SMI Alumni Newsletter 2014

ALUMNINEWSLETTER
“For God
SAINT MARY’S INSTITUTE
and Country”
2014
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
St. Mary’s Institute class of 1964 held it’s 50th reunion on September 26, 27, and 28, 2014. The weekend began with an
informal gathering on Friday night for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Rolling Hills.
On Saturday, a gathering of about 80 class members and guests at Nicolino’s enjoyed a cocktail hour and appetizers
followed by a delicious hot buffet and dessert. Music and dancing to the oldies was provided by Earl Kent of Free Spirit
Video DJ.
A Mass at St. Mary’s Church was held Sunday morning in honor of the 13 deceased members of the class followed by a
brunch at the Bresonis’ (thank you Jacque and Bill).
The attendance was amazing and a great time was had by all. It seems that each time we get together we delight in each
other’s company that much more. Looking at old photos and remembering old stories made the weekend so enjoyable. A
little tiring from all the dancing but enjoyable nonetheless.
Thank you all for coming and making this reunion such a success. Looking forward to seeing you all at the 55th.
A donation on behalf of the class of 1964 was made to the SMI Alumni Fund.
~The Committee
Class Of 1964~50th Reunion
Front row: Lynn (Hewitt) Willey, Gail (Spatola) French, Patricia (Dygon) Hroncich, Gail Deegan, Donna (Cisaretti)
Martuscello, Jacque (Morini) Bresonis. 2nd row: Chuck Constantine, Judy (Kubas) Habla, Jeanette Piech, Rosemary
Constantine, Mike Eckelman, Patty (Gizzo) Allen, Zae (Wnorowski) Baker, Tony Orsini, Bob Kaiser. 3rd row: Kathy
(Ciskanow) Wells, Janice (Proctor) Shafer, Barbara (Slezak) Burnett, Lidia (Laba) Pasamanick, John Vidulich, Bill
McKnight, Clem Spagnola, Randy Alexander. 4th row: Cynthia (Niezgoda) Shriver, Juliet (Michalski) Konieczny,
Vic Fondacaro, Miriam Dorothy Ukeritis CSJ, Bill McNamara, Rich LaBate, Lou Frollo, Bob Kelly, Mike McGuire.
5th row: Frank Turo, Dan Baker, Bill Bresonis, Louise Stephens, Terry Stroble, Jack Kolodziej, Pete Frank, and John
Naple.
1
Class of 1964
Bill & Diane McNamara, Joe & Pat (Dygon)
Hroncich, Tony Orsini, Nancy & John
Vidulich.
Chuck Constantine, Judy (Kubas) Habla,
Gail Deegan, and Rosemary Constantine.
Bob Gawrelski, Kathy (Ciskanow) Wells,
Dorothy Ukeritis, CSJ, Cynthia (Niezgoda)
Burgess Shriver, Juliet (Michalski) & Kurt
Konieczny, and Barbara (Slezak) Burnett.
Louise Stephens, Zae
(Wnorowski) Baker, and
Judy (Kubas) Habla.
REUNION COMMITTEE
Jacque Bresonis, Patty Allen, Rosemary Constantine, and Zae Baker.
Gloria & Clem Spagnola, Gail (Spatola)
French, and Gail Deegan.
Karen (Skodinski) Euliano,
and Pete Mochrie.
Linda & Robert Gawrelski, Jim & Janice
(Proctor) Shafer, Gene & Dorothy Piurek.
John Naples, Gail Deegan, Jacque (Morini)
& Bill Bresonis and Pete Mochrie.
Peter Frank, Mike Eckelman and
Vic Fondacaro.
Foreword
“The past is but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is or has been is but
the twilight of dawn….” We stand today on the threshold of a “new frontier” in
which we, the class of nineteen hundred and sixty-four, seek our purpose, our
security, and our salvation. How do we hope to become victors in this long
twilight struggle? St. Mary’s has given us the ideal. Christ has given us the
example. John Fitzgerald Kennedy has given us the challenge.
-Exert from the 1964 Yearbook
Congratulations to the Class of 1964’s 50th Reunion Celebration!
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Reunion Alert
Is your class having a reunion?
Did you know that you can request a
Class List and Labels
to help with organizing a reunion?
We’re just a phone call/email away.
Contact us at:
(518) 842-4100
constantinej@smik8.org
Don’t forget to send us a
write up and photos
for the 2015 Newsletter!
Class of 1949 ~65th Reunion Luncheon
NEWSLETTER
HIGHLIGHTS
BSHS Corner News. . . . . .23
Class Notes & Letters . . . .17
St. Mary’s Institute class of 1949 held a reunion luncheon at the
Raindancer Restaurant, Amsterdam, NY. Those attending were Joan
(Dybas) Allen, Jean (Dufresne) Colistra, John Harrington, Janet
(Haight) McQuatters, Margaret (Woods) Morris, Michael Orapello,
Frances (Bertuch) Gawron, Arlene (Picken) Jasper, MaryEllen
(Harkins) Kolbe, Claude Palczak, Mr. & Mrs. John Boggie, Theresa
(Cislo) Korona, Mary Ann (Howlan) Riley, and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas
Sheridan. Everyone enjoyed the time together and hope to do it again
in September 2015.
Donors List . . . . . . . . . . . .29
From the Principal’s Desk .8
Let’s Go Gaels . . . . . . . . . .11
Lost Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Memorials . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Office of Alumni Note . . . 34
1949 Senior photos of those in attendance at the Reunion Luncheon.
Missing: Joan (Dybas) Allen
Remember When . . . . . . . . 6
Remembering Fr. James . . 5
Travels of a ‘61 Corvette .21
Happy 70th
Class of 1944
2014 Graduation . . . . . . . 14
SMI Alumni Newsletter
1988 Co-founders & Directors:
Rosemary (Van Allen) Francisco ‘49
Jacque (Morini) Bresonis ‘64
1997 –2006 Director
Susan (Rossetti) Megna
Class of 1950
2007-Current Director
Jeanette Constantine
constantinej@smik8.org
(518) 842-4100
LOOKING TO PLAN 65th REUNION
Contact:
Terry Guzielek (518) 762-8026
Bob Van Allen (518) 842-4035
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Fr. James Gulley
Celebrating his 25th Ordination Anniversary
Liturgy at SMI ~ October 2006
4
V
I
S
I
T
I
N
G
In Memory of Father Gulley
For 27 years,
You graced the Halls of SMI
From Welcoming Parents,
Giving Teachers Inspiration,
Visiting Classrooms,
Eating Lunch with Students,
Checking the Kitchen for Desserts
And Dancing Down the Aisle
at the end of school Liturgies
Your Legacy is Imprinted
Within the Hearts of Students
And Throughout the Halls of SMI
C
L
A
S
S
R
O
O
M
S
Reverend James Gulley, peacefully passed away with family and friends at his side on
May 17, 2014 at the Teresian House. Fr. Gulley was born on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935
in Watervliet, NY, to Anthony and Mary Hynes Gulley. He graduated from St. Patrick’s
School, then went on to graduate from La Salle Institute in Troy, NY. On his parents
Wedding Anniversary in 1954, he began his novitiate at the Institute of the Brothers of the
Christian Schools. In August of 1981, as a Deacon, Fr. Gulley began ministry at
St. Mary’s Parish in Amsterdam, NY, then was ordained on October 10, 1981 by The Most Rev.
Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany and was assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s Parish,
Amsterdam with Pastor, Msgr. Edward R. Glavin. Over the years, Monsignor Glavin guided and
inspired Fr. Gulley with the spiritual and practical theme for two parish priests: Service to the
People. With Monsignor Glavin’s retirement in 1998, Fr. Gulley was appointed to succeed
Monsignor Glavin and a few years later, Fr. Gulley’s brother, Reverend Anthony D. Gulley, Ph. D., joined
him at St. Mary’s Rectory. Together, they joyfully shared in the pastoral duties to “the good people of
Amsterdam, St. Mary’s Church and St. Mary’s Institute.” Fr. Gulley was honored to be the Chaplain of the
Amsterdam Fire Department and was on many school and
advisory boards. He received many awards with the
community and was also given the “Priest of the Year” Award
by the Albany Diocese Committee for Scouting.
Father Gulley was the beloved brother of the late John Gulley,
Marie T. Phillips, the Rev. Anthony D. Gulley, Ph.D., and
Joseph Gulley; uncle of John, Russell and Roger Gulley,
Caryle Guyatte Herr, Joseph and Kathleen Gulley, Patricia
Luce and Maryann Hannay; brother-in-law of Katherine
Gulley; beloved friend of the Constantine, Dwyer, and
Parente families. Funeral services were held on Thursday,
May 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM in Father’s beloved St. Mary’s
Church, Amsterdam where a Mass of Christian Burial was
Concelebrated.
In Memory of
Father Gulley is
buried next to his
Fr. James Gulley
parents and family
Serving as
in St. Mary’s
Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish
Cemetery, Troy,
&
NY.
St. Mary’s Institute
1981-2008
5
~SMI REMEMBERS WHEN~
1884 On Friday, July 4th, the Fourth Annual
Commencement Exercises were held. A piano duet was
performed by Misses E. Haggarty & J. Haggarty.
Intermediate Regents’ Certificate awarded to Miss
Catherine McCaffrey, Preliminary Regents’ Certificates
to Miss Margaret Sammons and Master Anthony Graham.
Medals of Excellence were won by Miss Ellen Downey
and Master William Burke. Studies resumed on Thursday,
August 28th.
1894 There were two men and nine women on the
academic faculty teaching as a permanent profession.
A total of $2,600.00 was paid in teacher salaries.
City Treasurer, John E. Willoughby addressed the 15
graduates at Commencement. The Alumni Association
reached sixty six members.
1904 The twenty fourth annual Commencement
Valedictory was Loretta Keane. Orations’ “Irish
Patriotism” was handled by Raymond Madden, “Heroes
of the Battle-field” by Richard Murnighan and “Passing of
the American Indians” by James McKenney. Essay’s were
read by Genevieve Liddane and Margaret Fitzgibbons.
Other graduates were William Seward, Raymond Sullivan,
James Mullins, Anna Nolan, Elizabeth Hennessy, Emma
Casabonne, Agnes Griffin and Irene Savage.
1914 Entertainment night was held on Thursday, May
7th. The comedy “Wanted-A Confidential Clerk” stared
Edmund Donlon, Charles Kelly, James Shanahan, Andrew
Morey, Cornelius Sweeney and William Collins. Taking
part in the 34th Commencement class was Salutatory
Veronica M. Maloney, Valedictory was Margaret M.
Dwyer. (Oration) “His Holiness” was given by Hugh P.
Donlon, (Selection’s) “To-Morrows” by Alice M. Smarup,
“Bingen on the Rhine” by Catharine F. Collins, “To the
Sea Wind” by Anna M. Murphy and “Remembrance” by
Anna M. Mitchell, (Declamation) “The Wounded
Soldier” by Joseph Coessens. Essay “Irish Americanism”
by Anna Cady.
1924 Sister M. Gonzaga was Principal. Students had to
be given instruction in humane treatment of animals and
birds in the elementary department as required by the
Education Law of 1910. Prize Speaking contest was held
April 24, with Teacher of Elocution, Miss Anna
McDonough and Maney’s Orchestra with Prof. Hugh P.
Donlon at the Piano. Taking part in the Debate were
Alfonso J. Cevera, Raymond Dery, Edmund Cotter, James
D. Connor, Joseph T. Kelly and Kenneth J. Morck. Class
officers were James G. Lenehan, President, William D.
Brumagin, Vice President and Marion C. LaPorte,
Secretary. Mary M. Riley performed “The House by the
Side of the Road” at the 44th Annual Commencement.
1934 Fr. Donovan was Athletic Director and “Jack”
Carroll was Coach of the Catholic League Basketball
Champions. Class Motto was Mane Nobiscum Domini. It
cost $4.50 to print the tickets and $3.75 to print the Prize
Speaking programs and $2.75 for lunch supplies. James J.
Mullareky won first prize for “The Finger of
God” (Wilde) and Alice Ambrose for “The Fatal
Disk” (Twain). Rev. Joseph A. Dunney, M.A., S. T. L.
addressed the 34 seniors along with Valedictorian Christopher J. Heffernan and Joseph Lennon, Salutatorian.
1944 On June 10th at 3:00 PM a Piano Recital “Music
Pupils of S.M.I.” was held. Taking part were Donald
Bersing, Robert Smith, Betty Nellis, Katherine Egan,
Gloria Bogdan, Constance Dunlavey, Catherine Isop,
Patricia Miseno, Marion Brennan, Maria McCune,
Daniel DePaschale, Patricia Cavanaugh, Neil Poulin,
Evelyn Castler, Dorothy Olbrych, Joan Dybas, Calvin
Poulin, Beatrice Cunniff, Jean Stone, Margaret Achet,
Phyllis Martuscello, Mary Jane Megna and Joseph
Aiken. Receiving 1st-4th place academic honors at
Commencement were John M. Donlon, Alice T.
Greenwalt, Mary E. Farr, and Jean M. Hallenbeck.
1954 SMI Annex Campaign exceeded the fund goal by
$69,416. A small fire damages the coaches office.
James Kelley presented the yearbook Marian Echoes at
class night exercises. Elaine Patrzyk and Nadia Bersing
took care of the Class Will, while Richard Schmidt did
the Class History and Winifred Jocelyn read the Class
Prophecy. Junior Prom theme “Moonlight and Roses”,
Senior Ball theme was “The Royal Ball.”
1964 Rev. Edward R. Glavin was Principal, along with
assistant principal’s Rev. James E. Hartley and Sister
Rose Margaret, CSJ. Sixteen faculty members including
guidance counselor Rev. Laurence F. Barry, a school
nurse and dental hygienist. Tuition charge for day pupils
was $80.00. Rev. Richard J. Boyle addressed seniors at
graduation.
1974 Mr. Slater with “Puff the Magic Dragon.” In gym
class, Mr. Martuscello considered hitting the balcony a
home run in kickball and wiffle ball. Homeroom teachers were Sister Barbara Krick, C.S. J. and Miss Jeanne
Gracon. Thomas DiCaprio received the William H.
Billings Memorial Music Award.
1984 Matt Vicinanzo submitted “The Mystery of the
Striped Band” as a whodunit story for the SMI Informer.
Rev. Edward Glavin, Rev. James Gulley, Rev. Timothy
Mangan, SSS and Rev. Robert Baltch were
concelebrants at graduation, Mrs. John Lis received a
vase of flowers in memory of her granddaughter, class
member Peggy Lea Babrow.
1994 Principal Sr. Elizabeth Costanzo, CSJ announces
enrollment of 363 students, along with 36 faculty & staff
members. A committee is formed to look into returning
SMI to a K-12 school again. Msgr. Glavin reaches out
the general public for donations to be used as tuition
assistance. Newsletter directors search for new helpers.
2004 The yearbook was dedicated to Mrs. Rita (Fraim)
Manginelli ‘56, who announced her retirement after
twenty six years, working at SMI providing lunches and
baked goods. Future Cities Team present Albany 2204
with advisor Mrs. Stoodley and mentor, Mr. Sikora.
The SMI co-ed soccer team had 34 active players.
6
A Letter from our Pastoral Administrator
Dear Alumni,
I am very happy to greet you and to share a few words of my new experience as
Pastoral Administrator at Saint Mary’s Institute.
I came on board in August of 2014. Quite frankly, I felt anxious and overwhelmed
regarding my new role, never having had the experience of ministering in a Catholic
School.
Before the opening of the School year I had the privilege of meeting with our Principal,
Giovanni Virgiglio, the Faculty, and Staff, whose warmth and hospitality helped me to
relax and feel at home. The highlight of that very beginning was in meeting our children at the Opening
School Year, at our First School Mass. I was so excited at the joy and enthusiasm of the children on that
day, a joy and enthusiasm that has continually been a shot in the arm for me whenever I have the privilege
of being in their presence.
During the course of this year, I have come to understand the value S.M.I. plays in the lives of our children,
their parents, and our community. The children are formed in the principles and values of our Catholic faith,
educated well academically, and are being prepared to go out into the world to meet the challenges of life.
A product of Catholic Elementary School, myself, I look back with tremendous gratitude to the Sister of the
Holy Family of Nazareth who taught me and formed me, and yes, were most instrumental in playing an
intimate part in my Calling to the Priesthood.
Of course, Catholic Education has come a long way since I graduated in 1963. Lay people have replaced the
Religious Sisters and Brothers in most Schools, Curriculum has changed, and modern means of Technology
have certainly expanded the horizons of yesteryear. However, what’s more, I am truly in awe of the
tremendous dedication and energy that I perceive in our Principal and Faculty of our children and in fulfilling
their duties as educators. They’re Aces!!!
Still more, what remains a constant and an ever present center of S.M.I. is our Catholic identity and the joy of
sharing that identity, that faith, with one another.
As you look back to your days at St. Mary’s Institute, it is my sincere hope that you have many happy
memories of those formative years, that you are truly thankful for your Catholic Formation and Education,
have put that to good use in your life, and are proud to be an Alumnus of S.M.I.
Please remember us as we continue in our mission to our children, our families, and our community. Your
continued support of S.M.I. is vital and very appreciated as we look to the years ahead and the children who
will one day be where you are today, a member of the Alumni of St. Mary’s Institute!
God bless you!
Rev. Lawrence J. Decker
Pastoral Administrator
7
A Letter from our Principal
Dear Alumni and Friends,
“[We] are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” - Matthew 5:14
Indeed we are the light of the world! I cannot help but think how this scripture appropriately
captures our beloved St. Mary’s Institute. Our city is our school. Our children are the light that
keeps our school bright and allows us to shine! And it’s no coincidence we are geographically
nestled on top of a hill in the Mohawk Valley for all to see.
For over 130 years and counting, St. Mary’s Institute has been a most special place for students
to unlock their God-given gifts and unleash their amazing potential. Woven in our city’s
beautiful fabric since 1880, we have provided so many children with memorable experiences rooted in faith traditions
and focused on preparedness for the future. An experience made possible by the courageous Catholic school leaders
of the St. Mary’s Institute of yesteryear who followed in the footsteps of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of Catholic
schools, and sought inspiration from St. John Baptist De La Salle, patron saint of teachers.
Like these saints, the light that is Catholic education remains ablaze in our city, kindled by our own local leaders past
and present. Their sacrifice provided and continues to provide very powerful evangelization, allowing the young to
learn the ways of Jesus Christ today, thereby helping to sustain the Church tomorrow. On behalf of Father Lawrence
Decker, the faculty and staff, and myself, we are humbled and honored to continue the noble work of our school’s
steadfast predecessors.
When you relive SMI’s storied history captured in our charming archives, it is clear no one more appropriately captures
the light of Catholic education than our retired pastor, Father James Gulley who was born into eternal life on May 17,
2014. I met Father Gulley during my first year as principal at St. Mary’s Institute. It was then when he shared with me
his many words of wisdom anchored in the 27 years of experience as pastor of St. Mary’s Church. Our conversations in
the months leading up to his retirement affirmed his everlasting support for Catholic education. The 2008 recipient of
the St. John Neumann Award, Father Gulley dedicated himself to his Church and Catholic education. May he rest in
peace.
As you read on, be proud and know that St. Mary’s Institute is blossoming with a promising future, a future you can
remain an important part of. As ministers of Catholic education guided by the Holy Spirit, I ask that you help us ensure
that our students’ academic paths and spiritual journeys are always illuminated by Christ’s light. As alumni, you play a
vital role in this process. Carry on Father Gulley’s and all our leaders’ efforts and help light the way. Your recurring
and dependable contributions afford us the means to provide a Christ-centered education that prepares our graduates,
like you, for a world filled with many splendid opportunities and exciting challenges.
I hope you will engage again the wonderful partnership that we have with all of you, our alumni and friends of our
extended community. We are grateful for your support and ask that you keep the students, staff and families of
St. Mary’s Institute in your prayers. Now and always we look to our patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as
our source of strength and inspiration. May she continue to govern and watch over SMI. Let us recall the trust, gift, and
joy that God gave Mary. We, too, are given a gift from God as stewards of our Catholic school.
In closing, I thank you for all the ways in which you are still contributing to your alma mater. Our doors are always
open, so please feel free to visit us any time to see faith and learning in action. We will be sure to leave the light on for
you!
Abundant blessings,
Mr. Giovanni Virgiglio, Jr.
Principal
8
On Veterans Day we honor all,
Who answered to a service call.
Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride.
They fought for us and all our rights,
They fought through many days and nights.
And though we may not know each name,
We thank ALL veterans just the same.
Patriotic
Assembly
in Honor of
Veterans
Day
Guest Speaker Corinne Holloway,
Former Lieutenant JG, US Navy, addresses the assembly. Mrs. Holloway was stationed on
the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) where she earned qualifications as Engineering Officer
of the Watch. She served deployment on the USS Ponce (LPD 30), an amphibious ship
carrying a Marine unit where she earned Officer of the Deck. Mrs. Holloway retired in 2000
from the Navy. She and her husband have two children currently attending SMI.
Woofs for Warriors Project A demonstration by
Woofs for Warriors was held during the assembly.
The organization matches veterans suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder and Traumatic
Brain Injury with service
and emotional assistance
dogs. A non-uniform day
fundraiser was held in
support of the Woofs for
Warrior Project.
9
~Music & Drama at SMI~~
SMI Chorus 2014
A
Christmas
Story
December 15, 2014
Directed By Rachelle Cotugno
May 15, 2014 6:30 p.m.
Saint Mary’s Institute
Music Teacher Rachelle Cotugno ’69 & Oriole
Teacher Aide Dianne Rossi
Photo at the right shows Mr. Bob Cafaro, a member of the Philadelphia
Orchestra, visiting with Miss Cotugno and students in the sixth grade
class with his cello. This opportunity is made possible through Saratoga
Performing Arts Center “Classical Kids” program by Coordinator Linda
Deschenes. Mr. Cafaro was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999
and became extremely ill with complications from the disease. Without
the use of his eyes, hands and not able to walk well, he was told he would
be on permanent disability. Mr. Carfaro refused to accept this news and
began his own research and developed his own successful method to
combat and beat the disease. In 2013, he was officially declared “99%
cured” and of having “done the impossible” by his neurologist.
To learn more about Mr. Carfaro, visit his website www.bobcafaro.com.
2014 DRAMA CLUB
Presented
MY SON PINOCCHIO JR!
Joseph Tesiero - Sound
Director Joan Krohn &
Pianist Stephanie Boice
10
~Let’s Go Gaels~
SMI
2014
2015
Graduates
G. Stanavich
D. Figueroa
D. Hunt
Gael of the
Game
Every Game
2015
Graduates
C. Nelson
A. Giaimo
A. Vicinanzo
SMI Judo Club
The Judo Club was introduced in February
of 2013 and has grown popular among our
SMI students. We have three Black Belt Judo
Instructors, all certified by the United States
Judo Association and recipients of Diocese of
Albany background clearance. The Senior
Instructors are the grandparents of a second
grade student at St. Mary’s and each have 20
years of experience teaching Judo to children.
The other instructor is an alumnus of St.
Mary’s Institute. Our Physical Education
teacher is also learning Judo with the children,
as well.
11
~Making SMI News~
SMI’s May Crowning was held on May 16, 2014. May is a special month for honoring
Mary as the Mother of God, our Mother and the patron saint of Saint Mary’s Institute.
There are many beautiful spring flowers to remind us of Mary’s Inner beauty and
happiness. Congratulations to Miss Collar’s second grade students, Michael Babiuch,
Evelina Caruso, Sophia DeRosa, Cheyanne DeRose, Tomek Kowalczyk, Massimo
Pasquarelli, Hari Patel, Emma Peconie, Charles Santon, Carolyn Sculco, Ryan Terleckey
and Alessandra Vicinanzo on receiving their First Holy Communion this year.
SMI Receives Higher Powered Learning Technology Grant On August 27, 2014, St. Mary’s Institute
was awarded a Higher Powered Learning Grant from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany in the amount
of $7,500 for a project entitled “Chalk Free Middle School.” The grant helped outfit four middle school
classrooms with an interactive digital SMART board. Funding for this project was also made possible
through a matching grant from The Jordan Family Foundation. The additional funding allowed for the
purchase of more equipment and ongoing professional development training for teachers.
SMI’s Polar Express float wins Most Original at the Elks Halloween Parade. The Home & School
Association extends a HUGE THANK YOU to Georgia O'Connor, 2014 Float Chair, and the entire float
committee including Bob & Christina Ross, Bill Stachnik, Stephanie Tighe, Dean Morrison, Kathy & Jim
Rickard, Jeff Pawlowski, Patrice Vivirito, Joan Krohn, Matthew Murphy, Karen Miller, Heather Kevin and
Chris Biasi & Family and Frank Yarasezski of Future Wrecker Sales. SMI had its largest group of walkers to
date -- complete with train conductor, engineers, a hobo, elves, Santa and so many kids and parents whose
costumes embraced the Polar Express spirit. Thanks to the many local businesses including Ace Hardware,
Adirondack Kayak, Home Depot, Lowes and Miller Printing for their donations and support. THANK YOU
to everyone who made the 2014 SMI parade float a fabulous success!
SMI’s Learning Fair was held on
October 29, 2014. This is a great event
that affords students the opportunity to
explore a new area of interest and share
this learning with others while fostering
positive family involvement.
SMI on the Radio Bishop Scharfenberger's 2nd Gifts of
Faith radio program aired on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at 2:00
PM on WOPG 1460 AM and 89.9 FM, was followed by
SMI’s 7th graders Adriana Vicinanzo and Evan Sawitzki
singing songs they both love with SMI’s music teacher
Rachelle Cotugno.
SMI’s St. Nicholas Gift Shop opens for one week in December each year.
The gift shop allows for students to shop in a safe environment and teaches them to
work within a budgeted dollar amount that the parents provide for them. Volunteers
help the students shop and also wrap each individual gift. The gift shop is made
possible by dedicated grandparents, parents, Alumni and volunteers.
Insert: Helen Abbattisti helps students shop. Far right: Patricia (Gizzo) Allen ‘64,
Jane (Hambuechen) Makranszky ‘63 and Rosemary Constantine ‘64 help wrap students’
purchases.
12
~High School & College ~
SMI students continue to reach amazing heights!
Claire Sise
Maxine Petrosino
Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons
Class of 2014 Valedictorian
2010 SMI Graduate
Amsterdam High School
Class of 2014 Valedictorian
2010 SMI Graduate
Congratulations to Courtney Shaver. Courtney was named valedictorian at Southern
Vermont College of the bachelor’s degree program. She graduated summa cum laude
and was a member of the Alpha Chi. Courtney attended SMI from Kindergarten
through 5th grade. She is the daughter of Deanna Nelson of Amsterdam and Delwin
Shaver of Medusa. She is also the granddaughter of Joyce Darrow of Duanesburg and
Karen Terleckey and the late Stephen Terleckey Sr. of Amsterdam.
SMI Technology Teacher & Program
Mrs. Stoodley,
I don’t know if you remember me, but this is Katie Riley. I was on the Future City team with Paul
Sikora, Anthony Centore, Robert Furman, Rob Blinsinger and Erik Karabin.
Over the past two years, I have been working at an all-girls Catholic school in Frederick, Maryland.
I implemented Future City as part of my science club.
Last year was a tough year, getting it off the ground with first year students, and myself as a first year teacher
and also a full-time grad student. This year however, we went in with a great strategy and came out 3rd in
the Mid-Atlantic Region!
Our mentor is a mechanical engineer who works for Bechtel Corporation. They heard about the girls success
and decided to feature our team for their National Engineers Week Girl Day. A video of our team was sent
across the globe to all Bechtel employees and was then added to their facebook and youtube channel.
I just wanted to say thank you for introducing me to Future City more than 10 years ago now. Because of
you, I was able to share that experience with my students!
Sincerely,
Katie Riley
SMI Class of 2005
13
S.M.I. 8th Grade Graduating Class of 2014
Valedictorian
Reagan K. Schwartz
Salutatorian
Katia E. Ryan
Seated: Mrs. Einig, Lexus J.R. Makarowsky, Katia E. Ryan, Reagan K. Schwartz, Melissa Noreiga
Jaime and Mr. Jensen. Standing: Mrs. Adams, Katarina Burke Everhardt, Michael A. Jesenski,
Aubrey Justine Krohn, Jacob E. Fura, Fr. Victor Polito ‘45, Mr. Virgiglio, Adisson Scott Hohenforst,
Lina M. Capovani, Jacob Michael-William Marrone, Nuria Gonzalez, Joseph C. Tesiero, Jr. and
Mrs. Teresco.
Noah Balbian
Alonso Caruso
Karina DeMallie
Macy Jones
Cora McLeod
Maddison Reichel
Liam Slezak
Kindergarten Graduates
Peter Banco
Santino Berrios
Jonathan Clute
Maddix Culnan
Dylan Eaton
Skye Holloway
Addison Klym
Maggie Kuehling
Caleb Miller
Marley Nicosia
Carolnita Rondon
Pietro Russo
Dana Stanavich
Tegan Sullivan
Omar Black
Kingston Daley
Valeria Italiano
Ian McClary
Dennis O’Connor
Christopher Santos
Pre-Kindergarten Moving Up Graduates
Aubrey Birch
Dante Delos
Brianna Genthner
Caitlyn Klym
Emilia O’Connor
Jerin Ryczek
Marlena Werner
Matthew Bloom
Olivia Dormond
Enzo Ghotbi
Destiny Lopez
Jacob Orapello
Jacob Siiss
Gianna Westerling
Gianna Ciaccio
Samantha Enamorado
Isabelle Ann Gibbs
Hailey MacLean
Fallyn Piasecki
Kate Teresco
Ryan Wheeler
Sophia Dau
Keegan Fariello
Arianna Haizlip
Vincent Murphy
Logan Richmond
Elianna Tirado
Early Childhood ~Stepping Up Graduates
Lucas Bartman
Cameron Cotto
Princeton Daley
Atoosa Ghotbi
Liam Jaskierny
Sydney Knudsen
Vincent Lanzi
John Miller, Jr.
Marley Morin
Charlie Phillips
Greyson Phillips
Jayce Phillips
Jayiah Saunders
Holden Szwarnowicz
Luke Tucci
14
Kara Dawson
Riley Fenton
Grace Hemstreet
Elsa Noreiga
Kangelice Roscoe
Jack Tucci
~Saint Mary’s Parish - Holy Names Society Essay Contest~
When asked the question, “What did I benefit from a Saint Mary’s Institute Catholic education?” I had to
really give it some serious thought. The benefits are so great, and to put them all into words is not an easy task. As I
thought about it, I decided the best way to explain how I benefited was correlating my time at S.M.I., to the blue tartan
plaid uniform that I proudly wore since Kindergarten. Tartan plaid is defined and remains attractive, distinctive,
colorful, and powerful. It is commonly linked with the virtues of courage and hardiness, with the deep love of an area
complete with its music, poetry, and culture. This to me describes so many of the attributes of my beloved school.
It is a fabric woven in bands of colored yarn that is repeated in a “cross” barred pattern. It is often respected and
revered. One may not fully understand how I benefited from being a student at S.M.I., but trust me when I say the
blue plaid is what shaped me, molded me, and defines the young adult that I have become through my years at S.M.I.
When I was in Pre-Kindergarten at St. Stanislaus School, I couldn’t wait to own and wear that special plaid
uniform! I later discovered that it wouldn’t be the gray/blue plaid of St. Stanislaus, but the S.M.I. blue plaid that was
to become my unique wardrobe for the next several years. St. Stanislaus School had closed its doors and the gray/blue
plaid was not meant to be. In its place came a brighter blue patterned uniform of Saint Mary’s Institute, that
foreshadowed and symbolized a brighter future for my academic years. The identical uniform united this new
experience and journey by making us all equal, a new community. It created an environment free from competition
and peer judgment. Wearing my uniform promoted a discipline in me and prepared me for my future. It was a model
for teaching me responsibility, self-respect, and honor while still giving me a sense of identity. It created something
greater than my individuality, it made me belong.
I wore the jumper all the way from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Its crossbars reminding me about my faith in the
Lord who sacrificed his life for me, and the morals I gained and continue to gain through receiving a Catholic education. Being Catholic is something I embrace and am proud of. S.M.I. instilled in me a thought process to consider
God’s way. The expectations of being an S.M.I. student to do service for the less fortunate, made me humble. The
study of faith year after year gave me a grounding in morality, character, and most importantly the love of God from
whom all blessings flow. My morals have put me in good standing and have also carried me through tough times.
As I embraced my uniform in Kindergarten, I became part of an extended family. S.M.I. is a community
within a community. The teachers brought out the best in me. One of my favorite memorable experiences is Mrs.
Baird’s 4th grade science class extra credit experiments that helped boost our grades on our science tests. She wanted
us all to succeed, and I can say I did. I haven’t said thank you enough to all my educators past and present, but I am
ever so grateful for the long lasting impression they left on me that I will carry into my adulthood. They invested in me
and I am so fortunate to have reaped in their expertise.
When I left my blue plaid jumper in 5th grade and moved on to the Middle School upstairs, the blue plaid skirt
took the jumper’s place and gave me a sense of being older and more grown up. There is a certain kind of magic maturity that happens when you climb those stairs for the first time and enter 6th grade. My parent’s decision to give me
the gift of a Saint Mary’s Institute Catholic education should not go unnoticed. The sacrifices that all our parents have
made to give us this most precious gift has only reinforced the morals they taught to us at home. Sending me to S.M.I.
clearly stated that my parents were invested in my education.
At the end of this school year, I will put away my blue plaid skirt for the very last time; although a uniform will
always be a uniform to most, my blue plaid uniform will always be in my life and in my heart. The woven fibers will
constantly remind me of all the years at St. Mary’s Institute that wove a brilliant mind, a beautiful heart, and created a
patchwork of plaid on my soul. So you see, the bright blue plaid uniform of Saint Mary’s Institute has given me so
much, it has traveled miles in my lifetime, and will forever remain my alma mater true. I am so thankful to have benefited in so many ways, and proud to exclaim that it all began with a uniform.
Congratulations to this year’s 2014 Essay Contest Winner Aubrey Krohn.
Mr. Michael Schuttig ‘65 presented the award during Catholic Schools Week.
15
~2014 RECOGNITION AWARDS~
President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence: Katia E. Ryan, Reagan K. Schwartz,
Joseph C. Tesiero, Jr.
President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement: Katarina Burke Everhardt, Jacob E. Fura
Sr. Elizabeth Costanzo, CSJ Scholastic Achievement Award: Jacob E. Fura, Melissa Noriega Jaime,
Aubrey Justine Krohn, Lexus J. R. Makarowsky
The Triple “C” Award: Lexus J. R. Makarowsky, Joseph C. Tesiero, Jr.
NYS Comptroller’s Achievement Award: Katia E. Ryan
The Edwin K. Hardies Award: Katarina Burke Everhardt
The American Association of University Women Award: Melissa Noriega Jaime
The Music Award, presented by Ms. Rachelle Cotugno (‘69 SMI, ‘73 BSHS), is in memory of her
parents, Dr. Dominic A. and Florence M. Cotugno, who had a lifelong love of music.:
Aubrey Justine Krohn –Vocal
Nuria Gonzalez –Instrumental
The Neena C. Rao Humanitarian Award is offered at the request of Dr. and Mrs. Rao in memory of their
daughter, Neena Rao ‘86. This scholarship is presented to one student in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th each
year. 8th Grade-Aubrey Justine Krohn 7th Grade-Gabrielle Stanavich 6th Grade-Emma Kelly
Dear Mrs. Teresco,
The class of 2014 has chosen to dedicate this yearbook to you! Many lessons of yours have
really stood out and are memories that we will always have, such as Ninja math in 6th grade. In the
8th grade it was your drawings which were interesting (not even close to accurate). We had fun trying
to get on your famous quote pages. You hate white chalk, and basketballs up the noses, and something
about erasers in the ears. You have taught us to be funnier and we have looked forward to your classes
every day. Even though we’re dedicating this to you, it’s not only us that agree. It’s everyone whom
you have taught, which is about this whole school. You are a wonderful teacher who has taught
lessons that will stick with us forever.
You tell us that you’re not
that nice, but we beg to differ!
SMI
8th Grade
Class of 2014
16
2014 Class Notes
1932
Class of 1932, I’m still here!
-Eleanor (Hooker) Marie
1937
Thanks for keeping us in touch with
SMI. We really enjoy all the news.
-Anne Bennison
1938
Greetings. My father, John “Ace”
Rapillo, received his high school
diplomas in the Class of 1938 at
SMI. I am sorry to report that my
dad passed away November 3, 2014.
My dad cherished his years at St.
Mary’s and always looked forward
to receiving the periodic alumni
newsletters. As his classmates may
recall, he was passionate about
aeronautics, and dedicated his life to
the advancement of commercial and
private aviation. After leaving New
York subsequent to high school
graduation, Johnnie began to work
for Douglas Aircraft and spent the
next 50 years of his life with the
company. Prior to his death, he
celebrated his 66 wedding
anniversary to his lovely wife
Lucille, who survives him and now
lives in Newport Beach, California.
I am Johnnie’s only child. Please
send my dad’s love and regards to
anyone who knew him and to all the
fine students, staff and administrations at St. Mary’s Institute.
Sincerely, John Rapillo
John, Our condolences to Lucille
and your family. SMI has
included your father, John, in our
daily prayers.
~Jeanette Constantine
1942
Included with my annual alumni
donation is a memorial in memory
of Thomas McDermott, a faithful
alumnus. I spend my winter in
Florida these days, so I am a little
late with sending out communications. Thank you for all you do.
-Bernadine (Pisano) Olbrych
1944
This would have been our 70th reunion had there been one. How many
of us are left alive at this point? It
would be nice to hear about this.
-Mary (Farr) Miknavich
Mary, thank you for your inquiry.
After a little research, out of 50 of
your classmates, our records indicate 4 classmates are listed as Lost
Alumni, 19 classmates reside in
various locations through the USA,
and 27 classmates have been noted
in our data base as deceased members of the class of 1944.
~Jeanette Constantine
Thanks for the reminder! Next
week is my 89th Birthday. Who
would have thought we would live
this long!!
-M. Ruth (Conniff) Rzeznik
Greetings from Charlottesville, VA!
Where have all my classmates gone?
-Bill Daly
1945
Pat Farrell and his wife Jess were
blessed with their 1st child, a daughter, Ellie. Pat is son to Anne
(Harrington) Farrell ‘67, my daughter who is a SMI Alumnus. This is
my 18th great grandchild. Thanks
for this great Newsletter.
-John (Jack) Harrington
1946
Your newsletter was great with
news of present going on’s at the
school and the memories of days
past.
-John P. Murphy
-Marie (Lajeunesse) Murphy ‘47
The newsletter gets better with each
passing year. Congratulations on a
job well done!
-Bill Seward
Great job on the Newsletter! Look
forward to it yearly. Anne ‘37,
Chuck ‘43, Jane Staber ‘53, and I
‘46, all well and aging as gracefully
as we can. All the best.
-John (Jack) P. Bennison
17
1947
Thoroughly enjoy the Newsletter.
Thank you for keeping up the great
job you all do.
-Rena (Morini) Cotugno
We celebrated our 60th wedding
anniversary!
-Walter J. Malkowicz
It’s so good to hear about friends
and alumnae. Your work is really
appreciated. Thank you!
-Virginia (Thackrah) Stahl
1949
Always glad to receive the Alumni
Newsletter. Packed with good information.
-Michael J. Orapello
It’s always a pleasure to receive the
Alumni Newsletter and find out
what former classmates are doing.
Keep up the good work, we all appreciate your continued efforts.
-Joan (Dybas) Allen
1950
Proud to report: Grandson, Rob
Blinsinger ‘2005, graduated cum
laude, from Suny-Plattsburgh,
grandson Daniel Sawyer graduated
from Siena College, grand-daughter
Kelli Sawyer is presently a Senior at
the College of St. Rose (Biology).
Thank you,
-Robert Blinsinger
We’re still in sunny Virginia Beach,
but moving to a retirement community-we’d love to host anyone visiting our beautiful area. Just give us a
call at (757) 716-3185 or email
2WENDON4US@GMAIL.COM.
-Don Bersing
I really enjoy the Newsletter.
-Mary (Case) Flint
1951
Hi to all.
-Joseph Aiken
2014 Class Notes continued:
1952
Greetings To All
Missed the last Newsletter so I had
to get this off to say hello to all my
old friends. Hope Ann & Jeanette
are better so the annual lunches can
continue next year. Last summer we
sold the old homestead (of 50+
years) and moved into a condo-less
work. We also sold our FL condo
this summer so we will be enjoying
the winters in R.I.. Still playing tennis 3-4 times a week and Peg & I do
a lot of walking.
Hi to all again-Bill ‘52 & Peg Hughes
1953
Bennisons; Chuck, Jack and Jane B.
Staber continue to live in Malta and
Anne is at Prestwick-Chase in
Saratoga Springs.
Jane (Bennison) Staber
It is good to see that St. Mary’s
Institute is still teaching students.
It was such a great school in the
Amsterdam’s hay days. I wish all
well to the class of ‘53 as we age
through life. Keep busy is all I can
encourage everyone who is retired.
I still have my volunteer music
program keeping me busy along
with golf and our happy marriage of
53 years. I even have a website if
you want to see what keeps me
busy: www.mrmcsymphony.com
To the nuns and lay teachers, keep
up the good work and thank you.
Please use a part of my donation for
your music department.
-Stephen Battaglia
Ted and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary on May 22, 2014
with family and friends. We have
three children, eight grandchildren
and one great grandson. We still
live in Hagaman.
-Arlene (Druziak) Madej
Congratulations to Ted and
Arlene (Druziak) Madej on
celebrating their 60th wedding
anniversary in May. They were
married on May 22, 1954 at St.
Stephen’s Church in Hagaman by
the Rev. James Carroll.
1954
Just a short note to say how much I
was looking forward to my class’s
60th reunion. Unfortunately while I
was vacationing in Vermont, I fell
and broke my ankle and couldn’t
attend. I guess I thought I was 20
again! We didn’t have an overwhelming turnout but I heard those
that went enjoyed being together. It
is heartwarming and a privilege to
keep in contact and hopefully I will
celebrate our 51st luncheon with all
who can make it. Thank you gals
for making these luncheons happen.
God Bless.
-Jackie (Kennedy) Baker
1956
After many years in Memphis,
it was time for the big move to
Minnesota. Dusted off our winter
driving skills (and it was quite the
winter). We missed so much of
grandkids events in the past so it is
so fun to attend Grandparents Day,
First Communion, hockey games
and skiing. Really appreciate the
newsletter, which is not an easy job.
-Diane (Murphy) Kroll
The class of 1956 and I lost another
good friend and great lady on
9/25/14. Went to Janice (Neill)
Friday’s committal service on
10/1/14. Jan & Dave have a great
family, many happy memories. The
class of 1956 had our reunion luncheon at Russo’s, great fun to share
good times and some serious time
with classmates. Finally got to see
Joe Mullarkey again -not easy to get
him out of Florida. Be happy, stay
well everyone.
-Moe (McGuigan) Baldwin
My husband, Bob and myself decided to take on a challenge for our
75th Birthdays to drive across the
US. From New York, we headed
south staying three weeks at our
place in Inverness, Florida. We then
headed west on Route 10 stopping in
18
Pensacola, Florida, Houston, San
Antonio, and El Paso, Texas. We
then went onto Mesa, Arizona where
our son, Bobby and family live. Our
daughter, Susan and her family flew
in and we all spent ten days together
seeing the Grand Canyon and the
Phoenix area. We then took Route
60 northeast to Santa Fe, New
Mexico and then into Colorado
Springs and viewed Pikes Peak. We
continued east on Route 70 thru the
prairie lands and drove past many
cattle ranches and crop lands, stopping in St. Louis, MO, to see the
Gateway Arch and then thru PA and
on home. From the white sand
beaches, to the desert, to snowcapped mountains and into the great
northeast, we live in an amazing
beautiful country and we need to
keep it prosperous and free. God
Bless America.
Patricia (Sargalis) VanWert ‘56
1957
Hello to the class of 1957. After ten
years in FL, I am now a “halfback”
here in Hendersonville, NC, ‘half
way back’ to NY and the northeast.
Last year my new novel was published, “For Her Sake (Sine Qua
Non),” available on Amazon. My
first novel, “Just Before the Dawn
(Rebecca Remembered),” was nominated in 2011 for the Amazon-dotcom Breakthrough Novel of the
Year Award. Best wishes to all.
-Joseph A. Gillan
1959
Tim Armstong, Ron Cwirko, Janet
Gargiulo and Dave Urbel celebrated
our 55th class reunion at the
Perthshire, along with the A.H.S.
class of 1959.
-Lois Cogovan
1960
The 2013 Newsletter acknowledged
Rita (Biscotti) Piecuch passing in
August 2012. Please accept my donation in her memory. Best to all
the SMI alumni who look so happy
and contented in those photo’s!
-John Piecuch
Celebrating the Class of 1960
Remembering
Our Deceased Classmates
Carol Jankunas
sacajawea1010@gmail.com
1961
I retired in 2010 from Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital Medical Center
and currently serve as Professor
Emeritus of Pediatrics for the Medical Center. My wife Helene and I
enjoy our nine grandchildren, 7 in
the Cincinnati area and 2 in Seattle
because our son Tony is a Navy submariner. I enjoy playing golf a few
times a week and my model railroad
hobby. I devote a lot of time to my
parish (our nephew is pastor) and
became an installed acolyte of the
Archdiocese in 2012. I was so
pleased to see my classmates at our
50th reunion in 2011 and look forward to our 55th in 2016. God bless
all my classmates.
-Joe Fondacaro
1962
Congratulations to Norman and
Joan (Barkevich) Knapik on
celebrating their Golden
Anniversary (May 9, 1964) on
May 17, 2014.
1963
We are planning our motorcycle trip
to the Goldwing Rally in Madison,
Wisconsin (July, 2014). During
August, you can find us returning
via car to Saratoga Springs for a
week or so. We then pick-up Kendric (9 year old grandson) from
Cohoes to go camping in the Adirondacks. We would like to venture
back towards Buffalo to visit college
(UB) friends; then to Long Island to
spend time with our daughter and
her family before returning to sunny
Florida. Our best wishes to all SMI
graduates, past, present, and
future. Hugs, love and laughter.
-Mark Lewis
Classmates, get ready! “The
Queens” and Carm will be meeting
soon to plan a summer reunion to
celebrate “Leaving the Sixties.”
We hope that everyone can attend.
-Ruth (Boyle) Castler
1969
Great seeing everyone last year.
Thanks for your hard work.
-Tom & Martha (Dugan) Morini
Enjoyed the 50th reunion in
October 2013! Reading about the
miserable northeast winter, we are
glad we moved to coastal central
Florida, now almost 12 years ago.
Retired, but working again 20 hours
per week as my volunteer job
changed to part-time, no benefits
paid. It’s a second state, second
“state-job”. Doing some computer
work for the Florida Division of
Blinds Services. It’s a worthwhile
program, totally free for more than
30,000 Florida customers.
-John Tarmey
1975
Great work on the Alumni communication and the Annual combined
reunions. The spirit of SMI &
BSHS carries on because of your
strong work. Viva la Morte Cabana!
-Denis L. Harrington
Robert (Bob) T. Fitzgibbons (close
family friend) died August 5, 2014
at the age of 95 in Falmouth, Maine.
Bob graduated from St. Mary’s
Institute on June 22, 1936.
-Kathleen McGuire
1964
Expecting a grandson in July!!
-Michael Eckelman
My sincere best wishes to all my
classmates of ‘64. Many thanks to
the planners and all of those who
helped to insure a successful reunion
event.
-Vic Fondacaro
The class of 1964 celebrated their
50th Class Reunion in September.
All who attended enjoyed laughs,
memories and shared friendship
from days long ago.
-Gail Deegan
1966-11
Attended last year’s SMI & BSHS
alumni reunion with Mike Dufresne,
his bride (Ann Marie) and Jimmy
Martuscello. Look forward to our
50th class reunion in 2017 seeing
old classmates who I have not seen
in 30 years.
-Lawrence Constantine
19
1979
Keep on keeping on! -with the
Newsletter. Tell Ellen (Keiley)
Blinsinger to get after her classFrom her 4th grade teacher,
-Sr. Marlene T. Castle
1987
2014 has been a busy year.
I received a few awards; the 2014
North East District/Region III
Men’s NJCAA Swim Coach of
the Year, the 2014 North East
District/Region III NJCAA Most
Improved Woman Swim Team
SUNY Delhi and the 2014 North
East District/Region III NJCAA
Runner’s up both men’s &
women’s for SUNY Delhi.
-John Kolodziej III
1997
NYS Funeral Directors
Association, Inc. announced academy graduate Peter J. Rose has
completed an eleven month professional development Program, identifying NYS licensed funeral directors
of Excellence. Peter is a funeral
director with Betz, Rossi, Bellinger
and Stewart Family Funeral Homes,
Inc. in Amsterdam.
1999
Congratulations to Nicholas Pepe
on his marriage to Gina Dinh.
Nick and Gina are both graduates
of Syracuse University and reside in
Manhattan.
Nicole Boschi earned her doctorate
in pharmacology from the
~2014 Class Letter~
University of Rochester Medical
Center. Nicole is the daughter of
Teresa Boschi and granddaughter of
Ponziana and Richard Boschi of
Amsterdam. Dr. Boschi currently
resides in Washington, D.C. with
her husband Christopher Saj.
2005
Erik Karabin has earned a BSN in
Nursing at the State University of
New York College of Technology
at Delhi.
Congratulations to the following
Siena College graduates:
Nicole Heck 2006, Bachelor of
Science degree in Marketing.
Alicia Sikora 2008, History
major.
Ryan Heck 2008, Accounting major.
Stella Pabis 2009, American Studies major.
2009
Brett Stanavich
graduated from
Basic Military
Training on
August 22nd,
2014 at
Lackland Air
Force Base in
San Antonio,
TX. Brett is an Airman 1st Class
and is currently at Kessler Air Force
Base in Mississippi, studying cyber
transport systems as part of his
military career.
1955
Dear SMI Staff,
As a member of SMI’s graduating class of 1943, I am sending you
a small contribution to the work of educating the new generation.
As for myself, last year and this year have been occasions of great
sorrow and joy. My beloved wife, Patricia, was diagnosed with
Leukemia in the Spring of 2013 and her local doctor recommended
that she enter an experimental treatment program for the disease at
the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. She applied
and was accepted and we moved into patient housing in Baltimore in
April 2013. Under this program she was treated every day including
Sundays. She was expected to be cured and discharged in late July or
early August. On Saturday, July 13, she was given the afternoon and
evening off and permission to return home for a brief visit. We drove
home on a warm July day and she was most happy to be in her own
home again. With my son we went out for dinner that evening and
had a great time. She expected to serve us both some dessert later that
evening. But a short time later she collapsed. We called 911 and she
was taken to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead. It
was a great shock to all who knew and loved her. Many friends and
relatives turned out for her funeral.
It happened that in September 2013, I was honored at an
international meeting of Naval and Maritime Historians at the U.S.
Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. One of the sessions was
devoted to an appreciation of a book I published in 1967 that was
based on my doctoral dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania.
Two American Historians presented papers that showed the influence
of my book on their own work. It was a very gratifying experience.
It also led to a decision by the Naval Institute Press to republish my
book, Social Reform in the United States Navy 1798-1862, which deals
with efforts to improve the working conditions of enlisted men in the
navy. The work of planning the reprint is still going forward.
On September 20, of this year I was honored along with three other
naval historians for our contributions to U.S. and British Naval History.
The Naval historical Foundation, which is based in Washington, D.C.,
gave us all an award at another meeting of maritime historians in
Norfolk, Virginia. So it is all very gratifying to have one’s works
appreciated. I am sorry that my beloved Pat was not around for the
occasion.
Best wishes,
Harold D. Langley
The 2013 Alumni Newsletter failed to
acknowledge the passing of a former
Saint Mary’s Institute teacher,
Sister Jean Veronica Fitzgerald, CSJ.
Sister Jean taught science and math at
Saint Mary’s Institute. She was noted
2013
as being an outstanding teacher, a
favorite among students and enjoyed teaching
her classes to sing the elements of the periodic
table.
20
1955
The Travels of a ‘61 Corvette lead to SMI
It all started with an email from Don Wemple inquiring about the pervious owner of his’61 Corvette. I must admit, I
get quit excited when I have to look into the SMI archives, and seldom am I disappointed. The following article is the
short version of several emails over the past six months. Come to find out, the man in question is an SMI Alumnues.
He is the son of the late Charles & Mary (Regan) Persons, and brother to Donald ‘39, H. David ‘41, Mary ‘45,
Charles and Robert.
6/25/2014 Hi, my name is Don Wemple. I live in Schenectady, NY. I own a 1961 Corvette that I have owned for
about 45 years and have tried chasing down the previous owners of it. I have discovered I am the 4th owner. I have
tracked the previous owners down to who we believe the first owner. His name is Ray Persons. He lived around the
Rynex Road area of Pattersonville, NY. I am told he was part of a large family that lived in the area. I looked thru the
Amsterdam High School records from the post World War II period and he does not appear anywhere. I have recently
been told that he may have gone to school at St. Mary’s. I have traced down a lot of history of him being a drag racer
in the area and found many acquaintance’s of his, but no one has a photo of him. I am looking for a photo of him so
that I might be able to recognize his likeness in old photos I come across at historical drag race meets and video’s that
are now becoming popular. I would like this to keep with the records of the Corvette for future reference. Do you
have records or past yearbooks that would show him if he did go to St. Mary’s? I did locate him in the St. Mary’s
Cemetery on the west end of Amsterdam as he has passed away around 1998. Best guess would be he graduated high
school around 1947 or 1948 period as he served in the Korean War in 1951. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you, Don.
6/25/2014 Hello Don, Yes, Ray is a graduate of SMI, class of 1947. I have
attached his senior year book photo for you to view. If I can be of further
assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Jeanette
6/25/2014 Thank you very much I do appreciate it. I have tried to search for
previous owners of the car since the 1990's and now that I am retired I had more time to devote to doing things I never
had time for. You have made my day. I was told Ray was quite the hot foot behind the wheel of a car. He always had
fast cars and drag raced with the best around here and throughout the state. He owned a rail style dragster and was
given appearance money to tow to Canada to drag race up there. I feel bad I could not find him when he was alive to
see the car he once owned but I am going to visit his grave in the Corvette. I think he would like that if he is watching
down from heaven! Thank you again for helping me on this. I am putting this e-mail with the paper work for the car
and now can display his photo for others to see who he was. I hope to find more images of him now that I know what
he looked like.
6/25/20014 This is the fun part of my job and the part I love the most. I am happy that I could help out. What a great
story behind him. I write an annual Alumni newsletter and if you don't mind, would love to mention this in it. The 2014
Newsletter will go out in the Spring of 2015. Congratulations on your retirement, Jeanette.
6/26/2014 That would be great. I received info from a few of his friends that still live in the area. I will ask one guy if
he can give any other details that might help in your article. I will forward a shot of the Corvette to you and get back
with any other info I find. I was told he owned a TV repair business in the village of Scotia and also had an appliance
business in Glenville. He left the area around the early to mid 1970's and returned in the late 1980's early 1990's. I have
owned several other race cars and vintage cars and I always wonder what their stories are and try to dig up info on
their previous owners. I purchased the Corvette in 1972 as a used up hulk after being drag raced for many years. I
slowly put her back in shape over the years and now she will need more work to keep her up to snuff! The Corvette
came out of storage last week and will be on the road soon. Thanks Don.
7/23/2014 Hi. I spoke with a gentlemen named Vern Foster today, a very close friend of Ray Persons. They both were
into fast cars then. Vern was a race car owner also and ran a speed shop. He and Ray spent a lot of time together.
Vern owned several drag cars and also owned Grant’s Speed shop here in the Schenectady area many years ago. Thank
you again for your help on this. It would be nice to have some history behind the face you provided me and it would be
great to display it with his Corvette he once owned.
21
9/9/2014 I was just given a photo of Ray yesterday from a friend of the family. It appears he is in his
20-30’s. My wife and I also went to a car cruise in last night and may have gotten more leads on Rays
past too! I will check out the leads and get back to you. I did write one site last night when I got
home. It is called Eastern Hot Rodders and they were based up here in the Northeast but moved to
Murphy North Carolina last year. I wrote the editor and will see what comes out of that.
9/24/2014 I received a call from a Fred P. this morning. He was the guy I purchased the car from. He knew Ray well
and started to fill me in on details of Ray’s life. We are going to meet next week. I guess this is a lucky break in
solving this mystery.
10/9/2014 I met with Fred P. yesterday. Although he recognized the name, he too came up empty with information.
He did have a photo of the Corvette before he sold it to me which I made a copy of. Fred had many years drag racing
in the area. He suggested two other contacts in which I called. Both men raced at Fonda drag strip during the time Ray
raced there and recognized the name but nothing else.
10/10/2014 I called another contact last night on my list. His name is Ron A. and he raced a dragster named
Hellzapoppin. A famous car around here. He was very polite and nice. He shed this upon me. All these guys that
raced knew the car’s colors and engines!! Names of guys??? OH BOY! He raced wherever Ray did and if they did not
interact he would not have recognized the name! He took down my contact information and will check with his circle
of friends and get back to me. Will keep digging.
12/7/2014 I will send along a photo I received of Fred and I when we met a
few months ago for the first time since 1972 and will send you a current
photo of the Corvette. The wife and I were very busy last month helping out
the Concerned for the Hungry in Schenectady County to make over 2600
Thanksgiving baskets and distributing them.
12/12/2014 Don summarizes the travels of his ‘61 Corvette.
Ray Persons purchased the 1961 Corvette new from Valley Chevrolet,
Scotia NY. He owned it and drag raced it at Fonda Dragway, ESTA safety
speedway (Syracuse NY) South Glens Falls drag strip and possibly other
places near the tri city area. The Corvette was involved in an accident sometime before 1967 when he sold the
Corvette to Tom C., a Schenectady policeman round 1967. Tom worked on the Corvette and had Al Anderson
(Yankee Silicones/ Anderson Dyno service) of Rotterdam, NY also do work on the Corvette. He decided the Corvette
needed too much work and also his wife could not drive a standard shift so he puts the Corvette up for sale. Also note
Tom drag raced himself and raced Dodge cars. Fred P. is told by his uncle that the Corvette was for sale at Anderson's
shop. Fred purchases the Corvette with a bad engine. Fred replaces the engine and gets the Corvette ready to drag race
as per his sister's information. The car is first painted black with white stripes and then painted white with black
stripes. Sometime around 1972, Fred puts the Corvette in Want Ad Digest for $500.00 as a body shell. Don Wemple
purchases car in late fall of 1971 and takes delivery of it on January 30, 1972. This is the most accurate info I have to
this date I received from friends and or family I found concerning Ray. Please note I found Ray's resting place in
St. Mary's cemetery and found his headstone. marked as
follows: Raymond E Persons SGT. U.S. Army Korea .
Born Sept. 9, 1930 Died June 9,1991
I spoke with Vern Foster of Vern’s Barber Shop on March 23,
2015. We had a very nice conversation. Vern verified that he
knew Ray well and that he indeed knew that Ray attended Saint
Mary’s Institute. If anyone is familiar with Ray and his ‘61
Corvette, or remembers him during his drag car racing years
and would like to share some memories, please feel free to
contact Don Wemple or the SMI Alumni Office.
1973 Photo of Don with his daughter and ‘61 Corvette
22
~Bishop Scully Corner News~
Class of 1984 Celebrates 30th Reunion
“A great time was had by all…All five of us. Looking forward to our next
reunion, where we hope others, maybe even some girls, will attend!”
-Sean T. Going, President, Bishop Scully Class of ’84.
Attendees are all in the picture. From L-R: Steve Spodaryk, Andy Heck,
Jeff Sweeney, Tom Madej, Sean Going.
Scully’s Angels BSHS Class of ‘77
Benefiting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Scully’s Angels held their second annual
St. Patrick’s Day brunch in memory of their friends, Nancy Lee (DeRocco) Wells and Karen (Houlihan)
Golden at the Century Club in Amsterdam. They also held their third annual wine and beer tasting at the
Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse to benefit Relay for Life. This event was followed by a trivia
night that included prize giveaways. Visit the Scully’s Angels FaceBook page for further upcoming events.
Memorials
Daniel Quackenbush Danny was a 1970 graduate of BSHS (SMI ‘66-10). He played halfback and defensive end on
the Scully Mohawks team, participated in the Golden Gloves, enjoyed weightlifting, running, camping, hiking, and
fishing. Danny is survived by his parents Hazlett and Margaret (Hyatt) ’44 Quackenbush, four brothers, Lawrence ‘65,
Martin ‘66-8, Robert and William, three sisters, Roberta ‘67, Patricia and Katherine.
Susan (Babrow) Van DerVeer Sue was a 1973 graduate of Bishop Scully High School and a life time member of the
Amsterdam community. She enjoyed computer games, gardening and spending time around the campfire with family
and friends. Sue is survived by her children Sean and Katlyn, her loving father Joseph and sisters Mary Beth Arminio
and Sharon Merendo has joined her mother Margaret (’52 SMI ) and sister Peggy Lee in heaven.
Gerard “Jerry” Constantino Jerry graduated from Bishop Scully in 1980, (SMI ‘76). His parents Phillip and Nancy
Parillo Constantino predeceased him. As a taxi driver for Amsterdam, Jerry enjoyed meeting and talking with his
passengers.
Mary Katherine “Kitty” (Horigan) Boscherini Kitty graduated Bishop Scully in 1972 (SMI ‘68). She is survived
by her husband Richard, sons Christopher, Patrick and Richard, also her father Richard and twelve brothers and sisters.
In lieu of flowers, Kitty asked that all her friends enjoy a walk on the beach with a loved one in memory of her.
23
~Giving Opportunities~
Sister Elizabeth Costanzo, CSJ
Education Scholarship Fund
Fathers Gulley Scholarship Fund
Donate In Memory of
Father James and Father Anthony
Make checks payable to St. Mary’s Institute
Write “Fathers Gulley Scholarship Fund”
on the face of the check
Send your tax-deductible contribution to:
Saint Mary’s Institute
10 Kopernik Blvd.
Amsterdam, NY 12010
“Where children love to learn & learn to love.”
Give the Gift of Catholic Education
Make checks payable to
St. Mary’s Institute
Write
“Sister Elizabeth Scholarship Fund”
on the face of the check
Send your tax-deductible contribution
to:
Saint Mary’s Institute
10 Kopernik Blvd.
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Sponsor ~ A ~ Student
Give
~ The gift of education
~ A gift of lifetime learning
~A gift of spiritual development
To a child who may not otherwise be able to attend SMI because of finances
All Gifts
regardless of size, are welcome
and are tax deductible
Send Donations To:
SMI Sponsor~A~Student
Saint Mary’s Institute
10 Kopernik Blvd. • Amsterdam, NY 12010
Call Mr. Giovanni Virgiglio
for further information at (518) 842-4100
Matching Gifts
Corporate matching gift programs contribute significantly to the SMI Alumni
Association every year. Those corporations that support St. Mary’s through matching gifts are greatly
appreciated, as are the alumni and friends who take the extra step to participate
in their corporate matching gift programs.
GE Foundation * Key Bank
Thank you!
Please notify us if your company offers a Matching Gifts program
24
~2014 MEMORIALS~
In Memory of Midred (Lockhart)
Kaszuba ‘45
Perth Senior Citizens Club
Jackie Greco ‘69
Winifred Wozniak
Wanda Dugas
Ken Korona
Lynn Goodspeed
Dave Krzynowek & Family
Shirley & Anthony Cosentino
Maureen & Oscar Frisch
Mary Lockhart
Sharon & Edward Walega
Florence Kosinski
Rachelle Cotugno ’69
Diane Hall & Vincent Mautone
Barbara Terpening
In Memory of Richard “Pat”
Roginski
Thomas & Mazzotta
Mrs. Jean (Murphy) Allen ‘67
Theresa Neville
Leonard Czelusniak
Linda ‘65 & William
Przybylowicz
Richard & Virginia (Marrone)
Glamm
Gina (Megna) ‘74 & Mark
Johnson
Joanne & Anthony ‘46 Fabozzi
Kathleen Harkins ‘69
Marilyn & James Sokalski
Theresa & Louis Muscatello
Florence & John Trzaskos
Sophia Sardonia
Rita E. (Cook) Traider ‘43
Heidi A. Harkins ‘76
Rose M. & Barbara Partyka
Janet (Kolbe) ’72 & Timonthy
Czeski
Lisa Megna ‘77 & Phillip Vicinanzo ‘75
Louise Healy
Constance Sing
Richard Morreale
Mary Stachnik
Marilyn (Quinn) Ottati ‘51
Anthony Iarusso
Frances Dylong
Rachelle Cotugno ‘69
In Memory of Fr. James Gulley
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Colistra
Matthew Constantine & Family
The Fitz-James Family
Rachelle Cotugno
In Memory of Frances I. Meliosky
Sophia & Walter Malkowicz
Edward Meliosky
In Memory of Doris (Brandow)
Nowak ‘55
The Melo Family
Shirley (Hungerschafer)
McAuliff ‘65
Laura & Frank Falco
Mr. & Mrs. Jackson Douglas
Rose Mary & Daniel DiBlasi
Kathleen Joyce
Neil & Jerry Golub
Price Chopper Employees
NYS Department of Health
Wayne Hudson
Joanne Spagnola
Charles R. Caruso
Larraina & Thomas Carpenter
Staci & John Henkels
The Scialabba Family
Barbara & Guy Lawrence
Alexander Kuchis
Karen’s Produce
The Terleckey Family
Loretta & Joe Giardino
Amy & Wayne Marrotta
Donna & John Decker
Sylvia & Alexander Zielinski
Floy Sumigray
Sharon & Joseph Agresta
In Memory of Patricia J. Loucks
Maria Riccio Bryce
Jonathan Raanan
John Duchessi, Jr. & Janice
Duchessi
Fran Friend & Gertrude Noyes
The Constantino Family
Angelo & Mary Jo Verderese
Felix & Linda Persico
The Constantine Family
The Morini Family
Jeff & Kathy Kreisel
Liz & Joe Tesiero ‘75
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Szyjkowski
James & Theresa Arthurs
Donna Ross
Agnes Sanford & Erica Poremba
Gary & Mary Ann Kozlowski
Edward Majewski
Vincent & Mary Fiorillo
25
Mary Morini
Mr. & Mrs. Dominick Megna ’69
& Family
The Children’s Aid Association
Louis J. Frollo, Jr.’64
Dr. James H. Gilfoil &
Claudia( Moller) Gilfoil ‘64
Felix & Linda Persico
Kenny & Patty (Gizzo) Allen ‘64
William ‘66-10 &
Carol (Tesiero) Whelly ‘67
Mr. & Mrs. John Morrell, Jr.
David & Louann (Cotugno)
Carlucci ‘66-9
Bob ’64 & Roberta Kelly
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Verderese
Paula Hubbard, Lisa Hubbard, &
Tom Gadomski
Sieglinde L. Dugan
Mr. & Mrs. James Bergen ‘37
Rachelle Cotugno ‘69
Dr. T. Donald Rapello ‘57 &
Elizabeth Rapello
Joan (Kelly) Wenskoski ‘66-11
Geraldine Parillo
Gail Deegan ‘64
Tim & Janet (Kolbe) Czeski ‘72
Sharon & Fred Olbrych ‘66-10
Mark & Gina (Megna)
Johnson ‘74
Salvatore Morini ‘53
Liz & Joseph Tesiero ‘75
SMI Class of 1964
Rena (Morini) Cotugno ‘47
Azalea (Wnorowski) ’64 &
Daniel Baker
Madeline Calella & Family
Pam & John Hotaling
Lori & Tom Dwyer
Jen and Andy Iannotti & Family
Lisa (Rossetti) ’76 & Mark Russo
Mary Ellen Rossetti
Marion (Traskos) Howlan ‘50
Madeline McCune
Mary Ann (Howlan) Riley ‘49
Rosemary Constantine ‘64
Vincent Filanova, DDS
John T. Davey ‘62
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Godlewski
Thomas McDermott ‘45
Anne ‘37, Chuck ‘43, Jack ‘46,
Jane (Staber) ‘53 Bennison
Marie (Lajeunesse) ‘47 & John P.
Murphy ‘46
Andrea Vallon
Patricia Ann (Clemente) Hull
Mr. & Mrs. James Bergen ‘37
Michael J. McDermott
George M. Caruso
Catherine M. Kruger
Michael & Felicia Bucciferro
Bernadine (Pisano) Olbrych ‘42
Frank Fattoruso & Cynthia Susi
Kathleen (Francisco) Rose ‘68
Joseph M. Constantine, Sr.
Mr. Dominick Megna, Jr. ‘97
Rose Roginski
Robin (Harkins) ’68 & Wes
Moller ‘68
Joseph Herkenham
Ed & Mary Beth Evers
Susan & Tim ‘67 Naple
Joseph Kerbelis ‘66-11
Mary Kerbelis ‘66
Molly Caruso
Florence (Allen) Insogna ‘43
Mr. & Mrs. John Tesiero
The Krohn Family
Liz & Joe Tesiero ‘75
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Baker ‘64
Anne (Seward) Keiley ‘52
Eric & Theresa Klausner
Phyllis Hage
Cheryl (Hage) Perez ‘67
Deborah Willis
Margaret (Ginevan) Petruccione ‘45
Michael & Ann (Armstrong) ‘67
Sampone
Persis & George Schuttig ‘54
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Orapello
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Swider ‘65
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Borwhat ‘66-10
Tim & Janet (Kolbe) ‘72 Czeski
Steve & Patricia Mroczka
Rena (Morini) Cotugno ‘47
Wanda (Lucas) DiCaprio ‘47
Guy & Valerie Cappuccio
Ann Lachanski
Joan Bryant
Frances Janeski
Kathleen Joyce
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dufrense
Richard & Mary (Magliocca) ‘62
Andrews
Pat Bracchi & Family
Madeline McCune
Audrey Russo
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Godlewski
Marion (Traskos) Howlan ‘50
Marilyn (Quinn) Ottati ‘51
Chris Leonetti
Jean Scheckton
Ray & Romona Grawlewski
Ann (Patterson) Stellato ‘43
Tom Cosentino, Jr.
Joan & John Kolodziej ‘64
Joanne J. Rusnica
Lawrence Jordan
Rita (Cook) Traider ‘43
Al & Mary Jane (Petrosino) ‘58
Mancini, & Family
Paul & Carolyn Davis /
Tim Bentley
John T. Davey, Jr.
Joseph Pakeltis
In Memory of Albina Sikorski by
Frances Dylong.
In Memory of Marie (Boyle)
Tucker ‘50 by Margaret (Boyle)
Gelvin ‘61.
In Memory of Marie (Boyle)
Tucker ‘50 by Fred & Ruth
(Boyle) Castler ‘63.
In Memory of Mary Katherine
“Kitty” (Horigan ) Bosherini ‘68
by Kathleen (Francisco) Rose ‘68.
In Memory of Walter Jasper ‘49 by
Theresa (Zack) Guzielek ‘50.
In Memory of Marguerite Traskas
by Anne Keiley ‘52.
In Memory of Elaine Craft by Mr.
Lawrence Jordan.
In Memory of Margot
(Boedingheimer) Devine ‘66-11 by
Tom ‘66-11 & Carol (Liszewski)
Eckert ‘66-11.
In Memory of Richard Kruger ‘43
by Catherine M. Kruger.
In Memory of Joseph Bialon by
Louise Healy.
In Memory of Frank Godlewski
by Dianne Rossi.
In Memory of Joseph Bialon by
Mary Ellen Rossetti.
In Memory of Eugene
Lajeunesse ‘49 by Jean (Murphy)
Allen ‘67.
In Memory of Paul Close by Mr.
Lawrence Jordan.
In Memory of my guide dogs,
Mandy and Duncan by Rachelle
Cotugno ‘69.
In Memory of Gene Lajeunesse ‘49
by Marie (Lajeunesse) ’47
Murphy and John P. Murphy ‘46.
In Memory of Clinton Merrow,
husband of Eileen (Cantwell)
Merrow ‘37 (deceased 1983).
In Memory of Thomas Aiken by
Margaret (Ginevan) Petruccione ‘45.
26
In Memory of Linda Gustas, Frank
Godlewski, Sophie Riccio,
Catherine Sinicropi, Susan
Babrow, Mary Johanna Gizara,
Jim Douglas, Frank Mack, Albert
Turo, Joe Carlucci, Art Cotugno,
Vince Jendrzejczak, William
Cranker, Stella Brusoe, Frank
Greco, Andrea Martone, G. Harry
Senecal and Jerri Smirtic by
Rachelle Cotugno ‘69.
In Memory of Margot
(Boedingheimer) Devine ‘66-11 by
Sheila (McGuire) Dingman ‘66-11.
In Memory Alexander Allen ‘45
by Margaret (Givevan)
Petruccione ‘45.
In Memory of Joseph Paterek,
grandfather of Sean Paterek ‘86.
In Memory of Josefa Antonia
Torres-Dulibre Weinheimer,
grandmother of Emma
Weinheimer ‘2003.
In Memory of David A. Savarese,
son of Dorothy (Bochniak) Savarese
‘53 and the late Salvatore Savarese.
In Memory of Alfred J. Topping by
Frances Dylong.
In Memory of Ronald J. Mead by
Frances Dylong.
In Memory of my parents,
Dr. Dominic Cotugno and
Florence Cotugno by Rachelle
Cotugno ‘69.
In Memory of Arthur Cotugno by
Joyce Battaglia.
In Memory of Richard Hartig by
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Jordan.
In Memory of Dolores Szkaradek
by Frances Dylong.
In Memory of Elizabeth Caravella
by Mr. Lawrence Jordan.
In Memory of Robert Karabin by
Frances Dylong.
In Memory of Kenneth Samson by
Mr. Lawrence Jordan.
In Memory of Myron Pidleski by
Marilyn Pakeltis ‘63.
In Memory of
Kathleen (Woods) McCord
Class of 1949
by
Janet (Haight) McQuatters ‘49
In Memory of
In Memory of
Richard Fiset
Class of 1946
&
Jeanne (Fiset) Bennison
Class of 1947
Gary “Bink” Gillan ‘59
By John P. Murphy ‘46
&
Marie (Lajeunesse) Murphy ‘47
Marjorie Merchant ‘59
Robert Cichy ‘59
Roberta “Bobbi” (Patitucci)
Sinicropi ‘59
by
Carole (Miseno) Canace ‘59
In Memory of
My Beloved Mother
In Memory of
Violet Jankunas
Winifred (Hughes)
Newland ‘47
by
Carol Jankunas ‘60
In Memory of
Thomas E. Aiken ‘45
Eleanor (Aiken) Quigley ‘43
Roberta (Aiken) Gillis ‘39
Margaret (Aiken) Koehler ‘36
by
Bill ‘52 & Peg Hughes
Survived by Sister
Dolores (Aiken) Phoenix ‘52
In Memory of
My Wife
Virginia Whelly
&
Friend
Thomas Aiken ‘45
by
George Whelly ‘44
In Memory of Our Parents
In Memory of
Andrius Dzekciorius
6/12/1966
Our Mother-Eileen F. Greco
Stase Dzekciorius
7/23/2014
by their sons:
Raymond ‘57
Donald
Algis
Stanley
27
Our Sister-Patricia Greco ‘68
by
Linda (Greco) Martuscello ‘69
Kathleen (Greco) Clark ‘70
Mary C. Greco ‘71
Michele (Greco) Reilly ‘73
Carol J. Greco ‘77
In Memory of
Mary Sweet
5 Year Anniversary
by
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Jasper ‘49
In Memory of
Joseph J. Welch, Sr.
by
The Class of 1946
In Memory of
Thomas F. Allen, Jr.
25th Anniversary
November 6, 1990
by
Joan (Dybas) Allen
In Memory of
John “Jack”
&
Regina (Cislo) Abeel ‘46
by
Jayne Abeel-Syracuse ‘77
In Memory of
Richard Fiset ‘46
by
The Class of 1946
In Memory Of
George & Catherine
Lawrence
In Memory of My Sister
Marion (Davies) Robertson
Class of 1938
by
Diana (Davies) Costello ‘48
by
Frank ’64
&
Mary Rose (Pamadora) ’65
Turo
Mother Mary
In Memory of My Parents
George &
Catherine (Allen) Lawrence
by
Ellen (Lawrence) Marohn ‘65
Pray For Us
Help Saint Mary’s Institute continue to grow and nurture
the children & families that walk through the doors of our school,
as you have been for over 130 years.
Giving a Gift through a Living Will or Trust
Throughout the years, SMI has been honored to receive
Bequests from our Alumni & Friends.
These Gifts have come in forms of :
General Tax Deductable Donations
Scholarships
Special Endowments & Trusts
Please remember Saint Mary’s Institute
when you create your special gift.
For More Information, please contact:
Mr. Giovanni Virgiglio, Principal
(518) 842-4100
virgigliog@smik8.org
Let us recall the trust, gift, and joy that Mary was given by God.
We, too, are given a gift from God as stewards of our Catholic school.
Let us continue to seek our Blessed Mother’s intercession in all that we do on behalf of our children.
28
~DONORS LIST 2014~
Listed on the following pages are those who so generously contributed to the 2014
Annual Giving/Alumni Appeal. We wish to thank each and every one of you for your
support and commitment to SMI and Catholic Education.
KEY CATEGORIES NO. DONORS
6 Golden Gaels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1000 or more 5
5 Pastor’s Patrons . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$750 to $999 2
4 Monsignor’s Marauders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500 to $749 5
3 Principal’s Pets . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . …………..$250 to $499 13
2 Blue & White Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …… …$100 to $249 80
1 Alumni Angels . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . .$50 to $99 77
SMI Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
up to $49
127
Non-Alumni In Honor Of and Memorial Donations
$3,190.00
2014 GRAND TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .…$ 36,500.00
(Joint Donations: Wives are listed under both their husband’s class & their own class.)
Class of 1932
Ms. Eleanor (Hooker) Marie (1)
Class of 1937
Ms. Anne Bennison (2)
Mr. James Bergen (1)
Dr. Alfred J. Morini, Sr. (3)
Class of 1938
Mrs. Marfisa (Morrone) Lombard
Mr. Arthur McDonald (3)
Class of 1939
Mrs. Roberta (Aiken) Gillis
Mr. Robert A. McKenney
Class of 1941
Mrs. Mary Jane (Kaiser) Kelly (1)
Class of 1942
Mrs. Bernadine (Pisano) Olbrych (2)
Miss Alice Tenerowicz
Mrs. Patricia (Freer) Utley
Class of 1943
Mr. Charles Bennison
Mrs. Jeanne (Fiset) Bennison ‘47
Mrs. Florence (Allen) Insogna (1)
Mr. Harold Langley
Mrs. Ann (Patterson) Stellato
Mrs. Rita (Cook) Traider (2)
Class of 1944
Mr. William Daly
Mrs. Mary (Farr) Miknavich (1)
Mrs. Ruth (Conniff) Rzeznik (1)
Mr. George Whelly (2)
Class of 1945
Mr. John F. Harrington (1)
Mrs. Theresa (Hungerschafer) Meyers (1)
Mr. Nicholas J. Pallotta
Mrs. Margaret (Ginevan) Petruccione (1)
Class of 1946
Mr. John Bennison (2)
Mr. Anthony Fabozzi (1)
Mrs. T. Joan (DiCaprio) Felski
Mr. Michael Hage (2)
Mr. John P. Murphy (2)
Mrs. Marie (Lajeunesse) Murphy ‘47
Mr. Thomas Quandt (3)
Mrs. Elizabeth (Harrington) Quandt
Dr. William H. Seward (2)
Mrs. Elizabeth (Nellis) Tesiero (4)
Class of 1947
Mrs. Rena (Morini) Cotugno (2)
Mrs. Wanda (Lucas) DiCaprio
Mrs. Roberta (Moehringer) Gaffney (3)
Mrs. Janet (Greene) Harges (2)
Mr. Walter Malkowicz
Mr. Edward Meliosky (2)
Mrs. Virginia (Thackrah) Stahl (1)
Class of 1948
Mrs. Evelyn (Reali) Bianchi
Mrs. Margaret (Dufresne) Cosentino
Mrs. Diana (Davies) Costello (2)
Mr. Joseph L. Harkins (3)
Mrs. Marjorie (Case) Jackson
Mr. Roger Langley (2)
Ms. Mary Sparks (6)
Mrs. Therese (Perron) Russo (2)
Mr. James R. Wallin, Jr. (3)
Class of 1949
Mrs. Arlene (Picken) Jasper (1)
Mrs. Mary Ellen (Harkins) Kolbe
Mr. Eugene Lajeunesse
Mrs. Janet (Haight) McQuatters (2)
Mrs. Margaret (Woods) Morris
Mr. Michael Orapello (2)
Mrs. Mary Ann (Howlan) Riley
29
Class of 1950
Mr. Donald Bersing (2)
Mr. Robert Blinisinger (1)
Mrs. Mary (Case) Flint
Mrs. Theresa (Zack) Guzielek (1)
Mr. William Hart (1)
Mrs. Marion (Traskos) Howlan
Mr. Peter Martin
Mrs. Dorothy (D’Arienzo) Medei (2)
Mrs. Dolores (Brinkman) Sheehan (1)
Mr. Robert Vorse (2)
Mrs. Gertrude (Hughes) Wyzykowski
Class of 1951
Mr. Joseph J. Aiken (2)
Mr. Valentine Coluni
Ms. Jane Deneher
Mrs. Doris (Jasper) Hallenbeck (1)
Mrs. Irene (Rogers) Kuchis
Mr. Donald Lawrinait (1)
Mr. John Mochrie (2)
Mrs. Sally (Haight) Mochrie
Mrs. Marilyn (Quinn) Ottati
Mrs. Maureen (Collins) Williams
Class of 1952
Mr. Richard Case
Mrs. Barbara (Yatch) Case
Mr. Frederick D'Arienzo (3)
Mrs. Alice (McVeigh) Farrell
Dr. Lorraine Freitas, Phd. RN (2)
Mr. William T. Hughes (2)
Ms. Anne (Seward) Keiley (2)
Ms. Connie Murphy
Irene (Lajeunesse) Musick (2)
Mrs. Frances (Karp) Noeth (1)
Mrs. Donna (Ehmer) Pompa
Mr. Kenneth Wallin (1)
Mrs. Patricia (Miseno) Wallin ‘54
Mr. Richard Wolfe (1)
Class of 1953
Mr. Stephen Battaglia (2)
Mrs. Dolores (Esposito) Dygon
Mrs. Arlene (Druziak) Madej
Mr. Salvatore Morini (1)
Mr. Ronald Patrick
Mrs. Dorothy (Bochniak) Savarese (1)
Mrs. Jane (Bennison) Staber (1)
Class of 1954
Mrs. Jacquelyn (Kennedy) Baker (1)
Mr. Robert Heller (2)
Mrs. Corrine (Bintz) Kowalski (1)
Mr. G. Thomas Murphy (2)
Ms. Joanne Parlapiano
Mr. George J. Schuttig, Jr. (1)
Rev. Robert Shinos (1)
Mr. Thomas Zarecki (2)
Class of 1955
Mr. Thomas Palmer
Class of 1956
*Scholarship Donors (6)
*Mrs. Maureen (McGuigan) Baldwin
*Mr. William Blanchfield
*Mrs. Donna (Dilello) Bord
Dr. Patricia M. (Parillo) Covey
Mr. Harold E. Gray, USN Ret.
*Mrs. Lois (Uhlinger) Hegarty
Mrs. Eleanor (Vaicunas) Juozitis
Mrs. Diane (Murphy) Kroll
*Mr. Richard Martuscello
*Mrs. Patricia (Duffy) Milot
*Mrs. Mary (Parillo) Pawkett
Mrs. Mary (Iannotti) Pikul
*Mr. John Toolan
Mrs. Patricia (Sargalis) Van Wert
*Mr. Charles Welch, Jr.
*Mr. Thomas Wolff
Class of 1957
Mr. James Adler (6)
Mrs. Mary Lynn (Schofield) Alteri (2)
Mr. Richard Cocker (5)
Mr. Raymond Dzek (1)
Ms. Sally Makacynas
Dr. T. Donald Rapello (2)
Mrs. Teresa (Kotowski) Ecker (1)
Class of 1958
Mrs. Mary Ann (Roberts) Bogdan (1)
Ms. Emanuela (Boccio) Castle
Mrs. Karen (Koehler) Davis
Mr. Richard Keehan (2)
Ms. Margaret M. Kelly (2)
Mrs. Mary Jane (Petrosino) Mancini
Mrs. Irene (Kupciunas) Motyl
Mrs. Stephanie (Mack) Persico
Mrs. Mary Ann (Williams) Sambells (1)
Mr. John Spanburgh (3)
Class of 1959
Mr. J. David Adler (6)
Mrs. Carole (Miseno) Canace (1)
Ms. Lois Cogovan (6)
Mr. David C. Conley (2)
Mr. David Gaffney
Dr. Janet E. Gargiulo (2)
Mrs. Mary (Tighe) Pannuti
Class of 1960
Mr. John Eckert
Mrs. Maureen (Maloney) Hand
Ms. Carol Jankunas
Mr. Robert Kosineski
Mrs. Dawn (Willey) Leffler (1)
BG. (Ret) Daniel M. Litynski (2)
Mr. Thomas Mullarkey (1)
Mr. Robert Quandt (3)
Mrs. Shirley (Hart) Reksc
Ms. Katherine M. Smith
Mr. Joseph J. Topping (1)
Sr. Agnes Leo Winkle, CSJ
Mrs. Linda (Johnson) Przybylowicz
Mr. Leo Swider (3)
Mr. Richard Wells (1)
Class of 1966-11
Class of 1961
Dr. Joseph Fondacaro (3)
Mrs. Margaret (Boyle) Gelvin
Mr. Frederick A. Genero (1)
Mr. Alan Johnson (1)
Mrs. Dorothy (Sokalski) Livingston (1)
Rev. Richard S. Vosko (1)
Class of 1962
Mrs. Mary (Magliocca) Andrews
Mr. Richard Casabonne (2)
Mr. Louis Coluni
Mr. John Davey
Class of 1963
Mrs. Sharon (Hungerschafer) Agresta
Mrs. Ruth (Boyle) Castler
Mr. Mark B. Lewis (1)
Mrs. Kathleen McGuire (2)
Mrs. Sandra (Palombo) Mockry (1)
Ms. Marilyn Pakeltis
Mrs. Kathryn (Spanburgh) Suttle
Mr. John Tarmey (1)
Mrs. Elizabeth (Kelly) Treiber (1)
Class of 1964
Mrs. Patricia (Gizzo) Allen
Mr. Daniel Baker (1)
Mrs. Azalea (Wnorowski) Baker
Mr. Michael A. Boccio (2)
Dr. William L Bresonis (4)
Mrs. Jacqueline (Morini) Bresonis
Mr. Charles Constantine (1)
Ms. Rosemary Constantine (1)
Ms. Gail Deegan (2)
Mr. Michael Eckelman (1)
Mr. Victor Fondacaro (2)
Mr. Louis J. Frollo
Mr. Robert S. Gawrelski (2)
Mrs. Claudia (Moller) Gilfoil (2)
Mr. Robert Golden (4)
Mrs. Karen (Guarino) Golden ‘68
Mr. Robert Kaiser
Mr. Robert Kelly
Mr. John Kolodziej, Jr. (1)
Mr. Robert Montenaro
Mr. Anthony J. Orsini (2)
Mr. David Schoonmaker (1)
Mr. Terry J. Stroble (1)
Class of 1965
Mrs. Barbara (Hugo) Lawrence
Mr. Nolan Jan Marciniec (1)
Mrs. Ellen (Lawrence) Marohn
Mrs. Shirley (Hungerschafer) McAuliff
Mrs. Kathleen (Cichy) Mylod (2)
30
Mr. Lawrence Constantine (2)
Mrs. Sheila (McGuire) Dingman (1)
Mr. Michael Dufresne (1)
Mrs. Ann Marie (Jablonski) Dufresne
Mr. Thomas Eckert (1)
Mrs. Carol (Liszewski) Eckert
Mrs. Christine (Lawrence) Hogan
Mr. Joseph Kerbelis
Mr. Peter Martuscello (2)
Mrs. Joan (Kelly) Wenskoski (1)
Class of 1966-10
Mr. Lawrence Borwhat
Mr. Fred Olbrych (4)
Mr. Francis Szyjkowski
Class of 1966-9
Mrs. Louann (Cotugno) Carlucci
Mr. Philip Cortese (2)
Mr. Peter Montenaro
Mrs. Mary Alice (Mezzio) Montenaro
Mr. J.D. Smeallie (2)
Mrs. Barbara (Kaszuba) Terpening
Mrs. Mary (Petruccione) Vancore
Class of 1966-8
Mr. John G. Sardonia (1)
Mr. Michael V. Serge (2)
Class of 1966
Ms. Mary Kerbelis
Mrs. Mary (Whelly) Kruger
Ms. Jacqueline Uncher (2)
Class of 1967
Mrs. Jean (Murphy) Allen (1)
Mrs. Margaret (Smitka) Huey (2)
Ms. Geri Mancini (1)
Mr. Wayne Marotta
Mr. Kevin McGuire (2)
Mr. Timothy Naple (1)
Mrs. Cheryl (Hage) Perez
Mrs. Ann (Armstrong) Sampone
Class of 1968
Ms. Anne LaBate (2)
Ms. Catherine Danyla (1)
Mr. Westmore Moller
Mrs. Robin (Harkins) Moller
Ms. Kathleen (Francisco) Rose
Mrs. Rosemary (Wells) Turton (1)
Class of 1969
Ms. Celia Bradford (2)
Rachelle Cotugno (2)
Ms. Jacqueline Greco
Ms. Kathleen Harkins
Mr. Dominick Megna
Mr. Thomas D. Morini (1)
Mrs. Martha (Dugan) Morini
Mrs. Jacqueline (Greco) Greco
Mrs. Jean Marie (Demars) Terwilleger (2)
Mr. John A. Tesiero, III (2)
Class of 1971
Ms. Kathleen Brown (3)
Mrs. Mary (Hennessey) Mancini (1)
Class of 1972
Mrs. Janet (Kolbe) Czeski (1)
Class of 1973
Mr. Kevin Brown (1)
Class of 1974
Mrs. Gina (Megna) Johnson
Class of 1975
Mrs. Theresa (Demars) Arthurs
Ms. Margaret G. Greco (2)
Mr. Denis L. Harrington (3)
Mr. Joseph Tesiero (2)
Mr. Philip Vicinanzo (2)
Mrs. Lisa (Megna) Vicinanzo ‘77
Class of 1976
Class of 1991
Mrs. Margaret Hotaling-Kaiser
Class of 1995
Miss Tara Czeski
Mr. Salvatore Megna
Class of 1996
Mr. Anthony Constantino (1)
Class of 1997
Father’s Gulley Scholarship Fund (6)
Parishioners & Friends
Sr. Marlene Castle
Leonard Czelusniak (2)
Mrs. Richard Healy
Mr. & Mrs. William Janeski
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Jordan (4)
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Jurus
Rev. Donald Kelly (1)
Mrs. Rose Roginski
Mrs. Mary Ellen Rossetti
Miss Tricia Czeski
Mr. Dominick Megna, Jr.
Class of 1998
Miss Sarah Medwid (1)
Class of 1999
Mrs. Meghan (Davey) Mortensen (1)
Class of 2000
Miss Cherisse Constantine
Ms. Jessica Lachanski
Miss Margaret Lyford
Mrs. Erica (Streun) Lavigne
Class of 2002
Mr. Matthew Constantine, Jr.
Class of 2003
Ms. Heidi Harkins
Mrs. Lisa (Rossetti) Russo
Mr. Richard Lyford
Ms. Sarah Riccio
Class of 1977
Class of 2004
Dr. Ronald Szyjkowski (4)
Ms. Kelly Kelly ‘78
Miss Abbey Lachanski
Class of 1979
Mr. Brett Stanavich
Mrs. Raquel (Colangelo) Parisi
Ms. Diane Hall
Class of 2011
Class of 2009
Thank You
Mr. John “Jack” Toolan ‘56
for donating your
St. Mary’s Baseball Uniform
Jersey #22
The uniform is currently in the
process of being prepared for display.
Miss Bridget R. Fitz-James
Class of 1982
Mr. Stephen Terleckey
Class of 1983
Mr. Sean Dufresne (1)
Class of 1984
Ms. Sherry Terleckey
Class of 1985
Mrs. Christine (Davey) Stanavich
Class of 1986
Mr. Thomas J. Dwyer
Mr. Dean Terleckey
Class of 1987
Class of 2012
Miss Diana Constantine
2013 Newsletter Correction
2013 Class of 1956 Scholarship Donors
Class of 2013
Mr. Sullivan Fitz-James
Miss Olivia Mautone
Mr. Anthony Rossi
All donations received by December 31,
2014 are reflected above under the 2014
Donors List. Thank you for your
generous gifts. We regret any error or
omission in the 2014 annual report of
gifts. Please contact Jeanette Constantine
at the Alumni Office at (518) 842-4100
with any corrections so that proper
acknowledgement can be made.
Mr. John Kolodziej, III
31
Maureen (McGuigan) Baldwin
William C. Blanchfield
Lois (Uhlinger) Hegarty
Richard A. Martuscello
Patricia (Duffy) Milot
Mary (Parillo) Pawkett
John F. Toolan
Thomas E. Wolff
Charles W. Welch, Jr.
~SAVE THE DATE~
17th Annual Invitational
Golf Tournament
Sponsored by
SMI’s Home & School Association
FRIDAY - MAY 29, 2015
Shotgun Start at Noon
At Rolling Hills Country Club
Ft. Johnson, NY
$130.00 Per Person includes
Greens Fees
Golf Cart
Lunch Complimentary
Gifts Drawing Prizes
Complimentary Cocktails Dinner
COME TEE OFF WITH US!
Register online
www.saintmaryinstitute.com
or contact
SMI at (518) 842-4100
For More Information or
Sponsorship Opportunities
Visit the SMI Website
For Events & Fundraisers
www.saintmarysinstitute.com
Football Mania
Fall Pie Sale
Autumn ADVENTure
Spaghetti Dinner
Christmas Concert
Pasta Fagiole Dinner
Drama Club Presentation
Fish Dinner
Spring Concert
Race For Education
Support SMI through
*Price Chopper
Tools For Schools
*Hannaford
Gives Back
*Target
Takes Charge
~LOST ALUMNI~
1954
Mrs. Ann (Maroney) Kaiser
Ms. Faith Palmer
Mrs. Gladys (Brooks) Totzeck
1959
Mr. Thomas Bagdon
Mrs. Linda (Miran) DeRosa
Mr. John E. Mahoney
1960
Dr. James Conover
Mr. Dennis Dubicke
1962
Mrs. Susan (Duffy) Anderson
Mr. Thomas Bojarski
Ms. Mary Fay Brindle
Mrs. Leslie (Kruse) Collins
Mrs. Lidia (Rymer) Dill
Mrs. Marcy (Merchant) Fischer
Mrs. Michele (Jordan) Forbes
Ms. Kaaren Habla
Mr. Roman Laba
Mrs. Kathleen (Lawrence) Skinner
Mr. Frank Slaveikis
Mrs. Sandra (Opalka) Starek
Ms. Mary Ann Szurek
Mr. William Taylor
Mr. William White
1963
Mrs. Christine (Antos) Cohen
Mr. Daniel Greco
Mrs. Constance Yunker Haver
Mr. Konstantin Karaban
Mr. John Peresta
Mrs. Joan (Persons) O’Dea
1964
Ms Jaroslawa Kohut
Mrs. Judith (Hamer) Penny
1965
Mr. Timothy Clay
Mrs. Daryl (Defina) Ferguson
Mrs. Sylvia (Petrus) Frieman
Mrs. Florence (Garrett) Hanover
Mr. Fred Holton
Mr. Walter Karp
Mr. Raymond Kosinski
Mrs. Cathryn (Dilello) Seltzer
Mrs. Linda (Acela) Shaffer
Mrs. Carol (Swider) Thompson
Mr. John Tucci
Mrs Carole (Pawlik) Wright
Ms. Cheryl Wroblewski
1966-8
Mrs. Ann Marie (Serge) Anderson
Mrs. Mary E. Gilston-Tart
Ms. Paula Hulser
Ms. Shirley LaPorte
Mr. Joseph J. Venezia
Mr. George Visconti
Mrs. Brianne (Sweeney) Wolfe
Mr. Robert Wroblewski
1966-9
Ms. Barbara Blakely
32
Ms. Donna Giamo
Mr. Gerald Gustas
Ms. Margaret Gutowski
Mr. Gary Jasper
Mrs. Estelle (Kosiba) Cruz
Mr. Philip Milano
Mr. Michael Newell
Mrs. Deborah (Dezolt) Saltsman
Ms. Deborah Scott
Mr. Gary Thomas
Mr. Robert Wyzykowski
1966-10
Mr. William Whelly
1966-11
Mrs. Marlena (Sapia) Cook
Mr. David Hamer
Mrs. Kathleen (Izzo) Lysogorski
Mrs. Diane (Augun) McGrath
Ms. Rose Miller
Mrs. Roberta (Romano) Peters
1966
Mr. Robert Kozlowski
Mrs. Roberta (Scheckton) Morreale
Ms. Irene Nichols
Mr. Richard Villa
1967
Mrs. Frances (Rogers) Crabtree
Mr. Donald Gawlak
Mr. R. Eric Gilston
Mr. Joseph Greco
Mrs. Kathleen (Murphy) Malloy
Mr. David Martuscello
Mr. Ronald Simeone
Mrs. Carol (Tesiero) Whelly
Miss Christine Windbiel
1968
Mr. John Bazaar
Mr. Walter Bazar
Mr. Ronald Fiacco
Ms. Margaret Mahoney
Mr. Alvin Proctor
Miss Mary Kelly
Ms. Pamela Shibley
Mr. Dennis M. Stebbins
1969
Mr. Joseph Anelli
Ms. Jo Ann (Pacifico) Bertrand
Mr. John Cebula
Mr. Thomas Davey
Mr. Robert Gilston
Mr. R. Scott Grab
Mr. Roger Jarosz
Mrs. Donna (Acela) Kopec
Mrs. Maryann (Radke) Marshall
Mr. Albert Mota
Mr. John Nelson
Mr. Salvatore Pappalardo
Mr. Michael Tucci
Mr. David Tucker
Mr. William Weeper
Ms. Jeanne K. Windbiel
1970
Mr. William Fiacco
Ms. Paula (Sykes) Leks
Mr. John Lewis
Mrs. Michele (Busseno) Person
Mr. John Politi
Mrs. Mary (Vilar) Vanarsdal
1971
Mr. Michael R. Agard
Mrs. Elizabeth (Windbiel) Bates
Mr. Gary Chatnik
Mrs. Margaret (Connolly) Schuler
Ms. Sandra Conti
Ms. Theresa Delli Veneri
Mr. George Falcone
Mrs. Marie (Sweeney) Merritt
1972
Mrs. Kathleen (Redznak) Dresner
Mr. Raymond Falcone
Mrs. Linda (Pine) McGugins
Mrs. Patricia (Guagliardo) Hans
Mr. Herbert Hulser
Mr. David Jarosz
Mr. Robert Johnson
Mr. Patrick Lewis
Mrs. Nancy (Bornt) Luciano
Ms. Laurie Morin
Mr. Michael Olbrych
Mr. David Warner
1973
Mr. Patrick Agard
Mrs. Mary Ellen (Persons) Briggs
Mrs. Silvana (Stanganelli) Ciliento
Ms. Kathleen Dufresne
Mr. Thomas Hennessey, Jr.
Mrs. Melissa (Visconti) Mencio
Mrs. Kay (Gorman) Miller
Miss Annette Pagan
Mr. James Pupa
Miss Theresa Troina
Mr. David Vicinanzo
1974
Mr. Jeffrey Adams
Miss Denise Badalucco
Mr. William Devine
Ms. Kathleen Felker
Mr. Richard Hulser
Ms. Catherine Johnson
Mr. John Knapik
Ms. Tammy Kozlowski
Mrs. Jeannine (Nelli) Levandoski
Mrs. Anne (Bazaar) Lowrie
Mrs. Ann (Bianchi) Malkowicz
Mrs. Darlene (Farina) Melkonian
Ms. Kathleen Parisi
Ms. Rene Pittaro
Mr. Edward Proctor
Mr. Michael Quigley
Ms. Christine Syzdek
Ssgt. Jeffrey H.Tiemann
1975
Mr. Robert Abeel
Ms. Nancy Carabello
Mrs. Helen (Pooler) Clute
Mr. Anthony Cruz
Mr. Mark Derose
Mr. David Falcone
Mrs. Lisa (Hall) Hage
Mr. Joseph Houlihan
Mr. Joseph Liccardi
Ms. Lynne Nowak
Ms. Rosa Ramires
Mr. Thomas Reynolds
Mrs. Mary (Marshall) Robertshaw
Ms. Deborah Slosek
Mr. John Wells
1976
Miss Jacqueline Jarosz
Mrs. Tammy (Moskal) Pieri
Ms. Luciana Marsicano
Mrs. Susan (Halvey) Orengo
Mrs. Darlene (Kilinski) Podolec
Mrs. Kathy (Furman) Snekvik
Mrs. Carol (Persons) Weyl
Mr. Anthony Zabawa
1977
Mr. John Bianchi
Ms. Renee Derose
Mr. Paul Furman
Mrs. Deborah (Riccio) Meyers
Mrs. Maureen (McCune) Mickel
Mrs. Nancy (Donohue) Morgan
Ms. Teresa Persons
Mrs. Laurie (Clifford) Croteau
Mrs. Gina (Foggia) Robilotto
Mr. Edward Zabielski
Miss Karen Ann Norton
Mr. Paul St. Louis
1978
Ms. Maria Aiken
Mr. John Bornt
Mrs. Carolyn (Furman) Carter
Mr. William Davey
Mr. Richard Farrell
Mr. Anthony R. Foggia
Ms. Alicia Gargiulo
Ms. Catherine McCrea
Dr. Usha (Rao) Reddy
Mr. Jeffrey Sanford
Mr. Brian Stangle
Ms. Sharon Zabielski
1979
Mr. Matthew Aiken
Mr. Eric Barnoski
Mrs. Sharon (Cherico) Cornwell
Ms. Lori Griffin
Mr. Monte Griffiths
Mrs. Catherine (Laurilla) Hard
Mr. Roger Hildreth
Ms. Tracy A. (Murphy) Jameson
Mr. Thomas P. Lewis
Mr. Mario Marsicano
Mr. Thos. (Packy) Murphy
Mr. Scott Pankonin
33
Mrs. Mary Ann (Dahlem) Parenti
Ms. Cynthia Quist
Mr. Antone Romano
Ms. Sheila Zabawa Marshall
Ms. Carrie Zabielski
1980
Mrs. Jacqueline (Bonilla) Barr
Mrs. Tammy (Morreale) Beman
Mr. David Bush
Mr. James Dahlem
Mr. Louis Greco
Mr. George Regan, Jr.
Miss Charlene Smith
1981
Ms. Janet Alexander
Ms. Patricia Brown
Mr. Robert Cosmer
Mrs. Andrea (Rowe) Goldy
Mr. Theodore Older
Mrs. Lisa (Penge) Nolte
Miss Karen Ann Norton
Ms. Laura Redmond
Mr. Paul St. Louis
1982
Mrs. Rosemary (White) Brewer
Mrs. Debbie (Baird) Ellithorpe
Ms. Jennifer Gage
Mr. Kevin Martuscello
Mr. Steve Richardson
Ms. Patricia Rowan
1983
Mr. James Alexander
Mr. George Aragona
Ms. Pamela Churchill
Mr. Paul Czelusniak
Mr. Michael Dowling
Ms. Roberta Harrell
Mrs. Kim (Martuscello) Salisbury
Miss Geraldine Quist
Mrs. Kimberly (Schultz) Sumner
Mrs. Karen (Mickus) Vennett
1984
Mr. Matthew Brooks
Mr. Derek Covey
Mrs. Michelle (Ebels) Daviero
Mr. John Foti
Mr. Ben Hennelly
Mr. Frank Maphia
Mrs. Mary Beth (O’Shea) Tedisco
Mrs. Holly (Hampson) Thomas
Mr. Todd Wenskoski
Mr. Eric Wilczak
Miss Jody Zabawczuk
SEND US YOUR NEWS
Write or email to:
St. Mary’s Institute
10 Kopernik Blvd.
Amsterdam, NY 12010
constantinej@smik8.org
saintmarysinstitute.com
(518) 842-4100
From the Alumni Desk
“Farewell Alma Mater”
Now the time has come for all of us
To say farewell.
To our dear Alma Mater
Old S.M.I.
Yet memories will last
Through years to come,
Of good times shared by all
And loved so well.
Though the years have quickly
hurried by
We bid adieu,
And in our hearts there’ll ever be
A place for you.
So when we pass our youth
We’ll recall thy truth,
But now with a regretful sigh,
We say good-bye.
“It Was Fun”
I never thought the day would
come when I’d shed a tear ‘pon
leaving S.M.I.
But now that Senior year draws
to a close
Ridiculous as it may seem
Gee, how I hate to go.
Cho. It was fun to be in Latin class
with Caesar and Mark Antony
In typing class with Sister Anne,
the Music was superb
To the delight of Sister Richard,
we have mastered Shakespeare’s
dialect.
And Mother Leo is amazed—we’ve
conquered higher math (?)
Once upon a time when we were
fresh
Algebra equations kept us at a loss
But then when Sophomore year
came rolling through
Geometry was worse by far mixed
up with Latin II.
Cho. Trigonometry, geometry,
biology, and chemistry
I thought they’d only bring to me
calamitatious misery
It took so much time to learn to spell
correctly these atrocities
At least that much on June exams
we’ll pass unfailingly.
Dear Alumni and Friends,
This year marks my 20th year of involvement with SMI and it all began
with Fr. James Gulley. He recruited my husband to occasionally help out, to build
and make repairs around St. Mary’s Church. This turned into a full time job offer
and overseeing work done around not only the Church, Parish, and Cemetery,
but the school as well. He baptized each of our four children and encouraged us
to enroll them at SMI. It was when our third child entered the Early Childhood
program at SMI, that I began volunteering at the school, which turned into a
job offer from Sister Elizabeth Costanzo.
Msgr. Edward Glavin and Fr. James Gulley recognized the strong tradition
of St. Mary’s Parish & School and over 4,000 Alumni have benefitted from attending
since 1880. I share this page purposely and whole heartedly with the verses I found
within the Class of ’54 archives. The amount of pride written by these students, can
be found throughout the 134 years of history at SMI, and I’m proud to witness it still
today.
Sincerely,
Jeanette Constantine
“Senior Song”
Four long years we’ve been together
In our high school we all love.
And we hope we’ll be together
With our Lady up above.
Now our high school days are over
And it’s time to say good-bye
We’ve been happy here together
In St. Mary’s, you and I.
Cho. Give me your hand
In one last fond embrace
The time has come
When you and I must part
Still the love for dear St. Mary’s
Lingers ever in each heart.
“Number One On The List”
Oh, S.M.I., wherever we go, we’ll
take The glory of your name;
That we have studied here will be
Our greatest claim to fame;
As the years go by, we hope you’ll
Grow and rise to such estate
That you’ll eclipse all other schools
All over the Empire State
Cho. Three cheers for a high school
A Number One on the list.
As you must have knowledge
To get to college, so come to
St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s will furnish you all the
Fact you ever need to know.
In fact, the facts she doesn’t teach
Aren’t facts at all, and so,
When your parents say you have
to go
And work for 90 plus….
Dear S.M.I. will welcome you
The way it has welcomed us.
34
“Last Minute Blues”
We’ve got the last minute blues
‘Cause we must leave our school
And we’ll never more return
We’ve got the last minute blues
And we won’t be feeling better
‘Cause at last the time has come
for us to go.
We’ll miss the fun we had
With our dear Father Meehan
And our Monday morning class.
We’ll miss Sister Gabe’s frowning
glances
When we were in those trances
And we’ll surely miss them when
we’re gone.
We’ll wonder if they’ll miss us
When they think of us
Hoping that we made a success.
I know they’ll be praying for the
same thing we’re praying for
That our lives will be blessed.
“Our S.M.I.”
Graduation makes us blue
Now high school days are through
How we’ll long to be with you
Our S.M.I.
Through the years, we’ll reminisce
Dreaming of the fun we had,
Always thinking of how we miss
Our S.M.I.
A long, long time it seems
Will go by till we meet again
But we’ll never forget
Those dear happy memories
Whether we be rich or poor
Whether we be near or far
We’ll ne’ver forget you
Our S.M.I.
~2014 OBITUARIES~
1933
Mary (DeSorbo) Auriemma
September 22, 2014
1936
Beatrice (Horton) Bucci
February 14, 2014
Rita (McKearn) Lange
June 3, 2014
Robert T. Fitzgibbons
August 5, 2014
1938
Marion (Davies) Robertson
January 26, 2014
John E. Rapillo
November 3, 2014
1939
Ruth (Conrad) LeRoy
March 27, 2014
Roberta (Aiken) Clark Gillis
July 5, 2014
1943
John Hackert
March 2, 2014
1945
Thomas Aiken
May 16, 2014
Alexander D. Allen
September 2, 2014
Thomas “T” McDermott
November 29, 2014
1946
Richard (Dick) Fiset
June 1, 2014
Joseph H. Welch Sr.
September 2, 2014
1947
Jeanne (Fiset) Bennison
May 31, 2014
Richard J. McCune
August 24, 2014
1949
Walter J. Jasper
January 25, 2014
Robert Karabin
March 12, 2014
Eugene Lajeunesse
June 20, 2014
1950
Paul A. Anostario
April 24, 2014
Marie (Boyle) Tucker
December 30, 2014
1953
Sylvia (Matthews) LaGrange
August 19, 2014
1954
Patricia (Kavanaugh) Perillo
August 29, 2014
1955
Doris (Brandow) Nowak
May 9, 2014
1956
Janice (Neill) Friday
September 25, 2014
1959
Marjorie Merchant
January 8, 2014
1966-11 (BSHS ‘67)
Margot (Boedingheimer) Devine
September 22, 2014
1966-10 (BSHS ‘70)
Daniel Quackenbush
April 16, 2014
Friends:
Genevieve (Orsini) Palombo
February 13, 2014
Richard (Pat) Roginski
February 14, 2014
Margaret (McGuigan) McKnight
May 2, 2014
Salvatore LaConte
May 11, 2014
Reverend James C. Gulley
May 17, 2014
Thomas J. Jablonski
May 31, 2014
Peter Carl LaBate
June 8, 2014
Michael Joyce
July 13, 2014
Gertrude (Belanger) Persico
July 30, 2014
Marian Yager
August 27, 2014
35
May Rita Moller
September 16, 2014
Douglas J. Szyjkowski
September 16, 2014
Frank V. Greco
September 21, 2014
Muriel Howard Bennison
October 14, 2014
Patricia J. Loucks
October 22, 2014
Sophie Perillo
October 24, 2014
Violet Jankunas
September 2014
Edward J. Majewski
November 28, 2014
Newly Noted Obituaries:
Sarah (Fiorini) Degazio
March 20, 2011
John Blanchfield ‘41
November 3, 2012
Mary (Harrington) Campbell ‘44
February 8, 2013
Jean (Hallenbeck) Brockley ‘44
September 13, 2012
William Hart ‘50
August 19, 2012
John K. Brindle ‘52
January 17, 2013
Timothy Leonard Magila ‘58
June 6, 2013
Robert C. Cichy ‘59
October 21, 2013
Peter Knapik ‘59
December 30, 2012
Sheila Murphy ‘59
February 2002
Sandra (Yates) Crew ’60
April 14, 1998
Audrey (Nickerson) Kling
October 18, 2013
Anne Marie Smith
December 22, 2013
Sr. Jean Veronica Fitzgerald, CSJ
November 29, 2013
“For
God
and Country”
May our beloved deceased
Alumni & Friends
always be remembered
in our daily thoughts & prayers.
“For God
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
and Country”
PAID
AMSTERDAM, NY 12010
PERMIT NO. 234
Saint Mary’s Institute
Alumni Association
10 Kopernik Blvd
Amsterdam, New York 12010
(518) 842-4100
www.saintmarysinstitute.com
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Saint Mary’s Institute
134 Years and Still Growing
1910-1975
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