In Memoriam

We deeply regret the passing of two great friends and supporters of The Dragon.

JOHN ROBERTS (1933-2007) was a true intellectual, a respected academic, a gifted educator, an influential diplomat and a progressive Liberal politician, as well as our good friend these past fifteen years. We acknowledge our great debt to his friendship, his insight, his inspiring example, joining more prominent persons from Pierre Eliot Trudeau to Sir Isaiah Berlin. He was a supporter of The Dragon from its first conception, and an astute and wise advisor, the original Chair of our Advisory Council. We will miss his wit, his encyclopaedic knowledge, his incisive understanding, his rich sense of humour. Our deepest sympathies to his step-children, his many friends, his beloved Michelle Chicoine.

Mr. Roberts had a gift of empathy, and a keen sensitivity to the issues of social justice. His lifelong commitment to the best in education came from a deep conviction that true liberty can only be enjoyed and nurtured by those who can think clearly and seriously about what is good and true and valuable. He believed that formal education shapes us as citizens, and is necessarily a crucial vehicle for transmitting what a good citizen should be and should know. He recognised the worth of each human life, and his primary loyalty went beyond the local, the political, the national, even. He taught us that a liberal education frees the mind from slavery to habit and seeking the easy way, helps us to move with sensitivity and awareness in the world, moves us to change what is wrong. I know that he lived an examined life, and that he extended great tolerance and understanding. It is our hope that our students will be inspired by his example in cultivating a capacity for critical self-examination, rational decision, and dedication to intelligent participation in public life, in the service of social justice. We remember him quoting the stoic philosopher Seneca,

To that end, we will be establishing a bursary in his name, for a student at The Dragon who shows promise in the cultivation of his or her humanity, in his or her dedication to making the world a better place.

KRISTINE BOGYO (1946-2007), gifted cellist, conductor, patron of composers and visual artists, founder of the Mooredale Youth Orchestras and concert series, wise and selfless mother, wife, friend, died after a long and gallant struggle with cancer. Her ardent belief in the potential of young people, in the redemptive power of art and music, her warmth, her laughter inspired not only her own students, and the many young musicians whose hopes and talent she nurtured, but all who knew her. She actively encouraged us to dream of The Dragon, to believe in the critical importance of the arts in all learning, and in setting the highest standards, by her patient support and tireless listening and critical response, and by her own courageous example in making her vision a reality. We know how much she will be missed, by her pupils, her colleagues, her many friends, her beloved sons, Julian and Rafael, and her best friend, her devoted husband Anton Kuerti.

Ms. Bogyo has been our good friend for twenty years, and all that time our teacher too, in modelling the most important qualities of the great teacher for us, in demanding much with infinite patience, in never under-estimating the potential and intelligence and curiosity of young people, in her fearless championship of high art, of soulfulness in music, her refusal of cynicism, her ability to laugh at the ridiculous, in herself as in others, her indefatigable belief in those she loved, in her abiding loyalty. She could explain things too, pithily, pointedly, and so vividly you never forgot them. We were reading poetry together once, T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets, and she responded to the line,

to say no -- material things lived in time, but real music played on in some spiritual plane.

We will pay tribute to this soulful musician by establishing a bursary in her name, for a student at The Dragon with talent and commitment in musical performance.