NEWS

After a successful performance tour to South Korea in 2019, the Optimists Alumni Corps is headed to the "Left" coast of the US for 2020. The tour will take place in the last half of June, when they will tour the early DCI shows through the California state. Tour details are still in progress, but rumour has it there may be some wine involved.

With much sadness we let you know that Don Daber passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2019. Don had a tremendous impact on drums corps and, certainly, on the Optimists and its members.

Don discovered Drum Corps and The Optimists in 1960. Over the years he served as corps photographer, publicity manager and corps director of the Optimists. He also began Green Capsule Comments, the newsletter for the Optimists. In addition to doing publicity for the Canadian and Ontario Drum Corps Associations, Don was also on the Board of Directors for these organizations. Don supplied photos and articles to various drum corps publications, designed promotional material, programmes and posters as well as designing the artwork used on record album covers for drum corps records. Needless to say, Don had a tremendous impact on both the Optimists and Drum Corps in general.

Obituary

Don Daber was born in Kirkland Lake, ONT, on May 2, 1929. In 1949 he moved to Toronto to study at the Ontario College of Art (now the Ontario College of Art and Design). After graduating, he began a career in graphics and photography. He moved to Ottawa, ONT, for his first full-time job at Crawley Films where he worked as a graphic artist. In 1956, Don and a partner started their own company called Advertising Art Associates. One of their clients was The Boy Scouts Association of Canada. Don?s connection with the greater drum corps community began in July 1960 when he joined two members of the Optimists executive, Al Baggs and Clare Reid, at a meeting of what was then called the Canadian Trumpet Band Association. As a result of this meeting, he was given a contract to do the artwork and program book for the upcoming championship contest. During his years with the Optimists (Toronto Optimists and Seneca Optimists), Don was a photographer, the publicity director and the corps director (more than once). He was also the creator and editor of GCC, Green Capsule Comments with the Toronto Optimists and Gold Capsule Comments with the Seneca Optimists. Don?s cartoons were frequently included in editions of GCC and many were featured in the tabloid newspaper Drum Corps World between 1971 and 2000, all of which can be found in the pages of Steve Vickers? book, ?The Art of Drum Corps World.? In addition to his work with the Optimists, he found time to work with both the Ontario and Canadian Drum Corps Associations, serving as a photographer, publicity director and board member. In his spare time he wrote articles for various drum corps publications, produced the artwork for a number of record albums (almost three dozen for the Revere, MA-based Fleetwood label) as well as designing posters and doing the program artwork for a variety of contests. Don was highly regarded both in Canada and the United States. His dedication and contributions to youth, primarily in the Drum Corps World will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements for Don

• Date: Weds April 10, 2019
• Time: 11:00 am
• LocationHeritage Funeral Centre
  50 Overlea Blvd
  Toronto, ON M4H 1B6
  Google Map to Funeral Home

Wendy did an excellent job of instructing the colour guard of the Seneca Optimists. She passed away on January 23, 2019.

Please join Wendy's family and friends on Saturday, March 23rd from 2 to 6 for a celebration of Wendy's life at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 12 Catharine Ave, Brantford. The official service starts at 3:00 pm.

Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019

Location: Knights of Columbus Hall
12 Catharine Ave
Brantford, Ontario N3T 6B8

Time: 2:00 – 6:00 pm (The service will begin at 3:00 pm)

I'm sad to inform you that Jim Dwyer passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Jim came to the Optimists Alumni around 2006 and stayed until 2011 when he began his treatment for throat cancer. Although he was not a playing member Jim was an excellent corpsman and a tremendous support to the corps. Jim served in many roles, including Business Manager and, when necessary, Drum Major. He was always ready to step in and help whenever and however it was needed. We were sad to see him leave the corps and even sadder to know that he has passed.

The Optimists Alumni extend our sincere condolences to Janice, Jim's wife, and to all of the other members of his family.

Obituary

DWYER, JAMES EDWARD At Lisaard Hospice on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Passed away peacefully in the presence of his devoted wife of 44 years Janice. Predeceased by his parents William and Florence (Hughes) Dwyer, brother Billy and sister-in-law Stella. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Janice Lynn, surviving brother George Dwyer, nieces Deborah (Joe) Chaisson, Karen Connolly, Janice Dwyer-Ball (Bill Ball), great-nieces and nephews Tom Laughlin, Devon (Andrew) Ashe, Owen and Megan Connolly, Bill and Gregory (Julia Pascutto) Ball. Jim was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1935. He was proud of his many achievements with the Air Cadets, Victoria Rifles of Canada Reserve Army. He was the Chairman of St. Patrick's Day parade. Jim was a procurement specialist manager for many years. Jim was also a volunteer with Big Brothers, as well as a member with the Optimist Alumni Drum Corp. Jim and Janice shared a passion for adventure and travel. They were able to travel extensively around the world. Relatives and friends are invited to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street, New Hamburg, for a time of visitation on Thursday, March 7th from 2 ? 4 and 6 ? 8 p.m. A funeral mass to celebrate Jim's life will take place on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish, New Hamburg. Interment to take place in Calgary, Alberta at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lisaard Hospice or the Canadian Cancer Society (Cheques Accepted). Personal condolences and donation information available at markjutzifuneralhomes.ca

Visitation for Jim

• Date: Thursday, March 7, 2019
• LocationMark Jutzi Funeral Home
  291 Huron Street
  New Hamburg
  Mark Jutzi Funeral Homes
  
• Times:2:00 pm ? 4:00 pm
  6:00 pm ? 8:00 pm
  

Funeral for Jim

• Date: Friday, March 8, 2019
• Time: 1:00 pm
• LocationHoly Family Roman Catholic Parish
  329 Huron St
  New Hamburg, ON N3A 1K3
  Holy Family Roman Catholic Church
  

I'm sad to inform you that Ron Chong passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018.

Prior to joining The Toronto Optimists Ron marched with the Golden Monarchs. Ron joined The Optimists at the end of the 1963 season playing lead Soprano. Ron 'aged-out' in 1969 but he continued working with the corps by helping instruct the horn line.

In later years Ron played with Toronto Signals. When the Optimists Alumni was formed Ron joined. Ron left the alumni at the end of the 2014 season to care for Josie, his wife; however, his heart was also with the corps and its members. When the Optimists Alumni went to Indianapolis this past summer, Ron came along for the ride.

Not long after we returned from Indianapolis Ron was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away, at 2:25 this morning (Sunday, October 28, 2018).

The Optimists Alumni extend our sincere condolences to Josie, Ron's wife, to Rawni, Ron's daughter, and to all of the other members of his family.

Obituary

CHONG, RONALD ARTHUR February 12, 1948 - October 28, 2018 Passed away early Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer. Predeceased by father Joseph, mother Margaret (nee Brown) and brother Gordon. Devoted husband to wife Josie, father to daughter Rawni (Matt Young), step-father to sons Paul, Chris and Wayne. Grandfather to Shawn, Ryan, Patrick, Eric, Kayla, Kate, Sam and Will. Great-grandfather to Emma, Keegan, Carter, Olivia, Madison and Max. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at Lakeridge Health Oshawa for their attentiveness, compassion and care in Ron's final days. A deeply spiritual man, Ron's practice of religion was everyday, simple and direct kindness. An excellent musician, he began his drum corps career in 1962, marched with various corps over the years and continued to support the Optimists Alumni long after he stopped playing the horn. Ron loved to study the classical guitar and particularly enjoyed playing with family and friends and singing with his grandchildren. Ron's friends, including those from his years with the Toronto Transit Commission and the drum corps, will be received on Friday, November 2nd at The Simple Alternative Funeral Centre, 1057 Brock Rd., Pickering (south of Hwy. 401). Visitation at 10 a.m., Ceremony at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron's memory to Lakeridge Health Oshawa or The Optimists Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps (4 Lillibet Rd., Toronto, ON M8Z 3S2) would be gratefully accepted.

Funeral and Visitation for Ron

• Date
  • Friday, November 2, 2018
• Location
  • The Simple Alternative Funeral Centre
  • 1057 Brock Road, Pickering (South of 401)
• Visitation: 10:00 am
• Ceremony: 11:00 am
• Reception to follow