Sons of the Tundra

The Sons of The Tundra began in 1992 when a small group of close friends ventured north to Quebec into the “tundra” hoping to experience the joy of a more remote and natural environment, to see some indigenous wildlife and to relax and have fun together. The sense of tundra and wilderness were somewhat overrated as the city of Chicoutimi, the ultimate destination, turned out to be a thriving, rather urban setting complete with modern facilities, fast food restaurants and all the comforts of home.
However, the Saguenay River and area around Lac Saint Jean did prove to be quite delightful and exciting and we discovered a marvelous zoo with a large number of wildlife native to that region that could be accessed, up close and personal, via protected vehicles that wandered through the large enclosed area. This trip also provided Jack McCormack with the opportunity to win the only golf tournament that he ever has, or probably ever will, win in his lifetime. He was actually trailing Marty Bernstein by 2 strokes as they approached the 18th hole but it took Marty 5 strokes to get his ball under the windmill and Jack “aced” the shot to win easily.
The other goals of fun and camaraderie were certainly achieved and set the framework for the very vibrant and exciting organization that exists today.
1993 took the lads to West Palm Beach Florida, certainly far removed from any real sense of tundra, but still able to provide an opportunity for fun and camaraderie and some great deep-sea fishing. Among the participants in these early adventures were Ray Davis, Dick Cunningham, Lee Myles, Jim Donovan, Marty Bernstein, Jack McCormack and Jim Bowse. Jim passed away very unexpectedly in 1997 and not a trip passes that we don’t think of him and remember a true friend and great person.
Since then our annual trips have taken us to Iceland, Newfoundland, Ireland and back to Quebec on numerous occasions and our traveling numbers have grown dramatically. Even the trip to Ireland was consistent with the wild, back to nature priority given to our trips when the lads played golf at Ballybunion Golf Club in a rain and windstorm of very significant proportions. The weather was so bad, in fact, that John Doyle found his golf club traveling further than his golf ball blown from his grip by the elements on his first shot. Then again, John was never known as a power golfer. Also, on that trip, two of our very distinguished members, the late Dr. Naveed Farooki and Dr. Tilak Pathiraja were formally christened honorary Irishmen in a moving ceremony on the 2nd floor above a pub in Dublin officially witnessed by several of “Dublin’s finest”.
Highlights over the years include getting “screeched” in Newfoundland; whale watching in Iceland; looking for Caribou in Newfoundland in a fog so thick in that you couldn’t see beyond your outstretched arm; enjoying archeological digs; eating rotted shark and skyr and enjoying the smooth taste of Brennivin (Icelandic schnapps) drunk from a traditional lambs horn at a Viking feast; visiting giant waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, lava deserts and the like. Other memorable events, not geological in nature but none the less memorable, have occurred regularly as we have traveled to new places and met new and interesting people from all over the world. One such event took place as we were traveling in a rather remote area of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland heading for a wilderness reserve. The lads were feeling the need for some nourishment and we came across a small roadside-eating establishment. Well, the owners of this restaurant were not quite prepared for a sudden influx of 18 hungry gents but managed to accommodate our needs by “stepping outside the box” and putting us to work setting up tables, helping with food preparation, pouring coffee and various drinks, etc.
Each year is a new experience and a chance to deepen the bonds of friendship that exist among our members.
Over the years we have become significantly indebted to our official “Great Pathfinder”, Ray Davis who has lead us through complex back-woods and inner city trails to our destinations, never getting us there by the shortest nor most direct route but yet somehow managing to guide us to our ultimate objective.
We have also initiated an annual St. Patrick’s Day concert featuring the official “Bard” of The Sons of The Tundra, Mr. Eugene Byrne. In recent years at this event our Consigliore John Doyle and his nominating committee have presented a number of awards to deserving individuals in attendance including “Honorary Son of The Tundra” awards to Honorable Joseph E Brennan, former Governor of Maine, Rev. John W. Keegan S.J., President of Cheverus High School, State Representative, Thomas Kane, House Chair of the Health and Human Resources Committee, Rev. John Feeney, former Pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Portland and St.Bartholomew’s in Cape Elizabeth, former State Representative Edward C. Kelleher of Bangor, Severin Beliveau, Consul for the Republic of France to the State of Maine and Dr. Stanley J. Evans of Mercy Hospital. A Global Diversity Award was presented to Dr. Patrick O’Tilak, formerly know as Tilak Pathiraja and International Fellowship Awards were presented to Mr. Ron Victory and Mr. Romeo Parent for “showing extraordinary valor” while participating in the “screeching ceremony” in St. John’s Newfoundland.

And, as some very wise soul once said:

      May there always be work for your hands to do.
      May your purse always hold a coin or two.
      May the sun always shine on your windowpane
      May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
      May the hand of a friend always be near you.
      May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
      .