1940s
1940s
40 Class Secretary — Rebecca Antas ’08;
505 N. Lakeshore Drive, No. 3401, Chicago IL 60611; 630-254-4485; rebecca.antas@gmail.com
41 Class Secretary — Meg Julian ’03, ’06JD;
11 E. 36th St., No. 603, New York NY 10016; 646-246-5480; megjulian@gmail.com
42 Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Please send me your memories of ND and post-graduation also. 2018 marks 80 years since we first walked the halls our freshman year in fall of 1938. Together let’s walk down memory lane with these thoughts from classmate Prof. John Malone: “Recalling the sight of the glistening Dome when we first approached our second home in Zahm or Cavanaugh of palatial abode, a check in the morning and again at night the 10 o’clock curfew that doused the light. Recall the steamy nights in Sacred Heart for the Missions that marked the school year’s start, the soul-searing sermon of priestly fire that relit the coals of moral desire and the thunderous rendition of Holy God that rattled the windows on the Quad. Recall the golden brown of an autumn day when Layden, then Frank Leahy led the lads to play in the hallowed house that Rock had built where victory’s blood and sweat are spilt to the frenzied cheers of the Irish fan and the hike, hike, hike of Erin's band. Recall the magnolias that arrived in May joined by the lilacs for their brief stay. The youngest couple walking arm-in-arm around those lakes of magical charm. The nightly assembly at Mary’s place with the candles burning for her saving grace. Recall the simplicity of the O’Hara regime and the complexities faced by the O’Donnell team as war clouds gathered in East and West, and the school was put to its severest test, only serving to enlarge and expand the miraculous work of Sorin’s hand.” Thanks, John Malone, for walking us down memory lane. We’ll do it again. — C. John Kirby; 110 Upland Road, Kentfield CA 94904; res/fax 415-925-0544; cell 415-272-4016; or Ann Schanuel; annjolene2@aol.com
43 Class Secretary — Bob Masters ’05;
202 Remington Court North Drive, Apt. C, Mishawaka IN 46545; res 574-904-8315; bus 574-234-0121; a.robert.masters@gmail.com
44 Class Secretary — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00;
989 Belaire Court, Naperville IL 60563; Tel: 773-255-9843; lejulian00@yahoo.com
45 D-Day and Other Memories
Margie Kelly called about her father, Edward A. Kelly, age 95, who passed away on April 20.
Ed played halfback on the ND football team. After graduating, he enlisted in the Army 11th Airborne Division as a second lieutenant. He married the love of his life, Betty, and the couple moved to the Miami area where Ed led a very diverse life including work as an FBI agent, bank president, honorary chief of the Miami Fire Dept. and all-around humanitarian. Betty and Ed retired to Melbourne FL where Ed did not slow down with his humanitarian interests and community service. His involvement included the Bernard Fire Department, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, John Mary Day and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He was known to all as “the mayor of Silver Lake.” Ed’s love of God, family, country and community was evident in all who knew him. Margie also remembered Ed’s brother, Robert Kelly ’47, who also played football. He was a member of the 1943 championship team. After the war, Bob played for the Rams and Colts. Margie remembers Rev. Ted Hesburgh, CSC, Moose Krause ’34, John Lujack ’48, and many other prominent members of our ND family who visited her family. Joseph P. Fisher also mentioned being on the football team. As an ensign, Joe spent his war years in the Mariana Islands in charge of an LCT. Joe returned to ND after the war to get his degree in economics, then a law degree from U of Pittsburgh. After seven years in private practice, Joe joined the legal department of Alcoa. His three children and three grandchildren all went into law. One son, Paul Fisher ’77 and one grandson graduated from ND. Civilian life at ND was very different after the military environment took over, and Joe was glad to experience both styles. During the Navy training, he lived in Walsh Hall with lots of drill time, Naval classwork and liberty on weekends into South Bend, Mishawaka or Elkhart. Although they weren’t 21, they consumed alcoholic beverages, and no one cared. Joe, 94, and his wife of 69 years reside in a lifecare retirement facility in the Chicago area close to one of their sons. William Castle began his ND experience in Zahm Hall with Rev. John J. Burke, CSC, as warden/rector. Bed check at 10 p.m. was conducted by flashlight. Bill roomed with David T. McLaughlin who played guard for Frank Leahy’s team and Bob McBride. Bill has seven children and 24 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bill retired to Venice FL to play golf. There Bill continues to be an avid ND fan. I also heard through Bob Thomas that Jim Griffin and Bill Glass had connected via phone to remember D-Day, June 6, 1944. The NROTC staff assembled the entire program and told them that the Allies had started the invasion of Europe that day. Many maps of Europe were put on walls and colored push pins helped to keep track of the advances that Patton, Bradley, and Montgomery were making across Europe. Many other classmates have been mentioned in my correspondences, and I hope to include more in the next issue. — Melissa Erkins Rackish ’77; 1224 Campbell St., Williamsport PA 17701; 570-326-4289; mrackish@comcast.net
46 Who’s Who
Robert Gilmore McKinnell PhD was born Aug. 9, 1926 in Springfield MO. He received his BS in Naval Science in 1946 at ND, a BA at U of Missouri in 1948, BS at Drury College in 1949, and PhD at U of Minnesota in 1959. He served a second tour of duty as a Naval lieutenant 1951-1953. He was a research associate at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, 1958-1961, assistant professor of biology at Tulane U 1961-1965, and held various professorships of zoology, genetics and cell biology at U of Minnesota 1965-1999. He married Beverly Walton Kerr, now deceased, and they had children Nancy, Robert and Susan. In 2017, he was listed by the Marquis Who’s Who as a lifetime achiever. His work ranges from the study of amphibians and reptiles to the study and treatment of cancer. One of his major achievements was the discovery that cancer genomes can direct the formation of normal cells. He has been asked to participate with a myriad of international research groups and has produced a stunning number of books and articles for professional journals. On a lighter note, at the ND Navy game in 2009 he met with his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Rohman, after almost 70 years. Their spouses had died recently, and they got together again due to a mutual friend. They took a picture on campus, re-creating a picture from the 1940s when they were dating. Now they correspond with email. — Paul Taggett; 10 W. Grove Ave., D15, Lake Wales FL 33853; paultaggett@gmail.com
47 Updates from Afar
John O’Connell shared that he has seven children, several of whom are retired already. His granddaughter graduated from Med school in May at UW-Madison. Bob Pavlin wrote of being mostly housebound as a heart issue makes travel or work problematic. He’s still living in the Delaware house he moved to in 1967 from Chicago. John Molinarolo wrote “continue the thoughts I spent at the computer last evening on ’43 and ’44 at ND. The military and Notre Dame helped me to grow. There was a need to do so. Wife was a staunch supporter and always make the trip to enjoy the games and the campus was a pleasure to visit. Last evening, I was short of rest and sleep and must have been rattled. I will try to write as best I may. I am 92 and that is the price of the years. Go Irish and September 1 is near!” Kathy Santone writes “my father Edward J. Sweeney was awarded the Padre Pio Americanism Award by his local Knights of Columbus. The plaque reads, ‘through his actions and deeds the meaning of Patriotism has been demonstrated to us.’ Ed’s ND education was interrupted when he served his country in the Army during WWII, receiving two Purple Hearts.” Classmates who will be missed include Cmdr. Donald R. Haines, USN, Ret. on who passed away on August 8, 2017 in Enfield, CT. Anthony F. Earley, died April 14, 2018, Garden City, NY. He was preceded in death by Jean Ann, his adored wife of 69 years. Tony attended Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills, Xavier High School in Manhattan and matriculated to the ND and joined Navy ROTC in September 1941. His education was interrupted by WWII. After his discharge, Tony returned to Notre Dame to complete his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and in 1948, he married the love of his life, Jean Ann Draffen, who died February 2 this year. Tony and Jean Ann had eight children, 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was passionate about serving the University of Notre Dame; first leading local alumni groups and subsequently joining the Board of Trustees in 1977. He served as chair of the Student Life Committee for a number of years, advocating for students as the institution became co-ed. At his death, Tony was a Trustee Emeritus of the University. James P. Simon passed away on April 6, 2018, Cincinnati, OH. Jim frequently said that he lived a “charmed life,” but we knew the charms were most often of his own making. He had a positive and grateful spirit and made life choices focused on family and doing the right thing and his parents instilled a love of learning and music in their children. Both engineering and Notre Dame were life-long passions. After working at the King Ranch in Texas and on the Saturn V rocket used for Apollo missions, Jim ultimately settled into a long career designing jet engines for GE in Cincinnati. Jim attended ND football games at least annually for nearly 75 years, received the Notre Dame Man of the Year Award, and enjoyed many Glee Club reunions. He and Eileen (Ford) were married for nearly 65 years. He always felt lucky that Eileen said “yes” to his marriage proposal and honored her the rest of his life. Jim and Eileen carried on the values of Jim’s parents with faith, education, and music being key elements of family life. Jim was thrilled to be a father and grandfather, and his enthusiasm made for a great deal of family fun. Jim is survived by his wife and five children and six grandchildren. I look forward to hearing from class members with any news and stories. Call or email me. — Michael Morris ’80; 949-433-8568; michaelmorris07@gmail.com
48 Farewell, Loyal Sons
I am sad to report the passing of several of our beloved classmates: Frank A. Marciniak on May 27, Dr. Joseph F. “Joe” Ciano on May 15, Dominic P. “Dom” Del Sole on April 24, Charles R. DeGalan Jr. on Feb. 3, and Norbert W. “Norb” Verbeck on March 3, 2017. Please send updates and memories. The class appreciates hearing from you. — Eileen Surprenant ’09, ’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com
49 Notre Dame Man
Lesko, Lesko, Lesko. It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our classmate, president, devoted ND and family man and dear friend, Al Lesko. While there was some confusion as to timing and particulars, it took a note from Jack Morgan ’51, Dearborn MI, to provide Al’s obituary from the Detroit Free Press. After playing football during those fabulous ND championship seasons, Al went on to play as a pro with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the McKeesport Ironmen. He parlayed his ME degree into a rewarding career with Ford where he was involved in almost every facet of its research and development programs. Al served a term as secretary-treasurer of the Monogram Club and was active in many community endeavors, including the Shrine of the Little Flower. His life was deeply rooted in his faith, family and his love and managing partner, Ann, his wonderful wife. We will keep Al and his family in our prayers and memories until we meet again. “He’s a Notre Dame Man.” Lisa Gorski emailed advising that her dad, James H. Clifford, Ventura CA, passed away on Easter Sunday. He retired from Sears after a 36-year administrative career. He and his wife Evelyn traveled the world visiting all continents except Antarctica. No matter where they lived or visited, they always returned to ND for two or three football games every fall and loved the rousing tailgates with friends and family. I got a note from Bob Van Summern, Westport CT, along with a picture of the 1945 Notre Dame football team on which he was a monogram winner. He played halfback behind Bill Gompers and Elmer Angsman. Against the Great Lakes Naval Station team, Elmer was injured so Bob played 55 minutes (both ways). He and Terry Brennan had the pleasure of stopping the famous fullback, Marion Motley, that afternoon. He received an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1946 then entered the U of Michigan and played there 1947 through 1949. He enjoyed reading about Terry, and John Lujack, but regrets losing so many of his old friends these days. Do you remember George Dickson? George is 97 and lives in California and would like to hear from his ND friends. He enrolled at ND in 1940 and played quarterback in his freshman year. He enlisted as a paratrooper with combat service in Normandy, Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge. George returned to campus in 1946 and played QB again behind Frank Tripuka and Bob Williams. He even found time to star in the Bengal Bouts. On leaving ND, he started on a football coaching odyssey making 16 stops as an assistant coach and one as a head coach of the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He resides at Felicita Vida Senior Living, 930 Monticello Drive, Apt. 213, Escondido CA 92029. Telephone 760-739-1999. I had a great chat with Jack O’Rourke, Binghamton NY. He served three years as a student secretary with Frank Sullivan for head coach Frank Leahy ’31. Jack is a treasure trove of stories; he could write a book. I promised to give him lots of space in the next issue. You’ll get a kick out of some never revealed adventures and anecdotes. Until next issue, I’m here for your news. — Joe O’Brien; 18120 Cloverleaf Drive, South Bend IN 46637; 574-271-8323; obie49nd@comcast.net