March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Gene Chepswick
Corps: St Mary's and Toronto Optimists
Gene began his drum corps career in 1961 with St Mary's Drum Corps and transferred to the Toronto Optimists in 1962. He stayed with the Optimists until he aged out in 1965.
In his first year with the Optimists Gene was a member of the Colour Guard where he carried the New York – Canadian Championship flag. He also carried a flag in Optimists' 1963 mini-corps. In 1963 Gene was appointed Colour Guard Sergeant and in 1964 and 1965 he served as our Guard Captain. Not only did he march with the corps, but Gene volunteered his services as an Associate Editor and writer for the corps newsletter, Green Capsule Comments.
Here are a couple of comments from some of those who knew him.
"I marched with Gene in the guard for two years. Boy could he strut his stuff. Made me proud to be an Optimist!"
"I remember Gene as being a classy guy. In my opinion he was one of the best colour guard Captains we had."
Gene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!