NEWS

With great sadness we have to tell you that another former Optimist is no longer with us. We have just learned that Peter Coward has passed away on August 31, 2014. Pete was a member of both the Scout Band and Opti-Corps.

Obituary

August 19, 1936 - August 31, 2014

Dad passed peacefully after a battle with cancer. He was pre deceased by his parents Alice and Arthur, brother John, wife Jackie and son Loran (Northcott). He is survived by daughters Dawn (John Bronk), Lorna Jones, Wendy Kirwin , Kim (Bob Parker) and son Steve (Rita), 9 grandchildren , 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad spent most of his life on the water. He was a Chief Petty Officer 1st Class in the Naval Reserves, worked for the BC Coast Guard and retired from CFB Esquimalt. He was also a member of the White Ensign Naval Club. The greatest love of his life was Jackie and they enjoyed the lives they shared with their family. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Boniface Hospital and to the staff at Riverview for making his last weeks comfortable.

Memorial Service

• A servivice will be held in Winnipeg on September 6. The location is Cropo Funeral Chapel and the time is 11 am.
• Cropo Funeral Chapel
  1442 Main St
  Winnipeg, MB
  R2W 3V7
  (204) 586-8044

Sadly we have lost another Optimist and must announce the passing of Bob Brown. Bob joined Opti-Corps in 1955 and stayed with the Optimists until he aged out in 1961. While in the Optimists Bob played baritone. After leaving the corps he continued to satisfy his love of music by playing trombone. In 2009 Bob once again played baritone with the Optimists, this time in the Optimists Alumni ensemble that performed at the G.A.S. (Great Alliance of Seniors) gathering in Gettysburg, PA. We offer our condolences to Bob's wife and family.

Obituary

BROWN, Robert Earl - Died March 7, 2014, aged 73, at Bridgepoint Hospital, Toronto, after a long battle with cancer. Beloved husband of 50 years to Carole, loving father of Graeme and Kevin (Wynne), devoted grandfather of Emma and caring brother and brother-in-law to Andrea Journeaux (Peter), Ian Brown (Darlene), Ann Wright and Ron Wright. A professional engineer, he will be remembered by all for his keen mind, mentorship, humour and wise counsel. Bob's passion for music, especially playing trombone, was a lifelong source of joy and cherished friendships. Bob will be buried in a private family ceremony.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra (cathedralbluffs.com) or the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation - Sarcoma Fund (thepmcf.ca).

With great sadness we announce the passing of Gary 'Chops' Czapinski. In the 1970s Gary designed shows for the Toronto Optimists and the Seneca Optimists. The famous parachute of the 1977 Seneca Optimists was one of Gary's creations. The idea is said to have been inspired by Czapinski's walk through an elementary school one day where he saw students doing an exercise routine with a parachute coordinated to music. Gary will be missed by a great many in the Drum Corps and Marching Band communities.

Gary was instrumental in moving along DCI visual design, and he and his wife Marie have judged marching band and drum corps shows for years. Without Gary's nurturing and constant desire to be new, fresh and different, our activity would be very different today. Possibly a little less imaginative, colorful and forward thinking. He is truly one of the master visual 'producer/designers' of our time.

Gary is survived by his wife Marie, a drum corps, winter guard and marching band judge who was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame just this past August.

A celebration of Gary's life will take place for family and friends on Saturday, Jan. 11 in Chicago. A memorial fund has been setup in his honor. Contributions can be made to:

Chops Memorial Fund
c/o Marie Czapinski
7757 Van Buren Street #408
Forest Park, IL 60130

I'm sad that I have to tell that another former Optimist is no longer with us. We have just learned that Evert Botterweg has passed away. Evert was the equipment manager and truck driver for the Toronto Optimists from 1971 through 1975. When Seneca Optimists was formed in 1976, Evert became their equipment manager. Evert was not only a wiz at managing equipment he was also a gem of a human being.

His home for the last 36 years was Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born in Appledorn, the Netherlands. Evert was 85 years young.

Rick & Cindy Tracey's grand-daughter, Kiara Rose (pronounced like tiara) was born on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 11:19 am weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz.! She is so adorable and healthy as is her mom, Carissa and dad, Patrick Douglas! Her 7 siblings are delighted by her as she was brought to their home in Sutton at 8 pm on Sunday night! Kiara is Cindy & Rick's 8th grand-daughter and their 15th grand-child!