Class Notes for 1954

Peter Mahoney

401 Bounty Way, #145
Avon Lake, OH 44012
440.933.2503
peter007@centurytel.net

...thank goodness some are responding to my novena to St. Hillary, for information for our class notes ... the local papers are reporting a successful fund raiser for the ACLU at the Sutphin residence. Jim and Louise along with Carolyn and Charlie O’Toole and Mary Alice and Herb Rammerman joined forces to promote a more civil and liberal culture for the rest of us ... Don Buynack, Bill Stepanek ’52, Dave Curran (U of Detroit) and Jim Sutphin were the team to beat at the JCU Alumni Golf Classic ... next year Lee Trevino (using a green card) will substitute for Jim ... Newspapers forwarded from Rome have much to say about Lou LaRiche. Seems Lou was in Rome supervising the addition of armor plating to the Popemobile ... here is some of the information (translated from the Italian) ... LaRiche Toyota in Findlay, OH, managed by Bob LaRiche, received for the second year in succession, the Presidents Award for all aspects of operation. Chevy-Cadillac store, also in Findlay, managed by John LaRiche is setting records and the Chevy store in Plymouth, MI, managed by Scott LaRiche is doing well relative to MI economy. Lou and Gail have 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren ... when not traveling Lou hangs his hat at the store in Plymouth and watches NASCAR races on TV. A final note, one of the grandsons (Jim) lives in Boca Raton, FL, and is the World Champion Wake Boarder, age group 14-18. Another grandson is a Rotary exchange student in South Africa. At this point my Italian became a little rusty and I couldn’t translate all the other nice things that they had to say about Lou ... something about Lou, Lee Iacocca and the Sopranos. ... Keep the faith, Pete

... some notes from the world of sport ... if you were watching the Belmont Stakes (one of the Triple Crown) you may have noticed one of our own in the owners box. Jake Blake and some of his friends are owners of a horse named High Finance. It looked like the group was having a good time even if the horse finished twelfth -- so much for Wall Street. ... John Spaniol, our retired eye doctor, is eying a place to rent in FL. Seems John is tired of winters on the North Coast and would like to become a snowbird. ... Dave Nilges, Mr. Rocky Mountain High, says that he has seen it all, in January he toured the home of the former head of Tyco, Vail, CO -- former CEO is now on his way to the federal pen. When a well named congressman from RI took on some cement borders in Washington, DC the phones started ringing in the McLeod house in RI ... many of Bud McLeod’s friends encouraged him to run for Congress and replace a member of the Camelot Family. Bud decided that he could not work it into his busy schedule. Often we know little of the people we have a casual relationship with -- a neighbor, someone at church, a classmate. By this time many of you know of the death of our classmate Kaye Kause. A highly decorated Colonel in the U.S. Army -- twenty-eight years of service -- two tours in Vietnam -- a civilian contractor in Saudi Arabia -- father of four – active in his church community. Gene Burns and Dick Kilfoyle attended the funeral Mass in Vienna, VA, and Bill Schlaudecker attended the military funeral with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Kaye did it all -- Christian-officer-gentleman. Our prayers for wife Maggie and the family. Keep the faith, Pete

...well my prayers to St. Hilary have generated some response for this effort ... thank goodness Tom Harrison who is pundit and scribe for the group of ’49 knows the likes of Mike Faul ... Mike who left the rigors of the transportation industry (eighteen wheelers et al), went to law school and eventually became a judge is semi retired and a town judge in Phelps, NY, his robes are a little worn around the elbows but he still likes the job. ... Every year Dave Nilges writes to tell that this year is the best ski season in the last 50 but this year has a new twist or break ... Dave’s wife, Sandra, was blind-sided by a runaway skier and ended up with a broken leg. Sandra is under the care of her daughter (retired army major) who is head of the Tripler Army Medical Center, Pearl Harbor, HI. ... Bill Adler and Steve Oleksyk were recently lunching at Sokolowski’s University Inn with a group from Jesuit city west grads, class of ’50. ... Bob Small another semi retired attorney has joined forces with a small Irish law firm (Sligo) no joke Argue Phibbs and Small. Bob will provide legal services to the Irish in the West Park area of Cleveland -- his knowledge of Gaelic should be helpful. ... Wife and I recently pass through Disneyland for adults (Las Vegas) but failed to catch up with Tom Corbett. He is still acting as an advisor to the TV hit CSI Las Vegas. ... Keep the faith, Pete

...the holidays were wonderful and I know that many of you wanted to write about your Christmas presents but here goes anyway ... let me begin by explaining what happened to the photo of the Blakes, Schulers and Sutphins that we ran in the last issue ... we (the editor and I) had the caption for the photo set when a voice in the lounge said “last call” immediately the Sutphins shifted from the center of the picture to the outside (closer to the bar) ... well that is one explanation ... Jake Blake was in town recently visiting friends and helping out at the St. Malachi Center, a center for the homeless on W. 25th St. ... he returned to NY and sent clothing to the center for those who might need help. If you are in the W. 25th St. area and see Brooks Brothers pin stripes and button downs, it is the good works of JB -- who said Wall Street doesn’t have heart. ... speaking of heart, Austie Groden is almost completely recovered from his quintuple by-pass. A rigorous rehab program at Lakewood Hospital has him in the best shape since basic training in the U.S. Army. With golf glory in mind, he has purchased a new driver with a head the size of a full grown watermelon -- should be an interesting year on the links. ... Dave Nilges is starting his engines for continued ’06 real estate growth in the Denver region. He recalls the “unbridled optimism” of condo building on the Lakewood Gold Coast years ago – he’s been in the real estate business for nearly 50 years and has seen all the ups and downs. ... Bud McLeod is marching at “quick step.” Last year he resigned as president of the local concerned citizens, a group he founded, and accepted election to the board of the state’s largest (4000 member) taxpayer watch group. He founded a support group for the victims of fibromyalgia (if you don’t know what that is, look it up) ... he is one of 20 senior leaders for AARP and is active in putting together a Candidate’s Day, March 11, 2006 for those running for elected office in RI ... does this man ever rest? ... Recently I started a novena to St. Hilary (yes there is a St. Hilary) asking that my dear brothers and sisters of ’54 would send more material for this column -- please don’t disappoint her or me. Keep the faith, Pete

...some notes about summer happenings in our class -- saw Gene Burns and Herb Ramerman walking the shores of the lakes and streams at Hilliard Lakes Golf Club. Gene looking for wet Titleists and Herb looking for cat fish. ... Lou LaRiche made his annual trip to Rome and delivered his famous comment “Scuzi Papa, mia Lexus deliverio” as Lou tells it ,the first Pope mobile was for Paul VI and was a white Toyota. ... more honors for our classmates...Fr. Casey Bukala, SJ, was recognized for his service to the university by the dedication of Casey’s Concourse at Shula Stadium. I feel it would be better named Casey’s Causeway. Casey being a psychologist and always looking for the cause that results in the way. Casey is also an Alumni Medal winner. ... The other member of our class who has his name on the property is Fr. Tom Gafney, SJ, who has a plaque on the wall in the library. Congratulations Casey well deserved ... and while on the subject of congratulations, Jim and Louise Sutphin with Jake and Eileen Blake were on the road to visit Tom and Ann Sullivan then to upper MI (Siberia) to see Dave and Susan Schuler. ... The Sutphins celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary with the Schulers and Blakes at a game preserve and mink farm ... not to leave Sutphin alone, his summer was spent wearing golf shoes and looking for someone who didn’t know what a mulligan was ... he claims that Blake has an eraser on his pencil, Don Buynack is so strong that he putts like a gorilla and Charlie O’Toole now returned from Guantanamo Bay where he was representing the ACLU, has problems with his mashie and nib lick. ... A final note about Casey’s Causeway -- attending the Mass before the dedication (homily by Casey) were Gene Burns, Joe Wasserbauer, Dick Kilfoyle and Jim Sutphin (in his golf shoes). ... Keep the faith, Pete

...we may be in the midst of the summer doldrums, but thank goodness there is good news to report ... Tom Corbett, a long time favorite of “deep throat,” when he was a G-Man, had the honor and privilege of marching in the JCU graduation procession with his granddaughter Ann Skerkoski ’05 (a standout and record holder on the JCU swim team). Tom says that the food served to the alums after graduation was as good as that served in some of the casinos in LV where Tom and wife Joan live. Tom is still acting as an adviser to the TV show CSI-LV. ... Austie Groden is not on the Senior Tour this year ... he recently moved to Avon Lake and is recovering from quintuple by-pass and an attack of angry blood clots ... after sorting through the boxes in his garage he says he will return to the links, at least chipping and putting. ... Charlie O’Toole has returned from CA and is talking to a publisher about a book on the Michael Jackson trial. Charlie was often seen in the cabal entering and leaving the trial ... no, he was not on the umbrella. ... Tony Sposato is perfecting several designs for casinos and has joined a group of developers in Youngstown, waiting for Ohio law to change. ... Several months ago I lunched with John Mackin ’55 ... he is the law in Avon Lake -- the Muni Judge and retires at the end of this year. He said he knew it was a good job but when sixteen people took out petitions for election to the job, he decided it must be a great job. John is known as a firm and fair judge, a credit to his profession and to the people of Avon Lake who have continually elected him. He will continue to practice law in Lorain County. ... Don Davidson, a long time friend of Lance Armstrong, has been glued to the TV watching Lance’s try for number seven. ... Hope everyone is having a great summer ... keep the faith, Pete

While many of us hibernate during the winter, some members of our class take time in warmer climates to improve skills they display when they return north, demonstrating these skills with money associated in the use of these skills ... I don’t mean bingo ... I mean a game called golf. Jim Sutphin has been working at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Naples, FL, and claims a week at the academy has changed his game. Jim is confident now when he says “God isn’t the only one that can hit a one iron.” At the same time he was sharpening golf skills his daughter, Mary, was the lead teacher at the Hudson Montessori Middle School. ... Bob Small is back from the Peterson case and says he might have enough material to write a book. ... Gene Burns is leading a senior kickboxing program at a local health club -- his class motto is “its time to take names and kick a--. ... Gene says many members of his class are Cleveland School teachers. ... Lou LaRiche was in Rome for the funeral and had several Cardinals ask about prices on red Toyotas. ... Jake Blake, like friend Sutphin, spent some time in the sun working on his putting. Jake is great on the carpet in the winter but on grass he needs help. Jake spent time with teaching pro Jim McLean and after the twelve-week program lowered his scores by ten strokes. ... Dave Nilges in Centennial, CO, is still up to his hips in snow, in the higher elevations 24” in the last three days ... and I cheer when the forsythia begin to bloom. As a final note, it has been brought to my attention that Haggar (like in slacks) never made PJs, well, I happen to know that in parts of this country, often the rural south, when darkness came you just unsnapped your suspenders and you and your Haggars slipped between the sheets ... keep the faith, Pete

...this issue might be considered our congratulatory missive but some notes of interest before ... Jim Sweeney has a good question, “why don’t more members of our 50 year group take advantage of the university’s gift, attending classes (when there is room) for no fee. Those who graduated fifty or more years ago may attend classes free. Jim is completing a class on Irish Writers and says that it has been educational and entertaining ... he now knows of many pubs in Dublin and Liverpool visited by Joyce and a whole host of those who wrote with a brogue ... first congrats go to Lou LaRiche ... you may have missed it, but in a recent address to the world John Paul II, while endorsing Christian/capitalism, discussed expansion of the Vatican Museum and its 64 associated gift shops and announced the first and only Chevy-Cadillac-Toyota-Subaru dealer in Rome ... and now a hybrid Lexus for ... the next congrats for Bud McLeod living in a blue state, Bud has formed a Political Action Committee to add some red to the mix ... Bud is still active with AARP but the biggest and best news for Bud and Louise was the adoption of a one year old who they are calling “Roo” ... Bud continues to work support groups with the help of the Arthritis Foundation and South County Hospital ... next congrats to John Spaniol ... John’s brother Joe, was The Clerk of Court, the Supreme Court of the United States 1985-1990 ... brother Joe’s portrait was unveiled in the East Conference Room of the Court in January ... while on the subject of John S. several have questioned how John dates such attractive women, well if you missed the one at the reunion, she is on the cover of the September issue of ELLE magazine ... maybe it has something to do with John being an optometrist ... the December 27, 04 issue of Fortune Magazine comments on Jake Blake and his stock picks for 05 ... Jake is still high on wine futures ... Dave Nilges is up to his tush in Colorado snow and refuses to wax his skis in fear that he may go to fast, Dave recalls some of the famous streetcar rides to Jesuit City West ... Gene Burns is glad the Homeland Security job is filled ... he was scheduled for an interview in February ... Dan Boland is still in the land of grapes and sunshine – CA ... recently changed zip codes and now lives in Encinitas. ... keep the faith Pete

Some final notes from the reunion, then some answers to questions received via e-mail, calls and letters ... Fr. Casey Casimir Bukala, SJ concelebrated the reunion Mass and worked with the reunion committee in making calls to class members. ... Bud McLeod had a great tour of the campus, parked in front then walked to the back for his goodies and registration then to the front for activities ... said he hasn’t walked that far since close order drill fifty years ago. ... Joe Wasserbauer spent a great deal of his time trying to explain what he did at NASA and why tang and vodka is a great drink for anyone who wants to go in to orbit. ... Mike Velotta is still one of the better dancers in the class ... must come from stepping around hot asphalt or wet cement. ... Jack Wensinger claims that he can out-drive any member of the class ... the story he tells is that one day (with a following wind) he hit a golf ball from Dallas to Ft. Worth ... that is some poke even for a Texan. ... Jim Sweeney is contemplating a life in politics; he says that East Cleveland may be ready for someone with a legal background. ... Bob Small another Esq. in the class has been quietly working with a group of defense lawyers in the Michael Jackson case. ... Bill Schlaudecker still in insurance was offering several properties for sale in Florida. ... Charlie O’Toole said that his work with the Martha Stewart defense team was very interesting, and the trips to West Virginia will be even more interesting. ... Here are some of the questions and comments I received after our last issue ... Q is it true that Jim Sutphin is an associate of Michael Moore the film director ... A well, Jim is by nature attracted to anything that gets a lot of ink .. Q why was Jack Heffernan walking around campus in his PJs ... A well, he worked for Haggar and he wanted to show that they made something other than pants ... Q is Gene Burns really the defense coordinator for the Great Lakes area ... A well, if you saw the LCT that he drives you would know ... Q is Lou LaRiche really connected with the Vatican ... A well, all I know is that every time the director of the Vatican Bank comes to the U.S. he makes the stops in Michigan to see Lou ... Dave Nilges writes from Denver, sorry he missed the reunion, he was in the garage waxing his skis. Dave asked if I had visited one of his favorite restaurants, LePeep somewhere on RT 82 west of I-71. I promised Dave that I would check it out. ... one last Q is Gene Wiemels the smartest science grad in the class ... A well, he was the only one who could explain to me why Sputnik 1 stayed up there and didn’t come right back down. ... Keep the faith, Pete

... several years ago there was an Irish group that had a hit song entitled “wasn’t that a party,” they would have enjoyed our reunion ... let me begin a partial recap by thanking Rosalie Massey and big Peter B. for all their work in making the weekend a success ... the t-shirts, plates, pins, tours, entertainment, seminars and hospitality were excellent ... the committee “did itself fine” in helping a turnout of around 50 from the class of ’54 ... here are some of the notes passed to me by Inspector Cluseau who attended all receptions and diners. ... Jim Sutphin was at his best in putting together a video which played Saturday night, the sights and sounds were all about the “Carroll” and the “Class” of fifty years ago. Jim said some of the techniques used were from one of his recent commercial ventures in working with Michael Moore in his film productions. ... Don Davidson made it up from the Columbus area and mentioned that his training methods were now adopted by Lance Armstrong and showing results. Dick Kilfoyle has not completely retired and will still insure anyone who can guaranty a composed and quiet life ... Martha Stewart is one of his clients. ... Tom Corbett is still in Vegas and is currently serving as an adviser for the CSI - Vegas, TV hit, his past days with the FBI make him a natural. ... John Spaniol, retired optometrist, was mingling about the reunion with his camera, taking pictures and having classmates sign his yearbook. ... John’s date, a Vogue model named Che Che, is quite attractive. ... Dom LoGalbo is still teaching and says he will continue until teachers are paid at the same rate as a first year player in the NBA. ... John Heffernan kept asking for a moment of silence, if there had been a three point shot when he was doing hoops at Carroll, he would have played in the NBA and would be part owner in the Timberwolves. ... Lou LaRiche, still looking like an ambassador to the Vatican, has pulled of an “eagle” for auto dealers, his Cadillac-Chev and his Toyota dealerships have both been recognized as best in the U.S., both in the same year. Nice work Lou, now about that Lexus for the Pope. ... Tony Sposato has a nephew on his way to JCU this fall. Tony is still an architect and specializes in the design of casinos -- he is waiting for things to change in Ohio. ... Bob Coerdt has maintained a membership in the YMCA for more than 40 years and is an age bracket champion for handball. ... Fred McGunagle, who does freelance work for the Cleveland PD and is prominent in New Church groups, was talking to John Carson about starting a group in Dallas. John the retired banker would be the treasurer and have a line on becoming a monsignor. ... Gene Burns ever the rebel and agitator, was telling everyone that his reserve commission of Lt. Col. meant he would be called up for security duty at one of the national political conventions. Gene is a homeland defense coordinator for the Great Lakes area. ... Pat Hynes, still in the big apple, is a member of Mayor Blumberg’s staff and coordinates activities associated with the New York City Marathon. ... Don Buynack still works out six days a week and was looking for someone to arm wrestle. Also, Don knows every good restaurant within a hundred miles of his home in Lyndhurst. ... Herb Ramerman showed up wearing his fishing outfit and had a string of trout that he served to those seated at the same table on Saturday night. Several at the table said the fish tasted like an aged bologna sandwich. ... Gene Flynn recently released from a federal institution (having served a term for one of his tax clients) looked trim and fit. Gene said the food served at the federal retreat was better than that served in the JCU cafeteria when we were students. ... I haven’t covered everything, so I will give you Reunion 2 in the next edition ... keep the faith, Pete N.B. the new e-mail address -- peter007@centurytel.net

Hope everyone received a call concerning our reunion ... there has been some confusion about cost ... if you read the reservation card with all the dollar signs you forget that the 50 year class members and guests are FREE ... when was the last time any institution of learning offered you a FREE weekend ... no real estate or swamp land will be sold! ... Steve Oleksyk is catching up with Gene Burns when it comes to the number of stents put in to improve blood flow; I think Burns leads 5-3. Steve has a load of help from a son who is an MD. ... Bill Adler is a “maybe” for the reunion, he has a new ear. As he describes it, they put a magnet in the ear and one outside the ear with wires and a tuning fork connecting the magnets. All is going well except when someone uses one of those high pitch dog whistles, Bill begins to howl and look for a fire plug. ... Gene Flynn is still a CPA with heart, trying to keep all the good guys from being beaten up by the IRS. ... John Carson is loading up the Conestoga wagon and “headin up from Dallas for the big reunion.”... John Spaniol is planning to attend but will not bring Kim Basinger this time -- maybe Diane Keaton, since John looks like Jack Nicholson. ... Jerry Kalal is going to slide over from Solon and check everything out. ... When the committee was making calls to follow up on the reunion invitation, no one had better luck in getting the called party to attention than Fr. Casey Bukala SJ. Can you imagine a Jesuit calling you and reminding you of your 50 year class reunion? I think there may have been some confessions in the process. ... Dave Nilges isn’t sure if he will attend, wife having surgery. ... Jim Sutphin has done extensive research for the Saturday night program, says Little Things Mean a Lot was the number one hit in 1954 ... what a great song for a reunion. Jim is now know as Mr. Abstention, he gave up all booze for lent and claims he didn’t lose a pound ... must not have been drinking much to start with. About the reunion, when making the calls you hear about all the fond memories of JCU and how we children of the recession were fortunate to get a good education and to be classmates with so many good people and you hear about health and aging -- as the Irish would say “tis a good time to get together with friends and have some porter or a ball of malt.”... It has never been my intention to make these ramblings a home for obituaries but it is a great way of recalling what great people we have been associated with at JCU ... two good friends have gone home ... George Lyman and Larry Donohoe. George, you may remember, as in football and fun, a smile and a laugh, always great to be around. Larry was a combination of “a man for all seasons” and “a renaissance man” ... he was active in church, community and political affairs. Prayers please for George, Larry and their families. ... See you at the reunion ... let me repeat it is FREE! Keep the faith, Pete

Happy New Year ... with this being '04 and our launch from academia being in the last century ’54, it is our golden get together ... and what a time is planned ... the committee is in action with co-chairs (not rocking chairs) Herb Ramerman and Joe Wasserbauer are promising a weekend for all to enjoy. ... Jim Sutphin has signed a contract to MC the Saturday Night Live program ... he still receives requests for his “you know you are old” list from five years ago ... no doubt he will use an updated version. ... Don Buynack is the webmaster which means you can get the current skinny on what is going on by clicking on the JCU Web site ... www.jcu.edu click on alumni, then our year and wow maybe a picture of your committee. ... Jake Blake is serving as CFO for the class gift ... Jake is still concerned about the article in Wine Spectator Magazine that featured his Sauvignon Blanc wine with 92 points and at $38.00 a bottle, his concern is that he priced the wine to low but no matter -- it is sold out ... several financial publications mentioned Jake as a possible replacement for Dick Grasso at the NYSE ... I'm sure Jake would rather grow grapes, sample wines and travel. ... Last August during the big power outage I had lunch with Pat Hynes in New York City ... Pat knew of a little greek restaurant on 10th Ave. that must have had back up power ... we compared notes and enjoyed travel stories amid all the confusion in the big apple ... Pat plans on attending our reunion this year. ... Two more things about the reunion, it is FREE to members of the 50 year class and their guests and it takes place June 18-19-20. ... Not to leave on a down note but, we lost two fine friends since our last writing ... Joe McKeon and Dave Hurd. I have known these two since days at Jesuit City West ... both professional in their business life and very faithful in their religious life, both battled long illnesses with dignity and great faith ... both had the support of wives and family through it all ... keep them in your prayers. ... A final note – REUNION ... REUNION ... REUNION ... FREE ... FREE ... FREE ... JUNE 18-19-20. Keep the faith, Pete

... a recent issue of Wine Spectator Magazine includes a small article on Blake Vineyards of Montauk Point, NY ... the wines are the pride of our classmate "JAKE BLAKE" and his family ... according to the article the Sauvignon Blanc is the best in the east, "a clean white, with light fruit, made without oak" perhaps Jake could bring a few cases for our fifty-year fling next year, he has the dates on his calendar so lets hope for a good harvest this fall. .. In the last issue, I mentioned that Pat Hynes was not home when I called last December seems that he was teaching in Beijing China ... taught two MBA courses in information technology in November and December at Peking University. Pat says a very worthwhile program started a few years ago by Jesuit Schools, offering American MBA degrees in China. Pat visited China twenty years ago and says that the change is substantial not just automobiles over bicycles but an aggressive manufacturing economy especially in electronics and clothing. JCU prof Bloom was leaving Beijing as Pat arrived. When Pat returned to NY he retired from academia ... as he says "I left the party while I was still having fun." ... Dave Nilges is still bragging about the most terrific ski season in the last 40 years. Colorado Dave enjoys snowfalls of 41" and drifts of 12 to 14 feet. His favorite area is the Arapahoe Basin where in a good year you can ski on the 4th of July ... as someone who spends winter in the city, I still think that winter is a punishment for original sin. As a final note, most of you know that we lost Bill Tumney. Bill was a great supporter of JCU, always worked on reunions and alumni functions, a good Christian and active in any organization that he was a member, generous with his time and wit. He will be missed. ... Prayers, please for those whom we have lost and those who would appreciate better health especially Joe McKeon. Keep the faith, Pete

…if you remember, and I'm sure most of you do, the first thing after reveille was sick call and we have a few troopers who have been in the infirmary … lawyer Bill Tumney who usually chases ambulances is riding in them … Bill had surgery, returned home, complications, returned to the hospital, returned home, more complications, back to the hospital, returned home, more complications, and again back to the hospital, the medical staff and wife Zita are trying to decide who gets to keep him. … Chuck Brewster ’55 was all set for a hip replacement when it was discovered that he needed bypass work (yes some food brokers do have a heart). Chuck says that those most concerned with the success of his bypass were those to whom he owed money. … Gene Burns, after two hernia operations has added stint to his resume, after making many friends in the general medical area is now concentrating on the heart wing of Fairview Medical. … Received a great note from Joe McKeon at Christmas, he is still inching along in his recovery, has gained limited use of one hand and is gaining upper body strength, he is thinking of holding close order drill for the ROTC saber set at our fifty frolic next year … on the lighter side … when in the big apple last holiday season, tried to reach Pat Hynes, his answering machine told me that he was doing some "extensive travel" over the holidays but I could leave a message on his e-mail at Fordham. … Thank goodness that Eleanor Festa still writes, Dom Festa is too busy receiving accolades after being inducted into the Westchester County NY State Hall of Fame. Dom and Eleanor now enjoy the sun in Naples, FL. Dom coached basketball at Hamilton HS in Elmsford NY, winning sixty straight league games, three undefeated seasons and is a four time coach of the year … and to think that he did that without a player by the name of Labron James … that’s a local joke folks. … Dave Nilges survived the fire season in CO, the fires were close enough to see and smell and friends lost homes and livestock. Dave has also become chief historian for Cleveland Sports Losses, he has trouble with, the drive, the drop the helmet etc., and while on the subject of sports … our man Dick Zunt ’55 is on the "expert panel" for the Plain Dealer, a hall of fame member for the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Assoc. and is honored with the Golden Deeds Award from the areas’ three major coaching assoc. … That’s all for now … prayers please for those on the mend … keep the faith, Pete

Class Notes 1954 -- REUNION June 19-21, 2009

	Peter Mahoney 401 Bounty Way, #145 Avon Lake, OH 44012 440.933.2503 peter007@centurytel.net


fall 2008	...some in town and some out of town news ... after nearly 20 years of Monday morning/mourning golf Gene Burns has put the sticks away for the year. Gene, like Tiger Woods, has knee and hip problems. Gene says “if Tiger can take the rest of the year off, so can I.” After rehab which consists of alcohol rubs, yoga and Swedish massage, he plans to return next spring with a smile and renewed vigor. ... Mike Faul denies that he ever was a candidate for Attorney General in the state of New York. Mike is a retired judge in Phelps, NY, and has never been involved in a scandal ... well sometimes you can’t find a scandal when you need one. ... Dave Nilges is gearing up for the big roundup when the Democratic party comes to Denver. He plans on renting his barn in Centenial, CO, to political groupies and the media. ... Lou LaRiche has pushed all the flood waters out of Findlay, OH, (from the last couple of years). For a while there, he was afraid that he would have to build a barge for two Toyota - two Subaru - two Chevy - two Cadillac -- but new state of the art agencies are up and running ... now, his major program is working with the Vatican to change the engine and exhaust system for the Popemobile. It is common knowledge that the vehicle has a Chevy block and hemi heads but Benedict wants to go green: use less gas, save the earth, and put a hybrid sticker on the rear window. Good luck Lou. ... While on the subject of transportation, a few years ago I owned and rode a Honda Nighthawk, sweet two wheel bike that all the Harley owners called a “rice eater.” You could tool the back roads of Lorain County enjoy the fresh air and smell the agriculture. Met a guy by the name of Mike “Brooklyn” Brown. He rode a 1979 Harley low rider, shovel head, his advice to bikers was “keep it real, don’t be fake and handle your business.” I’m sure the bible has the same message. Don’t forget the prayers for Fred Blodgett, Sandra Nilges and Gail LaRiche. Keep the faith, Pete


summer 2008	... just a few notes from my stringers on what has been going on ... Therese and Gene Burns were in D.C. for the Papal visit. Gene was there on Homeland Security business and had the good fortune to get tickets to the White House affair. ... Bill Bloomstine was appointed to a special committee for the preservation of the Great Lakes water supply. Living in Erie, Pa., and boating on all that water, he is a natural for the job. ... Tom Corbett says that the continued growth in Las Vegas is such that he is considering giving up his job as senior advisor to the hit TV show LV CSI and becoming a carpenter. ... Mike Faul, retired judge in Phelps, N.Y., was mentioned as a candidate for governor when the last governor resigned. ... Gene Flynn is putting his eye shade and No. 5 pencils away after another tax season. He now has a Mass said for all members of the IRS. Gene hopes the next congress makes many changes in the tax laws -- good for business. ... Austin Groden our senior golf pro is in rehab after his hip replacement. He met with a staff infection which delayed his recovery. A zipper in lieu of stitches would have been best since the incision had to be visited several times. ... Bob Wischmeyer is back in the Cleveland area. He has written a play which was performed locally. ... Pat Hynes served as an usher at the Papal Mass in St. Pats on Sunday, April 20. Lou LaRiche was also in N.Y. for the Papal visit. Seems that the Pope Mobile while of German design and construction has a Chevy block and four barrel hemi compliments of LaRiche Chevrolet in Findley, Ohio. ... Prayers for Sandra Nilges and Fred Blodgett. ... Keep the faith, Pete


spring 2008	...from time to time it is nice to think about the people who were part of our life and are no longer here ... recently, one of the legendary high school football coaches of Ohio passed away, Augie Bossu of Benedictine High. There was an outpouring of letters to the Cleveland Plain Dealer and one of the letters was by Don Buynack. Don played for Couch Bossu and remembered him as a living “man for others.” Good work Don. ... The class of ’50, Jesuit city west, has an annual Christmas rodeo at Sokolowski’s University Inn. About 30 members of the class show up and compare knee and hip replacements, bypass routines, health insurance and the current shortage of clergy. The clergy discussion was facilitated by Bob Small ... with comments by Sister Mary Assumpta ’73G. Steve Oleksyk led the discussion on bypass (one of his sons is an MD and another is an ESQ) and Bill Adler led the comments on hip and knee (he has had them all). ... The gang for universal brotherhood was at it again -- Louise and Jim Sutphin, Eileen and Jake Blake and Carolyn and Charley O’Toole hosted a fundraiser for MoveOn.Org over the holidays (I have a picture to prove it). I was told that Geo Soros was in attendance. ... Austie Groden, our senior golf pro, is having hip replacements -- the right in Feb. and the left in April. His MD says he will have a smoother swing but will not guarantee distance or direction. ... Chuck Brewster, now retired from the food broker business, was in a good mood recently. He picked three NFL winners and a perfecta at Hialeah, must have been selling the right food to all those folks. ... Prayers please for Sandra Nilges, wife of David, and Fred Blodgett. ... Keep the faith, Pete


fall 2007	...last fall my wife and I played a round of golf at one of Northeast Ohio’s better courses, Eagle Creek in Norwalk. The starter, a grad of Benedictine High School in Cleveland, gave us the history of the course and told us of the damage the spring rains had done, even showing us the high water mark on the club house -- for almost two weeks most of the course was under water. This year the heavy rains came to Findlay. When you don’t live there but you see the pictures in the paper or on TV you forget about it -- well surprise, one of our classmates has two auto dealerships in Findlay. Lou LaRiche Chevy-Cadillac lost 200 new cars and some customer cars. The good news is the buildings are repaired and operational. As of September 20 they are selling and servicing, all factory fresh cars and trucks from GM. Like a Phoenix from the ashes, LaRiche Toyota-Subaru is building a new facility three times the size of the current facility which suffered little damage from the rains. On the day of the Findlay deluge Lou and his wife, Gail, were celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary -- I’m sure they’re going to remember that anniversary and the flood for some time. ... Dave Nilges’ wife Sandra has some very serious health issues, oncologists are involved ... prayers for Sandra and Dave. ... Keep the faith, Pete


summer 2007	...I can tell that with the dog days of summer, many of you have put down your pen and pushed away your note pad. Little to report for 54 of the last century, but with sources and satellites there is some news ... Dave Nilges (our Rocky Mountain real estate mogul) is concerned that Denver may be overbuilt and that the new trend in shopping malls (Streetscape) may be inappropriate for winter shopping. Dave and his staff are still very positive about the area and that a healthy economy cures most concerns. ... John Heffernan feels that there may be several openings for referees in the NBA so he is jogging and working out on a regular basis. Jack says that while doing hoops at JCU, he never met a ref he didn’t like. ... Pat Hynes, still in the big apple and quite a booster for his honor Mayor Bloomberg. Pat, cutting back on many of his activities, yet spending a share of his time at the outer banks, says he would be happy to work with the mayor if he decides to run for pres. ... Bob Small is mentioned in several legal publications as part of the legal team that worked with Paris Hilton and her family. Bob is back home now and has been encouraged to write a book about the legal system in California. ... From time to time I rely on third party sources for news of the ’54s, the comments may be incomplete, inexact or even inaccurate but never intended to be offensive ... mea culpa, mea culpa. Keep the faith, Pete


spring 2007	...news from the most interesting places ... if you are a business reader and a stock player one of our classmates is mentioned in a book written by Jeremy J. Siegel a prof at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Title of the book is Stocks for the Long Run ... he writes that one of his best students, Clarence V. Blake, followed the profs advice and was a force while on Wall Street. To many of us Clarence is known as Jake. ... Austie Groden took a top ten in a California Seniors Golf Tournament. He plans to spend the summer looking for loose change at local courses. ... While vacationing in Florida, Don Buynack and wife Marilyn entered an AARP Dancing with the Stars contest and won it all! Marilyn must be the star. ... Dave Nilges is still concerned about “is Denver, Colorado, overbuilt”? His newsletter is a compendium of the world of capital and land in and around Denver. ... In our last publication I mentioned Gene Flynn who has an accounting firm in Hudson, OH. Seems that last year he fell and injured his left shoulder ... still hurts ... but after much thermokinematics he mastered the use of his right hand (he has been left handed for the last 70+ years) and sailed through the tax season -- the IRS may question his right hand signature on those forms. ... Prayers for Bob Coerdt who recently had some health challenges. ... Keep the faith, Pete


winter 2007	...while many of you may be shaking sand out of your shoes there still is life in the North country ... at a holiday gathering of 1950 grads of Jesuit City West, Bill Adler, while retired from most aspects of engineering, discussed his challenges as a consultant to the City of Cleveland and the Euclid Corridor project ... the Panama Canal may have done great things for transportation but wait till you see what happens to downtown Cleveland. ... Gene Burns has put away his golf clubs and accepted a position with Homeland Security -- responsible for the shoreline and port security at the Cleveland Yacht Club in Rocky River, OH. Gene is very active in church activities (St Angela, Fairview Park) and is a Eucharist Minister, bringing communion to the homebound. I guess that would be spiritual security. ... Gene Flynn, CPA has purchased several hundred No. 2 pencils and is already in the midst of the tax season. He is forever thankful for a congress that keeps changing the tax laws. He has a Mass said for all employees of the IRS at his parish every April. Gene is known as the human TurboTax. ... Austie Groden and wife Joanne are headed for the coast ... after a very rigorous rehab program at Elyria Memorial Hospital (after his heart episode) he is entered in a Seniors Golf Tournament at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, CA. ... Dave Nilges our man in Centennial, CO ... ever conscious of architecture and real estate says “the new DAM (Denver Art Museum) is something to see, possibly in a class with the Sydney Opera House or the Guggie in NYC. ... Louise and Bud McLeod have made the turn that takes you from condo back to home ownership. Bud, never enough to do, is still volunteering for AARP and starting a Boomer Chapter in Providence, plus participation in Operation Clean Government (is that an oxymoron?). Keep the faith Pete


fall 2006	...thank goodness some are responding to my novena to St. Hillary, for information for our class notes ... the local papers are reporting a successful fund raiser for the ACLU at the Sutphin residence. Jim and Louise along with Carolyn and Charlie O’Toole and Mary Alice and Herb Rammerman joined forces to promote a more civil and liberal culture for the rest of us ... Don Buynack, Bill Stepanek ’52, Dave Curran (U of Detroit) and Jim Sutphin were the team to beat at the JCU Alumni Golf Classic ... next year Lee Trevino (using a green card) will substitute for Jim ... Newspapers forwarded from Rome have much to say about Lou LaRiche. Seems Lou was in Rome supervising the addition of armor plating to the Popemobile ... here is some of the information (translated from the Italian) ... LaRiche Toyota in Findlay, OH, managed by Bob LaRiche, received for the second year in succession, the Presidents Award for all aspects of operation. Chevy-Cadillac store, also in Findlay, managed by John LaRiche is setting records and the Chevy store in Plymouth, MI, managed by Scott LaRiche is doing well relative to MI economy. Lou and Gail have 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren ... when not traveling Lou hangs his hat at the store in Plymouth and watches NASCAR races on TV. A final note, one of the grandsons (Jim) lives in Boca Raton, FL, and is the World Champion Wake Boarder, age group 14-18. Another grandson is a Rotary exchange student in South Africa. At this point my Italian became a little rusty and I couldn’t translate all the other nice things that they had to say about Lou ... something about Lou, Lee Iacocca and the Sopranos. ... Keep the faith, Pete


summer 2006	... some notes from the world of sport ... if you were watching the Belmont Stakes (one of the Triple Crown) you may have noticed one of our own in the owners box. Jake Blake and some of his friends are owners of a horse named High Finance. It looked like the group was having a good time even if the horse finished twelfth -- so much for Wall Street. ... John Spaniol, our retired eye doctor, is eying a place to rent in FL. Seems John is tired of winters on the North Coast and would like to become a snowbird. ... Dave Nilges, Mr. Rocky Mountain High, says that he has seen it all, in January he toured the home of the former head of Tyco, Vail, CO -- former CEO is now on his way to the federal pen. When a well named congressman from RI took on some cement borders in Washington, DC the phones started ringing in the McLeod house in RI ... many of Bud McLeod’s friends encouraged him to run for Congress and replace a member of the Camelot Family. Bud decided that he could not work it into his busy schedule. Often we know little of the people we have a casual relationship with -- a neighbor, someone at church, a classmate. By this time many of you know of the death of our classmate Kaye Kause. A highly decorated Colonel in the U.S. Army -- twenty-eight years of service -- two tours in Vietnam -- a civilian contractor in Saudi Arabia -- father of four – active in his church community. Gene Burns and Dick Kilfoyle attended the funeral Mass in Vienna, VA, and Bill Schlaudecker attended the military funeral with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Kaye did it all -- Christian-officer-gentleman. Our prayers for wife Maggie and the family. Keep the faith, Pete


spring 2006	...well my prayers to St. Hilary have generated some response for this effort ... thank goodness Tom Harrison who is pundit and scribe for the group of ’49 knows the likes of Mike Faul ... Mike who left the rigors of the transportation industry (eighteen wheelers et al), went to law school and eventually became a judge is semi retired and a town judge in Phelps, NY, his robes are a little worn around the elbows but he still likes the job. ... Every year Dave Nilges writes to tell that this year is the best ski season in the last 50 but this year has a new twist or break ... Dave’s wife, Sandra, was blind-sided by a runaway skier and ended up with a broken leg. Sandra is under the care of her daughter (retired army major) who is head of the Tripler Army Medical Center, Pearl Harbor, HI. ... Bill Adler and Steve Oleksyk were recently lunching at Sokolowski’s University Inn with a group from Jesuit city west grads, class of ’50. ... Bob Small another semi retired attorney has joined forces with a small Irish law firm (Sligo) no joke Argue Phibbs and Small. Bob will provide legal services to the Irish in the West Park area of Cleveland -- his knowledge of Gaelic should be helpful. ... Wife and I recently pass through Disneyland for adults (Las Vegas) but failed to catch up with Tom Corbett. He is still acting as an advisor to the TV hit CSI Las Vegas. ... Keep the faith, Pete


winter 2006	...the holidays were wonderful and I know that many of you wanted to write about your Christmas presents but here goes anyway ... let me begin by explaining what happened to the photo of the Blakes, Schulers and Sutphins that we ran in the last issue ... we (the editor and I) had the caption for the photo set when a voice in the lounge said “last call” immediately the Sutphins shifted from the center of the picture to the outside (closer to the bar) ... well that is one explanation ... Jake Blake was in town recently visiting friends and helping out at the St. Malachi Center, a center for the homeless on W. 25th St. ... he returned to NY and sent clothing to the center for those who might need help. If you are in the W. 25th St. area and see Brooks Brothers pin stripes and button downs, it is the good works of JB -- who said Wall Street doesn’t have heart. ... speaking of heart, Austie Groden is almost completely recovered from his quintuple by-pass. A rigorous rehab program at Lakewood Hospital has him in the best shape since basic training in the U.S. Army. With golf glory in mind, he has purchased a new driver with a head the size of a full grown watermelon -- should be an interesting year on the links. ... Dave Nilges is starting his engines for continued ’06 real estate growth in the Denver region. He recalls the “unbridled optimism” of condo building on the Lakewood Gold Coast years ago – he’s been in the real estate business for nearly 50 years and has seen all the ups and downs. ... Bud McLeod is marching at “quick step.” Last year he resigned as president of the local concerned citizens, a group he founded, and accepted election to the board of the state’s largest (4000 member) taxpayer watch group. He founded a support group for the victims of fibromyalgia (if you don’t know what that is, look it up) ... he is one of 20 senior leaders for AARP and is active in putting together a Candidate’s Day, March 11, 2006 for those running for elected office in RI ... does this man ever rest? ... Recently I started a novena to St. Hilary (yes there is a St. Hilary) asking that my dear brothers and sisters of ’54 would send more material for this column -- please don’t disappoint her or me. Keep the faith, Pete


fall 2005	...some notes about summer happenings in our class -- saw Gene Burns and Herb Ramerman walking the shores of the lakes and streams at Hilliard Lakes Golf Club. Gene looking for wet Titleists and Herb looking for cat fish. ... Lou LaRiche made his annual trip to Rome and delivered his famous comment “Scuzi Papa, mia Lexus deliverio” as Lou tells it ,the first Pope mobile was for Paul VI and was a white Toyota. ... more honors for our classmates...Fr. Casey Bukala, SJ, was recognized for his service to the university by the dedication of Casey’s Concourse at Shula Stadium. I feel it would be better named Casey’s Causeway. Casey being a psychologist and always looking for the cause that results in the way. Casey is also an Alumni Medal winner. ... The other member of our class who has his name on the property is Fr. Tom Gafney, SJ, who has a plaque on the wall in the library. Congratulations Casey well deserved ... and while on the subject of congratulations, Jim and Louise Sutphin with Jake and Eileen Blake were on the road to visit Tom and Ann Sullivan then to upper MI (Siberia) to see Dave and Susan Schuler. ... The Sutphins celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary with the Schulers and Blakes at a game preserve and mink farm ... not to leave Sutphin alone, his summer was spent wearing golf shoes and looking for someone who didn’t know what a mulligan was ... he claims that Blake has an eraser on his pencil, Don Buynack is so strong that he putts like a gorilla and Charlie O’Toole now returned from Guantanamo Bay where he was representing the ACLU, has problems with his mashie and nib lick. ... A final note about Casey’s Causeway -- attending the Mass before the dedication (homily by Casey) were Gene Burns, Joe Wasserbauer, Dick Kilfoyle and Jim Sutphin (in his golf shoes). ... Keep the faith, Pete


summer 2005	...we may be in the midst of the summer doldrums, but thank goodness there is good news to report ... Tom Corbett, a long time favorite of “deep throat,” when he was a G-Man, had the honor and privilege of marching in the JCU graduation procession with his granddaughter Ann Skerkoski ’05 (a standout and record holder on the JCU swim team). Tom says that the food served to the alums after graduation was as good as that served in some of the casinos in LV where Tom and wife Joan live. Tom is still acting as an adviser to the TV show CSI-LV. ... Austie Groden is not on the Senior Tour this year ... he recently moved to Avon Lake and is recovering from quintuple by-pass and an attack of angry blood clots ... after sorting through the boxes in his garage he says he will return to the links, at least chipping and putting. ... Charlie O’Toole has returned from CA and is talking to a publisher about a book on the Michael Jackson trial. Charlie was often seen in the cabal entering and leaving the trial ... no, he was not on the umbrella. ... Tony Sposato is perfecting several designs for casinos and has joined a group of developers in Youngstown, waiting for Ohio law to change. ... Several months ago I lunched with John Mackin ’55 ... he is the law in Avon Lake -- the Muni Judge and retires at the end of this year. He said he knew it was a good job but when sixteen people took out petitions for election to the job, he decided it must be a great job. John is known as a firm and fair judge, a credit to his profession and to the people of Avon Lake who have continually elected him. He will continue to practice law in Lorain County. ... Don Davidson, a long time friend of Lance Armstrong, has been glued to the TV watching Lance’s try for number seven. ... Hope everyone is having a great summer ... keep the faith, Pete


spring 2005	While many of us hibernate during the winter, some members of our class take time in warmer climates to improve skills they display when they return north, demonstrating these skills with money associated in the use of these skills ... I don’t mean bingo ... I mean a game called golf. Jim Sutphin has been working at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Naples, FL, and claims a week at the academy has changed his game. Jim is confident now when he says “God isn’t the only one that can hit a one iron.” At the same time he was sharpening golf skills his daughter, Mary, was the lead teacher at the Hudson Montessori Middle School. ... Bob Small is back from the Peterson case and says he might have enough material to write a book. ... Gene Burns is leading a senior kickboxing program at a local health club -- his class motto is “its time to take names and kick a--. ... Gene says many members of his class are Cleveland School teachers. ... Lou LaRiche was in Rome for the funeral and had several Cardinals ask about prices on red Toyotas. ... Jake Blake, like friend Sutphin, spent some time in the sun working on his putting. Jake is great on the carpet in the winter but on grass he needs help. Jake spent time with teaching pro Jim McLean and after the twelve-week program lowered his scores by ten strokes. ... Dave Nilges in Centennial, CO, is still up to his hips in snow, in the higher elevations 24” in the last three days ... and I cheer when the forsythia begin to bloom. As a final note, it has been brought to my attention that Haggar (like in slacks) never made PJs, well, I happen to know that in parts of this country, often the rural south, when darkness came you just unsnapped your suspenders and you and your Haggars slipped between the sheets ... keep the faith, Pete


winter 2005	...this issue might be considered our congratulatory missive but some notes of interest before ... Jim Sweeney has a good question, “why don’t more members of our 50 year group take advantage of the university’s gift, attending classes (when there is room) for no fee. Those who graduated fifty or more years ago may attend classes free. Jim is completing a class on Irish Writers and says that it has been educational and entertaining ... he now knows of many pubs in Dublin and Liverpool visited by Joyce and a whole host of those who wrote with a brogue ... first congrats go to Lou LaRiche ... you may have missed it, but in a recent address to the world John Paul II, while endorsing Christian/capitalism, discussed expansion of the Vatican Museum and its 64 associated gift shops and announced the first and only Chevy-Cadillac-Toyota-Subaru dealer in Rome ... and now a hybrid Lexus for ... the next congrats for Bud McLeod living in a blue state, Bud has formed a Political Action Committee to add some red to the mix ... Bud is still active with AARP but the biggest and best news for Bud and Louise was the adoption of a one year old who they are calling “Roo” ... Bud continues to work support groups with the help of the Arthritis Foundation and South County Hospital ... next congrats to John Spaniol ... John’s brother Joe, was The Clerk of Court, the Supreme Court of the United States 1985-1990 ... brother Joe’s portrait was unveiled in the East Conference Room of the Court in January ... while on the subject of John S. several have questioned how John dates such attractive women, well if you missed the one at the reunion, she is on the cover of the September issue of ELLE magazine ... maybe it has something to do with John being an optometrist ... the December 27, 04 issue of Fortune Magazine comments on Jake Blake and his stock picks for 05 ... Jake is still high on wine futures ... Dave Nilges is up to his tush in Colorado snow and refuses to wax his skis in fear that he may go to fast, Dave recalls some of the famous streetcar rides to Jesuit City West ... Gene Burns is glad the Homeland Security job is filled ... he was scheduled for an interview in February ... Dan Boland is still in the land of grapes and sunshine – CA ... recently changed zip codes and now lives in Encinitas. ... keep the faith Pete


fall 2004	Some final notes from the reunion, then some answers to questions received via e-mail, calls and letters ... Fr. Casey Casimir Bukala, SJ concelebrated the reunion Mass and worked with the reunion committee in making calls to class members. ... Bud McLeod had a great tour of the campus, parked in front then walked to the back for his goodies and registration then to the front for activities ... said he hasn’t walked that far since close order drill fifty years ago. ... Joe Wasserbauer spent a great deal of his time trying to explain what he did at NASA and why tang and vodka is a great drink for anyone who wants to go in to orbit. ... Mike Velotta is still one of the better dancers in the class ... must come from stepping around hot asphalt or wet cement. ... Jack Wensinger claims that he can out-drive any member of the class ... the story he tells is that one day (with a following wind) he hit a golf ball from Dallas to Ft. Worth ... that is some poke even for a Texan. ... Jim Sweeney is contemplating a life in politics; he says that East Cleveland may be ready for someone with a legal background. ... Bob Small another Esq. in the class has been quietly working with a group of defense lawyers in the Michael Jackson case. ... Bill Schlaudecker still in insurance was offering several properties for sale in Florida. ... Charlie O’Toole said that his work with the Martha Stewart defense team was very interesting, and the trips to West Virginia will be even more interesting. ... Here are some of the questions and comments I received after our last issue ... Q is it true that Jim Sutphin is an associate of Michael Moore the film director ... A well, Jim is by nature attracted to anything that gets a lot of ink .. Q why was Jack Heffernan walking around campus in his PJs ... A well, he worked for Haggar and he wanted to show that they made something other than pants ... Q is Gene Burns really the defense coordinator for the Great Lakes area ... A well, if you saw the LCT that he drives you would know ... Q is Lou LaRiche really connected with the Vatican ... A well, all I know is that every time the director of the Vatican Bank comes to the U.S. he makes the stops in Michigan to see Lou ... Dave Nilges writes from Denver, sorry he missed the reunion, he was in the garage waxing his skis. Dave asked if I had visited one of his favorite restaurants, LePeep somewhere on RT 82 west of I-71. I promised Dave that I would check it out. ... one last Q is Gene Wiemels the smartest science grad in the class ... A well, he was the only one who could explain to me why Sputnik 1 stayed up there and didn’t come right back down. ... Keep the faith, Pete


summer 2004	... several years ago there was an Irish group that had a hit song entitled “wasn’t that a party,” they would have enjoyed our reunion ... let me begin a partial recap by thanking Rosalie Massey and big Peter B. for all their work in making the weekend a success ... the t-shirts, plates, pins, tours, entertainment, seminars and hospitality were excellent ... the committee “did itself fine” in helping a turnout of around 50 from the class of ’54 ... here are some of the notes passed to me by Inspector Cluseau who attended all receptions and diners. ... Jim Sutphin was at his best in putting together a video which played Saturday night, the sights and sounds were all about the “Carroll” and the “Class” of fifty years ago. Jim said some of the techniques used were from one of his recent commercial ventures in working with Michael Moore in his film productions. ... Don Davidson made it up from the Columbus area and mentioned that his training methods were now adopted by Lance Armstrong and showing results. Dick Kilfoyle has not completely retired and will still insure anyone who can guaranty a composed and quiet life ... Martha Stewart is one of his clients. ... Tom Corbett is still in Vegas and is currently serving as an adviser for the CSI - Vegas, TV hit, his past days with the FBI make him a natural. ... John Spaniol, retired optometrist, was mingling about the reunion with his camera, taking pictures and having classmates sign his yearbook. ... John’s date, a Vogue model named Che Che, is quite attractive. ... Dom LoGalbo is still teaching and says he will continue until teachers are paid at the same rate as a first year player in the NBA. ... John Heffernan kept asking for a moment of silence, if there had been a three point shot when he was doing hoops at Carroll, he would have played in the NBA and would be part owner in the Timberwolves. ... Lou LaRiche, still looking like an ambassador to the Vatican, has pulled of an “eagle” for auto dealers, his Cadillac-Chev and his Toyota dealerships have both been recognized as best in the U.S., both in the same year. Nice work Lou, now about that Lexus for the Pope. ... Tony Sposato has a nephew on his way to JCU this fall. Tony is still an architect and specializes in the design of casinos -- he is waiting for things to change in Ohio. ... Bob Coerdt has maintained a membership in the YMCA for more than 40 years and is an age bracket champion for handball. ... Fred McGunagle, who does freelance work for the Cleveland PD and is prominent in New Church groups, was talking to John Carson about starting a group in Dallas. John the retired banker would be the treasurer and have a line on becoming a monsignor. ... Gene Burns ever the rebel and agitator, was telling everyone that his reserve commission of Lt. Col. meant he would be called up for security duty at one of the national political conventions. Gene is a homeland defense coordinator for the Great Lakes area. ... Pat Hynes, still in the big apple, is a member of Mayor Blumberg’s staff and coordinates activities associated with the New York City Marathon. ... Don Buynack still works out six days a week and was looking for someone to arm wrestle. Also, Don knows every good restaurant within a hundred miles of his home in Lyndhurst. ... Herb Ramerman showed up wearing his fishing outfit and had a string of trout that he served to those seated at the same table on Saturday night. Several at the table said the fish tasted like an aged bologna sandwich. ... Gene Flynn recently released from a federal institution (having served a term for one of his tax clients) looked trim and fit. Gene said the food served at the federal retreat was better than that served in the JCU cafeteria when we were students. ... I haven’t covered everything, so I will give you Reunion 2 in the next edition ... keep the faith, Pete N.B. the new e-mail address -- peter007@centurytel.net


spring 2004	Hope everyone received a call concerning our reunion ... there has been some confusion about cost ... if you read the reservation card with all the dollar signs you forget that the 50 year class members and guests are FREE ... when was the last time any institution of learning offered you a FREE weekend ... no real estate or swamp land will be sold! ... Steve Oleksyk is catching up with Gene Burns when it comes to the number of stents put in to improve blood flow; I think Burns leads 5-3. Steve has a load of help from a son who is an MD. ... Bill Adler is a “maybe” for the reunion, he has a new ear. As he describes it, they put a magnet in the ear and one outside the ear with wires and a tuning fork connecting the magnets. All is going well except when someone uses one of those high pitch dog whistles, Bill begins to howl and look for a fire plug. ... Gene Flynn is still a CPA with heart, trying to keep all the good guys from being beaten up by the IRS. ... John Carson is loading up the Conestoga wagon and “headin up from Dallas for the big reunion.”... John Spaniol is planning to attend but will not bring Kim Basinger this time -- maybe Diane Keaton, since John looks like Jack Nicholson. ... Jerry Kalal is going to slide over from Solon and check everything out. ... When the committee was making calls to follow up on the reunion invitation, no one had better luck in getting the called party to attention than Fr. Casey Bukala SJ. Can you imagine a Jesuit calling you and reminding you of your 50 year class reunion? I think there may have been some confessions in the process. ... Dave Nilges isn’t sure if he will attend, wife having surgery. ... Jim Sutphin has done extensive research for the Saturday night program, says Little Things Mean a Lot was the number one hit in 1954 ... what a great song for a reunion. Jim is now know as Mr. Abstention, he gave up all booze for lent and claims he didn’t lose a pound ... must not have been drinking much to start with. About the reunion, when making the calls you hear about all the fond memories of JCU and how we children of the recession were fortunate to get a good education and to be classmates with so many good people and you hear about health and aging -- as the Irish would say “tis a good time to get together with friends and have some porter or a ball of malt.”... It has never been my intention to make these ramblings a home for obituaries but it is a great way of recalling what great people we have been associated with at JCU ... two good friends have gone home ... George Lyman and Larry Donohoe. George, you may remember, as in football and fun, a smile and a laugh, always great to be around. Larry was a combination of “a man for all seasons” and “a renaissance man” ... he was active in church, community and political affairs. Prayers please for George, Larry and their families. ... See you at the reunion ... let me repeat it is FREE! Keep the faith, Pete


winter 2004	Happy New Year ... with this being '04 and our launch from academia being in the last century ’54, it is our golden get together ... and what a time is planned ... the committee is in action with co-chairs (not rocking chairs) Herb Ramerman and Joe Wasserbauer are promising a weekend for all to enjoy. ... Jim Sutphin has signed a contract to MC the Saturday Night Live program ... he still receives requests for his “you know you are old” list from five years ago ... no doubt he will use an updated version. ... Don Buynack is the webmaster which means you can get the current skinny on what is going on by clicking on the JCU Web site ... www.jcu.edu click on alumni, then our year and wow maybe a picture of your committee. ... Jake Blake is serving as CFO for the class gift ... Jake is still concerned about the article in Wine Spectator Magazine that featured his Sauvignon Blanc wine with 92 points and at $38.00 a bottle, his concern is that he priced the wine to low but no matter -- it is sold out ... several financial publications mentioned Jake as a possible replacement for Dick Grasso at the NYSE ... I'm sure Jake would rather grow grapes, sample wines and travel. ... Last August during the big power outage I had lunch with Pat Hynes in New York City ... Pat knew of a little greek restaurant on 10th Ave. that must have had back up power ... we compared notes and enjoyed travel stories amid all the confusion in the big apple ... Pat plans on attending our reunion this year. ... Two more things about the reunion, it is FREE to members of the 50 year class and their guests and it takes place June 18-19-20. ... Not to leave on a down note but, we lost two fine friends since our last writing ... Joe McKeon and Dave Hurd. I have known these two since days at Jesuit City West ... both professional in their business life and very faithful in their religious life, both battled long illnesses with dignity and great faith ... both had the support of wives and family through it all ... keep them in your prayers. ... A final note – REUNION ... REUNION ... REUNION ... FREE ... FREE ... FREE ... JUNE 18-19-20. Keep the faith, Pete


summer 2003	... a recent issue of Wine Spectator Magazine includes a small article on Blake Vineyards of Montauk Point, NY ... the wines are the pride of our classmate "JAKE BLAKE" and his family ... according to the article the Sauvignon Blanc is the best in the east, "a clean white, with light fruit, made without oak" perhaps Jake could bring a few cases for our fifty-year fling next year, he has the dates on his calendar so lets hope for a good harvest this fall. .. In the last issue, I mentioned that Pat Hynes was not home when I called last December seems that he was teaching in Beijing China ... taught two MBA courses in information technology in November and December at Peking University. Pat says a very worthwhile program started a few years ago by Jesuit Schools, offering American MBA degrees in China. Pat visited China twenty years ago and says that the change is substantial not just automobiles over bicycles but an aggressive manufacturing economy especially in electronics and clothing. JCU prof Bloom was leaving Beijing as Pat arrived. When Pat returned to NY he retired from academia ... as he says "I left the party while I was still having fun." ... Dave Nilges is still bragging about the most terrific ski season in the last 40 years. Colorado Dave enjoys snowfalls of 41" and drifts of 12 to 14 feet. His favorite area is the Arapahoe Basin where in a good year you can ski on the 4th of July ... as someone who spends winter in the city, I still think that winter is a punishment for original sin. As a final note, most of you know that we lost Bill Tumney. Bill was a great supporter of JCU, always worked on reunions and alumni functions, a good Christian and active in any organization that he was a member, generous with his time and wit. He will be missed. ... Prayers, please for those whom we have lost and those who would appreciate better health especially Joe McKeon. Keep the faith, Pete


spring 2003	…if you remember, and I'm sure most of you do, the first thing after reveille was sick call and we have a few troopers who have been in the infirmary … lawyer Bill Tumney who usually chases ambulances is riding in them … Bill had surgery, returned home, complications, returned to the hospital, returned home, more complications, back to the hospital, returned home, more complications, and again back to the hospital, the medical staff and wife Zita are trying to decide who gets to keep him. … Chuck Brewster ’55 was all set for a hip replacement when it was discovered that he needed bypass work (yes some food brokers do have a heart). Chuck says that those most concerned with the success of his bypass were those to whom he owed money. … Gene Burns, after two hernia operations has added stint to his resume, after making many friends in the general medical area is now concentrating on the heart wing of Fairview Medical. … Received a great note from Joe McKeon at Christmas, he is still inching along in his recovery, has gained limited use of one hand and is gaining upper body strength, he is thinking of holding close order drill for the ROTC saber set at our fifty frolic next year … on the lighter side … when in the big apple last holiday season, tried to reach Pat Hynes, his answering machine told me that he was doing some "extensive travel" over the holidays but I could leave a message on his e-mail at Fordham. … Thank goodness that Eleanor Festa still writes, Dom Festa is too busy receiving accolades after being inducted into the Westchester County NY State Hall of Fame. Dom and Eleanor now enjoy the sun in Naples, FL. Dom coached basketball at Hamilton HS in Elmsford NY, winning sixty straight league games, three undefeated seasons and is a four time coach of the year … and to think that he did that without a player by the name of Labron James … that’s a local joke folks. … Dave Nilges survived the fire season in CO, the fires were close enough to see and smell and friends lost homes and livestock. Dave has also become chief historian for Cleveland Sports Losses, he has trouble with, the drive, the drop the helmet etc., and while on the subject of sports … our man Dick Zunt ’55 is on the "expert panel" for the Plain Dealer, a hall of fame member for the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Assoc. and is honored with the Golden Deeds Award from the areas’ three major coaching assoc. … That’s all for now … prayers please for those on the mend … keep the faith, Pete


spring 2002	... let me begin with an apology and an explanation ... often there is a time lag of at least a month between my writing to our august group and the publication of John Carroll magazine ... recently one of our group accosted me between bites on my tuna salad sandwich, concerning the timing of a request for prayers for Jim Braham and his departure to the next life ... well, I am sure that Jim enjoyed the prayers, here or there ... in fact, Jim’s wake was a tribute to a man who enjoyed journalism and vice/versa, there were pictures of Jim and every major sports and entertainment personality for the last thirty years ... his reporting for Cleveland newspapers and Penton Publications reflected the man, professional with a joy of life ... and now to the other matters at hand. ... Austie Groden is on the Senior Tour, he plans to play the Toshiba Senior Classic at Newport Beach and the Emerald Classic in Florida ... his new sponsor is Natural Golf. ... Dave Nilges is still enjoying the rarefied air and snow at 6,000 feet in Colorado, he still dabbles in commercial real estate and is willing to sell half a mountain to any interested party, with a scent of patriotism Dave recalls that all his brothers (6) and sister have served in the military. ... While thinking of patriotism, Jim Sutphin was our representative in the Olympic Torch parade ... Jim carried the torch on West Broad St. in Columbus, he claims that this came about because daughter Susie ’92 and friends nominated him. ... I believe that a French figure skating judge had something to do with it ... Jim says the souvenir version given him is available (small fee) for bug control at outdoor parties. ... you may have missed him, but he was there, Jake Blake at the US Senate hearings for Enron, Jake may be retired from Wall Street but he remains interested in financial matters due to his association with author/investor Peter Lynch. ... Bob Small and Bill Tumney are part of a group of local lawyers mounting a letter writing campaign in support of “a Christian approach to the life of John Lindh Walker.” Small has spent some time with Walker and Tumney is quick to point out that Walker’s Christian education was by Christian Brothers not Jesuits. ... Dick Zunt ’55 claims that he has sorted through all the sports memorabilia gathered over 40 years of reporting and he may reintroduce a high school sports newsletter that he began in his basement 35 years ago ... the launch of the newsletter will include a high school swimsuit edition. ... Another correction, Bill Adler corrected my measurements of his grandson who is a frosh at Jesuit City-West, the lad is six-eight and has a size eighteen foot. ... Never, never forget Joe Mckeon in your prayers, there is progress, slow but progress. ... If you are a member of the ’54 group and I haven’t slandered you in a while, please write or e-mail and I’ll try to correct the situation. ... Keep the faith ... Pete

	Return to Top

Class Notes 1954 -- REUNION June 19-21, 2009