in memoriam BRIAN HENCEL
GSL Middle School Spanish, 2014-15 GSL suffered another tremendous community loss this year with the passing of Brian Hencel on April 1, 2015. He joined the faculty last August as our new Middle School Spanish teacher, but went on medical leave in October and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer. He pursued a rigorous course of treatment that initially seemed successful, until his cancer recurred in a more aggressive form this spring. His brave battle was inspirational to all who knew him. Although Brian was only at GSL for a short period of time, he brought an incredible energy and enthusiasm to our community that will have a lasting impact. He had a wonderful ability to relate to kids and parents, and the gift of being able to see the best in everyone. He was a gifted teacher, a wonderful colleague, and a caring friend and mentor. He quickly formed a deep commitment to this place, and he realized early on why this community means so much to everyone here. Brian Hencel is a Luker for Life, and he will be dearly missed.
JOHN EFFINGER
GSL Headmaster 1987-1991 John Effinger, former GSL Headmaster, passed away at his home in Virginia on March 10, 2015. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Effinger joined GSL in 1987 and helped oversee renovations to Snowden Field, the celebration of GSL’s 40th anniversary, and the transformation of historic Miss Lee’s into the new Preschool for GSL. We are grateful for his service to the school.
GEORGE MORGAN TONEY December 20, 1924 – November 25, 2014
GSL 6th Grade Teacher, 1979-1981 (Excerpted from the Commercial Appeal)
George Toney enjoyed a long teaching career that included stints at East High School and Bellevue Jr. High, as well as time at GSL. His love was music. He attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and traveled and played with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus before beginning his teaching career in the early 1950s. He served as the band and choir director of many schools throughout Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee before his retirement from teaching in 1990; however he stayed involved with music as long as he could through the River City Concert Band and the choir at Independent Presbyterian Church. He will be dearly missed.
FALL 2014 COVER PHOTO BY LANCE MURPHEY (www.lancemurphey.com).
All past issues of The Anchor are available online at www.gslschool.org under the Resouces tab on the My GSL section of the website.
SPRING 2015 • THE ANCHOR • 23