Magnificat - Winter 2021 by Church and Schools of Saint Mary

VOLUME 13 | NO 1

WINTER 2021

A PUBLICATION FOR THE SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY ALUMNI, PARENTS & FRIENDS

ADMINISTRATION Pastor | Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo President | Joseph R. McCleary, Ph.D. Elementary School Principal | Sarah de Venoge ’02, ’06 High School Principal | Gerard J. Buckley Chaplain | Rev. Fr. Jiha Lim Director of Admissions | Norma Stafford Vice President of Development | Edward Short Director of Alumni and Parent Relations | Kiera Gmelich Walsh Director of Communications | Eileen Symmons ’82, ’86 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD President | Robert Bossé Amy Murphy Adriana Calosso-Breen Courtney Pierce Anthony Conte Rocco Romito Dionne Dixon-Allen Terence Scheurer Robert Dunphy ’89, ’93 Nicole Sharpe Sandra Frey HIGH SCHOOL BOARD President | Larry Siedlick ’68 Tim Ahern Daniel Amoruso ’76 Kathy Bunger ’78 Robert Fabio

Brian Flannery ’88 Maureen O’Reilly Michelle Pasqualina ’95 Shannon Pompy

THE SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President | Patty Hennelly Anglin ’69 Vice President | Thomas Smyth ’86 BOARD Robert Anastasia ’71 Judith Annibale Betts ’55, ’59 Jenny Fox ’08 Pat Buckridge ’01 Brian McCabe ’03

Robert Pennachio ’86 Evgenia Soldatos ’08 Chris Santarelli ’06 Denise Vey Voda ’72 Patty Yantz ’69

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Letter from the Pastor

Letter from the President

Schools of Saint Mary Distance Learning Promoting Charity and Racial Understanding

A Word of Thanks Military Veterans Essential Workers

School News Faculty, Staff and Board News New VP of Development Getting to Know our Faculty Elementary School Highlights High School Highlights Students Honor Our Lady Don Monti Memorial Foundation Gift 2020 March For Life Larry Siedick ‘68 Visits School Young Alumni News PTO and Gaels Parents’ Association Athletics Spirit Weeks Performing Arts Elementary School Graduates High School Graduates Commencement College Acceptances

Alumni Alumni Notes Reunions In Memoriam Supporting Our Mission The Schools of Saint Mary Office of Development and Alumni Relations Phone: 516.627.4605 Email: development@stmary.ws Make a Gift Online www.tinyurl.com/elementaryschoolannualfund www.tinyurl.com/highschoolannualfund

FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends, In the midst of the challenges of 2020, I have found many moments of God’s glory. Our Elementary and High School faculty are delivering a high quality education based in the teachings of Jesus Christ – whether on-site or virtually. Students are engaged, happy, and learning. We have enriched our Theology curriculum to provide a deeper understanding of our Roman Catholic faith and to give students, of all grade levels, the tools to speak about and defend their faith. Our alumni are supportive in words, actions, and resources. As you will read in the pages of this publication, alumni who are both young and more senior, have a great affinity for the values, relationships, and lessons they took with them upon graduation. St. Mary’s remains a school that is committed to three key principles that distinguish us: Catholic, Academic, and Cheerful. Three alumni from the High School Class of 2012 express their gratitude for the Catholic foundation they received at Saint Mary’s. They describe the benefits of the core values inherent in a St. Mary’s education, the supportive and dedicated faculty, the intellectual and moral virtues that are woven into our curriculum, and the overall pride in being a St. Mary’s alum. I hear the same expressions of thanks and praise from many alumni. One of the activities that I miss dearly this fall is attending alumni reunions and to hear and see, in person, the kinship of our alumni and love for their alma mater. We have faith that these gatherings will return and our alumni will again join and celebrate the bond of St. Mary’s in union. In Saint Paul’s second letter to the Christian Church in Philippi, he urges the people to rejoice in the Lord and to put all anxiety aside. He says, “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Our hearts should rest in this exhortation, particularly in a year such as this, although I acknowledge how hard this can be for so many who have been impacted by the challenges this year has brought. My prayer is that you, our parents, alumni, and friends, find treasures of God’s glory in these difficult times. He is with us at every moment and the peace of Our Lord and Savior will reign. In Jesus and Mary,

Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo Pastor

FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Families, Alumni, and Friends, “An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered…” So said the English writer G. K. Chesterton, when confronted with the unplanned and sometimes unwelcome events that form part of every life. This past year, we at St. Mary’s were confronted with many “adventures” which tested our resiliency and ingenuity. Working together, we managed to see the school year through to its conclusion, graduating another class of young men and women who have joined the ranks of St. Mary’s alumni and are headed off to their next adventure. Princeton, UCLA, Cornell, Duke, NYU, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech are some of their destinations. We are proud of their perseverance and accomplishments and wish them much happiness. Our younger students have completed their elementary studies with the help of online technology and their dedicated teachers. They are now enrolled in many of the areas finest high schools, including our own. All of us have been given an exceptional opportunity to see the adventures of life in a more concrete way. One parent showed me how his son is using his newfound free time for regular exercise, building his strength and endurance for the inevitable return of the sports seasons. Another family told me about newly discovered dinner table conversations and family walks in the neighborhood, while meeting others along the way. Some families have discovered new areas of friction, calling for renewed patience and growth. Still others have been pleasantly surprised by kindness from friends and neighbors who have reached out to help alleviate a job loss or other misfortune. It is also important to note that aside from the inconveniences and detours that many of us have withstood, we are especially mindful of those whose lives have been challenged in very serious ways including the loss or serious illness of loved ones. Through all these adventures, we have seen some real differences from the past, but also some similarities. We’re still very much aware of our dependence as God’s creatures. We’re still on a journey which has its destination beyond this world. We don’t control life, but we do decide how we’ll live it. We do need friends, and a St. Mary’s education prepares our students for real friendship. This education gives them more to offer by way of understanding for others and a greater appreciation for our world. They gain more developed talents by which to earn a living and build a life with and for others and God. God’s Providence is still at work, bringing good out of evil, and encouraging us to contribute to His benevolent plan. We look forward to the future with hope, secure in the knowledge that no matter what happens next, we are free with God’s grace to make the best of it. We depend on you, who have benefited from St. Mary’s and who in turn, have become our benefactors. We thank you for the part you have played in our educational adventure and remain grateful for your support in the future! Sincerely,

Joseph R. McCleary, Ph.D. President 5

SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY The Schools of Saint Mary Launch Distance Learning Program “Before COVID-19 took hold in the United States, St. Mary’s Elementary sent out a survey via Google Form to parents to gather information regarding individual family access to technology at home so that any gaps could be filled before a school closure. Once these needs were addressed, our administrative team worked together to refine our plan for distance learning. After two days of professional development on Friday, March 13 and Monday, March 16, that Distance Learning Program was officially activated on Tuesday, With much planning in advance, the administration March 17,” noted Elementary School Principal Sarah Griffin. of St. Mary’s demonstrated little trepidation in mapping out priorities and goals to execute a plan that would be effective and create a sense of security without interruption of learning. After working diligently with Perrotta In response to COVID-19, both St. Mary’s Elementary School and St. Mary’s High School successfully launched Distance Learning Programs within days of the shutdown mandate in March. Faculty members seamlessly transitioned to adjusted learning environments at home. They began to implement their path with fervor and acceptance of what is considered the new normal for the foreseeable future due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Consulting, a threat mitigation and emergency operation planning company, and exhausting every available resource, the school developed a systematic way to secure and reopen at 100% occupancy, five days a week, for the 2020-2021 school year.

The Schools had the full support of our Pastor, Fr. Bob, during this planning process. He firmly believes, “Communication with our families under normal circumstances is critical to our success, and more so in these days of uncertainty. Parents and guardians had the knowledge needed to plan for dedicated space within their homes, expectations for continuity of learning, while supporting the goals of the administration.” The Schools of Saint Mary developed the safest, most secure, and most teacher/student focused 6

The Schools of Saint Mary developed the safest, most secure, and most teacher/ student focused school reopening plan achievable.

school reopening plan achievable. After working diligently with Perrotta Consulting, a threat mitigation and emergency operation planning company, and exhausting every available resource, the school developed a systematic way to secure and reopen at 100% occupancy, five days a week, for the 2020-2021 school year.

Classroom and Google Meet, while the High School is using the My School app (Blackbaud product) coupled with Google Meet as the primary tools for distance learning. Using these technologies, students participated in daily lessons and completion of daily assignments and seek teacher assistance when needed.

All students have the option to learn from home, especially if they have vulnerable family members or medical needs. Students that choose to remain home in grades N through 8 are using Google

The feedback received to date on the distance learning program is positive and with high praise for our principals, administration, and technology team members. 7

SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY Promoting Charity and Racial Understanding In light of recent national events, St. Mary’s has committed to renewing our focus on a specific area of Catholic teaching. The Social Teachings of the Catholic Church are a rich source of wisdom taken from centuries of prayerful contemplation of the Bible and Tradition. Several years ago, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published a document entitled Open Wide Our Hearts to address the sin of racism.

and reception of the sacraments. Of particular importance will be the weekly availability of the sacrament of confession. Open Wide Our Hearts stresses the regular acknowledgement of personal sin as an indispensable aid to a lasting change of heart: “The Church stands in prayer in order to be purified by confession and, as long as men live on earth it will be so.”

Rejecting any facile solutions, the Bishop’s document points to the individual effort to grow in holiness as a lifelong task. The document offers timely advice on the need to face challenges in a constructive and Christian way: “Despite the great blessings of liberty that this country offers, we must admit the plain truth that for many of our fellow citizens, who have done nothing wrong, interactions with the police are often fraught with fear and danger. At the same time, we reject all harsh rhetoric that belittles and dehumanizes law enforcement personnel who labor to keep our communities safe. We also condemn violent attacks against the police.” By placing the work of conversion in each human heart, Open Wide Our Hearts clarifies where the efforts of each of us Open Wide Our Hearts clearly sums up the need must be focused, while respecting the need for for each human person to have a continual conversion of heart aided by God’ grace. It outlines each person to fully exercise their rights as citizens according to a well-formed conscience and with a the requirements if each member of the school character strengthened by grace and motivated by community is to make progress in the holiness goodwill for people of every race and background. God expects from each of his children: “let no one think this invitation is not meant for him or her. All of us are in need of personal, ongoing “...each member of the school community is conversion.” At the Schools of St. Mary, we to make progress in the holiness God expects are confident that these efforts will contribute to from each of his children: “let no one think this the ongoing intellectual and moral growth of invitation is not meant for him or her. All of us our community. In addition, each student will are in need of personal, ongoing conversion.” continue to have regular opportunities for prayer This fall, each St. Marys’ high school theology class will spend time studying the Bishop’s document and discussing its implications. Additionally, each student will participate in monthly small-group discussions aimed at learning about and practicing specific moral virtues, including courage, kindness, generosity, justice, chastity, and friendship. These regular meetings, called sodalities, will combine practical advice with Gospel readings and a prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance. One important goal is to encourage regular habits of prayer and the practice of virtue in the little struggles of each day.

A WORD OF THANKS We Salute Saint Mary’s Military Veterans

Note: All information was received via the past Veterans Survey sent to alumni. This list includes those responses that were not received and included in the previous publication, Magnificat Summer 2019. If you are not included in this list or the previous list and would like to send in your service information, please email kwalsh@ stmary.ws.

Many alumni of St. Mary’s High School have served their country in the armed forces. We would like to recognize and celebrate our heroes. The veterans of St. Mary’s have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to this country and we are deeply grateful for their service.

JOHN LONG ’78 • Years of Military Service: 1983-2011 • Highest Rank Held: Colonel • Awards Received: Legion of Merit, Airman’s Medal, Meritorious Service Medal x 10 • Wars/Conflicts Served: Desert Storm/Shield, Iraqi Freedom, Afghanastan

AIR FORCE

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RAYMOND GANSER ’58 • Years of Military Service: 1962-1967 • Highest Rank Held: Captain-Instructor Pilot C-124 Globemaster • Awards Received: 2 Air Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, USAF Commemorative, American Defense Service, RVN Defense Commemorative, Foreign Expeditionary Service, Honorable Service • Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam PHIL ANDRESKI ’59 • Years of Military Service: 1965-1992 • Highest Rank Held: Colonel • Awards Received: Bronze Medal, Superior service • Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam, Desert Storm ROBERT PAUL WALSH ’62 • Years of Military Service: 1967-1993 • Highest Rank Held: Colonel • Awards Received: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster plus others • Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam; Operation Desert Shield/Storm • Most memorable experience while in service: B-52D missions in South East Asia; RC-135 operations fromRAF Mildenhall, England: 19801982; flying as Weapon Systems Officer in the F-4E

DICK GARY ’54 • Years of Military Service: 1958-1960 • Highest Rank Held: PFC • Most memorable experience while in service: Stationed in Germany and traveling through Europe THOMAS SHERRY ’54 • Years of Military Service: 1955-1958 • Highest Rank Held: E_4 • Awards Received: Good conduct medal • Most memorable experience while in service: “Spending 26 months in Eritrea” FRED EGGERMANN ’62 • Years of Military Service: 1966-1968 • Highest Rank Held: SP5 DONALD O’BRIEN ’62 • Years of Military Service: 1966-1968 • Highest Rank Held: Spec. 4 ROBERT DORAN ’63 • Years of Military Service: 1968-1972 • Highest Rank Held: First Lieutenant • Awards Received: 3 Bronze Star Medals, 1 The Army Commendation Medal • Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam War DENNIS H FERRO ’63 • Years of Military Service: 1967-1969 • Highest Rank Held: Staff Sergeant (E-6) • Awards Received: Two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal 9

JOHN T. ALLEN ’61 • Years of Military Service: 1962-1965 • Highest Rank Held: E-5

awards); Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation (3 awards); National Defense Service Medal (3 awards: Vietnam, Desert Shield/Storm, Iraq); Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (7 awards); Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards); Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon. • Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam Era Veteran (not in country); Operation Iraqi Freedom (in Iraq) • Most memorable experience while in service: “Too many to mention them all. A few: Having my family support me and their enduring many burdens during my almost 32-years of service; Being commissioned an Officer of Marines; Meeting my future and still present wife; Earning my gold Naval Aviator Wings; Being selected as a White House Command Pilot and flying President Reagan aboard “Marine One” and Pope John Paul II aboard “Shepherd One” as Mission Commander; Leading Marines as their Commanding Officer in two U.S. Marine Corps squadrons (MASS-2 and HMLA-269); Holding memorial services for Marines who perished while performing their duty serving us all and remembering them daily ever since; Serving alongside America’s very finest sons and daughters in uniform within each of our Armed Services; Departing for Iraq; Returning home from Iraq.”

MARINES

COAST GUARD

PATRICK K. HALTON ’69 • Years of Military Service: 1973-2005 • Highest Rank Held: Colonel (O-6) • Awards Received: Personal Decorations - Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit (3 awards); Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards). Other Decorations - Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy/Marine Corps Unit Commendation (2

BRIAN BASEL ’68 • Years of Military Service: 1972-2001 • Highest Rank Held: Captain

• Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam • Most memorable experience while in service: Constant rocket and mortar attacks RICHARD HOEY ’64 • Years of Military Service: 1969-1971 • Highest Rank Held: Sergeant E-5 Photos L to R: John Long’78 Brian Basel’68 Patrick O’Connor’69 James Alexander’04

PJ O’CONNOR ’69 • Years of Military Service: 1970-1972 • Highest Rank Held: Sergeant • Awards Received: High Score BRMC M16. NCOC • Wars/Conflicts Served: Vietnam era in South Korea • Most memorable experience while in service: Having a 60 ton tank and crew to play with. Additional notes: It was an honor to serve my country. JAMES ALEXANDER ’04 • Years of Military Service: 2008-2013 • Highest Rank Held: Captain • Awards Received: Bronze Star (Meritorious Service) • Wars/Conflicts Served: Afghanistan

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A WORD OF THANKS We Salute Saint Mary’s Graduates Who Died While Serving 2ND LIEUTENANT SIDNEY COURTNEY SMITH ’60 U.S. ARMY Years of Military Service: 1965. Died while serving his country in South Vietnam.

LT. JOHN KEEPNEWS ’62 USMC John was killed in combat in South Vietnam on June 7th, 1968. There is a St. Mary’s HS scholarship named in his honor.

CAPTAIN JOHN BURKE ’61 USMC Killed in action February, 1968. He was a Marine helicopter pilot who was shot down and mortally wounded during the 1968 TET offensive.

PRIVATE RICHARD PROSCIA ’64 U.S. ARMY Medic. Killed in Vietnam Dec 15, 1967 while tending to a fellow soldier who had been shot.

We Salute Saint Mary’s Essential Workers Saluting Our Essential Workers recognizes alumni of the High School and/or the Elementary School who are making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within our St. Mary’s family, we have medical professionals, healthcare workers, and first responders working the frontline around the clock. Meanwhile, other essential workers are keeping stores well stocked with provisions, providing take out food service, and delivering necessities such as medicines, groceries, parcels, and mail to help our well-being while staying home to flatten the curve.

Alumni JOAN MATTHEWS ’67 Special Events Consultant ALSAC

Without all of our essential workers, this time of uncertainty would be much worse without their courageous, selfless dedication to the people of this great nation. In addition to those workers, we also have much volunteering happening in our communities to feed the frontline, sewing masks, working our food pantries, assisting our seniors, donating money, and so much more.

STEPHEN D’URSO ’79

It was our goal to celebrate the goodness of humanity in a time of crisis. By recognizing the people who are giving so freely of themselves; and those whose career choices place them front and center each day during this pandemic. We salute all of you, our St. Mary’s Heroes.

MARK SAUVIGNE ’72 Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District Commissioner JEANINE DUNN VARRONEY ’75 Registered Nurse Certified (RNC)

BARBARA QUINN MCELROY ’81, ESQ. JULIA DE LA GARZA ’82, MD Medical Examiner City of Philadelphia Office of the Medical Examiner MARY MILANO CARTER ’83 Board Certified Nurse Practitioner PATRICIA PORCELLI LUNDY’ 84 Clinical Social Worker, LCSW North Shore University Hospital 11

A WORD OF THANKS ROBERT CHURCH ’85, RN, MS, MBA, NE-BC, FACHE Chief Nursing Officer & Senior Vice President SBH Health, St. Barnabas Hospital ANNMARIE MULHERN-FLANNERY ’85, RN, BSN, BBA Administrative Nurse Manager Montefiore Medical Center SHARON SMITH MCEVOY ’85, NP-C, RN, MS, BSN Nurse Practitioner NYU Winthrop Hospital

JOSEPH ARLOTTA ’07 Police Officer Nassau County Police Department ROGER ORDONEZ ’07 Police Officer New York City Police Department PETER ROSSI ’07 Firefighter New York City Fire Department

TERENCE KING ’89, RN Registered Nurse St. Luke’s Hospital

VICTOR NARANJO, JR. ’04, ’08 & KATE NARANJO ’09, ’13 Registered Nurse Registered Nurse New York-Presbyterian Hospital Northwell Health LIJ Valley Stream

JULIE KENNEDY O’BRIEN ’90 Pediatric Registered Nurse NYU Winthrop Hospital

ANGEL SOTO ’09 Funeral Director John Krtil Funeral Home

BRIDGET DONOGHUE MCGARRY ’91 Certified Physicians Assistant St. Francis Hospital

CHRISTOPHER MCCRORIE ’10 Firefighter New York City Fire Department

KATHLEEN BOYD THOMPSON ’90, ’94, APRN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

JULIA O’BRIEN QUINN ’10 Registered Nurse St. Francis Hospital

NICOLE PULUMBARIT DANDOLA ’95 Cardiology Registered Nurse NYU Winthrop Hospital

LAUREN ROSSI’10 Registered Nurse NYU Winthrop Hospital

KIMI VALENTE ’10 MALLORY TUOMEY ’02 Art Therapist Northwell Health’s Office of Patient and Customer Northwell Health North Shore University Experience Hospital NICOLE GREGORY MCKEON ’05 Registered Nurse Cohen Children’s Medical Center 12

BRIAN CACCHIOLI ’11 Physical Therapist Mercy Hospital

A WORD OF THANKS JULIA MCELHONE ’11 Registered Nurse Bellevue Hospital

BRIAN MCNAMARA Registered Nurse Mt. Sinai South Nassau Hospital

KEVIN NORONA ’11, RN Registered Nurse at NYU Winthrop Hospital

BREDA MULVEY ’17, ’22 Registered Nurse Mount Sinai Hospital

MICHAEL ANNITTO ’12 Police Officer Nassau County Police Department

FRANCO SAGLIOCCA ’11, ’14 Corp. Director, Supply Chain Mt. Sinai Health System

BRITTANY DELISO ’12 Emergency Medical Technician New York Fire Department

MAUDE SCHWARTZ ’20 Clinician Long Term Care Facility

JOSEPH ANNITTO ’14 Nursing Student Parker Jewish Institute

Parishioners DANIELLE CISEK Prayer Group Leader Church of Saint Mary

Parents LUIS BURGOS ’21 Vice President JP Morgan

JENNIFER DESENA President St. Vincent de Paul Society

ADRIANA CALOSSO-BREEN ’ 21 Nurse Practitioner North Shore University Hospital

KATHLEEN MALHAME Hospice Nurse Northwell Health

JENNY CUTOLO ’20, ’23 Registered Nurse New York-Presbyterian

LUKE POSTIGLIONE Gabrielle Postiglione

CRISTINA GALEA, MD, ’23 Anesthesiologist Northwell Health NAPA ANTHONY MARTINO, ’22 Certified Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Northwell Health Southside Hospital

LARA V. REDA, MD Assoc. Chair, Emergency Department North Shore University Hospital Teacher MICHELLE TRIPI Oversaw PPE fabrication at school by students North Shore Un

ERIN MORRISSEY MCNAMARA Nurse Practitioner St. Francis Hospital 13

SCHOOL NEWS Faculty, Staff and Board Updates Saint Mary’s Welcomes Vice President of Development-Edward Short Edward Short was named Vice President for Development this fall and will be working full-time with Mary Byrne, Kiera Walsh and Dr. McCleary to advance the school’s mission. Edward has an impressive track record in development, having worked for over sixteen years with such highly regarded Catholic nonprofits as the National Gianna Center, Tomorrow’s Hope, and Catholic Guardian Services in the Archdiocese of New York. Edward is also an acclaimed author and scholar specializing in the work of St. John Henry Cardinal Newman. His books include Newman and his Contemporaries, published by Bloomsbury in 2011; Newman and his Family published by Bloomsbury in 2013, and, most recently, Newman and History, published by the English Catholic publisher Gracewing in 2017. His critical edition of Newman’s Anglican Difficulties will be published in February of next year. He also writes for The Wall Street Journal, City Journal and Catholic World Report, among other publications. In addition to his development role, Edward will be joining our teaching faculty to lecture in our theology, literature and history departments. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Hunter College in the City University of New York, where he studied history and art history. He lives with his wife and two young children in Astoria. Sean Collins ’73 (SMES), ’77 (SMHS), who has served as our part-time development professional will remain on as Development Counsel to work with Edward as he gets to know our alumni and parent communities and on specific project-related work in our development efforts for the Church and Schools. Please join us in giving Edward a warm welcome!

Retirement: With Sincere Gratitude After 50 years of teaching, 43 of them at St. Mary’s, countless students molded into math students, innumerable lives touched by her intelligence and kindness, and what felt like 50 years of distance learning, Mrs. Elaine Drzymalski retired at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Mrs. Drzymalski leaves behind an incredible legacy of dedication to Catholic education and leadership and has left a mark on this school community that will never be erased.

High School Board Chair News Larry Siedlick, St. Mary’s High School Class of 1968, was appointed Chair of the High School Board at its meeting this fall. Larry, who was already a member of the Board, replaces Carol Dunning, parent of three St. Mary’s alumni. Carol stepped down at the end of the last school year when her son graduated. Carol held many roles in addition to School Board Chair that included the Gaels Parents’ Association President. Carol is also a parishioner and Eucharistic Minister and she and her husband, Brian, have been longtime supporters and ambassadors of both the Elementary School and High School. Larry is an entrepreneur and has started a number of businesses including Sunrise Medical Laboratories and The ArX Group, a revenue management business in the healthcare industry. Larry is currently the CEO of The Montauk Beach House and Co-Founder of Left Hand Coffee. Larry is a committed alumnus of Saint Mary’s having been a mentor to students and a generous benefactor. The Schools of Saint Mary expresses its deep gratitude to Carol and Larry for their steadfast support of the School and its mission.

Former Saint Mary’s Girls Basketball Coach, “Mrs. P” Celebrates Her 100th Birthday From 1969-1981 Lucille Perniciaro (“Mrs. P” as she was affectionately called by her players), coached the Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Teams at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset. Her teams had many successful seasons, including undefeated seasons in the 1970’s and back-to-back Nassau/Suffolk Catholic Championships in 1977-78 and 1978-79. Born Lucia Ruggiero on Oct. 28, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY, “Lucy” or “Lou,” was the fourth of eight children (the second daughter) born to immigrant parents from Italy. She attended Hicksville High School where she played basketball in the late 1930’s and then went to work at Grumman Aircraft during World War II, where she played in an industrial basketball league and intra-company basketball games. She also played for the championship Hicksville Dodgerettes of the Long Island Girls Basketball League in the 1940’s and was the league’s leading scorer and a frequent all-star. Later, Lucy was a member of the Long Island Board of Women Officials and became a referee. She began her coaching career as a CYO girls basketball coach for the St. Martin of Tours R.C. parish in Bethpage in the 1960’s. Mrs. P is still in very good health, living comfortably in Bethpage, in the same house where she has lived since 1950 and where she raised her five sons (Peter, Richard, Michael, James and John). She turned 100 years old on October 28, 2020, and her family (11 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren) held a celebration in her honor of as she entered her 11th decade of life and became a centenarian! 15

SCHOOL NEWS Getting To Know Our Saint Mary’s Staff and Faculty

Mrs. Michelle Tripi K-6 Computer Science and Technology; K-3 STEM

Mrs. Michelle Tripi has been teaching at St. Mary’s Elementary School for the past 14 years. She taught Kindergarten for eight years and 3rd grade for three years. For the past 3 years, she has been teaching Computer Science and STEM for students in grades K through 8. Mrs.Tripi coached the girls’ softball team for 2 seasons and monitors various after school activities such as Girls Who Code, Kickball, Craft Corner along with various others depending on the need and interests of the school community. Where did you grow up and what Elementary School, High School, College and Grad School did you attend? And what did you study? I grew up in Hempstead, NY with 5 sisters and 1 brother and attended St. Joseph’s in Garden City, followed by Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. My parents valued Catholic education and sent all seven of us to Catholic School. I attended Molloy College on an athletic and academic scholarship and studied Accounting for four years. I practiced private accounting for two years, and although I loved accounting, I started coaching basketball at Holy Trinity HS and realized it was time for a career change. I returned to Molloy College and received my Masters in Education. While studying for my Masters, I joined the Molloy College Softball coaching staff as an assistant coach and coached with Susan Cassidy Lyke until having my 1st child in 2010. How do you like to spend your weekends? I love spending my weekends with my family. I reside in Freeport with my husband Josh and two children, Mikayla and Cole. If we are not at an ice hockey game for my son Cole cheering him on, we enjoy spending time fishing in our canal, taking trips out on the boat or hanging in the yard cooking up some food for all to enjoy. I have twenty-five nieces and nephews, who I love hanging with too! One of my favorite things to do is to tend to my garden during the spring and summer months.

How did you develop your interest in and knowledge of technology? I have always been intrigued by technology and would tinker with it in my spare time. When planning lessons, I always looked for ways to enhance them using technology. I will never forget the first time I walked into my Kindergarten classroom and stood in front of the SmartBoard and was so afraid to even touch it. Dr. Checchia, the principal at that time, always provided and supported us with any professional development we would need to embrace technology in the classroom. I started out slowly making lessons interactive using the SmartBoard, then branching out to different apps I could use on my iPhone such as plickers and then diving into our smart table! When Mrs. Griffin became principal, she continued to provide support and encouragement to use technology where we felt appropriate. Our Promethean boards, chrome books and iPads give our students endless opportunities to see education through another lens or angle. My students are really the ones who pushed me to keep learning and exploring different ways of using and teaching technology.

Why do you believe technology and science is important for students to learn? I believe all subject areas are important for students to learn, but believe incorporating technology and science into our lessons brings our lessons to life. Keyboarding and becoming fluent in Google Applications and coding are a must! Technology plays a huge role in all aspects of our students’ lives and our students deserve the opportunity to learn how to become responsible digital citizens. Future careers are changing due to the advancements in technology and our students are given endless opportunities to be taught different areas because of our amazing technology lab that was donated by our SMES community. From desktops, chrome

books, ipads, 3D printing, virtual field trips, our students can explore all areas. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is just another great way to bring it to real life for our students. Using the 3D printer became a reality to our students during the pandemic when we printed over 100 masks and students were able to assemble them and deliver them to facilities in need. What appeals to you about teaching at St. Mary’s Elementary School? The support and guidance from administration and my colleagues is what appeals me to teach at St. Mary’s. The families are like no other, and always push me to be the best teacher that I can be. Their kids have become and will always be my kids. I am truly blessed to not only teach at St. Mary’s, but to be given the opportunity to send my own two children to St. Mary’s. I couldn’t ask for a better home away from home for all of us! What is your favorite bible passage? My favorite bible passage is Numbers 6: 24-26

This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His Face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord Lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.

This passage was written as a message to me, in a Bible my mother-in-law gave me a year after I was dating my husband Josh. Maybe she knew my true calling was to become a teacher. This passage teaches me that if we follow God’s word and pray for God’s wisdom we can better serve him in our own family and work. We always need to find a way to tell someone, “God cares about you.” 17

SCHOOL NEWS Where did you grow up and what were your favorite activities in elementary and high school? I grew up in Seoul, South Korea. I moved to U.S. at the age of 10 and my favorite activities used to be playing baseball and handball with my friends.

Rev. Fr. Jiha Lim Parochial Vicar Chaplain of The Schools of Saint Mary

When did you begin to consider becoming a priest and how did this come about? I was an altar boy and my aspiration got stronger and stronger as I grew older. Unfortunately there is no dramatic or exciting part in my journey of vocation. It was like being on an escalator that took me where I was supposed to be. How did you develop your faith and how do you now continue to grow in faith? I was good friends with the priests in my home Parish and I helped out at religious ed and with the altar servers. Now I try to grow in faith by praying and by looking at the examples of other priests and our parishioners. What Old and New Testament passages are particularly meaningful to you? The Old Testament passage about Prophet Jeremiah always inspired me. Despite suffering and many challenges he carries out the will of God. The New Testament passage that inspired me the most was St. Matthew following Jesus, leaving everything behind. A radical conversion for sinners and worthy people are possible through Christ and through the ministry of the Church. What figure in the Church’s history do you look to for inspiration? I like St. Damien of Molokai. He went to the lepers island, served them, contracted the disease himself and died. I think his life shows the triumph of the Cross. Only radical and dramatic selflessness of Christ and our participation in his Holy Cross could save this world. How do you best like to serve Jesus Christ? I want to be a humble, gentle and compassionate

priest who could protect his loved ones and those Jesus sends to him. I do not have big goals. All I pray for is to be kind and patient in my every interaction with various people, so I could bring them Christ.

SCHOOL NEWS Mr. Jonathan Marron, has been at St. Mary’s High School for the past 14 years and is the Chair of the Social Studies Department. Mr. Marron also oversees the school’s investment club, Mock Trial club, and is a Track and Field Coach. Below is a short Q&A so that we can get to know Mr. Marron a bit better. Where did you grow up and where did you go to High School and College? And what did you study? I grew up on the south shore of Long Island. I went to Chaminade High School. I earned a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University where I studied International Politics. I also have a Master’s Degree in Education. What are your hobbies? I enjoy cooking, reading, and I am an avid golfer. Mr. Jonathan Marron Social Studies

What is your favorite topic in history? My favorite topic to study and to teach is The Cold War. What is your favorite bible passage? I have two:

Psalm 34:4 - “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” 2 Timothy 4:7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

What inspires you to teach at St. Mary’s? For me, teaching is a public service, and teaching in a Catholic School is a calling. I am grateful for the opportunity to combine public service with service to the Catholic faith. What do you believe is a signature distinction of St. Mary’s High School? I believe a signature distinction of St. Mary’s High School is the kindness and enthusiasm that exists everyday, resulting in a positive school environment where everyone feels like they belong.

Saint Mary’s students with Mr. Marron and Ms. Cornell after the conclusion of the team’s case at the Harvard Mock Trial High School Seminar Program- November 2019.

SCHOOL NEWS St. Mary’s Continues to Grow with New Faculty St. Mary’s is delighted to introduce some new faculty who have joined us this year. They bring their wonderful talents to the classroom and beyond. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome. MS. LAUREN BECKER Lauren has joined our St. Mary’s science department this year and is teaching chemistry and biology in the upper school. A graduate of St. Joseph’s College, where she majored in chemistry and minored in biology, Lauren earned her M.S. in biology from the University of Alabama. While there, she served as a graduate teaching assistant and conducted academic research in virology. She also was the director of a local Boys and Girls Club and mentored young women in the STEM fields. Ms. Becker danced competitively in high school and is helping out with St. Mary’s dance program and leading a sodality group of our upper school young women. MR. ANTHONY CANNATELLA Mr. Cannatella joins St. Mary’s Preparatory School this year as a familiar face. Anthony graduated from our elementary school (where he was known as A.J.) and went on to become an Eagle Scout. A magna cum laude graduate of St. John’s University with degrees in philosophy and theology, he later earned an M.A. in theology from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, 20

D.C. and is currently completing a Licentiate degree in canon law at the Catholic University of America. Anthony teaches theology and English in the upper school and directs the school’s sodality program, while also playing a leading role with Campus Ministry.

VERY REV. DOM ELIAS CARR, CAN. REG. Fr. Elias serves as chair of the theology department for the upper school and is currently teaching classes in the New Testament to six sections of religion in our middle school. Fr. Elias earned a B.A in history from SUNY Binghamton and a B.A. and Licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He also holds an M.A. in politics from the Catholic University of America and an M.Phil in religious education from NLA University College in Norway. He is presently a doctoral candidate in sacred theology at the John Paul II Pontifical University in Krakow, Poland. In addition to his pastoral work here in the United States, he has exercised his priestly ministry internationally in Austria and Norway. Fr. Elias is a member of the Order of Canons Regular of St. Augustine.

MR. MICHAEL KING Mike is a graduate of Georgetown University, where he majored in finance and minored in theology. He also played varsity football as a Hoya and studied abroad in Australia. After a successful finance career in Manhattan, Mr. King earned his M.A. in Adolescent Education at Molloy College with dual certifications in Social Studies and Business. Mr. King comes to St. Mary’s after a stint teaching AP U.S. history and political science at Baruch College H.S. in Manhattan. He currently teaches U.S. history and economics in the upper school and leads a sodality group of young men. Mike and his wife live with their young children in Rockville Centre. DEACON RACHID MURAD Deacon Murad is the Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of the Angels in Brooklyn, NY. and teaches several theology classes in the upper school at the senior level. He is focusing on Catholic apologetics, which is a field of special interest to him. Rachid earned his M.A. in theology from St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Yonkers, NY. He was ordained a deacon in May of 2019. He competed his undergraduate studies at St. John’s University and earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Ministry at Duke Divinity School. Before focusing on his work in Catholic catechesis, Deacon Murad held a number of executive and consulting roles internationally. Deacon Rashid lives in Great Neck with his wife and three children.

MR. PAUL PILEGGI Paul is teaching both accounting and theology in the upper school. He comes to St. Mary’s after having completed his graduate theology/philosophy studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary and College in Yonkers, NY. He also holds a B.A. and M.A. in Accounting from St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, NY. Mr. Pileggi was a varsity athlete in track and tennis at St. Anthony’s H.S. in Huntington. In addition to his teaching duties, Paul helps out with Campus Ministry and leads a young men’s sodality group in the upper school.

MR. JOSH YUN Mr. Yun teaches AP physics and general physics in the upper school. He holds a B.S. in physics with a minor in secondary education from Stony Brook University, where he was the recipient of a four-year Presidential Scholarship. Josh also earned a M.A. in Liberal Arts from Stony Brook. Before coming to St. Mary’s he taught high school physics and mathematics at a number of Long Island schools while serving as a faculty advisor for the Robotics Club. Josh is fluent in Korean and is a youth leader at his local church. He also leads a young men’s sodality group at St. Mary’s. 21

SCHOOL NEWS Elementary School Photos Clockwise: Catholic Schools Week. Kindergarten Graduates receive special delivery of lawn signs. Outdoor music class. Elementary School administrators, faculty, staff and clergy welcomed students back on campus during car parade. Elementary School Giving Day. Photo Opposite page: Kindergarten Graduation.

Principal of Saint Mary’s Elementary School is Married In the fall of 2019, St. Mary’s Elementary School Principal, Sarah Griffin SMES’02, SMHS’06, was married at The Church of Saint Mary in front of family, friends and the entire St. Mary’s community. Here she is pictured with her husband, Michael Griffin, and SMES students.

SCHOOL NEWS High School Photos Clockwise: High School Fine Arts. High School Mock Trial. Mr. Gerard Buckley, High School Principal, and Mrs. Sarah Griffin, Elementary School Principal, welcome children back to school this fall. High School Mass. The Class of 2020 and their families are welcomed back to campus during the May car parade by (from left) Dr. McCleary, Fr. Bob, Fr. Jiha and Principal Buckley (who played the bagpipes for them). High School Bowling Night. High School Science Lab.

SCHOOL NEWS St. Mary’s High School Honors Our Lady of the Holy Rosary On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the Saint Mary’s High School community gathered on Denihan Field at Marist Hall to commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Members of the Chamber Choir opened the celebration with a beautiful rendition of the Salve Regina. The student body and their teachers assembled with adequate spacing on the beautiful autumn morning. Mr. Jonathan Marron, Chair of the History Department, spoke to the assembled students on the significance of October 7th. On that date in 1571, the united naval forces of Christian Europe defeated the more numerous Ottoman Turkish fleet near Lepanto in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The Battle of Lepanto remains one of the greatest naval battles in world history and a pivotal milestone in the preservation of Christian civilization. The Pope at the time, Pius V, had asked all members of the Christian nations to pray the Rosary asking for Our Lady’s intercession. In addition, he directed that all churches conduct Eucharistic Adoration. The Rosary was being prayed everywhere, and most especially on the decks of the ships heading into battle. At a crucial point, the wind shifted and the tide of battle turned in favor of the outnumbered Christian forces, leading to eventual victory. In gratitude, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (initially Our Lady of Victory) was declared to be October 7. After Mr. Marron’s historical presentation, Dr. McCleary led the school in the recitation of the five Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary in honor

of our school’s Patron and Protectress. At the conclusion of the Hail Holy Queen, everyone enjoyed individually wrapped homemade cookies and refreshments on the sunlit field. By popular acclaim, it was decided the celebration would continue as an annual tradition. It was indeed a glorious day for St. Mary’s, and our Blessed Mother!

SCHOOL NEWS Grant From Don Monte Memorial Research Foundation Funds Robot Assisted Education for Student William Reccoppa, a 2020 graduate of Saint Mary’s High School, was diagnosed with leukemia in the spring of 2018 and began aggressive treatment immediately under the care of a team of physicians at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park. With the help of his family, physicians, friends, school community, and the VGo robot he was able to stay involved and attend classes. The gift of the all in one robotic telepresence solution for two-way communication was made possible through a generous donation by the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. (The Foundation was created to honor the memory of Don, who passed away in 1972 from leukemia, while a student at St. Mary’s High School). The robot made its debut at St. Mary’s in the fall of 2019, at a morning assembly during which William reunited with his fellow upperclassmen. Principal

Buckley invited William to join the assembly and the response from the students as the robot entered the gymnasium was incredible. When they heard William greet them, his classmates cheered and applauded with such joy. It was an emotional moment they all will never forget, and indeed, one that will repeat in William’s mind providing comfort and strength. This advanced technology allowed William to receive the same instruction as his peers by attending classes, interacting in discussions, socializing with friends, and ultimately participating in a full day of school via the internet and high-speed wireless network. William’s twin sister, Maria, captained the team of students who, just like their classmates, navigated the hallways and traveled class to class with VGo as William operated the robot through his iPad at home. Please keep William and his family in your prayers.

2020 March for Life Students and Faculty from the Schools of St. Mary’s Participated in the 2020 March for Life “This year St. Mary’s Elementary and High School students participated in the March for Life. The students witnessed an impressive display as hundreds of thousands of citizens came out to support the right to life. They also had an opportunity to hear the president speak on his stance against abortion. Students and faculty took advantage of their first amendment right to speak out against the Roe v. Wade decision that is still in effect today. We continue to pray for those lives who have been affected by abortion and pray for a world that will one day understand the value of human life.” - Damien Quinn, SMES Middle School Social Studies Teacher and Youth Ministry Leader. 26

SCHOOL NEWS Larry Siedlick ’68 Visits Saint Mary’s High School Mr. Larry Seidlick, Class of 1968, is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, led, and continues to lead a number of successful companies including Sunrise Medical Laboratories, The ARx Group, The Montauk Beach House, and Left Hand Artisan Coffee Brewers. Mr. Siedlick delivered an inspiring presentation to the students on becoming a successful entrepreneur, including his personal path, business model, and strategies that have led him to be the distinguished businessman he is today. He opened his presentation by sharing the story of his experience at St. Mary’s High School and how the School formed him in ways he will never forget. Mr. Siedlick spoke for the first time publicly about the loss of his father, who died from cancer at the beginning of his sophomore year. He brought his anger and grief with him to school that year. After a lifetime of reflection, he attributes his strong bonds to the School as a direct result of the faculty and staff who became his surrogate father for the next three years of his high school education. By the time he graduated, they had helped him understand that he needed to replace his anger with acceptance and hope for the future. These were the building blocks that eventually catapulted him to entrepreneurial success.

the High School’s Advisory Board and regularly meets with his lifelong friends from St. Mary’s. He is currently the Chief Experience Officer at The Montauk Beach House, which he and his team developed into a trendy boutique resort property. Additionally he co-founded Left Hand Artisan Coffee Brewers which is a startup “third-wave” coffee company based in Montauk, NY. Mr. Siedlick is a recognized expert who has delivered keynote addresses at numerous conferences, business groups, and corporations in the US and abroad on the subject of entrepreneurship and how leadership culture drives growth and value in business. Thank you, Mr. Siedlick for taking the time to share your story and impart your wisdom to our students.

Mr. Siedlick proudly serves as a member of 27

SCHOOL NEWS Young Alumni News

Michael Anzalone ’08, ’12

Conor McNamara ’08, ’12

Andrew Vatier ’12

Michelle Lithgow Martin’12

MICHAEL ANZALONE ’08 (SMES), ’12 (SMHS) I graduated from St. Mary’s Elementary School in 2008 and St. Mary’s High School in 2012. I attended Quinnipiac University and I graduated with a BS in Finance. During college, I had internships at Cantor Fitzgerald and Jefferies, LLC. I currently work as a Senior Business analyst at Broadridge Financial. While I was a student at St. Mary’s I was a recruiter and had the opportunity to talk to middle school students around Long Island showcasing St. Mary’s intellectual and moral virtues. I’m thankful for the opportunities St. Mary’s gave me, whether that was in sports, academics, or the discipline needed for college level study. My teachers, classmates, and coaches pushed me every day to reach my full potential and I have great pride in being a St. Mary’s alum. CONOR MCNAMARA ’08 (SMES), ’12 (SMHS) I graduated from St. Mary’s Elementary School in 2008 and St. Mary’s High School in 2012 and attended Syracuse University where I received a BA in Economics and a Minor in Finance. After college, I worked as a Sales Trader at Jefferies for over three years and am currently working on the Business Development team at DealCloud. For me, St. Mary’s was where I learned the values of perseverance and teamwork. Whether in the classroom or on the field I constantly found myself confronting unique challenges at St. Mary’s. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to attend a school which provided the type of support and teaching that gave me the courage to attack these challenges head on. To this day, I find myself leaning on the core values that I learned as a student athlete at St. Marys and I would not be who I am today without them.

student group. I currently work as an account manager at Bloomberg LP. For me, St. Mary’s was where I met my closest friends to this day. I attended freshman camp as both a freshman and senior leader. What I valued most at St. Mary’s was the incredibly dedicated faculty. Their support, guidance and lessons went well beyond the classroom to empower every student to succeed. I am grateful for the strong foundation the St. Mary’s community laid in my life. MICHELLE LITHGOW MARTIN ’12 I graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 2012 and attended Molloy College where I received a B.A./M.S. in Adolescent English and Special Education. While I was a student at Molloy, I was actively involved in Campus Ministries and Dominican Young Adults. After graduation, I taught at a high school founded by the Dominican Sisters of Amityville where I taught English and facilitated the Dominican Youth Preachers group. I came back to Molloy in 2019 as a Campus Minister. St. Mary’s is really where my story with campus ministries and a life of service began. I participated in Adventures in Learning, Harvest House, led retreats as a Senior Shepherd, and much more. I also went on Project Rebuild my senior year which was the first immersive experience I had of seeing how others lived and being able to impact their lives for the better. It’s amazing to look back on those experiences and seeing the impact they had on me over the years. I was lucky to be given these opportunities to learn what my purpose was in serving and loving others while building community with friends that are now my second family. In fact, I married a classmate from St. Mary’s, Peter Martin, and a number of my St. Mary’s friends were bridesmaids and groomsmen in my St. Mary’s wedding last year.

ANDREW VATIER ’12 (SMHS) I graduated from St. Mary’s in 2012 and attended Mercy College. I received a BA majoring in Finance. During college I was in a business honors I now have the privilege to coordinate and lead program and president of an entrepreneurial action students in local and global service opportunities

that stretch from the soup kitchen a few blocks away all the way to West Virginia and El Salvador. As a campus minister I also offer students with opportunities to grow spirituality through activities such as retreats, prayer services, and groups that build community. I think it’s important to remember that in today’s fast paced world we need to take time to build community and connect with others. Through retreats, morality classes, and other initiatives St. Mary’s gave me the opportunity to learn how to speak my mind while also listening and learning from others. Learning about others whether

they’re your neighbor or someone who lives across the world is the first step to creating a loving world. I look forward to being able to give students the life changing opportunities I was given at St. Mary’s and Molloy. It is amazing to see how opportunities to grow spiritually, whether religious based or not, and to serve others can fill our lives with purpose and love. At Molloy, we are blessed to have groups of alumni who, even during their hectic working lives, continue to serve with us on local and global initiatives. It really shows how serving others and finding a purpose to believe in and can impact one’s life.

Michelle Lithgow ’12 photo with other alumni Kerryann McKeown, Melissa Azzarello, Emma Allocco, Michelle (Lithgow) Martin, Peter Martin, John Tuohy, Russell Blake, and John Cassidy. All graduates of 2012.

HOOAH! SMES alumnus, Alexander Alacqua ’12, has successfully completed his studies at West Point – The U.S. Military Academy. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to Fort Benning, GA. 2nd Lt. Alacqua is the son of Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Marc Alacqua. Lt. Colonel Alacqua is a proud member of the St. Mary’s Elementary School Class of 1980. May God’s blessings be upon you! Thank you for your service to our great nation. 29

SCHOOL NEWS PTO and Gaels Parents’ Association are Tremendous Supporters Each and every member of the Elementary and High Schools are blessed by being part of a very special family – the family of Saint Mary’s – under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Robert Romeo, our Pastor. There are many school events each year that celebrate our community. The year got off to an exciting start with the Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) hosting its second Movie Under the Moonlight with an outdoor showing on Denihan Field of the movie The Greatest Showman. The PTO also hosted the Momsgiving cocktail reception and Mother/Son Bowling Night. The High School’s Gaels Parents’ Association kicked off the year with its Annual Fall Parents Reception in Immaculata Hall and hosted the first Paint & Sip event. It was an evening of fun, friendship, wine, and delicious appetizers while bringing out your inner Michelangelo! The instructor for the evening was St. Mary’s alumna and Fine Arts Department Chair, Michele Bownes.

With numerous smaller events throughout the year, parent leaders and volunteers of the Elementary School and High School, enthusiastically support the mission of the schools, with a singular focus – the education of our students. Thank you to all those who supported these events in so many ways!

SCHOOL NEWS Athletics at St. Mary’s A stronghold at St. Mary’s: Athletics, physical education, and interscholastic sports is a long tradition at The Schools of Saint Mary, both at the Elementary and High School levels. Beginning at the earliest ages, our students learn about well being, physical fitness, good nutrition, and competitive play. Sportsmanship and fair play are foundational to team sports. Our High School graduates have gone on to play in college and professionally. In recent years, we have expanded our athletic offerings to include fencing and crew while keeping our traditional strength on the basketball court, at both the middle school and high school level. St. Mary’s is proud of our athletic program and all of our students who bring their skills - and Catholic values - to their sport.

Congratulations! To all our students who participated in sports this year

SCHOOL NEWS Spirit Weeks at The Schools of Saint Mary Students at The Schools of Saint Mary have wonderful enthusiasm for their school. Whether they are in the Elementary School or High School, our students have an inherent sense that they are part of a large, cohesive, community of students, faculty, and administration. This sense of spirit is not unlike the enthusiasm that so many of our alumni feel for their alma mater many years after they graduate. Alumni embrace memories of the traditions and values given to them by St. Mary’s as well as memories of their favorite faculty, school activities, and friendships. In the same wonderful way, our students are forming those bonds with our community and traditions.

Ms. Cathy Maguire, Campus Security

To celebrate school spirit, the Elementary School and the High School each host their own Spirit Week. This year, Spirit Week in the High School took place before the school went to virtual classes. The week had the theme, “Everyday’s a Holiday,” and comprised of an abundance of fun-filled student activities including cage ball, crab soccer, ping pong, volley ball, scooter relays, and some academic competition also. For students today, this

week forms the memories that they will carry with them for a lifetime! The Elementary School Spirit Week was in early May and included many virtual events such as Crazy Hat Day, grade level challenges on “Field Day”, May Crowing and Mass, and a car parade. Even in a virtual and socially-distanced world, students at St. Mary’s have adapted well and are enthusiastically forming memories for a lifetime.

Team Spirit

Goals

Competence

Support

Motivation

SCHOOL NEWS The Enchanting and Skillful Magic of Performing Arts Under the leadership of Mr. Brian Stalter, who brings over fifteen years of experience directing performances for Long Island students in both public and private schools, our performing arts program continues to thrive, in both our pre and intra-Covid world. Congratulations to the cast and crew of Seussical Jr., the Musical for three wonderfully entertaining performances that showcased the incredible talent of our Middle School students in the Performing Arts Program. The enthusiasm, stage presence, choreography, and terrific singing delighted audiences of all ages! Special thanks to Mr. Brian Stalter, Ms. Jenna Kavaler, and Ms. Brittany Wheeler for their dedication and hard work behind the scenes to make this production such a great success! To our St. Mary’s High School student volunteers who worked tirelessly on set design, provided tech for lighting and sound, assisted with raffle tickets sales, we thank you for your time and talent in helping your fellow performing artists. Thank you to our parent volunteers, and to all who attended these packed performances. Your support means so much to our students. It was indeed an outstanding weekend for St. Mary’s Elementary School! The Saint Mary’s High School Performing Arts Program presented Disney’s High School Musical on stage in Immaculata Hall with three packed performances that captivated each audience and brought them to their feet with thunderous applause. With Mr. Brian Stalter at the helm, his debut production at St. Mary’s was a crowdpleaser for all ages. With accolades due to the production crew, orchestra, along with the entire cast and backstage crew, we could not be prouder of the excellent job and teamwork demonstrated by all involved in the show. In addition to our multitalented stage performers, students worked behind the scenes, in the pit, and the front of the house with ticket sales, concessions, and ushering attendees. The show was a tremendous success! 36

This past spring, Mr. Stalter and the Arts Department put together a virtual performance of Beauty and the Beast. Mr. Stalter was able to coordinate virtual meets for the cast to perform and students created virtual backdrops for the sets as well. It was certainly a major effort by all involved. We want to thank all the faculty and students for their efforts in putting this together.

SCHOOL NEWS Congratulations 2020 Elementary School Graduates! Chrysta Abraham William Auger Valerio Bonanno Brady Bossé Chujiang Cai Timothy Carron Courtney Clarke Gavin Conseillant Jayson Dumont Anthony Gugliucci Arthur Hall Yeeun (Liz) Hur Alysha Lamartine Christopher Leighton

Danyella Lewis Jihee Moon Vaanya Nainani Lindsey Najera Sean Parmer Rihanna Pascal Bhavik Patel Samay Patel Christopher Perez Leonardo Rainone Sierra Robinson Isaiah Sharpe Junzheng (Ian) Yin

Congratulations to Courtney Clarke, the recipient of the General Excellence Award at the St. Mary’s Elementary School 2020 Graduation. This award is given to the student with the highest overall average in all subjects.

SCHOOL NEWS Congratulations 2020 High School Graduates! Shane Ahlers Anthony Andruszkiewicz Temiloluwa Ayeni Ariana Barlas Tatiana Barnett Justin Barrow Mariajose Bisbal-Villegas Brett Bossé Pachiny Boursiquot John Campos Alexis Chae Nicholas Cham Siena Charles Jordan Chen Zi Ying Chen Christie-Ann-Julie Chery Andrew Choi Alexander Clarke Nicholas Clarke Justin Cross Wenhan Cui Jenna Curran Jude Cutolo MacKenzie Daly Giavanna Demato Isabella DePaola Michael DiMartino Barbara DiSclafani Kun Dong Eamon Dunning Justin Duroseau Maria Eckartz Brandon Ejsmont Peter Eliou Jasmine Epps Giuliana Euripide Stephie Faiteau Bastien Fils-Aime Richard Francisco Zachary Friend Elias Georgiou Zachary Gingrass

Owen Gluck Jiayu Gu Yiran Gu John Guarneri Sravya Guntaka Laura Hammouda Song Yang He Allison Herrero Connor Holloway Matthew Holloway McKenzie Holloway Man Huang Kyle Jackson Ranael Jacques Danielle Jenkins Sheng Yu Jin Malaya Johnson MinKyu Jung Hansu Kim Jina Kim Kelly Kim Jonathan Kuldip Chiu Cham Kwan Chiu Po Kwan Vincent LaGrotta Shaelyn Lenko Laila Lestage Anamarie Lewis Alexander Lima Airong Lin Sarah Lo Alexander Longworth Noel Lopez Ming Zhu Lou Nijah Love Nicole Lozada GianLouis Macchiarulo Kellen Marcella Lauren Mazze Anthony Meluzio Ryan Mockler Saifei Mu Timothy Munsch Ayanna Nanton

Matthew Neree Michael Nix Christian Noel Alyssa Nugent Giacoma Nunziata Pasquale Nunziata Izabella Oakerson Francene Clemille Olegario Thomas Oliveri Kylee O’Rourke Edwin Ortiz Peter Papas Christopher Paralikas Andrew Park Olivia-Morgan Pascucci Siva Paturi Sarah Pavan Kathryn Petersen Anthony Petruso Madison Pompy Mathieu Racine Jordan Rankin Omar Rasheed Maria Reccoppa William Reccoppa Ziqing Ren Kalena Ricketts Matthew Sackstein Salvatore Saputo Maya Schwartz Cristina Scibilia Nyla Simms Alexander Sirna Si Young Song Zicong Song Charles Strecker Edmund Tartaro Jared Taylor Rhea Thompson Chengan Tian Kayla Titus Jovayne Walters He Jun Wang

Jasmine White Jessica Williams Alejandro Wiltshire Faith Wong Tsz Yi Wong Branch Worsham Xiao Ran Xu

Guang Wei Ye Jung Min Yeo Donghan Zhang Yiheng Zhang Yuhan Zhang Jiefeng Zhu

St. Mary’s High School 2020 Valedictorian Ariana Barlas Ariana is a St. Mary’s Elementary School Alumni, Class of 2016. She is attending Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and SUNY Upstate Medical University, majoring in Microbiology.

Congratulations!

St. Mary’s High School 2020 Salutatorian Emily Song Emily is a St. Mary’s Elementary School Alumni, Class of 2016. She is attending Case Western Reserve University, majoring in Chemical Engineering. 39

SCHOOL NEWS High School and Elementary School Commencements

SCHOOL NEWS Class of 2020 College Acceptances In 2020 the graduates of St. Mary’s High School were accepted to the following schools of higher education. Congratulations graduates! Adelphi University Agnes Scott College Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Alfred University American University Arizona State University Baruch College Baylor University Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Bowie State University Brooklyn College Bucknell University Caldwell University Case Western Reserve University Catholic University of America Central Connecticut University City College Clemson University Colgate University College of the Holy Cross College of Mount Saint Vincent College of Staten Island Collin Co. College Coppin State University Cornell University NYC College of Technology D’Youville Collge Daemen College Dean College Delaware State University Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University Duke University Eastman School of Music Elon University 42

Emmanuel College Fairfield University Fairleigh Dickinson University Farmindale Sate College Fashion Institute of Technology Fiorello H. LaGuardia Comm. College Fordham University George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Southern University Georgia State University Gettysburg College Goucher College Hampton University Hartt School of Music High Point University Hofstra University Hunter College Indiana University Iona College Ithaca College Jacobs School of Music Jefferson University John Jay College Kean University Kenyon College King’s College LaSalle University Lafayette College LeMoyne College Lehman College Liberty University Lincoln University LIU Post Loyola University Macaulay Honors College Manhattan College Manhattanville College Marist College Marquette University Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Medgar Evers College Mercy College Miami University

Michigan State University Mitchell College Molloy College Monmouth College Mount Saint Mary College Mount St. Mary’s University Nassau Community College New Jersey Institute of Technology New York Institute of Technology New York University Niagara University Northeastern University Northwestern University Nova Southeastern University Ohio State University Ohio University Old Dominion University Pace University Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Princeton University Providence College Purchase College Purdue University Queens College Queensborough Community College Quinnipiac University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rhodes College Rider University Roanoke College Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University Sacred Heart University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Leo University Saint Michael’s College Salisbury University Savannah College of Art & Design Seton Hall University Siena College

SCHOOL NEWS Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education Southern Connecticut State University St. Bonaventure University St. Francis College St. John’s University St. Joseph’s College St. Thomas Aquinas College SUNY Albany SUNY Buffalo SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry SUNY Cortland SUNY Fredonia SUNY Geneseo SUNY Morrisville SUNY New Paltz SUNY Old Westbury SUNY Oneonta SUNY Oswego SUNY Plattsburgh Stevens Institute of Technology Stonehill College Stony Brook University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A & M University Texas Christian University The New School Towson University Trinity College Union College University at Buffalo University of Alabama University of Bridgeport University of California – Berkeley University of California – Irvine University of California - Riverside University of California- San Diego University of California – Santa Cruz University of Central Florida University of Colorado University of Connecticut University of Delaware

University of Florida University of Hartford University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign University of Maryland University of Massachusetts – Amherst University of Massachusetts – Boston University of Massachusetts – Lowell University of Miami University of Michigan University of New Haven University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of Oregon University of Washington Ursinus College Utica College

Vanderbilt University Vassar College Vaughn College Villanova University Virginia Tech Wagner College Washington College Wentworth Institute of Technology Wesleyan University Western Connecticut State University Western New England University Wheaton College Wilkes University William Paterson University Worcester Polytechnic Institute York College

ALUMNI NEWS Alumni Notes 1953

Photo: Bob Glover, Joe Alexandre and Bill Leffler ’57

JAMES FITZPATRICK writes, “I am a graduate of both grammar school (1949) and first high school class (1953). Graduated Manhattan College (1957), Electrical Engineer. Spent career designing aircraft instruments. Having lost my wife of 54 years to cancer in 2014, I am blessed to have married again last August. Living in a beautiful, active community in Central Florida. Keeping busy singing in community chorus, Church choir and Barbershop chorus. I also lead a ukulele players group. Don’t let the old man in!” JEAN TYMMS MURPHY was in the first graduating class 1953, She returned to St. Mary’s as a teacher (70’s, 80’s, 90’s). Many changes occurred during her teaching days: It went from a School for Girls to a School for Boys to a co-ed school. Each change was BIG but they adjusted with massive help from the nuns and brothers. She taught English Literature in the morning and Art all afternoon. The art studio was a dedicated area (formerly the Brother’s gathering place on the 3rd floor.. a big room filled with light and a perfect view of the campus).

Today she lives in another kind of room. It is her final home in a retirement community in flower-filled Boca Raton. Jean still does art and still exhibits. She also runs a book club. “Good Literature... if you please”, is her constant refrain. When you are in your final stages, daydreaming sets in: SMHS days filled with laughter, disappointment and hope get blended into vivid scenes. They dance in her head these powerful memories. They keep Jean ALIVE. They keep her happy and very grateful. VIRGIL (VIC) VARRICHIO has been keeping his classmates entertained with his interesting e-mails for the last ten years or more. His recent one on how a humble invention (100 and 130 octane gasoline) helped win the air war in Europe was newly de-classified history. Vic’s info about Trump’s accomplishments has amazed his readers, and no doubt caused some debates among other classmates. We’ve enjoyed his jokes, his cartoons, and even his road signs, and want to say thank you for his intellectual insights. Vic decidedly had a St. Mary’s education which according to one public school teacher was among the best available in New York State. And that’s saying something.

1955

MICHAEL C. REILLY and his artist wife Ann Dalton have been showing and selling her art in New England, New York, Washington, Virginia and all over Florida for many years. See them at anndaltonsgallery.com on the web or visit our summer gallery and residence on the waterfront in Eastport, Maine, far downeast and the easternmost city in the U.S.A. Michael has been blessed to be working full time 60 years after graduation and has had three different careers. Life is good! SR. JOAN QUINN has moved from NYC to Scranton, PA.

1956

CAROL BUTLER reports, “I do have some news that I would like to share with alumni. In October 2019, thirteen 1956 graduates gathered at a restaurant in Manhasset for a mini reunion. It was wonderful to see friends from our class! We had hoped to meet again this year, but Covid 19 has changed plans for that. This spring, two of our classmates Gloria Hicks/Garvin, Carol Prewein/ Photo Top: Butler and I met at Arlene Monteleno/McCarthy’s Thanks to Arlene home in South Carolina for a very mini reunion. Montilino: “Girls of ’56” We had hoped that Julianne Schofield could join got together in April 2019. us, but she was unable to. We had a wonderful six Front: day visit and plan to be able to do it again soon. Stephanie Syze, Carol I have lived in Maine since 1990, and I love it! Sweeney, Julie Schofield, Retired in 2005 after working for non-profits since Pat Pryor, Pat Regan, the 70s. My last job was working for Hurricane Mimi Dalton, Island Outward Bound School in Rockland Maine. Back: I finally got the opportunity to take an Outward Gloria Hicks, Anne Bound course last year and it was wonderful! Tobin, Fran Vincent, Ann I have two children and two grandchildren. Love Messina, Lee Bryan, Carol to travel and do that as often as I can.” Prewein, Arlene Montilino Photo Bottom: Class of ’58 gift

1959

BRUCE W. KRAMER is in his 12th year as surgical assistant for the Baltimore Humane Society, and loving every minute of it. Much to his surprise, he received a large State of Maryland Governor’s Citation for his work with the Humane Society. A nice gesture. Bruce and Cindy continue their Civil War travels and conferences, although the coronavirus has put a temporary halt to just about everything. JOHN O’SULLIVAN, President of O’Sullivan Digital Communications since 1970, retired 2008. He has been married to Lucy for 52 years and has four children: Ann, John, Kathleen and Kevin and seven grandchildren.

1957

CAPTAIN BOB GLOVER took Joe Alexandre and Bill Leffler (all Class of ’57) and their wives on a personal tour of Bob’s alma mater, the U S Naval Academy at Annapolis. As they had all been in each other’s weddings back in the day. They followed up with nostalgia, fine repast, and refreshments.

1958

JOHN HINCK is a graduate of SUNY College of Forestry. He is a Wood Chemist specializing in Dissolving Cellulose, author of many articles including chapters in textbooks on graduate topics. John has four sons, nine grandkids; six already graduated from university, all doing well. Activities include: safaris (100K miles with his spouse), rehabilitation of a swamp forest, hospice volunteer, Rotary Member. Let him know if you would like to visit Africa- he knows it well. 45

ALUMNI NEWS 1960

Photo: Meg Sweeney Hartnett ’63, Monsignor (retired) Maury Voity ’62, T.J. Stevenson ’63 and Jack Lambert ’63

MARIE LYNN (SCHYVER) is widowed after 50 years of marriage. She holds a BA History, Trinity College 1964, Masters Degree in Library Science, James Madison University, 1993. She was the Secondary School Librarian for 26 years, Longfellow Middle School Fairfax County Public Schools, VA. Marie Lynn is presently working parttime as a Librarian at Arlington Central Library in Arlington, VA. She lived in Port Washington until 1972, Shaker Heights, Ohio until 1987, McLean, Virginia for 30 years and Arlington, VA for 4 years.

1961

MAURA MCCARTHY HANLEY recently reconnected with Eileen Hanley Pierce. They were off to France this spring. They had a fabulous trip planned for time to chat, and share family stories. Perhaps brag about our grandchildren. MARY ALICE KARL HORN retired (25 yrs.) junior high school teacher in St. Joseph School, Mendham, NJ. She celebrated 52 years of wedded bliss in July. Mary Alice has 1 son, 2 grandchildren in Los Angeles and travels frequently. She is active

on 3 Boards of local senior citizens’ housing and residential communities.

1962

ROBERT BROOKES lives in Port Washington, only 3.3 miles from SMHS! He married Nancy Betowski, sister of Don Betowski some 40 years ago and blessed with 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters. He is grateful for his high school and college Catholic education systems. “Best wishes and prayers for all St. Mary’s alum!” CAROL CASSIDY (RAZIANO) lives in Plantation, FL with her husband, a retired physician. They are right outside Fort Lauderdale. If anyone is coming through the area, they would love to see you. Their three sons are physicians, the older daughter is an attorney and their younger daughter is a veterinarian and they have eleven grandchildren. PAULETTE FURNESS is enjoying retirement since 2017.

ALUMNI NEWS JOSEPH O’REILLY is still teaching for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Hillsborough School district has him teaching at most of the elementary schools. They teach safe boating and pollution control to the “kiddies.” Joe was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the South Shore Symphony Orchestra. He was surprised since he could not carry a tune even if stapled to his back. Photo: Jane Mullins Hackett, Wolfeboro, NH and her twin Judy Mullins Ward, Woolwich, Maine Class of 1964. Patricia (Patty) Mullins O’Keefe, Eastport, NY Class of 1959. Robert Mullins, Class of 1958.

LEON (DON) BETOWSKI and his wife live in Folsom, CA after living for 37 years in Las Vegas. They live one mile from their son and his wife. Their son works for Intel, the computer chip maker, as an engineer and manager. Don went to Georgetown and received a B.S. in chemistry and Cornell for a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. He is retired and volunteers coaching track and cross country at Sutter Middle School.

1963

DENNIS FERRO graduated from Villanova University 1967, St. John’s University MBA 1974. He has been married 50 years to Ellen McKee, 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Dennis started his career in banking and asset management. He

started with Bankers Trust Company in 1969 and along the way served as President of Bankers Trust of Florida and Japan Bankers Trust, Tokyo. He lived in Tokyo for 6 years. Later Dennis joined Kemper Investments and served as Managing Director and Head of International Investments. He joined First Union (later Wachovia) and served as President and CEO of Evergreen Investment Company. After retiring he served on the Board of Directors of NY Marine and General Insurance Company and also the Principal Financial Group. He currently lives in Vero Beach, Florida and enjoys golf and travel. In the past two years he and his wife have been to Tokyo, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Spain, France and the Dominican Republic. During the summers they are at their home in Remsenburg, NY. He is a rabid college basketball fan (Villanova). Dennis still sees and speaks with his good St. Mary’s classmate Dan Driscoll and still enjoys his company. JACK LAMBERT writes, “We had a minireunion in Ft. Lauderdale this past month. Our group included Meg Sweeney Hartnett ’63, Monsignor (retired) Maury Voity’62, T.J. Stevenson ’63 and me. We spent 3 days in the sun and reminiscing and even had old pictures and a Magnificat from 1963. Great to see everyone.”

1964

JOHN (JACK) CARROLL has 6 children and, so far, 7 grandchildren!

1965

NOEL KADE FOLEY tells us she arrived as a senior from California and thinks no one will remember who in the heck she is. She does believe in giving back and will always donate to the Annual Fund because Saint Mary’s does such a beautiful job in reaching out to everyone in need. She was so glad her parents made a point of getting their five children left at home at that point into Saint Mary’s. Her older brother never made it to Long Island. He headed straight from California to Notre Dame. 47

ALUMNI NEWS 1966

one girls). After graduation I began my work DENNY BUTLER spent a semester at Villanova, in finance. It was one bank/credit union after then 3 years in the Army, Vietnam class of 69. His another, starting at the bottom and working up last duty station was in Texas, where he decided to to manager. Along the way, I married and had three children. Now divorced, living in Nanuet stay near Austin due to a much slower pace of life than NY. He married his wife, Martha, in1974 and (Rockland County), NY near my three children and three grandchildren. I’m anxiously awaiting is still married after 46 great years. After various jobs Denny started with FedEx in1987 and retired retirement so I can pursue my love of travelespecially cruising. We lost dad two years ago. He December 31, 2013. He doesn’t miss winters and mom had continued to live in Manhasset. at all. He has 3 stepkids now in their 40s and 8 Recently, mom has sold her house and will be grand-kids. Denny misses the good ole days. He loved running track and still regrets quitting senior moving to Boston near my brother John. Recent update: Mom is still with us-97 years- and living in year. Losing Mr. Ahearn as coach did him in. The basketball season was the highlight of the years. He Milford MA. I am happily retired living with my oldest-Julie.” remembers leading the rosary and his legs feeling like jello. He was glad he got only a 10 minute JOHN G. WALSH has been living in Pearl City warning and they had the mysteries and prayers on the lectern in a large font. He writes, “This old Hawaii since 1990. He is a retired Air Force Lt. cave man has been sober since’73. I guess I got my Col. John semi-retired in 2000 but he still teaches American Government as an adjunct professor quota in during those days. Being 18 all through at Wayland Baptist University. His son, Brian, senior year caused some fuzziness of ’66.” graduated Creighton Law School 2017 and is working in Omaha, NE. His daughter, Norine, is a PHILIP CAPPIO’S wife called to let St. Mary’s last year Vet student at Colorado State University know he passed away in September 2019. She Class of 2020. Daughter, Rachel, graduated from would like classmates to remember that Philip Chaminade University and is pursuing a Masters in went to St. Mary’s from K-12 and thought it was Counseling. John expects his wife Theresa to retire a very special place, he loved the teachers and the school. He had a close association with the Marist by the end of January 2020. Brothers because of his high school years. JAY MCGLYNN writes, “Good times and great friends at St. Mary’s in the 60s. Married to Marsha in 1985. I enjoyed a productive career in technology and software ventures. Now enjoying retirement with a bit of board work. Golf is my new day job. These days doing the NY/Florida thing. New life objective is to shoot my age, which means I’ll have to live to 9.” JOAN FERRARI (SCARPA) reports, “After St. Mary’s I attended The College of New Rochelle for a few years and finished my degree at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. While attending Molloy, I worked at B. Altman’s (remember that 48

1967

JOANNE GIGANTI has done a lot of living in over fifty years after graduating from St. Mary’s. She taught junior high school for several years, became a professional photographer with a studio and gallery in Cold Spring on the Hudson for twenty years. She moved to Astoria and changed careers, providing accounting and bookkeeping services for small businesses and non-profits. Then moved to Suffolk County to take care of her ninety three year old mother (since deceased) ten years ago where she lives now enjoying the beaches, walks in the Pine Barrens with our dog, MJ, traveling and practicing yoga. Joanne is now a certified yoga instructor with training in yoga for

ALUMNI NEWS cancer and she plans to continue her studies in yoga therapy. ALFONSO MARTINEZ-FONTS is living in Cutchogue since retiring in 2015. He has three kids, seven grandkids that are all spread out around the world. He is keeping up with a few classmates, would love to hear from more.

Photo: Neill Reilly ’67 book

PATRICIA VOELKER (HALLORAN) worked and lived in Vermont for almost 60 years. She currently lives in Punta Gorda, FL. The women she met at St Mary’s were wonderful and some remain her friends today. Upon graduation from Trinity College in Burlington, VT, she became a public school educator. Patricia taught elementary school for 20 years, became an elementary school principal and a director of curriculum. Her last position was the director of a project to improve reading instruction in grades K-12 at the University of Vermont and was an adjunct professor at University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College in Vermont. In addition to her undergraduate degree, she received two Master’s degrees in Reading and Language Arts and 21st Leadership from the University of Vermont. After almost 40 years in education, she retired and joined her husband to run their two hardware stores. They sold that business in 2016 and retired to Florida. They have been married for

over 46 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. EDWARD ORDORICA is still working, married 42 years, and has more grandchildren. GINNY STABILE (GERTLER) has lived in NY, NJ, CA and SC. She taught elementary school in NJ and computer in K-8 in San Francisco. She is currently retired and teaching computers, iPad, iPhone to “old” people. Ginny has been married 51 years, 3 children, 7 grandkids. She loves being retired! NEILL REILLY writes, “My second book has been published. It again has a foreword from J. Bruce Murphy, also of the class of 1967.” Neill Reilly presents portraits, rather than biographies, of five remarkable individuals. These are short, subjective, affectionate sketches. The author relates fond remembrances of five departed souls in deeply personal portraits that are nevertheless meaningful even for those who have never heard of these people who chose a life of service. Readers can test the facts presented here and determine their usefulness as inspiration for living a better life. If the author seems too fond of his subjects, he readily pleads guilty as charged. The term Michaelic in the title refers to the qualities expressed by the Archangel Michael, who fights the dark forces that work to suppress human hope, goodness, loving kindness, and true community. Michael is often depicted as armored and resolute, giving no quarter to evil. He is intimately connected with Christ as Earth’s guiding light. Each of these five individuals represents a well-lived, Michaelic life. Like the cover image on this book, the Archangel Michael assumes a balanced stance, with one foot restraining the head of Satan and his sword at the ready. Such balance and focus is critical to all human endeavors, especially those connected with one’s spiritual life and contributions to education and society. 49

ALUMNI NEWS These five brief portraits offer inspiration to all those who aspire to live a more Michaelic life, one that pours much-needed loving kindness and selfless service into our world for the future.

1968 Photo: Paul Tressa ’68

LOU KERN lives in New Rochelle, NY. He attended Providence College and then transferred and graduated from St. John’s University, BS Biology. Lou taught at St. Boniface, Sea Cliff and also at Good Shepherd, NYC. In 1977 he also started coaching women’s basketball at the College of New Rochelle. Lou became interested in college coaching after meeting his wife, Maureen, who played in high school and college and was a college coach. Lou coached women’s basketball at

Fordham University, worked in college admissions at CNR and Dominican College, and was also the Athletic Director at Concordia College. He got married in 1975 to Maureen (Sheehan) a Bronx girl from Riverdale. Maureen taught at MSU in the Bronx and coached basketball there as well. She has been at the Ursuline School since 1991 and has been the Athletic Director since 2001. They have four daughters, all graduates of The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, Kathleen, U 95, and OT, from the University of Scranton, Patricia, U 97 M.E. from Columbia, Susan, U 99 BA, Columbia, and Debbie, U 03 BA Education Boston College. All daughters played basketball in high school and three in college. He and his wife are currently running basketball camps and tournaments as well as our own girls’ basketball club, three married daughters and 7 grandchildren. PAUL E. TRESSA JR. reports, “Hard to believe that this June 2020 will mark 52 years since we graduated as a class from St. Mary’s. It was great to catch up with those graduates who were able to attend our 50th reunion in October of 2018. We have to get together again, perhaps for a 55th reunion in 2023? Since retiring my wife Nancy and I have been enjoying traveling in our RV, taking short cruises, and doing some Amtrak and via Rail Canada train trips. We recently traveled by via Canadian rail across Canada from the east coast to Vancouver seeing most of our neighbors to the north. This October we will try the USA version with Amtrak taking us from Chicago all across the USA (NY, New Orleans, Texas, California, Colorado, and back to Chicago).If you haven’t tried a train trip it is quite an experience. When not traveling, we visit with our two grandchildren and enjoy being with their family and going places and watching them experience new places and trying different things. If you have grandkids I’m sure you can relate. We do spend

chunks of time at our home in Corpus Christi, Texas and have bounced back from the devastation that Hurricane Harvey brought to our coastal area two years ago. Looking forward to another class of ’68 reunion!”

Photo Top L: Chrissie Gawrych ’72 Photo Top R: Chrissie Gawrych ’72 and Kathy McPartlan Keenan ’72 Photo Bottom: Gene Tullio ’68 book

GENE TULLIO retired from a 33 year career as a self employed financial advisor on his birthday 7/1/20. His future plans include spending much more time with his five grandchildren, completing a second music CD as a follow up to his first, The Dreamship released in 2018 and completing a curriculum to become an adjunct professor in several community colleges. The goal will be to teach young students the basics of financial planning. In May, he will make a profession as a Third Order Dominican and plans to further deepen knowledge and study the Holy Roman Catholic Faith and his devotion to Our Lady. He is looking forward to starting a new chapter in life!

1969

JOHN CONNORS is retired from NC Museum

of Natural Sciences. He works part time with less fortunate teens teaching field science and finishing a chapter book for middle school. He is enjoying his time spent with four grandchildren. BARBARA STEGUN (PHAIR) is a nurse/ attorney living in New Hyde Park. She has four children, eight grandchildren.

1970

TIMOTHY HART is currently living the good life in South Florida RAPLH MARTINEZ retired in Ohio in 2015.

1972

CHRISSIE GAWRYCH retired from Verizon after 37 years, packed her bags (with precious St. Mary’s yearbooks) and headed West in 2018, to San Tan Valley, Arizona. Her good friend and ’72 classmate, Kathy McPartlan Keenan, retired from her nursing career and decided to take a cross-country driving tour October 2019 with her husband John (they have 5 children and 6 grandchildren). On their way to the Grand Canyon, they came by Chrissie’s and stayed with her for a few days. They visited the Olive Mill Farm, Superstition Mountain Museum, Apache Junction, and the Goldfield Ghost Town. Chrissie is looking forward to them coming back to visit again in the near future. NORA GRACE O’DONNELL reports, “My husband, Colie, and I live in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in the house he grew up in. We have lived in various places in the US, following Colie’s jobs in agribusiness, and are happy to be settled. We have four children, Tara, Gene, Noel, and Laura. Tara is married to Scott Meininger and they have two daughters, Mazzy and Annika, our first grandchildren. They live in Golden, Colorado. Gene and Laura live in Marlborough, Noel in Portland, Oregon. I’ve joined the “Gael’s Gals” for several reunions in Maine, kindly hosted by Maura 51

ALUMNI NEWS Bell Gammons. It was wonderful to pick up where we left off, nearly fifty years ago!” LORRAINE TOSIELLO has written a book, “Only Gossip Prospers” a historical fiction about the author of “Little Women,” Louisa May Alcott’s experiences in New York City in 1875. There is a Podcast interview in which Lorraine mentions that “Little Women” was the first novel she read when she was 7 years old, and has always been her passion. Another SMHS’72 classmate, Jane Cavolina, told her “You know so much about Louisa May Alcott, you should write a book”, which Lorainne acknowledges with gratitude on page 319. Lorraine is also a Doctor-Internist, having graduated from NY State University College of Medicine-Downstate, with her Internship and Residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital Medical Center. She also has had many medical papers published.

1973

HENRY (HANK) CARROLL writes, “I have lived in Florida since 1985. I have fond memories of St. Mary’s, and the many activities and the community spirit of the institution. When I read about St. Mary’s on the web and in the alumni publications I see this spirit is stronger than ever. In the last year of my work, I met a gentleman who graduated in the 1960’s, we had a great time discussing our common experiences. I hope to attend the next class reunion.

1974

DEBBIE STEVENS KRZYMINSKI is staying positive during these crazy times. She is keeping busy teaching virtual fitness classes. She hopes all her former classmates are staying healthy. LYNN (BARNABY) LOCHER & PETER LOCHER have been enjoying their life on the Canadian border in Montgomery, Vermont since 2015. They welcomed the complete change of 52

lifestyle but do miss their friends back in NY and NJ. It is still novel to them that they cannot see their nearest neighbor in this little town of 1000 residents. Still, everybody knows everybody and they have made many good friends there. Lynn and Peter are both wrapping up their careers with just a few years left and they look forward to a bit more domestic travel before growing old. Having seen most of what they were curious to see abroad, their remaining travel goals are focused on the interior USA. There will be more golf and snowshoeing in their futures. Visitors are always welcome. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year and enjoy visits from their two adult children, Maggie and Peter Jr. Grandchildren are the icing on life! BARRY O’SULLIVAN has been married to Katie since 1983. They have raised 3 great kids Meghan, Ryan and Daniel. Barry and Kate moved off Long Island in 1985 and have lived in Westchester, then Connecticut, and now New Jersey since then. Barry retired in 2016 after a great career as Tax Attorney, worked for Arthur Young (1981-85), Texaco Inc (1985-2002) and Merck & Co (20022016). They are enjoying spending much of the summers at the Jersey Shore, visiting National Parks around the country, hiking, biking, and still love reading, especially US history biographies. They are still going to rock and roll concerts! CHRISTINE ANDERSON ZACHAREWICZ is still in touch with St. Mary’s alumni.

1975

LOUISE DEMARTINO ARMOUR is married to Lester “Red” Armour. They have two children Alexandra and Michael. Louise is a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Securities and recognized as Forbes Top 100 Women, Forbes Top Advisor, Barrons Top Advisor and Barrons Top 100 Women. Her hobbies are skiing, fishing and barrel racing in Jackson Hole, fishing in Islamorada, riding in Wellington and jogging anywhere.

ALUMNI NEWS Photo: Class of 1975 zooming during COVID. Muffin Maher Sauvigne & husband Mark ’72, Eileen Doran Cooper, Deidre Downey, Cathy & Tony Trombino ’74, Terry Grace Sears & husband Richard, Fran Blissert McCutchin, Mary Dillon Reynolds, Debbie Nick Meyer & husband Bob ‘72.

MICHAEL FINNEGAN is looking forward to seeing everyone at our 45th Reunion this year!

works for Ellucian in Orlando FL, Megan graduated Methodist University and works for the Biloxi Shuckers baseball team and Kyle attended SUNY Maritime and works for HUB Truck ALVARO MARTINEZ-FONTS is happily retired from a banking career at J.P. Morgan Chase. Leasing as a Manager in Farmingdale, LI. “Me? Gone Fishing with my Black Lab Kaylee !” His health has had its ups and downs but he is doing fine. Alvaro spends time between his home in Deland, FL and Los Angeles, CA (with some side trips to a small beach house on Folly Beach, DONNA BLUTE (YEARWOOD) is happily SC.). He would love to reconnect with classmates married and living in South FL. in any of the three locations! Kids are grown up and he has two grand-daughters, Ella and Cara. GERARD CALDWELL shares the 10 of us “God has been better to me than I deserved!” Caldwell’s, all of whom spent years at St. Mary’s lost their dear mother on April 19th. She was with KEVIN ONDREY has three children, all St. them 91 years and went to mass there everyday Mary’s graduates. Tim graduated Marist College, during the decades we lived there.

1976

Photo Top: Anne-Marie Epp ’77 Photo Bottom: Gary Nelson ’77

CAROLE O’LEARY writes, “After graduating from St. Mary’s (then Girls School) I went to UPenn for undergrad and grad school. I taught Middle East Studies at American University, Wash, DC for 16 years and am now a senior fellow at Catholic University’s Institute for Policy Research (also in DC). I served with USAID and the US Department of State in Iraq from 2003-2010 on various projects relating to voter awareness building, human rights, gender rights, educational development and rule of law. I am now living between Bethesda, MD, Longboat Key, Florida and Rockport, MA.” JEAN SHEA & ROBERT SHEA says that after nearly 40 years, Jean retired from The

Bank of New York Mellon, where she was a Managing Director.

1977

DIANE D’ISIDORI is a pediatrician living in New Milford, CT since 1988 with her husband, Evan. They have two fabulous sons, Daniel, 25, a special education teacher in Boston, and Gabe, 23, a financial analyst for Moody’s in NYC. After leaving private practice in 2001, she has been working in public health creating and teaching community programs that promote sustainable health and environmental stewardship. In addition to working in the public schools and the local hospital, she loves being a board member of the Pratt Nature Center which just opened a fullylicensed nature preschool, and an active volunteer for the New Milford Food Bank. ANN-MARIE EPP reports both her parents are deceased. She moved from Long Island to Newport, RI a year after her mom died. She lived in RI for 17 years. She and her significant other moved to Florida in 1999. They recently bought a 33ft. motorhome to live in till his employer closes his business. Then they will be travelling. They had been living in a house for 18 years, so moving to a motorhome is quite a challenge that they are still learning about. GARY NELSON writes, “I had a busy few years since my last update. Our family watched and celebrated the Patriots Super Bowl victory in the “House that Dad Built.” My son is an athletic trainer for the Patriots and I was a Project Manager of the Atlanta Falcon’s Mercedes Benz Stadium. Not to be outdone, my daughter received her master’s degree in Education Policy from Harvard. In honor of me turning 60, my wife thought I should visit things older than me, we traveled to France and visited sites including Normandy and Paris. I am a City Architect for the City of Phoenix and adding an NBA arena to my architecture portfolio - I am the City’s Project Manager for

ALUMNI NEWS the Phoenix Suns $230M arena renovation. I now have the “EGOT” of sports architecture. MLB Ballpark, NFL stadium and an NBA arena.

Photo: Kathy Burke-Calling ’79

Originally from Hempstead, NY, my wife and I are empty nesters who missed the Southwest and moved back to Arizona in the summer of 2016. I am an Architect for the City of Phoenix. My projects include Atlanta Falcons Stadium, Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks), Talking Stick Resort Arena (Phoenix Suns), Community Centers and other Municipal Facilities. Actively involved in the community - I was the first African American appointed to serve on the State of Arizona Board of Technical Registration. Founder and first president of the Arizona chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Married to USAF veteran with 2 children - a Duke and Harvard University graduate daughter who is now an Education Policy Analyst in Washington DC and a son that is the assistant athletic trainer for the New England Patriots. Proud member of the class of 1977 - I missed the last reunion but looking forward to the next reunion. Would like to hear from fellow members of the class of ’77. Favorite St. Mary’s memories - lunchtime basketball and the Senior/Faculty Basketball game. JOHN (JAY) RYAN reports, “It’s 2020 and I’ve been married to Eileen Moyles Ryan for 35 years and our 4 children are all out of college and on their own. Our oldest, Colleen, is married to John Walsh, has three children, works for Google, and lives in San Jose, CA. Kelly is engaged to Jonathan Mahar, works for Bain Consulting in San Francisco, and lives in Walnut Creek. Our son Patrick graduated from the Naval Academy and has been a Navy pilot for the last 6 years. He has just moved from Whidbey Island near Seattle to Jacksonville FL to become a flight instructor. And our youngest, Bridgit, graduated from college a couple years ago and works for an LED lighting importer and distributor and lives in NYC. Eileen and I live in Northport. We downsized a few years ago from our

home in Greenlawn where we raised the kids. We love Northport and can walk into town. After almost 30 years in investments on Wall Street, 5 years ago I started Kilfinane Energy Consultants, helping businesses save money by cutting energy costs. Recently, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I started a second company, BLUZAP UV Disinfection Company. Playing off of our expertise in LED lighting, we use ultraviolet light to completely disinfect facilities and residences without toxins, chemicals, sprays, residues, or odors. I’m very pleased to still be in frequent contact with dozens of my St. Mary’s classmates, nearly classmates, and other St. Mary’s alumni. Our 40th reunion a few years back was fantastic and I look forward to future get-togethers. If you’re ever in Northport, we’re a walk from the Village.”

1978

JOHN LONG was a Colonel, USAF 1983-2011, Senior Vice President and COO, University of South Florida 2011-2019 and currently Executive Vice President and COO, University of Delaware.

1979

MARYANNYE BARRY became a grandmother. PAUL BRENSIC writes, “Good news, our son James graduated Syracuse University, our daughter, Lauren, graduated University of Delaware. We hope all are well with this strange time.” KATHY BURKE-CALLING after 28 years in Connecticut relocated to Morehead City, NC in 2012 after visiting on many summer vacations. It was time to get out of the cold! She became a Realtor (3rd career) with Coldwell Banker Spectrum Properties. She reached #34 ranking out of 550 Realtors for 2019. Anyone looking to relocate to the beach in North Carolina... call Kathy! 55

ALUMNI NEWS 1980

KATHERINE DICKINSON (SIMMONS) is currently living in Fairfield, CT. She is married with 2 boys, ages 18 and 20 years.

Photo: Mary-Kelly Rodden Weir ’81

MICHELE STABULAS (KELSEY) is working for VendEx Solutions, living in Murrells Inlet SC with her husband and a retired racing greyhound named Brian.

She lives in Stamford, CT with her husband, Jeff, who’s a dentist, and her two sons ages 23 and 21 years old. Rhett is a nurse but not currently working in the field. Both of her boys have autism (high functioning) so caring for them is my full time job. They recently sold their house and are planning a move down to Florida (where in FL TBD!). She has so many fond memories of St. Mary’s! God bless

1981

MELISSA REALI WENGLER happily RHETT BARRY (ANDERSON) was looking at welcomed a 2nd grandchild - a girl, Nora Louise her St. Mary’s yearbook recently and was reminded to her family. Nora joins, cousin, Grayson Lee in of what a lovely, fun, smart, and talented group of the expanding Wengler family. Melissa currently women were the class of 1981. She misses them! works for Towson University and recently started (And regrets not being better at keeping in touch!) an additional part time position as a senior case manager with Epiphany Community Center Baltimore. She and her husband Fred just returned from an extended cruise vacation where they visited Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Martinique St. Kitts and Tortola.

1981

MARY-KELLY RODDEN WEIR has worked in television for the last 3 decades and moved to LA in 1999 to work for Aaron Spelling. She is currently a producer on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Though my husband and son love life in California, she still misses Long Island!! PAUL STECK lives in Westbury/Carle Place with his wife Maria and daughter Natalie who graduated from Holy Child Academy in Old Westbury. Natalie graduated at Marist College 2020 and she is currently studying for her MBA in Accounting.

1982

KATE BIGGIN (EADEROSO) has 6 daughters, 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson. She has worked as an RN for NYS for over 25 years and can’t wait to retire soon. Kate would love to get together with the class of 1982. 56

ALUMNI NEWS 1983

Photo: Luke Driscoll ’87

JEANNE FABISZEWSKI CROSBY is happily married for 30 years to Michael. They have 3 daughters; Lauren, Amanda and Michaela, 2 of whom are nurses and one who is pursuing her Masters degree in Forensic Linguistics. Jeanne is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a private practice in Hauppauge, LI specializing in EMDR Therapy and Trauma. She credits St. Mary for deepening her spiritual faith and encouraging her lifelong pursuit of learning. Blessings to All! JOHN “OTTO” REINHART lives in Nazareth, PA with his wife, Barbara. Both are attorneys for Children’s Services in Allentown and Easton respectively. They have 3 children: Alyssa, Seattle WA, (graduate of Sussex University in Brighton, England) Bethany, Pittsburgh PA (Masters Education/Early Intervention-Autism Specialization) and Joshua graduating HS in June (Eagle Scout). All in all, he has been blessed.

1984

KEVIN DONNELLY is living and working in Florida. He is a widower and has 3 grandkids.

1985

FRANK MORRIS has been designated as the lead distributor of President Trump’s new autobiographical and self illustrated picture book, The Greatest Man That Ever Lived. The book has already sold over 100,000 copies.

1986

The band Porch Light featuring singer, PATTY MCCORMACK ATKINS, and keyboard player, JASON MIRADOLI SMES ’82, played at the St. Mary’s Harvest Festival last year. STEPHEN SOMBROTTO is living in Port Washington with wife Misty, and three children Stevyn, Steele and Maren.

1987

KAREN CINA-JERGENSEN has been promoted to Director of Client Services at Prescription PR, a Long Island-based healthcare marketing firm. MICHAEL DEVITO is currently living in Illinois. He is married with four children. LUKE DRISCOLL reports he, his wife, Colleen, and their three children were able to literally eat their way across Italy from Sorrento to Rome to Florence to Venice the summer of 2019 on a very special family vacation. KRISTIN RUSSO GOMEZ is married to Pablo. She is a Mom to Patrick, Andrew, Paulina, Philip, 57

Matthias and Rose. She is a soon-to-be motherin-law to Miranda. Kristin is a Homeschooler in Manassas, VA.

1990

Photos Top: Molly Deegan ’90 Photo Bottom: Kristin Gomez ’87

MOLLY DEEGAN founded and opened, along with her husband John Breen, (a St. Mary’s Elementary Grad) a brand new Real Estate Brokerage in Sea Cliff called Branch Real Estate Group. They have 14 agents, closed their first year with over $30M in sales and they have given close to $40K back to charity as they donate 2% of our annual gross sales commissions back to the charity of the buyer or sellers choice. Check out their website www.branchreg.com PATRICK DEVANEY resides in New York City.

1991

TOM DEVANEY recently joined the law firm of Jones Day as a partner in the firm’s New York City office. Tom lives in Greenwich, CT, with his “supervisor,” Melissa, and “direct reports,” Conor (14) and Katherine (12). Tom serves as an elected official in his town and a member of his parish’s lay leadership. Fluency in French remains an aspiration, but Tom can still rattle off a few lines of the Hail Mary in French whenever threatened with a whiffle ball bat. SCOTT HARFORD along with his wife Alice of 15 years had their 6th child in July. Scott and Alice currently live in Port Washington and have 4 boys and 1 girl ages 3 to 13. All children currently attend St. Mary’s Elementary School. Scott just completed a 1500 mile trip home with 2 of his sons from St. Paul, MN with their new 9 passenger conversion van.

FRANK MAIELLO retired as a Sergeant S/A from the New York City Police Department after 20 years of service. He will continue his work in Youth Ministry and Confirmation Retreats across ALBERT (AL) SMITH happily married since Long Island and beyond. His family is doing great! 2002 with three wonderful children. Frank looks forward to the next chapter of his life and is excited to see what God has in store for him!

1994

Photo Top: Kacie Mulligan ’06 Photos Bottom: Briana Donovan ’99

ANDREW CUOMO would like to announce the forming of his general contracting company in Suffolk County, with a special invitation to any St Mary’s Alumni to receive a free estimate along with a 20% discount off their entire project. Painting, flooring and moulding being our specialty, what a great opportunity for any alumni to instantly add value to their home on Long Island. Contact Andrew anytime. 516-386-9881 www. dixhillspainting.com

1997

JASON WEISS runs high-performance sales teams in the nutraceutical industry.

1998

STEVE MORIN is now an engineering manager for Instagram in their San Francisco office. His team is working on Instagram shopping.

1999

BRIANA DONOVAN celebrated the first birthday of her daughter Catherine Rose Sardina in quarantine.

MICHAEL HUGHES is a happy husband to Laura and proud father of Aidan. He was recently promoted to District Chairman, Department of Science, in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

2000

MICHAEL ACCARDI is a Navy veteran looking to finish his degree in electronic systems engineering. He enjoys the fact that we have a great Earth and a great life here in New York. He has a nephew who just turned three and plays the drums better than any other drummer he has ever seen. He is looking forward to the 20 year reunion to see how time has been so kind to everyone. MICHAEL GUSTAVO is married and expecting a child. He gave his life to Christ 5 years ago

2001

NICHOLAS PELLEGRINO writes, “My wife Linda and I welcomed our first child Giuliana Nicole born in 2019. Currently living in Douglaston with my wife Linda of 8 years. We have a beautiful daughter Giuliana Nicole!” 59

2002

HEATHER BATTERTON (KARP) and her husband currently live in Ronkonkama, NY with their dog, Finn.

2003 Photos Top: Marco Dueñas’03 Richard Mejia ’06 Photo Bottom: Robert Heicklen ’06

Law, analyzing prospects for normalized relations between the United States and Cuba. Marco resides in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with Ms. Hallie S. Anderson, his partner of six years. Best wishes for the church and the whole St. Mary’s family.

MATT CIFICHIELLO is a CPA, currently living JOSEPH EVANS writes, “My wife (Noelisa in Dallas, TX. Pichardo Evans SMHS’03) and I had our second daughter on May 4. Adriana Noel Evans.” MARCO A. DUEÑAS is a securities litigator at Labaton Sucharow LLP, a leading plaintiffs’ side law firm. Marco represents institutional investors ASHLEY O’NEIL was married on 6.6.2020! It in cases related to the protection of the financial was a Zoom wedding, performed in front of their markets in trial courts throughout the nation and house, where all of their friends and family could abroad. Marco has substantial trial experience, watch virtually and/or drive by and honk/wave including litigating a foreign appraisal action in if they wanted. Although this is not the wedding the Cayman Islands. After studying economics and of her dreams, it was memorable, for sure! We Chinese history at Bard College, Marco earned decided that although our big wedding day was his B.S., summa cum laude, from Farmingdale canceled, our love is not! State College in 2013. Marco earned his J.D., cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School in 2018. While in law school, Marco published an article titled ROBERT S. HEICKLEN has been named by St. “Charting a New Course in Cuba? Why the Time Mary’s healthcare system for children as this year’s is Now to Settle Outstanding American Property honoree for their annual walk. Since graduating Claims” in the Brooklyn Journal of International St. Mary’s he spent a number of years providing volunteer services and raising money for kids with some of the most complex conditions. No professional accolade (there have been quite a few) will be this rewarding and he is so humbled to share it with fellow alumni.

2004

2006

ED HERNANDEZ currently lives in Westchester. Since graduating he served in the US Army from 2006-2013 with a combat tour to Iraq from 20092010. Ed recently re-enlisted into the Army after a 6 year break in service. He has been employed by the FDNY since 2012 and currently a hazardous materials and counter terrorism instructor for the departments special operations division. KACIE MULLIGAN, is an assistant golf pro at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club. She recently raised nearly $40,000 for the American Cancer Society and Folds of Honor playing for pledges. In 60

2008

11 1/2 hours she played a total of 156 holes, racing around in a golf cart, running to the ball, playing MARC BUCCELLATO has officially franchised the ultimate in speed golf. his Mobile gym concept! If you or anyone you know are interested, please don’t hesitate to set up a phone call with Marc to discuss it more in detail. STEPHANIE CHANG is currently working in https://onthemarctraining.com/ my family’s business, Arro Home Sales Realty. Stephanie is currently engaged to Sebastien Corde, ROGER GRAND-PIERRE along with 3 other an audio engineer from France. They met at a bar members founded a non-profit organization on in the city on Valentines Day 2020. She writes, “I Long Island called Rescuing Families. https:// love this man very much and I’m so happy God has www.rescuingfamilies.org. They are always looking blessed me with him in my life.” for more volunteers to join in rebuilding homes or helping at our fundraisers/yard sales. He JEMELLEE SANTOS is currently working remembers that he used to do that back in the day in the video game industry as an Assistant in the campus ministry office. Community & Customer Service Manager at Private Division. Jemellee has been working there MATTHEW WEITZ is an Enterprise Sales for over a year with shipped titles: Ancestors: Account Manager. He helps manage Bloomberg’s The Humankind Odyssey, The Outer Worlds, Energy Corporations book of business throughout and Disintegration. She recently moved back to Texas and Oklahoma. Prior to his role as an Queens with her family just before the pandemic Account Manager, he spent 3 years as an Advanced started and living with her boyfriend of 5 years, Commodities Specialist on the Bloomberg Help Luis Morales, and our pets, Shadow the cat and Desk, providing marquee level customer service to Pretzel the bearded dragon. clients and leading internal training in offices both domestic and abroad. Prior to joining Bloomberg, Matthew spent time as an analyst within the Global Supply Chain at ANN INC. in New York. He is currently living in Rockville Centre, NY.

2007

Photo Top: Mike Valente ’08 Photo Bottom: Stephanie Chang ’07

2010

JESSICA ANNE BULGRIN went to Ole Miss and moved to Nashville, TN. DANIEL (DANNY) YI is an Occupational Therapist.

2015

CHRISTOPHER HALL attended Baruch College and graduated with a Major in Finance and Dual Minor in Mathematics and Communications. He is an Incoming Senior Financial Analyst at Boeing. His hobbies include hiking, flying/piloting, archery, music, mentorship and singing. 61

2016

MATTHEW CONGERO is an Assistant Golf Professional at Huntington Crescent Club. He is currently pursuing PGA membership.

Photo Top: Christopher Saisa ’18 Photo Bottom: Bianca Brierre ’19

MAKAYLA MESSITE is currently a senior at Bentley University studying corporate finance and accounting. She will be continuing her education next year at Bentley University to get a Masters of Science in Accountancy. ARIANA NIKOLIS graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and will be applying to Physician Assistant School. AMANDA XELAS writes, “It’s been a fast four years since I graduated from Mary’s! Since then I have briefly studied abroad in Rome with St. John’s University, my new alma mater. I have just completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Art. Congratulations to all my former classmates who have graduated during these unusual times!”

supervising subcontractors throughout the five boroughs. She loves her job!

2018

CHRISTOPHER SAISA is currently attending SUNY Maritime College studying Marine Operations and pursuing a Third Mate’s License. Throughout his two years at the college, he has already learned so much about the lifestyle and responsibilities of a Third Mate on a commercial vessel. he has learned basic firefighting, basic first aid, knot-tying, terrestrial and celestial navigation, watch-standing and so much more in both of his classes and on the Training Ship Empire State VI. Christopher is about to go on his 2nd Summer Sea Term for 75 days after the spring semester ends and can’t wait to ship out and learn more. When he graduates, he plans to commission in the U.S. Coast Guard as an officer and utilize the skills that he’s learned in Maritime College.

2019

BIANCA BRIERRE reports, “I am #6 on the Queensborough Community College volleyball TIFFANY XELAS has graduated college, and team. No. 1 seed Queensborough Community started working in a “non-traditional” employment College (19-5) easily won the CUNY Athletic position for a woman as a Roadway Inspector for Conference / Pepsi Women’s Volleyball the New York City Department of Transportation. Championship on Monday night for the fifth When growing up, she always thought of wearing year-in-a-row, sweeping the No. 2 seed Borough of a pant suit with flats on her way to work in an Manhattan Community College Panthers 3-0 (25office in Manhattan. Instead, she is wearing a safety 19, 25-15, 25-14), on their home court in the two vest, jeans and work boots while inspecting street teams’ fourth straight CUNYAC finale battle.” resurfacing, watching asphalt being laid down and

ALUMNI NEWS A Lifetime Friendship I am writing this to honor The Schools of St Mary, the amazing teachers they provide, our parents Jessie and Dominick Annibale and my brother Kenneth J. Annibale, Class of 1958 (St. Mary’s Elementary School), who this story is about. Sister Gloria Frank (Sister Bernardinus) was Kenny’s eighth grade teacher. What made Sister Gloria so special was that she considered Kenny one of her favorites and that gave him the desire to strive to make her proud of him. She Photo L to R: chose Kenny to be a contestant in the school’s oratorical contest, which he Judi Betts ’55, ’59 Ken Annibale, Jessie Laino won. She told him that she chose him because “she knew he would win” - what great strength she imparted. (mother) On her bulletin board in the classroom she had an advertisement for the religious life - the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Mettuchin, New Jersey. Kenny entered their “juniorite” as his first year of high school. He remained there until the middle of his junior year when he realized he didn’t have “the calling.” He greatly desired to return to St. Mary’s but it was at full capacity and because of this, Kenny returned to Long Island and completed high school at Chaminade. Sister Gloria and Kenny maintained a lifetime friendship and continued their relationship until she passed in August of 2019 at the age of 88. Sister Gloria has been a strong presence in Kenny’s life for sixty-two wonderful years. In the years before she passed, she helped Kenny through his bout with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. It is through his faith in God, Sister Gloria’s continued prayers, and the amazing Merck medication, Keytruda, that he survived to this day. Thank you, St. Mary’s for giving Kenny this amazing teacher and friend. Judith I. Betts, Class of 1955 (SMES) and 1959 (SMHS), Kenny’s sister Member, Alumni Association Advisory Board 64

ALUMNI NEWS Young Alumni Reunions: Classes of ’16, ’17, ’18 & ’19

ALUMNI NEWS High School Reunions

’53

’56 ’59

’60 ’74

’69

’79 ’94

’09

ALUMNI NEWS In Memoriam Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

The Schools of Saint Mary express its sympathies and prayers to the families, friends and classmates of the following deceased alumni whose deaths were reported to the Alumni Office between August 2019 – November 2020. Alexander Burke SMES ’45 John C. Pierce SMES ’49, SMHS ’53 John Breen SMHS ’55 Carl Eppig SMHS ’57 Gordon D. Miller SMHS ’58 Kathryne Reeves Horbund SMHS ’61 Walter W. Denzler SMHS ’62 Mary Moran Gately SMES ’58, SMHS ’62 Peter Larmour SMHS ’62 Joseph A. O’Reilly SMHS ’62 Peter Siefken SMHS ’62 Patricia M. Keating Zalar SMES ’60, SMHS ’64 Philip John Cappio SMHS ’66 Martha (Marci) Monari Goldstein SMHS ’67 Everett L. Grant SMES ’63, SMHS ’67 Marie DiGirolamo Jaworski SMHS ’67 Frederick H. Timper SMHS ’67 Joseph C. Lane SMHS ’68 Robert M. Brennan SMHS ’70

Susan Ehrbar Fleming SMHS ’70 Michael Guerra SMHS ’71 Diane Gordon Cannon SMHS ’73 Francis X. Bice SMES ’73 John Allen SMHS ’77 John T. Rochford SMHS ’79 Brian M. Byrnes SMHS ’80 Mary Jo Stanley Hill SMHS ’82 Kevin R. Mahlmann SMHS ’84 Christopher D. Loche SMHS ’88 Elizabeth Leonard Barton SMHS ’91 Laura Vitola Pastina SMHS ’91 Cari Widmyer SMHS ’91 Kelly A. Sullivan Rogers SMHS ’93 Russell Blake SMHS ’12 Zachary Zabatta SMHS ’20 Matteo Diaz SMES ’22 Anne Salzman (faculty)

ALUMNI NEWS In Memoriam FRANCIS X. BICE SMES, ’73 Francis X. Bice went home to God on January 1, 2020. Frank was a friend, mentor, teacher, deacon, and coach to hundreds and hundreds of athletes, students and fellow Manhasset natives. Finding strength and resilience to carry on after a devastating injury, Frank’s story became his cross, and he carried through each day with wisdom and faith inspiring all who met him and were blessed to call him friend. His pastoral ministry at St. Mary’s left an indelible mark on the hearts of young and old alike. Our thoughts and prayers are with Frank’s family and all those who loved him. Rest in peace, Frank. Your job here was nothing short of well done. Francis X. Bice SMES, ’73

Zachary Zabatta, SMHS ’20

Matteo Diaz, SMES ’22

Anne Salzman, faculty

ZACHARY ZABATTA, SMHS ’20 Zachary Zabatta, a member of the Saint Mary’s High School Class of 2020, passed away as the result of fatal injuries sustained in a car accident while on vacation with his family in Iceland. Zachary was an incredible member of our Saint Mary’s High School community, where he was consistently top of his class, taking the most challenging AP courses, at which he excelled. His dedication to his studies led Zach to apply to the most competitive colleges and universities in the world. Zach was also pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout: his project was the renovation of space in Marist Hall. He wanted to give back to the community that had given so much to him. Zach is remembered by his teachers and classmates as a young man who was unfailingly humble, kind, and generous, known for his gentle personality and warm smile. Zach never sought to be the center of attention even as he achieved incredible success. He often volunteered with St. Mary’s, such as assisting at Project Rebuild, helping poor communities in need of stronger homes in Appalachia last Easter break. MATTEO DIAZ, SMES ’22 Matteo Diaz, a member of the Saint Mary’s Elementary School Class of 2022, passed away, along with his father, after an accident in their pool. Matteo joined St. Mary’s as a 6th grader just this past school year, but quickly stood out as an incredibly kind, intelligent, faithful, and conscientious young man who made the Honor Roll in his first two trimesters at St. Mary’s. Prior to St. Mary’s, Matteo attended All Saints Regional School in Glen Cove. He was so happy to have found a new home at St. Mary’s, had made great friends this year and maintained friendships from All Saints, and was looking forward to trying out for the basketball team next year. ANNE SALZMAN, FACULTY Mrs. Anne Salzman, former 4th grade teacher in our elementary school, passed away after battling leukemia with incredible physical and spiritual strength. Annie first joined the St. Mary’s faculty in 2012 and quickly became a beloved faculty member by both her colleagues and students alike, known for her sense of humor, passion for literature, and incredibly kind spirit. Annie loved her St. Mary’s family, including her cousin, Mrs. Debbie Magaldi, 5th grade teacher. When Annie was first diagnosed with leukemia in March of 2019, she never stopped thinking about her students, writing lesson plans from her hospital bed and having phone conversations with her teacher replacement on a regular basis. Her passion for her students was evident and her mark in their foundation is indelible. We have felt her presence with us every single day since she is gone. We have prayed for her, held services for her, and will continue to hold blood drives in her honor. 69

ALUMNI NEWS Supporting Our Mission Scholarships Establishing a scholarship to support a student of our High School or Elementary School is a wonderful way to honor your own legacy as a St. Mary’s alum or parent. It is also a great way to honor a beloved teacher or coach. You may establish a named, endowed scholarship from which an award is made to a student each year while the principle of your gift remains intact. Call the Development Office at 516-627-4605 to establish a named scholarship. Annual Fund Annual giving supports our current Elementary School and High School students. The annual fund goes directly to our operating budget and provides funds for current academic and extra-

curricular programs including academics, athletics, performing arts, service programs, and technology. You may direct your gift to either the Elementary School, High School, or split it between the two. Every gift, of every amount, is valued and appreciated. To make a gift go to: www.tinyurl.com/elementaryschoolannualfund or www.tinyurl.com/highschoolannualfund Estate Gifts Giving thanks for the blessings we have received and sharing those gifts with others are two cornerstones of our faith. A meaningful way to give back to our schools is by making a gift in your estate plan to St. Mary’s. There are many ways to easily make a planned gift. Please check with your financial advisor and thank you!

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Administrators, faculty, staff, and clergy were on hand to welcome the Class of 2020 and their families back for our first-ever car parade in May! This was the first time students were back to the school since March 12, when the decision was made to discontinue classes on campus due to the global health crisis.

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Saint Mary’s High School Alumni Association, Manhasset (Official)