It is much sadness we learn of the passing of COLVIN CHRISTOFFELSZ in Colombo. Obituary extracted from the Ceylon Daily News is appended below. Funeral services held on November 1, 2013. JPAA Canada and its members extend our heartfelt condolences to family members of Colvin Christoffelsz and offer our deepest sympathy. May his soul Rest in Peace!

Colvin played cricket for St. Peter's College from 1965-1967. His record is shown below.

• in 1965 under Travis Fernando
• In 1966, he played under Darrel Wimalaratne
• In 1967 Colvin played under Tony Opatha and kept wickets. Colvin took 5 catches behind the wickets and had 2 stumps in both innings of the 1967 game.

CHRISTOFFELSZ – COLVIN. Beloved husband of Helene, loving father of Shonelle (Asian International School), loving father-in-law of Denver Rozairo, son of the late Girlie & Dan, brother of the late Cordilea and brother-in-law of Renney De Silva. Cortege leaves residence No. 54, Kawdana Broadway Road, Dehiwela. For burial at General Cemetery, Galkissa at 4.00 p.m. on Friday 01st November 2013.  (Ceylon Daily News)

The Josephian-Peterite Cricket Encounter always attracts a cross section of the alumni from Sri Lanka and overseas. More often than not, old boys of the two schools (specially those who have represented the schools in the "Big Match") makes it a point of visiting home (Sri Lanka) to coincide with the "Big Match".

One of the most celebrated Peterite cricketers of all time has sent the following information to JPAA President Upali Obeyesekere who has this message for that brilliant Peterite and All-Ceylon cricketer DAVID HEYN.  "Thank you David for your thoughtfulness in sending this information so that our schoolmates and those of SJC living abroad may plan their trips to Sri Lanka to coincide with the "Big Match".

After some effort David managed to get the dates for the games next year, so that the alumni living throughout the world could make some travel plans.

• 80th Joe-Pete on 7th/8th March 2014 at the P Sara Oval
• The 50 over game is on the 15th at the Ketterama Stadium

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About David Heyn

The name "David Heyn" is synonymous with Cricket amd Hockey in Ceylon in the sixties and seventies. He had his baptism to Cricket at his Alma Mater St. Peter's College in 1961 under Skipper Adiel Anghie (now a medical practitioner living in the U.S.). He was picked for his batting and brilliance as a "specialist" cover point fielder. David represented St. Peter's from 1961-1964, captaining in '64. The Joe-Pete games in the four years all ended in a draw but produced several cricketers who shone for their school and also in club cricket. David was the only one to reach national status. In 1962 he played under his older brother Richard Heyn, in 1963 under Tyrone Le Mercier. In 1964, David captained and batted at No.3 position in a star-studded side comprising Darrel Wimalaratne and Adithiya de Silva (openers), Wicket-keeper batsman Ravi Fernando going in at No.4 followed by Peter de Neise, Desmond Le Mercier, Travis Fernando, F. Bowen, Aubrey Patternott, Rohan Abeysundera and A.S. Manuel.

Let's have a look at the four years under review.

• David Heyn was unfortunate to get run out in the 1961 game, for 3 runs.
• The next year (1962) under his brother Richard Heyn, David was unbeaten with 23 of a total of 55 in the 1st innings (Brian Perumal had a match bag of 5 for 14 and Brian Buultjens took 2 for 17). In the second innings David top  scored for SPC with 63 runs and almost helped the Peterites to win but a stubborn last wicket partnership by the Joes averted a certain defeat.
• In 1963 David scored  7 and was unbeaten with 64 in the 2nd innings. The game ended in a tame draw. He shone with the ball however with his spinners taking 5 for 15 in 15.2 overs in the 1st innings that helped get the Joes out for 106 runs.
• In 1964, David captained SPC and his opposing skipper was Berchman de Alwis. The latter won the toss and put the Peterites to bat. The Peterites folded for a paltry 83 runs with only Ravindra Fernando (13) and Peter de Neise (20) entering double digits. Joy de Alwis (5 for 22) and Berchman de Awis (3 for 25) accounted for the Peterite debacle. Going into bat the Josephians fared slightly better knocking up 108 runs with Christopher Moreira top scoring with 33 runs. Travis Fernando bowled splendidly taking 6 wickets for 43 runs. Going into bat a second time the Peterites did better scoring 146 runs with opener Adithiya de Silva (72) and skipper David Heyn  scoring a fluent 74 runs. The Joes were left to score 122 runs to win but fell short when they played for a draw ending up with 90 for 6 wickets. Travis Fernando (3 for 32) and David Heyn (2 for 33) were the pick of the Peterite bowlers. Incidentally, the Josephian wicket-keeper this year Sunil Athukorale now lives in Canada (Brampton).

The Alumni of St. Peter's College domiciled in Brisbane will get together at a Dinner Dance scheduled for Saturday, October 19th. The grand dinner dance is presented by St. Peter's College Old Boys' Social Club Brisbane. Music will be provided by "CRYSTAL FIRE" featuring Laurensz, Ronnie, Joquithe & DJ-Ruvan. Tickets are priced at $50 (Adults) and $20 (Child U-14). Dress Code is strictly formal (Suit & Tie and Ladies After 5). The venue is South Sports Club – Astills Centre Mortimer Road, Acacia Ridge (UBD Map 199K18) from 6:30 pm to Midnight. Dinner will offer two options – BUFFET with a selection of Eastern or Western Cuisine. Drinks – special Club Price (Strictly No BYO).

The Association of Old Josephians in the UK presents the 26th Annual Blue & White Ball on 19th October 2013, at Sheraton Sky Line Hotel, Bath Road (A4) Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 5BP. Cocktail Reception from 6:00 – 7:15 pm at the Sky Garden and dinner is at 7:30 pm at the International Suite. Music will be provided by UK's Number One Sri Lankan Band – SKY HIGH Live BAND with popular guest star CORRINE flying in from Colombo to entertain the Old Josephians and the guests. Tickets are priced at 60 Pounds Sterling and the prizes include a retur Air Ticket to Sri Lanka. Dress Code: Black Tie. This information was sent by Indrajith Perera to JPAA Canada.

The Old Joes in the U.K. are a pretty active bunch. Armed with a well designed website http://www.sjcuk.com/ the Association of Old Josephians in the UK are making waves in the land of the monarchy. The front page of its website says the following:

Opening statement on the website says, "On behalf of the Association of Old Josephians in the United Kingdom, we would welcome you to join the Association and be involved in our social and sports activities. The Old Joes UK is one of the key participants in the major social and sports calendar within the Sri Lankan Community in the UK. This is truly a great opportunity to meet other Josephians & their families and of course be able to network with other schools and Colleges of Sri Lanka."

A Tribute to Fr. Claver

The third death anniversary of Father Claver Perera falls on 14^th October and the St. Mary’s Choral Group and friends of Fr. Claver will be doing a short tribute to Fr. Claver, at St. Mary’s Church Bambalapitiya at 7.00 p.m. after evening Mass on Sunday, 13th October 2013.

Old Boys and friends are cordially invited to be present to pay tribute to a priest who was the first old boy Rector of College and who as Parish Priest at St. Mary's Bambalapitiya contributed greatly to singing and liturgy, etc.

Algi Wijewickrema (Editor – SPC OBU)

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Fr. Claver: Thou art the Song that I sing

Daily Mirror, Saturday, 16 October 2010

The much loved tenor, choir master, priest and writer Fr. Claver Perera who passed away on Thursday night at the age of 68, will be buried at General Cemetery in Kanatte today after a thanksgiving Requiem High Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith at All Saints Church, Borella at 3.30 p.m.

Fr. Perera, a graduate of the Peradeniya University, had a Caruso type robust tenor voice. He returned to Sri Lanka from Rome in the late sixties and founded the St. Mary’s Choral Group in 1967. Its members were largely Peterites.

He became the sixth rector of St. Peter’s College. He was the first fully fledged Peterite to adorn the Rectorial Chair. His stay lasted two years from 1975 to 1976.

Later, as a resident at the National Seminary, Ampitiya, Fr. Claver trained young seminarians in vocal music and elocution. He also taught English.

"Intimations of Eternity 1" produced by Fr. Claver brought back some precious moments of the past, according to another famous music trainer and choir master Francis de Almeida. Fr. Claver’s audio album contained 20 priceless pieces of vocal renditions from different periods, styles and languages

JPAA Canada launched its new website on Monday, October 7, 2013 – with the domain name www.jpaacanada.com We invite you to visit the site, devour the information laid out and send us an e-mail with any comments, constructive feedback, suggestions or remarks.

"This is a dream come true", said JPAA President Upali Obeyesekere. Having worked 17 years for IBM Canada Ltd., he understands the benefits of having a good website. The website will be an online tool to reach out to most Peterites and Josephians in Canada and keep them informed of what has happened, when it will happen so that all are better informed. It will also enhance communications within the membership and also reach out to the alumni of St. Joseph's College and St. Peter's College throughout the world. It crosses the bid divide and will serve as a communication tool without borders.

It took slightly over six months to plan, design and develop the site. The technical part was done in Colombo, Sri Lanka while the site was updated in Toronto, Canada. The site includes menu items that take the visitor to their Alma Mater, Overseas Associations, Parent Unions in Colombo, Alumni News and the rest is all about the 29-year old Josephian-Peterite Alumni Association of Canada. "We are proud to have been the first in Canada, among Sri Lankan Schools to have formed a joint association in 1984", added the incumbent president who appealed to an old boy (former Josephian Cricketer) who wishes to be anynoymous to obtain part funding for the website. The president funded the balance and today JPAA Canada has a comprehensive website.

Only 25 per cent have so far been posted on the site. The site will cover its history since 1984 to date and try and capture highlights during the last 29-years. From today onwards, all current activity will be covered. The plus factor here is that all the updating is done instantly from Toronto, Canada. "Any pro-active member of JPAA Canada will agree that having a good website is a pre-requisite for an active non-profit corporation. A website is the lifeblood of an organization", concludes President Upali Obeyesekere who burnt the midnight oil many a day to have this up and running sooner than later.

The website is a menu driven site with opportunity for advertising banners in the last extreme right column. At present, interesting information is posted on the graphic icons that lead you to a document or another 3rd party website with news of Josephians and/or Peterites in the world.

JPAA President invites comments on the site from anyone out there who happens to visit the site. Please send all comments, suggestions and feedback to JPAA Canada via email address jpaacanada@rogers.com and we will respond within 24-hours.

• An Old Boy of St Peter's Bambalapitiya, Dudley Oorloff  passed away at his home in Palmdale California last Monday. A retired Air Force Warrant Officer he was also a Senior Cadet at College during the years of Fr Basil W. and Mr JP Dias.

 

• An Old Boy of St. Peter`s College – MALORY WALLES – (Ex. Air Ceylon – Purser). Father of Garrick, Stepfather of Rochelle, Jeremy and Kevin. Former husband of Christobel (Christo) Nee Brainard and Yvonne. Passed away peacefully on 15th August 2013, Cremation in U.K. on 2nd September. 3, Catherine Gardens, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2PP. 

 

• Message from Ruwan Silva
   

• Mahinda Weerapura a very senior Old Peterite has passed away.The funeral takes place this evening at Mount Lavinia cemetrey .His remains lie at his residence at I.B.C.Road Wellawatte.Mahinda and all his brothers  (who have pre deceased him) were students during the rectorships of Rev Fr.Nicholas Perera and Basil Wiratunga.His brother the Rev Wellawatte Ananda Thero was a vice patron of the O.B.U.

• WEERAPURA – MAHINDA (Former Director – Ceylon Tourist Board). Dearly beloved husband of Yoko, loving father of Prabash, Maya, Yoji, father-in-law of Rosanna, Suren Madanayake (ACL Cables Plc.) and Akiko, loving brother of the late Dunstan, Muriel, Herburt and Dr Ven. Wellawatte Ananda Thero. Cortege leaves residence No. 65, International Buddhist Centre Road, Colombo 06 at 4 p.m. on the 25th of April 2013, for Burial at Mt. Lavinia Cemetery
   

 

The 29-year old Josephian-Peterite Alumni Association of Canada (JPAA Canada) presents its "Joe-Pete Annual Dinner Dance 2013" on Saturday, October 5th at the Platinum Room, Markham Convention Centre (Markham Road & McNicoll Ave). Tickets are priced at $60 per person with a sumptuous buffet, Music by ZEROX & DJ-Shiwanka and a few surprises and prizes thrown in to make the evening lively and enjoyable. The Josephians and Peterites are a formidable group here in Canada with over 500 alumni from both Colombo schools domiciled in this country. JPAA Canada was the first amongst Sri Lankan schools to plan, organize and execute a Dinner Dance way back in 1988. The dance always attracts old boys not only from many provinces within Canada but also from neighbouring States of the U.S. This year is no exception. Advance tickets have been reserved for a contingent of 30 Old Boys from the U.S., Germany and Australia who are holidaying in this part of the world at this time. JPAA Canada welcomes the alumni from both schools, their families and well wishers to the dance. Fellowship and camaraderie is foremost in the minds of all in putting an event like this together. A fun evening is planned for all!

For advance reservations, please call

Anslem Perera @ 416-706-0545

Jerome Fernandez @ 416-616-7283

Upali Obeyesekere @ 416-445-5390

or e-mail jpaacanada@rogers.com