Access ‘80 Election poster featuring (clockwise) Simon Batcup, BComm 81, Gene David, BComm 81, Bruce Wilson, BComm 81, Maria Picciano, BComm 81, Harald Barfod, BComm 81, Cathy Collard, BComm 81, GrDip 82, and Steve Da Silva, BComm 81, MBA 92.
Over the years, every one of us on the 1980-81 executive has joined at least one of our reunions, along with several friends who, while not in the association executive, were active and engaged students.
While living in the same city, our group would get together for weddings, baby showers and city visits on a regular basis. Then as careers took us in different directions, the visits became fewer. We did stay in touch — taking advantage of business trips and visits home to catch up, but it was not the same.
While we didn’t do it often, we would try and get together in smaller groups every few years to renew our relationships, act like we were students again and reminisce about old times.
Fast forward to 2006, 25 years after graduation. We were spread across the country, seeing each other only occasionally. Something had to be done. After some discussion, we realized a trip was in order. With a little work, the plan was set: a trip to Napa, Calif.
Meeting first in San Francisco, we started with a reunion lunch, followed by a long weekend in the Napa Valley. As soon as we were together, the years fell away. It was as if we had seen each other the week before. It was the impetus we needed.
Back row: Simon Batcup, BComm 81, Voula Cocolakis, Wilf Blum, Harald Barfod, BComm 81, Bruce Wilson, BComm 81, Daniel Sauve, BComm 81, GrDip 83; Front row: Steve Da Silva, BComm 81, MBA 92, Chantal Demers, Joanne Caza, BA 81, Linda Bibeau, Angie Wilson, Luce Veillette