Bishop Feild College Athlete Geoff William Stirling Passes

Old Feildian, Geoff Stirling passed away this week. If you go to Carnell's Funeral Home website (http://www.carnells.com/funeral-notice.aspx?id=3094) you can read a complete notice of his passing.

During the years that I have been managing our archival material at the school and now at The Buckle Memorial Archive, Geoff Stirling stands out as an athlete of very high caliber. He played basketball and hockey at Feild and was a tremendous high jumper. Below you will find a couple of pictures of Geoff during his atletic days at Feild.

Geoff Stirling sitting middle first row.

Geoff Stirling Front Row far right

Matt Foster Dies

It is with sadness that all Feildians mourn the passing of a beloved teacher and coach, Matthew John Foster. Matt was born in Broughshane, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, September 16, 1925.

After a long and stoic battle with cancer, endured with incredible fortitude, Matt passed peacefully away at home on Nov. 3, 2013, in the presence of his family and devoted caregivers.

He started his teaching career as principal of a one room schoolhouse at Kilcronaghan Primary School, in County Londonderry, N. Ireland, from 1947 to 1953. In August 1953, he immigrated to Canada with his young bride, Maud, and they both started teaching careers at Bishop Feild College and Bishop Spencer College. He developed sports and games programs there and went on for further training at Carnegie College in Leeds in 1958. On return to Newfoundland, Matt went on to teach at Bishop’s College from 1959 to 1961. He also did further Physical Education training and obtained a Master’s in Physical Education from Springfield College, Mass. in 1962. He joined the Dept. Of Physical Education & Athletics at Memorial University in 1961, and became Professor and Director of this School in 1964 until his retirement in 1986.

I began my school at BFC in Kdg. in 1952 and the next year Mr. Foster came. I can see him now playing badminton with his buddy John Hewson in the gym at Feild. That gymnasium was set some 12 feet into the ground so that spectators could look down from the rails above on the players below. He would always shout out "move on now" in that distinctive Northern Irish brogue.

Mr. Foster was a tough but fair teacher. He demanded the best from us at school and more so if you were lucky enough to be selected for one of his teams. He coached the Feildian Football Team in 1964 to the city championship.

Non Moriture Cujus Fama Vivit

Old Feildian Passes

Those of you in the class of '53 might remember your classmate Les Bignell. Roy Saunders emailed me with notice of his passing. He died August 3 in Oakville, Ontario. When you read this if you have other information on Les please let me know. I would like to send a card to his family from us.

Here you see the Grade XI class of 1952-53 and Les is in the second row third from the left.

 Feildians Meet For Lunch

Over the past two years Bishop Feild College boys have been gathering once a month for a lunch. We have been to a number of St. John's restaurants usually the last Monday in the month. We started out quite small with about 12 or 14 boys. As the months went by each of the boys contacted a classmate or friend who went to the old school and asked them to come along. Now we have about 40 boys who come regularly to our lunches. Below is a picture of one of our lunches. I have tried to name all the boys. I am sure if I have left out any I will get an email.

Feildian Lunch May 25, 2013

To those of you who have not been coming along please join us. In July we will meet on Monday, 29th. at the Officers' Mess Bldg. 308 Pleasantville at noon.

Back Two Rows, L-R: Cyril Ludlow, David Mercer, Doug Osmond, Harris Flight,  Doug French, John Cook, Paul Facey, Tim Shears, Millar Ewing, Vic Janes, Roger Barnes, Ian Garland, Art Summers, Hugh Miller, Owen Sullivan, Gerry Russell, Doug Cook, Chris Facey, Keith Garland, Doug Wood, Lloyd Osmond, Graham Skanes, Dave Edwards, Fraser Clarke, Jim Philips, Don Yetman, Graham Verge, Bruce Chafe

Sitting: Geoff Hiscock, Edgar Porter, Burf Ploughman, Bill Neal, Paul Thompson, Dick Cook, Cyril Morgan

PICTURE INFO NEEDED

Boys sorry I have not been updating the blog. I have been busy with other things. However,below is a picture that Bill Neal gave me. What  was the occasion for this picture? It looks likes a committee of some kind. Peter Clarke might know!

FR: Clifford Andrews, David Burnell, Fraser Clarke
FR: Walter Martin, Bill Neal

Here is a picture of a softball team. I know all the boys but would like to know the date, if possible.

FR: Wally Wight, Ron Harvey, Cec Vivian, "Jud" Spurrell, Art Kng, Bruce Hookey, Frank Carew
CR: Duncan Barnes, "Didge" Wight, Sonny Chambers, Dewey Morgan, Frank Williams
BR: Bernard Carew, Bill Parsons, Albert Downton, Bill Neal