Remembering Helen Sargut, our High School Secretary

Obituary for Helen Sargut

Helen Macionis Sargut, 91, currently of Stewartstown Rd., Morgantown and a former longtime resident of Gardner, MA, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at her residence in Morgantown, WV. Born in Gardner, MA on June 15, 1918, she was the only child of Anna Karuza and Simon Macionis, who had immigrated to Gardner from Lithuania. She was married for 53 years to her husband John J. Sargut who preceded her in death in 2000. She is survived by her only child, Susan Sargut of Waynesburg, PA. She was a graduate of Becker College and had volunteered many years on their 1938 reunion committee. In Massachusetts, she had been a member of the Womenâs club and the Lithuanian Outing Association. She worked at Simplex Time Recording Company for approximately ten years before finding her home as the senior secretary at Gardner High School where she remained for 33 years until her retirement in 1973. While in MA, she was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic ChurchDuring World War II, Helen joined the Civil Air Patrol in order to serve her Country while her future husband was overseas.Helen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. In her younger years, she loved entertaining family and friends at home in her backyard and planned every get together around her fabulous desserts. More recently, she passed the time reading mystery novels and knitting when she was able.Helen spent 82 years in Gardner MA before moving to Morgantown WV to be closer to her daughter after the death of her husband. After moving to Morgantown, she joined St. Maryâs Church of Star City. Her warm smile and pleasant demeanor will truly be missed.Friends may call at the Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown from 5-7 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Mrs. Sargut will then be transported to the John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner, MA, where visitation will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10-12:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gardner, MA on Saturday at 1 PM with Father Jesus Martinez as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Johnâs Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mrs. Sargutâs memory please be made to either Morgantown Hospice, PO Box 4222, Morgantown, WV 26504 or to the Gardner Visiting Nursing Assocation, 34 Pearly Ln., Gardener, MA 01440.Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com

Remembering Edith Needham Godfrey

Omaha, Neb. — Edie Godfrey was born in Gardner, MA, to Roger Needham and Anne Norcross Needham on July 14, 1942.  She passed away at her home on September 3, 2014, after a 6-1/2 year battle with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
Edie graduated from Gardner High School in 1960, Simmons College in 1964, and Northeastern University, both in Boston, in 1966. She married Michael Godfrey in 1964. In Boston, she taught remedial reading, and in Omaha she taught English as a Second Language at UNO until 2001. She and Mike, hosted dozens of foreign students who were taking English-language classes at UNO. She loved art, lecturing to elementary school classes when her children were young, later becoming a docent at the Joslyn Art Museum, and attended a month-long print-making class in Florence, Italy.  She sang in her church choir for many years, in the Omaha Symphonic Chorus, and with the Prairie Plaide Scottish Band.  She served on the Board of Nebraska Advocacy Services (Omaha) for several years.
She is survived by her husband, Mike; her sons and daughters-in-law, Benjamin and Michelle, Bruce and Kate, and Jared; five grandchildren; her sister, Elizabeth; and her brother, Arthur.
Her remains were donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Board at the University of NE Medical Center to benefit medical education.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, at First Central Congregational Church, 421 S. 36th St., Omaha. Memorials may be sent to First Central Congregational Church.


GHS Classmates are welcome to post comments sharing memories of Edith on this blog.

Gardner High School Teachers 1956-1960

The names of the teachers listed below may not “ring a bell” with everyone in our class, but may bring back special memories to those who knew individual teachers through their college, commercial, or general courses and extra-curricular activities. Some teachers or their subjects influence your life in ways that you do not recognize or fully appreciate until much later. Which teachers do remember, and why?

 

Miss Virginia A. Aldrich – World History, U.S. History

Mr. Martin L. Anderson – World History, Arithmetic

Miss Mary G. Bailey – Art, English

Mr. James W.H. Baker – Physics

Mrs. Marcia L. Baker – English*

Miss K. Doris Berry – Stenography, Typewriting, Office Machines

Mr. George J. Black – English, Art, Latin*

Mr. Hervey F. Bowden – U.S. History, Modern European History

Mr. Kenneth E. Bowen – English, Psychology

Miss Helen Chafee – French, Spanish

Miss Sarah E. Clark – Business Law, Problems of Democracy

Mrs. Edla S.  Denney – English

Mr. L. Edward Dolhenty, Jr.**Basic Business, Problems of Democracy

Mr. Walter Dubzinski, Sr. – Civics, Health, General Math, Guidance

Mr. Robert T. Duncan – Basic Business, General Science

Miss Geraldine Foskett, English

Mr. John S. Gearan, Principal/English* (5/9/56)

Miss Mary A. Glasheen – English

Mrs. Vera L. Glendenning – Health, Homemaking

Mr. Edward W. Hilbourne – Chemistry, General Science

Mr. Edward V. Hill* – English, Geography

Mrs. Dorothy K. Hopkins – Bookeeping, Typewriting, Office Practice

Mrs. Mary L. Horrigan – Bookeeping, Typewriting

Mr. Dean E. Johnson – Industrial Arts

Mr. Joseph T. Kivlin – Printing

Mr. Martin O. Lahtinen – U.S. History, World History

Miss Louise Kraskouskas ** – English

Mr. Roland C. Lambert – Boys Physical Education

Mrs. Hope H. Lavalee** - Art

Miss Helen Lepkowski – Stenography, Typewriting, Bookkeeping, Office Machines

Mr. Robert Littlefield – Assistant Principal/Geometry

Mr. William M. Lloyd, Jr.* – Band Director, Music

Miss Kathleen M. McCarthy – Basic Business, Typewriting

Miss Dorothy R. O’Neill – English, Speech

Mr. Chester J. Poliks – General Science, Biology, World History

Ms. Priscilla Power –Girls Physical Education, Sports

Miss Elizabeth B. Saben – Director of Guidance

Mrs. Helen F. St. George - Latin, French

Mr. William P. Small*** – German, English

Miss Muriel M. Sutherland, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus.

Mr. Philip J. Tarpey – General Math, Economics

Miss. Carolyn A. Thatcher – Stenography, Typewriting,

Mr. John R. Tinker, Mechanical Drawing, Mathematics, Drivers Ed.

Mrs. Mildred E. Tinker*** – English

Miss Marion Viets – Algebra, Geometry

Miss Helen Whittier – Biology

Miss Dorothy K. Young – Bookeeping, Typewriting

 

Note: In February of 1955, Mrs. Dorothy J. Littlefield substituted for Miss K. Doris Berry who was placed on indefinite leave because of an illness in her family.

 

The Asterisk (*) denotes teachers or administrators who were appointed in 1956.

The Double Asterisk (**) denotes appointment in 1957

The Triple Asterisk (***) denotes appointment in 1959

Remembering Jean Williams Albert Mattson

Jean A. (Williams) Albert Mattson, 71, a longtime resident of Fitchburg and Westminster, died Friday, July 4, at her daughter's residence, after a brief illness. She leaves three daughters, Julie A. Orlando of Leominster, Renee J. Smith, and her husband John of Bolton, MA and Christine M. Leger, and her fiancée Glenn Ares of Gardner, MA; two brothers, David J. Williams and his life partner, Joyce Z. Cariglia of Worcester and Keith A. Williams, and his wife Annette of Carey, NC; 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and one niece and two nephews. She previously was the wife of 34 years of Rene J. Albert, who died in 2003. Jean was employed at the Tyco Company in Westminster in the Accounts Payable Dept. for many years. She was a 1960 graduate of Gardner High School and was a member of the former Good Shepherd Church in West Fitchburg.

Blood Mountain Conspiracy

Joni's Third Novel

Joanne (Bogdanski) Taylor Moore is currently working on her third book, Blood Mountain Conspiracy, and plans to have it on book shelves by the fall.  It will the third in a series of mysteries centered around an abandoned hotel in the Arizona desert that has been vacant for years.  When a Los Angeles man inherits the property and decides to reopen the hotel, characters are systematically terrorized by someone who clearly wants them out.

 

Commenting in a Gardner News article published on February 3, 2014, Joni said her childhood in Gardner helped her pursue her career as an author. She says playing by herself much of the time helped her expand her imagination.  Blood Mountain and Blood Mountain Prophecy are the titles of her first two novels.

 

It Ain't Easy!

The GHS Class of 1960 has (another) new author.  We congratulate Jan Ricord (Jeanette Morin to many former classmates) on her accomplishment.  Jeanette is listed as author, with Sarah L.Sheridan as cover designer.  You can also search for electronic versions of her book at amazon.com.

"It Ain't Easy" is a collection of light humorous stories poking fun at our human nature. The anecdotes are true but exaggerated incidents from her life, family and friends. She says, "Please don't accuse me of looking in your windows for material to write. These funny stories are things that have happened to all of us. Enjoy reading, smiling, and even laughing out loud."

Way to go, Jeanette!

 

 We recently sent emails to classmates to confirm contact information for our class database, including street address, telephone, and e-mail, and invited classmates to share some things (life events, moves, hobbies, interests).  Here are a few responses.

 

"Aloha, Doug - it is possible we will be moving back to the mainland (California) in 2014.  Will be in touch.  Judy Goodwin Cross, Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii

 

"Paul and I are moving to Indiana to be closer to our daughter and grandchildren.  We  bought a house and are renovating it. " Nancy Ball Griffin, Columbus, OH

 

"Linda and I built a new house in Port Townsend, Washington and are living in a sailing community.  We enjoy sailing, kayaking, and fishing." Robert Frenette, Port Townsend, WA

 

"I have sold my home in Stoneham, MA and purchased another in Center Conway, NH."

Linda Giles Merikanto

 

"Thanks for keeping in touch.
 Marilyn Michaelson, Wasilla, AK

 

"We have moved from Virginia to North Carolina to await the arrival of a new grandson, who now happily lights up our lives."

Phyllis and Russell Hoag

Cornelius, NC

 

"My husband and recently I returned from a trip to France.  We saw the D-Day beaches up north, then headed south to visit with friends.  The best part was having my daughter join us in Provence, where she studied in her junior year in college."

Pamela LeBlanc Soberg, Menlo Park, CA

 

 

In order to reach classmates without e-mail, we will have to pick up the phone and call - but that too can lead to some interesting conversations and news we can report in future posts.

 

Our age cohort seems ready to give up the bigger house, mowing the lawn, and shoveling snow in exchange for more time to spend on new hobbies and interests.

 

Douglas S. Fleming, Sr.
P.O. Box 597, Lunenburg, MA 01462
(978) 582 6705

Blood Mountain Sequel

Amazon.com is promoting Joni Bogdanski's (Joanne Taylor Moore) new book.  The paperback version runs 302 pages and is published by Black Opal Books.  For those of you who might enjoy a mystery novel set in the modern American southwest, join Joni for "mystery and mayhem in the desert."

Can You Identify Students in this Photo?



Norman Beauregard posted this photo to Facebook recently.  This was taken in 1954 or 1955 during our Junior High School years. Some students are from GHS Class of 1960 and some are from the GHS Class of 1959.  Can you help identify some of the students in this photo?  Can you identify the exact date or specific event at which this took place?

Please add a comment or send your ideas to dfleming373@verizon.net .

Taking the Short Cut

Do you remember these stairs?  Can you describe where they are located? Got a special memory of these stairs?

They have been called "the Shortcut" or "the Iron Stairs," however 35 years ago this famed stairway was officially dedicated as "Sullivan's Stairs." Read about the history of this famous passageway in "The Gardner Scene," in The Gardner News, written by Mike Richard.

Remembering Martin Anderson

Martin L. Anderson, 87, of Gardner, died peacefully Tuesday August 13, 2013 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, after a period of declining health.

Martin was born in West Warren, MA November 11, 1925, and has lived in Gardner since 1951.

Martin graduated from Palmer High School. He proudly served his country with the United States Navy during WWII. After leaving the Military he attended the University of Massachusetts. While in college he excelled as a hockey, football, and baseball player. He graduated in 1951, moving to Gardner where he began his teaching career. He taught both History and Math, and coached football, baseball, and track over the years. Over 50 years, Martin coached at Gardner, Oakmont, Monty Tech, and for one year at WPI.

Martin will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Evelyn (Pardo) Anderson, one son; Martin L. Anderson, Jr. of Florida, three daughters; Judy Giovannangeli of NH, Sandra Trombley of NH, and Karen Mason of Westminster, eight grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Martin was predeceased by 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Relatives and friends are planning to honor and celebrate Martin's life at a memorial service to be held at a later date. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations in Martin's memory may be made to the Oakmont Regional High School Athletics Department C/O Erik Dawley, 9 Oakmont Dr. Ashburnham, MA 01430

To sign the online guestbook for Martin, please visit the website at www.fletchercares.com. The Lamoureux Fletcher and Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Read more about Mr. Anderson at the following link:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20130814/NEWS/308159942/1009/mobile&TEMPLATE=MOBILE

News from Richard Donovan

Richard Donovan as an eighth grader at Westminster Junior High School in 1956.  He would attend grade 9 in Westminster before attending Gardner High School.

GHS Classmate Richard Donovan reports that he and Paula (LaChance) Donovan are still residing in Coral Gables, Florida.  Both of them play golf.  Paula has been very involved in competitive tennis. Dick has been involved with a number of civic and charitable organizations and serves as a board member on several.  The Donovans have traveled extensively to Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East over the years.  Dick has bought and sold businesses around the country and still visits his business holdings on a regular basis. In addition, the family also owns real estate in Florida and Massachusetts which they operate with their two boys.  Both Donovans welcome news from classmates.

Editors Note: The GHS Class of 1960 was fortunate to get the "last batch" of students from the town of Westminster in the fall of 1957.  Oakmont Regional High School was being built and the first class to graduate from Oakmont did so in 1961. Among the Westminster students choosing to attend Gardner High School were Nancy Haynes, Marilyn LeCuyer, Carol Waterman, Marilyn Parnanen, Judith Viweg, June Prentiss, Ernest Lehtonen, Geraldine Gerard, Erik Pakkila, Janyce Charles, Evelyn Hurme, Rita Lemieur, Terry Tosh, Betty Leavenworth, Robert Marien, William Bradford, John Oinonen, Merilyn Ruuska, Robert Clarkson, Joseph Marien, and Jean Tkaczyk.

Remembering Walter Dubzinski, Sr.

You may remember him best as a teacher, football coach, or guidance counselor.

Walter Dubzinski Sr., a former pro football player who went onto become a legendary high school football coach, died Friday night, April 26, 2013. He was 93.

Dubzinski was a college fullback before becoming a center and linebacker on Boston College's 1940 Cotton Bowl team and 1941 Sugar Bowl and national championship squad.

He went onto play two years in the NFL for the New York Giants in 1943 and the Boston Yanks in 1944. He was one of the oldest living former NFL players and the oldest ex-Giant at the time of his death.

While Dubzinski was an outstanding player, he will be remembered as one of the best coaches in Central Mass. history, walking the sidelines at Gardner High from 1945 to 1965.

A member of the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame and Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame, Dubzinski was predeceased by his wife, Ruthie, in 2010.

Dubzinski's sons include current Gardner High coach Walter Dubzinski Jr. and longtime Leominster High coach John Dubzinski. His grandchildren include current Wachusett Regional coach Mike Dubzinski and Gardner High assistant football coach Steve Dubzinski.

You can read more about the life and family of Walt Dubzinski Sr. at http://www.boucherfuneral.com/runtime.php?SiteId=4671&NavigatorId=65882

Funeral services will held on Wednesday, May 1 from the Boucher Funeral Home with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Church.  Burial will be in the Greenbower Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday, April 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Boucher Funeral Home in Gardner.

Classmates and their Hobbies, Part 1

Janice Dick Drummey enjoys travel, knitting, and felting.  In addition to her craft projects, Jan organizes informal lunches with classmates, often featuring former classmates who are visiting in the Gardner area. This photo was taken on a revent trip to China.

This is the first in a series of reports on GHS Class of 1960 classmates and their current hobbies or interests.  Additional summaries will be posted as we hear from more classmates.

Peggy Ball DiStefano of Witchita, Kansas has enjoyed working from home this stormy winter. While the Guadalupe Medical Clinic has had to close, Peggy does her administration department tasks from home “in my sweats, taking breaks or snacking and enjoying a cup of coffee.”

Joanne Bogdanski Moore of Yuma, Arizona recently sold her second book, Blood Mountain Prophecy, which is a sequel to her first publication, Blood Mountain.  Joni’s novels are set in the modern American Southwest.

Diane Brazouskas Ewing of Gardner is learning electronic scrapbooking. Her husband Jim Ewing is restoring a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad.

Robert “Scooter” Cormier of Cambridge, Massachusetts continues to compete in senior men’s skating competions nationwide.

John Gerrard of Leicester, Massachusetts participates in costumed Civil War Re-enactments.

Winona Leblanc Moeller of Winchester, Massachusetts enjoys house remodeling, volunteer work in her community, gardening, walking, swimming, reading, and travel.

Marilyn LeCuyer Michelson of Wasilla, Alaska is teaching herself to knit socks, is taking Zumba Gold and Tai Chi, does volunteer work at a regional hospital, and is adding swimming sessions to her exercise routines.

Louis P. Migliozzi of Southampton, Massachusetts is training a Belgian draft horse named Bill.  Bill reports that Lou is responding to commands well once his harness is adjusted properly. Lou and his daughter Nicole make Boyneberry (a variety of raspberry) wine.

Patricia Roberts Strandberg of San Antonio, Texas prepares tax returns and does some accounting but really enjoys sewing.  Pat makes pillowcases which she sells at craft shows.

Shari Montville Whipple of Gardner has been researching four family genealogies and reports that she has found many surprises along the way, including the first Whipple to arrive in Dorchester, MA in 1632.  Her husband, Bob had quadruple bypass surgery in October of 2012 and hopes to play golf this spring.

Geoff Wood of Queen Lake enjoys heating his home with wood and splitting it all himself with a maul and wedges. His wife, Diana Virta Wood enjoys gardening and book club meetings.

The GHS Web Log welcomes photos of you enjoying one of your hobbies to include in our posts. Please send your information to dfleming373@verizon.net .

Mystery Woman

 

Can you identify this GHS Class of 1960 classmate?  She is one of many GHS graduates whose pictures are featured in the new book on the Heywood Hospital.  See previous post.

Members of our class of 1960 often entered into the helping professions.  In 1960, that often meant nursing, teaching, and social work, but often included dieticians, lab technicians, and physical therapists, too.  Today, that list more frequently includes work in the areas of psychology, counseling, home health care, emergency medical technology, police work, and crime scene investigation.

If you can identify this classmate, please send her name in an e-mail  you send to dfleming373@verizon.net.

Heywood Hospital

Images of America: Heywood Hospital

This book was compiled by Gayle Kadlik and James A. Faust, M.D.  To anyone from Gardner, this publication provides many photographs, facts, insights, and stories about an institution with which  we are all familiar and its stages of development.  Above all, it is a visual history of the Henry Heywood Hospital and you may recognize many of the people pictured in it.  The book reveals the deep connections between a community hospital and its residents.

Available at many bookstores, including Barnes & Noble bookstores.

Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, SC: (2012). ISBN 978-0-7385-7687-9

Joanne Taylor Moore, Author

Some classmates do very compelling and important things in their retirement years – starting a new business, launching a second career, joining a clog dancing group, or becoming a master gardener.  GHS classmate Joanne (Bogdanski) Taylor Moore has just published her first novel.  Blood Mountain has just been released by Treble Heart Books.

Members of the Gardner High School Art and Drama Clubs may remember Joni, as might elementary school classmates who attended Pleasant Street and Connors Street schools.  At Gardner Junior High School, Joni was in homerooms 7A and 8-29.

 

Here is a teaser from her book jacket.

The abandoned hotel on Blood Mountain stood vacant for twelve years in the Arizona desert, shrouded in mystery and rumors, until LA playboy Buddy McCain inherits the property and decides to reopen the inn. He convinces his contractor pal, JT Carpenter to move in and help him remodel the once-fine hotel, but then, trouble starts…

Oh?  What kind of trouble?  You may want to visit the Treble Heart Book web site yourself to read the reviews of Joni’s book or add your own commentary.  Go to www.trebleheartbooks.com

Joanne lives in Yuma, Arizona with her husband, Larry and is busy working on the next novel in her series and planning some new ones.  Congratulations, Joni.  You can read more about Joni at her web site: http://joannetaylormoore.com/
 

Saluting Our Class Veterans

Saluting Our Class Veterans

As Veteran’s Day approaches, let us salute the men and women from the Gardner High School, Class of 1960, who served in a branch of the military. We have made every attempt to keep this list accurate and complete, but if you spot an error or omission, please notify us so we can make the necessary additions, deletions, or corrections. We especially do not want to leave anyone out, and apologize sincerely to anyone who has been overlooked.

Joseph W. Arsenault – U.S. Army, 1960-1962.

Martin S. Anderholm – U.S. Navy, 1960-1963.

Norman W. Begun – Army National Guard, 1966-1972.

Robert A. Bernard – U.S. Air Force, 1961-1965.

Brian L. Bjurling – U.S. Coast Guard, 1960-1964.

William Bradford – U.S. Navy, 1960-1964.

John L. Brooks – U.S. Air Force, 1960-1964.

Theodore Budzinski – U.S. Air Force, 1960-1964.

Ronald Charland – U.S. Army, 1957-1960.

Robert H. Coffin, Jr. – U.S. Army, 1964-1986.

Allen Cook – U.S. Navy,  1961-1965. Electronic

Nancy Cormier Toolin – U.S. Army, 1961-1962.

Robert J. Cormier – U.S. Army, 1966-1970.

Jeffey L. Davis – U.S. Air Force, specific information not confirmed

Gordon J. Dickie – U.S. Navy, 1961-1965.

Donald Diemdowicz – U.S. Navy,1960-1963.

Roger E. Ducharme  – U.S. Coast Guard,  1960-1964.

James Eacmen – U.S. Navy, 1961-1964.

Alan L. Erickson – U.S. Navy, 1961-1966.

Leonard Erickson – U.S. Marine Corps, 1961-1965.

Samuel P. Evans – U.S. Army, 1965-1968.

William Farnsworth –U.S. Navy, 1965-1985.

David Feltmarch – Army National Guard, 1964-1970.

John W. Gerrard – U.S. Air Force, 1966-1967.

Richard L. Goguen – served 34 ½ years total in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve

Robert L. Goguen – U.S. Air Force, 1960-1964.

Bruce W. Handy  – U.S. Marine Corps, 1961-1964. 

Russell W. Hoag, Jr. – Army National Guard of Massachusetts 1964-1970.

Bruce M. Jacobsen – Army National Guard of Massachusetts 1961-1971.

George Kangas – U.S. Coast Guard 1961-1965.

Richard C. Kiiski – U.S. Marine Corps, 1960-1963.

Roger A. Kinnear – National Guard,  1966-1971.

Winona LeBlanc Moeller – U.S. Army Nurse Corps with assignments in Germany and throughout the United States,

Ernest M. Lehtonen  – U.S. Air Force, 1960-1968.

Dennis S. Mierzejewski –U.S. Air Force, detailed information not confirmed

Edward Miller, Jr. – U.S. Coast Guard, 1961-1965.

Creighton R. Morris – U.S. Air Force, 1960-1964.

Donald W. Niemela – U.S. Army 1964-1966. Vietnam.

John W. Oinonen – U.S. Navy, 1961-1965.

Jerome Pierce – U.S. Army Reserves, 1964-1970.

Pamela Prime Miller – U.S. Army 1964-1966.

Kenneth W. Rameau – U.S. Navy, 1960-1964.

Stephen Resnick– 1965-1972. National Guard, MA and NY

Ronald Richard – U.S. Army, 1962-1965.

David Robichaud – U.S. Air Force, 1960-1964. Air

Ronald V. Rosengren –  Army National Guard, 1964-1970.

Albert N. Rouisse – U.S. Marine Corps, 1960-1964.

James P. Sand – U.S. Coast Guard, 1960-1964.

Fred Schindler – U.S. Marine Corps, 1960-1966.

Wilfred J. Spring, Jr. – U.S. Air Force, 1964-1967.

 Kenneth W. Stone – U.S. Marines, 1960-1964.

James L. Tamulen – U.S. Air Force, 1965-1969.

Arthur Thomson – U.S.Army, 1960-1966; 1979-2001, National Guard of Vermont, 28 years of service total.

Terry T. Tosh – U.S. Marines, 1960-1970.

Charles L. Tutlis – U.S. Army,1965-1966.

 

GHS Class of 1960 classmates with military service records who are now deceased.

David Beauregard -–U.S. Coast Guard, deceased 2007

Laurie Blacquiere – U.S. Air Force Reserves, deceased 2010

Paul Gastonguay –  U.S. Air Force, deceased 1989

Ron Gerard – U.S. Army, Berlin Brigade, deceased 2003

Bruce Goguen – U.S. Army, Vietnam, deceased 1998

Blair Lariviere – Massachusetts National Guard, deceased 2008

Ernest LeBlanc  – U.S. Air Force, deceased 2012

Gerald LeClair  – U.S. Navy, deceased 2008

Eric Pakkila – U.S. Marine Corps, deceased 2000

Donald Pouliot – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam, deceased 2000

Pamela (Prime) Miller – U.S. Army, deceased 2006

Peter Smith – U.S. Coast Guard, deceased 2007

Joseph Stellato – U.S. Air Force, Vietnam, deceased 2010

Richard Touchette – U.S. Coast Guard, deceased 2011

A longer version of this list, identifying length of service, where stationed or deployed, and other pertinent information on each of these men and wome, is available by contacting dfleming373@verizon.net .

Remembering Betty Hill Rathburn

Elizabeth "Betty" A. (Hill) Rathburn, died  on October 30, 2012 in the Hillcrest Nursing Home, Fitchburg, MA after a brief illness. She was born in Gardner on October 23, 1941 and lived in Gardner all her life.  Her husband, Warren Earl Hill, died in 2007.  Betty worked for over 20 years at the former Rich's Department Store in Gardner, and later for TRW Fasteners.  In her spare time, Betty enjoyed trips to the Mohegan Sun and to the beaches in  Maine.

Elizabeth will be sadly missed by her two children, two grandchildren, two brothers, and her many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will beheld from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.on Friday, November 2 at the Lamoureaux, Fletcher and Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central Street in Gardmer.  Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.

For further details, see http://thegardnernews.com/main.asp?SectionID=26&SubSectionID=72&ArticleID=228880

1958 Football Team Induction Photo

This is a photo taken at the Gardner High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, October 20, 2012. There are many things that make this photo special, but the presence of Walt Dubzinski, Sr. in the front row and Joe Bishop on one side in a sweater is good for starters. You may notice somedthing else. Click on the photo to enlarge it for better viewing.

 

Bottom row: Walt Dubzinski, Jr., Ed Nobrega, Bob Dill, Norman Beauregard, Walt Dubzinski, Sr. (seated), Tony Kraskouskas, Ken Stone, James Sand.

Middle row: Stan Gemborys, Tom Ryan, Len Slomski, Don Barry, Joe Bishop (sweater).

Top Row: Charles (Bud) Smith, John Awdycki, Robert (Scooter) Cormier, Bob Coffin, Gordon Dickie

Jacques Cesaire '98, defensive lineman for the San Francisco Chargers did not play for the 1958 team, nor did Eric Swedberg, '98, running back and MVP in both baseball and football, but they are both shown on stage at the top of the photo with other inductees.

In accepting the award on behalf of the 1958 Football team, co-captains Ed Nobrega and Bob Dill each made some comments that showed how on-field success is no accident. Eddie reminded us of a basic physics lesson - that force is a product of mass and acceleration. In Ed's case, a smaller mass combined with greater acceleration was a force to be respected by larger opponents who were just seconds too late off the mark. Bob Dill talked about Gardner Junior High School's Joe Bishop and his drive to collect uniforms with which to start a junior high football program in grades 7 and 8, and how Mr. Bishop used after school practice time to drill football fundamentals, preparing them for high school play.

Kudos to Mr. Mike Richard, who served as Master of Ceremonies at the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. The acceptance speeches of recipients were an outstanding endorsement of the athletic program in the Gardner Public Schools, and moving testimony to the skill, dedication, and determination of their coaches and parents, who served in many impoprtant roles during their development.

Congratulations on your award, Wildcats. Fifty-four years later, you make us all feel proud to share in your success all over again.