Alumni Review 2012 Issue 3

Page 133

CLASS NOTES Agostinelli who was the co-pilot on the Delta gle Bother Rat Anthony Agostinelli (a pilot for group of folks at Bank of the James who reflect flight. We spent a whole week in Paris and had Delta Airlines) into hooking them up with first the ethics and values that Bob has instilled into a blast. Gus only had a two-day layover before class cabin seats on a flight Gus was piloting to his bank. It was the nicest experience I have flying back to the U.S., but we made the most Paris. I’ve heard of incredible boondoggles, but ever had negotiating a loan. Bob, I hope you this takes the cake! Tom, I hope you and Boni at of the time we all had together. I recently talked won’t mind this unsolicited advertisement for to Phil Schied who just received his doctorate. least picked up the bill for dinner that evening Bank of the James; keep up the great work, I will catch up with him in Wilmington soon for in Paris and didn’t have Gus use his per diem to brother. a beer to celebrate.” Tom, I was extremely sorry cover the tab! Rick Russell checked in with the following to hear about your dad passing away. I rememTom Carboni validated Tom Anthony’s update: “I wanted to send in this picture of me ber meeting him a couple times, and he truly above story with the following update: “We are riding in a B-17G down here in Jacksonville, was a gentleman and a wonderful role model. doing well, though I lost my father on Feb.28th. FL. Go figure; after 22 years in the military, After Carboni sent me his update, Phil Shied He would have been 90 years old in August and the Air Force finally provides a ride in style! I came out of exile with the following: “Barry, was a WWII Navy veteran who served in the retired from the Navy as a commander back in I hope you and your family are well. I have North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea on a deJune ’07. Ironically, my last year in the Navy not spoken to you for years. Life is good for stroyer escort named U.S.S. William T. Powell. was spent in the Army as a brigade current He was very proud of me for going to VMI, and me and my family in Ellicott City, MD. A few operations officer in Baghdad (2006). Man, he loved meeting my classmates and my dyke you Army guys sure know how to show a fella weeks ago, I had dinner with Tom Anthony, Gabe Mastrobuono ’81, whenever he had the a good time. After retiring in Millington, TN, and he told me of his recent trip to Paris with opportunity. Special thanks to Tom Anthony I worked at FedEx as a project manager and Tom Carboni and Anthony Agostinelli. Frank and Keith Belcher who drove up to Philly for senior business systems analyst for several Kollmansperger and Dave Pastorius send me his funeral. In late March, Debbie and I flew years and am now employed by CSX as an updates every now and then, and I should do to Paris with Tom Anthony and Quido “Gus” applications project manager here in Jacksona better job of returning messages. But the big ville. My wife, Che’, and I are enjoying the news is that on May 12, 2012, I was awarded a Florida sunshine. Our daughter, Tia, is now doctor of philosophy in civil engineering from married to an Army second lieutenant, and they The Catholic University of America in Washare stationed in Germany. We knew she was ington, D.C. [I’ve sent you a photo of] yours fated to marry a military man when she uttered truly, ‘Dr. Phil,’ with my wife, Carol, daughter, these prophetic words as a teenager: ‘I’ll never Hannah, and son, Jack. After years of long marry anyone in the military (complete with nights and boring weekends, it is finally over! required teenage eye rolling)!’ Doomed her. Take care, and I’ll talk to you soon.” Phil… Well, it does provide an excellent opportunity awesome! Congrats on the PhD. I’m taking you to go visit Europe. No grandchildren yet, but out of my closing paragraph call-out since you we’re hoping soon. Now that I’m back on the surfaced with this update. East Coast, I’d like to get back up to the ‘I’ and Kevin Sample sent me a note a few weeks re-connect.” Rick, glad to hear from you. I was back. He, John Karafa and Chris Davidson Class of 1984: Rick Russell had the flight of his life, pictured here in the wondering where you disappeared to back in were able to meet up with Roland Staiano gunner’s seat of a B-17 while flying 2006. One day we were running into each other while Roland was in Sarasota, FL, back in over Florida. almost weekly in the Pentagon while both of us February. They enjoyed the lively atmosphere were on the Joint Staff; then the next of a local tiki bar that happened day you were gone. Now I know the to be showing the Big South rest of the story … hijacked by the Championship basketball game Army! You and Tom Anthony need between VMI and UNC Ashville. to swap. Tom is in the Army Reserve, Even though it was a bummer and two years ago, he volunteered that the Keydets fell short, Kevin and deployed to the Horn of Africa. reported that he and the guys had The irony was that he deployed with a great time enticing the locals the Navy … go figure. My belated to cheer on VMI. Kevin, always congratulations go to you and Che’ the one to keep you laughing and on your retirement from the Navy (23 thinking, also sent me the followyears of service). ing Jeopardy style quiz: In the Recently, I was sitting in a meeting, “did ya know?” category ... for and I got a text message on my phone 100 points … Answer: The coach from Tom Anthony. I opened the of the lacrosse club at Morehouse text message to find a picture of Tom College (they have a Facebook with a blank-eating grin on his face, page and are on Twitter, @Moresitting in a first class airline seat and houseLAX). Question: Who is toasting to the camera with a glass Tom Hesson? And for 200 points Class of 1984: John Karafa, Kevin Sample, Roland Staiano of wine. As Paul Harvey used to … in the same category of “did and Chris Davidson (not pictured) met in Sarasota, Florida. say, “Now, for the rest of the story.” ya know?” Answer: A walk-on Together, they watched and cheered forthe Big Red team during the Big South Championship basketball game. Seems Brother Rats Tom Anthony football player at Clemson. Quesand Tom Carboni were able to fination: Who is Scott Wilson’s son?

2012-Issue 3

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