NEWS

I just received this message from Vern Johansson.

'I am very happy to announce that Lorne Ferrazzutti is now a member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in the Associate category (a division that rewards those who made a valuable contribution to drum corps behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.) Barry is a member in the same category. Lorne is elated at the news and will be going to Rochester for DCA weekend to be honoured into the Hall.

This is great news for a man who has done so much for the world of drum corps in Canada. I'm proud to have been involved in his election to the Hall.'

It is with great sadness that I let you know that Brian Byrne has passed away.

Prior to joining The Toronto Optimists Brian marched with the Grantham Police Boys Band. When Brian joined The Optimists in 1965 he played French Horn. In 1968 the corps dropped their French Horns and he played Mellophone. Brian was the first of the Byrne clan to join the Optimists. He was later joined by his brothers David, John and Peter.

When the Optimist Alumni was formed, Brian joined. Until health issues forced him to resign, he served on the Alumni Board of Directors as Treasurer. In 2005, the corps was in need of a Drum Major. Brian rose to the occasion, took conducting lessons and served as the corps' Drum Major.

Brian was a wonderful human being and the best of friends. He will be missed by all of those who knew him. Our condolences go to Brian's brothers, John and Peter, and their families as well as the family of Brian's deceased brother, David.

Messages of condolences can be posted on the Optimists Alumni Facebook page.

Interment for Brian

• The interment will be private.

Celebration of Brian's Life

• Date: April 1st
• A brief service will begin at 2:00 pm. The service will be followed by refreshments.
• Time: 2:00 — 5:00 pm
• Place: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
  106 Trinity Street in Toronto
• Acrobat Map to Enoch Turner Schoolhouse

Obituary for Brian

Brian William Wesley Byrne, 69, died peacefully, with loving family at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre on March 11th, 2017. Predeceased by his parents Clifford and Alice and brother David. Brian's wonderful sense of humour, extraordinary tenacity and profound love of life will be sorely missed by his brothers John Byrne (Nancy) of St. Catharines and Peter Byrne (Kathy) of Toronto. And the ‘world's ugliest dog', Brian's beloved Amos.

Brian was the favourite uncle of Alison Rochon (Rick), Cameron Byrne (Michelle) and Andrew Byrne (Kristi) as well as Jackson and Christian Byrne, and all their little ones who loved him so very much. The entire family wishes especially to thank Dr. Patricia Hose who treated Brian with great love and kindness these last few years.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Canadian Cancer Society or The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

All are welcome to a Celebration of Brian's Life to be held on April 1st at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 106 Trinity Street in Toronto. A brief service will begin at 2 p.m. to be followed by refreshments.

• Link to entry for Brian on Legacy.com (valid until April 22, 2017)

With much sadness we must tell you that Al Miller passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016. Al marched with the Toronto Optimists, the Commanders and the Optimist Alumni.

Al began his time in the Optimist carrying a flag before moving to rifle where he carried a chrome-plated Lee-Enfield .303, complete with a chrome plated bayonet! After aging out, Al joined the Commanders, again carrying a rifle. When he joined the Optimists Alumni he decided that he wanted to be musical and joined our cymbal line. Al was a good man who will be missed by all who knew him. Our condolences go to Al's family.

Messages of condolences can be posted on the Optimists Alumni Facebook page.

Obituary

ALEXANDER NIGEL MILLER Passed away in his 76th year, after a long battle with cancer, at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on October 21, 2016. Son of the late Alexander (Sandy) and Nola Miller, father of Robert and the late Kirstin, beloved brother of Sandra Bohn, David Miller, Cathy Hufnagel and the late Nola Miller, beloved uncle of Lee, David, Colin, Mark, Darlene, Sarah, Kelsey, Jennifer, Juanita and Johnathon and all his great-nieces and nephews. A longtime member of the Toronto Optimist Drum & Bugle Corps, the Canadian Commanders and latterly, the Optimist Alumni, Alex spent his career in the electronic components industry before retiring to his log home on the Crowe River. Cremation will be at Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre, Peterborough, with a memorial ceremony and scattering of the ashes to be held at a date to be arranged. Condolences to the family and donations to the charity of your choice can be made at AshburnhamFuneral.ca Many thanks to the staff at PRHC Palliative Care for your care and compassion.

Memorial for Al

• Unfortunately the family decided that they would not have a memorial.

With much sadness we must inform you that Henry Beben has passed away. Henry had been involved with the Optimists from the very beginning. He was a member of the Boy Scout Band that began it all, then Opti-Corps, the Toronto Optimists and the Optimists Alumni. Henry was also a former Corps Director of the Optimists Alumni and was instrumental in the corps obtaining it's uniforms. In addition, Henry was a key organizer of every Optimists' reunion from the 1980s up until 2008.

Henry passed away on September 30, 2016. He will be missed by all of those who knew him. Our condolences go to Caroll and the rest of Henry's family.

Messages of condolences can be posted on the Optimists Alumni Facebook page.

Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Henry George Beben on Friday September 30th, 2016 at the age of 76. Henry will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Caroll Beben (nee Karius), his brother Ron Beben (William Denison), his four daughters Deborah Grier (David Grier), Laura Beben-Feehan (Jamie Feehan), Alyson Beben (Derrick Rayner) and Nicole Beben (Ian Walterhouse); and his 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew, Heather, Daniel, Caitlin, Braedon, Bridget, Julia, Megan, Kate and Luke.

After emigrating from Poland in the 1930s, Henry's parents, Frank and Mary Beben, settled in Toronto. In high school, Henry was a gifted athlete. He excelled as a runner and played quarterback for the Oakwood Collegiate Institute football team. Through his teenage years, he played trumpet in the Boy Scout Band that later became the Toronto Optimists Drum and Bugle Corps. In 1958, the Corps won the Canadian Championship - an achievement of which Henry was extremely proud. He formed lifelong friendships with many of his fellow band members including Dennis DeCarli, Phil Hennings, Warren Mills, Ed Nanni and Jim Patten.

Henry entered the work force as a stock boy at Fredrick's Market on Davenport Road in Toronto. His first sales position was with the H. J. Heinz Company where Henry found his passion for the food industry. Over the next 50 years, he built an extraordinary career. As the President and Chief Operating Officer at The Heritage Group (including J.M. Schneider Inc.), Henry spearheaded the expansion of the company. Sales grew exponentially under his leadership.As the President and Chief Executive Officer at Gainers Inc., Henry helped rebuild the struggling company by developing substantial export sales in international markets.

Later in his career, Henry realized his lifelong aspiration to own and manage several companies including his prized business venture - Principal Marques Incorporated. In his retirement, Henry travelled with Caroll, supported the Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs by attending many games and enjoyed the company of his friends and family. He took a special interest in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and derived great happiness from their accomplishments. He was fiercely proud of each of them.

Visitation will be held at Marshall Funeral Home at 10366 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 3B8 on Wednesday October 5th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday October 6th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with service to follow.

Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Visitation and Service for Henry

• The visitation and the service will both be held at the
  Marshall Funeral Home
  10366 Yonge St
  Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5N1
• Google map to the Marshall Funeral Home
• Visitation:
  • Wednesday, October 5th, 2016, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Thursday, October 6th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m
• Service: Thursday, October 6th, 2016, 11:00am

A 'Memorial Mass' will be held for Rick Robida on Saturday, July 30, 2016

Location:

• Eglise Du Sacre Coeur
  72 Empire Street
  Welland, ON L3B 2L4

Time:

• 11:00 AM

Reception:

• Following the service a luncheon will be held in the church hall.