1940s

40 Class Secretary — Rebecca (Antas) Smith;

542 Fairview Ave., Glen Ellyn IL 60137; 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 Class Secretary — John Kirby;

110 Upland Road, Kentfield CA 94904; res/fax 415- 295-7604; cell 415-272-4016; or Ann Schanuel; annjolene2@aol.com

 

43 Class Secretary — A. Robert Masters ’05;

1906 E. Madison St., South Bend IN 46601; armasters@nfmlaw.com

 

44 No News to Report

I hope to hear from you. Sending wishes for good health to Notre Dame’s finest and their families in the new year. A very Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season to you all. — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00; 1021 Royal Bombay Court, Naperville IL 60563; 773-255-9843; lejfraser@outlook.com

 

45 Celebrations of Longevity

We are celebrating four class members. Frank E. Miller passed on June 6 in Traverse City MI. He joined the Navy V-12 Unit in ’42 with assignments in ’45 and ’46 on ships and bases. Frank was recalled in ’52 for a second tour in the Korean War where he was promoted to full lieutenant and commanding officer on the USS LST-800. Returning to Ohio, Frank worked at Owens Illinois as a chemical engineer. Frank and his wife, Mary Jeanne, had two children, Mary (Molly) Reid ’83 and Frank Kelly Miller ’79, ’88. After Mary Jeanne’s passing, Frank married Mary Marguerite, who had three children: Catherine, Jeffery and Thad. Frank retired to Interlochen MI. He is loved and remembered by his five children, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Frank is remembered for his sense of humor, deep interest in family and military history, skill as an indispensable handy man, and for being a loving husband, father and grandfather. James (Jim) Seifert DDS, loving father, grandfather and husband, passed away on July 18. Jim was born and raised in New Ulm MN. At ND he enlisted in the Army and served in WWII. Jim returned to continue his education at U of Minnesota Dental School. Recalled to service in the Air Force during the Korean War, he spent several years in Biloxi MS and Germany. Jim returned to New Ulm and established a dental practice, which continued for 45 years. Frank and his wife, Jane, raised five children and a niece and nephew. He loved his community and valued public service. Serving as mayor for decades and a member of the city council, public utilities commission, and police commission, he helped modernize and improve the city. Frank was also very involved in St. Mary’s Parish, Knights of Columbus, and Rotary, and received the Service to Mankind award through the Sertoma Club. Dr. Charles (Charlie) A. Crown passed Aug. 20. After Notre Dame, Charlie received his medical degree from the U of Illinois. He interned at Queens General Hospital and served as an Army medical officer in Germany. From 1954 to 2003, he had a family/internal medicine practice. Charlie was a member of the VNA medical advisory committee, president of the medical staff at Waveny Care Center, and president of the New Canaan Town Band. He was a founding member of The Crown Jewels band, performing regularly at the Waveny Care Center where Charlie spent his final years as a resident continuing piano entertainment. He will be missed by his family members and his community. Sylvester L. (Pete) Eveslage passed on July 6. Pete was truly an Ohioan. A true scholar, he earned a BS ’44, MS ’45 and PhD ’53 in chemistry from ND. He joined the faculty of U of Dayton in ’48 and retired as professor emeritus in ’88 with an impressive list of professional achievements. Besides academia, he was active in the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed ballroom dancing, square dancing, oil painting, and American Sign Language. He will be missed by his wife, Mary, four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. On a lighter note, retired Navy Capt. Robert Thomas RSVP’d to his NROTC Ball invitation: “Though a great event, at age 94 and in California, sadly I must decline. Years ago, I was told to stay in the Navy until the war was over, but I neglected to ask which war. I stayed in for WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War, retiring in 1970. Go Irish.” — Melissa Erkins Rackish ’77; 1224 Campbell St., Williamsport PA 17701; 570-326-4289; mrackish@comcast.net

 

46 Class Secretary — Paul Taggett;

10 W. Grove Ave., D15, Lake Wales FL 33853; paultaggett@gmail.com

 

47 Love Thee Notre Dame

I am sad to report the passing of Charles H. “Charlie” O’Grady on Aug. 19, Edwin L. “Ed” Reiser on July 21 and William K. “Bill” Clark on May 7. I also heard from Kathy Santone about the passing of her father, Edward J. Sweeney, on May 23 at home in Seaford NY. Kathy shared the following touching tribute to her father. Edward J. Sweeney is survived by his six adoring children, 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He will be remembered as an extremely intelligent person but more so as an easy-going humble man. “Chuck” was blessed with the ability to relate to each family member as a unique person with individual interests and needs. His time at ND was interrupted when he served in the Army in North Africa and Italy during WWII, receiving two Purple Hearts. He received a BS in Commerce and worked primarily in the reinsurance industry. His deep love for everything Notre Dame was surpassed only by his love for God and family. His favorite place on earth was the Grotto. It was the first place he visited during his annual reunion trip. He described his love for Notre Dame using his favorite expression, “my blood is in the bricks.” He truly “lived like a champion” every day. — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09,’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com

 

48 Loyal Sons of Notre Dame

I am sad to report the passing of Thomas L. “Tom” Hutchison Jr. on Aug. 20, Freeman H. “Mike” Forrest on July 23, William E. “Bill” Dailey Jr. on June 28, Joseph J. “Joe” Saidy on June 10, Frederick A. “Fred” Tallmadge on June 1, William J. Cirillo on Jan. 28, 2019 and James T. “Jim” Mangan on Nov. 28, 2018. I heard from Timothy O’Brien ’75 concerning the passing of his father, Eldon Sanford O’Brien, on Aug. 17 at the age of 93. Eldon, nicknamed O.B., lived in Badin and Breen-Phillips halls at ND. He was a pitching scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and a private investigator in Claremont CA. Eldon was married for 70 years and had 10 children, 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Susan Dognaux ’92 also wrote about the passing of her father, Rene “Bud” Dognaux Jr. on July 18. Bud is survived by his brother, Francois “Chuck” Dognaux ’61, and five children, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Bud was a loyal ND fan and was hopeful about the upcoming football season.

— Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09,’15; eileen.surprenant@gmail.com

 

49 Three Score and Ten

 It was great to see John Lujack on national television being interviewed at the New Mexico game. John looks like he could still take a few snaps under center leading to some long gains for the Irish. At the Virginia game, our national championship football team was honored on its 70th anniversary. Representing Leahy’s Lads on the field were Walt Grothaus and Jack Landry. You’ll recall our classmate John Beck relating how he and his three Domer brothers were to attend this year’s reunion. Well, they did and had a wonderful time with a special Mass at the Log Chapel and a campus tour with stops at the Grotto and South Dining Hall. Sadly, it was to be their last full reunion together since Joe passed away shortly after returning home. The Becks are a remarkable Notre Dame story. Could that really be 70 years since graduation? — Joe O’Brien; 18120 Cloverleaf Drive, South Bend IN 46637; 574-271-8323; obie49nd@comcast.net