Class Notes for 1940

We are indebted to, John Sweeney, for another edition (I do the rewrite job). Gleaning whatever we can for these periodic notes has lead to formation of a core group that has lunch monthly, which confirms the theory of unintended consequences in a positive way. It appears the guys are now busy reaching conclusion. Example: is playing football dangerous for your health? We had 17 varsity members in our class, Lou Sulzer and Jim Morgan are the only survivors. The survivors continue in a contemplative mode when challenged to name their favorite teachers. Bungart took first with five votes, Pickel and Bardeen each had three, Ryan and Graff had two, Burns, Grauel and Hodous one. Bungart was the only one not wearing the collar. Chet Burns, SJ, was a no nonsense teacher of Greek. I had a one o’clock Greek class, and showed up one minute late. I was trying to finish an ice cream cone. He was not pleased, and lowered the Burns boom thus “Mr. Giblin, please finish your cone in the hall, and come back next year.” Out city! I switched to Spanish! I had better luck in Latin with Fr. (Mickey Mouse) Kiefer. Each spring he would tell us his favorite – “Tempus fugit.” Translation: “Time flys.” A real thigh slapper. Thanks for the memories, guys, and cheers! Carl

The lunch bunch met in the phone booth at Hornblower’s Barge & Grill. Jim Carey, Jim Schlecht and John Sweeney got together for their every edition lunch. ... Lou Sulzer is nursing Bea through her current illness. John has done his homework and produced some interesting material. Every class reaches a time when we attend more funerals than weddings. As one observed, “our friends are dying more often that they used to.” Of the 112 that graduated, 83 have been fitted for wings. Of the survivors, 21 live in Ohio, one in Arizona, three in Florida, one in Virginia, one in Texas, one in West Virginia, and one in Iowa. So take your vitamins, guys and hope we don’t have a class reunion very soon. ... Cheers, Carl

One of the benefits yielded by the info gleaning required for this reportage are the lunches that bring the Ohio “Lunch Bunch” to the table. We are again indebted to John Sweeney for this providing the leadership to create this fattening forum. This info is of great interest to those of us far removed from the Cleveland area. Speaking of John, he is doing his version of the “iron man,” visiting new people at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby and those returning from the hospital. He retired from his law practice in 1983 but serves on the board of directors of the Lake Geauga Center for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. ... Louis Sulzer retired from running Perkins Steel in 1986 and is busy staying close to his wife, Bea, who is in a nursing home in Shaker. ... Jim Carey is back in Rocky River after a career of 57 years in California. He still makes that long drive to visit every year. He spends two mornings a week as a volunteer at the West Side Catholic Center. ... Bud Noetzel semi retired as a partner of KPMG accounting firm. He still lives close to JCU and does parish work for Gesu. ... Jim Schlecht lives alone at his home in Euclid. He retired in 1976 from the appeals division of the IRS (and he always seemed like a nice guy!). He is a lector at St. William and for 27 years he headed their Catholic Charities drive. ... Jack Brennan maintains his sunny disposition even though wheel chair bound. ... John Kenney says that rumors that he was taking fife lessons to join the parade in Williamsburg are untrue. He is taking drum lessons. ... Nobody has heard from Jim Morgan since Katrina roared through. If he is home when these class notes are published, I hope we will hear from him. ... I have a two bedroom apartment in a retirement hotel. I am dealing with a severe case of computer addiction. {a MAC with a 23” flat screen} I have excellent software to make greeting cards, so I try to make sure everyone living here gets a birthday card. I have a Yamaha keyboard, down in the atrium and try to emulate Dick Breiner and play happy hour at 5 p.m. twice a week. It keeps me off the street. Thus endeth the lesson. Take care of each other, Carl

Jim Carey will leave the snow and cold of Westlake to make his annual pilgrimage to California. He usually goes earlier but must first have cataract surgery. Jim spent his working years in California and goes back every winter indicating he is of sound mind. ... The Cleveland Chapter aka “Lunch Bunch” convened in Willoughby, accommodating John Sweeney. John had major surgery and was unable to drive for three months. He had some brain damage for a period of two months, and made a complete recovery. The fact that he works so diligently collecting news for this column might indicate some residual damage. The winter lunch turned out the usual charter members, Jim Carey, Ray McGorray, John Sweeney, Bud Noetzel, and Lou Sulzer. Jim Schlecht, a regular, had to report to his M.D. Jack Brennan is still dealing with health problems. Joe Britton has a part time job keeping an eye on his grandson. This is a volunteer job and carries no further remuneration than bragging rights. Fr. Lloyd Boymer is leading the quiet life, and will join the lunch bunch at their April meeting. John Kenney sends greetings from Williamsburg. Again, I am indebted to John Sweeney who has provided all the material for these notes I just do the rewrite job. He reports that the survivors of the class of ’40 number 23, of which14 live in greater Cleveland, one in Akron, one in Columbus and six out of state. You are all invited to attend the spring lunch meeting and so contact John at 440-975-1403 -- JJSMBS276@sbcglobal.net. ... The last edition of this magazine had an excellent article about Fr. Murphy. His sense of humor was often tested by the guys in the dorm -- the ringleaders being Kelly and Spallino. One day he returned to his room to see the barber chair in it. Among other burdens he dealt with were “short sheeting” his bed and lining his PJs with cold cream. Our class knew the author’s dad when he added so much to the creation of JCU music. Cheers! Carl

The Ohio lunch bunch has a rather unique seating arrangement. The East siders meet the West siders on neutral ground at Hornblower’s Barge & Grill on E. 9th at the pier. John Sweeney arrived at 11:50 and Bud Noetzel showed at 11:55. They got a table for four and waited. Ray McGorray and Jim Carey came together at 12:05 got a table for four in a different part of the restaurant and settled down to wait for John and Bud. At 12:30 they found each other and finally adjourned at 2:30. Any classmates who would like to join the group can call John at 440-975-1403. ... Jack Brennan is noting some improvement in his condition, recovering from a stroke, but is confined to a wheelchair, with round the clock care givers. ... Jim Schlecht is recovering from a gall bladder job and is getting his strength for further surgery for carotid artery. ... Got a nice note from Lou and Bea Sulzer (Bea), who have done their best to perpetuate their blood line, they have 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Their grandson, Matthew, plays football at JCU. Their sons and daughter, Joan, have their own business in Chicago. Life is good for the Sulzers. ... I continue to try to imitate Dick Breiner, and play the keyboard for the old folks at happy hour twice a week. If we want to be happy more than twice a week, we ad lib. Have a wonderful holiday season! Take care of each other, Carl

When I received the last issue of this magazine, which is really a “slick” publication, I thought what changes have been wrought since 1940. Our class was the first to go all four years on the new campus. Most of the faculty were Jesuits, and the few lay professors (Dr. Aloysius Bungart, etc.) were male. There were 140 graduates that year and 24 are still around, most showing some wear. This publication was run on a mimeograph in the basement in the administration building by Fr. Joseph Tepley. It was the location for everything except dorms, and priests’ residence. There was one dorm, occupied by guys mostly from Akron and Chicago, who loved to “short sheet” Fr. Murphy, their watchdog. One night they moved the barber chair into his room, and lined his PJs with cold cream! He earned his halo! Looking back after 65 years, we can be proud of the present product: state-of the-art electronics; traditional Tudor Gothic buildings; a campus with trees that shade now; (saplings then); the athletic program featured a great rivalry in football, basketball with the big four (Case, Western Reserve, Baldwin-Wallace, and JCU). We also had a great hockey team with Eddie Arsenault and Wilfred “Hoss” Rancourt. They both starred in football. A lot of guys lettered in two sports: Jim Morgan, Bill Young, for example. … I was privileged to represent Carroll, with Paul Vincent ’41, in debate. Fr. “Pappy” Ryan was our coach. The high point of our brief season was winning a debate with a team from Oxford (England). We once debated Dayton behind curtains for a convent of cloistered nuns. There was no end to the excitement. So now the university is a model, faithful to its Tudor Gothic designs, but also state-of-the-art. I am rewriting my will to leave them at least $100! Jim Carey returned to Rocky River after living in Oceanside, CA. ... Jim Schlecht and his sister just returned from a trip to Mesa, AZ. They visited their other sister, who is married to classmate Jim Fleming. Five days of 115 degree heat cooked them enough to return to Ohio. ... All of the above, plus Bud Noetzel, Lou Sulzer and John Sweeney have lunch at Pizzazz, near the campus and are sometimes joined by Ray McGorray. ... Bill Scharf writes from Columbus that he lives alone in a condo, close to his two daughters. Bill is surrounded by his 12 great-grandchildren, another two in the oven. He is busy with his hobby, recording CDs from any source. His studio is lined with his collection, which dates back to 1937. Our contributing editor, John Sweeney, stays totally immersed in his spiritual-social-legal ministry. More about him, next time. Take care of each other, Carl

Got a letter from James O’C Morgan. His cousin Bob Muth and his wife, Ayleen, drove out to visit the Morgans in Keller, TX. Jim says that visit was welcome but too brief. Our Cleveland bureau chief, John Sweeney, sent me three sets of notes in code -- the following is the best attempt to figure it out. ... He talked with Bob Fogarty’s wife to learn that Bob died on February 22, 2003. She was sorry she did not notify JCU. ... John contributed a unique idea. He suggested that a thumbnail sketch of the meeting of our classmates and their wives would be of interest. Jim Fleming married Jim Schlecht’s sister, Mary, in May 1943. John Kenney and Patricia McTorray met at an Ursuline - JCU function and married on April 15, 1944. Jim McMahon and Marianne Keber were childhood sweethearts and married on October 15, 1943. James O’C Morgan and Mary Lawton first met in 1936 and married on December 15, 1943. Harry Svec and Edna Bruno met while they were in grad school at Iowa State. Edna was seeking her master’s and Harry was studying for his doctorate. They married October 27, 1943. Dick Breiner and Ruth Hauser were introduced by Dick’s next door neighbor in 1937 and married in 1944. Jim Sclecht met Jane Kay in 1945 on a blind date, where they danced the night away (not totally). They married on June 25, 1949. Lou Sulzer met Beatrice Cohen, married her on December 31, 1939 and started producing future students for JCU. Remember the Trianon Dance Hall? John Sweeney was apparently armed with a load of tickets when he met a pretty girl from Painesville, Mary Mansueto in 1939. They were married April 27, 1943. Jack Brennan and Lenore Kelley met at a “mixer” in 1936 and married in 1943. Bud Britton married his next door neighbor, Mary Barkin in October 1951. Ray McGorray and Dolores Felder met at a family gathering in 1935 and they married on October 9, 1943. Lu Przybysz and Noretta Siwinski were introduced at a Notre Dame - JCU affair. She waited for Lu to complete his military service and they married on November 21, 1945. ... Check these facts out: Lloyd Boymer, Simon Nekic, and Vic Tomc all entered the seminary in 1937 and were ordained on December 18, 1943. You will also notice that 1943 was a big year for the 1940 graduates to begin the married life. ... Take care of each other, Carl

Got a snapshot of James O’C and Mary Morgan taken on Christmas Eve. They were getting a sample of a white Christmas. He sent a long needle to us Florida residents who live in the path of hurricanes. We lucked out in Clearwater, and did not even lose electric power. ... Jim Carey got to California in time for the mudslides. He is spending three months in his old neighborhood. ... The lunch bunch of Bud Noetzel, Jim Schlecht, Lou Sulzer and John Sweeney met at Pizzazz, in the shadow of JCU. Bud and Frances Noetzel have had an active end of the year. In September they had an annual reunion of friends that served on the USS Hurst. Bud gathered their clan for a big Christmas party. There were 27 in attendance including the newest Noetzels – their great, great grandchildren. Jim Schlecht and Lou Sulzer contributed rapt attention, but had no breaking news. John Sweeney, who has made a career making sure he never has any spare moments (the devil’s workshop syndrome), continues to head our Ohio office as a contributing editor. He has just finished “Cliff Noting” a book “The Sermon on the Mount” and including a glossary. He strongly recommends it as a “must read.” ... Take care of each other, Carl

Our class list has some interesting, if useless, information. There were 146 of us on graduation day in 1940. In September 2004, there were 69 of us still showing signs of life, and 23 guys whose address is unknown. If this comes up in a trivia game, get new friends. ... When Lucian Przybysz does something he does it in a big way. I am always inviting our classmates to send me notes, so I can share the news in this space. Lu sent me, certified mail ($5.11) 21 pages tracking his life and activities. The short version is “Been There Done That.” After JCU he went to Georgetown Law School, but in 1941 went into the service for 4 years. His tour started in England and covered Italy and Africa. He belongs to 7 charitable organizations, and has risen to the top in everyone (chairman or president). He has stayed close to his roots at JCU -- to the distinct benefit of JCU. Lu retired from KeyCorp in 1978. He was property manager and investor for the last 25 of his 30 years with the bank. He is recovering from a hospital visit but is still a daily communicant. His wife, Norette, is wheel chair bound, and Lu, is her caregiver. Who could want better care? If there is a caregiver club in Cleveland, Lu will probably be president-elect. Thanks for the material, Lu, I did not want it to read like an obit -- too soon! ... The lunch bunch met again November 3 at The Harp restaurant. The regulars are Jim Carey, Ray McGorray, Bud Noetzel, Jim Schlecht, Lou Sulzer, and John Sweeney. Dick Breiner surprised the group and made it. All of you in the Cleveland Metro area are invited. Give John Sweeney a call at 440-975-1403. ... Quote from Louise Weitzmann SJ (1940) “Never live close enough to your in-laws that they can visit in bedroom slippers.” We were friends and every once in a while I would get a call, “Carl, I’m in town.” translation “Invite me to dinner.” We lived in Beachwood, at that time, so I would drive to the West side to pick him up. That was not bad. The trip back seemed five times as far. But 65 years later, I still feel the Jesuit impact. Take care of each other, Carl

Received a note from Bea Sulzer saying they are still running a farm system to feed students to John Carroll. Their grandson, Matthew, walked down the aisle with Harry ’67 and Lou. Reminded me of a true story -- a classmate of Lou's got trapped in 1948 between selling his house, and closing on another; that was before bridge loans. Lou’s classmate mentioned his distress to Lou, and Lou advanced him $18,000. No strings! No interest! I am that classmate. What a friend! ... The head of our art department, James O’Connell Morgan, reports in from Texas that all is well. He still adorns his mail with sketches, and complains that there are no palm trees in Keller, TX. Texas has plenty of palms -- all outstretched. Jim remembers his days of playing football for coaches like Tom Conway, and Gene Oberst as the high point of his life. Bob Muth ’41, Jim’s cousin, arranged a big family get together in Texas for Jim’s birthday in July. ... John Sweeney, head of our news bureau called to report that the lunch bunch is still getting together. Currently, he, Lou Sulzer, Bud Noetzel and Jim Schlecht are regulars. Any of you in the area are encouraged to call John at 440-975-1403 to be included. ... Jim Breslin’s daughter Bunny sent me press clippings that appeared after Jim’s death. I read them carefully, but to me they missed Jim’s “spirit.” He wrote these class notes for many years, and always made them interesting. You know of his distinguished TV career, during which he pioneered so many “firsts,” both with programming and characters. His originality had its roots while we were at Carroll. He invented “improv” 50 years before Saturday Night Live. He and Bernie Petty would go into an act walking down the hall between classes. They fed each other lines, often in some strange dialect, that were hilarious. The cafeteria was a favorite stage. We never knew when the curtain would go up. No other class had this entertainment at lunch! Jim contributed so much gentle humor in his time with us that we are honored to call him “classmate.” At last Jim, it is your turn to take a bow! And you will put a tag line on it! Join you later, we hope. Parnes tavern is closed, give us directions. ... Take care of each other, Carl

Got an e-mail from Jack Morton, mortonlaw@frontiernet.net, who started out with us but transferred to West Virginia U. Jack, who is wheel chair bound due to service connected disabilities, is still practicing law from an office in his home. He is a widower, but is surrounded by friends, five children, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild. His dream is to be able to return to see the campus he left so long ago. ... John J. Sweeney, national news editor, provided the following items -- He talked with Jim Morgan (817-337-8508) who loves living in Texas and is still doing his art work. Jim later sent John a card, confessing to the number of t-shirts he and Al Sutton stole from JCU. Must be the effect of Holy Week! ... Jim Fleming (480-833-2450) is happy that he and his wife are living the good life in Arizona. I don’t know what time of day it was, but he commented on the uses of water being restricted to lawns and whiskey. ... Jim McMahon is in a nursing home in California following a stroke. You can e-mail him through his daughter-in-law, Mimi, at mimi@omsoft.com. ... Harry Svec (515-296-5143) has been in a nursing home for over three years following a stroke. His wife requests our prayers. ... John Kenney (757-229-6838) sends his greetings from Virginia. All is well. John was never burdened with loquacity. ... John Sweeney worked hard to organize a lunch with local classmates. The first lunch was in a Euclid restaurant selected by Jim Schlecht. Sharing the table with Jim were Bud Noetzel, Lou Sulzer, and, of course, John Sweeney. They spent 2.5 hours at lunch and claim it was not because of slow service, but good conversation, in fact they agreed to lunch again on Thursday, June 17. All Cleveland area grads are encouraged to join the lunch brunch, there is no cover or minimum charge, but it may qualify for Medicare. You can reach John at 440-975-1403, or e-mail at jjsmbs@apk.net. ... Take care of each other, Carl

Hoping to encourage more intra-class communication, in the next edition we will print your phone number so your classmates can get in touch, if they so choose. Anyone who objects can drop me a note, call, or e- mail. ... As usual, the chief of our Cleveland Bureau, John J. Sweeney (440-975-1403) has mined all the info he could. He had lunch with Ray McGorray and after what he describes as a few laughs (beers?), Ray disclosed that he walks and bikes to stay in shape. ... Jack Brennan is having a rough time. He suffered a bad fall and is under full time nursing care. I am sure he would welcome your call. ... Fr. Lloyd Boymer is retired and living at St. Augustine with all the “amenities.” He celebrates Mass and gets his exercise by walking around in the underground garage. Lloyd would like to thank John for the call and was happy that someone cared enough to call him. ... Jim Klima confessed that he had no news and concluded that was probably good news. It certainly beats reclining on a gurney. ... Jim Schlecht had surgery in August on his right carotid artery (95% blocked) and will soon have the left one done (the Browns would be happy with that kind of blocking). Jimmy wanted to remind you that he was the only representative of our class at the last reunion. ... Lou Sulzer continues to endow Carroll with football talent. His grandson is a starter on the John Carroll football team. ... Justin Noetzel still lives in his dorm on the campus and he and Fran are enjoying their family. He must have been away at reunion time or he had his own in the backyard. ... Jim Carey e-mails that after 56 years of living in California, he moved back to 22481 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River, last June. He says he has gone full circle. Maybe he can give surfing lessons this summer on Lake Erie. ... John J. is living at Breckenridge. He walks 3 miles a day and if the weather is inclement he tramps around the garage and up and down the 174 steps (he counted!). I doubt I could sustain that level of excitement. “Whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the urge passes.” I think those are the unforgettable words of my personal trainer, Alexander Woolcot. Of course I got my rocker up to subsonic speed during the playoffs. My kind of workout! ... Just received the latest class list. Out of a class of 139, there were 52 to of us still around on January 1, 2004. There are 21 of you living within an hour’s drive of the campus. How about a big turnout for the reunion this year? One disconcerting feature of the list, it shows a name, then "deceased y (yes), "address unknown,” that's not what Father Lemay promised us! ... Take care of each other, Carl

The Cleveland bureau chief, John Sweeney, has made some momentous changes in his life; he sold the house that he built 50 years ago. He handled the deal himself, as he did the construction contracting, and sold it to the first bidder. He got his price, plus what furniture John would not need in his new quarters, Breckenridge Village, Willoughby. He assures me that he will not miss the lawn care, snow shoveling, and the others joys of ownership. John keeps very busy with his work serving in various capacities at St. Gabriel, Painesville. He also ministers to the Catholic residents at the Lakeside Med Nursing Home. He keeps busy, ministering to others, and walks 3 miles a week. I did not ask if this was because he still has his car from 50 years ago. ... I do have a lot of mail from other thoughtful people at JCU. Peter Anagnostos, and the people he organized into a telephone hit squad (al squeeza) now that everyone knows I live 1200 miles away; I get invitations to wear a cap and gown, and march in a parade! I am invited to dinner at the Union Club, and get urgent, friendly letters from whoever is in charge of whatever fund drive is current. Anything I can spare, cash, checks, except on Iraqi banks. It is warming to feel the affection from so many people I have never heard of. I am sure if I had received this much attention, I could have been summa cum laude. ... Take care of each other, Carl

One way to elicit a response is to print an error. We ran a picture of Jim and Mary Morgan that was taken from their new home in Weller, TX. Jim sent a hand painted card letting us know that they are probing their roots, and learning about Jim’s great great grandfather “cowboy rancher.” Their new address: 2310 Watercrest Drive, Keller, TX, 76248. You can phone him at 817.337.8508. The post mark was Ft. Worth. … Got an e-mail from Jim Carey from his home in California. He retired as vice chairman of the board of Transamerica Occidental Life. He still enjoys driving enough to drive back to Cleveland’s West side to visit family and friends, usually in the fall. He “Tours,” stopping to absorb the sights and sounds, both going and coming. You can contact him by e-mail at JCAREY3401 ... From our Cleveland bureau manager, John Sweeney, comes the suggestion that all of you send me your current address and phone number. If you have e-mail, I will list it. I have John’s permission to list his address: JJSMBM@APK.NET. He just disclosed to me that on January 9, 2003, he celebrated the 50th year of living in his current home. He acted as a general contractor, subbed out the work, saved a bundle. The good part of it is-both he and the house are still standing! You can verify by driving past 69 Stratford Rd. in Painesville. … Jim Schlecht, after being captain for 47 years in his parish for Catholic Charities, has finally turned it over to another person. That sounds like award winning service. … Jack Brennan, who is helping provide the full time care his wife requires, tripped, fell down the stairs, and wound up in intensive care for many weeks. He is on the road for full recovery, but they could use any extra prayers you have left over. … I hesitate to fill any spaces discussing my activities, but I guess this story qualifies as noteworthy. After my wife, Rae, died over a year and a half ago, I did not want to live alone so I moved into a retirement apartment hotel (2 br, 2 bath, full kitchen).They served breakfast and dinner daily, maid service, laundry. Nice set up, but I did not like living alone in an “institution.” During the holiday season in 2001, I thought of a friend in St. Charles, IL that I had worked with while I was in the franchising business years ago. She was a licensee, and when she sold her franchised business, I helped her with the sale, and we had not talked with each other since then. That was 30 years ago! I called information, to see if she lived in the same town. She did. I called. She answered the phone. We started to fill in the blanks. She finally came to visit in Florida, and she walked right past me in the “arriving passenger” line. I did not recognize her, until we both did a “double take!” She had continued her art studies, and gotten her degree. She is a fine art photographer, working with professional models from her studio in St. Charles. Her professional name is Jerry Johnson. On December 23, she became Jerry (Geraldine) Giblin at St. Brendan’s in Clearwater. She had her first book published in February, and has opened her studio in Clearwater. Her work is sold at auction, at Sotheby’s and Fraser art galleries, Washington, DC to collectors from Amsterdam to Australia. If any of you guys are moved to send wedding presents, we are registered at Wachovia Bank, Belleair Bluffs, FL. …Carl

When Fr. Mike Lavelle was president, he conducted annual trips for directors and friends of John Carroll; I was able to qualify as a "friend." Bud and Fran Noetzel were on every trip. We would have a professional tour guide for the entire trip, and the required local guide for cities such as Paris. The trips had an added dimension, not available to tourists, the interesting people that made up your trour group. One couple that stands out is Dr. Pierce '39 and Eileen Mullally. Pierce was a product of St. Louis Medical school and Eileen had been an R.N. when they met. In his later career, he was medical director of Republic Steel. He had both hips replaced, and one had to be redone, and it was botched. As a result he had considerable difficulty walking. He had to kind of "throw" one leg forward. All of this is apropos only when applied to his difficulty walking on the cobbled streets on Montmartre in Paris, where we visited the Jesuit church dating back to Ignatius, and of Sacré Coeur. We were on our feet from early morning until dinnertime. Mullally never quit walking and never quit smiling and never uttered one word of complaint I recall all this because Pierce died last Christmas day after a long illness. He was the ultimate definition of a "gentle" man. I was too late getting this into earlier issues but I could not let it go untold. Sorry I was so slow, Eileen. ... The Cleveland bureau chief had nothing to report, so I must resort to another story about the fabled Jack Van De Motter. We had a janitor (maintenance man, now) that used to go into every washroom and empty the containers of used paper towels into some huge burlap bags. He would then, on the bottom floor, have one over each shoulder and take them outside to the incinerator. One day Jack dropped a lighted match in each bag. They each started to smolder and the janitor started running for the door. Jack was considerate and ran ahead and opened the doors for him. He made it outside, but always, from that time on, would look to see if Jack was anywhere in sight. …Carl

It is a strange feeling to be writing this 62 years after we graduated. We are at war again, this time against people we did not know were enemies until they attacked. ... But it brings back memories. I worked hard to get a congressional appointment to Marine Officer Training School at Quantico, Virginia. Frances Bolton, our congresswoman, got me the appointment. I reported down on Euclid Avenue for my physical and was told they would waive the height requirement (1” short) but that I had a split eardrum and told me to come back when the Germans got to 9th Street. But many of our gang served. ... Got a long letter from Lucian Przybysz saying he returned (1945) from a tour in England, Oran, Africa, and Italy, where he picked up the language. (I can only eat Italian). He and his wife, Norette, had three children, and their granddaughter graduated from Carroll in 2000. Lucian has been most active, and still is, serving many charitable institutions in Ohio and Florida. ... Justin (Bud) Noetzel writes that he and Frances attended the topping out ceremony for the new Dolan Center - it was held in his side yard! He also was the sole representative from the class of ’40 at the reception for those graduates that were out 50 or more years - that was in his front yard! His grandson and namesake just graduated with honors from Washington University. His father is Dr. Michael Noetzel, a pediatric neurologist, associated with Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. ... Our Cleveland bureau chief, John J. Sweeney reports that on July 2, 2002, the class of 1940 provided another “first” to it’s illustrious history. The scene was Pat Joyce Pub in Rocky River. He met with Jack Brennan and Ray McGorray for lunch, and what he describes as “good fellowship.” I will quote him to avoid a lawsuit -- “After we were helped out of the car and assisted through the back door of the pub, as we held on to each other so there would not be a fall by any of us, we were helped to our table.” ... The “first”? This was at lunchtime, and these guys had to be helped going in! ... Missing: Has anyone seen or heard from Jim and Mary Morgan? They decided to move from the Atlantic Coast in Florida to Texas. They have not been reporting in for months. When many of our classmates are looking for a retirement home, they decided to build their own. I hope they did not try to homestead on an Apache Reservation. ... Lou Sulzer 3:34 PM 1/3/2003is still trying to learn how to keep the ball on the fairway, out of the water, and out of the sand. I found out years ago - play Ping-Pong! ... Take care of each other, Carl

Class Notes 1940

	Carl Giblin 1100 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., #401 N Clearwater, FL 33756 727.518.7961 GIBBI612@aol.com


fall 2008	Jim Schlecht’s 90th birthday was “party time” prepared by his three sons and the entire parish of St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills, the entire parish honored Jim. He was a lector at his Euclid parish for 44 years. His brother in law, Jim Fleming, came out of the desert in Mesa, AZ, to get a free meal and some adult beverages. He had 98 friends at his big blast! (I don’t even know 98 people!) ... Bud Noetzel just returned from a trip to Ireland (O’Noetzel? McNoetzel?). He was in Galway, which, until five years ago had a Giblin hotel. He also visited a popular shrine in Roscommon. I am guessing that he was accompanied by some of his o’family. ... Jim Carey volunteers two days a week at the West Side Catholic Center, where he helps people who did not graduate from high school try for their GED. He assists them with simple math. ... Lou Sulzer missed the lunch meeting at Pizzazz. He had to take Bea to the doctor for a check up. It was the first time that she could see a general practitioner, rather than a “baby” doctor. ... This is the time in Florida when you can take a shower by stepping out of doors. We all have our instructions to have several gallon jugs of fresh drinking water, fresh batteries for flash lights, and enough food (canned etc. that does not have to be frozen) to last one week. Our apartment building is stressed for a Category 4 storm (about 150 mph wind gusts). I maintain a week’s supply of ice cubes, with a week’s supply of adult beverages. All this excitement comes at no additional cost, and lasts into November. I spend a lot of my waking hours gleaning stuff from the Internet, which is printed out. I have a mailing list of “shut-ins”) old folks) and hospital patients. I try to make a mailing twice a week, so they get mail with a stamp on it, not an ad or a request for donations. Keeps me off the street. Once again, I am indebted to John J. Sweeney for managing the Cleveland news bureau. Carl


summer 2008	Most of this information is from our intrepid class reporter, John Sweeney. The lunch bunch has one thing in common -- lunch. They get to Pizzazz monthly, except for Jim Carey who is smart enough to spend February and March in California. John’s report sounds like it’s coming from Iraq, with all the casualties. Bud Noetzel is recovering from his scare of fluid in his lungs. You are supposed to swallow the beer, bud, not inhale it! Jim Schlecht had cataracts removed from both eyes and didn’t recognize Lou Sulzer. He hit the big 90 on June 7, and his son had a party and invited the lunch bunch. John Sweeney had a knee job that goes back to when he sustained a football injury. They were playing with a round football in those days. John directed some questions to me, including whether I get back to the Cleveland area (no) and do I miss it? Yes, I would love to tour the new campus at JCU. The pictures I get show what how it has changed since we graduated. They continued the Tudor Gothic architecture combined with state of the art technology, with outstanding results! Be proud, sons of Carroll! Take care of each other! Carl


fall 2007	This publication has a gestation period of about 12 weeks, so it is not news to the Clevelanders that Jack Brennan left us on October 8. He has been battling for some months. ... John Sweeney, who is the leader of the band in the Cleveland area, convened the remaining gourmands at Pizzazz on September 27. They were a couple of weeks late, waiting for Jim Carey to return from a cruise on the Ohio River. Jim was able to avoid seasickness by mixing his medication with ice cubes. ... Jim Schlecht had to cancel a trip to Tennessee with his sister because of a bad case of bronchitis (I prefer a case of Vodka, given a choice). ... Lou Sulzer was back from Chicago. He played nine holes and ran out of golf balls. Lou asked me how I was able to get him a membership in the Metal Engineers, where he enjoyed lunch. It was not far from Perkins Steel, where Lou presided. I did it the old fashioned way, I bribed them. ... A check of the latest class list showed the class of 1940 is represented by 21, in varying stages of dissolution. Here’s hoping the holiday season will be bright, healthy and happy for you. Take care of each other! Carl


summer 2007	As usual these gleanings are the result of John Sweeney’s pursuit of any classmate able to ingest, and retain, solid foods. His diligent work turns to pleasure when the lunch bunch holds a meeting (ain’t many left). Typical of a solid Jesuit education, the meetings always involve food and beverage. They visited Jack Brennan who receives ‘round the clock care after his stroke. They held their July meeting at Pizzazz (at Fairmount Circle). Jim Carey, Bud Noetzel, Jim Schlecht and John made a quorum. Lou Sulzer thought the meeting was in Chicago and has not been seen since! The lunch conversations do not indulge in anything lighter than scriptural analysis. Carey and Sweeney are really big with that -- no wonder Lou misses meetings! ... John Kenney reports from Williamsburg that he is into gardening. His specialty is poppies, which explains his perpetual sunny attitude! ... Dick Breiner and his piano need some tuning, after a recent setback. John Sweeney is planning a reunion of the Coan-Gill clan who came from Ireland in the 1880s. They had four children who married and the youngest was a nun. Typical of Irish Catholics, they might have trouble with algebra, but they know how to multiply the first four turned into 11 and from them 39. Now, 127 years later there are about 100 who will get together for what should be a grand party. If I did not live in Florida, I would get the beer concession. ... From deep in the heart of Texas, comes my periodic communication from Mary and James O’C Morgan. They visited with their youngest son and his wife, who have three kids with foreign names (Megan, Tara and Kevin). They spent three weeks visiting family. ... Take care of each other, Carl


spring 2007	I am an addict! I am addicted to the possibilities afforded by my MAC, digital camera, printer, scanner, and copier. I get my material downloaded from the internet. It fills many waking hours. In order to make those hours useful, I have my “mail ministry.” I have a list of shut-ins, old friends, hospital patients, etc. that get mail from me about three times a week. Everyone likes to get first class mail that’s not a bill, a request for money, or advertising. So I scour the Internet and so far, have been able to get enough good material to keep the pipeline full. ... John Sweeney, news bureau chief in Cleveland, reports that the lunch bunch agreed to meet on the second Tuesday of each month. They are very eager to make it as easy as possible for anyone interested to attend, and planned to lunch in Rocky River to make it easy for Jack Brennan and Dick Breiner. Had to cancel because Jack had a cold. It is impressive that John Sweeney is willing to travel to Rocky River from Willoughby, Jim Schlecht from Euclid, Bud Noetzel from University Heights, Lou Sulzer from reform school to accommodate the guys that would miss the lunches otherwise. ... I end these musings each time with “Take care of each other,” the above is what it means in Technicolor and surround sound! ... I wrote James O’C Morgan in Texas and I may get a response for the next column. I recall what I think is straight “Morgan.” It was at the reception prior to dinner at our 50th Reunion we all had our badges on, and one of our hosts, trying to be chummy with Jim, looked at his badge and asked, “Do I call you Jim, Jimmy, or James?” Morgan fixed him without a smile and said, “You can call me Mr. Morgan.” ... Take care of each other. Carl


winter 2007	I lucked out for this issue. James O’Connell Morgan wrote from deep in the heart of Texas. After so many years of Florida, he and Mary traded palms for cacti. They are near their grandchildren, who have three offspring named Kevin, Tara, Megan. Those are not exactly Swahili names! By an interesting coincidence, Carroll High School is just a few blocks away, and their football team hasn’t lost a game this year, and is rated the #1 high school team in the nation. They have lost just one game in the last four years. ... John Sweeney convenes the lunch bunch (Jim Carey, Bud Noetzel, Jim Schlecht, Lou Sulzer, Jack Brennan) that live nearby, and for those not in the area, he works the phones. ... John Kenney sends his best wishes from Williamsburg, where he is still taking fife lessons. … Jim Fleming moved into a retirement complex, in Mesa, AZ, after the recent loss of his wife. ... If any of you are still gainfully employed, give Jim Schlecht a call. Jim Carey would like to hear from any of you that are doing something for a paycheck. Do not include bagging groceries! ... Louie Sulzer is lonesome for Morgan and me, which shows he’s losing it. ... Frank Knapp sends his New Year’s greetings to all his classmates, as do I. ... Take care of each other, Carl


fall 2006	We are indebted to, John Sweeney, for another edition (I do the rewrite job). Gleaning whatever we can for these periodic notes has lead to formation of a core group that has lunch monthly, which confirms the theory of unintended consequences in a positive way. It appears the guys are now busy reaching conclusion. Example: is playing football dangerous for your health? We had 17 varsity members in our class, Lou Sulzer and Jim Morgan are the only survivors. The survivors continue in a contemplative mode when challenged to name their favorite teachers. Bungart took first with five votes, Pickel and Bardeen each had three, Ryan and Graff had two, Burns, Grauel and Hodous one. Bungart was the only one not wearing the collar. Chet Burns, SJ, was a no nonsense teacher of Greek. I had a one o’clock Greek class, and showed up one minute late. I was trying to finish an ice cream cone. He was not pleased, and lowered the Burns boom thus “Mr. Giblin, please finish your cone in the hall, and come back next year.” Out city! I switched to Spanish! I had better luck in Latin with Fr. (Mickey Mouse) Kiefer. Each spring he would tell us his favorite – “Tempus fugit.” Translation: “Time flys.” A real thigh slapper. Thanks for the memories, guys, and cheers! Carl


summer 2006	The lunch bunch met in the phone booth at Hornblower’s Barge & Grill. Jim Carey, Jim Schlecht and John Sweeney got together for their every edition lunch. ... Lou Sulzer is nursing Bea through her current illness. John has done his homework and produced some interesting material. Every class reaches a time when we attend more funerals than weddings. As one observed, “our friends are dying more often that they used to.” Of the 112 that graduated, 83 have been fitted for wings. Of the survivors, 21 live in Ohio, one in Arizona, three in Florida, one in Virginia, one in Texas, one in West Virginia, and one in Iowa. So take your vitamins, guys and hope we don’t have a class reunion very soon. ... Cheers, Carl


spring 2006	One of the benefits yielded by the info gleaning required for this reportage are the lunches that bring the Ohio “Lunch Bunch” to the table. We are again indebted to John Sweeney for this providing the leadership to create this fattening forum. This info is of great interest to those of us far removed from the Cleveland area. Speaking of John, he is doing his version of the “iron man,” visiting new people at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby and those returning from the hospital. He retired from his law practice in 1983 but serves on the board of directors of the Lake Geauga Center for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. ... Louis Sulzer retired from running Perkins Steel in 1986 and is busy staying close to his wife, Bea, who is in a nursing home in Shaker. ... Jim Carey is back in Rocky River after a career of 57 years in California. He still makes that long drive to visit every year. He spends two mornings a week as a volunteer at the West Side Catholic Center. ... Bud Noetzel semi retired as a partner of KPMG accounting firm. He still lives close to JCU and does parish work for Gesu. ... Jim Schlecht lives alone at his home in Euclid. He retired in 1976 from the appeals division of the IRS (and he always seemed like a nice guy!). He is a lector at St. William and for 27 years he headed their Catholic Charities drive. ... Jack Brennan maintains his sunny disposition even though wheel chair bound. ... John Kenney says that rumors that he was taking fife lessons to join the parade in Williamsburg are untrue. He is taking drum lessons. ... Nobody has heard from Jim Morgan since Katrina roared through. If he is home when these class notes are published, I hope we will hear from him. ... I have a two bedroom apartment in a retirement hotel. I am dealing with a severe case of computer addiction. {a MAC with a 23” flat screen} I have excellent software to make greeting cards, so I try to make sure everyone living here gets a birthday card. I have a Yamaha keyboard, down in the atrium and try to emulate Dick Breiner and play happy hour at 5 p.m. twice a week. It keeps me off the street. Thus endeth the lesson. Take care of each other, Carl


winter 2006	Jim Carey will leave the snow and cold of Westlake to make his annual pilgrimage to California. He usually goes earlier but must first have cataract surgery. Jim spent his working years in California and goes back every winter indicating he is of sound mind. ... The Cleveland Chapter aka “Lunch Bunch” convened in Willoughby, accommodating John Sweeney. John had major surgery and was unable to drive for three months. He had some brain damage for a period of two months, and made a complete recovery. The fact that he works so diligently collecting news for this column might indicate some residual damage. The winter lunch turned out the usual charter members, Jim Carey, Ray McGorray, John Sweeney, Bud Noetzel, and Lou Sulzer. Jim Schlecht, a regular, had to report to his M.D. Jack Brennan is still dealing with health problems. Joe Britton has a part time job keeping an eye on his grandson. This is a volunteer job and carries no further remuneration than bragging rights. Fr. Lloyd Boymer is leading the quiet life, and will join the lunch bunch at their April meeting. John Kenney sends greetings from Williamsburg. Again, I am indebted to John Sweeney who has provided all the material for these notes I just do the rewrite job. He reports that the survivors of the class of ’40 number 23, of which14 live in greater Cleveland, one in Akron, one in Columbus and six out of state. You are all invited to attend the spring lunch meeting and so contact John at 440-975-1403 -- JJSMBS276@sbcglobal.net. ... The last edition of this magazine had an excellent article about Fr. Murphy. His sense of humor was often tested by the guys in the dorm -- the ringleaders being Kelly and Spallino. One day he returned to his room to see the barber chair in it. Among other burdens he dealt with were “short sheeting” his bed and lining his PJs with cold cream. Our class knew the author’s dad when he added so much to the creation of JCU music. Cheers! Carl


fall 2005	The Ohio lunch bunch has a rather unique seating arrangement. The East siders meet the West siders on neutral ground at Hornblower’s Barge & Grill on E. 9th at the pier. John Sweeney arrived at 11:50 and Bud Noetzel showed at 11:55. They got a table for four and waited. Ray McGorray and Jim Carey came together at 12:05 got a table for four in a different part of the restaurant and settled down to wait for John and Bud. At 12:30 they found each other and finally adjourned at 2:30. Any classmates who would like to join the group can call John at 440-975-1403. ... Jack Brennan is noting some improvement in his condition, recovering from a stroke, but is confined to a wheelchair, with round the clock care givers. ... Jim Schlecht is recovering from a gall bladder job and is getting his strength for further surgery for carotid artery. ... Got a nice note from Lou and Bea Sulzer (Bea), who have done their best to perpetuate their blood line, they have 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Their grandson, Matthew, plays football at JCU. Their sons and daughter, Joan, have their own business in Chicago. Life is good for the Sulzers. ... I continue to try to imitate Dick Breiner, and play the keyboard for the old folks at happy hour twice a week. If we want to be happy more than twice a week, we ad lib. Have a wonderful holiday season! Take care of each other, Carl


summer 2005	When I received the last issue of this magazine, which is really a “slick” publication, I thought what changes have been wrought since 1940. Our class was the first to go all four years on the new campus. Most of the faculty were Jesuits, and the few lay professors (Dr. Aloysius Bungart, etc.) were male. There were 140 graduates that year and 24 are still around, most showing some wear. This publication was run on a mimeograph in the basement in the administration building by Fr. Joseph Tepley. It was the location for everything except dorms, and priests’ residence. There was one dorm, occupied by guys mostly from Akron and Chicago, who loved to “short sheet” Fr. Murphy, their watchdog. One night they moved the barber chair into his room, and lined his PJs with cold cream! He earned his halo! Looking back after 65 years, we can be proud of the present product: state-of the-art electronics; traditional Tudor Gothic buildings; a campus with trees that shade now; (saplings then); the athletic program featured a great rivalry in football, basketball with the big four (Case, Western Reserve, Baldwin-Wallace, and JCU). We also had a great hockey team with Eddie Arsenault and Wilfred “Hoss” Rancourt. They both starred in football. A lot of guys lettered in two sports: Jim Morgan, Bill Young, for example. … I was privileged to represent Carroll, with Paul Vincent ’41, in debate. Fr. “Pappy” Ryan was our coach. The high point of our brief season was winning a debate with a team from Oxford (England). We once debated Dayton behind curtains for a convent of cloistered nuns. There was no end to the excitement. So now the university is a model, faithful to its Tudor Gothic designs, but also state-of-the-art. I am rewriting my will to leave them at least $100! Jim Carey returned to Rocky River after living in Oceanside, CA. ... Jim Schlecht and his sister just returned from a trip to Mesa, AZ. They visited their other sister, who is married to classmate Jim Fleming. Five days of 115 degree heat cooked them enough to return to Ohio. ... All of the above, plus Bud Noetzel, Lou Sulzer and John Sweeney have lunch at Pizzazz, near the campus and are sometimes joined by Ray McGorray. ... Bill Scharf writes from Columbus that he lives alone in a condo, close to his two daughters. Bill is surrounded by his 12 great-grandchildren, another two in the oven. He is busy with his hobby, recording CDs from any source. His studio is lined with his collection, which dates back to 1937. Our contributing editor, John Sweeney, stays totally immersed in his spiritual-social-legal ministry. More about him, next time. Take care of each other, Carl


spring 2005	Got a letter from James O’C Morgan. His cousin Bob Muth and his wife, Ayleen, drove out to visit the Morgans in Keller, TX. Jim says that visit was welcome but too brief. Our Cleveland bureau chief, John Sweeney, sent me three sets of notes in code -- the following is the best attempt to figure it out. ... He talked with Bob Fogarty’s wife to learn that Bob died on February 22, 2003. She was sorry she did not notify JCU. ... John contributed a unique idea. He suggested that a thumbnail sketch of the meeting of our classmates and their wives would be of interest. Jim Fleming married Jim Schlecht’s sister, Mary, in May 1943. John Kenney and Patricia McTorray met at an Ursuline - JCU function and married on April 15, 1944. Jim McMahon and Marianne Keber were childhood sweethearts and married on October 15, 1943. James O’C Morgan and Mary Lawton first met in 1936 and married on December 15, 1943. Harry Svec and Edna Bruno met while they were in grad school at Iowa State. Edna was seeking her master’s and Harry was studying for his doctorate. They married October 27, 1943. Dick Breiner and Ruth Hauser were introduced by Dick’s next door neighbor in 1937 and married in 1944. Jim Sclecht met Jane Kay in 1945 on a blind date, where they danced the night away (not totally). They married on June 25, 1949. Lou Sulzer met Beatrice Cohen, married her on December 31, 1939 and started producing future students for JCU. Remember the Trianon Dance Hall? John Sweeney was apparently armed with a load of tickets when he met a pretty girl from Painesville, Mary Mansueto in 1939. They were married April 27, 1943. Jack Brennan and Lenore Kelley met at a “mixer” in 1936 and married in 1943. Bud Britton married his next door neighbor, Mary Barkin in October 1951. Ray McGorray and Dolores Felder met at a family gathering in 1935 and they married on October 9, 1943. Lu Przybysz and Noretta Siwinski were introduced at a Notre Dame - JCU affair. She waited for Lu to complete his military service and they married on November 21, 1945. ... Check these facts out: Lloyd Boymer, Simon Nekic, and Vic Tomc all entered the seminary in 1937 and were ordained on December 18, 1943. You will also notice that 1943 was a big year for the 1940 graduates to begin the married life. ... Take care of each other, Carl


winter 2005	Got a snapshot of James O’C and Mary Morgan taken on Christmas Eve. They were getting a sample of a white Christmas. He sent a long needle to us Florida residents who live in the path of hurricanes. We lucked out in Clearwater, and did not even lose electric power. ... Jim Carey got to California in time for the mudslides. He is spending three months in his old neighborhood. ... The lunch bunch of Bud Noetzel, Jim Schlecht, Lou Sulzer and John Sweeney met at Pizzazz, in the shadow of JCU. Bud and Frances Noetzel have had an active end of the year. In September they had an annual reunion of friends that served on the USS Hurst. Bud gathered their clan for a big Christmas party. There were 27 in attendance including the newest Noetzels – their great, great grandchildren. Jim Schlecht and Lou Sulzer contributed rapt attention, but had no breaking news. John Sweeney, who has made a career making sure he never has any spare moments (the devil’s workshop syndrome), continues to head our Ohio office as a contributing editor. He has just finished “Cliff Noting” a book “The Sermon on the Mount” and including a glossary. He strongly recommends it as a “must read.” ... Take care of each other, Carl


fall 2004	Our class list has some interesting, if useless, information. There were 146 of us on graduation day in 1940. In September 2004, there were 69 of us still showing signs of life, and 23 guys whose address is unknown. If this comes up in a trivia game, get new friends. ... When Lucian Przybysz does something he does it in a big way. I am always inviting our classmates to send me notes, so I can share the news in this space. Lu sent me, certified mail ($5.11) 21 pages tracking his life and activities. The short version is “Been There Done That.” After JCU he went to Georgetown Law School, but in 1941 went into the service for 4 years. His tour started in England and covered Italy and Africa. He belongs to 7 charitable organizations, and has risen to the top in everyone (chairman or president). He has stayed close to his roots at JCU -- to the distinct benefit of JCU. Lu retired from KeyCorp in 1978. He was property manager and investor for the last 25 of his 30 years with the bank. He is recovering from a hospital visit but is still a daily communicant. His wife, Norette, is wheel chair bound, and Lu, is her caregiver. Who could want better care? If there is a caregiver club in Cleveland, Lu will probably be president-elect. Thanks for the material, Lu, I did not want it to read like an obit -- too soon! ... The lunch bunch met again November 3 at The Harp restaurant. The regulars are Jim Carey, Ray McGorray, Bud Noetzel, Jim Schlecht, Lou Sulzer, and John Sweeney. Dick Breiner surprised the group and made it. All of you in the Cleveland Metro area are invited. Give John Sweeney a call at 440-975-1403. ... Quote from Louise Weitzmann SJ (1940) “Never live close enough to your in-laws that they can visit in bedroom slippers.” We were friends and every once in a while I would get a call, “Carl, I’m in town.” translation “Invite me to dinner.” We lived in Beachwood, at that time, so I would drive to the West side to pick him up. That was not bad. The trip back seemed five times as far. But 65 years later, I still feel the Jesuit impact. Take care of each other, Carl


summer 2004	Received a note from Bea Sulzer saying they are still running a farm system to feed students to John Carroll. Their grandson, Matthew, walked down the aisle with Harry ’67 and Lou. Reminded me of a true story -- a classmate of Lou's got trapped in 1948 between selling his house, and closing on another; that was before bridge loans. Lou’s classmate mentioned his distress to Lou, and Lou advanced him $18,000. No strings! No interest! I am that classmate. What a friend! ... The head of our art department, James O’Connell Morgan, reports in from Texas that all is well. He still adorns his mail with sketches, and complains that there are no palm trees in Keller, TX. Texas has plenty of palms -- all outstretched. Jim remembers his days of playing football for coaches like Tom Conway, and Gene Oberst as the high point of his life. Bob Muth ’41, Jim’s cousin, arranged a big family get together in Texas for Jim’s birthday in July. ... John Sweeney, head of our news bureau called to report that the lunch bunch is still getting together. Currently, he, Lou Sulzer, Bud Noetzel and Jim Schlecht are regulars. Any of you in the area are encouraged to call John at 440-975-1403 to be included. ... Jim Breslin’s daughter Bunny sent me press clippings that appeared after Jim’s death. I read them carefully, but to me they missed Jim’s “spirit.” He wrote these class notes for many years, and always made them interesting. You know of his distinguished TV career, during which he pioneered so many “firsts,” both with programming and characters. His originality had its roots while we were at Carroll. He invented “improv” 50 years before Saturday Night Live. He and Bernie Petty would go into an act walking down the hall between classes. They fed each other lines, often in some strange dialect, that were hilarious. The cafeteria was a favorite stage. We never knew when the curtain would go up. No other class had this entertainment at lunch! Jim contributed so much gentle humor in his time with us that we are honored to call him “classmate.” At last Jim, it is your turn to take a bow! And you will put a tag line on it! Join you later, we hope. Parnes tavern is closed, give us directions. ... Take care of each other, Carl


spring 2004	Got an e-mail from Jack Morton, mortonlaw@frontiernet.net, who started out with us but transferred to West Virginia U. Jack, who is wheel chair bound due to service connected disabilities, is still practicing law from an office in his home. He is a widower, but is surrounded by friends, five children, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild. His dream is to be able to return to see the campus he left so long ago. ... John J. Sweeney, national news editor, provided the following items -- He talked with Jim Morgan (817-337-8508) who loves living in Texas and is still doing his art work. Jim later sent John a card, confessing to the number of t-shirts he and Al Sutton stole from JCU. Must be the effect of Holy Week! ... Jim Fleming (480-833-2450) is happy that he and his wife are living the good life in Arizona. I don’t know what time of day it was, but he commented on the uses of water being restricted to lawns and whiskey. ... Jim McMahon is in a nursing home in California following a stroke. You can e-mail him through his daughter-in-law, Mimi, at mimi@omsoft.com. ... Harry Svec (515-296-5143) has been in a nursing home for over three years following a stroke. His wife requests our prayers. ... John Kenney (757-229-6838) sends his greetings from Virginia. All is well. John was never burdened with loquacity. ... John Sweeney worked hard to organize a lunch with local classmates. The first lunch was in a Euclid restaurant selected by Jim Schlecht. Sharing the table with Jim were Bud Noetzel, Lou Sulzer, and, of course, John Sweeney. They spent 2.5 hours at lunch and claim it was not because of slow service, but good conversation, in fact they agreed to lunch again on Thursday, June 17. All Cleveland area grads are encouraged to join the lunch brunch, there is no cover or minimum charge, but it may qualify for Medicare. You can reach John at 440-975-1403, or e-mail at jjsmbs@apk.net. ... Take care of each other, Carl


winter 2004	Hoping to encourage more intra-class communication, in the next edition we will print your phone number so your classmates can get in touch, if they so choose. Anyone who objects can drop me a note, call, or e- mail. ... As usual, the chief of our Cleveland Bureau, John J. Sweeney (440-975-1403) has mined all the info he could. He had lunch with Ray McGorray and after what he describes as a few laughs (beers?), Ray disclosed that he walks and bikes to stay in shape. ... Jack Brennan is having a rough time. He suffered a bad fall and is under full time nursing care. I am sure he would welcome your call. ... Fr. Lloyd Boymer is retired and living at St. Augustine with all the “amenities.” He celebrates Mass and gets his exercise by walking around in the underground garage. Lloyd would like to thank John for the call and was happy that someone cared enough to call him. ... Jim Klima confessed that he had no news and concluded that was probably good news. It certainly beats reclining on a gurney. ... Jim Schlecht had surgery in August on his right carotid artery (95% blocked) and will soon have the left one done (the Browns would be happy with that kind of blocking). Jimmy wanted to remind you that he was the only representative of our class at the last reunion. ... Lou Sulzer continues to endow Carroll with football talent. His grandson is a starter on the John Carroll football team. ... Justin Noetzel still lives in his dorm on the campus and he and Fran are enjoying their family. He must have been away at reunion time or he had his own in the backyard. ... Jim Carey e-mails that after 56 years of living in California, he moved back to 22481 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River, last June. He says he has gone full circle. Maybe he can give surfing lessons this summer on Lake Erie. ... John J. is living at Breckenridge. He walks 3 miles a day and if the weather is inclement he tramps around the garage and up and down the 174 steps (he counted!). I doubt I could sustain that level of excitement. “Whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the urge passes.” I think those are the unforgettable words of my personal trainer, Alexander Woolcot. Of course I got my rocker up to subsonic speed during the playoffs. My kind of workout! ... Just received the latest class list. Out of a class of 139, there were 52 to of us still around on January 1, 2004. There are 21 of you living within an hour’s drive of the campus. How about a big turnout for the reunion this year? One disconcerting feature of the list, it shows a name, then "deceased y (yes), "address unknown,” that's not what Father Lemay promised us! ... Take care of each other, Carl


summer 2003	The Cleveland bureau chief, John Sweeney, has made some momentous changes in his life; he sold the house that he built 50 years ago. He handled the deal himself, as he did the construction contracting, and sold it to the first bidder. He got his price, plus what furniture John would not need in his new quarters, Breckenridge Village, Willoughby. He assures me that he will not miss the lawn care, snow shoveling, and the others joys of ownership. John keeps very busy with his work serving in various capacities at St. Gabriel, Painesville. He also ministers to the Catholic residents at the Lakeside Med Nursing Home. He keeps busy, ministering to others, and walks 3 miles a week. I did not ask if this was because he still has his car from 50 years ago. ... I do have a lot of mail from other thoughtful people at JCU. Peter Anagnostos, and the people he organized into a telephone hit squad (al squeeza) now that everyone knows I live 1200 miles away; I get invitations to wear a cap and gown, and march in a parade! I am invited to dinner at the Union Club, and get urgent, friendly letters from whoever is in charge of whatever fund drive is current. Anything I can spare, cash, checks, except on Iraqi banks. It is warming to feel the affection from so many people I have never heard of. I am sure if I had received this much attention, I could have been summa cum laude. ... Take care of each other, Carl


spring 2003	One way to elicit a response is to print an error. We ran a picture of Jim and Mary Morgan that was taken from their new home in Weller, TX. Jim sent a hand painted card letting us know that they are probing their roots, and learning about Jim’s great great grandfather “cowboy rancher.” Their new address: 2310 Watercrest Drive, Keller, TX, 76248. You can phone him at 817.337.8508. The post mark was Ft. Worth. … Got an e-mail from Jim Carey from his home in California. He retired as vice chairman of the board of Transamerica Occidental Life. He still enjoys driving enough to drive back to Cleveland’s West side to visit family and friends, usually in the fall. He “Tours,” stopping to absorb the sights and sounds, both going and coming. You can contact him by e-mail at JCAREY3401 ... From our Cleveland bureau manager, John Sweeney, comes the suggestion that all of you send me your current address and phone number. If you have e-mail, I will list it. I have John’s permission to list his address: JJSMBM@APK.NET. He just disclosed to me that on January 9, 2003, he celebrated the 50th year of living in his current home. He acted as a general contractor, subbed out the work, saved a bundle. The good part of it is-both he and the house are still standing! You can verify by driving past 69 Stratford Rd. in Painesville. … Jim Schlecht, after being captain for 47 years in his parish for Catholic Charities, has finally turned it over to another person. That sounds like award winning service. … Jack Brennan, who is helping provide the full time care his wife requires, tripped, fell down the stairs, and wound up in intensive care for many weeks. He is on the road for full recovery, but they could use any extra prayers you have left over. … I hesitate to fill any spaces discussing my activities, but I guess this story qualifies as noteworthy. After my wife, Rae, died over a year and a half ago, I did not want to live alone so I moved into a retirement apartment hotel (2 br, 2 bath, full kitchen).They served breakfast and dinner daily, maid service, laundry. Nice set up, but I did not like living alone in an “institution.” During the holiday season in 2001, I thought of a friend in St. Charles, IL that I had worked with while I was in the franchising business years ago. She was a licensee, and when she sold her franchised business, I helped her with the sale, and we had not talked with each other since then. That was 30 years ago! I called information, to see if she lived in the same town. She did. I called. She answered the phone. We started to fill in the blanks. She finally came to visit in Florida, and she walked right past me in the “arriving passenger” line. I did not recognize her, until we both did a “double take!” She had continued her art studies, and gotten her degree. She is a fine art photographer, working with professional models from her studio in St. Charles. Her professional name is Jerry Johnson. On December 23, she became Jerry (Geraldine) Giblin at St. Brendan’s in Clearwater. She had her first book published in February, and has opened her studio in Clearwater. Her work is sold at auction, at Sotheby’s and Fraser art galleries, Washington, DC to collectors from Amsterdam to Australia. If any of you guys are moved to send wedding presents, we are registered at Wachovia Bank, Belleair Bluffs, FL. …Carl


winter 2003	When Fr. Mike Lavelle was president, he conducted annual trips for directors and friends of John Carroll; I was able to qualify as a "friend." Bud and Fran Noetzel were on every trip. We would have a professional tour guide for the entire trip, and the required local guide for cities such as Paris. The trips had an added dimension, not available to tourists, the interesting people that made up your trour group. One couple that stands out is Dr. Pierce '39 and Eileen Mullally. Pierce was a product of St. Louis Medical school and Eileen had been an R.N. when they met. In his later career, he was medical director of Republic Steel. He had both hips replaced, and one had to be redone, and it was botched. As a result he had considerable difficulty walking. He had to kind of "throw" one leg forward. All of this is apropos only when applied to his difficulty walking on the cobbled streets on Montmartre in Paris, where we visited the Jesuit church dating back to Ignatius, and of Sacré Coeur. We were on our feet from early morning until dinnertime. Mullally never quit walking and never quit smiling and never uttered one word of complaint I recall all this because Pierce died last Christmas day after a long illness. He was the ultimate definition of a "gentle" man. I was too late getting this into earlier issues but I could not let it go untold. Sorry I was so slow, Eileen. ... The Cleveland bureau chief had nothing to report, so I must resort to another story about the fabled Jack Van De Motter. We had a janitor (maintenance man, now) that used to go into every washroom and empty the containers of used paper towels into some huge burlap bags. He would then, on the bottom floor, have one over each shoulder and take them outside to the incinerator. One day Jack dropped a lighted match in each bag. They each started to smolder and the janitor started running for the door. Jack was considerate and ran ahead and opened the doors for him. He made it outside, but always, from that time on, would look to see if Jack was anywhere in sight. …Carl


summer 2002	It is a strange feeling to be writing this 62 years after we graduated. We are at war again, this time against people we did not know were enemies until they attacked. ... But it brings back memories. I worked hard to get a congressional appointment to Marine Officer Training School at Quantico, Virginia. Frances Bolton, our congresswoman, got me the appointment. I reported down on Euclid Avenue for my physical and was told they would waive the height requirement (1” short) but that I had a split eardrum and told me to come back when the Germans got to 9th Street. But many of our gang served. ... Got a long letter from Lucian Przybysz saying he returned (1945) from a tour in England, Oran, Africa, and Italy, where he picked up the language. (I can only eat Italian). He and his wife, Norette, had three children, and their granddaughter graduated from Carroll in 2000. Lucian has been most active, and still is, serving many charitable institutions in Ohio and Florida. ... Justin (Bud) Noetzel writes that he and Frances attended the topping out ceremony for the new Dolan Center - it was held in his side yard! He also was the sole representative from the class of ’40 at the reception for those graduates that were out 50 or more years - that was in his front yard! His grandson and namesake just graduated with honors from Washington University. His father is Dr. Michael Noetzel, a pediatric neurologist, associated with Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. ... Our Cleveland bureau chief, John J. Sweeney reports that on July 2, 2002, the class of 1940 provided another “first” to it’s illustrious history. The scene was Pat Joyce Pub in Rocky River. He met with Jack Brennan and Ray McGorray for lunch, and what he describes as “good fellowship.” I will quote him to avoid a lawsuit -- “After we were helped out of the car and assisted through the back door of the pub, as we held on to each other so there would not be a fall by any of us, we were helped to our table.” ... The “first”? This was at lunchtime, and these guys had to be helped going in! ... Missing: Has anyone seen or heard from Jim and Mary Morgan? They decided to move from the Atlantic Coast in Florida to Texas. They have not been reporting in for months. When many of our classmates are looking for a retirement home, they decided to build their own. I hope they did not try to homestead on an Apache Reservation. ... Lou Sulzer 3:34 PM 1/3/2003is still trying to learn how to keep the ball on the fairway, out of the water, and out of the sand. I found out years ago - play Ping-Pong! ... Take care of each other, Carl


spring 2002	“Big Al” ... the news of Al Sutton’s death brought back memories of an incident in 1936 when we were freshmen. We were required to ward “beanies” with the colors of blue and gold. The blue visors and top button were reasonable, but the gold turned out to be a bilious orange. Anyhow, as part of the hazing exercise, we were assigned the task of invading the Case campus and bringing back some of their “beanies.” This was the day before we played Case in football. ... Several carloads of us assembled at Parnes Tavern for a strategy session, which consisted of a strenuous weight lifting program using large steins. We then loaded into the cars again and went down to Case to bring back a couple of dozen Case beanies. We suspected that our plan had a flaw when the Case men were not cooperative. The debate assumed a physical dimension and I wound up with a close up view of the Case campus, at the bottom of a pile. This was not in our original plan. All of the sudden the pile started to shrink, and when I could breathe again I saw that Al Sutton and Jack DeWan ’41 were getting rid of the pile. We escaped without any broken bones, and reassembled at Parnes to celebrate -- I think we netted out one or two beanies ahead of Case. Al was a pal after that. ... John J. Sweeney has been working as the head of the Cleveland Bureau, and has tried to make phone contacts. We are indebted to him for the following information ... John Brennan is working full time as care giver to his wife, Lenore, who has been an invalid for the past year. ... Jim Klima and his wife, Arlene, are planning on their annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas. They have been making this arduous trip every year for the past 15 years, and are still solvent. The man is a genius! ... Jim Morgan moved to Texas and has not been heard of again. Maybe he was art director for Enron. ... A personal observation: After my wife, Rae, died a year ago, I decided that living alone was not a good idea, I moved into a very nice retirement “community” they furnished two meals daily. No assisted living. After 3 months, I knew that it was a mistake. A friend of mine said, “My idea of hell is having the same conversation every day at dinner.” So my new address is shown above. ... Carl

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Class Notes 1940