9/23/15
Our classmates aren't supposed to die. Oh, many may come and go
through our lives, but the core - those like Mike who are here year after year
- they're not supposed to die, for their presence brings stability to our
lives. We know as the day begins that we will see familiar faces, hear familiar
voices, and that is somehow calming in this frantic world.
No, these classmates of ours aren't supposed to die because they
are us, and we're not ready to die. We know much about their lives as we hear
about their triumphs and their sorrows, their dreams and their realities. We
laugh with them, we sing with them, and sometimes we cry with them, but we
never cry for them because our classmates aren't supposed to die.
Our classmates aren't supposed to die because their children and
grandchildren are still growing, still learning, still chasing their dreams. We
hear about their grandchildren's births; we see their children grow and mature.
As days and years went by, we knew when their children started to drive, had
their first date, went to the prom, and left for college. No, our classmates
aren't supposed to die because if they die, they might miss these things, and
we don't want them to miss these experiences because we wouldn't want to miss
them.
Sometimes our classmates leave us as they move away or begin
their retirement. But these are happy events as new worlds are being explored.
We wish them well because we know that they can still be part of our life if we
want them to be. We can always call and say hello, and with some, we often do.
But die? No, they're not supposed to die because that separation is forever,
and we can't imagine that.
As I sit here in my sorrow, I become angry and I want to shout
at Mike, Susan and the others who have passed and say, "How could you
leave us! Don't you know that there are too many experiences yet to happen, and
too many places still to visit? You had no right. . . it isn't fair. . . you
had too much of a life yet to live! Don't you know our classmates aren't
supposed to die!"
And yet now I realize that although they may
be physically gone, they will forever be part of us. When we hear the Beach
Boys or the Beatles sing, we will think of them; when we watch the Yankees or
the Giants play, we will remember them; when we share a box of chocolate or a
beer, they will be in our thoughts; when we have a reunion of even two of us, they
will be there with us. Our classmates aren't supposed to die, and with our
memories of them, they never will.
- Howard Young
9/22/14
Our friends and classmates in school growing up help to make us the people we become. Those relationships and experiences form the cornerstones and foundations of our lives. Each time we lose another classmate I can feel the weakening of that structure in addition to the sorrow of their passing. This week alone, we have lost Bob and Bill. I think we have now lost about 38 or more from our Class of "65. I know they will remain with us ALWAYS in our hearts and in our memories. Those, at least,... we get to keep forever. And of course, "the mind replays what the heart cannot delete."
- Linda Scott Salemi
9/21/14
When I got involved with my father's Band of
Brothers group back in 2001, there were over 40 surviving members of the
180 original group that trained together between 1942 and the June 6,
1944 D-Day drop in Normandy. Except for a few of the truly ill, the men
all represented the spark of life - playful, kind, generous of spirit,
welcoming, and more. The average age was about 78, but when they were
together, their energy permitted them to be 58 again. As the years
progressed, we lost more and more simply to age or the life-taking
illnesses that seem to come with it. We are now down to eleven of that
group. Being so close to this group, knowing their stories, relating to
them not as veterans of a World War, but as fathers, husbands and
friends - people with real lives - hurts. It's given me a preview of my
own life to come. But not in a bad way. It's given me the ability to
acknowledge how important 'surrender' is to our sense of peace and
happiness.
Every time we hear of a classmate or
spouse illness or passing, it's a stake in the heart. Is it because
'IT' is getting closer? Maybe. But for me it's also because I feel a
page has been removed from my history book. The people who know me the
longest and from whom I've enjoyed unconditional love for over 67 years
are my parents. Once they are gone, who will know me so well? My
siblings? Maybe. But they and I operate on a different plane. My friends
and colleagues through the years? Not really - for those
were associations of situations and/or convenience. The true inheritors
are those that knew us when both we and they were at our purest selves:
our classmates.
That became the impetus for me
searching for classmates in the first place - not just for me, but for
us all. All we have is each other, for as long as we can. If we can face
the aging process together, then it is no longer a scary future, but a
shared adventure in accepting whatever 'next' fate throws at us.
Life is getting more precious, but it's never been better.
Aloha,
- David Perugini
9/21/14
I just read the memorial section of our blog. I was so saddened by those
I knew & was hoping to see again for our 50th. Time passes by so
quickly with so much left unsaid. Prayers for all the souls of those who passed. Praying that they have
all made it into our Lord's hands.
God Bless,
- Fran Antunovich Esposito
God Bless,
- Fran Antunovich Esposito
3/16/11
It is with great joy that we have learned that the news of Rich Stemm's passing was erroneous. Rich is, indeed, alive and well, and we are in the process of getting his information updated in the class directory. Thanks to Mike Sellazzo for tracking Rich down.
- Pook Siprin Bellini
10/6/10
I get "chills" when I read the list of classmates that have left us. "WE AREN'T THAT OLD!" I remember all of them like it was yesterday and my heart breaks. I wish there was more info on how they died, not to be noisy but just because it is so hard to believe.
Love and Peace to all of their families...AND ALL
OF US WHO ARE STILL HERE.
- Marie Streany Lowris
6/17/10
There are very few (if any) times in a lifetime that one gets the opportunity to announce that someone thought to have passed away is actually alive and well. Thanks to the tireless work of Sue Swanson, we have learned that Arden Jackson (now Arden Eden) is, indeed, alive and well! We have been in touch with Arden and she is happy to have been "found"!
- Pook Siprin Bellini
Recently Bob Rossi notified us that Carolyn Carswell stopped by his store in December 2009. She was surprised to hear that we have her listed as being deceased. Imagine what a shock that meeting must've been to both her and Bob! Carolyn also told Bob that Carol Burr is also alive. As we do not have contact information for either of these classmates, they have been moved from the DECEASED list to the MISSING list.
2/13/10
Carol Moshier Desiderio shares the following information:
At a meeting of Westchester '65 Tribe, some classmates names up that didn't make senior year, but had been with some of us or most of us throughout our growing years, and we would like them to be recognized. Unfortunately they have all passed away:
Freddy Schneider
Joseph Fisher
Joseph Montague
Thomas Fox
Fred Schneider and Joe Montague attended St. Augustine's from 1st grade through 6th and both came to Jr. high. Both lived on the "NorthSide" and both were married with children.
Joey Fisher - John Johnson and I remember him as tall, slim with dark hair...and he was from the "SouthSide" and he might have gone the further with us until 11th grade.
Tom Fox - Tom Left Ossining in 1962 when his parents moved to Florida. Sadly he passed away in Feb. 2010 in Florida -Info shared by Bob Cox (2016)
10/12/09
I am so sad that so many classmates are no longer with us- way too early for all of them! I am also very sad about Cliff Udell whom I had as a teacher and worked with in the Science Department for many years. He was a great teacher and terrific man! Life is soo short and sometimes so sad!
- Susan Noack Then
5/12/09
I feel so sad that they are gone all too soon. I can still see them in my mind as they looked in high school and it's so hard to grasp that they are no more. God be with them and their families.
- Pam Orts Siegel
4/6/09
So sad to learn so many have passed. When I see their names, I remember them so well, and they seem so young.
- Linda White Alexander
3/24/09
I was saddened to find the list of deceased.
Ronny Cardinale and I started at Park school and were "best friends" for a while.
Rich Stemm - We managed to have a few in some Tarrytown bars after the war. (Happy to say news of Rich's passing was erroneous! Hope you'll have the opportunity to have a few more beers together!)
Jack Korr grew up down the block on State Street. He had diabetes since a baby.
- Tom Rose
2/16/09
Hello everyone - just found out about this blog today and happy to find you all - so sad to learn of so many deaths in our class - shocking. May they all rest in peace and love...
- Linda White Alexander
2/12/09
One of the difficult parts of this list is the inability for us to grieve with each other. When someone in the class had a tragedy befall their family there was support from their friends, I don't know where or if any of my friends are anymore. I now have no opportunity to interact with two of my core friends from the class. They are gone. This is part of life, The upcoming reunion is very important to us all, to celebrate our lives, and the lives of those who have gone before us...
- Roger Wolters
2/8/09
I remember them all as they were at 17. They live on in all of us. Carol Burr and Olga Kraus were in my Latin class with Mr. Fiorello. Danny Hamedl went to Park School with me. We were a class of great kids.
- Rick Henry
2/2/09
My heart just broke as I read through those in our class that are no longer with us. I know most people have fond memories of college, but my fondest memories are those from OHS.
- Roz Poderycki Young
