PALLIUM THE MAGAZINE OF
CANTERBURY SCHOOL VOL. 27, NO. 3
Dr. Nelson Hume Award Recipients Vincent Vartabedian & Chidimma Onwuegbule
PALLIUM Vol. 27, No. 3
1
2011
Letter from the Headmaster Tom Sheehy reports on the spring semester.
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Canterbury Celebrates 94th Commencement Exercises JP Mandler and Guy Simonelli honored. 101 graduates mark milestone.
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Power Your Passions
Homecoming October 1
Reunion 2011
Fall College Night October 13
Class of 1971 Reunion Classmates celebrate their 40th-year reunion at the home of Bob Steers.
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Full Classes Begin September 12
Commencement speaker Mark Pigott ’72 offers the Class of 2011 a call to action. A large turnout of Cantuarians from near and far reconnect on campus. The weekend in photos.
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Mark Your Calendar
Parents’ Weekend/ Canterbury Today October 21-22
Campus Life News and photos.
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Guy Simonelli Marks 30 Years at Canterbury By Marc Vanasse ’73
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Preserving Memories Librarian Nancy Florio is on a mission to digitize Canterbury’s archives. By Nancy Florio
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Stained Glass at Canterbury Canterbury’s Chapel of Our Lady contains some of the finest stained glass windows in America and a myriad hidden stories. Part two of three.
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In Pursuit of Excellence Update Neil ’85 and Julie Pryor establish scholarship in memory of classmate. Mard Family establishes dramatic arts endowment fund.
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Class Notes
Canterbury School, founded in 1915 by Roman Catholic laymen, is a coeducational, boarding and day school of approximately 355 students, grades 9-12. The Roman Catholic commitment of the School remains central. Canterbury School is a non-profit institution that seeks and admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and does not discriminate in the administration of its programs and policies. The Canterbury Observer is a regular feature of the Pallium. It is a forum for any and all alumni, faculty, and friends of Canterbury to share their thoughts and interests. Views do not necessarily express the philosophy of Canterbury School.
News, photos, and more …
PALLIUM:
Editor, Photographer, Designer: Marc Vanasse ’73 On the cover: Valedictorian Vincent Vartabedian and Chidimma Onwuegbule. Both received the Dr. Nelson Hume Award on Graduation Day. Cover photo: Marc Vanasse ’73
How to Reach Us The Pallium encourages its readers to communicate with the School. Mail: Pallium Editor, Canterbury School, 101 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT 06776 E-Mail: pallium@cbury.org • Fax: (available 24 hours a day): 860-350-4425 Call: 860-210-3800 (Switchboard), 1-800-526-1710 • www.cbury.org • excellence.cbury.org
A circular band about two inches wide, a pallium is made of white wool and worn over the chasuble around the neck, breast, and shoulders. With its two pendants draping down in the back and front, respectively, a pallium is also marked by six black crosses of silk. The wearing of the pallium dates to the fourth century. It was first given to St. Augustine by Pope Gregory the Great, and each successive archbishop has worn one. A representation of the pallium appears in the center of the School seal, as well as in the School’s logotype.
JOHN MCKEITH
LETTER FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Members of the Canterbury Family: Slow to arrive this year, spring finally emerged in time for a splendid Commencement on May 31, and for one of our best-attended Reunions. With these rites of passage completed, I report on our recently completed spring semester, a period of great progress and significant achievements. At graduation we honored Dean of the School and Senior Master JP Mandler for his 40 years as a Canterbury teacher. Two weeks later, supported by a grant from the John P. ’59 and Anne Duffy Travel Endowment, JP and his wife, Lou, Academic Dean, left for a two-week trip to England to follow the trail of Thomas Hardy, an oft-studied author in JP’s AP English curriculum. Also at graduation, we awarded Guy Simonelli a Canterbury diploma for his 30 years at Canterbury. These men epitomize the skill, dedication, and hard work that characterize all our teachers, coaches, and dorm parents. I am proud to say that this year’s faculty turnover rate hit a new low – zero! – every teacher will return next year. Our Sixth Formers will attend many top colleges and universities, including Carnegie Mellon, Colgate, Connecticut College, Duke, Emory, Georgetown, Northwestern, Trinity, and UC Berkeley. Meanwhile, undefeated Varsity Softball (14-0) won the Western New England Championship for the first time, and the Track and Field team set many school records during regional competition. Canterbury continues to extend its local and global reach. We have hired Jian Guo to teach Mandarin Chinese I and II, our newest courses. Speaking of China, our librarian Nancy Florio traveled to Beijing in June to participate in a course on International Digital Librarianship. Our students journeyed to Mallorca, Spain, this spring to complete the student exchange started in the fall when six students from Mallorca spent six weeks at Canterbury and lived with local host families. We hosted the Special Olympics Northwest Regional games on campus in May, and students traveled to Nicaragua in March to serve the young people in Familia Padre Fabretto, and to Appalachia in June to repair homes in rural West Virginia. On June 30, we successfully concluded the largest capital campaign in Canterbury’s history. We will elaborate on this in the 2010-2011 Report on Gifts and Giving. To better serve our students, a new all-purpose science laboratory is being constructed and will be ready for the opening of school. I hope the stories in this issue will give you a more vivid sense of our accomplishments and the lively spirit that is Canterbury. Warm best wishes and many thanks,
Thomas J. Sheehy III
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POWER
Your
PASSIONS Commencement speaker Mark Pigott ’72 offers the Class of 2011 a call to action.
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MARC VANASSE ’73
Bob Steers ’71, Board President; Mark Pigott ’72, Commencement speaker; Tom Sheehy, Headmaster.
HEIDI JOHNSON
Z
hou chang hou, which is either “good morning” in Mandarin or “I set my foot on fire.” Either way, it’s a good wake-up call. Many of you have traveled many miles to attend Canterbury; some of you have even crossed an ocean. One of my few claims to fame in high school was being the student who traveled the
farthest to go to school at Canterbury. Without the aid of Google or MapQuest, but relying on a globe in the library and some string, we determined that coming from Seattle I lived 400 miles further away from New Milford than did my classmate Roberto Kriete, who was from El Salvador. That was then, this is now. 9
One of the great joys of my job is traveling to China, India, Brazil, Europe, and most points in between. The world is small and getting smaller – get out and explore it. I understand that a number of you have traveled and studied abroad and that’s wonderful. I encourage all of you to live in a country where they don’t speak your native tongue. You will learn about yourself and rapidly learn how to ask for food or a date. You will learn about another culture, and you will learn about your own country. There are many students your age living in the world who are passionate about the U.S., and some of them are trying to attend college here. They are your peer group. Go to another country for three months, six months, or a year. Get comfortable in another culture. It is well worth the ride. As I have met some of you during the last two days, the most frequently asked questions are, “Can you really drive those good looking Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks?” The answer is yes, though I recommend practicing in a parking lot the size of the Meadowlands. The second question is, “Were you really all-league in basketball, and is that why they named the gym after you?” I wish I could say yes, but the truth is I was so uncoordinated that I was cut from Thirds Basketball but was given a chance to play Fourths Basketball with classmates who resembled the cast from Revenge of the Nerds. Our best game was thrashing the local grammar school St. Francis’s eighth grade team by the score of 12-4. That was possibly my athletic 10
MARC VANASSE ’73
“I encourage all of you to live in a country where they don’t speak your native tongue. You will learn about yourself and rapidly learn how to ask for food or a date. You will learn about another culture, and you will learn about your own country.”
Tom Sheehy, Headmaster; Vincent Vartabedian ’11, valedictorian and Dr. Nelson Hume Award recipient; Chidimma Onwuegbule ’11, Dr. Nelson Hume Award recipient; Wright Danenbarger, Cantuarian dedicatee; Mark Pigott ’72, Commencement speaker.
highlight at Canterbury. So what is with the naming of the gym? Winston Churchill said, and no, he wasn’t in my class at school, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” I think what he means is that we need to give back to society and those in need. I am proud of the Class of 2011. You have enthusiastically embraced your role of giving back as demonstrated by your service trips to Nicaragua to build community centers, your environmental clean up day on the Town Green in New Milford, visiting a local nursing home, and your trips to Lourdes to help the malades. Wow! Keep that spirit alive, give what you can: time, energy, ideas, and financial resources. So back to Pigott Arena. I was fortunate to be able to assist Canterbury, and it was either naming the gym or the study hall.
Of course, naming a building or even thinking of a building 40 years ago was the last thing on my mind. In 1968, Canterbury was all boys, and Third Form boys lived in North House, now called Duffy House, behind me. That’s my room directly over the door leading from the Duffy Art Center. You can still see the remnants of the sheets I tied together as I tried to make one of my escapes from The Rock. When I attended Canterbury, during the first week of school, every Third Former spent most of his time crying and wondering if this was the biggest mistake of his life. There were no cell phones to call home, letters were hard to write for a 14-year-old boy, and our proctors had read Catcher in the Rye and Lord of the Flies once too often. It was an interesting time, but we all survived and eventually adapted to the rigors of school.
“When asked what I learned at Canterbury, my biggest takeaway was the ability to sit down and really read, study, and learn. Upon reflection, that may be the biggest life skill you’ve learned.”
Company in England. And, yes, Ian McKellen will occasionally wear his white Gandalf robe from The Lord of the Rings when he is eating fish and chips. So what’s the point? Keep your passions alive, and figure out how to make a living. Try to use the left and right sides of your brain. Amaze your friends with your knowledge of art and science. And, finally, if you have the energy, finances, and interest, I recommend you earn a master’s degree in whatever topic arouses your passion. A master’s degree today is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree 40 years ago. Interesting factoid: in our current recession, people with a master’s degree have a lower unemployment rate than those with only a bachelor’s degree. Great ideas are redefining our world every day. Keep learning along the path of life. A good goal is not to peak too early. Many of you will be attending your Canterbury 50th-year reunion in 2061. Keep your stories fresh and your life energized. Life’s a long runway. In conclusion, Canterbury is a wonderful first stage in the booster rocket of life. Take advantage of your opportunities. Travel, learn from other cultures, be artsy and scientific, keep your passions alive, and give back. God bless you. Go, Saints!
HEIDI JOHNSON
The Irish poet W.B. Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” The only fire that most of my classmates thought about was sneaking a smoke in the woods behind South House, now Carter House. I am not sure what you think of Canterbury as you are graduating, but I expect that some of you are ready to jump to the next chapter in your lives, some are a little misty-eyed as good friends are going in different directions, and a few are wondering if you have to complete that final paper for Mr. Mandler’s English class. Whatever your thoughts or emotions are right now, I do know they will soften and mellow as the years progress. When asked what I learned at Canterbury, my biggest takeaway was the ability to sit down and really read, study, and learn. Upon reflection, that may be the biggest life skill you’ve learned. However, like many lives, my own track was slightly erratic and did not conform to my parents’ idea of a straightforward path to success. After working hard to earn a college engineering degree, I had the wonderful harebrained scheme that I’d like to get a theater degree and move from the West Coast to New York City and take Broadway by storm. The passionate soliloquy that I delivered to my parents on that subject was met with stony silence – perhaps a precursor to the reviews I would eventually earn in the theater world. Nevertheless, I pursued my dream, gained a college theater degree, moved to New York to attend one of the great theater schools, and quickly became very proficient at installing drywall in commercial buildings in Greenwich Village. But like a good movie, the end seems to have turned out okay. Yes, I went back to the truck factory, worked on the assembly line, lived and worked in different countries, and 40 years later the rest is history. The good news is that I have continued to keep my love of the theater alive and am now on the Board of the Royal Shakespeare
Mark Pigott ’72 is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PACCAR Inc.
Senior Master JP Mandler leads the Class of 2011 to graduation.
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Members of the Class of 1981 Peter Leonard, Joel Steensen, Victoria Bundonis Rovin, and Erin Lynch enjoy classmate Mike Tormey’s humorous story.
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Large turnout of Cantuarians from near and far reconnect on campus.
2011
REUNION
Guy Sava ’61
Nolly Portillo Pastore ’96 and Gia
Top, Danielle O’Neill ’06 and classmate Aubrey Nolan. Bottom, Miguel Rovira ’51 and son Miguel ’76.
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Pat McFadden ’56 and wife Dana chat with Barry Sweeney ’56.
Mike Schneider ’76 greets Enrico Ferrero ’61.
Joel Steensen ’81, Erin Lynch ’81, John Carl ’81, Karen Coffin, John Coffin, retired faculty member.
Lori and Phil Rizzi ’81 with daughter Lillian.
Ward O’Neill ’56 and wife Susan.
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John McKeon ’61 and Corky Meserole ’61 catch up with classmate Erik Hendricks.
Brian Heekin ’61.
Joe McGowan ’61 and wife Ann Marie.
Hal Carroll ’61.
Peter Eigo ’51 and classmate Terry Canavan talk at the “Old Guard” dinner in Copley Library.
Ross Moscatelli ’91, Amy McKenna Omaña ’86, Liz Carter Tamarkin ’91, Joseph “Kwadwo” Appiah ’91.
Dick Dillon ’51 reminisces.
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Lisa Tobin ’76, Margo Burke ’76, John Hannan ’76, Elaine Mullen Peer ’77, Tom Ahern ’76, Mike Schneider ’76, Joanna Martiska Woodworth ’77.
Molly Sheehy Reilly ’98 with husband John ’96 and daughter Abigail.
Kevin Sweeney ’61 chats with Jim Briggs ’56 at the clambake.
Margaret Smith ’06 and classmate Lexie Routh.
Chris Omeltchenko ’78 and sister Vicky ’79.
Chris Hollander ’86 and classmate Karl Clauss.
Amelia Clay ’96 snaps photos with Reid Bogie ’71 and Karl Bourdeau ’71.
Retired art teacher Sylvia Hierro and daughter Dalia ’86.
From the Class of 2006. Seated, l-r: Conor O’Rourke, Josh Belfiore, Ray Zulauf. Standing, l-r: Will Tully, Casey O’Donnell, Rick Gambella, Danielle O’Neill.
From the Class of 2001. L-r: Rob Bongioanni, Lauren Mascia, Stephen Auresto (fiance of Lauren), Allison Grant Sterner, Don Nepomuceno.
Erika Goyzueta ’96 and husband Jason Velez.
Nadia Najm ’06 and classmate Darien Crute.
Justin Rubin ’86 enjoys a laugh with Karl Clauss.
Ray Zulauf ’06 approves of the food at the clambake.
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Kate O’Malley Sisk ’86 with classmates Maria Hebert Chesney and Jen Lobo get ready to play softball.
Kasey Nagle ’06 gets a big hit during the softball game.
Tom Cook ’91 and classmates John Hayden and Brian Giebel have some fun during the set up of their class photo.
Nicole Duff DeSantis ’91 with huband Joe and sons Sean, Paul, and Ryan (behind dad).
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Michelle McLaughlin Melchionda ’96 with daughters Maggie and Mary.
Barry Sweeney ’56 shows his skills at first base.
Garvin Hammer ’85 (honorary member of the Class of 1986) and Paco Keville ’86 await the taking of the class photo.
Elisabeth Parson Pavlofsky ’01 with daughter Tenley.
Joe O’Brien ’71, left, and Reid Bogie ’71 talk with Headmaster Tom Sheehy.
Lucas Bongioanni, son of Rob ’01 and Amanda.
Members of the Class of 1961 hang out on the Sheehan House wall. L-r: Bill Easton, Andy Davidson, Joe McGowan, Guy Sava, V.J. Mill.
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Betsy Sheehy, center, chats with Josh Heintz ’61 and Janice Herzog.
Sara Howard ’01 talks to classmate Andrew Eckhardt.
From the Class of 2006. Will Tully, Matt Holden, AJ Ferrer, Conor O’Rourke, Alex Khaddar, Chris Jeyes.
Cheshire McIntosh ’91 and classmate Sean Flanagan.
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Karl Bourdeau ’71 greets Fr. Sebastian after Saturday’s Mass.
Richard Crocker ’86 is all smiles talking to his classmates. At right, Sarah Coughlin Vorbach ’86.
Tom Shea ’86 with classmates Tom Carter and Tracy Sims.
Brian Delaney ’91 and classmate Matt Muszala.
Kurt Garceau ’06 and cousin Warren Garceau ’06.
ALL PHOTOS BY MARC VANASSE ’73
Andy Staib ’86 and classmate Kerry McGrade Bomba.
From the Class of 1986. Amy McKenna Omaña, Jen Scholze Bleakley, Nicole Smith Martin, Erin McDermott Deshaies.
Dave LaJoie ’76 and Elaine Mullen Peer ’77.
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Front row, l-r: Jack Ryan, Tim Mead, Jimmy Lee, Mark Bresnan, Craig Czarsty, Mike McBride, Tony Hume, Peter FitzGerald, Reid Bogie. Back row, l-r: Mike Herrington, Matt Dwyer, Steve Coleman, Don Guinan, Tom McCarthy, Frank Hickey, Peter Hume, Bob Ruvolo, Bob Steers, John Donnelly, Tom Moore, Paul Ahern, Mike Carretta, Karl Bourdeau.
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Class of 1971
REUNION ď‚œ
HEIDI JOHNSON
Classmates celebrate their 40th-year reunion at the home of Bob Steers.
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Peter FitzGerald.
Steve Coleman, center, Tony Hume, left, Bob Ruvolo, right.
Tony Hume.
Jack Ryan.
Peter Hume.
Bob Steers and Mike McBride.
Jimmy Lee meets Tim Mead’s wife Adele.
Mike McBride and Jimmy Lee.
Tom Moore.
Matt Dwyer.
PHOTOS BY MARC VANASSE ’73
Karl Bourdeau and Tony Hume.
Paul Ahern, Tom McCarthy, Craig Czarsty.
Betsy Sheehy, Anne Carretta, Mike Carretta, Tom Sheehy.
Mike Herrington.
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CAMPUSLIFE
New Sacristans Named
Chaplain Fr. Sebastian Leonard, O.S.B. and Headmaster Tom Sheehy installed 12 new Sacristans at Mass on May 29. Front row, l-r: Lindsay Gersky, Clara Barnett, Brooks Dwyer, Tom Harrison, Logan Pettinato, E. Michael Woods. Back row, l-r: Tom Sheehy, Joe Najm, Seth Menghi, Joe Hochrein, Nic Pierog, Brian LaMuraglia, Fr. Sebastian. (Unable to attend: Brittany Romagnoli.)
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CYNTHIA WILLMEN
Canterbury students and faculty volunteered on May 15 to serve as timers, life guards, and score assistants for the Northwest (CT) Regional Games in the School’s William W. Higgins ’53 Aquatic Center. Special Olympians from around the state and New York competed in a full spectrum of swim events. Volunteers cheered on the swimmers, offered them high-fives and encouragement, and calmed competitors’ pre-event jitters. Above, l-r: Caitlyn Everett ’13, Jen Morgan ’11, Special Olympian, Sara Carioscia ’13.
A Bit of Help
Amy Bortey ’13 was one of 10 students who volunteered for a week in June to repair homes in rural Appalachia.
Model Citizens
MARC VANASSE ’73 (3)
Pooling Efforts for Good Cause
Abby Omaña and Grace LaVigne show off their communion dresses at the annual nursing home fashion show in May.
Sixth Formers Reflect on Transition and Change Appropriately centering on the theme of “Transition and Change,” the Sixth Form retreat took students through a series of large- and smallgroup discussions and exercises led by members of the Theology Department, Math Chair Sue Roberts, and physics teacher Bil Sanford. Sacristans (and non-sacristans Jen Morgan and Shane Wilson) assisted and helped lead discussions. The program began in Steele Hall dining room, where lead retreat facilitator Cynthia Willmen explained to Sixth Formers the retreat’s purpose and schedule. Students then broke into groups in several meeting rooms on campus for a series of 45-minute sessions, one of which took place in the Chapel of Our Lady. There, students had an opportunity to reflect on the transitions and changes they’ve gone through already and those they have yet to experience. At 11:40, they regrouped in the Chapel for Mass, celebrated by Fr. Sebastian Leonard, O.S.B., Canterbury’s chaplain. In his brief homily, he urged students to keep Christ in their lives while they are in college.
Matt Rakoczy ’11 participates in a small-group discussion during the Sixth Form retreat on April 13. “The retreat attempted to make Sixth Formers think about the next big phase of their lives and reflect on the time they’ve spent at Canterbury,” says Cynthia Willmen, lead retreat facilitator.
MARC VANASSE ’73 (3)
Bishop Rosazza Confirms Students
Bishop Peter Rosazza confirms Vincent Turnbull ’14, one of 22 Canterbury students confirmed on May 12.
The LaVigne family poses with Bishop Rosazza. Front row, l-r: Tracy Garcia-LaVigne, Bishop Rosazza, Ally ’14 and Lily. Back row, l-r: Grace, Mary, Jonah, and Peter.
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CAMPUSLIFE
Giving Words of Advice
Then and Now
“The most important expectations you can have are the ones you set for yourself,” said Anne Weber Kohart ’05 to the members of the 2010-2011 Canterbury Honor Society on Monday evening, May 16, at the organization’s annual dinner. She added that she learned from her Canterbury teachers that she should never stop striving for her personal best. After graduating from Wellesley College, Anne earned a master’s degree in education and today is a teacher.
Drawing on his 40 years of service to Canterbury School, JP Mandler spoke to Sixth Formers at the annual Faculty/Sixth Form Dinner on May 24. He compared and contrasted the School he arrived at with the School today.
Nine Fifth Formers received book awards at the annual Academic Awards Assembly on May 26. Front row, l-r: Bosuk Lee, Stephanie Powdar, Hyeon Min Kim, Lindsey Marra, Minhye Choi. Back row, l-r: Logan Pettinato, Joe Hochrein, Seth Menghi, Mackenzie LaManna.
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MARC VANASSE ’73 (5)
Students Receive Honors at Awards Assembly
Top, Logan Pettinato ’12 receives the Dr. Nelson Hume Outstanding Speaker Award from Wright Danenbarger. Above, Audrey Duquette ’13 receives the James D. Higgins ’44 History Thesis Award from Tom Sheehy.
MARC VANASSE ’73 (4)
Capstone Speakers on Faith and Reason
In this year’s capstone course, organized by the Theology Department, students examined the topic “Faith and Reason.” In addition to their regular theology classes, the students met once a week in Steele Hall Lecture Room to listen to a guest lecturer discuss the topic. Lecturers included (top left) Jan Flaska, a former Canterbury faculty member and currently a theology teacher at Deerfield Academy; (top right) Thomas J. Craughwell, author of more than a dozen books, including Saints Behaving Badly; (above left) Jonathan Diamond of Canterbury’s History Department; and (above right) Frank Bice ’77, a former Canterbury faculty member and now a motivational speaker. In addition, Geoffrey Vaughan, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Fortin and Gonthier Foundations of Western Civilization Program at Assumption College, spoke to capstone students. The course was designed to present to Sixth Formers a broader perspective on the relationship between faith and reason as expressed and encountered in theology, literature, the sciences, and fine arts.
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CAMPUSLIFE
Women Gather to Hear Mary Fetchet’s Message
Lindsey Marra ’12, Julie Marra, Kacey Marra ’13.
Caitlin Cass ’07 and sister Kathleen ’11 with grandmother Anna Conroy and mother Kathleen Conroy Cass.
Women of Canterbury held its annual dinner on April 15 in Steele Hall Dining Room. More than 200 women from the Canterbury community attended the event that featured a guest speaker and the presentation of the Woman of the Year award. The evening’s guest speaker was Mary Fetchet, Founding Director of Voices of September 11th, an advocacy group that provides resources and support. A professional social worker and former educator, Ms. Fetchet co-founded the 9/11 organization following the death of her 24-year-old son, Brad, in the attacks on the World Trade Center. In her speech, Ms. Fetchet said, “I feel I have a moral obligation to do this work. I urge you girls to embrace new opportunities, because when you help one person, you help many.” Linda Labet, right, a longtime School nurse, received the Woman of the Year award, which is given to a Canterbury woman who has influenced the lives of the female students and whose accomplishments reflect wisdom, compassion, and selflessness. 32 30
MARC VANASSE ’73 (4)
Mary Fetchet, Founding Director of Voices of September 11th.
Prom-Goers Enjoy a Night to Remember
Stacie DeGrazia ’12 and her date Patrick Wentz ’11.
A Canterbury first: triplets attend the prom. Fifth Formers John, Krista, and Bobby O’Gara pose with their parents, John and Theresa, at the pre-prom event.
Shane Wilson ’11 and his date Leigh Getz ’11.
MARC VANASSE ’73 4)
Perhaps feeling more like celebrities than prom-goers, students pose for photos while parents snap away. The pre-prom gathering took place at the Athletic Center before students headed to the Amber Room in Danbury on May 22. Students looking at camera, l-r: Nick Cornell ’11, Taylor Sekelsky ’11, Sarah Sokol ’11, Cory Salatino ’12. Sixth Formers Graham Henderson and Maggie Wiatr were crowned prom king and queen.
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CAMPUSLIFE
Something for Everyone: A Funny Thing Happened
MARC VANASSE ’73 (3)
The cast completes “Comedy Tonight,” the opening number.
Zach Hutton ’11(Hysterium), Siobhan Manrique ’11 (Domina).
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EJ Ebner ’13 (Senex).
Directed by Madeline Dreeke Production managed by Robin Dreeke
May 6 - 7, 2011 Maguire Auditorium
Tom Harrison ’12 (Hero), Hayley Pettinato ’14 (Philia), Logan Pettinato ’12 (Pseudolus).
MARC VANASSE ’73 (5)
Joe Najm ’12 (Miles Gloriosus) is flanked by his retinue Peter Bergner ’14, Brian LaMuraglia ’12, Sam Portelance ’14, and Oliver Martinez ’12.
Michael Balcom ’12 (Lycus).
Cory Salatino ’12 (Erronius).
Logan Pettinato, Brieanna Brown ’11 (Gymnasia).
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CAMPUSLIFE
College Fair Gives Students, Parents Advantage Drew Carter, this year’s keynote speaker and Associate Director of Admissions at College of the Holy Cross, provided the secrets of college acceptance at this year’s college workshops and fair. He urged students to enjoy the process and increase their chances of acceptance. He suggested how students should achieve those goals. “Identify the factors all schools look at in determining a student’s admission, come to grips with the fact that most factors are out of your control, and focus on three factors you do have control over,” said Drew. “You can control the amount of energy and effort you put into your courses, choose to have a campus tour and interview, and put energy and effort into your applications and essays.”
Following a series of workshops on the college admission process, students and parents took advantage of the spring college fair. More than 90 colleges and university representatives gathered in Pigott Arena to answer questions and provide information about their schools. Above, James McCann ’12 and his mom, Tara, investigate colleges.
The Wright Time
A record number of grandparents attended the 16th annual Grandparents’ Day on May 4. They attended a few classes and had lunch in Steele Hall Dining Room. Above, Holly Heffernan ’12 with her grandmother Joan Heffernan, widow of Paul ’49.
Wright Danenbarger, English Chair and coach, received the 2011 Cantuarian dedication on May 17.
MARC VANASSE ’73 (3)
Grandparents’ Day Big Success
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Taking Note
Three Canterbury music groups, Blues Band, Concert Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo, performed a rousing program on April 19 in the L. Michael Sheehy ’56 Choral Classroom. A surprise performance by the String Band, which formed only two weeks prior, highlighted the evening. Above, Dave Overthrow, Director of Jazz Studies, conducts the Concert Jazz Band.
Canterbury Chorale members Ally LaVigne ’14 and Meagan Kendrick ’12 enjoy performing in Songs of Spring on May 19.
JOHN MCKEITH
Souled on Jazz and Blues
AP Art Students Exhibit
Josephine Purdy ’14 was one of 22 members of the Canterbury Orchestra who played in a concert on May 16.
Siobhan Manrique ’11 and Phoebe Tian ’11 exhibited a year’s output of work in the Edward J. Duffy Family Gallery in May. The show was the culmination of their intense AP Studio Art course. They pose with Fine Arts Chair Kim Tester and art teacher Marsha Doran.
MARC VANASSE ’73 (3)
Making Music
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“
CAMPUSLIFE
Students Honored with Athletic Awards Softball Wins Championship Varsity Softball played a very memorable championship game to end a very memorable season. The team beat Suffield, 3-2, in a home contest on May 22, to win the Western New England Championship and finish the season 14-0. The victory marked Canterbury’s first softball championship in school history. The victory was particularly sweet because one year ago the team suffered a loss in the tournament as the highest seeded team over a call that head coach Ken Parson referred to as “questionable.” The team, consisting of many returning players, vowed that this would not happen to them again. “This was one of those magical seasons where everything came together – experience, chemistry, selflessness, talent, and a higher power – to help us accomplish our mission,” said coach Ken Parson. “I have never had a group of players that were more focused on a goal yet enjoyed the journey so much. We will return five of our nine starters next year, including our pitcher and a very experienced catcher, so I expect the team to be very competitive again.”
Recipients of the Sixth Form Athletic Awards. Front row, l-r: Anna Bukowski (Most Improved Athlete), Chris Fernandez (Best All-Around Athlete), Leigh Getz (Charles R. Huntington Scholar-Athlete Award), Jen Morgan (Best All-Around Athlete), Ashley Bonner (Best Leadership), Olivia Hoess (Most Improved Athlete). Back row, l-r: Chris DeNunzio (Robert M. Steele ’72 Scholar-Athlete Award), Chris Wiatr (Best Leadership), Patrick Wentz (Best Sportsmanship), Elliot Chandler (Best Sportsmanship), Maggie Wiatr (Best Sportsmanship), Shane Wilson (Most Improved Athlete).
MARC VANASSE ’73 (3)
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Recipients of the Alumni Awards. Front row, l-r: Ally LaVigne ’14 (Nicholas DiTullio ’01 Award), Leigh Getz ’11 (Horace E. Tennes Girls’ Tennis Award), Shane Wilson ’11 (Giuseppe Leto ’97 Wrestling Award), Patrick Phalen ’11 (C.T. Fisher ’72 Boys’ Soccer Award). Back row, l-r: Brian Vatelle ’11 (John Confort ’70 Football Award), Alejandro Baza ’11 (William Stephanak ’78 Boys’ Tennis Trophy), Elliot Chandler ’11 (Giuseppe Leto ’97 Wrestling Award).
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Ashley Bonner ’11 Girls’ Varsity Tennis
Brooks Dwyer ’12 Varsity Baseball
Alice Bouchard ’14 Varsity Crew
Devan Embelton ’13 Varsity Softball
Niall Cahill ’11 Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse
Leigh Getz ’11 Girls’ Varsity Tennis
Sara Carioscia ’13 Varsity Crew
Conner Johnson ’11 Varsity Baseball
Christina Cotte ’13 Varsity Track and Field
Jessica Troilo ’11 Varsity Softball
Stacie DeGrazia ’12 Varsity Track and Field
Matthew Rakoczy ’11 Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse
Christopher DeNunzio ’11 Varsity Track and Field
Maggie Wiatr ’11 Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse
AJ DiRienzo ’12 Varsity Baseball
Christopher Wiatr ’11 Varsity Golf
Students Honored at Spring Awards GIRLS’ VARSITY TRACK & FIELD
J.V. SOFTBALL
Coach’s Award: Christina Cotte ’13, Brittney Hester ’13 M.V.P.: Stacie DeGrazia ’12
Coach’s Award: Amy Bortey ’13
Coach’s Award: Alex Ma ’11, Patrick Wentz ’11 M.V.P.: Christopher DeNunzio ’11, Andrew Nolan ’12 BOYS’ VARSITY LACROSSE
Coach’s Award: Niall Cahill ’11 M.V.P.: Matthew Rakoczy ’11 BOYS’ J.V. LACROSSE
Coach’s Award: Nicholas DiMauro ’11 BOYS’ THIRDS LACROSSE
Coach’s Award: Vincent Vartabedian ’11 GIRLS’ VARSITY LACROSSE
Coach’s Award: Ashley Bonner ’11 M.V.P.: Maggie Wiatr ’11 GIRLS’ J.V. LACROSSE
Coach’s Award: Allyson LaVigne ’14 VARSITY GOLF
Coach’s Award: Christopher Wiatr ’11 M.V.P.: Christopher Wiatr ’11 J.V. GOLF
Coach’s Award: Zachary Buzaid ’11 VARSITY SOFTBALL
Coach’s Award: Olivia Hoess ’11 M.V.P.: Jessica Troilo ’11, Justine Valentino ’12
M.V.P.: Connor Chatterton ’11, Christopher Fernandez ’11 J.V. BASEBALL
Coach’s Award: Christopher Anderson ’14, Christopher Bohling ’14 GIRLS’ VARSITY TENNIS
Coach’s Award: Feng “Blake” Ye ’12 M.V.P.: Leigh Getz ’11 GIRLS’ J.V. TENNIS
Coach’s Award: Ashley Miller ’13 BOYS’ VARSITY TENNIS
Coach’s Award: E. Michael Woods ’12 M.V.P.: Alejandro Baza ’11 BOYS’ J.V. TENNIS
Coach’s Award: Brian Kim ’13 BOYS’ VARSITY CREW
Coach’s Award: Peter Berry ’13, Seth Menghi ’12 M.V.P.: Elliot Chandler ’11 BOYS’ NOVICE CREW
Coach’s Award: Ryan Healy ’12 GIRLS’ VARSITY CREW
Coach’s Award:Kathryn Habib ’11 M.V.P.: Heather Norris ’12 GIRLS’ NOVICE CREW
Coach’s Award: Alice Bouchard ’14
MARC VANASSE ’73
BOYS’ VARSITY TRACK & FIELD
VARSITY BASEBALL
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Guy Simonelli Marks 30 Years at Canterbury By Marc Vanasse ’73, from his speech at the end-of-the-year faculty dinner
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Guy Simonelli in Lourdes, France, August 2010.
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any of us have learned the hard way that there are very few things you can absolutely count on in life. I own an ancient refrigerator that I’d trust with keeping cool the makings of a great meal – if, indeed, I cooked. I also have an old watch that I can always count on, except for maybe once when it spectacularly failed while I was running to Grand Central Terminal to catch the last train home on a bitter cold night. And then there’s a friendship that with absolutely no exceptions I’ve been able to count on – and that’s my friendship with Guy Simonelli. I’m not sure exactly when or how our friendship was forged. Maybe it was the two years I spent doing dorm duty out of his Carmody House living room in the early ’90s. Or maybe it was the times we ran into each other at the “big house” when Rod Clarke was headmaster during the ’80s. For however long and under whatever circumstances, I’ve come to value Guy Simonelli: the teacher, the wise and nuanced mentor, and the steady, ponderous, trustworthy, and faithful friend. With Guy, his actions speak louder than his words; although he occasionally speaks very loudly – just ask the student who foolishly didn’t remove his hat when wife Viv asked him to do so at dinner one night this spring!
For his 30 years of service to Canterbury, Guy receives an honorary diploma from Headmaster Tom Sheehy.
MARC VANASSE ’73 (2)
If you know Guy well, then you know he’s famously handy with tools. I know of many people, some of them right here in this room, who have called Guy in the middle of the night when they’ve needed help with a household emergency: a leaking pipe, an overflowing toilet, a blown fuse. Guy’s toolbox and his wealth of fix-it knowledge are impressive and legendary, but his toolbox goes way beyond wrenches and pliers. His human toolbox, the tools of his heart and of his soul – patience, reliability, listening skills, and loyalty – these are the qualities that his colleagues and legions of Canterbury students have admired for 30 years. As a teacher, he understands that adolescents develop into responsible human beings at different rates, and he’s patient. I think students instinctively sense that Guy is an adult they can trust, and over the years they have supported my assertion by their seeking him out for his carefully crafted counsel. He has assisted countless Sixth Formers to hone their college essays and helped as many more students maneuver through a personal crisis. Moreover, he has been a father figure to many – and after 30 years here, perhaps now a grandfatherly figure. The beard. The pipe. Three yearbook dedications. Particularly through his Human Relations and Morality classes, for 30 years Guy Simonelli has been a teacher who has given his students something to take home to think about besides homework. He helps his students dream. He helps them program their moral GPS, find their bliss, figure out their place in the world. He is the teacher that believes in you, “who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth.” Last February, I asked Guy if he would like to join Bryan Kiefer and me on a trip to Washington, D.C. to call on Guy’s former student and advisee U.S. Congressman Frank Guinta of the Class of 1989. He
pondered for a moment, agreed, and then said to me, “You know, Marc, I’m just going to be tinsel.” When Frank’s staff told us how excited Frank was to see Guy, Guy started to get nervous because he sensed that the focus of the visit was shifting onto him, not something he had signed on for, as he said. A few days after we returned from the trip, Guy said to me, “That was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.” Well, Guy turned out not to be tinsel, but rather gold. Frank loved the visit from his old teacher and advisor. Guy made sure Frank stayed the focus of the visit. And, of course, Guy scored his second PALLIUM cover in as many years. In Biblical terms, Guy is Martha, a name given to him by a former Canterbury chaplain during student retreats in the ’80s. If you don’t know, Martha and Mary offered hospitality to their friend Jesus. Mary sat and listened to Jesus as he talked while Martha attended to the small details of Jesus’ visit. When we are in Lourdes – and Guy has been 16 times – he puts on his Martha hat or should I say bandana. On a sweltering Lourdes afternoon, Guy literally sweats the small stuff. But his attention to details has paid off well, and he has helped forge and amplify a strong international bond between Canterbury and the leaders of the French National Pilgrimage. Two years ago, Lourdes’
oldest service organization, founded more than 100 years ago, inducted Guy and three other members of the Canterbury family into their association. For their consistent and faithful service, they were the first four Americans to be so honored by the French. In his 30 years at Canterbury, Guy has held many roles: Theology Chair, Dean of Students, Director of Transportation, and Director of Guidance. He’s been involved in community service, been a dorm head, and is a Eucharistic Minister. And, as of last week’s graduation day, he is an honorary Canterbury graduate. I think Guy would be the first to admit that Viv, a Zen sage in her own right, deserves much of the credit for his Canterbury contributions. Guy and Viv are one of those rare Canterbury couples who share and model Canterbury’s values and complement each other so perfectly. I recently stumbled upon a quote about teaching which reads: “In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day’s work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.” I say not so in Guy Simonelli’s case, because for thirty years his influence on this School has been most visible, and I hope his influence continues to leave its mark on Canterbury for years to come. Congratulations, Guy. 39
Librarian Nancy Florio is on a mission to digitize Canterbury’s archives.
PRESERVING MEMORIES By Nancy Florio
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hen Canterbury hired me last summer as Library Director and Archivist, Academic Dean Lou Mandler and I discussed the importance of organizing and preserving the materials in the Canterbury archives. As I explored the archives for the first time, I immediately recognized the need to organize and preserve those items and somehow make them accessible to the Canterbury community as well as to a wider audience interested in researching the School’s history. The Canterbury archives, located in the basement of South House, is the official repository for noncurrent school records that contain information of historical value. A peek into the archives reveals a wide array of materials in a variety of formats: administrative files and correspondence; school publications, including catalogs, programs from school-sponsored events, and Canterbury Tales; student publications such as The Tabard and the Cantuarian; documents such as letters from parents and students, diaries, scrapbooks, and other memorabilia; photographs, videotapes, and audiotapes; and artifacts, including several pieces from the old pool as well as sports equipment and uniforms. 40
Ultimately, my mission as the archivist is to gain physical and intellectual control of the materials contained in our archives. Physical control entails ensuring the safekeeping and preservation of each and every item. This might require a piece be sent out for restoration, as was the case with the statue of Mary given by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, or making sure that the papers of founding Headmaster Nelson Hume are stored safely in archival quality storage boxes that are acid- and lignin-free. This aspect of archiving carries a heavy responsibility, because too often improper storage invariably results in deterioration or destruction of documents, photographs and other irreplaceable items. Although this process is time-consuming and archival materials expensive, one cannot underestimate the importance of physically safeguarding the School’s history for future generations. While creating this system to safely store and preserve items ensures gaining physical control of the archives, gaining intellectual control requires implementing a system that allows access to the items and their informational content. Generally speaking, intellectual control has traditionally been achieved through creating “finding aids.” These systems work in much the same way an electronic
As an independent school, Canterbury is at the forefront of the digital archiving movement. catalog works – you search for an item, and the result tells you where you can find that item; it doesn’t give you access to it. Yet granting physical access to the materials in the archives on a widespread basis is unrealistic, given the temporal nature of their format. Every year, Canterbury receives requests for items contained in our archives. When Maria Shriver was working on HBO’s The Alzheimer’s Project, she accessed the school records and other documents pertaining to her father, R. Sargent Shriver ’34, founder of the Peace Corps and Canterbury graduate who recently passed away. In past years, faculty have also conducted research for their creative works and relied heavily on information contained in our archives. When Kathy Bolster, Director of Studies, was researching her book, Canterbury School: The First Ninety Years (1915-2005), she shared that she “lived in the archives” poring through the “goldmine of letters between Nelson Hume and
My goal in the next three years will be to digitize as many items as possible, starting with the most frequently requested items… Henry Havemeyer, an initial financial backer.” She found them fascinating, especially the fact that “Henry Havemeyer was interested in the day-to-day running of the School, while Hume was the visionary.” Likewise, Lou Mandler relied on school records and letters written by Ernest and Pauline Hemingway regarding the progress of their sons, Patrick ’46 and Gregory ’49 when she wrote The Hemingways at Canterbury. This article was published in the Hemingway Review, which specializes in feature-length scholarly articles on the work and life of Ernest Hemingway. The article focuses on the time Ernest Hemingway’s two sons spent at Canterbury and their relationships with their famous father. In a recent acquisition, a postal telegram to Walter O. Briggs Jr. ’30, dated March 20, 1936, Nelson Hume shares the devastating news that the “old main building,” containing the dormitory for 30 boys, the administration offices, classrooms, laboratories, library, and infirmary has burned down. One insight we gain from this telegram is the importance of creating digital surrogates for our most valuable historical documents. As an adjunct faculty at Southern Connecticut State University, I teach a graduate-level course in digital archiving offered through the Department of Information and Library Science. In the fall of 2010, I began designing The Archives at Canterbury, an online digital resource that will afford people increased access to our holdings, and I chose Omeka as the platform.
This 1936 telegram is a recent addition to the archives.
One has only to conduct an online search for the term “digital archives” to see that this is the wave of the future for all archival collections. As an independent school, Canterbury is at the forefront of this movement. This past spring, I led a workshop titled “Creating Digital Archives Using Open Source Software” at the annual conference of the New England Association of Independent School Librarians held at Westover School. The workshop was filled with archivists and faculty from a wide range of schools who are all looking to make their archives more accessible. As the digitization process continues, we will call for items from members of the Canterbury community. One of the many features that will make The Archives at Canterbury School an invaluable interactive resource will be that members can add to the collection through a contribution link on the site.
My goal in the next three years will be to digitize as many items as possible, starting with the most frequently requested items followed by the Cantuarians and Tabards. An added benefit to digitizing our archives is the creation of master files that preserve the information in our archives should any harm befall the originals. As we approach Canterbury’s 100th anniversary, it seems fitting that current technology will help to connect us with our past.
Nancy Florio has extensive experience creating digital archives using proprietary and open source software. She has worked on the Connecticut Veterans History Project, created Central Connecticut State University’s archival yearbook collection, and the VOICES of 9/11 Living Memorial Digital Archive. This archive includes many images that will be part of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum being constructed at Ground Zero.
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Stained Glass at Canterbury School
Canterbury’s Chapel of Our Lady contains some of the finest stained glass windows in America and a myriad hidden stories. In this second installment, PALLIUM features the history of the Saint Brendan and Kateri Tekakwitha and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton windows. SAINT BRENDAN THE NAVIGATOR AND KATERI TEKAKWITHA The lowest third of the westernmost window on the south side of the Chapel recalls the legendary seven-year voyage of Saint Brendan the Navigator in search of the Land of Promise. Shown with his followers in a skin-covered coracle, he points to the shores of our southern coast, where he is supposed to have landed in the Sixth Century – the first, if not the last, Irish churchman to arrive here. The continent is suggested in surrounding circles by indigenous flora and fauna – a wild turkey (accurately shown with pink legs), a beaver, a lady slipper, pumpkins and potatoes – the Saint’s knowledge of which gives a basis to the supposition that he really debarked in our country. This section of the window was exhibited at the Church Architectural Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in April 1962. The top part of the window shows the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks,” being baptized in the presence of her foster parents, with her father’s clan, the Turtle, symbolized by one of those creatures crawling at her feet. In the center, Kateri is depicted praying before a rude cross on the banks of the Saint Lawrence at Caughnawaga, near the islet where she and her companions used to pray. These two medallions are joined by entwining lilies and fleurs de lys, symbols of chastity and purity. They are flanked by Notre Dame de Foy, under which title the Blessed Virgin was honored by the Indians on the banks of the Mohawk River as early as 1675, and the Cross at Auriesville in the Mohawk Valley, where Kateri was born and where Saint Jacques Isaac Jogues, who appears in the adjacent window, had shortly before been martyred. To emphasize the Indian aspect of the subject matter, native symbols appear in the border. These include a bare tree in winter, lightning, deer tracks, a pine tree, water, feathers, home footprints (meaning “go”), rain, campfire, the thunder bird, the morning star, crossed arrow (for peace), snow (or stars), crossed peace pipes, an abundance of fish, a lake in the mountains, a bird, mountains and a stream, a bear paw, a fir tree, and a tree in leaf. The gift of this window by Brendan O’Connor ’63 is recorded across the base, and the arms and crest of O’Connor of Kerry ornament the lower right hand corner. The land of Saint Brendan’s and the O’Connors origin is shown by an Irish harp in the left hand corner and in the border by shamrocks, which are incidentally also a symbol of the Trinity. This window was restored by Paul M. Heffernan ’49 in loving memory of his parents Ray W. and Margaret Heffernan. 42
ROBERT FERTITTA (2)
SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON On the north side, the window to the west of the Canterbury Martyrs honors Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, 1774-1821, foundress of the Sisters of Charity in the United States, who was born and raised an Episcopalian in New York City. This window begins the series devoted to figures having to do with America. The bottom medallion shows Seton’s husband, William Magee Seton, at the moment of his death in 1803 near Leghorn, Italy, represented by its cathedral, surrounded by his wife, his daughter, Anna, and several of the Filicchi family. It was this event and the consequent kindness of these Italian friends that first aroused Mother Seton’s interest in the Church. The central medallion pictures Mother Seton, before the formal establishment of the Order, on the journey from Baltimore, where she had formed a community of pious women to Emmitsburg, Maryland, where lay the “handsome property” which a Baltimore “gentleman… about to take the tonsure” had given her for the establishment of an order “devoted to the education of poor children in the Catholic faith.” Accompanied by two children and carrying an altar crucifix, she walks beside a covered wagon, and barnyard fowl come out to greet her. In the highest medallion, Mother Seton stands in the habit of the Order with rays of light descending on her head from above. She is in the midst of children, one of whom hands her an apple, and the scene represents the first free parochial school in the country. Other incidents at the sides depict Mother Seton as a young girl dancing at a ball in New York; praying in a chapel for guidance; meeting with Bishop Jean-Louis Lefèbvre de Cheverus, of Boston (later Cardinal Archbishop of Montauban, France) who gave her comfort and spiritual advice; and grouped with several of her children. In the lower right-hand corner is the Canterbury Chalice, a handsome silver gilt vessel used by the Chaplain at Mass. This window was given by Kevin Wait ’47, in memory of his twin brother, Lt. H. Gregory Wait, Jr., of the U.S. Air Force, who died during the Korean War, and it is so inscribed. 43
Neil ’85 and Julie Pryor Establish Scholarship in Memory of Classmate
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“I hope this scholarship not only memory but also inspires the recipients who follow in her footsteps to emulate the standard she set as they contribute their own unique talents to the Canterbury community.” –Neil Pryor ’85
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E. PARKS HOPKINS
honors Marcia’s
ommitted, intense and energetic, Marcia Ann Marie Simpson was a star. Editor of the Carillon, copy editor of the Cantuarian, sports editor of The Tabard, North House proctor, stage manager of the Drama Club, and member of the Mission Society and Choral Club, she excelled during her four years at Canterbury. Captain of the soccer and basketball teams, she earned 12 varsity letters and was voted best all-around athlete by her coaches. On graduation day, she received the Dr. Nelson Hume Award, given to the Sixth Former who best embodies the ideals of the founding Headmaster. At Princeton University, Marcia continued to lead and excel. An English major and poet who had also completed her pre-med requirements, Marcia threw shotput and discus on the Princeton track and field team and was the student manager of Tiger Refreshments. A native of Jamaica, she was president of Inhotep, Princeton’s minority pre-med society, and co-chair of the Third World Center. In October 1988, during her senior year at Princeton, Marcia was hit by a car and killed, leaving a huge void in the lives of her family and many friends. In her memory, her Canterbury classmate Neil Pryor and his wife Julie recently established the Marcia Simpson ’85 Scholarship Fund to provide financial aid for students of exceptional ability who are in need of support. “Marcia set the bar high in all that she did,” says Neil. “She was a generous and loyal friend, focused and committed to her studies, and competed tenaciously on the playing field. I consider myself blessed to have shared my Canterbury experience with her. I hope this scholarship not only honors Marcia’s memory but also inspires the recipients who follow in her footsteps to emulate the standard she set as they contribute their own unique talents to the Canterbury community.” Based in Mexico City, Neil is Senior VP of Sales, PepsiCo Foods Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. He and Julie are parents of James, age 7. A four year Cantuarian, Neil graduated from Tufts and earned his JD at Brooklyn Law School. In addition, he earned a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts.
Family Establishes Endowment in Memory of Ken Mard Jr.
K
COURTESY LIZ MARD
en Mard III ’99 loved his four years at Canterbury working on Robin and Maddie Dreeke’s stage productions. A Marietta College graduate, he has continued to return to Canterbury’s campus to provide expert advice to Canterbury’s technical production crew. He even stood in as tech director for Robin while Robin recovered from surgery in 2010. When Ken’s father, Ken Jr., died suddenly on October 22, 2010, his wife, Liz, wanted to memorialize her late husband. By establishing the Ken Mard Jr. Endowment for the Dramatic Arts, she honors Ken Jr. and provides critical support for an important Canterbury program, where budgets are always tight. “I am pleased to establish the Kenneth C. Mard Jr. Endowment for the Dramatic Arts in memory of my late husband,” says Liz. “Ken felt the education our son received from 1995-1999 at Canterbury and the skills he learned from the dramatic arts program under the guidance of Robin and Maddie Dreeke were the essential foundation for his son’s continued success in college and in his current career. This endowment honors and memorializes my late husband and provides perpetual support for Canterbury’s excellent dramatic arts program.” Maddie Dreeke, Director of Canterbury’s drama program since 1990, is thrilled. “Year after year, Canterbury presents first-rate productions of Shakespeare’s plays and musical comedies,” says Maddie. “The costs of costumes, lighting and sound equipment, and set construction continue to soar. This endowment, established in memory of a great friend of Canterbury’s theater program, provides long-term financial support to our program and all the students who participate.”
“This endowment honors and memorializes my late husband and provides perpetual support for Canterbury’s excellent dramatic arts program.” –Liz Mard
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MARC VANASSE ’73
COURTESY TONY WALTER S ’81
CLASSNOTES
Parker Walters, age 2, son of Tony Walters ’81.
Dr. Nasir Naqvi ’90, a fourth-year resident at Columbia Medical Center, visited Sandy Behan’s Biology of the Brain class in May to talk about his career path and research on addiction. He is a cognitive neuroscientist.
1947 Vince Hughes is the author of Gong House, a novel about the role of tactical airlift during the Vietnam War. It is fiction based on documented facts during a tour of duty that encompasses the Tet offensive and the siege of Khe Sanh. It is available on Amazon using the author’s name or book title. Vince retired as a USAF colonel and pilot after 26 years of active duty. He graduated from Canterbury after four years of residence at the age of 15 and six months and 27 days. He lays claim to be the youngest-ever Canterbury graduate. 1949 Walter Toole reports that he is a proud grandfather 12 times over with the 2010 births of the latest two. 1951 In the third stunning victory of Canterbury over Portsmouth Abbey in as many years, the team of Dick Dillon ’51 and classmate Andy Kostanecki overwhelmed a scrappy but outclassed team of Jim (Light Fingers) McConnell and Gil
reunion in June, but back surgery kept him away. He hopes to make it to the 65th. 1957 Bruce Comjean writes, “I’m finally retired. On April 1, 2008, I had a knee implant, which is proving challenging. I have two granddaughters. Looking forward to the next reunion.” 1959 Mike Von Mandel reports that he is alive and well in Chicago, where he still practices tax law with his wife Mary. Their daughter, Michelle, is a junior at New York University. 1961 Joe McGowan has been retired for the past six years. He and his wife, Anne Marie, have been splitting their time between their homes in Bethesda, MD, and Vero Beach, FL. Both of their children are married and living in Bethesda and Manhattan. “So far, we have one grandchild,” says Joe. 1966 Jamie Dolce’s eldest son, Rick, was married in September 2009, in Exeter, NH. “I’m finally a resident of
(Bomber) McManus in a match of golf wits and skill at the Riomar Golf Club in Vero Beach, FL. At stake was the “Puchar Papiesza” or Pope’s Cup, fondly named after His Holiness Pope John Paul II. It was not missed by anyone that once again the steady hands of age and wisdom proved that it would take more than mere youth to overcome brilliant Canterbury team play as carefully executed shot after shot rained down on the heads of the hapless Priory team. When interviewed by the international press after the match, Captain Dillon noted that it was probably the inspirational Canterbury tradition of sportsmanship and tenacity that was responsible for the win. During the press conference following the match, Dillon graciously remarked that he welcomed Priory’s stout defense and observed that the attempt to hide one of Kostanecki’s awesome drives under the Priory golf cart was surely an oversight. Paul Bleakley is sorry he was unable to attend his 60th
New Hampshire,” says Jamie. Mike Taradash reports that he retired this year from Barclays Bank, where he was the Los Angeles branch manager/director, running the LA business for Lehman Brothers and then Barclays. 1967 David Robert recently published Armando and La Baula, a book for young adults about leatherback turtles set in Costa Rica. It is available through Amazon. He has also released a CD of original Christmas songs, Christmastime on Chestnut Street, available at cdbaby. com. 1968 Connecticut Magazine editor and writer Charley Monagan has had his play, a musical called The Mad Bomber, produced at Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theater. During the late 1940’s to the mid-1950’s, George Metesky of Waterbury, CT, a former Consolidated Edison employee, disgruntled over an injury received on the job, began a reign of terror in New York City by planting pipe bombs in well-known and
COURTESY ERIN MEENAN ’05
COURTESY KATE SCALZO JONES ’00
COURTESY ANNESOPHIA ALEXANDER RICHARDS ’95
CLASSNOTES
Annesophia Alexander ’95 married Adam Richards on March 26, 2011.
Griffin and Leo Jones, twin sons of Kate Scalzo Jones ’00.
Danielle Yacono ’04 and Erin Meenan ’05 at the University of New Hampshire School of Law’s Barrister’s Ball.
well-traveled places in the city. He became known as “The Mad Bomber” and part of his story is now the basis of Charley’s play. Not only did Charley write the play but he also wrote the lyrics. 1972 Peter McGowan has accepted a position with Marcum Cronus Partners, an investment banking firm providing financial advisory and investment banking services to middle-market companies. Based in the firm’s New Haven office, Peter leads the firm’s efforts in services, with particular expertise in transportation, logistics, construction, and engineering. In addition, he has extensive experience in specialty manufacturing and electronics manufacturing. Peter has spent 30 years in investment banking and has been a managing director at Kidder, Peabody & Co.; Alex, Brown & Sons; Lehman Brothers; and Ferris Baker, Watts. Greg Coleman, former Huffington Post president and Yahoo! sales chief, is now president of Criteo. He will contribute to
global business strategy and lead the U.S. expansion of the company, whose platform delivers personally relevant ads to Internet users. 1975 In April, Bob Everett ’77 and Twiggs Crawford ’77 visited Ed Spaeth at his house in Mattituck, NY. 1977 TC Burke’s oldest child is attending Loyola University in Baltimore. His brother, Michael Burke ’78, has a child attending Iona Prep in New Rochelle, NY. 1979 Bonnie Smithers reports that she is working on her master’s degree at Wesleyan University. 1981 In May, Victoria Bundonis played Kate Macauley, “the widow mom,” in Galt MacDermot’s (Hair) musical The Human Comedy, from the story by William Saroyan. Staged at the Astoria Performing Arts Center, the show is the coming-of-age tale of Homer Macauley, a telegram messenger who is exposed to the sorrows and joys experienced by his
Directorate for Special Operations. 1989 Romain de Plas, who died in 2002, will have ten of his oil paintings of the Twin Towers (before 9/11) exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York in early September to mark the tragedy’s tenyear anniversary. Check the museum’s website for details. Ed Mancini announces that as The Navigator Club begins its fourth summer, he has opened a second location at Beverlyport Marina in Beverly, MA. The first location is in Charlestown. “We chose to expand to this location because of great demand from prospective north shore members,” says Ed. “The marina offers easy access from the highway and is within walking distance to downtown Beverly, and is an easy five-minute boat ride to open water.” 1991 Dylan Ade is currently living in Wellesley, MA, with wife Allyson and their two sons. He still works at JMP Securities as an equity sales trader. Alison Coffey Blackmore
family and the residents of his small California town during WWII. Annie DeVeer writes that she works for the Renaissance Aruba and Renaissance Curacao Resort and Casino. She adds that she has a 9-year-old child and has been a widow since 2010. 1986 After doing animal rescue work for nearly 14 years on her own and out of pocket, Sandra Vanneck has created an organization called MisFit ResQ, a not-for-profit organization. MisFit ResQ focuses on rehabilitating and relocating severely injured and ill canines and felines from high-kill shelters. Says Sandra, “We rely solely on donations and many of our efforts come right out of our own pockets. There are no paid employees, and we work 24/7. For me it is not just personal, it is my greatest passion.” For more information, visit www. misfitresq.com. Pat O’Hara was recently promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and transferred to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon, working in the Deputy
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COURTESY MERIDITH PALO ’07
COURTESY ANNE WEBER KOHART ’05
COURTESY SARA HOWARD ’01
COURTESY ANNAMARIA DESBIENS ’96
CLASSNOTES
Sara Howard ’01 participated in the ringing of the NYSE opening bell on April 8. Jim Calhoun, coach of the NCAA champs UCONN Huskies, is fourth from left.
Anne Weber ’05 married Steve Kohart on August 6, 2010.
Meridith Palo ’07 graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May 2011.
and husband Rob celebrated their 15th anniversary on September 16, 2011. Married in the Chapel of Our Lady, the couple resides in New Market, MD, with their four children, Andrew, 12, Ryan, 9, Ashley, 7, and Robbie, 3. Says Alison, “We are so happy to be back on the east coast after having spent two years in Texas.” 1995 Annesophia Alexander married Adam Richards on March 26, 2011. Sister Nicole Alexander ’98 and Margaret Condon Mayorga attended. 1996 Carlos Sanchez-Tejera is a dentist who practices in Madrid. He married his wife, Sophia, on September 14, 2007, and they are the parents of two boys, Carlos, 2, and Fernando, 1. Nolly Portillo Pastore reports that son Francesco has a little sister, Gianna Isabella, born on February 20, 2011. 2001 This past spring, Sara Howard helicoptered into New York City with Huskies basketball coach Jim
the Rubin Museum of Art, among other venues. You may contact Jess at Jessica@ BodhisattvaYoga.com or follow her writing and yoga happenings at JessRoot.com. 2003 After teaching ballet for the past seven years, Jessica Simpson has been accepted into Teach for America, a program placing quality teachers in low-income and underserved schools across the country. After her training, she will teach special education in rural eastern North Carolina in the fall of 2011. Says Jessica, “My passion for working with people with disabilities began at Canterbury, where I volunteered for the Special Olympic Ski Program. Since then I have taught dance to children who have mental, physical, and emotional disabilities. Peter Bellino is living in Alaska and working as a fire and gas engineer for the pipeline. 2005 Matt Goodrich is currently studying theater at CalArts in Los Angeles, CA. Anne Weber married Steve Kohart
on August 6, 2010 at St. Mary’s Church in Ridgefield, CT. Her brother, Chris Weber ’04, and classmate Kaitlyn Rechenberg attended. Last May, Anne received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College and is set to start working at The Dalton School in Manhattan this fall. 2006 Warren Garceau graduated with honors from Wheaton College in June 2010. In his last year, he co-captained the lacrosse team to a winning season. In October 2011, he married Casandra Standish. Brother Jared Garceau ’08 was best man and cousin Kurt Garceau ’06 was next in line to stand up for the couple. Casandra, a registered nurse, is enrolled in the master’s program for nurse anesthetist at St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven. Warren and Kurt, always the entrepreneurs, besides opening a successful DJ company called Cuz It Sounds Good, have opened a CrossFit facility called North Haven CrossFit. Warren is putting his economics
Calhoun and her stockbroker uncle, received a behind the scenes tour of the New York Stock Exchange, hung out in the old board room, and stood on the platform for the ringing of the opening bell. Chris McLaughlin tells the PALLIUM that he will be starting his graduate studies as an MBA candidate at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business this fall. Jess Root is busy freelance writing and running her yoga studio, Bodhisattva Yoga, with her business partner Vivekan in Park Slope, Brooklyn. When not teaching private and corporate clients, Jess is crystallizing the connection between sustainability, meditative-awareness and wellness through her writing, community events, and domestic and international yoga retreats. She regularly contributes to Discovery Communications’ PlanetGreen.com and TreeHugger.com and has been featured in Budget Travel, MSN, E!, Huffington Post, and the Environmental Magazine. She has given talks at The Tibet Center and
COURTESY AVRIEL GEORGE
COURTESY EVAN CREAN ’04
COURTESY LAURA GARCEAU
CLASSNOTES
Warren Garceau ’06 married Casandra Standish in October 2010. Warren’s brother, Jared ’08, was best man. Cousin Kurt Garceau ’06, seated right, was next in line to stand up for the couple.
Bryce Tarrant ’07 graduated from Hampton University on May 8, 2011.
degree to good use as the “money man” of the business. Visit their website at northhavencrossfit.com or their Facebook page at Northhavencrossfit. 2007 Chrissy O’Brien graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University with a BS in Accounting and a BS in Finance. She plans to stay on at Villanova and work on her master’s in accounting. Meridith Palo graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May 2011, and is in Cheboygan, MI, on the USCG Mackinaw. 2008 Doug Cushnie recently sold one of his photos to a Canadian travel company for the cover of its Nicaragua guidebook. He says that after a bit of negotiating they came to an agreement, and the proceeds will go directly to the family of the girl in the photo or the Fabretto’s Special Child Health Program. When he was a Canterbury student, Doug volunteered at Fabretto and then returned to take photos and make a promotional film
captivated a crowd of more than 300 people attending the American Red Cross’ 13th annual Breakfast on the Green on June 10 in New Milford. At graduation, Brie, who hails from Sherman, CT, received the Stephen N. ’43 and Lacey Hume Music Award for excellence in the study of vocal performance.
for the organization. Tom Nailor spent the past school year at Blackfriars Hall at Oxford University. While a student at Providence College, he studied Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in Middle English, an experience he describes as “amazing.” “Not only did the class really help me realize how much I loved my major, but it also spawned my PC nickname ‘Chaucer’,” says Tom. While in Oxford, Tom visited Canterbury and many of its attractions, including Canterbury Cathedral and the Canterbury Museum. “My trip to Canterbury was a big deal for me, because I have many fond memories of my Canterbury School friends and teachers, who made me who I am today.” 2010 Josh “Lucky” Henry was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year at Merrimack College. A Canterbury track and field record holder, Lucky holds the Merrimack record in the triple jump (45' 7.63"). He also plays football for the Warriors. Mike Sokolski scored his first collegiate
hockey goal while playing for Tufts University this past season. “Thanks to Canterbury coach Paddy McCarthy ’94,” says Mike. Dean Kennedy is playing football at the University of Rochester and walked onto the basketball team. 2011 Brieanna Brown’s rendition of Amazing Grace
n
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CLASSNOTES
MARC VANASSE ’73 (2)
COURTESY GREG BARBER
Alumni Lax Game Supports Neil’s Wheels
Front row, l-r: Tyler Tannock ’08, Grant Franco ’08, Greg Szkop ’08, Mack Fuller ’09, Zach Fuller ’09, Taylor Kaiser ’09, Doug Bergner ’10, Matt Dominguez ’08, Brett Barry ’09. Back row, l-r: Scott Boughton ’05, Kurt Garceau ’06, Warren Garceau ’06, Kelly Cannon ’09, Ryan Martin ’10, Anderson Lynner ’10, Brendan Corcoran ’09, John Kennedy ’00.
Neil Barber ’93
Neil Barber ’93 was a typical teenager who played sports and attended high school. He loved to go to the beach, swim, and dance; he had an active social life. However, Neil began to experience mental problems starting in his junior year at Manhasset (Long Island) High School. Neil went from being a popular, outgoing teenager during his sophomore year to a recluse who sat alone in the corner of the school cafeteria. Neil’s father, Greg, shrugged it off to teenage angst. Unbeknownst to the family, these were classic symptoms of the beginning stages of schizophrenia. For the last 10 years, Neil has been hospitalized on Long Island, and his four main visitors have been his mother, father, brother, and godmother. Neil was just going through the motions of living his life at Pilgrim State Mental Hospital until a lacrosse reunion for Manhasset graduates of the classes of 1964 and 1965 occurred in October of 2009. That reunion changed Neil’s life and the life of Neil’s father and Coach Bob Rule, a lacrosse goalie on the Cornell 1971 championship team. When Rule found out that Neil was in the hospital, he asked Greg if he could pay Neil a visit. The result was the creation of Neil’s Wheels, whose mission it is to educate parents, coaches, and teachers to spot a problem with school kids and to encourage them to be open to any problem and not be embarrassed to talk about their problems. The
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organization also holds canned food drives to support the fight against hunger on Long Island. After doing a post-graduate year at Canterbury, Neil chose to attend Gettysburg College, which heavily recruited him. However, Neil was diagnosed with schizophrenia and, unfortunately, had to drop out of college shortly after his freshman year began. This year’s alumni lacrosse game supported Neil’s Wheels by asking each player to donate a nonperishable item that Canterbury would in turn deliver to the New Milford Food Bank. To learn more about Neil’s Wheels, visit www. neilswheelsny.com.
CANTERBURY PROUD
Rick Gambella ’06
“Without the values that Canterbury instilled in me, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attend Providence and the tools necessary to succeed in college and in life.”
COURTESY BILLY BURKE ’03
Billy Burke ’03
, a year short of his graduation from a public high school in California, transferred to Canterbury to repeat his Fifth Form year and better prepare himself for the demands of college. The recommendation came from the Murphys, family friends whose son, Dan ’00, had a valuable post-graduate year at the School. “Danny told me about how Canterbury prepared him for Occidental College and taught him values,” says Billy. “I found all that very inspiring, and thought I could really benefit from what Canterbury had to offer.” A visit and interview in the spring of 2001 was all it took for Billy to know that Canterbury was the place where he wanted to grow as a student. “Canterbury prepared me for college in countless ways,” says Billy. “It gave me a solid academic foundation, great study skills, and a work ethic that helped me succeed at Providence College.” The School also provided him a stronger understanding of his faith and encouraged him to continue his spiritual journey in college. “Without the values that Canterbury instilled in me, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attend Providence and the tools necessary to succeed in college and in life,” says Billy. As a Saints football and baseball player, Billy says he learned how to compete and become a better athlete and teammate. When he reflects on his Canterbury teachers, Billy cites history teacher Bryan Krull and English teachers Wright Danenbarger and Marija StankusSaulaitis as particularly memorable and influential. “Dr. Krull’s history classes were some of my favorites, because I enjoyed the way he allowed for lively discussions in class,” says Billy. “Mr. Danenbarger enhanced my appreciation for literary classics and sparked my interest in reading. In my Sixth Form year, I took Expository Writing with Dr. Stankus-Saulaitis, and the course encouraged me to explore creative writing, something that I thoroughly enjoyed.” Billy acknowledges that the sum influence of these three teachers led him to major in history at Providence. Since 2007, Billy has worked for Knight Capital Group in Jersey City, NJ. He rose from client services to the NASDAQ and NYSE trading desks, earned his FINRA registrations, and obtained his Series 7, 55, and 63 licenses. “My pursuit of finance is partly due to the excitement and environment that epitomizes Wall Street and the relationships built in the process,” says Billy. Canterbury certainly prepared Billy for success in his professional life. To this day, he says, he keeps similar routines that he learned at Canterbury, routines that help him get the most out of each day. “Canterbury was the stepping stone and the foundation I have used to take my life in a meaningful and positive direction,” says Billy. A practitioner of putting words into action, Billy is actively involved in running for charitable causes. As a member of Fred’s Team, which honors the legacy of legendary runner Fred Lebow, Billy runs marathons to raise money for the children’s hospital of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In November 2011, he plans to run the NYC Marathon to support the Aubrey Fund, a cause supported by Fred’s Team. In addition, Billy enjoys participating in triathlons, golfing, and taking art and acting classes in New York. “Had I not made the decision to repeat my Fifth Form year, I would not be where I am today,” says Billy. “I consider my choice to attend Canterbury a turning point in my life, one that I look back on with gratitude.”
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CLASSNOTES Reunion Class Photos
60th-Year Reunion Class. L-r: Dick Dillon, Walter Crump, Terry Canavan, Tony Alexandre, Gerry Smith, Peter Eigo.
50th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Bill Easton, Joe McGowan, Terry Smith, Tim Largay, Steve Sweeney, Andy Davidson, Paul Shea. Back row, l-r: Brian Heekin, Corkey Meserole, Kevin Shea, John McKeon, Erik Hendricks, Enrico Ferrero, Guy Sava, V.J. Mill, Josh Heintz, Hal Carroll.
40th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Frank Hickey, Tom McCarthy, Joe O’Brien, Mark Bresnan, Marc Lavieri. Back row, l-r: Karl Bourdeau, Mike Herrington, John Donnelly, Mike Carretta, Bob Ruvolo, Craig Czarsty, Fred Blum, Reid Bogie.
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35th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: John Hannan, Lisa Tobin, Joanna Martiska Woodworth ’77, Elaine Mullen Peer ’77, Margo Burke, Marty Crimmins. Back row, l-r: Ed Spaeth ’75, Bob Everett ’77, Mike Schneider, Twigg Crawford ’77, Jeff Mulhall, Miguel Rovira, Tom Ahern, Ed Perley.
30th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Missy Langley Radcliffe, Erin Lynch, Victoria Bundonis Rovin. Back row, l-r: Phil Rizzi, Joel Steensen, Joe Novella, Tim McDonough, Mike Tormey, Peter Leonard, Tony Walters.
25th-Year Reunion Class. Ground, l-r: Tom Shea, Tracy Sims, Peter Cotier, Pat O’Hara. Seated, l-r: Jen Lobo, Reneé Duff, Amy McKenna Omaña, Kathleen Nagle Coffey, Jen Scholze Bleakley, Cassie Scharff Hallberg, Dalia Hierro, Erin McDermott Deshaies, Maria Hebert Chesney, Kate O’Malley Sisk. Back row, l-r: Pat Rizzi, Richard Crocker, Tom Dunn, Chris Hollander, Tom Carter, Keith Vanderzee, Geoff Schaffer, Justin Rubin, Karl Clauss, Paul Coudert, Brian McMaster, Garvin Hammer ’85, Paco Keville, Andy Staib.
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CLASSNOTES
20th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Diane Parese Holland, Karen Becker Casey, Tom Cook, John Hayden, Brian Giebel, Joan Simonelli, Nicole Duff DeSantis. Back row, l-r: Vanessa Fertaly, Tricia Castellini Headley, Cheshire McIntosh, Kevin Duffy, Ross Moscatelli, Alex Echevarria, Brian Delaney, Joseph “Kwadwo” Appiah, Liz Carter Tamarkin.
15th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Amelia Clay, Michelle McLaughlin Melchionda with daughters Maggie and Mary. Back row, l-r: Nolly Portillo Pastore, Sarah Stackhouse Wayland, John Reilly, Kate Fountaine Heslin, Erika Goyzueta.
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HEIDI JOHNSON (10)
10th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Sara Howard, Angela Mack Parisi, Allison Grant Sterner, Katie Egan, Lauren Mascia, Lauren Michael, Christina Harris, Jackie Hamilton. Back row, l-r: Jeremy Snyder, Rob Bongioanni, Andrew Eckhardt, Elisabeth Parson Pavlofsky, Danielle Lathrop Livingston, Elysia Kilian Haas, Sarah Pollock, Jessica Dill, Christine Dyott Hall, Dan Siefert, Donny Dennis, Don Nepomuceno, Marco Falcone.
5th-Year Reunion Class. Front row, l-r: Aubrey Nolan, Lindsey Holton, Laura Seifert, Tamara Linde, Danielle O’Neill, Lexie Routh, Ray Zulauf, Conor O’Rourke, Nadia Najm, Darien Crute. Back row, l-r: Rick Ritacco, David Martin, Jared Carusillo, Minot Amory, Kurt Garceau, Warren Garceau, Josh Belfiore, Casey O’Donnell, Rick Gambella, Margaret Smith, Will Tully, Chris Jeyes, Alex Khaddar, George Kershaw, A.J. Ferrer, Mark Fitzpatrick, Kasey Nagle.
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CLASSNOTES OBITUARIES In Memoriam
E. Gaynor Brennan Jr. ’49 Alfred W. Cavedon Jr. ’52 Frank H. Guider ’53 Arthur J. MacBride ’68 Elliott F. Warren ’88 E. Gaynor Brennan Jr. ’49 E. Gaynor Brennan Jr. of Shippan Point, Stamford, CT, a lawyer whose career spanned more than 50 years died suddenly March 20 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Patricia Merritt Brennan. Gaynor was born in Stamford on August 20, 1930, the son of the late E. Gaynor Brennan, Sr. and Frances Cleary Brennan. He graduated from Fairfield Prep, Class of 1948, where he was a member of the varsity basketball and football teams, and entered Canterbury for a post-graduate year. He then entered Georgetown University, from which he graduated in 1953 and then to Fordham Law School, graduating in 1956. The day following his graduation from law school, June 14, 1956, Gaynor was admitted to practice law in Connecticut. He began the practice of law with his father and the late, Melvin M. Dichter, and the firm became known as Brennan, Dichter & Brennan. After the death of E. Gaynor Brennan, Sr., Richard F. Comerford, Jr. joined the firm in 1975 and the firm became known as Brennan, Dichter, Brennan & Comerford. In 1981 Melvin M. Dichter retired from the firm. Mr. Brennan was later joined by John F. Leydon, Jr. in 1995 and the firm became known as Brennan & Leydon. He continued working at The Brennan Law Firm up until his death. Gaynor held several positions in the City of Stamford, among them was the Fire Commissioner for which he was the chairman under Mayor Julius Wilensky and Mayor Stanley Esposito and Vice Chairman under Mayor Dannel Malloy. Upon his retirement from the Fire Commission, the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department honored Gaynor for his dedicated and loyal service to the department. In 2002 the Police Association of Connecticut (PAC) honored Gaynor for his dedicated service to the men and women of PAC. He was counsel to the Association for 40 years. Gaynor was a member of the Stamford Yacht Club for more than 50 years, served on the Board of Directors for almost 25 years, and was the longest serving director in the Club history. In 2009 he was awarded the Chester G. Rice Medal given for his significant contribution to The Stamford Yacht Club. Gaynor was honored in 1997 by being named “Man of the Year” by the State Street Debating Society. Gaynor was a former member and President of the All Stamford Club, a director of the Stamford Firefighter Burn Foundation, a former director of the Stamford Downtown Service District, and Charter Revision (1979). He served as Petitioner’s Representative in the Superior Court for 25 years, retiring in 1988. In 1990, he ran for Attorney General, losing to Richard Blumenthal. In addition to his wife, Pat, of 56 years, Gaynor is survived by his nine children, fourteen grandchildren, and his sister, Frances “Sis” Healy of New Canaan. He was predeceased by his two brothers. Alfred W. Cavedon Jr. ’52 Alfred W. Cavedon Jr. ’52 of Wadmalaw Island, SC, formerly of Bolton and the husband of Lorraine (Pitcher) Cavedon died May 15, 2011, at his home. He was formerly employed as Vice President at Aldon Spinning Mill and as President of Aldon
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Associates in Talcottville. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine P. Cavedon, brother G. Robert Cavedon ’53, four children, and eight grandchildren. Frank H. Guider ’53 Frank Hogan Guider ’53 of Marco Island, FL, died November 27, 2007, from complications due to heart failure. After graduating from Canterbury, Frank majored in government at Dartmouth College. He was a member of Psi Upsilon and participated in track and skiing, the latter even post-graduation as a member of the U.S. Army Mountain and Cold Weather Training Command Center. Using Littleton, NH, as a home base, Frank purchased and/or began several successful businesses. In addition to golf and skiing, he enjoyed traveling and went on several Dartmouth Alumni trips. He was predeceased by his former wife, Patricia Harvey Guider, and their son, John William Guider II. He is survived by his wife, Judith Hindley Guider, and two sons. Arthur J. MacBride ’68 Arthur J. “Mac”MacBride ’68 died April 9, 2011, surrounded by his wife, daughters, sisters and extended family. Mac was born in Bluefield, WV, and was the son of the late Arthur Joseph and Jane Haberkorn MacBride. After graduating from Canterbury, Mac earned an undergraduate degree at Franklin & Marshall College and a master’s degree in business at Fordham University School of Business. While at Franklin & Marshall, Mac served as president of Chi Phi Fraternity. He retired from Prudential Financial in 2009 as a Managing Director and Senior Investment Officer and then founded MacBride Partners, an asset management consulting firm. Prior to joining Prudential, Mac served as the head of Institutional Portfolio Management for the Fixed Income Division of Fidelity Investments from 1999 to 2004. In 2008, Mac became a member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin & Marshall College and served on the Investment and Finance Committees. He was an active and dedicated supporter of the college prior to joining the Board of Trustees, generously donating his time and energy to help the college achieve its mission, as well as recently setting up two scholarships in the names of his wife Barbara’s father, Robert Frey and her stepfather, Roland Young. Mac enjoyed playing golf and skiing, but above all, he cherished the time he spent with family and friends. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, integrity, unwavering optimism, and sense of humor. In addition to his wife Barbara, Mac is survived by his three daughters, Melissa, Heather, and Kimberly, and son-in-law Matthew Kelley, as well as his siblings, Heather Dickey, Deborah Devlin, Sharon MacBride and William MacBride. Elliott F. Warren ’88 Elliott F. Warren ’88 of New York, formerly of New Jersey, died suddenly on May 7, 2011. Elliott was a longtime New York City resident and employee of the U.S. Balloon Manufacturing Company. He was a professional graphic artist, chef, photographer and musician. He is survived by his parents, brother, and many additional relatives. The PALLIUM invites members of the Canterbury family to submit copies of obituaries, which we will edit for publication. If you wish to share memories of a deceased classmate for possible inclusion in this publication, please send them to the editor.
In Honor of Beverley E. Miller ’35 War Hero Bev Miller reached beyond his life to support the School he loved
Beverley Miller ’35 left a bequest in his will to establish the Beverley E. Fund to provide financial aid to students of high promise.
By leaving a bequest to Canterbury, Bev reduced his taxable estate, made a generous gift to Canterbury, and maximized the transfer of wealth to his heirs.
FILE PHOTO
Miller ’35 Scholarship
Beverley Miller ’35
“When war was declared on December 7, 1941, I was drinking beer in the back of a U.S. Army horse van with eight horses.” So began the remarkable story of Bev’s experiences during World War II, recounted for the Winter 1992 issue of the PALLIUM. Having joined the New York National Guard’s 101st Horse Cavalry as a private in 1937, Bev was recruited by the legendary Lt. Colonel William Darby to join the famous Darby’s Rangers, First Battalion. After seeing furious action during the liberation of Sicily and southern Italy, by January 1944 Bev was a major, commanding a company during the assault at Anzio. “At 2 o’clock in the morning of January 30, 1944 we were ordered to break out from the Anzio beachhead towards Rome,” recalled Bev. “The further in we got, the more difficult it became, and by dawn we were completely surrounded by a couple of German divisions. At that point, we lost 80% of the Rangers, and what was left of my company took cover in a nearby farmhouse.” Shot through the shoulder, Bev was taken prisoner and dumped at a German field hospital, where excellent German surgeons managed to save his arm. After several months at Stalag 344-E, a POW camp in Germany, Bev was repatriated to the U.S. in September 1944, after which he spent two years in rehabilitation. After the war, Bev became a successful executive in the travel industry, spent many years in England and Puerto Rico, and retired to Washington, CT. Bev always felt a great debt of gratitude to Canterbury, where he and his two brothers, Wisner ’30 and Montague ’34, received “a fine education.” Wishing to reach beyond death to benefit our students, he thoughtfully included a bequest in his will to establish the Beverley E. Miller ’35 Scholarship Fund, which will provide perpetual support to students of strong academic promise. To learn how you can benefit from including Canterbury in your estate plans, please contact: Jim Sweeney Director of Gift Planning 800-526-1710 • JSweeney@cbury.org
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PARENTS OF GRADUATES: If this publication is addressed to your son or daughter and he or she no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the alumni office of his or her new mailing address (800-526-1710 or bjohnsto@ cbury.org). Thank you.
MARC VANASSE ’73
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On an early evening in May, students unwind before study hall.