NEWS

On Monday October 25, 2010 Richard 'Dick' Brown passed away from cancer. Dick was the founder of the Etobicoke Optimists Lancers as well as the first Corps Director of The Optimists Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held in November on a date to be finalized in the near future. Details will be posted when they are available.

With family by his side, John passed away October 10, 2010 from a battle with cancer. He was born July 25th, 1947 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada to John Joseph and Josephine Pachereva.

He is survived by his mother Josephine, his loving partner of 18 years, Patricia Nabinger, his brothers James and Larry, with wife Lisa, and sister Carol, with husband Richard Campbell.

Also surviving are sons Justin Pachereva and wife Christy, Christopher Pachereva and fianc? Jesse, Jacob Nabinger and wife Tiffanie, and daughter Sarah Nabinger and boyfriend Alex. His grandchildren are Summer, Jack, Brea, Keegan, Xander, and Liam. His nieces are Kristin Lopes with husband Steven, and Emily. And his great-niece is Sydney, and great-nephew Matthew. He is preceded in death by his father, John and brother Thomas.

He was an avid Drum Corps enthusiast from an early age and grew his first passion as a member of the Preston Scout House Drum and Bugle Corps, and The Toronto Optimists. He continued his support as an instructor, director and composer in multiple drum corps. He had a second passion for all types of Auto Racing, and actively participated in the sport until he could no longer contribute.

John will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Funeral mass will be held on October 21st at 10 a.m. at St. Clement's Church, 745 Duke Street, Cambridge.

Funeral Service

• Funeral Service will be held at
  St. Clement's Church
  745 Duke Street, Cambridge.
• at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 21.

KEY, Edward Lewis - August 5, 1939 -- October 7, 2010

After a long and hard fought battle with cancer, Ted Key passed away peacefully with his loving wife Jean, of 36 years, at his side. Ted leaves behind his sons Teddy and Andrew (Katlyn) and his two adored grandsons, Ryan and Jordan. Ted was predeceased by his mother Daisy Key (Loveridge) and his father Edward Key. Aside from his devotion to his family, Ted had 3 other passions. He loved music. He had a long and successful career as a music teacher with the TDSB at Parkway Vocational School, Brockton High School and Danforth Technical School. He was an excellent teacher who used enthusiasm and humour to bring out the best in his students. For many years, Ted was a member of the Canadian Judges Association which adjudicated marching bands in Canada and the United States. Ted was also the Musical Director for the DCAT chorus which put on many successful performances in the GTA. Ted was a proud member of Remembrance Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite. Finally, Ted loved his cottage at Dickey Lake. It was his refuge and his castle. He loved to put on lavish dinner parties for his friends and neighbours. He could tell a good joke. Ted was a Director and President of Shawano Ratepayers for many years. His family would like to thank the medical staff at Sunnybrook Hospital for their care and compassion during this difficult time. He was a terrific husband, a great Dad and an indulgent grandfather. He will be sorely missed.

Visitation

• Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday, October 11th
• at the Ogden Funeral Home
  4164 Sheppard Ave. E.
  Scarborough (east of Kennedy Rd.)
• Google Map for Ogden Funeral Home

Funeral Service

• Funeral Service will be held in the Ogden Chapel
• at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 12.

The Optimists Alumni Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on September 26, 2010 at the Legion The Corps Executive for the coming year is as follows:

• President & Corps Director - Rick Robida (2nd year of 2 year term)
• Vice President - Bill Kane (1st year of 2 year term)
• Secretary - Gord Brown (2nd year of 2 year term)
• Treasurer - Mike Lang (1st year of 2 year term)
• Directors-at-Large - Brian Adam & Carol Munro

There is currently one Director-at-Large position vacant that will be appointed by Management Committee as per the Corps' Constitution. Anyone interested in helping out should speak to any member of the Management Committee.

The Management Committee and the entire Corps expresses their thanks to the outgoing Directors-at-Large, Ron Chong and Rick Shearer.

Alan Lowery, Terry Sweeney's grandson, passed away on Thursday, September 23rd. Although he was only 17, Alan was air cadet pipe band drum major, Paris-Port Dover drum major and K-W firefighters pipe drum major. In addition, he was active with the Cambridge Fusilliers.

The funeral was today with over 500 people at the church. Massed pipes and drums, including about 35 pipers, complete with police escort, marched up from the Armories. They were followed by his Air Cadet squadron. They all came into the church to fill up any spaces inside. Five drummers played inside for about 5 minutes.

"LOWERY, Alan John Passed away suddenly on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at the age of 17. Cherished son of Kathryn and Glenn Lowery. Dearly loved grandson of Barb and Terry Sweeney and the late Eileen and James Lowery. Alan will also be sadly missed by his aunts, uncles, cousins, family and a large circle of friends. Alan was a grade 12 student at Paris District High School and a member of the 296 Cambridge Air Cadets and the Paris/Port Dover Pipe Band. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him."