"Attention: Sean Fleming. Report to the hall."

Sean Fleming, the class of 1988's first retiree, is among six individuals named to the 2009 Vancouver College Hall of Honor.

The ex-Esk with three Grey Cup rings will be inducted at the Emerald Achievements Dinner and Auction in April 2009, along with teacher/coach Bob Corbett, two-time swimming Olympian (and son of a publican) Turlough O'Hare (1986), football's Frank Smith (1951), scientist Henry van Driel (1964) and B.C.'s Mr. Football, the late, great Bob Ackles (1957). The 1967 varsity basketball team, which went 38-2 and won the B.C. crown, will also be recognized.

Congratulations, Sean. May the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton be your next stop.

More info, including a small mention of VC Reunion 2008, is contained in the new edition of The Irish Review. Download yours today!

AND... mark Sat. Sept. 13 on your calendar. Not just because it's three months after pizza and beer night '08. It's the third annual Alumni Homecoming Game between your Fighting Irish and the St. Thomas More Saints. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. at O'Hagan Field, but get there early for the free 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. BBQ for all VC grads and their families. (There is also a noon to 4 p.m. beer garden, but it's not free.)

I hear STM is now co-ed and the football team plays like a bunch of girls. Hey, who remembers Bart Hull's classroom-by-classroom tour explaining how VC would annihilate STM by using an Eat More candy bar as a prop?

Remembering J-P

"Good guy who could always make you laugh with a funny comment or pull a goofball prank... I still laugh to this day thinking of his eyebrows. A popular guy who will be missed by all."
--Sean Fleming

"He and I had a deal to show up to our 20th reunion in Ferraris. I came to the reunion all set to explain it will take me another year or so to get mine, and was disappointed by his absence. He was a good guy. We're too damn young to be saying goodbye to our peers..."

--Martin Lynch

"He was a good guy... I remember playing hockey at the Arbutus Club when we were about 8 or 9 (for a few years), he was our goalie. I lost touch with him over the years, but I will miss him..."

--Brian Ewanchuk

J-P Davidson, 1970-2008 R.I.P.

Sad news to report. John-Paul Davidson died on July 2. According to the obituary in The Province, J-P was "a gentle person with no enemies but himself." The funeral mass at Guardian Angel Catholic Church (1161 Broughton, Vancouver) is 11:30 a.m. Tues., July 8. 

I fondly remember the smile and the eyebrows one could see from a block away. He was a co-conspirator in several in-class pranks. Since graduation, J-P had substance abuse problems and many of us lost contact with him. I last saw him in 2001. He had a rough go at life, but in typical J-P fashion, he had a girl on each arm. 

Unfortunately, he was on the list of the missing for reunion planning, as there were no leads on his whereabouts. 

Let us also remember Mike (Kosub) Crittenden, Jim Dunn, Br. Rowland and Mr. Kavalec. 

Lost and Found

Anyone recognize the items in this photo? If one is yours, please email vcgrad88@gmail.com. They were left behind at the family picnic on June 14. They're in safe storage at VC. 

Photo Gallery is online!

Highlights from Reunion 2008. Click on the pics to magnify. Click HERE for more photos from Bob's photo gallery. It's a work in progress. Feel free to share your pics: Click HERE to send photos

Doug Kwan says hi - via video

REUNION '08: THE NIFTY 50 (plus 7) FROM A to Z

Chris Ascher, John Bailey, Alex Basio, Milan Boljuncic, Paolo Bongo, Rob Butler, Carolus Chow, Jonathan Chow, Christian Cocco, Kevin Cockell, Anton Danielsen, Stephen Dee, Joel de Guzman, Carlo De Mello, Patrick Dronsky, Nick Ellery, Martin Ertl, Brian Ewanchuk, Sean Fleming, Brendan Fong, Wes Fong, Paul Fraser, Joe Friedt, Stephen Goepel, Ryan Harris, Jason McGill, Michael Hylands, David Lawrence, John Lau, Terry Lau, Robert Lee, Martin Lynch, Rob Mackay, Bob Mackin, Juan Mejia, Franco Michielli, J.P. Morrison, Trevor Newton, Stephen Nolan, Ray Olma, Eric Paris, John Reid, Malcolm Reid, Lui Rota, Simon Scully, Leo Seewald, Mark Semeins, Bill Sherritt, Trevor Shew, Kevin Stack, Stefan von Dehn, Ted von Dehn, Johannes von Stefenelli, Mike Vint, Alex Wadsworth, Carlo Ylagan and Rob Zadra.

Welcome home from near and far

They came from near and far.

Leo Seewald (Hong Kong) and John Bailey (South Korea) from Asia. 

Carlo Ylagan (Grand Cayman Isl.) from the Caribbean. 

Trevor Shew traveled all the way from W. 34th Ave. 

Time machine

After the pomp and circumstance was done on June 10, 1988 in the VC gym, we gathered again on June 11, 1988 at the Westin Bayshore. We ate food, drank wine, everybody had a good time. Then we partied 'til dawn the next day at Jason McKenzie's house in West Van. If anybody claims they didn't have a hangover, then they weren't there!

I'll buy a beer for the first guy who correctly identifies the name of the local cover band that played the dance portion of the Bayshore event. UPDATE: Trevor Newton wins a free beer courtesy of Bob for correctly identifying Wall Street. Congratulations!

Other big events on June 11, 1988?

Trevor Linden was drafted second overall by the Canucks.

And there was this small get-together at London's Wembley Stadium to free Nelson Mandela and end apartheid. 

Super Supper

Who's coming Saturday night to Ceili's from 6-9 pm? Here's who.
(The numbers indicate people coming in pairs with a significant other.)
Chris Ascher 2; John Bailey; Milan Boljuncic 2; Paolo Bongo 2; Rob Butler 2; Jonathan Chow; Kevin Cockell; Anton Danielsen; Joel de Guzman ; Patrick Dronsky 2; Sean Fleming; Wes Fong 2; Joe Friedt; Stephen Goepel; Ryan Harris 2; Michael Hylands 2; David Lawrence; Rob Lee 2; Martin Lynch; Juan Mejia; Bob Mackin 2; Trevor Newton; Malcolm Reid; John Reid 2; Simon Scully 2; Leo Seewald 2; Kevin Stack 2; Ted von Dehn 2; Alex Wadsworth 2; Carlo Ylagan.
 

Picnic People

Who's coming on Saturday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. at VC? Here's who. 

(The numbers indicate the total party registered per person. No number means solo.)
Chris Ascher 3; John Bailey; Paolo Bongo 2; Jonathan Chow 2; Kevin Cockell; Anton Danielsen; Stephen Dee; Patrick Dronsky; Sean Fleming; Paul Fraser 4; Stephen Goepel; Michael Hylands 4; Rob Lee 4; Bob Mackin 2; Juan Mejia; JP Morrison 4; Trevor Newton; Ray Olma 4; John Reid 6; Malcolm Reid 2; Lui Rota 5; Simon Scully 4; Leo Seewald 2; Bill Sherritt 4; Kevin Stack 2; Ted von Dehn 3.

Where are they now?

Grads send their regrets... and family photos. Click on each to enlarge.

#3: Ricky Lau, wife Olivia and Madison and Ethan are living in Hong Kong. Ricky is managing partner of TPG Capital and commutes to Beijing and Shanghai. 

#4: Kevin McElroy lives 17 miles from New York City in Maplewood, New Jersey and works for Vancouver-based flooring manufacturer Nuheat. He has three daughters with wife Lucila. 

#1 & 2: Oliver Marti and his wife have two daughters. Ollie is portfolio manager with CCI Healthcare Partners.

Can't be at the reunion? Join us digitally!

If you are unable to join us in Vancouver on June 13 and 14, you can still be involved in Reunion 2008.

Wherever you are in the world, send us a message.

It can be a simple, 100-word email.

You can send an audio greeting or even a short video. Most mobile phones and newer computers have the capability to record and send audio or video.

1 minute maximum, no bigger than 10 MB.

Be creative. Have fun. Tell us some of your highlights of the last 20 years and your favorite VC memories.

Send to vcgrad88@gmail.com

Deadline is 4 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Thursday June 12.

Introducing... the menu

The Saturday night event (6-9 pm) is at the Dublin Bar of Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 670 Smithe St. @ Granville. Thank-you to those who have already paid. If you haven't already, do register via PayPal. Click Add to Cart below to start the easy and secure process. The more the merrier. (Booze is extra.)

We would like to provide an advance order list to Ceili's. Please take a moment to look at the menu and respond with your preference to vcgrad88@gmail.com

Choice of starter:

field greens salad

roasted vegetable soup

fisherman's chowder

Choice of entree:

Canadian AAA Sirloin steak with feature sauce

Grilled lemon pepper salmon

Grilled chicken with feature sauce

(all dinners accompanied by rosemary potatoes and seasonal vegetables)

CONFIRMED SCHEDULE FOR REUNION '08

FRIDAY JUNE 13:

Grads only pizza and beer at the Vancouver College alumni room.
TIME: 7 pm to 10 pm. COST: $15 each.

SATURDAY JUNE 14:

Family friendly potluck picnic/BBQ at O'Hagan Field (inside gym if rain).
TIME: 1 pm to 3 pm. COST: $2 each. (No booze please)

Grads and significant others dinner at Ceili's Dublin Bar at Granville & Smithe.
TIME: 6 pm to 9 pm. COST: $38 each for a full meal. (Booze extra)

PLEASE PAY BY MAY 31.

Secure online payment via major credit cards and cash transfer. Click the "ADD TO CART" links at the bottom of this page and follow the PayPal procedure. Prices include tax/tip/service charge.