Hall of Merit

The purpose of the Hall of Merit is to offer current and future Loyola students examples of men and women for others - that is, individuals who provide, or who provided, remarkable and outstanding service to others.

The Hall of Merit pays tribute to Loyola graduates and associates who contributed significantly to society in the Loyola spirit of "living for others." The inductees best exemplify Loyola's goals and ideals. Whether they have received public exposure for their contributions or have done so more quietly, but no less effectively, the overriding criterion for selection is remarkable and outstanding service to others.

Inductees

2022

Mr. George Lengvari '59

George Lengvari and his family immigrated to Canada from Budapest, Hungary when he was nine years old. After attending Loyola High School, George went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1963 from Loyola College. George then enrolled at McGill University's Faculty of Law and completed a civil law degree in 1966. George combined his pursuit of academics with a distinguished basketball career at both Loyola College and McGill University.

A true man for others, George has distinguished himself in the community with the same passion and excellence as he did on the basketball court. Included among his many notable philanthropic contributions, is his simultaneous million-dollar gift to both Concordia and McGill. George also led the effort to establish the Jean Béliveau scholarship at McGill University, which grants an award annually to one female and one male student-athlete who demonstrates community leadership. In 2014 George was named a Great Concordian in recognition of his support of bursary programs, the restoration of the Loyola Refectory, and the athletics facilities. George's commitment and generosity are guided by his formation at Loyola High School and by the words of his father; “help others get what they want.”

Mr. Marco Ottoni '87

Upon graduating from University Marco Ottoni embarked on a successful career in the financial sector and served for six years as a warden at St. Malachy's parish; concurrently he served as a volunteer and secretary of the Good Shepherd Community Centre. He later became involved in the governance of Loyola High School as a member of the Board of Governors and ultimately its Chairman.

In 2015 he made the decision to focus full-time on the challenge of converting the shuttered St. Raphael's parish church into a palliative care centre with a focus on outpatient day care. Encouraged by Fr. Sinel, Marco began to raise funds for the project, dealing with all levels of government, and worked tirelessly to develop an operating model focussed on palliative care offering dignity and the needs of the whole family. The St. Raphael Palliative Care Home and Day Centre opened in November 2019, offering programs such as legacy art, massage and music therapy. Marco Ottoni ‘87 has shown to be a man for others through his commitment to community and humanity.

2018

Mr. Jean Béland ‘61

Jean Patrick Béland was born in Montreal in 1945. After graduating from Loyola High School and Loyola College, this eight-year man earned an MBA from the University of Western Ontario in 1968. He spent his entire career with the Royal Bank, principally in corporate finance, and was appointed Managing Director at RBC Dominion Securities before retiring in 2000. He was very well respected in the market.

A community-minded individual, Jean has served on numerous volunteer boards including St. Mary’s Hospital, Queen of Angels Academy, Catholic Community Services and the Board of Governors at the school which he chaired from 2004 to 2007, a period of significant expansion at Loyola. His participation in a Kairos retreat at the school at the time left a lasting impression on the students who shared the experience. Currently, Jean serves on the Boards of The Pillars Trust Fund, Executives Available and the Concordia International Business Case Competition and is a volunteer at Meals on Wheels and the Lakeshore General Hospital. He is a dedicated family man and a caring friend to those in need.

Mr. Noubar Afeyan ‘78

Noubar Afeyan was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1962. In 1975, his family, fleeing the civil war in Lebanon, moved to Montreal, where Noubar attended Loyola High School, graduating in 1978. He then attended McGill University (B.S. ’83) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. ’87). In 1988, Noubar founded PerSeptive Biosystems and while CEO of PerSeptive, he co-founded and funded numerous other biotechnology companies. In 2000, he founded Flagship Ventures (now, Flagship Pioneering) which focuses on creating and developing innovative scientific ventures. Although he is involved in numerous entrepreneurial pursuits, Noubar also devotes much of his time to philanthropic initiatives.

In 2008, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his contributions to society in the United States and Armenia. He has also been honoured by the Armenian Government (2012, 2014) and the Armenian Church (2012) for his outstanding work on behalf of the worldwide Armenian community. In 2015, he co-founded the 100 Lives Initiative to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Armenian genocide. In 2016, 100 Lives inaugurated the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, an annual award given to an individual who has faced personal risk to enable others to survive.

2016

Dr. Paul Campbell Noble ‘54

A man of quiet spirituality, he has engaged in a faithful, lifelong involvement with the Church, giving generously of himself to Church-related and other social justice causes, including Peace and Development, the N.D.G. Food Bank and Benedict Labre House. A dedicated husband, father (of five sons, all of whom are Loyola grads), teacher, scholar, committed citizen, community-minded person, man of faith, thoughtful human being and generous soul, Paul Campbell Noble is an abiding example of a life lived humbly and authentically as a “man for others”.

Mr. J. Barry MacDonald ‘61

For nearly fifty years, Barry has supported and been the main benefactor of a large number of causes, almost always under the public radar. Loyola has benefited greatly from his volunteerism and involvement. In addition to his financial support of the school’s Foundation, he was instrumental in establishing and developing Loyola’s annual High School Foundation Golf Tournament, an event that, since its inception in 1998, has provided a vast sum of money to help support deserving students. He was involved in the “Reaching New Heights” Capital Campaign (2003 – 2009) and was also a member of the LHS Foundation Board from 1997 until 2003. Barry is an individual who personifies the motto of a “man for others”.

Mr. Stanley Vincelli ‘63

His life-long commitment to a great number of non-profit organizations distinguishes this unpretentious “man for others”. He has given of his time and energy to, among others, Nazareth House, the MAB-Mackay Foundation Board and Camp Massawippi, a summer camp for the physically handicapped and the McGill University Health Centre Foundation. Since 2004, Stan has been president of Benedict Labre House, a day-centre for the homeless, and has played a major role in its revitalization. More recently, he presided over the LHS Board of Governors and was the driving force for the Loyola High School Strategic Planning process that was completed in December, 2014. He is a man of conscience and compassion, whose commitment to a life in the service of others has made a difference.

Mr. Gavin Fernandes ‘82/Ms. Teresa Dellar

Gavin began volunteering while still at Loyola and his passion for helping others has resulted in his extensive history of service with charities and organizations in his community. Currently, he spends as much time as possible helping at the West Island Palliative Care Residence, which was co-founded by his wife, Teresa Dellar. Teresa’s unconditional commitment and irrepressible perseverance have been essential ingredients in the growth and development of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, an exceptional facility where patients receive 24-hour comfort care, spiritual and psychological support and advanced end-of-life services. Together, Gavin and Teresa have devoted many years in the service of others. Together, Gavin and Teresa are outstanding examples of what it means to be “men and women for others”.

2015

The Honourable James Flaherty ‘66

In high school, Jim was a gifted scholar, a superb athlete and a tireless, highly effective leader. He was also an incredibly nice person. After Loyola, he attended Princeton on a hockey scholarship and in 1970, received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He then obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and practiced law for twenty years before entering politics. In 2006, Jim became the federal Minister of Finance and according to one source, “... guided Canada through the dangerous shoals of the Great Recession of 2008 - 09 to the shore of recovery.” Very aware of all that Loyola had done for him, he once told a reporter that Loyola High School formed him intellectually, physically and spiritually and that he carried the Jesuit principles of hard work, self-reliance and service to others with him for the rest of his life. Jim worked tirelessly to promote the cause of disabled persons. He was instrumental in the creation of the Abilities Centre in his home riding of Whitby and he lent his support to the Special Olympics. As Minister of Finance, he created the Registered Disability Savings Program, which makes use of the tax system to create more independence for the disabled. An exemplary leader both in his public and personal life, Jim adhered to the principles and practices instilled in him as a student at Loyola.

Mr. Bruce Kelly ‘63

After graduating from high school, Bruce attended Loyola College until 1967. He acquired his teaching degree at McMaster University in 1968 and a Special Education certificate from McGill, in 1972. He taught at the La Salle Extended School (an outreach school of the PSBGM) for twenty-five years. As a teacher, Bruce went “beyond the curriculum”, helping students who had dropped out of the mainstream in the school system. He taught his regular academic classes in the morning and then held workshops on carpentry, furniture refinishing etc. in the afternoon. He was able to connect with these young men and women, making a huge difference in their lives. After he retired from teaching in 1997, Bruce went into business for himself. In 2006, he began to devote his time and energy to the Fondation d’Entraide en Santé des Bénévoles de Ste-Anne, which runs Thrift Shops for NOVA (the former Victorian Order of Nurses) and raises money for the NOVA nurses of Quebec. All the items sold in these shops, from furniture to clothing, are donated and it is Bruce who drives around picking up the donated goods. He is a volunteer extraordinaire. Year after year, out of the goodness of his heart, he does this kind of work, three or four days a week, without fanfare. He is truly the type of individual that we try to teach our students to be, a “man for others”.

Rev. Eric Maclean, S.J. ‘60

An “eight-year” Loyola man, Eric graduated from the college in 1964 and entered the Society of Jesus. He studied philosophy at Saint Louis University and then completed a master’s degree in English at the University of Toronto. He was ordained in 1974 and returned to Montreal to become Principal of Loyola in 1976. In 1988, he was assigned to St. Paul’s School in Winnipeg and in 1990, he was appointed Provincial Superior of the English-Speaking Jesuits in Canada. In 1997, he returned to Loyola High School as President and was instrumental in launching the capital campaign that ultimately raised $13.5 million for a new wing for the school. Bright, well versed in both the arts and finance, continuously curious to learn new things, he was a wonderfully extroverted character, blessed with a disarmingly self-deprecating sense of humour. He was “larger than life”. As a former student, teacher, Chaplain, Principal and President of Loyola, he embodied the best of what a Jesuit education in general, and a Loyola High School education, in particular, represent. Over the years, he not only served the school well in many different capacities, but also, at a critical juncture in its history, helped fashion and realize the vision that brought Loyola to new heights.

2010

Mr. Roger Abbott ‘63

Born in England, Roger Abbott was raised in Montreal, where he attended Loyola High School and then Loyola College. While at Loyola, he developed a deep love of entertainment. He participated in high-school debating and drama, and eventually college radio. He spent his post-college years at three different radio stations, working in promotion, programming and management. After five years, he moved into comedy as an original member of The Jest Society, an improvisational h·oupe specializing in topical comedy. He was later joined by his old Loyola High School friend Don Ferguson. Continue reading below.

Mr. Don Ferguson ‘63

Don Ferguson was born in Montreal. Don and his twin brother Dave attended Loyola High School, graduating in 1963. He earned an Honours English Degree from Loyola College in 1970, and then worked as an audio-visual producer, photographer and documentary film maker. He joined The Jest Society in 1970. In 1973, The Jest Society developed into The Royal Canadian Air Farce on CBC Radio, which would go on to become one of the network 's most-listened-to shows over the following two decades before eventually moving to television.

In 1984, as the Air Farce radio show began recording in different Canadian cities, Roger and Don decided to make each event a fundraiser for a local charity. Over the next decade, visiting all 13 provinces and territories, they raised over five million dollars for women's shelters, arts groups, hospices, inner city boys and girls clubs, medical centres, and on three different occasions, Loyola High School. When Air Farce moved to television, the weekly audience tickets were free - as long as people brought food and cash for Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest. For over twenty-five years, Messrs Abbott and Ferguson have hosted the annual Easter Seals Telethon in Toronto, raising millions of dollars to support hands-on services for children and teens with physical disabilities . They were spokespersons and entertainers for many Easter Seals events, and became the lead donors for a Performance and Arts studio at the Easter Seals' Camp Woodeden, near London, Ontario. They were also spokespersons and entertainers for Raising the Roof, a national organization that raises funds for and awareness of, the homeless.

At Loyola, they were financial supporters of the "Adopt-a-Student" program and the Reaching New Heights campaign which culminated in the construction of the school’s extension. They also supported their fellow Loyolan, Father Michael Czerny of the Society of Jesus, in his efforts with the African Jesuit AIDS Network. They are members of Maclean's Honour Roll of "Canadians Who Make a Difference" and have received a Gemini Award recognising their humanitarian and charitable commitments.

2008

Mr. Peter R. O’Brien ‘62

 

Dr. James D. Sullivan ‘54, MD., CM.

 

2007

Mrs. Margarita Arsenault

 

Father John Baxter ‘52

 

Mr. Brian McDonough ‘68

 

Mr. Vijay Pereira ‘78

 

Mr. Tom Pirelli ‘65

 

2006

Rev. Michael Czerny, S.J. ‘63

 

Mr. Jim Newman ‘60

 

Mr. Richard J. Renaud ‘63

 

Mr. William Henry Wilson

 

Mr. William Howard Wilson ‘49

 

1997

Rev. Kenneth Casey, S.J. ‘39

 

Dr. A. Gilbert Drolet ‘46

 

Mrs. Ann Ascoli

 

Rev. Ernest Schibli ‘56

 

Rev. Stanley Drummond, S.J.