IN MEMORIAM
William ‘Bill’ Aydam, husband of Marie Tamborello Aydam ’52, died on Dec. 20, 2012. Janice Reynolds Morefield Bazor, sister of Dr. Roger Morefield, associate professor of finance and economics, died on Oct. 4, 2012. William J. Foley, husband of Bernadette Simpson Foley ’56, died on Sept. 26, 2012. Donald William Hogan, husband of Mary Margaret Hoesel Hogan ’51 and father of Margaret Keller ’78, Stephen Hogan, Teresa Piraino ’88, Richard Hogan ’89 and John Hogan ’91, died on Dec. 5, 2012. He was dean of studies at UST prior to his retirement in April 1989 after 29 years of service. He taught French, and he was the French Club advisor and international student advisor. Sara Rose Hugger, wife of N. Ray Hugger ’60, died on March 7, 2013. Arthur Koenig ’66, brother of Betty Fischer ’52, ’91, archive records coordinator, and Mary Belle DePugh ’56, died on Feb. 2, 2013. Sr. Miriam Meskill, CVI ’83, died on March 6, 2013. Larry Joe Miggins, son of Larry Miggins ’52 and brother of Maureen Swanson ’85 and Neil Miggins ’92, died on Sept. 14, 2012. Nada Jean Alden Nolan ’79 died on Nov. 5, 2012. Anthony Palasota ’69, cousin of Joanna Palasota, director of Administrative Computing & Institutional Research, and Dr. John Palasota, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, died on Feb. 24, 2013. Johnnie Rosell, mother of Dr. Rosie Rosell, biology chair, died on Feb. 2, 2013.
Fr. Keon Remembered for Humor, Storytelling Beloved Basilian priest and mentor, Fr. James Keon, CSB, a retired St. Thomas philosophy professor, died on Oct. 24, 2012, in Ontario, Canada. Born on May 18, 1925, in Ontario, Fr. Keon was an airman in the Canadian Air Force in WWII, and an avid baseball player in the seminary. He was ordained on June 29, 1952. An icon at UST since 1965, he officially retired in 1997 but continued teaching philosophy part time at UST until 2002. He lived in the Basilian residence on campus and could often be caught doing his daily exercise routine, walking the stairs in the Academic Mall. “Fr. Keon lived and embodied the mission of UST through his life as a priest and professor,” said Fr. Mike Buentello, CSB, campus chaplain and director of Campus Ministry. He inspired, motivated and lifted the hearts of students, faculty and staff at UST with his vibrant spirit, imaginative journeys and innate wisdom. He had a knack for relating to the young and old while giving them guidance and making them laugh. Fr. Keon weaved humor throughout his thoughtful homilies, which still ring true with students who continue to retell his stories.
Samuel Paul Sacco ’60, father of Kathryn Sacco Smith ’93 and Julie Sacco ’96, died on Jan. 25, 2013. Frances Mooney Seger, University benefactor, died on Feb. 28, 2013. Wade Simoneaux ’98, son of Darrell J. Simoneaux ’71, died on Sept. 22, 2012.
Senior communication major James Ramos remembers Fr. Keon as a “legend.” “Every day he would eat lunch with students in the cafeteria, trying to meet everyone,” Ramos said. “My memories of frequent conversations with him over salad and pizza bring me so much joy. If he didn’t know your name, he’d give you a name and come up with the most wonderful, extravagant, outlandish stories about how you met in the past. I met him while hot air ballooning in a Great Balloon Race that I won.” The priest’s dedication to spending time at lunch with students in Crooker Café was the catalyst for the University to create Fr. Keon Days in recent years. On the first Wednesday of each month, this time of fellowship promoted student and faculty/staff interaction while enjoying a meal together. In 2010, a video was created by Cimela Kidonakis ’09 and Darnell Miller ’10, a Master in Liberal Arts student, to celebrate Fr. Keon’s birthday. In the video, St. Thomas students honored Fr. Keon as “the coolest priest ever,” “a storyteller,” “a bright spirit,” and someone who took “a genuine interest in getting to know you.” A shorter video tribute was created for the Catholic Company’s Incredible Priests, Incredible Stories essay/video contest, in which he was a finalist. Alumna Frances Escriva, BA ’78, MBA ’00, remembers Fr. Keon as always smiling and recognizing opportunities for joy in all things. “Fr. Keon was not only a wonderful professor who inspired us to learn by making the classes fun and joyful, he was also kind and compassionate,” Escriva said. “I never saw him get angry or upset at any student. He always just gently encouraged us to do better. He touched so many lives, not just his students, but many other people as well.”
Mary Alice Guarin Summers ’58 died on March 8, 2013.
Ben Warner IV ’06 and Theresa Martin ’08, died on Oct. 11, 2012.
George Swilley, brother of Louis Swilley ’51, Catherine Swilley ’63 and Johnnie Doutt ’61, died on Jan. 9, 2013.
Warren Ernest Weathers ’53 died on Jan. 18, 2013.
Ben F. Warner, Jr., father of Ben Warner III ’73 and grandfather of
Doyle E. Westergren, father of Debbye Crofoot-Morley, director of development, died on Feb. 16, 2013.