Spring 2005

Dear Alumnus/Friend:

Spring has sprung and time to get in touch & say "hello". I hope you all had a Holy & Happy Easter and enjoy the Spring & Summer ahead. We certainly welcome it after the long cold winter here in the east and all the rain and floods elseware, do pray none of you lost your homes, etc.

HERE N' THERE: Rec'd a nice letter from Frank Bradicich informing us he has been taking some nice trips with Sr. Citizen's group, so glad to hear it Frank. Also, after reading the Christmas letter and mentioning Lucy Shermi was the only female alumnus on the mailing list, Frank tells us he had a sister by the name of Barbara who was in Angel Guardian Home in 1930, then was transferred to St. Agnes in 1936, made her First Communion at St. Agnes in 1936, in 1937 was transferred to St. Dominic's Home in Blauvelt & remained there till 1943. Frank sent the dues for himself, his sister & his daughter so they will all be on the mailing list, his [sister] who now lives in TX. will surely be surprised. Frank also tells us "Padge" Panagakos sends his regards to all. Padge was so Faithful attending the picnic & helping but after he fell & broke his hip [he] hasn't been able & he is sadly missed. Our best to you always. A note from Henry Marrero along with his dues telling us he had a torn rotary cuff operation & now is having therapy, his other shoulder still has one but doctors say with therapy he will be ok, we wish you all the best, Henry, & we are glad you enjoy the letter so much, thanks. "Iggy" Molerio also sent a note along with dues he remembers "Bum" Santana, he said he fought in the Rockland Golden Gloves Championship, they let all the kids go to Piermont to see the fight, after the first round the fight had to be stopped, "Bum" won the fight, Iggy says he misses his brother, Oscar, so much. Oscar is missed at the annual picnic also he was a regular. Rec'd a long sad letter from Henry Farmer who is now in a health care place due to many medical problems, the VA is trying to help him out. If you can find the time please drop him a card or note it would mean so much to him. He is very lonely. [His address] is Henry Farmer, H.C.R. Manor Care, 1719 Bellevue Ave., Richmond, VA. 23227. Nice note from Ralph Pollice, after sending him "Chip" Cipolla's address & phone number, it turned out it wasn't the same "Chip" he knew in the Marines, isn't that strange? However, they had such a great conversation & found they were both in the same classes at St. Agnes & are the same age. They enjoyed talking to each other and are going to keep in touch, Ralph says how much he enjoys the newsletter even tho he doesn't know some of the names. He says it is wonderful how the boys appreciated the Home as much as he did. Along with new address John Altomare was sorry to hear about James Rooney & Beaver O'Rourke, he remembers Rooney fighting in a ring in Long Island & he remembers Beaver falling out of a cherry tree, thanks for the nice note John. Along with dues a note from Cornelius O'Neill, Telling us in Oct. '04 he sailed through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship with brief stops at Acapulco, Mexico, the countries of Columbia and Nicaragua, going thru the canal was a memorable experience. Heard from Paul Wellington saying he enjoys receiving the newsletter, he & his [wife] retired to Wolfesboro, NH 10 years ago & they call it "God's Country". Unfortunately he had a sad note, 2 years ago their wonderful daughter, Nancy was killed instantly in a tragic auto accident. She was survived by her husband & 2 daughters, so sorry to hear that, Paul. Their son, Steve is now a Cpt. In the US Army & is serving in Iraq as an operating room nurse with Combat Surgical Hospitals. He asks we all to pray for the troops. A nice note from Walter O'Rourke, St. Agatha's he always pays dues to St. Agnes even tho he tells us he was not a St. Agnes Alumnus, his brothers William, Philip & Robert went from St. Agatha's to St, Agnes, he met coach Faulk when he visited his brothers, he also worked with a Phil Gordon who was one of the Coach's football players, he enjoys the St. Agnes Alumni letter. A note from Thomas Norris, Sun Valley, CA. Says he wonders where the time has gone, he went to Los Angeles, CA. In 1968, bought his first house in 1974, sold it in 1976 & bought another house & has lived in it 28 years, he worked at Kaiser Foundation Hosp. And a few other jobs until he got a temp job at the Post Office at Christmas time in 1971 carrying mail, the rest is history he retired 1992 on the early out from the Postal Service. He took up fixing computers for a hobby, a friend of his told him He should go on line, I told him I was an MSN for 2 years and only used it every 3 or 4 months. Thomas was content until he told him about Classmates.Com. For a present he put him on his account, I would E-Mail & E-Mail no replies. Out of curiosity he typed in St. Agnes & did a search, he asks that we mention this, maybe someone will contact him-e-mail address is Tomtuna1@sbcglobal.net. Good luck. In a Christmas card to us plus a phone call from Brazil, Father Masterson wanted to be remembered to all the Alumni & that to tell you that we were being remembered in his Christmas Masses, he said he enjoyed the picnic last Aug., it was so good to see so many in spite of the rain. He returned to Brazil shortly after the picnic. Father Figueroa is also still despite the terrible ordeal he went through last year he is in a different part of Brazil & has a very difficult job with the poor. Father says "thanks" to all who remembered him & he too is praying for all of us. Thank you both. Nice long Christmas letter from Greg Spero, he informed us he became a grandfather for the 8th time, a beautiful baby girl was born last Feb and her name is Mikayla, congratulations Greg. He also told us he was heading South for the winter months of Feb-Apr he will be in a rented condo in Terpan Springs, FL. Hope you had a great time, Greg. Christmas letter from Jim Merna informing us they became grandparents to their 1st Granddaughter, a beautiful baby girl named Madeline Elizabeth Merna, she was born while her dad, John Merna, was completing his studies at Command & Staff College at Quantico, VA. He graduated June 9th & earned a Masters Degree. 30 days later he reported to Camp Pendelton CA. Where he barely got his family settled in, when new orders were waiting for him , Iraq, he deployed to Iraq July 19th for duty with the 1st Marine Div. In Dec. the Marines released a list of names who were selected for promotion to LTC. He was one of 346 out of 1,440 who was eligible. Son Jim, changed jobs & is now a lawyer for UPS in Atlanta: Son, Mike continues to do well in marketing with the Bayer Co. in NJ. Jim himself & wife made trips this past year to Florida, Colo, NY & Atlanta. Jim keeps busy with his aerobics classes & Volunteers with the Maryland Park & Planning Commission. Rec'd a phone call from Michael Hollis, Pasadena, CA. After receiving the Dec. Newsletter where we wrote that Lucy Shermi was the only female alumni on our mailing list, Michael informed us his mother whose name at the time was Mary Daley was also at St. Agnes, I believe she was related to Mike & Tom Daley, he was going to phone Lucy to see if she knew his mother, hope you had good luck. Michael makes his living at a bank in CA. John & Betty Sekreta put a note in a Christmas card & tells us how they appreciate the Newsletter, they told us their youngest daughter attended St. Andrews Univ. in Scotland & their youngest son's daughter [flies] the helicopter for channel 5 news, she was leaving soon after the holidays to fly workers to the off-shore oil rigs from LA. What a girl. John & betty have six granddaughters & two great grandchildren, God bless them all, enjoyed your note so much. Rec'd a phone call recently from Angelo Garcia up in Long Eddy, NY, he isn't feeling too well lately and is going in for tests, we wish him the very best & want to see him at the picnic in Aug. Rec'd a nice long letter from Angelo Osario, he was thinking of old times. One of the Sisters told him & others that she had a brother who playing in big league baseball, his name was Yogi Berra, the boys hardly believed her. On a Saturday either after the World Series or late in the summer, a bus pulled up in front of the playing field & before our very own eyes there came some Yankee players with gloves, bats & big league baseballs sadly to say I never stayed because it was a Saturday & on Saturday that was the day we had a chance to make a few bucks (caddying) up at Rockland Co. Golf Club. Angelo remembers some of the guys with him, a chp named Altomare, one named George Favre, Jerry Poliddeo & that infamous named Calvisi & yes the Tarrantinos and yes the guy who [stoked] fires to enable us to keep warm on those cold nights, his name was DiDinato it sure was cold, the pond was frozen and we skated on it. He writes he remembers Mr. Stevens who taught practical electricity, it helped him out of the Infantry during the Korean War. Headed for the world aboard the Liberty ship, I met a former buddy we were headed for the [Philippines] a stop before Japan, then onto the war zone. Angelo also remembers Mr. Henderson (carpentry sect.) though he wasn't in his class he allowed him to make a lamp for his family. Mr. Henderson always had a smile. More of his memories in the next letter, can't fit them all in the next letter, can't fit them all in.

Had our friend, Joe Rosen lived, he would have been 90 years old this month hard to believe. Joe was such a very special person, we can never forget him.

R.I.P.: Just now informed John Hom died in Nov. 1996, Peter Bonini 2002, Ed Hickey 11/25/04, Ed Wirth 3/1/05 Robt J Aponte 3/17/05.. May their souls rest in peace, our prayers are with the families.

Reminder: ANNUAL ALUMNI PICNIC: SAT. AUG 20th. PLACE: PIERMONT PAVILION TIME: 11:30 TILL ????? ALUMNI WILL HAVE COFFEE & ?? TILL ABOUT NOON OR SO, THEN WE HAVE HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, SALAD, CORN-ON-COB, CHIPS, CAKE, COOKIES, WATERMELON & SODA. MARK YOUR CALENDER NOW SO WE CAN HAVE A BETTER TURN-OUT THAN LAST YR. MORE IN THE JULY LETTER. SEE YOU IN AUGUST.

In closing we ask that you remember to say a prayer each day for all the brave men & women who are serving our country to help bring peace to the world. God bless them all and God Bless America.

PS: Don’t forget to send your dues $10.00 a year, many have already done so & we thank you so very much.

JULY 2005

Dear Alumnus/Friend:

"Hello" again, hope all are keeping well & enjoying the summer & if travelling on vacation have a safe trip.

HERE 'N THERE: First of all we want to congratulate Sister Alberta Blase & her twin sister, Sister Loretta Blase on their 90th birthday, Apr. 19th with a Mass & brunch at the Dominican Convent at Sparkill, NY, God Bless you both. Also, listed in the Catholic News were several names of Dominican Sisters celebrating their Jubilees this past month, we congratulate all & wish them well always. Easter greetings from Father Figueroa tells us he was ordained A PRIEST 45 YEARS ago May 22nd, 44 yrs serving in Brazil, 50 yrs consecrated life in missionary family of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, God bless you Father & stay well, he asks all for your prayers & support, he also sends greetings to all the Sisters of St Agnes for their continued prayers. Also, May 25th Father Francis Butler was ordained a priest 20 years, he returned then to say one of his first Masses at St Agnes & Artie & I were there. Father inclosed a comical photo of himself & his confrerer while still a Brother before becoming a priest, we will bring it to the picnic along with his great letter, thank you Father, we always appreciate hearing from you & we know you are working very hard so we pray you will stay well, congratulations & God Bless you. Rec'd a phone call from John Perez informing us he moved to New Mexico, thanks John for your new address. Rec'd a nice note along with dues from John MacMillan, John informs us after retiring from Telephone Co., he & his family moved to Albuquerque & after 3 years exhausted all it had to offer, different shades of brown became boring, they missed the East Coast & the greenery so they moved to FL. in 1997 & love it. John wants to be remembered to Father Masterson, says he hasn't seen him since graduation in 1949, he said to tell him he will say a prayer for him, along with Billy O'Rourke & Red Rooney. John's son lives in Brunswick, Me. with his wife & 2 childred & his daughter lives in Fredericksburg, VA., with her husband (Army Maj) & their 2 children. John is enjoying playing golf 5 days a week, his second home is Watson Clinic he & his wife had some medical problems, but are still kicking. Nice hearing from you John. Thank to Edw. Fitzpatrick ( not an Alumnus) but is on our mailing list & sent a check in memory of Joe Rosen. Got a note from Walt Rooney & he said to tell John Altomare that it was he whom he saw fight at the time he mintions, not his brother, James who passed away. he said he doesn't want you to see a ghost at the picnic, HA. Nice letter from Charles V. Calcano, he was a resident at St Agnes 1934-1943, his brother, Sebastian (also known as "Rip") was there 2 yrs before him but left in 43 with him, he passed away in 1987. Charles is now retired from the military as a Master Sgt., after spending 9 yrs in the navy & 14 yrs in the army, retire-ment in 1975. He remembers Ralph Pollice, said he visited him in Ocala, FL., about 5 yrs ago, but lost his phone number, will inclose it in your letter, Charles & thanks for the nice note. Good news from Jim Merna, his son, John recently returned safely from duty in Iraq & was selected for promotion to The rank of LTC. in the Marine Corps, he is now sta-ioned in Camp Pendleton, CA. with his family. Jim also inclosed a very sad story about a Ron Morisco of W. Nyack a father of 5 children and a quadraplegic from a spinal cord stroke now forever life dependent on a ventilator. Ron's mother, then Miss Catherine Quinn was a wonderful kind teacher at TZ, always had concern for "House's Kids" from Sparkill. Ron was self employed with no health insurance, savings totally exhausted & now totally without an income they have applied for federal SSI insurance even tho it would be minimal, he is months away of becoming eligible. Jim would like to call on citizens of Rockland, especially Piermont, Sparkill & Nyack who may remember Ron's father as a longtime county sports writer & editor, his mother was always willing to give a helping hand in need now it's time to reciprocate Please try to help, Jim thanks you in advance. Rec'd word that Bill Doherty has been battling cancer for the past 3 years, he is very ill & has had many operations the past 3

years. If anyone would like to send a card or call him the address is: William (Bill) Doherty, Bronx VA Hosp., 6th FL, C04 , 130 Kingbridge Rd., Bronx, NY 10468. TEL: 1-718-584-9000, EXT 4512. Pleawe remember him in your prayers, Bill was brought up in St Dominic's & After graduating 8th grade, he came to ST Agnes 1951-55, graduated TZ HS 1955. Joyce & Rich Irizarry are back at their home in the East after spending the winter months in Florida. Rec'd a shocking phome call from Aida Rosich, wife of member Bobby telling us Bobby had a stroke & was paralyzed on the right side & could not talk, she asked our prayers those of the dear Sisters of St Agnes , he was critical, well as the doctor said it was the prayers that saved him, after 2 carotid artery operations, he is now making progress. he is walking with a cane but his speech has not returned yet, hopefully it will soon, thank God he is doing better, Bob & Aida were lookin forward to coming to the picnic this year. As you remember, Bob was our cook at the Annual Picnic for many years, & also got the soft ball games together in the late afternoon. Please continue to pray for him, we all wish you would well. I told you we would write more about the memories of Angelo Osario, there is still some for the next letter too. Angelo worked in the kitchen feeding the potato peeling machine & also the dish-waher, he helped Mr Cappili unload his veggies from his truck he would pay the boys with cigatettes & they thought it was great, in those days all the kids had that bad habit & they smoked in the coal bin.

Inclosed is a copy of a Memorial to be erected in Piermont, we were asked to try & help the VFW with this project, please think about it, any questions contact George Lynch. R.I.P. It is always so sad to mention names in this column: Joseph T Schaeffer 4/11/05, Loretta Bradicich, beloved wife of mamber Joseph Bradicich 6/06 & Angelo Garcia 6/16/05. Angelo never missed a picnic & he always took many pictures of the Alumni. Our prayers & thoughts go out to all the families.

INCLOSURE: Inclosed is our Annual chance book, we ask you support, please complete & re-turn with check made out to St. Agnes Alumni & sent to the above address, extra books are avaiable, we thank you in advance.

REMINDER: ANNUAL PICNIC - SAT: Aug. 20th Noon till ?? Piermont Pavilion, Piermont NY.

Coffee & buns will be avaiable till about 1:00 then we will have Hot dogs, Hamburgers;, chips, salad, watermelon, soda & some kind of dessert.

LET'S HAVE A GREAT TURN-OUT & ENJOY ONE ANOTHER"S COMPANY.

Till then stay well & God Bless

[signed] Art & Gloria

2 INCL:

PS: If anyone would like to send a card or gift to the following: