Circular No 855

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 24 March 2018 No. 855

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Dear Friends,

Emails continue below.

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A long resurrected letter written by Geoffrey W. Prada.

Caracas, 29 of October 1981

(here are excerpts from the letter, ed.)

Got your letter. My credit cards show that my company is called “Maraven S.A.” (ex compañia Shell de Venezuela) P.O.Box 829, Caracas 1010-A, Venezuela and that I am a programmer in the Cabotaje/Export of oils business, shipping what we got and sometimes what we a´int got.

My credit is good – but payments are awful.

Heard from a friend last Sunday that Jack (Knaggs) has built a beanstalk shanty town style “ hut” at Mayaro and the amazing thing is that he “lives” in the darn thing.

They tell me that he flies often to Barbados to see his wife and kids. I knew Jack was crazy but not that loco.

If he’s happy then all is well but the family in Barbados is what I’m surprised to hear about.

Lisa and Ian are now with all the tribe in Canada.

Heard Charles lost his business – try to enquire and let me know what’s with him – he never wrote me a line in his life – guess he’s illiterate like the rest of this crazy family.

Mona is still in Trinidad but we had her daughter Elizabeth over for a couple of weeks and she told me she wants to live with us for a year or so before taking off to Canada.

Mona wants to remain in Trinidad for reasons known only to her.

The last time we went to Trinidad was when we were with you – I think that’s when Lisa’s eldest son got married. Since then, we have not traveled much – only to Aruba.

Venezuela (like most countries today) is taking a dive income and finance wise.

Somebody once said that every time the world goes into an economical crisis – a world war comes along to wipe out half humanity so that the other half can be fed.

But things are getting from bad to worse.

Sorry to learn about Fr. Bernard.

Do you know if Fr. Ildephonse (he who whipped Charles (Prada) in the presence of the entire college) still alive?

I sent Fr. Cuthbert a post card at the Mount, but I doubt if he will reply to it. He may be too busy to do so.

As the mail is closing in ten minutes, I’m stopping here.

Write soon.

Will give you details about my tribe next time and if I grow mad enough I may even send you a genuine photo.

Geoff (Geoffrey) Prada

(Sorry to inform his friends that I contacted the family and they told me that he passed away to the Lord some 5 years ago, ed.)

I am enclosing a photo where he is with his wife Carmen Mercedes.

(I hope that those that were his classmates can follow up with a short note, so that I may include it in a future edition, ed.)

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From: "c de marothy" <cdemarothy@nj.RR.com>

Date: 26 Mar 15:24 (PST)

I have just received this circular. I am missing quite a few.

I cannot help you with Harry Guildner Irwin Serrette, Greard Pampellone and Claude Johnson.

I wish I could since they were in my class of 1959 I do know that Irwin lives in Trinidad and have phoned him when I was there for the reunion but did not have a chance to speak with him.

I have to sadly report that Ronald Gokool has passed away about 10 years ago.

I got this info from the Hilton hotel where he used to work and where I met him in 1979 when I visited Trinidad.

I'll keep you informed of others as I hear from them.

Please keep the circulars going.  Also you please forward me circular 122 and 123. Seems I did not receive them

Thank you and stay well.

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14-11-2017 No dear not YOU as in Joseph Habib, but YOU all in general.

14-11-2017: Joseph Habib: Not really. Like I said, he's an old mount boy. You see some of the things he posts sometimes weekly.

14-11-2017: Yes I know. But am not pointing at you is what am saying.

14-11-2017: Joseph Habib: I understand.

14-11-2017: 769-7471: Support addition of Ladislao.

14-11-2017 (868) 795-5292: I support.

14-11-2017 (868) 719-5391: I support.

14-11-2017 +44 7494 572400: I support.

14-11-2017 (868) 708-0300: ðŸ ðŸ 👠ðŸ

14-11-2017 (868) 766-6566: ðŸ ðŸ ðŸ

14-11-2017: Msbt Garth Mc Alpin: Why not, let him in!

14-11-2017:(868) 755-8672: ðŸ ðŸ

14-11-2017 (868) 477-2906: ðŸ‚

15-11-2017 (868) 683-0945: ðŸ ðŸ 🂠👠ðŸ

15-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Men....such simple creatures

15-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Some have it and some don´t

15-11-2017 (868) 719-5391: ðŸ

15-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Very philosophical Mr Rose ðŸ

16-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: The second video from Mr Habib, wow. That boy/man isn´t working, is he? Stupid for days. Englandian and Irish in his appendix.

16-11-2017 Msbt Garth Mc Alpin: But all yuh Chinese have very small parts... ðŸ ðŸ.

16-11-2017 Joseph Habib: Well said. Well done. I would have done the same.

16-11-2017 (868) 766-6566: Is this factual information

*Everyone is important according to his/her unique purpose. Never look down on others unless you are admiring their shoes*

16-11-2017 Msbt Garth Mc Alpin: What about his descendents...non a dem could do d job???

16-11-2017 (868) 683-0945: Found him !!!......lol

16-11-2017 (868) 683-0945: Or the eldest daughter!

16-11-2017 Msbt Garth Mc Alpin: 🂠ðŸ 😂 Dats a bigass gun

16-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Lmao

16-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Five Horses Is Her Name.

This is mythical & deep. A man asked an American Indian what was his wife's name. He replied, 'She is called Five Horses'. The man said, 'That's an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?'

The Old Indian answered, 'It old Indian Name. It means..... Wait for it......'Nag, Nag, Nag, Nag, Nag!'

16-11-2017 (868) 477-2906: Way hah Definitely a winner

17-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Actually I think it was the Mongols'......LOL

17-11-2017 09 (868) 277-4913: Can I get my card before Christmas

17-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Very

17-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Oh please. Prudes. I thought it funny.

17-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: You wouldn't be if you were on the receiving end

17-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Quite.

17-11-2017 (868) 477-2906: You have not knocked Collins off the top with his joke Nah Nah Nah

17-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Thank you Family

17-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Who Collins? I knoweth not this person or do I?

17-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Colin de Verteuil. Attended MSBC 79 - 85

17-11-2017 +44 7494 572400: Good day members when introducing your self to the group pls put a recent pix so we could put a face to the name

17-11-2017: Msbt Garth Mc Alpin: Neil dat Is nasty bro

17-11-2017 10:59:49: +44 7853 384622: Ok Colin I know your name but Cush remember de face

17-11-2017 (868) 344-3271: Cool. Will have to dig up some pictures from that time.

18-11-2017 Joseph Habib: Over the past few months I have forwarded some inappropriate pictures and jokes to friends who I thought shared the same sense of humour. Unfortunately this wasn't the case and I seem to have upset quite a few people, who have accused me of being sexist and shallow. If you are one of these people, please accept my sincerest apologies. From now on I will only post or send e-mail with a cultural or educational content, such as old monuments, nature and other interesting topics.

Below is a picture of the Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris. It is the oldest bridge in Paris and took 26 years to build. It was completed in 1604.

18-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Joseph Habib. Naughty.

18-11-2017 +44 7494 572400: Lol i think the architectural construction is absolutely devine

18-11-2017 (868) 766-6566: Joe love that bridge lovely arches and curves I see the holes and right looking assets ðŸ 😆

18-11-2017 (868) 681-9448: Robert those curves and assets probably correct remedies to keep the prostate gland in check

18-11-2017 +31 6 11599326: Had to share this one, ðŸ

18-11-2017 (868) 786-0000: Joe thank you for that lovely pic. I can just imagine the ecstatic feeling sailing my ship back and forth  through the tunnel.

18-11-2017 (868) 766-6566: Yes Nadim I totally agree u see Sheldon post ah rude plant it have to be ah trini fig plant lol

18-11-2017 +31 6 11599326: Yes ah real trini fig tree boy only in trini can we find these species of fig 🂠ðŸ‚

18-11-2017 14:47:09: +1 (868) 766-6566: Lol

18-11-2017 (868) 386-2555: Oh fig man

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Joe you can't be serious, Oh never mind,  you crazy ass

18-11-2017 +44Â 7853 384622: I have noticed one person had left the group. Used to be 41.

18-11-2017 (868) 795-5292: Joe I fell of a chair with this one. Great.

18-11-2017 (868) 769-7471: Thanks Anthony for this pix.

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Found these old pictures that Joe Habib and I took a few years ago when we visited Fr. Cuthbert and Fr. Odo rest there souls.

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Below are some pictures of the devastation of the swimming pool we all loved. Last one was Joe reminiscing his days taking a shower at the pool, Those pictures make me sad to look at

18-11-2017 (868) 769-7471: Thanks to u and Joe

18-11-2017 (868) 681-9448: Very sad i learn to swim in that pool.

18-11-2017 Ladislao: I saw the pool being filled for the first time in September. The water level showed that the bottom concrete slab was not horizontal. Bro. Gabriel was called once the pool was emptied and using the topograph level. Determined a unlevel of around 8 inches. On the village side. The contractor had to increase the height of the top walkways to make it level. That is why the south side was deeper, see photo. The repair took the whole trimester.  We were denied the pleasure during the rainy season

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: I had no idea any of this was happening, the last time I visited the mount was 2 days before Fr. Cuthbert passed and it looked even worse than my pictures. Maybe I have to more attention to details

18-11-2017 Ladislao: The year was 1956

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: I am a bit younger than that my friend,  I wasn't even born yet,  lol..... I left the mount i believe the year of 1984 and the pool was functional, if you're had anything to do with the repairs in 1956 thank you, because I surely enjoyed the fruits of your labour, I think I was the last of the boys in the Aqua Lads....Fr.  Benedict was our swimming coach along with coach Kaki.....

18-11-2017 18:42:04: Ladislao: I was in form 1. A bystander that was amazed to observe that in our pool the physics laws did not follow, the border of the pool did not match the water level, haha.  O was it the other way about?  I presume the error was because half of the pool was on filled earth and the slab compacted the loose earth

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Wow! I am sure  Fr. Benedict (voosh) was somehow involved with that

18-11-2017 Ladislao: He was just giving us the physics laws. Great science teacher

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: I remember him as the crazy science geek teacher, very very knowledgeable man. They all were. Miss them all,

18-11-2017 Ladislao: There is a beautiful article in the circular written by Nigel Boos .

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Will look for it. Gotta run now .Nice chatting

18-11-2017 Ladislao: Are you in the alumni list?

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: I think I am, not  100% sure

18-11-2017 Ladislao: I can check,   Anthony Ali? Graduated form 5? Year?

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Mark Anthony Ali. Graduated form 5. I believe my years attended was 1978-79 till 1984-85.

18-11-2017 Ladislao: Your surname is Ali?

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Yes it is. Only in Trinidad would your find a white guy with the last name Ali....  Lmao

18-11-2017 Ladislao: Ok I shall check it and send you the circular

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: OK thank you

18-11-2017 Ladislao: Ha ha. Mine Ladislao. A Hungarian name

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: 🂠🂠we are all a big mixed up callaloo

18-11-2017 Ladislao: Bye my friend

18-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: Later budd

18-11-2017 (868) 761-8273: 🠂🠂ðŸ

19-11-2017 (868) 277-4913: LMAO  ðŸ ðŸ ðŸ ðŸ ðŸ

19-11-2017 +44 7853 384622: Anthony Ali must have been in form 5 with me then; Neil Trotman. Cannot remember the face though.

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

16LK2445FBJDV, Jacques de Verteuil

18UN0001, Prayers

08UN1576REUNION2008, Victor and Enrique Zanelli

57RB0001a5, Old boys from class 1958