In Memoriam

Late members of our Society.
They are greatly missed.

David Kellett Members of The Bimetallic Question regret the passing of our friend David Kellett in June 2011 after a decade of faithful attendance. David delivered many toasts at our meetings but none were as passionate as those he proposed to The Society. He took seriously the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and would enthusiastically debate the merits and drawbacks of the latest interpretations of the Master on screen, TV or radio. David's favourite story seemed to be A Scandal in Bohemia and, like Sherlock Holmes himself, he remained fascinated by The Woman. Nevertheless, David enjoyed most of the other stories immensely and his keen mind enabled him to win the Annual Quizmaster Award four times. David rarely failed to attend Society outings and, pursuing his other great passion, organized billiards nights for kindred spirits at The Bimetallic Question. Perhaps most importantly, David cheerfully volunteered his considerable photographic skills to ensure that The Society's history and events would be suitably recorded for posterity. David shared his passion for The Bimetallic Question with his fellow Sherlockians and we remain grateful for his friendship.

Stanley Baker We are greatly saddened to mark the passing of Stanley Baker, our Recruiting Sergeant, on November 1st 2010, aged 87. Stanley was, for more than twenty years, an active member of The Bimetallic Question. During that time, right up to a month or two before his death, Stanley was indefatigable in his efforts to introduce people to the Victorian world of Sherlock Holmes by inviting them to attend one (or more) of our meetings: no one was immune from his enthusiastic appeal to come along and see what it was all about. If you were in the Jane Austen Society, the Westmount Lawn Bowling Club, the Westmount Historical Association or the Commonwealth Society (to name but a few of the organizations to which Stanley belonged) or, indeed, you were the person he'd just met at a party, you were fair game. Stanley moved through life with joy, enthusiasm, and a momentum fuelled by a desire to contribute to the betterment of peoples lives and to their societies. He walked into every room with a sparkle in his eye, a good word for everyone who came up to him, and an eagerness to embrace the moment. His mirth and enthusiasm were infectious. He seemed unstoppable. How appropriate that among his last words to his close family some were in the trademark melange of Yiddish and English: What mishigoss (craziness)! I was having such a good time!

Colin Semel "The Galloping Major" Our friend Colin Semel died on October 24th 2005, age 72. He was, at heart, a Thespian and he has now gone to the ultimate green-room, for a well deserved rest. An active former member of the Montreal West Operatic Society and the Montreal Welsh Male Choir, he also sang in his synagogue choir. But we of The Bimetallic Question, The Sherlock Holmes Society of Montreal, will remember him fondly as The Galloping Major, in whose persona Colin often entertained us at our annual dinner, resplendent in high collar, waistcoat and handle-bar moustache. Goodbye dear friend, we will miss you. Colin Semel: born in England 1933, died Montreal 2005

Charles Purdon It is with great sadness and a deep sense of loss that members and friends of The Bimetallic Question (Montreal's Sherlock Holmes Society) mark the passing of the singular Charles Purdon in August, 2002. He served as Sovereign, Shilling and valued adviser for over 15 years and was a driving force in calling out the troops to such functions as our two colloquia, annual birthday dinners, billiard nights and airgun shoots. Charles recently tallied up our accounts as our treasurer and was a great sounding-board and doer in our Society. To paraphrase Doctor Watson, Charles was one of the best and wisest men we have ever known: he will be sorely missed. Thank you, Charles, for making our Society so much richer.

Bimetallic Home