Diane Gibson was a student at Laurentian from 59-64 and as Diane Purdy, the Head of Science 93-96. She teared up as we went by each time. She had many happy memories as both a teacher and student. On the last drive by she was very teary eyed and I said jokingly that we could go in and get a brick—she responded to my kidding by commenting that I was an A..hole. iDEA! Went back later that day and picked up pieces. Diane & Joan Coleman received theirs on Xmas Day. Weepy time. Mike Purdy
The last line was "We'll win for Laurentian High", for sure.
Speaking of Joe Upton, this gives me a chance to apologize to all of LHS for sending Dougie Brusso around the wrong end on the last play of a championship game in the 60's.
It was the -only- time Joe sent in a play in all the years I played for him, which speaks volumes as to how amazing the guy was.
Grudgingly Rod I have to also admit there were quite a few amazing teachers at LHS in those days.
Here is part 2 of Rod Matheson's words about Joe Upton (I had to shorten it slightly to make the character limit):
Joe had a heart attack in, I think, 1962 while coaching the senior football team. He recovered uneventfully but collapsed and died one morning before school while jogging through his neighbourhood in either 1966 or 1967. He would have been in his mid-forties at the time.
He was a big man with an even bigger smile and had a beautiful singing voice.
@RonaldFerguson98 Oh my God, I just found this page. Let me tell all of how we in the first group to attend LHS decided to have fun with the school song. As good as it is as a fight song, we lived in a time that we were just starting to be aware of the US invasion, but we were proud of being the first students in a new school but we had to find a way to put our own mark on it.
Over the summer, we chaged the song to the Mickey Mouse theme, Laurentian, Laurentian High, enjoy for a chuckle.
Carla received these words from Rod Matheson, the history teacher. I need to post them in two comments because of the character limit for YouTube comments. Here's part 1:
Joe did write the words to the school song. He played offensive line for the Roughriders for a few years, taught at Fisher Park high school and, in1958, was appointed the first Head of Phys Ed. at Laurentian. He,more than anyone else, was responsible for the tradition of a powerful football programme at the school.
Thanks so much for posting this video, Ron. Brought a tear to my eye. I played 2nd-string centre, #40, on Coach Upton's first football team at Laurentian. We won the 'Junior C' title that year. He worked us hard. I have nothing but respect for that man. I left Laurentian after grade 11, joined the service for a few years then returned to LHS to get my senior matric in 66/67. Joe Upton was the first of my old teachers to see me that first day and he came right over to welcome me back.
Great to see a familiar name. Haven't talked to you since about 1960. Thought I heard your voice on the radio years ago responding to comments regarding CMHC, I believe. Was it you?
Any knowledge of an existing photo of that first Laurentian football team. I seem to have a hazy recollection of one happening but no trace of one in my archives.
It probably was me you heard - I have been on radio programs babbling about things like that. The only photo I have, for sure, of our Junior C team is a standard standing team picture in the first yearbook. Somewhere I have a couple of other photos, but I'd be hard-pressed to actually produce them.
The 1958-59 yearbook had no photos of anything, so I may not have any photo of that Jnr C team.
Also, I was wrong in saying that Mr Hauser wrote the Laurentian theme song with Pop Wallen- I should have said the music teacher, Henry Wollenberg and Pop Wallen.
I played trombone in the LHS school song in Henry's band for the 1976 Commencement exercises. I am almost CERTAIN that Joe Upton's name was at the top of the sheet music.
Certainly Henry gave one of his spirited "speeches" about Joe Upton, who of course long preceeded the class of 1976.
Thank you, Shelley, for the words. It's made me wonder how the song came about. Did every school have a song in those days? How did we learn the words? I always believed that Joe Upton, the ex-Rough Rider who was our gym teacher, wrote the words. Does anyone know if this is true?
Yes, every school had a song back then. I don't know if Joe Upton had a hand in our rendition but it wouldn't surprise me. I shall try to seek out the answer - Jean Prebble might know?... we also chum around with a couple of the teachers from the 'later version' of Lau so I shall see what they might be able to find. Good question! tks again Ron....Charlotte (Chuck) 1964 grad
This sounds like it, thanks to Shelley Asselstine for providing: Laurentian High, Laurentian High For you we fight, Red, Blue and White Until we die Let us sing, our voices ring Never give up Always look up Sing for victory, HEY Shout it out and cheer Victory is near We will always try to Hold our banners high We're from Laurentian High
Almost, but not quite! Laurentian high, laurentian high for you we'll fight red, blue and white until we die let us sing our voices ring never give up always look up sing for victory (hey) shout it out and cheer, victory is near we will always try to hold our banner high (last line is fuzzy. it's either we're for LH of here's to LH or something like that)
Here's what I remember of the lyrics--I'm sure I have some of the words wrong. Laurentian High, Laurentian High For you we'll fight with all our might Until we die (seems a bit extreme) Let us sing, our voices ring Never give up, always look up Fight for victory--hey Shout it out and cheer Victory is near Don't remember this line Don't remember this line Hooray for Laurentian High
One Brick from Laurentian - and photo of plaque - on our fireplace mantle as we speak! Tks again Ronald for the memories!...and yes indeedy - took a few tissues from both my wife and I.
I can't find enough words to express our thanks to Ron Ferguson for the work he did on presenting this to us! Good on ya! Sad to think they couldn't have put the building to GOOD use for us 'SENIORS' (Past Laurentian Grads who will be need of accommodation someday?!) ... as a Long Term Care Facility OR Senior Citizen Apartments. Let's face it, one gymnasium for physio, a theatre, cafeteria AND a science lab for all those pharmaceuticals we will no doubt be in need of!
LHS lives on. Just as a church is not a building, but an assembly of people, so too a school. While the Laurentian diaspora has spread out over the years, the 50th anniversary back in touch via e-mail. Our Class lf '79 holds reunions every 5 years (we had our 30th last month). The bricks and mortar have come and gone, but our feelings for the people remain, and therefore so does the school. Cheer up! Thanks for the video BTW. THe School spirit lives on!
A very sad feeling overcame me watching this vid. I remember the comment being made (and not appreciating it) that the best years of your life are in high school. It really is true. I looked in through the fence at the crumbling cafeteria and thinking about how all the WONDERFUL memories I had in that school. What a great time I had there. I will cherish the time I spent there.
I believe the cornerstone is going to be placed in the wall in the lobby on the main floor of the building being erected .. at least that was the last rumour...hope it is true. .... D.B. Laurentian - 1964
For the last several weeks I have been driving by the school on my way to a course. What a heartbreak to witness the old girl's demise! So many stories and so many memories. These no one can take from us.
Sweetla here. Thank you for sending word of this video out to all those who attended the 50th Anniversary Reunion of Laurentian. You're still one of the best crowd motivators. Keep on, girl!
The year I sat on the planning committee for the 50th Anniversary Reunion of Laurentian High School, gave me some new insight into "Ottawa people" and the amazing loyalties they have to one another. I certainly missed knowing them back then. As a newbie, my attendance at Laurentian was the 1969-70 school year. I can't believe the incredible sadness this video has brought to me. It's not the "day the music died", but it is right up there.
wtf happend to the school
juliachan3llov3r 1 year ago
Diane Gibson was a student at Laurentian from 59-64 and as Diane Purdy, the Head of Science 93-96. She teared up as we went by each time. She had many happy memories as both a teacher and student. On the last drive by she was very teary eyed and I said jokingly that we could go in and get a brick—she responded to my kidding by commenting that I was an A..hole. iDEA! Went back later that day and picked up pieces. Diane & Joan Coleman received theirs on Xmas Day. Weepy time. Mike Purdy
mjpurdyca 2 years ago
The last line was "We'll win for Laurentian High", for sure.
Speaking of Joe Upton, this gives me a chance to apologize to all of LHS for sending Dougie Brusso around the wrong end on the last play of a championship game in the 60's.
It was the -only- time Joe sent in a play in all the years I played for him, which speaks volumes as to how amazing the guy was.
Grudgingly Rod I have to also admit there were quite a few amazing teachers at LHS in those days.
waterloobob 2 years ago
Here is part 2 of Rod Matheson's words about Joe Upton (I had to shorten it slightly to make the character limit):
Joe had a heart attack in, I think, 1962 while coaching the senior football team. He recovered uneventfully but collapsed and died one morning before school while jogging through his neighbourhood in either 1966 or 1967. He would have been in his mid-forties at the time.
He was a big man with an even bigger smile and had a beautiful singing voice.
RonaldFerguson98 2 years ago
@RonaldFerguson98 Oh my God, I just found this page. Let me tell all of how we in the first group to attend LHS decided to have fun with the school song. As good as it is as a fight song, we lived in a time that we were just starting to be aware of the US invasion, but we were proud of being the first students in a new school but we had to find a way to put our own mark on it.
Over the summer, we chaged the song to the Mickey Mouse theme, Laurentian, Laurentian High, enjoy for a chuckle.
groundhog128 1 year ago
Carla received these words from Rod Matheson, the history teacher. I need to post them in two comments because of the character limit for YouTube comments. Here's part 1:
Joe did write the words to the school song. He played offensive line for the Roughriders for a few years, taught at Fisher Park high school and, in1958, was appointed the first Head of Phys Ed. at Laurentian. He,more than anyone else, was responsible for the tradition of a powerful football programme at the school.
RonaldFerguson98 2 years ago
Thanks so much for posting this video, Ron. Brought a tear to my eye. I played 2nd-string centre, #40, on Coach Upton's first football team at Laurentian. We won the 'Junior C' title that year. He worked us hard. I have nothing but respect for that man. I left Laurentian after grade 11, joined the service for a few years then returned to LHS to get my senior matric in 66/67. Joe Upton was the first of my old teachers to see me that first day and he came right over to welcome me back.
Don P.
MyGirlPepper 2 years ago
Hi Don:
I think the song was written by Pop Wallen (the first principal of Laurentian) and Mr. Hauser (the first head of the music department).
And the last line of the song was "we'll fight for Laurentian High"
Thanks for posting the video - sad news but great to see the posting.
Peter Spurr #63 (Laurentian class of '62)
pspurr 2 years ago
Hi Peter,
Great to see a familiar name. Haven't talked to you since about 1960. Thought I heard your voice on the radio years ago responding to comments regarding CMHC, I believe. Was it you?
Any knowledge of an existing photo of that first Laurentian football team. I seem to have a hazy recollection of one happening but no trace of one in my archives.
Don Parrott #40
MyGirlPepper 2 years ago
Hi Again Don;
It probably was me you heard - I have been on radio programs babbling about things like that. The only photo I have, for sure, of our Junior C team is a standard standing team picture in the first yearbook. Somewhere I have a couple of other photos, but I'd be hard-pressed to actually produce them.
Peter Spurr
pspurr 2 years ago
Hello Again,Again, Don
ERRATA
The 1958-59 yearbook had no photos of anything, so I may not have any photo of that Jnr C team.
Also, I was wrong in saying that Mr Hauser wrote the Laurentian theme song with Pop Wallen- I should have said the music teacher, Henry Wollenberg and Pop Wallen.
Peter Spurr
pspurr 2 years ago
Thanks for your comments, Don. Joe died when I was in grade 9, and I never had him as a gym teacher. He certainly had a great reputation.
Ron
RonaldFerguson98 2 years ago
I played trombone in the LHS school song in Henry's band for the 1976 Commencement exercises. I am almost CERTAIN that Joe Upton's name was at the top of the sheet music.
Certainly Henry gave one of his spirited "speeches" about Joe Upton, who of course long preceeded the class of 1976.
Cheers,
Peter Cohrs
pcmaato 2 years ago
Thanks Peter--that rings true for me. My brother Mark played trombone in the band at about the same time as you.
RonaldFerguson98 2 years ago
Oooh yes, a mystery worth solving!
cgrucela 2 years ago
Thank you, Shelley, for the words. It's made me wonder how the song came about. Did every school have a song in those days? How did we learn the words? I always believed that Joe Upton, the ex-Rough Rider who was our gym teacher, wrote the words. Does anyone know if this is true?
RonaldFerguson98 2 years ago
Yes, every school had a song back then. I don't know if Joe Upton had a hand in our rendition but it wouldn't surprise me. I shall try to seek out the answer - Jean Prebble might know?... we also chum around with a couple of the teachers from the 'later version' of Lau so I shall see what they might be able to find. Good question! tks again Ron....Charlotte (Chuck) 1964 grad
Johnandchuck 2 years ago
cgrucela 2 years ago
It's good that this was captured, thanks for doing it. There are a lot of stories out there but there seems to be little interest in compiling them.
So bye bye to Laurentian High
The demographics got you
And the time it was nigh
No more good old boys
Out in the back gettin' high
'Cause you know LHS, it just died.
And the memories, you know they're just fried...
Terry
Z0ne5ive 2 years ago
I remember the ending like this:
We will always try
Hold our colors high
We'll win for Laurentian High
purplecowkid 2 years ago
fauxfeat 2 years ago
RonaldFerguson98 2 years ago
Some wonderful memories in that building. The school song was a great touch. Does anyone remember all the words?
Thanks for posting this.
Kim - class of '75
kjessen2000 2 years ago
Comment removed
RajDoobay 2 years ago
One Brick from Laurentian - and photo of plaque - on our fireplace mantle as we speak! Tks again Ronald for the memories!...and yes indeedy - took a few tissues from both my wife and I.
Johnandchuck 2 years ago
I can't find enough words to express our thanks to Ron Ferguson for the work he did on presenting this to us! Good on ya! Sad to think they couldn't have put the building to GOOD use for us 'SENIORS' (Past Laurentian Grads who will be need of accommodation someday?!) ... as a Long Term Care Facility OR Senior Citizen Apartments. Let's face it, one gymnasium for physio, a theatre, cafeteria AND a science lab for all those pharmaceuticals we will no doubt be in need of!
Johnandchuck 2 years ago
LHS lives on. Just as a church is not a building, but an assembly of people, so too a school. While the Laurentian diaspora has spread out over the years, the 50th anniversary back in touch via e-mail. Our Class lf '79 holds reunions every 5 years (we had our 30th last month). The bricks and mortar have come and gone, but our feelings for the people remain, and therefore so does the school. Cheer up! Thanks for the video BTW. THe School spirit lives on!
DDebenham1 2 years ago
A very sad feeling overcame me watching this vid. I remember the comment being made (and not appreciating it) that the best years of your life are in high school. It really is true. I looked in through the fence at the crumbling cafeteria and thinking about how all the WONDERFUL memories I had in that school. What a great time I had there. I will cherish the time I spent there.
Jeff Ward
kissmike 2 years ago
The name on that truck sure stands for the whole waste of junking a building that should have lasted a couple of hundred years.
agile16mm 2 years ago
Anyone know what happened to the trophies?
craigger20 2 years ago
Likely at the school board office.
Puzz3DCat 2 years ago
I asked the caretaker about a year ago, he said to call the School Board.
Shame that everything we were taught in that building was for naught, virtue and values are meaningless, trophies are for nostalgia.
Education is less about the good and more about the goods.
RajDoobay 2 years ago
Did you notice the cornerstone has been removed. Does anyone know where it is??
acoldham 2 years ago
I believe the cornerstone is going to be placed in the wall in the lobby on the main floor of the building being erected .. at least that was the last rumour...hope it is true. .... D.B. Laurentian - 1964
Johnandchuck 2 years ago
The cornerstone is supposedly be laid in the wall on the first floor of the complex that is being built in Laurentian's place.
Johnandchuck 2 years ago
For the last several weeks I have been driving by the school on my way to a course. What a heartbreak to witness the old girl's demise! So many stories and so many memories. These no one can take from us.
acoldham 2 years ago
Comment removed
acoldham 2 years ago
Ron, you're a star for doing this. Especially nice for us who live outside Ottawa.
"sweetla" who are you?
cgrucela 2 years ago
Comment removed
sweeetla 2 years ago
Hi Carla,
Sweetla here. Thank you for sending word of this video out to all those who attended the 50th Anniversary Reunion of Laurentian. You're still one of the best crowd motivators. Keep on, girl!
Leslie
sweeetla 2 years ago
The year I sat on the planning committee for the 50th Anniversary Reunion of Laurentian High School, gave me some new insight into "Ottawa people" and the amazing loyalties they have to one another. I certainly missed knowing them back then. As a newbie, my attendance at Laurentian was the 1969-70 school year. I can't believe the incredible sadness this video has brought to me. It's not the "day the music died", but it is right up there.
sweeetla 2 years ago
Wow - thanks for grabbing this bit of history. Lots of memories in that rubble - some good, some bad, some really foggy....db
5943776 2 years ago