Renowned Canadian journalist Christie Blatchford was a force to be reckoned with.

Born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, she had already started high school when her family moved to Toronto, where NTCI was her school of choice. After Grade 13, Christie studied journalism at Ryerson, and was named the leading journalism graduate.

She started at The Globe and Mail in 1973, making headlines as Canada’s first female sports reporter, and would go on to write for all four major Toronto newspapers during her exemplary career. In 1998, she was recruited to The National Post, where she remained (except for a short return to The Globe) until being diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2019.

Christie was more than a reporter and columnist. She was a regular on the CFRB 1010 radio station and authored a number of non-fiction books including Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death from Inside the New Canadian Army. Based on her experiences during a 2006 visit to Kandahar, Afghanistan, the book won the Governor General Literary Award in 2008. Other awards included a National Newspaper Award and the George Jonas Freedom Award.

Her last achievement was her induction into the Hall of Fame of Canadian Journalism in December 2019. Too ill to attend, she received her award in bed, delivered personally by Mayor John Tory.

She died in Princess Margaret Hospital surrounded by family and friends on February 12, 2020.

Loyal friend, trusted colleague, brilliant musician, stellar editor, beloved wife and mother—these are all phrases that describe Barbara Kamienski, a much loved and respected member of the North Toronto Foundation Advisory Board who lost her battle with cancer in June 2019.

Born in Winnipeg, Barbara was nine when she moved to Toronto with her mother. She soon distinguished herself at John Fisher Public School where, through the itinerant music program, she began her life-long love affair with the French horn.

At NT, Barbara continued to excel, staying in the top five of her class and winning awards. Musically, she was partly responsible for the senior orchestra successfully performing two challenging pieces of repertoire, as both featured significant French horn solos.

After graduating from NTCI, Barbara’s love of music led her to Germany to pursue a career as a professional musician. She always maintained that the lessons she learned at the school served her well during her 20-year career in leading orchestras. Even after returning to Canada in 1999, Barbara’s former colleagues hired her back for tours when extra French horns were needed!

In Toronto, Barbara played in several local orchestras and chamber music ensembles. She also returned to school, graduating from Ryerson University’s Publishing Program with Honours. Barbara indexed and edited many large projects and is credited in over one hundred publications in multiple fields of endeavour.

She also nurtured and edited her father’s memoir: Hidden in the Enemy’s Sight: Resisting the Third Reich from Within. Published in 2008, it revealed that before becoming an art critic, columnist, and editorial cartoonist for several newspapers in Winnipeg, Jan Kamienski had been a member of the Polish resistance in the Second World War.

Barbara loved NTCI and was deeply involved in planning the school’s 100th anniversary festivities in 2012. She willingly edited Memories Forever, which chronicled the history of the renowned NTCI music program. This led to joining the NTCI Foundation Advisory Board as editor. She is greatly missed.

NTCI lost a loyal, long-time supporter of the school when Mike Tzekas passed after a long battle with cancer. Born in Greece, Mike immigrated to Canada at the age of four. After attending Deer Park Public School, he became part of NT’s close-knit class of ’69 and was involved with the planning of its 50th reunion.

Mike had a successful career with Xerox Corporation before turning to politics. He was first elected to the City of Scarborough Council in 1991. He held that position until 1998, when Scarborough amalgamated with Toronto. He continued as Toronto councillor for Scarborough Wexford until losing to Norm Kelly in 2000.

During his time as a councillor, Mike was credited with getting Ellesmere Community Centre built and ensuring that plans to regenerate Terraview Park and Willowfield Gardens Park were carried out.

Always proud of his Greek heritage, he served as a president of AHEPA’s Sons of Pericles and of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Ontario Inc. Known for his philanthropic work, he was recognized in 2012 with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for his dedication and many contributions to his community.

He passed away on February 12, 2020.

Sir David Evans was a Second World War pilot and decorated senior commander of the Royal Air Force (Britain). Born in Windsor, Ontario, on July 14, 1924, David was educated in Toronto at Hodgson Public School and NTCI.

David joined the Royal Air Force in 1943 and trained as a pilot in Canada. After receiving his commission in April 1944, he flew fighter ground-attack missions and was one of the first RAF officers to enter the Belsen concentration camp.

After the war, he had a rich and varied career with the RAF, where he advanced quickly. In 1977, he became Air Officer Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command, with the additional NATO appointment of Commander-in-Chief UK Air Forces.

Evans retired from the RAF in 1983 to pursue a second career as a director of British Aerospace. His many honours included the CBE, a knighthood (despite the Canadian government’s policy against Canadians taking such honours), and the King of Arms of the Order of the Bath.

Evans was also an athlete of some significance. Most notably, he was the pilot of Great Britain’s bobsleigh team for the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and the 1964 Olympic Games. On another occasion he represented Canada in the Commonwealth Winter Games and won two bronze medals.

Sir David Evans passed away on February 21, 2020.

Donna’s life motto was that you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give. She lived each day with a grateful spirit and taught those around her to never lose their own voice. A voracious reader, Donna was also a skilled pianist, exceptional communicator, and a passionate teacher.

While at NT Donna was active in sports, music, and the G.A.A. She married classmate Jim Britten and they had a strong 53-year marriage. After graduation Donna briefly taught elementary school and was fondly remembered as the favourite Grade 7 teacher by a number of students from the class of ’68 at their 50th reunion.

Her teaching career was shortened when her middle child developed physical challenges, and she became an advocate for people with disabilities. Donna was past president of Community Living Toronto and also served in various capacities at the provincial level. In 2017 Donna received the Anne Oliver Award for her outstanding contributions to the work of Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs.

Donna passed away on March 24, 2020