A LU M N E W S O F X AV I E R H I G H S C H O O L
SEPTEMBER 2007
Celebration of Excellence
In this Issue
The color guard leads the procession at Xavier’s
commencement ceremony on June 7th.
6 2007 Commencement Ceremony
Members of Xavier’s Class of 2007 were treated to a month
of celebration leading up to an elegant commencement
ceremony on June 7, 2007 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Kenny Colangelo ’75, Joe Buongiorno ’75,
Jim Palumbo ’75, and Peter Colao ’74
11 To Be a “Xavier Legend”
When six longtime Xavier teachers announced their retirement
last spring, it wasn’t just the end of six teaching careers; it marked
a moment in Xavier’s history. Combined, they’ve touched the lives
of thousands of graduates, and they will each be deeply missed.
Inside, each teacher shares his or her favorite Xavier memories!
24 Reunion Weekend Celebrates Xavier Ties
This May’s Reunion Weekend celebrated the Class of 1957,
and each class ending in 2s and 7s. Close to 400 guests
attended Friday, Saturday and Sunday events. See the full
photo spread beginning on page 24.
8
D E PA R T M E N T S
1
2
3
18
President’s Message
From the Headmaster
News from the Quad
Knights Corner
September 2007 Vol. 10 No. 3
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL
Rev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59
President
21 Class Notes
23 Mileposts
24 From the
Advancement Office
Helene Strong
Parents’ Association Coordinator
Barbara Ciulla
Advancement Office Manager
Michael LiVigni
Headmaster
Norma Piecyk
Administrative Assistant
to the President and to the
VP for Advancement
Office of Advancement
and Alumni Relations
Contributing Writers
Joseph F. Gorski
Vice President for Advancement
and Alumni Relations
Eric Lamar Rivers
Director of Annual Giving
Michael L. Benigno ’00
Managing Editor of Alumnews
Director of Alumni Relations
and Public Information
Loual Puliafito ’00
Advancement Officer
Lt. Col. Roy Campbell
Eric Lamar Rivers
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 email to
[email protected]
24
6
Matt Frank ’97 and Kevin Cuddihy ’86
at this year’s Reunion Gala.
MSG Jones is recognized by Lt. Col.
Campbell at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Patrick C. Keely:
Architect of Xavier
and of Cathedrals
Another academic year has begun, Xavier’s 161st! What started
back in 1847 with Fr. John Larkin’s four classroom school in a church
basement in lower Manhattan continues on 16th Street in five joined
buildings with over forty cyberspace classrooms we now call “smart.”
The buildings themselves have an interesting history, and occasionally
yield up some hidden treasures: a painted mural of an athletic scene
adjacent to the original gymnasium, dating to 1900; 19th century soda
and beer bottles left in the rafters by workmen; and folded pages of
a 1924 written Latin assignment, embedded behind a plaster wall. If some of our walls
could speak, they might tell of their maker, Xavier’s architect, Patrick Keely. Allow me
to speak for our walls in sharing with you their maker’s story.
At his death in 1896, Patrick Charles Keely left for posterity some of the most
beautiful church edifices in the United States, including cathedrals in more than
fifteen dioceses. He was also well known to the Jesuits of Xavier. The design of Xavier’s
currently oldest building, dating back to 1862,“39 West 15th Street” (known today as
the Lynch Building), was Keely’s. Then over a period of thirty years he did more work
at and around Xavier: St. Bernard’s Church on West 14th Street in 1877, the great
Church of St. Francis Xavier at 46 West 16th Street, dedicated in 1882, and “the College
Building” along 16th Street between the years 1888-1892.
Born on August 9, 1816, the son of a Tipperary architect, Keely emigrated from
Ireland to America at the age of twenty-six and settled in Brooklyn, where he resided
the rest of his life. His first major commission was in 1847, the design for what was to be
the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. He went on to design churches up and down the East
Coast and had as a collaborator, his son-in-law, Thomas Houghton, also a distinguished
architect. In 1884 Keely was honored by the University of Notre Dame as the second
recipient of the Laetare Medal. The first recipient, in 1883, was John Gilmary Shea,“the
Father of American Catholic History.”The paths of both men had ironically crossed
years before. On July 7, 1862, at the College of St. Francis Xavier’s Commencement,
Shea received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. That Commencement Day also
marked the inauguration of the new building at “39 West 15th Street,” a building
of architect Keely’s design.
The father of a large family, Patrick Keely regarded his talents as a God-given
vocation to serve the Church. He attended Mass each morning and for many years was
a daily communicant. He died on August 11, 1896, just two days after his 80th birthday.
In paying tribute to him, The American Architect in its issue of August 22, 1896 stated:
“Among the architects we have to record the deaths of several men of note. Of these
the best known was probably Mr. Patrick C. Keely who is said to have designed and built
more than 600 Roman Catholic churches in this country, and to have had plans for fifty
of them in preparation in his office at once. . . . His best work is probably the Jesuit
church, on Sixteenth Street, N.Y.”
He was Xavier’s preeminent architect, a treasure in himself, no longer hidden,
now revered.
God bless you always,
Rev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59
President
Some of the notes on Patrick C. Keely, courtesy of The Tablet, Brooklyn, NY.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
1
FROM THE HEADMASTER
A Summer of
Xavier Pride
Dear Xavier Alumni, Parents and Friends:
One of the hallmarks of any Jesuit school is its commitment to teaching students
to serve others. In many ways this is at the heart of what we try to teach our students.
At Xavier, the Companions of St. Francis Xavier (affectionately known to our students as
CFX) helps us to live out this mission by coordinating volunteer and service opportunities
over the summer. I had the opportunity to travel with CFX this past July to Tijuana,
Mexico, with sixteen teachers and fiftey-three students. Working through Esperanza
International, an organization dedicated to giving the people of Tijuana a “hand-up not
a hand-out,” we helped build concrete houses for the hardworking people there. I have
never been prouder of our young men. They worked eight-hour days in the hot Mexican
sun and never once complained. Xavier is getting quite a reputation with Esperanza. The
director of the program, Eduardo, told us that they “mark down on the calendar” when
Xavier boys are coming so they can get a lot of the prep work done prior to our arrival.
Eduardo told us that, unlike the volunteer groups who stop working when they get tired
after a day or two, Xavier students can be counted on to work hard the full number of
days we spend in Tijuana. The families we helped were moved to tears at the eagerness
and politeness of our students and for the great service they rendered.
These comments are a testament to the type of young man that comes to Xavier
High School: eager, driven, and not afraid to get dirty for a good cause. These are the
very same qualities that enabled Xavier to have such a successful year both on and off
the athletic field. From football to rugby and from robotics to journalism, Xavier students
are excelling at every level. This success is thanks in large part to the help and dedication
of our alumni and friends and to the dedicated members of the faculty and staff. This
dedication was never more evident than the warm thanks and reception six retiring
faculty members received at graduation from the class of 2007 as they were honored
for a combined 185 years of service to this school. Xavier will not be the same without
them, but it is my hope that the dedication shown by Mr. Woehling, Mr. Moroney,
Mrs. Lamour, MSG. Jones, Mr. Iacovone, and Deacon Laurato will be found in the new
teachers that will join us in the fall. These young men and women are eager to begin
and will bring great gifts of creativity and energy to our school.
I look forward to a fresh school new year where every day 945 students will
be taught, but, more importantly, will be given the opportunity to grow into men
of competence, conscience and compassion.
2
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTMBER 2007
MIKE LiVIGNI
Headmaster
Wrestling Coach Julio Chacon
with Jon DiMola ’07.
News from the
Quad
IN BRIEF:
Xavier’s Varsity Rugby
Team was proclaimed
national champions after
winning big in Salt Lake
City, Utah, in May…
The Robotics Team was
stronger than ever this
year, taking first and
second place in the
New York/New Jersey
regional championship
competition…
Members of the X-Squad
drill team were treated
like royalty as they were
hosted by a church group
in Tennessee…
The 23rd Annual Golf
Outing took place on May
22nd, bringing out dozens
of alumni and guests for
a great day on the links…
The Hawaiian Luau
themed Volunteer
Reception spiced up
the month of June as a
thank-you to volunteers
who generously gave their
time to Xavier this year…
This year’s Parent’s Gala
Fundraiser was themed
the “International Market,”
and it was an evening
of fun, games and prizes
for hundreds of guests!...
Up and Away for Wrestler DiMola ’07
New School Record Set
In the world of high school wrestling, one of the more impressive milestones a
wrestler can reach is to win 100 matches over the course of four years. This level of
achievement has been reached only twice before at Xavier, but in early January at the
Msgr. Farrell Ironman Tournament, Jonathan DiMola ’07 accomplished this goal, and
his achievement was announced publicly at the tournament. Jon, however, had nine
more wins to go in order to break the Xavier record of 108, for most wins in a high
school career. By early February’s NYCHSAA wrestling championships he had done
exactly that by winning match numbers 109, 110 and 111. He also managed to win
gold in his weight class of 135 lbs.
DiMola’s wrestling talent allowed him to advance to the New York Catholic School
state championships, where he entered the tournament as the number one seed from
New York City at 135 lbs. He successfully advanced to the semi-finals by beating the
number one seed from upstate, and went on to beat Chaminade High School’s best
135 lb. wrestler 5-1. In the finals, Jon faced a Kellenberg Memorial High School wrestler
who was the number one seed from Long Island, in a close match that ended in a
7-2 victory for Kellenberg. After his great season, however, it is not surprising that
Jon’s silver in the Catholic States, matching silver at the NYC Mayor’s Cup, and thirty-six
wins as a senior put him on the recruiting radar of a number of colleges. Jon will
attend Pace University in the fall.
A number of Xavier teammates also made Catholic States, including Steven Cabrera ’08,
Anthony Cerullo ’10, John Fall ’07, Donovan Fuentes ’10, Patrick Erickson ’09, Anthony
Giganti ’08, Elliot Ortiz ’07, with Donovan Fuentes taking third and John Fall fourth in
their respective weight classes. Donovan, who stepped off the football field in November
and onto the wrestling mats for the first time, managed thirty-two wins this year as
a freshman!
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
3
News from the Quad
XAVIER ROBOTICS WIN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Xavier’s Robotics Team wrapping
up an award-winning season with
a successful bout for the
New York/New Jersey
Regional Autonomous
Robotics Championship
title, bringing back
trophies in both first
and second place positions in May.
Each February, the Robotics Team
holds its own competition at the
Xavier Science Fair to share the latest
designs and developments with
the rest of the school. This year’s
event, hosted by Robotics moderator
Mr. Michael Chiafulio, drew hundreds
of spectators. But in addition to putting
on a show, the February competition
also gives team members the chance
to test their ideas and make improvements before actual school-on-school,
regional and national competition.
During the competition, each team
is given an identical set of electronics
and equipment, with six weeks to build
robots for the game. The game
changes on a yearly basis and
consists of a variety of scoring
variables. Each robot must
work on its own, without
physical manipulation from
its designer. Students use lamps to trip
a light-sensing component, and each
robot must rely on the internal
programming it was
given during the building
process to respond to
obstacles and challenges.
The team whose robots
score the most points in
ninety seconds wins the round.
“There were actually teams at the
regional that could have beaten us, but
our boys were just smarter. They improvised and adapted very well. They
changed things up on the fly and
adjusted to make sure they beat the
better teams,” said Mr. Chiafulio.
Xavier’s two teams walked away
winning First and Second overall, as
well as First place in documentation,
head-to-head competition, and the
best National Research and Design
Website category.
Earlier in the year, Xavier entered
the Botball National Research and
Design contest, given the
challenge to create a practical,
“green” solution for future
agricultural sustainability.
Xavier robotics won first place
in the nation for their design
of a robot-operated skyscraper farm,
called the “agtower.” An animated website showcased the students’ designs,
and Xavier was granted a $1000
scholarship as a result of their efforts.
For more information, please visit http://faculty.xavierhs.org/chiafuliom/AgBots/
4
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTEMBER 2007
News from the Quad
Rugby Team Captures National Title
The Xavier Varsity Rugby Team clinched the U.S. Rugby High School
Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, May 19th, topping three of the
nation’s best teams in what was truly a coast-to-coast competition. Xavier’s ruggers
defeated Jesuit High School (New Orleans), United U-19 (Provo, UT), and the Los
Angeles Cougars rugby team in a victory that was attributed to solid teamwork
and strong players in every position on the field.
Led by captains John Burke and Ryan McTiernan, both Xavier seniors, the team
beat the Cougars 26-0 on Saturday, closing a strong 15-0-1 season in which they
competed regionally, as well as internationally. In April, the team completed an
exciting trip to Corraise-Nay, France, where they held a 7-2 record while competing
against French, U.S., and English teams.
Head Coach Mr. Michael Tolkin traveled with the team to Salt Lake City, complete
with its twenty-seven members, accompanied by assistant coaches Joe Sweeney ’85,
Tim Walsh ’85, Stephen Olsen ’04, and moderator Anthony Paolozzi. Tolkin said the
victories in France were great morale boosters for the team, giving them a winning
mindset midway through the season. For the past eight consecutive years, Xavier
has won the Northeast/East Coast Championship title, but this is the school’s first
national title since 1993.
“It was great to finish that way because this team really had a lot of heart,” said
Coach Tolkin.“They played with a lot of heart and intensity, and they deserved it.
We played an all-around complete game, with good talent everywhere on the field.”
Asst. Coach Joe Sweeney said the team’s toughness on defense, and fluidity of play
impressed other coaches who competed over the weekend.“I think for the guys, it’s
great to have the ability to travel to other places and to play on a national stage. For
them, it’s just a great experience to see the country and compete successfully. There
are very few people that can say they were the best in the country at something.”
Four sophomores—Seamus Kelly ’09, Gregory Voigt ’09, Michael Juszczak ’09
and Stephen Sanchez ’09—were accepted to the U.S. National Under-17 team, after
trying out among the best rugby players in the country. In addition, Billy Slattery,
John Burke and Ryan Wunder made the very selective Under-19 team.
The 2007 Varsity Rugby team after capturing the National title.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
5
2007
Commencement Ceremony
The Class of 2007 was the “talk of
the town” at the close of the school
year as seniors were treated to a number
of special events leading up to the June
7th commencement ceremony held
at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
At the Baccalaureate Mass on
June 2nd, faculty members and administrators processed down the aisle,
recognizing the achievements of the
senior class at the close of a busy
school year. Fr. Gatti celebrated the
Mass and bestowed a blessing on the
class as they were about to begin the
transition from students to alumni.
Following the Mass, senior Anthony
Perrotto ’07 presented a check to
Fr. Gatti on behalf of the Senior Class
Gift Committee. The Committee raised
6
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTEMBER 2007
a total of $3,362 for Xavier, which went
toward the purchase and installation
of an extended trophy case to house
Xavier’s larger sized awards.
The Senior Barbecue and Breakfast
were two events that brought students
together in celebration, and a new
addition to the breakfast was the presence of alumni at each student table.
A number of generous alumni donated
their time to speak about their Xavier
experiences and make contact with
our soon-to-be graduates.
The Senior Prom, held May 25th
at the New York Athletic Club was a
festive night of dinner and dancing
for seniors and their dates.
Finally, the family members of
206 graduating seniors filled
St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Xavier’s 165th
commencement ceremony. This year,
in the place of a commencement
speaker, it was fitting to recognize the
six “Xavier Legends” who announced
their retirement at the close of the
2006-2007 school year. Deacon
Vincent Laurato, Mr. Rocco Iacovone,
MSG James Jones, Mrs. Grace Lamour,
Mr. Brian Moroney, and Mr. Hank
Woehling were presented with
awards for their many years of service.
A number of accomplished seniors
were recognized at commencement,
including valedictorian, Joseph Caputo,
salutatorian, Vincent Russo, and the
winner of the Rev. Vincent A. Taylor, S.J.
Gold X Award, Anthony Porcelli.
News from the Quad
2007 honorees included:
The Rev. Vincent A. Taylor, S.J. Gold X Award – Anthony Porcelli
The Gold Medal for General Excellence – Joseph Caputo
The Silver Medal for General Excellence – Vincent Russo
The Bronze Medal for General Excellence – Matthew Cantirino
National Merit Scholarship winner – Connor Gannon
The Gates Millennium Scholarship – Yong Xiang Zheng
Deacon Laurato recognized for his years of service.
The Christopher L. Fagan Award – Kevin Sammut
The George M. Carney and Helen D. Carney Memorial Award – Alejandro Alvarez
The Rev. Joseph Latella, S.J. Award – Jose Aquino
The Joseph P. Lombardo Memorial Award – Michael Reinhardt
The Barney Keller Mathematics Scholarship Award – Matthew E. Sandberg
The Matthew J. Burke Memorial Award – John Burke
Jesuit Secondary Education Association Certificate – Andrew Nesci and Lawrence Rispoli
The Manhattan College Medal – Douglas Moringiello
The Silver Medal in Computers and Technology – Jason Attard
CDT/COL Michael Chiaia is honored.
The Silver Medal in Art – Adam Augeri
The Silver Medal in Music – Daniel Rosenthal
The Modern Language Medal in Spanish – David Brito
The Modern Language Medal in Italian – Angelo Mannino
The Modern Language Medal in French – Matthew Cantirino
The Latin Medal in Memory of Rev. Joseph Shea – Dennis DeVivo
The Donald G. Cooke Medal – Jonathan Klay
The Bausch and Lomb Science Award – Matthew Cantirino
Anthony Perrotto, presenting the Senior Class Gift.
The Science Medal in Memory of Rev. Hippolytus DeJuynes, S.J. – Joseph Caputo
Joseph Caputo is honored at commencement.
The Campbell Historical Medal – Joseph Caputo
The Michael J. O’Donnell Mathematics Award – Joseph Caputo
The English Medal in honor of Clarence Ramsey – Matthew Cantirino
The Religion Medal in honor of Bridget and Patrick Mooney – Joseph Caputo
Hank Woehling recognized
for his years of service.
News from the Quad
X A V I E R G O L F S ! Volunteer
Brendan Doyle ’77, Joe Gorski,
Kevin McLaughlin ’74 and Rich Scheller ’74
The Westchester Hills Golf Club.
Xavier’s 23rd Annual Golf Outing
was held on May 22nd, bringing out
close to ninety golfers for a sun-filled
spring day of golf, school pride, and
good friendship.
The outing began fter brunch, with
a shotgun start at around 12:30 p.m. as
the foursomes took to the links. This
was the second year the outing included
the Jet Blue Challenge, which gives
golfers the chance to win fun prizes
like airline tickets, golf merchandise,
and even a $50,000 prize for a hole-inone. This year, no golfer took home
$50,000, but George Janis P’07 won a
pair of round-trip airline tickets when
four of the best golfers of the day faced
off in a closest-to-the-pin contest.
The winner of this year’s putting
contest was Dave Anderson ’47, who
consistently bested competitors
through three rounds of putting.
Dinner was served at 6:30 p.m.,
followed by skill awards, raffle prizes,
and a new silent auction. Congratulations to Joe Brogan, the winner of
the Golf Trip Raffle!
Reception
was a Trip
to the Islands
Gentle breezes and soft island
music greeted the much appreciated
alumni and parent volunteers at this
year’s Volunteer Reception. The
Advancement Office thanked its
volunteers with a Luau complete
with special drinks and colorful leis.
The buffet included such delights as
Duck a l’Orange, Coconut Shrimp,
Luau Ham and many more delicious
foods. The Commons was designed
to look like a Hawaiian island complete
with brightly colored birds. Everyone
had a great time and the staff was
pleased to be able to say Mahalo
to its great volunteers.
International Market FUNdraiser
Thrills Hundreds of Guests!
On Friday, May 11th, the Parents’
Association held its annual FUNdraiser.
This year’s theme was “International
Market” and Xavier parents, alumni
and friends spent four fun-filled hours
raising money for the school’s operational expenses. Decorations reflected
the many nations from which come
our students and alumni. There were
sensational raffle prizes in theme
booths in the gym, a fabulous Silent
Auction in the Commons, and a “play”
Casino in the cafeteria! Many people
went home with great prizes and the
Xavier benefited from the good will
and generosity of all.
Parent Volunteers celebrate.
Eric Lamar Rivers poses with Sal Favia P’04, P’06.
8
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTEMBER 2007
News from the Quad
A Note From the Colonel’s Desk
by Lt. Col. Roy Campbell
ANNUAL FUND
X-Squad Sees the South
SUCCESS
The members of Xavier’s X-Squad were invited to participate in
patriotic Memorial Day services at Cornerstone Church in Nashville, TN.
Next year’s team nucleus, all juniors and sophomores, received two
standing ovations on Sunday morning from a congregation of over
2,600 attendees. They also received a standing ovation at the Saturday
evening service in front of about 1,400 souls.
Our young men were veritable “rock stars” after the services ended.
Throngs of faithful Christian people gathered around to congratulate
them. Quite simply, our cadets were overwhelmed—physically,
emotionally, and spiritually —by such attention. One sophomore,
Giancarlo Rindone, said that “I will never be the same after that!”
It was quite a sight to see! I might add that there were quite a few
“Southern Belles” eager to speak with our men in Xavier Blue as well.
Like our community at Xavier, these God-loving people are truly the
salt of the earth. Their genuine level of unabashed patriotism sent chills
up my spine on more than one occasion during the services. Awesome!
After learning of the community’s 20+ year mission to smuggle
Bibles into China, I immediately thought of the missionary work of
St. Francis Xavier and our connection with Cornerstone in this way.
Pastor Davis told me about his many secret trips to China to bring
the Word to the people there. Many in the congregation had been on
10-15 trips each to China!
I asked Bill Johnson ’08, our new Cadet in Charge, to describe the
life of St. Francis Xavier and Bill’s own experience with our CFX program,
and he did so with great enthusiasm.
The congregation in Nashville has also built over 2,000 churches
in Kenya and has achieved its goal to provide a church home within
walking distance of every Kenyan family. Their parish has over 3,000
people who have offered to serve as “prayer warriors” for our boys
during Drill Meets. All that they need are the dates and times.
Our young men were showered with southern hospitality to the
utmost degree, and I can only hope that we will have the opportunity
to do the same if these good people find themselves in New York. They
gave the cadets gift packages of CDs and Study Bibles, along with a
gym bag embroidered with their names, and they paid for all of our
expenses. It didn’t cost the cadets a dime!
Pastor Davis noted that this was probably the first time in their parish
history that “so many Yankees were within the sanctuary at one time!”
This has been a wonderful experience for our men, and I could not
be more grateful for their superb bearing and conduct. As usual, the
men of Xavier bring great credit to our school.
Lt. Col. Campbell is Xavier’s Senior Army Instructor.
Xavier has hit a major milestone by
reaching an Annual Fund of $2 million.
It took Xavier fifteen years to hit $1 million
and another ten years to hit $2 million.
This could not have been possible without
your support and the diligence of the
Class Chairs. 865 donors increased their
support which accounted for 19% of the
entire donor pool. Also, 341 donors were
new and 542 donors hadn’t given in at
least two years, collectively accounting
for 19%. This is astonishing.
ANNUAL FUND GROWTH
2000-2007
$2 million
$1.5 mil.
’00
’01
’02
’03
’04
’05
’06
’07
In order to continue to improve the
quality and diversity of education for
our students we need your support once
again. Our goal for the 2007-2008 is just
as ambitious as last year’s goal. With
your help we hope to exceed last year’s
record-breaking achievement with yet
another Annual Fund improvement.As
this is Father Gatti’s last year we hope
to raise a record amount in honor of his
eleven years of serviceand leadership
as Xavier’s President.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
9
CHECK OUT OUR NEW LOOK!
All of our pages have a new design and format!
Alumni will notice that many of the features they have
grown accustomed to have been upgraded. One of
the most asked for features is here: add an event right
to your Outlook calendar with a click of a button.
Are you tech savvy?
Would you like to be in-charge
of your class web site?
Don’t be turned away, it is as simple as sending
an email. If you are interested please email
Loual Puliafito ’00 at [email protected]
S E N D U S YO U R C L A S S N OT E S !
Marriages, births, accomplishments, awards, promotions– we’re always happy to
publish the latest news of our alumni in each issue of Alumnews, so please fill out
the is form below! The Class Notes section is one of the most-read parts of each
magazine, and your notes not only update the Xavier community, but will also
help keep our records more accurate. You are also welcomed to send photos,
which will be published, space providing*.
Please mail this form to Xavier High School, c/o Class Notes Editor,
30 W. 16th Street, New York, NY 10011.
your Class Notes to
[email protected].
*unless requested, all photos sent in become property of Alumnews.
Name
(first)
NEW!
As of January 2007,
you will be able to email
Class
(last)
Address
(City, State, Zip)
Check if this is a new address
Home Phone
Email
Work Phone
Name of Spouse
News Items
Signature
Date
RETIREMENT STORIES
To teach is
to touch lives
forever.
Thousands of Xavier students have passed through the classrooms of the six “Xavier Legends” who announced their retirement
at the close of the 2006-2007 school year. Combined, Mr. Hank
Woehling, Mr. Brian Moroney, Mrs. Grace Lamour, MSG James Jones,
Mr. Rocco Iacovone, and Dcn. Vincent Laurato provided 185 years
of service to Xavier, and each instructor has selflessly given of
him or herself for decades, blending life experience while leading
others toward knowledge.
A number of sendoffs at Xavier and during the commencement
exercises at St. Patrick’s Cathedral allowed the Xavier community
to reflect on the impact of these six “Xavier Legends,” who will
be missed dearly.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
11
RETIREMENT STORIES
Hank Woehling
Mr. Hank Woehling’s first experience of
Xavier took place in 1951, when he enrolled
here as a student. The Xavier that Woehling
remembers as a 13-year-old is different from
the one it is today, or even was when he
first began teaching math in the fall of 1963,
forty-four years ago. Military order pervaded
the institution; speaking in the corridors was
prohibited above the ground floor. Woehling
said he ran into trouble once in a while,
but usually observed the hallway rules.
After graduating from Xavier in 1955 Hank
attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City and
following his graduation spent eight years
serving in the U.S. Army both on active duty
and in the reserves, ending his service as a
captain. He took a position teaching at Holy
Cross High School in Queens, then one day
he serendipitously met Joe Caruso, another
legendary Xavier teacher, formerly one of
Woehling’s own instructors.
It was Caruso who suggested that Woehling
explore an open teaching position at Xavier.
Beginning in the fall of 1963, he learned the
art of teaching by imitating influential teachers
from his past, including Caruso and Bill “Turkey”
Thompson. Hank’s mother was a housewife,
while his father ran a steel warehouse, and
Woehling’s boisterous personality developed
partially as a reaction to the stringent German
mannerisms he witnessed
in some of the older members of his family.
His math classes were littered with stories
of Xavier’s history, of military service, and most
frequently, of his childhood. They are bizarre,
memorable, bold, absurd—all entirely funny.
His classes are choreographed: a high kick to
the side, more fists than West Side Story; his
look, carefully constructed: chalk dust pants,
thick white mustache, glass frames falling
from his face.
For thirty of his forty-four years teaching,
Woehling was assigned to freshmen and sophomores. That’s thirty years of giving nicknames
to 13- and 14-year-old young men, thirty years
of shocked faces, restrained first-day laughter,
and sometimes, weeks of watching students
adjust to his sense of humor.
“I get sidetracked once in a while,”Woehling
said.“Sometimes I’ll deliberately tell a story, but
sometimes the students will initiate it and get
me off on a tangent. If you interject things like
that once in a while they pay attention. I think
I helped an awful lot of boys through math
who may not have gotten through it otherwise.
“Some of them don’t know how to react
to me. They don’t know if I’m crazy! They have
to figure it out first—really, they don’t know.”
Woehling’s zany nicknames followed students
around for years, even as they came back as
alumni. Growing up, he said, everyone on his
block in Queens had a nickname.“It was a crazy
Italian-American block. Everybody had to have
a nickname. I was such a skinny kid, believe it
or not, my nickname was ‘Broomstick.’” From
that point as a young man, he started giving
everybody nicknames, at Xavier and beyond.
At Holy Cross High School, he taught a
student with dwarfism named Roach, whose
feet, he recalled, did not touch the ground
while sitting. It was common practice in class
for Woehling to write on the chalk board for
a period of time, and then toss the eraser to
one of the students in the front row to erase
the board. He began to notice that Roach
seemed to be feeling left out in the classroom;
after all, he was the only student in the front
row that could not erase the board because
of his height. One afternoon while teaching,
Woehling made it a point to write only on
the lower part of the board without saying
anything to the class. No one seemed to notice,
so he tossed the eraser to Roach who quickly
walked up to the board, erased the lesson
and took a bow.
During this episode, the principal of the
school happened to be walking by and
witnessed what Woehling was doing. Thinking
Woehling was mocking the student, the
principal accused Hank of cruelty. Woehling’s
response was to have the principal hear the
student’s perspective.“Roach, come here,”
Woehling recalled saying. The principal then
asked whether the student liked erasing the
board. Roach told the principal that no one
at the school had treated him like a regular
person except for Hank. It was the last time
the principal ever asked Mr. Woehling about it.
Hank sees himself “taking it easy” in the
future. He enjoys golf and bike riding, and he
frequents the bike path beside Fort Totten, near
his home in Whitestone, Queens. He has always
had a close bond to his daughter and son
(who is set to make his 2nd tour in Iraq in a few
months), and to his three young grandchildren.
“I plan to come back to Xavier and bust some
chops,” he said.“I’ll miss this place.”
Hank in recent years, on the
dunk tank on Spirit Day.
Hank with family members at his
daughter Christy’s wedding.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
13
RETIREMENT STORIES
Brian Moroney
It wasn’t until the age of twenty-eight that
Mr. Brian Moroney became interested in opera.
In fact, by his own account, he had resisted
opera all his life. But it was the voice of the
great Franco Corelli singing “Panis Angelicus”
that changed his life and, one could say, helped
create the Brian Moroney thousands of Xavier
graduates came to know.
Moroney purchased an album one day just
by chance, and he was overwhelmed by the
beauty of Corelli’s hymns and arias.“This is an
amazing, awesome, gorgeous, powerful voice,”
Moroney remembers thinking.“I became an
opera fan right on the spot.”
Few teachers share more of their passions
in the classroom than Brian Moroney. His desk
is covered with papers, stereo speakers, photographs; his shelves littered with vinyl records
and opera programs. To say that Mr. Moroney
jumps at the chance to speak on the things
he loves would be too simple a statement.
He is inspired and well-spoken, and spreading
that excitement has become his way of life for
the past forty-three years teaching at Xavier.
“Repetition leads itself to boredom unless
you learn to love along the way,” he said.
Right from the start, Mr. Moroney had
difficulty adhering to the teacher typecast.
In 1962, he started teaching Engish and French
at Brooklyn Prep, but when it came to the English
courses, he remembers spending less time
on required material than on literature he
preferred to focus on. At the end of two years,
he got a note saying his services were no longer
needed after a departmental reorganization.
As an Astoria, Queens, native, Mr. Moroney
attended Bishop Loughlin High School and the
only experiences he had with Xavier students
were the times he saw them on the subway. He
wouldn’t have guessed that he would end up
teaching at Xavier one day, nor would he have
guessed that he would be hired in the fall
of 1964 to teach conversational French and
English. Mr. Moroney would teach French for
ten years at Xavier, before switching to the fine
arts department. He spent ten years teaching
a course on performing arts, and it was a step
closer to being the teacher he wanted to be.
His first opera trip with students took place
in 1969. Mr. Moroney remembered the trips an
influential colleague at Brooklyn Prep had taken
with his own students, and he was motivated
to do something about the lack of out-of-school
activities he noticed at Xavier. He began to make
several trips each year, posting dates in the
morning announcements, attracting all sorts
of students.“My attitude was that I took ordinary
kids,” he said.“There were some artistic kids, but
it was open to anyone. You get signatures and
you have a prep class and then you go.”
Among many of his opera trip participants,
Mr. Moroney is famous for his sprints to the
1-train on the way to the Met. Depending on
the number of students, extra tickets would
be needed, and the only way to secure them
in a pinch would be to arrive before the show.
Moroney would gather students, then dash
down 14th Street in what he imagined must
have been quite a spectacle.
Since 1983, Mr. Moroney has taught English
classes exclusively, a love affair from the first
day. “I discovered that every teacher finds a
reason why that person is a teacher,” he said.
“It took me until the late 1960s before I realized
what I could bring to the situation that maybe
other people couldn’t. It wasn’t just inside the
classroom, and it gave me a sense of urgency
about teaching. It was more than just English
and French, and as the years went on I became
more comfortable in the role of a teacher.”
Through his forty-three years at Xavier,
Mr. Moroney said he has particularly enjoyed
meeting graduates he hadn’t seen in decades,
only to learn that they still recalled the exact
performances they attended with him while
students. Some even had the chance to see Henry
Fonda in Our Town; others saw Helen Hayes.
As a result of Mr. Moroney’s work, Xavier is
the only Jesuit high school to be a member
of the Metropolitan Opera Guild.
“There was a time when I was the youngest
face at twenty-one, but I didn’t have to spend
any extra energy putting on a façade. As I got
older, the kids kept looking at me and I’m no
longer twenty-one, I’m thirty-one, forty-one,
fifty-one. At some point the faculty started
having fun with me about my age, too,”
Moroney said.
In recent years, vocal chord problems forced
him to take several leaves of absence. It wasn’t
until a trip to a doctor’s office after a relapse
this spring, when Mr. Moroney decided he
would leave Xavier.“I said if it happens again
I will leave—and they call it retiring. I laugh at
how fast a person’s life can change in a sense,
and how I am so accepting of it even though
it is bittersweet. Being needed and being useful
is important, and in the future I am going to
have to create my own usefulness.”
Mr. Moroney has had forty-three Junes, he
said, to feel free as a bird, and he anticipates
that he won’t feel like anything has changed
until September, when classes would usually
resume. Still, the next few years are reserved
for things he’s put off—traveling to London,
and maybe even to Africa. He also plans to
catch up on reading, to volunteer, and to get
into better shape by going to the gym. In the
week after the 2007 graduation, he already
had two nights booked to see theater shows.
“Receiving the Bellarmine award at St.
Patrick’s was an amazing occasion, and in an
amazing place. You’re not just saying that these
people are leaving and getting this award, but
this is why,” Moroney said.“I felt like the king
of the world.”
Mr. Moroney introducing his
opera trip participants to
Leonard Bernstein in the
early 1990s.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
15
RETIREMENT STORIES
Grace Lamour
In recent years, most students never knew
that Mrs. Grace Lamour was the first female
faculty member ever employed by Xavier.
Many had also heard rumors, but only a few
had actual confirmation, that she was, indeed,
a Radio City Rockette for a time.
Mrs. Lamour’s life inside and out of Xavier is
truly full of these fascinating details, and many
more about which she is too humble to speak.
Growing up on the Upper East Side of
Manhattan, Grace’s father was a builder and
helped engineer the completion of the Holland
and Lincoln tunnels, among other major structures in New York. Her mother graduated from
Junior College, but chose to stay home to raise
her three daughters and one son, all born within
five years.
During Grace’s years at Holy Cross Academy,
her dance instructor organized a ballet troupe
of four to appear on a children’s television program each Saturday. In addition to that weekly
appearance, Grace and the other girls appeared
in the Sealtest ice cream commercials and the
Ed Sullivan and Perry Como shows. After graduation, the four girls were invited to become
Rockettes and, in spite of her parents’ initial
protests, Grace’s parents allowed their A-student,
oldest daughter to perform for several months
before starting college in the fall.
She performed several shows a week
but despite the glamourous position, Grace
remembers that she constantly found herself
wishing she was with her friends instead.
Following graduation from Finch College,
Grace earned a job as a research assistant at
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Institute. She
worked for a cardiologist and was involved in
enzyme studies as well as cryogenics. Grace was
inspired and invigorated by her work in science
research. She felt engaged by the demands
of a career in science and, with the assistance
of her father, Grace invented an electrode to
perform an EKG test on heart patients while
in motion, a technology that evolved into
the modern-day stress test.
Her first daughter, Jacqueline, was born in
1963, and Grace left Sloan-Kettering to raise her.
She accompanied her husband, Hank, a captain
in the U.S. Army, to flight school in Alabama. Within
14 months of the birth of her daughter, her son,
Hank II, was born as her family traveled to Texas
in order for her husband to learn to fly helicopters.
She returned to New York as her husband pursued
his law degree at Fordham Law School, and gave
birth to her youngest daughter, Tiffany.
During this time, Mr. Bob Lynch, registrar
of Xavier, convinced Grace to interview with
Fr.Vincent Duminuco, S.J., then Xavier’s headmaster.
She was offered the job but initially turned it
down, only to accept the position teaching
Biology several days later, when Fr. Duminuco
allowed her to have first and last periods free
to accommodate her children’s school schedule.
Grace started teaching in the fall of 1969, well
aware that she was the first female teacher in
the school’s 122-year history.
Her first class was huge and she wondered
about her decision, but she said she fell in love
with the students, the Jesuit philosophy and style
of education.The balance of discipline at Xavier,
along with the presence of strong leaders like
Prefect of Discipline Fr. Ed Heavey, S.J. only
helped her to adjust.
While most of the staff was supportive of her
presence and would ultimately become her close
friends, there were those who had difficulty with
the adjustment. She remembers being chastised
for taking a job away from a man. She was also
made to feel invisible in the faculty room, as the
language of an all-male environment was offensive at times. Guardian angels like Mr. Jim Scott
suggested the need for modifying their behavior,
and in time helped achieve a balance. At her first
faculty meeting, the Xavier legend in his own right,
Leo Paquin, saw her walk into the room looking
confused as she looked for a place to sit. He quickly
guided her toward a seat next to him and continued the practice at every faculty meeting until
he left Xavier.
During one of her first years, a less supportive
faculty member brought in a cat that was allowed
to freely roam the floor and classrooms on the fifth
floor for several weeks, fully aware that Grace was
highly allergic to cats. Her eyes would be swollen
and irritated, and she needed medication for
asthma, but she refused to complain. Eventually,
Mr. Frank Gregory, longtime dean of students at
Xavier, questioned her about her red eyes and she
explained about her allergy to cats. As Mrs. Lamour
recalls, Mr. Gregory asked whether other staff
members knew that she was allergic, and when
she said “yes,” he went upstairs and she never
saw the cat again.
“If I took these episodes to heart, it would have
probably crippled me,”she said.The students during
her first years saw what she was going through,
but instead of antagonizing her during times of
struggle, they often went out of their way to show
their support.“They really gave me a brighter,
positive side to see beyond the antics. I really do
believe that I stayed here because of the absolutely
wonderful students at Xavier and the friendships
that grew with many members of the faculty.”
Grace’s tenure at Xavier has lasted for 38 years,
and she became a staple in the Kane Building’s
science classrooms. Her personal life was also
highly tied to the school as Grace’s son, Hank,
attended Xavier as an honors student from
1978-1982, playing soccer, football and rugby.
Her daughter, Jacqueline, was a cheerleader for
Xavier, eventually returning to teach here for
two years. Her youngest daughter, Tiffany, was
a captain of the cheerleading team, as well.
Her daughters have given her two wonderful
grandchildren, Drew and Victoria.
Grace will be forever considered a pioneer at
Xavier and an has been an excellent example for
the many other faculty members there are today.
Her other accomplishments include serving as
Chair of the Science Department for sixteen years.
She considers the twenty years of coaching and
moderating the female cheerleaders her gift in
support of Xavier’s talented athletes. She introduced the New York State Science Honors Society
to Xavier, and served on the Board of Governors.
The Medical Science Club, the Science Journal, the
Oesteichthyes Society and the Earth Day Project
with Central Park Conservancy are all projects that
grew within the NYSSHS under her supervision.
Grace’s life after Xavier promises to be as
rewarding as it was before Xavier. She plans to
continue dedicating time to the Park Avenue
Armory and the East Side Settlement House,
where she is a member of the Board of Trustees.
Also, she looks forward to spending more time
with her family at her beach house in Ocean
Grove, NJ. She said that whichever pathway she
follows in the future, she will always carry in her
heart the “superstars” that she has had the honor
of teaching for the past thrity-eight years.
Grace at age 15, dressed for
a television production.
Grace with her daughter,
Jacqueline, and son, Hank II.
Grace with her grandson,
Drew, in Ocean Grove, NJ.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
17
RETIREMENT STORIES
MSG James Jones
MSG James Jones has brought a bit of
Southern charm to Xavier since the fall of 1986.
Born in Wadley, Georgia, he attended Savannah
State College before moving North to take a job
as a machinist in a Brooklyn factory. Jim is the
middle child of five, and he was the first in his
family to serve the armed forces. He and his
wife, Estella, married in December of 1961 while
living in New York, but they went on to live in
Fort Bragg, NC and later in Germany.
MSG Jones served the U.S. Army as part
of the only Airborne Mechanized Infantry Unit
in the world, and his unit developed ways to
deploy troops and equipment to remote
locations. As a Master Sergeant, Jones taught
at the same Army Ranger school that he had
attended at a time, and in June of 1986, he
retired form the army after twenty-four years
of service.
Although he originally intended to become
a corrections officer after retirement, on the
occasion of a job fair, an acquaintance spoke
about an opening at Xavier, a school he had
come to know while occasionally serving as
a judge at some of the drill meets Xavier’s
Regiment participated in at the old 14th Street
Armory.
During the Alumni Farewell to Xavier Faculty
Legends reception in June, the MSG Jones
recalled his initial interview with Fr. Sullivan, then
Xavier’s headmaster. Following their conversation,
a miscommunication between the MSG and
Fr. Sullivan resulted in the MSG apparently
not showing up for work until two weeks after
he was set to start!
When Jim did start teaching military
science at Xavier in the fall of 1986, the ranks
stood at a little over 200 cadets, and the
Regiment had lost its Gold Star status. Within
a year, the Regiment regained the Gold Star,
bringing the program back to the level of some
of the best JROTC programs in the country.
“The biggest challenge was to urge cadets
to accept responsibility,” MSG Jones said, and
his impeccable attention to detail set a high
standard that is noticed by cadets, alumni,
and instructors alike. Through his years here,
he required that Xavier’s cadets take the
program seriously, pushing leadership
qualities to the forefront.
The JROTC has grown to highest number
of cadets it has had since the program went
optional in the fall of 1971. Today, 354 students
make up the Xavier Regiment, and there are
three full-time instructors. During the past two
years, approximately 55-60% of the freshman
class have opted to stay in the program.
MSG Jones’ dedication was witnessed daily
by members of the X-Squad drill team. Each
morning, he would rise at 4 a.m. to begin a 90minute bus commute from his home in southern New Jersey so that he would be on time to
supervise morning drill with the team members.
Working with students and their families
not only in the capacity of a teacher, but also
as a mentor, has brought meaning to MSG Jones’
career at Xavier. For years, alumni visiting the
school have made the military science office
a regular stop on their tour, updating the MSG
on their lives and, many times, their military
career.“I have a lot of people that make me
happy now,” he said, emphasizing the pride
he feels when graduates attribute their current
success in part to the experience they had
in Xavier’s JROTC program.
“MSG Jones’ authoritative Georgia drawl
captivated the men of the Regiment for twentyone years,” writes Lt. Col Roy Campbell, Senior
Army Instructor of Xavier’s Regiment.“His
commanding presence inspired Xavier cadets
to excellence in leadership and citizenship
skills. His imposing classroom bearing, his
grace, and his wit were legendary attributes
for generations of Xavier cadets. In short, MSG
Jones was one of the most loved and respected
military instructors in the annals of Xavier
Regimental history.”
MSG Jones said he wishes to travel following
his retirement, in the U.S. and beyond. He also
added that he plans to return to Xavier as often
as possible, especially for the annual Beefsteak
Dinner, each January.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
19
RETIREMENT STORIES
Rocco Iacovone
Mr. Rocco Iacovone’s first afternoon at Xavier
began with a vision. The school that he and
Fr. Ken Boller, S.J., Xavier’s headmaster at the
time, saw was a place where education was
always tied closely with the arts, one that would
have, among other things, a legitimate band
supported by the students, faculty and administration. A full-time band instructor would build
the band from the ground up, bringing forth an
atmosphere of creative expression, and a forum
where students could learn a new craft.
Rocco Iacovone was the person given exactly that task. Coming from a musically inclined
family in Greenwich Village, Rocco studied the
accordion while a grammar school student,
and he went on to take up the banjo and
ukulele. His love for alto saxophone did not
begin until after he graduated as a member of
Xavier’s Class of 1962. Rocco went on to receive
two degrees at Hunter College, including a
Masters degree in Music Composition. His
musical career was beginning to take shape,
and he spent over a decade traveling on the
road, playing in different groups and solo
while holding teaching stints at St. Joseph’s
and St. James, in Manhattan, as well as junior
high schools in Northern California and Queens.
At the same time, he wrote several arrangements for Hansen Music Publishing.
In the fall of 1987, the band at Xavier was
comprised of six students, but extended interest was immediately obvious to Rocco.“I had
a homeroom my first year here, and just about
99% of those kids wanted to be in the band,”
he said.“I took them in and we built the
band together and that was really a bonding
experience. I was always open to whatever
their ideas were.”The first group of band members foreshadowed what the Blue Night Band
would go on to become, a group of young
men from different backgrounds with varying
degrees of musical experience pooled together
to form a fun, skilled group of musicians.
His work at Xavier took on the role of
extracting creativity, working with many
personalities in a comfortable environment.
“Each member has always been very different,
and in order to get that pure music from them
you have to take care of the whole student
without prying.”
Interest in the band began to snowball
immediately, and by the end of the first year
a number of school and public concerts were
organized—an annual rotation that grew to
over ten shows a year.
“When you’re doing something like
music you are baring something so intimate,”
Mr. Iacovone said.“You really shed all the nonsense, and I think that’s part of the job of any
good director, band leader, or band member—
to get right to the essence of the music.”
Today, Xavier’s fine arts department has
grown to a total of four full-time faculty members, and the Blue Night Band has gone from
six students to over 35 students from all years,
including twenty freshmen. Rocco went on to
serve as chair of the fine arts department, and
his work with the band brought them to Alaska,
Mexico, Santo Domingo, Florida, Montreal,
New Orleans, and Washington, D.C., building
a network of musical contacts while playing
for all those who will listen. They also perform
alongside the Xavier’s JROTC Regiment at the
St. Patrick’s and Columbus Day Parades.
“My years here have been tremendously
fulfilling,” Mr. Iacovone said.“I had to really
learn my craft because what existed in my
head before, I had to actually put into words
and explain. I learned a lot from the kids.”
After retiring, Rocco and his wife, Denise
Iacovone (current chair of Xavier’s fine arts
department!) traveled to Talkeetna, Alaska,
as they have done for nine summers now
to spend time writing, relaxing and playing
at a small circuit of clubs and restaurants.
His full-time band, the Rocco John Group,
recently completed a jazz residency in Alaska
funded by a grant from Chamber Music
America. Rocco and the group brought music
to several underserved rural communities,
enlisting twenty-nine residents into a jazz
orchestra and putting on a concert. The Rocco
John Group plays extensively in Greenwich
Village and throughout New York. Their most
recent release, Don’t Wait Too Long (June, 2007),
received great reviews!
Finally, a Blue Night alumni band—“The
Band of Brothers”—is already in the process
of being formed, and “Mr. I” wishes to invite
all former band members to come back to play
once again. To accommodate busy schedules,
the group will be open to graduates of all
ages who will be able to choose which points
in the year they would participate.
“It will be a great way to allow all former
band members to be together again,”
Mr. Iacovone wrote from Alaska this summer.
“It keeps ties to Xavier, and it’s actually “Men
for Others” in action after high school.”
The Rocco John Group
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
21
RETIREMENT STORIES
Deacon Vincent Laurato
The transcript of a speech changed Dcn.
Vincent Laurato’s life.
In 1988, Deacon Laurato was vice-president
of a Manhattan-based banking corporation,
and as an executive he would normally receive
copies of speeches given by other high-ups
within the bank. It was in early 1983 that the
financial industry, in a speech, proclaimed
“that the banking industry or any profitmaking enterprise could no longer afford to
be people-oriented, but bottom-line driven.
” If there was a way to reach the same goal
with fewer people, it didn’t matter whether
an employee had five months or twenty-five
years of experience- the most economical
choice would be to do with less staff.
“That scared me,” Deacon Laurato admitted.
“In terms of the values that people were
embracing, it had all the earmarks of what
was going to be the new tone of doing
business in the market place, it was a tone that
had all the echoes of “extremely high greed.”
After twenty-six years working in the banking
industry, the ordained Catholic deacon and
a former U.S. Air Force chaplain’s assistant
decided it was time to go. Coupled with the
early signs of coronary heart disease and the
need for a quintuple bypass operation, 1989
marked the end of Deacon Laurato, bank
vice-president, and the beginning of
Deacon Laurato, religion teacher.
Growing up the youngest of four children
to Italian immigrants on the Upper East Side,
Deacon Laurato attended grammar school at
St. Ignatius of Loyola School. At first he said he
felt out of place in what was then a seemingly
strange atmosphere, living a distance away
from the school, which is located on 83rd Street.
He could just barely speak English at the time,
but due to the kindness and care of several
Jesuits and the Sisters of Charity who taught
at St. Ignatius, Deacon began to realize and
challenge his limitations and to overcome
them one by one.
After completing elementary school, Deacon
wanted to attend Xavier, but due to rough
times financially, he attended Cardinal Hayes
High School instead. While a student at Hayes,
he continued to feel more comfortable speaking
English, and he participated in the debate team
while earning an income by selling copies of the
New York Times each morning in the school’s
corridors and working in the afternoon in the
mailroom of a publishing company. Ironically,
during high school, in Italian class, someone
had once asked whether Deacon would ever
consider becoming a religion teacher—it was
a young Martin Scorcese, a son of Italian immigrants himself, and one of Deacon’s Cardinal
Hayes classmates.
Prior to coming to Xavier, Deacon Laurato
had taught CCD and adult education courses
in his home parish of St. Barnabas in the
Bronx, as well as teaching candidates for the
Permanent Diaconate at St. Joseph’s Seminary,
in Dunwoodie, Yonkers.
In Deacon Laurato’s own words, his first year
teaching at Xavier was “traumatic and dramatic.”
By his second week, he was ready to quit. High
school in the early 1980s seemed so different
than what he had remembered from his own
experiences. On the morning of the second
Friday of the school year, he announced that
he would be leaving. Fr. Russell Sloun, S.J.,
then Xavier’s assistant headmaster, asked that
Deacon come back to his office at the end of
the day.“You’ve been a manager in the business
world,” Fr. Sloun told him.“You are the boss
in your classroom, you’re free to manage. You
set the tone. Now come back on Monday and
manage, but only this time you’re not going to
manage salaries, but you’ll manage their ability
to learn and to relate, to make connections.”
Deacon Laurato would go on to spend
nineteen years—another career in itself—helping Xavier sophomores, juniors and seniors to
learn and to relate- to find God in all things.
It was rare that a student could sit in Deacon’s
classroom for even one week at the start of the
school year without sensing the urgency with
which he taught. In recent years, he taught
courses on world religions, social justice and
on the Christian faith and morality.
His time at Xavier has always stood in stark
contrast to his previous career. It was in 1994,
that he received a grace, namely that of the
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. With
the guidance of Fr. Henry Zenorini, S.J, he was
led through an experience that truly helped
him to find God in all things: to seek Him in
the classroom, in the students he taught, in
his colleagues, in the daily preparations for
class, in reflection, meditation and prayer, in
worship and most importantly, in himself. It
is the experience that has remained with him
and continues to do so as he leaves Xavier, a
place he found so imbued with the spirit of
St. Ignatius of Loyola and its patron, St. Francis
Xavier. He has honed the ability to share the
connections between his past and its relationship to social justice.“The exercises have
helped me in teaching, in ministry, and to be
a better person.”
From 2004-2007, he served as director
of campus ministry, mentoring seniors during
their Christian Service terms and coordinating
the religious activities of the entire student
population. As part of his ministry in his home
parish, Deacon Laurato helps people who are
seeking annulments, directs the RCIA program,
serves as co-chair of the parish’s evangelization
program, gives pre-baptismal classes for those
seeking to have their children baptized, and
assists couples preparing for marriage. He
also will continue to teach in the Permanent
Diaconate program at St. Joseph’s Seminary,
in Yonkers.
As for leaving Xavier, Deacon Laurato says,
“This is not retirement.”“I don’t like the word.
I think it’s a negative word, it’s a misnomer. Even
though you’re leaving what one might consider
a major part of one’s vocation, it becomes an
opportunity and a means to continue to do
God’s will. One never retires from the Lord’s
presence; I can only continue to thank God for
allowing me to stand in his presence and serve
him.”This is the reason that Deacon came to
Xavier as a deacon, which quite literally means
“servant.” And he said it is the very reason that
he now leaves Xavier, to continue in that
ministry of service that he was called to at
his ordination just over 30 years ago.
Deacon Laurato considers his leaving Xavier
as a point of moving on. In the future, he plans
to continue ministry in his parish, to continue
teaching, and he also plans to travel to Ireland
and England. Finally, he said he looks forward
to spending quality time with his wife, Carol,
his daughters Christina, Carol-Ann, and Regina,
and his first granddaughter, Abigail Rose!
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
23
Reunion Gala 2007
1 9 5 7
1 9 3 7
5 0 +
1 19 94 47 6
May 4th and 5th marked the festive 50th Reunion Weekend for Xavier’s Class
of 1957, beginning with a private dinner at the Union League Club attended by
over 100 alumni and guests. Friday night was also a night of celebration for the
Class of 1947, which held a private dinner at the New York Athletic Club, the Class
of 1962, which dined at Moran’s Restaurant, and the Class of 2002, which gathered
at M.J. Armstrong’s Pub!
On Saturday, at 3:45 p.m. at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, the reunion festivities
began for all classes ending in 2s and 7s with a memorial Mass, followed by school
tours, and cocktail receptions by class, grouped around the school building. The
24
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTMBER 2007
1 9 6 2
1 19 96 87 1
1 9 7 2
1 9 7 7
11 99 86 26
1 19 98 97 1
11 99 99 21
2 0 0 2
1 9 9 7
evening culminated with a sit-down dinner in the school’s gymnasium, attended
by close to 400 alumni and guests who heard from Joe Gorski, vice president for
advancement and alumni relations, and Fr. Dan Gatti, ’59, Xavier’s president.
Members of the Class of 1957 Reunion Committee presented Fr. Gatti with a
$63,000 contribution to the annual fund.
As a special treat, during their cocktail hour, the Class of ’57 posed with a life-sized
cardboard cutout of the famed Fr. Charles Lehmkuhl, S.J., prefect of discipline from
1951–1956. Many thanks go to those graduates and their guests who joined us on
Reunion Weekend, and to those who helped plan individual class-year events.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
25
Class Notes
1948
Anthony J. Panuccio wrote in to
update the Xavier community: After
graduating from the Citadel in 1952,
Anthony helped run his family steel
business, worked in real estate, and
even ran for U.S. Congress in 1978.
Even after retiring in 1999, Anthony
began working again in 2006.
1949
Fr. Tom O’Brien will celebrate his 50th
year as a diocesan priest.
1959
Michael Toner and Frank
Buongiorno ’61 swam from the
island of Lanai to the island of Maui
in the Maui Channel Relay Race.
1963
Ernie Dewald spent two weeks in the
Gulfport, MS, working as a forensic
dentist following Hurricane Katrina.
1964
Bob Donnelly is combining his
law practice with the entertainment
department of the Midwest firm named
Lommen, Ado, Cole, King & Stageberg.
William Lundy runs the Chester House
Inn, a seven-room bed & breakfast,
in Chester, VT,
1968
Carl Hoffmeyer has written a book
about Pope Pius XII.
1972
Thomas M. Flynn accepted a position
as National Sales Director at Golf
Digest Digital.
1973
Bob Wilke is the on-site manager
for the additions being made to the
Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ.
1977
Matthew Frank was named
“Mr. December” in the 3rd Annual
Accountants of New Jersey Calendar
for 2007.
1983
William Olsen recently accepted
the position of a Senior Sales Executive
for a software financial services
firm specializing in commodities
and financial derivatives trading.
1991
Peter Kullman is a sales manager
for the New York Giants.
1993
Richard Menziuso, a CPA working
for PricewaterhouseCoopers, lives with
his beautiful wife in Metuchen, NJ and
is expecting the birth of their child
in September.
1996
Gregory Morison has completed his
studies at the Naval Justice School
in Newport, RI and has been assigned
to the Naval Legal Service Office at
the Kitsap-Bangor Naval Base in the
state of Washington.
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTMBER 2007
Rob was given leave
to attend the birth
of his baby boy,
Alexander Marcos
Suarez, who was born
on February 23, 2007.
1997
Donald Hooper recently published
a book titled “Lenox Lizzard and the
Kukumacka Duppy.”
2002
Brian Byrd was recently dispatched
for boot camp in the U.S. Navy.
2003
Joseph Guster interned for the
public relations department for the
New York Rangers during the spring
2007 semester. He graduated magna
cum laude from St. John’s University
in May.
Brian Purnell graduated with honors
from Fordham University and has
earned his PhD. in American studies
from New York University.
On Sunday Nov. 13, 1966, the Xavier Varsity Football
Team played the undefeated Msgr. Farrell High School team
from Staten Island, which had won 15 consecutive games.
At the time, all the local newspapers had Farrell heavily
favored. In fact, during the match up just a year earlier,
Farrell had won by a score of 42-0.
When the dust had finally settled at Downing Stadium,
Randall’s Island, late that Sunday afternoon Xavier had
recorded what had to be the biggest upset that year in any
football game in the city. Leading 15-13 at halftime, the
Kaydets went on to complete a 29-19 defeat of the Lions!
The following Monday morning’s Staten Island newspapers led with the headline “Lions Shocked by Xavier 29-19.”
On Saturday, October 28, 2006, the 1966 team was
honored by a group of Xavier football alumni at the
Xavier/Moore Catholic game, won by Xavier 41-0.
Ironically, Moore Catholic is also from Staten Island.
26
Robert Suarez ’86
is currenly serving in
Ninewah and Kurdistan
as a 1LT Suarez for
the 144MP Company.
He works with Iraqi
leaders, and conducts
Police operations to
eliminate terrorism.
Standing, from left to right: Roger
McTiernan ’69, Bill Montanaro ’67,
Joe Garvey ’67, Chris Stephens ’83
(current Xavier Varsity Football
coach), Joe Cervini ’67, and George
Dwyer ’67. Seated, from left to right:
Jim Rich ’67, Tom Lyons ’67, John
Murray ’67, Jim Angelone ’67, and
John Weber ’67.
From left to right: George Dwyer ’67,
John Weber ’67, Tom Lyons ’67,
John Murray ’67, Kevin Regan ’68,
Joe Garvey ’67, Bill Montanaro ’67,
Jim Angelone ’67, Joe Cervini ’67,
and to this day the “#1 Fan,”
Jim Rich ’67.
Mileposts
IN MEMORIAM
Rev. William J. McGowan, S.J. , was born in Brooklyn on September 3, 1931, and was
a graduate of Brooklyn Prep. On July 30, 1949, he entered the Society at St. Andrew-onHudson in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he made both his novitiate and juniorate studies
before beginning his philosophy studies at Bellarmine College in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Fr.
McGowan was assigned a sophomore year homeroom class at St. Peter’s Prep, and it
would be the first of several positions in high schools for him.
Fr. McGowan studied theology at Woodstock College in Maryland and was ordained in
the Fordham University Chapel on June 21, 1962. After his fourth year studying theology at Woodstock and tertianship at Auriesville, he took a position at Xavier serving
as a guidance counselor. Eventually, Fr. McGowan became Xavier’s director of college
admissions, guiding countless Xavier seniors through the college application process
with a wealth of knowledge and a stern sense of humor that made him famous at
Xavier for over 40 years.
Over the course of the last 10 years or so, Fr. McGowan’s health began to decline and
he had a number of stays in the hospital. In 2001, he joined Xavier’s Advancement
Office until his increasing debility forced him to leave Xavier in 2004 and retire to the
N.Y. Province health care center at Murray-Weigel Hall, on the Fordham Bronx Campus.
Fr. McGowan died on April 29, 2007 and will be forever remembered in the hearts of
thousands of Xavier graduates and the entire community.
DEATHS
Alumni
George H. Burger ’29, December 1, 2006
Rev. Herbert Rogers, SJ ’30, March 3, 2007
Edward F. Shallow ’30, March 3, 2007
Charles G. McCormick ’33, May 11, 2007
John T. Gilbride ’34, March 31, 2007
William J. Hannan ’34, April 21, 2007
John A. Hobbs ’34, February 3, 2007
Vincent P. Bryan ’36, June 8, 2006
Joseph E. Murphy ’36, January 27, 2007
James J. Rogers ’36, February 6, 2007
John J. Linney ’39, April 9, 2006
James F. Connell ’40, February 20, 2007
Harry D. Bucalo ’41, February 25, 2007
Raymond A. Wiley ’42, January 30, 2007
Joseph A. Mulvihill ’44, February 25, 2007
Eugene J. Rooney ’44, December 26, 2005
Paul F. Cogan ’45, March 27, 2007
John D. Herold ’46, March 16, 2007
Robert P. McCarthy ’46, May 2, 2007
John M. Thull ’46, February 12, 2007
William F. Gilligan ’47, September 27, 2005
T. Eugene Malone ’47, February 13, 2007
Edward F. Oppasser ’49, February 11, 2007
Vito Cioffero ’52, March 2, 2006
Family
John J. Giovanelli ’52, April 20, 2007
Raymond P. Griffin ’52, March 30, 2007
Gerald F. Cerchio ’53, February 27, 2006
Joseph F. Imperato ’53, October 12, 2006
William S. Busch ’54, December 20, 2006
Thomas A. McGrath ’54, March 15, 2007
Thomas T. Kennedy ’55, February 23, 2007
Michael P. Gabrian ‘57, November 23, 2006
Henry E. Martone ’58, August 28, 2006
Thomas R. Gabrielli ’59, November 18, 2006
John A. Cianci ’60, April 11, 2007
Angelo S. Gambino ’60, October 17, 2006
Arthur C. Williams, Jr. ’61, April 2, 2006
John D. Grant ’64, March 2007
Thomas E. Moisan ’66, July 30, 2006
Robert E. Langford ’67, September 5, 2005
James Wight ’71, April 20, 2007
Kevin J. McDermott ’72, April 11, 2007
John Machado ’80, March 5, 2007
Friends
Eugene Burpoe, father of John Burpoe,
former Xavier faculty member,
January 18, 2007
William J. McGowan, Xavier faculty
member, April 29, 2007
BIRTHS
Catherine Elizabeth Connolly, Nov. 25, 2006
Maryellen and Joseph H. Connolly ’87
Cooper Ryan Kullman, December 11, 2006
Amy and Peter Kullman ’91
Annaliese Mosco, March 14, 2007
Michelle and Frank Mosco ’89
Barth J. Belli, mother of Gregory ’69, Charles
’71, and William ’73, March 31, 2007
Anna Chupa, grandmother of Matther
Mohorovich ’04, February 9, 2007
David Corcoran, son of E. Peter Corcoran
’46, April 6, 2007
Louise Dantuono, grandmother of
Matthew Kopp ’10, February 28, 2007
Myra Kovalchick, mother of Christopher ’00
and Nicholas ’05, March 13, 2007
Clare M. Pope, mother of Francis J. ’90,
April 27, 2007
Thomas P. Reilly, father of Mark Reilly ’86,
March 20, 2007
Lilly-Ann Rippon, mother of Stephen ’76,
Christopher ’78, and Damian ’83,
May 2, 2007
Alexander H. Whiteaker, father of
Alexander Whiteaker ’09, May 17, 2007
WEDDINGS
John P. Reilly, August 20, 2006
Patricia and Mark Reilly ’86
Robert Shabouk, May 21, 2006
Leah and Joseph Shabouk ’01
Richard Buttikha ’87 and Sara Epperlein,
May 5, 2007
Wayne Quacinelli ’83 and Lisa Pirrone,
May 2, 2004
Due to limitations, notices receivedafter late May 2007 will appear in the next issue of Alumnews.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
27
FROM THE
ADVANCEMENT OFFICE
JOE GORSKI
Vice President for Advancement
28
ALUMNEWS
— SEPTMBER 2007
As I write this, it is a typical summer’s day at Xavier. The weather is hot and
humid and the building is quiet as it approaches 3:00 PM. The HAP Program has
ended for the day and with it the frenetic physical activity in the quad, the commons, the gym and elsewhere throughout the school buildings that makes each
of these summer afternoons a precursor of the beginning of the 2007–2008 school
year which is fast approaching.
The quiet has allowed me to reflect on the just completed fiscal year of 2007.
It has been a year of milestones. Xavier High School celebrated the completion of
its 160th year as an independent Jesuit, Catholic College Preparatory School dedicated to providing a rigorous and challenging education to young men of promise
from the New York Metro area. As a community we celebrated the retirement of six
Xavier teachers (the Legends featured in this issue of Alumnews) who have spent
a combined 185 years of their lives dedicated to teaching students beginning with
the class of 1964 and ending this past June. In fundraising, the annual fund program
completed its 25th year and not only reached but exceeded the $2,000,000 mark
for the first time. It took 15 years to surpass the $1,000,000 mark (during our
sesquicentennial year of 1997), but thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents
and friends, only ten additional years to reach our current level. We are very
grateful to all of you for your support of Xavier’s mission.
During this past year we have also added several events to our reception
schedule that will hopefully better serve our varied constituencies. To increase
our number of alumni class leaders we have instituted “leadership seminars” on
a quarterly basis for members of alumni classes who are interested in becoming
more involved in the daily workings of the school. Attendees are encouraged to
explore such options of becoming involved as class chairs, class agents, phonathon
volunteers or event committee members for our golf outing, basketball tournament,
briefcase breakfasts, Bar Association and the like. To attract younger alumni back
to the school, we established new events including the Pittaluga Alumni 3 on 3
Basketball Tournament and a series of Briefcase Breakfasts designed to encourage
networking among Xavier graduates.We have also created a minority alumni council,
which now meets on a bi-monthly basis, to mentor minority students at Xavier,
to encourage minority graduates to more frequently attend Xavier events such as
the Beefsteak Dinner and the Reunion Gala and to become more involved within
the leadership of their classes.
Finally, we had our first scholarship reception this past March in the Meditz
Family Library Learning Center. The evening reception brought scholarship and
financial aid recipients and their parents together with the donors who have provided the funds that have made it possible for these students to attend Xavier.
It was a wonderful evening, a night of shared experiences, shared hopes and
dreams, shared food and drink and a shared appreciation and thankfulness
for the opportunities offered to these young men of Xavier and for the shared
satisfaction of the “men and women for others” who made them possible.
We thank all of you for making this past year such a successful one. We look
forward to your continued participation in all things Xavier as we build on those
successes throughout the coming school year and well into the future.
Visit www.xavierhsalumni.org
Explore your legacy.
& click on Planned Giving Advice.
Charitable gifts usually bring to mind writing out a check. This outright form of
giving provides the personal satisfaction that comes with supporting a cause that
you believe in—plus you receive the financial benefit of charitable deduction
on your income tax return.
But there’s another type of charitable giving known as “planned giving” that
can provide you with even more benefits. Planned gifts are generally deferred
until after your lifetime, yet you still receive a current tax break for them.
Do you have questions about estate planning? Planned giving? Your will? Each
month, Xavier’s alumni website features new articles and interactive features
that cover such topics. We hope it will be a useful resource for you.
Make a Gift With Perennial Benefits
True immortality is an impossible dream. But if you’d like to be remembered
in perpetuity, consider creating an endowment in your own name.
The Best Is Yet to Come…Will You Be Ready?
It’s not uncommon to think of retirement as a long vacation…the opportunity
to relax and enjoy the things you never had time for during your working years.
Taxpayer’s Deduction Sinks With His Boat
If you give a car, boat or other vehicle to a charitable organization, in most cases
your tax deduction is limited to the amount of cash the organization receives
when it later sells the vehicle.
Visit www.xavierhsalumni.org
& click on Planned Giving Advice.
Xavier Society and Loyola
Associates Reception
September 19, 2007
President’s Reception
September 25, 2007
Maroon and Blue Day
September 28, 2007
President’s Dinner
October 4, 2007
Parent’s Phonathon
October 15-18, 2007
Xavier High School
Open House
October 27, 2007
Career Day
November 9, 2007
Young Alumni
Luncheon and Rally
November 21, 2007
Philadelphia
Alumni Reception
December 4, 2007
Washington, D.C.
Alumni Reception
December 5, 2007
Alumnews Calendar
Class of 2007 Reunion
January 3, 2008
Winter Drama
January 4, 2008–January 6, 2008
Beefsteak Dinner
January 18, 2008
Alumni Phonathon
February 4 2008–
February 7, 2008;
February 11, 2008–
February 13, 2008
Florida Receptions
February 28, 2008–
March 7, 2008
Danny Pittaluga Memorial
Basketball Tournament
March 15, 2008
Boston Alumni Reception
March 27, 2008
Parents Gala Fundraiser
April 25, 2008
Reunion Gala and Dinner
May 2 and 3, 2008
Golf Outing
May 20, 2008
Baccalaureate
Mass and Dinner
June 7, 2008
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