1940s

40 Class Secretary — Rebecca Smith;

542 Fairview Ave., Glen Ellyn IL 60137; 630-254-4485; rebecca.antas@gmail.com

 

41 Class Secretary — Meg Julian ’03, ’06JD;

804 Jersey Ave., Spring Lake NJ 07762; 646-246-5480; megjulian@gmail.com

 

42 Class Secretary — Ann Schanuel;

annjolene2@aol.com

 

43 Class Secretary — A. Robert Masters ’05;

1906 E. Madison St., South Bend IN 46617; res 574-904-8315; bus 574-234-0121; armasters@nfmlaw.com

 

44 Notre Dame Family

I heard from Kandy Kane Butterly that her mom, Mary Jane (Cullinan) Kane Murphy ’44SMC, passed away on July 5. She was a graduate of Saint Mary’s College and was fortunate enough to be married to two of Notre Dame’s finest. Her dad, Jim Kane, passed away in 1967 after heart surgery, leaving behind his widow with nine children. Mary Jane married John D. (Red John) Murphy in 1972. With two children of his own, they combined their beautiful families. Murph passed away in 2011 after spending many years together, including attendance at ND ’44 reunions. I’m not sure that anyone from this class was able to travel to campus this summer, but if you did, I’d love to hear about your experience and could share it with classmates and other readers. — Laura (Julian) Fraser ’00; 1021 Royal Bombay Ct., Naperville IL 60563; 773-255-9843; lejfraser@outlook.com

 

45 Take Five and Go Swing on a Star

Each generation favors different melodies about the yesterdays of their youth, memories of holding time in bottles, songs about memories, and (not being disrespectful) songs such as “another one bites the dust.” I admit to eye-rolls when my grandkids ask if I can please change my playlist to their music preference. Yes, I asked my mother the same as she loudly sang about sentimental journeys, boogie’ing and foolish hearts while driving us home from school. Music of the ’40s and ’50s was not necessarily my taste, but I can hum along. And I did, respectfully, upon hearing of one more gentleman taking the final A train. James D. Griffin died peacefully on May 14. He was surrounded by family at his home on Grassy Hill Road, with its beautiful meadow and gardens, ponds and tall trees. Jim was the eldest of seven siblings, raised on the north side of Chicago. After Evanston High School, the Navy brought him to ND in 1943, and he served in the Far East. Discharged in 1945, he returned to complete his degrees (winning an NCAA tennis national championship along the way). He built a successful career in the international food business and was a firm believer in the importance of good corporate citizenship, especially during the upheaval of the civil rights era. His work took him around the globe, where he established lifelong friendships. Jim and his wife, Jane Bingham, resided in the Manhattan Upper East Side providing a welcome mat for their wayfaring CSC priests and friends. Jim’s faith anchored him. He was devoted to the important, but often unfulfilled, role of the laity in Church governance and was particularly committed to increasing and improving the role of women in the Church. He was the first Catholic director of Union Theological Seminary and was an early and active member of Voices of the Faithful, a global effort to bring the Church into the 21st century. The world of the arts, and especially choral and sacred music, was his passion, and he served on the board of Musica Sacra, one of New York’s premier choral ensembles. He was a jazz aficionado; it gave him immense pleasure when Notre Dame, at his suggestion, conferred its Laetare Medal on the legendary pianist Dave Brubeck in 2006. “Sunny Jim” believed deeply in our capacity for good. His tall stature and welcoming smile illuminated the room wherever he went, and he will be missed by many. For you, Jim, all should listen to Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque” and “Sleep” with his virtual choir. Bob Thomas says he is old and grumpy but has very few aches and pains, sees a lot of doctors, and just trusts whatever they recommend. Bill comments that at the age of 50, if asked, never would he have imagined being alive almost 50 years later. If in the Monterey area please visit; Bob will meet you at the door with his electric chair. Bill Wrape wakes every morning and thinks: well, I think I opened my eyes by myself. He claims his mind is a little more feeble but knows God has a plan, which he toasts each evening with an ever growing glass of bourbon. — Melissa Erkins Rackish ’77; 1224 Campbell St., Williamsport PA 17701; 570-971-2296; mrackish@comcast.net

 

46 Class Secretary — Paul Taggett;

mtaggett@tampabay.rr.com

 

47 Around the World

I heard from our loyal pen pal, John D. Cahill, via email in June: “I am pleased to report that I am still alive and moderately well.” John reports that he visited Sicily for a few weeks last October and plans to return there to visit old friends this fall. John has been visiting Italy every winter for the past 20 years, minus two years during Covid. John also visited Jordan and Egypt in late April and early May with his family. I’d say you are most definitely “moderately well,” John! With four little rambunctious kids at home, I am an armchair traveler myself these days so I thoroughly enjoyed your tales of adventures and escapades. Thank you for letting us all live vicariously through them, John. To all readers, please continue to keep in touch with your memories and stories, as I always look forward to hearing from you. Go Irish! — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; emzander@gmail.com

 

48 Sons of ND

I am saddened to report the passing of Mr. James C. “Jim” Miller on Oct. 31, 2022. Our prayers are with Jim’s family as they mark the first anniversary of his death this fall. Please keep in touch with your memories and stories of campus life, as I always look forward to hearing from you. Go Irish! — Eileen Z. Surprenant ’09, ’15; emzander@gmail.com

 

49 Passings

Richard Stanley O’Neill Sr. of Shawnee Mission and Kansas City passed at home Aug. 9, 2022. Dick’s wife, Margie, children Richard, Colleen, Tammy Warren and Norbert; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Peggy Soden. Vincent Francis Crane of Lyndhurst and Cleveland, who received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1950, died Nov. 8. He was predeceased by his wife, Flora Friday, and brother Alfred. Surviving is his sister Clarice Walsh; children Jan Bora, Peter J., Melissa Gary, Michael, Barbara Bumbacco, Melinda Capone and Mary Jean Salinas; 22 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Vince retired as president of Dunlop and Johnstone General Contractors. He served as president of Catholic Charities, Brentwood Hospital and LeBlond Housing among numerous community involvements. — Bill Slavick; whslavick@gmail.com