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ISSUE # 7
November 1988
GMC PICNIC ... was held at the Mount in September; it was a most enjoyable
reunion. Many more from the New York City area attended this year. All
promised to write something for Marists All! Thanks especially to Gus and Liz
Nolan for organizing. And thanks to Br. John Francis and the Mount community
for making us feel so welcomed. Joining in from the Mount were Br. Daniel
Andrew, Br. Kieran Brennan, Br. Adolph Leo, Br. Robert Leclerc, Br. Chris
Shannon, Br. James Stephens ... Over from New Jersey were Br. Richard Shea,
Br. Stephen Martin, Br. Martin Healey, and Br. Leonard Voegtle; and from
Manhasset, Br. Declan Murray and Br. Pat Tally. Bill Reger ('61) came all the
way from Wheeling; and Frank Moran ('50) was visiting from Dublin, Ireland.
FROM BERNIE (Bernard Francis) WOODS ('52): Over the years Marist
gatherings like the annual picnic have allowed me to share again the presence of
friends, all shaped by our special set of experiences. And the newsletter provides
a new and welcomed means of maintaining those bonds. Marists All has
conveyed responses that echo my own. It was also clear from the comments in
previous issues that Len Voegtle has been a one man committee of
correspondence keeping so many of us aware of things Marist. A special thanks
to him.
The major events of my life since leaving in 1965 have fallen into a not unusual
pattern, but one that can hide the options, decisions, worries and joys attendant
to each moment, Within a year I met and married Mary, my wife of twenty-two
years. We have three wonderful children. Dan, a freshman at SUNY is majoring
in video production. Jennifer, a junior at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, is
now an exchange student in Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland. Mark, our eight
year old, is in the third grade. The marriage and family courses that I've taught
for seventeen years or so, and Mary's masters degree in Parent and Child
Nursing, reflect the focus of our professional lives.
After teaching a year at a New Jersey Catholic high school, I joined the faculty
of Westchester Community College, SUNY. The community college movement
had begun to develop rapidly at that time, and though I taught at other area
colleges part time, my career has been linked to the on going changes in the
community college field. A full professor for thirteen years, along the way I
established a department of Human Services, served in a variety of functions
within the Social Sciences Department, and for the last eight years served as
vice-president of the faculty union. I take a great deal of satisfaction in this latter
role, since it impacts so directly in shaping the character of the college, and on
the lives of hundreds of faculty and their families.
For the last ten years we have lived in Pound Ridge, New York, part of the
triangle of northeastern Westchester county that pokes into Connecticut. While
Pound Ridge is a very rural, wooded area, dotted with ponds, ravines, towering
hemlocks, and awash in deer, it is only minutes away from the very modern
Stamford, Connecticut. This proximity to Connecticut has created a duality to



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our lives. Both Dan and Jenny attended Greenwich Catholic Elementary School;
we belong to St. Michael parish in Greenwich, where I serve as a lector; and
Mary works in the neo-natal unit at Stamford Hospital.
I see Joe and Marie McKiernan and their children regularly, John and Betty
Roche less so. I hope that the newsletter will encourage others of the early fifties
to reach out. If any should find themselves passing through this neck of the
woods, give us a call and come on over. (Indian Hill Road, Pound Ridge, N. Y.
10576; 914-764-8224)
FROM JAMES HEANEY ('60): I was very interested to receive the newsletter,
forwarded from Philadelphia. By some odd quirk of fate our area, though
demographically quite thin, seems to support a relatively high Marist population.
Rich Keenan and I are both at the University of Idaho, he at the department of
foreign languages and literature (Spanish) and I as the director of the University
of Idaho Press. Just over the mountains from us in Helena, Montana, John Hart
is at Carroll College (theology/ethics). We all got together last Thanksgiving,
and we hope to have an opportunity to do so again.
As news, I suppose I should say that Elfriede and I have been married for
eighteen years, and we have two girls, Cordelia and Stephanie, who are ten and
six years of age. Both are predictably tall for their ages. I completed a PhD at
Yale (religious studies) in 1973, and have both taught (St. Mary's, Stanford,
Bowdoin) and published (Yale, Westminster Press, University of Idaho Press)
through the past decade and a half of lean academic times.
Has anyone heard from "Murph the Surf" (Dave Murphy)? =See Barney
Sheridan's letter. I look forward to getting more news of the group as a whole. In
the meantime, thanks for the idea of the newsletter. (226 Circle Drive, Moscow,
Idaho, 83843)
FROM BR. HENRY HAMMER ('75): I have been wanting to write to say how
much I've enjoyed reading all the issues of Marists All. The testimony of so
many people has been a tremendous source of encouragement to me. Some
names are more familiar to me than others, but all have helped to shape what the
Marist Brothers are today. Marists All is truly an appropriate name for the
newsletter.
I owe my Marist vocation to the wonderful witness of men like Richard
LaPietra, Jerry Cox, Linus Foy, Joe Belanger, Jerry Weiss, Maurice Bibeau, John
Sullivan, Gus Nolan, Larry Sullivan, John Malich, Peter Ostrowski, Vinny
Benedict... to name a few! In the turbulent early seventies these men stood out as
shining examples of gospel values. Marist College saw a number of vocations in
the early seventies because of these men.
I am glad that a link between the past and the present has been established. May
God bless Marists All and unite us in mutual prayerful support. (Marisist
Brothers, 10114 So. Leavitt St., Chicago, Il. 60643)
A TRIBUTE TO BR. WILFRED MARY:
From Charlie Kennedy ('59)
Recently a Brother died. Today only I heard the news. Many years ago Mary's
Brothers came from France, from Canada, to establish a pilot school in honor of
St. Ann in this now Big Apple. More than thirty-two years ago I entered into this


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school not for school but for life. Bro. Wilfred Mary, F.M.S., who is the Brother
recently deceased, was Principal of St. Ann's Academy when this freshman
entered from a city public junior high school.
After years in education and religion, Bro. Wilfred at 94 years young went on to
his vision of Our Lord, Our Lady, and Our heavenly Father. And I continue to
learn of this world's tossing and turning grateful for the foundation laid by this
Brother and this Order the Marist Brothers of the Schools.
FROM JACK LEHMAN ('66): Haven't seen anyone in the Marist world in many
years although I did bump into Brenden Kenny in a sushi bar here in Sante Fe
about a year ago.
In November of last year my fiancee discovered that she had ovarian cancer. A
week prior she'd climbed a local 14,000 foot mountain. Had an operation,
complete hysterectomy; unfortunately the surgeon had to leave a bunch of tumor
inside. I nursed her until she died in February ... heaviest experience of my life,
With hindsight I regret not having spent more time in looking at death and
preparing for it. We focused too much on beating the cancer and living, and were
both surprised at the moment of death. Live and learn, die and learn; may she
travel in the light.
Three years spent in Europe seem real far away. Ten years in Asia not quite so
remote and most cherished. Oregon started sweet but I felt run down when I left.
Been trying to adjust to a very different world since then. Decided to sink some
roots here in this high desert town. Have a small jewelry business doing mostly
inlay, using lapis lazuli, turquoise, sugilite, coral, and some precious stones, gold
and silver.
The newsletter is a great idea, and I'm thankful for receiving it and appreciate the
work that goes into it. Send this letter to Gus Nolan for inclusion. Anybody ever
hear from Kevin O'Donnell? (102 West San Francisco Street, Sante Fe, N. M.
9754)
FROM BR. LAWRENCE JOSEPH POIRIER ('23): Congratulations and
gratitude for what you and your associates have done in creating Marists All. A
great idea: Although I don't know many of those who write to the newsletter, I
enjoy learning how they continue the Marist tradition in their own way.
While I was stationed in Wheeling in the late thirties and early forties, I had the
pleasure of teaching you, David, as well as Larry Hanshumaker ('42) among
others. In 1978, when I was 71, I retired here in Miami and have enjoyed my
stay ever since. In recent years, when all the other Brothers from here spend their
summers in the North, I take care of the house, lawn, pool, garden, and fruit
trees. Because I'm without wheels in the summer, I depend on Brothers from
Columbus High and from other retirement communities on 89th Avenue, as well
as on neighbors and parishioners. Daily I pray for All Marists. (8230 S.W. 136th
Street, Miami, Fla. 33156; 305-251-6484)
FROM REV. WILLIAM (William Mary) SEARS ('52): Again many thanks for
the "news," It even beats the old Bronx Home News that I delivered as a kid. It's
great reading of all the wonderful things that have transpired to my Brothers,
Marists All.


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Still goi:rig, though falling apart slowly; but after 27 years in the priesthood
(twenty in the same parish) and having a Polish Pope and an Irish bishop and
boss, it is to be expected. I correspond with Br. Leonard regularly; he keeps me
well informed.
Any one of my brothers who may be in the Sarasota area of Florida, give me a
call. Got lots of time off. No more teaching in high school and the boss is deaf,
dumb, and blind as well as Irish, and I have eleven years and eighty pounds at
least on him. The "Ir-Rev" Willie Sears, P.S. I don't remember my name as a
monk but everyone else will, P.P.S. Just heard from Larry Halsey ('51) in
Oregon. He's thinking of migrating to Florida with family to teach. (Our Lady
Queen of Martyrs, 833 Magellan Drive, Sarasota, Fla. 34243; 758-7576)
FROM BR. LEONARD VOEGTLE ('50): It is August 20th, and I've been here
in Bellport, Long Island, since late June working around the house and property,
both of which look magnificent, thanks to the tireless efforts of Jogues (Br.
Jogues Mary Cormier, '43) and the lady who lives here during the school year
and takes excellent care of the place; it is a far cry from the early days in the
sixties, and the Smith Point beach has remained unpolluted all summer!
Spent three weeks around Easter time at the Desert House of Prayer near
Cortaro, Arizona. Lots of interesting folks pass through there; clergy, religious,
lay persons, Catholic and otherwise. Next stop was Oakland to visit the monks
there. Five of them teach in a parish high school in a black/hispanic
neighborhood with many drug problems; Br. Richard Sharpe ('66), Brs. James
Halliday, Don Bisson, Peter Guadalupe, all of the group of '68, and Br. Ken
Curley ('85). And there are two Brothers who are full-time chaplains in a
nursing/retirement complex: Michael Laratonda ('62) and Frank Zaglauer ('63);
they are also involved in AIDS ministry.
Had a week back in Bayonne, to catch up with the mail and help celebrate the
jubilees. Steve Urban's brother was the main concelebrant, along with Father
Matczak from Molloy, and Tom Burke, SJ, from St. , Peter's College, who had
given the novitiate retreat to Steve's group in 1938:
I was in Rome in May and June, doing some ghost-writing for the General ... fun
to be back among old friends and familiar sights ... and the work was enjoyable,
too. Found Italy decidedly more prosperous: new construction on all sides, folks
better dressed and driving bigger cars ... but everything now is as expensive as in
the States, if not more so! Looks like I may be returning there after the turn of
the year, perhaps for two or three years, to translate the Founder's letters into
English (a definitive edition with explanatory notes has already appeared in
French). Before that, though, gotta get the first volume of the province history
wrapped up; it's all done in rough draft, and I'm presently putting it into final
form, I must make a run to Iberville to pick up the best photos of the early days;
the monks there have a fabulous collection of photos in their archives.
Just got the latest issue of Marists All. It gets better every time, and folks are
obviously responding to it very positively, which is the best sign that it's what's
needed right now to draw us gradually together again, from all our geographic
and perhaps emotional distances. Kieran Brennan looks great after his cancer
colon surgery; didn't even need radiation therapy. Spud Carroll also had surgery,
for a tumor in his chest; no malignancy apparently, thank God. Everyone in
Wheeling seems very happy with Bernard Schmitt's appointment as the new
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September 19th: Enjoyed the picnic at the Mount last Saturday. It was a
magnificent occasion for meeting people I'd not seen in decades, reminiscing
about the past with all its tears and laughter, catching up with present doings and
future hopes, and renewing and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood across
the years and miles. Wonder if the time is coming when regional gatherings
might help the men too far from the New York metropolitan area to do the same.
Must be plenty in New England, and not a few in the Miami area.
Not much news at the moment: Leo Forrest was married in August ... Dot
Armstrong/Fiola, mother of Ray ('63) and Bruce ('67), provincial secretary for
many years, is recovering from major surgery ... Agnes Allen, mother of John
('62, Laredo), suffered a mild stroke this summer ... Delia Mulligan, mother of
John ('64, Watertown) died suddenly earlier in September ... the investiture of
three new Esopus novices on the 8th of September brought together about 75
monks from both provinces; a good family gathering to underline a moment of
hope in the future.
FROM BR. JAMES ADAMS ('55): Two weeks or so ago, I visited the Marist
High School community in Chicago and found your latest newsletter on their
bulletin board. Needless to say, I read it avidly and copied into my ad dress
book, for future reference, data on people from my group in the novitiate
(Tyngsboro '54-'55) whom I have not seen or heard from in more than twenty-
five years ... John Dunn, Bill Connelly, Fred Horn.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could add my name to your mailing list for
this newsletter. Could I possibly get hold of the back issues? I'll send a more
extended letter for your next issue. I will be here in California at the Franciscan
Renewal Center in Santa Barbara untill mid-November, and then I move to the
Marist St. Agnes Community in New York till the end of February of 1989. By
March 1989 I hope to be back at Notre Dame College, Marbel, Koronadal Town,
province of South Cotabato, Philippines.
FROM JOE (Eugene Michael) HORAN ('50): There is no doubt that these letters
are an inspiration to all of us. Just knowing what's happening has brought back
many memories. Marist was a world that had special meaning for us and
friendships that have grown over the years.
I thought I would update some information about me and thought my family
with the hope that it will reach those that I have lost contact with. Twenty-one
years ago today, August 15, 1967, I married any wife, Dolores. Presently she is a
middle school principal in upstate New York. We have two wonderful daughters:
Courtney, who is a sophomore in college, and Joelle, who will enter eighth grade
this September. Both are very active in school functions and athletics.
I just retired from education in June of 1988. I spent the last eleven years as
Superintendent of Schools at Eldred, New York. Prior to that assignment, I was
the assistant superintendent at Sable Valley Central School. I have held many
administrative positions in education over the past thirty years ranging from
elementary education to college level. At present I am doing educational
consulting work in various fields. Education still remains high on our family's
priority list.
God and Mary have definitely blessed my family and me. We keep close to our
faith; its strength has fortified us over the years. Since my wife's position is


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about three hours from Eldred, this year has been particularly difficult for us. We
are presently trying to sell our home and move closer to the Albany area.
Dolores and I attended my 25th class reunion at Marist College. It was great to
see everyone then. Would like to hear from other classmates; please write: (P.O.
Box 158, Eldred, N. Y. 12732; 914-557-8755)
BR. SEAN SAMMON ('66) Provincial of the Poughkeepsie Province The NCR
reported that in August "the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
elected a 40-year old Brother as its president, the first Brother to be elected in
the organization's 32-year history. Samon's career as a clinical psychologist
played a role in his selection. He led one of six workshops at the CMSM
meeting,"
BR. CYPRIAN ROWE has been appointed a member of the Board of Directors
of the National Catholic Reporter.
FROM GENE (Louis Francis) ZIRKEL ('53): From the first lines my heart
resonated; I too feel that I have never left the Marists. It was clear that many
others feel the same way. I have met some former religious who unfortunately
are resentful and bitter. The tone of the last newsletter indicates that many of us
are proud to be associated with the great Marist family. Perhaps the title should
have been Ever Forever. You can tell from the excerpts that the newsletter is
accomplishing a lot of good.
As a result of a previous issue, Harry (Francis Luke) Henky ('52) called me. He
is Vice Principal in Fairhaven, New Jersey, and is bucking for Principal. I also
received a phone call from John McGuire. It seems that his wife teaches math in
West Islip High School and has my son George in her class. John also said that
Tom Dottinger runs the local Yamaha motorcycle shop in Babylon. Thanks to
Lenny for answering my question: Our Ordinary Resource in Spanish is
"Nuestro Recurso Ordinario."
Are the dates given in Marists All the year of the cassock or of graduation? A
few of them seem out of whack. Perhaps it is just my memory that is giving out.
(Editor's note: We usually try to help identify names by associating a year; that
year is meant to be the year of the person's taking the cassock, since that is what
is usually used by the monks in identifying groups and in celebrating
anniversaries; let us know if we are inaccurate!) (Six Brancatelli, West Islip, N.
Y. 11795; 516-669-0273)
By BR. CYPRIAN ROWE ('53): Excerpted and adapted from the Brooklyn
Tablet ... Racism is the greatest threat to the American vision of freedom and
respect for differences, according to Marist Brother Cyprian Rowe, the keynote
speaker at a Tablet Forum held June 16, 1988. The forum was cosponsored by
the Diocesan Office of Black Ministry. Racism is not a simplistic issue,
according to Br. Cyprian. It exists on personal and cultural levels. Most people
consciously reject the notion that they have the right to make others change to
what they think is correct, but they often do just that unconsciously. Cultural
racism in this country is insisting that what is Euro-American is right and that
those whose culture is not "right" must conform; life which is European is
valuable, that which is not European is not valuable.
Br. Cyprian said that the only way we will ever be fully human is to believe that
the Lord made each of us great, and gave us genius. Each of us must look at


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him/herself and determine what it is that prevents him/her from walking up to
another and saying brother, sister. Racism is fear that if I say that indeed you are
brother and sister, entitled to the same things that I am entitled to, then I will be
annihilated. We will never believe that, if we are fully human, fully Catholic. An
educator and social worker, Br. Cyprian has degrees from Marist College,
Hunter College, Howard University, and Catholic University. (Thanks to Bob
Buckley ('66) for the clipping on this report.)
FROM MANNY LOPEZ ('63): It was nice to receive the recent newsletter with
so much good news of those who are doing such fine work in so many areas. I
was particularly inspired by the example of Br. Tom Petitte and his response to
what he saw in Calcutta. I'm a youth minister in my local parish. Not long ago I
took on a new boy who has Aids Related Complex; I think he'll be fine to work
with. Ad multos annos to all the monks in my group who celebrated their silver
jubilee. It is wonderful to know men who have made such a success of
commitment and twenty-five years of religious life. I recognize every name.
(New address: 1493 Shore Parkway, Apt 3B, Brooklyn, N. Y. 11214; 718-363-
3482)
FROM PAUL LEVENDUSKY ('65): I was greatly pleased to see the success of
the newsletter and to learn of the Marist family net. While not as honored as Joe
McMorrow who lives in the far North of Canada. I and my wife Elyse live in the
warmer South, outside of Vancouver. Have just returned from the People's
Republic of China, studying acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Hope to return
there in the future, After fourteen years as a critical care nurse and five years of
medical studies, I now have a family health practice using acupuncture and
naturopathic medicine. In looking back on the religious life, I have always
appreciated its abiding influence and the fine people who crossed my path. I
wish all you readers well and look forward to more of the newsletters.(2743
Gordon Ave., Surrey, B.C., Canada; or; %504 North 39th St. Seattle, Wa, 98103)
FROM GREG (Gregory Richard) BALLERINO ('57): A phrase from Lucille
Shurkus in the #6 issue brought about the "AHA!" insight which prompts me to
write to you. "... to start putting a closure to our relationship ..." were the words
she used to describe their process (hers and Alts) in the final stage of growth, the
experience of death. They learned how to experience being "alive'" together;
they learned how to experience "dying." From the first Marists All newsletter I
felt a yearning, a longing within, looking for a window to provide a way in or
out. And now I realize that I did not "put closure"' to many of my Marist
relationships from the fifties and the sixties. They were aborted. I did not
complete the "dying" process of separation, loss, anger, mourning, and
transition. Thanks for providing that opportunity now. Marists all, for those years
we knew each other, I acknowledge you and I thank you for the contribution you
made to my life. Goodbye to then, welcome to now!
As I remember events, I remember the feelings, the faces, the fun, the pain, the
confusion, the fantasy, and the reality, Marist for me was the experience of
fraternal and spiritual love ... a blend of compassion, idealism, denial, repression,
growth, adventure, failure and success. Interestingly this inner-outer process is
still going on. I have come to notice that my life is not following the straight
arrow, subject-verb-object path. It's a spiral journey. lots of things going around
and coming around, like the emergence of Marists All, Now I understand that the
paradoxical balance of learning how to live and learning how to die is what it is
all about.


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For the past nine years I have been an applications engineer in the air pollution
control industry, Southern California, where I live, is fertile ground for this
industry. Three evenings a week I work as a psychotherapist, teaching
individuals and groups the tools of personal empowerment, imagery, intuition,
expressing the truth of feelings in the moment they are experienced. It is my
intention to develop a full-time career as a psychotherapist.
My work as a Music Director (Composer/Conductor) ended in 1979 when my
family and I moved to California. Six years ago my wife Martha and I ended our
married relationship. Celeste, our daughter 15 will come to live with me this fall.
A wonderful opportunity for both of us! And so the adventure continues ...
LOVING! (130 Brooks Ave., Claremont, Ca. 91711; 714-625-5947)
FROM BERNIE ORTUOSTE ('58): Many thanks for the copies of the Marist
newsletter. I'll write my contribution to the newsletter later. Kindly use my new
address: Charleston Catholic High School, Broad &Virginia Sts. Charleston, W.
Va. 25301.
FROM JACK KELLY ('64): I really enjoy receiving the Marists All newsletter.
It has brought back many fond memories. I'd like to hear from John Bosco;
anyone have any news about him?
I got married in 1972 and divorced in 1981; remarried in 1983. From my first
marriage I have three children: Tamara, 14, Corey who is 13, and Alena, 8.
Laura, my ex-wife, is Mike Marotti's sister. She and the children live about 25
miles from me, and I see them on a regular basis. We get along very well, which
makes things a lot easier for everyone.
My wife, Ruth, is currently undergoing treatment for cancer; so far she seems to
be winning the battle.
When I left the Marist Brothers, I left the church and spent years wandering
through a spiritual maze that included some drugs and lots of alcohol. I found
AA in 1975, or perhaps it found me, That served as a basis for a new way of life.
I don't live a monk's life, but many of the values I acquired while in the monks
are again part of my life. I didn't marry in the church the first time, so Ruth and I
were married in the Catholic church in 1983. Jim Shroeder was in the wedding
party. He was a year ahead of me and in the "other" province.
I spent two years working on the enclosed Financial Profile. If all goes well, it
may develop into a book. I would like to sell the Financial Profile to raise money
for my brother Tom's school in Pakistan.
FROM PAT (Patrick Stephen) GALLAGHER ('55): Again there's another issue
of the newsletter on my desk. It always has the same effect on me, a groping for
names and faces, and then a dawning and smiles about what is now so close but
yet so distant,
When I started my own business in 1983s I had a feeling of stepping off a ladder
in the dark and not knowing what was waiting for me, (I had the same feeling
when I left the order in 1970-72). The intervening years were quite difficult;
cash did not come in with the regularity it does when you're employed by others,
and we're still not out of debt, but I was convinced that I had a good niche in the
marketplace working on liability management for police departments. After a
good solid year of working with municipal insurance pools and their police


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departments, I was approached by a major insurance service company about a
merger, and in four short months that took place. So as of July 1, 1988, there are
regular pay checks for the first time in five years, and we see light at the end of
the tunnel. I will continue as director and vice-president of the firm, A further
irony: the Christian Brothers established a pool for their schools and then opened
up to others; a good number of the Marist schools are provided insurance and
services by our parent company.
I have to say that Mary and I are mellowing to our lifestyle out here in the
country, Lincoln, Virginia, just fifty miles from DC. We'll be into flower and
vegetable gardens come spring, There is a grasping for the good life as we
perceive it, and even faint glimmers of getting involved with the local Catholic
church, something that both of us for the last ten years or so we have not been
active, or even present. It will take a while to became more active, but I do think
that it will happen, Reading Marists All, I've been - to use an old word - edified
by all the work and involvement that goes on in church activities. It shows
something about the goodness, commitment, talent, and charity of the monks.
Thanks again for your work on MA. I'm sure I echo the gratitude of the Marist
network around the country. (New address: Box 82A, Lincoln, Va. 22078; 703-
338--3904)
FROM FRANCIS X. "Barney" SHERIDAN ('55): Depending on when and
where we met, I'm Bernard Maura, Barney, Poncho, or Frank Sheridan. Lots of
kudos to those who set up the GMC picnic at Mount St. Michael last month.
Such a profound experience reminds me that much of "who I am" can be
celebrated as Marist. Br. Pat Lally updated me on the others in our class. Good to
hear from other people through their contributions to Marists All.
In 1971 I married Anne Corrigan, an ex-Blauvelt Dominican who now is a
Bilingual Education Evaluator for the Committee on Special Education in the
Bronx. Our children, Robert (16) and Rosemary (14) are students at Bronx High
School of Science. They all make me feel blessed, humble ... and proud. Some
years ago, Anne and I had a group home for St. Dominic's, and we count some
of the kids from there as extended family even today. This month we're
celebrating the wedding of a "grandson" from that experience. Party time;
In going for another degree in the late seventies, an MSW, I did part of my
fieldwork at Marist College. Back to roots; men all of you builders go back to
Marist, do you have the same reaction I did: "This is my pillar; this, my
staircase." Even now, isn't it strange to hear the Marist survey quoted on national
television during the political campaign! You can feel proud of it, even though
the name Marist has a lot more spiritual transference for me than politics. Thank
God our monks are still there; they make a great presence. Otherwise, how
would anyone know from whence ...
At present, I work at Impartial Hearings for the Division of Special Education,
New York City Board of Education. For "recreation" I'm a Boy Scout leader and
an EMT on the local Volunteer Ambulence Corps. Every year a small group of
us get together with our families at Joe Lederer's home. The regulars are: Bill
Ford, Tony Miserandino, John Wilcox, and Mike Kelly (down from New
Hampshire). This year it was Mike's turn to chase a toddler, as the "elders"
watched and remembered! At supper we played Trivia by trying to recall all the
hand signs for meals-in-silence. We got them all!!!


6/22/2021
Newsletter # 7
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter7.html
10/11
Dave Murphy ('61) came to town this summer and his family invited us to
celebrate his upcoming nuptials. On August 13, 1988, Dave married Elaine
Budreau, and they are going to continue to work with the monks at the Pine
Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Ad multos annos. Dave's address: P.O. Box
742, Pine Ridge, S. D. 57770. Heartfelt thanks to those who publish this
powerful newsletter.(1506 Plymouth Avenue, Bronx,
N. Y. 10461)
DECEASED: We have no details at all, but we know that Jeremiah Deane
(Kenneth Jude, group of '56) died suddenly October 21, 1987, in Tampa, Florida;
and John Penteck (Christopher Jude '51) died in the summer of 1987. Our
newsletter, addressed to Chris in the Bronx, came back marked deceased. If
anyone has information on these people, or others who may have passed away,
please let us know. We pray that all our departed friends may rest in peace,
BILL KANE (William Benedict '47) died this past July. Shortly before, he had
taken part in a class reunion at Marist College, reminiscing with Joe Bell,
Cornelius, Jeptha, and Brian Lonergan. He had retired to Carolina from public
school teaching; his four boys were grown and had scattered. Though he said he
had "terminal diabetes," and in fact did appear thin and aged, and had to get
around with a cane, Bill was quite jovial and cheerful. He had been with the
monks at least till 1963. Bill was one of several who in the early seventies were
instrumental in organizing reunions of ex-monks on Long Island. The group was
called Metro Mac, we understand, Marist Association ....
FROM BRIAN (Kevin Justin) LONERGAN ('47): The recent notice that BILL
KANE had passed away prompts me to write this note, I went to Marist College
for a class reunion last June, and met Bill there. He had mellowed over the years,
and I was fascinated by his effervescent personality, somewhat of a cross
between a cracker-barrel philosopher and a retired sea captain full of good
natured yarns. At the dinner-dance he leaned over in a Wallace Berry tone and
maintained that "It was worth the trip from Carolina to see my old friend, Brian,"
When I said goodbye the next morning, as we shook hands, I noticed a plaintive
look on his face. Bill had had a serious operation, and he knew that time was
running out. I cannot believe the time was a matter of weeks. May he and our
friends Mike Shurkus, Clem Martin, Pete Ginnity, Henry Charles, and all the
recently departed rest in peace.
I have been a history buff since high school, and along with my work with the
customs and narcotics unit at JFK. I keep busy writing articles, giving talks, and
even have a book in the offing. Recently I had a letter from Ed Cashin,
responding to some history items I had offered him. And not too long ago I had a
nice note from Br. Vincent, the Wall, in Florida. My five children are grown up
now, so now I can give more time to outside activities such as the K of C,
Hibernians, etc. I am deeply. grateful for my Marist training; it has helped in the
difficult days of raising a family and facing the problems inherent in my type of
work.
It was great to see George Lang, Marty Harte, Marty Healy, Tom O'Connor, Gus
Nolan, John Colbert, and Art Molloy from the juniorate gang, along with a
dozen other Marists from the teaching years, at the recent picnic at Mt. St.
Michael. Regards to all Marists, Marists All, (3 Van Roo Avenue, Merrick, N, Y.
11566; 516-541-8556)


6/22/2021
Newsletter # 7
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/newsletters/newsletter7.html
11/11
BUSINESS UP-DATE: This newsletter is the product of many fine people who
have twice shared their lives with us, once elbow to elbow and more recently
pen to paper. Thanks to all, for all you have given; we are enriched. We look
forward to hearing from many others; now's the time, right this minute; you're
really not going to put it off any longer, are you? Mail to David Kammer 107
Woodland Drive, Harwinton, Ct. 06791, or to Gus Nolan, Marist College, Pksie
12601