1960s

60 Let’s Enjoy Our Days, Months, Years
Some of you have sent emails about recollections and reflections of life which are well written and extremely interesting. And I have sent a number of these out for all our classmates to share. And I have received more positive responses from many of you, responding about the historicals, more than any email I have sent. So, I’m encouraging you to take some time and write up your memories — about any part of your life. There is no limit on these types of communications as there is on the size of the magazine article. From Terry Conway: “I appreciate your thankless job for so many years. Amazon just published my 55-year career adventure titled Business Is Simple: From a Family Cottage Business to World Processing and Markets. All five-star reviews so far. Book available on Amazon. terryconway-bis.com or tc@terryconway-bis.com.” A reply note from Nick Healy: “Yes, Mary Dolan certainly has known for some time that what started as pancreatic had spread to Gene Dolan’s liver and lungs and become incurable. I told her that I had unexpectedly been strongly led to pray for him and have been doing so — almost daily mercy chaplets and adding him to our Rosary petitions. I let her know that Gene had promised me that as he was dying he would call upon Jesus. That will be enough!” Judy and Mike Ehlerman “send our sincere prayers and condolences for your most serious loss of Colleen. Because of Judy’s similar situation, I recognized the seriousness of your leaving early from the 65th Reunion. I’m afraid that Judy will have to go into memory care in the near future. Our very best to you and we will be honored to make a donation to SUNY Oneonta.” Dan Lyons sent a note that he was attending John Weglinski’s service on Aug. 8. A note from Leslie Heineman Fetch on the passing of George Heineman on March 24: He had remained in Naples FL until the end and he so looked forward to those class luncheons and every opportunity he had to talk with his ND friends on the phone. He was diagnosed in January 2025 with end-stage kidney disease. From Joe Lukitsch: “I really enjoyed the note from Skip Sullivan. We both have combat experiences to share. Skip lives in Northern VA. I wear my ND hat everywhere in FL and get many surprising comments.” Interesting note from Joe Bock: “I noticed we had nine Sullivans in our yearbook. I’ll try to send you a few words when I have a little motivation.” Richard Krachun noted from Skip’s note that Cardinal Montini became Pope Paul VI and not Pope XII who died in 1958. From Mike Feldmeier: “Many thanks for passing along the Reunion pictures. I wish I could have been there, but it’s great to see so many guys and gals were able to make it.” Another note on the Reunion from Tom Kurt: “Thank you for organizing and implementing our stupendous Golden Domers Reunion. Carol tremendously enjoyed the Reunion as well. We especially enjoyed the dinners, the Grotto and then the Golden Domers Mass at the Basilica, the ‘Father Ted Said’ afternoon speakers program, the lunch at the Corbett Pavilion and the stadium and the new art museum.” From Robert Fitzsimons: “I wish you and my hardy classmates a great Reunion. Sorry I can’t be there, but will be thinking about you all.” From Jerry DeLay: “Sixty-five-plus years ago, while stationed in Germany in the 8th Division, I went out to watch a parachute jump by our airborne units of the 8th, and coming up the hill was Skip Sullivan with his retrieved chute. About six months later, I crossed paths with Skip at our rank training centered at ‘Graf.’ Small world!” I need emails! Thank you and please send an email or more. — Joseph F. Jansen; 9190 Southmont Cove, Apt. 103, Fort Myers FL 33908; 317-514-4478; jfjansen38@gmail.com

61 General Hospital
By the time this note reaches your eyes, the gridiron Irish will have completed their first six games. Let us hope that they are all victories. Bob Barron called to share with me his early career as an Army officer for 22 years along with Brian Brady. Bob hails from San Antonio TX where he retired from his accounting practice. Tom Whalen called to say that, after 26 years of skiing on the slopes of the high Sierras near his NV residence, his lower left leg was amputated, forcing him to relocate to NC to reunite with his daughter, assisted by a wheelchair and a walker. Bill Indelicato has called New Canaan CT his home for four decades. He is recuperating from having received a pacemaker in April. Joe Libby is now residing in an assisted living facility in Fairfax VA where he is dealing with mobility issues. From the Cornhusker State comes the word that George Easley settled into a smaller apartment in Lincoln. For the record, this writer vividly recalls the football game between the Dillon Hall intramural football squad and the inmates of Michigan City Prison. George broke away and was headed for the end zone with the potentially game-winning touchdown untouched. Then suddenly, he tripped and fell! Mike Sammon and his two fellow law school buddies, Mike Mahaney and Mike Nash, all served together as Army officers in Vietnam. Mike returned to Chicago to practice law while simultaneously managing a thoroughbred horse farm. He has written a 200-page memoir and is currently working on a second book. George Mack called from OR where he lives and where he taught at the U of Portland for 14 years. He is also a partner in a CPA firm with which he has been associated for 60 years. He is the proud patriarch of three generations of Domers. George comes from a family of golfers, and he sports an 11 handicap for every round he tees up the dimpled spheroid; hit ’em straight! And George extends his personal best wishes to his former hallmate, Jim Twohy. I was profoundly saddened to learn of the tragic death of my Cavanaugh Hall buddy, Art Armento. His golf cart crashed into a tree, and he suffered multiple fractured ribs, a punctured lung and permanent irreparable damage which left him paralyzed. He died five days after the accident. I am tremendously grateful to Art for providing me with information on the doings and whereabouts of our classmates over the years; he will be sorely missed. Luis Prada passed away in Louisville KY in May. He was born in Colombia and earned his degree in electrical engineering. He spent his entire career of 34 years with General Electric where he was credited with 19 patents. In retirement, Luis volunteered with the Friends of the School of Music, supporting and mentoring the next generation of musicians. Frank Annese sent sad news of the passing of Frank Gargiulo of North Bergen NJ on June 15. Frank was an educator his entire life and also served as a commissioner in the town of North Bergen. Frank played football at Notre Dame for four years and was loved and admired by all who knew him. Let us hear from the following members of the Class of 1961: Fred Jenkins, Edward Kane, John Juliano, Ted Witt, Calvin Wolf and Mike Terry. In Memoriam: Dick Lauber. Go Irish. — Arnold Leporati Jr.; 463 Tarrasa Drive, Jacksonville FL 32225; 904-703-4366; arnielep@yahoo.com

62 Our 65th Is Coming
It is time to start thinking about coming to our 65th Reunion to be held June 3 - 6, 2027. Your class officers have started the planning process, with the only decision made so far being to not have our own beer tent. If you have any thoughts for a class activity, please send them our way. More information can be found at reunion.nd.edu. Last month, John Roberg embarked on an “Irish Odyssey” starting at Lambeau Field for the game against Wisconsin. Then, he rented a farmhouse BnB south of campus spending time making trips to the bookstore, Rocco’s, O’Rourke’s and the Backer, prior to attending the home game against Rice. Steve Weiland has, over time, written five books that can be purchased from Amazon. One, Hear Me Roar … Quietly: Reflections on Identity, Experience, and Finding a Voice, was described as “a statement of presence. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt overlooked, unheard or difficult to categorize, reminding us that a voice does not need to be loud to be meaningful.” Another author is Jack Forest, who retired several years ago as a radiologist and now splits time between Southern CA and HI. He has two novels in print — The Missionary Society and Mothers And Sons. The latter is set in Boston, “the city of my birth, and tells a 100% fictional life story of a girl I dated once in high school — my first real date.” Both are available on Kindle, Amazon and other distributors. Jack added, “I’d appreciate feedback from anyone brave enough to read it!!” John Eck lives in Springfield IL. After a stint with a Big 8 accounting firm, he joined a local one, later becoming managing partner. He then started his own, now in its 31st year. Though not as active, he is serving on four boards as a director. Tom Miller sent me a copy of his company’s quarterly newsletter. It is one of the few family companies that have had a nationwide presence for over 100 years. I received information that two classmates died prior to this year. Mike Terry passed away in September 2017 and Bill Walsh died in August 2025. There were no other details. Bob Nash died in Washington DC on Jan. 15. He had an engineering degree and worked for the architect of the Capitol for many years before starting his own company. Paul Mennucci, who divided time between MO, AZ and FL, passed away March 12 in Rio Verde AZ. Paul majored in accounting and later got an MBA. He was in demand as an expert in flexible packaging. Steve Rossetti, who was a ME major, died April 29 in Rochester NY where he had spent 30-plus years working at Eastman Kodak. John Studebaker died April 29 in Golden CO. John was an architect specializing in restaurant design. John was on the Alumni Board and served as its president in 2002-03. Jim Pottmyer died at an extended care facility in NC on June 2. After service in the Navy and at the Defense Information Systems Agency, he worked for Lockheed Martin. Greg Premo died in Louisville on June 21. After selling his motel and restaurant in VT, he worked with the Episcopal Church in various capacities. Joe Hoffman died June 30 in Akron OH after a long battle with Parkinson’s. After his Navy service he returned to ND and got a master’s in ME and then spent more than three decades with Ohio Edison. — Raymond Raedy; 5310 Rileys Ridge Road, Hillsborough NC 27278; 919-967-8816; nd62pres@medicinemanremedies.com

63 They Accomplished Much
Jim Mazzei joined the US Air Force following graduation, and was selected to run the Air Force’s first satellite communications Earth station, precursor to the Defense Satellite Communications System. He won an Air Force scholarship and earned BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from the U of Missouri, was elected president of the EE honor society and named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Retiring at 20 years, he ended up with management positions from site manager to division manager and site engineer to chief technical officer. About 25 years ago he left industry and joined an Air Force think tank, returning to industry two years ago to manage a revolutionary command and control prototype employing lasers to communicate in bad weather. Jim left that about a year ago to serve as campaign chairman for his son Mike’s run to become OK’s next governor. He actually ran Mike’s political organization as an avocation through Mike’s 16 years as an OK state senator and two years as the OK secretary of the budget. Jim has also been an educator for over 50 years having served as an adjunct professor at the U of Maryland, George Mason U and Johns Hopkins U graduate schools. He has two sons, four stepchildren and 16 grandchildren. Jim sings in the parish choir and leads a small group that sings in assisted living centers. Once the general election is over in November, he says he will be ready to go fishing and heading back to ND for a football game. Ed Scanlan says he and his wife have been blessed with seven children and 21 grandchildren. Ed says, “Finally, our 16th grandchild will be joining the ND family this fall. A first for us!” Tom Jolie has been living independently at Casa Scalabrini in Northgate IL since the passing of his wife, Judy (twin sister of Jim Lamping ’64) in 2018. Tom and Judy served with Catholic Relief Services in Bolivia and Brazil, following which they lived in Oak Park IL for over 50 years. Tom has three children and five grandchildren; he is quite modest about their accomplishments. Ron Ciancio has gone on kidney dialysis and is not doing much traveling these days; otherwise he is doing well and looking forward to the 2026 football season. John Murphy Jr. passed away July 1 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s and cancer, survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathy, and four children, nine grandchildren and one grandchild. At ND he earned degrees in accounting and civil engineering. They lived in MT, MD, and finally ME. Jack worked for E.C. Jordan, Regional Waste System and the City of Portland, before starting his own business. He was a traffic engineer for over 40 years, performed soils tests and worked on the family farm in his “spare time.” Jack enjoyed spending time on the farm with his family, dogs and cattle as well as pheasant hunting and fishing. In Baldwin ME, Jack was a town selectman, a member of the planning board and board of appeals. Ira John Studebaker died April 29, survived by his wife of over 60 years, Lynne, and four children, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. All four of John and Lynne’s children are ND graduates! John served in the US Air Force, including a tour in Vietnam. John loved hands-on creative projects, especially home rehabilitation projects. He built his dream house atop a mountain overlooking Denver, completing nearly all of the construction himself. He generously gave his time and energy to the ND Club of Denver, often bringing an industrial-size barbecue and signage to games, send-offs and parades. He served in nearly every leadership role in the club, including at the national level as ND National Alumni Club President. Gregory Wood Sr. passed away March 12, survived by his wife, Kathie, and three children and three grandchildren. Greg attended St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco, earning All-City honors as linebacker and guard, before receiving a football scholarship to ND. After serving in the US Army, Greg returned to the city and started his illustrious coaching career at the U of San Francisco. He later moved to the AAA ranks, coaching O’Connell and Lincoln High School football, helping lead the Mustangs to eight Turkey Day Championships and two State Titles, while earning AAA Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2013. He spent 45 years in the San Francisco Unified School District teaching English, history and physical education. He graduated from law school in 1978 and passed the bar in 1982, practicing law at The Offices of Cullen and Wood. He was the Exalted Ruler of the oldest Elks Lodge in the United States, and was a proud 40-years-plus member of the Olympic Club. Greg was inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in 2015. — John F. Dougherty Jr.; 915 Exeter Crest, Villanova PA 19085; 215-510-0844; johndoc969@gmail.com

64 Enjoyed a Local Lunch. . .
With Synda and Terry Kollman during their recent trip to the Northeast. This year Terry is celebrating 50 years of fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. To stay out of trouble, he has signed on as president of a new e-commerce platform targeting Hispanics in the US. Tidewater municipal executive extraordinaire Jim Oliver reminds me that he got his start as a journalist in South Bend before transitioning back home to Norfolk VA where he worked for a radio station, successfully navigating a helicopter crash while doing traffic reports. Probably good training for a career in municipal government. Tony Rodriguez reports from San Juan that he is now receiving a technology assist from a Watchman device in his heart. Evelyn, kids and grandkids are all OK. Some classmates may know that Joe Mayer lost his soulmate, Sheron, a few months ago after a four-year struggle with Parkinson’s. It would appear that Joe, ever the traveling man, is on the road back after sending along a film clip from a visit to Oak Island NC. Jack McCabe, Nick Muller, Tom Fox, Frank Fee, Tom Goberville and others commented on the passing in June of football tackle Dave Humenick in Stuart FL. Remembered as a great friend and outstanding athlete, Dave was drafted by two teams but opted for a career in business. He is survived by wife Janet and extended family. Dave Atkinson of Lincolnwood IL passed in April. An avid outdoorsman and great family man, Dave spent 58 years as a financial advisor with E.F. Hutton and Morgan Stanley. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jo, and their children. Dave Stronsky, formerly of Lorain OH, died in Huntersville NC. After med school, he became a practicing orthopedic surgeon and served as a Navy doctor in Guam before working in hospital settings in St. Louis. He is survived by wife Joanne, three kids and five grandchildren. Rusty Kanaley passed in February in Rancho Palos Verdes CA. While at ND, Rusty was a White House intern under JFK. He received his JD in his hometown of Syracuse, and started his career in public accounting before becoming a trusted business advisor as part of his own law firm and subsequently as a consultant. He was committed to local politics and ran the LA Marathon at 57. Rusty is survived by an extended family. Joe Theby died recently. He spent his early years with Peat Marwick in St. Louis, before moving back to Evansville IN and ultimately joining a family business from which he retired 49 years later. An Army veteran, Joe served in Germany, not very far from the small town from where his great-great-grandfather had immigrated to the US years before. A pillar of the Evansville community, Joe is survived by Mary Helen, his wife of 61 years, and three kids and five grandchildren. Joe Spieler of Brooklyn passed away early this year. With a CPA, he began work on Wall Street, married Carolyn, his wife of 39 years, and started a family. Moving to London to work in financial derivatives, they traveled extensively during 15 years in England. After returning to NYC and Carolyn’s passing, Joe met and married Ginny, his wife of 15 years. Ginny survives, along with his children and extended family. Dan Kulak of Peabody MA passed in April. Raised on a farm and a decorated Vietnam veteran, Dan graduated BC Law, served in city government and worked with numerous communities handling complex negotiations. Married to Corinne for 60 years, she survives as do two kids and four grandchildren. — Paul R. Charron; 44 Contentment Island Road, Darien CT 06820; 917-860-5385; paul.richard.charron@gmail.com

64JD Staying Busy
Dear classmates, more sad news: Ernie Zavodnyik and Bob Frost passed away. Ernie was 88, Bob was 87. I first met Ernie when he was a seminarian at Holy Cross, when I had a summer job in the kitchen at the seminary when I was attending undergrad summer school at ND. Imagine my surprise when he turned up to be a classmate in law school! He had left the seminary. I talked to Bob about Richard Balfe Wagner just a few weeks before Bob passed away. He was having trouble walking and thought he would move to a care facility. I learned about his death from his wife, Dawn. I’m also sad to share that James M. Slater died on June 30. That’s it for the bad news. I had a call from Russ Bley on July 21. He is well and living in a retirement community where he busies himself with serving on the board of the retirement community, organizing the outings for the other residents and organizing several political protests, among other activities. I told him I expect the classmates to send news about how they are doing. Classmates, pay attention! No more calls when I’m facing a deadline for getting my column in. The next deadline is Oct. 20 — I need to hear from classmates by Oct. 12! I became a great-grandfather on April 13 when my grandson and his wife had a boy. That’s all for now — call me or text me or email me by or before Oct. 12! — Tom Conneely Sr.; 163 Kipling Drive, Mill Valley CA 94941; 415-203-2769; tfc@conneely.com

65 Years of Happiness
Eileen and John Huarte celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April. They have five children and 14 grandchildren, of which one, Lila, is a junior at ND. Their recently remodeled home in Pacific Palisades CA was lost in that horrific fire. Rebuilding that area has been difficult, so they have relocated to Laguna Niguel. John founded and grew Arizona Tile and Marble Company into a large multistate organization. His sons and son-in-law now manage the company, but John remains a guiding light. Ed Lupton reports that his treadmill exercise bike and ebike riding along the Pacific Coast have kept him healthy. His oldest son created a website for Ed to show three of his audiobooks at no cost. It is discoverliving.org. The topics focus on manipulations within the media. When in the Nashville airport, visit his daughter’s country Western store, Daniel X. Ed has fond memories of spending time with Nick Rassas while fishing in Jackson Hole WY. Mike Connerty’s wife passed away last November. They had been married 56 years. He continues to reside in San Diego. In May, Juan Casassus was distinguished by the government of Chile with the National Prize in Education for his work in the subject of education of the emotions. He has authored many books and received his Ph.D. from La Sorbonne. He worked for UNESCO before retiring. Juan and his wife, Cecilia Montero Ph.D., have three children and live in Santiago, Chile. Sarah and Peter Jost celebrated 53 years of marriage with their three children and two granddaughters. Chicago remains their home, and his golf game is now nine holes with a cart. Peter reminded me that our class had 22 Loyola Academy of Chicago graduates, which probably exceeds the number from Fenwick in Oak Park. After teaching geology at Penn State for 36 years plus six years there as a grad student T.A. and publishing two books, Jack Ciciarelli moved to Beaver Falls PA. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children — one deceased. Despite academic retirement, Jack went back to school to be certified as a medic and worked for a local ambulance service. In March, David Skelly Ph.D. (chem) died in Burnt Hills NY. He is survived by his wife, Katherine. Please help keep our class column informative and send me news on yourself or fellow classmates. — James P. Harnisch MD; 6759 West Mercer Way; Mercer Island WA 98040; jphnd65@hotmail.com

65JD News of a Passing
Beth Thomas ’05, the class engagement program coordinator, provides the class secretaries “deceased notifications” (for the three most recent months). I am sad to report that the report for March advised of the passing of our classmate Rev. Lawrence E. “Larry” Shinnick on March 3. He is survived by three sons: Daniel P. Shinnick, David M. Shinnick and Michael L. Shinnick. — John Donald O’Shea; irishplaywright1@gmail.com

66 Fab ND Fellowship X 60!
As anticipated, a memorable gathering of some 70 classmates, along with 35-ish spouses/significant others, characterized our 60th Reunion under Our Lady’s magnificent Golden Dome. Having come together again for renewed communion, recollection and storytelling for the 12th time, since British economist and author Lady Barbara Ward Jackson delivered the June ’66 commencement address on the main quad, this iteration was one of our best! Class President Cappy Gagnon masterfully engineered and presided over a stimulating agenda, replete with notable and informative presentations, augmented by ample opportunities for socialization. General Mike Rush helped by coordinating important logistics re: repasts and related facets. The weekend launched with a Thursday class dinner for early arrivals at Legends, for which Cap secured Eric Hansen, longtime sportswriter covering Irish football for the South Bend Tribune and currently for Blue & Gold Illustrated. After which many headed to DeBartolo Hall to view the superb documentary on Lou Holtz. Friday’s class dinner was in McKenna Hall for which Cap delivered another stem-winder, Andy Nickle ’74JD, author and No. 1 collector of all things Irish, who related stellar tales. Followed by an additional super surprise, as Patrick Creadon ’89, producer/director of the famous Catholics vs. Convicts film and a superb documentary on Father Ted, announced his plan for an upcoming project on the life of Knute Rockne. Saturday’s all-class dinner, following the always elevating Reunion Mass at Purcell Pavilion, was held in Heritage Hall. Interspersed among these notable activities were ample opportunities for social reconnection and tale relating in the refreshment tent. Mike organized a Saturday tour of Cedar Grove Cemetery, where a number of ’66ers plan to ultimately reside, in proximity to Knute Rockne 1914, Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz and Moose Krause 1934. Among deceased ’66 mates already at rest there: Roger Aiello, Joe Doherty, Pete Hanratty, Francis “Jim” Robison, Tom Longo and Dave Worland. He also arranged remarks from Rev. Paul Doyle, CSC, ’65, ’75M.Div., who shared poignant stories of Father Ted, while offering prayers for deceased mates and spouses, including Tom Trebat’s Margaret and Joe Pete Wilbert’s Mary, both of whom passed just prior to the reunion. Through it all, unsurpassed webmaster Jack Gerken recorded copious notes, which are detailed in what is absolutely the largest, best and most comprehensive class website in the NDAA! This is the perfect opportunity for you who have not registered to do so (1966.undclass.org)! Jack really has it going and is anxious to include memories, tales and news of your lives. A full summary of the reunion along with a roster of attendees and photos are ready for you! In recent news, Barry Barth regretted not making the 60th. He had to attend his Philly son Patrick’s graduation but plans to make the MSU game. Drew Kershen related that his joyful pride in and memories of ND continue to grow. Word received of the passing of Lou Badia on June 16. I met over snacks with Dr. Guy Williams, a fellow Baltimore area resident, following a career as an internist and kidney specialist in NOLA. He mentioned fellow Milwaukeean Dr. John Frey, retired from family medicine in Madison and moved to Lake County IL, and wondered about his roomie Joe Reuter, and Bruce Walthers, who is in Northern CA. We discussed Walt Babst and cousin Charlie Babst from NOLA, which reminded of M.O. Miller and Claiborne Perrilliat also from the Crescent City. Guy recalled Tom Spurr and Bob O’Shaugnessy, both of whom have passed. Late word from Gus Rini and Tim Streb that Jamie Toohey passed away in Chicago on Aug. 1. He had been ill for months but made our 60th. RIP to a great man! Impression … the ND campus and its talented, dedicated cohort of faculty and staff have grown phenomenally in scope, size, quality and impact! Driving the University’s reputation as the premier and highly respected Catholic educational institution, universally recognized for top-tier scholarship, research and service. All directed at improving the human condition, while providing a blueprint for achieving eternal salvation! We can and should be proud to be Sons of Notre Dame! Word is that Cap is already planning for the 65th! Plan to be there! Go Irish Forever!!! — Tom Sullivan; 143 Villabrook Way, Baltimore MD 21212; cell 773-454-4343; t66sullynd@gmail.com

66JD Walt Authors the Column
Just after the submission deadline for our last column, I received an email from Walt Terry indicating he had been in touch with our classmate Jim Hakes. Walt’s email stated that a week after our graduation, Jim married Pat, now his bride of 60 years. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to St. Louis, and Jim became a law clerk to a federal judge. They subsequently moved to Chicago where Jim worked for a large law firm. He did not enjoy large firm life and was then employed by Nestle Foods where he worked for about 33 years. He and Pat now live in Hudson OH. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Due to a medical issue, Walt had to cut back on his own law practice hours from five and a half days per week to five days a week from 9 to 3. He awoke one morning in February and could not move either of his feet off the floor. He was hospitalized for a few days and then moved to inpatient rehab for six weeks. While there, his wife, Diane, had a ramp constructed on the front stairs of their home to make access easier. In addition, she had a one-person elevator installed for access to the second floor. Now back to work, Walt is driven back and forth to his office by Diane. Wow, talk about true love! Walt is no longer in pain, and x-rays show that the probable cause of his issues was a fractured vertebra. Guys, without Walt there would be no news to report. How about helping him out a little? — Scott Maxwell; 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, Unit 2444, Naples FL 34109; cell 215-920-0616; ndscotty@gmail.com

67 35 Surgeries
Joe O’Neill of Midland TX is still working and going to his office daily by 8:30 which is necessary in today’s volatile oil industry. All this after enduring 35 cancer surgeries at MD Anderson in Houston over the last two decades. Joe’s cancer started as skin cancer but has affected his body in several other places. Currently he is battling esophagus cancer. He has given up golf as he broke his leg a few years ago. Nonetheless he is still staying active and communicating with many classmates. Recently he spoke with Jim Purcell who retired from IBM several years ago. He also speaks frequently with Bobby Sullivan in Tulsa. Joe’s daughter Casey has a place on Eddy Street with her physician husband. His granddaughter is an undergraduate on campus as a pre-med major. Bill Stallings writes that he has started a Substack column, Catholic Faith, which is free and delivered by email. Bill’s own faith journey from cradle Catholic to atheist and the long road back to his faith, as well as approaches to Catholic prayer, are included in his column. Kevin McNevins was generous in trying to gather some info for us from Dallas. Kevin let us know that John Cuellar’s daughter Catherine will publish a book, Deep in the Heart of Tex-Mex: The El Chico Story. But better than that, he got John to write to tell us about the family restaurants. John tells us the family was invited by the U of North Texas to write the book, which will be a 200-page coffee table book and will be published Oct. 16. One hundred years ago in 1926 John’s grandmother Adelaida Cuellar founded her eatery at the Kauffman County Fair where she sold homemade tamales. She made more money in one weekend than her husband made in a full year. That business went on to become the largest Hispanic-founded business in Dallas in the 20th century. It created 4,000 jobs and grew to 100 El Chico restaurants in 12 states. The family sold the business in 1988 after her five sons retired as millionaires. John worked there for 23 years. Later John and other family members opened and operated other Tex-Mex restaurants. D Magazine in Dallas selected John’s restaurant El Corazon as the best Tex-Mex in 2015 and 2016. Mike Steele informs us he received an honorary Doctor of Human Letters from Pacific U where he has taught for 51 years and plans to continue. Ned Stuart writes to tell us of a mini class reunion in Pensacola Beach June 11 - 14 attended by Bugs White, Diego Tamayo, John Zone, Dan Behles, Bob Crongeyer, Pat Finneran and Tom Peeters. All had a very memorable weekend and toured the Naval Air Station Museum hosted by Pat who is a board member. Visit reunion.nd.edu for the latest information about our 60th Reunion on June 3 - 6, 2027. — Bert R. Bondi; 1891 Curtis St., Unit 1502, Denver CO 80202; bertrbondi@gmail.com

67JD 60th Wedding Anniversaries
Over 51 percent of marriages in the US fail within five years. Less than 1 percent of marriages and their brides and grooms survive to celebrate their 60th anniversary. Considering the small size of our graduating class, we have done very well indeed. Nearly 15 percent of our class qualifies for the elite “60-Year Club”! Our Longevity winners are Mary Ann and Bob Konopa at 62 years in August. Runners-up at 61 are Roseanne and Jim Harrington and Linda and John Nelson. Celebrating 60 years in 2026 are Pam and Tom Sullivan, Maureen and Jack Harty, Nancy and Jim Olson, Flo and Jim Heinhold, and Marylyn and Ken Lazarus. Falling just short of our qualifying minimum years are Carol and Dick Muench at 59 years, and Germaine and Jim Mollison at 58. (BTW Jim reports that Germaine has lost her beautiful singing voice and is physically failing. Please keep her in your prayers.) Rookies Beth and Frank Verterano are at 55 years. But it does seem unfair to exclude other long-lasting marriages in our class because the couple was not blessed to have both survived to the 60-year mark. Mary Jo and Kip Roe come to mind, and there may be others of whom I am not aware. Bob Barkley asks if “aggregation is permissible in the calculation of 60 years of matrimony?” While I am amenable to accommodating Brother Barkley, I doubt that even allowing aggregation of the years of his marriages even comes close to 60 unless we also include the aggregate total of alimony payments. I’ve notified our class by email that we lost Sean Keenan recently. I thought I knew Sean fairly well, but I learned from his obituary that his given name was actually James Sean Keenan! His father was also named James, and Sean probably used his middle name to avoid confusion in his house. I knew he spent his entire career with the leading Ohio firm of Day, Ketterer, but I wasn’t aware of how many civic and professional organizations in which he was active in the Canton OH area and the pro bono work that he did after retirement. He was a good man. You are probably aware that Robert Blakey ’57, ’60JD also passed recently. Both Frank Cihlar and Ken Lazarus worked for Bob on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Law in the 1970s. There is an article on the professor in Notre Dame Magazine (summer 2026, p. 18). John Fine just returned from diving off Islamorada FL working on coral restoration projects and taking final photos for his new book about endangered coral reefs. Margaret and Jerry Berthold have written to make it perfectly clear that they are in the “independent living” area and not the “assisted living” area of their retirement community in Oswego OR. He insists that the guard house and fence that surrounds their retirement community is because it is a “gated community” designed to keep non-residents out, but they may leave whenever they wish. — Jim Heinhold; 1200 Carmel Lane, New Bern NC 28562; res 252-638-5913; im4irish@gmail.com

68 Aces
Unless the Notre Dame directory has the wrong email for you, the news that follows arrived in an email titled “ND68,” etc., in early July. The email included photos and additional content. Check your preferred email address on your alumni directory profile at my.nd.edu. The May edition of the emailed notes, again titled “ND68,” includes announcement of the deaths of Evanston IL classmate Mick Kundert and the death in FL of John Kamp’s wife, Sue. Less than a week later, John’s brother Tom ’60 died. More of the same somber information came from Tom Cuggino, who said that his baseball teammate and roommate Jerry Goetz died in FL at the beginning of July. In addition, Rudy Konieszny died Jan. 10, Neil Fullan died Feb. 1 and Irwin A. Connelly died Feb. 11. Obituaries will be part of the next note. John Walsh said that his brother Kevin would have been pleased with the festive aspects of Kevin’s funeral July 7. St. Vincent Ferrer in River Forest IL was packed, mostly with Walshes. Matt Walsh may have been the only one of the world’s Walshes not in attendance. Bryan Dunigan and Tom Moore knew most of them. The eulogy delivered by the youngest of Kevin’s five sons informed us of an extraordinary man. “Bob was brilliant,” John Kamp wrote after Bob Brady’s musical celebration of turning 80 on July 8. Performing his own lyrics, Bob looked mortality in the eye and sang about it for John and gathered friends. Memorial Day had Mike Moore, Joe Hale and their “Keenager” roster remembering Bruce Heskett, who died in Vietnam before knowing his daughter Heather. In Spokane this year, Mike Moore met her. Joe Hale wrote, “Mike, I know of three classmates who died in Vietnam: John Roche from our third floor of Keenan, Bruce Heskett (rugby player) and Joe McDonald. Bruce and John were in Army ROTC with me. I understand Joe (a fellow finance major) was a Marine Corps flyer who was shot down (body never recovered).” Also in May, Len Niessen reported triumph in Naples: “My buddy and Naples FL neighbor Rich DiLorenzo and I played on the Masters 80+ basketball champs Clearwater Aces. This was a full-court tournament and the Aces ran the table, winning four games by a wide margin. Rich and I (and wives) march in the Naples St. Pat’s parade every year, and he and I also meet for pickleball and weekly baseball batting practice. I’m back in MA and playing Senior Softball a couple days a week.” Using some of the lucrative career earnings from their study of the philosophers, General Program friends convened in Chicago at the end of May. Deep thinkers Rich Havel from LA, Paul Higgins and Jim Chapman from Oregon, Stephen Weeg from Idaho, Tim Andrews from Michigan, Dick Faherty from New Jersey, Tom Gogan from Brooklyn and Jim Schaefer from Virginia contemplated a Chicago White Sox contest; dined with Tom Dirkin’s widow, Jan; studied the great masters at the Art Institute; examined Chicago’s Loop from aboard a Byzantine excursion vessel; and enjoyed friendships that they stoke with a weekly Zoom meeting. Tom Fitzharris could not attend because of conflict with his birthday: Deposits had been put down on the clown and donkey ride. Please send news and photos. — Tom Figel; 570 Sheridan Square, Apt. 3, Evanston IL 60202; 312-241-7917; tfigel@reputecture.com

68JD Tom’s Award
My “Round Up” request resulted in some response. On the positive side, Tom Curtin received the prestigious 2026 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Third Circuit. “He is a ‘dean’ of the bar, earning that reputation over an illustrious 57-year career as an attorney,” writes Chief Judge Michael Chargares of the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, who nominated Curtin for the award. “Tom is a highly skilled litigator and trial attorney who exemplifies all that is right about attorneys.” The announcement provided that Tom has broadly served the legal profession. A life fellow of the American Bar Foundation, he has served as a member of the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates. Since 2009, he chaired the Lawyers Advisory Committee of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. At the state level, Tom has served as president of the NJ State Bar Association and the NJ State Bar Foundation. When Tom saw that lawyers needed help with emotional and substance use issues, he helped found the NJ Lawyers Assistance Program. I had the pleasure of speaking with J.C. Coyle, and he noted that everyone wants to visit Marge and John at their new home in FL. He continues to stay active and gives his best to the class. Tim Woods provided an update that in September 1968, he joined the Navy Reserve and was called to active duty in September 1969, and sent to a naval airbase on Whidbey Island WA. His wife, Janice, joined him. In December, 1970, the Vietnam war ended and Janice and Tim returned home to IN. Their family grew and they were blessed with three children and nine grandchildren. Tim practiced law in IN and MI. His practice consisted mainly of civil litigation and some volunteer state and federal criminal defense work. Tim handled all appeals including oral arguments before the IN and MI Supreme Courts and federal 7th Circuit in Chicago. After a successful career, Tim retired Dec. 31, 2013. Janice and Tim found time to take trips, some with the kids, such as Mexico to see the Chichen Itza pyramid and other structures. They have taken vacation trips with the family to various places in the Caribbean during Christmastime and enjoyed every minute. Charles Weiss had a party for his wife Suzie’s 80th birthday. Many at this party believed that Suzie was his daughter. Pat Parcello added that he and Diane are enjoying life. Diane made a great recovery from back surgery. I am recovering from back surgery and attend physical therapy on a regular basis. Bob Dylan recently noted in The New York Times, “The best thing about being 80 is that you outlive the clocks that have been chasing you. … The worst thing about being 80 is that you find, at last, you’ve got an understanding of something that might have altered everything in the past, had it come at a time when something could still be altered.” Please provide some updates for our next issue due before Oct. 20. — Dennis G. Collins; 2203 Derby Way, St. Louis MO 63131; bus 314-516-2648; cell 314-229-9286; dcollins@ubglaw.com

69 Gatherings, Articles, Videos and a Book
March: While traveling from CA to the East Coast, Bob Gibbons (Jeanne) had lunch with Mike Lippa (Rose Ann) in Murrells Inlet SC. The lads went to grammar and high school together in Rochester NY. April: Tom Altmeyer, Rick Demer, John Sturm and Carolyn (Schilp) Uanis ’69SMC lunched in Glen Echo MD. The spring 2026 Notre Dame Magazine referenced two Class blog stories about casualties in World War II and the Vietnam War. May: Len Niessen played on the Clearwater Aces team at the Masters 80+ basketball tournament in Coral Gables FL and won. While traveling from SC to NJ, Ed Weinlein had lunch with Bill Waldron. Joe Carroll flew from CA to visit Mike McCauley (Patty) and me (Kathleen) for five days. Mike Cerre, Bob Gibbons, Bob Franken, Dave Sim and I were acknowledged for helping to produce the Notre Dame Senior Alumni’s 2026 Memorial Day video program. Quinn Shannon ’26, granddaughter of Tom Shannon, graduated from ND. Mike Busby, Mike (Pat) Keane, Mike (Margaret) McDermott, Gene O’Malley, Tom Shannon, and Ralph (Colleen) Williams attended Kevin Riordan’s funeral services. The Class blog surpassed 1.7 million page views. June: Mike Cerre produced two segments for PBS News Hour’s Canvas series: “How Hospitals Are Using the Arts to Help Patients Recover” and “Exhibit Shines Light on Women’s Role in Tech of Modern Life.” Tom Ladky received an award for his volunteer work and philanthropy at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee. The Memphis Jazz Workshop produced a six-minute video about Bill Hurd speaking with music students. The First Sunday Gospel and Jazz Jam Munch featured Bill as a “Memphis Renaissance Man.” July: Greg Miles wrote three golf articles for the Chicago Golf Report. He reported, “Carl Marhoefer and I played at the Grand Geneva (WI) Highlands course to celebrate our 79th birthdays.” Mike Brennan, Jim Burke, Mike Busby, Ernie Gargaro, Fritz Gast, Steve Hext and Mike Satarino met in South Bend for their 32nd annual golf outing. The group has known one another since first meeting on campus 61 years ago in September 1965. Kip Horvath wrote: “Our oldest grandson is studying sports management at the U of Michigan. He is currently on a five-week internship with the Manchester City Football (Soccer) Club in Manchester, England. Nancy, our son, daughter-in-law and I will be joining him after he’s finished the program for a week of touring England and Scotland. Nancy and I had breakfast with Chris Wolf, a fellow Irish Guardsman, in Detroit.” Dave Sim and I published the 533-page In Our Hearts Forever: Notre Dame and Its [331] Servicemen Who Died in World War II, with considerable help from Bob Gibbons, John Nesbitt and Bill Wade. ND History Prof. Emeritus Rev. Thomas Blantz, CSC, ’57 wrote its foreword. It is available for sale at the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore, where Dave and I had a book signing Sept. 18. My publishing company, HickoryStickPress.com, also sells the book online. Hickory Stick is the nickname my fifth-grade teacher gave me. In Memoriam: Ray Hebert, March 29, Colleyville TX; Joel Connelly, April 15, Seattle; Eric Norri, April 17, Virginia MN; George Daleiden, April 18, Kalamazoo MI; Bob Belden, May 5, Canton OH; Roger Bonahoom, May 7, Bloomfield Hills MI; Kevin Reardon, May 27, Park Ridge IL; (Memorials to them appear on the Class blog) and John Hosty, brother of PJ Hosty. Our sincerest condolences to their families and friends. — John Hickey; jphjr47@hotmail.com; notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com

69MBA Summer Vacation Fun
It’s been a dry summer, news-wise, for our class. Archie Sullivan writes that while retired at 81, he is continuing financial planning consultancy. Daughter Eileen, who was born in South Bend in 1968, just made Archie and Pat great-grandparents for the third time! Jerry Claeys writes that he, brother Chris and wife Patrice will be visiting Paris, then Normandy, to visit the WWII museums and cemeteries from D-Day 1944. Bob Orthy and his wife, Jody, are enjoying their retirement and are also the proud great-grandparents of a baby girl, Cecilia. After years of juggling calendars and crossing our fingers, Joyce and Cliff Fleming finally rounded up four of their five children and five of their six grandchildren for a family gathering at the summer home of their son, TC Fleming ’94, in Forestburgh NY. The community, founded more than a century ago, still captures the charm of the 1950s — quiet roads, front porches and a pace of life that encourages conversation instead of commotion. To everyone’s surprise, the grandchildren, ages 15 to 22, barely missed their technology. They traded screens for card games, laughter, long walks and family stories, proving that the best connections don’t require Wi-Fi. The memories they made will last far longer than any text message or social media post. Our annual mini-reunion was scheduled for the Sept. 12 weekend as the Irish opened their home football season against Rice U. Please send me news updates any time. — Ken Samara; 3030 McKinney Ave., Suite 601, Dallas TX 75204; 214-532-2187; kensamara@sbcglobal.net

69JD Back From Cleveland
Sue and I attended the Wisconsin game in Green Bay and the Rice game on campus. Dave Prior also attended the Wisconsin game after three rounds of golf in Kohler WI, and attended the Rice game. As I write this column in July, Dave and I hope to have dinner with Tim McLaughlin’s widow before or after the Rice game. Lynne misses Puma and welcomes our visit. Dave’s son decided to attend Purdue for their aviation program and plans a side trip to West Lafayette IN for a visit. I agree with Dave on the rules for FIFA soccer. What is a penalty for diving? Dan Hebert is slowing down on trips to campus and football games. He has a family reunion with his children in November when the CrossRoad Marathon is held. He has a full schedule with graduations, weddings and milestone birthdays. He attributes his longevity to drinking IPAs and good red wine. He stays in regular contact with Jim Cooney, Nick Trogan, Jim Brady and Ann Stamp. They need to send me something for my next column or I will make something up. Saint Mary’s U of Minnesota has awarded Merle Wilberding the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa. Merle is enjoying the memories of his trip to Egypt, cruising on the Nile, the Pyramids and the new museum there. Hank Catanacci has had a busy spring with the graduations of his grandchildren across the country. One of his granddaughters will be a freshman at ND this fall. More trips to campus? Hank and Kathy will be in HI on a month-long trip next spring. I look forward to their visit. I had a kidney stone the size of the Dome that caused me a few problems. Sue and I went to the Cleveland Clinic to resolve them. I will be around to write our class column for years. — James Starshak; 889 Kaohe Place, Honolulu HI 96825; res 808-395-0443; cell 808-778-4033; starman@hawaii.rr.com