1960s

60 Fall Season Arrives, Sunny in the South

I have been maintaining a list of deceased for many years, and now with the new class website page for deceased classmates, we have a current listing on the site. Many deceased classmates were never reported to me by a classmate or friend. The current reporting gives us an accurate week-to-week list. Please continue to send me notes so we can get the information out to our classmates on a current basis. I am assuming we all had a good time in September at ND, as I write this article July 11, three months ahead of publication. The current deceased count in July is about 520. Don Clark writes, “Carol and I continue to thrive here in Delaware near the Rehoboth beaches. I retired from hospital administration after an earlier stint on Madison Avenue. I worked on the introduction of Miller Lite beer. Remember the Mantle-Martin commercials? Great taste, less filling. Our three kids are Domers: Susan ’02 and husband Joe Schwartz ’02, Kevin ’06 and Colleen ’06. I see Keith Anzilotti for lunch occasionally and have kept in touch with Jim Doyle and George Ryan.” Paul Bertsch reports bad news (a stroke) and a bit of good news: recovery. We will say a few prayers anyway. Keep the news coming, preferably good news. Paul’s wife Marianne had a stroke last year while in the hospital. If you are going to have one, that is a good place. She was treated quickly and is now almost perfect. Jack McKenna writes, “I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch for so long, but our life has been sort of crazy. Mary and I were not able to make the 60th reunion because of my health issues. I’m now in a wheelchair most of the time and a walker for short distances. I missed seeing the Shady Grovers. They’ll know who they are. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Please stay in touch and encourage others to do the same. I’ll never forget all the good times we had at ND. We are proud that our five children graduated from Notre Dame and were in the marching band, as was I. One son is in Fort Myers. He is an ENT doctor, if you ever need one. Our others are in Buffalo and Atlanta. I don’t know if you recall, but two of our six children passed away. I have wonderful memories of their time at ND and my time on the Alumni Board.” Ed Krall writes, “I had the Asian flu in 1957 and spent three nights in the ND infirmary. I was miserable the first couple of nights in the infirmary, which was full. They took me down to the local hospital for x-rays. Their ground rule was that you must have three normal temperatures before being released. I was rooming with Pete Mootz and Bob Kriner in Morrissey Hall. I don’t remember going to the dining hall. Maybe Pete or Bob brought me something. Also, somebody told me that the weekend I was in the infirmary was the student football trip to Pittsburgh with no ticket refunds. Students were shaking down their thermometers so they could get out of the infirmary and go on the trip. There were about 100,000 flu deaths in the U.S. in 1957. That is why I don’t want to take any chances on COVID.” — Joseph F. Jansen; 9190 Southmont Cove, No. 103, Ft. Myers FL 33908; cell 317-514-4478; jfjansen@aol.com 

 

61 Can You Top This?

I still receive mail from families with multiple members who are ND grads. Jim Twohy wrote via snail mail his history and family. With a few modifications by me, he wrote, “Pat, when we graduated in ’61, I went on active duty as a junior officer in the Navy. Two years later, I had the good fortune to marry Elizabeth Berg, whom I had dated for seven years. She was the younger sister of Rev. Dick Berg, CSC, ’59, an ND grad. Betsy and I were blessed with five children, four of whom are ND grads: Peter ’87, David ’88, Mary Sue ’91 and John ’92. A daughter-in-law is Class of ’87. One of our granddaughters, Kyra ’18, is also an ND grad, and Emma starts as a freshman this fall.” Jim says he stays in touch with Dick Hendricks and John Flynn. Larry Richards writes of the Richards Alumni Association. His grandson Dominic Ferrante ’20 is their second grandchild who’s an ND grad, and he sported a 3.99 GPA. His cousin Erin Elizabeth Richards is Class of 2011. His brother Luke Ferrante is entering his sophomore year at ND. Their four children, Christina ’84, Mark ’85, Kathleen Ferrante ’88 and Patricia ’89 are alums. Additionally, Chris is married to Brian Conway and Pat is married to David Cooke ’89. Yes, you are correct — that is nine ND grads. Jim says his heart and wallet reside with Notre Dame. I regret to report that Tom King has died. Like many of us, he served his country in the military. Also, he was very devoted to ND to the very end. His funeral was shared on Zoom, so reports Liz Barnett. Robert “Dusty” Dusterberg passed away May 29, survived by his wife, Barbara. His obit points out that a frequent subject in his conversation was ND. He was his ND club’s Man of the Year in 2011. For those of you who knew him, Coach Brian Boulac ’62 passed away in June 2020. Every year after the football season, he would come to San Antonio and share secrets of the season. There is planning afoot for the next reunion, and I will share it as soon as I get it. I have received word that Danny Griffith is ill and in need of our prayers. Please pray for him and the sick and deceased members of our class and their families. The pandemic has had me and Abbie in a complete state of disorientation. What day is it? Abbie had surgery on her ankle May 7 and is struggling in pain to recover. Otherwise, we remain well. And I know you will be glad to hear that she is at her post at the front door with the latchstring out. — Joseph P. (“Pat”) Kelly; 2103 N. Wheeler St., Victoria TX 77901; 361-573-9982;  jpkellytx@sbcglobsl.net

 

61JD Class Secretary — John N. Moreland;

jnmnd1958@aol.com

 

62 Catching Up with Classmates

Brian O’Neill and I talked recently, catching up on what we had been doing. After graduation, Brian returned to NYC and entered Fordham Law School while working for NBC as a page, which was part of their guest/public relations division. During the week, he was assigned to the Johnny Carson and Jack Parr shows and on weekends to Meet the Press and other news shows. With his degree, Brian went with the National Labor Relations Board in DC for a couple of years and then to a small law firm before moving to LA, where he joined the US Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor. Brian said, “I loved it because I was in court every day and felt I was using my abilities to the maximum.” Brian then went with a small law firm doing criminal defense and soon expanded his practice in other areas before going on his own. While in LA, through a friend, he became a delegate for Jerry Brown at the 1976 Democratic Convention. Brian said one of his good clients was Sonny Vaccaro, the sports marketing whiz who started out selling Converse All-Star basketball shoes. This eventually led to the start of high-profile basketball camps and the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. Brian said Vaccaro went with Nike and is credited with signing Michael Jordan as a Nike spokesman. His other case involved getting the religious cult leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh out on bail in Oregon, where Brian was not admitted to practice. On application to represent the leader, the judge, who would have to approve the motion allowing Brian’s representation, asked about his academic credentials. When Brian said he had gone to Notre Dame, the judge’s immediate response was “Welcome to my courtroom.” The judge had gone to ND’s Law School! Brian is retired, living in Santa Monica but volunteers to help reform laws to aid foster children and, as a hobby, paints. “I have even sold a couple,” he says. Kudos to Tom Eiff, who visits Rich Jalovec on a regular basis. Rich suffers from an ALS-like disease and has been in an assisted living facility for over a year. During the height of the pandemic, Tom would go to Rich’s window and talk with him by phone. Now that the facility is open, they visit in person. John Shanahan has long been an advocate of nuclear power and edits a website, allaboutenergy.net, that also includes his newsletter. Regardless of your position on this issue, the site contains a lot of scientific studies. Jim Squyres pointed out that Bill Busemeyer received several mentions in a book written by former Speaker of the House John Boehner. Jim contacted Bill and said he still lives in Cincinnati but winters in the Florida Keys. It is time to begin thinking about attending our 60th to be held on campus June 2-5, 2022. Several already indicated they will arrive on Thursday, June 2, for an informal dinner that night. More details will be forthcoming. Since my last column, we have lost four members. Fred Weber, a Glee Clubber, passed away on May 1 in Florida, where he was visiting. Gerry Quinn, a physician and instructor of pathology at Indiana U Med School on the ND campus, died in South Bend on May 23. Jim Gaede died on Memorial Day following a long battle with ALS. After a career in broadcasting, Jim became a manufacturer’s rep for a firm dealing with office supply companies and later became a principal of the company. Jerry Van Overwalle also passed away on May 31 of a heart attack. He was an auto dealer in New Jersey. — Raymond Raedy; 5310 Rileys Ridge Road, Hillsborough NC 27278; 919-967-8816; nd62secy@medicinemanremedies.com

 

62JD More Normal Life

Since we received our COVID vaccinations, Marianne and I are thankful to be seeing friends and family, going to restaurants and living a more normal lifestyle. We hope the same for you and your families. Mike Kelly checked in to say hello and reported all is well. Paul Rooney has some health issues, so please keep him in your prayers. Save the dates for our 60th Law School reunion: April 29 - May 1, 2022. Christine Stucko, wife of the late Jim Stucko, has been diligent in her efforts and has blocked 15 rooms at the Morris Inn, as well as a private dining room for Saturday evening. The rooms are also reserved for Thursday in case anyone arrives early. Christine reports the possibility of a stadium tour on Friday afternoon, golf, a visit with Dean G. Marcus Cole on Saturday evening and Mass on Sunday morning. Your input is welcome. This is a big reunion, and we hope to see you there. Please pass the information along to classmates. — Tom Kelly; 802 Ambriance Drive, Burr Ridge IL 60527; 630-891-3182; marianne1956@sbcglobal.net

 

63 Old No. 51

Ed Burke was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1962 and played three seasons. He earned a JD from the U of Houston in 1969 and practiced in Houston for about 45 years. Ed has been married to his wife, Susie, for 25 years. They live in Mendocino CA, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with 28 cats. Susie has a cat rescue facility on their property, caring for older, ill and unadoptable cats. Ed is proud of being sober 35 years. He credits Jack Kelleher (see below) with being instrumental in getting him there. Over the last year, Ed has had serious health issues. A staph infection caused by a faulty hip replacement entered several organs, and he received 16 units of blood. Then on Jan. 15, he had a stroke, which was addressed quickly but damaged his left hand. He is rehabbing the hand and using a wheelchair and a walker, but does not have a left hip. Ed says, “I believe I am alive because of prayers from a lot of people. Charlie O’Hara and Eddie Rutkowski formed a prayer chain of old teammates who said Hail Marys at noon every day. John Walsh almost burnt the Grotto down, he lit so many candles for me. I consider myself the luckiest man alive. ... I have a wonderful wife, many friends and I graduated from the greatest university in the world.” John “Jack” Kelleher Jr. left us on April 15 in Richmond VA after a lengthy illness. Following graduation, he served in the Air Force as an intelligence officer in Taiwan and a combat crew commander for Minuteman Missiles at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. In 1968, he began a successful career as a stockbroker in Boston, eventually retiring from McDonald & Co in 2001. Jack was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Renie, and is survived by two children and three grandchildren. Jack’s passing had a profound effect on Ed Burke, who had spoken to Jack just days before. John B. Murray Sr. died on March 21 in Sea Girt NJ. John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann, four children, three stepchildren, 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. John received a JD from Georgetown U in 1966 while also coaching the Hoya football team in its inaugural year. He earned an LLM (taxation) from New York U in 1967 and went on to be partner and leader of the firm of Connell Foley for 40 years. He was a long-time member of his alma mater Seton Hall Prep’s Board of Trustees and served as chairman for 23 years. Patrick Joseph Brennan died June 2 in Kirkland IL. Pat married Carolyn (“Katie”) on July 17, 1965, in South Bend. He received an M.Ed. from Northern Illinois U and, in 1966, was drafted into the Army. Pat served as an enlisted combat engineer and was an officer in the Quartermaster Corps until transferring to the Reserves in 1969. Pat retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1993. He worked for many years for the family business, Brennan Cattle Company, before joining the National Bank and Trust Company of Sycamore IL in 1981 and from which he retired in 1999 to care for Katie, who was seriously ill and passed away in 2007. Pat later met Joan and they were married in 2020. Pat was long active in community service, receiving the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 2015. Pat is survived by Joan, a daughter, two sons, two stepdaughters, a stepson and 12 grandchildren and stepgrandchildren. The Alumni Association has advised us of the passing of the following classmates: Edward W. Fitzgerald Jr. died on Feb. 19 in Omaha NE, survived by his wife, Nancy, and three children; Clinton N. Brooks died on March 21 in Idaho Falls ID, survived by his wife, Margaret, and three children; Charles N. Aprill MD died on April 27, survived by four children; and Paul E. Pollock died on April 27 in Woodbury CT, survived by his wife, Cynthia, and five children. — John F. Dougherty Jr.; 915 Exeter Crest, Villanova PA 19085; 215-510-0844; johndoc969@gmail.com

 

63JD Blame the Piano

This is the sequel to Ed Fillenwarth’s letter tracing Paul Driscoll’s tracks after law school. Again, the source is a letter Val Fillenwarth found in Ed’s papers. It was written by Bud Malone shortly after Mike Garvey passed away on May 1, 2008, to memorialize life at 1135 N. Notre Dame Avenue with Mike. At the beginning of our second year, Mike, Paul, Ed, Bud and Ed Kearse rented the 1135 house from Frankie, who owned Frankie’s Restaurant a couple of blocks away. Jim Lekin lived nearby and would join the group at mealtime. In short order, the restaurant became an extension of the house. After studying (not verified) until the law library closed at midnight, the 1135 tenants would go to Frankie’s (which was usually closed by then) and the owner’s wife, Josie, would allow them into the basement. In Bud’s words: “The basement housed a piano, and it was there I discovered that this guy Garvey, besides being the most personable and best-liked guy in the class, had a talent for playing the piano in a way that I haven’t been able to get anyone to play since. Garvey played by ear, but what an ear. He had tone, could play in tune no matter the key, and could accompany the songs of this Irish tenor in a way as to make me seem good. He was amazing.” Bud had an incredible voice and sang with the skill of a professional. After a few months in Frankie’s basement someone found an old piano for sale. It was in good shape except for a couple of notes that never would play. “No one who heard Mike play ever guessed that some notes were skipped.” Dick Clifford borrowed a pickup truck and with help from other classmates, the 1135 team moved the piano into headquarters. Bringing the piano into the house provided a big boost to the 1135 weekend parties, whether the football team was playing or not. As time passed, Garvey began to question whether law was right for him. Finally, as Bud writes, “The bottom about fell out for all of us when Mike left school and South Bend and went home.” John Yost ’60, ’64MS (civil engineering) took his spot at 1135. Garvey joined the Army and had the good luck of being assigned to NATO in Paris. The 1135 outfit kept in touch with Mike. After graduation, Driscoll and Malone took jobs in Washington DC and rented a house. Garvey completed his Army time and joined them. Now a quorum of the original 1135 members was back in business, but not forever. Paul moved to California, Bud to Texas and Mike returned to New York, where he had a successful career in the title insurance business. Bud’s final thoughts expressed in his letter: “Fare ye well for now, Mike Garvey. I know we will do our songs again. Please keep Sweeney Todd and the others in your memory until I can catch up with you.” They caught up on Feb. 27, 2015. Hopefully, Bud did not find that Garvey had enough with the piano and was now studying law. — Bob Saxe; 15725 Ranchero Drive, Morgan Hill CA 95037; bsaxe5@aol.com 

 

64 A Life Well Lived

And still at it. That is the story of Mike Luea of Lansing MI. After graduation, he spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, setting up a medical clinic primarily for women and children. The focus was on reducing infant mortality rates. With the conclusion of this assignment, Mike joined a master’s in social work program at Michigan designed for Peace Corps returnees. This led to a position with the State of Michigan coordinating services available to migrant workers. In subsequent years, Mike worked as a family and marriage counselor, a county supervisor for the Child Abuse and Neglect Office and a recruitment coordinater of private agencies to provide social services to needy folks. Concluding his decades-long service to the state, Mike spent 10 years as a supervisor in the Office of Refugee Services. Whew! Rather early on, Mike and wife Barbara became involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, an outgrowth of the Cursillo movement. They subsequently joined a more permanent “community” of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox believers called “The Work of Christ” in the Lansing area, where they have remained ever since. Now retired, Mike has written and published 100 Life Stories for a target audience of their six kids and 25 grandchildren. The objective? Reinforcement of how God has worked through the life of this large and special family.  The Senior Alumni virtual program on Memorial Day was very well received. Joe Adrian and Jim Egan were memorialized by John Gillan and John Lalli. It brings you up short to think that we have lived three times as long as the deceased classmates we salute. I was saddened to learn from George Novak that his former roommate Juan Cintron died in late June in Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City. After graduation, Juan worked for Bendix in South Bend. At some point, he was asked to run a Bendix plant in Mexico. Juan ultimately moved to Mexico and started an automobile parts manufacturing business, which was very successful. He lived there for close to 50 years and founded and ran many businesses in the automotive, retail, hardware, shoe and chemical industries. At his memorial service, Juan was described as a fierce friend, a mentor, a wise and dedicated leader and a passionate volunteer — with a well-developed taste for good wine, tequila and an occasional Cuba Libre. He was a member and former chair of Notre Dame’s Advisory Board for Latin America and the Caribbean, advancing the mission of getting more of the region’s best and brightest students to ND. He was an avid YPO member and that facilitated his endless travel to all parts of the world, generally with Linda, his wife of 57 years. They have three children and six grandchildren. I learned that Dr. Joe DiBartolo, an orthopedic surgeon, passed away in April. He joined the US Public Health Service after getting his MD, then established a practice in Stuart FL in 1973. Suzy, his wife of 49 years, survives, as do two daughters. Dick Serafin of Ewing NJ also died in April. At the time of his retirement, he was director of print operations at Time Inc. Dick is survived by Patricia, his wife of 54 years, and two sons. And Richard Berry, a resident of Columbus, died in May. Dick received his MS from Tulane U in parasitology and a PhD from Ohio State U in entomology. He was employed by the Ohio Department of Health for 32 years, most recently serving as chief of the vector-borne disease program. His wife of 56 years, Constance, and two sons survive. — Paul R. Charron; 44 Contentment Island Road, Darien CT 06820; 917-860-5385; paul.richard.charron@gmail.com

 

64JD Second Chance

This is being penned in late June, a day after a serious storm swept through South Bend, but fortunately left town without much damage, my new roof notwithstanding. Sharon and I were at Mass when it struck, triggering warnings and sirens, and prompting the congregation to seek shelter in a safe place that all resisted. Surely, we would be safe in the sanctuary. With God’s grace, we were. Exiting the church at the conclusion of services, we were greeted with brilliant sunshine, a heavenly blue sky, and a gentle summer breeze with no sign of the tornado watch and warning. It seemed to be the Spirit’s way of telling us that we had been granted a “second chance” and to use it wisely. Upon reflection, the notion of “second chance” applies to many of us as we pass through the portal of our 80s, expanding into new activities and learning to accommodate life’s vagaries. Charles Sacher exemplifies this second-chance expansion of his philanthropy by taking up gardening and other care projects honoring wife Dorothy’s support of the Montgomery Botanical Garden in Coral Gables. As the pandemic tapers, more of our mates are venturing into travel. Mary and Jack Rammel are planning a September cruise to the North Pole with “every luxury is included” to break pandemic boredom. At June’s end, Kay and Tom Conneely took a mystery trip, details of which were unavailable to participants before boarding the plane. I spoke with Jack Jiganti in June. He and Dorothy have been spending time in Florida, Chicago and Michigan, where he uses the time to work on the Gerry Vairo Memorial Fund. Jack continues to head a Chicago-based nationwide investment firm as his “day job.” Marian and Jim Slater are content in Santa Barbara, and he sends his best to everyone. Jim still has some work with mediation cases that have a “long tail,” but walks and garden projects fill the time, as does family. Frank Miele is in NYC anticipating resumption of his work in September as a supernumerary at the Met. And, of course, he continues his arduous workouts. Pat Weir also sends his best to all from his ranch outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Usually, one thinks of bitter cold and snow when North Dakota is mentioned, but the park is stunningly beautiful. As I detailed to everyone in a prior report, Pat has held several impressive public positions including one on the North Dakota Supreme Court. Currently, he is chairman of the state parole board. Bob Frost continues to be plagued with medical issues, experiencing eight major surgeries in 11 years. He weathered the latest back surgery in March and is positively confident about his recovery with time and physical therapy. Dawn is his rock, and he credits her care for his recoveries. Russ Bley is still facing significant health issues, but he is hopeful that the proposed vascular surgery will allow him to remain self-sufficient in his home. A good time was had by all when Eileen and Bob Cash enjoyed a family gathering at Torch Lake in Michigan, and Betty and Larry Gallick experienced the same at their summer home on Lake Ontario. JoAnn and Gene Kramer live high up in Cleveland with views of the city and lake. They feel quite settled now and enjoy retirement. Lastly, Lou Pfeiler reports that he is well and finding satisfaction with life in Dubuque IA. His children keep him positive and engaged. — Richard Balfe Wagner;1204 Erskine Manor Hill, South Bend IN 46614; res 574-299-9888; cell 760-567-1270

 

65 Reunion at Last

As noted in the last column, our much-delayed reunion will be May 31 and June 1, 2022, at the Morris Inn. Rooms are reserved for us at a reduced rate. Both dinners will be at the inn. Specifics on cost of the dinners will be in University mailings in early 2022. The all-class Reunion is scheduled for June 2-5. We are independent of that function. Do not be confused by any announcements regarding that event. John Gearen, Frank Gaul, Ed Burke, Nick Sordi, Phil Haley, Don Zone, Doug Lovejoy, Tom Hawkins, John Roos and many others have made their reservations. After 20 years, Jim Dwyer has finally returned from Mongolia in time to join our gathering. He is living temporarily in Fairfax VA before deciding on a permanent retirement domicile. Jim was instrumental in developing the private business sector and foreign investment in that democratic, free-market oasis surrounded by Russia and China. Dick McCarthy has a grandson in grad school at ND. Kathleen and I have a granddaughter who is a freshman at ND and another at Saint Mary’s in her freshman year. Brockport NY is home to Kathy and Jim Goetz. In the summer they drove to the nearby Finger Lakes District to visit Keuka Spring Vineyard, which is owned by Judy and Len Wiltberger. Despite not knowing each other as classmates, they became instant friends to the point that Jim neglected to attend the tastings. Jim is a semi-retired pediatrician and was my roommate in medical school. Last spring, Ed Armento was honored by the Commandant of the Marine Corps with a Dept. of the Navy Superior Public Service Award in recognition of significant voluntary contributions, as a private citizen, to the Marine Corps since retiring from the FBI in 1998. After 9/11, Ed was recalled to serve as an intelligence analyst with the Joint Terrorism Task Force for two years. Subsequently, he transitioned to volunteer work. Ed will be with us next May. Last spring, we lost two classmates: Dave Raab is survived by his wife, Catherine, and two children in Welcome NC. Bob Bianco, owner of Anthony Vineyards in Coachella CA, is survived by his two children, including Francesca ’96. Bob was residing in Indian Wells CA. — James P. Harnisch MD; 6759 West Mercer Way, Mercer Island WA 98040; jphnd65@hotmail.com

 

65JD Class Secretary — Henry Boitel;

324 Brower Ave., Rockville Centre NY 11570; boitel@mindspring.com

 

66 Staying in Front of the Train

As many know via Jack Gerken’s class website, the plan is to convene on campus the weekend of Oct. 9. Cap Gagnon and team have put together a nice agenda, including a game-watch for ND-Virginia. Mike Fitzgerald in Albuquerque reports that he taught theology in a local Catholic high school for 33 years, also serving as a professional therapist. After an MA from ND in Biblical Studies, Fitz did campus ministry, where he met his wife. He continues to volunteer, providing therapy to folks experiencing trauma. Son Peter is a VP at Google and daughter Monica is a psychologist. He reports that Peter Collins has moved to Albuquerque from Michigan, where he owned a business. Now retired, PC engages in church work. Prolific writer Pete Budetti, also a physician, attorney and health policy guru, published his latest novel, Transformed, the fourth in his Will Manningham series. Recent Duranko Fund activity stimulated lots of stories about our late mate Pete Duranko. Mine relates to the day in late August 1962 when the frosh footballers arrived at Cartier. I came in as an OT at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. I saw this fullback as big as I was doing back flips and walking around on his hands. It was “Diesel,” as he became known. I thought, “Maybe I should’ve gone to Oklahoma.” Another related to Pete’s receiving an award for his work with ALS, the disease that ultimately took him. He was feted at a theatre event on Broadway and, after receiving his award, took the mic and crooned a perfect rendition of “Some Enchanted Evening” to a standing ovation. I spoke with Rich Sauget down St. Louie way, who has weathered the pandemic well. We caught up on mates, including his good local bud, the late Larry Mauch. ND marketing prof Bill Wilkie has moved to emeritus status. Class treasurer Greg Rust has health issues but is on the road to recovery, according to John Flatley. Greg’s wife, Judy, and daughter Audra are taking good care of him. We have some sad news that Barbara and Tony Andrea in Dorsett VT lost their son Christopher to an unexpected death at 33. He was a lacrosse coach in Connecticut. Bob Basche enjoys life toying with his lobster boat in Milford CT. He reported that he, Tony A., Bob Lombardo and Tony Rivizzigno were planning a fall reunion in Vermont. Jack Gerken said that Denny Corrigan, Jerry Erbach and Ray Neihengan would join him for a tailgate at ND-Purdue. He added that DC hoped to connect with Walter Babst during the summer in upper Michigan. JG connected with Jim Blum in Chicago, Ed Callahan in Phoenix, Chuck Datz in Austin, Bill Scanlon in DC and Ron Schmidt in Chicago. Mike Boone shared news that he and Sheila had a Zoom call with Katie Lisa, Tony Lisa’s widow (see below); Sandra and Bill Oberkampf; and Mary and Jim Donahue. They look forward to Reunion 2022. Sadly, Mike Sheehan left us on June 19 in Elkhart Lake WI, where he retired with wife Dee. Mike arrived at ND out of San Angelo TX on a football scholarship and I remember his engaging smile and good humor. He had a distinguished career as a trust officer and loved his service on the Alumni Board. Jim Hayden sent word, received through Tom Begley, that we lost Cole Clarke on July 13 in Palm Springs, following a long bout with COPD. Cole had an infectious sense of humor, street smarts and a ready irreverence for occasions that needed it. Also crossing over was Tony Lisa in April in the Vet’s Home in Scarborough ME. Tony enjoyed a career in engineering and had his own firm in Portland. I’m still wondering what happened to my senior-year Pangborn roomie, John Musto, who has been incommunicado for years. Thought for your day: Knowledge is what we know. Wisdom is what we don’t know. Learning and discernment are the bridge between the two. — Tom Sullivan; 227 Dunrobin Road, Mashpee MA 02649; cell 773-454-4343; t66sullynd@gmail.com 

 

66JD Identity Revealed

Hey, we have a winner. Al McKenna correctly identified Seamus “from his well faded recollection of him wandering around a couple of reunions with one of those large, bulky video cameras” as “the resurrected James Seamus Anthony.” Why resurrected? You may recall that shortly after attending one of our reunions, Seamus was reported to be deceased. At the next reunion, there was Seamus with his video camera. What other conclusion can be reached? Al went on to indicate that Windy and he usually go to Marco Island FL for the first two months of each year and promised to get together with Etta and me on their next trip. Speaking of Florida, 15 percent of our surviving class members either reside or vacation in Florida, including Maureen and Bob Murphy (Naples), Bonnie and Steve Seall (Venice), and Victoria and Bill Sanneman (Boca). Bill emailed me to detail some of the health issues from which Bob Siebert suffers. He and Al have been trying to help Bob with some of the issues surrounding his condition. Bob previously sent me an email telling me that it looked like his traveling days were over. Bob suffered a heart attack in November 2019, followed by heart surgery. About a year later, he experienced leg and balance problems and must now spend time in a rehabilitation facility before being discharged from treatment. If you want to cheer up Bob, give him a call at 631-725-1142. None of us are getting any younger or healthier. Please try to keep in touch and give me news about you, your family or any of our classmates. Without news, there can be no column. Please notice my new address below. It’s our fifth different zip code in the last nine months. — Scott Maxwell; 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, no. 2444, Naples FL 34109; cell 215-920-0616; ndscotty@gmail.com 

 

67 Losing Joe

Mickey Gallivan of Salt Lake informed us about the passing of Joe Mahaffey sending along the obit, so we all know more than his date of death, which was April 17. Joe was born in Paris TX. After graduation, Joe returned to Dallas to be in the Republic National Bank’s officer training program. In Dallas, Joe married Sherrie Judd, his wife of 52 years. From 1970 to 1985, Joe held positions with Gulf Oil Corp. where he became the youngest treasurer in the organization’s history, then Mason Best Company as its chief financial officer, and soon transitioned to president of United Meridian Corp., a Houston independent exploration and production company he founded with his friend Ralph Bailey. After selling Meridian, he served as a director and executive VP of Heritage Media Corp. in Dallas. Joe joined the Fremont Group, a San Francisco private investment company, in 1994 and he held the position of managing director before becoming president of Fremont Energy, a private oil and gas company. Prior

to his passing, Joe and Sherrie moved back to Dallas after living in Scottsdale AZ. They loved the desert sunsets and enjoyed many rounds of golf. Joe will be missed by all who knew him. Joe Wilbert also told us about Joe, and that Pat McLoughlin lost his wife of 50 years, Nancy. Bob Kearns writes from Savannah that he often sees John Powers, who just concluded a two-year stint as ND Club of Savannah president. Bob communicates often with his fellow former Shamrocks Pete Munson, Dan Tutko, Tom Halloran and Eddie Lavigne ’68, as well as manager Paul Noelke. Bob ran into Jim Purcell a few years ago at a family

wedding. Bob Husson writes from North Carolina that he has retired after 31 years of teaching IT subjects at Craven Community College in New Bern NC, where he recently received faculty emeritus status at a drive-through graduation. Interspersed with two stints at Craven, Bob worked on several DOD projects as a civil servant, Navy petty officer and consultant. He is still in contact with Jack Buttler, who managed the swim team one year, and now manages Bob’s IRA.

Jack is retired in Columbus OH and plays a lot of golf. Frank Jordon is a retired surgeon in Las Vegas and called Bob to let him know about the passing of the infamous Graz, whose life will be remembered at an upcoming event. Bob also informed us that Hank Topper passed away the last week in May. This also was reported by Andre Papantonio. Hank was living in Santa Rosa CA with his wife, Helen, where he had successfully dodged the many California fires in recent years. Andre said Hank was as fine a man as he had ever known. Mike Smolak and his wife, Barbara, recently got together with Mary Lou and Dick Kinney for lunch in Hood River OR. Dick and Mary Lou are living in Boise ID. Mike is still residing in Lake Oswego OR. Mike and Dick were shipmates on the USS John Paul Jones DDG-32 in Vietnam. Dick is retired from “training Broncos” at Boise State U where he was a professor. Denise and Ron Grzesiak celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 19 with three children and five grandchildren. Katharine Kertez Mraz ’04 informs us that her mother, Shari Kertez, died in June. Shari was the wife of deceased classmate Michael Kertez. Jerry Pascale moved permanently to Carlsbad CA and recently met Bob Dowdell for lunch, during which golf scores and other tales were abundant. Please let us know how you are doing. — Bert R. Bondi; 1891 Curtis St., Unit 1502, Denver CO 80202, bertrbondi@gmail.com

 

67JD Some Still Work, Others Not So Much    

Congratulations to Ken Lazarus on winning his case in the US Supreme Court with a unanimous decision. Ken and his team filed a suit to enjoin the IRS from enforcing a notice requirement to his client to report certain information under penalty of the imposition of tax. The decision found that their suit is not an action to “restrain the assessment or collection of a tax” as prohibited under the Anti-Injunction Act. The unanimous court held that a suit to enjoin a notice does not trigger the Anti-Injunction Act, even though a violation of the notice may result in a tax penalty. Frank Cihlar has resumed a vigorous travel schedule. He was in Utah in April, visiting five national parks and two national monuments. In May he cruised the coast of Maine for a week and has a fly-fishing trip planned to Montana with brother Barkley. Frank has been elected to the board of James Madison U’s Lifelong Learning Advisory Council as well as to the board of the Shenandoah County Library Foundation. In his spare time, he has completed a draft of his first novel, The Barristers. Tony Luber, still serving as a public defender, found that the State of Indiana has “declared” the end of the pandemic and the huge backlog of criminal jury trials has resulted in Tony having two and sometimes three felony jury trials a week scheduled through September. And, while the rest of us are planning long-delayed trips to personally hug children and grandchildren, Tony’s work schedule has forced him to cancel his plans to do that very thing. He did manage to celebrate 54 years of marriage with his wife at a nice restaurant. He feels blessed that his family, brother and sister are not seriously impacted by COVID. Maybe normal is returning to his world, but the mask requirement, plastic sheet dividers and jurors spaced safe distances around the courtroom for social distancing are reminders that “it ain’t over yet.” Lynn and Ted Sinars have renewed their travel with a vacation in the Florida Keys and several other getaways to Michigan beaches and, of course, returning to campus for a trip down Memory Lane. Of course, he managed to see the South Bend Cubs play. Mary Ann and Bob Konopa spent their winter in Tucson but have returned to South Bend for another year of law practice. A daughter and granddaughter had the virus but seem to have fully recovered. Germaine and Jim Mollison have their granddaughter and grandson living nearby and enjoy watching them grow and succeed in sports and high school academics. The James Harringtons are enjoying near normalcy with restaurants near capacity sans face masks. However, it also means that their grandchildren are traveling again and spending extended time in France, their birthplace. — Jim Heinhold; 1200 Carmel Lane, New Bern NC 28562; res 252-638-5913; im4irish@aol.com

 

68 Assembling and Renewing

Before getting to the news of classmates lost, of reunions, triumphs and changes, please indulge this request: make sure you have registered your account at my.nd.edu. The more of us with a preferred email address recorded, the more we can be in touch with email. Not registered? Go to my.nd.edu and find “Register.” Click there, enter your email address and you are on your way. If you do not have a grandchild or adolescent neighbor at hand, let me know and I will help. If Bryan Dunigan or I send an email through my.nd.edu, we can use a list of 800 registered classmates out of a potential 1,300. If Bryan and I depend on our own lists, we must count on our 200 friends for help pushing the news along additional paths. And by the way, registration is open to people who are not Notre Dame graduates; people who want to be informed about our class or other groups can register. Among other benefits, registration gives you access to the Notre Dame directory, where you can look up classmates and other alumni. It is easy to find those old friends. On Saturday Oct. 30, about two and a half hours before the North Carolina game, Fred Ferlic and class president Tom Weyer will lead our class in dedication of a bench and tree honoring Joe Kernan. The affection and the generosity of Joe’s classmates have met the $25,000 cost of the installation in a campus area already linked to our class. The memorial will be near the new Architecture School building donated by our classmate Matt Walsh and his wife, Joyce, and the Raclin Murphy Art Museum donated by Carmie and Chris Murphy. The gathering of classmates will continue before and after the game at the Great 68 tailgate near the stadium. If you are one of the 800, watch for an email with the details in the days before the game. As I write this in July, Tom Culcasi was planning reunion events Aug. 11 and 12 in Chicago and suburban Lemont for about 25 people, the core of them friends from freshman year in Keenan Hall: Joe Hale, Tom Phillips, Dan Collins, Phil Mika, Mike Moore, Ted Bratthauer, Tom Curtin and Steve Laplante. Class president Tom Weyer praises “our anchormen, the South Bend guys” for the quick arrangement of a reception for Rocky Bleier during an early May visit. “Class consigliere, Dr. Fred Ferlic, and Sgt.-at-Arms and flag guardian, Gene Cavanaugh, organized a lavish pizza and beer evening at Rocco’s. In attendance were locals Pat Barth, Dan Harshman, Tom Cuggino and Dr. Steve Anderson. The Toms were represented by Tom Gibbs, Tom Durkin and me. Skip Strzelecki, who dressed us all elegantly in Ara sweatshirts and Great 68 hats, was there along with Bryan Dunigan, Denny Toolan and Roger Guerin. Rocky was quite surprised and rather touched. Our mini-tailgate proved how much we miss each other.” Larry Maloney added to the ND68 literary canon with Unto the Altar of God, his coming-of-age novel based on five years as a high school and college seminarian with the Franciscans in Pennsylvania. Check it out on Amazon. Larry came to our class junior year and, after graduation and service in Vietnam, became a deputy editor with US News & World Report and then editor/publisher of Design News. Already, the coming-of-age novel about a high school student’s response to the world encountered in vacations, family contacts and the seminary has earned five-star ratings on Amazon. Boston radio station WROL did a 12-minute segment with Larry and other newspapers have interviewed him. “My book started at Notre Dame in a class on creative nonfiction with Prof. Ron Weber ’56, a terrific teacher,” Larry said. “I wrote a short story for him based on my seminary experiences, and he encouraged me to try a book at some point.” On our blog, ndclass1968.com, are obituaries and memories of classmates we have lost: Bill Betz, Richard Calone, John Tilelli and John O’Brien’s wife, Karen (née Scherkenbach). Boyd T. Barnes died in March, Tom Bettler died in November, John Alzamora died in May 2020 and Raymond DeFabio died in May 2021. Obituaries will be on our blog as soon as found. In your prayers, please remember Jim O’Rourke’s wife, Pam, who is recovering from surgery for removal of a tumor and Pat Collins’ wife, Emily, whose femur shattered in a fall on July 4. — Tom Figel; 312-241-7917; tfigel@reputecture.com

 

68JD Success

My plea for information resulted in some success. Ernie Abate noted that he has been in practice for 52 years and has never taken more than 30 days of vacation until this past winter, when he spent three months in Naples FL at a golfing community. Ernie worked four hours a day but played the rest of the time. Since his return from Florida, he has been working full-time, including a significant amount of time in trust administration serving as trustee under several trust agreements. He continues to serve several social servant agencies in Stamford along with providing legal services for the Stamford Health System and the city’s public library. He sends his best for the health and happiness of class members. Pat Pacella responded by noting that he and Diane celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on July 1. He is looking forward to attending a football game this fall. Jim Cooling went water skiing on July 4 and attributed his success to the following: “I think two margaritas helped. ... I’m guessing no one else in our class went water skiing on the 4th of July on their original knees.” Tom Curtin reported that he speaks with Pete King, Lanny Bonenberger, Dick Manning, Tom Ward and Charlie Weiss almost every week by Zoom. Tom noted that John Pusey joined and continues to make his classmates laugh with his corny jokes and “Puseyisms.” Pete King has a talk radio show a couple days a week on WABC Radio 77 in New York City. Tom added that Charlie Weiss and he will be at the NDLA board meeting for the Cincinnati game, and hopes to see the Irish play the Badgers at Soldier Field in Chicago. In closing, please remember the deceased members of our class: John Amerman, Emilio Belluomini, John Burgess, Albert Dudash, Richard Hirsch, Tom Kapacinskas, Joseph Ladd, Steve Madonna, Larry Miller, Jack Sanders and Robert Wilczek. — Dennis G. Collins; 2203 Derby Way, St. Louis MO 63131; bus 314-516-2648; dgc@greensfelder.com

 

69 Pandemic Jailbreaks

April: Sally and Tom Ladky visited Muggsie and John Shern in Atlanta. May: Mike Cerre hosted the NDSA 2021 Memorial Day video with the interviews of seven Domers remembering classmates killed in action in Vietnam. Len Niessen, Jerry Kammer ’71 and Dave Jurusik ’73 co-edited God, Country, Notre Dame…And Lacrosse, a collection of 39 essays by men who played lacrosse and went on to serve in the military and Peace Corps. Mike Cerre, Ford Cole, Chuck Metzger and Mike Satarino contributed stories. Since his retirement last year, Joel Connelly has been writing columns for PostAlley.com. Mary Ann and Errol Flynn and Trish and Jim Conway celebrated Cinco de Mayo in Naples FL. Pat Callan received Realty Executives’ 2020 Great Lakes Region Industry Leadership Award. The ND bookstore began selling a series of campus prints by artist Clint Sullivan. June: The Sun magazine’s story “Bhutan: The Last Himalayan Kingdom,” featured John Wehrheim’s photographs. Bill Gunlocke visited his daughter and grandchildren in Jackson WY for a week. Jim Burke, Colleen and Jay Canna, Kathy Van Etten (widow of Jack Van Etten, d. 2016) and Nada and John Hodel met for dinner in Worth IL. The Milwaukee ’69ers gathered for their monthly breakfast in person for the first time in 16 months: John Berres, Jim Fackelman, yours truly John Hickey, Don Jacobson, Tony Kluka, Tom Ladky, Jim Lyons, Dan Merritt, Mike Ryan and Steve Kavalauskas. While visiting Stirling IL for a family wedding, Dick Merritt had lunch with Dick Farrell in Moline. While visiting family in Chicagoland, Tom Altmeyer broke bread with Pat Callan, then Tom Ladky and Ralph Williams. Robert W. Baird & Co. awarded the first $100K “Kid’s Win!” Baird Annual Education Grant to Cristo Rey High School in Milwaukee to honor former chairman and CEO Paul Purcell (d. 2020). Bill Mitsch received a plaque for his on-air contribution to the 2020 regional Emmy Award-winning film Troubled Waters: A Turtle’s Tale. US Judge Robert Kressel retired after 35 years of hearing bankruptcy cases in Minneapolis and Duluth. Greg Miles played his 7,000th round of golf since 1958 at Chapel Hill Golf Course in McHenry IL. Tony Ingraffea appeared on a CBS News segment about plugging abandoned oil and gas wells. July: District Judge Greg Schatz retired from the Fourth Judicial District in Douglas County, Nebraska. Tom Noe has published eight plays this year, now available on Amazon. Ed Fitzpatrick and Tim Swan were mentioned in the Summer 2021 Notre Dame Magazine article about Prof. Anton Chroust. The class blog posted its 1,400th story since January 2017. Greg Helm’s horse Hot Rod Charlie finished third at the Kentucky Derby, second at the Belmont Stakes. Mike Brennan reported that he and Jim Burke, Mike Busby, Ernie Gargaro, Fritz Gast, Steve Hext, Pete McInerney, Ebby Moran, Mike Satarino and Tim Schlindwein gathered for their 27th annual South Bend golf outing. They played at Dave Heskin’s club on Wednesday, Morris Park on Thursday and ND’s Warren on Friday. Mary and Mike Ryan hosted the ND Milwaukee Club’s freshman sendoff for the 10th time. 50th anniversaries: Nora and Dan Chesire, Mary Ann and Errol Flynn, and Kathy and Mike Petersmith. Deaths: Bill Clark, Sept. 30, 2020, New Albany IN; Steve Gehl, Nov. 30, 2020, Boise ID; Tim Weizer, April 30, Chicago; Tom Boyle, July 2, Richmond VA. Our sincerest condolences to their families and friends. The ’69ers who studied in Innsbruck sophomore year will have an on-campus memorial for Bill Clark and Tim Weizer on the Sunday morning of the Toledo weekend. That’s all for this report. Stay healthy and God bless. — John Hickey; jphjr47@hotmail.com; notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com 

 

69JD Aloha Binny 

I am sad to report that our classmate, Bryan Hughes, passed away. I received many emails from you commenting on the wonderful person and classmate Bryan was. Jim Brady was in Bryan’s hometown of Malone NY for depositions when he and Bryan had a chance encounter at lunch. I will miss you, Binny. Merle Wilberding continues to add to his resume. He has been elected the president of the Dayton Bar Association. I am working on our mini reunion Oct. 8, 9 and 10. Campus is busy with events postponed from 2020 and events planned for 2021. I was able to secure a block of rooms at the Inn at Saint Mary’s under “ND Law School Class of 1969 Alumni.” Phone is 574-232-4000. Our contact at the hotel is LeAnn Allen. Joe Kennedy has received comments and stories for the “Saga” from many of you, more of you have recollections that would add to the Saga. Please send them to me or Joe at jkenn2333@aol.com or better yet, come to the mini reunion. Joe Frantin will be there and has promised new and better stories. Dave Prior has retired and uses rroverrex@gmail.com. Contact Dave for the story of the dogs in his life. — Jim Starshak; 889 Kaohe Place, Honolulu HI 96825; res 808-395-0443; cell 808-778-4033; starman@hawai.rr.com