Alumni News

Alumni Honored at Graduation

Several alumni from the De La Salle and St. Joseph Classes of 1946, 1956, and 1966 were present at the May Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2016.

Class of 1946

Photo (L. to R.): DLS President John M. Knight, John Ciszewski (SJ ‘46), Jack Schodowski (DLS ‘46), and Br. Patrick McNally (SJ ‘55).

Class of 1956

Photo (L. to R.): Standing: DLS President John M. Knight, Br. Patrick McNally (SJ ‘55), Stanley Walajtys (SJ ‘56), Charles J. Cole (SJ ‘56), and William Boucher (DLS ‘56). Seated: Raymond Botkin (SJ’56), Joseph J. Kole (SJ ‘56), John Weiler (SJ ‘56), and Frank Rogers (SJ ‘56).

Class of 1966

Photo (L. to R.): Standing: DLS President John M. Knight, James Palazzolo, Eugene Dobrzynski, and Br. Patrick McNally (SJ ‘55). Seated: Paul Chancey, John Monigold, Mitchell Bobrowiecki, and Ed Greenup

Alumni News

Class of 1959 Several graduates gathered at the St. Clair Shores home of classmate Bob Marral in mid-July for a summer lunch. The Class of 1959 meets occasionally for lunch and always has a Christmas party. For information on class activities, call Tony Catullo at 586.646.0429. Photo (Standing, L. to R.): John Ciaramitaro, Leon Bemben, Paul Poledink, Jim Gaffke, Dan Goeddeke, and host Bob Marral. (Seated): Angelo Mattera, Tony Catullo, and Angelo’s son Paul.

Dennis Koch, ‘94, a DLS Faculty Member since 2005, earned his Master of Arts in Economics this past summer at the University of DetroitMercy. Dennis was also a graduate assistant during the Winter term for Harry Veryser, ‘61, Adjunct Professor of Economics. He teaches A.P. Economics, I.B. Business Management, Accounting, and Banking and moderates and coaches numerous activities.

De La Salle Honors Veterans and Servicemen

De La Salle Collegiate is proud to recognize and commemorate those students and staff who have honorably served our nation in the United States Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. A memorial wall display is prominently located in the school’s main hallway, next to the main office, honoring qualified individuals. The memorial wall was established by DLS Principal, Mr. Steve Stewart, himself a U.S. Army veteran. There are two eligibility categories: • Honorably Discharged Veterans will have their names permanently added to the wall. • Currently serving service members, both active and reserve components, will have their names added to the wall for one year, renewable upon annual notification. Veterans (or family members who identify their relationship to the nominee for record keeping purposes) should provide the following information to Mrs. Anita Griffin at 586.541.6201 or agriffin@delasallehs.com

• First and Last Name • Graduation Year from DLS • Highest Rank • Branch of Service • Service Years (i.e., 1995 –1999) • Duty Locations (state and/or country) • Service awards and decorations (optional) Veterans may also supply additional information such as quotes, service anecdotes, or pictures. All submitted materials become the property of De La Salle and cannot be returned. The board is updated quarterly.

Alumni News

John Bacarella, 83, expanded his Sportsmen’s Direct retail and online business to a new, larger facility, in November 2015. His original facility had 3,800 square feet; he now has a 6.5 acre parcel with 10,500 square feet of retail space. His business is still on Jefferson, in Harrison Township. Deacon John Bettin, ‘82, was ordained a Deacon on May 16, 2016, and has been assigned to serve at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Beverly Hills, MI. He will be ordained a priest in Spring 2017.

Fr. Brian Meldrum ‘02 and John Bettin ‘82.

Kyle Bonkowski, ‘03, is a fifth grade teacher for the Chippewa Valley Schools. He has been on a major league ballpark adventure, and has visited 24 of 30 stadiums. During the 2016 season, he visited 11! Tom Borowiak, ‘74, recently relocated to the Albany, NY area, where he is Clinical Technology Director at the Albany Medical Center. Frank L. Briguglio, ‘02, was recently sworn in as a Director for the Macomb County Bar Association. He currently practices exclusively in the area of Family Law at Bowyer, Midtgard & Nacy, DBA ADAM - American Divorce Assn. for Men. Lance Bruck, ‘07, in his third year at Wayne State University Law School, was recently honored with a 2016 Public Interest Law Fellowship to work as a paralegal at the nonprofit United Community Housing Coalition Clinic. The Clinic, run by Wayne Law, runs out of the 36th District Court to provide services to prevent homelessness, such as foreclosure and eviction prevention. Lance’s undergraduate degree was in creative writing from Purdue University. Patrick Davis, ‘07, is currently working on his Ph.D. in Mathematics at Central Michigan University. Sean Driscoll, ‘12, will be graduating in December from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Information Systems. Over the summer, he interned with the IT Department at Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. Paul Evancho, ‘82, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and lives in Yuma, AZ, where he is a captain with the City of Yuma Fire Department. Jonathan Facciolla, ‘01, was recently promoted to Regional Sales Directory at Boston Heart Diagnostics. He is married, with a baby son, and lives in Washington, Michigan.

Adam Farchone, ‘12, (above) was the valedictorian of his DLS class, and graduated in May 2016 from the University of Notre Dame - as a candidate for valedictorian. Adam earned the highest GPA in the School of Engineering, where he majored in Chemical Engineering, and was the keynote speaker for the school’s commencement. For the next two years, he is teaching high school science at Tampa High School, in Tampa, FL, an Irish Christian Brothers’ school, and taking online and summer courses at the ND campus, leading to a Master’s in Education. Adam still credits DLS for his academic foundation and preparation for the challenges of college.

Alumni News

Joseph Fredal, ‘89, is Supplier Technical Assistance Manager at Ford Motor Company. He lives in Huntington Woods, and loves taking his sons to their swim practices and meets year round. Joe has been an active participant in the December Alumni Swim Meets.

Gjon Gjeloshaj, 06, recently graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with a doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Gjon attended Oakland University before being admitted to the Physical

Therapy program. He is pictured above with Jerry Zaccardelli, ‘75, who was

Gjon’s mentor in the Student Mentor Program at DLS. Chris Gorence, ‘75, has lived in Traverse City for over 25 years. He recently retired from the hospitality business, but has purchased “Ted’s Shed”, which sells new and used restaurant equipment. Paul Hartzell, ‘79, retired in 2010 as a Sergeant from the Detroit Police Department after 25 years of service. He is married, and makes his home in Troy, MI. Ken Hemler, ‘00, lives in Midland, MI, and recently became Senior Counsel in the Commercial Law Group at the Dow Chemical Company.

William Hillmer, ‘84, lives in Weldon Spring, MO, where he is an alderman for the city. His day job is senior director for a pharmaceutical company. Bob Mason, ‘86, Bob has been living in the Saratoga Springs, NY area for almost 12 years. Four years ago, he started “Planetarium,” a market research and strategic planning

consultancy.

Shane Liebler, ‘99, and Bob Mason, ‘95.

Recently, Bob was at the Saratoga Springs race track, and happened to sit by someone else wearing a Detroit Tigers hat. They started chatting, as Tigers’ hats are rare in that area, and connected immediately as not only Tiger fans, but fellow Pilots. Shane Liebler, ‘99, has also been living in the area for several years. Edward Mauch, ‘95, has been a radiologist for over seven years in Port Huron, MI. He is married, with two children, and makes his home in Harrison Township, MI. Anthony Orlando, ‘96, is the lead physician assistant at South Jersey Family Medicine Associates, and on the clinical adjunct faculty at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is married with two children, and lives in Haddonfield, NJ. Christopher Ozog, ‘86, is an architect with OHM Advisors in Livonia, MI. He is married and lives in Warren. Gordon Pocialik, ‘03, lives in Naples, FL, and practices dentistry in Naples, Fort Myers and Marco Island. He is married with two children. Shaun Rapske, ‘00, was recently promoted to Relationship Manager for Strategic Partnerships at Quicken Loans. He is celebrating 17 years as a DJ and owner of Frozen Entertainment, LLC. He is still announcing and dj’ing the DLS hockey games. Christopher Scalise, ‘90, is currently working as an IT Operations Specialist for the Dean’s Office at Wayne State University’s College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts. He is married and lives in Oak Park. Br. Michael Shubnell, ‘72, is currently working at Manhattan College in the Center for Academic Success, working with students who receive academic referrals from their teachers. Tony Sorgi, ‘03, lives in midtown Detroit, and is now in his fourth year of working for Plante Moran CRESA in Detroit and Southfield.

Alumni News

Michael Thomas, ‘89, is the Production Manager at WDIVLocal 4 in Detroit. He also plays guitar and sings in “The Badways,” a local rock band. He and his wife Theresa are the parents of two girls, and make their home in Grosse Pointe, MI. Vito “Bill” Viviano SJ ‘52, and his wife Virginia recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Bill and Virginia make their home in Grosse Pointe Shores. Matthew Vocino, ‘80, lives in Macomb, MI, and is the Power Plant Engineer at Henry Ford Cottage Medical Center in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Dan Michael Vought, ‘95, recently married. He lives in Shelby Township and is a regional manager for Small Town Brewery. Ryan White, ‘94, is the Chief Software Developer at iwerk, a software development company based in Royal Oak, MI.

planning a reunion ? Planning a reunion starts with a call to the Director of Alumni, John Monigold. John will work with class representatives to provide class lists and contact information, suggest a venue for the reunion, and provide any support services he can to the class. John can be reached at 586-541-6212 or jmonigold@delasallehs.com

Gregory Wright, ‘98, lives in Chicago, and recently accepted a new position as partner at the Chicago law firm of Gozdecki, Del Giudice, Americus, Farkus & Brocato LLP. He is married and welcomed his first child in August.

Brother Luke of Mary (John) Van Berkum, ‘12, entered the Dominican Order’s Novitiate in Cincinnati, on August 8, 2016, for a year of spiritual formation. Brother Anthony Michael (Bernard) Van Berkum ‘10, is now in his third year of studies for the priesthood at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.

Matt Wyszczelski, 90, and future Pilot Max Wyszczelski, Class of 2026, met Grant Mattia, ‘13, at the University of Michigan Soccer Camp in August. Grant is the goalie for the Wolverines’ Men’s Soccer Team.

Mark Wisniewski, ‘83, is the 2016 recipient of the University of Detroit Mercy Law Alumni Association’s Time and Talent Award, the School of Law’s most prestigious honor. Mark has served on the Law School’s Alumni Association Board of Directors for ten years, including two terms as President, and has taught Trial Practice as an adjunct professor. Mark graduated from UDM in 1990, and joined the Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook, P.C. firm, one of the largest law firms in southeastern Michigan, headquartered in the heart of Detroit. He became the firm’s Chairman and CEO in 2014. Mark was the 2013 Christian Brothers’ Dinner Honoree.