NEWS

We are saddend to inform you of the passing of Richard St. Onge. Rick was one of the Sarnia "imports" that came to the Seneca Optimists. He was with the corps through the winter of 1976/77, but did not compete in the summer.

Richard's obituary may be found here.

Our In Memory page for Richard is here.

Vern Johansson passed away at home on January 4, 2022 after a short battle with cancer (News, In Memory). His legacy within the Optimists organizations is one that has left everyone who has known him or even briefly met him with a long-lasting impression of one of the kindest hearts who had a wonderful ability to make you laugh about nearly anything.

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On our website, you will find many contributions from Vern within our Gallery Photos, in our Memorabilia where he documented the history of the Toronto Optimists (THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE AND THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT), and more recently in his wonderful tribute to his dear friend and our website founder, Ray Roussel.

We are now pleased to provide you with a new slideshow of photos of Vern from our Gallery, with background music of the tune More from the motion picture Mondo Cane (a piece played by the Toronto Optimists in Vern's early years there).

Vern Johansson passed away last night, January 4, 2022. Because of COVID-19 restrictions there will not be a public funeral. The family however look forward to a Celebration of Life for Vern later when conditions allow. Details will be shared when known.

Our hearts are broken.

Vern was receiving palliative care at home. In early December Vern had a more positive prognosis but unfortunately later it was no longer the same story. Further tests revealed that the pancreatic cancer was much further advanced and had now metastasized into the liver.

Our In Memory page for Vern may be found here.

After the long pandemic induced dry period experienced by most performing arts, the Optimists Alumni are happy to announce they are back to performing again. As health restrictions have eased, many municipalities have decided to provide their communities with their widely enjoyed Santa Claus parades. This season, the Optimists Alumni have prepared over several rehearsals and will be performing in parades in Brampton, Port Hope, Aurora, and Woodstock.

We are sad to inform you of the passing of Optimists Alumni, Chris Taylor. Chris was a member of the original Alumni experience in 2003/4 as a snare drummer. His drum corps life was spent with the Guelph Royalaires and the Oakland Crusaders where he also went on to instruct.

Obituary is here.

Our In Memory page for Chris is here.