Fifth headmaster Tom Sheehy worked with the Board for the entire quarter century, and he commented that during this period, members of the Board became more actively involved and more generous. All four presidents, he said, were crucial leaders and supporters of the School… As mentioned in the previous issue, John Duffy ’59, after whom Duffy House was named, funded the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center. As president in 1990, he led the search for the fifth Canterbury headmaster, and he and Tom worked closely in Tom’s first years. He served as a trustee from 1981-1992, as president from 1982 to 1992, and he returned to the Board in 1998 to serve until 2006. Afterwards, he continued to be a resource and mentor. The Board of Trustees, in awarding John the Canterbury Medal, cited his “vision, vigor, and enthusiasm” and expressed appreciation “for showing us what Canterbury could be and will become…” John and Anne Duffy’s children Hilary ’87 and Kevin ’91 are Canterbury graduates. Hope Carter joined the Board in 1985, served as president from 1992 to 1998, and remained on the Board until 2002. The former South House was renamed Carter House in 1998 in recognition of her many contributions. As mentioned elsewhere in this issue, Hope was the inspiration and mainstay of two Canterbury service programs—to Haiti and Lourdes. A window in the Chapel is dedicated to the memory of her late husband, John. When she received the Canterbury Medal, Tom Sheehy commented, “Hope is a truly remarkable woman whose works are a testament to her strong faith. With vision and tireless energy, she accomplishes great good for a great many.” Six Carter children: Charlotte ’86, Ann ’87, Kate ’88, Kerry Sheedy ’88, Elizabeth ’91, and Richard ’95 are Canterbury graduates as well as three grandchildren: Billy ’09, Doug ’10, and Peter ’15 Bergner. Bill O’Connor ’57 became a Board member in 1996 and replaced Hope as president in 1998, continuing in that position until 2007 but remaining on the Board until 2014. Bill was a wise mentor and leader, and his largesse is reflected in the restoration of the Chapel of Our Lady’s west window and the “porch” of the chapel; the sacristy is dedicated to him. In June of 2016, the Head of School’s house was named O’Connor House in his honor. “Canterbury is an infinitely better school because of the diligent, generous, and far-sighted leadership of Bill O’Connor… He is every Headmaster’s ideal Board president,” remarked Tom Sheehy upon awarding Bill the Canterbury Medal. Bob Steers ’71 joined the Board in 2002 and became president in 2007. The many Steers family connections to Canterbury are mentioned in the student body article in this issue. Bob has devoted his leadership to increasing the School’s endowment, improving the campus, and raising the admission standards. He and his wife Lauren took an active role in the renovation of Steele Hall in 2009 and funded the Steers Admission Center. In 2014, he spearheaded a campus upgrade, and Lauren led the refurbishing planning and execution. Bob and Lauren’s son JP graduated from Canterbury in 2011. Trustee John O’Neill ’57 has the singular status of being the only member who was on the Board in 1990 when Tom Sheehy became Head and who was still a member when Tom retired in the spring of 2016. Having joined the Board in 1986, John is in his thirty-first year on Canterbury’s Board of Trustees, the longest tenure in Canterbury’s history after founder Henry O. Havemeyer. He has played a key role with all four Board chairs, serving as vice president from 1992-2007. As chairman of
the development committee, he has been crucially important in guiding the School’s financial progress. Among other roles, he chaired the Capital Fund Raising Committee of 1997. In 1994, John was a major voice in the creation of the Canterbury Medal program which recognizes “an individual, group, family, or class in recognition of outstanding service to the School.” When he received the Medal, his Canterbury classmate Bill O’Connor remarked, “John’s commitment has been unfailing and has resulted in the strengthening of the School and the transformation of its financial profile. His enthusiasm has motivated us all, and his candor, intelligence, and sense of humor have made working with him a special pleasure.” John’s son Eric is a 1989 Canterbury graduate. Other trustees also took on significant leadership roles and contributed much to the School. Steve Hume ’43, son of founding headmaster Nelson Hume, provided important legal advice, and his love of music inspired his donation of the new chapel organ and the Stephen ’43 and Lacy Hume Music Center. In addition, he was instrumental in establishing the Carillon Society, which honors and thanks graduates and friends who have made provisions for Trustees who have received the Canterbury Medal 1990-2015 John Duffy ’59 (1994) Denis Coleman ’63 (1995) Stephen N. Hume ’43 (1997) Hope Carter (1998) Jim Briggs ’56 (2002) Donn Dolce ’63 (2003) Peter Carney ’49 (2004) Charles O. Coudert ’49 (2004) Paul Heffernan ’49 (2004) Brock Saxe ’58 (2005) Don Reed ’58 (2006) Charley Clarke ’47 (2006) Bill O’Connor ’57 (2007) John O’Neill ’57 (2009) Dick Dillon ’51 (2011) John Donovan ’59 (2011) 3