Class Notes By Gayle Dobbs Class Notes are based on information gathered through August 2010.They reflect information from alums and friends of Belmont Abbey College.
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Joseph Perry ’57 and his wife recently renewed their wedding vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. Their son, LTC Joseph Perry, Jr., is serving in Iraq as a doctor with the 14th Medical Support Hospital.
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Edward J. Quigley ’57 published a book entitled Fly Fishing Advice From an Old Timer: A Practical Guide to the Sport and its Language. A recent book review stated that, “Reading it, you come away with really ingenious ways to stay comfortable in cold/hot/windy weather … get the right equipment and flies … make a cast, land a fish, and more. It’s the kind of book you browse cover to cover then keep handy forever!” Ed’s book can be found on Amazon.com.
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Jeb Ladouceur ’59 held a book signing and reading at Borders book store in Stony Brook, Long Island, NY in August. The former English major and Abbey Players member addressed a standing-room-only crowd at the store, reading from and discussing his newest thriller Calamity Hook. It was the novelist’s third engagement in as many years at Borders. He has made fifteen appearances at New York area venues since Frisco, the first book of his trilogy, published in 2007. Completing the acclaimed sequence is The Palindrome Plot (2008). Notable among Mr. Ladouceur’s achievements at Belmont Abbey was his portrayal of Iago in Othello under the direction of Father John Oetgen, O.S.B. in ’56. The Smithtown, NY author credits Father Matthew McSorley, O.S.B. for nurturing his interest in fiction writing. “At the end of the school year,” says Ladouceur, “Father Matthew gave me a cherished gift, as was his custom with each of his students; mine was a 1956 New York Times Book Review supplement. I recall thinking Father optimistic in the extreme in suggesting that such a gift might possibly be appropriate for me … but how secretly thrilled I was to get it!”
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Fr. Paschal Morlino ’62, of Baltimore, MD, was recently elected Vice President of the North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors.
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Bob Siebert ’63 of Jamaica, NY, was in Norway for a Hurtigruten cruise aboard the Nordkapp. The highlight of his trip was an excursion to the North Cape, which is said to be the northernmost point in continental Europe.
66 Crossroads
The Magazine of Belmont Abbey College
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Getting the word out all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska! While on their vacation, Elaine (Powell ’67) Baer and husband Neil were stopped by many people to read and comment on her Got Monks sweatshirt.
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After 41 years, John Farr ’68 retired from his career in public education. In his recent 11 years he served as Superintendent of the Flemington-Raritan Regional School District in Flemington, NJ. Over the years, he taught elementary school Social Studies, was a Social Studies Supervisor, and served as elementary school principal and assistant superintendent. He reminisced that his education at Belmont Abbey College served him very well and he has never forgotten the years spent in class with Father Anselm Biggs, O.S.B.
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Chuck Collins ’69, of Jacksonville, NC, retired from his second career December 31, 2009. He retired as Executive VP of a $670M Marine Federal Credit Union in Jacksonville, NC. This follows his first retirement from the USMC. Chuck was presented North Carolina’s prestigious “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” by Maj. Gen (Ret) Bob Dickerson on behalf of Governor Beverly Perdue. This was in recognition for his work both in the Marine Corps and with Marine Federal in creating civilian jobs in eastern NC and for his local civic and charitable work. Chuck’s wife, Pat (Rafferty, SHC ’71) Collins, entered retirement January 31, 2010. She worked over 25 years teaching in various North Carolina schools, finishing her career as the Media Specialist with Carolina Forest Elementary School in Jacksonville, N.C. After obtaining her Masters in Library Science from ECU, she spent her final teaching years in the Library/Media field. In early February 2010, they took a five week celebratory vacation to Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
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James Smith ’71 retired in July 2009 after 37 years with Cape May County, NJ. For the past 17 years, he served in the position of Director of Planning.
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Joe Murphy ’72 retired in January 2004 and moved to Atlantic Beach, NC. Joe and his wife Cindy recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two children, Michelle and Joseph, who reside in Florida. Most of Joe’s time is spent sailing or working on his boat, the SEAFROG. Fall 2010