12
• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2013
Preserving Quakertown Community School District’s History Pennsylvania Code requires the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania to keep student education records for at least 100 years. The code was written in 1949 and has never been changed. You can imagine how many boxes and cabinets of paper that requirement must entail. Quakertown Community High School (QCHS) is about to undergo a major renovation. Without the intervention of octogenarian Frank Licopoli and Senior student Tyler Stalletti, the tons of paper, yearbooks, photos, meeting notes and other artifacts in the high school basement might have been plowed over by construction vehicles. In December, the pair plowed through the dark basement, also known as “the dungeon”, pulling out the boxes. They sorted the contents, dusted them of grime and mold, and laid them out in first-floor rooms of the high school annex that formerly housed the district offices. Licopoli and Stalletti labeled as many of the items for which they could research and discover backstory. Alice Bishop, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and School Board Secretary, said the QCSD storeroom is filling up and there is not much room in the vault. She recovered from the Licopoli-Stalletti stash the very first board meeting notes, from May 1891, of the Richland School Board to put them in the vault. “I’m responsible for all the notes of the board, so we need to keep them,” Bishop said, carefully turning the pages of cursive handwriting on yellowed paper. Licopoli pointed to many books of notes and said, “Some are in better condition than others.” He is transposing the student attendances as early as 1861 from the many one-room schools in our area to a database. At that time, teachers were required to report monthly attendance to the superintendent because that’s how the schools were reimbursed by the Education Department in Harrisburg. Licopoli said. “You can see family names that still exist in this area, like Moyers, Rosenberger, Fluck, Amey, Clymer, Biehn, Heller, Wenhold, Benner, Horne and so many more. Their descendants still live here.” Because the old district offices will be used for classrooms during the renovation, the historical items cannot stay there long. Banking on the fact that people do appreciate history, Licopoli and Stalletti will prepare as many of the items as they can for storage. There is the possibility that the items, particularly the old teacher registers, can find a safe and secure home. Licopoli is working with Dr. Robert Leight and Tom Moll, librarian for the Richland Library Company, which is the home of many archival records about our area. Richland Library is one of the oldest
officially chartered libraries in Pennsylvania. So what happens to the items that don’t fit there or at the current district offices? “The administrators and school board will have to decide that,” Licopoli said. Stalletti, a member of the QCHS Yearbook staff, started discovering boxes of old photographs in the yearbook room two years ago. He wasn’t sure what to do with them but he knew they should be preserved in some way. He learned to appreciate history because his ancestors have owned and rebuilt a hotel in North Conway, N.H., many times. In fact, he plans to get his college degree in hotel management. With all the photos stacked, Stalletti emailed Alice Bishop. Coincidentally, she also received emails about the same time from Licopoli, who had noticed the boxes of stuff in the basement several years ago while helping to coach track. “I taught math at Wissahickon School District,” explained Licopoli, who served on the QCSD School Board in the 1980s. “When they tore down the old Ambler High School, they knew they didn’t know what to keep or throw in the trash. I was able to retrieve wellmaintained photos and class lists dating back to 1896 and turn them over to the Historical Society of Fort Washington. A few months ago, I bumped into Dr. Lisa Andrejko at a breakfast and I told her about that. She said we could do that in Quakertown. That’s when I started emailing Alice.” In just two short months, Licopoli and Stalletti have cleaned out and put together quite a collection. There are still more documents in an old District Office room for which the key is missing. Also, there are still more boxes in the basement. There are photos of buildings, Lincoln and Central, the first two buildings in the district; the Quakertown Junior-Senior High School was built in front of them. It later became Quakertown Elementary when the current high school was built. Lincoln and Central were torn down in the 1970s. Starting in his sophomore year, Stalletti looked through every single yearbook and talked to longstanding community residents, such as former school board member Dr. Robert Leight. He originally wanted to learn the history of the high school planetarium in an effort to save it during the renovation. Instead, he learned the history of QCSD and made many good friends among the older generations who share his passion. He has become a member of the Quakertown Historical Society. Licopoli is a past president of the Quakertown Historical Society. He grew up in Floral Park, NY but has lived in Quakertown since 1970. He and his wife, Patricia, raised their three sons in Quakertown. Clearly, Licopoli and Stalletti are proud of the heritage in QCSD and they would like to see it preserved.
~Obituaries~
Arnold Godshall, 61, of Coopersburg, died Tue. Dec. 29 at Lehigh Valley HospitalCedar Crest. Born in Sellersville, he was the son of the late Ernest and Betty (Renninger) Godshall. He worked as a Grinder for Cook’s Technology for many years. Surviving: daughter, Nicole Godshall, fiancé Wyane Watson, Coppersburg; grandchildren, Kayla and Chelsea; brothers, Ronald, wife Bonnie, Sellersville and Dean, wife Theresa, of Breiningsville. He was preceded in death by his German Shepard-Husky, Precious. Chiu Ling Chai, MD, 80, of Quakertown, died Saturday January 26 in Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Martha (Holtzclaw) Chai. They would have celebrated 56 years of marriage on February 23. Born August 24, 1932 in Shanghai, China, he was the son of the late KeKung and Mary (Shinowara) Chai. Dr. Chai graduated in 1957 from Hahnemann Medical School, Philadelphia. His medical practice served the Quakertown community for 38 years before retiring in 1997. Dr. Chai was honored by the Four Chaplains for his humanitarian efforts in the community. He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Zion Hill and the Bucks County Medical Society where he served as past president. He was also a member of F.F., a Chinese Fraternity. He was an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors and could often be found feeding ducks in his back yard pond. Surviving with his wife are children; son, Dr. Mark Chai, MD, wife Sue, Sinking Spring, daughters; Maria Rajaratnam, Manhattan Beach, CA, Melissa Gibson, husband Vincent, Centreville, VA, and Monica Chai, Quakertown, sister; Martha May, husband Dr. Robert Kim, Honolulu, Grandchildren; Danielle, Evan, Amanda, Mark, Michele, and Lindsey. He was predeceased by his daughter Marsha A. Chai-Lambert who passed away in 2006. Dorothy A. Ackerman, 92, of Richlandtown, died Jan. 24. Widow of Paul C. Ackerman, mother of Richard P. Ackerman. Mary Henry, 91, of Quakertown died Thursday. Jan. 24, in Independence Court of Quakertown. She was the wife of the late Earl R. Henry. Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Mary (Kelly) Lapinski. She was a manager for the Former JC Penny Co. for many years before retiring. She was longtime active member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Quakertown. Surviving, son; Dean, Engelwood, NJ; and numerous nephews & nieces. She was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Edward, John, Joseph, Catherine, and Anne. Nicole G. DeFrancesco, 43, went home to our Lord on January 17, 2013. She was residing in Toluca Lake, CA. Nicole Giacondina DeFrancesco was born on February 1, 1969 in Allentown, PA to Richard E. and Sharon J.(Shearer) Frank of Elverson, PA. She graduated from Boyertown High School in 1987, Indiana University of PA in 1991, Las Vegas, Nevada Cosmetology School. She was licensed in both Las Vegas, Nevada and California. She worked as a hair stylist in the Television and Movie Industry since 2004. Her most recent works included Desperate Housewives, Big Love, Mad Men, Suburgatory, Carpoolers, Spartan, Applebox, Twilight, Semi Pro, Hunger Games and Lincoln to name a few. Nicole is survived by her parents, brother Corey and his wife Ann, beloved nephews Jordan, Adam, Michael and Niece Elisabeth, Aunt Moira (Mo)and Uncle Bruce and Cousin Jennine Dorse, Aunt Sara Cope, Uncle Joseph Frank, Grandfather Ricky Frank and many many cousins. And of course, her beloved dog Vinnie. James A. Tucker, 69, of Quakertown, died Mon. Jan. 21 in his home. He was the husband of Carol L. (Reitz) Tucker, celebrating 47 years of marriage in December. Born in West Rockhill Twp., he was a son of the late Charles V. and Marion (Greisamer) Tucker. He worked as a switchman for the former Bell Atlantic, now Verizon for over 25 years. He served with the Army National
Guard. Was active for many years in Boy Scouts of America Troop 55, Quakertown. He was an avid hunter and fisher, he especially enjoyed moose hunts in Canada. Surviving with wife; son, David J, wife Nicole, Harleysville. Predeceased by son, Andrew, and brother Charles. Mary Henry, 91, of Quakertown died Thursday. Jan. 24, in Independence Court of Quakertown. She was the wife of the late Earl R. Henry. Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Mary (Kelly) Lapinski. She was a manager for the Former JC Penny Co. for many years before retiring. She was longtime active member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Quakertown. Surviving, son; Dean, Engelwood, NJ; and numerous nephews & nieces. She was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Edward, John, Joseph, Catherine, and Anne. Jason S. “Jay” Heuckeroth, 32, of Quakertown died Wed., Jan. 9, 2013. Born in Rockhill Twp., he was a son of Mark and Debra (Althouse) Heuckeroth of Quakertown. Surviving with parents: Sister, Jaime Squiccimara, husband Kris, Pennsburg ; Paternal Grandmother, Mary Jane Heuckeroth, Quakertown, and nephews Logan and Kristoffer. Terry Lynn Carrozzino, was born March 29, 1960 in Vernon, NY, died in October of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident. She was the daughter of Georgia (Kinney) and Thomas Ladue of York Springs PA. She was a 1978 graduate of Bermudian Springs High School and a graduate with honors from the Antonelli Institute of Photo Journalism and upon graduation she was employed at Antonelli as the Financial Aide Advisor. Terry also attended York Community College and George Washington University. Terry is survived by her husband Louis of 17 years, their daughter Elizabeth, two sisters, Pamela (Ladue) and husband William Neil of Grand Marais, MN, Toma (Ladue) and husband Christopher Rutters, their two sons Joshua and Jonathan from Glenn Rock, PA. Two stepbrothers, Michael and Thomas Ladue of Cape Cod, MA. She was predeceased by her brother Raymond Ladue of York Springs, PA. Terry was an active member of St. Isidore Catholic Church in Quakertown, PA where she was employed as the Business Manager. She also served as a member of the church finance committee, a girl scout leader and a religious advisor for the Catholic Committee of Girl Scouts and advisor to the 4-H horse club. Terry was devoted to the education of the children at St. Isidore’s school and was instrumental in the organization of the annual Christmas tour for the children and the families of St. Isidore. The tour included orphanages, hospitals and nursing homes. However, her greatest passion was her family. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her. Grace I. Long, 92, of Quakertown died December 31, 2012 in Quakertown Quakertown Center Genesis Health Care. She was the wife of the late Milton R. Long. Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of the late Douglas and Lillian (Scholl) Schnure. She and her late husband co-owned the former Long Camera Shop in Quakertown. Prior to that she was employed by the former Eagle Shirt Compnay, also in Quakertown. Grace was a member of the Quakertown Senior Center and enjoyed Bingo and cross-stitch. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Quakertown. Survived her son, Nelson Long, and his wife, Nancy, of Allentown; two daughters, Audrey Aston and her husband, Gary, of East Greenville, and Diana Furlong and her husband, Anthiny, of Perkasie; her sister Jeanette Kemmerer of Souderton; ten grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Loretta; three brothers, Russel, Leroy, and George; and five sisters, Anna Johnson, Esther Keller, Dorothy Landis, Carrie Mest, and Pauline
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln