Leo Darmitz:  

Life My routing through school consisted of Brock Ave.P.S.(K-6), Kent Senior P.S.(7-8), Bloor C.I.(9), Central Tech.(9-13), Royal York C.I.(13). I only spent one year each at Bloor C.I. and Royal York C.I. and did not graduate from either. I had no use for either school; Bloor-I was forced to attend by my parents and Royal York I chose to go to to try to get French and two English. However, two members of the staff at RYCI resented a student from a tech. school taking up their space. They made my year miserable. My classmates recognized what they were doing and were very supportive. I didn't get the French or English Comp. so it was a wasted year. I was successful in getting English Lit. with the help of Linda Lamorre. I did very well on the exam in the one subject I was resigned to miss. I will not name the teacher (English comp.), but will say that she destroyed any incentive I had at the time. I have since written and published three books and am working on a forth (so much for her opinion of my writing skills). All are historical, a subject in which I also did poorly. Ironically, both Bloor and RYCI were not successful; one has closed (RYCI) and the other was heading in the same direction. It is ironic that Bloor is now occupying space at Central Tech while their school is being rebuilt. I have not met many of my classmate from CTS since graduating. One exception, Ross McPhee with whom I had dinner on Dec. 13, 2008. Ray Smith was there as well. Ray was from CTS, but I only knew of him while I was in school. Three others that I have met were Myrnie Sullivan, Vic Wilensky and Jim Sordi. These I met at CTS Alumni functions. I did not socialize with many at the time. I guess it is because I lived so far away (Etobicoke) when I went to CTS. I have been able to contact six others and have spoken with them on the phone. I retired in 1996 and have been enjoying the good life since. I never did get to University and am grateful for that. I disproved Mr. Turner's (head of CTS Technology) theory that it was necessary to get a degree in order to be successful. I have never won or even purchased a lottery ticket or bought insurance but I made freedom 55. My forth year at CTS gave me what I needed to get my first job where I remained for four years. I then went with a company with which I remained for over 30 years. 25 of those years were the best I could ever expect. The work was engineering in nature and weekends got in my way. The last 5 were pure hell. That company has now dissolved into just memories (financial difficulties, U.S. takeover then closure). I am married (53 years as of Oc...Expand for more