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Glen Forest (1981)

As this admin for this site, I think I have deleted a grand total of 3 posts in 10 years.  They were deleted because they contained rude content or comments that were targeting a particular person with inflammatory comments. Please remember that people can choose to delete their own posts.  I noticed some posts disappear this week and they were not taken down by me.  Please get your facts straight before you accuse me of anything further. To all members, please remember that I can remove members also. I have done this once to someone who kept trying to sell things on this site.  This is a place for respectful dialogue between alumni of Glenforest and nothing else. 

Andreas Engel (1972)

It's now about three weeks since the 50th Reunion.  I also attended the Applewood Heights 50th a couple of years ago.  In both cases, a lot of work was done by volunteers and staff to make things happen.  I give my thanks and congratulations to all of those people who spent hundreds of hours on a successful event.

I must say, I was bemused by the total lack of interest shown by later year folks in early year alumni.  If I had the opportunity to talk to people that attended the same school 50 years before I was there, I'd be all over them with questions about life and education in those days. Different day and age, for sure...

Andreas Engel, CD

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Pam Murphy (Wiggins) (1971)

Last night our team (Cathy Heeney, Kathleen McCartney Kunder, Shriyan Mistry and myself) went to a year end celebration for the “Glenforest Robotics Team 6070” ... Thank you to Mr Williams for the invitation as we felt quite honoured to be invited!!! We watched a very informative presentation regarding all that this team (60 students) endeavours to do within restrictive guidelines, time frames and with very limited funds. They not only design, build and compete the functionality of a robot against 157 other teams across Ontario,they mentor young students in Elementary school as well as other Community Outreach Programs!!! 
It was definitely our pleasure to be there with Shriyan as he presented a cheque for $2,500 to this worthy department at Glenforest SS on behalf of the Glenforest 50th Anniversary Gala Team and the Alumni that supported us!!!

Glen Forest (1981)

I have removed the post about the 55th Anniversary as this was NOT approved by the current principal at Glenforest and she is not willing to commit to a date 5 years from now at this point.

Maureen Scott (Rose) (1973)

By the same token, why remove a post about an event that’s 5 years away?  

Shannon Bousfield

My name is Shannon Bousfield.  My father, Doug Bousfield, was an AV Tech at Glenforest until 1972. His “In Memory” is posted on this site. As was mentioned in a great reply to his memorial, my father went on school trips to Algonquin Park where he took many pictures and played his guitar by the fire. Doug passed away in 2010 and I am in possession of all of his pictures, slides and negatives. I am hoping at some point after the holidays to get his pictures scanned and posted in a place where they will be accessible to anyone interested. The archive contains a few large group photos as well as many with a few individuals boating and other camping scenes. When I het this ready I will post a link on this site and I will be welcoming any information that anyone can give me regarding those photos including names of those in the pics. For the time being I am interested in hearing from anyone who may have photos or stories involving Doug.  My father, being an avid photographer is not in any of the pictures I have from the Algonquin trips. The time my father spent with Glenforest was a very important time in his life and I suppose we all look for more information when we fear it may be too late. I greatly appreciate any information you can give me. Thanks, Shannon Bousfield. 

Shannon Bousfield

I also have pictures of a Glenforest trip in a DC-3 plane that include quite a few students. Thanks

Maureen Scott (Rose) (1973)

I remember the DC3 which was Millardair out of the airport. I believe it was a geography field trip. Mr. McCleary was one of the teachers involved. The flight left the airport and circled over Niagara Falls a few times and back. 

Bruce Rutter (1974)

It will be wonderful to see the pictures. Scanning can be a huge project, especially when there is a large pre-existing collection. It did most of my old film images a couple of summers ago (still a few to go) - up to about 25k of them so far!

Your father woud have been pleased by your efforts!

Deb Geisel (O'Blenis) (1973)

I have just heard that Jon Austin passed away on January 7th, 2021.  He was head of boy's phys ed in the early years.

Paul Reader

I worked with Jon at the Beginning  of Glenforest. We had great times together .He was a great leader and a very good teacher 

Janet Lord (Wilson) (1976)

I remember him well. Such a nice man.

David Scott (1972)

Very sad news about Jon. He was my football and basketball coach. Years after graduation I woulld bump nto him frequently as he lived on the 5th line very close to 11 Division where I was sationed before my retirement. I imagine that he knew our nickname for him was "Vince", after Vince Lombardi the famous football coach. He would quote Vince to us - "When the going gets tough the tough get going". Rest in Peace Sir and thank you for everything that you taught me.

Joe Dobko (1971)

Jon was a fine man and one I respected as a Physical Education Teacher. 

Vic Palermo (1971)

Sad to hear. He was a great coach and teacher.

Doug Brown (1973)

Thanks Deb for passing along this news, so sorry to hear. Jon Austin was a tough but fair man, who kept you on your toes. I have great memories of all the phys.ed. teachers from those days, including Paul Reader, who has posted here. Keep well and be safe all.....

Keith Wallace (1978)

So sad of Mr Austin passing. May I ask any details of funeral. Must be tough in these times.  I remember Mr Austin SO well - both at school and at our church !  I was always amazed to see my teacher sitting right there at church. Guess even high school students thought that the teachers lived at the school :)  let alone seeing them at the mall or elsewhere. Rest in peace. I was quite a skinny kid in high school and recall how he was always so fair and postive and motivating. Another great teacher, mentor and example

Ray Tibando (1972)

Deepest symapathy with the passing of Mr. Austin.  I remember him well, he was inspirational. 

Wayne Henderson (1972)

Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Austin.  I can honestly say that Jon Austin and Paul Reader were two of the most postive influences in my life.  Rest in Peace Mr. Austin.

Bob Hutchings (1974)

I have many fond memories of Mr. Austin . He was my coach and mentor through highschool and what a great coach he was. In grade 13 basketball season he taped my ankes before every game, those being the consistency of wet spagetti, which allowed me to continue to play a sport I loved.

I was lucky enough to run into Jon late last year and we had some pleasurable conversation talking about Glenforest .  I can't say enough about how he influenced my life in good ways.He was a kind , thoughtful man.

My sincerest condolences to his wife ,family and friends .

Linda (Lin) Wall (Gitterman) (1969)

Lin Gitterman (nee Linda Wall 1970)  Very sad to see these passings  

Stephen A Scott (1980)

Mr. Austin was a good man and good coach. He drove me to the hospital one afternoon when I broke my collarbone wrestling Peter K. Both Mr. Austin and Mr. Kostiuk helped make me the person I am today. 

Peter John Allen (1972)

Margaret Vann (Matheson) (1975)

So sorry to hear of Mr. Austin's passing.  Sports and band were the 2 things that made school fun to attend and Mr. Austin was a big part of that.  I have bumped into him several times over the years, at our shared dentist, at a concert where he sung in the choir,.....I found his obituary at https://turnerporter.permavita.com/index.html

There is a guest book there if anyone wishes to leave some comments.  I am sure the family would appreciate it.  To date, there is only my comment, I guess since it is so recent.  Take care all and stay safe in these unprecedented times.  As my kids tell me, be careful Mom, you are in the old and vulnerable age group (funny I can't remember getting there.....)

Deb Geisel (O'Blenis) (1973)

Thank you for that info Marg Vann. Mr. Austin was connected to our family in several ways. He was at Gordon Grayson S.S. first, where my husband knew him.  Then he was at Glenforest while I was there.  When my two oldest were at Cardinal Leger C.S. S. in Brampton, he was there.  My two younger ones went to Robert F. Hall C.S.S. in Caledon East (I also worked there for two years) and I noticed his picture on the wall as the first principal of that school.  He sure got around and had influence on many students.  I agree with Marg to, if you can, post your comments on his obituary site.  I am sure his family would love to hear all of your amazing tributes.