Class Notes
It’s easy to stay in touch…
We hope you will enjoy reading about your classmates in this edition of Class Notes. Remember that with our online Alumni Directory, you now have a direct way to contact your old friends! Every graduate is listed in the directory and on their profile page there is a link from which you can send them an email. Check it out, and while you’re there, update your own profile information. The whole purpose of these notes and the Alumni Directory is to keep the alumni spirit alive and now it’s easier than ever!
Don Slaven ’48 (3rd from left, back row) was surprised by his family with a trip to Fenway Park to celebrate his 80th birthday.
1947 John Benoit and his wife, Phyllis, have recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have four children, twelve grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. He reports that they love to travel, especially to Ireland.
1948 Brian Duff has brought us up to date on what has been a full and successful life both professionally and personally. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he was a fencer on two national championship teams, Brian served as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy for three years before entering
In Memoriam Please remember in your prayers these members of the Prep community who have passed away recently. Joseph H. Francis ’35 Edward F. Colbert ’40 Daniel J. Rourke, Jr. ’47 Brig Gen Philippe O. Bouchard ’49 Phillip M. Sullivan ’50 William H. Crean ’51 Edward J. Fialkowski ’53 Edward B. Cronin ’58 Henry F. Panek, M.D. ’60 L. Kevin Hannaway ’65 Francis W. Driscoll ’66 Luke E. Thompson ’66 John S. Olbrych ’73 John F. Conlon III ’78 Mark A. Mercer ’81 John P. O’Donnell ’82 Anders K. Meader ’01 James P. Obremski ’06 Brother Victor Pizzolato, CFX
the insurance industry. After stints with several companies, he got his law degree at DePaul Law School. He practiced corporate law for several years and then was in private practice. His interest in politics was piqued after volunteering for Donald Rumsfeld in his bids for Congress, and for Charles Percy in his run for Governor of Illinois. Brian served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1971 to 1976 and was chair of the House Judiciary Committee and minority whip. From 1976 to 1985 he was a trial judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, and served in the criminal division, law jury, motion court and chancery. In 1985 he was appointed by President Regan to the Federal Court in the Northern District of Illinois. He is now a Senior District Judge. He and his wife, Florence, had five children, all professionally successful in the fields of law, finance, education and the arts. He has traveled extensively to 23 nations and territories, all 50 states, and the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Atlantic oceans. He has fished throughout North and Central American including what he described as his most memorable trip, 3 days with Ted Williams. Brian is a member of the Chicago Literary Club, the Caxton Club and the Union League of Chicago. He is a patron of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera and a fan of the Chicago Cubs (alas) and the Red Sox.
1950 Classmates Bill Countie and Bill Nolan with Doreen Hennessey, wife of their classmate, Steve Hennessey.
He now devotes full time to his lifelong interest in art and oil painting. He got together this summer with classmates Bill Nolan and Bill Countie in Gloucester.
1951 Don Cavett sends his greetings to the Class of ’51. Don was part of a Guinness Book of Records event in August when he and 188 other bagpipers gathered on the deck of the aircraft carrier Intrepid at its pier in New York City. He reports that this kind of piping activity and playing traditional Irish music on the Uilleann pipes and tin whistle keeps him very busy. His busiest season is, of course, St. Patrick’s month, when he plays at schools, nursing homes and other festive events. In June, his local Notre Dame club hosted an evening with Brian Kelly, the new head football coach, and Don reminded him that they were fellow St. John’s alumni. Ted Manning retired from his management role at the Chamber of Commerce in 1994 after a career spanning 37 years, during which he received a number of awards from professional associations. He was the C.E.O. of the Waltham/West Suburban chamber for 32 years. He graduated from
1949 John Shay and his wife, Lynn, welcomed their fourth grandchild and first granddaughter Molly, in February. He reports that they are the sunshine of their lives.
1950 Steve Hennessey retired in 1996 after spending 30 years as a school psychologist in East Greenbush, N.Y.
Don Cavett ’51 (center) was among the 188 bagpipers who gathered on the deck of the Intrepid in August, setting a record. ST. JO H N’S PR E P TO DAY
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