I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Richard (Rick) Ostashower, TT class of ’68. Rick provided me with a wealth of information, both informative and humorous. He lives in Calgary with his wife, Shoo, and their three dogs. Rick has 40+ years in the Canadian Military, achieving the rank of Master Warrant Officer and holding the appointment of Sergeant Major. He worked 12 years as a Firearms Officer, Inspection Officer, Investigation Officers and adjunct Armourer with the Calgary Police Service, and member of 4 Canadian Brigade Group Counter Terrorist Team. (Natalie Soroka)

“I think a Jewish education is critical. When I was at TT, starting in grade two, we had a half day of Hebrew, with ½ hour for either French or PT and a half day of English with ½ hour again for either French or PT. This was years before French was even offered at the Jr. High level. We thought this was normal. You go to school to learn. It never occurred to us that we were doing a full day’s curriculum in half a day and then doing it again in Hebrew, along with religious studies. If you’re lucky, you have an atmosphere of support that makes learning all the more enjoyable.

The absolute top of the list of staff memories, bar none, were Mike and his wife Lisa, the Caretaker and the Cook. Everyone knew and loved them, and they returned it. I treasure the memories of Lisa coming to see me on macaroni and cheese days because she knew how much I loved the crust. Others probably got it, too, but I remember her coming straight to me. And Mr. Yedlin, who by grade six came up to about my shoulders. He so terrified all of us; “I want it so quiet in here that I can hear A PIN DROP!” but come to him with a question or a concern, and you got his undivided attention. Mr. Chetner, too, was an imposing figure, but approachable.“

Rick recounted a memory of meeting up with one of his TT classmates, 50 years later, at the annual Robbie Bernstein Dinner at Beth Tzedec in Calgary. “At one point, a man approached me and, with awe, asked if he could take a picture of me because, in my regalia (Calgary Highlanders formal Mess Dress – kilt, assorted knives, etc.), I was the spitting image of a guy he had gone to school with (Dave Wilkins). I said certainly.

He came and stood beside me and mentioned Dave’s name, which took me somewhat by surprise as, to the best of my knowledge, Dave’s not Jewish (I knew him too). I said so, and this guy, much shorter than I am, I was astounded and literally at a loss for words. I asked him what his name was, and he replied, “Mike, Mike Paull”. You could have knocked me over with a feather. We had been in the same group from Kindergarten through grade six, attended all the Bar Mitzvahs together, and then went through different schools. We hadn’t seen each other in almost 50 years, with me leaving so soon after graduation. I looked at Mike and said, “I’m Rick Ostashower.” The range of emotions that went over his face, and I’m sure mine, was staggering. After a few seconds, he stepped closer and hugged me as hard as I’d ever been clutched. I returned the compliment. We spent the next few minutes being dragged around and introduced or re-introduced to people I hadn’t seen as long as or longer than Mike. We wound up being introduced to Maxine Fischbein, who I vaguely remembered as being a classmate of my sister Jane. We wound up with an invitation for a Shabbat Dinner. It was a delightful evening, and we were made to feel most welcome.”