NEWS

A 'Celebration of Life' for Paul Thompson will be held on Saturday, April 25th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The location is the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 344, 1395 Lakeshore Blvd. West in Toronto, ON M6K 3C1.

Paul's family has very few photos of Paul. If you have a photo of Paul they ask that you please bring it with you. The photo you bring will be displayed during the remembrance then you can take it home with you.

I'm sad to tell that another former Optimist is no longer with us. We have just learned that Karl Bossert has passed away.

Karl played soprano in the Toronto Optimists in the early 1960s and had been living in Cocoa Beach, Florida for some time. He passed away in Florida on February 22, 2015 after a battle with cancer. Karl will be missed by all of those who knew him.

With great sadness I have to tell that another friend and corps member is no longer with us. We have just learned that Paul Thompson has passed away.

Paul began his connection with the Optimists in 1963 working with his father at the Optimists booster table. In 1964 he joined the corps playing Euphonium and, from 1965 until 1969, Paul played Contrabass. After aging out Paul continued working with the corps as an instructor and, at times, took on the role of drum major. Paul and Ray Roussel even wrote a Bugle Manual that was used, not just by the Optimists, but by a number of other corps. In addition, Paul was one of the architects of the 1972 corps which won Optimists 12th Nationals.

When the Alumni corps began Paul was there, doing his best to help out. He assisted with the music, ran the Thursday night music rehearsals until they were cancelled, obtained the rights for us to play our music and, until health issues forced him to stop, played contrabass.

Paul will be missed by all of those who knew him.

Obituary

THOMPSON, Paul Newman - Age 66 of Toronto, passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital, January 6, 2015 after an 8 year battle with cancer. Paul was born in Toronto February 16, 1948 to Bernard and Elizabeth Thompson (nee Balfour). Brother of the late Bernadette Stolte and twin sister Bernardine, Stephanie Keat Brenner and Leo. He will be sadly missed by his nephew Jason Patrick Keat, niece Christine Stotle Eliadas and great-niece Alexandra and nephew Robbie. A graduate of St. Michael's College School and Teachers College, Paul was also a member of the Toronto Optimists Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to marching with the Optimists he served as an instructor and arranger for the corps. Paul believed in higher education and the goodness of everyone. He donated his body to science for the good of others.

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Paul's Life will be scheduled for the spring. It will be held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 on Lakeshore Road in Toronto.

I'm sad that I have to tell that another former Optimist is no longer with us. We have just learned that Gerrie Leebody has passed away. Gerrie marched in the Optimists Alumni snare line in 2006 and 2007. Most recently he had been drumming with Simcoe United Alumni. Gerrie's history with drum corps goes all the way back to the Jolly Jesters, with whom he marched. Gerrie will be missed by all who knew him.

Obituary

Passed away suddenly at his home on November 29th, 2014 in his 77th year. Beloved husband to his wife Janet. Loving father of Scot/Kanika and Steven/Julie. Proudest Papa to Jessie, Brooke and Nyala. Sadly missed by sister Ileene, brother-in-law Doug and sisters-in-law Elaine and Kim. His loss is also mourned by his many cherished nephews and nieces. Gerrie was a man of music and a master of the drum. His talent and passion won him the respect and admiration of all those that music brought together. He was a proud man. Always loved, always respected, always to be remembered. Cremation has taken place.

Please send condolences to leeber@sympatico.ca

It is with much sadness the we have to tell you that another former Optimist is no longer with us. We have just learned that Larry Cheevers passed away on Satuday, September 6th. Larry started in the boy scout band, moved to Opti-Corps in 1956 and played with the Toronto Optimists until 1960, when he aged out.

Obituary

Larry was born in Toronto and moved to Willowdale in his early teens. He was actively involved as a member of the Anglican Young Peoples Association and greatly enjoyed planning their activities. One of his fondest memories was of his time spent in the Toronto Optimists Drum and Bugle Corps from 1958 to 1960 when they were the Canadian National Junior Drum Corps Champions.

He often reminisced about the house boat trips he took with his son and brother Bob and his family. Larry had begun to enjoy travel; his trips with Susan included an Alaskan cruise, the Dominican, Salt Spring Island in British Columbia to visit brother Phil and family. In the late 1980s, Larry and Susan took his mother back home to Minonk, Illinois to visit her brothers, making a stop at Mackinac Island where there is no vehicular traffic. He was happy that he wasn't the electrician pedaling the bicycle and wagon used to transport tools, materials and ladders. Larry's last trip with Susan was to New Brunswick to visit family, stopping in Prince Edward Island for a few days.

Larry was an electrician by trade and was recently honoured with his 55 year membership pin.

As a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375, Larry spent many years on the Property Committee helping to keep things running smoothly. He was also a dedicated member of the Poppy Committee, spending long hours planning poppy routes and assisting in the delivery and collection of silent poppy boxes.

Larry's favourite place to be was at the cottage on Harvey Lake, fishing and enjoying nightly bonfires with many cottage friends, especially in the winter. He worked tirelessly to keep the cottage in good repair and could always be found working to maintain the private road. He was an amazing partner to Susan, of over 25 years, always protective and supportive of her.

Larry always had a smile for his loved ones to match his heart of gold. He was never rushed or in a hurry (this was known as Larry time), and was always happy to share a story or a laugh.

Larry is dearly loved and will be deeply missed by everyone blessed to know him, his family, friends and his loving partner Susan.

Visitation

• Marshall Funeral Home
  10366 Yonge Street
  Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B8
  905-884-1062
• Thursday, September 11th, 2014 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
• Thursday, September 11th, 2014 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
• Friday, September 12th, 2014 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Funeral

• Marshall Funeral Home
  10366 Yonge Street
  Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B8
  905-884-1062
• Friday, September 12th, 2014 at 1:30pm