March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Clayton Keat
Corps: Toronto Optimists
1946 — 1996
Clayton was introduced to the Optimists by a number of Corps members, including Ron Kaiser and Gord Lefevre, all of whom attended Riverdale Collegiate. He started off marching in the Colour Guard. Later on he joined the horn line, playing the Euphonium. The corps finally got Contra Basses in 1965 and Clayton moved from Euphonium to Contra.
His most memorable role was during initiations as Camp “Mummy” when, wrapped in cloth a la mummy style, he managed to terrify more than one unsuspecting rookie.
On leaving Optimists, he became a drill instructor with the London Midlanders helping them become Canadian Junior “B” Champions.
Clayton died on Labour Day week-end in 1996 from injuries suffered in a serious automobile accident and is survived by his wife Stephanie (Bernie Thompson’s daughter and Paul Thompson’s sister) and their son Jason, both now residing in Hillside, New Jersey.
Clayton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!