
3 MINUTES WITH :: Gerard (“Jerry”) Aquilina
da AAS-SSB | 14/05/2010 | Three minutes with... | 2 commenti
3 MINUTES WITH...
Seven (7) questions for seven answers
- October 21, 1951
- 1957-1962 grades 1 to 5
- I live in London
- Left SBS and Beirut in 1962 and spent 4 years in the US, then 2 years in Teheran at the Teheran American School. I then went to Columbia University in NY (BA in political science in 1972), the American University in Washington DC (Juris Doctor 1975).
- I then practiced law in California, then London. Then entered investment banking in London, then Merrill Lynch from 1984-2001 in London, Brazil and New York. Then CEO HSBC Private Bank in NY for the Americas. Then Barclays private bank in London since 2006. I am currently Vice Chairman.
1. How was life in Beirut different in those days and what are your most vivid memories of that time?
I loved the school and my friends Chris and Roger Khayat, Joe Salem, Charlie Abyad, Michael Kelberer. I remember trips to Ajaltoun for the summer with the school, the fog in the evening in the mountain, Sanine, the hikes to Sanine and the natural bridge, the beautiful landscape of the country, ice cold water in the mornings before mass. I remember playing scoccer in the school field, the eucaplytus trees, Father Bias throwing tennis balls at us, Brother Dell and the scouts. Life was sweeter then. The age of innocence, before the troubles.
2. How do you think that the years of school in Beirut have influenced your later life?
The school gave me a love for history which I still retain, and for sports. I have wonderful memories of so much fun with the friends at school and how important good friendships are. I also was interested in religion and have followed this through studies in comparative religions.
3. Whom did you stay in touch with over the years?
Joe Salem and Chris Khayat.
4. Would you have liked to stay in Beirut after having finished school? And do you think your life would have been different?
I left Beirut in 1962. Many Lebanese and other friends stayed on and have great memories of their teenage years in Beirut in the “golden years” prior to 1975 so yes, I would have loved to have stayed. Of course, all my life would have been different: I have lived in many countries since.
5. Do you think you will return to Lebanon one day? And if so, or not, why?
I do return at least once every 3 months since my family and many friends are there. I have a house there and want to end my days there. It is home.
6. Are you interested in taking part in future reunions of ex-students?
I would certainly like to see old friends and teachers again.
7. What do you think of this website and how can we improve it?
The website is good. There should be more pictures for each class year and a better way of connecting classmates together, like Facebook.
Tehran American School, 1967-68
Lovely, and fun, to come across this update.
Wishing you and your circle continued success and happiness.
Kathleen
Dear Jerry,
I hope I’m not being presumptuous in thinking we are directly related, but I’m attempting to do a family history for my grandchildren and as I’m not computer literate my friend was googling different family names, and there you were. Imagine how pleased I was to see you were not just a name I had heard.
So now to how we are related. Well, my grandmother, Concetta Aquilina, and your grandfather, Ernesto Aquilina, were brother and sister, which makes my mother, Lydia Cumbo, and your father, Robert Aquilina, first cousins. I think that makes us third cousins. My name is Helen Belford, nee Paleologue. Now to prove my authenticity, I will continue with what information I have of the family.
Your grandmother was Adele nee Falanga, married to Ernesto Aquilina, and they had two sons, Robert and Loris. Robert married Dolly and they had a son Gerard. Robert and Dolly divorced and he remarried to a Dorothy and they had a daughter Chantelle. Robert is now deceased. Loris married Denise and they had a son Christian. Denise is now deceased. Loris and Christian both live in France.
Our great grandparents, Carmelo Aquilina and Maria nee De Gabriele, had four children, Concetta, Ernesto, Guiseppe and Antonio. Concetta married Peter Cumbo and had four children, Oscar, Aurelia, Roberto and Lydia. Lydia, (my mother) is the only survivor and she will be 90 in November. Guiseppe married an Adele, whose surname escapes me for the moment, all I know is that it begins with “F”. They had a daughter Nelly, who was editor of Marie Claire in Egypt. She is also deceased. Antonio married Violetta Aquilina and they had a son Guido, who is an architect and still alive.
I believe you also came across a John Cumbo, who worked for a Sheik at the time when you were practicing international law. He is my mother’s first cousin on her father’s side.
I will not go any further at this point as it may become too confusing. However, I have many more stories and memories I can recount. Suffice to say I would be delighted if you wish to continue our new found acquaintance, just as I would accept and understand if you didn’t.
Sincerely,
Helen
P.S. Happy birthday, many happy returns of the day.