In a heartwarming twist of fate, Morgan Perigo, an 83-year-old Canadian man, recently received a priceless piece of his past: his long-lost college graduation class ring. The gold ring, which had been lost in the ocean off the coast of Barbados 47 years ago, was miraculously found by a determined diver and returned just in time for Perigo’s birthday.
A Wave, a Ring, and a Lifelong Memory
The story begins in 1977 when Perigo, then a father of two, was on vacation in Barbados. During a day at the beach, a large wave knocked over his young son. As Perigo grabbed him, his McMaster University class ring slipped off his finger and disappeared into the ocean. “We searched for it but were unsuccessful,” he recalled.
Losing the ring, a memento from his 1965 graduation, was a blow. Perigo had come to terms with never seeing it again — until a remarkable turn of events proved him wrong.
The Diver Who Found Gold
Fast forward to 2024, when Alex Davis, a professional freediver, was exploring the seabed near Barbados with an underwater metal detector. Hurricane Beryl had recently shifted sand and coral, revealing hidden treasures beneath the waves. While scanning the ocean floor, Davis’s detector emitted a distinctive beep: he had struck gold.
Under layers of sand and coral, Davis unearthed a gold class ring with a dark red stone. It was engraved with “McMaster University 1965” and the initials “FMP.” “Not surprising the gold has tarnished around the stone setting, but overall it’s in great condition,” Davis said.
The Search for the Owner
With the class ring in hand, Davis contacted McMaster University, providing the details of his discovery. Alumni officer Laura Escalante took on the task of tracing the initials and graduation year. Eventually, her search led to Morgan Perigo, a mathematics graduate from the class of 1965.
When Escalante reached out to Perigo, he was stunned. “It was like, ‘Oh my god, this story just can’t get any better,’” Davis said after learning about the reunion. “We found it a week before his birthday!”.
A Birthday to Remember
On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Perigo received a FedEx package from Barbados. Inside was his long-lost ring. “What a wonderful, unexpected 83rd birthday present,” he remarked.
The sentimental value of the class ring, paired with the extraordinary circumstances of its return, made this birthday one for the books.
Diving for More Than Treasure
For Davis, the discovery was more than just a lucky find. It underscored the potential for modern technology and human determination to bring closure to long-lost stories. “Finding lost items brings a sense of connection and history,” Davis said.
A Happy Ending, 47 Years in the Making
This incredible tale of loss, discovery, and reunion highlights how even the smallest objects can carry immense personal significance. Thanks to Davis’s skill and a bit of luck, Perigo’s long-lost treasure is back where it belongs, just in time to celebrate a milestone birthday.
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