Newsletter for alumni of The
Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 21 of June 2014 No. 659
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Dear Friends,
Latest information on Peppers.
And the changing of the guard
for the DATABASE
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On May 22, 2014, at 1:22 PM, Nigel Boos wrote:
Thank you
for your early response, Neil, and for agreeing to allow Kazim to manage the dataBase.
With this note, therefore, I shall believe that the matter is now ended, and
Kazim will take over this responsibility.
Have a
great summer.
Nigel
Kaz, well
- here you go, my friend. Neil has agreed to step aside, and so the ball is now
squarely in your court. Good luck with it and please feel free to call on me,
should you need any help / advice - which I honestly do not believe shall be
necessary.
FYI,
here's the current status of the Database: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1717336/MSBOBs%20database.xlsx
Best
wishes.
Nigel
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On
2014-05-22, at 12:41 PM, nchacha57@aol.com wrote:
Nigel, I
have no problem with Kazim taking over since he is more computer literate. My neighbour did come and install all that I
needed. I will also be doing a bit of
travelling this summer. All the best.
Neil
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Nigel Boos
May 21
Kaz,
It was
great chatting with you yesterday. Thank you for your relentless calls until
you were able to find me. I appreciate your kindness and concern.
I do not
recall receiving your earlier email of April 30th, and I would certainly have
noted it, since it appears that you would have fit the bill perfectly, in terms
of accepting responsibility for the MSB dataBase. But now, I thank you for your
email, and I am thrilled that you would offer your kind help.
As you
would by now have learned, Neil Charles has also offered his assistance in
maintaining the dB, but he has admitted that he would need to learn Excel,
something that his neighbor had offered to teach him. So far as I know, he
hasn't yet begun his first class - but I might be mistaken.
If Neil
is willing to hand over the responsibility to you, I would have no objection at
all, and I believe that the file will be in good hands.
By copy
of this email, I am requesting of Neil that he consider your offer, and decide
whether he would like to continue to manage the dataBase, or whether he would
prefer to hand it over to you. I'm happy either way.
Neil -
please let me know what you'd like to do. Kazim has offered, and would be able
to take over immediately, with no need of any training.
Gentlemen,
I appreciate all the goodwill I have seen and felt in this little matter, and I
look forward to handing over the reins ASAP.
Thank
you, both you, Kaz, and you, Neil, for offering to help out.
With
respect,
Nigel
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On 2014-05-21, at 12:15 AM, KAZIM ABASALI wrote:
Hello
Nigel,
Copied
below is my email that I responded to you concerning the turning over of the
MSB OB Database. My response was done on April 30th as is shown. Your email was
sent to me on my general email account: empowerwithart@gmail.com
In my
response to your email, I expressed an interest in helping out, since I have
experience in database management (with Holy Cross College Alumni, I created
one for them).
I did not
receive a reply from you, and tried phoning you. Only yesterday we spoke by
phone, so I could get more details from you personally. Because of my
experience I feel I can take over the responsibilities now, since Neil Charles
expressed his interest, but at present does not have the skills. So, we all can
work together, and I can communicate with Neil as we go along and get him up to
speed.
So Nigel,
can you send this email out to the Boys for me kindly, I would appreciate it.
Also, this database that we are now facilitating is in your honour, and we give
glory to God for opportunity to serve, as you did with so much labour of love
and pure dedication.
We thank
and appreciate you greatly. Words cannot express our deep gratitude to you for
your work. God continue to bless you and family.....
Kaz
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Nigel Boos
May 5
Hello,
Phillip, Don, Jon, Arthur, Hudson, Bandit, Eddie, Paul, Juan, Chris, Brian,
Garnet, Tim, Jeansie, Peter, Eden, Gwenny, Peter, David (Q), and anyone else
who might yet write and to whom I gratefully extend my thanks.
Thank you
all for your kind words. I sincerely appreciate your sentiments, and I must
admit that I have mixed feelings in giving up my self-appointed
"responsibilities". I felt that a tool such as we've together
created, with input from everyone, would be a valuable asset for us all to
have, to be able to understand the goings-on of our friends and classmates of
long ago, and yes, I think that that objective was a worthwhile one which has
substantially been met.
We've
re-established lost contacts, re-acquainted ourselves with old friends, enjoyed
a few evenings together at reunions in Trinidad, Venezuela, Canada and the
U.S., funded a few small projects (Kitty Marcus, the 20 TT Deacons, etc.),
remembered those who have left us and gone to God, argued about stuff, shared
jokes and the occasional risqué photos, discovered personal histories, and all
of this has been magnificently managed through the guidance and Circulars of
Ladislao Kertesz, the advice of Lionel Roberts (our former Bro. Vincent) and
the continued commitment of so many who have kept our correspondence at a
superior level, and at a high level of respect.
I believe
we should be proud of ourselves. We've achieved a lot and we can hold our heads
high.
Now, I
need to let everyone know - one person has stepped out of the line and has
offered to try to take over the reins of the dataBase. I think we all owe him a
debt of gratitude, and I shall do my best to explain what I've done and
generally to pass on the file to him. It may take us a little while to
reorganize ourselves, but I would ask everyone to give your fullest support to Neil
Charles (Class of 1973) at nchacha57@aol.com.
Neil has
been a regular contributor to the many "involvements" in which we've
either found / placed ourselves. He's from a generation of students younger
than myself (1973 vs. 1960) and he should be able to inject a new sense of
purpose or commitment among those younger members of our group who we older
fellas do not know.
So
saying, Neil, I wish you well and I encourage you to stiffen your back and take
up your new charge with determination and courage. You'll have fun with the
project and your effort will be gratefully received by the MSB OB crowd.
With
respect,
Nigel
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On 2014-05-05, at 5:47 AM, Phillip Clegg wrote:
Hi Nigel,
I just
wanted to say that it is both very regrettable as well as understandable that
you have found it necessary to have to give up your wonderful website. I feel
absolutely certain that all of the alumni like myself, will be very sad to
think that you have given it up, as such a thing is unlikely to happen again,
and whilst your website was in action it performed a great service to all of
the old boys from MSM by bringing them into contact with each other, and this
of course would apply equally to all, even to those like myself who preferred
to keep their heads below the rest of the crowd and not wish to make people
aware of their presence, but nevertheless to be able to keep in touch with all
of the goings-on through the facility of the website.
I cannot
imagine that anyone else will be prepared to take on the tremendous workload
that you took on so generously and cheerfully Nigel. I would suggest that you
don't take the lack of response from the old boys as being a lack of interest
or of a lack of their appreciation for the great work that you have done, but
instead an awareness of the fact that perhaps you had done such a tremendous
job of it all that it might seem that no one else would be able to do the job
anywhere as well as you had, even if that someone could find the time to devote
to the doing of it. You would be a very hard act to follow Nigel.
It does
seem a great pity that after doing all of the work that you had in taking the
website to the great heights that you had, that it will simply cease and that
we will be left with only a memory of what a great website it had been, a
situation being to my mind rather a bit like the story of MSB itself, in that
MSB was to my mind a great and wonderful institution that had played an
important part in formative years of my own life, as no doubt it had in the
lives of most of the other MSB old boys. Now unfortunately it is no longer the
MSB that we knew all of those years ago. I have always hated endings as they
are always so sad - it seems to me that there is always something akin to a
funeral about endings in general - it is always hard to say goodbye to the
things that have become part of one’s life. That's life of course - with its
beginnings and endings - the blossoming fort and the inevitable wilting of the
beautiful thing that once was, much like ourselves really as it is plain for
all to see that none of us is the vital, effervescent creature that we once
were when we ran full tilt up and down the slopes of MSB as children, for now
instead it is the case that I must always walk as carefully as I can so as not
to end up flat on my back or something worse - gone are the days of the 'mighty
man' I'm afraid, like all things both good and bad there must always be an end,
sometimes mercifully so of course.
At any
rate Nigel, I would like to thank you personally for all of the good work that
you had put into your website and I do wish you and your family all of the very
best in the future.
My very
best wishes to you and to yours,
Phillip
Clegg
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On Friday, 2 May 2014, 17:11, Jackie Boos <jackie@alittlesweet.ca>
wrote:
Gentlemen,
I have
received no indication of interest from anyone, to continue the maintenance of
the MSB Old Boys' database. I am therefore ceasing all activity on this
project, effective immediately.
Wishing
everyone all success in everything that you do. May God bless us all.
Over and
out.
Nigel
--------------------------------------------------------------.
Kazim Abasali <empowerwithart@gmail.com>
Apr 30
Hi Nigel,
First of
all thank you for all your hard work and dedication over the years. We
definitely appreciate you. How can we support you going forward. Is it possible
to phase out instead of an abrupt change over of personnel? Kindly let us know
how we can break down the whole project into manageable parts. Since I am
accustomed and have experience in this work, and did a database for Holy Cross
College, talk some more with me. We can share some workload with you as the
overall director. We at least want you to retain the honor our dear friend.
Blessings
to you.......Kazim
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On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 1:31 PM,
Don Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com> wrote:
Hello,
Nigel,
Your
database is a vital resource for the Old Boys. I really hope you will find a
safe pair of hands to turn it over to. It is not going to be easy.
The
likelihood is that after you close up shop the database will die. That is what
happens to most 'labours of love'. Their continued success depends more on
personal commitment than on importance or significance. The most trivial and
useless concepts can have a life of generations, while the most revealing and
significant ones fade away in time.
What it
will take (in my humble view) is:
(a). A
wizard with Excel (or one who has a handy child or grandchild who is a wizard);
(b) An
avid correspondent who does not turn a hair at bombarding each and every one of
us with requests for updates;
(c) A
genius at 'Dropbox', (which I regret to say even with your coaching I have
found impossible to use);
(d) An
obsessive personality (which is the only guarantee for constant and diligent
attention to all of the above).
You must
not be offended if the new 'manager' of the database makes a few changes.
Every manager wants to stamp the work with his own personality, and never
leaves the project exactly as it was when he inherited it.
You have
done a really good job at it over the years. Please don't give up on it
until you are sure you have a dependable successor.
Sincerely,
Don
---------------------------------------------------------------.
Thanks
Nigel for a job well done.
I didn't
spend enough time at the "Prison on the Hill" as some of us called
it, to form too many friendships. Got friendly with the BG group mainly
because we saw each other during the holidays.
We will
be in TO in June/July, I'll give you a call.
All the
best Richard Driver
=========
Hi Nigel,
I understand the difficulty of this enormous task over the many years that you
have faithfully done, and I say to you sir THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU.
'"BANDIT"
=========
So sad,
Nigel.
Good luck
in all your continuing affairs.
Hope all
is in fact well with you.
Don
=========
Hello
Nigel,
As I
don't access my gmail very often, I only just saw your emails ref somebody else
taking over the database.
Unfortunately
I don't have the time to do that (even though "retired" I am rather
occupied in my consulting role), but I thought I would let you know that I
respect (and understand) your decision and that I appreciate what you have done
for the Abbey OB's in the past years.
I hope
that somebody that has the time, know-how and interest will still step up to the
plate to take over the responsibility. You and Ladislao have been important
linking-pins for the OB's.
Best rgds
Paul
Zeven
p.s. I
enjoyed very much the Abbey "over-flight" recording with the drone
that you sent around recently!
==========
Hi Nigel
You have
done a sterling job and it's a shame that none of the old boys has recognized
this tireless effort, there has always been an element of grumbling form a
certain quarter of the group and some that type absolute rubbish and yet some
with newsworthy items; I suppose you can't please them all.
Take care
Nigel, take it from me, it's a thankless task. Hope Mum is on the mend and by
now you a new grandfather. Hope to see
you later in the year when Betty and I visit Toronto, would like to see Jackie
and the family.
God
bless.
Regards
Eddy
Lloyd (+44)7
900 616 107
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Nigel
You are
right to close the book since if the so called association had any substance
they would be the first to respond.
So let’s
see where it goes from here. I would pick it up but have too much on my plate
right now.
Jon
Golding
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Nigel,
Thank you
for maintaining the database. I am not sure whether I will be in
Mississauga/Pickering this year, but I hope to attend one of the reunions.
David Quong
--------------------------------------------------------.
Hi Nigel,
Thanks
for the work you have put into the many projects you have managed. I can't
commit at this time but I hope there is someone that can carry on the blessed
work that you have done.
God Bless
you & your family,
Hudson,
Lynda & Gino McKoy
----------------------------------------------------------------.
Hey
Nigel.....Sorry to see the poor response. There is a saying in the USA “No good
deed is ever rewarded”......Hope someone still picks it up. God bless you and
yours,
George
Mickiewicz
------------------------------------------------------------.
I am
sorry Nigel . May God bless You too as well. Thank You For being so patient.
You have done an excelente Job . Give My regards to Jackie .
Salvador
. God bless.
------------------------------------------------------------.
You have
done a great job, Nigel, and thank you for keeping in touch with me.
Unfortunately my brain can't keep up with the times!!
All the
best, Arthur.
---------------------------------------------------------------.
Nigel,
send more info on this data, I am not a computer wiz, but willing to try.
Neil
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On Friday, 2 May 2014, 17:11,
Jackie Boos <jackie@alittlesweet.ca> wrote:
Gentlemen,
I have
received no indication of interest from anyone, to continue the maintenance of
the MSB Old Boys' database. I am therefore ceasing all activity on this
project, effective immediately.
Wishing
everyone all success in everything that you do. May God bless us all.
Over and
out.
Nigel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Kazim Abasali
Apr 30
Hi Nigel,
First of
all thank you for all your hard work and dedication over the years. We
definitely appreciate you. How can we support you going forward. Is it possible
to phase out instead of an abrupt change over of personnel? Kindly let us know
how we can break down the whole project into manageable parts. Since I am
accustomed and have experience in this work, and did a database for Holy Cross
College, talk some more with me. We can share some workload with you as the
overall director. We at least want you to retain the honor our dear friend.
Blessings
to you.......Kazim
----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Glen Mckoy
Apr 29
My Dear,
Sir Nigel,
I feel
sad to read of this job opening.
Number
#1. You cannot be replaced by one person.
Number
#2. The age group you represent, someone will have to fill that gap. You know
so many of these guys, who will accept emails from you, only a few of us have
that privilege.
As time
moves on, so does our personal choices in life, we must find peace in the
present.
Nigel,
you have given the energy of four knights, in one job. Oh Great List
Maker, when the doors, to the Hall of Records are closed. It’s the end of the
list.
A Secret,
Sacred Copy will be kept in the Club, in the file, Pillars Of A Castle.
The
Knight Of The Light, The List Maker. Written in Stone. Good Luck, to those of
us whose names are on this List. Nigel, we will eat roti in Toronto again
ha! ha! Will always be in contact, you can't get rid of me. Cheers One Love- in
all our endeavours.
Glen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
From: Nigel Boos
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 11:55 PM
Subject: I've looking for someone to take over my
'responsibilities'. Are you interested?
Gents,
I've been
managing the MSB database ever since Ladislao started to reconnect with all our
MSB OB's sometime back in 2001 or 2002. What began with 2 names has expanded to
1406 entries. We've found one another, discovered lost friends, chatted about
all sorts of interesting and perhaps inconsequential stuff, reminded one
another about long-forgotten adventures, personalities and idiocies, all of
which formed part of our personal backgrounds, and all of which contributed to
make us the men we are today. We've had a number of reunions in one or other
location, we've had the pleasure of a Cadet training ship from Chile come to
Trinidad under the command of one of our OB's and been able to walk the deck
with him. And we've enjoyed the camaraderie which has developed between us.
But, sadly,
the time has come for me to make a change. Our MSB database has been useful in
keeping track of all that has been said and done, and it has been a labour of
love to maintain it. But I can no longer afford the time needed to continue,
and I would be very happy to pass on this responsibility to someone else who
would like to try to maintain it.
If anyone
would like to take over this job, please let me know, and we can open
discussions on the matter. The pay is negligible, the effort to maintain is
minimal, and the enjoyment is great. The pleasure of finding yet another OB and
introducing him to the rest of us is wonderful and the knowledge that in some
small way we've created something which can last – a record of personal facts
to prove that once upon a time we actually existed - this too is personally
gratifying.
So,
please let me know if you have any interest in my offer.
With
respect,
Nigel
Boos
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Photos:
6003 East St. George Sports Event p09
18889551LK14FB,
14DM0001DMIBELICE, Don Mitchell in Belice
03DM0010REUNION2003,
