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Issue number 102 November 2010
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Vince Poisella: 61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087;
609-294-2148;
poisellavincent@yahoo.com
Rich Foy: 24 Prestwick Court, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; 845-
454-1393;
richard.foy@verizon.net
Gus Nolan: 65 Muirfield Court, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; 845-
454-6116;
gusnolan@aol.com
David Kammer: 476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141;
386-426-6349;
jkammer1@cfl.rr.com
Rob Schmidt: 1013 Hollywood Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016;
847-824-1073;
RJDB@comcast.net
Writers for this issue:
Jim Friel
('52) fondly recalls the impact of Don Ryan (Bro Joel
Matthew), Bro John Berchman, and Brother Joseph Damian.
Bob and Ginny Grady
('53) invite readers to the Marist
Spirituality Weekend to be held July 2011 at Marist College.
Robert Judge
('63) describes efforts to note the years at Cold
Spring.
David Kammer
('42) describes his visit to Cold Spring before it
was announced to be the Juniorate.
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Cheryl Mantia
, Director of Alumni Affairs at Mount St Michae,
tells us of Jack Garcia, MSM '70, best selling author of Making
Jack Falcone.
Bill McCluskey
('74) has moved from corporate education to
pastoral care at Summit Park Hospital.
Gus Nolan
('48) described the September picnic at Mount Saint
Michael and mentions retirees and attendees
Gus Nolan
('48) relates the dedication of the Chemistry Labs at
Marist College in honor of J Richard LaPietra and notes the
establishment of scholarsip in his honor.
John (OKE) O'Connell
('58) reports on the many attendees at
the Oh B/Brother Where Are Thou gathering in Methuen MA on
21 August 2010
Vince Poisella
, Editor ('63) notes that funds to publish MaristsAll
newsletter are dwindling.
John Tricamo
, former student at Saint Helena's recalls having
Mendes and Big Gil as teachers
In Memoriam
, notice of death of Brother Ken Marino
From THE EDITOR: Thank you to Joe Hores and Bill Kawka for
recently assisting in replenishing our finances to support the
continued publication of Marists All. Gus Nolan, our keeper of
the books, has informed our team that we have funds for only
this issue, "and then the mailing operation shuts down." Checks
at times appear out of nowhere in a timely fashion, just as our
literary contributions do. Allow this editor to make a gentle
reminder to those of you who have been planning to send a
little something and to thank you in advance.
From BOB AND GINNY GRADY ('53): We extend an open
Invitation to the Marist Spirituality Weekend at Marist College to
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be held on July 8, 9, and 10, 2011. Marist Laity
Vocation/Apostolate will be the theme. Sr. Sean Sammon will
give a presentation on the Vocation of Champagnat's Marist
Laity. We are very grateful to Br. Sean, Br. Hank Hammer, and
the many other Brothers and speakers who have been
presenters and supporters of the Marist weekends. On Saturday
afternoon, July 9, 2011, a panel of five will give their personal
insights and information on some of the present day Marist
apostolates. We will be posting more particulars on the
weekend in next year's issues of Marists All. If you have
questions, please call or email us at 516 796-4502
rrvgrady@optonline.net.
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From GUS NOLAN '48 (from a letter to David Kammer): I just
returned from Mount St. Michael where we were blessed with
glorious sunshine and a good turnout for the picnic. Marists All
staff members present were Rich Foy, Vince and Jane Poisella,
and I.
Members of the Mount community joined us: Victor Serna,
Alphonse Matuga, John Colbert (very weak, but in good spirits),
Eddie Vollmer, James Gaffney, Butts Ryan, Robert James (very
infirm), Gus Landry, Bob Leclerc, Anthony lazzetti, and Joseph
Sacino.
Other notables included John Hermann, John and Lynn Scileppi,
Betty Perrault, Marty and Anne Lang, John and Sue Wilcox, Joan
and John Brady, John Sugrue, Bili Kawka, Frank Moran's widow,
Maureen, Gene and Pat Zirkel, and Bob and Ginny Grady. There
were others, whose names elude me, representing groups
whose training days occurred long after my own or whom I
cannot recall at the moment. Many wanted to be remembered
to our Marists All readers.
There was no want of food. There was no want of bees either,
but not as bad as in some previous years. The garth had been
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revitalized with cement walkways and equipped with new
tables, umbrellas, and chairs.
As usual, good laughs, some old stories retold, and some new
ones I had not heard. Really good cheer! The Marist spirit is still
alive.
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From GUS NOLAN '48: In the middle of October each year
Marist celebrates a homecoming weekend to honor past
graduates. This year attention was focused on the graduating
class of fifty years ago, the class of 1960. During the weekend
on Saturday, October 16, a special occasion was the dedication
of the chemistry laboratories in honor of Professor Richard
LaPietra '54 who passed away in February after a long illness. A
large turnout of graduates, faculty, staff, and students attended
the dedication.
Dr. Tom Wermuth, Academic Dean, and Dennis Murray,
President of Marist College, offered opening remarks. The
occasion was highlighted by a presentation of a former
colleague and Dean of the School of Science, and Dr. Michael
Cann '69, former student and Professor of Chemistry at the
University of Scranton. Each speaker recalled eloquently
Richard's unique ability to teach and serve his students and
offered insights into Richard's unique character and sense of
humor. A general theme seemed to be that Richard was
happiest when he was at the blackboard, chalk-in-hand,
expanding and enlightening minds.
To honor Richard's memory, his wife Barbara LaPietra has
established a Student Research Fund that supports top
chemistry and biochemistry students pursuing faculty-
monitored research projects. The fund supports travel, lodging,
and related expenses for such activities as well as the purchase
of special supplies and instruments to advance the particular
research projects. Alumni, colleagues, and friends may support
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the fund in memory of Dr LaPietra by contacting the Office of
College Advancement.
>>
click here
to see a montage of the event prepared by Skip Digilio
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From BILL McCLUSKEY '74: I cannot tell you how much I
enjoy reading each edition of Marists All. The many stories of
faith and involvement continue to inspire me as Brothers and
former Brothers contribute to the newsletter. And, with each
edition, I fondly recall my time at Marist High School, Bayonne
('72-'79), Queen of Angels School ('79-'82), and Roselle
Catholic High School ('82-'85). And, of course, there were the
wonderful summers at Camp Marist under the direction of Br.
Kenneth Robert. In the last year, at the .invitation of Br. William
Maske, I joined the monks for dinner at the Mount. How good it
was to see Brothers Joe Sacino, Ken Robert, Dave Cooney,
Godfrey, Valerian, Armand, and Joe McAllister, just to name a
few. Unfortunately, I missed Br. Robert James, who was visiting
family at the time.
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After twenty-five years in corporate education, (Merrill Lynch,
Prudential, JP Morgan Chase), I recently have taken a new turn
as Pastoral Care Director at Summit Park Hospital, Rockland
County's long-term acute care hospital and nursing care center
located in Pomona, NY. We provide religious services, bedside
visits, and counseling to patients/residents as well as to their
families. On that note, if anyone has insights/best practices in
the pastoral care field, I would be most appreciative. (85
Madison Avenue, Garnerville, NY 10923;
bmccluskeypvb@aol.com)
From JOHN TRICAMO: I happened to see the August issue of
Marists All, and, as neither a current nor former Marist Brother,
I felt like an intruder as I began to read through it. It wasn't
long, however, before I felt right at home, recognizing in Bill
Byrne's piece about a legendary practical joke two characters
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out of my St. Helena's past (1956-60) -- Br. Martin Thomas and
Br. Gilbert Osmund -- at least I think I recognized them. It is
unlikely there could be more than one "Mendes," and, certainly,
there couldn't be two "Big Gils." As an aside, I might mention
that it was almost forty years after graduating before I learned
that it wasn't older students but the brothers themselves who
coined the nicknames that we used for so many of the religious
faculty. I'm obviously a slow learner since nicknames like
"Archie," "Dumbo," and "Harpo" clearly reflected too masterly a
touch.
Among the flood of memories triggered by the mention of Big
Gil, one in particular has always stood out. To appreciate it, a
bit of background is in order. In my time--or, at least, within my
experience and that of my friends--Br. Gilbert was an unknown
entity until senior year in which he taught fourth-year Latin.
Physically, Br. Gilbert's nickname says it all and then some; his
size was, to borrow the oft-repeated words of Br. Lawrence
Jerome, a self-evident proposition. By disposition, Br. Gilbert
seemed world-weary, and despite the twinkling eyes, we tended
to doubt the possibility that there might be a smattering of
good humor lurking beneath the brooding surface. In class he
never stood; he never raised his voice; he rarely wrote on the
blackboard and then only when it could be done from a seated
position; and, definitely worth mentioning, in cooler weather he
sometimes wore a cape! (During my four years at St. Helena's
there was only one other cape-sighting: Br. John Luke,
returning to the Brothers' residence after early morning Mass.
Because he was one of the best faculty basketball players, his
reputation remained intact.)
To any description of Br. Gilbert, however brief, one must add
the sine qua non, the tertium quid: command presence. There
was never a discipline problem in his classroom; the prospect
was not merely remote but unthinkable. Nor was there a
homework problem. Unprepared students learned very early in
the year that when it came to pedagogical weaponry, Br. Gilbert
could do with a look what Br. Faustin Damian and Br. Brian
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Francis could do with words. I don't think we feared him as
much as being mystified by him-he was a puzzle, inside an
enigma, wrapped in a cape. While we liked and respected him,
we didn't feel we knew him. What I believe most of us were
looking for, though we would have been unable to articulate it
at the time, was some kind of a personal connection-something
that would, if not eliminate, at least diminish the uncomfortable
distance that seemed to separate us.
And then it happened-one of those big small moments that alter
the chemistry of a class. Br. Gilbert had an inordinate and
totally unshared fascination with Latin idioms-"phrases that add
spice to ordinary conversation and reveal the educated man."
He would frequently pause after the class translated a
paragraph and ask if anyone spotted a worthwhile idiom. Better
yet, on more than an occasional Monday, he would begin class
by asking if anyone had an idiom to add to our ongoing
collection. Needless to say, I was not alone in marveling at his
idealized notion of how a Bronx teenager spent his weekends.
On this particular day, he paused between translations and
called on a student--Charles F. Martin by name--and asked "Mr.
Martin" if he had come across any good idioms lately. Smiling,
Mr. Martin allowed that he had not; Br. Gilbert, reacting to the
smile, averred that Mr. Martin appeared to be making light of an
enterprise of inestimable value. No response.
Br. Gilbert: "I would like you to know that I once had a student,
who, by graduation, had amassed a collection of five hundred
Latin idioms. What do you make of that, Mr. Martin?"
"I guess everybody called him the Village Idiom," came the
response.
Now I would like to say that Br. Gilbert dissolved in laughter,
but no one would believe me. What he did do was emit
something akin to a clucking sound, immediately followed by a
smile that tended to recur spontaneously throughout the
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remainder of the class. The caped classicist was indeed human
after all!
Just as we saw a different side of him, it wasn't long after this
incident that he seemed to become more relaxed with us and
actually to enjoy rather than merely tolerate our company. We,
of course, responded in kind, and for at least a few of us, Latin
IV became our favorite senior year course. My memories of this
class and especially its teacher would be no less vivid had the
incident of the Village Idiom never taken place, but they are
very much better because it did. (jtricamo@regis-nyc.org)
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From ROBERT JUDGE '63: I started at Marist Prep in
September 1959 and moved to Cold Spring in 1960. The next
move was to Tyngsboro in 1962. In June of 1963, I left the
Marists and, like so many others, "got on with the rest of my
life." Then in April 2009, I, along with two friends, visited
Antietam and Gettysburg. A guide at Antietam suggested that
our interest in Civil War history probably stemmed from reading
Bruce Catton in high school. Well, he was right. I remembered
that Brother Daniel Grogan had us read Catton's trilogy about
the Army of the Potomac as seniors. Of course, that
remembrance made me wonder where Brother Daniel might be
today. The Internet is a wonderful tool for trying to find people.
As I searched, I came upon Marists All. What a find! And thank
you to all who put it together! I contacted David Kammer, who
was Master of Novices when I was at Tyngsboro. I was able to
get a letter to Daniel Grogan. I also tracked down John
Vecchione, who had left an address in the contact information
at the Marists All site. It turned out that John and I were in
geographical proximity and were able to get together. All of this
is a long way around to saying that John and I realized that this
fall marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Marist Hall.
I have several pictures from Cold Spring and thought it would
be great if somehow a site could be set up for people to share
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pictures and stories from our time together. Well, that led to
Tim Brady, who had just the skill-set needed to provide the
platform for sharing. He also had many pictures to share. Gerry
Miller added a few. We have been working on it and see it as a
work in progress, but we would like anyone who cares to visit
the site to feel free to go to
www.maristhall.pbworks.com
and
ask permission to visit. We also ask that if you know anyone
who might have information about these early years at Cold
Spring to contact me to share whatever you have. Think of it as
a virtual reunion. (1862 Sanford Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY
12804-7547; robertjudge@roadrunner.com)
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From DAVID KAMMER '42 (written to Robert Judge): You ask
if I were ever at Marist Hall in Cold Spring. I have a brief story
to tell you about an incident well before the property opened up
as a juniorate. From Tyngsboro I was to go to a meeting either
in Poughkeepsie or Esopus, and I had heard that the Brothers
had bought a property in Cold Spring. I said to myself, I'm
going to look up that place on a map and drive through there to
take a look. I found it without too much trouble. The property
was quiet except for one car. I started to snoop around and ran
into Br. Mary Andrew, the province treasurer at the time, and
Br. Nilus Vincent Donnelly of Marist College construction fame.
They asked me, "What are you doing here?" Apparently the
purchase was still unannounced and somewhat of a secret.
Nilus and Mary Andrew were sizing up the situation in
preparation for what had to be done to prepare it for use as a
juniorate. However, the Brothers did allow me to look around.
The beauty of the property and the possibilities for things Marist
fascinated me. What remains riveted in my mind is the view of
what was to become the dining hall, a full view of a cow barn
with cow stalls and all that goes with them. From there I
climbed an upright wooden ladder through a square opening to
the floor above to see the hayloft -- the future chapel! So I may
have been the first "ordinary Brother" to see the Cold Spring
property.
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From JOHN (OKE) O'CONNELL '58: I want to report on the
"Oh-B/brother-Where-Art-Thou" Eighth Annual Gathering last
August 21 at Ray Landry's "meeting house" in Methuen, MA.
A picture-worth-a-thousand-words verifies that "a good time
was had by all" and answers the question, "But are they happy,
Brothers?" (rhetorically asked of us postulants and novices
"back in the day''). It can be found at the Marists All web site:
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall > Photo Album >
"Mini-album for Autumn 2010"> 3rd down.
Among the "gatherers" were "youngster" Moe Lachance '59
who bounded into our midst, literally, luckily without his
accordion, from vacationing with his many grandkids in
Vermont; and our long distance winner, Richie Shaw (and
Carolyn) in from San Diego, would-be '58 habit recipient, whose
temporary vocation, unfortunately for him, ended in Tyngsboro
just weeks before our summer "escape" from there to Camp
Marist in New Hampshire!
Other '58's, pre-gathering first in Maine's Boothbay Harbor
(about sixty-five miles north of Portland): George Bagnell
(and Leslie) up from Long Island with their 34' motor home,
who started partying with us on the Tuesday before; and in
from Sun Lakes, AZ (between Phoenix and Tucson) on the 15th,
OB/bWAT "co-founder" George Conboy (and Janet), who along
with the Shaws, started gathering in Maine a week before the
"official" one in Methuen ... and Vin Poisella (and Jane), ex-
guidance counselor, probably after a round of golf at his next-
to-it home in Little Egg Harbor, NJ, arrived in time Thursday for
lobsters, etc., in John (and Sandy) O'Connell's backyard
(where thirty caught-that-day, lobstahs joined us for dinner!);
also up from Jersey, Bill Shannon, whose current mission as
Special Ed director in Asbury Park continues full time, hard-at-
work; he came a day late for the backyard lobster feast; and
Bob St. Amand (and Joann), still teaching college chemistry in
NJ, was there to eat both his and Bill's lobster!; and Russ
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Therriault (and Shirley), another long distance gatherer up
from Pensacola (escapees from real heat and humidity), arrived
early for a lobster bake that Tuesday along with the Bagnells.
Note, and this is true! As the folks were placing the lobsters on
the seaweed, preparatory to steaming them, one unnamed
'58er lamented, "Why don't they have any red ones?"
Special guests graced our Maine gathering: Bill Reffelt's ('58,
RIP) twin sister, Clare, and her retired Long Island police officer
husband, John Treder. (You might recall that we started
OBlbWATs, motivated both by '58 Vinnie Hall's passing in
February '02 and by our earliest "gatherings" with Bill Reffelt
over the last ten months of his terminal illness, late '02 to
September' 03.)
Brother Ernie Beland, the last "big 8" B/brother from our '58
group and the only Brother still teaching, with a full-load no
less, at CCHS in Lawrence, was unable to join us in Maine but
did win the shortest distance-traveled-award and was a celebrity
on Saturday in Methuen. (If you don't recall, you might check
out his very cogent, affirming, and much-appreciated,
commentary on our OBlbWAT "Gathering," appearing in the
August 2010 Marists All issue).
"Elders" from among the '57 habit-takers joining the pre-
Gathering in Maine: first.. .John Brady (with Joan), a retired
New Jersey guidance counselor, who, by the way, along with B.
Nick Caffrey, managed to skip half a year of novitiate by
showing up in Tyngsboro in January of '57; and John Wilcox
(with Sue), still doing some "vision" work at Manhattan College
as a part-time vice president, still commuting there from
Danbury, but now less frequently. Another '57er, Don Mulcare,
missed the pre-Gathering but was a "day-hop" that Saturday,
and like "Willie" Wilcox, was a "higher educator" (U Mass,
Dartmouth, biology) for thirty-plus years of his forty years in
education.
Among the "eldest" gatherers was the much esteemed Ray
Landry, a '56er, who not only opened his and Dorothy's
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wonderful home-on-the-lake to us in Methuen on 8/21 but also
cooked for us (a skill acquired from his first "deployment" as a
monk). A "legend in his own mind" poet, Ray has one book of
poems out and another on the way with whimsical titles too
long to mention! (Note: Ray has graciously offered to host and
feed us once again next year ... on Saturday, August 13th,
2010. See last paragraph below.) Thanks, Ray!
And, speaking of cooks and initial assignments, the Gathering
was graced by a cameo appearance by Artie Lavigne, habit-
group of '55, who, along with B. John Malich, actually fed all
of the above, except Moe Lachance, at Marist College, during
'59-60; and most significantly, perhaps, they were the first
cooks at the college to trust us "consumers" enough to take off
all the padlocks in the kitchen, all that stood between us and
the food!
So mark your calendars now for next year's dosage of M/marist
mutual respect and affirmation, all interested B/brothers, for
the Ninth Annual OB/bWAT Gathering in Methuen MA on
Saturday, August 13, 2011; and be sure to consider spending a
few more days. doing a little vacationing beforehand for some
pre-Gathering socializing in our Maine backyard on Thursday,
August 11, before Saturday's session at Ray's in Methuen on
the 13th. Please consider joining us both days. (For more info
and specifics, contact Oke in Maine at
OBbWAT@aol.com
or 207-
841-9144).
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From CHERYL MANTIA, Director of Alumni Affairs, Mt. St.
Michael: On Thursday, October 28, 2010, the Fourth Annual
Harvard Colloquium featured Jack Garcia, '70, speaking about
the impact Mount St. Michael had on his life and his experiences
as an undercover agent.
Jack is the author of the New York Times best seller, Making
Jack Falcone. A movie based on the book and Garcia's life is
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currently in the works with actor Benicio del Toro cast to play
the lead. Steven Soderberg is producer. The book and film
detail Garcia's undercover cases and experiences with the FBI,
including his successful infiltration into the Gambino crime
family.
Garcia was born in Cuba and fled with his family to escape Fidel
Castro's regime when he was nine years old. Jack's formative
years as a grade school boarder at the Mount made a significant
difference in his life. As Jack notes, "If it weren't for the Marist
Brothers, especially Br. Charles Patrick, I would have been
chased by the cops instead of the other way around."
View a clip of his CBS 60 Minutes interview on You Tube.
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From JIM FRIEL '52: Brother Joel Matthew is one of the finest
teachers I ever had. I was fourteen and attending St. Ann's
Hermitage in Poughkeepsie; Br. Joel taught English. He also
directed a play some of us volunteered to act in. Since it was an
all boys' high school, I was assigned to play an Irish woman. Br.
Joel said that I had more of a Scottish accent. The acting was
fun, and we all had a good time. We performed several shows
for the high school.
Br. Joel was a superb teacher. I had him for an introductory
English class. He helped me develop my writing, and he praised
me for my work. Writing went on to become a major part of my
life, and I taught it for many years on every level from grade
school to college. When I left the Brothers in 1963, I lost track
of Br. Joel. I re connected with him through Vince Poisella and
Marists All. Don Ryan (Br. Joel) and I are now in touch on a
regular basis.· We are both retired.
Br. John Berchman was also a major influence at St. Anne's. He
was the prefect, which meant he did everything from directing
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all our sports' playing to running the dormitories where we lived
and slept. He strongly urged us to take more showers when he
gave us his nightly talk before the lights were turned out. We
also played hockey with him in the winter. He would carry the
puck past twenty or thirty of us, and no one could stop him. .
We found out later that he had played hockey as a young man.
He was superb at it. Br. John retired to Esopus after a number
of years, and some of his former students used to visit him on a
regular basis. Br. John was a second father to many of us.
The Director of Juniors was Br. Joseph Damian, a superb
person. He cared a great deal for us and did everything he
could to help us. He would take us on walking trips around the
area. One favorite place was the big park across the street: it
was a mental hospital. One time Br. Joseph explained to us, as
we looked at the huge hill there, that the inmates would sleigh
ride down the hill to Route Nine at the end of the hill. I said to
him, "You'd have to be crazy to do that!" He laughed. (20 Vail
Street, Northport, NY 11768- 3038)
In Memoriam
BR. KENNETH MARINO '47 died Wednesday, November 10 in
Lawrence. May he rest in peace!
click here
for short obituary
<<Photo Album>>
1. See a photo of the
Brothers
who made up the faculty of Saint
Agnes High School in NYC in 1945.
2. See group of photos taken at dedication of Marist College
Chemistry Labs in honor of
Richard LaPietra
on 14 October
2010
3. Or review the entire
photo album.
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November 23, 2010
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Issue number 102 November 2010
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http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall
Vince Poisella: 61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087;
609-294-2148;
poisellavincent@yahoo.com
Rich Foy: 24 Prestwick Court, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; 845-
454-1393;
richard.foy@verizon.net
Gus Nolan: 65 Muirfield Court, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; 845-
454-6116;
gusnolan@aol.com
David Kammer: 476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141;
386-426-6349;
jkammer1@cfl.rr.com
Rob Schmidt: 1013 Hollywood Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016;
847-824-1073;
RJDB@comcast.net
Writers for this issue:
Jim Friel
('52) fondly recalls the impact of Don Ryan (Bro Joel
Matthew), Bro John Berchman, and Brother Joseph Damian.
Bob and Ginny Grady
('53) invite readers to the Marist
Spirituality Weekend to be held July 2011 at Marist College.
Robert Judge
('63) describes efforts to note the years at Cold
Spring.
David Kammer
('42) describes his visit to Cold Spring before it
was announced to be the Juniorate.
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Cheryl Mantia
, Director of Alumni Affairs at Mount St Michae,
tells us of Jack Garcia, MSM '70, best selling author of Making
Jack Falcone.
Bill McCluskey
('74) has moved from corporate education to
pastoral care at Summit Park Hospital.
Gus Nolan
('48) described the September picnic at Mount Saint
Michael and mentions retirees and attendees
Gus Nolan
('48) relates the dedication of the Chemistry Labs at
Marist College in honor of J Richard LaPietra and notes the
establishment of scholarsip in his honor.
John (OKE) O'Connell
('58) reports on the many attendees at
the Oh B/Brother Where Are Thou gathering in Methuen MA on
21 August 2010
Vince Poisella
, Editor ('63) notes that funds to publish MaristsAll
newsletter are dwindling.
John Tricamo
, former student at Saint Helena's recalls having
Mendes and Big Gil as teachers
In Memoriam
, notice of death of Brother Ken Marino
From THE EDITOR: Thank you to Joe Hores and Bill Kawka for
recently assisting in replenishing our finances to support the
continued publication of Marists All. Gus Nolan, our keeper of
the books, has informed our team that we have funds for only
this issue, "and then the mailing operation shuts down." Checks
at times appear out of nowhere in a timely fashion, just as our
literary contributions do. Allow this editor to make a gentle
reminder to those of you who have been planning to send a
little something and to thank you in advance.
From BOB AND GINNY GRADY ('53): We extend an open
Invitation to the Marist Spirituality Weekend at Marist College to
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be held on July 8, 9, and 10, 2011. Marist Laity
Vocation/Apostolate will be the theme. Sr. Sean Sammon will
give a presentation on the Vocation of Champagnat's Marist
Laity. We are very grateful to Br. Sean, Br. Hank Hammer, and
the many other Brothers and speakers who have been
presenters and supporters of the Marist weekends. On Saturday
afternoon, July 9, 2011, a panel of five will give their personal
insights and information on some of the present day Marist
apostolates. We will be posting more particulars on the
weekend in next year's issues of Marists All. If you have
questions, please call or email us at 516 796-4502
rrvgrady@optonline.net.
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From GUS NOLAN '48 (from a letter to David Kammer): I just
returned from Mount St. Michael where we were blessed with
glorious sunshine and a good turnout for the picnic. Marists All
staff members present were Rich Foy, Vince and Jane Poisella,
and I.
Members of the Mount community joined us: Victor Serna,
Alphonse Matuga, John Colbert (very weak, but in good spirits),
Eddie Vollmer, James Gaffney, Butts Ryan, Robert James (very
infirm), Gus Landry, Bob Leclerc, Anthony lazzetti, and Joseph
Sacino.
Other notables included John Hermann, John and Lynn Scileppi,
Betty Perrault, Marty and Anne Lang, John and Sue Wilcox, Joan
and John Brady, John Sugrue, Bili Kawka, Frank Moran's widow,
Maureen, Gene and Pat Zirkel, and Bob and Ginny Grady. There
were others, whose names elude me, representing groups
whose training days occurred long after my own or whom I
cannot recall at the moment. Many wanted to be remembered
to our Marists All readers.
There was no want of food. There was no want of bees either,
but not as bad as in some previous years. The garth had been
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revitalized with cement walkways and equipped with new
tables, umbrellas, and chairs.
As usual, good laughs, some old stories retold, and some new
ones I had not heard. Really good cheer! The Marist spirit is still
alive.
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From GUS NOLAN '48: In the middle of October each year
Marist celebrates a homecoming weekend to honor past
graduates. This year attention was focused on the graduating
class of fifty years ago, the class of 1960. During the weekend
on Saturday, October 16, a special occasion was the dedication
of the chemistry laboratories in honor of Professor Richard
LaPietra '54 who passed away in February after a long illness. A
large turnout of graduates, faculty, staff, and students attended
the dedication.
Dr. Tom Wermuth, Academic Dean, and Dennis Murray,
President of Marist College, offered opening remarks. The
occasion was highlighted by a presentation of a former
colleague and Dean of the School of Science, and Dr. Michael
Cann '69, former student and Professor of Chemistry at the
University of Scranton. Each speaker recalled eloquently
Richard's unique ability to teach and serve his students and
offered insights into Richard's unique character and sense of
humor. A general theme seemed to be that Richard was
happiest when he was at the blackboard, chalk-in-hand,
expanding and enlightening minds.
To honor Richard's memory, his wife Barbara LaPietra has
established a Student Research Fund that supports top
chemistry and biochemistry students pursuing faculty-
monitored research projects. The fund supports travel, lodging,
and related expenses for such activities as well as the purchase
of special supplies and instruments to advance the particular
research projects. Alumni, colleagues, and friends may support
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the fund in memory of Dr LaPietra by contacting the Office of
College Advancement.
>>
click here
to see a montage of the event prepared by Skip Digilio
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From BILL McCLUSKEY '74: I cannot tell you how much I
enjoy reading each edition of Marists All. The many stories of
faith and involvement continue to inspire me as Brothers and
former Brothers contribute to the newsletter. And, with each
edition, I fondly recall my time at Marist High School, Bayonne
('72-'79), Queen of Angels School ('79-'82), and Roselle
Catholic High School ('82-'85). And, of course, there were the
wonderful summers at Camp Marist under the direction of Br.
Kenneth Robert. In the last year, at the .invitation of Br. William
Maske, I joined the monks for dinner at the Mount. How good it
was to see Brothers Joe Sacino, Ken Robert, Dave Cooney,
Godfrey, Valerian, Armand, and Joe McAllister, just to name a
few. Unfortunately, I missed Br. Robert James, who was visiting
family at the time.
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After twenty-five years in corporate education, (Merrill Lynch,
Prudential, JP Morgan Chase), I recently have taken a new turn
as Pastoral Care Director at Summit Park Hospital, Rockland
County's long-term acute care hospital and nursing care center
located in Pomona, NY. We provide religious services, bedside
visits, and counseling to patients/residents as well as to their
families. On that note, if anyone has insights/best practices in
the pastoral care field, I would be most appreciative. (85
Madison Avenue, Garnerville, NY 10923;
bmccluskeypvb@aol.com)
From JOHN TRICAMO: I happened to see the August issue of
Marists All, and, as neither a current nor former Marist Brother,
I felt like an intruder as I began to read through it. It wasn't
long, however, before I felt right at home, recognizing in Bill
Byrne's piece about a legendary practical joke two characters
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out of my St. Helena's past (1956-60) -- Br. Martin Thomas and
Br. Gilbert Osmund -- at least I think I recognized them. It is
unlikely there could be more than one "Mendes," and, certainly,
there couldn't be two "Big Gils." As an aside, I might mention
that it was almost forty years after graduating before I learned
that it wasn't older students but the brothers themselves who
coined the nicknames that we used for so many of the religious
faculty. I'm obviously a slow learner since nicknames like
"Archie," "Dumbo," and "Harpo" clearly reflected too masterly a
touch.
Among the flood of memories triggered by the mention of Big
Gil, one in particular has always stood out. To appreciate it, a
bit of background is in order. In my time--or, at least, within my
experience and that of my friends--Br. Gilbert was an unknown
entity until senior year in which he taught fourth-year Latin.
Physically, Br. Gilbert's nickname says it all and then some; his
size was, to borrow the oft-repeated words of Br. Lawrence
Jerome, a self-evident proposition. By disposition, Br. Gilbert
seemed world-weary, and despite the twinkling eyes, we tended
to doubt the possibility that there might be a smattering of
good humor lurking beneath the brooding surface. In class he
never stood; he never raised his voice; he rarely wrote on the
blackboard and then only when it could be done from a seated
position; and, definitely worth mentioning, in cooler weather he
sometimes wore a cape! (During my four years at St. Helena's
there was only one other cape-sighting: Br. John Luke,
returning to the Brothers' residence after early morning Mass.
Because he was one of the best faculty basketball players, his
reputation remained intact.)
To any description of Br. Gilbert, however brief, one must add
the sine qua non, the tertium quid: command presence. There
was never a discipline problem in his classroom; the prospect
was not merely remote but unthinkable. Nor was there a
homework problem. Unprepared students learned very early in
the year that when it came to pedagogical weaponry, Br. Gilbert
could do with a look what Br. Faustin Damian and Br. Brian
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Francis could do with words. I don't think we feared him as
much as being mystified by him-he was a puzzle, inside an
enigma, wrapped in a cape. While we liked and respected him,
we didn't feel we knew him. What I believe most of us were
looking for, though we would have been unable to articulate it
at the time, was some kind of a personal connection-something
that would, if not eliminate, at least diminish the uncomfortable
distance that seemed to separate us.
And then it happened-one of those big small moments that alter
the chemistry of a class. Br. Gilbert had an inordinate and
totally unshared fascination with Latin idioms-"phrases that add
spice to ordinary conversation and reveal the educated man."
He would frequently pause after the class translated a
paragraph and ask if anyone spotted a worthwhile idiom. Better
yet, on more than an occasional Monday, he would begin class
by asking if anyone had an idiom to add to our ongoing
collection. Needless to say, I was not alone in marveling at his
idealized notion of how a Bronx teenager spent his weekends.
On this particular day, he paused between translations and
called on a student--Charles F. Martin by name--and asked "Mr.
Martin" if he had come across any good idioms lately. Smiling,
Mr. Martin allowed that he had not; Br. Gilbert, reacting to the
smile, averred that Mr. Martin appeared to be making light of an
enterprise of inestimable value. No response.
Br. Gilbert: "I would like you to know that I once had a student,
who, by graduation, had amassed a collection of five hundred
Latin idioms. What do you make of that, Mr. Martin?"
"I guess everybody called him the Village Idiom," came the
response.
Now I would like to say that Br. Gilbert dissolved in laughter,
but no one would believe me. What he did do was emit
something akin to a clucking sound, immediately followed by a
smile that tended to recur spontaneously throughout the
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remainder of the class. The caped classicist was indeed human
after all!
Just as we saw a different side of him, it wasn't long after this
incident that he seemed to become more relaxed with us and
actually to enjoy rather than merely tolerate our company. We,
of course, responded in kind, and for at least a few of us, Latin
IV became our favorite senior year course. My memories of this
class and especially its teacher would be no less vivid had the
incident of the Village Idiom never taken place, but they are
very much better because it did. (jtricamo@regis-nyc.org)
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From ROBERT JUDGE '63: I started at Marist Prep in
September 1959 and moved to Cold Spring in 1960. The next
move was to Tyngsboro in 1962. In June of 1963, I left the
Marists and, like so many others, "got on with the rest of my
life." Then in April 2009, I, along with two friends, visited
Antietam and Gettysburg. A guide at Antietam suggested that
our interest in Civil War history probably stemmed from reading
Bruce Catton in high school. Well, he was right. I remembered
that Brother Daniel Grogan had us read Catton's trilogy about
the Army of the Potomac as seniors. Of course, that
remembrance made me wonder where Brother Daniel might be
today. The Internet is a wonderful tool for trying to find people.
As I searched, I came upon Marists All. What a find! And thank
you to all who put it together! I contacted David Kammer, who
was Master of Novices when I was at Tyngsboro. I was able to
get a letter to Daniel Grogan. I also tracked down John
Vecchione, who had left an address in the contact information
at the Marists All site. It turned out that John and I were in
geographical proximity and were able to get together. All of this
is a long way around to saying that John and I realized that this
fall marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Marist Hall.
I have several pictures from Cold Spring and thought it would
be great if somehow a site could be set up for people to share
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pictures and stories from our time together. Well, that led to
Tim Brady, who had just the skill-set needed to provide the
platform for sharing. He also had many pictures to share. Gerry
Miller added a few. We have been working on it and see it as a
work in progress, but we would like anyone who cares to visit
the site to feel free to go to
www.maristhall.pbworks.com
and
ask permission to visit. We also ask that if you know anyone
who might have information about these early years at Cold
Spring to contact me to share whatever you have. Think of it as
a virtual reunion. (1862 Sanford Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY
12804-7547; robertjudge@roadrunner.com)
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From DAVID KAMMER '42 (written to Robert Judge): You ask
if I were ever at Marist Hall in Cold Spring. I have a brief story
to tell you about an incident well before the property opened up
as a juniorate. From Tyngsboro I was to go to a meeting either
in Poughkeepsie or Esopus, and I had heard that the Brothers
had bought a property in Cold Spring. I said to myself, I'm
going to look up that place on a map and drive through there to
take a look. I found it without too much trouble. The property
was quiet except for one car. I started to snoop around and ran
into Br. Mary Andrew, the province treasurer at the time, and
Br. Nilus Vincent Donnelly of Marist College construction fame.
They asked me, "What are you doing here?" Apparently the
purchase was still unannounced and somewhat of a secret.
Nilus and Mary Andrew were sizing up the situation in
preparation for what had to be done to prepare it for use as a
juniorate. However, the Brothers did allow me to look around.
The beauty of the property and the possibilities for things Marist
fascinated me. What remains riveted in my mind is the view of
what was to become the dining hall, a full view of a cow barn
with cow stalls and all that goes with them. From there I
climbed an upright wooden ladder through a square opening to
the floor above to see the hayloft -- the future chapel! So I may
have been the first "ordinary Brother" to see the Cold Spring
property.
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From JOHN (OKE) O'CONNELL '58: I want to report on the
"Oh-B/brother-Where-Art-Thou" Eighth Annual Gathering last
August 21 at Ray Landry's "meeting house" in Methuen, MA.
A picture-worth-a-thousand-words verifies that "a good time
was had by all" and answers the question, "But are they happy,
Brothers?" (rhetorically asked of us postulants and novices
"back in the day''). It can be found at the Marists All web site:
http://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall > Photo Album >
"Mini-album for Autumn 2010"> 3rd down.
Among the "gatherers" were "youngster" Moe Lachance '59
who bounded into our midst, literally, luckily without his
accordion, from vacationing with his many grandkids in
Vermont; and our long distance winner, Richie Shaw (and
Carolyn) in from San Diego, would-be '58 habit recipient, whose
temporary vocation, unfortunately for him, ended in Tyngsboro
just weeks before our summer "escape" from there to Camp
Marist in New Hampshire!
Other '58's, pre-gathering first in Maine's Boothbay Harbor
(about sixty-five miles north of Portland): George Bagnell
(and Leslie) up from Long Island with their 34' motor home,
who started partying with us on the Tuesday before; and in
from Sun Lakes, AZ (between Phoenix and Tucson) on the 15th,
OB/bWAT "co-founder" George Conboy (and Janet), who along
with the Shaws, started gathering in Maine a week before the
"official" one in Methuen ... and Vin Poisella (and Jane), ex-
guidance counselor, probably after a round of golf at his next-
to-it home in Little Egg Harbor, NJ, arrived in time Thursday for
lobsters, etc., in John (and Sandy) O'Connell's backyard
(where thirty caught-that-day, lobstahs joined us for dinner!);
also up from Jersey, Bill Shannon, whose current mission as
Special Ed director in Asbury Park continues full time, hard-at-
work; he came a day late for the backyard lobster feast; and
Bob St. Amand (and Joann), still teaching college chemistry in
NJ, was there to eat both his and Bill's lobster!; and Russ
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Therriault (and Shirley), another long distance gatherer up
from Pensacola (escapees from real heat and humidity), arrived
early for a lobster bake that Tuesday along with the Bagnells.
Note, and this is true! As the folks were placing the lobsters on
the seaweed, preparatory to steaming them, one unnamed
'58er lamented, "Why don't they have any red ones?"
Special guests graced our Maine gathering: Bill Reffelt's ('58,
RIP) twin sister, Clare, and her retired Long Island police officer
husband, John Treder. (You might recall that we started
OBlbWATs, motivated both by '58 Vinnie Hall's passing in
February '02 and by our earliest "gatherings" with Bill Reffelt
over the last ten months of his terminal illness, late '02 to
September' 03.)
Brother Ernie Beland, the last "big 8" B/brother from our '58
group and the only Brother still teaching, with a full-load no
less, at CCHS in Lawrence, was unable to join us in Maine but
did win the shortest distance-traveled-award and was a celebrity
on Saturday in Methuen. (If you don't recall, you might check
out his very cogent, affirming, and much-appreciated,
commentary on our OBlbWAT "Gathering," appearing in the
August 2010 Marists All issue).
"Elders" from among the '57 habit-takers joining the pre-
Gathering in Maine: first.. .John Brady (with Joan), a retired
New Jersey guidance counselor, who, by the way, along with B.
Nick Caffrey, managed to skip half a year of novitiate by
showing up in Tyngsboro in January of '57; and John Wilcox
(with Sue), still doing some "vision" work at Manhattan College
as a part-time vice president, still commuting there from
Danbury, but now less frequently. Another '57er, Don Mulcare,
missed the pre-Gathering but was a "day-hop" that Saturday,
and like "Willie" Wilcox, was a "higher educator" (U Mass,
Dartmouth, biology) for thirty-plus years of his forty years in
education.
Among the "eldest" gatherers was the much esteemed Ray
Landry, a '56er, who not only opened his and Dorothy's
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wonderful home-on-the-lake to us in Methuen on 8/21 but also
cooked for us (a skill acquired from his first "deployment" as a
monk). A "legend in his own mind" poet, Ray has one book of
poems out and another on the way with whimsical titles too
long to mention! (Note: Ray has graciously offered to host and
feed us once again next year ... on Saturday, August 13th,
2010. See last paragraph below.) Thanks, Ray!
And, speaking of cooks and initial assignments, the Gathering
was graced by a cameo appearance by Artie Lavigne, habit-
group of '55, who, along with B. John Malich, actually fed all
of the above, except Moe Lachance, at Marist College, during
'59-60; and most significantly, perhaps, they were the first
cooks at the college to trust us "consumers" enough to take off
all the padlocks in the kitchen, all that stood between us and
the food!
So mark your calendars now for next year's dosage of M/marist
mutual respect and affirmation, all interested B/brothers, for
the Ninth Annual OB/bWAT Gathering in Methuen MA on
Saturday, August 13, 2011; and be sure to consider spending a
few more days. doing a little vacationing beforehand for some
pre-Gathering socializing in our Maine backyard on Thursday,
August 11, before Saturday's session at Ray's in Methuen on
the 13th. Please consider joining us both days. (For more info
and specifics, contact Oke in Maine at
OBbWAT@aol.com
or 207-
841-9144).
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From CHERYL MANTIA, Director of Alumni Affairs, Mt. St.
Michael: On Thursday, October 28, 2010, the Fourth Annual
Harvard Colloquium featured Jack Garcia, '70, speaking about
the impact Mount St. Michael had on his life and his experiences
as an undercover agent.
Jack is the author of the New York Times best seller, Making
Jack Falcone. A movie based on the book and Garcia's life is
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currently in the works with actor Benicio del Toro cast to play
the lead. Steven Soderberg is producer. The book and film
detail Garcia's undercover cases and experiences with the FBI,
including his successful infiltration into the Gambino crime
family.
Garcia was born in Cuba and fled with his family to escape Fidel
Castro's regime when he was nine years old. Jack's formative
years as a grade school boarder at the Mount made a significant
difference in his life. As Jack notes, "If it weren't for the Marist
Brothers, especially Br. Charles Patrick, I would have been
chased by the cops instead of the other way around."
View a clip of his CBS 60 Minutes interview on You Tube.
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From JIM FRIEL '52: Brother Joel Matthew is one of the finest
teachers I ever had. I was fourteen and attending St. Ann's
Hermitage in Poughkeepsie; Br. Joel taught English. He also
directed a play some of us volunteered to act in. Since it was an
all boys' high school, I was assigned to play an Irish woman. Br.
Joel said that I had more of a Scottish accent. The acting was
fun, and we all had a good time. We performed several shows
for the high school.
Br. Joel was a superb teacher. I had him for an introductory
English class. He helped me develop my writing, and he praised
me for my work. Writing went on to become a major part of my
life, and I taught it for many years on every level from grade
school to college. When I left the Brothers in 1963, I lost track
of Br. Joel. I re connected with him through Vince Poisella and
Marists All. Don Ryan (Br. Joel) and I are now in touch on a
regular basis.· We are both retired.
Br. John Berchman was also a major influence at St. Anne's. He
was the prefect, which meant he did everything from directing
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all our sports' playing to running the dormitories where we lived
and slept. He strongly urged us to take more showers when he
gave us his nightly talk before the lights were turned out. We
also played hockey with him in the winter. He would carry the
puck past twenty or thirty of us, and no one could stop him. .
We found out later that he had played hockey as a young man.
He was superb at it. Br. John retired to Esopus after a number
of years, and some of his former students used to visit him on a
regular basis. Br. John was a second father to many of us.
The Director of Juniors was Br. Joseph Damian, a superb
person. He cared a great deal for us and did everything he
could to help us. He would take us on walking trips around the
area. One favorite place was the big park across the street: it
was a mental hospital. One time Br. Joseph explained to us, as
we looked at the huge hill there, that the inmates would sleigh
ride down the hill to Route Nine at the end of the hill. I said to
him, "You'd have to be crazy to do that!" He laughed. (20 Vail
Street, Northport, NY 11768- 3038)
In Memoriam
BR. KENNETH MARINO '47 died Wednesday, November 10 in
Lawrence. May he rest in peace!
click here
for short obituary
<<Photo Album>>
1. See a photo of the
Brothers
who made up the faculty of Saint
Agnes High School in NYC in 1945.
2. See group of photos taken at dedication of Marist College
Chemistry Labs in honor of
Richard LaPietra
on 14 October
2010
3. Or review the entire
photo album.
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November 23, 2010
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