welcomed critical thinking… Lou unlocked in me the joy in and the possibility of an intellectual path.” Three of JP and Lou’s children are Canterbury graduates—Ned ’91, Anne ’94, and Christian ’99. Daughter Crystal transferred to The Gunnery for her last two years to establish an identity away from her very visible Canterbury parents. A fitting coda to her long Saints tenure are the very words you are reading right now—Lou is a driving force behind these four commemorative PALLIUMS. As I write these words, I realize that Lou Mandler is one in a line of dedicated faculty who have acted as school historian and de facto school archivist. Much like Edward Carmody, Edward Mack, and Kathy Bolster, whose School histories I have relied upon so often, Lou did not set out to chronicle our story because she was told to but rather out of sense that it is a story that should be told. Perhaps it was inevitable then that Marc Vanasse ’73, another ’70s hire, has also become synonymous with School history and tradition. I think it may also be fair to say that no one in School history can lay claim to be more of a Saints lifer than Marc. He arrived in New Milford in 1960 as a five-yearold, the son of Teri and language teacher Gerry Vanasse, whom I wrote about in the previous edition of this commemorative set. Marc lived in Havemeyer House as a teenager and served as a proctor in Carmody House. He attended Canterbury and then came back to work at the School as an intern upon graduating from college in 1977. Since then, Marc has also served as an English teacher, Head of Ingleside House and dorm parent in Sheehan House, director of studies, director of the work program, assistant coach in football, and faculty advisor to the Carillon, Tabard, and Cantuarian (recognize the lengthy list?). For nine years Marc directed the School’s drama program, producing such notable productions as You Can’t Take it With You, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and
Marc Vanasse ’73 in 1985.
Marc Vanasse in Lourdes, France, in 2012.
his last, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Marc’s evolution as the School photographer began in the 1980s when Steve Reynolds ’78, PALLIUM editor at the time, needed some photos for the magazine. Marc’s early cover photo of students under the blossoming trees north of the chapel presaged a major role for Marc and his camera, recording Canterbury events for publication and posterity. His photography has been part of several shows: the 2015 Centennial Art Show, a 2000 art faculty show, and his own shows on Haiti, Lourdes, and a winter 2015 show. Of his photographic skill, Andrew Smith ’59 commented, “His photography is first rate. I remember a picture of a cow he exhibited in his one-man show in Duffy Gallery in 2015. It was an Avedon-class image, and I wish I had had the money to buy it and pass it off as my own.” Marc’s innate visual talent led to an interest in film and two courses in film studies which he taught for many years. These days, Marc teaches photography and as director of publications produces topflight PALLIUMS. In the words
of Andrew Smith, “Not since Gutenberg, has one man been so intimately associated with a publication. You can’t say enough about Marc’s contribution to the PALLIUM. He turned it into a firstclass magazine.” Marc also writes copious content for Canterbury’s newly revamped website. For many years, he was the official keeper of the Canterbury seal and logo. Like his fellow ’70s hires, JP and Lou Mandler, Marc is a rich source for information about what this place has been as the School moves into its second century. Peter O’Donnell ’70 came to Canterbury to work in the nascent development office in 1975. A champion wrestler as a Canterbury student, he also assisted Don Robert in the wrestling program, helped coach football, and taught history. Peter left the School in 1986, returned in 1991, and left again in 1995. Another graduate who was hired in the ’70s bears mention here for his twenty years—and multiple roles!—on the faculty: Fran Foley ’64. Fran returned to Canterbury as the director of admission in 1979 and later transitioned to dean of students. He was clearly a student 23