SPRING 2006 - Detroit Catholic Central High School

SPRING 2006
15) Jesus rises
from the dead
1) Jesus is
condemned to death
14) Jesus is
buried in the Tomb
2) Jesus takes up
his cross
3) Jesus falls
for the first time
13) Jesus is taken down
from the cross
4) Jesus meets Mary
12) Jesus dies
on the cross
5) Jesus is
helped by Simon
11) Jesus is nailed
to the cross
6) Veronica wipes
Jesus’ face
7) Jesus falls
for the second time
8) Jesus speaks to the
women of Jerusalem
9) Jesus falls
for the third time
10) Jesus stripped
of His garments
SPRING 2006
Editor:
Fr. Marvin LaBute, C.S.B.
Editorial Contributions:
Aditya “Al” Athavale ’08
Paula Bullington
Tim Burke ’86
Nick Sharkey
Photography:
Jane Beaudoin
Peggy Brisbane
Mike Rossi
Design & Production:
C.O. & Company
Detroit Catholic Central High School
Administration:
President - Rev. Richard Elmer, C.S.B. ’46
relmer@catholiccentral.net
Principal - Rev. Richard Ranalletti, C.S.B.
rranalletti@catholiccentral.net
The Aluminator is published three
times every year by the Detroit Catholic
Central Alumni Office.
Articles should be addressed to:
The Aluminator
Detroit Catholic Central High School
27225 Wixom Road
Novi, MI 48374
To reach the Alumni Office:
(248) 596-3838
Fax: (248) 596-3839
For Information:
Vice President - Ed Turek ’85
(248) 596-3838
eturek@catholiccentral.net
Director of Alumni Relations and
Development Associate - Tim Burke ’86
(248) 596-3835
tburke@catholiccentral.net
Director of Admissions
and Public Relations - Dan Collins Jr. ’84
(248) 596-3874
dcollins@catholiccentral.net
Or visit us on the Web:
www.catholiccentral.net
On the Cover:
Timothy Schmalz, sculptor, is one of the
artists we feature (see page 21) whose
work adorns the new Novi Campus.
Shown here is “One Body,” surrounded
by his “Stations of the Cross” series.
16
19
20
Features
Advancement News
2
Chatterbox
3
C.C. Profiles
Ironmen Of Catholic Central
Gary Gurgold ’91
Billy Downs ’84
6
7
Our Artists
Edward Chesney ’41
Tim Barrett ’77
Timothy Schmalz
19
20
21
Feature Story
Interview With John Argenta ’58
16
Alumni Association
Reunions
Calendar Of Events
Young Alumni
12
14
22
Nick Menard ’05
The Bells
Wedding Bells
Baby Bells
In Memoriam
23
24
26
School News
Sports Schedule
15
School Bells
30
Sports Update
32
Advancement NEWS
Dear CC Alumni and Friends,
I would like to introduce you to “Advancement News,” a new feature which will
appear in our “Aluminator” magazine. “Advancement News” will educate our
CC Family on different advancement/development issues and the relationships
they have with the School. With significantly increasing operating costs every year,
it is imperative that the CC Office of Development and Alumni Relations continues
to maximize its efforts to ensure the financial viability of our School.
For this first issue, I call your attention to our Annual Appeal. It is conducted within
the dates of our fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30. The Annual Appeal is designed
specifically to support our Tuition Assistance programs. Our current School tuition is
$7,750, and next year, it will be $8,300.
One of the strengths of Catholic Central throughout the years has been its socioeconomic diversity. For us to maintain this, we must continually grow our Annual
Appeal and help make a CC education available to all deserving young men and their
families. Enclosed in this issue, you will find a gift envelope. If you have not already
done so, please consider supporting this year’s Annual Appeal.
Remember, every dollar helps!
Goal
$350,000
$322,078
Sincerely,
Annual Appeal
$237,109.65
As of 3-9-06
$177,976
Ed Turek ’85
Vice President
$143,786
The following names were inadvertently omitted from the
list of Capital Campaign donors listed in last issue’s 20042005 Annual Report. We apologize for the error.
Ronald Dawes ’63
Thomas A. Sinelli ’59
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
Fiscal Years
George F. Monaghan
Knights of Columbus
2
2005-06
C H AT T E R B O X
Michigan Senate
Fr. Richard Elmer, C.S.B. ’46 (shown with
Michigan Senator Nancy Cassis) gave the
opening invocation for the Michigan Senate,
on October 27. Below is the invocation.
As we begin our prayer, let us rid ourselves of all
present distractions and place ourselves in the
presence of Almighty God.
convictions, and the love to act always according to Your
Will and to the benefit of the citizens of our great State.
And, Lord, in consideration of the time-consuming
work of our Senators, please bless their loved ones
both living and deceased.
O Lord, Our God
And, Lord, we also pray today for all those people in
the world suffering from the ravages of war and the
wrath of nature.
In keeping with the intent of the Founding Fathers of
our great nation, we are gathered in Your Name today.
We ask all of this from You, Father, Son, and the Holy
Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Please bless this Assembly of leaders of the State of
Michigan. Give our Senators the wisdom to make
right decisions, the courage to stand up for their
Amen.
The Swell ’40s
1949 – PAUL BARRY is heading up to Maine to play
Gregory Solomon in Arthur Miller’s play, “The Price,”
at the Portland Stage. “This is a role I’ve been eager to
play for 30 years; maybe they were waiting until I was
old enough,” he says. The show runs from April 4-23,
and Paul can be reached there in care of The Price,
Portland Stage, P.O. Box 1458, Portland, ME 04104.
The Nifty ’50s
1955 – GEORGE A. COLBURN missed his 50th class
reunion due to his preparation for a major shoot to
film the World War II battlefields of Guam, Japan,
Taiwan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In the fall, he began
the production of “The Lives and Times of the Navajo
Code Talkers.”
1956 – JAMES E. BOUDREAU writes, “Well, I’m still
working full time in the mortgage and real estate business, and I’m blessed to be in business with five of my
six children. My wife and I also have nine beautiful
grandchildren. Thank you, Catholic Central, for helping
me point my life in the right direction.”
Left to right: Ralph Judd ’56 (brother of Fr. Gordon
Judd, C.S.B. ’58), Jeb Haas ’49 and Terry Elsey ’71
ran in the Detroit Marathon, shown here in October
2002. None of the three has missed a single one of
the 28 Marathons held so far.
3
C H AT T E R B O X
You once said: “Where two or three are gathered
in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Please Do Not Trash …
... A
Jerry Baranski ’61
caught up with Pat
Nesbitt ’62 at the
Los Angeles Country
Club in December.
Jerry said, “It was
one great hole of golf
and 17 holes of why
we should continue
our financial
support of CC.”
Nice going, Pat!
ny old memorabilia you
were considering discarding.
The Archive Department is
interested in just about any kind
of Catholic Central souvenir,
from old programs and photographs, to sports items, etc.,
and especially yearbooks.
Please contact
Dan Collins ’84 (248-596-3810
or dcollins@catholiccentral.net)
or Tim Burke ’86 (248-596-3835
1957 – RICHARD LEMKE is retired but still working
as a bartender at the Joe Louis Arena (Concourse Bar)
and Ford Field in The Corner Lounge. He invites you
to stop by and say hello when you are at the games.
or tburke@catholiccentral.net) to make arrangements for
pickup or delivery of your items. ■
Disco-Down ’70s
M
C H AT T E R B O X
1972 – MARK O’DONNELL* is working at Advanced
Satellite Communications/A.S.C. Security Systems.
Gary Gelnak ’72
Memorial Golf Outing
ay 20 marks the annual golf outing that celebrates
the life of Gary Gelnak ’72. Gary’s wife, Cheri, started
the Gary Gelnak Memorial Scholarship at CC this past
year. Portions of the proceeds benefit his scholarship
that helps a deserving young man attend CC. The
outing will be held at St. John’s Golf and Conference
Center in Plymouth, Mich., on May 20. If you are
interested in playing, or would like to help out with
the outing, please contact Cheri at (734) 812-9055 or
cgelnak@twmi.rr.com. ■
The Techno ’80s
1980 – DAN MAJEWSKI encourages the French
Exchange students to enjoy their experiences in
France, as he did when he was there. He and his
family returned to France this past summer.
* Further information in “Wedding Bells.”
1.
Go to www.catholiccentral.net
which is CC’s Home Page
2.
Click on “Alumni Home Page” under
the “Alumni & Development” link
3.
“Sign In” or “Register”
Register On The Alumni Website
It’s Easy As 1-2-3!
More information is coming your way via the Alumni Website.
To stay connected with fellow alums, receive the Shamrock News
e-newsletter, keep current with activities and events, as well as to
update your personal profile, logon/get connected today! If you
haven’t already done so, it’s easy to do, and it’s free.
4
This will get you registered on the Alumni Website. Again, there
is no cost, and it is a great way to stay in touch with fellow alums,
the School, and receive the Shamrock News e-newsletter. Over 3,000
alums have already registered on the site. Update your personal
profile today – it only takes a minute.
2nd Annual
Transou Melanoma March
1989 – CAPT. MARC HUDZINSKI, U.S.M.C., is not
doing too much flying these days. He volunteered
to go with the infantry for this tour. He is currently
with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, in Fallujah, Iraq,
and is the Forward Air Controller of the battalion.
“In the Marines, we integrate our air assets with the
ground forces in order to maximize use of both,”
writes Marc. In order to facilitate this, the Marines
take volunteers from the air community to do oneyear tours on the ground. Only in the Marines will
you find aviators on the ground conducting Close
Air Support missions. He wonders if his children
will ever get to experience the great memories that
he had at CC. He says that the building is new but
it is the same ol’ CC.
T
he 2nd Annual Linda A. Transou Melanoma March
is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, at Maybury State
Park. This walk is in honor of the late Linda A. Transou
(Rob Transou ’87) and directly benefits the Melanoma
Research Foundation. For more information, please
go to www.caringbridge.org/mi/lindalou/. ■
1980 – DAVID MAJEWSKI has been promoted to
President and COO of Baytree Lending Company,
a national wholesale mortgage operation based out
of Chicago, Ill.
2000 – BRYAN BUCHANAN is serving in the U.S.
Navy and stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on a
fast-attack nuclear sub. He has been in the Navy
for four years with another two left to go. He asks
for prayers for all those in need and also those that
are in the military serving their country.
The Happening ’90s
1990 – JEFF ANTIL is currently working for the State
of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in
the Jackson District Water Bureau.
2000 – MARK KONKEL has joined the Brighton
Police Department. He will train with another
officer for 16 weeks before going on independent
road-patrol duties. Mark graduated from Michigan
State University in 2004, with a Bachelor’s degree in
Criminal Justice, and graduated from the Oakland
Police Academy in June 2005. Earlier, he was a
police cadet with the Michigan State University
Department of Public Safety and a nonsworn officer
with the Mackinac Island Police Department.
1996 – NICK URBANCZYK recently completed
medical school and is a family-practice resident at
Providence Hospital in Southfield. He spent six
weeks in Malawi, Africa, working at a hospital. (Watch
for an article on his time in Malawi in the next issue of
the “Aluminator”)
1997 – TIM CIBOR has been named the Director of
Bands and Assistant Director of Orchestras at Seaholm
High School in Birmingham, Mich. This past April,
Tim traveled with the band to Honolulu, Hawaii, for
a series of clinics and performances. Ironically, the
Catholic Central Band was in Honolulu at the same
☞
PHOTO SUBMISSIONS
Original prints are acceptable; they will be scanned and
returned to you. Please do not scan and output them on a
personal color printer. Digital photographs intended for
submission should be shot at as large a size and in as high
a resolution as possible for the camera used. Although this
means a memory card will not hold as many images, larger
files yield better results for printing. Attention to proper lighting
and crisp focus will also help tremendously. Please send the
“raw” or “uncompressed” original TIF file or high-resolution
JPG – do not open and adjust or resave into any other format.
Do not send text document with photos embedded.
2000 – LT. CPL. MATTHEW SEVALD, U.S.M.C.,
was wounded in Hit, Iraq, when a defective flare he
was firing at incoming traffic exploded in his hand.
He suffered third-degree burns, nerve, and tendon
damage to the index finger of his left hand. After
40 days in the hospital, and 10 surgeries later, Matt
has recovered about 95% motion. Everything seems
to be doing well, and he is waiting for the stitches
to heal up. Matt plans to get back to the fleet.
Afterwards, he wants to continue his education to
become a high-school History/Geography teacher –
preferably at CC!
2001 – JOHN HAMANN majored in Economics at
The University of Michigan on a Navy scholarship.
After graduating in April 2005, he received his
commission as a Navy Ensign. He married Heather
Tennies (a graduate of Madonna University)
of Canton Township, and the couple resides in
Pensacola, Fla., where John is training to become
a pilot. ■
5
C H AT T E R B O X
1991 – ROBERT “CHIP” BUTTERS II is a certified
professional engineer, although he also has a degree in
Culinary Arts. He has been residing in Seattle, Wash.,
for 8 years working in a theatre/recording and video
broadcast studio.
time – and Tim had a chance to catch up with his
former teacher and current Catholic Central Band
Director Greg Normandin ’78. Tim credits his
experiences with the CC band and the mentoring of
Greg Normandin as monumental in his development
as a musician and director. As a performer, Tim has
toured the east coast with the London-based Carl
Rosa Opera Company and has had the opportunity
to perform with Smokey Robinson, Barry White, the
Lawrence Welk Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony
Orchestra. Tim, a member of the 1997 CC State
Championship Hockey Team, still enjoys playing
hockey and is joining the coaching staff for the
Birmingham Unified Varsity Hockey Team this fall.
The Virtual ’00s
2001 – MICHAEL CROWTHER graduated from the
University of Nottingham with a degree in Law. He
is teaching English at the AEON Kasugai School,
Aichi, Japan.
2001 – CHARLIE HAEGER has been
promoted to the World Champion Chicago
White Sox’s 40-man Major League roster
for the 2006 season.
2002 – KEITH LUKASIK, a Senior at the
University of Pennsylvania, recently completed the
Philadelphia Marathon with a time of 3:40:33. After
graduation, Keith is moving to New York to work for
Novantas, a management consulting firm.
C H AT T E R B O X
1997 – DAVID O’HARA was sworn in as a new
member of the State Bar of Michigan by Hon. Sean
Cox ’75. David is practicing with the law firm of
Kaufman, Chapa, & Payton.
2002 – RYAN ROGOWSKI has signed a
contract with the Los Angeles Angels of
Anaheim, Calif.
1997 – BRIAN TEEFEY is presently working for the
Transportation Security Administration in Dallas, Tex.
He is to be married in May of ’07.
Shop. Earn. Share.
Welcome to
Meijer Community Rewards SM
Every time you shop at Meijer, you can earn up to 4% cash
back on qualified purchases for Catholic Central. These
contributions cost you nothing when you use your Meijer
Card. The more you shop, the more you earn.
To learn about all of the Rewards
benefits and ways to join, please go to:
Meijer.com/rewards.
6
Freedom Shrine Wall
T
he Freedom Shrine was created
by the National Exchange Club
to strengthen citizen appreciation
of our American heritage. The
Freedom Shrine Wall was presented
to CC by the Exchange Club of
Livonia this year. The wall consists
of historical letters of former
Presidents. ■
Economy, Not Speed
The students competed in the Society of
Automotive Engineers International Supermileage
Competition at the Eaton Rapids Proving
Ground in Marshall, Mich.
2002 – STEVE WASIL was Senior Quarterback at
Albion College. He was voted the MIAA Offensive
MVP and First Team All Conference for the 2005 season.
In leading Albion to the Conference Championship,
he set numerous school records, including Most
Touchdown Passes in a Season (33) and Career (62),
as well as Most Passing Yards in a Season. Steve
is an Education major.
The vehicle got 366 miles per gallon. Extra
points for design gave the entry a final score
of 481.
Teams were required to build a one-person fuelefficient vehicle based on a small four-cycle
engine. The project gave students practical
experience in design and fabrication
and raised public awareness
of fuel economy.
2004 – MATTHEW FANNING made the Dean’s
List at the College of Engineering and Science at the
University of Detroit-Mercy.
2004 – WILLIAM MAKELA was named to the
Division II All-American Track and Field Team in the
4x400 Meter Relay. He runs for Grand Valley State
University. The team ran a school record 3:11:47 and
he ran a 48:00 split. The team placed eighth at the
National Championships held at Abilene
Christian University in Abilene, Tex. ■
Photo by Peggy Brisbane
7
C H AT T E R B O X
At 15 miles per hour, it wouldn’t win any highspeed races. But this little car, and the Central
Michigan University students who built it, took
14th in an international competition last summer.
The car was driven by Nick Beaudoin ’02.
C.C. P R O F I L E
Ex-Gridder Gurgold Excels as “Ironman”
By Brad Emons, Staff Writer, Livonia Observer
G
ary Gurgold ’91 isn’t a candidate for one of those late-night
exercise or weight-loss infomercials.
“I liked to run and swim, and a friend from grade school
(St. Michael’s in Livonia) got me into my first triathlon – it
was in New Baltimore,” Gurgold recalls. “I just wanted to
try to reduce some mass and not die on the course.”
But those who might remember the former two-way standout
tackle at Catholic Central High and 275-pound pulling
guard from Northwood University might be shocked to
learn about his sporting exploits as an Ironman triathlete.
C.C.
PROFILE
That’s because he’s literally becoming
a living advertisement.
“It’s like night and day,” said the
32-year-old Livonia native, who
now is on the cusp of breaking into
the triathlon elite pro ranks. “It’s
not really a skill position being a
lineman – then going to a high-end
endurance athlete who has a passion
for the sport and loves to train. Not
too many would probably recognize
me. It’s over 100 pounds’ difference.”
The 6-foot-1 Gurgold now tips the
scales at a taut 180 pounds, fresh
from what he calls his “breakthrough
race” on Nov. 6, at the Ford Ironman
Triathlon in Panama City, Fla.
Gurgold was immediately hooked after completing the
1/2-mile swim, 13-mile bike and 5-kilometer run.
IRONMAN 2006
• The race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a
112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile marathon
run. The cutoff time from the beginning
of the race is 17 hours.
• The entry fee for the Oct. 14, 2006 Ford
Ironman World Championship is $475.
In addition, there is a $10 Global Tri
Group one-day license fee.
• Racers are required to finish the triathlon’s
three stages in less than 17 hours to
achieve official "Ironman" status.
For more information on the Ironman, visit
www.vnews.ironmanlive.com.
With his previous best a 10-hour,
7-minute effort last June at the Coeur
D’Alene in Idaho, Gurgold placed 35th overall against an
international field at Panama City Beach with a time of
9:25:35, an Ironman distance clocking that is believed to be
one of the all-time best among Michigan athletes.
“That first triathlon gave me a
passion for the sport,” he said. “I
love to train and I like to challenge
myself both mentally and physically.”
In 1998, Gurgold completed his first
Ironman at the Great Floridian in
Clermont, Fla.
Six Ironmans later, Gurgold believes
he’s only scratched the surface.
“Swimming was my strength starting
out, but now it’s more of a limiter,”
he said. “My run and bike
improved as well. I believe a lot of
improvement can be made because
I’m basically self-coached.
“There’s a lot to learn at the Ironman
distance. I’m looking into things to
improve my times.”
Last January, Gurgold gave an indication of good things to
come when he ran a personal best 2:52:49 at the P.F. Chang’s
Rock and Roll Marathon in Phoenix, Ariz. In April, he
completed a difficult day, weather-wise, at the Boston
Marathon in 2:56:53.
Gurgold, ninth overall among Americans, also finished sixth (out
of 270) for males 30-34, which ranks as the toughest age group.
On Aug. 6, in St. Joseph, Gurgold placed fifth overall and
was the highest Michigan finisher at the Steelhead Whirlpool
Half-Ironman distance in 4:28:30.
The 1991 Catholic Central grad, who played on the
Shamrocks’ 1990 State Class AA Championship Football
Team, also secured an automatic spot in the 2006 Hawaii
Ironman, considered the mother of all triathlons, held each
October on the Island of Kona.
Then on Sept. 11, at the Olympic distance – a 1,500-meter
swim, 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run – Gurgold was runnerup with a time of 2:07:02 at the Stoney Creek Triathlon.
“The way my training had gone, I always believed I had the
potential to run with the top people,” said Gurgold, who
completed the 2.4-mile swim in 1:01:50; the 112-mile bike
in 4:55:57 (22.7 MPH average); and the marathon in 3:21:06
(7:41 pace per mile).
Gurgold is able to juggle 30 hours of training each week with
his 30-to-35 hour per week job as a driver rehabilitation specialist
with Independence Living Services in downtown Plymouth.
He often does double sessions, before and after work. On
weekends, he’s able to get in longer workouts. He also lifts
weights and does yoga.
Ironically, when Gurgold’s football days were over at
Northwood, he was looking to “drop a few pounds.”
8
Ironman On The Run:
Restaurant Owner Takes On New Challenge
B
By Tracy Mishler, Staff Writer, Novi News and Northville Record
was a definite challenge, but it was worth it when he saw his
wife, Amy, and children Amanda, 12, Abigail, 9, and Brendan,
5, run from the crowd and cross the finish line with him.
“Crossing the finish line with my family was one of my
greatest and most rewarding achievements,” Downs said.
“Becoming an Ironman has been an incredible experience.
illy Downs ’84 started off on the
right foot, and the left.
This story is reprinted with permission from the Livonia Observer.
9
PROFILE
It seems so long ago that Gurgold was two-way, 240-pound
tackle playing in the State Football Finals at the Silverdome.
C.C.
The owner of BD’s Mongolian
Barbeque not only has the challenge
of owning several restaurants
throughout the U.S., but now he’s taking
on the Ironman. Swimming, running and
“It was a tremendous physical and mental challenge and I have
biking are all it takes, but getting to the
walked away from this even more passionate that any goal is
level to qualify is what Downs is working
achievable – you just have to plan, train and stay committed.”
on. In 2001, Downs was approached
with the idea of entering a triathlon.
Training Underway
Since then, he has caught the bug and
Downs is currently training for Ironman Lake Placid on July
just finished his first Ironman Triathlon
23 in New York. “I’m going to Phoenix in January to improve
Sept. 11, in Madison, Wisc. “The Ironman
weakness, and to get any better, I’ve got to improve.” The
World Championships is the ultimate,”
Ironman competition is important to Downs, but not his main
Downs said, “and my goal is to one day get
priority. “My family is first and the restaurants come next,”
there.” Finishing 811 out of 2,076 racers in
he said. “But with all my training and commitment, I’ve been
13 hours and 45 minutes, Downs said he
getting everyone involved in this new lifestyle.” Downs said
was satisfied with his first Ironman results,
fitness has become very important to him. Since his debut
but is training harder than ever to improve.
triathlon, he has been promoting wellness within his company.
Mongo Multisports, Downs’ self-sponsored
“Our general managers receive fitness memberships,” Downs
team, is made up of several business men
said. “And we do have fitness options available for other
and women between the ages of 20 and 60.
employees and management.” Downs took the last several
“They're all great athletes,” Downs said.
months off to recoup from Wisconsin, and he will be starting
“I’m lucky to be part of the team.” Downs
to train again in the next few weeks. “I’ve got a long way to go
said running the Ironman was one of the
until the World Championships,” Downs said. “The more
hardest things he’d ever done. “But once I crossed that finish
you train, the better you get,
line,” he said, “it was all worth it.”
and I’m going to get there.” ■
Having never run more than five
CC
Ironman,
Mark
Stuligross
’86
miles in his life, Downs trained
This story is reprinted with
Mark Stuligross ’86 has competed in two Hawaiian
from February to September to
permission from the Novi News
Ironman World Championships, 1992 and 1993. Bill
swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and
and Gannett Co. Inc.
Downs ’84 and his BD’s Mongolian Barbeques were
run 26.2 more. He said the race
part of a team that sponsored Mark at these two events.
To celebrate his 40th birthday, Mark is planning on
racing in the 2008 Ironman World Championships.
“I played 14 years of organized
“I have the potential to get
football, and surprisingly, I have
better because I come from
no lingering injuries,” said Gurgold, who now resides in Novi.
an anaerobic background,” he said. “I haven’t reached my
“The triathlon is actually harder on the body than football.
peak yet. Some people peak when they’re in their mid-to-late
30s. Even Dave Scott ’79, at age 42, came out of retirement
“Other than a sore IT band (iliotibial band), I haven’t had
and finished fifth.
any injuries to set me back the last two years.”
“Whether I’m in the triathlon or not, training and working out
As for 2006, Gurgold plans to maintain a full schedule of
is something I’m always going to do the rest of my life.” ■
racing, which includes an Ironman this April in Arizona.
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
from the
ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Serving on the Alumni Association
Board of Directors for the past several years
has given me an opportunity to develop
friendships with CC Alumni spanning
50 years of classes. I have learned the spirit
and future of CC depends on involvement
and volunteerism of our Alumni
no matter when they graduated.”
Alumni Association Mission Statement
The mission of the Catholic Central Alumni
Association is to provide services, benefits and
activities of interest to the alumni and foster an
alumni body which is interested and involved
in the affairs and functions of the School, and
to provide such assistance to the School as may
from time to time be requested of it.
Bill Galvin ’85
Alumni Board of Directors Secretary
ALUMNI
A S S O C I AT I O N
Alumni Committees & Contact Information
A
ll graduating students of CC are members of the Catholic Central Alumni Association. Any alumnus who is
interested in one or more of the committees listed below is encouraged to contact the chairperson associated with a
particular committee. If you are interested in participating in other areas or have any questions, please contact the
Alumni Office at (248) 596-3838 or ccalumni@catholiccentral.net. ■
Alumni Dinner: Promote, organize, and conduct the
Annual Alumni Dinner.
Chair: Stan Targosz Jr. ’67
smtargosz@hotmail.com
Early Involvement: Develop and implement events,
programs, activities and strategies which will
engage and retain the interest and participation of
graduating Seniors and recent Alumni.
Chair: Bill Galvin ’85
wegalvin@galvinco.com
Alumni Life Cycle: Research and determine the feasibility and advisability of segmenting the Alumni
body for development purposes.
Chair: Mike DeBrincat ’77
mikeajd@bus.umich.edu
Nominating Committee: Provide recommendations
for Board membership and election of officers.
Chair: Bob Barnes ’56
bobtas@comcast.net
Boys’ Bowl Alumni Mass and Breakfast: Promote,
organize and conduct the Boys’ Bowl Mass and
Breakfast.
Chair: Gerry Di Ponio ’65
gdiponio@htdconnect.com
Shamrock Club: Identify and implement events,
programs and activities which will foster Alumni
business and career networking.
Chair: Waad Nadhir ’74
wnadhir@bosc.com
Career Day: The implementation and organization
of Career Day at Catholic Central.
Chair: Bill Matthews ’58
bill.matthews@comcast.net
Silent Majority/Out of State: To reconnect Alumni
to the School and Alumni Association, including
those Alumni who reside out of state.
Chair: Sean Cox ’75
seanfcox@hotmail.com
Communications: Through the use of multiple forms
of communication, this Committee keeps the Alumni
informed of Alumni and School-related events.
Chair: Jim Muir ’65
jimmuir@twmi.rr.com
Spirituality and Vocations: Develop and implement
events, programs, and activities to provide for the
spiritual enrichment of Alumni.
Chair: Carmine Palombo ’70
carminepalombo@sbcglobal.net
Constitution: Prepare a proposed revised constitution
for the Alumni Association.
Chair: John Gierak ’70
jgierak@clarkhill.com
10
Catholic Central Alumni
Association Board of Directors and
General Membership Meeting
A
ll graduating students of CC are members of the
Alumni Association. Please join us as we discuss
the upcoming year for the Alumni Association and
the School. ■
PLEASE PRAY WITH US!
We Look Forward To Seeing You!
Every Tuesday at 2:50 P.M.
Date
Location
Holy Hour
Every Wednesday at 2:50 P.M.
Thursday, May 4
Catholic Central Chapel
and Cafeteria
Mass
6:15 P.M.
Snacks &
Refreshments
6:45 P.M.
Meeting
7:00 P.M.
Mass
Every morning at 7:30 A. M.
Monday - Friday
…in the Catholic Central Chapel
ALUMNI
Alumni Statistics: Career Choices
atholic Central’s motto and message to teach and live by the virtues of Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge
has inspired CC men to follow their talents into a variety of career choices. (A numismatist studies coins, money
and medals) ■
Accounting
263
89
Advertising/Public Relations
Appraising/Estimating/Analysis 19
Arts/Performing/Creating
67
Audio/Visual
9
93
Banking
Brokerage/Securities/Investments 79
Business - Administrative
559
438
Business Entrepreneur/Owner
44
Civil Service
349
Computers/Information
Systems
44
Conservation - Land/Sea
Construction/Contracting
236
Consulting
129
Dentistry
80
Education - Administration
111
Education - Teaching
342
Engineering
777
Estate
Planning/Trusts/Taxation
Finance - Venture/Capital
Government - Elective
Government - Nonelective
Hotel/Restaurant/Catering
Insurance
Journalism/Creative
Writing/Publishing
Judiciary
Labor/Human Resources
Law
Law Enforcement
Magician
Maintenance/Repairs
Manufacturing
Medicine/Health
Military
News/Media
Numismatist
11
9
144
9
78
101
124
43
20
56
416
136
2
59
258
195
74
18
1
Pharmacology
Physician
Psychology/Counseling
Quality Control
Race Car Driver
Radio/TV/Film
Real Estate
Religion
Research/Development
Retired
Sales/Marketing
Sciences
Social Services
Sports/Recreation
Student
Trade - Artisan/Technician
Transportation/Travel
Volunteer
Not Available
30
185
47
31
1
66
110
75
70
432
692
41
32
43
379
132
114
4
2,133
A S S O C I AT I O N
C
Rosary
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
Reunions
T
hanks to the many alumni who have heard and heeded the call to aid in the planning/conducting of their
class reunions. Our gratitude for their help has consistently been matched by the positive feedback from
alumni who have attended. In addition, the overflow of spirit and camaraderie generated at these events
have also resulted in generous donations for our Alma Mater. These funds are directed towards tuition
assistance for deserving students.
Most reunions are beginning their planning stages. More information will follow as plans are finalized.
Look for updates on the Alumni section of the Catholic Central website. If you would like to help
make your reunion a success, please contact the appropriate alum listed below, or Ben Herman ’98 at
bherman@catholiccentral.net or (248) 596-3836. ■
1946
ALUMNI
A S S O C I AT I O N
We would like to make a special appeal to those who have never participated. The Alumni Office is doing
more than ever to facilitate the entire process. If you have already begun planning your class reunion,
please let the Alumni Office know so we can help with much of the legwork, providing you more time to
concentrate on getting the word out to alumni far and wide.
Reunion to be announced
George McCloskey - (586) 771-7700
mr.george@comcast.net
Hank Connell - (586) 468-0726
1966
Reunion to be announced
Bob Judge - dadjudge@comcast.net
1976
Reunion to be announced
Mike Scanlon Michael.scanlon@georgfischer.com
FOR CLASS YEARS ’51, ’56, ’61, ’71, ’81, ‘86, ’91 & ’96
Your class reunions have been scheduled for the weekend of September 22-24.
Details will come in late April.
1951
Dick Dilworth - (586) 731-8432
1956
Bob Barnes - bobtas@comcast.net
Don Melotik - dmelotik@peoplepc.com
1961
John Rioux - (734) 254-0169
1971
Tony Tedesco - aetedesco@cac.net
1981
Tino DelSignore - tds@laurelmanor.com
1986
Tim Burke - (248) 596-3835
tburke@catholiccentral.net
hicago
Reunion
C
1991
James Buda - (775) 225-0335
jpbuda@hotmail.com
Dave Misiewicz - mishevitz@yahoo.com
Joshua Raymond - joshua@raymond.org
1996
Dante Cerroni - dante_cerroni@ml.com
Mike Smiley - smileymi@hotmail.com
2001
Thanksgiving Weekend, November 25-26
Details to come
Ben Herman ’98 - (248) 596-3836
bherman@catholiccentral.net
atholic Central and the Alumni Association will be throwing an all-class
reunion on Saturday, June 10, at the Goose Island Brewery in downtown
Chicago. Look for more information in the upcoming months. If you
have any questions about this event, please contact Ben Herman ’98 at
bherman@catholiccentral.net. ■
12
Class of 1945: (left to right) Gino Perrini,
Howard Nowlan, Mario Petrini, Al Hubbell and
Leo Crane.
More alumni from the Class of 1945:
(left to right) Rev. John Lee, C.S.B., Bill Williams,
Rev. Gene Strain, Howard Nowlan, Bob Kukler, Joe
Mazur and Norm Gaynor.
The Class of 2000 celebrated their five-year
reunion at Catholic Central.
A Special Invitation
When you have a moment to reflect, I ask that
you think about what Catholic Central High
School can do for the future of your sons,
grandsons, nephews and friends’ sons. Our
greatest ambassadors have always been alumni
like you. Your endorsement and recommendation
to others are essential to our future. I invite
you to contact me at anytime to inquire about
CC. I mail a newsletter to all prospective
students three times a year. It’s a great way
to introduce CC and offer a small sampling
of what the CC spirit is all about.
John Rioux Sr. ’61, a member of CC’s 1961 State
Championship Basketball Team, tossed up the
ceremonial jump ball between Jerome Rogers ’96
(left) and Sean McLaughlin ’87 (right) at an Alumni
Association basketball game recently.
Sincerely, Dan Collins ’84
Director of Admissions and Public Relations
(248) 596-3810 • dcollins@catholiccentral.net
13
A S S O C I AT I O N
he Inaugural season for the Alumni Association
Basketball League (AABL) tipped off on February 19 at
CC. The AABL plays every Sunday evening through
April 9, from 6:00-9:00 P.M. in the CC gymnasium.
More information is available at the CC Alumni
website - www.catholiccentral.net. ■
ALUMNI
T
ALUMNI
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
BEGINS
C AT H O L I C C E N T R A L
2006 Calendar Of Events
April
April 13-21 Easter Recess
April 24
Classes Resume
April 27
Academic Awards Banquet – 6:30 P.M.
May
May 1-11
AP Exams
May 3
Mothers’ Club Board Meeting – 6:00 P.M.
May 4
Alumni Association Board of Directors and
General Membership Meeting
May 7
Catholic Central Spring Concert – 6:30 P.M.
May 8
26th Annual Athletic Department/Alumni
Golf Outing
Dads’ Club General Meeting – 6:00 P.M.
May 9-11
Senior Exams
May 10
Mothers’ Club Prayer Service
& General Meeting – 6:00 P.M.
May 11
Junior Prom – 6:30 P.M.
May 18
Senior Prom – 7:00 P.M.
May 20
Baccalaureate Mass – 7:00 P.M.
May 21
Graduation Exercises – 2:00 P.M.
May 26
End of 4th Quarter
May 29
Memorial Day Holiday
May 30-31
Underclassmen Exams
June
June 1
Underclassmen Exams
June 10
Chicago Alumni Reunion
June 14
Harper/Belmont Boys Mass and Luncheon
14
(BOLD TYPE DENOTES HOME GAME)
SPORTS SCHEDULE
Va r s i t y B a s e b a l l
Mar. 25
Mar. 29
Apr. 1
Apr. 5
Apr. 8
Apr. 12
Apr. 20
Apr. 22
Apr. 26
Apr. 29
May 3
May 6
May 10
May 13
May 16
May 17
May 22
May 24
Sat.
Tues.
Wed.
Sat.
Sat.
Tues.
Fri.
Sat.
May 27
May 30
May 31
June 3
June 10
June 13
June 16
June 17
Detroit Western
Notre Dame Prep
St. Mary’s Prep
Brother Rice HS
U of D Jesuit
DeLaSalle
Lake Orion HS
Ann Arbor Pioneer
Divine Child
Villanova
Brother Rice HS
U of D Jesuit
DeLaSalle
Ann Arbor Huron
Grosse Pointe
CHSL Playoff
Saline HS
CHSL Championship Comerica Park
Canton HS
State Pre-District
Ann Arbor Huron
State District
State Regionals
State Quarterfinals
State Semifinals
State Finals
Sat.
Sat.
Tues.
Sat.
Mon.
Sat.
Mon.
Wed.
Fri.
Sat.
Mon.
Wed.
Sat.
Mon.
Sat.
Tues.
Thurs.
Fri.
11:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
11:00 P.M.
12:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
11:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
TBD
11:00 P.M.
TBD
4:00 P.M.
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Mar. 30
Apr. 4
Apr. 6
Apr. 8
Apr. 12
Apr. 13
Apr. 20
Apr. 26
Apr. 29
May 2
May 4
May 6
May 9
May 13
May 16
May 19
May 23
Seaholm HS
Cranbrook Academy
Brother Rice HS
Farmington HS
U of D Jesuit
East Lansing HS
Grand Rapids Forest Hills
St. Mary’s Prep
Bloomfield Hills Unified
DeLaSalle
Ann Arbor Pioneer
Eisenhower HS
CHSL Championship
CHSL Championship
Ann Arbor Huron
Troy Athens HS
Troy HS
Traverse City Central Inv’l
Romeo HS Invitational
Ann Arbor Huron
Northville Invitational
DeLaSalle
Port Huron Northern Inv’l
U of D Jesuit
Detroit Country Day
Cranbrook Academy
CC Invitational
Brother Rice HS
Grosse Pointe South
CC Quad Classic
North Farmington
CHSL Championship
West Bloomfield
MHSAA Regionals
MHSAA Championship
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
4:15 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
8:00 A.M.
8:00 A.M.
Track & Field
Va r s i t y L a c r o s s e
Thurs.
Tues.
Thurs.
Sat.
Wed.
Thurs.
Thurs.
Wed.
Sat.
Tues.
Thurs.
Sat.
Tues.
Sat.
Tues.
Fri.
Tues.
Mar. 18
Apr. 1
Apr. 4
Apr. 8
Apr. 10
Apr. 22
Apr. 24
Apr. 26
Apr. 28
Apr. 29
May 1
May 3
May 6
May 8
May 13
May 16
May 18
June 2
7:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
TBD
7:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
TBD
TBD
7:30 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
15
Sat.
Sat.
Sat.
Mon.
Sat.
Mon.
Sat.
Mon.
Fri.
Sat.
Mon.
Sat.
Fri.
Mon.
Fri.
Sun.
Tues.
Fri.
Mar. 18
Mar. 25
Apr. 1
Apr. 3
Apr. 8
Apr. 10
Apr. 15
Apr. 24
Apr. 28
Apr. 29
May 1
May 6
May 12
May 15
May 19
May 21
May 23
May 26
Sat.
May 27
Tues.
Sat.
May 30
June 3
Siena Heights Relays
Ambrose Huron Relays
Ann Arbor Relays
DeLaSalle
Ann Arbor Pioneer
U of D Jesuit
Dearborn Elks Relays
St. Mary’s Prep
Jackson HS
West Bloomfield
Divine Child
Ashley Relays
Livonia Stevenson HS
Brother Rice HS
State Regionals
Shamrock Freshmen Inv’l
CHSL Championship
Oakland County
Championship
Oakland County FR
Championship
CHSL vs. PSL
State Final Championship
9:00 A.M.
11:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
11:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M.
2:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M.
TBD
5:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M.
SPORTS SCHEDULE
Sat.
Wed.
Sat.
Wed.
Sat.
Wed.
Thurs.
Sat.
Wed.
Sat.
Wed.
Sat.
Wed.
Sat.
Tues.
Wed.
Mon.
Wed.
Va r s i t y Te n n i s
I n t e r v i e w Wi t h
John Argenta ’58
John Argenta ’58 is the architect for Catholic Central’s new Campus in Novi. The
“Aluminator” talked to him about how he designed the Campus and his commitment to
“give back” to his Alma Mater. The following are excerpts from that discussion.
By Nick Sharkey
ALUM What was it like being a student
on CC’s Outer Drive Campus in
1954-58?
JA
ALUM How did you get involved in the
planning for the new School?
JA
It was a great time. We had lots of
fun. There weren’t any great crises
in this country during this time.
Vietnam hadn’t started. It was
a very special time. A lot of my
neighborhood friends were going to
CC. In the neighborhood where I
lived – Outer Drive and Six Mile –
you heard a lot about CC when you
were growing up. As far back as I
can remember, I always wanted to go to CC.
Also, during this time, Principal
Fr. [Joseph] Moffatt ’51 asked for
my help in renovating the Science
labs. A few years later, Principal Fr. [John]
Menner wanted me to design a Fitness Room
for the School. I worked on these small projects
because I decided it was time for me to “give
back” for what the School had done for me.
ALUM Did you remain involved in CC after you
graduated?
JA
In the late 1980s, I was part of
several discussions held among
members of the Alumni Board
about possibly building a new
high school. In the early 1990s, the
Alumni Board talked about conducting a feasibility study to see
if we could build a new school.
After I graduated, I and most of my friends went
to the University of Detroit. To be honest, I was
studying and going out with my friends, and didn’t
think much about the School during this time.
Meanwhile, discussions continued about a new
school. Questions were raised about how much
a new school would cost. Since I had done
architectural work for many area high schools,
including Ladywood and DeLaSalle, I gave CC
people estimated cost figures for a new school.
My interest in CC was reignited in the 1980s
when my brother’s (Lou Argenta ’60) boys
started going to school here. I also had a lot of
friends whose kids were going to CC. I started
going to football games. I don’t think I missed
a Boys’ Bowl game in the late 1980s and early
1990s. Then, in the early 1990s, my son (John
Argenta ’95) attended the School. During this
time, I became a member of the Alumni
Association Board of Directors.
Finally, President Fr. [Richard] Elmer ’46 said,
“We have to decide. Is it going to be a ‘go’ or
‘no go’ on a new school?” That sparked serious
discussions among members of the Alumni
Board and the School Board. One day, I received
a phone call and was told that Pat Nesbitt ’62
had made us an offer we could not refuse (a
$10-million donation for the new school). We
were on our way!
16
It was not unusual to meet a new client and find
out he went to CC. Also, many of my friends were
CC grads. We all shared a strong bond. That’s
when I knew this school was a special place.
ALUM What happened next?
JA
I began working at home at night on architectural drawings for a new school. Fr. Elmer, Fr.
Menner, and members of the Alumni Board
and School Board continued their discussions.
At this time, several high schools were being
built in the Detroit area. So, we could get
information about actual costs to build a new
school. When we found out it was in the
$30-million range, we got the financial people
involved and decided it was doable.
The Basilians gave me intangibles that made me
feel honored to be a part of this School. They
shaped everything I did. How I conduct myself
in school, business and morally all began here.
As I thought about how important CC was in
my life, I wanted to perpetuate my experiences
for those who came after me – or “give back.”
ALUM I understand that you designed the new School
to continue the traditions developed during
CC’s 77-year history. How did you do that?
In 1997, we started looking for property.
Everyone on the School Board looked at properties in southeastern Michigan. Then, Frank
Pellerito came along and donated land in Novi
for the school. I remember thinking, “With
the requirements of building on a site with
wetlands, this is not a
gift, it’s a disaster. We’re
never going to do it.” But
with a lot of hard work,
and some pushing and
squeezing, we came up
with a plan that worked.
JA
ALUM You mentioned earlier that
you became involved in
building the new high
school because you wanted
to “give back” to CC. Why
did you feel this way?
JA
When I began planning the School, I went back
to my firm and said to the other architects, “These
are the parameters, now design
some floor plans.” They came
back with 15-20 different floor
plans and they all would have
worked at most high schools.
But when I looked at them I said,
“Something’s missing. This is not
what CC is about.”
For example, we wanted the
Chapel to be the School’s focal
point. It was intended to be the
center and everything would
revolve around it. Of course, we
wanted academics and athletics,
but this was going to be a
Catholic school. From the earliest
drawings, the axis pointed to the
tabernacle and everything else
came off that. Fortunately, it
worked out, and today, when
you walk into the school in the
morning, even though the lights
are off, the tabernacle can be seen
in the daylight.
After I graduated from
CC, I went to college and
then began my business
career. I soon discovered
that I was continually
running into men who
were fellow CC grads.
Left to right: CC President Fr.
Richard Elmer, C.S.B. ’46, John
Argenta and CC Principal Fr.
Richard Ranalletti, C.S.B.
Photos by Mike Rossi
17
☞
Also, the School was
designed to emphasize
teachers and what they teach
students. It was not planned with stainless-steel handrails and other elaborate features.
The building is extremely functional. We pared
down the square footage. Yet, we still have
more room here than we have ever had. For
example, instead of kids making signs while
they are sitting on the floor in a corridor, they
now have a room to make signs. We’re doing
the same things we did on Breakfast Drive, but
for the first time, we have the room we need.
Then we said, “What if we put a large Catholic
Central Crest on the floor right at this core?”
We wondered if we should put a wall around
the Crest or put it on a pedestal so no one would
step on it. About two weeks before school started,
the football team toured the building after a
practice. I watched them and when they came
to the Crest, they split up into two groups and
walked around it. One guy put his foot on the
Crest and about 12 other guys yelled at once,
“Don’t put your foot on the Crest!”
A newspaper article published soon after we
opened got it right. The reporter wrote: “It’s
a great building. It’s functional. But it’s not
a palace.” That made me feel good.
A couple of days later, a few Student Council
people were in the School with some football
players. One football player told them, “No
one walks on that Crest!” The Student Council
members passed that message to other students.
I knew then that we didn’t have to do anything
to protect the Crest.
ALUM At the first public events held at the School –
the first home football game and the Dedication
Ceremony – you stayed in the background and
watched. Why did you do that?
JA
You never know for sure how something is
going to turn out. A floor plan is designed for
how you expect people to function in a building.
But that’s difficult to predict. On the night of
the first home football game, I wanted to see if
people were really going to get out of their cars
and enter the stadium the way we had planned.
It was a tense moment for me. But it worked!
ALUM Is your role as architect of the new School over?
JA
Sometimes you’re surprised how things turn
out. When we designed the entrance to the
School, we ended up with a multisided area
where we put in a skylight, immediately in
front of the Chapel. We figured this would be
the core of the School and everything would
revolve around it – with the academic wing
on the left and the sports wing on the right.
18
Officially, the contracts with the various
contractors are now ending. Unofficially, I
think my involvement in the School will go on
forever. Whenever Fr. Elmer or Fr. [Richard]
Ranalletti has a question or I have a new idea,
I just show up at the School. They may ask me
about adding a new feature to the School and
I’ll say, “Yes, I have some ideas.” I’m thrilled
to continue my involvement with the new
School to make sure the mission is always
apparent in the way the School looks. ■
OurArtists
C.C. P R O F I L E
Edward Chesney ’41, Sculptor
E
dward Chesney ’41 sculpted the
beautiful statue, “Our Lady and
Student,” which is in the Mary
Garden at the entrance of the School.
He was born in 1922 in Detroit and
has been sculpting in wood and
stone for more than 30 years.
For the past 20 years, Mr. Chesney
has maintained a studio in Eastpointe,
where he works in bronze, marble,
wood and fiberglass.
Working both as an artist and artisan,
he has completed commissions in
the design and creation of numerous
works of art. Early commissions
included an intricate organ grille in
the chancel of St. Jude Church in
Detroit, and the carving of the grand
staircase in the Henry Ford residence
in Grosse Pointe.
Mr. Chesney drew extensively since
early childhood, using whatever
surfaces were available. To the consternation of his parents, this included
his text books. His enthusiasm for
drawing found legitimacy, and better
materials, when he became the
resident artist of his school paper.
Concurrently, he discovered music
and for three years seriously studied
voice. These plans were interrupted
by World War II, when he volunteered for the U.S. Marines and
served in the Pacific Theater.
Mr. Chesney’s later commissions
were for portrait sculptures and fine
marbles and bronzes. They include:
• The imposing five-figure, eight-foot
bronze “Holocaust” for the Jewish
community of Skokie, Ill. (1987)
• The life-size “Physician’s
Memorial” in St. John Hospital,
Detroit (1987)
In 1946, he was accepted by the
Meinzinger Art School in Detroit to
study life drawing. Finding such
study too passive, he left to apprentice as a cabinet
maker. This evolved into carpentry, which later led
to ornamental wood carving. His work included the
building of circular staircases and carved fireplaces, as
well as other carvings in the mansions of Grosse Pointe.
• The twelve-foot bronze “Fireman’s Memorial”
in Roscommon, Mich. (1980)
• The eight-foot bronze of Canadian
naturalist Jack Miner in Kingsville,
Ontario.
From 1960 to 1969, he studied under noted Hungarian
maestro Ferenc Varga, a nationally known sculptor
influenced by the school of Mestrovic. This school
is distinguished for two elements: 1) that the human
anatomy is exalted as a dimension of spiritual vision
in the tradition of Michelangelo, and 2) surfaces are
combined with space in a dynamic modern manner.
• The seven-foot bronze of
Monsignor Clement Kern
in Detroit (1986)
• Life-size nude figures for
fountains in Toronto and
California.
As a master of these difficult elements, Mr. Chesney
demonstrates a highly disciplined individuality. His
works range from textured portrait sculpture to severe
and abstract anatomical design.
His work is also represented
in churches throughout the
state of Michigan by lifesize wood carved religious
statues. ■
Continuing his education, Mr. Chesney traveled
to Carrara, Italy, where for an extended period he
concentrated on the classical art of carving stone.
19
OurArtists
Tim Barrett ’77
A
s you walk in the main entrance of the new
Catholic Central High School and enter the first
office on the right, you will take a trip down
memory lane of the School’s 77-year history.
For an alumnus, the walls in the waiting area
of the Development and Alumni Relations
office seem to call out, “Welcome Home.”
The walls are divided into four sections
for the four previous locations of Catholic
Central: “Harper Avenue,” “Belmont
Avenue,” “Outer Drive,” and “Breakfast
Drive.” Every area includes a brief written
history along with photographs of the four
School buildings.
C.C.
PROFILE
These walls are the work of Tim Barrett ’77, a
partner in Soul Communications, a company that
develops and implements corporate brand strategies.
Barrett said his greatest
challenge was to avoid
focusing on any one era,
or one or two well-known
personalities. “My aim
was to present an overall
view of the history of the
CC community,” he said.
“I want every grad to see
how he fits into the overall history of the School.”
Relations office. It
contains 25 feet of transparent photographs
of various student
activities, beginning on
the left with black and
white photographs from
1932, moving through
the years, to color
photographs from 2005
on the far right.
Fr. Marvin LaBute,
School Archivist, assisted
Barrett in the research
and writing of the histories of the four School buildings.
In addition, to the
right of the Chapel is a display of photographs of CC’s
Principals since its founding in 1928.
After the history walls were completed, Barrett added
sections about the School Crest, the School motto,
“Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge,” and the history
of the Basilian Fathers.
Barrett’s next project is a display of photographs of
outstanding athletes and championship teams on the
outside wall around the gym.
These visual displays and photographs are a reminder of
the rich heritage of a sparkling, new School. As Barrett
says, “Any graduate – if he’s
from the class of 1929 or from
the class of 1985 – will see
something that will pull at
his heartstrings as he walks
through the School.” ■
One of the most interesting areas is a window in the
conference room in the Development and Alumni
20
Timothy Schmalz, Sculptor
“…the Church is especially concerned for the
dialogue with art and is keen that in our own
time there be a new alliance with artists…”
Tim Schmalz presenting “A Quiet Moment”
to Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II from the Vatican,
Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999
T
imothy Schmalz is the sculptor who created “A Quiet
Moment” which is in the Media Center; statues of St.
Patrick and St. Basil in the foyer; statues of Our Lady and
St. Joseph; and the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel.
him for up to 15 hours a day, he is the creator of such
modern masterpieces as the memorial to Mother Teresa
and the “Millennium Monument” to Christ’s birth
in Bethlehem. He is the most celebrated sculptor to
emerge from this continent in more than 100 years.
Mr. Schmalz once said, “Sculpture, to me, is the highest
form of communication and an instrument for one’s
spirituality. The purpose of my sculpture is to
make people more aware of God around them.”
(Continued on Page 22)
A Letter From the Artist
Life without Christianity is meaningless; art without Christianity is simply less. Over the last few years, I have made the decision to
only create artwork that glorifies Christ. The reason for this decision is based on common sense. The best artwork is religious. Why should
I devote my time and energy to working with inferior subject matter? The result would obviously be an inferior piece of artwork.
I describe my sculptures as being visual prayers. When I create a sculpture in bronze, I am quite aware that it will last longer than
myself. I realize I am between two things that are much more durable than myself, Christianity and bronze metal. It is between these that
I have developed a subtle appreciation for what Saint Francis meant by “instrument.”
It brings me happiness when my sculptures are installed outside – three-dimensional bronze works of art are excellent advertisements
for the Catholic Church. The best compliment these sculptures receive is to amaze and fascinate the most cynical youths of today. If they
think that the art is amazing, they will have to think that the message is as well; a cool sculpture outside a church may make them think
that something cool is to be found inside the church. My purpose is to give the Roman Catholic Church as much visual dignity as possible.
Christian sculptures are like visual sermons twenty-four hours a day.
When visiting the great Cathedrals and museums of Europe, one is given many messages of the Catholic faith through the great works
of art; however, one message these great masterpieces convey to us, in modern times, is that the church was all important and glorious…
once… approximately five hundred years ago. Unfortunately, this creates the impression that the themes represented are old and should be
viewed in a museum. However, when original artwork is created today and placed in living spaces, the statement expressed is, “the church
is all important and glorious… today!”
Saint Gregory the Great wrote that “art was for the illiterate”; the use of images were an extremely effective way to educate the general
population. Our contemporary culture is at the same state today, not because of illiteracy, but because people are too busy to read. In this
world of fast-paced schedules and sound bites, Christian art creates “visual bites” that introduce needed spiritual truths in a universal language.
Christian sculpture acts for many as a gateway into the Gospels, the works of the Saints; the viewers own spirituality. After looking at
an interesting piece of art, the viewer is curious. “Who is this man on the cross? Why does he suffer? Who is the woman at the bottom of
the cross?” The more powerful the representation of the art, the more powerful the questions become.
Art that has the power to convert. Sculpture that deepens our spirituality. Attaining these two goals describes my purpose as an artist.
Timothy P. Schmalz
21
PROFILE
Like a monk in a monastery, Mr. Schmalz
secludes himself from society, working in
one of his three studios in North America.
In the heart of an industrial district, in an
old warehouse with no windows, works
one of the world’s premier Christian
sculptors. Fueled by a passion that drives
C.C.
Born and raised in Elmira, Ontario, Mr. Schmalz’s life
might as well have begun at age 16, when he discovered
his passion for sculpture. His considerable talent
was obvious; and he was accepted by Toronto’s
prestigious Ontario College of Art. Skipping
countless classes in art history and theory,
Timothy instead hid in the college’s basement
studio and sculpted, often being locked in
the school overnight and working until dawn.
He was expelled after only several months.
YOUNG ALUMNI
Michigan State Art Student Nick Menard ’05 Finds Inspiration At CC
By Aditya “Al” Athavale ’08
N
Like many graduates before him, Menard believes that his
four years at Catholic Central were the best years of his life.
ick Menard ’05 was never one to follow the crowd during
his four years at CC. He carried with him a unique vision,
one that made him stand out and one that contributed to the shaping of his artistic talents.
He credits his success at college to the academic
preparation he received here, saying, “The foundation of CC builds over the years through all the
homework and tests and is very good because it
allows you to feel relaxed in a college setting due
to the readiness CC instills in you.”
Now attending Michigan State University, Menard is
actively pursuing a career in becoming either an art
teacher or a graphic designer.
He credits Mr. [Andrew] Dent (who has taught at
CC since 2000) by saying, “Mr. Dent focused in on
some of the more artistic students in his class that
were quite talented, and he built a great foundation
for them to start with and kept on building it
through the years.” He added, “The first few art classes I
took at State were very easy because of Mr. Dent’s teaching
and the pace at which he taught.”
When looking back on his years at Breakfast Drive,
Menard said, “Senior year went by the fastest
because of the Drive and Boys’ Bowl. When you
get to college and you look back, you learn to
appreciate CC more.”
Not only was he an integral part of the art classes with all
the knowledge he gained from the teachers, he also gave
back by designing the Drive shirt during his Senior year and
a Thanksgiving card used by the Alumni Office.
Menard feels that he had a very smooth transition from CC
to Michigan State.
At State, he keeps in touch with some of his old friends,
most notably Dan Furca, Dan Porter, and Ryan Burke. ■
He said, “There were no real hard parts going from CC to
college classes because most of the time you have an upper
hand on the students in your college classes because of the
teaching at CC.”
Timothy Schmalz
(Cont’d from Page 21)
more saleable. Mr. Schmalz believes that art must speak
to lay people and art scholars alike. He also believes that
much of today’s corporate and public art reflects a highly
politically correct climate where the language of abstract
art, being so impossible for the general public to interpret,
has become the safe alternative.
Feeling misguided and constrained by his college experience,
Mr. Schmalz leased his first studio, a 10' by 20' room with
no heat. Unable to afford anything else, Mr. Schmalz
moved into the studio and lived where he worked.
During this five-year period, Mr. Schmalz continued to discover his voice, abandoning his previous efforts in abstract
art which were devoid of personal meaning. Timothy
apprenticed with such famous Canadian artists as William
McKelkrin, while spending all of his free time and money
on his growing portfolio.
He also understands that most modern artists resort to
shocking the public as some means of a reaction to an
otherwise illegible work of art. Figurative art is a universal
language where Mr. Schmalz can explore and express various
stages of human experience – love, pain, conflict or spirituality. He believes that every piece that he creates must
reflect a certain integrity of talent, skill, meaning and
message. His philosophy is not original, however; it was
shared by Michelangelo, Rodin, Bernini and Rembrandt.
Timothy’s enormous talent, passion and integrity will ensure
that his work, likewise, will endure for centuries to come. ■
He received his first commission at the age of 19, a figurative
sculpture for the Roman Catholic Church. This commission
was the first of more than 100 original commissions that
Timothy has done for the Church. Several thousand casts
of these works in various sizes have been sold throughout
North America and the world.
Mr. Schmalz’s early teachers attempted to limit him to the
abstract art, since abstract art is more popular and therefore
We wish to thank Mr. Schmalz for the great art work that graces our new School. The Media Center has his “A Quiet Moment.” The foyer has fantastic statues
of St. Patrick and St. Basil. Our Chapel has a beautiful statue of Our Lady and one of St. Joseph. The Stations of the Cross are most beautiful and delightful.
22
THE
BELLS
Wedding Bells
MARK O’DONNELL ’72* and Lorelei Papke exchanged
vows October 1, at Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mark and Lorelei are residents of Canton, Mich.
Groomsman Michael Konkel ’05, Matt Caruana ’96,
Steven Rancour ’00, Joe Rancour ’03, Steve Kries ’01,
Adam Senko ’04, Fr. Dick Elmer ’46 and CC Band
Director Greg Normandin ’78.
JEFFREY WILLIAMS ’96 and Penny Bilissis (below)
were married at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church
in Palatine, Ill., on September 10. Shown from left to
THE
BELLS
MARK GRIMES ’94 married Wendy Jenkins
on October 13, on the shores of Wailea Beach,
Maui, Hawaii. They now live in Huntington
Beach, Calif. In attendance was Best Man
Matthew McGivney ’94 (at left in the photo).
right are: (front) Tim Laco ’96, Brian Nemes ’96,
Jared Fordyce ’96, (back) Elliot Washburn ’96, Tom
Derhake ’96, Dan Podczervinski ’96, Dan McGivney
’96, and Doug Oliver ’97.
CHRIS PARNIN ’98 and Christine Pilarz were married
at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Livonia, on July 30.
The Wedding Mass was celebrated by Rev. Tom Carzon,
OMV ’86. Shown below, left to right, are: (front row)
Joe Carzon ’09 (Groomsman), Brendan Smith ’02,
Amadeo Sturla ’98 (Best Man), Matt Smylie ’98, Steve
Barbaza ’98, (middle row) Fr. Tom Carzon, OMV ’86,
MATTHEW KONKEL ’96 and Tatiana
Castillo were married in the Catholic
Central Chapel on October 21. They
had the honor of being the first couple
to be wed at CC. Fr. Michael Buentello
and Fr. Edward Donoher concelebrated
a beautiful Mass in both Spanish and
English for the bride and her family
who are from Costa Rica. In attendance
were Groomsman Mark Konkel ’00,
* Further information in “Chatterbox.”
23
☞
Nick Sturla ’11, Jordan Braciszewski ’98, Mike
Davidson ’98, (back row) Jim Wood ’02, Pat O’Donohue
’98, Ryan Wilmering ’98, Miguel Verdejo ’98, Joe
Polzin ’98, Matt Monnette ’98, Chris Fix ’98, and
Antonio Principato ’98.
JOSEPH SGROI ’98 and Jennifer Lachapelle were
married (below) at Our Lady of Good Counsel,
Plymouth, on May 28. In attendance were: (left to
right, front row) Chris Gonzalez ’94, Matt LoPiccolo
DAVID TURNER ’98 and Andrea Turner were
married in 2004.
THE
BELLS
PATRICK O’DEA ’99 and Audrey Griglio were
married (below) at St. Michael Parish, Southfield, on
November 19. Shown in attendance are: (left to right)
Terry O’Dea ’64, Steve Wall ’62, Mike O’Dea ’62, Tom
O’Dea ’61, Mark Beaudoin ’68, Michael Farkas ’61,
Joe Beaudoin ’98, Ryan O’Dea ’02, Nick Beaudoin
’02, Kevin Beaudoin ’96, and Brad Karabelski ’98.
Present but not shown: Brian Karabelski ’96. ■
’01, Matt Markowicz ’01, Dave Groth ’01, Joe Sulak
’88, Best Man Mike Sgroi ’01, Roy Sgroi ’70, Jeff
Lachapelle ’94, Joe Saah ’98, Nick Lachapelle ’96,
Chris Dueweke ’98, Jim Randazzo ’98, (back row)
John McKee ’94, John Kase ’63, Steve Larkin ’01, Tom
Groth ’71, Bob Schrader ’70, John Livingston ’94,
Mike Carroll ’98, Chuck Spolsky ’98, Joe Daly ’94,
Matt Tyranski ’98, Ryan Quirk ’98, Bryan Cox ’98, Bill
Ford ’96, Lee O’Connell ’98, Mike Ambroziak ’96, Joe
Jonna ’98, Eron Kosmowski ’96, and John Oliver ’95.
Photo by CC Art Teacher Jane Beaudoin
Baby Bells
DAVID ELWELL ’79 and his wife Susan –
a son, Daniel Beaubien – born December 17,
2004.
JEFF BROWN ’87 and his wife Elaine – a
daughter, Sophie – born December 14, 2005.
Brothers Ryan and Alex are excited to have
a baby sister.
ROBERT ORLOWSKI JR. ’83 and his
wife Laura adopted their daughter from
China in October 2005. Amelie Mei
Orlowski celebrated her first birthday
January 15, 2006.
TED SPICER ’91 and his wife Christy
adopted a daughter, Maeve Kathleen ManYi,
born June 30, 2004, and adopted December 7,
2005. A sister for George and Grace. ■
Amelie Mei Orlowski
24
In Memoriam
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
The following members of the Catholic Central Family have passed from this life to the next.
Please remember them in your Masses and other prayers. Our sincere condolences are extended to their loved ones.
Alumni
IN
MEMORIAM
FREDERIC HAYES ’35 – January 27, 2006. Father of Anna
Gavin, Nancy Benefiel and Mary DiQuinzio; grandfather
of eight; and father-in-law of William Benefiel ’66.
Professor Emeritus at U of D. The Funeral Mass was held
at Our Lady of Loretto Church, Redford Township, Mich.
BERNARD W. JACOBITES JR. ’37 – February 16, 2006. He
is survived by his wife Hedy; six children – Deborah Greer,
Patricia Jacobites, Roberta Greene, Bernard III, Joseph and
Julie Maher; nine grandchildren; sister Mary Ann; and
nieces and nephews – including Donald ’65. He was predeceased by his parents, Bernard Sr. and Anne, and brothers
Robert ’38 and Frederick ’48. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Mary Cathedral Church, Gaylord, Mich.
THOMAS P. JEFFRIES ’38 – January 31, 2006. He is survived
by his wife Doris; daughters Joanne Goza, Linda Friedman
and Barb Roehling; six grandchildren; and brothers Joseph
and David. A Funeral Service was held at A. J. Desmond
& Sons Funeral Home, Troy, Mich.
JOHN THOMAS O’NEIL ’38 – January 27, 2006. Survived
by wife Faye, six sons, a daughter, and 21 grandchildren.
He was a resident of Humble, Tex.
RAYMOND L. JOPPICH ’41 – November 14, 2005.
Husband of Grace; father of Marc, Kristen, Catherine Keiser,
Bernadette Bowker, Matthew, and Sandra; grandfather of
nine; great-grandfather of one; and brother of Edgar. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Francis Catholic Church,
Traverse City, Mich.
ROBERT T. LUSTIG ’42 – November 5, 2005. Husband
of Eileen; father of Robert, Thomas and Christine Danto;
grandfather of five; brother of Raymond ’37; and uncle of R.
William ’64. Bob was General Manager of the Buffalo Bills
football team from the beginning of their franchise until his
retirement. He signed O.J. Simpson. A Funeral Service was
held at the O’Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, Novi, Mich.
THOMAS W. EGAN ’43 – October 30, 2005. Husband
of Louise; father of Alan, Alice and Nancy Egan Sharma;
grandfather of nine; and great-grandfather of five. A
Memorial Service was held at the Casterline Funeral Home,
Northville, Mich.
26
CLARENCE “CLEM” LASECKI ’43 – December 14, 2005.
Husband of Joanne; and father of Pam Yarley and Jeff.
Brother of James ’47 and the late Edward ’40, Mary Jane
Kolly and Evelyn Cairns; and brother-in-law of Frank
Kolly ’41. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Infant
of Prague Catholic Church, Ala.
FRANK J. GAWRONSKI ’44 – March 18, 2005. Father of
Matthew and Linda; brother of Eugene, Chester ’47, Leona,
and the late Arthur and Irene; and uncle of Arthur ’69.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the
Divine Child, Dearborn, Mich.
WALTER F. GIRARDOT ’44 – December 4, 2005. Father
of Virginia Marie, Joseph and William; grandfather of
three; brother of Edward ’46, Rosemary, Richard ’49, and
Mary Girardot-Gallant; and uncle of Alfred ’77, Gregory
’73 and Bernard ’76. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Beverly Hills, Mich.
ROBERT EDWARD DILLON ’45 – December 18, 2005.
Husband of Elizabeth; father of Kathleen, Deborah DillonBloch and Elizabeth; and brother of Joanne Lee. Three
grandchildren. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Mary
Help of Christians Roman Catholic Church, Parkland, Fla.
Robert was a retired U.S. Army Colonel. He served his
country in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam
War, where he was a commander.
CHESTER J. GAWRONSKI ’47 – November 26, 2005.
Husband of Diane; and brother of Eugene, Leona, and the
late Irene, Frank ’44, and Arthur. Uncle of Arthur ’69. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Divine
Child, Dearborn, Mich.
GREGORY THOMAS TIMLIN ’47 – January 13, 2005.
Husband of Lois; father of Coleen Christensen; and brother
of Judy Sheehan, Zandra Flemming and Jack ’50. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church,
Issaquah, Wash.
EDWARD J. WEBER ’47 – December 12, 2005. Father of
Deborah Rathsburg, Thomas, Barbara Wladishkin, Edward Jr.,
Jacqueline Woodstock and Elizabeth Hinton. Grandfather
of 14 and brother of Margaret King. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Utica, Mich.
HENRY A. JOHNSON ’49 – Husband of Kathleen; father
of Colleen LeBlanc, Eileen Sadler and Patty Johnson; and
Rev. Charles Albert Christopher, C.S.B. ’50
Priest, Pastor And Educator
F
A man of faith and prayer, Fr. Charlie loved
to help those most in need. He loved to
remodel, refurbish and build buildings, and
the Parish Meeting Center at St. Anne’s in
Houston was one of his great achievements.
He also remodeled Dillon House after the
neighboring building was purchased.
r. Charlie Christopher, C.S.B. ’50 died
Sunday, January 22. He was a priest in the
Congregation of St. Basil. He made his first
profession of vows August 15, 1951, and was
ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1960.
Fr. Christopher was born in Detroit. He
served the Church and his community in many
places. He taught at Catholic Central for many
years as well as in Merrillville, Ind., Albuquerque,
N.M., and Houston, Tex. He served the community as
Associate and Vocation Director; was appointed the
20th Principal of St. Thomas High School, Houston,
Tex. (1981-87); was an assistant at St. Theresa’s Church,
Sugarland, Tex.; and was pastor of St. Anne’s Church
in Houston. Fr. Christopher retired to Dillon House,
Houston, Tex.
Fr. Christopher is survived by his sister Mary
C. Jones, and brothers Dr. Mark J. Christopher and
Francis Paul Christopher.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection was held at St.
Anne’s Church, Houston, Tex., with Archbishop Daniel
DiNardo presiding. There were 68 Priests, two Bishops
and two Archbishops on the altar. He was buried in
the Basilian plot of Garden of Gethsemane, Forest Park
Lawndale Cemetery, Houston, Tex. A Memorial Mass
was held at Catholic Central in March. ■
IN
May he be at peace with the Lord he loved so well. Let us remember Fr. Charlie in our prayers.
MEMORIAM
Diane. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Andrew
Catholic Church, Saline, Mich.
brother of William. Six grandchildren. The Funeral
Mass was celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church,
Livonia, Mich.
RICHARD DAVID TANNOUS ’64 – December 31, 2005.
Husband of Sherry; father of Rick and Chris; son of
Jeannette; son-in-law of Jess Blevins Jr.; and brother of
Julia Abdou, Diana Bogden and Joseph. A Funeral
Service was held at the Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral
Home, Clarkston, Mich.
JAMES A. McCLEAR ’52 – June 7, 2005. He is survived
by his wife Margaret; daughter Peggy Best; sons Michael
and Jim; and seven grandchildren. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Columban Church, Birmingham, Mich.
ROBERT M. SADOWSKI ’54 – September 26, 2005.
Husband of Yvonne; father of Suzanne Zainea, Cynthia
Gazetti and Robyn Gilleran; and grandfather of four.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Malachy, Sterling
Heights, Mich.
JOHN A. MILLER ’77 – February 17, 2006. He is survived
by his wife Tracey; son Christian; and brothers Robert ’70,
Dennis ’72, Thomas ’75, Richard ’79 and the late Charles.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Rene Goupil
Church, Sterling Heights, Mich.
JOHN P. “JACK” WILLIAMS ’55 – December 30, 2005.
Husband of Suzanne; father of Deborah Justin, Patrick,
Daniel and Suzanne Lankford; and grandfather of eight.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Good
Council Catholic Church, Plymouth, Mich.
Extended Family
FLORENCE B. AYOTTE – January 4, 2006. Mother of
Carolyn Clark and the late Albert ’54; grandmother of
10; and great-grandmother of 17. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. John Neumann Church, Canton, Mich.
MICHAEL JAMES BRESNAHAN ’56 – April 20, 2005.
Father of Kathleen Dewar, Maureen Hoelzle, Coleen
Hayes and Laureen Hussey; and grandfather of 13. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, Grosse Ile, Mich.
GEORGE R. BETRO – January 13, 2006. Son of Dr.
Joseph and Judith; brother of Joseph II ’09 and Sadie;
and grandson of the Hon. George and Gloria Betro, and
Dr. Frank and Madeline Prokop. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at Holy Family Church, Novi, Mich.
GILBERT H. GAGNON ’58 – February 5, 2006. He died
of cancer.
RICHARD D. WIZGIRD ’63 – December 12, 2005.
Former CC Teacher. Husband of Janet; father of David and
Elizabeth Rose Kowalski; son of Gertrude; grandfather of
one; and brother of Gregory ’62, Geoffrey ’69, John and
HELEN (BUTTERS) BOLTON – June 5, 2005. Mother
of Raymond ’61 and Robert Butters ’64, and three stepchildren. Grandmother of 11, including Robert “Chip”
27
☞
and four siblings. She was an active member of the Mothers’
Club. The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Richard
Elmer, C.S.B. ’46 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, West
Bloomfield, Mich. The Di Ponio Family wishes to thank
the CC Family for their acts of kindness, sympathy,
prayers and support. The Rose Di Ponio Memorial
Building Fund has been established at Catholic Central.
Butters II ’91; and great-grandmother of seven. Two
sisters. The Funeral Service was held at the Gendernalik
Funeral Home, New Baltimore, Mich.
JOHN BRADY – November 2, 2005. Husband of Ann;
father of John, Thomas ’75, Timothy ’77 and Maureen
Leonard; brother of Joseph; father-in-law of Thomas
Leonard ’81; and grandfather of six, including Kevin ’01.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Divine Child Catholic
Church, Dearborn, Mich.
PETER ELSE – January 7, 2006. Husband of Kathy;
father of Teresa Stotelmyer, Donald, Katie Darr, Mike, and
Chris; grandfather of seven; and brother of Lois Mooney
and Leonard ’57. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
St. Owen Church, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
JEFFREY BRETZ – December 30, 2005. Son of Ronald ’69
and Leslie; grandson of James and Nancy Bretz, and
Thomas and Jill Lucas; and nephew of Daniel ’74 and
Robert ’68. The Funeral Service was held at the EstesLeadley Greater Lansing Chapel, Lansing, Mich.
THOMAS MARTIN GIBBONS JR. – December 14, 2005.
Husband of Joan; father of Thomas ’83, Christopher ’84,
Colleen Ebensperger, Jeff ’89 and Daniel; grandfather
of one; son of Rosemary Gibbons; son-in-law of Joan
Matuscak; and brother of Jack, Mary Clare Kelley and
Patrick. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady
of Sorrows Church, Farmington, Mich.
MEMORIAM
JAMES A. CHOMICZ – December 3, 2005. Son of
Dorothy and the late James ’65; grandson of Mildred
Goldberg; and nephew of Randall Walter, Clay Goldberg,
Ed Goldberg, Cass ’51 and Daniel ’58. A Funeral Service
was held at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home,
Farmington, Mich.
IN
GARY BURKHARDT – February 12, 2006. He is
survived by his children Candace Beesley, Catherine
Hasselbach, Steve and Scott ’87; four grandchildren;
and three brothers. A Funeral Service was held at Voran
Funeral Home, Taylor, Mich.
THOMAS RICHARD CHRISTENSON – Husband of
Candy; father of Josh ’98, Zach ’02, Andy ’04 and Jake ’08;
and brother of Ken, Bruce and Kathy Hultgren. The
Funeral Service was held at Grace Lutheran Church,
Redford, Mich.
RICHARD GIGNAC – February 8, 2006. He is survived
by son Richard ’69; daughter Patti Johnson; and seven
grandchildren – including Jeffrey ’93 and Andrew ’95.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Colette Catholic
Church, Livonia, Mich.
ANNA J. HORNYAK – October 14, 2005. Mother of
Jeffrey ’60, Carol Ann Diegel, John ’68, Mary Theresa
Johns, and the late Anne and James ’56; grandmother of
five; great-grandmother of one; sister of Helen Smolek,
Ruth Krout and Theresa Medonis; sister-in-law of
Raymond Medonis ’43; and aunt of Tom Zaliagiris ’74
and John Zaliagiris ’79. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at St. Anastasia Church, Troy, Mich.
FRANK B. COUTURE JR. – January 30, 2006. Husband
of Carole; father of Renee, Frank B. III ’79, Thomas ’80,
Robert ’81 and Patrick ’82; and grandfather of three.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Aidan Catholic
Church, Livonia, Mich.
CLARENCE LEE JOHNSON SR. – November 23, 2005.
Husband of Loretta; father of Lisa Marie Larsen and
Clarence Lee Jr. ’86; and grandfather of four. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Loretto
Church, Redford, Mich.
TONY CRACCHIOLO – January 17, 2006. Husband of
Susan; father of Michael ’00 and Christopher ’02; and son
of Dominick and the late Rose. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Livonia, Mich.
Tony was the President of the Dads’ Club at CC in 2000-01.
MARY KASSA – Wife of the late John; mother of Ann
Hutchinson, Michael, Christine Kassa-Skaredoff, Pauline
Kennedy, Joan Jemmoa, Jea and Kathryn Crawford;
grandmother of John ’96; aunt of David ’82, Phillip ’82,
Paul ’83, Mark ’86, and Christopher ’87; and sister of
George, Joseph and the late Warana. The Funeral Mass
was celebrated at Mother of God Church, Southfield,
Mich. A Memorial Service was also held at St. Coleman
Church, Farmington Hills, Mich. Mrs. Kassa donated
the statue of Our Lady in the Mary Garden at the entrance
of the new Catholic Central.
CHERYL ANN DEPUYDT – Sept. 23, 2005. Wife of
John ’67; mother of Jennifer Spalding and Paul; grandmother of three; stepgrandmother of two; daughter of
John and Yvonne Dorais; and sister of Jay, William and
Amy Beiderweiden. A Memorial Mass of Christian
Burial was held at St. Peter Cathedral, Houghton, Mich.
ROSE MARY DI PONIO – February 12, 2006. She is survived by her children Gerald ’65, Ronald ’67 and Annette;
seven grandchildren – including Gerald II ’91, Philip ’95
and Anthony ’99; a great-granddaughter; and three sisters.
Rose was predeceased by her husband Louis ’36, her parents,
JOHN “JACK” KELLY – November 25, 2005. Father of
John Kelly ’72, Kathleen, Tom, Connie Posadny, Karen
and Paula; grandfather of 22; and brother of Patrick,
Jean LeBlanc, Hallie Osburn and Geraldine. He was
28
predeceased by his brother George. The Funeral Mass
was celebrated at St. Joseph Church, Dearborn, Mich.
ROBERT F. LEONARD – October 30, 2005. Husband of
Bernadine; father of Robert J. ’73, Deborah Kiura, Laurie
Snell, Kathleen Borello and Thomas ’81; grandfather of 10;
and brother of Donald and Emily Ryals. The Funeral Mass
was celebrated at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church,
Redford, Mich.
MARGARET J. LUKASIK – November 30, 2005. Mother of
Dennis ’65, Philip ’67, Patrick and Timothy; grandmother of
six, including Craig ’93 and Keith ’02; great-grandmother
of one; and sister of Helen Strzalka. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Thomas á Becket, Canton, Mich.
CLARA A. MARKIEWICZ – January 2, 2006. Mother of
Barbara Horwitz and Dennis ’66; grandmother of four;
and great-grandmother of one. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Divine Child, Dearborn, Mich.
LAWRENCE J. McNICHOL, MD – December 25, 2005.
Husband of Florence; father of Kathleen Lawless, Margaret
McNichol, MD, Deborah Clark, Kevin ’76, Patricia Madson
and Anne Marie Schneider; and grandfather of 15.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Coleman Church,
Farmington Hills, Mich.
JAMES MORAN – December 28, 2005. Son of Edward;
and brother of Al ’57, Jan Humbert, Jerry ’59, Roseanne
Herrinton, Mike, Doug and John. A Memorial Mass will
be held in May 2006.
JENNA SIEVERT – Baby Jenna died November 24, 2005, at
the age of six days. Daughter of Karen and Glenn ’81; twin
sister of Joseph; and granddaughter of Jacqueline and Phil
Klezek, and Delphine and Gerald Sievert. She is also survived by five uncles, including Geoffrey Sievert ’88; five
aunts; and many cousins. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ann Arbor, Mich.
PEARL A. TERRILL – January 4, 2006. Mother of William
’59, Richard ’63, Lori, David and Ellen Kain; grandmother
of nine; great-grandmother of six; and sister of Theresa
Beckett. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Colette
Catholic Church, Livonia, Mich.
EVELYN THERESA TYBURSKI – November 30, 2005.
Mother of Richard ’63, Barbara Willim, Sharon, Denise Kean
and Ken; grandmother of 12; great-grandmother of two;
and sister of Romaine Przylucki. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Detroit, Mich.
PATRICIA TYMOSKO – November 18, 2005. Wife of
Dennis ’58 (CC’s Athletic Director from 1970-73); mother
of Michael, Paul, Carrie Ruiz, and Dennis Jr.; grandmother
of five; and sister of Carol Campau, Pamela Kazin and Dr.
G. Stephen Knowlton. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, Miami, Fla.
REV. JOHN WICK, C.S.B. – December 2, 2005. Fr. Wick
died in Houston, Tex. He was ordained a priest June 29,
1956. He taught at Catholic Central in the 1957-58 school
year, and taught in Rochester, N.Y., Merrillville, Ind., and
Houston, Tex. Fr. Wick’s Funeral Mass was celebrated at
St. Anne’s Church, Houston, Tex.
JAMES M. MULROY – November 18, 2005. Son of John
(Eileen) and the late June; and brother of John ’77, Eileen
Mikkelson, Thomas ’80, Mary Anne Townsend, Michael ’84,
and Margaret Sparks. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
St. Fabian Church, Farmington Hills, Mich.
LUCILLE K. WEISS – November 24, 2005. Mother of
Carol Fron and Carl, a teacher at CC; grandmother of five;
and great-grandmother of two. A Memorial Mass was
held at Sacred Heart Church, Dearborn, Mich.
SOPHIE RAINKO – Mother of Robert, Daniel and Suzanne
Pietrandrea; grandmother of five, including Tony Rainko
’85 and Brad Rainko ’95; great-grandmother of six; and
sister of Reggie and Tony. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at St. Aidan Catholic Church, Livonia, Mich.
LAURA J. YEZBICK – June 11, 2005. Wife of the late
Alfred ’45; mother of Diana Kingstrom, Dennis, Alfred,
Theresa David and Christine Morrison; grandmother of 13;
and sister of Philip Ayoub. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church, Warren, Mich. ■
29
27
MEMORIAM
WILLIAM DANIEL McINERVEY – October 30, 2005.
Husband of Jeanette; father of Karen Bedard, Kristin and
Michael; grandfather of seven; great-grandfather of one; and
brother of Margaret Babcock, Winnie Heimiller, Rose Diazon,
Dan ’56, Joe, Michael ’59, and George ’61. The Funeral Mass
was celebrated at St. Gerard Catholic Church, Detroit, Mich.
ROBERT M. SAVAGE – January 12, 2006. Father of Susan
Wardle, a teacher at CC, Patricia, Christine, Robert Jr.,
Mary Campbell, Timothy, Joseph, Kathleen and David; and
grandfather of four, including Timothy Wardle ’04 and
Daniel Wardle ’09. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
Gesu Church, Detroit, Mich.
IN
JOSEPH M. McGUINNESS – January 6, 2006. Brother of
John ’63, Kevin, James, Paul, Thomas, Stephen, Mary Rose,
Aileen Koziol, Margaret Buccholz and Kathleen Hodges.
The Funeral Service was held at the Swartz Funeral
Home, Flint, Mich., with Pastoral Administrator Lorraine
McGuinness officiating.
CALLIE MAE RICHARDSON – November 25, 2005.
Mother of Maureen Cooper, Brian ’59, William ’64, David
’65, Keith and Andrea; grandmother of 13; and greatgrandmother of 13. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at
St. Michael Catholic Church, Southfield, Mich.
SCHOOL BELLS
Math Scholars
A
. J. Huber, a Senior, finished in the top 1% of the State of Michigan
in this year’s Michigan Math Prize Competition. He was one of the top 100 out of
over 10,000 students who took this exam. A. J.’s final standing will be revealed at the
upcoming banquet to be held at Oakland University. Also competing was Tom Mathew,
a Junior, who finished in the top 2%. Congratulations to both of these math scholars. ■
STUDENTS SHOW THEIR CONCERN
BELLS
Students tie knots on a Prayer Quilt while praying for Ed Turek ’85, Vice President of
Catholic Central. The Prayer Quilt was blessed by Fr. Mike Buentello, C.S.B. and presented to Ed’s wife, Chrissy. Ed was out of the
office for several weeks with severe pancreatitis.
Ed is back to work now and doing much better.
SCHOOL
Congratulations!
O
ur congratulations go to Christopher Pugliese
’06 on his outstanding performance on the ACT
assessment. Chris received a Perfect Score.
Nationwide, only 81 other students achieved
this level of distinction. There were 11 students
in Michigan that reached this score.
Congratulations, Chris! ■
CC’s First Robotics Team
I
competition in
the winter. We are
currently planning to
enter the competitions beginning in September.
Many companies are demanding that personnel be
able to work as teams, robotics competitions help
students develop cooperative working skills.
n an effort to get more students interested in
Science and Engineering, robotics teams are
forming at most high schools. Catholic Central
is starting its own Robotics team this year.
Twenty-five students have signed up and
they are busy working together to program
a robot that was donated to the School.
If anyone is interested in mentoring our team, or for
further information, you may e-mail CC teachers: John
Racey at jracey@catholiccentral.net or Judy Chabala
at jchabala@catholiccentral.net. ■
This is a fast-growing concept, with most
area schools having teams. There are
several competitions a year, beginning
with a local competition of Oakland
County schools in the fall, and regional
30
New Tradition Started
A
fter every Saturday night football game
at home, everyone is invited to celebrate
the Eucharist in the CC Chapel.
Bishop Ron Fabbro, C.S.B. was the guest
celebrant after our game with London
Catholic Central (see photo). Fr. Fabbro is
the Bishop of the London, Ontario diocese.
Concelebrating with Bishop Fabbro
were Detroit CC’s Rev. Jeff Thompson,
C.S.B., Rev. John Wheeler ’57, C.S.B., CC
Principal Rev. Richard Ranalletti, C.S.B.,
Rev. Jim O’Neill, C.S.B., and Rev. Mike
Buentello, C.S.B. ■
O
nce again, the students of CC have outdone themselves. They ran and walked and, with their pledges,
raised $7,434.13 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Since 1997, the young men of CC have contributed
$58,137.07 to the foundation.
The 2006 Drive
Brings Home The Gold
s athletes from all over the world gathered in Torino,
Italy, for the Olympic Games, a team of 883 well
prepared young men of CC met the challenge, gave
a gold-medal effort and raised $237,000.13 for our
beloved Alma Mater. (The “.13” is respectfully in honor
of Coach Magni and his Classroom 13 on Breakfast Drive
and Room 113 on Wixom Road) In doing so, the perstudent quota was topped by almost $20! Hulla-ba-loo
kinec kinec!
T
Can Food Drive
his has been a great year for the Can Food Drive. The
grand total of 7,305 cans set a School record. The food
was delivered to the St. Christine Pantry in Detroit.
The winning Homerooms were: Freshman – Joe Polzin
’98; Sophomore – Aaron Rumberger ’92; Junior – Jason
Jones; and Senior – Rev. John Ward, C.S.B. ’59. The
Freshmen had a Jeans Day because they brought in the
most food. ■
Keeping with the Olympics theme, each classroom was
designated a country, while the School was decorated
in the style of various athletic venues.
The Top Three Homerooms were led by Fr. Ned
Donoher’s Freshmen homeroom 101, who brought in
702.82% of their quota with $18,217.00. In second place
was Roy Dudas’ Junior homeroom 225, who brought
in 421.46% of their quota with $13,352.00. In third
place was Anne Winter’s Freshmen homeroom 228,
who brought in 406.79% of their quota with $10,544.00.
The Top Three Salesmen were Roger Zatkoff ’07, Greg
Holland ’07, and Ken Hermann ’88. ■
CC
Clothing Drive
students and alumni combined their time and
efforts to collect clothing goods and provide financial
support for the St. Christine Parish over Christmas. The
nonperishable items went a long way in helping many
people this winter. This will be a combined annual effort
between the CC students and alumni for years to come. ■
31
25
BELLS
Thanks go to Sherrill Lefforge for organizing this
annual event which is part of the Boys’ Bowl weekend.
The winners of the race were: Alex Toloff ’09, first
place; Rob Mangel ’09, second place; and John Mizzi
’08, third place. ■
SCHOOL
Principal Fr. Richard
Ranalletti lit CC’s
“Olympic Torch” to
begin the 2006 Drive.
A
Shamrock Shuffle
Take Me Out to the Ballgame…
S P O RT S U P DAT E
Catholic Central High School Night
at Comerica Park
Have fun and support a good cause. Please support the
Catholic Central High School baseball program by purchasing
$20 or $25* box seat tickets from Coach Kevin Walters.
Shamrocks Skate To
League, Catholic League And
District Championships
I
n the Catholic League Division 1 Championship, Dave
Swierszczik ’09, Steve Jankowski ’06 and Nick Kroll ’06
scored for the Shamrocks as they beat OL St. Mary’s 3-0. The
team continued its success through the state tournament,
winning the District title before losing in the Regional
finals. The team finished with a 21-4-2 record. ■
S P O R T S U P D AT E
F
Who?
Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins
What?
Fundraising Tiger Tickets
to benefit
the CC Baseball Program
Where?
Comerica Park
When?
1:05 P.M. on Sunday, April 30
or
7:05 P.M. on Tuesday, May 16*
Coach Rod’s Wrestlers Pin
Catholic League And
District Championships
To reserve your tickets, contact Kevin Walters at
(248) 596-3886 or kwalters@catholiccentral.net
*Tickets for the Tuesday, May 16 game are $25 box seats
or the 17th consecutive year – and 29th total – CC
Wrestling won the Catholic League Championship. Led by
team captains Andrew Nadhir ’06 (135), Robert Price ’06
(140), Sean Dong ’06 (145) and Mike Carrier ’06 (171), the
Shamrocks earned seven first-place finishes at the meet.
Barrett Schwarzlose ’09 (103), John Farmer ’07 (160) and
John Kinville ’06 (215) joined the four captains as firstplace finishers.
A
CC Golfer Hogue Honored
dam Hogue ’06 was named an honorable mention Rolex
Junior All-American by the American Junior Golf Association
(AJGA). Adam had four top-10 finishes in his AJGA career,
including a victory at the Fidelity Investments Junior
Shootout at Rich Harvest in July. He won the event by six
shots with scores of 74-74-71-219. In June, Adam finished
tied for fifth at the Midwest Junior Players Championship
at Whisper Creek Golf Club in Huntley, Ill. ■
The team kept its positive momentum heading into the State
tournament, winning the District title before losing in the
Regional finals.
In the individual state tournament, Sean Dong completed
another fantastic season capturing the State title. He finished
the season undefeated with a 52-0 record. Also placing
at the State tournament for the Shamrocks were Andrew
Nadhir (third place) and John Kinville (fourth place). ■
Breaking Sports News…
Bowling: CC Bowlers finished in second place with a
9-3 record in the Wayne-Oakland Bowling Conference. The
team finished fourth at the Catholic League
Championships.
Individual Honors
Basketball
Hockey
Bowling
Academic All-Catholic
Academic All-Catholic
Academic All-Catholic
Rob Forte ’06
Robert Lowney ’06
Brent DeMarco ’06
All-Catholic
All-Catholic
All-Catholic
Aras Butkunas ’06
Antyrio Raimer ’06
Bobby Kujawa ’06
All-League
Tim Buttery ’06
Dan Naurato ’06
Ross Tashjian ’06
Garret Senczyszyn ’06
All-League
All-Tournament
Andrew Tabaczynski ’06
Basketball: The Shamrocks round ball team
finished the season with a 16-7 record. The
team placed second in the Central Division
and Catholic League. They fought hard all
year before being bounced out of the State
tournament in the District finals.
Skiing: The team competed hard and
progressed all year, and took third place in
the Catholic League Championship.
Swimming: The Shamrocks competed all
season. The team is young and has much
to build on for next year. Josh Radtke ’08
qualified for the state tournament in the
100-meter breast stroke. ■
Steve Jankowski ’06
Nick Kroll ’06
Adam McGee ’06
32
26th Annual
Athletic Department/Alumni
Golf Outing
Five-Man Scramble • Monday, May 8
at the Oak Pointe Country Club
New Day, New Location… Same Fun!
Schedule
Lunch
Shotgun Start
Cocktails
Dinner
11:00 A.M.
1:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
6:30 P.M.
Tickets
$220 per person - includes Golf, Cart,
Food, Open Bar, plus the chance to
win great door prizes!
Where
Oak Pointe Country Club
4500 Club Drive, Brighton
For more information,
call (248) 596-3829
www.catholiccentral.net
Detroit Catholic Central High School
The Aluminator
27225 Wixom Road
Novi, MI 48374
Change Service Requested
Non-Profit Org
US Postage
PAID
Systems Services Inc