

65UN0003UNKNOWN,   UNKNOWNS

12LK2431FBAKNWFE, Arthur Knaggs and wife

12LK6771FBAKNWFE  Arthur Knaggs and wife