On the Move...by Nancyann Rella, '65
Class of 1964 50th Reunion June 27 & 28, 2014
A new tradition has been set at Westlake High School instigated by Teasy Monea King and Laura McGee Buonarobo. Fifty years have gone by since the Class of 1964 graduated, and we were honored to be invited by Dr. Susan Guiney & Keith Schenker, Superintendent of Schools and Principal of Westlake to take part in the Class of 2014 graduation ceremony held on Friday, June 27, 2014. Under a bright sunny sky, we marched in with the Class of 2014 where they, as we did 50 years ago, passed into the next phase of their life.
The 50th Reunion Dinner was held on Saturday, June 28th in Elmsford, New York where we ate, drank a little, danced a lot to the great DJ, also known as Laura McGee Buonarobo’s husband, Eddie. Lots of laughs, great memories, and good friends are all a testament to those bonds set more than 50 years ago.
Thanks to all those who travelled the long road back in time!
50th Reunion Committee WHS Class of '64
Virginia Harrison Anniccharico
Claire Bosse
Laura McGee Buonarobo
Margaret Dodge
Paul Dunning
Betty DeGrazia Ellershaw
Franny Compo Hall
Teasy Monea King
Veronica Scheer
Jim Seacord
SEE Photos Click Here
Frederic J. Broege, Jr. (1947-2012)
Poughquag - Frederic John Broege, Jr., a Poughquag resident since 1994 and formerly of South Salem, died in Wappingers Falls on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. It was his 65th birthday.
Born in Mount Vernon in 1947, he was the son of Frederic J. and Dorothy Graham Broege. Frederic was a graduate of Westlake High School. He received a B.A. in History from Alfred University and his Masters in Public Administration from Pace University.
Frederic dedicated his entire career to public service. In 2002, he retired as the 1st Deputy Commissioner of Westchester County Department of Social Services. Following his retirement, he worked as a real estate agent for Houlihan Lawrence, served on the Board of Family Ties of Westchester and volunteered as a docent at the F.D.R. Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Medley Johnston Broege; three daughters, Laura, Michelle Robbins and her husband Christon and Erica; father Frederic J. Broege, Sr.; grandchildren, Rhys and Brandt Robbins; siblings, Stephen Broege, Jeanne Bohlander and her husband Bruce, Phyllis and her husband Michael Miliniak; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be 1 to 4:30 on Sunday, September 16 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A memorial service will begin at 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Family Ties of Westchester, Inc. 112 East Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601, www.familytieswestchester.org or the Lustgarten Foundation at www.lustgarten.org.
For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com
Frances "Nancy" Ventura(1925 - 2012)
Frances A. "Nancy" Ventura (also known to many as "Granny"), of Fishkill, lost her long and courageous battle with cancer on May 9, 2012 in Orlando, FL. She was 87.
Born in Chatham, NY on February 13, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Peg Hoffman. On September 30, 1945, Nancy married the love of her life, Angelo "Pete" Ventura. After 52 years of marriage, she was predeceased by her husband on June 9, 1998.
For eight years, she was employed by the New York State Police at the Troop K barracks in Hawthorne. Nancy then went on to work for IBM in Armonk as a Secretary Specialist. She retired in 1985.
She is survived by her son, Jim Ventura (Class of 1964) & his wife Robin of Orlando, FL and her daughter, Mary Ellen McCullough & her husband Kenny of Fishkill. Nancy was the devoted grandmother of four, Kelly McCullough of Maryland, Kenny McCullough, Jr. of Hawaii, and Jimmy & Carly Ventura of Florida.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rosary Hill Home, 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532. Published in the Poughkeepsie Journal from May 14 to May 27, 2012
April 15, 2012—JEAN A. RELLA, retired food service manager for Westlake High and Middle schools in Thornwood, NY, died Sunday, April 15, 2012 at the age of 93. A 51-year resident of Hawthorne, NY, she lived in Harrisburg, NC at the time of her death.
Born on May 21, 1918 to Giuseppe and Nunzia (Anna) Siciliato Cirrincione in Cleveland, Ohio, she was raised and educated in the Bronx, NY, concentrating in business courses at Evander Childs High School. In her early career, she worked in the garment industry. A talented seamstress, she made clothes for her siblings and later her children, many from her own designs.
On August 29, 1943, after a six-year courtship, she married the love of her life, Vincent Anthony Rella of Mount Vernon, NY at The Nativity of Our Blessed Lady Church in the Bronx. They moved to Hawthorne in 1956. Mr. Rella died in 1996.
After retirement from the Mount Pleasant (NY) Central School District, where she combined her culinary talent with her business skills for 23 years, she was employed in the food services department at PP&G offices in Pleasantville, NY, as well as at Pleasantville High School. She also enjoyed working as an election inspector for the town and school district.
In later years, she was active in Mt. Pleasant (NY) Seniors, where she enjoyed trips to local attractions. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Armonk, NY before moving to North Carolina five years ago, where she attended St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.
Mrs. Rella loved to travel, especially on cruises to Europe, Alaska, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean – taking frequent trips with her husband and daughter Nancyann, '65, with whom she lived at the time of her death. After her family and her faith, she held a lifelong passion for the New York Yankees.
In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her son, Joseph Vincent Rella of Concord, NC; her brother-in-law Gus Girardi of Flushing, NY; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was also predeceased by two brothers and three sisters.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00AM, Thursday, April 19th at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, 1400 Suther Road with Father Remo Di Salvatore, OFM Cap, celebrant. The family will receive friends following the mass. Entombment will be at Ferncliff Cemetery Mausoleum, Hartsdale, NY after a private committal service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to My Second Home, 95 Radio Circle, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 or Rosary Hill Home, 600 Linda Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532.
March 3, 2011—Ben Bailey ('66) was the grand marshal and keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamwalk at the University of South Carolina's Sumter Campus in January. Ben, who has been the executive director of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sumter, SC for nearly 16 years, is the author of "There Are No Parents `R Us Stores", a parent guide addressing such topics as freedom, peer pressure, sports, style, manipulation, and longevity.
March 2, 2011—To celebrate their retirement, Chari (Manchester ) Crow Maier ('65) and her husband Steve Maier ('67) recently took a 10- week trip from North Carolina to the Southwest in their RV. The 11,350- mile trip took them through 12 states while visiting 11 National Parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend, and Hot Springs). If you wish to hear more about their travels and see some of the photos, visit www.vagabondpress.wordpress.com
News Alert: Author! Author! Ben Bailey ('66) has a new book".. Ben Bailey, Class of '66, has written a book called There are No Parents 'R Us Stores. The book is a parent guide of sorts addressing such topics as freedom, peer pressure, sports, style, manipulation, and longevity. Ben, who has been the Executive Director of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sumter, SC for nearly 16 years, describes the book this way: Our children can pick their friends, but not their parents. Our children have no control over where they will live, where they will go to school, the type of job or career that they may have. But what if there was such a store where our children could walk through the automatic doors, select a shopping cart, move up and down the aisles, and pick their parents from the shelf? Would they pick their current parent/parents or would they be wise consumers, read the directions on the package to see if the parent/parents to who they were born are the best ones to see from childhood to adulthood or would they take the coupon they chipped from the Sunday paper move down to aisle and choose other parents?" Right now, the book is self-published, but Ben is hoping a publishing house will pick up the book for wider distribution. Ben also lives in Sumter, about 35 miles southeast of Columbia, SC. For more information, you can email him at: bsquarded@yahoo.com .
John Pynn '65. My wife and I have just retired moved into our new dream house that we had build in The Albemarle Plantation in Hertford,NC, all are welcome to come visit us. We are now planing to winter in North Carolina and spend our summers at our house on Eagle Lake outside of Ticonderoga, NY. Hopefully I will now have some time to work on my golf game and enjoy our new grandson.
Congratulations to Chari Manchester Crow ('65) who has become engaged to Steve Maier ('67), brother of classmate Cathy Maier Myers ('65). It is rumored that Steve admired Chari from afar since high school. Sister Cathy (aka "Cupid") got them together via email two years ago because of their mutual interest in photography and last year, they met at Cathy's home in Pennsylvania after 40 years. The rest, as they say, is romance.
Richard Flight ('65) appeared (October 2007) in Lanford Wilson's The Rimers of Eldritch, a haunting, suspenseful drama chronicling a month in the fictional small town of Eldritch - a town on the verge of disappearing. It's a story about "human lives trapped in desperate circumstances, a town where the main industry has died, and where hopelessness and decay abound." Rich, a New Canaan, Connecticut resident, plays the preacher/judge.
Nothing Could Be Finer…Look Who's Moved to Carolina. Nancyann Rella('65) has moved to Harrisburg, North Carolina near Charlotte. She'll continue her communications consulting business, Brio Communications Associates, LLC from her new home base. Once she's settled, she plans to join the local chapter of Women in Communications, volunteer at local hospital, and serve on board of directors at adult day care facility where her mother is a participant. "Since 60 is the new 40, I thought why not begin a new life someplace completely different and get away from New York's high taxes, pothole-riddled roads, frenetic pace, and winter weather?!," she says.
Choo Whyte ('65), our own "Island Girl", is settling in her new home - a beach cottage in Madaket, the most westerly town on Nantucket, which Choo says has the best sunsets. She is working for Wingworks Landscape, a high-end landscaping firm, as a client liaison, garden designer, and supervisor of four gardening crews. Choo says she can hear the ocean day and night and lives only a half mile from gorgeous beaches. Visitors welcome!
Ron Prezzano ('66) is semi-retired from Fox Television after 20-plus years. Now working as a freelancer for the last three years, most of the time from his home studio in Ossining , Ron produces and edits promos for TV networks' sweep rating periods, and also does voiceovers. Right now, he mainly works with local news channel WNYW Fox5's Creative Services Department.
Jackie Geiffert Maye ('65), who lives in Carson City , Nevada , has been selected to be a Nevada State Artist for a second four-year term. This honor will allow Jackie's musical Mozart presentation to be enjoyed in both rural and metropolitan areas of Nevada . She also was among 20 people in music, theater, dance, and the visual arts to be accepted as a school artist-in-residence for the state's schools and non-profit agencies, which she hopes to extend to other states as well. Despite her busy schedule, Jackie still finds time to share her love of teaching and performing at workshops on how to effectively use music in schools and in the workplace.
Mount Pleasant Central School District Newsletter, March 2006 with article on October 2005 reunion on page 4. Entire Newsletter is 578KB in size. Entire Article; page 4 ONLY 76KB.
DEATHS Top
BETH STEINFELD UVAL (Class of 1964) 64,
Halcott also lost Beth Uval, after her heroic battle against cancer, in the beginning of October [2010] of this year. Beth was the daughter of Paul and Lillian Steinfeld, mother of four wonderfully strong and nice children and beloved grandmother to their many children. She gave great wisdom and scholarship to Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, where she worked as a guide and wrote enlightening articles about the Jewish faith that helped many understand their own faith better. Our mutual dear friend Helen Frenkley wrote from Israel on October 6th: "I've come back home from Beth's funeral. My heart broke when I last saw her at home weighing maybe 70 pounds. By the time of her death a month later, she was just a great soul with a faint sheathing. She has gone to be a great joy to the Lord. May her memory be a blessing to all who were privileged to know her and love her."
RICHARD A. BECKER (Class of 1964) 62, of Ossining, NY and formerly of Hawthorne, NY, died on October 13, 2007 at the NYS Veterans Nursing Home in Montrose, NY. He was born on August 31, 1945 to John and Grace (nee Civita) Becker in White Plains, NY. Richard served proudly in the US Army during the Vietnam War as a MP. He was a self-employed carpenter. He loved all sports and excelled among all his peers and received many sports awards. He is survived by his mother, Grace Meehan of Bristol, RI and also survived by Diane Becker of Ossining, NY and his children, Richard Becker and his wife, Allison of Norwalk, Conn and Renita McCormack and her husband, Thomas of Ossining, NY; one sister, Marianne Gislason of Bristol, RI and two brothers, James and Jerry Becker of Mrytle Beach, SC. Also survived by four grandchildren, Victoria and Thomas Patrick IV McCormack and Emily and Ashley Becker.
PETER MICHAEL CREEDON (Class of 1964) 55, of Ninth District Rd., Somers, a retired History and Special Education Teacher at the Enrico Fermi High School in Enfield, died Monday, (June 17, 2002) at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford, after a courageous battle with a long illness. His beloved wife of 27 years, Judith Anne (Gajewski) preceded him in death on Dec. 24, 2001. Born in Dobb's Ferry, NY, a son of Elizabeth Agnes (Ward) Creedon and the late Gerard L. Creedon, Pete had been a resident of the Somers community since 1975. He received his BS from Pace University in New York and furthered his education by earning his MS in History from Westfield State College and his 6th Year Degree in Special Education at UCONN. Pete had taught at Fermi High for 20 years before his retirement. An active member of the faculty, he served as an advisor to the Drama Club and the Graduation Committee and for many years was the faculty advisor for the Fermi Teams that participated in ``As Schools Match Wits'' on Channel 22. Among Pete's favorite pastimes were reading and politics, but nothing exceeded his joy of traveling to the islands and Europe with Judy. He was also very proud of his Irish heritage and especially enjoyed the festivities surrounding St. Patrick's Day. He is survived by his daughter, Bridget Creedon of Somers; his mother, Elizabeth of Seminole, FL; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Gerard W. Creedon. Burial will be in the Somers Center Cemetery.
COLONEL HARRY C. HARVEY passed away at his home on April 3, 2006. He was raised in Mt. Kisco , where he attended elementary school. He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in Toms River, NJ and the United States Military Academy at West Point , Class of 1941. Upon graduation, he took flight training and served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. While on active duty, he received a Master's in teaching and a Professional Diploma in Geography from Columbia and entered his second career as a teacher. He taught one year at St. Francis School in Mt. Kisco before joining the staff of Westlake High School in Thornwood, where he served first as a Social Studies Teacher and then as Assistant Principal. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Kay) Johnston; son, Harry (Randy) of Summerville, SC; son, Peter of Katy, TX; daughter, Barbara Knowles of Pawling, NY; seven grandchildren; two great-grandsons; brother, Stephen Maslen of Towson, MD. His first wife, Frances ( Nancy ) and a granddaughter predeceased him.
RICHARD A. "RUSTY" HEINE We are sad to report that Rusty Heine, an "honorary Wildcat" who attended our reunion in October 2005, died on Monday, February 27, 2006 doing something he loved - watching a game of an over-50 men's basketball group at Westlake High School, according to some of his many friends.
Son of Robert Mileo, '64 Passes
Michael C. Mileo(1968 - 2011) 42, of Thornwood, N.Y. died on April 8, 2011 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. He was born on August 15, 1968 to Robert V. Mileo and Theresa Russotti in Mt.Kisco, N.Y. Michael worked in the maintenance and custodial department with the Mt.Pleasant Central School District in Thornwood, N.Y. Besides his father of Dover Plains, N.Y. and his mother of Thornwood, N.Y., Michael is also survived by his maternal aunt Joanne Russotti of Carmel, N.Y. and his maternal uncle John Russotti of Somers, N.Y. and by his step brother Adam Mileo of New Milford, Conn. Also survived by many cousins and friends. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him. Reposing,
DR. PETER SCHNECKNER '64 sadly passed away Friday, April 22, 2011. He was born in the Bronx, NY on September 5, 1946 to Robert and Madeline. Dr. Schneckner was a well known educator on the faculty of Mercy College. He was educated at SUNY New Paltz and the University of Northern Colorado. He is survived by his mother Madeline, sister Susan, children Christie and Thomas, cousins, aunts, uncles and companion Hsiao-Mei Huang. He was dedicated to his work and loved to travel. He treasured time spent with loved ones. A memorial mass was held on Tuesday April 26, 2011 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Yorktown Heights, with burial in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
EDWARD LOUIS SEMINARA Monday July 27, 2009, Edward lost a brave, unwavering battle with cancer. He was born January 29, 1948 to devoted parents, Rose and Louis Seminara. Edward was a beloved father, best friend and inspiration to his daughter, Allison. He was a loving husband to his wife, Barbara Miller of Briarcliff Manor. Edward was an adoring brother to his two sisters Camille and Rosemary, brotherin-law to Skip, and uncle to Christopher, Nick, and Kara. He was a dedicated stepfather to Barbara's children, Lauren and Amanda. Edward was also survived by former spouse, Jean Seminara of Greenwich. As a Professional Engineer, he was the Director of Public Works in Westchester County for many years. Edward had many interests including a passion for boating, classical piano, and a love for the New York Giants. All of those around him were touched by his wit, intellect, sense of humor, and humanitarianism. The family will receive friends at the Beecher Funeral Home, Inc. in Pleasantville on Thursday from 7 - 9 PM and on Friday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605 or The Dickstein Cancer Center at 2 Longview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601.
KEN THODE '65, Memorial Information
Obituary in Westchester Paper, 2011-02-05:
"Kenneth Thode passed away on January 18, 2011 in North Myrtle Beach, SC. He was born on April 27, 1948 in New York City to Howard and Mary Thode. He graduated from Westlake High School in 1965 and received his engineering degree from Clarkson University in 1969. In 1970 he married Nancy Love of Thornwood. Ken worked at Procter and Gamble from 1969 to 1994, when he became a founder and Executive Vice President of Twin Rivers Technologies until retirement. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary. He is survived by his father Howard; wife Nancy; son Keith and wife Amanda; son Kevin and wife Elaine; grandchildren Micah, Ruthie, and Lily; sister Ginny Moss and husband Robert; brother Roger Thode and wife Mary; and brother Donald Thode and wife Deborah."
George Snediker, his childhood friend, Class of '66, received this information from Ken's sister-in-law. "Thank you to our family and friends for your prayers and offers of assistance and support in the tragic loss of our beloved Kenny on January 18, 2011. Thank you for respecting the family's privacy in this very difficult time. Please feel free to contact me, Nancy's sister, with any questions on logistics of events being scheduled or addresses needed. In lieu of flowers, Donations can be sent to: Clarkson University, ATTN: April Grant, Box 5515, Potsdam, NY 13699, Betsy DuBois, 315-402-9809, betsy@betsydubois.com"
KIMBERLY ANN PISARRA, Class of 1965
Kim Pisarra, age 63, of Matthews, NC, died on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at Asbury Care Center in Charlotte. She was born on December 14, 1947, in White Plains, NY, to Lorenz and Margaret McGregor Pisarra. She completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education at the State University of New York, Oswego, NY, and her master's degree at Albany State University in Albany, NY. She was a teacher at Blind Brook Elementary School for thirty-five years. She had moved to Matthews, NC, three years ago to be closer to childhood friends. Miss Pisarra traveled to every continent but Antarctica. A memorial service was held in Charlotte. Following this, Miss Pisarra will be inurned at Ferncliff Cemetery in Greenburgh, NY. Donations may be directed to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Two Wells Fargo Center, 301 S. Tryon St., Suite 1700, Charlotte, NC 28282. Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com. Arrangements by McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel.
MICHAEL "MICKEY" DUFFELMEYER
Taught in the Mount Pleasant Central School District for 33 years-
Michael "Mickey" Duffelmeyer, 65, of Crossland St., Charlestown, RI, and a longtime resident of Hopewell Jct., NY, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at South County Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Ann (Smead) Duffelmeyer. He was also the son of the late Edward and Ruth (Geer) Duffelmeyer of Valhalla, NY.
Mickey graduated from Springfield College, MA in 1967. For over 33 years, Mickey taught physical education for the Mount Pleasant Central School District, in Thornwood, NY and coached football, basketball, baseball, and golf to generations of school children over his long career. Mickey also enjoyed pheasant hunting, boating, golfing and camping with his family and friends and playing the drums. He was a member of the Christadelphian Ecclesia of Westerly.
Besides his wife Ann of 40 years, he will be sadly missed by his daughter Heather Woodward and her husband John and three grandchildren Brianna, Chase and Alexa of York, PA. He is also survived by his brother Edward "Jit" Duffelmeyer of Danbury, CT and sister Wendy Smutok of Whalen, MA, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to L.A.C.E.S. (Life and Change, Experienced thru Sports) at www.lacesport.org. Published in the The Journal News on February 28, 2011
JAMES B. KING
It is with great sadness that I report that passing of James King, husband of Teresa "Teasy" Monea King, Class of '64.
The Journal News: James B. King of Carmel, NY, formerly of Hawthorne, NY, passed away on March 3 after a lengthy illness. Jim was born on May 19, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY to Leo and Loretta King (Carew). He was raised in Hawthorne, NY and graduated from Archbishop Stepinac HS.
He served in the US Navy and Naval Reserve for four years where he spent time aboard the USS Randolph. On September 11, 1965 he married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Monea from Pleasantville.
Jim began his career as a police officer in Pleasantville, NY in 1973. He later transferred to Rye Brook, NY and retired as a sergeant in 1990. His love for golf and cooking for family and friends were among his favorite interests. Those who shared in the joy of his life and now cherish his memory include Teresa, his wife of 45 years, his daughter, Cheryl Sarli (Paul) of Patterson, NY. His son, James King, Jr. (Debbie) of Yorktown Heights, NY, five grandchildren, Matthew, Stephen and Brittany Sarli of Patterson and Lexi and Maya King of Yorktown Heights. Jim is survived by his brothers, Peter King of Montville, NJ, John Kenny King of Harrison, NY and sisters, Mary Vorwerk of Concord, NC, Loretta Avella of Sparrow Bush, NY and Jean Marie Ciccone of Port Chester, NY along with many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Beecher Funeral Home, Inc., Pleasantville, NY. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 10 AM, Holy Innocents Church, Pleasantville, NY. Burial Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice Care in Westchester/Putnam, 540 White Plains Road -Suite 300 Tarrytown, NY 10591
SEE "In Memoriam"
