Celebrating the 46th Annual Old Boys' Reunion Dinner and 70 Years of the Old Boys' Association

On October 4, over 135 Old Boys, friends, and staff gathered for a truly special evening at the 46th Annual Old Boys' Montreal Reunion Dinner. Before the festivities commenced, everyone in attendance stood together to sing the school hymn, creating a beautiful throwback to cherished moments from the past. This year wasn’t just about reconnecting—it marked the 70th anniversary of the Old Boys' Association, a powerful reminder of how deeply Selwyn House School impacts its alumni, generation after generation.

 

The dinner was a celebration of what makes Selwyn House so unique: enduring friendships, shared memories, and an unwavering connection to the school. From William Daly '52, our most senior Old Boy, to Alexander Kaloyannis '19, our youngest, the night showcased the strength of the Selwyn brotherhood.

 

Headmaster Mike Downey greeted the crowd warmly, while a host of beloved former staff members - Geoffrey Dowd, Kathy Funamoto, retired Headmaster Hal Hannaford, Carol Manning, Ellen Pinchuk, Brian Porter, Minna Shulman, Barry Stevens, Barry Williams, and Tom Pitfield '93, SHA Board Chair—were on hand to reconnect with the Selwyn family. The energy in the room was high, with a special round of applause for Alex Moore '14, our very own Olympian, who recently competed in wrestling in Paris. His achievement stirred a great sense of pride among all present.

 

One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came when Vincent Prager '59, celebrating 65 years as an Old Boy, gave a toast to the school. His reflections on his time at Selwyn were filled with nostalgia. “My seven years at the school—then on Redpath—were some of the happiest of my life,” he shared. Though the school has expanded over the years, “the standards of quality and good men have only grown stronger.” Vincent’s words weren’t just a reflection on the past but a call to stay connected, reminding everyone that “Selwyn House is a unique place. Long may it continue and prosper.”

 

Following a warm and familiar grace led by Barry Williams, the much-anticipated buffet began, with the room buzzing as Old Boys reconnected over shared memories and laughter. Whether catching up with old friends or making new ones, the buffet line became a place for both nostalgia and celebration, as the room filled with stories from the past and excitement for the future.

 

Later, OBA Director, Justin Kuzmicki '05 took a moment to honour the Class of 1974 on their 50-year reunion, which drew a hearty round of applause from the crowd, even though they had celebrated their milestone just the previous week. Then, fellow OBA Director, Aria Khiabani '18 introduced Danny Naami '99, who gave a heartfelt tribute to his classmates celebrating their 25-year anniversary. Though Danny only spent two years at Selwyn House, he spoke of how profoundly those years shaped him, a sentiment echoed by many in attendance.

 

The evening’s most emotional moment came as a surprise. A tribute was made to the unforgettable 1993-1994 Senior Football City Championship Team. Then-Head Coach Mike Maurovich, along with then-Defensive Coordinator Mike Downey, took the stage to invite the members of that legendary team to join them. Together, they signed a football that will be placed in the school’s trophy case as a symbol of their legacy. Then, in a spontaneous and moving speech, Chris Gayton '94 captured the essence of Selwyn House, emphasizing how the bonds formed here are lasting. “Your ties to Selwyn House matter,” he remarked. His words struck a chord with everyone in the room, reminding us of what makes Selwyn House truly special: a lifelong connection that extends far beyond the football field or the classroom. You can hear Chris's full speech in the highlight video linked below.

 

 

As the evening drew to a close, EJ Boffey '12, OBA Board member and Chair of the Golf Committee, brought exciting news: next year’s Annual Old Boys and Friends' Golf Tournament will be held at the stunning Pinegrove course on May 26, adding yet another event to look forward to in the Selwyn calendar.

 

The raffle added an extra layer of fun, with Old Boys playfully strategizing over which prizes to go for and teasing each other over ticket choices. It was a lighthearted end to an evening full of laughter and deep conversations.

 

From shared memories to new connections, the night was a powerful reminder of the lasting bonds formed within these walls. As we look forward to many more reunions and milestones, a heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who made this event possible.

 

Here’s to 70 incredible years of the Old Boys' Association—and many more to come!