Here is a note from classmate Tom Quinn about his experience at the reunion:
Al Ruksenas and I had such a good time at the reunion dinner Saturday night that we did not want to leave. So we didn't. As our aging classmates headed out the door past their bedtimes to get some sleep, Al and I partied on. Sometime around 11, we realized we were the only Vikings left standing at the bar, and indeed in the whole place.
For both of us, it was a reprise of some 40 years earlier, when we use to meet at a Willowick bar in the midnight hour after we had finished the second shift at our respective downtown newspaper jobs. Back then, as we imbibed, we talked of current events. At the reunion we talked of the past.
The evening of celebration, as well as stag night, both meticulously planned and executed by the reunion committee, seemed to go off without a hitch -- the food delicious, the conversation convivial and the spirits abounding. Tim Ryan and Dave Pfriem darted about keeping all running smoothly.
At dinner I found the Viking wives charming, exuberant and engaging -- and a tad more interesting than their mates. It was a special joy for me to huddle with three Vikes who were also my St. Mary Magdalene classmates, Joe Severino, Edward Alan Strauss and Dennis Jeray, none of whom I had seen since our high school days.
'The Last Supper,' a buoyant Father Jim Heft announced to his fellow Vikings as he bounded up the steps inside the Acacia Country Club to the make-shift chapel for our Mass of Remembrance. As I sat in the front row as Mass began, Harry Waldron, seated to my left, handed me a copy of the welcoming speech he was to give at the dinner. I looked it over, thought it adequate and turned to give it back. But he inexplicably refused to take it. Did Harry want me to give his speech?
Father Heft's sermon was inspiring, but we New Testament-challenged Vikes all flunked his one-question Biblical quiz. I'm sure some of our wives knew the answer but did not want to embarrass us. Maybe Dave Pfriem should start a Bible study group for local Vikes.
As dinner was beginning, I pulled out Harry's speech. 'Are you giving a speech too?' an incredulous Roger Sustar asked. As it turned out Harry had another copy, and, as all who were there know, Harry gave his speech. Harry, you did fine.
Al and I eventually did leave the country club. As we downed our final drinks I decided to buy a round for all remaining Vikes, and proclaimed boldly, 'Spin the joint!' at no economic consequence to myself. My famous author classmate said he had never heard this expression used to buy drinks for all. It had been shouted out on occasion at the old Headliner Cafe, a one-time Plain Dealer watering hole.
As we departed, Al and I drifted toward the Acacia's front door, an arm on each other's back, listing starboard then to port with our obliging wives in tow. We tried gently to push each other out the door as we burst into the open air -- I a half step behind Al. The 50th reunion of the St. Joseph High School Class of 1961 had come to an end.
But let history record that I, Tom Quinn, was the last Viking out the door.
Here is a note from John Raglow, who was not able to attend the reunion:
Just want to thank you for forwarding to me the Viking 1961 Memory Book. I received it last week and read it cover to cover. Great to catch up and see how many of my classmates are doing and how many are doing so well. I would like to have attended the reunion festivities but my wife and I are both dealing with health issues and could not make it. We're hopefully on a path to better health. Thanks again for thinking of me. John
Here is a note from Don Patt, who had to be out of town and could not attend the reunion. Even so, Don made a heavy financial contribution to help the reunion effort:
Thank you very much for the reunion material I received yesterday. It looked great and brought back many memories for me. I am just sorry that I didn’t get to celebrate with you guys.
THE NICE THING ABOUT THE REUNION WAS RE-CONNECTING WITH SOME OF THE ST. ALOYSIUS GRADE SCHOOLERS WHO WENT ON TO SJHS (BOB GRIFFIN, RON PEHMOELLER, GARY BRICKMAN, ED WINTERS) AND THOSE WHO WENT ON TO FENN COLLEGE (AGAIN BRICKMAN, DAN KEARNS, LEE D'ONLE). IT WAS ESPECIALLY NICE TO RENEW AQUAINTANCE WITH DAVE PFRIEM WHO WORKED SO HARD AND WELL AS GENERAL CHAIR OF THE REUNION...
LARRY PONGONIS DELIVERED THE REMEMBRANCE BOOK AND CD TO ME LAST WEEK. WE HAVE GAINED MUCH THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FROM THAT SJ GROUNDING...GOD BLESS THE MARIANISTS..PAST AND PRESENT..FOR ALL THEY ACCOMPLISHED WITH US ...A CHRISTIAN GROUNDING FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES...
Here is a short note from Bill Banach, who was terrific at helping us find lost classmates:
Even though I was a little under the weather at the Reunion(Saturday night), my wife Betty and I really enjoyed the night. For the guys that missed it, they missed a lot.
Here is a note from John McFarlane. If you didn't talk to him at the reunion, you missed talking to a guy who is just as much fun today as he was 50 years ago, and as loyal a Viking friend:
The DVD was great. I first used it on the TV. It works fine, the content priceless, Tim Ryan, MCF, Pfriem were in many pictures but those were the pictures you had. Thanks to Donna and Tim Ryan, I think. I was able to fast forword, skip and return to the sections I wanted to revisit without any problems. Merry Jo returned from shopping and I revisited some parts of the DVD that I had told her aboout, no problems The DVD works just fine on the big screen. It does start up on the computer and I would think work just as well.
The memory book is a great history lesson, I wish I had sent you some information, you would of course have had to edit it. I will go through the many negatives that I have from the high school years and restore the best ones.
Merry Jo continues to talk of the good time she had Friday night with the girls. Your Lakewood area is really nice and one of the many topics we rehashed on our trip home.
Here is a note that went to VASJ President Rich Osborne from classmate Tom Fagan, and it eventually found its way to us. If you did not know it, our committee worked with VASJ (and especially with the talent of Gretta Ryan) to present honorary St. Joe diplomas to Al Iosue, Dick Weigel, John Kramer, and Joe Colan. Here is a comment from Dick's friend Tom Fagan about that:
Regarding the four 'new' graduates of SJHS:
Dick Weigel was very touched to receive that honorary degree, diploma and all. When he was 'invited to leave' SJ in 1960 following a locker search in which was found a book that wasn't exactly Catholic material and threw his demerit total over the top, he had already ordered his class ring. Thus, his ring was never picked up; Dick finished a year later than others (1962) at Brush High in Lyndhurst/South Euclid. When his name was read and he was honored last Friday, a former classmate, George Padavick came over to Dick and told him that he got Dick's class ring. Padavick had not ordered his ring in time that junior year and went to the school bookstore to see what could be done. He was told that one of the rings (Weigel's) was still available but had Dick's initials on the inside. The initials were removed and Padavick's inserted. That's how Goerge Padavick got a graduation ring and he still has it at home. It was a wonderful stroke of luck that the two of them reconnected in this way last weekend.
Here is a note from Al Iosue regarding his new Viking diploma:
Guys! I won't be formal, but I want you all to know how emotional I felt that night in receiving my Certificate of Graduation. 50yrs later and having all three of my Siblings graduate from the Viking Village, I’m part of the Family.
It’s one of those Nights I will never forget. For that I Thank the Committee. May God Bless you All!
Here is another note from Tim (Tom...he goes by either name) Fagan:
Yeah, the President of St. Joe's was amazed. Said it was best turnout ever.
Count me in on a 55th. I might still be teaching at the UM but I can do emails and other odd jobs. I'd be glad to help with a banquet program-wise, e.g., certain awards, short recollection talks by a few folks, etc.
At my wife's they gave door prizes for those traveling the farthest, longest married, as well as usual recognitions for the committee. I still have a few old Carpenters and a 1958 and 1960 Yearbook. Do you need these for St. Joe Archives?
Here is the original note from VASJ President Rich Osborne (SJ Class of '90):
Hi guys:
It is wonderful to see these comments. Thanks, Roger, for copying them to me. We were thrilled to have you back in the Viking Village! Your class has raised the bar (and a few glasses) for all the others. Kellie and I are still talking about what a great bunch of guys you are. Please come back and visit anytime. You will be happy to see that your alma mater is serving a new group of terrific young people. I only hope that one day they will enjoy their 50th together as much as you.
Best,
Rich
PS -- Special congrats to the four 'new' graduates from the Class of '61.
Here is a pre-reunion note from classmate Paul Nagode, who brought us news about Ray Rainone. (Paul appeared to enjoy the reunion a great deal, too.)
Thanks for the instant reply. I'll be coming alone to both fri. and sat. affairs. I'll get two checks in the mail friday and still must get a car rental out of AKC airport. I call Ray Rainone who lives close and he reports this was the first he's heard of the reunion. I have called him in a long time. He regrets that he won't make it as he will be visiting his son whose !lb 7oz premature daughter is 4 months old and gets all of Ray's (and wife Adell's) attention. I gave him the web site and hope he has contacted you.
Paul
Here is an early note from classmate Bob Ross, who met some of us at a lunch this summer, but had to return to Taiwan, where he not lives with his spouse, Shun Lin:
Dear Dave,
Just a couple of other notes.. One, it is GREAT fun to be sharing these emails and info with you! Also want to congratulate you AND Donna for your beautiful grandson.
I remember on the night of our graduation, either before or after we went to the auditorium, I sat with my fellow 4-F Falcons homeroom mates in our homeroom. Tom Fox was our homeroom teacher. I remember him speaking to us and wishing us well. Tom and I were later renunited as fellow seminarians in St. Louis. How intersting, the human journey!
Speaking of human journeys, yes, I definitely want an autographed copy of your book 'Uncommon Bonds.' I remember you speaking about it at a Common Bond meeting a couple of years ago. I am trying to write a book myself. The current title Is 'An Integrated Perspective on Addiction and Ongoing Recovery: Insights Derived from Bill Wilson, the Buddha, and Carl Jung. We'll see...
Yes, please send me Terry's snail mail address sometime.
Wish I could toast today with you! Here's toasting anyway!
Dear Dave, Tim and everyone involved in making the 50th Class Reunion a Great Success--
Thanks for a truly remarkable weekend. You instilled a refreshed awareness of our years at St. Joe's. (It's still mind-boggling to say 'half a century.')
' Tom Quinn is right on in describing our lingering at the Acacia Club...it seemed that we did not want to break the aura that was still pervading the room...the reminiscences, the memories, the thought of departed classmates.
I put on my class ring for the Reunion....I'm still wearing it.
It was great to see everyone and re-acquaint with a number of classmates.
I'm looking forward to re-capturing some of that aura sometime soon again.
Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication in making the Reunion the truly spectacular event that it was.
