Spring 2010
Epilogue
Dr. Tony Coletta ’71
A Magazine for Alumni, Alumni Parents, and Friends of Devon Preparatory School
Headmaster’s Message
Dear Fellow Alumni, The response to our last issue of the Epilogue has been overwhelmingly positive. The outstanding efforts of our new editor, Mike Dokas ’08 have not gone unnoticed. Thanks, Mike! Many others have assisted in important ways in producing our newly designed Epilogue. Here at Devon, Ms. Rosalie Lombardo, our Director of Public Relations is a key source of material for publication. Mr. Matt Simon, our Director of Alumni Relations, also helps to gather information for us. Please keep both of them in mind any time you have any Devon related information to share or to obtain. Our Alumni Association President, Barry Mulhern ’72 coordinates many of the efforts which are involved in making our newsletter the quality publication that it is. Jim McClatchy ’82 has been a tremendous help to us in getting this newsletter printed and at a cost which is very reasonable. In recent years there has been a tremendous growth in the development our Alumni Association. Thanks, Barry! In earlier years some of our alumni complained that they only heard from the school when we were soliciting funds. As the Headmaster of a school which greatly depends on the generosity of our benefactors, I have almost certainly been guilty of causing some of the neg-
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ative perception which I have just mentioned. However, with the amazing number of alumni events which now take place every year, that former negative perception has been changing. Our Alumni Association has provided many links for alumni networking, providing financial and social rewards for our alumni. Our graduating seniors (future alumni) are addressed every year by a series of successful alumni who share their expertise with the graduates. Many of our alumni have hosted get-togethers for fellow alumni. Many useful business contacts are made at these get-togethers, a not insignificant point in these difficult economic times. Our graduation speaker this year will be Dr. Tony Coletta ’71, who has earned an outstanding reputation during an exceptional career in medicine. Most recently, Tony has performed lifesaving work among the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. More info on this, as well as a lot of other interesting items about the Devon Prep Family, can be found on your favorite website, devonprep.com. Finally, some more good
news to share with you. On 27 March we celebrated the ordination to the priesthood of our Piarist seminarian Brother Nelson Henao, Sch.P. Father Nelson teaches religion in our Middle School and is one of the most loved members of our Devon Prep faculty. May God bless you and your loved ones, now and always. Cordially,
Rev. James J. Shea, Sch.P. Headmaster
Epilogue
A Magazine for Alumni, Alumni Parents, and Friends of Devon Preparatory School
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IN THIS ISSUE
2
Headmaster’s Message
4
Fr. Negrillos
5
Senior Seminar
6
Alumni Receptions
9
Alumni Spotlight
10 School Highlights 12 1,000 Point Club 13 Bits and Pieces On the Cover:
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Dr. Tony Coletta ’71, pictured with a patient, was in Haiti immediately following the earthquake in January providing medical relief.
The Epilogue is published by Devon Prep’s Alumni Association for Devon Prep’s alumni, alumni parents, and friends. Headmaster: Rev. James J. Shea, Sch.P. ’66 Director of Alumni Relations: Matt Simon Alumni Association Pres.: Barry Mulhern ’72
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Editor: Michael Dokas ’08 Contributors: Nick Ciocca ’93, David Evans ’08, Rose Lombardo, Barry Mulhern ’72, Garrison Weaver ’09, Andrew Zaleski ’07 Photos: Jack Ansley ’64, Michael Dokas ’08, Rose Lombardo, Barry Mulhern ’72 Design: Michael Dokas ’08 Printing: Jim McClatchy ’82, RRDonnelly Devon Preparatory School 363 N. Valley Forge Road Devon, PA 19333 610-688-7337 www.devonprep.com
Spring 2010
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Fr. Negrillos
Rev. F. Negrillos, Sch. P. 1917-2010 R
ev. Ferdinand Negrillos, Sch. P., a Spanish teacher for 25 years at Devon, died Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Regina Nursing Center in Norristown. He was 92 years old. He was a Piarist Father for 68 years. Fr. Negrillos was born in Logroño, Spain on May 30, 1917. As a young man he was educated by the Piarist Fathers and later attended the Piarist Fathers’ Seminary in Spain where he studied philosophy and theology. After his ordination to the priesthood on June 7, 1941 he taught in secondary schools in Aragon, Spain for several years. In the early 1950’s Fr. Negrillos was sent to New York City to serve in a Piarist Mission. In 1957 Devon’s first Headmas-
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ter, Rev. Stephen Senye, Sch.P., asked Fr. Negrillos to join Devon Prep’s faculty as a Spanish teacher. He continued to do so until he retired from classroom teaching in 1982. Fr. Negrillos then served the school as the manager of the bookstore until 1996. To many of the young men attending Devon at that time he was known as “Father Bookstore.” For many years Fr. Negrillos also served as a weekend assistant at St. Ann’s Parish in Phoenixville. According to Rev. James Shea, Sch.P., “In the school’s history, Fr. Negrillos was the longest serving member of the Devon Prep Piarist community. He was a member of our community from 1957 until his death on Saturday[Jan. 2, 2010], a span of more than 52 years.” Clergy, friends, alumni and alumni parents attended his viewing on Tuesday evening, January 5, and Wednesday morning, January 6, at St. Mary’s Chapel on Devon’s campus. Fr. Negrillos’s funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, January 6 at 10 A.M. in Devon Prep’s gymnasium. Principal celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Richard S. Wyzykiewicz, Sch.P., the superior of the Piarist Community at Devon Prep. Several Piarist Fathers from the United States Province were also concelebrants. In-
terment was at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken. Contributions can be made to the Piarist Fathers’ Seminarian and Retiree Fund, 4605 Bayview Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308.
Fr. Negrillos Bio • Born: May 30, 1917 • Died: January 2, 2010 • Ordained: June 7, 1941 • Joined Devon’s Faculty as a Spanish teacher in 1957, after being asked by Fr. Senye, Sch.P. • Retired from teaching in 1982 • Served Devon as the manager of the bookstore from 1982 until 1996
Senior Seminar
Alumni Speak to Class of ’10 E
very year, the Alumni Association brings several alumni back to Devon to address the senior class. The goal of these talks is to give the soon-to-be alums a different perspective on what’s to come, and to provide some advice on what’s ahead, both in college and beyond college. The first of such talks this year was given by Dr. John Bennett ’67, who graduated from St. Joseph’s University, and then went on to study medicine at Hahnemann Medical School. Dr. Bennett now owns and operates a group of international companies, with a particular focus in China. Dr. Bennett encouraged the seniors to keep an open mind as they enter their collegiate careers. “Look at all there is around you,” he said. “You don’t have to look far away to figure out what you want to do. Keep an open mind. Look outside the box,” he continued, “figure out a way that you can make life better for people.” During the first week back in the new semester, recent alumni from the Class of 2009, Andrew Bellwoar, Ben Limoges, and Neil Moerman, came back to Devon to share their experiences in the first year of college. Andrew Bellwoar, now attending Penn State, spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of attending a large public university, while Ben Limoges, a student at Tufts University, talked about his experience at a small, private school. Neil Moerman talked about partipating in an intercollegiate sport. While attending three vastly different schools, all agreed that once they visited, they felt that it was the right fit.
Above: Dr. Bennett ’67 spoke to the Class of 2010 about his business ventures, particularly in China. Below Left: Members from the Class of 2009 address the Class of 2010. Below: Alumni Association President, Barry Mulhern ’72 introduced the members of the Class of 2009.
Spring 2010
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Alumni Receptions
Alumni Assoc. Hold Receptions I
n January, the Alumni Association hosted two evening receptions welcome to all alumni. The first reception was held at Blue Pacific, in King of Prussia. Located in the King of Prussia Mall, Blue Pacific serves a wide variety of Asian cuisine. Blue Pacific is owned and operated by Class of 1990 alumnus, Andrew Hu. The second reception was held the following Thursday at Brauhaus Schmitz, also owned by a Devon alumnus. Doug Hager, Class of 1996, opened Brauhus Smidtz last year on South Street in Philadelphia. Brauhaus Schmitz is an authentic German Bierhall and restaurant. Both receptions were well attended, as alumni caught up and paged through old yearbooks, while enjoying delicious food and drink. Fr. Shea and Fr. Rich were in attendence at both events, sharing stories and reconnecting with former students. Alumni Association President, Barry Mulhern, was also on hand with Director of Alumni Relations, Matt Simon, to welcome those alumni who were in attendance. Thank you to Andrew and Doug, for working with the Alumni Association to make these two events possible.
Top: Wade Wisler ’08 and Fr. Rich enjoying the food. Above: Doug Kaune ’88, Scott Donahue ’88, and Tom Toole ’00 sampled the fine German beer. Left: Nick Ciocca ’93 and Jim Curran ’87 talked golf in anticipation of this year’s Golf Outing on September 19
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at Blue Pacific, Brauhaus Schmitz
Top Right: Andrew Hu ’90, owner of Blue Pacific, along with classmate Jim Donohue ’90. Top: Dr. Dan Kane ’64, and Art Boyle ’83 came out to the reception at Blue Pacific. Above: Some of the delicious food Andrew served at Blue Pacific. Right: Doug Hager ’96, owner of Brauhaus Schmitz with server Mike, and Jim Murphy ’72.
Spring 2010
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Alumni Spotlight
Devon Alumni Donate Time and By: Andrew Zaleski ’07
T
ony Coletta ’71 was attending a leadership conference in San Francisco when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rippled through the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on January 12, ripping down buildings, rattling street corners, and entrapping Haitians underneath levels of concrete and corrugated steel. A general surgeon who had been doing volunteer medical work for three years at a small clinic not far from Portau-Prince, Dr. Coletta immediately felt the impulse to help. So he shipped his suitcase back to Philadelphia, grabbed whatever clothing he could to fill a small duffel bag, and, with $600 in hand, hopped on a Red-Eye flight from San Francisco to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. By 1 p.m. Saturday, January 16,
Dr. Coletta was in a car careening across the Haitian border, ultimately en route to that small clinic outside Port-au-Prince. As the rest of the world stood frozen in the aftermath of the Haiti quake in January, transfixed by harrowing images seemingly streamed incessantly on cable news and online, three Devon alumni— Dr. Coletta, along with Paul Browne ’72 and Bill O’Neill ’69—were mobilizing to speed relief and aid to the Haitian people. Dr. Coletta, executive vice president and chief medical officer of the Holy Redeemer Health System, had the means to get to Haiti right away. The small clinic, in Croix de Bouquette, about five miles from Port-au-Prince, is operated by Christian Services International (CSI). With a sponsoring organization and a certain destination, Dr. Coletta was able
to avoid logistical hassles that proved to be the bane of other relief organizations just after the earthquake hit. By Sunday, he was seeing injured patients at the Community Hospital of Haiti in Port-au-Prince. “This hospital was inundated . . . it was a continuous wave of patients that needed my attention and the attention of the other doctors there right away,” said Dr. Coletta. “You just have to focus on one patient at a time.” Indeed, scores of Haitians flooded the hospital. In a desperate attempt to do as much as they could with the finite supplies and little equipment they had, Dr. Coletta and the CSI volunteers were forced to prioritize patients, marking them off “1,” “2,” or “3” with pieces of masking tape. “What was complex was making the decision how to allocate the resources,” said Dr. Coletta. “Who could get treatment and who shouldn’t? In some cases, the better treatment was to just allow someone to die and let the resources go to someone else . . . That was far more difficult than any kind of complexity of surgery.” Treatment for Haitians with life-threatening “crush” injuries was virtually impossible. “Haiti was a very broken Left: Bill O’Neill ’69 next to the tent he lived in while working in Haiti in February. Photo credit: Ayaka Suzuki
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Energy to Haiti Relief Effort country before the earthquake, and this is why you have more than a quarter million people killed,” said Mr. O’Neill. A human rights lawyer with extensive experience working for the United Nations, Mr. O’Neill was dispatched by the U.N. to Haiti a few weeks after the earthquake. Since midFebruary, he has been helping to coordinate humanitarian assistance in Port-au-Prince. “The situation is much more complicated than other disasters,” said Mr. O’Neill. “The ‘WMDs’ in Haiti were buildings. There was no control over the quality of construction, no zoning, no land use planning—people died because buildings fell on them.” For those relegated to watching the disaster unfold on their television screens, it might have been difficult to understand how a people could persist amid such devastation. But for Mr. Browne, the Haitians’ persistence was no surprise. “The Haitian people are among the strongest, most resilient people I’ve ever met,” said Mr. Browne. “They are so used to deprivation and suffering that they’ve developed a well of patience and persistence.” For 17 years Mr. Browne and his wife had worked as Protestant missionaries in Haiti through CrossWorld, a missionary organization that coordinates relief
efforts and sends volunteers to 29 countries worldwide. In early March, Dr. Browne returned with a team of volunteers to Haiti’s northwest coast, doing whatever relief work was needed in one of Haiti’s rural provinces. Going forward, all three men have plans to return to Haiti in the coming weeks and months, either in a professional or volunteer capacity. According to Mr. O’Neill, the first priority for the U.N. and for relief organizations on the ground in Port-au-Prince is providing housing for Haitians uprooted in the January quake. “You have more than a million people living out on the streets in public parks, with no toilets, very limited access to clean water . . . they’re not [in] tents, they’re not [in] shelters. Their ‘homes’ are just jury-rigged with plastic, sheets, [and] clothes, on sticks,” said Mr. O’Neill.
Above: Paul Browne ’72 works with a Haitian citizen in an effort to get communications flowing again.
But, like Dr. Coletta and Mr. O’Neill, Mr. Browne knew what Haiti was like on a good day, without the devastation of an earthquake to contend with. “Physical existence is desperate,” said Mr. Browne. “Most people are employed day by day. There is not a lot of economic security, no safety net other than relationships.” Indeed, the power of relationships is the one force maintaining the spirit and hope of Haitians and international volunteers alike. “Right after the earthquake . . . everybody else [was] stuck at home wanting to do something, but not being able to,” said Dr. Coletta, who leaves again for Haiti on April 17, this time with a team of 18 doctors and nurses. “It was a gift for me to be there.” Spring 2010
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Campus News
Nearly Half of Devon Prep’s Class of 2010 Named AP Scholars Twenty-six students in the senior class, or nearly half, have been named AP Scholars by the College Board. Two were named, National AP Scholars, eighteen were named AP Scholar with Distinction, two were named AP Scholar with Honor and six were named AP Scholars. Theodore Lawrence and Shane Howard were recognized as National AP Scholars. Those students recognized as AP Scholars with Dinstinction were: Andrew E. Callahan, Brendan M. Coyne, Joseph G. Donatoni, Brendan P. Fulmer, Matthew C. Gruchacz, Alex Lee, Samuel P. Parkinson, Andrew L. Robie, Christopher F. Smith, Robert M.
Smith, Daniel H. Stack, Joseph A. Stucynski, Francisco F. Suero, Brendan R. Tomoschuk, Matthew L. Toukatly, and John W. Wujcik. Those students recognized as AP Scholar with Honor were: Patrick W. Henry, and Patrick F.
O’Brien. Those students recognized as AP Scholars were: Rahul J. Joyce, Ryan P. Luffey, Philip J. Nowlan, Anthony M. Raymundo, John P. Thomas, and F. Quinn White.
Hot Mikado debuts as Spring Musical Devon’s Theatre Society performed Hot Mikado this spring for their annual musical. Hot Mikado is based on The Mikado by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Hot Mikado takes place in a fictional 1940’s Japan, where ‘Swing is King’ and features intoxicating rhythms of gospel, jazz, blues, swing, and rock as well as high-energy dance numbers. Devon’s Theatre Society performed Hot Mikado on March 18, 19, and 20. Girls from surrounding schools participated, helping make the musical a success. 10
Epilogue
Charitable Giving
Charitable Giving Corner – Where There Is A Will (or Trust) There IS A Way By: Douglas L. Kaune ‘88, Esq. We would like to remind all of our wonderful alumni, their families and friends that a gift to Devon Prep in your Last Will and Testament or Lifetime Trust is a great way to help provide for the school’s future. It is an easy way for you to make gifts both large and small. All you need to do is specifically mention Devon Prep as a beneficiary in your Will or Trust for either a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your total estate value. The Executor of your Will or the Trustee of your Trust will carry out your wishes and make sure this gift is made directly to Devon Prep. General bequests made to the school are presently being placed in the Devon Prep Endowment Fund, but you can specify how this type of gift should be used by the school if you so desire. Please note that these gifts are deductible for State Inheritance Tax and Federal Estate Tax Purposes. We ask that all individuals remembering Devon Prep in their Wills or Trusts contact the school so that proper records can be kept and so that the donor can be recognized as a member of the Calasanctian Society. The Calasanctian Society is comprised of individuals making charitable gifts to Devon Prep through their Wills or Trust documents. As always, you can contact the school for more details or call me or email me at 610-933-8069 or dkaune@utbf.com so I can answer any questions.
Support the Annual Fund! The Annual Fund is a yearly appeal for contributions to support the current operations of the school, and it is a critical part of Devon Prep’s fundraising efforts. It is money donated by trustees, parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and friends to provide additional resources to enrich the educational experiences of our students. Tuition alone does not cover the cost of providing a Devon Prep education. Taxdeductible Annual Fund gifts are a vital source of revenue and a strong Annual Fund helps to keep tuition affordable. Gifts to the Annual Fund are powerful because they go to work immediately and benefit every student, every day. Your gifts support scholarships and financial aid, professional development for our faculty, technology, athletics and classroom materials. For more information about the Annual Fund or to make a donation contact Jean Emhof, Director of Development at 610-688-7337, or jemhof@devonprep.com
Spring 2010
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1,000 Point Club
Senior Jeff Hughes joins the ranks of the 1000 point club By: Michael Dokas ’08
O
n February 16, 2010, Jeff Hughes scored his 1,000th point, becoming the first player since 1996 to join the 1,000 point club. It was just a few weeks earlier when Jeff scored his 131st 3-pointer, becoming the all-time leading 3-point scorer in school history. Scoring 1,000 points has long been something that was talked about within the walls of Devon according to Hughes, but
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it wasn’t until sometime last year After scoring his 1,000th when it became a distinct possi- point, Hughes joined only four othbility. “People have been joking er players in school history to have around about it since my sopho- done such a feat. Joseph Donamore year. I always thought it hue was the first player in school was funny, but sometime in my history to have done this in 1966. junior season someone asked but Christopher Turner was the most wasn’t kidding anymore and it hit recent before Hughes in 1996. me that maybe I could do it.” Hughes now has his place among Scoring 1,000 points isn’t Devon basketball greats secured. something “Being the that is done small group of “Being the small group every few five that it is, seasons at of five that it is, it feels it feels great Devon, but to know I’ve rather every great to know I’ve ac- accomplished few decades. something recomplished something Being such a ally elite at huge event really elite at Devon” Devon and nice could place to know that I’ll tremendous always have pressure on a player. Hughes something to show for all the work didn’t feel any such pressure. I put into it. Everyone that comes “I never thought about any in the gym sees the 1,000 point pressure to score 1,000. The banner hanging up,” he said. “To pressure was always on winning be up there is going to be really games, but at Devon there was cool.” tons of hype from my classmates, Scoring isn’t the only thing they were always asking if I was Hughes does. According to Head going to make it.” Coach Bill Frio ’74 he is the ulti The fans and students of mate player. “Not only can he shoot the Devon were all pulling for Jeff to join the exclusive club. three, but he can drive to the bas “They wanted me to make ket really well,” Frio said. “And he it and the game I did it everyone doesn’t just score. The best thing knew it was happening, the gym about his game is that he passes was packed, there were signs the ball. When you have a point and everything to make it a great guard who can pass and score it time.” makes for a great team.”
Jeff finished his career at Devon with 1135 total points. He scored 527 points his senior year.
Scoring over 1,000 points, Jeff became just the 5th player in the history of Devon Prep to become a member of the 1000 point club. He joins Joe Donahue ‘66, Mark Semerjian ‘90, Michael Jordan ‘90, and Chris Turner ‘96.
Jeff has scored the most three pointers in school history. The previous mark of 131 has been shattered by Jeff. Jeff also holds the record for most three pointers in a seaon with 77. Jeff scored 69 three pointers in his senior season.
Throughout his senior year, Jeff averaged 22.4 ppg, 8.2 assists, and 1.6 steals. Jeff also had 36 blocks during his final season with the Tide.
Bits & Pieces Congratulations to the following alumni and their wives on their “new arrivals:” Jim Donahue ’90 - son Liam Gregory T. Shields ’92 - sons Daniel and Alexander Mark S. Malseed ’93 - son Alexander Jeffrey M. Krull ’94 - son Ryan Dennis Zareh S. Zohrabian ‘94 - daughters Maria and Valentina Derek Schreck ’00 - son Logan Christopher
1960
Richard V. May ’60 has let us know that the Class of 1960 will have its fiftieth anniversary reunion on 10 April 2010. The next day they will have Mass and breakfast at Devon. This is the first graduating class at Devon Prep and their golden anniversary is therefore a particularly historic event.
1963
Lloyd B. Roach ’63 has generously donated extensive advertising for Devon Prep on his Internet radio station, BrandywineRadio.com. Lloyd has many years of experience in radio broadcasting and BrandywineRadio.com, based in Kennett Square, PA, fills a need for local broadcasting.
1975
Frank J. Mulhern ’75 has been named a Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor in the Medill School of Journalism, an endowed chair at Northwestern University. This professorship is named after the Emir of
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Qatar, a Persian Gulf nation whose Qatar Foundation has partnered with Northwestern University. Frank served as department chair in integrated marketing communications at Medill for six years. Frank holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
1990
Andrew A. Hu ’90 is one of the alumni who have recently hosted a get-together for alumni in the area at his restaurant, Blue Pacific, in the King of Prussia Mall.
1996
Douglas K. Hager ’96 is another of the alumni who has hosted a recent alumni reunion. The site for this reunion was Doug’s German restaurant, Brauhaus Schmitz, located at 718 South Street in Philadelphia.
2003
Daniel S. Hatting ’03 was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy in January. John-Paul C. Snook ’03 is an intelligence officer assigned to NATO Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.
2004
Jeffrey C. Treisbach ’04 is a volunteer worker in Kosovo. Jeff graduated from George Washington University in 2008 with a degree in international affairs and a minor in history and in German. In Kosovo, Jeff works for Balkan Sunflowers, a humanitarian NGO that deals with marginalized communities in that country.
2009
Walter R. Snook ’09, an ROTC Cadet at Princeton University recently met General Petraeus when he recently
visited Princeton, his alma mater. One of the few (very few) disadvantages of now having more regular issues of our Epilogue is that there are fewer news items to report in each issue. However, you can easily change that. Just send me your latest news for “Bits and Pieces” which you would like to share with your fellow alumni. My e-mail address is headmaster at devonprep dot com and my phone number is 610-688-7337, ext. 299. Best regards,
363 North Valley Forge Road Devon, PA 19333-1299
Parents, if this magazine is addressed to your son who no longer maintains an address at your home, please send his correct address to Matt Simon, Director of Alumni Relations. Matt can be reached at 610-688-7337 ext. 145, or msimon@devonprep.com
Calendar of Upcoming Events April 17, 2010 May 23, 2010 June 5, 2010 Sept. 19, 2010
Spring Tide College Alumni BBQ Graduation Annual Golf Outing
Requiescant in Pace Please remember the souls of the following departed members of the Devon Prep Family in your prayers:
Robert Patrick Magee, Jr. ’65 Rev. Ferdinand Negrillos, Sch.P. Mr. Stephen Bilo - father of Stephen J. Bilo ’72 Mrs. Rosemary Campopiano - mother of John A. Campopiano ’82 Mr. Raymond Mongeluzo - father of Ralph J. Mongeluzo ’72 Mrs. Nancy O’Sullivan - mother of Brian J. O’Sullivan ’75 and Kevin W. O’Sullivan ’77 Mr. Stephen Wyzykiewicz - father of faculty member Rev. Richard S. Wyzykiewicz Sch.P. ’61 and Stephen M. Wyzykiewicz, ’71