Alumni News & Notes
1948
Ruth Seelbach Elmore has enjoyed living in John Knox Village in Orange City, Fla. Her NYSCT roommate, Justine Maloney McConaughy, lived in the same complex. Justine passed away Jan. 3, 2019.
Clara Sylvestri Beninati, who was Eleanor Holbig Alland’s roommate, passed away in 2017. Clara was married to Albert Beninati ’49, who passed in 2015.
Viola Eileen Abrams Petterson, a resident of Coburg Village, Rexford, N.Y., passed away April 4, 2019.
In 1954-55, Donald Sayles taught high- school science and math. He then moved to elementary school, and later to Mont Pleasant High School, where he served as principal. Fifty-nine years later, a group of about 20 students from that timeframe organized and attended a “want to get to know you again” luncheon in his honor.
Julie Fassett Genovesi is doing well in Cherry Valley, N.Y.
Rosemary Ryan McGraw is living in Voorheesville, N.Y., with her daughter.
Gari Paticopoulis now lives in Delmar, N.Y. She and Eleanor Holbig Alland regularly enjoy lunch together and reminisce about old times.
Class councilors: Eleanor Holbig Alland, [email protected]; Gari Deliganis Paticopoulos, [email protected]
1949
Jack Kirby of Sarasota, Fla., taught in Brockport, N.Y. He still plays trumpet in the Suncoast Concert Band, though he has been enjoying a break from it since the last concert in April – a well-deserved rest for a 94-year-old! The program starts again in mid-October.
Bob Kloepfel visits Russ Bailey often. Russ isn’t doing well physically. He and Nolan Powell taught in the Wayne Central School District in New York before retiring. Nolan passed away in February 2016. Jack, Bob, Russ, and Nolan all served in the military during World War II.
Bonnie Lewis Adkins of Middlebury, Vt., has received tremendous family support since her husband Lee’s death in October 2018. Their family includes seven children, 10 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. One of Bonnie’s daughters lives nearby and has been a blessing. Bonnie sends special greetings to her classmates.
Elsa Moberg Cox of Oceanside, Calif., moved into an assisted-living residence near her former home. Her children helped her downsize, and they completed the move in less than three weeks. It has been a difficult time for Elsa, as she has been a very independent lady since her husband died 10 years ago.
Jean Pulver Hague is enjoying her full retirement, though she misses friends and classmates. She celebrated her 90th birthday in May at a large party organized by her children.
Gloria Maistelman Herkowitz traveled to New York City in June to see her family – four grandsons and five great-grandchildren – and to celebrate her great-nephew’s high-school graduation.
Bob Kaiser celebrated his 90th birthday in June. His son and daughter organized a party for him. Bob’s granddaughter Hannah married in June, and his granddaughter-in-law had a baby in August.
Dolores Stocker Eklund of South Setauket, N.Y., enjoyed a party that celebrated the 19th anniversary of her retirement community, Jefferson Ferry. Dolores is still walking and driving.
Anne Sulich Raser has been a part of the ongoing California Teachers Study, which monitors the health and well-being of teachers and school administrators for over 25 years. At the end of each school year, she fills out a comprehensive health survey and shares her health records.
Mickey Seaman Rozwood sold her home and moved into a senior retirement home. “I get three meals a day, apartment is cleaned once a week, my bed is cleaned and sheets and towels are washed for me. I have made loads of new friends. What’s not to like?”
Ursula Neuhaus Schiff of Sarasota, Fla., enjoyed a visit in June by her son and daughter-in-law from California. Ursula’s granddaughter is engaged. Ursula’s grandson will officiate the wedding in April 2020.
Millicent Robinson Tubbs celebrated her 91st birthday at Pebble Beach, Calif., overlooking the 18th hole. She spends winters with her daughter in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Joe Zanchelli and wife Joyce ’52 celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in June. They celebrated the birth of their second great-grandchild in March and their grandson’s marriage in April. Joyce and Joe attended the Wellington C. Mepham High School Class of 1954 65th reunion on Long Island. Joe was the class adviser. The NYSCT Class of 1949 celebrated its 70th-anniversary reunion in September.
Class councilor: Joe Zanchelli, [email protected]
1950
Audrey White has more time to write, but less to write about. All of her family members are healthy and enjoying life.
Harold “Sparky” Vaughn is working to address human trafficking in Mongolia with financial support from Rotary International. He and another D.C. Rotarian met with two young Mongolians now working in Washington and a past president of a Rotary Club in Ulaanbaatar. Harold’s granddaughter Christine traveled to London for an architectural assignment. She and her mother watched the Yankees and the Red Sox play in three exhibition games in London in June.
Class councilor: Harold “Sparky” Vaughn, [email protected]
1952
Nancy Frey Petinelli lives in Missouri. She traveled to Maryland to celebrate her grandson’s college graduation and enjoyed an abbreviated family reunion.
MaryAnne Fitzgerald Lanni’s oldest son, Joseph, lives with her in Guilderland. MaryAnne stays busy as a member of two book clubs and a retired librarian group, and spends time with colleagues from the New York State Education Department. She attends theater, opera, and concerts with her daughters.
Shirley Rosenbaum attended her grandson’s confirmation in Lexington, Ky. She played in the Morgantown Community Orchestra in May. Her granddaughter, Aliana, is enjoying a gap year traveling in Europe, Cuba, and Russia.
Marian Newton Knight and husband Dave enjoy living closer to their son in their new home in Lawrenceville, N.J. Marian and Dave are experiencing age-related issues but are doing well. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Lake George this summer. Marian joined the Episcopal church in Pennington.
Thea Vander Ven (Dorothy Simons) reports that her grandson just returned home after serving in the Navy for five years. Thea visited him while he was serving in Japan. He served his last three years in Nairobi.
Jane Minckler Jennings had a lengthy rehab at Daughters of Sarah in Albany after breaking her ankle.
John Bowker and wife Alice traveled to Germany, where John spoke at the German Orthopedic Society meeting in Baden Baden. They stayed in Frankfurt, where they celebrated John’s 90th birthday. They were entertained by their friend’s son and daughter-in-law.
Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli and husband Joe ’49 welcomed their second great-grandchild, Grayson Jon Tattersall. They also welcomed Barb, the wife of grandson Andrew, to the family. Joyce and Joe celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in June. Joyce continues to stay busy volunteering in church and for the UAlbany Alumni Association.
Dave Manley shared a tribute to NYSCT. Enjoy the first and last verses of his poem: I’m here to reflect on NYSCT | Which for many years has embraced me. | It’s also entitled “Teachers College” | Where I amassed huge tons of knowledge. | Thus to my classmates of one nine five two | So many thanks I owe each of you. | For so many strands of life’s pleasures won | And on that note this ode is done.
Class of ’52 alumni: As you make contributions to UAlbany, please be sure to earmark them for the Class of 1952 Scholarship Fund.
Class councilor: Joyce Levitt Zancelli, [email protected]
1953
A note from your class councilor:
Hello, Red Devils! My apologies to Howie Fenenbock and Ray Beck for the misidentification of the 65th- reunion photo published in the last magazine. The fellow identified as Howie was actually Ray, husband of Tina Nicastro Beck. Howie attended the reunion but was not in the photo.
Dena Kaplan Slater and husband Sherwin of Yonkers celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in June. They have three children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren close by. Dena is an avid bridge player. She and Sherwin traveled to Europe, China, Japan, and Egypt. They took winter vacations in Mexico with Ruth Herskowitz Biloon and her late husband, Stanley. Dena taught English in the Clarkstown Central School District for almost 30 years. She retired 25 years ago at the age of 62.
Doug Nielsen’s granddaughter got married in June. Doug has three great-grandchildren who live close by. “We can visit them regularly, have fun, eat a snack or two, and give them back when we go home.” That sounds pretty much like a lot of us great-grandparents, doesn’t it?!
Jordine Skoff Von Wantoch wishes she could have been at the 65th reunion. She is still in contact with Mary Dewey Wilson, Martha Nevlezer Zonneville, and Irene Brezinski McDonald. All are dealing with age-related issues but are hanging in there. Jordine had a fall last December but recovered and was able to serve on the Board of Directors of The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Her daughter, who has been in the Foreign Service for 25 years, now works for the Inspector General’s Office at the U.S. Department of State. Jordine sends good wishes to her Red Devil classmates.
Irene Brezinski McDonald lives in an assisted-living facility in Mobile, Ala. Her vision is failing due to age-related macular degeneration, but she remains optimistic and stays active by exercising and reading.
Mary Jane Dewey Wilson of Niskayuna, N.Y., is unable to use her computer due to arthritis in her hands. She plans to move to an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts to be closer to her daughter, also Jordine’s godchild. Mary Jane’s son, Jim Wilson, is a theatre professor in New York and a voter for the Drama Desk Awards. He wrote a book about theater in Harlem; it received rave reviews.
Martha Nevlezer Zonneville of Henrietta, N.Y., visits her five granddaughters and two great-granddaughters, who live nearby. She is adjusting to life since the passing of her husband. Martha plays bridge often and hopes to become a life master. She and Jordine were roommates throughout their time at State. Martha, Mary Jane Dewey Wilson, and Barbara Peace, who died soon after we graduated, were part of the “Game Room Girls” who lived in the Sayles Hall game room due to the lack of on-campus housing. The College bought a house on Western Avenue for their first year until the new dorm for women was completed.
Linda Hopkins McGrath visits her family in the Rochester area every summer. She and Rosemary recently scheduled a lunch, but Linda’s grandson was playing in a concert at Eastman Theater at the same time. Rosemary and Linda hope to plan another lunch in the future.
Betty Coykendall-Hart and Rosie Keller Hughes attended their high school’s all-class reunion. They couldn’t believe it had been 70 years since they had graduated.
Barbara Skorupa Arabas reported that her daughter is entering the empty-nest world in September. Barbara’s grandsons are now in college, attending Tufts University, Pomona College in California, and Oxford.
Rosie Keller Hughes is proud of her son for taking another veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. So far, he’s taken two veterans from WWII and one from Vietnam. Rosie’s life has become somewhat routine. She exercises four times per week as directed by her doctor. Rosie helps others research their ancestry in Eastern Europe, enjoys her local community center and takes advantage of the programs they offer, including trips to professional theater productions and day trips to tourist attractions in the area, as well as to casinos around the region. She recently experienced a series of minor falls and some confusion. Medical tests revealed she was severely dehydrated. “A warning to all of you! Stay hydrated!”
Alice Cohen Kronman currently lives in Towson, Md. Her daughters Ruth and Ellen live in Maryland, and daughter Susan lives in Connecticut. Alice’s son Robert lives in London, England. Alice has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and two more greats are expected this fall. She enjoys reading, watching sports, visiting museums, and spending time with her family.
Alvin Brown’s son owns the company that provides transportation for the Albany Empire and Albany Patroons, so Alvin’s 6-1/2-year-old granddaughter, Alexa, enjoys cheering on the teams as part of their cheerleading squads. She participates in simplified versions of routines with the “big-girl” cheerleaders. According to Alvin’s doctor, Alvin is “aging gracefully.” Last year, he received a 1,000-hour service pin from the VA Hospital in Albany. Congratulations, Alvin!
Tina Nicastro Beck and husband Ray visited Atlanta, where they toured Coca Cola World and the Georgia Aquarium, and traveled to Daytona Beach to watch their grandson participate in the National Junior ROTC drill competitions. Tina spoke for many of us when she commented, “I am very proud of our dedicated younger generation.”
Share your news! Join the Class of 1953 Facebook page.
Stay well! Go Red Devils!
Class councilor: Rose Mary Keller Hughes, [email protected]
1954
Richard Bailey bought a second home on the Pacific coast about 60 miles from his place in Ukiah. There is a grove of redwood trees on the property, as well as large rhododendrons, and there are hiking and beach-combing areas nearby. Richard no longer feels able to operate a fishing boat on the open sea, but he still gets out there with his son or on a party boat on occasion.
Frank Giannone and his wife are doing well and plan to attend the 65th reunion. They continue to winter in Maui and spend the rest of the year in Rochester. Their daughter, Lisa, now lives with them, and that has been a great help. They enjoy gardening and updating their 125 year-old Victorian home – a project that never ends.
Arline Lacy Wood reports that Gerry Holzman and Arlene Holzman moved to Maine last fall to be closer to two of their daughters.
Alice Whittemore Damp of Warrensburg, N.Y., is alive and well but not active. Her daughter and son-in-law live in Queensbury and keep an eye on her.
John Allasio and Marge are looking forward to attending the 65th Class Reunion. They welcomed their fifth great-grandchild in June.
John Granito and Dolores White Granito still spend summers on Keuka Lake and winters on Pine Island. They welcomed two great-grandchildren in North Carolina and Michigan this year. John and Dolores enjoyed a Viking River Cruise from Avignon to Lyon with their oldest daughter in July. Their three children and eight grandchildren are well and employed. “Can’t be better than that!”
Marie Elder Sejersen and John recently returned from a 1,788-mile car trip to New Orleans and the Memphis area. They have three great-grandchildren – a boy and two girls – and the immediate family totals 11. Their family is spread across the United States, in New York, Washington, Indiana, and Florida. Marie and John have lived in Florida for more than 25 years and will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in October.
John Parsons moved from southern Maryland to Lake Gaston, N.C., on the Virginia-North Carolina border. His two oldest sons live next to him. John’s youngest son lives in North Andover, Mass. John looks forward to seeing classmate John Allasio at the reunion.
John Zongrone and Rosemary Bradt Zongrone celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in April. John celebrated his 60th year as an independent insurance agent with his agency in Schenectady. The Zongrone family grew to 33 members with the arrival of two great-grandsons. Gatherings at Christmas or during family summer vacation are noisy, happy, and fun-filled. Six of John and Rosemary’s grandchildren are college graduates. The most recent graduate just completed the first year of medical school; another graduated from the University of Rhode Island and has a job in Houston.
Pat Byrne Manning is going on his annual trip to Italy this fall. He still volunteers at the nursery school, reviews science books for the School Library Journal, and counts his blessings! Pat’s granddaughter Olivia is working in the art field in Boston. Granddaughter Julia participated in a dig in Israel this summer. Grandson Alex is a junior in high school and does volunteer work in the arts. Pat’s son Steve is working on a new graduate program for the psychology department at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn.
Roma Scharoun reports that Jack is no longer with us.
Corinne Valenti Moxham and Rodger will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in December.
Louise Button Eggleton, Rose Marie Bertsch Meyer, Barbara Anderson Hadden ’52, and Margaret Fogarty Gorton ’55 met for their annual luncheon.
Phyl MacCormack Weaver is still house managing at The Lyric Theatre in Stuart, Fla. part time. Built for movies and vaudeville, it now features live theater. Phyl still travels but recently realized that the days of climbing up and around the ancient treasures of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and other places are probably over.
Class councilor: Joan Paul, [email protected]
1955
Don Lein’s accomplishments, including his 40-plus year career as a litigation consultant with IBM and 30-plus years as a record-setting senior runner, have been chronicled in class notes over the years. In 2018, Don was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Association (USTFA) Hall of Fame Masters Division. Since retiring, Don has kept busy volunteering. He helped to raise enough funds to retire mortgages for several area senior centers, and worked to create a parks foundation that established a series of local parks in his home county in North Carolina. Don helped to raise a quarter-million dollars to build a boys’ and girls’ club and assisted with the creation of a public memorial to honor local first responders. He cooperated with the county health department to develop fitness programs for local citizens and organized an annual senior-games competition. In 2017, Doug’s local Chamber of Commerce honored his efforts with its Citizens of the Year award. Doug stays fit by walking 6-10 miles every day.
Class councilor: John Orser, [email protected]
1957
Gay Gatyas Carnes attended the Australian Open in January with her daughter. “It was my last Grand Slam after the other three. I did this trip with a rollator after breaking a heel in August. The trip of a lifetime!”
While visiting California in December, Sheila Lister Bamberger and husband Hank had lunch with Mary Furner in Santa Barbara.
Our classmates would like to hear how you’re spending these relaxing days. Please share with your class councilor, using the contact info below.
Class Councilor: Sheila Lister Bamberger, [email protected]
1959
The time is drawing near for our 60th-anniversary reunion, the Class of ’59’s “A Gathering of Gremlins”! We anticipate a great turnout and a great time of fellowship, renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. The planning committee has been making phone calls and chatting with members of the class we have not seen or talked with in years. I am so grateful to those who have served on the planning committee for their hard work and dedication. I look forward to seeing many of you at our reunion, Oct. 18-20! Please make a special effort to attend our reunion luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Fort Orange Club, 110 Washington Avenue in Albany. Cocktail hour is 1-2 p.m. The luncheon will follow from 2-4 p.m. Since graduation more than 60 years ago, many of our classmates have either moved and not forwarded new addresses to the alumni office or have passed away. If you have any information about classmates on the missing list (view at www.alumni.albany.edu/1959), please contact your class councilor or the Alumni Association.
Class councilor: Ron Short, [email protected]