Toronto Branch Dinner honours long-serving staff

The 71st Annual Toronto Branch Dinner saw Trinity College School welcome 160 guests last week to the Queen’s Park Ballroom at the Park Hyatt Hotel. Alumni from the classes of 1944 to 2006 gathered together with a strong contingent of retired and current staff to celebrate the dinner’s long tradition, as well as the retirement of five long-serving Trinity College School faculty members.

The evening opened with a welcome from Toronto Branch President Aynsley Deluce ’94, a toast to the School from TCS Alumni Association President Mike Bellamy ’93, a reply by Headmaster Stuart Grainger and grace led by the School’s chaplain, Father Don Aitchison.

While enjoying a delicious meal, the guests listened as the headmaster honoured three staff members from the property department – Peter Cowin, Dale Heffernan and Stan Ward – who had reached 20 years of service to the School. These three individuals were given an alumni tie and welcomed into the alumni community as honorary Old Boys. Following this, the results of the raffle were called out with lucky alumni, faculty and staff winning pieces of art, hockey tickets and wine, among other generous donations from alumni.

The evening was capped with two speeches in honour of the five retirees in attendance. First, Paul Elsley, former dean of faculty & curriculum, spoke about Michael DuBroy, Scott and Lauren Taylor, and Larry Thornton. Following that, Michael DuBroy spoke about Paul Elsley. The crowd was held at rapt attention as the combined 131 years of service of these five individuals to TCS were discussed and celebrated! Whether it was a group of Brent House boys who had Dr. DuBroy as housemaster, or a group of Old Girls who had been coached in basketball by Mr. Elsley, there were many alumni who were touched by memories and excited to take photos with these faculty members.

All in all it was a wonderful evening! Thank you to the advancement team, the Toronto Branch committee, and everyone who came out for such a great event.

Click here for more photos from the dinner.