My OCHS

Bill Langley, OCHS Gym Teacher Played for the Oshawa Pistons Basketball Team

2026-10-23T12:27:36.723-04:00

Not only was Bill Langley a gym teacher at OCHS, he played lacrosse for the Green Gaels Junior A and was involved in sports most of his life. This is what he looked like when he taught at OCHS.

He was inducted into the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame:

The URL is : https://oshawasportshalloffame.com/inductees?limit=10&pg=4

John Kreisz Got His Wish ~ Over 30 Years Too Late

2026-10-22T15:31:43.090-04:00

So John Kreisz, in his graduation year from Oshawa Catholic High School wrote an op-ed letter to the editor bemoaning the fact that Oshawa did not have a university.

Well, he got his wish but wayyyyy too late. Durham College transmogrified into first into University of Ontario Institute of Technology, or UOIT and finally into Ontario Tech University. It was granted its charter on June 27, 2002 and opened for classes on September 4, 2003.

It occupies the old Durham College campus on Simcoe Street North and has other buildings in downtown Oshawa. This is a photo of the library building on Simcoe Street.

Apparently the university has an excellent reputation for Robotics.

1970 Boys & Girls Trip To Huronia

2026-10-20T19:04:24.587-04:00

(click on any photo to enlarge)

note: The headline has a typo: I think they meant "approves" instead of "appears"

This was a big freaking deal for the time. The French Club in 1970 planned a boys and girls class trip to Huronia, i.e. Midland and Georgian Bay. The ostensible reason was that they wanted to visit and absorb the history and culture of when the French established a colony near Midland Ontario on the Wye River called Saint-Marie-Among-The-Hurons (Sainte-Marie-au-pays-des-Hurons) way back in 1639. The settlement was built by French Jesuit missionaries as a central residence and headquarters for their mission to the Wendat (Huron) people. It lasted ten years until 1649 when the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) wars devastated the region. Eight French Jesuit missionaries, collectively known as the Canadian Martyrs, were killed. They consisted of six priests and two lay helpers (donnés). The entire settlement is rebuilt with the log cabins, native longhouses and displays of life among the Hurons. Photos below. Also built in 1925 was the Martyrs Shrine cathedral near Midland across Highway 12 from the recreation of Saint-Marie-Among-The Hurons (first photo below). If you want to go to church there, fergitaboutit! Last summer we were vacationing in Georgian Bay and it was over $10 just to get into the parking lot at the church. I did pay to see Saint-Marie-Among-The-Hurons though and the photos below are from there.

Below is the recreation of the log church built by the Jesuits when they arrived in Huronia in 1639. There are graves in the building of Fr. Isaac Jogues and bits of Fr. Jean Brebeuf. His skull is in the Martyrs Shrine cathedral across the highway.

Saint-Marie-Among-The Hurons had wooden palisades and spiked walls in a fort configuration outside the settlement. They had this neat little canal where you could paddle up from the Wye River in a canoe without opening the gates and it also supplied drinking water when they were under seige from the Iroquois. Inside the fort, friendly Hurons pitched tents and built longhouses.

The interesting bit about the French Class trip to Huronia, was that they had to get permission from the school board because it was overnight for four days. The girls got to sleep in cabins and the boys had to tent it. I must admit that being a teenager at the time created certain biological propensities that welcomed overnight trips with girls, but for me, there was one problem -- you had to be a member of the French Club. Since it was French and you had to like it, joining the French Club was onerous for me. I had to pass. I took French for three years at OCHS, being taught by Mrs. Kearns, Mr. Bellehumeur (who I later found out with the brother of Mrs. Kearns, and Gary Ranalli. Gary used to take us outdoors during French class under the trees on summery June days. The irony was that I didn't particularly enjoy French, but ended up having to study it at the University of Ottawa which was an officially bilingual university and you had to learn either French or English whatever was opposite to your mother tongue. For two years, my roommate in residence was a French speaker from Senegal and I learned to speak fluent French. I lived for a couple of decades in Quebec and I was a technical architect for the Government of Canada, where I operated in a bilingual milieu. So ultimately, my aversion to the French language was in vain, and I missed out on the trip to Huronia. C'est la vie! I still am fluent in French today, and I have a home in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec.

Totally Unaware of Ownership Change of OCHS

2026-10-19T13:31:26.684-04:00

(click on images to enlarge)

So I was going through the archives of the Oshawa Times for 1969 and came across this news article of the Ontario County Separate School Board in negotiations to buy "all or part" of Oshawa Catholic High School from the Sisters of Saint Joseph. I was aware that the Sisters of St. Joseph were instrumental in starting the high school, but did not realize that they owned it.

Interestingly enough, this was in the days before regional government when we were in Ontario County instead of the Region of Durham. Today the school board is known as Durham Catholic District School Board.

It's no secret that the school board eventually did gain control of the high school from the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

This was another article from the 1969 archives about the acquisition:

And we had to walk miles to school in a snow storm, uphill both ways!

2026-10-14T14:17:12.394-04:00

Two things are apparent from the February 1971 Oshawa Times article. First was that high school students were not given snow days or early dismissal. Secondly OCHS was not considered part of the five Oshawa high school according to the Times editorial office. I suppose that was because grades 11 to 13 were considered private, not public schooling.

Ahh but we were tough in those days. We even had a Winter Carnival to celebrate winter. It seems that the cold, ice snow and winter conditions were mere piffles that didn't occupy much worry space in our brains in those halcyon teen years of ours.

OCHS Math Teacher Linda Langero ~ RIP

2026-10-09T12:48:32.759-04:00

Linda Langero

(below while at OCHS)

Obituary

On February 18, 2025, our dear Linda was taken from us unexpectedly and far too soon, in her 76th year. She is survived by her sister, Margaret; her brother, Larry (Patricia); her nieces, Alison Varney (Dave) and Jessica Caister (Jeff); her great-nephews, Theo and Malcolm; and her great-niece, Lennon. Linda faced any challenge in life with calm resolve and cool logic. When confronted with a difficult choice, her friends often came to Linda for sound advice. Linda had a distinguished career in education. She was a caring, competent Math teacher (St. Joseph’s College), a respected Vice-Principal and Principal (Loretto Abbey, Our Lady of Victory), and a Student Services Consultant at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. After retirement, she devoted herself tirelessly to her passions: travelling the world, supporting opera, ballet and theatre, and caring for cats. She established a thriving cat-sitting business and still found time to volunteer at cat rescue shelters. She will be sorely missed by her furry friends and their owners.

There will be a private service for the family at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Toronto Cat Rescue and the Toronto Humane Society would be appreciated.

in pace requiescat

The California Cuties Came To OCHS in 1969

2026-10-09T10:21:17.057-04:00

Melinda Marks wrote the above Teen Talk column for the Oshawa Times, taken from their archives. In it, among news of a Christmas dance played by a band called the "Rubber Banned" (which ironically is a strange name for a band to play at a Catholic school), Melinda also told of a toboggan party at the Oshawa Golf Course. I must say that Sister Conrad, the principal liked these sort of student activities and encouraged them.

But the big news was that the California Cuties were coming to play the boys basketball team at OCHS. I looked them up. They were a comedy, wannabe team emulating the Harlem Globetrotters. They had a midget on their team. I was able to find an online image of some of the players.

Since this was entertainment and not real basketball, I don't think that the score mattered. This was big news in the Oshawa Times:

Ronald Black ~ RIP

2026-10-08T15:28:27.624-04:00

Ron Black was an early student at OCHS. Joanne Bond was a classmate of his and sent along this obituary.

Ronald BLACK Obituary

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ron Black of Thorndale, Ontario, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, September 27t, 2026. Ron leaves behind his loving wife, Janet, and his four sons: Chris, Ryan, Steven (Madison), and Jeff (Steph). He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren and his sister, Diana Black. Ron was predeceased by his parents (Robert and Geraldine Black) and his brother David.

Ron grew up in Oshawa, working at Miracle Food Mart in his early years, where he met Janet, and they have enjoyed life together ever since. Ron worked at General Motors Oshawa for over 34 years before retiring to the family cottage at Carnahan Lake in Mountain Grove, Ontario. Ron and Janet spent many winters in Yuma, Arizona, where they met many friends. Ron received a second life in 2014 after receiving a double lung transplant and spent his final years in Thorndale, Ontario, north of London.

When not at work, you would find Ron coaching his children's sports teams, fishing or with family at the cottage, playing Euchre with family and friends, or travelling with Janet. He loved spending time with his family, hosting his grandchildren at the cottage or home and cheering them on through life.

The family thanks all the caregivers and medical teams and staff who have provided care to Ron throughout the years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Memorial Funeral Home (1559 Fanshawe Park Road E., London) on Saturday, October 17th, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. with refreshments. A time to share memories of Ron will begin at 2:00 p.m.

The family asks that anyone wanting to give a donation please donate to one of the following health care organizations that have provided care and support to Ron. (London - Victoria Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society).

in pace requiescat

Another One of My Distinguished Classmates, Doug Zochodne

2026-10-08T15:22:35.395-04:00

I first met up with Doug Zochodne at Grade 6 in St. Joseph's primary school on Simcoe Street North. Myself along with Tim McKenna and Barb Gannon had skipped Grade 5 and went directly into Grade 6 and Doug was my new classmate. That association lasted right up until Grade 13 and the end of high school. He went on to a storied career in medical research. Here is his bio from the University of Alberta. He was at the Mayo Clinic, as is one of my other classmates, Shawn O'Driscoll. I had a really amazing bunch of classmates who went on to amazing things, as did many alumni from the school in its early days.

About

Dr. Douglas Zochodne is a Neurologist and Neuroscientist, Divisional Director of Neurology at the University of Alberta and Director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, UofA. His training included an MD and FRCPC in Neurology at the University of Western Ontario under the supervision of Dr. Charles Bolton and a research fellowship with Drs. Philip Low and Peter J. Dyck at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Zochodne’s career has included faculty positions at Queen’s University, Canada, the University of Calgary and more recently the University of Alberta. He has devoted his career toward understanding the biology and diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Dr. Zochodne’s roles have included Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences (1999-2007), President of the Peripheral Nerve Society (2009-2011) and lead on the Regeneration Unit in Neurobiology, University of Calgary (2009-2014). He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Dr. Zochodne has channeled his research role as an investigator of diabetic polyneuropathy and peripheral neuron regeneration. His most recent work emphasizes intrinsic molecular mechanisms involved in adult sensory neuron plasticity including unexpected roles for tumour suppressor pathways repurposed within neurons. His laboratory has been funded continuously since 1988 and it has published over 280 research papers and chapters including four books. His work currently focuses on identifying new molecular mechanisms of peripheral neuron plasticity, regeneration and resistance to diabetes. His laboratory is currently funded by CIHR,CDA/DC, and ADI.

Clinical Interests

Clinical Neurology

Neuromuscular disease

Peripheral nerve disease

Diabetic polyneuropathy

Clinical Electrophysiology (EMG)

Research

Peripheral Neurobiology

Neurosciences of Regeneration

Experimental peripheral nerve disease

Neurological complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Teaching

Clinical Neurology

Neuromuscular disease

Peripheral nerve disease

Clinical Electrophysiology (EMG)

Peripheral neurobiology

Beginning of The School Year 1969

2026-10-08T15:15:16.300-04:00

The Oshawa Times printed this article in 1969 after the opening of the new school year in September of 1969. Several interesting facts jump out. First, OCHS had an enrolment of 320 students. It would more than double by the time that I graduated, and now, there is less than 1,000 (now called Monsignor Paul Dwyer High School) after ballooning to over 2000 a couple of decades ago.

The other interesting fact is that initiation was held where the Grade 10's could haze and torture the Grade 9's or Minor Niners. It was pretty rough and no longer allowed. Kids were humiliated and doused with all sorts of stuff like honey and feathers and made to eat horrible stuff.

Mentions in this article include students Adrone Zelvys, Matt Gimpelj, Ken Johnston, Jim Dyl, Bill Van Veghel and Betty Ann Yanch. Also mentioned are Monsignor Paul Dwyer and Oshawa Mayor Ernest Marks whose children attended the high school.

Smoking in the Boys Room

2026-09-25T10:11:14.946-04:00

Man, times have changed. I was thumbing through the Oshawa Times archives from during the years that I attended OCHS and immediately this cigarette ad popped out at me:

Times were really different, and looking at this makes me feel old. It was hard to believe, but our high school had a smoking area outside the gym on the far side of the school. Here is a photo of it at that time:

As you can see, both boys and girls partook of the nicotine habit. It was beginning to be frowned up, but it still hadn't attained the same stigma as gonnorhea or neglecting hygiene, so the school accepted the fact that it was a personal choice, but one had to "keep it over there".

On school trips, once the main group of teachers were no longer monitoring behaviour, the cigarettes were broken out. Here on a class trip, a gaggle of girls started puffing and chuffing on the cancer sticks:

It was an interesting class trip, because geography teacher Blair Morris chartered a private plane to take our Urban Studies class on flights over Oshawa to see urban sprawl. This photo was shot outside the Oshawa Airport, just up Stevenson Road from the high school.

A few years on, Mötley Crüe did a song: "Smokin' In The Boys Room" which epitomized the smoking area before one was created outdoors. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oVBvxA0mm0

If this video were to be re-made today, it would be: "Vapin in the gender neutral bathroom."

My Classmate Shawn O'Driscoll

2026-09-24T12:14:32.335-04:00

Shawn O'Driscoll, and his brother(s) all went to Oshawa Catholic High School. Shawn was in my class from Grade 9 to Grade 12. He didn't finish Grade 13 because I believe that he went off to school in England. He is now an orthopedic surgeon at the world-famous Mayo Clinic, specializing in Sports Medicine. I believe that he does Tommy John Surgery on Major League Baseball players.

He is not my only classmate with an MD, PhD. The other is Doug Zochodne who does brain research in Alberta.

January 23, 1971

2026-09-21T20:18:39.905-04:00

I remember this vividly. The 1971 Winter Carnival Queen was Anne Stovell. Runners up were Joanne Bond and Veronica (Ronnie) Brady. Both Anne and Ronnie were a year ahead of me in my brother Ed's class. Joanne was the yearbook editor that year. I was part of the yearbook team (wrongly identified in the yearbook as my brother). All of these people pictured were beautiful, vibrant, young women, and caused intense limerence in self and my male cohorts. Ahhh the halcyon days of youth .....

When I found this photo in the Oshawa Times archives, I emailed Joanne and Anne with a portion of the following lyrics:

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
Dreamed of all the great things we would do?

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la...

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
La la la la...

Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass, I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me?

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
La la la la...

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts, the dreams are still the same

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
La la la la...

So where were you in '72. Moi, I was having some of the best years of my life and didn't fully realize it.

Another OCHS Hockey player that I never knew about.

2026-09-21T10:46:32.868-04:00

click to enlarge

I knew that Rick St. Croix was an NHL goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Larry Hopkins played hockey, I believe for the Winnipeg Jets, but by going through the Oshawa Times archives, I found the name of Luc Bedard who played for the Oshawa Generals and went to Oshawa Catholic High School. I guess that he was never called up to the NHL. His full name is Lucien Bedard, born in Portneuf Quebec (home of the some the best cheese to come out of Quebec) and after the Generals, played with the Prince Edward Islanders and the Charlottetown Islanders of the junior hockey league in the Maritimes.

The School Today

2026-09-20T13:13:55.015-04:00

I got a message from one our far-flung alumnus and they asked how much the school has changed since our daze there. The footprint has expanded considerable. Since I also am far away from Oshawa, these images are from online. I think that the school underwent a massive expansion and is now undergoing a contraction. In my final year there, it got to about 600 students.

OCHS vs Dennis O'Connor High School ~ Early daze of OCHS

2026-09-20T12:50:23.597-04:00

(click to enlarge)

In this Oshawa Times article, Valerie Gardynik tells of the rivalry between Dennis O'Connor High School from Whitby, and OCHS. This was a regular newspaper high school roundup written by the students. The only OCHS person mentioned was Len McAvoy. There are winners and losers in this article.

School Ring ???

2026-09-18T10:58:40.377-04:00

I was totally unaware that I could have bought an Oshawa Catholic High School school ring. It is regrettable since I had an income at the time and could have afforded it. If I had one, I would have treasured it, since all of my changes happened there (or at least most of them). The other changes in Life were less pleasant. I found this ad for OCHS and others school rings in the Oshawa Times archives and at the time, Burns Jewellers were THE jewellery store in Oshawa. Burns doesn't exist anymore. There are Burns Jewellers in the Ottawa area today, but they are not related.

Betty Anne Yanch Scholarship ~ Early Days at OCHS from Oshawa Times

2026-09-12T10:57:11.318-04:00

In the early days of OCHS (pre-1970), the Oshawa Times reported on The University Women's Club of Oshawa and District gave scholarships to area female highschool students attending university. The Oshawa Catholic High School winner was Betty Anne Yanch taking a Bachelor of Nursing degree at the University of Toronto.

As an aside, her father gave away scholarships for the same purpose when I graduated. As the winner of the J.A. Yanch Scholarship for Academic Excellence because I was the Outstanding Male Graduate that year, I got $400 which was a considerable sum in the day.

School Days Text Books and Supplies

2026-09-09T12:20:20.487-04:00

This brings back memories of Coles at the Oshawa Center. Throughout my years at OCHS, I worked at Eatons in the mall and shopped at Coles for my school supplies. This ad was from the first year that I attended high school. I don't particularly recall buying textbooks, as noted by the ad, but I do recall buying school supplies there, including the 3-ring binder reinforcement stickers when the paper tore.

Do they still use binders in school? I don't think so. I recently attended a university lecture with my daughter and everyone had laptops, and the professor projected the lecture through a special app that let you take notes in the browser with the professors lecture notes as well. These vintage things make me feel old as dirt.

Pre-High School Hockey

2026-09-08T15:06:04.896-04:00

This entry in the Oshawa Times is dated February 27, 1968, a year or two before the people mentioned in this article attended Oshawa Catholic High School. This was the CYO bantam hockey league with CYO standing for Catholic Youth Organization. Among the OCHS alumni mentioned are: Mike O'Halloran, Jim Larkin,Dan O'Neill, Mike Murphy,Marc Adams,Marty Reynen, Marty van Veghel,Jerry Nemish, and Rocco Ambra. Many of these were my classmates.

O.C.H.S. High School Graduation September 20th, 1970

2026-08-31T09:42:48.556-04:00

This clipping is from the September 20th, 1970 edition of the Oshawa Times about the graduation. There were 20 graduates: Thomas Adamcewicz, Sharon Benson, Lorrie Byrne, Mary Cormier, Claude Dallaire, Jacques Dallaire, Ivan Downey, Patricia Fairhart, Paul Gimpelj, Laura Grotenhuis, Michael Gurney, Paul Hastings, Bernard Hurst, James Jileson, Linda Kawecki, Maureen Kirkland, Shelagh Kirkland, Andrew Kowalewski, Anne Marie Kraemer, John Kreisz, Gary Lawless, Helga Marinzel, Frank McCarthy, James McGeown, Brian McLaughlin, Carol Nemeth, Christine Paulocik, Jan Prazmowski, Heather Ravary, Peter Rowe, Beatrice Szkilasi, Edward Szajocher, Alan Taylor, Brian Vitarelli, Frank Zochodne.

The article has the scholastic award winners.

Carol and Janice Nemeth, RIP

2026-07-22T09:16:12.281-04:00

The above photo is of Janice Nemeth. Both her and her sister Carol were students at Oshawa Catholic High School. I was unaware of Carol's death, back in 2013. Here are their obituaries.

Carol NEMETH Obituary

NEMETH, Carol - Passed away after a short illness on Sunday, October 6, 2013, at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. Survived by her mother Annie Nemeth and sister Janice Nemeth. Predeceased by her father Andrew Nemeth. Visitation will be held at the Armstrong Funeral Home, 124 King Street East, Oshawa, on Tuesday, October 8th from 7-9 p.m. Evening prayers will be at 8 p.m. Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, October 9th in the chapel at 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Janice Nemeth Obituary

Nemeth, Janice Elizabeth - It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of Janice Elizabeth Nemeth in her sleep on July 18, 2026, at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. She was in her 73rd year. Janice was the beloved daughter of the late Andrew and Annie Nemeth and the cherished sister of the late Carol Nemeth.

She will be lovingly remembered by her extended family and her circle of friends, especially Gina, Lynn, and Aunt Vivian. Janice treasured everyone’s love and companionship. Janice was a longtime member of St. Mary of the People Parish and an active member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), giving generously of her time in support of many church events.

Janice’s life was defined by selfless service to her family and others. She volunteered for many years with the Ladies’ Auxiliary at Lakeridge Health Oshawa and St. John Ambulance, and quietly supported numerous local charities and community organizations. She placed the needs of others before her own, offering a helping hand, a caring heart, and a warm smile.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional care teams at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, including the Emergency Department, Oncology, Fifth Floor, and Palliative Care, as well as the paramedics whose compassionate, care and kindness meant so much to Janice and her family during her final days.

Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Janice’s life with a Funeral Mass to be held at St. Mary of the People Church, 570 Marion Avenue, Oshawa on Friday July 24th at 11am. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial donations in Janice’s memory may be made to St. Mary of the People Parish, the Lakeridge Health Oshawa Foundation, or to a charity of your choice, and would be sincerely appreciated by the family.

in pace requiescat

Oshawa Times Archives ~ Ripley's Believe it or Not!

2026-06-21T08:57:46.489-04:00

Back to perusing the Oshawa Times archives from my high school years. Not only was I a paper boy, but I was an avid daily reader cover-to-cover. One of the features was Ripley's Believe It or Not!. On a class trip to Niagara Falls, we went to the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in the downtown section of Niagarar Falls. I was hugely disappointed. It was almost a nothing burger. In my opinion, the only notable display, was an Austin Mini car whose surface was covered with pennies. It was highly believable.

Oshawa Times Archives, 1960's

2026-06-15T15:14:12.730-04:00

click on photo to see full size

I'm getting really tired of reminders of my own mortality and the obituaries of teachers and classmates on My OCHS. However, that ennui was replaced by me finding the Oshawa Times archives. It was a very happy blast from the past for several reasons. First of all, it took me back to those halcyon salad days in a less complicated, more hopeful world. Secondly, I used to deliver the Oshawa Times as a paper boy. My route was Simcoe Street North, pretty much from Sunset Boulevard to Saint Gregory the Great Church at Adelaide Street. I usually read the paper cover-to-cover every day, including the ads.

So I was idly glancing over the issues and came across this piece on the First Holy Communion at Saint George's Ukrainian Catholic Church. What caught my attention was the name Rev. J.C. Pereyma. There is a Catholic High School now in Oshawa called the Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School named after him. He was at St. George's since 1936.

And further reading of the list of communicants showed names of people in my class and era at OCHS, long before they were old enough to attend high school. Among those names are Christine Muzyczka, Eva Stanko, Greg Ostafichuk and my neighbour friend from Oshawa, Walter Burnat (who shot out the window of our garage with his BB gun).

More of the archives to come. (I didn't capture the exact data of this photo but it was the early 1960's).

The Nicholls Family

2026-05-03T12:43:00.004-04:00

I got a note from Anne Venning (Stovell) asking me to post the obituaries of siblings John and Nancy Nicholls who were alumni of the early days of OCHS. Of course, the other sibling Ruth, taught for many years at OCHS, and her obituary is posted below as well. I was able to dig up this photo of the siblings all together.

Cousin Teri Normoyle is in the back row as well as Wayne Stovell (third from right, back row).

Here are the obituaries:

John Nicholls

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Samuel Nicholls, 72, on Monday, January 29, 2024 with his family by his side. John battled prostate cancer and bladder disease for several years. He is predeceased by his parents, Allan and Elizabeth. John is survived by his wife Margaret of 46 years, his children Andrew and his wife Heather and Alison and her husband Ian, his sisters Ruth and Nancy and his grandchildren Abigail and Henry. He was the brother-in-law of David and Catherine Lewis, Michael and Donna Lewis, Helen and the late Gordon Richardson, Monica Lewis, Stephen Lewis, Dianne Dunham and Phil Vinson. He will be missed by his cousins and many nieces and nephews.

John was a dedicated and well-respected teacher and principal with the Durham Catholic School Board for 33 years. Physically active all his life, he was a member of the Oshawa Golf Club for 49 years and an avid gym participant, two activities which he greatly missed during his illness. John also had a keen interest in reading, music, especially jazz and travel. He was a devoted Leaf fan, rarely missing a game. John most treasured the time he was able to spend with his beloved grandchildren Abby and Henry. Many were impressed with his unwavering positive spirit and sense of humour during his battle with cancer.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the caring staff at the Lakeridge Cancer Centre and Pharmacy, especially Dr. Azi, Dr. Jadhav, Dr. Koll, Dr. Vieira and Dr. Wang. Thanks also to his Family Physician Dr. Nathoo and Home Care Nurse Alicia Bucknall for their support. We would also like to thank our family and friends who reached out to John during his difficult journey, especially his breakfast and book clubs, former school colleagues and his golf and gym buddies.

Nancy Nicholls

With heavy hearts, we share the sudden passing of Nancy Isobel Nicholls, 76, on Monday, February 23, 2026, at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. Born in Oshawa, Nancy spent most of her adult life in the city she proudly called home, Toronto. She was predeceased by her parents, Allan and Elizabeth (Normoyle) Nicholls, her sister, Ruth, her brother, John, and her nephew Andrew. She will be deeply missed by her sister-in-law Margaret; her niece Alison and her husband Ian Dunn and their children Abigail and Henry; her niece-in-law Heather; the Normoyle and Nicholls families; and her many dear friends, colleagues, and former students.

Nancy graduated from York University in 1972 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts and completed her Master of Social Work at the University of British Columbia in 1974.

Nancy devoted the first 17 years of her career to social work, guiding and supporting individuals navigating complex challenges. In the second half of her professional life, she followed the path shared by her sister and brother and moved into education. For 22 years, she served as a faculty member in the Social Service Worker Program at Centennial College, where her knowledge, insight and support for her students left a lasting influence on many she taught.

Nancy engaged fully in life. She loved movies, theatre, books, music, and sports – especially her beloved Toronto Blue Jays. She travelled all over the world, exploring new places with family and close friends. She was also a proud and dedicated member on the Board of the Liberal Party for University-Rosedale. Known for her kind-hearted and positive spirit, she met even life’s most difficult challenges with great resilience. Her strong social connections, unending optimism and unwavering faith enabled her to embrace life wholeheartedly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amnesty International Canada, Doctors Without Borders or a charity of your choice.

A Funeral Mass followed by a reception will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 520 Sherbourne Street, Toronto.

A private interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery.

in pace requiescat