Latest News on the Class of 1956
Please send NEWS, STORIES and PICTURES from our high school days.
Email Bob Rosier at k4oce@gvtc.com
----------------------------------------------------Last update 1/17/2012-------
Pete Kerwien has yet another book published call "Wandering". That makes #4
Go to Amazon.com and search Peter A. Kerwien...they are only about 6 bucks & great travel stories.
The
Class of '56 will be planning a very casual 55th reunion tentively set
for September 16, 2011 at the VFW in Morris Plains. Please be sure we have your
correct regular and email address and phone number by checking our Class of
'56 addresses.
You may contact Edith Strelec at edies60@optonline.net
or
Maryclare Dempsey at danmame@verizon.net with interest,
comments and corrections.
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Brian Rongo has been busy restoring an Antique Fire Truck and from the pictures he did an excellent job - posted 4/3/2011
Morris Plains original hand-pumped fire engine -1922
Sorry to hear Mary Elizabeth Timpson passed away on January 29, 2011 from pancreatic cancer. Often she was heard saying "It was hysterical"
As many of us are loafing around in retirement, some have been rather active
Pete Kerwien just happen to have written 3 books......all published in 2010...Wow
"My
Memories of Raymond A Hanson: Working with a renowned Entrepreneur"
"Motorcycling for Manhood- Riding Route 101 along thge west coastline"
The third is about his Alaskan trip....Check them out at Amazonbooks.com
POSTED 12/26/2010
The Golden Girls are still meeting regularly - Join them ! (posted 11/16/2010)
Marilyn Levata Tonry - Ann Lillian Schneper - Brenda Nolan Geissler
Charlotte Vigilante Terreri - Edith Sieben Strelec - Fran Pagano Brumwell
Gerri Luckey VanRiper - Gerry Longo Desiderio - Irma Taylor McKenna
Libby Thompson Dorl - Maggie Valerio Castrilli - Maryclare Dempsey Myers
Roberta Greenberg Reddy - Mary Schwind Scripture - Mary Timpson Meola
Glad to see the Massachusett gang is continuing to meet
Front row: Jan Fowle McLanahan, Nancy Black, Diane Greenberger Ragin
Back row: Len Kaplan, Craig McLanahan, Steve Hoskin, Stu Black, and Paul Ragin
Stephanie "Stevie" Solodar Angelis is alive and well. Athough she had given all her information to the 2010 Harris Book Directory, somehow they listed her as no longer being with us. Not only is she still with us, rumor has it that she has changed very little over the years. Here is the latest picture I have of Stevie. (posted 7/10/2010)
Pete Kerwien and Mitzie are "On the road again" this time to Alaska in a 5th Wheeler. They have been sending back great stories and great pictures. Here they are at the North Pole. (Posted 7/10/2010)
Does everyone remember Kling's Quality Gasoline? They always had the most inexpensive gas. They were located at the bottom of the hill on the left on Spring Street off Speedwell Ave. I remember many cars spitting and sputtering as they left with a full tank, but we still kept going back. I recall 19.9 cents/gallon whereas the norm was 24.9cents/gallon. Anyone remember for sure?
A loss of another classmate. Glen Yawger, a.k.a. "Curley" who passed away Thursday, January 14 2010. You may recall him saying "You do nice work" or "Don't panic!". During his high school years he always said he planned to be a Dentist, and he reached his goal after graduating with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, earning a BA in English and his D.D.S. from the School of Dental Medicine. Glen was born in Morristown, N.J. He was a devoted husband and father of four sons. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Beth, and their sons, David, Matthew, Stephen, and John, as well as his brother Bryce and sister Merle.
****Steve Hoskins memories of Glenn Yawger ***** 2010
I first met Glenn Yawger in September, 1947 in the fourth grade at Hillside Avenue School in Morris Township. David Ressler, Edith Sieben, Beatrice St. James. Fred Renigar, Doug Rainforth and Judy Wilkinson were in our class.
The most vivid memory I have is of Glenn's oral book report in Mrs. Piersons 4th grade class. It was by far the best book review I ever heard. I can see Glenn now in my minds eye standing in front of our class.
The book was FREDDY THE DETECTIVE by Walter R. Brooks (1932). The rest of our class were reading easy, thin, 14" by 12" childrens books, with lots of pictures. I waited until 5th grade at Alfred Vail School before tackling Freddy the Detective. Freddy is a very intelligent and friendly pig who resides on the farm and decides to open a detective agency and has many adventures.
In 2010, on the bookshelf in our living room on Cape Cod, I have one shelf where I keep about 25 books. Freddy the Detective and Treasure Island are the two children's books. I reread Freddy the Detective again two weeks ago. A classic! Far better than the Iliad.
Glenn and I were members of Boy Scout Troop No. 34 in the early 1950s. The Troop meetings were held at the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown. We were in the Otter Patrol. I am pretty sure Jerry Holden and Jack Zeis were also members of Troop 34. We took Saturday hikes to Jockey Hollow National Park walking out along Western Avenue to Tempe Wick's house. Our scout master, Mr. Hersey, owned about 10 acres of woods in Washington Valley, where we camped overnight many weekends on Hersey’s Hill.
Glenn was a trumpet player at Alfred Vail Junior High and MHS with Bruce Revesz and Jimmy Murray. I don't recall interacting with Glenn at MHS. Ships in the night.
Glenn decided in 5th or 6th grade that he wanted to become a dentist. We all teased him about this - and pointed out that there were no left handed dentists. The left handers in our class were a talented group including Glenn Yawger, Janet Fowle and Gail Taylor. At the time left-handers were considered somewhat odd -at least by me- and were not encouraged.
The only time I ran into Glenn after high school was in 1978 standing in the outdoor line at the Dairy Queen in Bernardsville. He looked great with a full black beard. He had the misfortune to be in line behind Coach Hoskins and 7 or 8 ten year old girls who were members of the Bernards Township Recreation League softball team- the Tigers. The Tigers had a zero win - ten loss season that year. We said Hi and talked about the softball team. We confirmed he was a dentist. I was a lawyer. Then it was time to go. I wish now that I had told him about my memory of THE BOOK REPORT.
Glenn went to college
and dental school at the Univ. of Pennsylvania. He was always a top student.
I think it is possible Glenn Yawger was the best dentist in New Jersey. Not
bad for a left handed trumpet player!
Sad news - Antoinette "Tony" Amelio passed away on July 30, 2009. Bowling was one of her favorite things. You may recall she was a Library Assistant, and also a member of the Library Club. She attended a training school for beauticians after graduation.
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Kevin & Barbara Flynn are moving permanently to their condo in NH. See new address, phone number, and Email in the Address listing.
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Irma Taylor McKenna retired from nursing in February, 2009 and has joined the "Golden Girls" lunch group.
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William (Guy/Goose) Jones Jr past away in May, 2009. He was living on Garden Street in Morristown.
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Richard "Dick" Felch passed away suddenly on May 4th, 2009. He lived in Hopatcong and worked for Sears for 47 years. His favorite sayings in high school were "Hello there!" and "Oh Nuts!" I think a lot of us still use those expressions.
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Michael Sarinelli passed away February 28th, 2009. He was living in Sarasota, Florida
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Sorry to hear that Rosalie "Roe" Lawriski Panelli passed away December 7, 2008
Do you remember when Tom Hyland came to school with green hair on St. Patricts Day? I ask a few classmates, and they also remembered. I doubt if Tom realized that he was making a statement that would be remembered over 50 years later.
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It was sad new to hear that Bill "Willy" Wraith passed away November 2008. He was involved in a lot of things at MHS; Choir, Band, Swimming, Golf, Math Club, Physics Club, and Chess Club. He enjoyed swimming and bowling, but also collected stamps and was a fine chess player.
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I loved the way Allan Peterson described our class so I just had to share. Assistant Editors Job maybe?
"I dusted off the old 1956 MHS Yearbook, and I realized anew what a great group of young people surrounded us - each one filled with potential and each one headed out into the wild world ready to become "FAMOUS" in their own individual way." ...........Allan Peterson
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Fred "Pete" MacKenzie and his wife Carmen got together for lunch with Allan Peterson and his wife Carol. We now have Allan's Email address as Peterson65@aol.com. Allan and Fred had lunch in Casa Grande in the Phoenix area about half between their respective homes. Since retiring from Panasonic 3 years ago, Fred moved from southern California where they lived for 42 years, to Tucson. The "Active Adult" +55 community is keeping them busier than ever.
Allan spent 12 years in the Marine Corp. and retired as a Major. Later he retired from the Forrester International Paper Corporation employed in the forestry field. That was his major at Penn State. Allan's wife Carol retired from being a school teacher. They have two children, Joyce & Robert. Joyce is employed as an Engineer at Intel and Robert is a fighter pilot in the US Marine Corp. Robert and his wife gave them their first grandchild, Zach.
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One item that stands out for me (Bob Rosier) was that I had Gym Class with Kent Bouchard, and during basketball season I continually fouled him every time he tried to make a shot. He finally started singing "Oh yes, he's the great Fouler" instead of the "Great Pretender"
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The Semi-Annual Reunion of the New England Chapter of the MHS Class of 56
FRONT ROW: Nancy & Stuart Black REAR ROW: Len Kaplan & wife Janice, Jan (Fowle) McLanahan & husband Craig, & Diane (Greenberger) & husband Paul
Spring 2008
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Phil and Sandy Smith Webb celebrated their 50th Anniversary (WOW) on November 27, 2006. Congratulations.
Here is a picture of them with all their children and 10 of their 11 grandchildren.
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March 15, 2008 - We were sorry to hear that Albert Rudolph "Shank" passed away this date. We all remember what a a great basketball player he was.
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March 18, 2008 - We are saddened by the loss of our classmate Carol White "Shorty" Gladden. Her favorite saying was "Oh great". She was in the Dramatic Club, Library Club and a Library Assitant, Student Council, Tri-Hi-Y, and on the Basketball Team.
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February 13, 2008 - Sad news this date, Jane Hink Ellick "Janie" past away. "You Better Believe It" was one of her favorite expressions. She was on the Student Finance Board, and the Year Book Staff her senior year.
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Pete Kerwien and Mitzi traveled cross country in an RV visiting many historic sites and visiting many friends and relatives along the way. For Pete Sake, isn't that something all of us wanted to do at one time or another? Well, they did it, and lots of great pictures were sent to many of us as they traveled along. (2007)
10/31/2006: Margaret Snyder and husband Elmer Hendershot celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. (Daily Record).
10/30/2006: Virginia King has her own Web Page. If you like cats, you'll love her Site.
10/16/2006: It was very sad to
hear that our friend and classmate Marty Cohen passed away suddenly. He had
come up for the 50th Reunion. Here is a message from the family:
This is just a quick note to thank some of my friends and family
and to unfortunately inform others of the very sad news that my father, Marty,
passed away suddenly this past Monday, October 16th.
For those of you who don't know, my parents had been in our hometown of Morristown,
NJ, visiting friends and family and planning to attend my dad's high school
reunion. While there, my dad fell ill with what appears to have been either
a bronchial infection or pneumonia. He was too ill to attend the reunion, and
so rested a few days before making the drive back to Florida with my mom. When
they stopped for gas in Fredericksburg, VA, he suffered a sudden seizure possibly
caused by the infection, leading to apparent heart failure; he could not be
revived by the paramedics.
These are the sad, simple facts of his demise, but they do not in the least
do justice to his long and full life. He leaves behind untold
numbers of friends all over the world, having touched so many with his humor,
his dignity, and his willingness to always lend a hand.
My mother, Norine, has asked that in lieu of flowers any donations be made to
the charity of your choice. A memorial service in his honor will be held this
Sunday, October 21, 2006 in Sarasota, FL, at a location to be determined.
Words of condolence may be sent to my mother at:
Norine Cohen
5406 Avenida Del Mare
Sarasota FL 34242-1913
Thanks again - Mark
Martin Paul Cohen, 67, of Sarasota, FL, died suddenly on Monday, October 16,
2006 in Fredericksburg, VA.
Born in Morristown, NJ, and a graduate of Rutgers University Mr. Cohen moved
to Sarasota in 1983. He operated an oil and air-conditioning business for twenty
years before becoming an entrepreneur in multiple enterprises. An avid fisherman,
Mr. Cohen was also a charter boat captain and boat surveyor. He was a member
of the United States Power Squadron, the Sarasota Sportfishing Angler's Club,
the Sahib Temple, the Coastal Conservation Association, and a certified Merchant
Marine captain.
Known as Marty to his many friends and loving family, Mr. Cohen is survived
by his wife of 46 years, Norine; three sons, Michael of Tampa, FL, Jack and
his wife, Audrey, of Atlanta, GA, and Mark and his wife, Alison Armbrecht of
Atlanta, GA; his mother, Janette Furman of Tamarac, FL; his sister, Arlene Rubin,
of Convent Station, NJ; three brothers, Richard Cohen of Nobleboro, ME, Dr.
Leonard Kaplan of Brookline, MA, and Sanford Kaplan of Yardley, PA; and by two
grandchildren, Rachel and Jake Cohen, both of Atlanta, GA.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 22, 2006, at 1 pm. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity.