6 minute read
Staff Obituaries
HEART AND SOUL of the school
Tributes began pouring in to the school on February 17 when word got out that Marc Krushelnyski, our beloved long-time Maintenance Supervisor at the school, had died after a long illness.
“Those of you who worked with him at Selwyn House will remember a kind, generous and dedicated man,” wrote Selwyn House Receptionist Annie Snabl in passing on the news.
There was no service.
Further condolences and tributes may be emailed to James McMillan, who will pass them on to Marc’s wife, Christine.
At Selwyn House School’s Founder’s Day on November 22, 2012, Marc and Christine were inducted as Honorary Old Boys by the school’s Old Boys’ Association.
Marc started at the school as Building and Grounds Supervisor in 1980, while his wife, Christine, started the following year, running the school’s print shop and book room.
The couple were tireless workers for the school for decades thereafter. In addition to his regular maintenance duties, Marc built elaborate sets for the school plays directed by the late Dr. Byron Harker, while Christine helped out with the costumes. Each year, they did an enormous amount of organization and logistics for the giant garage sales that were a cornerstone of the school’s fundraising activities during that period.
For years they went above and beyond the call of duty for parents, students and staff of the Selwyn House community and also for the greater Montreal community, said Old Boys’ Association President Charles Bierbrier.
The couple were always dedicated volunteers outside the school, purchasing food and cooking meals every year for the homeless at St. Stephen’s Church.
“Many of you have your own memories of how Marc and Christine have been a part of your life, said Mr. Bierbrier. “For all this, and for much more, the board of directors of the Selwyn House Old Boys’ Association is pleased to be able to induct Marc and Christine as Honorary Old Boys.”
Marc retired in 2007; Christine still works at the school. Tributes • The heart and soul of the school when I was there in the early 80s. You were there for literally generations of Selly boys. A great man who touched so many lives. – James Soutar ’83
• Working on the school plays with Marc remains one of the great memories I have from high school. A man who led by example with a good heart and legendary one-liners. Goodbye, Marc, and thank you. – Kit Pasold ’91 • A true cornerstone of the SHS family. – Kyam Shell-Schnitzer 2001 • A huge loss for the Selwyn community. A great man who will be missed. – Seber Chuang ’96 • Huge loss for the community. He was an SHS legend. Sad day. – David Smith 2012 • ‘Bailey! Use your head as more than a hat rack!’ RIP, Marc. You are an SHS Marc Krushelnyski legend. – Scott Bailey ’96 • Hey, I can do you two better: 1. ’Vassiliou! If you had a brain you’d be dangerous.’ and 2. on why I was only an extra in the school play: ‘Vassiliou! You have a face only a mother could love.’ He was a legend and one of my earliest role models. RIP. – Constantine Vassiliou ’96 • RIP, Marc. This is the end of an era. Marc was the heart and soul of SHS! A great and good man has passed away. I’ll remember his heart of gold, and also his hard index finger in my chest—ouch! – Tom Watt ’96 • Very sad to hear this news. ‘Daly, if your brain were dynamite you wouldn’t have enough to blow your nose!’ – Tim Daly ’91 • He was a great presence at the school, whom and which I remember very fondly. David Price ’90 • At Founder’s Day 2012, when Marc and Christine were being named Honorary Old Boys, Tom Pitfield ’93 recalled when he and Marc worked side-by-side as scenery builders and backstage managers for one of the Senior plays. When the job was finished, Marc presented to Tom a pocket knife, engraved “From the big boss to the little boss.” Tom still has the knife. ■
Marc and Christine
Staff OBITUARIES
CUDE a MENTOR to teachers and coaches
Dave with his wife,Wendy,and Allison Wearing.
The Selwyn House community was saddened to hear of the death of retired teacher and coach David Cude on July 23, 2013 at the age of 71. David leaves Wendy (Laffin), his loving wife of 42 years, sister Beverley (Bill) and brothers Wilf (Mary Pat), Alan ( Beverley) and sister-in-law Audrey (Jacques) and many nieces and nephews. Born in Rouyn-Noranda, Dave’s passion for hockey was fuelled by his dad, Wilf, who was a goalie for nine years in the NHL, including a stint with the Montreal Canadiens in the l930s. As a teacher at Selwyn House, David combined this sports background with the opportunity not only to teach math in the Middle School, but used his own unique brand of practicality and an excellent sense of humour to help the boys achieve success not only in the classroom but also on the soccer field and the hockey rink. He saw the boys as representatives of the school and demanded they be well turned-out, whether in the classroom, on the soccer pitch or the hockey rink. At any social event, Dave was a guy with a very quick, sharp wit who told a good story with appropriate lines for each and every occasion. The boys enjoyed his sense of humour in the classroom and probably learned math better because of it. David’s arithmetic skills were put to good use on the rugby trips when he was the supernumerary in charge of allowances and the like. When he retired from teaching in 1997, after 20 years at Selwyn House, he was delighted to be able to travel more often, read steadily, most of all to learn how to play the piano, which he did with great joy and a sense of accomplishment. David will be greatly missed. – Rob Wearing, retired Head of Senior School
When I first met Dave in 1984, he was coaching Middle School soccer and Senior hockey. He was a very competitive person who brought a unique style of coaching and teaching skills, as well a great sense of humour to the field and the ice. Also, Dave had an enormous passion for the game of hockey and understood the game as well as anyone in the school.
Having grown up in a hockey environment in RouynNoranda, Dave had a special memory for statistics of many NHLers on any team. This passion was fuelled by his Dad, Wilf, who was a goalie for over nine years in the NHL. Wilf’s tenure with the Montreal Canadiens during the time of Auriel Joliat (1930s) was one of Dave’s proudest memories.
Dave enjoyed being outside the classroom with the boys and cared about the way they represented the school. How they acted away from the competitive setting was just as important as how they played. Dave was truly an ambassador for all that was achieved in Selwyn House athletics in the 60s, 70s and 80s. His dedicated work with the Selwyn House students should never be forgotten. – Steve Mitchell, retired SHSAthletic Director
He was a mentor to a lot of my contemporaries here.
I loved coaching with him—he showed me there was a difference in coaching at different levels.
David encouraged me to also get into teaching to broaden my skills. Later, he vouched for my classroom ability, and I got a job at Selwyn House.
He also included me in his social life. I got to know Dave’s extended family and helped him renovate his house. You could
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