Clifton Merchant Magazine - July 2024

back every 10 years, we begin in 2014, but...

...first we take you back to December, 1963. From left, that’s CHS 1964 soon-to-be grads Rosemary Clark, Sneeky Santa, Randy De Ghetto, Judy Everett, Jill Rice, Kathy Baker, Marlene Kessler, Michael La Russo, and Class Advisor Peter Lo Re, taking a break from decorating for the Christmas

Next year marks 30 years since we began Telling Clifton’s Story. On the following 70 or so pages, come with us on a journey from 2014 to 1954. We began our annual July trek with one question: Where Are These Mustangs Now?

In increments of 10 years, we heard from CHS grads who became lifelong residents. Other grads took to planes and trains, but still found their way back to Clifton via lifelong memories. And we spoke with Mustang sweethearts, from 2014 grads Nick and Adriana Glodava to 1964 grads Steve and Sharon Gola.

We hope you enjoy reading the journeys of these Mustangs as much as we loved telling their stories.

Contributing Writers

Ariana Puzzo, Joe Hawrylko, Irene Jarosewich, Tom Szieber, Jay Levin, Michael C. Gabriele, Jack DeVries, Patricia Alex

Hawrylko, Sr.

Puzzo

Kulyk

Dance.

The Fighting Mustangs and CHS drum major Kelly Williams back in 1984.

Car Ride to Forever

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘14 Class of

Adriana (Rakic) Glodava wasn’t looking for a boyfriend when Nick Glodava came into her life. She just needed a ride home. It was junior year and Nick had mutual friends with Adriana’s brother. After Nick agreed to drop her off one day after school, Adriana got his cell number to meet up with him.

Nick felt similarly about Adriana and understood early who she was at her core. “My wife is very attractive and has a very good personality. She’s very kind-hearted,” said Nick, 28. “That’s something I realized pretty quickly.”

Fateful Encounter

Finding a significant other who’s “popular” was never part of either Mustang’s plan.

“It’s more about finding someone who meshes well with you as far as personalities go,” said Nick. “The things you can’t see are the most important.”

Adriana echoed his sentiment, adding that the key to a long-lasting relationship is finding a partner who “has the same values as you do.”

The ice wasn’t immediately broken between them. “His brother was also there, so the three of us drove home,” Adriana laughed. “Mostly, he cranked the music all the way up and didn’t want to say much.”

It wasn’t clear to Adriana whether or not he was shy, but she acknowledged that it only took texting a couple of times for the “rest [to be] history.” The couple started dating in the summer before their senior year on Aug. 12, 2013. Fast forward a decade — they kept the same date and got married on Aug. 12, 2023 at The Venetian in Garfield.

Adriana’s initial impression of her husband was that he “was a cutie” and that she wanted him to engage more, because it was clear he was a dedicated student and someone who was involved with sports.

“I liked being with someone who had things kind of figured out. He was very dedicated to his future,” said Adriana, 28. “That was hard to come by at the time.”

“If you guys aren’t on the same page and aren’t looking for the same thing, how is that really going to work?” said Adriana. “You have to figure out yourself first.”

Adriana attended School 1 and CCMS before CHS. She was raised by parents Mile and Zora with brother Alex (CHS 2009).

Nick, who only attended CHS in Clifton, grew up with CHS grad parents John (CHS 1987) and Lesia Filewicz (CHS 1986), and brother Mark (CHS 2015).

Nick was center defense for Mustang’s Soccer all four years and was selected as the student-athlete for 2014. His most influential teachers were soccer coach Robert Tomesko and Chemistry teacher Daniel Chilowicz.

“Coach Tomesko taught everyone how to be responsible and show up to practice [on time],” said Nick. “It was the same for Mr. Chilowicz. He was a very smart guy and knew how to get the best [work] out of his students.”

Nick’s high school years were also spent volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club as an indoor soccer coach and his

first job was working at Champion Plastics, 220 Clifton Blvd., inside the shipping warehouse.

Elsewhere, Adriana was managing the Fighting Mustangs for three years and played forward on the Clifton Girls Soccer team.

AP Art teacher Ms. Lauren Fox is who she remembered as taking time to nurture her artistic abilities.

“She was great with me, because I have a talent for art and she noticed that really early on,” Adriana said of Fox. “During class, she gave me more freedom to explore different things, such as colored pencil work.” Today, she does commission work in her free time as a hobby. “That’s all due to her,” affirmed Adriana.

Nick, whose background is in Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, works as a superintendent for J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. in Hackensack.

Adriana attended MSU, majoring in Business with a focus in Marketing and a minor in Biology. It was working as an EMT that she got her foot in the medical door. She has spent the past four years at Academy Orthopedics in Wayne as a clinical coordinator.

The future for the Clifton residents involves looking for their own home. That home is where Nick said they hope to one day start a family. And it all started with a fateful car ride. “I didn’t even know Nick was in the same high school for the first three years,” said Adriana. “You may feel like you know everyone there, but you really don’t.”

Married in 2023 and on the facing page, at the 2014 prom, Nick and Adriana (Rakic) Glodava.

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘14

Working For Himself

When Alexander Mazur needs advice or just wants to talk to someone that he considers family, he calls the Jaegers. That’s CHS Resource Room teacher Laurie Jaeger and WWMS principal Andrew Jaeger. Mazur had Laurie as a teacher before she and Andrew were married. Fast forward to June 10, 2023 — the Jaegers attended Mazur’s wedding to wife Kylie.

“Their kids were part of my wedding,” said Mazur, 29. “Now being a business owner and an adult living life, Andy still has the biggest impact on me. If I need something or any advice, I call Andy for everything now.”

Mazur grew up on Hazel St., attended School 14, WWMS, and played football and lacrosse for CHS. Football was an easy choice that he had enjoyed his entire life, but his interest in lacrosse came a bit later.

“Lacrosse came out of me watching American Pie one day. That great American movie,” Mazur added with a laugh. “I figured, let’s try it out.”

Mazur’s high school memories include spending time with friends Ryan Trembedis and Jordan Durant, landscaping to earn some money, and spending time up at Lake George with his future wife, Kylie, who attended Mount St. Dominic Academy and whom he met when he was a junior.

Today, the Mazurs live in Wayne and welcomed their firstborn son mid-June. Wayne is also where they operate a family-owned business, Grateful Dogs Grooming & Daycare.

Before opening their business, Mazur considered other career options like becoming a cop and was almost a fully unionized UPS driver.

“I told them, I know it’s hard work and I don’t shy away from hard work,” said Mazur, “but if I’m going to be working hard, I would rather work for myself.”

So he started pitching ideas to Kylie and to anyone who would listen. The conclusion that Mazur reached is that while boarding and daycare were his ideal services, the business would not stay afloat. He went to grooming school in Newfoundland on Route 23 for roughly seven months and worked for a while as a dog groomer in River Vale.

It was ultimately the coronavirus pandemic and personal loss that pushed him forward.

“That’s when I said, ‘Let’s go’ and put my full force into this,” said Mazur. “My wife and I put a business plan together and said, ‘Let’s make this happen’, and here we are three years later.”

Alexander Mazur in 2014. Alexander and Kylie (Freer) Mazur with Andrew and Laurie Jaeger and kids Olivia and Luke.

Changing Trajectories

Sarah Bielen’s advice to the newest Mustang alumni is simple: Remember where you came from. Even if you relocate or distance yourself from your hometown and high school.

“I think there’s a way to stay in touch with people from high school without it being a part of high school,” said Bielen, 28. “Your experiences are your experiences, and they shape you into being who you are. I don’t think you should completely forget about high school,” she added. “You can look back on it fondly and still move ahead.”

That’s what Bielen did. Among her good friends today are CHS 2014 grads Liz Austin, Adam Kopitar, and Devin Sogluizzo. One of her best friends is also Brianna Labanich (CHS 2015).

After graduating a semester early from MSU with a major in Communications and minor in Business, Bielen admitted that she wasn’t sure what would come next for her.

What followed was a part-time internship as a marketing assistant in the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce for about a year and a half. She realized in 2019 that marketing wasn’t for her and was simultaneously working at Stop & Shop — a part-time job that she held throughout high school and college.

Bielen worked as a full-time floral manager at the Broad Street store from 2019 until leaving in 2023 for her current job. She’s a management assistant for a Municipal Water Utility in Bergen County.

Sarah Bielen, grandmother Dorothy Brown, mom Pam, and sister Jessica.

Where are these Mustangs now?

“How I found my job was serendipitous. I wasn’t looking for it, but they ended up wanting me,” said Bielen. She encouraged recent grads to see that in a positive way. “Don’t expect right out of college to find your dream job. You need to work your way through things. You can always change your trajectory.”

Bielen’s trajectory was largely influenced by her family. The Albion native and sister Jessica (CHS 2010) are thirdgeneration Mustangs. Bielen attended School 5, WWMS, and she spent all four of her high school years dancing under the supportive eye of Ms. Lois Manzella.

Working part-time in Produce at Stop & Shop on Broad Street since high school, Kopitar knew that he needed additional work to meet his goals. Supplementing his higher education is what led to him applying to become a substitute teacher.

“I got the job and was put into a long-term, maternity leave class for special education students,” said Kopitar. “I fell in love with it … so now I’m pursuing a career in teaching.”

Prom dates Adam Kopitar and Giulia Bertolotti. Inset Adam today.

She considers parents Steven and Pam — Pam graduated with the CHS Class of 1978 — and grandmother Dorothy Brown (CHS 1950) as significant childhood role models.

“They’re all so hard-working and selfless. Even just seeing throughout the years how they carry themselves and what they’re about [made a difference],” said Bielen. “I think that helped shape me to always try to help people.”

Embracing Education

“Class Clown” Adam Kopitar was outgoing and talkative in high school, but he also enjoyed his classes and credited teachers for keeping him focused.

“I liked Mr. Kevin Ashworth’s English class my senior year and he got me prepared for college,” said Kopitar, 28. “His motto was: ‘If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.’”

Now Kopitar gets to instill his own classroom values in the halls of Colfax Avenue. But the Mustang alum took a few turns before ultimately returning to CHS as a substitute teacher.

Kopitar’s parents Thomas and Coleen raised him and brothers Chris (CHS 2006) and Brian (CHS 2009) in the Acquackanonk section. He attended Grove Hill Nursery School on Van Houten Avenue, School 2, and WWMS.

After graduating from CHS, he attended Fortis Trade School for HVAC in Wayne for 2 years. He then studied Humanities at PCCC in Wanaque and graduated from MSU in the Spring 2022 with a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Television and Digital Media.

Kopitar’s hope is by Fall of 2024 to receive his certificates from MSU in K-6 Education, Social Studies, and Communications. His longer term goal is to teach Special Education at CHS. He looks forward to his 10-year reunion and still spends time with friends Nick Bartko and Kevin Tripicchio. The advice that he would give his younger self is a lesson that benefits people of all ages, including his students. “There’s no such thing as too much schooling,” he said.

NextGen STEM in Clifton

Growing up in an Indian-American family meant that Parth Rana experienced a blend of cultures while growing up in his household.

“My favorite American holiday was Thanksgiving, and we always blended the two cultures when making the dishes,” said Rana, 27. “We also celebrate [the annual Hindu festival] Navratri every year, which happens in September or October.”

“It’s funny, because it’s basically the end of the Indian festivals and Thanksgiving is the start of the American holidays,” he continued. “That would be the transition period of our household … with a lot of food, family, and friends.”

Rana and his younger brother Kishan, a PCTI 2017 grad, are first-generation U.S. born. They grew up on the border of Clifton and Nutley with parents Mukesh and Asha. Rana’s an alum of School 8 and CCMS.

His stand-out high school teachers were Mr. Christopher Henry for History and Ms. Kathleen Brach for PreCalculus, who he credited respectively as “preparing us for college really well” and “connecting the real-world application to the class.” But it was CCMS Math teacher Ms. Karen Brodack who made her class so enjoyable that Rana considered a career in the field.

“One of my memories is that we had to do a project, and I made a giant Jeopardy board with math questions,” said Rana. “I heard from other students she had after that she continued to use my board for years to come.”

That’s the project that also kick-started his interest in STEM and led to his current career as a structural engineer. During his junior and senior years of high school, Rana volunteered at the Liberty Science Center most Sundays and taught students about the exhibits. He did volunteer work before then at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic for his first two years of high school.

He was also involved in the CHS Robotics Club and the Technology Students Association.

“My parents and grandfather Bhikhu were huge influences in my academics,” said Rana. “I grew up in a family where education is very important. We were always given every opportunity.”

The Montclair Heights resident earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from NJIT in May of 2018 and master’s in Structural Engineering in December of 2019.

Today, he works at HNTB as a Structural Engineer III with an active role for the Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation Project Contract 9A and the Newark Bay Bridge projects. Rana is additionally president of the New Jersey Chapter American Society of Civil Engineers.

Growing professionally and working on other “iconic projects” are two of Rana’s long-term goals. He’s kept Clifton friends close — including Zeana Moulayes, Pravin Mohan, and Deep Patel — and has returned to School 8 to present on STEM for third to fifth graders and wants to do the same outreach at his former high school.

“I didn’t really know about STEM in detail from school. Now we go and make it a kid-friendly presentation to teach them more,” said Rana. “For high school students, it can let them know what the next steps are.”

Always Active

Perhaps you’ve seen Brian Counterman Jr. running around our city — literally.

The former Mustang hasn’t slowed down since he graduated a decade ago with his classmates at the former IZOD Center in East Rutherford. Today, he bowls weekly from October to April through the Clifton Recreation Buddy Canteen program for Special Olympics.

“I also do Track and Field with the same program and travel every year to The College of New Jersey for the Special Olympics Summer Games,” said Counterman, 27. “On Fridays, I get together with friends within the same program. We play basketball, board games, do crafts, play cards, and we socialize.”

Counterman lives with his parents, Brian Sr. and Helen, and has a younger sister, Sarah (CHS 2019). A memorable high school memory was being recognized as Student of the Month in his senior year. Counterman was also the only Special Education student to participate in the Prom Fashion show.

His gratitude is as strong as ever for Physical Education teacher Mr. Christopher Tuosto and his case manager, Ms. Olier.

“Mr. Tuosto taught Special Education Gym and always had great things to say about Brian being helpful in class,” said mother Helen. “His case manager went the extra mile to help guide him in what he wanted to do each year he was at CHS.”

Parth Rana in 2014 and today.

Brian Counterman Jr. in 2014 and today.

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘04

Youthful Memories to Spare

Passing on his natural lefty hook is one of Kyle Handoga’s hopes for the future. It helps that bowling is multigenerational in his family. Handoga’s earliest memory of bowling was at age 5 with parents Peter and Gretchen (CHS 1975 and 1976) and grandfather Bill Umhoefer.

“I do remember … I threw the ball down the left side,” said Handoga, 38. “It was going toward the pocket and started to hook. My mother and grandfather looked at each other [in shock].”

Handoga grew up in the Acquackanonk Gardens neighborhood. His previous schools included School 13, School 2, and WWMS. During high school, he was a member of the team that won the State Championships in 2002.

“We were one of the first North Jersey teams to win States in a very long time. Normally, the South Jersey teams won States, so the year we won was kind of a shock to everybody,” he recalled. “The bowling team was probably my second family.”

Handoga attended County College of Morris and finished his studies at Rutgers Cook College, now Rutgers – New Brunswick, for Horticulture and Landscape Design. The former Mustang’s spent the past two de-

cades working his way up at Gardens of the World Landscaping. He has held a managerial role for about nine years.

“Honestly, I was originally using the job as a stepping stone to do landscape design,” he said. “The more I worked there, I got to deal with all of the new introductions to plants every day. It really exposed me to plant material. I love what I do.”

Handoga lives in Hopatcong with his wife of two years, Ashley, and their six-month-old daughter, Charlotte. He remains an avid bowler, playing with two leagues per week and bowling in county and state tournaments that run throughout the year.

Handoga was inducted in 2018 into the Passaic County Bowling Hall of Fame at age 32 as the youngest inductee. He’s achieved 70 perfect 300-games.

“Charlotte has already held her first bowling ball and rolls around on the floor with it,” laughed Handoga. “We hope she’s a leftie like I am.”

Kyle Handoga bowling in 2004 and today with his daughter Charlotte.

Advocating for Students

Regina (Hemsey) Kennedy found a way to make a career out of talking in school. Now 37, she became a counselor in Clifton Schools in 2017 at Schools 1 and 14 until 2020 and is based now at School 1 on Park Slope.

“When people say to kids, ‘I’ve been in that seat before’, I literally have,” said Kennedy. “It’s nice to connect with the kids. I tell them stories about Columbus when I transition the fifth graders, and I’ve been to the High School,” she continued. “It’s nice, because I walked down those same hallways.”

Kennedy grew up on Washington Ave. and attended School 3 as a thirdgeneration Cliftonite. She and sister, Francesca (CHS 2007), are the daughters of Fred Hemsey and Robyn (Filippone) Hemsey (CHS 1978). Their grandparents include the late John Filippone (CHS 1946) and Rose Marie (Ricci) Filippone (CHS 1953), who still lives on Luddington Ave. “My grandfather passed away in 2020, but he was such a presence,” said Kennedy. “Rain or shine, he was at every football game and would go to watch me and my sister. He loved the band.”

ing, whose baby shower Kennedy attended a few months ago. She also works in the same building as fellow 2004 grads Alex Berberich, a physical education teacher, and Amanda Gergoritz, a resource room teacher. Comparing high school stories is the norm. Including the popular trends. “Animal print was big,” laughed Kennedy. “So were Steve Madden slingback sandals and chokers.”

Embracing the Journey

She’s lived in Jersey City and Bloomfield, but all roads lead back to Clifton for Jilian Fueshko. “Clifton is a very good hub with a lot of access to get to places while also being a great community of people.”

Fueshko is an Albion native and the younger daughter of Guy and Pamela Fueshko. Sister Tara graduated from CHS in 2002. The family is deeply involved with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and their mom serves as the Acting Executive Director of Saint Peter’s Haven.

John served within the US Army during the Korean War and through the Knights of Columbus, supported the intellectual and developmentally disabled community. “My sister and I still do a lot of work for the Clifton Adult Opportunity Center,” said Kennedy.

Teachers Donna Chipura and Julie Schmidt, and counselor Florence Calise, encouraged her at the different life stages. “Mrs. Calise put me on the path to become a school counselor,” said Kennedy. “She advocated for her students.” Kennedy played piccolo for four years as a Marching Mustang. She went to Caldwell College for Political Science and earned her master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in School Counseling. Today, the Woodland Park resident lives with husband Mike and daughter Tiernan Rosalia, 2. She is connected to Ashley Rich, who went to School 3, and Heather Flem-

The former Mustang’s schooling began at WeeCare, School 5, and WWMS. She played soccer, basketball, and softball at CHS and participated in choir and Mads.

“My experience was always being busy with things I loved doing with friends, old and new,” said Fueshko. Some of memories included Disney trips with the softball team, the choir trips to Carnegie Hall, Disney, or Busch Gardens, and being named All-State for soccer.

“Like a lot of teenagers, I wanted to be a professional athlete and didn’t really think too much about a real career,” she explained. “Athletics only went through college, but it gave me a lot of personal traits and qualities that have helped me through a lot of interviews and jobs and given me good grounds to stand on.”

She attended St. Peter’s University, then College, in Jersey City on a full scholarship for academics and soccer. She played one year of softball and three of soccer at the NCAA Division 1 school until her knee was taken out in the third game of the season. She graduated with a Degree in Marketing Management with a minor in Math and worked at Parisi Speed School. For 14 years, she had managed the chiropractic office of Pure Balance Center on Broad St. She also works at The Happy Hound in Pompton Plains, taking care of animals and doing photography.

Regina at right in 2004, and Mike Kennedy with their daughter Tiernan Rosalia.

Lifelong friends include DanaMarie (Cannizzaro) Ellis and Victoria (Jarosz) Anciano, friends since age 2, and cousin Amanda Rice. Others that she has stayed connected to include Randy Guzman, Danny Prado, Fernando Rodriguez, and Kevin Green. Advice to her younger self is “not to stress over things too much.” “A lot of things have a way of working out without putting yourself into panic mode,” she said. “Sometimes life has to find you.”

Bright Futures

Whenever Robert DeGraaf seeks clarity or comfort, turning his thoughts to God allows him to keep moving

forward. DeGraaf, 37, is a subdeacon at the Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints in Garfield. He has attended the church since infancy and became an altar server at age 4. He became a subdeacon the same year that he graduated from CHS.

“It’s not really a path that I pursued,” he explained. “Rather than deliberately seeking this out, I evolved into it.” His faith has grown deeper over the years and he describes himself as someone who prays “continually and constantly.”

“I’ve stayed with it and worked my way up to where I am now,” he continued. “Religion has always been a part of my life, and it presumably always will be.”

DeGraaf’s childhood was spent in the city’s Richfield section. He comes from a family of Mustangs, including parents Robert DeGraaf Sr. (CHS 1970) and Helen (Goydich) DeGraaf (CHS 1971), plus older brother Nicholas (CHS 2003).

The School 2 and WWMS alum was interested in anything related to history from an early age. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees studying History at Montclair State.

His jobs over the years have included working at the Little Falls ShopRite in multiple capacities since age 15 and he was a substitute teacher at CCMS and WWMS from 2012 until 2015.

Today, DeGraaf recently left ShopRite and works as a freelance writer on different jobs. He writes scripts for the

Jilian Fueshko in 2004 and today.

YouTube channel @Simplehistory — which has over 4.7 million followers. “The stories of things that actually happened are far more entertaining and interesting than anything that Hollywood could ever come up with,” he said of his appreciation of history. “It’s important to learn about [these stories].”

DeGraaf’s subdeacon responsibilities keep him busy and are diverse. His work is largely behind-the-gates within the church, assisting the priest near the altar to make sure the liturgy runs smoothly. That involves making sure candles are lit, sensors are ready, and the incense and Communion are where they belong. “It’s not glamorous, but it needs to get done,” he said of the rituals of the liturgy. “Take out any one part of the Russian Orthodox service and it loses the rest of its significance.”

Best of Both Worlds

Ripped jeans and popped polos were iconic staples of the 2000s. Yet Kevin Green recognizes a feeling of the era that existed and was just as, if not more, prevalent.

“When I think back to those years,” said Green, 37, “there’s [just an] innocence we didn’t realize was still among us. These days with social media and cell phones — we didn’t have all that back then. There was an innocence that came with that.”

Yet time marches on, and so does Green. He moved a few months ago from Little Falls to Jersey City and is part of a trio — including Matt Amelio and Tom Garretson — organizing his 20th class reunion.

The reunion will be held at The Shannon Rose, 98 Kingsland Rd., on Nov. 30 from 6-9 pm. The organizers will create a Facebook Group with more information, but Green said it will be a cash bar with food provided using the class’s funds. No ticket purchase is required.

It’ll be a night to hang out and reconnect — though Green has stayed in touch with some of his “Clifton crew.” These friends include Elisha (Wilson) McCazzio, Katherine (Koumoulos) Sirsch, and Mustang sweethearts Chris and Joanna (Jedrzej) Paruta.

In 2004 and today: Subdeacon Robert DeGraaf.

The Athenia native has his own life updates to share. Green, who attended Grove Hill, School 13, and WWMS, is now working as a bartender in Hell’s Kitchen. When we last connected with him in 2014, he had since graduated from William Paterson and went on to work on the production side of The Cake Boss and the Rachael Ray Show.

After spending years in the hospitality industry and then at a project management firm, he knew he needed a change in June of 2023. “I don’t know if bartending is my fallback, or more so who I am,” said Green. “I enjoy … talking to people and being able to be myself at my job.”

Part of that identity is being a born-and-raised New Jerseyan. He’s the youngest child of Kevin Sr. and Laura Green and the younger brother of Megan Dolaghan (CHS 2001) and Kimberly Green (CHS 2003). Green chased the sun to Florida for a minute and considered living in the city once he returned, but he knows where he belongs.

“I thought it would be fun to live by the bar, but I’m a Jersey boy. I want to live in my home state,” he said. “Now it’s the best of both worlds: I’m close to the city but still close to my family.”

Back in 2004, Kevin Green was the opening photo of our magazine, sharing what the well-dressed Mustang would typically wear. He is pictured above behind the bar in Hell’s Kitchen at right recently.

Joined at the hip during their Mustang journey, that’s Tom Garretson and Matt Amelio as class inseperables in 2004. The two are still best friends and have added their wives as well. From left: Nikki Amelio, Annelise Garretson and Tom and Matthew this past New Year’s. Catch up with these and more Mustangs at the 20th reunion on Nov. 30 from 6-9 pm. Paid for by leftover class funds, no ticket is required. Cash bar. It will be held at The Shannon Rose, 98 Kingsland Rd. Spend a casual night reminiscing with familiar faces.

Where are these Mustangs now?

Record cold temperatures may have hit the east coast in 1994, but Mustang sports were hot. As warmer months brought news of the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and NFL star O. J. Simpson’s low-speed car chase, graduating seniors prepared to walk across the field with more typical high school memories — which included supporting the Fighting Mustangs and watching The Showband of the Northeast dazzle crowds.

Big Hair and Big Spirits

It was September of 1990, which meant hair was big and the Z Cavariccis were fresh as Kellyann (Walsh) O’Brien joined her classmates at the freshman Biology lab tables.

She recalled feeling nervous, but there was also plenty to look forward to. O’Brien, 48, would soon take part in the long-standing Mustang tradition of attending Saturday afternoon football games, cheering on the Fighting Mustangs, and watching as The Showband of the Northeast performed miracles at halftime.

“[Going to Clifton High School also] meant toilet papering the lawns of our favorite players,” she added. “A tradition that I’m sure the parents were thrilled about.”

O’Brien lives today in Wilbraham, Massachusetts with husband Dennis and sons Liam, 14, and Desmond, 12. Her memories of her life in Clifton remain special to her, including what would be a cultural transition from growing up in the 80’s to coming of age in the 90’s.

“Although ‘The Wonder Years’ had been the soundtrack to our middle school years, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ was poised to become the blueprint for our high school experience,” said O’Brien.

Out were the likes of Guns N’ Roses and Milli Vanilli — their replacements being Pearl Jam and Dr. Dre.

“If we weren’t picking up style cues cruising the Willowbrook Mall, we were certainly seeing it strutting down the red carpet at the MTV VMAs,” said O’Brien.

Inside the halls of CHS told another story. O’Brien performed with the Concert Choir and the Madrigals. She auditioned for and performed “The Silver Swan” with Re-

Kellyann O’Brien and husband Dennis.

The K3 Crew as seen in the 1994 yearbook.

gional and All-State choirs. “And who amongst us could forget The Boar’s Head Festival?” she added.

Among her favorite school plays were “Romeo & Juliet”, “Camelot”, and “Harvey.” There was a lot of fundraising, too, but it wasn’t all lighthearted. O’Brien and her classmates had convictions.

“Whether we were going before the school board to fight for English teacher Mr. John Hier’s job or walking out of school to protest the Gulf War, we were passionate about what we believed in.”

And, of course, they learned — whether in the classroom or during Physics Day at Six Flags.

“But even the academic stuff was fun when you were with the right people,” assured O’Brien.

Returning Home

The artist of the era was Alanis Morissette and — as Laura (De Haas) Nelke remembers it — the place to be was at a friend’s house, especially if that friend’s family had a pool.

“Clifton is a community where you always see somebody you know. A friendly face,” said Nelke, 48. “You can get everywhere and you’re in the middle of everything. It’s just a hub.”

Nelke grew up on Clifton Boulevard with parents Kenneth and Catherine De Haas and her older brother, Timothy (CHS 1990). She attended School 13 and WWMS, then she worked at Charm Cleaners on Van Houten Avenue throughout high school.

Laura (De Haas) Nelke with her family.

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘94 Class of

“I remember feeling a sense of community and that everybody was friends and talked to each other,” said Nelke about her school days. “And we were able to walk outside between classes.”

Nelke’s next stop was Bergen Community College, where she figured out that her passion was in becoming a teacher. She got an associate’s degree from Bergen before earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Elementary Education K-8 from William Paterson.

She worked at School 13 as a BSI teacher from January to June of 2000 and returned in the fall as a first grade teacher. She taught the first grade until the 2008-09 academic year, which was when she moved to School 17 to work as a reading recovery teacher.

Now in her 25th year of teaching, Nelke appreciates the colleagues both in her room and in School 17. She is also grateful for those who helped welcome her back as a teacher at her elementary alma mater.

“When I started working at School 13, there were still a bunch of teachers that I knew,” she said. “I felt like I was home.”

Her other home is in Nutley with her husband, David, whom she married in 2006. They have three boys: Jack, 14, Benjamin, 11, and Harrison, 8. Staying connected to her hometown is a big deal for the former Mustang.

“I was interviewing [for teaching positions] in other places and had opportunities,” she said, “but as soon as I found out that School 13 was hiring, I really wanted that. I wanted to give back to my community and help people to become better.”

Athletic Legacy

The Clifton Softball dynasty was a real thing during Dana (Jeannetti) Murdoch’s years at CHS. And it’s among her fondest memories of high school.

“I was an athlete,” said Murdoch, describing her teenage self. “It’s kind of what defined me.”

Murdoch, 48, played Varsity soccer and softball for all four years and earned 11 varsity letters. She was center forward for Girls Soccer and scored 91 goals over her Clifton career. As part of the Softball team, she saw Clifton win three County Championships and capture the state title in

her junior year. The former Mustang received recognition as the All-States Second Baseman in her junior year. She additionally joined the Bowling team as a sophomore.

“That team was pretty impressive as well,” said Murdoch. “We ended up doing amazing things for women’s bowling.”

The current Montclair Heights resident is married to husband Ryan Murdoch, with whom she has two children: Alexa, 17, who graduated last month from DePaul Catholic, and R.J., 14, a rising CHS freshman in the Class of 2028.

But predating her life today and high school sports career, she grew up in Athenia and attended School 13 and WWMS. Her parents are Frank Jeannetti and Karen Pascucci, and her step-dad is Joe Pascucci. Her siblings Drew and Tara graduated, respectively, from CHS in 1990 and St. Mary’s in 1996.

Growing up in the 80’s meant many things — staying outside until the street lights turned on, playing stickball and kickball with the neighborhood kids, and eventually spending late nights during the 90’s at The Hot Grill.

Dana (Jeannetti) Murdoch in 1994 and with her family.

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“Sperling Park was probably a second home to me,” she said.

Murdoch attended Georgian Court College, now University, in Lakewood, where she also played softball for four years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Education and eventually found her way back to Clifton in 2000.

She has worked at School 12, at 165 Clifton Ave., for almost 25 years. Murdoch taught Basic Skills reading, writing, and mathematics for third, fourth, and fifth graders this school year and has immense gratitude for the man who interviewed and hired her. “Mr. Sal Anzaldi was my elementary school principal and became almost like a second father to me,” said Murdoch. “He was a great influence and always had my best interests at heart.”

Murdoch continued by saying it was Anzaldi (CHS 1964) who hired her about 12 years ago as the JV Softball coach for CHS — a position that she still holds today. “I was very lucky to be taken under his wing,” she said.

Lester Lembryk

He was a four-year starter for the Mustangs, and one of the finest goalkeepers in the team’s lengthy history. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Lester Lembryk’s induction into the 2010 CHS Athletic Hall of Fame for his feats on the pitch was a dream come true.

“At age five or six, my father, Stan, who is from Poland, pretty much started bringing me to all the local soccer games,” said Lembryk, now 48, in 2010. “I remember going to some Cosmos games and, from that point on, I grew to love the sport. Every opportunity I had, I was always playing.”

“I would actually play out the game when I got home in my backyard,” he added. “I would pretend that I was certain players that I knew from my older brother. I would play all night until my mother would tell me, ‘Get inside already.’” His big brother Stan, who’s in his 21st year as a soccer head coach at Clifton, helped give the former Mustang his first taste of playing soccer.

“I actually started playing goalie as a kid,” said Lembryk. “I remember my brother shooting at me, and I just took a liking to it. From that point on, I just played goal.”

He played youth soccer and as he grew closer to high school age, Lembryk became more serious about practicing. Prior to joining the Mustangs, he trained with his brother and other CHS soccer stars at Richardson Oval, every morning, 6 to 8 am. It was a tradition that he carried until graduation — and ultimately, it paid off.

“I was pretty fortunate. Coming up into high school, I really got involved with a lot of the players on a Varsity level,” said Lembryk. “I was training with them early in the summer sessions. I really worked hard for that.”

“It was a goal I had set for myself,” he added. “I wanted to be on Varsity—my brother Stan did it, so I wanted to do it, too.” Lembryk’s game was further refined under the tutelage of one of the school’s all-time coaching greats.

“Coach Fernando Rossi was one of the best coaches of all time,” Lembryk stated. “He gave me an opportunity, and I pretty much tried to take advantage of that opportunity. Things just fell into place from that time on.”

“It’s not fair to forget to mention my father, Stan Sr.,” said Lembryk. “He had a tremendous impact on me. My father and my brother, Stan, besides Fernando Rossi, were two of the figures I looked up to in the soccer world.”

Since 2010, Lembryk has been the Union Head Boys Soccer Coach. He’s the Director of Union Farmers Soccer Academy Summer Camp, and he was named the 2018 Union County Coach of the Year and 2023 State Sectional Coach of the Year. He was previously an assistant at Jersey City University. Lembryk is married to his wife, Nicole, and is a father of three.

Lester Lembryk as a Mustang and recently.

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From Hoops to Healthcare

Every life value and lesson that Jason Rak took from his childhood was instilled in him by his parents, Joseph and Noreen (Aretsky) Rak.

Noreen (CHS 1969) was largely a stayat-home mom who made sure that Jason and his younger brother, David (CHS 1998), got to each one of their games and practices. Joseph worked full time and was “dedicated not just to his job, but to his family.”

“[It showed me] how important family is and how much you really need to take care of each other,” said Rak, 48.

There was also grounding in faith. Rak’s family attended Temple at the Clifton Jewish Center, 18 Delaware St, and both boys became a bar mitzvah in Clifton.

The family lived on Canterbury Court and Rak attended School 16 and WWMS. The spot to spend time was Willowbrook Mall, which then had an arcade and a Loews Theater. When they weren’t walking around or going to the food court, they had places like The Hot Grill, the Carvel parking lot, or spots like Third Ward Park where they played on the fields.

Basketball was a big part of Rak’s identity. He played in the Clifton Western Division and was forward for Clifton Boys Basketball. Rak made Varsity in his senior year and was under the coaching instruction of Angelo Intile.

“I had a pretty good relationship with him and I actually coached the senior Summer League team in the summer after I graduated,” said Rak. “He gave me that responsibility.”

He attended Towson University in Maryland for two years before transferring to his childhood neighbor-fromup-the-road, Montclair State. He graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with a minor in Counseling. He earned his master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, attending Hunter College in NYC, and today he’s worked at New York-Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia and Cornell as a Behavioral Health Care Manager for over 13 years.

The Upper East Side resident stays connected to hometown friends like Mitch Faver and Shawn Sisco. He and Dana (Jeannetti) Murdoch got together not long before their class’s reunion.

“We got together in Clifton Commons at The Shannon Rose, which is pretty accessible because I can just hop on the bus from Port Authority,” he said. “It had been a good year since we had seen each other. I haven’t gone to the reunions, but Dana always gives me all the tea afterwards.”

True Discipline

A record-breaking senior year is among Robert Capo’s fondest CHS Baseball memories. But he’s also appreciative of the bonds made off the ball field. “We were the best baseball team in Clifton history, as far as records go,” said Capo, 48. “The 1994 Boys Baseball team finished 28-3 and was the only team to win the Triple Crown.”

Capo’s referring to the team who, under Coach Paul Pignatello, captured the Conference, County, and State Sectional Championship titles. He was Second Team AllCounty as a freshman pitcher and First Team All-State as a senior first baseman.

“Our team was very close and some of my best friends were on the team,” said Capo. “We grew up together and always hung out. It’s 30 years later and we’re still trying to get the team into the Athletic Hall of Fame.”

Jason Rak today. The 1994 Mustangs, standing from left, John Haraba, Eric Weitner, Ryan Hendricks, Brian O’Shea, Rich Ward, James Donnato, Coach Angelo Intile. Kneeling: Mike Husni, David Bjorndal, Sean Cassidy, Bob Bollettino, Jason Rak, Randy Natoli.

The Delawanna native was inducted into the 2008 CHS Athletic Hall of Fame for baseball. He was also a linebacker for the Fighting Mustangs and started on Varsity his sophomore year, becoming captain as a senior.

Capo attended School 8 and CCMS. He and his older sister, Christine (CHS 1991), grew up with CHS 1965 grad parents Kenneth and Carol (Dekker) Capo.

Capo went on to study Criminal Justice at D3-school North Carolina Wesleyan University, where he played baseball for two years before injuries ended his career. He was a police officer for about eight months in Whitakers, North Carolina before joining the US Army.

Basic Training was at Fort Jackson in South Carolina before he went to Fort Huachuca in Arizona for five months of Military Intelligence Training. His next stop was Fort Drum in New York State as part of the 10th Mountain Division. The military reservation seemed ideal to him so he could drive down to see his parents on weekends.

“Little did I know, it was the most deployed unit in the military,” said Capo. “Year after year, decade after decade, because it is light infantry so we don’t have any tanks. Our motto is that in 24 hours, we can be anywhere in the world.”

During his service from 1999 to 2003, Capo spent a year serving in Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission. It was a few years after The Kosovo War and he was tasked with creating intelligence briefings for the generals. During his time overseas, 9/11 happened. He briefly returned to Fort Drum and in February or March of 2002, then deployed to North-

US Army Sgt. Robert Capo two decades ago. Above, these Mustangs went 28-3. From left rear, Doug Sieminski, Anthony DeStefano, Scott Orlovsky, Jason Fitz, Lou Magliarditt. Middle: Craig Valenz, Bob Capo, Anthony Galizio, Mike Valles, Tom Bisignano. Front: Chuck Kling, Kevin Dobko, Greg Takvorian, Dave Jiminian, Bob Luczun.

ern Afghanistan for eight months and finished his service as an E-5 Sergeant.

Capo eventually settled where he is today near Orlando. He’s dating his former classmate Alyse Pashman and is the father of Brad, 25, and Gina, 19. On the advice of an active reservist whom he met in Afghanistan, he put in his application to the US Postal Service and has worked as a mailman for over 20 years and does supervisory work. He’s grateful to the Army for teaching him discipline. Which is not to say that’s all he took from those years of service. “I still make my bed every day, that’s for sure,” he laughed.

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Where are these Mustangs now? ‘84 Class of

As Bruce Springsteen’s newly released Born in the U.S.A. flew off the shelves, Mustang seniors prepared to shape their own identities. It meant saying goodbye to friends and daily hang-outs like the Boys Club — but many Mustangs wouldn’t stay gone for long. Some of the Mustang grads on the following pages remained lifelong city residents. Others continue to serve our community with care and multigenerational, family-owned businesses.

A Nice Place to Live

Life continues after high school, and Kevin Kurnath finds that it’s easier now to reconnect with his former Mustang classmates.

“I run into some of them once in a while, but many I haven’t seen since we graduated or since the [10th reunion],” said Kurnath. “After school, I lost touch with most. But with Facebook, I’ve been able to reconnect with a lot of them.”

Kurnath, 58, plans to attend his 40th class reunion on Oct. 5 at 6:30 pm at Franklin Steakhouse in Fairfield. For more details, join Clifton High School (PRIVATE) Class of 1984 on Facebook.

The lifelong Dutch Hill grew up with parents Ken (CHS 1950) and Marianne, as well as brother Keith (CHS 1990). He attended School 15 and Christopher Columbus Junior High and spent a great deal of time playing outside or listening to music. His family would annually rent around the Ocean Beach area for a week.

Although he didn’t frequent the typical hangout spots, he knew them to be Frills and Brook-

dale Park. Kurnath also spent the summer of 1983 working at The Boys Club, doing everything from cleaning the premises to monitoring Club members.

“It was just a nice place to live. There’s a lot of community involvement,” he said.

Kevin Kurnath with mother Marianne and friends Joe Bionci and Lynn Zehr.

“Whatever you need, people are always there and get involved. It was a nice place to live and … is still a nice place to live.”

Kurnath retired in 2018 after working for 28 years as a dietary food service worker in Preakness Healthcare Center in Wayne. While he was still working, Kurnath returned to school and earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Passaic County Community College.

New Significance

Two teachers have stood the test of four-decades-worth-of-time in George Oliarnyk’s mind.

The first is Science teacher Mr. Gerald Zelenka, whose class Oliarnyk recalls enjoying. The second is English teacher Mr. John Groh.

Today, he stays busy as a member of the Elks, the Clifton Historical Committee, as Vice President of the Dutch Hill Residents Association, and at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paterson.

“For fun, I still like to go down the shore even if it’s too cold to go to the beach. I walk on the boardwalk,” he added. But it’s his hometown that keeps calling him.

“I also try to go to events in town, like attending the Botany Summer Concert Series and the [Obser Concert Series] at Main Memorial Park.”

“He really challenged us to be honest and, ultimately, he made me a better writer,” said Oliarnyk, 57. “We had to write three-sentence units once or twice per week. That kind of laid a foundation for my progression in writing that went further in college and graduate school.”

Oliarnyk is the son of Ukrainian immigrants Walter and Eva and is brother to the late Walter Jr. He grew up on Broad Street, across from the Exxon Station, and went to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic and then Woodrow Wilson Junior High. Most of his time was spent with the local Ukrainian-American community. Whether they’d play outdoor sports or he spent time at the

George Oliarnyk in 1984 and today.

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Where are these Mustangs now? ‘84

Ukrainian American Youth Association, he developed a network of friends who he also rode his bike with during his youth. Oliarnyk later worked as a clerk during high school and early in college at the former Grand Union at the corner of Broad St. and Allwood Rd.

He reflected that his college process was much different from that of his children, Alexa, 27, and George Jr., 24. He didn’t do the now-typical look at a bunch, see what could fit, and visit them. “My parents basically said, ‘If you want to go to college, you pretty much have one choice: Rutgers – Newark,’” he said. “I’m lucky that I got in there. My parents didn’t really have the means to send me anywhere else.”

Serendipitous Connection

Looking for Ricky Bagolie and his friends back in the day? They were probably hanging out at The Hill or The Garage.

Anyone who ran with the group of friends knew those were the meeting spots. Bagolie, who grew up in Richfield Village Apartments, recalled the creation of the de facto Club House on PSE&G’s property. The Hill was in the woods beyond the parking lot and The Garage was a detached building.

Oliarnyk graduated with a degree in Chemistry and started working at the former Hoffmann-La Roche Nutley campus. He began in 1989 as a Bench Chemist and transitioned later to Quality Assurance. He separately earned his MBA at Seton Hall and a Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Affairs from Temple University.

After leaving Roche in 1997, Oliarnyk worked for Bayer Pharmaceuticals until 2010. He has worked for Allergan (now part of AbbVie) and has spent the last two years as a Transformational Lead in Regulatory CMC for Sanofi in Bridgewater.

One major civic pursuit is serving as a board member for NOVA UA Federal Credit Union, 851 Allwood Rd., for 25 years. He’s in his second year as chairman.

“Being on the Board has given me the opportunity to give back to the Ukrainian-American community,” said Oliarnyk. “It is a nonprofit, and we’re in it for our membership. Really, it’s members serving members.”

Oliarnyk lives in Mahwah with his wife, Darlene, whom he wed in 1991. The memories that they created with their since grown children are not unlike some from Oliarnyk’s childhood. One that stands out is a Christmas Eve tradition of gathering with family for a traditional Ukrainian dinner of 12 different courses and attending Midnight Mass.

“The holiday … morphed into something even larger than I remember as a child. I didn’t come from a big family,” he said. “After I got engaged and got married — and especially after having children — holidays became so much more significant in our lives.”

“There were probably six or eight core people, but there could be a lot more depending on the nonsense that we were doing,” said Bagolie, 58. “We all played lacrosse, we’d have nunchuck fights with our pads on. It was silly and stupid stuff.”

Bagolie is the son of CHS grad Barry Bagolie and Arlene Lyons. He lived in the apartments with his mother and sister, Rachael (CHS 1986). First attending School 14 and WWJH, he played for the Fighting Mustangs as a freshman and sophomore. Freshman Football coach Jim Hill encouraged players to get involved with Lacrosse, which Bagolie played all four years as an attack.

Outside of school, he worked as a dishwasher and short order cook at Bond’s Ice Cream in the Styertowne Shopping Center – Lower Level, a bus boy and barback at Rick’s Pub on the Allwood Circle, and he caddied at the Upper Montclair Country Club. “I always worked,” he said.

Bagolie’s next stops were Northeastern University for Finance and then Law School at Rutgers – Newark. He did a clerkship for a judge in Bergen County for a year before opening up Plum Crazy Saloon on Van Houten Avenue with a couple of friends from high school.

Today, he is the founder of Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers in Jersey City and Paterson with partner Alan Friedman. He lives in Livingston with his wife, Assemblywoman Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie, and their three teenage boys, Frank, 17, and twins, Jacob and Aaron, 15.

The couple wed in 2005 and met when he still lived in Clifton and was the President of the Passaic-Clifton UNICO. “She was involved with me and meeting my friends and other people who were involved,” said Bagolie. “So she was circulated into my whole crew, so-to-speak, before we were married.”

Ricky Bagolie in 1984 and today.

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Nothing She Would Change

Do you remember riding your bike to Hazel Street and buying cold milk from a milk machine? Karen (Tiemers) Hoffman does — and she also remembers a great childhood spent living on West 3rd Street.

“I have such wonderful memories of Clifton,” said Hoffman, 58. “Visiting Corrado’s, the PuPu Inn, and wonderful nights at the Carvel. Friday night football games were the best and then dinner at Mario’s always topped off the night.”

“I wouldn’t change a thing about my childhood,” she added, “and I will always hold Clifton near and dear to my heart.”

Hoffman lives in Kinnelon today with her husband of 34 years, Richard. The couple have three children: Richard Jr., 25, and twins Matthew and Natalie, 18.

Her family while growing up included her parents, Bert and Lois, and her brother, Robert (CHS 1980). She attended School 4 and CCJH. Elementary school was when she met her influential teacher, Mrs. Lorraine Hall.

“She pushed me to focus on writing and was so wonderful. I’ll never forget her,” said Hoffman. “I would write short stories for her and one day, I drew her a photo. She said, ‘I love it, but I would rather have one of your stories.’”

in the Kinnelon School District for five years until becoming a mother.

She’s held a real estate license for over 30 years and has spent the past 12 years as a fulltime agent with Terrie O’Connor Realtors in Kinnelon. But her first job was at the old Clifton Theatre, where she worked with her grandmother Mae Tiedman. She worked the box office at age 14 when tickets were $3.50. And she was not the most popular person at times.

It’s that nurturing that she credited for encouraging her to take English Literature courses at Montclair State. Hoffman graduated with a bachelor’s in English and a minor in paralegalism. She worked in multiple law firms and then

“The movie Stir Crazy came out with Richard Pryor and the line went down into Passaic,” she recalled. “I was out there at 14 years old by myself and had to ask people if they were 18, and they didn’t like it. I had people yelling at me.”

Karen (Tiemers) Hoffman with son Matthew, son Richard, daughter Natalie, and husband Rich.

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Where are these Mustangs now? ‘84

It ended up working out — that job and her paper route for The Herald News helped her save for her first car. “A 1970 Chevy Chevelle in mint green.” Then, adding with amazement: “It was $1,500.”

Building Character

“Resilience” is the word that Catherine “Cathy” (Codispoti) Salamone uses to describe what Clifton instills in its youth.

Salamone, 57, is a proud product of Delawanna. She’s the youngest of Vincent and Theresa Codispoti’s six children, with 23 years between her and her oldest sibling. It was at a young age that she truly learned what it means to be resilient.

“My parents both passed when I was in high school. My mother when I was 15 and my father when I was 16,” she said. “That shapes who you are.”

“What was interesting is a lot of people I guess would have just gone into a tailspin,” continued Salamone. “I don’t know if it’s because I had such a good support system with my friends from Clifton and the rest of my older family, but I plugged along and continued on.”

Those friends that she’s still close to today are Karen (Tiemers) Hoffman and Susan (Jackovitz) Barbier, who she became friends with in Kindergarten and went through Clifton Schools with at School 8 and CCJH.

Other strong support systems that Salamone recalled were CHS Guidance Counselor Mrs. Jean Bernstein and Yearbook Advisor Mrs. Alice Katocs, who selected her as editor. Salamone spent her time outside of CHS working at Styertowne Bakery and walking over to Rowe Manse. “They’re known for their Crumb Cakes,” said Salamone. “My family loves them and we’ll drive to get them.”

Salamone resides in Montville with husband Joe, whom she married in 1992. They are parents to Joseph, 28, and Brielle, 26. Her background includes a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing from Montclair State. She has worked in sales for her entire career — originally going door-to-door trying to sell the first car phones for Bell Atlantic.

“Now we’re part-android, because we can’t live without them,” she joked. She worked later as a Buyers Merchandise Coordinator in the Brighton Road corporate office for

Linens ’n Things. After some time as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to work and has spent the past 18 years exclusively doing commercial real estate. She works at Evergreen Commercial Real Estate’s Pine Brook location and appreciates one specific class from her Mustang years: “Typing class,” she said. “It’s been so useful at every job I’ve ever had, including my job now.”

Always There for Clifton

The Porter family of Allwood Funeral Home has striven to offer kindness and support to families for four generations. It’s a legacy that third-generation staff member Dana Jean Porter-Messineo is proud to uphold in her hometown.

Founded in 1959 by the late Harold and Veronica Porter, city residents have relied on Allwood Funeral Home, 660 Allwood Rd., during their family’s most challenging times. It’s something that Porter-Messineo said her grandparents now-on-down to her son take seriously every single day.

Catherine (Codispoti) Salamone, daughter Brielle, husband Joe, and son Joseph.

“We treat every family like they are our own,” said Porter-Messineo, 58. “We take pride in our work.”

Helping people is what makes her job as Business Administrator worthwhile. But how she got into it is also partly to do with proximity.

Porter-Messineo was born in Paterson and, aside from CHS, attended School 9 in our city. She — with younger brothers Michael Jr. (CHS 1985), Scott (CHS 1986), and Keith (CHS 1989) — was raised by Michael and Joyce Porter.

VATE) Class

Her Clifton memories included days spent hanging out in the Allwood section or specifically in Styertowne at Rizzuto-Berra Bowling Lanes. Porter-Messineo was also a member of the CHS Concert Choir and the Distributive Education Club of America (DECA).

She resided in Clifton until 2005. As a child, she lived right above the funeral home.

“So it was natural for me to go into the business 39 years ago,” Porter-Messineo explained.

Today, she is also the Business Administrator of Hancliffe Home for Funerals in East Hanover. Dana and her

husband James live in East Hanover. He attended School 3, St. Paul’s, and graduated Paul VI in 1981. Their son, Andrew James Messineo, is a Licensed Funeral Director and went to School 16 and WWMS before they relocated. Andrew, 33, is married to Jennifer (Alexander) Messineo.

The Class of 1984’s 40th Reunion is on Oct. 5 at 6:30 pm at Franklin Steakhouse in Fairfield. Join Clifton High School (PRI-

of 1984 on Facebook for info.

Dana Porter in 1984 and today.

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An Eye to the Future

No one could argue it — Jeri Fried’s “Sweet 16” was the place to be.

The year was 1972. The former Mustang — known today as Jeri Fried Cohen Forte — recalled how her parents threw her a surprise birthday party that was catered by the popular Frills Subs on Van Houten Avenue. The other big “get” was the entertainment.

Many of the headline stories in 1974 were unforgettable — whether it was Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record or President Richard Nixon announcing his resignation amidst the Watergate scandal. Yet a certain innocence persisted within the halls of Clifton High School as a new batch of seniors worked hard to fill up their gas tanks and even had group sleepovers with their friends at The Boys Club. Do you recognize that studious Mustang, at left, and on our cover? That’s Nancy Czesak!

“The Mueller Brothers were about 17 and played at my Sweet 16 in my backyard,” said Cohen, 67. “There ended up being 100 kids at the party, because people unexpectedly just kept coming.”

That era of music was — by Cohen’s assessment — the best. Some memories were created listening to Chicago or going to concerts for artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Other memories involved going to the Capitol Theatre and then Mario’s Pizzeria. Or sitting in her beat-up Dodge Polara with her friends, sometimes waiting two or three hours to get gas during a shortage.

“But gas was a lot cheaper than it is today,” she laughed.

Cohen, now a resident of Somerset County, grew up on Tufts Road. Her Clifton education started at School 5 and Woodrow Wilson Junior High. She credited the school district and CHS’ specific offerings as helping to best prepare her for life.

“I feel like the Clifton school system gave me a tremendously good educational background,” said Cohen. “[Taking College Prep] involved a lot of science and math courses, but it was well rounded and there was also the option of taking art and joining tons of different clubs.”

Her extracurriculars included French Club, Psychology Club, History Club, Ski Club, Yoga Club, and the Parent Teacher Student Association. Cohen additionally worked during high school as a day camp counselor and as a switchboard operator at Wechsler’s Department Store in Passaic. It was while majoring in Economics and Finance at Rutgers that she got started shaping her eventual career in financial services.

Jeri Fried in 1974 and today.

“I worked as an intern in the portfolio management area for the Trust Company of New Jersey in Jersey City,” said Cohen. “I learned about finances, but the key was I got to help people with their money.”

And if not for her Clifton vantage point, who knows when she would’ve realized her exact goal?

“When I lived in Clifton and drove daily on Route 3, I could see the New York City skyline,” Cohen added. “That was my motivation to get a job in Manhattan, which I did.”

Cohen lived in Manhattan for about 10 years and worked for a few financial service firms. She has spent the past 16 years working as an advisor in Florham Park.

This August, she’ll celebrate 10 years of marriage with husband John Forte. Together, she has a daughter and two grandchildren and John has three sons and three grandchildren.

Cohen’s eager to reconnect with her ’74 classmates at their upcoming 50th reunion. The golden date is set for Nov. 8 at 7 pm at the Mountainside Inn, located at 509 Hazel St. Tickets are $85.

For details on the event, CHS ’74 grads can email Lucretia (DiMartino) Rotella at cresinger30@gmail.com.

“I’m looking forward to being able to see friends and reconnecting with people,” said Cohen. The many childhood memories of playing in the neighborhood are sure to resurface as well. “There were a lot of kids around my age, because it was the Baby Boomer era. It was pretty nurturing, and it felt like families watched out for each other.”

Some of the 1974 committee members from

left, Frank Klump, Diane Elardo De Muro, Gary Steele, Donna Bancroft Betar, MaryFran Cini, Kathy Fusco, Karen Pisani Zayatz, Maryann Riotto Zacagnini.

An Appreciation of...

When it comes to a Clifton sound track think The Flying Mueller Brothers. The group, originally consisting of brothers Carl, Bill, and Donny, and honorary borther drummer Ace Toye, grooved their Made in Clifton sound on Grove St.

While many remember them as Impact, it was Joey Barcelona Jr., former owner of Joey’s in Clifton, that helped carve out the Flying Mueller Brothers name after arranging for the guys to play their first gig at the old Yakety Yak on Van Houten Ave. back in the 1990’s. “He really helped us out in the beginning of our career,” Bill told Clifton Merchant in 2002. “He was really key in getting us going.”

The band of brothers may have otherwise ended up relegated to the local club scene. Instead, they were rockin’ n’ rollin’ as one of the most recognizable regional bands to hit the East Coast. And they’re still beloved — though they’ve experienced losses. Following the passing of Carl on May 5 and Donny’s passing in 2014, the current members are Bill, Drew Benfante, and Donny’s son D.J. Mueller. For updates, visit their Facebook @FlyingMuellerBrothers.

Every Sunday of Memorial Day for decades, the Flying Mueller Brothers kicked off the summer at Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant and played every weekend through Labor Day. Here’s a look-back on their earlier years …

A Shared Dream

Success was actually bittersweet for the Flying Mueller Brothers, whose sound is best described as an eclectic mix of rock, reggae, Latin and souka. In 1990, when the Muellers’ mother, Barbara, died of cancer, the tight-knit family drifted apart. In an effort to bring everybody together and cheer

up their late dad, Carl Sr., the brothers arranged to play a gig with the entire band, including Dad on the drums. “It felt fantastic,” Carl Sr. said of the family’s first gig. “It was like a healing process. We had fun.”

A Mueller Brothers scene at Joey Harrison’s Surf Club, circa 2009.

The show was the first of many regular gigs. Carl Sr. stayed with the band for a few years. As a Big Band drummer with the likes of jazz legend Art Mooney, he inspired his sons’ love of music. Guitarist Bill Mueller described his father, who owned C.J. Mueller Construction in Paterson, as their mentor.

Bill, who worked construction by day with his father, never pictured himself doing anything other than pursuing his love of music. Carl Sr. once took the boys to see Gene Kroupa in Yonkers and Buddy Rich at the Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove. Carl Sr. knew Kroupa and Rich from the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. He met the two Big Band drummers when he was stationed in the U.S. Coast Guard in San Francisco.

Growing up in Clifton, the three brothers learned to play the drums as toddlers. They practiced music in the basement. “If my sons are down here in the studio, at least I know what they’re doing,” Carl Sr. told his friends when asked how he handled the drumming noises all day.

The boys played at WWJH, CHS, and St. Andrew’s dances. They participated in Battle of the Bands competitions and talent shows.

“If our band didn’t do well playing a dance at Woodrow Wilson, two weeks later we’d give the band a new name,” Bill said. The last dance they played at WWJH when they were about 14 was “played in our pajamas,” he added.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Flying Mueller Brothers were known by the name Impact. They played many high school dances and the local club scene. The band still played the local club scene in Clifton in the 2000s, but their venue list also grew to California and Bermuda.

The Mueller brothers experienced more success than most musicians, but playing for a living wouldn’t be easy despite being their shared dream.

Fitting In By Standing Out

The Mueller brothers moved to Clifton from Paterson in the fourth and fifth grades.

“Music helped us fit in,” Bill said.

Being from Paterson, they were aware of the diversity that comes from living in a multicultural neighborhood. While brother Donny and previous drummer Ace Toye moved farther north, Bill and Carl remained in Clifton.

Bill had a problem with people talking about Clifton like it was going downhill.

“People focus too much on the wrong things, like the fact that Clifton is becoming such a multicultural place to live,” Bill said. “Clifton is a great town; it’s a melting pot.”

Carl Sr., who lived on Grove St. since 1965, loved its transportation accessibility.

“I think it’s a great town,” he said in our original story. “It’s still a great place to raise a family.” The Flying Mueller Brothers remain a great way to bring Cliftonites together in their nostalgia. “Our music appeals to everyone from kids to 80-year-olds,” Bill said.

Don Mueller ’76, Carl Mueller ’74, Bill Mueller ’74.

Chasing Wanderlust

Class of

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘74

The Clifton Boys Club was “the” spot if you were a teenager in 1974, which meant Julie (Generalli) Dominick’s Thursdays were planned in advance.

“As a newly licensed high school senior, I would beg my parents to use their car to attend co-ed night,” said Dominick, 68. “The Boys Club opened its doors to teenagers one night [per] week and gave us access to the entire Club.”

It was supervised, but it was also fun. There were plenty of activities — plus a trampoline in the gymnasium and a pool that made swimming all year a treat. The game room was loud and had a smell that lingered at times, but no one cared.

“We came to see our friends from school who lived in different neighborhoods,” said Dominick. “It was a chance to hang out with kids from all over town. It was a chance for girls and guys to socialize in a safe environment.”

The Club played loud music and even sponsored a coed sleepover with teens in sleeping bags on the gym floor. There wasn’t much sleep, but Dominick does remember a sign that hung in the gym with a quote that has never left her: “For when the one great scorer comes to mark against your name, he writes — not that you won or lost — but how you played the game.”

“I believe that the Boys Club was instrumental in shaping my character,” she said. “Thank you to the Oakley family, Bob Lipala, Russ Triola, and the other Boys Club staff for guiding us through those impressionable years. Your efforts were worthwhile.”

Dominick retired as an English teacher five years ago from Glenfield Middle School in Montclair. She travels internationally and blogs about her adventures at travelwithrastajule.com. Dominick will move this summer to Jamaica with her partner, Patrick, and looks forward to hosting writing retreats once she gets settled.

Young at Heart

As the world and its values shifted around the Class of 1974, Lucretia DiMartino-Rotella and her classmates held onto some of the constants and searched for camaraderie in the familiar.

“It was the age of hippies, burning bras, and the Vietnam war,” said DiMartino-Rotella, 67. “Those were things as an older teenager that stuck out in my mind.”

Some interests remained — like listening to music by the Commodores or by Stevie Wonder. The Maple Valley native was also an avid watcher of soap operas like Days of Our Lives.

Hers was a childhood like many of the time. Kids gathered in the neighborhood to play hide and seek or ride their bikes. They’d swim in each others’ pools or simply sit on their porches.

“We’d watch cars go by and that was just fine by us,” she recalled. “And we all had to be in by the time the street lights went on.” But DiMartino-Rotella’s memory goes back further. Before she was running around, she had a Saucy Walker doll and a Spirograph.

“[The doll] was just wonderful. You would kind of have to push it along a little to make its legs walk,” she laughed. “That stands out for some reason.”

Alfred and Antoinette DiMartino enrolled their daughter at St. Philip the Apostle and WWJH for ninth grade before she attended CHS. She was the third of four children, which included older siblings Phyllis (CHS 1970) and Patrick (CHS 1971) and younger brother Alfred, who graduated Pope Paul VI in 1979.

DiMartino-Rotella worked during senior year as a counter waitress at The Hearth on Route 46. She was previously a fry maker at Gino’s on the corner of St. Philips Drive and Route 46.

“I saved money,” she recalled when asked what she bought with her paycheck. “We were taught to be savers.” The Ledgewood resident’s career has culminated in following her dreams over three decades. She was accepted after high school into Orange Memorial Hospital’s Nursing Program but ended up instead getting married at 19.

Julie Dominick in 1974 and with Patrick Harrison.

While working two part-time jobs and raising two elementary school-aged kids, she went to nursing school at County College of Morris and graduated at age 49 in 2006. She worked at homecare nursing agencies as a hospice nurse until 2019 and she’s worked for the last nine years as a substitute school nurse in Denville Township and Rockaway Township.

“I wanted to avenge that regret [of not pursuing nursing],” DiMartino-Rotella laughed. “In 2002, it was still a burning desire. It’s one of the best decisions of my life.”

DiMartino-Rotella married husband John Rotella Sr. in 1992. They are parents to adult children John Jr. and Analisa (Rotella) Gallo. They have one grandchild Aria Rose, 2, and are expecting another soon.

But when the CHS 1974 organizer plans class reunions, it feels as though little time has passed. She attended the 10th, 20th, and 45th reunions, but she decided she wanted to join the effort of making their golden reunion a special occasion.

“I thought of myself as a wallflower in high school. Now I’m assertive and take charge,” she said. “I’m not the person I was in high school, though I’m not sure how many of us are.”

It was while planning her son’s wedding that she got into the mode of organizing a big party. And she can’t wait to see it all come together.

Lucretia DiMartino-Rotella with John Rotella, Sr., son-in-law John Gallo, Analisa (Rotella) Gallo, and John Rotella Jr.

“I’m looking forward to just seeing my former classmates and having the time of our lives,” said DiMartino-Rotella. “Knowing that we’re all quite young at heart.”

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘74 Class of

Opening the World

Marcia (Gula) Pepe’s advice to the version of herself who walked the CHS field 50 years ago is simple: Go for your dream. “The world is so open. Don’t limit yourself or put yourself in a box,” she said. “I know it sounds cliche but don’t be told what you’re going to do.”

Pepe, 67, gave herself that flexibility. She graduated from Montclair State with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. She dabbled for a while as a social worker in Paterson, but she quickly grew disillusioned by the bureaucracy. She worked in automatic data processing on Route 3 until she married Fred Pepe in 1980.

Marcia Gula in 1974 and today. Below: Greg Lacki then and now.

The Wayne residents have three children, twins Marissa Jenkins and Frankie Pepe, and Mariel Pepe, and five grandchildren. Pepe stayed at home with her children until she began substitute teaching — what came next was 25 years in Wayne and now 12 years as an assistant teacher in Haledon Public School.

Pepe’s own early education originated from School 13 and WWJH. She grew up on Van Houten Avenue with her sister Michele (CHS 1972), who married her high school sweetheart Ed Lazor. Pepe’s parents were Clifton Policeman Michael Gula (CHS 1943) and Sophie (Plachinski) Gula.

Her younger years were spent at local spots like Mario’s or the Grande Saloon (before that, Juliano’s Pizza) and The Clif Tavern. Listening to live music was a must — so was going to sports games and supporting the players. Pepe also played volleyball, joined the Yearbook Club, and worked in Allwood Library.

Today, teaching kids has meant and continues to mean a lot to her. “I didn’t think I was the smartest person in middle or high school. My father had two jobs and my mother was working, so I didn’t have anyone to help me,” said Pepe. “Woodrow and CHS had large classes and teachers didn’t have time for extra help … so I wouldn’t raise my hands for certain things.”

“I encourage kids to try,” she continued. “It makes me feel so good after a kid graduates and they thank me, because they enjoyed the class. It’s a very fulfilling job.”

A Cut Above

Greg Lacki’s very life in the 70’s involved going out with friends on the weekend and listening to popular bands like The Rolling Stones. “It was just a fun time,” recalled Lacki. “Gimme Shelter was always a favorite Rolling Stones song.”

The lifelong Athenia resident had other interests as well. The firstborn son of Frank and Alberta, and older brother to David (CHS 1977), remembers quite a few classes that left an impression. Lacki attended School 13 and WWJH before CHS.

“There was Mr. Edward Buzinky for Physics in my senior year,” said Lacki, 67, “and Mr. Michael Chomiak for Anthropology and Ms. Marlea Tracey for Chemistry in my junior year. They made their subjects interesting.”

Other school or community-related activities involved The Boys Club, where he was a member from 1969 to 1971, and playing sports. He spent time on the Cross Country and Tennis teams. And, of course, The Grande Saloon was a stop along the way once he was older.

But a real time was had whenever they all went to the Capitol Theatre in Passaic. Lacki noted that concerts were reasonably priced in those days and artists to see in later years were Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Tom Petty.

“It was just incredible,” said Lacki, candidly. “You walked in the door and didn’t need any weed. You just breathed and you got stoned.”

But prior to the hazy 80’s, a different type of smoke was already lifting. Lacki’s graduation was toward the end of the Vietnam War and his draft card number was five. “I would’ve been in the first five people going over to Vietnam, so I wasn’t happy,” he said. After getting an associate’s degree from Bergen Community College, he attended

the Gemological Institute of America in New York. Lacki later worked for a diamond laboratory and graded diamonds for “some of the biggest stone people in the city.”

That work saw him in the city from 8 am to 4 pm and then returning to Lacki’s Jewelry on Van Houten Ave., to work from 5-9 pm. Lacki, who was a founder of the GIA’s New York chapter, is now semi-retired. Lacki’s Jewelry closed earlier this year after 61 years of business. “But,” he added, “if someone needs something, I’ll help them out.”

A Chance Connection

Michael and Lynn Gochman-Simon back in 1974 and in a recent photo.

Longtime Friends

Michael Simon and Lynn Gochman were like two ships passing. He went to School 2, she to School 3. She attended Christopher Columbus, he went to Woodrow Wilson (he says it’s the superior of the two junior highs). Their families belonged to the Clifton Jewish Center and they went to Hebrew School together, even having their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs on the same weekend. Finally it was CHS’ Yearbook and Newspaper that brought them together as seniors.

“I was an editor for the newspaper and he was the photography editor for the yearbook,” said Lynn, 68. “One day, Michael was sitting on a chair in the newspaper office. I was upset about something,” she continued, laughing, “and I literally came in and sat on his lap.”

The couple’s first date was to the movies and then after to Perkins Pancake House, where Lynn only ordered a diet coke due to her nerves. As for Michael, he was not the only one to recognize the depth of his feelings for Lynn from the start. “I remember I came home really giddy one day and my mom said, ‘You’re in love, right?’” said Michael, 67. “It just kind of happened.”

There was a lot of freedom growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. Michael hung out behind his house on the Woodrow Wilson ball field and playground. Lynn, on the other hand, would take the bus with friends to Downtown Passaic and go shopping.

Michael’s parents Donald and Bernyce “Bunny” Simon raised him and sister Debbie (CHS 1978) on Abbe Lane and later Robinson Terrace. Lynn grew up in Clifton Center with parents Herbert and Betty Gochman, and her brother Robert (CHS 1977). Betty retired in 2003 after 37 years in Clifton Public Schools, spending those last 14 years as School 14’s principal.

The teens took their freedom and embraced it. Michael studied Accounting at Marietta College in Ohio and afterwards went to Seton Hall at night for his Masters in Finance. Today, he works as a Senior Vice President Wealth Advisor at UBS in Florham Park.

Lynn earned her bachelor’s at Tufts University in occupational therapy and her Masters in Public Administration from NYU at night. She works now as a Certified Hand Therapist at JAG Physical Therapy in West Orange.

The couple wed Aug. 26, 1979 and live in North Caldwell. They are parents to two daughters, Can-

Class of

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘74

dace and Allison, and grandparents to Juliet, Beatrice, and Andrew.

Despite graduating with nearly 1,100 classmates, they’ve kept connected through the years to Clifton friends like Joyce Greenwald, Steve Eitman, Peter Lipkin, and Hal Kamine.

“A number of Cliftonites our age moved to the Caldwells,” said Michael. Lynn agreed, adding, “Friends continue to be very important to us.”

Sights Set High

stepped back from high school sports like Swim and Track. Junior year was about getting in his flying lessons at Lincoln Park Airport. By age 16, Stratton was flying solo. As seniors, he and fellow ’74 friend Charles Nouhan, Jr. were the only two people in school with pilot’s licenses.

Broadening his wings meant Ray Stratton needed to explore life beyond Pershing Road.

A self-professed “wild child”, Stratton often rode his bicycle to the seaplane base at the Hudson River. There, he’d watch as airplanes came taxiing out of the water.

“One day, in 1969, a guy turned to me and said, ‘Kid, I see you here every day. Do you want to go for a ride?’ At 13, I go: ‘Yup,’” said Stratton, 67. “Fortunately, I wasn’t killed, and I jumped in an airplane with that guy. He flew me around the Statue of Liberty — back when you could still do that.”

“I remember when he came down and landed the plane in the Hudson, I thought, ‘Oh, yeah. I gotta do this. This is cool stuff,’” he added.

To his surprise, parents Raymond Sr. and Dorothy weren’t opposed. His mother was practical about it and his father, he later learned, took flying lessons years prior until he could no longer afford them. But Stratton did recall his mother’s face going “ice cold” after he explained to her how he developed his interest.

“Of course, I sat down at the table with Mom and Dad that night and got chastised for getting inside a plane with a total stranger,” said Stratton. “After that, they were really cool about it.”

The practical questions about flying came next, including: “How will you afford the lessons?” Stratton kept many jobs as a boy — cutting grass and working in a deli on Allwood Road — which let him save up enough to get one flying lesson per week. The going rate was $25 per hour wet, which he believed included gas and the instructor.

The School 14 and Woodrow Wilson alum eventually

“We were pretty special people back then,” remarked Stratton. Stratton, the eldest of five, knew college was in his future, because his mother said so. He received a full scholarship to Newark College of Engineering and was accepted into the Air Force Academy. But he just got his pilot’s license and learned he wouldn’t be able to fly until senior year at the Academy.

As fortune had it, Stratton was a runner-up for a fouryear scholarship that enabled him to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Stratton was later assigned to pilot training in Enid, Oklahoma and got his Air Force wings before heading to Grand Forks, North Dakota. There, he spent three years flying KC-135s.

He and wife Susan Clark, who passed away two years ago, went next to Los Angeles, where she could start her fashion career and he finished his Active Duty in March Air Reserve Base. Stratton entered the reserves and spent another five years flying C-131s.

“I left there and was kind of unemployed, because airlines weren’t hiring back then,” he said. “I sold used Porsches for a while and then flew with United Airlines for 37 years.”

Stratton lives now in Cocoa Beach, Florida, but his wings were broadened during his 50 years of flight. He noted that he had seen the world by the age of 22 in the military and some of the great places to fly to were Hawaii, Europe, and Asia. But everywhere had something special and long flights from LA to Hong Kong was where he truly earned money. He flew as an international long-haul pilot for most of his career and spent 20 years as a Boeing 777 captain. His final flight was in August of 2021 when he retired at age 65.

“I took my wife for my Finale Flight and we flew to Athens, Greece,” said Stratton. “We had a fantastic time, and then we came home and I called it a day.”

Raymond Stratton in 1974 and today.

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘64 Class of

Few people understand control like Martin Bania. Fewer people, still, have the experience of bringing 17,000 tons of a locomotive with 2600 horsepower to a stop on the crest of the Rocky Mountains. “It takes a little practice,” he laughed. “There’s a lot of power on a train.”

Bania knows what he’s talking about. The Athenia kid enjoyed the Boys Club and riding his bicycle around town. His family was parents Chester and Phyllis, brothers Kent (CHS 1969) and Bob (CHS 1971), and sisters, Marsha (CHS 1966), Pam (CHS 1973), and Barbara (CHS 1975).

His mother had one request: just ride in town. “So I’d go to Paterson and Passaic,” admitted Bania, 77, adding: “I went to Montclair as well. I liked to see new places and liked being in charge of things.” That interest wasn’t new, and it never went away.

Chester got his son toy trains that Bania set up with different configurations in a corner of the attic. The patriarch additionally took the train daily to New York, where Bania would go to see him off for the day. By first grade, Bania was hanging out with the stationmaster at the Athenia Station next to City Hall as the trains rolled through.

“It was just a great place to be,” said Bania of his childhood in Clifton. “It still, to me, has a small-town feel.” But, ultimately, heading west was what appealed to Bania.

He studied for a year at Fairleigh Dickinson before he and friends Bob Doperiak, Walter Krawiec, and Bill Morris settled in a small college town in Colorado, near the New Mexico border.

Next he got an associate degree in Law Enforcement from Trinidad Junior College and a Social Science degree from Southern Colorado State College. He married his wife, Betty, on Dec. 20, 1969 and became a school teacher in Kansas City the following year. The couple today have a son, Michael, who teaches in Denver City.

It was in 1978 that he switched gears — figuratively speaking — and started out as a training engineer. He rose up to a full engineer by April of 1980 and spent his career working for Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific until retiring in October of 2007.

“I saw the western route over the Continental Divide,” said Bania. “I went through the Moffat Tunnel, which is 6.2 miles long, and ended up on the other side of the mountains. It’s quite a route. The scenery on all sides of the track is beautiful.”

But his many travels haven’t taken away from the charm of his hometown, his desire to visit it or to satiate his desire for some classic Jersey dining. “Howard Johnson is my homebase whenever I’m in Clifton,” said Bania. “There are times when I’ll get a rental car and run to Mario’s first thing before even checking into my room.”

Lifelong Playmates

Everyone knew that Stephen Gola and Sharon Walsh were dating in high school. Which made English class all the more interesting.

“Our English teacher had us do Romeo & Juliet,” recalled Sharon, with a laugh. “It was kind of embarrassing.”

The married Mustangs of 56 years may not be starcrossed lovers, but they did cross paths in an amusing — and very Clifton — way. They were about age 15 and were both on their way to one of the football games.

“We’d walk to football games at the old school where you cross on Route 46, but we went under a tunnel,” said Sharon, 77. “In doing that, we passed each other and your voice carried in there.”

Martin Bania in 1964 and today.

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘64 Class of

“I was saying something and started laughing out loud when my husband [to-be] said, ‘She’s noisy. I’m gonna date her,’” she continued. “Everybody laughed and said, ‘You are?’ It was fun.” The couple wed on Feb. 10, 1968. They are parents to Kimberley, Stephen, and Kelly. Steve and Sharon also have five grandkids and one great-granddaughter.

Their east coast 55-and-older community is located in Waretown, but they also spend part of their year in California to live near their daughters’ families. “We live bi-coastal now. It’s been a wonderful life,” said Sharon.

First Impressions

As a School 9 boy and a St. Andrew’s girl — Steve and Sharon had their own experiences and lives before meeting one another. He grew up in Athenia. She lived in the Oakridge section. He spent summers working with his uncle in construction. She worked part-time at Levy Brothers in Styertowne, where her father worked as the manager.

Their lives kept them busy, but the connection was strong. “She was a very attractive girl. I thought she was dating well under her caliber,” said Steve, 77. “I felt fortunate to be able to date her and that she’d consider me.”

He noted that their first date was to see the 1962 film, Lawrence of Arabia. Sharon immediately started laughing from a memory.

“We were sitting there and I put chocolate in his mouth,” she said. “I thought I was being cute and the next thing I knew, he was choking. His mouth was dry, he was so nervous.” But Sharon was charmed. Steve would walk her home daily for three months and the future husband and wife would sit on a log in the field near her home and just talk. “I was very naive but after three months, I asked, ‘Are you ever going to kiss me?’” said Sharon. “It’s what attracted me to him.”

Sharon Walsh and Stephen Gola.

Class of

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘64

Always Laughing

Both Steve and Sharon went on to have fulfilling careers in their respective fields.

Steve worked for International Fragrances in Clifton, spent several years working at packaging companies, and he later became a self-employed manufacturer of equipment and cases for the NYC market of the music industry. He most recently came out of retirement and works in credit card processing.

She recalled never dreading Chemistry or Biology with Mr. Zschack and Mr. Buzinky, respectively. Those classes were lively, but the biggest excitement came when they started at the brand new high school as juniors.

“First of all, the split sessions were crazy in the other school. I’d go to school in the afternoon and get home around 4,” said Mayne. “Moving into the new school was so exciting. It was so beautiful. We couldn’t believe it.”

Sharon was a full-time mom for several years before returning to work in the marketing field. She started out with IBM and Xerox, then transitioned to marketing roles at NeuroRestorative, Bancroft NeuroRehab, and Lakeview Neurorehabilitation Center. She worked from 2019 until 2021 at Sunny Days Sunshine Center.

But the best part of their life together is all the laughter.

“I said to Steve when we first dated and then when he asked me to marry him, ‘As long as you always make me laugh, this’ll work,’” said Sharon. “He says that I’m his material. He is always laughing at me, and we’re playmates. We are constantly together having fun.”

A New Era

The cultural shift in the early 60’s meant Donna (Renta) Mayne and her friends knew all the lyrics to popular Rock ‘n Roll songs. It was a new music world than the one of her parents. “We all walked around with transistor radios as teenagers,” said Mayne, 77. “[Our parents] were in the Frank Sinatra era, then The Beatles came. We’d watch American Bandstand. It was very exciting.”

But the decade wasn’t defined by any one experience. She recalled how the back-end of the 60’s were defined by the Vietnam War and the “hippy situation.” In the November before her graduation, she learned over the PA system of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. “I remember everyone was crying and they closed school down,” she said. “I think that was probably when things started to change. The age of innocence was slowly disappearing.”

Parents Dante and Norma Renta raised their five daughters in the Richfield section. Mayne was the older sister to Barbara, Karen, Jill, and Kim. She went to St. Andrew’s and Woodrow Wilson Junior High before entering CHS.

Mayne studied Business at Fairleigh Dickinson and got married to childhood sweetheart James Pombo. The couple had two daughters, Karen and Amy. Mayne pursued her career after their divorce. She worked in marketing for businesses such as Levolor Blinds and F. Schumacher & Co.

The former Mustang finished out her career as a business owner in Ridgewood for about four years. The business, Donmari, imported high-end, luxury textiles from Europe and Japan and sold them to interior designers.

Today, Mayne lives on Long Island with her husband of 43 years, Rick Mayne. He has two daughters, Michele and Lisa, and the couple combined have six grandchildren. They travel often, visiting destinations like Italy, Greece, Croatia, and the islands.

She remains in touch with classmates Anthony Falco and married Mustangs Steve and Sharon (Walsh) Gola. Attending her grandchildrens’ college graduations will take precedence over attending the 60th class reunion, but she enjoys reminiscing. “High school was just a happy time. There was never any fear. It was always very safe.”

The Mustang Experience

There were years when Fighting Mustang supporters could get lost in crowds of 10,000 people — and those days are vivid as ever for Sal Anzaldi. “If you went to a Clifton Football Saturday game at 1 pm, there was portable seating in the end zones,” said Anzaldi, 77. “Particularly the Clifton-Montclair games. Then if we played Passaic in basketball, you couldn’t get in the gymnasium.”

It’s almost kismet that Anzaldi — whose family would become so deeply ingrained in the fabric of our community — grew up on Day Street by Clifton Stadium, where significant Clifton sports history has taken place.

Donna Renta in 1964 and today.

Class of

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘64

Born to parents Vincent and Josephine (Bianco) Anzaldi, Anzaldi is the second of four children. His older brother, Ross, passed away in 2021 and he was a postal worker for the Passaic Post Office for 35 years. His younger brother, James (CHS 1968), is Clifton’s longest serving mayor and served for 32 years until 2022. Younger sister, Mary Jo Anzaldi-Foster (CHS 1978) is the Early Childhood Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton and married to former Executive Director Bob Foster.

“The family’s legacy is a continuation of values that our mother and father brought us up on,” said Anzaldi. “That was: concern for others and always helping people.”

Anzaldi attended School 1, School 10 on First St. and Clifton Ave. (which is now a parking lot), and then moved up to the high school as we know it today once it was constructed. Among his standout teachers were Physical Education teacher Mr. John Hargraves in ninth grade and Mr. Milosh, who he had for one marking period of Latin.

“My mother made me take Latin, because she said I was going to be a priest,” Anzaldi laughed.

His life’s direction had a slightly different trajectory, with him attending Edward Williams College at Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck for a two-year associates program. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in Social Studies Secondary Education and, though he never taught it, was hired as a pool substitute in Clifton.

Anzaldi’s career in Clifton began in the 1968-69 academic year and ended in 2007. He started at School 13 under Joe Greco — eventually earning his elementary certification — but wanted to work with older kids. After the school’s special education class opened with kids ages 1315, he went back to William Paterson for his master’s in Special Education and taught that area for about 15 years, including at Christopher Columbus.

Over the years, he worked his way up to the administrative level and was principal at School 13 for 10 years, School 9 for about seven years, and then School 12 for roughly 10 years.

“As a principal, I realized I could have a climate in the school where you try and help the kids as much as you can and always do what’s best for the kid,” said Anzaldi. “Not

what’s best for me or the teacher or the parent, but what’s best for the kid.”

While teaching, Anzaldi also coached CHS Bowling for a few years and was Freshman Softball coach for two years before becoming principal. From 2002 to the present day, he is a part-time Athletic Equipment Manager and works with the football team every day during the season.

Today, he remains in his childhood neighborhood with wife Barbara. They have four children — Laurie, Sal, Kimberly, and Jamie — and 12 grandchildren ranging from age 1 to 27.

Clifton holds many other fond memories for him. Anzaldi was recognized with the Clifton High School Honor Award in 2004 and the Passaic County Coaches Honor Award in 2023. Around 2002, the Optimist Club for Clifton named him as the Optimist Friend of Youth.

He coached The Charmers — a traveling team that built up Clifton Softball talent and was led up by Tom Atkins and the late Steve Meyers, running from 1989 to 2001 — and while he was principal served on the Board of Recreation, Youth Guidance Council, and the Clifton Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

The bottom line? Clifton doesn’t need tons of organized activities for kids. Anzaldi would simply like to drive through his community and see more of what he experienced as a child.

“I’d like to see kids doing more outside of their houses and not being on their cell phones all the time,” he said. “We had no fences around the ball field — just the field with the bases and home plate — but we made our own field down by Main Memorial.”

Sal Anzaldi in 1964 and today with his wife Barbara.

Any child residing in Clifton who is 5 years of age on or before October 1, 2024, is eligible for Kindergarten. Required documents and details can be found at:

Any child residing in Clifton who is 3 or 4 years of age on or before October 1, 2024, is eligible for Preschool. Availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis upon completion of the entire registration process. For questions, please call 973-470-2060

Charter, Parochial, and Non-Public School Transfer Student Registration 2024-2025

Any child residing in Clifton is eligible to attend Clifton Public Schools free of charge.

Go Online To Register

Where are these Mustangs now? ‘54 Class

No one enjoys the Class of 1954’s company more than each other — just ask its trio of reunion organizers. The 70th reunion was June 7 at Bella Napoli in Bloomfield, with a turnout of about 31 people, pictured above.

“We had a great class. People liked getting together and kept friends from high school. That says a lot,” said Barbara (Rae) Denherder, 87. “For years, we gave out awards at reunions for who came the longest distance. Now, no one cares — we’re glad to be here and alive.”

Carolyn (Sauer) Connerton and Bill Hansen echoed similar sentiments. The three of them now comprise a committee that previously had 16 members. But despite the extra work, they’ve all striven to keep these reunions going every five years.

“Enjoy every day, because [getting old happens] fast,” said Hansen, 88. “When I hear 70 years, I think, ‘Holy cow.’” Laughing, he added, “When I turned 70, I thought I was old.”

Carolyn (Sauer) Connerton

Connerton recalls a childhood filled with an assortment of pastimes. Whether she played in the yard at her family’s Broad Street home, went ice skating during the winter, or rode her bike with her friends — there

are countless memories. “We used to go to The Corral a lot,” said Connerton, 87, of the Hazel St. landmark, “and I used to go to the Y in Passaic for dances on Saturday nights during the school year.”

Connerton’s childhood family included parents William and Katharine, brother Elwood (CHS 1949), and her grandparents George and Carolina also lived in the area. And despite being about nine years old when World War II ended, she remembers its effects on their lives.

“My uncle who lived across the street was an Air Raid Warden and we had to have blackout shades,” said Connerton. “When the whistles blew, we had to all be inside with the shades down, and he would come around and check.”

Carolyn Sauer

Connerton still has a rationing book that was distributed for food and recalled her father working for the propeller division of CurtissWright in Caldwell during the war.

“It was pretty scary when it was going on, especially to the kids,” she acknowledged.

Connerton attended School 5 and School 2 before entering CHS. She worked during her senior year in Styertowne for the cleaners and went to work after graduation as a statistical typist for John Hancock Insurance in Passaic for two years.

The former Mustang now lives in Rockaway with her husband, Frank. They had three daughters, Eileen, Nancy, and Patricia. After their daughters were older, Connerton went back to work as a secretary for the Lincoln Park Police Department. Today, the couple have four grandchildren.

Since her childhood, she’s enjoyed doing crafts and still does a lot of knitting, crocheting, and decorative painting. Denherder specifically credited her for the hand-painted centerpieces for their 70th reunion and past reunion designs.

Reflecting on the past 70 years, Connerton emphasized that Clifton was a great town to grow up in and always had programs for children. That happy environment seemed to set the stage for a positive outlook and approach to life. “My thing is just to be kind to everyone,” said Connerton. “I think my life went pretty well.”

Barbara (Rae) Denherder

One of Denherder’s earliest memories in Clifton was lining up in the hallway of the Clifton Avenue Annex to register for classes. “I met my very good friend there, Lillian (Stieber) Parks, who came from Garfield,” she said.

Originally from Bloomfield, Denherder grew up with parents John and Lily and her brother, Jack Rae (CHS

1952). She remembers how coming to Clifton required an adjustment period since a lot of other students already formed bonds.

“I was busy being social. Talking as a matter of fact,” laughed Denherder, when asked if she had a favorite classroom subject.

Sitting in her Robin Hood neighborhood den, she reminisced on spending time in groups at her Bloomfield Presbyterian Church and all the kids that grew up on Donnalin Place. The popular hang-out spots in those days were Poppy’s Food and Milk Bar — now Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home — and Rutt’s Hut.

She worked as a salesperson at Epstein’s Department Store. “I saw a lot of people coming in and enjoyed my time there,” said Denherder. “Mr. Epstein was a great guy.”

Denherder went on to earn an Early Childhood Education degree from William Paterson. Her first teaching job was for Brookside School in Bloomfield. Denherder taught first grade at the school for seven years until she was required to leave at three months pregnant.

The following 10 years were spent raising her young kids, Beth (CHS 1983) and Rob (CHS 1985). Upon returning to work, she started subbing in Bloomfield and later would teach at Washington Park School in Totowa for 26 years. She retired in 2001 when grandchildren, Kennedy and Connor, were born.

Barbara Rae

Teaching was always a path that made sense to Denherder. “I think it’s because I babysat when I was very young,” said Denherder. “Even when I moved to Clifton, my father printed up these signs to get me babysitting jobs.”

“He would say, ‘Go around and put them in the mailbox,’” she chuckled. “I did get a few people down on Notch Road who were good customers. I always liked children.”

Denherder’s involvement with her class reunion committee also traces back decades. She has worked on most of them starting with the 10th reunion. Ever since the 45th reunion, Denherder said they’ve gotten together every five years and they even had a group 75th birthday party.

Clifton in the early 50’s has a special place in her heart.

“In those days, there were a lot more children in the neighborhood,” she said. “You got to know each other. It was comfortable.”

Bill

Hansen

Enjoying every minute of life is Hansen’s only setting. And he’s enjoyed that life as a lifelong resident.

“My address is in Nutley but I pay taxes to Clifton, so I’ve lived in Clifton for 88 years,” he said, definitively. “It’s hard to believe.”

Hansen grew up in Allwood with parents Warren and Ingrid, younger brother Warren, and twin Lois. He attended School 9, School 13, and eventually CHS with his classmates. His earliest work saw him caddying at the Montclair Country Club and becoming a waiter at the classic Clifton Casino, located at 373 Broad St.

But the Mustang also began laying the foundation for his future career as an artist by joining the Cartoon Club and, from what Denherder recalled, working on the school’s murals.

Upon graduation, he went to the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and finished in three years. Despite having an interest in car designing, he would enter the marketing field and jump around for a while. After gaining some experience, like working on displays for Continental Can Company, he realized that he wanted to go out on his own.

“I ended up buying the Allwood Firehouse, and I redid it into an office building that I had for probably 20 years,” said Hansen.

Hansen Associates on Brighton Road employed about 10 designers who worked on the packaging and marketing for big names like Air Wick and Brylcreem.

“Whenever a company had trouble with a product,” he said, “I was lucky enough to handle the creative end of products on the market.”

Bill Hansen

The business is where he also met future wife Susan. Despite only being married for 10 years before she passed away at age 36, Hansen’s love and affection shone through as he recalled their initial meeting.

“Her boss rented space in the old firehouse that I owned,” said Hansen. “He had a very successful business, so she came and I talked to her once in a while.”

“We started going out and were married in July of 1976,” he continued. Coyly, he added, “I wanted her to dress as Martha Washington, but she wouldn’t.”

Hansen counts his blessings because “I was born in America.” Hansen served in the US Army in Germany in 1961. He was a sergeant in the Honor Guards for one year and three-quarters. He then transitioned to Active Reserve and trained soldiers at Fort Dix for two years.

All of these life experiences were worthwhile.

“Overall, I was very fortunate to know the direction I was going in and to have good parents,” he said. “I don’t think I’d change a thing.” And to the ‘54 grads... see you in five years for your Diamond anniversary!

July 10th thru August 10th, 2024

WHODUNIT?

The Theater League of Clifton will present its second dinner/theater production of the season, “Murder on the Menu,” beginning July 20 at 7:30 pm at Mario’s Restaurant. The show is a classic “Whodunit” that involves the murder of publishing magnate Artemus Ward and the efforts of county coroner, Dr. Bullfinger, and an ace reporter, to solve the crime, scrutinizing a group of shady suspects. Other dates are: July 21, 27, 28, and Aug. 4. Saturday performances are 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees are 4 pm. Tickets are $65 and include buffet, coffee, tea, soda, and dessert with a cash bar. Reserve tickets and dietary restrictions by phone 973-928-7668, online via theaterleagueofclifton.com, or regular mail—payment by check only. The Theater League’s mailing address is: PO Box 4072, Clifton, NJ 07012.

Registration continues for Clifton Rec’s Summer programs. Programs include Summer Fun in The Sun, Future Leaders Program, Specialty Camps & Lessons, and Family Events. Register online at cliftonrec.com or at the Recreation Department, 900 Clifton Ave. The Summer Fun in the Sun camp program will run weekdays July 1–Aug. 9 from 9 am to 3 pm in Nash Park (700 Lexington Ave.), Albion Park (201 Maplewood Ave.), Mt. Prospect Park (341 Mt. Prospect Ave.), and Stefan Tatarenko Park (55 Broadale Ave.). The camp is closed July 4 and features two 3-week sessions. Open to residents and non-residents ages 5-13. For more info, call 973-470-5956. Trips and special events are offered for additional fees.

Power of One Christian Coaching and Outreach Ministries walkers meet at Richardson Scale Park, 680 Van Houten Ave. Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 am for an hour walk. The walk is free and so is parking in the lot.

It’s Christmas in July at the Main Public Library! Bring your wallets and you might even meet Santa as the Friends of the Clifton Public Library host a gift gallery at the Main Branch, 292 Piaget Ave. Look for reduced-price Christmas items all month. Questions? Call the Main Branch at 973-772-5500. Visit cliftonpl.org.

At the 2024 CHS Scholarship and Awards program from left, Casey Wellins, Mark Peterson, the president of the Theater League of Clifton, and Lily Kearney.

The Theater League, along with the Mazzarisi family of Clifton, established the Joanne Mazzarisi Memorial Scholarship in 2007. Joanne Mazzarisi, a 1974 CHS graduate, enjoyed a successful stage and movie career, including a recurring role on a daytime soap opera. Tragically, her life and career were cut short in 1997 during a medical procedure while under anesthesia. Recipients are Lily Kearney, who will attend Montclair State University, and Casey Wellins, who will go to University of Scranton.

Cast for Theater League of Clifton’s“Murder on the Menu” include seated from left: Anne Jarman McPhillips, Victoria Lopez, Annia Brito Rey. Standing: director Maren Sugarman, Doug Andrews, Neal Hallinan, Collin Wehr, and Melinda DelPizzo. The show opens on July 20 at Mario’s Restaurant and will also feature some to-be-named guest murder victims.

Long-time Clifton Health Department employee Jennifer Kidd’s daughter Cassidy has committed to Rutgers University and will be running Cross Country and Track. Cassidy is also the Salutatorian for the graduating class at Union County Vocational-Technical High School in Scotch Plains. She is pictured with her parents Eric and Jenn and sister Maisy. The school was ranked 8th in the state and No. 122 nationally by U.S. News & World Report in its 2023-24 Best Public High Schools, which evaluated nearly 18,000 U.S. public high schools.

Farrell has been named President of Paramus Catholic High School, joining longstanding administrator and Principal, Dr. Stephanie Macaluso, (both are pictured) at the helm of PC, one of the largest regional Catholic high schools in New Jersey.

Farrell held leadership positions at Essex Catholic High School, Bergen Catholic High School, Iona Preparatory and most recently at Seton Hall University. “Together, along with the PC family, I am certain we will make Paramus Catholic an even stronger, more successful Catholic high school,” said Macaluso.

Since 1965, PCHS has served students of all faiths from over 120 towns and cities in northern New Jersey and New York. For more info call 201-445–4466, or visit paramuscatholic.com.

Chris

Downtown Clifton

Diane Fasino, at right, was torch bearer on June 7 for the 41st NJ Law Enforcement Torch Run. Diane carried the torch to the Clifton Rec Center on Main Ave. in Downtown Clifton as it wound its way across the Garden State and on to the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games, at The College of New Jersey campus June 7-9.

With some 300 stores, services and businesses, the Downtown Clifton Special Improvement District covers Main Ave. from Piaget Ave to the Passaic border. Angela Montague is the executive director and she organized a walking tour of the district on June 5. Pictured here are advocates from the US Small Business Administration, the NJ Economic Development Agency, Passaic County Division of Economic Development, and Commissioner Orlando Cruz. The objective was to share information on grant and loan programs with Downtown businesses to support their growth. Visiting dozens of businesses to share information, some 10 Clifton businesses requested follow up info on available programs.

10 Decades + 3 Sto Lat! Walter

The year was 1921. Radio station WJZ in Newark became one of the first stations to broadcast the World Series. Warren G. Harding was sworn in as the 29th U.S. president. And the world’s first fast food chain was born with the opening of White Castle in Wichita, Kansas.

And in 1921, Walter Tarnowski was born and he’ll turn 103 on July 10.

Asked recently to reflect on 10-plus decades of living, he said the only thing about a long, well-lived life is it’s hard to pinpoint the greatest blessings.

“There are too many things to talk about,” he laughed. “I have done just about anything and everything that I wanted to do. Not always knowing the results, but anticipating good ones.”

A Clifton resident since 1958, Tarnowski lives in Richfield. He was married for 70 years to Genevieve “Jean” (Serafin) Tarnowski — who passed away in 2015 — and has three children, Eugene, Arlene, and Arthur. He has three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Tarnowski entered the military at age 22. Armed with a 4.5-inch gun, he was an artillery section chief under the command of General George S. Patton. Tarnowski met Patton at the Moselle River in France. “When Dad met General Patton, Patton asked, ‘Sergeant, where are you going?’” said Arlene. “Dad replied, ‘Where the company commander says to go.’”

“General Patton’s response was: ‘If anyone stops you, tell them General G.S. Patton Jr. says: Go,’” continued Arlene. “It’s a quote Dad has not forgotten.”

Tarnowski was among the first US Army men to land in Wales and then England, France, and Germany. He was at Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany, where he gave food to prisoners.

Founding the construction company Tarnowski & Zak, he was a carpenter and builder after the war. Tarnowski worked on 600 homes in Maple Valley and Bobbink Village off Valley Road.

He also built homes in Lavallette, Keyport, and on Knox Place in Clifton for personal use.

He retired at age 82 from Ernest T Scheidemann Agency, 1297 Main Ave., as a real estate agent. Before selling the family’s shore house, Tarnowski enjoyed spending time there and remains an avid reader who also enjoys working on the computer.

So what’s in store for July 10? His kids will be around to celebrate, but as far as the rest of the day... what are his plans? “It’s something to look forward to,” said Tarnowski, playfully.

Walter Tarnowski and family: Artie, Arlene, wife Genevieve, and Gene. Above left, Walter today and below, Walter at age 22 in 1941.

On June 30, Clifton Recreation dedicated the playground next to School 3 at Washington and Paulison Aves. as the Thomas Mullin Playground. Mullin, pictured above, served for over 40 years as a Recreation Commissioner, among his many volunteer services, and received the Clifton Friend of Recreation Award in 2001. A retired CHS teacher, he taught French, English, and Russian before becoming the Supervisor of World Languages. Mullin taught ESL in the Clifton Evening School before becoming its director. He has served as a trustee with the Clifton Education Foundation since 2001. In 2018, Mullin was recognized by the Mayor and City Council for his many years of services to Clifton youth.

America’s Polka King and 18-time Grammy Award winner Jimmy Sturr (pictured with Mary Vatasin and Anna Diduch) and his Orchestra returns to Passaic’s Third Ward Park on July 25 from 7-8 pm. Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra has received more consecutive Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical awards and first gained recognition a decade ago as The #1 Polka Music Band in the Country. The 21st annual free concert is located at the corner of Passaic and Van Houten Avenues, across from the train station. Concert-goers are reminded to bring their own seating. The concert was organized by Greg Komeshok and sponsors, with assistance from the City of Passaic. For more info, call Greg at 973-473-5111.

The 2024 Clifton Arts Center fundraising music series continues on July 11 with Swingman and the Misfit-Mutts. Other performances are Aug. 17, Sept. 8, Nov. 10, and Dec. 1. Details and info to come. Sign up for email updates by visiting cliftonartscenter.org and follow @cliftonartscenter on Instagram and Facebook.

The Botany Village Music Series is Friday evenings at 6:30 in Sullivan Square. See The Frostkings, July 12 and Spanish Night, July 26. For rain dates and more info call Joe Waninger at 856-900-2200 or go to historicbotanyvillage.org.

Clifton officially renamed its summer concerts in 2020 the “Obser Concert Series” in honor of the late Robert “Bob” Obser and his wife Jo Obser (pictured above in 2000). Lifelong music fans, the Obsers attended more than 80 concerts a year throughout New Jersey for decades with their four children. Eventually they even volunteered to help with musical events. Seemingly, the only locale they did not attend concerts in, however, was their hometown of Clifton. Decades of music appreciation prompted Bob Obser to seek out the director of Clifton’s Recreation, Debbie Oliver, and propose a local concert series, which led to the creation of the Clifton Summer Concert Series in 1997. Earning the nickname the “Music Matador” for his maneuvering of obstacles, Bob and Jo coordinated the concert series for 17 years. The concerts sometimes had as many as 1,700 attendees.

Clifton Rec’s Obser Concert Series runs July 7 through Aug. 25, Sunday evenings at 7:30 in Main Memorial Park (Park Slope & Main Ave.) Upcoming performances by: Swingman & The Misfit Mutts (July 7), Clifton Community Band (July 14), Mushmouth (July 21), and Emerald Experience (July 28). Need the weather hotline? Call 973470-5680 after 5 pm. More info at cliftonrec.com.

The 2024 Junior Mustangs Football registration is underway. The season start is Aug. 15 for players ages 7-14. Current member fee $175; newcomers pay a $40 membership plus $175 activity fee. Activity fee is $225 after July 15. Register at: parentportal.bgcclifton.org. Include a copy of child’s birth certificate and photo, proof of school, home address, and current physical exam.

The Clifton Arts Center is planning visual exhibits for the years 2025 to 2030. Professional visual artists and art groups are encouraged to help enliven the CAC’s exhibition space by showcasing their professional work. The CAC provides roughly 1,800 sq-ft of modern, well-lit, and upgraded HVAC gallery exhibit space on the grounds of the Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave. Proposals are welcome by professional individual and group artists on a rolling basis. Members of the Advisory Board of Trustees of the Clifton Arts Center and city staff of the Office of Arts Center review submissions. Application submissions must be presented and prepared in their entirety. For additional info, visit the CAC online at cliftonartscenter.org. To submit: email Roxanne Cammilleri at rcammilleri@ cliftonnj.org or call 973-472-5499.

Richie Fischer, Kim Latiano, Ray Grabowski, Beth Roland and Rick “Butch” Mastriani, aka Swingman and The Misfit Mutts.

Councilwoman Rosemary Pino and ECHO (Educated Communities Help Others) hosts the 2024 Unity Summer Series, an initiative to bring our neighborhoods closer together. The next fundraiser and block party is July 13, 1-6 pm on School 11’s playground, 147 Merselis Ave. The block party is free. School fundraiser is $5 and includes arts & crafts, water slides, bounce house fun, and more. Info: blockparty.echonj.org.

On July 8 to Aug. 23, from 8 am to 5 pm, there is an ECHO Kids Summer Camp. Cost: $150 per week. Ongoing enrollment at echonj.org/summerkidscamp.

The 2nd fun day (with music and other activities) and food giveaway is on July 20. Partnering with Paulison Ave. ShopRite, high-quality food will be distributed to 400 families. Visit echonj.org to sign up and receive a QR code. ECHO is a subsidiary of PINO: Providing Individuals New Opportunity. Established in 2011, PINO is geared toward promoting inclusive community development. Details: teampino.us.

Makayla Falayas of Lifepoint Community Church of Clifton led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance on June 8 on the Great Lawn of Clifton City Hall to mark Philippine Independence Day. Dozens from the Filipino community joined with political and social leaders in raising the flag of the Republic of the Philippines, next to the American banner, as patriotic songs were sung celebrating both nations.

Birthdays & Celebrations - July 2024

Nicolas Marcel Calvo turns 15 on July 11.

Send dates & names...

Jesse Hasting turns 39 on July 10. Mammie Angello milestone on July 3. Robert Marriello celebrates on July 9. Bivaletz turns 94 on July 17.

Sal Goodman D’Amato was born on June 13th to Chris and Lily D’Amato. Ernie Scheidemann is 89 on July 17. Rafael Hasting will be 79 on July 25! Samuel Yoda turns 4 on July 11.

Olga and Efren Zamora celebrate Olga’s birthday and their 47th anniversary July 3. Isaiah and Rocco Buonafina Twins celebrate their 1 year birthday on July 6.

Isabella Andruch 7/1

Amanda Di Angelo 7/3

Chris Torrao .................................. 7/4

Nicholas Iannacone 7/5

Bob Landrith 7/5

Robyn Sue Lord ............................ 7/5

Frank Rando 7/5

Lori Lill 7/6

Susan Rego .................................. 7/6

Darlene Franek 7/7

Ron Curtiss 7/7

Angelo Grippo ............................. 7/7

Thomas Marriello 7/7

Edward Sepulveda 7/7

Kenneth & Donna Chipura on July 11 celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Counterman Jr. ................. 7/12

Anthony Zaccone 7/13

Alyssa Marie Misyak 7/14 Ann Schamble ............................ 7/15 Derek Dobol 7/16

Jessica Dobol ............................. 7/16

Fanny Chem ............................... 7/17

Joanne Gursky 7/17

Carrie Szluka ............................. 7/18

Alexander Razvmov 7/19 Ryan Saccoman 7/19

Cocoa Saccoman ...................... 7/19 Ashley Jacobus 7/19 Linda Portaro 7/20 Megan Suaifan ......................... 7/20 Priya Shah .7/22

Kaitlin Vinciguerra 7/22

Ottila Kedl....................................7/23

George Shamar 7/23

Cody Crawford turned 4 on May 18 and sister Hayley was 6 on June 15.

Kayla Lord ................................. 7/24

Anna Schubert 7/24

Eva Gasporowska 7/25

Kathy Valdes ............................. 7/25

Jack DeVries Sr. 7/26

Joseph Lopez .............................. 7/27

Ornella Ganoza ........................ 7/27

Gina Oliva 7/28

Brian Counterman Sr. ............... 7/29

Amanda Fabiano 7/29

Lee-Ann Varga 7/29

Stephen Camp Sr. .................... 7/30

Joe Prebish 7/30

Obs Zayatz 7/30

Frances Greco ............................ 7/31

Sue Sadik 7/31

Gene and Joan Murphy’s 60th anniversary is July 25

In April 1928, big shovels could be seen on the Nutley/Clifton border. Hoffman-LaRoche outgrew its New York offices and was breaking ground for a new plant to manufacture a wide range of pharmaceutical products. It was the first of some 40 structures on the campus and the place where generations of scientists, and workers on the line, provided the world with drugs to help calm nerves or fight the battle of cancer. But by 2013, Roche closed its campus and ended the careers of some 1,000 workers. At right, Hoffmann-La Roche; Main Gate, late 1950’s Courtesy of Mark S. Auerbach.