March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Frank Rivier
Corps:Trafalgar, Optimists Alumni
1941 – January 25, 2011
Frank lived in Oakville. At age 14 he joined the Trafalgar Police Boys Band and played the snare drum. At age 17 he joined the Trafalgar Police Dept as a Police Cadet and eventually became a Constable.
In the early 1960s The Trafalgar Police Boys Band became known as The Patrolmen and they competed as a Jr. B corps. Over time The Patrolmen became Trafalgar Drum & Bugle Corps. At this time Frank switched from snare drum to first soprano and within a few months was soprano soloist.
After Trafalgar won the Jr. B Championship Frank moved to Rochester, New Hampshire, USA where he lived and worked as a Supervisor in a manufacturing plant. He returned to Oakville and again became a Police Officer, this time with the Halton Regional Police Force from which he retired early having obtained the rank of Sergeant. Frank was an accomplished fine artist and also created stain glass windows and sold many of his works throughout Ontario.
Frank was part of the Alumni Corps when it was formed and on occasion was Drum Major for parades. He was always an enthusiastic participant until health issues prevented him from performing. He attended as many practices as he could, offering encouragement and support for the Corps.
Frank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!