Rez Reunion Archives - 2006
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Name: Patty Mister
Email: philliesfan1970@yahoo.com
Residing:
Date: 31 Dec 2006
Time: 01:35:19
Happy New Year to all Rez alumni!
Name: the philosopher
Email:
Residing:
Date: 29 Dec 2006
Time: 14:31:57
shannon say...he who do line, need not worry about he who cross line.
Name: sherry pilkington
Email:
Residing: linwood,pa.
Date: 15 Dec 2006
Time: 14:54:18
many wonderful memories from rez
Name: Shannon
Email:
Residing: pa
Date: 11 Dec 2006
Time: 15:13:40
Shannon say....Who is man that do not says sorry, apologize too..
Name: Don
Email: dborck64@comcast.net
Residing: Newark, De.
Date: 02 Dec 2006
Time: 15:52:36
Hello Debi Dugan. Good luck to your son and you guys in the game. Tried to get ahold of you before to no avail. Get back to me please Debi. Been a long time and would love to hear from you. Take care and God bless Debi. Talk to ya then
Name: DAVE SCHOPFER
Email: SCHOPPER33@AOL.COM
Residing: BRADENTON, FL
Date: 28 Nov 2006
Time: 12:06:49
Debi Dugan good luck hope your son plays well. My son David is also playing in the State Championship in Miami this weekend for Mamatee High
Name: Debi Dugan
Email:
Residing: Georgetown, DE
Date: 27 Nov 2006
Time: 21:20:17
Want to say hello Nowell,Kim Swafford, Joe Kistler. My son Will be playing Sallies this Sat 12-2-06 at DE Sate in Dover, State Championship, He is Joey Costa, Sussex Central High #63 was on front page of DE News Journal. Wish us luck. Lisa Palmer is Joeys step mom, they live in Aston. I'll check back later. Hello Mike Borky.
Name: george ricci
Email: rricciflat@aol.com
Residing: port st lucie, fla
Date: 17 Nov 2006
Time: 12:04:12
I JUST READ IN THE DEATH NOTICES THAT JUDITH KNOTT PASSED AWAY FROM CLEARWATER FLA, SHE WAS ORIGINALLY FROM THE WEST END, AND REZ... CLASS OF 1971
Name: Geri Savini
Email: ggnd@comcast.net
Residing: West Grove, PA
Date: 16 Nov 2006
Time: 21:46:32
Hi Bridget! I remember you. Helen will be glad to hear from you. she has posted on here as well. She has 4 great kids - her oldest is a junior in college. I will be seeing her next week at Thanksgiving and will be sure to mention to her that you say hello. Have a great holiday season... Geri
Name: Geri Savini
Email: ggnd@comcast.net
Residing: West Grove, PA
Date: 16 Nov 2006
Time: 21:46:26
Hi Bridget! I remember you. Helen will be glad to hear from you. she has posted on here as well. She has 4 great kids - her oldest is a junior in college. I will be seeing her next week at Thanksgiving and will be sure to mention to her that you say hello. Have a great holiday season... Geri
Name: Geri Savini
Email: ggnd@comcast.net
Residing: West Grove, PA
Date: 16 Nov 2006
Time: 21:46:11
Hi Bridget! I remember you. Helen will be glad to hear from you. she has posted on here as well. She has 4 great kids - her oldest is a junior in college. I will be seeing her next week at Thanksgiving and will be sure to mention to her that you say hello. Have a great holiday season... Geri
Name: Bridget Young
Email: headhouse@tds.net
Residing: Kingsland, GA
Date: 15 Nov 2006
Time: 19:38:57
To Gerri Savini... Gerri, I lived on Culhane Street and went to school with your sister Helen...as a matter of fact, Helen, Judy Federowicz and I spent many mornings trying to figure out ways to miss the bus to Padua...if you could please relay my best wishes to Helen I would appreciate...great to here that all is going well for you and your family...
Name: Kim
Email: kpretti32@verizon.net
Residing: concord township, pa
Date: 27 Oct 2006
Time: 17:19:43
Karen- is this the same KAREN CUCCHI who used to date my uncle tommy- from lewis street- west end of chester?
Name: Karen Cucchi
Email: kridleypark@aol.com
Residing: Ridley Park, PA
Date: 24 Oct 2006
Time: 16:02:10
Hello class of '76 and all other rezzers
Name: Geri Savini Green
Email: ggnd@comcast.net
Residing: West Grove, PA
Date: 20 Oct 2006
Time: 22:30:51
To Terry Owsiany, Thank you for your wonderful post! I hate to tell you that I did not become a Marine Biologist but I do have a dog and 4 great kids! I have been living in Chester County for about 23 years now and am fortunate to say that my entire immediate family still lives within an hour of "home". Helen is married to Earl who she started dating when we lived on Smithers St - they have 4 kids. Jackie lives in Malvern and has 2, Tony lives in Chester County as well and has a wonderful wife. My Mom lives in Lancaster county and she and her husband have 17 grandchildren between them! My Dad lives about 10 miles away from me in Chester County as well. While I never made it as a Marine Biologist, I have a great career as a Sr Marketing Director for a large national bank headquartered in Wilmington. I am married to a great guy- Dave Green - we actually originally met and dated when I was at Archmere but we became just friends - eventually we stayed in touch with Christmas cards with pics of our kids then, as our lives both underwent change we reconnected - had not seen one another for 20 years! That was 3 years ago at Christmas and we have been married for over 2 years now. My life is so happy... love to connect an share. You can reach me at ggnd@comcast.net Peace to you and yours, Geri Savini Williams Green PS - I always did love your Mom's cooking!
Name: eileen henderson
Email: wmsfrankel@AOL,COM
Residing: FRANKFORD DE (bEATANY bEACH dELAWARE
Date: 16 Oct 2006
Time: 20:03:32
1958 CLASS
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing:
Date: 05 Oct 2006
Time: 19:52:18
Ann, no we didn't have an Aunt Joanne, but you must referring to our cousin Joanne from 10th st. She was actually at one of the reunions a few years ago, and currently resides in Florida as does her sister and mother who is still cuts her own grass well into her 80's.
Name: Donna Lewis
Email: daprimadonna64@yahoo.com
Residing: Linwood PA
Date: 01 Oct 2006
Time: 20:38:34
It's been a long, long time since I have visited the site,, glad to see its still here,, didn't like reading the parts about our church being demolished soon to be another drug store though,, man, when I think back about when we had to go to church there,, wow,, its like I can still feel it, smell it,, I remember it being Big. Remember in May we had to go practice singing the songs for May Queen,, my friend Pickle was our classes May Queen,, I miss her,, I don't like to admit this but I hated when we had to do the stations of the cross...just being honest,, I loved the big stained glass window in the back of the church,,I wish it could still be there,,I would go if it were,,, I wanted to send out a hello to some names I"ve seen here that I haven't seen in ages,,, Hi Elaine Smalec, Ann Marie Cucchi, Donna Palmer, Lisa LaRose,, sorry Lisa I did read about your dad in the paper,, I also read about something happening to one of your little girls money somewhere,,, thought that was you guys,, what happened to you Lisa,, you used to email me alot,, Patty Zawaski found me,, I saw KiKi Wright last week,, crazy as ever,, she looked really good too. I wish I could see Chrissy and Joey Palmer again,, and Pam and Paul,, I saw Lori Bailey recently and Mrs. Trasatti at the Pathmark,, she still looks beautiful and oh so nice,, I saw Mrs., Hanavin,, she was admiring my precious little Faith and didn't even know who I was,,, I thought that was funny,, well,, now I'm starting to think about alot of my classmates,,, haven't heard of or seen in yrs,,, glad u guys are keeping this site going,, I can't wait to go to the racetrack,, hope I win some money and see some of you guys,, oh and I really am excited about a casino coming,,, I'll be there,,,,see ya's
Name: Ann Barasha Piscarik - '53
Email: piscarik@tatnall.org
Residing: Newark, DE
Date: 28 Sep 2006
Time: 14:50:54
I was in the class of '53 from Rez. I went through all these messages and came across a few that may remember me. I've already emailed John Mcgonigle; Edna Ryan Brown just visited with me, and we had dinner with Betty and Marcy Kapuscinski last week. I see Flip Sheridan sent a note awhile back; are you Big Flip or Little Flip? Kathleen Wendel Kerwin: Do you remember me? Betty Byrne Weber: How about you? Rosemary Krauss Weir: Did you have a sister named Jeannie? Joe Kistler: Was Joe Klecko's father named Walt? Terry and Marylou Owsiany: Did you have an aunt named Joanne? Arthur Abbott: Did you have a brother named Buddy or Maurice? Jack Rupertus: I hope you remember me; I went to school with Jean. Bill Swety: I think you went to school with my brother Stan; I'll be sure to get your email address to him. Joe Betz: I can't believe all you remember; I also couldn't believe McGlones and Gruszkas were still there. They probably stopped them by the time you went to Rez, but I also fondly remember the rides on the Wilson Line all the way down to Riverview Park by in the day! Hope to hear from somebody.
Name: DAVE SCHOPFER
Email: DCHOPPER33@AOL.COM
Residing: FL
Date: 28 Sep 2006
Time: 12:07:03
LOOKING FOR MATT WEBB IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING DROP ME A LINE.
Name: James P King
Email: jamespking@alltel.net
Residing: Sanford, NC
Date: 15 Sep 2006
Time: 21:12:31
I did not go to REZ but I had some friends who did, like Cindy Baxter,who lived on Curran St Dorthy Giles and a guy by the nickname of ricco, we hung out together. I lived on Curran St and I joined the Army in 75 and retired in 2004 after serving 28 years in the Army. If any of you remember me please drop me a line , i would love to talk to people from the old area. Take care and God Bless you.
Name: Mike Ebling
Email: eblingmichael@aol.com
Residing: Voorhees, NJ
Date: 07 Sep 2006
Time: 14:37:54
Hey there Bobby Wiegand, How the heck are you?? When I read your message, my mind went back to all those baseball games and football games that the "gang" used to play in the "big field". How's Larry doing? I saw your sister at the first reunion and she brought back memories as well (the tree that your grand parents had in thier yard next to the Davis's house that we used as shade for one of the basball dugouts. Right field was out when we didn't have enough to play. One of the end zones was our yard and the other was the hill on the side of the field by Otty's garage. Say hi to everyone for me. Mike
Name: jeanne duke
Email: mosh316_19015@yahoo.com
Residing: trainer
Date: 03 Sep 2006
Time: 20:12:33
hey patty, god your oldest is a senior already,how time flew by.i would be scared to drive around that block now.my mom moved outta there in like 99 and i havent drove in there since.its really a shame. the news school looks really good,i see they are adding on to it now.my oldest is now 22.my son graduated from chi this year and my youngest is going in 11th.i have a 5yr old grandson who is starting kindergarten this year.talk to you soon!
Name: Patty Mister Barnett
Email: philliesfan1970@yahoo.com
Residing:
Date: 03 Sep 2006
Time: 17:04:04
Hey Jeanne, I have 3 kids now! Ashley is a senior this year, John is in 6th grade and Jimmy is 3. The old neighborhood is just sad now. I had to go around the block once not long ago and i was just so disgusted! The Lombardo's house had trash flowing from the front door to the street. Just so sad. How about the new school where Franklin used to be.
Name: jeanne duke
Email: mosh316_19015@yahoo.com
Residing: trainer
Date: 01 Sep 2006
Time: 22:19:31
hi patty, how have you been.i saw your mom a few months back at booths corners. yes,nellie still lives in egypt.she just somes here for the summer and still has her house on bethel road. the neighborhood isnt the same anymore.how many kids do you have now?
Name: Laurie Emrick-Hund
Email: sugarmagnolia73@hotmail.com
Residing: Sacramento, California
Date: 01 Sep 2006
Time: 20:15:35
Joe Betz...Is that you? THE Joe Betz that hung out in the Gardens in the 70"s? If this is you Joe, get back with me right away! I would LOVE to chat!!! Laurie
Name: Patty Mister Barnett
Email: philliesfan1970@yahoo.com
Residing: Newark,DE
Date: 31 Aug 2006
Time: 16:23:41
Jeanne Duke, Jenn Conmy and Bridget Haney! It's nice to see names of people from our little section of Highland Gardens. How has everyone been? Is Nellie still in Egypt? Hope to hear from someone.
Name: Bob Weigand
Email: bnmweigand@comcast.net
Residing: Chester
Date: 30 Aug 2006
Time: 22:40:13
YO JOE BETZ I HAVE A CLASS OF 70 PICTURE MY SISTER MARY JANE WAS IN CLASS OF 70 BOB WEIGAND 69
Name: Karen (Baldwin) Fell
Email: baldwink72@aim.com
Residing: Linwood,Pa
Date: 29 Aug 2006
Time: 21:52:07
Hello to anyone from class of 86. I too was sorry for not being able to attend the last reunion. I still talk and hang out with some friends from rez like Kelly(Arthur)Clausen, Dianne Engle. I would like to hear from anyone else from that time. I see alot of names on here i recognize from those days at rez. My husband also went to rez and graduated in 79 i believe. His name is Charlie Fell. It's funny when you see the names of people and teachers and it'll spark a memory about your time at rez. I too was saddened to see the school and property sold off. There's really no catholic schools left in chester, just memories. When i attended rez, there were still a handful of other catholic schools open in the city of chester. Then all at once they sytematically shut each one down. When i went on to high school at O'Hara i was able to remain friends with some that i came with from rez and some i made friends with from Immaculate Heart. We found out we shared our counselor at the time Mr. Quigley. All of us from Rez & IMH have gotten together with Mr. Q over the years as we have remained friends with him. Would also like to know if anyone knows how to reach these people from IHM as i lost contact over the years since high school. Sherrie Anderson, Vanessa Bennefield, Janile Griffith. I tried to look on IHM's website but no luck. Well hope to hear from someone. Take care.
Name: mary angela larose beadford
Email: mbradford@orthspec.com
Residing: brookhaven, pa
Date: 27 Aug 2006
Time: 16:19:57
my sister Lisa is right. life is not the same without our Dad, but he would remember a lot of the names on here, Kistler, Kaz, Venables, Blisard because they were all friends of mine and he knew everyone. Those years were good memories for a lot of us.
Name: mary angela larose bradford
Email: mbradford@orthspec.com
Residing: brookhaven,pa
Date: 26 Aug 2006
Time: 14:46:41
was just reading the messages on the website, brings back many good memories, sad ones, too
Name: Karen (Stefanowicz) Williams
Email: kwillia7@comcast.net
Residing: Newark De
Date: 18 Aug 2006
Time: 14:52:50
correction to my first message I actually graduated in 1975
Name: Karen (Stefanowicz) Williams
Email: kwillia7@comcast.net
Residing: Newark De
Date: 17 Aug 2006
Time: 12:42:41
Hello fellow alumni,please email me if you graduated with me,look forward to hearing from you,class of 1976. and if anyone else has news to share let me know,I've been out of the loop for a long time. thanks Karen:)
Name: Some dude from Chester
Email: none
Residing: out of state
Date: 15 Aug 2006
Time: 13:33:39
Lisa, You are right, your dad was a good man. I remember him when I was a kid at Chester West Little League. I am sure he was all that you could ask for in a husband or a father. Just remember, it is perfectly normal to feel the pain of losing him, in time the pain will go away. I hope you feel better. Be Well.
Name: Lisa LaRose Pezick
Email: lpezick@rcn.com
Residing: Ridley
Date: 14 Aug 2006
Time: 23:00:44
Been a real long time since I have checked this site, not to many names that I recognize. My sister and brother probably would though. We have recently lost our Father, a Very well known Chester boy. Joseph A. LaRose. My Dad died in January. Jan 5, 2006. He was a great man and had a lot of great stories and memories about Chester and our childhood there. We miss him so much!!! and miss our hometown as well. Hope life is good for all of you and enjoy everyday of it. Maybe one of these years I will be able to make it to the reunion. Take Care....
Name: DAVE SCHOPFER
Email: DCHOPPER33@AOL.COM
Residing: BRADENTON,FL
Date: 13 Aug 2006
Time: 09:07:04
STACEY BRIDGET IS MY COUSIN. BRYAN STARR WHATS UP MAN ITS BEEN A LONG TIME. LIKE TO HERE FROM YOU EMAIL ME BACK AT MY .COM TALK TO YOU LATER . PS I DONT CHECK THIS SITE MUCH. LATER DAVE
Name: Joe Betz
Email: jbet220@excite.com
Residing: Greenville, DE
Date: 14 Jul 2006
Time: 20:05:18
Hi, everyone! I was over at www.rezalumni.com, looking for Class Pictures to print for my sisters (Judy,'70, and Dianne,'72), and it's too bad there isn't one for the Class of '70. I can't believe that no one from the Class of '70 would have their Class Picture available to post. If anyone does, write me and I'll drive to your house with my Mac and scanner if I have to. :-)
Anyway, as I was looking through them, I was wondering, which Class was the largest? You can see the "Boomers" bubbling through Rez in the 60s and 70s, and I remember that we all had two classes for each grade as long as I was there. I saw that the Class of '69 has 69 students in its Class Picture, and the Class of '72 has 72 students, but then - along comes the Class of '71, with 92 students!! Mygod, no wonder you kids drove all of your nuns to distraction and disorder! I was looking at the Class of '71 names, and about half of them are little sisters and little brothers of other Rez alumni, the nuns must have thought they were being punished for something. LOL!
While I'm PhotoShop-ing and printing, I'd like to let you know that I'll gladly make prints for anyone who might want theirs. I'm home all the time (retired early from HVAC service after blowing out both my knees in an accident), and would be glad to hear from you Rezzers. Thanks forever for those who still have their Class Pictures, and were good enough to post them.
I guess there's no reunion this year, it's a shame - I would have loved to bring along some music. Anyone who remembers me would know I love music, you would see me truckin' through Highland Gardens with an armful of albums to bring everywhere I went. Well, now, it's all digital - no scratches or clicks and pops anymore, and I have virtually everything recorded from 1965 to 1972 as MP3s. Maybe there'll be sometime in the future we can get something together. My friends here in Delaware and I have great times listening to what has to be, the best music, ever.
Well, I'll look forward to either seeing you, or hearing from you. EMail me at jbet220@excite.com. (Excite.com was what Comcast was before Comcast took over all of the high-speed internet in the world) I really will print and mail you your Class Picture if you want. Meantime, please stay in touch here, and keep praying and keep loving!
Joe Betz, Class of '69
Name: Kim Pretti
Email: kpretti32@verizon.net
Residing: PA
Date: 06 Jul 2006
Time: 17:11:49
Hi- I did not go to rez- my Mother, her sisters & brothers did Barbara Pretti 12/17/1950 who died on 12/1/04 - Also my cousin Pickle Pretti who died on 1/7/2005. I am looking to see if anyone has any old pics of my mom or Pickle... I would love to have a copy. please email me with any information you have.. Chris Cucchi- is this the same chris who's sister Karen dated my Uncle Tommy for years????
Name: Annmarie Cucchi Nicholas
Email: anick@comcast.net
Residing: Morton, PA
Date: 03 Jul 2006
Time: 12:39:51
Name: Bill Swety
Email: wdms@erols.com
Residing: Schwenksville, PA
Date: 23 Jun 2006
Time: 01:20:14
Not too many '45 grads around yet, but I'd like to hear from any out there.
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing: Vero Beach, Florida
Date: 21 Jun 2006
Time: 22:50:37
Is that the real Sr. Stella Marie that posted here???? Wow....that brings back memories. Sr.if that is really you, thank you.....I would absolutely love to hear more about Africa!!!
Name: Elaine Stanislow (Smalec)
Email: AngelP2003@comcast.net
Residing: Concord Twp.
Date: 18 Jun 2006
Time: 17:15:09
Apparently, all may not be lost regarding the sale and wreckage of Rez. One of my patients told me this week that the guy who bought the school never finished paying the loan and it is in the works that this group of people in Chester are to make the school into a trade school for the residents of Chester. The church was sold to build a Rite-Aid and apparently they need the school, also. Maybe they'll reconsider.
Name: Donna Zabilowicz nee Palmer
Email: dzabilo@yahoo.com
Residing: Eddystone, PA
Date: 07 Jun 2006
Time: 13:30:05
Name: George Nardone
Email: nardone@email.chop.edu
Residing: Upper Chichester, PA
Date: 05 Jun 2006
Time: 10:35:38
Went to Rez in the late 70's and early 80's!! Great to see the names of some of my classmates on here--Chris Cucchi, Judy Cunningham, Jay DiCave. Brings back great memories of green vs. white day and playing football for the greatest coach ever, Mr. DiCave.
Name: jim
Email: kileyj@jmusa.com
Residing: exton
Date: 30 May 2006
Time: 05:33:51
joe, great memories of Rez. And Kathy, sorry, but there was just no way a girl could ever have been a part of that wonderful choir...
Name: Nikki Scarpato
Email:
Residing: PA
Date: 26 May 2006
Time: 15:26:52
Wow 14 !! Time went by fast, didn't it? I keep thinking to myself, if my daughter does half the things I did when I was young, I'm in for some rough times ahead.
Name: chris cucchi
Email:
Residing:
Date: 23 May 2006
Time: 22:51:00
well i have u beat i have a 14 yr old
Name: Mike Abbott
Email: abbotts3@aol.com
Residing: Clifton Heights,Pa.
Date: 23 May 2006
Time: 13:56:50
Class of 1976. Would love to hear from former 1976 graduates. I left Rez in 1974 to go to Chichester Junior High School. Would like to find out when and where the next reunion is. Look forward to hearing from past friends.
Name: Nikki Scarpato
Email:
Residing: Pa
Date: 23 May 2006
Time: 11:33:16
I've been ok. I have a nine year old daughter. God, I'm getting old. I ran into your cousin Dave not too long ago.
Name: chris cucchi
Email:
Residing:
Date: 23 May 2006
Time: 07:45:29
sorry scarpato, just realized. how have you been? it's been a long time memory not to sharp.
Name: chris cucchi
Email:
Residing:
Date: 22 May 2006
Time: 21:18:57
great! nikki who?
Name: Nikki
Email:
Residing: PA
Date: 22 May 2006
Time: 14:47:03
Chris Cucchi !! How've you been?
Name: Erick M Moyer
Email: erickmoyer@hotmail.com
Residing: Elkton MD
Date: 19 May 2006
Time: 21:40:07
Currently I am working at the Christiana Hospital, while attending College, once again, to advance my career. I am living outside of Newark towards Elkton with a few others who are attending Grad school as well.
Name: Sr. Frances Cassidy(Sr. Stella Marie)
Email: fcassidyosf@yahoo.com
Residing: Aston, PA. 19014
Date: 19 May 2006
Time: 13:21:12
Well, I just read all the entries on this page and they brought back many memories. I see that someone remembered my name. Just a few weeks ago I met up with Kathy Gildea, and believe it or not, she recognized me. It was great to meet someone from Rez AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! At present I am teaching and tutoring some math at Neumann college. It is good to be back in the USA again after spending almost 18 years teaching in Africa. Sorry I missed the reunion. It would have been fun! God bless all. Rez was a great place. I recall many happy times there. Regards to all who remember me. Sr. Frances. (Formally Sr. Stella Marie)
Name: Rez Committee Member
Email:
Residing:
Date: 19 May 2006
Time: 13:13:43
I guess people have nothing better to do with their time! This page is for remembering "good" times spent at Rez School. Get a Life!
Name: Jim Lawler
Email: LawlerJames@msn.com
Residing: Middletown, De.
Date: 11 May 2006
Time: 02:02:41
Looking for Bill Joseph class of 56 and Anybody from the class of 55
Name: Jim Lawler
Email: LawlerJames@msn.com
Residing: Middletown, De.
Date: 11 May 2006
Time: 01:59:32
Hi to everyone out there. Looking for Bill Joseph and or any of the Old Highland Gardens Gang.
Name: chris cucchi
Email:
Residing: pa
Date: 06 May 2006
Time: 16:02:36
sorry i new many a blond can u give more detail
Name: Jen
Email:
Residing: chi
Date: 01 May 2006
Time: 15:53:01
Hi Chris, How you been? do you remember me? Hint-you met me at chester park? I had really long blonde hair. I lived in Chi and went to Holy savior.
Name: Samantha (Kranyak) Ramsey, '88
Email: samramsey@comcast.net
Residing: West Grove, PA
Date: 30 Apr 2006
Time: 10:19:33
Great to see everyone continuing to keep in touch. Would love to see more of the 80s crowd on here. :) I had a blast at the reunion last year and would love to assist this year, Marie. Please email me and let me know when the next planning meeting will take place. It was nice to meet some of my mom's former classmates. My mom is Mary Beth (Stevenson)Anderson. My entire family attended Rez, including 2 aunts, Sherry (Louise Stevenson) Del Sordo and Sandra (Stevenson) Hoffman. My cousin, Sean Murphy (Sherry's son) attended, as well. Rez...a family tradition. The class of '88 surely represented last year. I believe there were close to 15 of us, which included spouses and children. It was one of the best days of 2005 for me. Dana Weigand! I saw your message and I'm coming at you next, Sista!! Look for my email! Thanks for posting your message. Your grandpop was the best. Looking forward to seeing you after almost 15+ years! How's Larry? He was such a dear friend. Please tell him that I was asking for him. On a separate note to all, I did not realize that items were for sale at Rez! How disappointing. I would've enjoyed seeing the school and church again. I still have dreams about my days at Rez believe it or not...I'm sure I'm not the only one. I seem to dream that I'm going to fall over the railing of the really high staircase that led to door of the gym equipment and I believe to the auditorium. I used to be so scared of those steps! They were truly great days. Rez was a safe place to be during my generation. I would love to get in touch with Mrs. Susan Macuk-Lowe. Anyone know where she is or how to reach her? Old friends, feel free to email me. I am not far from Delaware County and live just south of Longwood Gardens. I have a financial business in Media and also teach accounting at St. Joe's University, so I am certainly local. Love to all my old Chester, PA friends. -Sam
Name: John Correia
Email: dadcorreia@aol.com
Residing: Cherry Hill, NJ
Date: 28 Apr 2006
Time: 22:51:49
hello Nancy Jean Tierney: Do you still have that class picture of the Class of '55. If so, I'd like to have a copy. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Bill Joseph of the class of '56? If so please let me know. Thanks.
Name: Brother Sokol
Email:
Residing: Witness Protection Program
Date: 27 Apr 2006
Time: 11:26:19
Bill April Turns “50” Attention all Rezzers from the Class of 71, Saturday is a big day for one of your lost favorite sons (Note ** He swears he got tossed from Rez because of Donny Wright), Because he did the “repeat the grade” way back when, He was 12 in class when he should have been 10. He drove the nuns & priest crazy which wasn’t to nice, Now it is time for him to pay the ultimate price. April 29th “BILL APRIL” will turn the big “50” And I don’t think he is finding it to be so nifty. So if you could wish him a happy birthday, This might help to ease his dismay. It might even bring him some glee, It least it should help to take his mind off of the AARP. http://www.aarp.org/ 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY APE!!!!!!!
Name: chris cucchi
Email:
Residing: pa
Date: 25 Apr 2006
Time: 12:56:20
how is everybody
Name: BryanStarr
Email: cbstarreng14@mac.com
Residing: boston,ma.
Date: 19 Apr 2006
Time: 20:33:48
yo schopf,is that really you?highland gardens?what's happening,hope everything is good w/you &the family.
Name: Jen
Email:
Residing: Chi
Date: 18 Apr 2006
Time: 15:25:37
Ches do you know how to get in touch with Chris. Would love to see him.
Name: meme
Email:
Residing:
Date: 17 Apr 2006
Time: 23:03:24
How's Larry O class of 76??????? lol
Name: ERICK M MOYER
Email: ERICKMOYER@HOTMAIL.COM
Residing: ELKTON, MD
Date: 10 Apr 2006
Time: 18:56:59
HELLO BOB, I am from the Class of 86 and i was wondering if there was going to be a class reunion this year as well. Thank you for having this website and for keeping the spirit alive. Erick
Name: george ricci
Email: RRICCIFLAT@AOL.COM
Residing: JUPITER, FLA
Date: 07 Apr 2006
Time: 15:10:33
WOW, THAT WAS SOME GREAT READING FROM JOE BETZ... AHHH THE MEMORIES I DID NOT KNOW IF THE TEAR IN MY EYE WAS FROM LAUGHING OR A LITTLE SADNESS, ANYWAY THAT WAS GREAT JOE ...THANKS
Name: Ches
Email:
Residing: PA
Date: 07 Apr 2006
Time: 14:57:37
I'm pretty sure Dave Cucchi is Chris's cousin.
Name: Stacey
Email:
Residing: PA
Date: 07 Apr 2006
Time: 12:05:11
Hey Dave, Are you related to a bridget Schoppfer?
Name: DAVE SCHOPFER
Email: DCHOPPER33@AOL.COM
Residing: BRADENTON,FL
Date: 06 Apr 2006
Time: 10:18:45
BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE PLAYING FOOTBALL FOR REZ. ANY ONE OUT THERE THAT PLAYED FROM 80-85. LIKE TO TALK TOO!!!!
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing: Vero Beach
Date: 05 Apr 2006
Time: 19:03:26
Joe, yes, I did have a brother Michael. He was killed by a drunk driver 13 years ago. Thanks for the very kind words about my family. Much Appreciated. Enjoyed again your memories....ah, the visitations!! Had to be on our very best behavior those days,.. Linda, project girls didn't go to parties like that, now did they??? Good to see you on here, hope you and the family are well!
Name: Joanne (Doyle) Wilhide
Email: joanne.wilhide@ngc.com
Residing: Alexandria, VA
Date: 04 Apr 2006
Time: 10:32:19
Rez class of 1954.
Name: Linda Garvey Palmer
Email:
Residing: Glen Mills
Date: 03 Apr 2006
Time: 18:28:55
Hey Joe no project girls invited to that party?We know how to play those games.Seems I remember some pretty good parties at your apt.Tell the family I said hello
Name: joe kistler
Email: who cares
Residing: linwood pa
Date: 31 Mar 2006
Time: 03:57:14
Attention class of 69. Dave K is having a party on honan street. We will play spin the bottle, post office and seven minutes in paradise I hope I got all you girls attention Kaaathy hill sandy Bristow Jean Caton Debbie Sweeney Linda Walls Maria Delpizza Patty Nycze Carol Mc Cray Mary Angela Larose Jean Catone Andi Getek and Elenaor .Bring all your 45 records. Somebody might just get lucky.
Name: Joe Kistler
Email:
Residing:
Date: 31 Mar 2006
Time: 03:38:58
Attention everybody from the class of 69. Dave K is having a party on honan street. Post ofice spin the bottle and seven minutes in paradise. Kathy Hill MARIA Delpizza Sandy Bristow Jean Caton Debbie Sweeney Carol Mc ray Mary Lou Moore Mary Angela Larose . Bring your 45's and we will all have a good time
Name: Tom Hutchins
Email: thcar@aol.com
Residing: Wilmongton,DE.
Date: 29 Mar 2006
Time: 23:45:36
Hi all..went to Rez from 1st grade(1950) through 6th grade(1955)then to Holy Saviour for 7th and 8th (1957)..we are working on a 50 year reunion for the 1957 Holy Saviour class...would love to hear from the 1957 grads of both Rez and Holy Saviour
Name: Joe Betz
Email: jbet220@excite.com
Residing: Greenville, DE
Date: 29 Mar 2006
Time: 18:56:28
Hi, everyone! First, Hi, Kathy – I’m really glad to see you’re still around and doing well. You’re no doubt right, that it would have been a better choir if thr girls were in it.
Terry Owsiany – I remember you, too, when you started working in the rectory. Also, by the way, I remember that you had a brother, Michael, also – is that right? I remember serving Mass with Larry’s younger brother, too, at any rate. Your family is surely one of the finest that Rez had.
Joe Kistler, Dave Kasarsky, Helen and Bob – Glad you liked the memoirs. Truthfully, they’re your memories, and I wouldn’t have remembered a whole lot of it if I hadn’t already gone through the OldChesterPA website and read all the previous memories there.
I had a notebook that I carried around for a cuple weeks, so I could jot down anything that came to me as I recalled what a great School and Church that Rez was. I started to write another long memoirs, but I just couldn’t write another 5 hours straight like that was – that was straight from my heart, and written in one sitting, one afternoon. So, I thought I’d just write down the things I wrote in the notebook. After all, these memories belong to all of us, not necessarily what I remember about the Class of ‘69 through the years. Although, seriously, I do believe that our Class was the best : ).
Do you all remember those brown-paper book covers on all of our books? Could you still cut up a shopping bag, fold it top and bottom to match the book’s height, and fold in the sides? Would you actually iron it afterward so you couldn’t tell it was originally a shopping bag?
Do you remember the Brazell’s – the family who lived in the house in the schoolyard? Mrs. Brazell did a lot to help out at Rez, and Donna, Marianne and Christine all went to Rez.
Oh here’s one - do you remember when Rez got the synchronized, electronic gray clocks? Do you remember how they made this loud, two-click noise as they passed each minute? And how those minutes seemed like hours in boring classes? Or, how about how we lined our desks precisely along the lines of the tiles on the floor? I remember some nuns being obsssessive about having the desks perfect.
How about the belts that the Safeties used? Could you fold one properly so it made a tight sqaure? For sure, everyone remembers prayers at the beginning of the day, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone had their assigned hook in the cloakrooms – in the Annex, they were behind folding accordion-type light brown doors, and in the OLd School, the cloakrooms were between each pair of rooms.
I know you all remember pretzels. The highlight of the morning – recess and pretzels. Didn’t we have phys-ed out in the schoolyard? I remember doing jumping jacks and exercises at least for some time. I remember fire drills - another good reason to be outside legally, all the classes had their specific places to line up. And oh man, I know a lot of guys probably remember flipping baseball cards in the corner of the schoolyard by the back stairwell. I forget exactly how flipping baseball cards was scored, but I do recall that if you flipped a card and it landed directly over another, you could win a lot of cards.
Remember the new library in the Annex? The History of Rez, over at http://www.oldchesterpa.com/resurrection_church.htm says that the Sister Jeannette Francis Memorial Library was opened in 1966, with Mrs. Helen Lewis as the first Librarian. What I remember was these buttons I got when it opened, that said, “We never guess - we look it up!”. Honestly, that’s good advice to this day, and I can’t remember how I got along before Google and a high-speed internet connection. Really, it’s true - especially if you have friends over, and what, with our memories being what they are, they swear something happened at such-and-such a time or so on… Hey! We never guess, we look it up. : )
How about Father Duffy? He was definitely cool. Remember Father playing basketball out in the schoolyard? If you can remember the wide-plank, pastel ceiling of the Church – What? You never spent a sermon or two gazing up at the ceiling wondering how long is this sermon going to go on? Anyway, it was Father Duffy who came up with the ideas to re-paint and re-do the Church.
Speaking of active priests, my grandmother thought Father McAndrews missed his calling as a salesman. Remember all the 50-50 tickets, and one raffle after another? You know, it’s probably true that around then, 1967 or so, the financing of the Church and School were really getting difficult, and those raffles and 50-50 drawings did raise money. Remember, Rez paid the tuition for us at St.James and Notre Dame.
Remember parish visitations? Once a year, one of the priests came and saw how you were, and blessed your house? One visitation that stands out vividly – and I’m wondering if I should even write this down, I’m trying to keep all the memories good – is Father McCoy came to my grandparents and Aunt’s house on Highland Avenue. He told us that within 25 years, the entire neighborhood would be a black ghetto. I’m tellin’ you, my grandparents were outraged that he would say such a thing, and they resented Father McCoy from then on… but, in truth, he knew what he was talking about. His point was that the future is inevitable, and it serves no purpose to deny it. I think, too, that it serves no purpose to cry about the end of Rez. Our memories are great memories, and we should hold them precious forever.
I don’t have to say anything about Hobo Lunches – I see that the Reunion picnics remember them as a model for the reunions. But they were fun, weren’t they? All the cafeteria tables set up in the schoolyard, great food, good times. Definitely. I remember, I think it was Connie Czach’s mother, made the absolute best cupcakes anywhere, and always trying to be first in line for those.
And, ohmygod, all you have to do is look at any young person’s handwriting to remember Handwriting class. The Palmer method, start off with giant O’s and then strokes at the top of the page before practicing our handwriting. Just as I remember fountain pens, I remember about 1966 or so, Bic pens became cheap enough that everyone could have them, and that was that for fountain pens and spilled ink and ink stains on your clothes. They had green pens, too, so I wasn’t lost forever without green ink, too. : )
Well there you are, for all of you Rezzers, my beloved friends and classmates there. Keep up with this website, it’s great, and God Bless all of you. I’ll write more, as I remember more.
Joe Betz, Class of ‘69
Name: Kathleen Hill Trazzera
Email:
Residing: Media, PA
Date: 28 Mar 2006
Time: 19:59:48
I just logged on this site after a significant absence and was delighted to read "Joey" Betz's memoir. Joe, you haven't lost a bit of your keen intellect. Your memory is outstanding!! It was a joy to read and to jog my "failing" memory. And by the way, I am still ticked that girls were not allowed to join the choir! Hello to all my "Class of '69" (wink, wink ) classmates. It was the beginning of a crazy time, but in many ways so much simpler than our kids have. Thanks for the memories.
Name: Jennifer
Email:
Residing: Chichester
Date: 27 Mar 2006
Time: 10:15:40
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Chris Cucchi. I would love to talk to him again. A friend brought him up in a convo last week, he was so cute! I saw a Dave Cucchi's name on here is that his brother?
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing: Vero Beach, Florida
Date: 24 Mar 2006
Time: 22:00:46
Hey Joe, It was so great reading your memories. I remember when you worked with Mr Hill and Mr Leary. I had just started working in the rectory....They were two great guys and I think of them often. They were so devoted to Rez and the property. Thank God neither one lived to see it in it's present state. It would break their hearts. Thanks for the memories!!
Name: Bob Jones
Email: rj1s@blueeagle.com
Residing: Yorba Linda, CA
Date: 24 Mar 2006
Time: 19:43:49
Theresa Mann. I remember you. I think your parents were frends with my parents and that they were also my God Parents. I have only recently got back in touch with anyone from Chester, via this site and the Old Chester site. Let me know if you think my recollection is correct.
Name: Theresa (Mann) Herron
Email: amthowdy2u@yahoo.com
Residing: Kalispell, Mt
Date: 24 Mar 2006
Time: 17:19:39
Howdy I sure enjoyed reading about "Rez" & all who were there in 56-57. I need to know who vurella is & how did I know her & how she knew so much about me. Sorry, I don"t remember going to the Angels swing dance with Al Billinger & my cousin Eileen Mylett, but it sure good reading. I am interested in reunions both for Rez and/or Notre Dame HS.
Name: Helen, Bob & Dave
Email:
Residing: Glen Mills Pa.
Date: 23 Mar 2006
Time: 16:43:25
ATTENTION ALL REZZERS!!! The Alumni Committee is looking for a few individuals who would like to join the committee. It is not a lot of work if we all work together. 100% of the money raised is for a good cause (Rez scholarship awards). There are meetings to attend, brainstorming ideas, planning and individuals/companies to contact. Meetings take place within the Delaware/Chester County areas. The Committee also communicates regularly via email. Anyone interested please email Helen Henderson-White at hrwhite_fmb@hotmail.com or Bob Blisard at BOB31854@aol.com or Dave Kasarsky at david.kasarsky@unisys.com. God Bless All Resurrection of our Lord Alumni
Name: Jack Rupertus
Email: Ripper24@AOL.com
Residing: Wilmington, DE
Date: 23 Mar 2006
Time: 13:09:54
I will be happy to hear from anybody from the class of 1956. It has been 50 YEARS!
Name: Joe Kistler
Email: joseph.p.kistler@phl.boeing.com
Residing: Linwood Pa.
Date: 22 Mar 2006
Time: 23:45:45
Joe, thanks for the memories.
Name: Dave Kasarsky
Email: David.Kasarsky@Unisys.com
Residing: Glen Mills Pa.
Date: 22 Mar 2006
Time: 12:45:40
Hey Joe....you crazy son of a gun...I read the whole thing and remember most of it. I did think that George Banta was the tough guy in our Sister Miriam Patrice 5th grade class...Not sure whatever happened to George but he was a tough kid. Bobby Blis was tough but more of a lover like you were :) Really good to hear from you. Hope all is well. Dave Kas
Name: Joe Betz
Email: jbet220@excite.com
Residing: Greenville, DE
Date: 22 Mar 2006
Time: 10:53:09
Aaakk!! There aren't any paragraphs in my little memoirs that I wrote! Believe me, I like to talk and all, but I DO take a breath every now and then. If you'd like a copy of it to save, write to me, and I'll send you a properly edited version.
[Editor's note - No problem Joe - I got paragraph breaks added. - John]
Name: Joe Betz
Email: jbet220@excite.com
Residing: Greenville, DE
Date: 21 Mar 2006
Time: 19:54:03
Looking through the great websites at www.oldchesterpa.com/schools_resurrection.htm and www.rezalumni.com/, among others, brought back a ton of great memories of my time at Rez. Thanks forever to everyone who worked on them. The memories are priceless, and I hadn’t thought of Rez until I heard that it was closed, and then, scheduled for demolition. When I read about the Sale of Church articles in Lou Gebhart’s column, I didn’t realize that everything was to be demolished – the Old School, Annex, Rectory, everything. It is really sad, but one of the writers at one of the websites (Bill Gorman, I think), pointed out that anything would be better than to see abandoned, deteriorating buildings. Now that nothing’s left, I don’t have to ponder how such a great School and Church came to be abandoned. I only have memories, and they’re all good. Here are a few of them.
In September 1961, we (the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic School, Class of 1969) began 1st Grade. Our classrooms were in the Annex, and I don’t remember what the story was, whether the Annex wasn’t yet finished, or not finished for the beginning of that year, but I remember Reading classes in the first room on the Convent side, on benches. It was the largest room in the Annex, and it had an accordion-type divider separated the classroom part of the room from the Cafeteria during lunch time. I had Sister Mary Matthew, and I owe it to her that I passed first grade at all – my sisters and I had mumps, measles and chickenpox, one right after the other, and I missed a lot of school that year. Anyone who thinks that teaching first grade must be easy – the kids are such angels, and still listen to adults, and so on – should try to teach someone how to read. It’s a testament to Sister Mary Matthew that, in spite of not attending kindergarten, and missing about ten or twelve weeks of school, I did, in fact, learn to read, and passed first grade.
Another memory of my first years at Rez were the Safeties – older kids who directed traffic and let us cross the streets safely. I remember Sister Joan Ellen, who stood on the Buckman Village side, 9th Street side, of the corner at 10th and Highland Avenue, when school let out. I really liked her – she was so kind and smiling all the time. I was delighted when I was assigned to her class in 2nd grade, although as a teacher, the fantasy of having it easy because I liked Sister Joan Ellen, was quickly set to order.
Another thing I remember from classes in the Annex were the air raid drills. We all went into the hallway, with smaller kids crouched down
against the walls, and the bigger kids shielded them by covering them with their coats over their heads. Of course, I didn’t follow the news in 1st and 2nd grade, but these were the days of the Cuban Missle Crisis, and there was a distinct possibility of war in those days.
I also remember that Rez got it’s first mimeograph machine during second grade, and from then on, all of our tests were on mimeograph paper. I remember those fresh test papers smelled so good, it almost took away the fact that it was, indeed, a test. Well, almost.
In third grade, we had Sister Miriam Patrice. I know I felt lucky to avoid having Miss Brady, who was absolutely no-nonsense, and strict. Early on, in 3rd grade, we moved to the Old School, into the room on the first floor that exited into the stairwell on schoolyard side. In November of that year, it was Sister Miriam Patrice who announced to our class that President Kennedy had been shot. It was 2:30 PM, our time, when the news hit, and 3:30 PM when Walter Cronkite announced that the President was dead. I thought I remembered going home early that day, but 3:00 would have been the end of the school day anyway, so maybe we didn’t go home early. I know we had off the next day, Friday.
It was in third grade that we graduated from those huge two-line papers and pencils, to regular notebooks and loose leaf, and pens. By pens, I mean pens – the kind that you filled with ink from a bottle, and had a blotter to dry the ink before you could touch the paper. Some of the rooms in the Old School still had desks that opened from the top, and had an inkwell in the front, but I don’t really remember using them, except for Choir practice. All of our school supplies were normally kept under our desks, and we all had cigar boxes for pencils, pens, crayons and so on. I remember the
beginning of every school year, all of the local grocery stores – Joe Gruszka’s, on 10th Street,
McGlones, up on Highland Avenue, Delozier’s in Buckman Village, were
besieged with requests for cigar boxes. Luckily for me, my grandfather smoked cigars and knew to save them for my sisters and I. Many cigar boxes didn’t last all year long, and were pretty ratty-looking by the end of the year.
Also in third grade, I began in the Choir. The nun I remember most fondly for Choir was Sister Margaretta Joseph. I was in her 6th grade class, but I’m not sure if Sister Margaretta led the Choir the whole time. I remember Choir practice, and Music classes, also, with Sister pumping away on an old foot-pump organ. For practices that were held in the Church, Sister played that wonderful pipe organ behind the Altar. The Church organ, and the Choir could be really loud. I remember singing Holy God, We Praise Thy Name at a high Mass once, and it resonated from the rafters of the Church like it would take off the roof.
Sister Miriam Patrice was really cool. Around Christmastime, the nuns at Glen Riddle recorded a collection of Christmas songs that I bought. I remember Sister Miriam Patrice’s wonderful self-effacing humor, promoting her great part in the rum,
pum, pum pum chorus of The Little Drummer Boy. I liked every class she taught, except Poetry – I couldn’t memorize a poem to save my life. To this day, I have a missalette with her name in it as my teacher that year. In 3rd grade, we made our first confessions, received our First Holy Communion, and were Confirmed. I remember we all had to write an essay on the Saint we chose for our Confirmation name. All the Masses were in Latin. Pope John XXIII had already convened the Second Ecumenical Council that would lead to many sweeping changes in the Church, but he died in June 1963, and it was Pope Paul VI who actually implemented the changes. Pope John XXIII was beloved by the entire world, and always had a beautiful smile in any photo you see of him.
In 4th grade, the party was over for easy nuns as teachers. We had Miss Townsend, and she was strict. Miss Townsend reminded us nearly every day that we were almost hopelessly lost in terms of learning, and she set out to correct the faults of our entire education. Our classroom was in the second room on the schoolyard side of the first floor, next door to our
third grade room. I remember History as being a really difficult class that year. Sister Mildred Francis was the
Principal.
I remember, too, the bright white, vellum paper of the Archdiocese Exams. God forbid if you made a mistake on those, you could still read what you first wrote on that paper. You could erase a hole in the paper, and your mistake was still there, for all to see.
As fearful as Exams were, the final exams in Spring always had the hope that the school year was done when exams were done. I remember most last days of school – are there any more joyful days than knowing that you had no school for months? Summers lasted forever back then, and I have great memories of summers, but I want to keep this limited to memories at
Rez.
In September 1965, we entered 5th grade, and our room was the end room on the Highland Avenue side of the school, by the back stairs. I’m not certain who taught us 5th grade; it may be that it changed during the year. I remember copying notes from the blackboard into our notebooks seemingly forever that year. I sat next to Donna Raftovich that year, and we had handwriting contests to see who could write the most legibly, the fastest. She usually won. I also remember using green ink from that year. Wearever or Schaeffer blue and black ink got kind of old after all those years of writing (all 3 years of them), and since Rez’ colors were green and white, we were allowed to use green ink. I really thought green ink was so cool.
The other thing I remember most about 5th grade is a practically continuous black eye from all the fights I was in. In those days, it was important to know who was the toughest kid in the class, and every one of us boys knew where we ranked in the 5th grade hierarchy. Bob Blisard
(Bliz) was #1, no contest. Dave Kasarsky (Kaz) was also up there in the top. Don’t get me wrong, I was still friends with the kids I fought, in fact sometimes a good fight led to being good friends from that day forward. It was just important to know who was who in 5th grade. The other crazy thing I remember along those lines is rubbing my index finger with a nickel until it bled. That also showed you were tough. I had a scar for, like twenty years after that, on my right index finger.
A more pleasant memory of 5th grade is that Sister (Lucinda could it have been? I’m not sure), read out loud to us every week. She was excellent at reading, and I can remember almost being there during the story of Crispus
Attucks, a young black man who helped in the War for Independence.
The History of Rez, at www.oldchesterpa.com/schools_resurrection.htm, says that up until 1965, Father Brady was our pastor, and that Father Humes succeeded him. I remember both of them, but I wasn’t certain when Father Humes took over.
In 6th grade, our classroom was on the third floor of the Old School, with our windows looking out toward the Delaware River. Of all the foolish things I remember, I remember gazing out that window at the Electric
Company's plant on the river, that had a constant lifting and dropping of some kind of dredging bucket all day long. That year, we had Sister Stella Marie, who was very Irish. I remember that Sister Stella was passionate about the Irish cause, and she spent some time explaining it to us with a map of Ireland on the blackboard.
Sister Angela Joseph also taught 6th grade. I remember her as somewhat strict, but my sister Judy really had a hard time with her. We had a huge laugh (but not Judy, or Sister Angela, probably) when we moved to Glen Riddle in 1969 and there was Sister Angela Joseph, teaching at St. Francis
deSales.
I can’t remember for certain when I became an Altar Boy. I don’t think it was 3rd Grade, when I went on the Choir, but whenever it was, I know I became an Altar Boy as soon as I was allowed. I remember I was first paired with Larry Owsiany for Masses, and then I was with Stephen
Neathery. The thing I remember most about Steve was that he always overslept, and being the younger Altar Boy, he could order me to leave a few minutes early for morning Masses, and make sure he was up. His house was on the way down 10th Street, so I didn’t mind. Many early mornings I remember walking to Church with my cassock and surplice on a hanger, with the cassock folded up onto my arm to keep it off the ground. We took our cassocks and surplices home to clean them and iron them, but I remember that the black cassocks, for funerals, were kept in the Altar Boys sanctuary. Serving a funeral was cool, because many of the Funeral Directors gave the Altar Boys $5 for serving. The preparations for Mass included lighting the candles, and we had beautiful silver, extendable poles with a wick in one side, and a cup to extinguish the candles on the other. Around this time, the changes instituted by Pope Paul VI and the Second Ecumenical Council began to be adopted at
Rez.
Foremost among those changes, the Mass would now be English. There was quite a controversy about this, I recall. Father McAndrews had a second morning mass at 8:00 in Latin, which was no problem for me for two reasons – Father McAndrews was fast, no wasting time on a sermon or the long Communion prayer, and you could legally be late for school if you served that Mass.
December 25, 1966 is a Christmas everyone will remember. On Christmas Eve, we had a blizzard, like two feet of snow. I made it to Midnight Mass for the Choir, but it may have been later than Midnight by the time people got to Church that night, and Mass started. Midnight Masses, for Christmas and Easter, were always packed back then.
You read this, and you may think I was some kind of saint in 6th grade, but such is emphatically not the case.
I also remember Slam books in 6th grade. These were notebooks with everyone’s name at the top of the page, and were passed around so you could semi-anonymously write what you thought of everyone. My God, the nuns hated those things, but that’s the way it is for 6th graders. 5th grade, you fought everybody in sight; 6th grade you started fooling around with girls. The Slam book let you know where you stood. I also remember 6th grade as the year a lot of us went to school with hickeys on our necks. You put your collar up to hide it from the Nuns, but made sure everyone else in class knew you had one (or more), and from whom. It was also this year that we began to know our class, proudly, as the Class of ’69 (hint,
hint, wink, wink).
In 6th grade, just about everybody started to get transistor radios. I remember in the beginning of the year, a couple of the boys hid their radios in their pocket, and ran the wire for the earphone under their shirt, to listen to the World Series. I remember, later in the year, trying that, but listening to WFIL or
WIBG. You just pretend to lean your ear on your hand, as if you were resting your head, to conceal the earphone. That lasted like two minutes before I got caught.
The penalties for getting caught with a Slam book, or cursing in class, or other serious offense were stiff. The Sister directed you to the cloakroom, and let you wait a minute or two to contemplate your fate. Then, you took off your jacket if you had one, bent over, and got an awful beating with a yardstick, dust brush, or some other convenient paddling thing. I got one (or more, probably), and I remember it was almost impossible to not cry. It was a badge of honor to return from a paddling as if nothing happened, but good luck on that. We had a yardstick made of wood, with the Number Line written on it (negative numbers starting on the left, zero in the middle, and positive numbers on the right). I remember somebody got it so bad that it broke, and the Sister continued on, with it broken in two for what seemed like forever. I remember she kept the broken Number Line on the
chalk rest as a reminder to us.
Another odd thing that I remember, is that it was 6th grade when Richard Christy began at
Rez. His dad, Dick Christy, Sr. was a famous quaterback and a great guy. Rich Christy – God bless his soul, he died in the 80s – was really smart, as well as athletic, and he single-handedly re-created the 6th grade power structure. I think he came out first every year, and everyone liked him.
I don’t have Summer memories in this, but I remember that the Summer of ’67 brought skateboards to favor. You could skateboard from in front of the Annex, down between the stockade and the schoolyard, around the turn in front of the Rectory and on to the cement walkway along the Highland Avenue side of the school. I can’t believe that either Mr. Hill, or Father Humes put up with that for too long, but I distinctly remember trying out a skateboard there.
September 1967, we began 7th grade. Our classroom was the second room, Highland Avenue side, of the first floor of the Old School. Around this time, including 5th and 6th grade, I remember more than one teacher each year. I think that the teachers changed rooms for different classes. I know that, in 7th grade, we started changing classes. 7th and 8th grade were on the first floor, and we walked single file, clockwise around the hall to the next class.
I am really disappointed that I can’t remember who I had in 7th Grade. This Sister was one of the kindest and most happily out-going Sister I ever had. Two of the many things that I owe to her are that she encouraged me to Art, and she spent a lot of time trying to persuade us that our prejudice against blacks was just-plain wrong. I remember she was against the War, and that was important, because up to that time, anyone against the War was some kind of Communist, and now those against the war began to have a moral reason to oppose it.
In 7th grade, we started to have dances in the Auditorium, and they were fun, although it was true, the junior high stereotype of all the boys lined up against one wall, and all the girls against the other. I helped make signs for the events in the Auditorium, with that Sister’s help.
The other Sister for 7th grade was Sister Francis Josephine (Franny Joe to us heathens). She was really strict, but I also remember she, and Sister Margaretta Joseph, organized a few train rides to Philadelphia, among them, one to see an Opera, Madame Butterfly. Good luck trying to instill culture in us, I know I hated it. In 7th grade, I dropped out of Choir, or more truthfully, was dropped from Choir, partly because I smoked too much. However, I stayed on as an Altar Boy, because I was one of the few remaining Altar Boys who remembered the Latin Mass, which were still held every morning.
September 1968, we entered 8th grade. We had Sister Lucinda, and thanks forever to Dave Kasarsky for posting a great high-resolution photo of our class at
www.rezalumni.com/. I have a beautiful 8 x 10, PhotoShop CS2 copy of it, and I would be glad to make prints for anyone who may want one. Kaz’ posting also has everyone’s names – not all of the class photos there do. Thanks to
Kaz, I now very clearly remember Sister Monica Joseph, who was Principal that year, and a lot of my classmates who I had forgotten. There was a lay teacher, Mr. Robert Davis that year, and Sister Anthony Theresa as well as Sister Monica Joseph teaching us that year. I don’t remember as many things about 8th grade as other years, except of course, Graduation. At Graduation Mass, to my great surprise, as well as just about everybody
in the class, Father Humes presented me with a $5 gift as the top boy academically, in our class.
This little memoirs is becoming a lot longer than I would have thought, but I can’t end it without my memories of the grounds at
Rez. In 1972, I missed months of school, moving between my mother and father. When I finally settled at my grandparents’ house, in April of that year, it was agreed that I would have to repeat 11th grade no matter what, because of State Education requirements, and I dropped out of St. James for the year. At that time, however, Father McKenzie hired me to work with Mr. Hill and Jim Leary on the grounds, every day. I got to know how dedicated Mr. Hill and Bill Leary were to the school, behind the scenes, all those years. Every schoolroom was cleaned to a T, top to bottom, light bulbs down to the new wax on the floors. The wood floors on the third floor of the Old School were stripped, sanded and re-finished. I also got to know why Mr. Hill was so grumpy about chewing gum. It is really a pain to scrape gum from the bottom of every desk and the floors.
I stayed on Saturdays through 11th and 12th grade at St. James, and the weekly preparation for Sunday Masses was no walk in the park, either. All the lawns are cut – many of us can remember Mr. Hill riding along on the riding mower – and every weed was pulled from around the flowers and trees. The most dreadful job I had was sweeping the entire length of the 9th Street sidewalk. It always had a lot of litter blown against the wall and a lot of gritty dirt. But, I’ll tell you truly, once it was clean, everyone who walked down 9th Street kept it clean, for a few days, at least.
I learned that the name of the bushes behind the Church, at the Altar Boys door, with those huge thorns, was called Pyracantha – Firethorn – and that was what they used to make the Crown of Thorns for the
Crucifixion. I also remember many of the specific trees and shrubs there – the line of yew bushes that lined the front entrance to the Church, the hollies that grew alongside the Church. I remember Father McKenzie and Mr. Leary were especially proud of the roses that grew on the side of the Rectory toward the Church, and Mr. Leary grew huge,
beautiful peonies among them, too. I also remember cleaning up the Grotto in the Spring of 1972, and seeing for the first time that the Grotto was built in memory of World War II veterans.
I have plenty of other memories, and how could they be anything but good, the memories of your youth. I now see that I’ve taken 5 hours writing this, and it’s dinner time. I will gladly add to this as I remember more.
Joe Betz, Valedictorian (yup, I actually was), Rez Class of ‘69
Name: Joe
Email:
Residing:
Date: 10 Mar 2006
Time: 16:32:08
Went by Rez three windows are now out, and it looks like everything else is halted. Don't know why, sad to see it that way
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing:
Date: 04 Mar 2006
Time: 18:56:53
Oh well, it was worth a shot.
Name: Marylou Laboy
Email: maryloulaboy@verizon.net
Residing: Essington PA
Date: 04 Mar 2006
Time: 13:50:28
I'm sorry, but the project fell trhrough.
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing:
Date: 27 Feb 2006
Time: 19:29:53
Hi Bill, The Bernandine Center which operates currently on 9th st, across from the church is very interested in obtaining the property. They have a plan for the old school, not sure about the Church. But they are feverishly working with all parties concerned. My sister works for them and has been keeping me posted. I emailed the board as well, but have not received a response. I hope more people will do the same. With Chester trying so hard to re-vitalize itself, I truly beleive that preserving that property can benefit and serve the citizens of the West End. I know the Sisters that work at the Center are very committed to the community and that will help maintain a Catholic presence on the property.
Name: Bill Gorman
Email: bg171@aol.com
Residing:
Date: 27 Feb 2006
Time: 17:41:35
If you want to write to Rite-Aid Corp., send a email to contacttheboard@riteaid.com. I did and actually got a response from their Public Relations Manager saying that they are "taking all concerns into consideration as their plans for development in Chester continue." But here is the real question: If the Church and School remains, what would become of it? It is clear that the Catholic Church will not re-establish the Parish as there is not enough of a congregation to support it. So if Rite-Aid does not build on the site, then will the Church just deteriorate like many other buildings in Chester? This would be more painfull than just having it goa all at once. Or will another corporation buy it and again propsose to tear it all down?
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email:
Residing: Vero Beach, Florida
Date: 19 Feb 2006
Time: 20:11:07
Hi everyone, Just learned that perhaps the sale to Rite Aid is not final. At the urging of someone trying to preserve that special corner in the west end, I have been asked to ask everyone who cares, to write to Rite Aid. It's possible that it can be stopped. Maybe we can help!
Name: Bob Jones
Email: rj1s@blueeagle.com
Residing: Yorba Linda, CA
Date: 03 Feb 2006
Time: 18:10:26
Anyone check this site from the Rez 8th grade class of 1957? If so, get in touch. Bobby Jones
Name: ANDRE L. HANDY JR
Email: ALHANDY@HOTMAIL.COM
Residing: YOUNGTOWN, AZ
Date: 30 Jan 2006
Time: 22:30:53
Name: Terry Owsiany McHugh
Email: tomchugh(no spam)@belsouth.net
Residing: Vero Beach, Florida
Date: 30 Jan 2006
Time: 21:40:07
I'm sorry....but at the end of a busy and stressful day, I log onto the computer, check out this site and the first thing I see is Penis Enlargement....TOO FUNNY....wouldn't the nuns have loved that!!
[Editor's note: Spam posting here deleted - John]
Name: Don Borcky
Email: Dborck64@comcast.net
Residing:
Date: 28 Jan 2006
Time: 18:57:13
Hello Debi. Been trying to get ahold of you. Get back to me when you can. I'll talk to ya soon I hope. Take care.
Name: Debi Dugan
Email: DoubleD_01@netscape.com
Residing: Georgetown, DE
Date: 28 Jan 2006
Time: 02:23:08
Name: Mary Swinick McCleaft
Email: mmccleaft@fsco.com
Residing: Media
Date: 23 Jan 2006
Time: 15:04:40
Hi, I am a Rez graduate of 1976. Later to graduate from Notre Dame in 1980. My parents still live in old Chester. I would love to be contacted for a rez reunion. Thanks Mary
Name: Bernice Swanson
Email: bernieswanson@rcn.com
Residing: Back in Chester
Date: 17 Jan 2006
Time: 14:19:08
Anyone from the class of 75?, I've been out of touch and living in Upper Darby since graduating Chester High in 79. I've moved back to chester 1 year ago. Would love to hear from you.
Name: Jennifer
Email:
Residing: Chester Pa
Date: 11 Jan 2006
Time: 15:25:16
For all you Rez folks, the circular stainned glass window is slowing being taken down. Sad to see it go.
Name: Fred Zegarski
Email: fjzegarski@fuse.net
Residing: Cincinnati, Ohio
Date: 06 Jan 2006
Time: 16:52:20
Hello Class of '54, I lost contact with all of you when I left Chester after graduating from St James in '58. I was back for summers but most of the people I knew were in the sevice then. Those I recall were Jim Lawler, Rich Davis, John and Charles Battle, Tom Hayden, Barbara Orzell,Chuck Pierce, Larry Jones, Tom White,Len Theofilak,Carl Bissinger,Andy Gavaletz, Lenore Alex, Lennora , Marianne Philips, Barbara Comely, Barb Nichols, Janet Thompson,Sorry guys and girls, no other names come to mind at this time. If it helps, I was Captain of the Safetys in the 8th grade. Drop me a line in you can or want to. Hope to hear from all of you. Fred
Name: Dan McKeone
Email: dq157@comcast.net
Residing: Aston, PA
Date: 04 Jan 2006
Time: 08:17:44
Can you identify the "REZ" alumnus? http://wkursh.photosite.com/3rdMichellesBigRed5k/?page=4