Goodnight James....

26 year high school reunion July 2010

For those who may have missed this information via the newspaper, FaceBook or friends, I thought I would post a last Good Bye To James Mitchell from the Class of '84 at ADSS in Port Alberni.

When the reunion discussion resurfaced again in 2009 and then 2010, James told me that he wanted the reunion to happen as he was suffering from cancer and wanted to have a last chance to be a part of it. James was integral to the event. He worked hard at making it happen and although I can say, I did not know him in highschool I enjoyed getting to meet him via the reunion. I enjoyed watching on my FaceBook friends updates about his family, his travels in his little sports car or off on his motorbike, it seemed he was fitting in all he could. 

To James family, I wish you my deepest condolences and this final memorial on the ADSS Grad '84 blog wall. I have transferred comments from FaceBook to the blog since not everyone uses FaceBook and I have posted his beautiful obituary - truly what I read tells me that Port Alberni has lost an important man. ... Sarah (Giesbrecht) Sherman

Obituary for James Mitchell

James Gordon Mitchell

December 28, 1966 - July 8, 2011

James Gordon Mitchell
December 28, 1966 ~ July 8, 2011
After a courageous battle with cancer, James passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife and two daughters. James was born and raised in Port Alberni and was a long time active member of his community.
Survived by his wife of 25 years, Bonnie Mitchell, daughter Kara (Mike) grandson Cohen, daughter Melissa (Matthew), father Jack Mitchell, mother Darlene Mitchell (Wilbert), sister Katherine (Alan), brother Kevin (Lisa), in-laws Ernie & Margaret Bigelow, Gail (Tony), Sheryl (Rob), numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
James will be forever remembered for his dedication and devotion to his family and friends, his quick wit and sense of humour will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011, 1:00pm at Echo Center 4255 Wallace St. Port Alberni, BC V9Y 3Y6.
If so desired, donations may be made to the Ty Watson House 2649 2nd Ave, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1Z8

FaceBook Comments:

Lori Blight Behnke

So sad to see that our fellow grad James Mitchell has just passed away. Thank you James for all the work you put in to make our Grad reunion last year such a success. My condolences go to your family, you will be greatly missed.


Charlene MacDonald Johnson yes he will be missed

Sarah Sherman James was someone who explicitly asked that the reunion be held last year. SO thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and attend. I didn't know James well but I am glad that his wish for that came true and send my condolences to his loved ones.

Wawmeesh George Hamilton I've said it before: it was so much a chance for everyone to say hello again. It as a chance to bid a quiet goodbye. I don't think anyone enjoyed it as much as he did.

Wayne Lam I was back in Port in March and heard about James wasn't feeling well. Farewell James life can be so short. Rip.

Lisa Krause Schut I just found these condolences on here, I'll send them along to his wife, Bonnie. I'm sure she'll appreciate them. We were close to James and I just wanted to add that he fought a courageous fight. He lived life to the fullest in his last few years. He was an active member in Kinsmen Canada, Gyro Club and volunteered in many events like summer games and such. We walked the Relay for Life this past June and are already registered for next year under the name Friends, Love and Hope. James spent his last hours in Ty Watson house with his family next to him. If you ever have the need to donate please keep in mind Ty Watson house or Friends Love and Hope. He really enjoyed the last Grad reunion and if you knew James you knew he enjoyed any event that involved friends, a good drink, laughter and dancing. Thanks to our wacky 26th year reunion we all added to his final hurrah!

Good night James... From the class of '84

History....

It is almost one month after the 26th year reunion. I have watched connections increase and friendships rekindle via Facebook and emails. It is so encouraging to see people form new relationships and reunite after so many years apart. It gives me hope for the future. It shows me that although we may have not known each other well in high school or we drifted apart, that we can reach back into our childhood and formative years and pull out memories that will last a life time.

I have no doubt that many of the grads who attended the reunion have made plans to see old friends again. Others realized whether they had an amazing high school history or hated every minute of it, those experiences helped us become who we are now. Many of us are parenting now and we can pass our knowledge on to our children. Help them through the horror of being a teenager! The good and the bad!

Personally, I hated high school! Every minute of it from getting on the bus, to walking down the hallways, to speaking in class... However, I have so many friends that have stood beside me for so many years and have met 'new' friends as a result of this reunion... I can't say that I hated it anymore. I am grateful for those moments and memories... You see, since I hated high school SO much... I forgot the good parts. I forgot the times and the people that made it worth while, so THANK YOU for that!

As I finish this post, I wish you all the best, please call me for the next reunion and hopefully THAT one will be my first to attend! Thank you to everyone who attended, to the hotel for making it a success, to the committee who followed through and now.... HAVE A GREAT REMAINDER OF THE SUMMER OF 2010!

REMINDER

Please do not mail any registrations to Sarah ... she has moved. Please contact Lori Blight Behnke or James Mitchell directly. If you need details please email me at sarahsherman2009@gmail.com.... Thank you!

Remember it is just over a week to the reunion! Contact ASAP!

Registration Deadline HAS BEEN Extended!

Happy Summer Solstice everyone! It is the first day of summer! Our little elementary school children have one week of school left, high school is OUT, exams are almost over and those of you with GRADS have cried, reflected and watched your grads walk the path we did 26 years ago! No doubt you are hoping they have the wonderful experiences you have had and avoid the regrettable ones! (I am sure you are also wondering when you ever got to be OLD!)

Since life has been whipping along, amidst parenting, school commitments, volunteering in your community and of course those jobs we all have to go to... You may have neglected to send in your GRAD REUNION REGISTRATIONS!

The exciting news is IT IS NOT TOO LATE! You can still get it in! It has been an interesting exercise in memory recollection and flashbacks to preview the names on the grad group and event lists as well as a few a ha and surprise moments. I spent hours going through the old annuals and Facebook groups and was delighted to recover moments in time that would otherwise have been lost forever.

I wish I could be there with you to enjoy an evening of food, music, dancing, drinks and fun. The hours to remember when and who.... Please have a great time and if you do not have your registrations in yet you now have until the first week of July.

I would like to gratefully thank the grad committee for taking on this project: Lori Blight Behnke, Nancy Nielsen Bachmeier, Charlene MacDonald Johnson, Deanna Milliken Sutherland and the boys in the group, James Mitchell and George Wawmeesh Hamilton.

Have a great night on July 17th everyone! I am now signing off from the event and wish you all well!

In happiness and lifetime experiences....
Sarah Giesbrecht (Bethell) Sherman
(PS: It is OK if you don't remember me! I was rather quiet and shy... life changed me!)

MISSING IN ACTION!!!! HELP!!!!

Here is a quick update! We have found so many of our HUGE grad class! However, as per Lori's note below we are still missing quite a few names!!! We need YOUR help! Forward this to your friends, family and anyone who might be able to help us locate these people!

The reunion planning started in March 2010 and due to us all being busy people, working, families, etc.... we still have not located the group listed below!

The reunion is on July 17th, we asked for registrations to come in by June 18th (one more week!) If there is anything holding up your registration please let us know. If you want to come but have not been able to get it in, PLEASE contact the author of this blog, c'est moi! Or one of the committee members listed on the Facebook site 1984 ADSS Reunion. THANKS!

Committee Members: Lori (Blight) Behnke, Charlene (MacDonald) Johnson, Nancy (Nielsen) Bachmeier, Deanna (Milliken) Sutherland, George Wawmeesh Hamilton and James Mitchell.

Note from Lori:

I'm sure you all expected this, so here goes. We need help in finding these Grads. Please take a look and notify anyone you know. Then please send me (Lori Blight Behnke) a quick msg so we can stop searching!

Thanks for the co-operative effort.

Craig Anderson, Cindy Bakken, Mike Balzer, Luke Barney, Stephen Bhala, Rubinder Bhatti, Corrinne Bonneteau, Franco Bressan, Brian Brooks, Joseph Budai, Susan Burritt, Brent Cairney, Cindy Daily, Lisa Danesin, Clara Davis, Andy Denboer, Ray Dennison, Davinder Dhak, Neelan Dhak, Paul Freschette, Allan Freeman, Tanis (Freeman) Thomas?, Luke George, Dino Girotto, Sheila Grant, Melanie Grigoletto, Tracy Grubisch, Dennis Hamel, Rich Harsch, Donna Harsch, Bruce Henningson, Helen Hertel, Lacy Hodgson, Lucinda Jemson, Tim Johnson (1), Tim Johnson (2), Tracey Johnson, David Johnston, Dave Kalugin, Sheri Kreklau, Carolyn Kretai, Curt Kutschera, Carolyn Lauder, Bill Leckie, May Lee, Wendy Leithead, Anne Mack, Byron Mah, Miro Marocchi, Mary-Ann McGrath, Deanna McRae, Carry Nelson, Wayne Nicholson, Cheryl Noble, Amar Parmar, Nishi Parmar, Nina Parmar, Tokyne Peresluka, John Peterson, Herb Petschauer, May Quek, Carrey Robins, Dennis Rodinsky, Jamie Ross, Noella Ryper, Mike Shum, Lorraine Smith, Jim Sustersich, Tim Taylor, Gulbara Thiara, Tyler Thompson, Steve Tidy, Henry Van Dyk, Jacquie Van Hoepen, Mike Zundorf, Bill Cannon, Ashley Fraser, Jas Jhali, Maureen Mason, Joginder Rattan, Troy Wright, Bill Campbell, Verena Cootes, Betsy Mack

Deadline is approaching so work fast folks!

THANK YOU!

Changes to the Reunion Registration

Good afternoon everyone! The committee met again yesterday - great work everyone! A few adjustments HAVE been made to the registration form... If you have ALREADY sent in your forms, don't worry you are set! (You may want to view the changes though) If you have NOT sent in your form yet with payment the deadline has been extended to JUNE 18th please send them in!

The committee has opted to go from a sit down dinner to a stand up appetizer MEAL it was felt this would allow for the maximum mingling opportunities! Forms will now be sent to Lori (note the bottom of the registration) If any come to me in the next few days then I will forward them to the committee!

Have a great day!

REVISED REGISTRATION FORMS

Memory Wall and Life Achievements

If you want to share information about yourself at the reunion OR if you have information to share about a classmate that has passed on, please complete the attached form! You can either bring it to the reunion OR mail it in! Thanks for helping out... Half the fun is learning about people again!

Memory Wall Information Sheet