Inner Journey: friends

The U of Waterloo Chemical Engineering Class of 1974 held their 40th class reunion in the Waterloo area last weekend. It was great.

There were 14 or 15 of us there, most with their wives. My closest study buddies Neal Stretch (from Walkerton, ON), John Jarrell (from Saskatoon) and Mike Laplante (from Toronto) were there. It was great to see them and reconnect.

Principle organizer Wayne Schlote (Casselman, ON) and his cohorts Gord Pearson (Edmunston, NB) and Don Linkert (Midland, MI) did a great job of organizing.

Friday night we had an informal dinner at the Old Heidelberg Inn in Heidelberg, ON. Lots of beer, ribs, sourcrout and snitzel. Professors Peter Douglas (also a class member) and J.J. Byerly (retired) also attended. Saturday A.M. we played for the Class of '74 golf trophy at the swank Elmira G&CC. Gord Pearson nudged me out to claim low gross and win it. I had a great round and conversation with Paul Sigurdson who operates a Cdn Tire franchise in Fort Saskatchewan, AB). Toured the St Jacobs farmers market later that day.

Saturday night was the highlight dinner at the Blue Moon Grill just east of Kitchener. Much beer, wine and more ribs were consumed. There were some short speeches and door prize gifts. We paused to take some group photos and made plans to reconnect again soon.

Sunday we had a parting breakfast and said our goodbyes. I headed for the U of W campus and walked around for a couple of hours. It took me quite awhile to find the new chemical engineering building but finally I did. There are so many changes I hardly recognized parts of the campus. It has really grown and is very multi-cultural. Chatted with one chemical engineer who was on assignment here from Saudi Arabia. It brought tears to my eyes thinking I was in his shoes 40 years ago.

Left with many heartfelt memories of what was and what could have been. I really enjoyed the weekend.

Don Linkert, Gord Pearson, Wayne Schlote, Paul Sigurdson and me.

St Jacobs Farmers Market

Me, John Jarrell, Mike Laplante, his wife, Neal Stretch

Wall of shame

Mike Laplante with a textbook

Wayne Scholte, organizer emeritus

Mike with Peter Douglas

Paul Sigurdson, Jerry Lerman, Don Linkert

The study Group 40 years later

U of Waterloo today

The original chemical engineering building

The new chemical engineering building

Class of 1974

The Philip St Co-op residence today

Student died here this fall after lightening hit

The whole group

It has been a summer of celebrations: 1 family get together, 3 weddings, 2 anniversaries and 1 memorial service. We have enjoyed them all.

In May, my cousin Wendy hosted a family get together at her beautiful house near Perth. It was great chatting with all the cousins. Of course the food and drink were awesome. Thank you Wendy for hosting us all.

Wendy's Home

Another Great Day

Cousins Wendy and Brian

Cousins Larry, Tom, Cheryl and Sister Kim

Cousin Barbara

Cousins Bob, Brian and Larry

Cheryl and Wendy

Tom and his Wife

On July 6 we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We had a mass and dinner at Galilee with 24 friends. Fr. Tom Riopelle was our Celebrant. We adjourned for a party at our house. A great time was had by all.

July 6, 1984

July 6, 2014

Fr. Tom

Galilee Hospitality

With Friends

Kitchen Party

Our Happy Day

Next we attended Gerry and Jane's wedding in Braeside with the reception at St. John Chrysostom hall in Arnprior. It was a deeply religious affair as both Gerry and Jane who lost their first spouses to death, are deeply spiritual people.

At Our Lady of Perpetual Hope

Sharron, Christine and Marie

Gerry and Jane

Then it was down East for the wedding of Marie's nephew Andrew to Samantha in St. John's. They were married at Corpus Christi Church followed by a large reception at t.he Holiday Inn. It was a very happy wedding with lot's of smiling, good feelings and shooters!

Saying Their Vows

Party Bus is Ready

The Happy Couple Arrives

Cheers to a Happy Marriage

Head Table Fun

Next we were invited to Ron and Joan's 50th Wedding Anniversary back in Ottawa. It was a classy affair staring with Mass at St. Patrick's Basilica. We then enjoyed a scrumptious catered meal in their backyard by the pool. It was a wonderful celebration with their friends and family. Thanks for inviting us!

At St. Patrick's

It was Allan G. the Chef

Congrats Ron and Joan

Poolside Party

A wonderful wedding of my step niece Ashley and Andrew followed. They are teachers and had spent several years abroad in London and Tokyo teaching overseas before returning to Ottawa. Sadly, Ashley's dad, my step brother Alan, passed away in the Spring from pancreatic cancer. Alan had given his approval and was very present in the service. His memory caused quite a few tear ups during the speeches.

Ashley was given away by her god father, retired fireman Bruce Foster. Cindy, Allan's widow, held up very well through it all. We had a great reception at Strathmere not far from Michelle and Tim's in North Gower. Ashely nd Andrew were married at the Church of the Ascension in Ottawa. Thanks for including us in your special day.

Ashley and Bruce

The Handsome Couple

Ashley and Andrew

Michelle, Jackson, Wyatt and Jordan

Cindy on the Right

Their Wedding Dance (Cindy on right again)

Ashley's sister Suzanne, Ashley and Andrew's sister

Al was a great Man

Thanks for Watching Over us Brother Al

Finally, we were invited to attend the memorial service for Gerry, the husband of our neighbour Kay's sister Lorraine. It was a big extended family celebration that went on for a week. We met people there from Vancouver Island to Florida to Newfoundland. It was another memorable time. Thanks Gene, Kay and Lorraine for your hospitality.

It was a wonderful setting