XAVIER
ALUMNE W S OF XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL
SUMMER 2005
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL
Rev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59
President
Joseph Gerics, Ed.D.
Headmaster
OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT
AND ALUMNI RELATIONS
Joseph F. Gorski
Vice President for Advancement and
Alumni Relations
XAVIER
ALUMNEWS
Summer 2005/Vol. 8 No. 3
Features
Debra Ryan
Director of Annual Giving
Michael L. Benigno ’00
Managing Editor of Alumnews
Director of Alumni Relations and Public Information
Loual Puliafito ’00
Advancement Officer
Helene Strong
Parents’ Association Coordinator
Barbara Ciulla
Advancement Office Manager
3
Martin Kurzatkowski ’02
Thomas Wierzbowski ’00
Contributing Writers
The Parents’ Association hosted its major fundraiser
gala, themed the “Knights of Broadway,” benefiting
the Annual Fund.
News from the Quad
PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Benigno ’00
Caroline L. Gallagher
The Yearbook Staff
Alumnews, the Xavier High School
magazine, is published three times a year by
Xavier High School.
Correspondence and address changes
should be mailed to:
Alumnews
Managing Editor
Xavier High School
30 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011-6302
or by e-mail to benignom@xavierhs.org
Front cover: The Xavier
flag flying on a summer
afternoon.
16
15th Street Façade
Undergoes Major Renovations
7
Looking Deeper into Television Comedy
A new book published by Rev. Michael Tueth, S.J.
examines television comedies from several decades
and their impact on American family life.
The exterior of the C, D, and Lynch buildings were
repaired and renovated over the summer, making for
a safer, more attractive building that will guide Xavier
through the upcoming years. The improvements
are the latest work to be done to two of the oldest
buildings on 15th Street.
Additional Articles
9
Graduates Walk the Isle at St. Patrick’s
Over 200 members of the Class of 2005 walked the
isle at the Cathedral of St. Patrick during this year’s
commencement ceremony. A number of graduates
and faculty members were honored for academic
achievements and service to Xavier.
President’s Message
2
From the Advancement Office
8
A Letter From the Headmaster
13
ReuKNIGHTed
14
Class Notes
18
Mileposts
22
Alumni Remember Joe Caruso
23
New Faces
24
Planned Giving
25
Thomas M. Doyle ’39 - Passing Of A Giant
Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,
The quiet peace of summer has been broken with the tragic events of terror, the bombings in
London and in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The loss of innocent lives is horrific,
bringing inconsolable grief to hundreds of families and leaving countless thousands more in a state
of shock, aware of their vulnerability in the ordinary activities of daily life. Death is no stranger to any
of us, but how differently it touches our lives. Death can be peaceful, anticipated, sudden or early;
death can be confusing, cruel, or murderously criminal. Whenever human death occurs, it should
remind us of what we can all too easily take for granted, the value, dignity and preciousness of life.
The relative quiet of summer here at Xavier was recently broken with the news of death: the mother
of one of our seniors died after a long struggle with cancer, and a loyal, revered alumnus and his
devoted wife, both dying within days of each other, went to their eternal reward. Allow me to reflect
on the life of that alumnus.
Though short of stature and quiet in demeanor, Thomas M. Doyle ’39 was a giant of a man whose
life proclaimed loudly the values of his Catholic faith. Tom’s early upbringing must have been rock
solid, a credit to his parents. He entered Xavier in 1935 and simply excelled. In his senior year he
was the colonel of the regiment, member of the debate team, captain and quarterback of the varsity
football team, captain and starting guard on the varsity basketball team, and in four years, no doubt
had collected a number of First Honors cards. He went on to Fordham University, then entered the
military service and after discharge began work in the mailroom of W.R. Grace and Company. Forty
one years later he retired as a Senior Vice-President. In November 2003, he was warmly welcomed
into Xavier’s Hall of Fame. He and Ellen, his wife of 58 years, raised nine children, two daughters
and seven sons, six of whom graduated from Xavier. In the space of a week or so in July, Ellen had a
stroke, Tom peacefully died after a long illness, and Ellen had a second, more severe stroke. She died
the day before Tom’s scheduled funeral, so it became a double funeral, their caskets side by side in
the sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception Church on 14th Street, near to their home in Stuyvesant
Town. A Knight of Malta and a Knight of St. Gregory, Tom had also been a friend and benefactor to
the Jesuits, the Trappists, and to other religious orders, a Board member to several colleges, and with
Ellen, a great supporter of the Greenwood Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the sanctity of life.
A picture is worth a thousand words. There is such a picture of Tom Doyle in the Xavier archives, and
among the nearly two thousand stored there, it’s one of my favorites. The original photo appeared
in a local New York newspaper. It shows young Tom Doyle stretched out horizontally, feet off the
floor, diving mid-air reaching for the basketball. Yes, it was only a game, but the camera prophetically
caught a life. Active, determined, dedicated, self-sacrificing, striving, reaching to succeed—all true
descriptions of him throughout his life, captured at a high school basketball game in a single click of
the camera.
How precious and inspiring, the rich individual life of Thomas M. Doyle! Reflecting upon it brings
restored peace to summer.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
God bless you always,
Rev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59
President
T
he Five Year reunion drew close to 40 participants, many who had not seen
each other since graduation day… The Parents’ Association held another
successful event this year, with their Gala Fundraiser, themed “Knights on
Broadway.” The gym was decorated with movie marquees that were made by
dedicated parents who helped prepare for the event…The HAP program brought
Xavier graduates together with younger students who might make their way to
the school in the future. Tutors and teachers spent five weeks working with the
students and organizing activities in preparation for
a HAP competition late in the summer with the HAP
program at St. Peter’s Prep…Xavier’s Golf Outing
brought dozens of alumni to the Westchester
Fr. Gatti and Keviin Cuddlhy at the Golf Outing
Hills Golf Club for a fun day of golf…Spirit Day
gave students and faculty members a chance to bond with one another during exciting events
that took place on 16th Street and in various parts of the school….After a $1,000,000 campaign
donation made by John Meditz ’66, Xavier’s Library/Learning Center was renamed, giving the
beautiful facility a fresh new image for the upcoming school year… The Companions of St. Francis
Xavier donated their time and energy toward making several service trips throughout the summer,
including a trip in August that brought students and faculty volunteers to Tijuana, Mexico.
Spirit Day
HAP Students Pass
Summer at Xavier
Students spent their afternoons
practicing different intramural sports
including basketball, volleyball, soccer,
and dodgeball.
This summer, Xavier continued to host
the Higher Achievement Program, a
tradition here that is over 33 years old.
Students going into the 8th grade from
a number of schools around New York
were tutored each morning by staff
members and tutors in three subjects
– mathematics, reading, and English.
Every summer the teams compete against
HAP students from St. Peter’s Prep, in
Jersey City, playing in a competition day
held at each school. Throughout the
five-week program they also went on a
number of trips, going to the New York
Aquarium, the Intrepid Sea, Air and
Space Museum, and the Bronx Zoo.
Students are instructed in preparation
for the TACHS test, a test they will take in
November of their 8th grade school year,
qualifying them for admission into high
schools within the Archdiocese.
“Even though it’s a five week program
it’s good to see the kids mature
and grow not only academically or
athletically, but also as a total person,”
said Martin Kurzatkowski ’02, who
has been a HAP teacher for the past
five years.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
John Rowland ’00 saw similar growth in
his students throughout the past summer,
leading up to HAP graduation on July 28th.
“I loved my Xavier experience and I
wanted to have the chance to show the
kids why it’s so great,” Rowland said.
“I think they get exposure and learn
how to interact with people that they
haven’t known their whole lives for the
first time – people from different parts
of the city and from different cultures.
They’re shown the real world in ways
they haven’t seen before.”
Five Year Reunion
On the evening of April 26, the Class of
2000 gathered together for their fiveyear reunion, held at M.J. Armstrong’s. The evening provided the perfect
atmosphere to reminisce and share
what we have been doing since the last
time we saw each other. Some friends
were well on their way up their career
ladders, or eager to begin new jobs,
while others were continuing their
education. All were enthusiastic to be
around their classmates again.
The reunion was also a great
opportunity to hear about the latest
goings-on at our favorite alma mater. While there are new faces at Xavier,
the spirit is the same. Many classmates
were happy to hear about the latest
renovations to improve the facility
on 16th Street. Upgrades in computer
technology, improvements to the
building’s façades, and other important
changes offered new insight into
what’s invloved in running a top-notch
academic institution. The Five Year reunion for the Class of
2000 was a huge success. The turnout
was great; people were laughing, sharing
stories, and having a wonderful time—a
visible sign of what all alumni seem to
remember about Xavier High School.
-Thomas Wierzbowski ’00
Parents’ Association
Gala Fundraiser
“Knights on Broadway” was the theme
for this year’s Parents’ Association
annual Gala Fundraiser.
Lori Trezza P’07, Nancy Misseri P’07, ‘08, and Indria
Hamilton P’08, pictured under one of the marquees
made for the Gala, help distribute baskets that were
raffled off.
On May 6, over 600 parents and guests
filled Xavier’s gymnasium and Larkin Hall
– rooms that had been decorated with
Broadway marquees, taxi-cab yellow
tablecloths, checkerboard signs, and
colored balloons that resembled traffic
lights – all set up by parent volunteers
who generously donated their time.
Sal Favia P ’04, ’06, a banker by trade,
built six wooden marquees which
stood in the gym. His wife, Rosemary,
worked with other talented members
of the Parents’ Association, including
Connie Pattison P ’99, ’02, to design the
marquees before production.
At the event, guests had the chance to
win a number of great prizes, including
two weekend hotel packages, a wide
variety of house wares, electronics,
dinner prizes, and even a college dorm
starter kit.
“It was a successful event,” said Parents’
Association coordinator, Helene Strong.
“Everybody had a really enjoyable time and
we raised a significant amount of money
for Xavier.”
Spirit Day
Group shot of the Class of 2000’s Five Year reunion.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
Xavier’s Spirit Day celebration took
place May 13, as 16th Street was closed
to traffic to provide games and other
activities that entertained students from
all four years, as well as members of the
faculty and administration.
The ever popular dunk tank event once
again offered students the opportunity
to dunk some of their favorite teachers
and administrators. Starting in
February, by selling raffle tickets for a
2005 Subaru Forester, students raised
$63,000. The winner of the raffle had
the option to choose between the car
or a prize of $15,000.
But aside from the fundraising aspect
of Spirit Day, most students view the
event as a chance to interact with peers,
teachers and administration outside
of the classroom. The annual facultystudent basketball game took place
in the gym before the street activities
began, and led to a victory for the faculty.
Other events of the day included a
gladiator joust competition, an obstacle
course, a bungee run competition, a
water balloon toss, a pie
eating contest, volleyball,
and a tug-of-war.
Finally, volunteers from
the Xavier Parents’
Association hosted a
barbecue for students in
the quadrangle before
students were released
early for the day.
Students on Spirit Day
“The Spirit Day raffle gives students
an opportunity to do their part for the
annual fund as Xavier’s alumni, parents
and friends do every year,” said Debra
Ryan, Director of Annual giving. Ryan
said the funds go toward the annual
“Bridge the Gap” fund, and they also
help strengthen Xavier’s endowment
while increasing both scholarship and
financial aid resources.
The lucky winner of the
raffle was Patricia Brady P ’07, who
chose the cash prize.
Reunion Gala
The last weekend in April, alumni
from graduating classes ending in
5 and 0 returned to Xavier for their
Reunion Gala. A total of more than
450 guests, some traveling from as far
away as Canada, England and Paraguay,
Christopher Arvani ‘55, with Joseph Robinson ‘55 at
the Reunion Gala
returned to their alma mater for a
weekend filled with festivities.
Due to active participation by many
reunion classes, six Friday evening
receptions were held this year. While
the 5th and 50th Reunion Friday
receptions are planned and managed
by Xavier and class reunion committees,
the other receptions were planned by
members of the classes themselves. The
Class of 2000 met at M.J. Armstrong’s;
the 1980 class celebrated at Quigley’s;
the Class of 1975 caught up at Tracks’
Bar & Grill; Aleo’s Restaurant hosted the
Class of 1965 while Moran’s Restaurant
welcomed the Class of 1960.
Companions of
St. Francis Xavier
The Companions of St. Francis Xavier traveled
to Tennessee earlier in the summer for
a service trip with several Xavier faculty
members. Pictured here are the volunteers
from the trip, posing for a group shot
between work time. The students helped put
up walls for a house being built, and worked
with local residents to learn about and to
benefit the community. Several trips took
place this summer, including a trip in August,
to Tijuana, Mexico.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
with a check for their reunion gift in the
amount of $40,000. Dinner and dessert
were served and classmates and guests
spent the remainder of the evening
remembering the “best four years of
their lives.” The evening concluded
with Fr. Gatti and former Dean of
Students, Frank Gregory, leading the
assembled in a rousing edition of “Sons
of Xavier”.
Fr. Gatti, with Xavier alumni, Thomas Carroll ‘55 and
Christopher Kloss ‘55
The Golden Jubilee Class of 1955,
gathered at the Union League Club on
Park Avenue and 37th Street. A cocktail
reception began at 7:00 p.m. followed
by a Filet Mignon Dinner at 8:00 p.m.
After dinner members of the class were
able to reminisce with the group at an
open microphone. These recollected
memories were sometimes humorous,
sometime poignant and in every case
examples of their life long attachment
to Xavier.
On Saturday, the Gala celebration began
with a Mass in the Church of St. Francis
Xavier, honoring the deceased members
of the reunion classes. Following Mass,
school tours were provided by current
Student Council members and cadets.
This year, the X-Squad, which typically
performs in the Quad, was unfortunately
not available. As a substitute, video of
past X-Squad performances was played
along the tour route, in one of Xavier’s
Smart Classrooms.
After alumni and guests had
reacquainted themselves with the
school itself, they had the opportunity
to meet up with former classmates at
class cocktail receptions. The receptions,
held in the Commons, Larkin Hall, Jesuit
and Student Libraries and Faculty &
Staff Lounge provided alumni with the
chance to reconnect with old friends in
an informal setting. The class receptions
were followed by a Gala Dinner for
all attendees in the gym where the
individual members of the class of 1955
were introduced and presented with
gifts of school ties and class pins. The
class of 1955 then presented Fr. Gatti
Alumnews - Summer 2005
21st Annual Golf Outing
hole-in-one. Unfortunately, the 200-yard
par 3 hole was so difficult that the car
was unclaimed at the end of the day.
At 5:30 p.m., golf completed, the
evening festivities began with cocktails
and hors d’oeuvres in the club house,
where golfers had one last chance to
buy a 50/50 raffle ticket and enter in
other drawings for various prizes. This
was followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.,
which included a carving station and a
pasta area, along with a full line buffet.
Awards for the day were announced
Xavier’s 21st Annual Golf Outing took
after the meal. The winner for the 50/50
place June 13 at the Westchester Hills
drawing was Michael McGoldrick ’85, who
Golf Club, in White Plains, NY. Over 80
purchased his ticket on the Xavier website.
golfers were on hand for the event and
were greeted at registration by the
Advancement
staff. After
registering,
they received a
“goody bag” that
included, among
Each winner from the annual golf outing was presented with an award and posed
other products,
for a picture with Fr. Gatti. Pictured here are Xavier alumni and friends, Mike
a cap, Xavier Golf
Abatemarco, Tom Deehan, Jay Sessa P’06, Ray Boller, Steve Ferngren, Jr.., ...
Outing golf shirt
and a sleeve of
Xavier logo golf
balls. They then
were treated to a
full brunch while
catching up with
old friends.
Dennis Sullivan, Sergio Alcivar, Papa Travaglione, Jay Sessa, and Don Karisen.
The shotgun start took place at 12:15
p.m., and participants made their way
around the course. There was a high
level of anticipation on the fifth hole
as each golfer had their opportunity to
win a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, donated by
Giuffre Hyundai of Yonkers, by making a
Ray Boller and his foursome at the Annual Golf Outing
Skill prize winners were as follows:
1st Low Net – Papa Travaglione
2nd Low Net – Joseph Travaglione P ’99
3rd Low Net – William Guarinello
1st Low Gross – Jay Sessa P ’06
2nd Low Gross – Dennis Sullivan
3rd Low Gross – Steve Ferngren, Jr.
1st Calloway – Howard Feuer
2nd Calloway – Raymond Boller ’68
Closest to the Pin (#3) – Don Karlsen
Clostst to the Pin (#12) Rich DiNapoli
Closest to the Pin (#14) Tom Deehan
Closest to the Pin (#16) Jay Sessa P ’06
Closest to the Line – Mike Abatemarco
Longest Drive (Reg.) #4 – Doug
Travaglione ’99
Longest Drive (Sr.) #1 – Sergio Alcivar ’65
Most Honest Golfer Award – Joe Annunziata
Meditz Family Library/
Learning Center
On the evening of June 15, 2005,
the Xavier High School library and
technology lab was rededicated and
renamed the The Meditz Family Library/
Learning Center at a reception and
dinner for major donors to the recently
concluded capital campaign, Stand So All
the World Can See. The campaign raised
just under $15,000,000 in pledges and
cash gifts during a 26 month time frame.
Donors and guests who had made
campaign commitments of $50,000
or more gathered at 6:00 p.m. for
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the
newly renamed library/learning center
to celebrate the most successful Xavier
campaign to date and to honor John
Meditz ’66 and his family not only for
the seven figure leadership gift that he
made to this campaign, but for the many
years he and his family before him have
financially supported the mission of
Xavier. Fr. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J., the President
of Xavier, thanked John for his significant
leadership gift and spoke of the many
positive changes at Xavier that would
be possible because of the generosity of
those present as well as the many others
not at the event who contributed to the
success of the campaign.
At 7:15 p.m., the attendees moved to
the second floor of the Lynch building
where Fr. Gatti dedicated the new Wall
of Fame which lists all the contributors
to Stand So All the World Can See and is
located across from the entrance to the
student chapel. The group then made its
way to the Jesuit Library where dinner
was served.
After dinner, Fr. Gatti, with the help of Joe
Gorski, VP for Advancement and Alumni
Relations, presented two Co-Chairmen
of the campaign, John Meditz ’66 and
Gene Rainis ’58 with special plaques to
thank them for their leadership efforts.
These wall plaques included a “little
piece of Xavier” , wooden decorative
elements from the school which had
been refinished by Fr. Gatti, and then
mounted on these recognition awards.
The other two campaign Co-Chairmen,
Dan Denihan ’65 and Fred Salerno ’61,
were unable to attend and received their
awards at a later date.
Fr. Gatti then presented members of the
steering committee in attendance with
recognition awards in the form of a plaque
representing their Xavier Varsity Letter in
Fund Raising. The evening concluded with
remarks from Gene Ranis and John Meditz,
followed by dessert and coffee.
Looking Deeper Into Television Comedy
Michael Tueth S.J.,
currently residing in the
Jesuit residence at Xavier,
recently published his
first full-length book,
Laughter in the Living
Room: Television Comedy
and the American Home
Audience (Peter Lang
Publishing, Inc.). Tueth’s
book falls under the
genre of media studies,
as he examines television
comedies throughout the
20th Century and the new
millennium.
Tueth studies popular
shows like The Cosby Show,
The Mary Tyler Moore Show,
and I Love Lucy, looking at the value that American culture
placed on each show. The controversial television show, Amos
‘n’ Andy, for instance, debuted in June 1951, and several distinct
public opinions quickly developed.
A faction of viewers saw the show strictly as a comedy, but
racial implications of the comedy offended other viewers.
“Some saw the show as stereotypical and harmful for the
image of black people after W.W. II when they were trying to
prove that they could be good, middle-class American citizens,”
Tueth said in an interview.
When the show was taken off the air after two years, it was
viewed as a victory for those who fought for its removal, but
there were few, if any, instances of black men and women seen
on television again until 1968.
Tueth, who teaches a course called “Television Comedy and
American Values” at Fordham University, said he was inspired
to write the book when he saw a lack of adequate texts
available on the subject.
He hopes his book will be useful not only as a companion text
for the course he teaches, but also for college students and
professors at other universities.
“I noticed that what distinguishes television comedy from
film comedy, stage comedy or other forms of comedy is that it
comes into the home. Once I noticed that, I was amazed to see
how every genre of television comedy somehow deals with the
home or the family,” he said.“The home is a very special place for
Americans—I believe, even more so than in other cultures.”
Tueth’s book is available online at amazon.com.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
From the
A d v a n c e m e n t O ff i c e
Joe Gorski
Vice President for Advancement
S
pringtime at Xavier is a very hectic
period. From the end of Easter
break to graduation, the pace in both
the school and in the Advancement
office is at break-neck speed. This
past spring, the Spirit Day Raffle took
place during the month of March,
followed by preparation for the
2005 gala reunion which was held
the weekend of April 29th and 30th.
Numerous other events followed in
rapid succession – the Parents’ Gala
Fundraiser on May 6th, Spirit Day on
May 13th, Volunteer Dinner on May
25th, Baccalaureate Mass and Dinner
on June 4th, the Senior Breakfast on
June 7th, Graduation at St. Patrick’s on
June 9th, the Golf Outing on June 13th
and an additional event this year, a
reception and dinner to thank major
donors to the recently concluded
capital Campaign, Stand So All the
World Can See on June 15th. Planning
and execution of these events were
also impacted by the departure of
two members of the Advancement
team during the spring season.
Bill Reidy ’94, the Director of Major
Gifts and Planned Giving left Xavier
High School at the end of March
and Caroline Gallagher, the Director
of Alumni Relations and Public
Information, departed in mid-May.
Although we were sad to see each of
them move on, we feel fortunate that
we had them with us for the period of
time that we did.
Bill joined the Advancement Office at
the beginning of March 2002 (after
three years as Director of Admissions
and a brief foray into the for profit
world) to help us prepare for and run
Xavier’s capital campaign as well as
Alumnews - Summer 2005
institutionalize our newly developed
planned giving program. Bill not
only was successful in these duties,
but also managed to initiate and
keep our on-line community up
and running as well as working with
various alumni to develop events for
segmented groups such as football
and track and field alumni. We will
miss Bill, but we are pleased that he
not only has stayed in the non-profit
field, but has also stayed within the
Jesuit family when he was promoted
to Director of Development for the
New York Province.
Caroline also joined us in 2002. She
quickly proved herself more than
adept at successfully organizing and
running the more than 20 events
the Advancement office holds
each year. During the course of her
three years at Xavier each event
increased in attendance and her
efforts along with the rest of the
team guaranteed a wonderful time
for all the attendees. Her efforts as
managing editor of the Alumnews
led to improved content, a more
sophisticated design and an awardwinning magazine that alumni,
parents and friends look forward to
receiving three times a year. Caroline
has taken a position with our
campaign consultants, Changing Our
World, to broaden her experience in
the non-profit world. We thank both
Bill and Caroline for the wonderful
work that they did for Xavier and
we wish them great success as they
move onward.
Change can be challenging, but
it must be embraced because it
is always with us. It brings with it
some anxiety, but also, if properly
managed, new ideas and great
enthusiasm. Our two new additions
to the Advancement team have an
abundance of both. Loual Puliafito,
our new Advancement Officer and
Mike Benigno, our newly hired
Director of Alumni Relations and
Public Information are both graduates
of the Xavier class of 2000 and they
bring with them, among other talents,
a knowledge and love of their alma
mater. Loual, a graduate of Fordham
University in 2004, joined us in May
as a replacement for Bill Reidy. He
will focus on continuing to build
the planned giving program and on
making the on-line community more
interactive and responsive to the
needs of our growing alumni base. He
will also be working with young alumni
and segmented alumni (basketball,
football, track & field, theater et al.)
to develop ways to increase their
participation in the life of Xavier.
Mike, a 2004 graduate of St. Joseph’s
University in Philadelphia joined us in
July. He spent the last year working
as a writer for two weekly newspapers
in the Philadelphia area. He will be
responsible for the continued growth
of the Alumnews and the planning and
running of our annual slate of events.
I am delighted to have both these
young men aboard. As I look forward
to working with them for the next
several years to bring the best of
Xavier to each of our constituencies,
I know that they likewise are looking
forward to meeting and working with
you. I know they will be dedicated
and innovative professionals working
intently to make Xavier a sought-after
second home for all of you.
Graduates Walk theWalk
Isle at St. Patrick’s
Graduates
the Isle
X
avier students spend four years coming together on different
levels – in classrooms, on one of our many competitive sports
teams, in academic clubs, theater groups, and through service
opportunities like Senior Service and Big Brothers.
At the graduation ceremony held June 9 at the Cathedral of St.
Patrick, Xavier’s seniors came together as a class for the last time
to celebrate the culmination of four years of their achievements.
Donning tuxedos and dress blue uniforms for the event, students
united their families with the Xavier family they came to know
during their time at school.
This year’s graduating class was 214 strong, filling the entire front
section of the Cathedral. As the procession filed in through the
massive main doors of the building, parents snapped pictures and
videotaped their sons, making no attempt to hide their pride.
The ceremony was highlighted by speeches from valedictorian
William Moccia ’05, salutatorian Peter Stefanik ’05, and by
commencement speaker Rev. James N. Loughran, S.J., president
of St. Peter’s College, in Jersey City.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
During the
ceremony, awards were
given to graduates and
faculty members who earned special distinction
during the 2004-2005 school year. Moccia was presented with
six departmental awards, for Religion, Science, English, History,
Mathematics, and Italian, and also received the gold medal for
having the highest four-year cumulative average, at 99.02. In
addition, Moccia and two other students, twin brothers Chris A.
Riso ’05, and James L. Riso ’05, were National Merit Scholarship
finalists. Moccia was one of only 2500 students nationwide to
be awarded the scholarship.
Two faculty members, Mr. John Burpoe and Mr. Lawrence
Lebow, were awarded Bene Merenti awards for 20 years of
service to Xavier.
As a whole, members of the Class of 2005 proved themselves
throughout the past year, following what is usually a hectic
time period filled with college applications and scholarship
forms – not to mention saying goodbye to longstanding
friends while planning to move on.
Their accomplishments stand on their own. $3,263,190.00
in scholarships was awarded to the class by colleges and
universities across the country this year. And on a scale of
1600, the average SAT combined math and verbal score
was 1171, topping last years average score by11 points and
making the highest average score in 32 years. There were six
individual exams taken by Xavier students that were scored a
perfect 800.
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Alumnews - Summer 2005
“Our students rise to the occasion in tuxedos and in such
an impressive setting they understand that graduation isn’t
just an important event for them, but also for their parents
and grandparents as well,” said Dr. Joseph Gerics, Xavier’s
headmaster. “This has been an exemplary senior class. Their
work at Christian Service placements was uniformly highly
praised by their supervisors and I’m most impressed with the
percentage who participated in the optional Kairos retreat.
Academically, they excelled and will be attending some of the
finest colleges and universities in the country.”
During the weeks leading up to graduation, the seniors
gathered at a number of different events, beginning with the
Senior Prom on May 27, held this year at the New York Athletic
Club, on 59th Street.
Seniors and their dates pulled up to the building in limousines and
enjoyed dinner and a night of dancing. Prom pictures were taken at
the event to give seniors a memento of this special occasion.
On Saturday, June 4, the Baccalaureate Mass and Dinner took
place at Xavier. The Mass was a memorable ceremony followed
by the dinner, which was hosted by the Xavier administration,
the Advancement Office, and the Parents’ Association. Seniors
celebrated the transition they were about to make from
students to alumni and their many accomplishments of the
last year were also given recognition.
Finally, one of the newer additions for the senior lineup of
events was the Senior Breakfast, which took place on June
7 and was followed by a graduation rehearsal. Seniors were
treated to a full breakfast hosted by the Advancement Office,
and the event also provided an opportunity to gather one last
time before convening at St. Patrick’s for the actual graduation
ceremony which followed that week. Chris Stevens ’83, Xavier
football coach, spoke at the event, explaining to the seniors
why he came back to Xavier and why graduates should give
back to the school in the future.
- Michael Benigno ‘00
Congratulations to the Class of 2005!
The following is a partial listing of the colleges and universities to which the members of the Class of 2005
have been accepted.
American
Art Institute of Boston
Bard
Belmont Abbey
Bennington
Bob Jones
Boston College
Boston University
Bucknell
California State Maritime
California University of PA
Canisius
Carnegie Mellon
Case Western Reserve
Catholic University of America
Citadel
Clark
Clarkson
Colgate
College of Mt. St. Vincent
College of New Jersey
College of the Holy Cross
Columbia
Cooper Union
Cornell
Creighton
CUNY Honors College
Baruch
Brooklyn
City College
Queens
Dartmouth
Dominican
Dowling
Drew
Drexel
Eckerd
Fairfield
Fordham
Franklin & Marshall
George Washington
Alumnews - Summer 2005
11
Georgetown
Gettysburg
Hamilton
Hampshire
Hampton
Hobart & William Smith
Hofstra
Howard
Immaculata
Indiana
Iona
Ithaca
James Madison
John Carroll
Knox
Lafayette
La Salle
Le Moyne
Lehigh
Loyola – Chicago
Loyola – Maryland
Loyola – New Orleans
Loyola Marymount
Manhattan
Marist
Marquette
Michigan State
Molloy
Morehouse
Mount St. Mary
N.Y. Institute of Technology
New York University
Northeastern
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oregon State
Pace
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Alumnews - Summer 2005
Penn State
Pepperdine
Polytechnic
Portland State
Pratt Institute
Providence
Quinnipiac
Regis
Rensellear Polytech
Rhode Island School of Design
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rockport
Rutgers
Sacred Heart
Sarah Lawrence
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
School of Visual Arts
Seton Hall
Siena
Skidmore
Southern Methodist
St. Francis
St. John’s
St. Joseph’s College
St. Joseph’s University
St. Leo
St. Louis
St. Olaf
St. Peter’s
Stevens Institute of Technology
SUNY
Albany
Binghamton
Buffalo
F.I.T.
Geneseo
Maritime
Stony Brook Honors
Syracuse
Temple
Trinity
Tufts
U. of California
U. of Chicago
U. of Colorado
U. of Dayton
U. of Delaware
U. of Hartford
U. of Massachusetts
U. of Miami
U. of North Carolina
U. of Oregon
U. of Pennsylvania
U. of Rochester
U. of San Francisco
U. of Scranton
U. of South Carolina
U. of South Florida
U. of Southern California
U. of Vermont
Ursinus
U. S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Utica
Vassar
Villanova
Wagner
Wells
West Virginia
Wheaton
Wheeling Jesuit
Widener
Worcester Polytech
Xavier
A Letter from the Headmaster
Greetings from 16th Street!
Dear Alumni, Parents, Friends, and Students,
June is a month of joy and fulfillment at Xavier High School. Students welcome
summer vacation at the end of a grueling final examination schedule. Seniors
look back on their achievements in our classrooms, on our courts and playing
fields, in the community, and in clubs and activities.
The Class of 2005 will attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the
country. Since Fr. McGowan’s time as college counselor and earlier, Xavier has
enjoyed a strong relationship with Jesuit higher education, and 32% of this year’s
graduates will go on to Jesuit schools, including 24 at Fordham, 10 at Scranton, 5
each at LeMoyne and Loyola MD, 4 at Georgetown and 3 at Holy Cross.
On stage, senior actors took the leads in two challenging and well-received
dramatic productions, The Matchmaker and The H.M.S. Pinafore. Musicians leading
the Blue Night Band impressed audiences in the school, elsewhere in New York,
and on tour in the Dominican Republic.
The JROTC senior leadership continued the Regiment’s tradition of excellence,
once again earning Gold Star status in its triennial Army inspection. The
“MechaKnights,” seniors in a new Robotics course, completed in BotBall for
the first time, winning the New York- New Jersey regional championship and
finishing fifth in a national competition held in Orlando.
Athletes maintained Xavier’s winning tradition, with division championships
in swimming, hockey, and bowling, a City Championship in tennis, a Jesuit
Championship in track, and the Eastern States Championship for the sixth
consecutive year in rugby.
Reflecting on these accomplishments, on June 9th, parents and faculty beamed
with pride as 214 tuxedo-clad graduates received diplomas from Fr. Gatti in St.
Patrick’s Cathedral. As proud as we are of them, we realize newspaper clippings
will fade, scores will be forgotten, and trophies will gather dust. Yet the spirit of
the Class of 2005 will remain alive in our hearts. We will remember their secondsemester Mondays spent at community service agencies in the Christian Service
Program, their hearty voices singing “Sons of Xavier” as they returned to the
Student Chapel from Kairos retreats, and their work as Companions of St. Francis
Xavier building housing for the poor in Tennessee and Mexico.
Since 1847, Xavier High School has weathered many changes – even its first
lay headmaster! Still, the traditions of academic excellence and service to our
Church, our community and our country, which they loyal Sons of Xavier have
established over generations, lives on at their alma mater.
Sincerely,
Joseph Gerics, Ed.D.
Headmaster
Alumnews - Summer 2005
13
ReuKNIGHTed is a section of Alumnews that runs in each issue, telling the stories of Xavier
graduates that found themselves crossing paths with other graduates from their class, members
of other years, or, in this issue’s case, former members of Xavier administration.
The ReuKNIGHTed section has run in many previous issues of the Alumnews, but is only successful
with ample reader response. Contact Mike Benigno with your ReuKNIGHTed story either by email
at benignom@xavierhs.org, or by phone at 212-924-7900, x. 1435.
Double Reunion
This issue’s first ReuKNIGHTEDed
story is actually a double
reunion that first started in
Albuquerque, New Mexico,
where Xavier graduate Richard
Diaz, Class of 1983, teaches at
the San Felipe de Neri School.
Diaz had a run-in with a true
Xavier All-Star one morning
several years ago when he took
his class to a Mass during the
school day.
Frank Gregory, former Dean of Students
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Alumnews - Summer 2005
Richard Diaz ’83
“I had the biggest class, so we sit near the back of the church,” Diaz said. “I looked over to my left and saw
someone that looked like Mr. Gregory, the former Dean of Students at Xavier.” When classes were dismissed and
his students were greeting the pastor, Diaz approached the familiar looking church guest, who was wearing a
Xavier cap.
Sure enough, it was Mr. Gregory, who happened to be visiting a family member in New Mexico. They chatted and
caught up for a few minutes before leaving, but a few days later the church pastor approached Diaz with a gift Mr.
Gregory had passed along – his cap.
Diaz kept the cap as a souvenir of his chance encounter and wasn’t expecting to have the opportunity to meet
Mr. Gregory again, until this July. While on a family vacation in New York, Diaz wanted to show his wife and two
children the school he attended before moving to the Southwest.
During a tour on an afternoon when the school is mostly empty with the exception of staff and students from the
Higher Achievement Program and several administrators, Diaz and Mr. Gregory met again.
“During the tour, the person giving the tour knocked on the door and Mr. Gregory was there,” Diaz said.
Mr. Gregory recalled their encounter in the church a few years back and the two reminisced about old times at
Xavier.
“It was great to be back, and it was just great to see the school.”
Xtra Tough
On July 2 at the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the
Jersey Shore’s Annual Outing held at Monmouth Park
Race Track, John Murray, DMD ’67 and his wife ran into
an old friend of John’s, who introduced him to Xavier
grads, Kevin McLaughlin ’74 and Rich Scheller ’74.
John and the two other grads took the picture seen
at the right after winning on a horse named, ironically,
Xtra Tough.
More recently, John’s neighbor, a St. Peter’s Prep
alum told him he had met a Xavier graduate at the
Norwood Inn, in Avon, NJ. The graduate turned out
to be Rich Scheller ‘74. “It really is a small world,” John
wrote to the Alumnews.
Rich Scheller ‘74, John Murray ‘67, and Kevin McLaughlin ‘74.
John is the current treasurer of the Friendly Sons, and
among their past presidents are Dan Healy, Esq. ‘57, Dr.
Bill O’Grady ‘61, and the late Frank Moore, Esq. ‘51. Also
in the general membership is Joe Garvey, Esq. ‘67.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
15
Green tarp shrouded the buildings for several months
during the construction.
Ensuring the Future, While Preserving Xavier’s History
Detailed restoration work on 15th Street will make for cleaner, safer buildings.
Major repairs and renovations were made to the 15th
Street side of Xavier over the summer, causing the
outside walls of the C building, D building, and Lynch
building to be shrouded in green tarp for several
months.
The work began on June 13, and scaffolding went up.
Since then, up to 17 workers at a time have been at the
site – four stories high above the ground.
While the exterior of the two buildings might seem
simple at first glance, their facades are actually
decorated with brick, stone, and ornate terra cotta. They
are also two of the oldest buildings still standing on
15th Street. The C building dates back to 1924, and the D
building was built in 1894.
The extent of the damage and wear-and-tear over
time was not evident until workers and construction
consultants were able to utilize the scaffilding and
16
Alumnews - Summer 2005
inspect the façades up close from angles not possible
from the ground looking up.
Special attention is being given to the repair and
stabilization of the terra cotta elements on the C and
D buildings, and nearly the entire area of face brick is
undergoing a careful cutting and pointing procedure,
where mortar between bricks is being removed and
replaced. In addition, a new copper cornice is being put
atop the D building, replacing the original, which has
been missing since the early 1990s.
The work is being done by a contracting firm, P.C.F.
State Restoration, Inc., which has extensive experience
working on a schools and church buildings in Brooklyn
and Manhattan, including the Cathedral of St. Patrick.
The finished product will be a row of buildings that
are both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing,
reflecting Xavier’s tradition while ensuring a safe future.
Before the D building was erected, an original L-shaped
1850 building stood on 15th Street - the first Xavier
school building. A small church was built on 16th Street
the following year, and the two were connected with a
corridor for access from the school grounds.
Xavier, at the time, was just beginning its development
into the much larger school it is today. Fr. Gatti recalls
learning that Xavier students and faculty once reported
being able to see farmlands and pastures out of one of
the doorways in the school – a sight that has long since
been replaced by taxi cabs and tall buildings.
Over a period of years, additional buildings were
constructed and the L-shaped building was taken down,
and replaced with today’s C building.
One of the newly restored terra cotta elements.
Interesting to note, however, is that the quadrangle has
always been an area used for play. The steps leading
up to the current quadrangle once ran downward to
a recreation area. Early records indicate that Xavier
students and faculty once commented that the 1862
construction of what is now the Lynch building would
impede on open field space.
Pedestrians traveling on 15th Street had to walk
under protective scaffolding for several months as a
precaution, while most faculty and students were out of
the building for the summer.
Also throughout the summer, work is being done
to rehabilitate the East-side alley along the Lynch
Building, an alley that acts as an air shaft for surrounding
classrooms and is also used during fire drill exercises.
Several parts of the 15th Street wall were
badly vandalized over time. This section
was covered with graffiti.
“It’s not the kind of project that physically affects
the classroom,” Fr. Gatti said. “But it assures that the
classroom will be there.”
- Michael Benigno ‘00
Alumnews - Summer 2005
17
Class Notes
Compiled by Martin J. Kurzatkowski ’02
1937
The late John Manning wrote and
published As I Remember It—The War
Years 1940-1945, which contains photos
and provides his insight into the
events he encountered during the war.
Copies of the book are available in the
Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.
and the Library of Congress.
1940
Fr. Robert Rice, S.J. celebrated his
Golden Jubilee Mass on March 15,
2003. Fr. Rice has since returned to the
Philippines to continue his mission and
service.
1942
Tom Drennen is selling real estate in
the Mission Viejo area of California.
John Maloney celebrated his 81st
birthday in February. John has
written, directed and acted in 2 local
stage productions while serving as a
permanent deacon for 32 years.
1944
Fr. Joseph Novak, S.J. returned to
Fordham to serve as Alumni Chaplain
after six years as rector of St. Peter’s
College Community.
1945
Frank Geoghegan moved to Myrtle
Beach, S.C. in February 2005 and would
like any alumni from Myrtle Beach to
contact him.
1946
Jim O’Connor retired as Field Sales
Manager in June 2004 from D.P. Murphy
Co., Printers and Stationers for the
Catholic Church.
1947
Robert Stolarik became a grandfather
for the thirteenth time.
1948
Paul Connelly was at the Florida Xavier
reception in March that was hosted by
18
Alumnews - Summer 2005
John Balaguer ’53 and ran into Bill
O’Brien ’48 and Charles Walsh ’49.
Dan Fitzgerald published his first novel,
Paul Dolan Kilcoyle. Ray Strakosch
introduces a new self-lighting house
numbering system that can be seen
at www.daynightsolar.net. Vincent
Vella just completed his collection of
North American Big-Game Animals that
includes deer, antelope, caribou and a
few exotic animals.
having dinner together at the Culinary
Institute (the former Jesuit novitiate of
St. Andrews-on-Hudson).
1953
Gaspar Cipolla is planning this year’s
annual get-together for September on
Cape Cod.
Thomas Carver was appointed
Commissioner of Labor and Workforce
Development by Governor Richard
Codey. Mark Delaney recently
received the President’s Award from
the Association of Former Intelligence
Officers in a ceremony in Las Vegas.
The award recognized Mark’s voluntary
outreach program which has provided
advice and guidance to thousands of
Las Vegas teenagers.
1950
1954
Joseph Brostek was recently honored
by Newsday as an “Everyday Hero.”
Joseph is now the director of alumni
affairs and special events at Queens
College and devotes his free time to
community service in Queens. Hank
Lavery is recovering well from open
heart quadruple by-pass surgery and
is looking forward to a 16-day tour and
cruise to Alaska. Pat and Raymond
McQuade celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary on September 25, 2004.
Andrew Lawler was awarded the
Norman S. Ostrow Award by the New
York Council of Defense Lawyers in
recognition of his defense of liberty and
the preservation of individual rights.
1949
1951
John Girvin has survived four
hurricanes with minimal damage while
living in Rotonda West, FL. John Maher
recently retired from graduate level
teaching at Westchester University
after nearly 20 years, but still remains
active as County Health Director for the
Chester County Health Department.
James Shields and his wife, Fran,
celebrated their Golden Anniversary in
February 2005 at their home in Ponte
Vedra Beach, FL with a family reunion,
which includes six children and sixteen
grandchildren.
1955
Bill Daly spent 28 years in the U.S.
Army with the 82nd Airborne Division
jumping out of transports. Bill has
retired as Colonel and has been working
with NGIT/TASC. Paul Spera and his
wife, Peggy, will celebrate 45 years of
marriage in September 2005.
1956
Kevin Donohue is living in Fairfield,
CT with his wife, Mary Ann, and was
recently blessed with the birth of his
11th grandchild.
1957
Tom Scheil continues to follow the
running regime started by the Xavier
Track team in 1953. Tom now runs 5060 miles per month and occasionally
competes in 10K’s and Masters 200 &
400 yards.
1952
1958
Sil Resciniti is still practicing law
in Brooklyn and living in midtown
Manhattan. At a recent surprise 70th
birthday party, Joe Wolfe was surprised
by one of his best friends at Xavier,
Leo Gafney ’53. They have rekindled
an old friendship as a result and are
Charles Crawford won a Del Ray Beach,
FL Senior Softball Tournament. After the
tournament, Charlie visited with Bob
Baratta and Eugene Rainis in Stuart,
FL, who reminisced about their winless
(0-8) 1957 Senior Football Team at
Xavier. Norman Dauerer has welcomed
his newest grandson, Maximilian, on
October 5, 2004. Thom Wolek retired to
golf in PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, FL.
1959
Robert Hourihan recently received
disabled status from service connected
injuries in Vietnam. Robert often dines
with Harry Lynch and John Quevedo
in NYC. Congratulations to George
Johnston, who became a grandfather
for the first time. John Spiegel retired
from the Foreign Service in 2000 and
is now living in Bucks County, PA. John
occasionally works for short periods
overseas. John Walsh welcomed his
newest grandchildren on March 21, 2005.
1963
Allen Chin has retired from Raytheon
Missile Systems in July 2004 and spends
his time playing golf and doing other
things that he has always felt like doing.
Ed O’Shaughnessy will be retiring
from ABX Air, Inc. after 18 years as a
DC8 pilot in September. Ed expects
to spend his time volunteering for the
American Red Cross and playing golf.
Rico Valera has finished his first year as
a Field Investigator for the Division of
Wage and Hour Compliance of the NJ
Department of Labor.
1964
George Mickus has retired from
Northport H.S. on Long Island after 25
years of teaching English and Latin, but
will continue to teach Latin part-time in
Port Washington.
1965
John Nicki is the proud grandfather of a
beautiful girl. Robert Posteraro earned
his Master of Biomedical Informatics
degree from Oregon Health & Science
University in Portland, OR on June 2,
2005.
1966
Alfred Ashford is a member of the
Board of Directors and the Chief Medical
Spokesman for the American Cancer
Society of New York and New Jersey.
Andy Mihalick is now practicing
insurance coverage litigation and
federal civil rights defense, as well as
continuing his practice of product
liability defense counseling, litigation
and commercial litigation.
1967
Joseph P. Maher has relocated back to
the East Coast after 25 years in California
and is looking forward to meeting
fellow alumni at Xavier functions.
Bill Strasser has been appointed
to the Board of Directors of Bergen
Commercial Bank, based in New Jersey.
1969
Ray O’Connor is currently serving as an
associate general counsel in the DOD
Inspector General’s Office after serving
18 years as Deputy General Counsel at
the U.S. Army Audit Agency.
1970
Brian Blanchfield retired after 30 years
from the U.S. Navy and now works for
the Lockheed Martin Corporation, in
Northern Virgina.
1971
1968
Matthew Mari has been elected VP of
the New York Criminal Bar Association
and is a Director of the newly formed
Xavier Bar Association.
Valneo Buttari is a board certified
physician in internal medicine. Valneo
is currently in private practice in the
Mount Vernon/Bronxville area of
Westchester, NY.
Daniel McCarthy ’71
Bronx Assistant District Attorney is Honored
Assistant District Attorney Daniel McCarthy ’71, Chief Trial Counsel and
Director of Trial Training at the Office of the Bronx County District Attorney, has
been recognized by his peers for his deep commitment to public service in
representing the People of the State of New York.
The New York Prosecutors Training Institute (NYPTI) honored ADA McCarthy
with its Trial Advocacy Award, which is given to a prosecutor who “consistently
demonstrates dynamic trial skills, leadership, and selfless dedication to criminal
prosecutions in New York State.”
McCarthy received the award at the annual meeting of the District Attorneys
Association of New York State (DAANYS), which was held recently in upstate
Cooperstown, NY - home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The outgoing President of DAANYS, Putnam County District Attorney Kevin
Wright, said in presenting the award, that McCarthy “has devoted his life to
public service -possessing a unique blend of personal traits that enable him, not
only to connect with juries, but also to inspire his fellow prosecutors, both young
and old. In addition, his ethical standards serve as a model to both experienced
and inexperienced prosecutors”.
Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson said: “It is an honor to be able to call
Dan McCarthy a colleague. He is a tremendous asset to our office and to the
community at large. The people of Bronx County are well served by his presence
on our staff”.
McCarthy, a career prosecutor in New York City since 1981, has tried over 150
felony cases to verdict including kidnapping, serial murder, bias murder, police
corruption and charges related to various organized crime enterprises. McCarthy
joined the staff at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office in January 1992
after serving for eleven years as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
19
1972
Gerry Gilligan is a member of the
Commonwealth Club in Montclair, NJ.
Gerry has also been named Chairman
of the Annual Charity Golf Outing held
at Forest Hill Field Club in NJ. Jack
Menendez retired from the Navy on
October 1, 2004 after 28 years of service
as a commissioned officer.
1973
Bob Citelli is in his eighth year as
Principal Founder of @Sales and
Marketing in California. Patrick
Connolly is now in the chief division
of spinal surgery at the University of
Massachusetts Medical School. Tom
Masterson has retired after 26 years
with Deluxe Corporation, in St. Paul,
MN and is now working at SUPCO, in
Weehawken, NJ.
Bruce Giaimo released his CD, “Satin
Covers,” in October 2004.
1975
Tom Maffey is assigned to the 4
Infantry Division, at Ft. Hood, TX, as
assistant division commander.
th
1976
Dennis Campagna was promoted to
VP/Assistant Controller for Time Inc.
Peter Sciabarra was accepted into the
doctoral program school of education
at the Univeristy of San Diego. John
Sinnott is the chief of operations for the
New York City Law Department Office of
Corporation Counsel.
1977
Rene Mack was presented with the 2005
Lifetime Achievement Award by Hospitality
Sales and Marketing Association
International for significant contributions
to the travel industry. Rene is also the
President of Weber Shandwick Public
Relations Travel and Tourism Practice.
1979
Ted Hynes son is playing rugby on
the Metropolitan Rugby Unions AllStar team with several Xavier players.
Adam Soyer is a partner at the Hudson
Alumnews - Summer 2005
plans to stay there till the end of the
year and is looking forward to attending
fellow alum Paul Srinuan’s wedding in
Bangkok, Thailand in November.
1982
1993
Patrick Buckley was ordained on May
15, 2004 by the Archdiocese of NY. His
first assignment is St. Stephen’s, in
Warwick, NY. Ted Musho is a licensed
architect working on the design and
construction of a residential tower in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Christian Lee graduated from the U.S.
Naval War College on June 17, 2005 with
an MA in National Security and Strategic
Studies. After five years on Capitol Hill,
Lt. Lee and his family will move to Key
West where he will take over command
of a US Coast Guard Cutter.
1983
1994
Favio Lopez was promoted on May
2005 to LTC. He is currently serving
as a staff officer in Headquarters
Department of the Army G3/5/7 in
the battle command simulation and
experimentation division.
Justin Browne just completed his first year
of law school at the University of Maryland.
Adrian Diaz is a Special Agent with the U.S.
Department of State, Diplomatic Security
Service for the New York Field Office.
1985
1974
20
Valley Orthopedic Center in Kingston,
NY. Jeffrey Whelan is a senior counsel
for CB Richard Ellis, a global real estate
services provider.
Ferdinand Suarez became Associate
Director of Internal Audit at UBS
Investment Bank.
1987
Frank Luongo graduated from Wharton
with a master’s degree in Business
Administration.
1988
Fernando Romero completed the 2004
NYC Marathon in less than 4 hours.
Fernando was also hired as Director of
Online Sales for Fuse Music Television.
1990
Ray Lustig has entered the PhD
program in Music Composition at the
Julliard School of Music.
1991
Peter Kullman is a corporate sales
manager for the New York Giants.
1992
Alex Kedzierski will be deploying to
Afghanistan in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom. While on career
break from the Northern Ireland Civil
Service, Sean O’Mara traveled to
Australia and is currently working for
Dun & Bradstreet in Melbourne. Sean
1995
Thomas Frohnhoefer is a captain in the
65 Army 3rd Division and is currently in
Baghdad.
1996
Keith Barnes has been working at the
West Bank Café, a 27-year-old restaurant
on 42nd Street. Kwame Ohemeng
graduated from SUNY Downstate
College of Medicine in May and is doing
his internship year of medicine at the
Staten Island University Hospital. After a
year, Kwame will return to downstate to
begin his residency in Anesthesiology.
1997
Jason Otano was recently admitted
to the NY Bar. Joseph Stapleton
has relocated from Baghdad, Iraq to
Germany. Joseph is with the First
Armored Division of the U.S. Army
and in September 2004 was made
Sergeant. Ed Wahesh is currently an
area coordinator at the University of
Scranton and is finishing up his master’s
in secondary school counseling.
1998
David LaValle is currently stationed
in Iraq as a 2LT in the U.S. Army. David
is assigned to a new weapons defense
system and welcomes emails at david.
lavalle@us.army.mil.
Recognizing Service to Our Country
Brian Mulvihill ’93 Earns Bronze Star for Efforts, Valor
Captain Brian T. Mulvihill ’93, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, was
awarded the Bronze Star with special recognition for valor on July
7, 2005. The award commended Brian for exceptional service and
achievements while participating in combat operations in Fallujah,
Iraq throughout November 2004.
According to the Narrative Justification document for the award,
the battalion Brian was traveling with was ambushed twice while
traveling in a convoy between Taji Military Complex and Fallujah.
The incidents were initiated by an improvised explosive device
and were continued with mortar and small arms fire. One Marine in
Brian’s battalion was killed in combat, and 16 others were injured.
Brian organized the battalion and established defensive positions
before helping remove those wounded to a truck for treatment.
During an assault on the Al-Mujahareen Mosques, Brian charged
across 100-meters of machine-gun swept terrain and was the first
into the compound while engaged with insurgents defending the
mosque. On November 13, after an attack on another mosque, a
20-minute firefight ensued that resulted in a senior Marine being
wounded. Brian directed the defense of the area while suppressing
fire from a 12.7 mm machine gun.
In the end, the seizure of the Al-Hadhrah Al Mahamudiya Mosque
yielded valuable intelligence, including pictures and biographies of
several high-value targets.
Captain Brian T. Mulvihill ‘93
Later in November 2004, Brian went on to work with the 5th
Battalion’s humanitarian assistance efforts, supervising and directing operations that fed, clothed, and provided water to
over 300 displaced civilians each day.
The award was presented to Brian at the United States Marine Corps Base, in Quantico, Virginia.
2001
Christopher Cius graduated from
Loyola College in Maryland with a
degree in Business Administration.
Chris will be attending the Culinary
Institute of America for the Fall
semester. Paul Dimoh was selected to
represent the Class of 2005 as senior
class marshal at Syracuse University’s
151st Commencement ceremony. Paul
graduated with dual Bachelor of Science
degrees in information management
technologies and entrepreneurship
and emerging enterprises. Thomas
Napolitano graduated from Fordham
University with a degree in Business
Administration. David Pereira
graduated from St. Peter’s College,
in New Jersey, with a degree in
Psychology.
2003
David del Cuadro-Zimmerman will
be going into his third year at West
Point. David has been on the Dean’s List
every term and has been placed in the
Academy’s Honors Curriculum for this
year. Michael Johnston is currently a
student at Fordham University and has
been accepted to the London School of
Economics for study during his junior
year. Michael Trano is majoring in
Criminal Justice at Marist College and is
also playing rugby.
2004
David Lopez has been re-elected to serve
his second term as Class President of the
Class of 2008 at the College of the Holy
Cross. Robert Kurzatkowski spent a week
in Florence, Italy studying the effects of
the Roman dome on society and culture.
Daniel Rolon has successfully completed
his freshman year at Fordham University.
2005
Eric Saa is headed to the University of
South Carolina with a scholarship.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
21
Mileposts
Deaths
Alumni
Carl H. Jensen ’29, June 2004
Eugene O. Casey ’30, February 14, 2005
Francis J. Tierney ’30, May 6, 2005
Stephen V. Duffy ’31, March 21, 2005
James E. Fogarty ’31, September 26, 2004
Raymond P. Reilly ’36, March 2, 2005
John F. Manning ’37, February 22, 2004
Charles B. Mallon ’38, March 14, 2005
Thomas M. Doyle ’39, July 16, 2005
Andrew Mullally ’43, June 4, 2005
James P. Tolan ’43, July 7, 2005
John J. Bennett ’44, April 22, 2005
William J. O’Rourke ’44, April 12, 2005
John P. Laburt ’45, January 16, 2005
John M. Morena ’47, December 13, 2004
Arthur E. Feeley ’48, April 8, 2004
Robert M. Loftus ’48, June 14, 2004
Frank T. Descisciolo ’51, July 9, 2003
Paul J. Maher ’51, July 12, 2005
Kenner Ketchell ’55, December 5, 2004
Joseph McNicholas ’56, October 27, 2004
John M. Moore ’58, February 13, 2005
John E. Connolly ’72, January 20, 2005
Thomas M. Wilson ’72, December 26, 2004
John Connolly ’73, January 20, 2005
Lennard George ’84, April 21, 2005
Alfred M. Pipiton ’95, April 14, 2005
Family
Allan Cohen, father of Adam ’94,
February 26, 2005
Barbara Cohen, mother of Adam ’94,
February 27, 2005
Maureen Conquest, mother of Jarrell ’07,
February 27, 2005
22
Alumnews - Summer 2005
Ellen Doyle, wife of Thomas ’39 and mother
of Thomas ’69, Patrick ’70, Vincent ’72,
Brendan ’77, Dennis ’79 and the late
Arthur ’75, July 22, 2005
Monica Edgell, mother of James ’06,
July 17, 2005
Linda Giordano, mother of Joseph ’59,
May 6, 2005
Jenne Guyette, sister of Paul ’00,
June 14, 2005
Anne Healey, mother of Joseph ’65 and
Thomas ’72, April 16, 2005
Mary Ann Lally, wife of Philip ’43,
February 26, 2005
Priscilla Lorenzo, mother of Thomas ’78,
Joseph ’79 and Jack ’81,
November 13, 2004
Dorothea McConnell, wife of Thomas ’47,
February 17, 2005
Janet McEwen, wife of John ’51,
February 11, 2005
Anne E. McIntosh, mother of James ’72,
March 4, 2005
Leo A. Newball, Sr., father of Leo, Jr. ’99,
May 5, 2005
Anne Reynolds, wife of Edward ’50,
March 9, 2004
Ellen L. Silberstein, wife of Albert ’36,
March 4, 2005
Rachel Smith, mother of Roger ’78 and
Richard ’79, April 2005
Matthew Sommella, son of Salvatore ’67 and
brother of Timothy ’96, July 12, 2005
Michael Wlach, father of Michael ’71 and
grandfather of Christopher ’01,
June 28, 2005
Friends
Francis J. Leahy, Sr., father of Frank Leahy,
Director of Physical Plant, April 16, 2005
Births
Michael Carl Savino, May 15, 2005
Debra and James Savino ’72
Robert Paul Andrew Daly, March 14, 2005 &
Peter Marcus Charles Daly, March 14, 2005
Frances and Robert Daly ’73
Aidan Mack, May 26, 2005
Phyllis and Rene Mack ’77
Catherine Fiona Ingoldsby, January 11, 2005
Elizabeth and John Ingoldsby ’83
Claire Marie Daudelin, April 5, 2005
Molly and Douglas Daudelin ’85
Natalia Elise Antaki, August 30, 2004
Suzanne and Alan Antaki ’87
Giulia Nicole Arlia, March 31, 2005
Dina and Frank Arlia ’88
Roman Lee St. Gerard, February 8, 2005
Trina and Pascal St. Gerard ’88
Elias Wright Romero, August 16, 2004
Michelle and Fernando Romero ’88
Caleb Domenick Maldari, April 27, 2005
Liza and Frank Maldari ’92
Margaret Grace Frohnhoefer, August 12, 2004
Audrey and Thomas Frohnhoefer ’95
Edward Mulvey, December 7, 2003
Lauren and Steven Mulvey ’01
Weddings
James Savino ’72 and Debra Hacker,
June 19, 2004
Owen Duffy ’88 and Nina Sherwin,
April 2, 2005
Antonio Otero ’90 and Allison Meyer,
May 14, 2004
Peter Kullman ’91 and Amy Brookover,
May 8, 2004
Caruso
Alumni Remember Joe Caruso
Joseph Caruso, a longtime Xavier faculty member who taught from 1949 to 1984, died on
August 3, 2005 after a long illness.
When Joe announced his retirement in 1984, an Alumnews article praised his
expertise in history, his great ability to establish a rapport with students, and his career
accomplishments. Originally from Newton, MA, Joe served in the US Army for five years
before teaching. While holding a part-time teaching position at St. Peter’s College, he
received the Centennial Medallion in 1972 for exceptional intellectual integrity, and he was
also recognized at the college’s “Bene Merenti” award ceremony in 1976.
Upon his arrival at Xavier, Joe allowed himself to develop into a talented teacher who
helped students excel on many levels. Inside the classroom, Joe took pride in the rigorous
preparation students went through a year before taking the Advanced Placement
examination in history. He was remembered as a challenging teacher who wanted the best
for his students.
But after school dismissal, Joe always found the time to share some of his other talents – his ability as a piano player and singer.
As moderator of the Glee Club, Joe helped young people discover their own hidden abilities. The club attracted students from all
walks of Xavier life – athletes, the outgoing, and also the quieter types. The Glee Club enjoyed great popularity, and Joe dedicated
himself as a man for others for many years.
The original composer of the popular song “It’s a Big, Wide, Wonderful World,” he shared that vision with thousands of his
grateful students.
After his death, an email notification was sent to alumni who studied at Xavier while Joe was a faculty member. Dozens of
alumni responded to the email, and many shared their fond memories of Joe, especially in connection to his encouraging work
with the Glee Club.
John King ‘59 said he had never sung in front of an audience before a friend encouraged him to try out for the Glee Club. John
recalls being asked to sing “Around the World” while Joe played the piano, and he went on to enjoy singing from that moment on,
with Xavier and also during later years.
“He never knew it, but that was the start of a rather long, serious
avocation in music,” John said. “He started me singing and, some 46
years later…I’m still at it.”
“He put a song in my heart and it has been there since Xavier days,”
said Bill Daly ’55.
Other alumni wished to express their sympathies to Joe’s family. “Mr.
Caruso was a great man who taught me a lot,” said Jim Menendez ’81.”
Ron Lucas ’64 said Joe was a teacher that impacted his life. “He made a
lasting impression as a teacher who really cared and he will be missed,”
Ron said.
Joe is survived by his wife, Rose, and his son, Joseph. A funeral Mass was
celebrated on August 8 near his home in Queens, at St. Kevin’s Church,
where he was an active parishioner and usher for 40 years.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
23
New Faces
Three graduates from Xavier’s Class of 2000 are now employed by the school, serving in two offices
on the 2L corridor. They each expressed their excitement about being able to return to the Xavier
community, this time as staff members, rather than students.
Thomas Wierzbowski ’00 rejoined the Xavier community last year as the
Director of Admissions. He welcomes back his classmates Mike Benigno and
Loual Puliafito to Xavier. Upon graduating from Xavier High School, Tom
attended the City University of New York at Brooklyn College, and graduated
cum laude with a BA in English. While in college, he worked part time in the
Advancement Office and now while serving as the Admissions Director, Tom
travels throughout the New York City metropolitan area talking about Xavier
to prospective students and their families. “It is an opportunity to share my
own love of Xavier, and help to continue the legacy of academic excellence
and the tradition of brotherhood,” Tom said. “As an alumnus returning to
16th Street with a new generation of Xavier students, it is apparent that the
158 years of Jesuit education is thriving and vibrant.”
During his Xavier years,
Loual was coeditor-inchief of the Xavier High
Thomas Wierzbowski, Director of Admissions
School Yearbook, played
varsity Tennis, and was a member of Companions of Xavier. Loual went on to
become the editor-in-chief of Fordham University’s yearbook, The Maroon, for
his four years. While studying to receive his B.A. in History, Loual also found
the time to be a Resident Assistant in his Junior and Senior years and worked
at the Ram Van, Fordham University’s Intercampus Transportation, as a driver
and then as an Assistant Operations Coordinator. Through Loual’s Fordham
years, he never forgot his home on 16th Street, letting many know of his great
learning experiences he had during high school. Loual is excited to be able to
serve Xavier, this time not as a student, but as an employee.
While at Xavier, Mike was
the photography editor
Loual Puliafito, Advancement Officer
for the Xavier High School
yearbook during his senior year. Following his Xavier years, he went on to
study English at St. Joseph’s University, where he was a leader of several
volunteer programs, including a student service trip, Project Appalachia,
and Outreach, which unites students with homeless men and women on
Philadelphia streets. After graduating in May 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree,
he worked as a staff writer and photographer for a weekly newspaper in
Northwest Philadelphia, while freelancing to another weekly publication.
Mike looks forward to continue gaining writing experience while using his
time and energy working with the Advancement Office team to plan events
that will benefit his alma mater.
Michael Benigno, Director of Alumni Relations
and Public Information
24
Alumnews - Summer 2005
Planned Giving
Augmenting Gifts…
Each year the difference between tuition charged and the cost of a year of Xavier education is a gap that is usually filled with
subsidies given to each student. To “Bridge the Gap,” roughly $2 million is given to sponsor the students through funds that
come from the Annual Fund and by returns from Xavier’s endowment.
While many donors choose to make cash gifts each year, others decide to make pledges to include Xavier in their wills to
ensure their gift will be a part of the school’s future.
These gifts, which range from small donations to very substantial sums of money, all make a difference because they are
invested directly into the endowment, which perpetually generates aid for students. By donating to the Annual Fund or taking
part in planned giving, you are literally providing an opportunity for a student to attend Xavier.
When the time comes to formulate or adjust your estate plans, please keep Xavier in mind. A gift of any size will help
perpetuate Jesuit education on 16th Street. Your gift will give a student the chance to be challenged intellectually, athletically,
and spiritually in an environment that promotes the formation of Men for Others.
Visit Xavier online and explore the wealth of information and aids available to help you with your planned giving needs:
www.xavierhs.org/alumni/support.htm. If you have any questions as to how your estate plans might benefit Xavier, please
contact Joe Gorski, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations at (212) 337-7539 or by email at gorskij@xavierhs.org.
Alumnews - Summer 2005
25
Alumnews Calendar
Xavier Society and Loyola Associates Reception
President’s Council Dinner
September 21, 2005
September 29, 2005
Career Day
November 10, 2005
Young Alumni Luncheon
and Rally
November 23, 2005
Washington, D.C. Alumni
Reception
December 7, 2005
Kairos Reunion
December 21, 2005
Class of 2005 Reunion
January 5, 2006
Rugby 30th Anniversary Dinner January 13, 2006
Beefsteak Dinner
January 20, 2006
Florida Receptions
February 23, 2006
- March 3, 2006
Boston Reception
March 30, 2006
Reunion Gala and Dinner
June 9, 2006 and
June 10, 2006
Visit the Xavier Web site at www.xavierhs.org for further information.
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