Class of 1972 50th Reunion: May 20-22, 2022

My Post-Grad Journey:
Graduated in May 72, started medical school at New York Medical in June 72. Enter accelerated 3 year program graduated AOA(top 5%) with MD in June 75. Went to Hartford Hospital surgical intern, Orthopedic resident St. Luke-Roosevelt Hospital NYC, fellowship Dupont Institute. Private practice Orthopedic Specialty Group Fairfield Ct. Chief of Orthopedics Bridgeport Hospital Yale New Haven 1999-2009. President Eastern Orthopedics Assoc. 2007-2008.Instructor Yale University Scholl of Medicine 1987-2008.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
Getting to work with Dr. Donald Ross in senior year research program.

My Post-Grad Journey:
My journey after Fairfield most importantly led to my marriage to Pat. We are blessed to be celebrating our 46th wedding anniversary this year. With two wonderful children and being able to share our life with our 9-year-old granddaughter life is good! Also important is my parallel journey. After graduating with a MS in Clinical Social Work from Columbia my dream was to become Mental health commissioner of New York State. During my first two years, I was promoted several times to a regional administrative job. I quickly realized that this was not for me. I shifted gears and took a job as a director of an outpatient mental health clinic. After several years, I completed the Psychiatric residency program at Columbia's Medical School. I left the State and started a career in private practice, which I am blessed to continue to this day. The Faith based foundation of my practice deepened through the extraordinary education I received at Fairfield. Looking back, I do regret my support of the tripartite committee decision to limit Philosophy and Theology requirements.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
At Fairfield I had several life changing experiences. Volunteer time at the Kennedy Center inspired me to transfer from Pre Med to Psychology. The mission trips to Vanceburg, Ky and Dahlonega, Ga were life changing as well. Wonderful friendships were made on these trips to another America. In the midst of an overwhelming era as the Viet Nam war raged on, my consumption of way too much alcohol didn't help! I remember expecting a blessing from my Organic Chemistry teacher when i decided to go on strike against the war. I was only 1 of 2 Pre Med students who did so while 85% of the school went on strike. Thank God I was saved by the tripartite committee! Trips to Tarrytown, the year at the NIT, intramural were all fun memories. I also loved the peace I found on our beautiful campus.

My Post-Grad Journey:
I owe this incredible Fairfield journey to Fr. George Galarelli, who offered me a scholarship after talking to me for about thirty minutes. Because of his generosity, I have had a blessed life. My only regret is that I never asked him what he saw in me that day. After majoring in Business management at Fairfield, I went on to get my MBA from Fordham University. For the next 23 years I worked in broadcast television and radio, and cable television. Working first as a local and national account executive for Westinghouse Broadcasting; and then as VP and General Manager for Mutual Black Network. I then became president of the parent company, Sheridan Broadcasting. I returned to Westinghouse when they acquired Teleprompter Cable as VP Advertising Sales. After the company was sold, I became President of the Cable Advertising Bureau, a trade association for the cable industry. After I left the industry, I became an organizational development consultant, speaker, and trainer, specializing in leadership, team building, diversity & inclusion, and ethics. The highlight of my life after Fairfield has been raising my beautiful children, Thomas II, my twins Nicole, and Anthony, with my wife Frances who has been by my side for 56 years.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
My favorite memory of Fairfield is learning that I was a thespian. Doug Menaugh suggested that we audition for “The Detective Story” directed by Professor Robert Emmerich. We did and I got the lead role of Detective McCleod. I had never been to a theater performance before that. The most memorable part of this thespian journey was the night my wife, Frances and my two-year-old son came to the little theater to see the play. When I made my entrance, my son screamed, “That’s my daddy”. You can imagine the audience burst out laughing, while it took all of my strength to stay in character.

My Post-Grad Journey:
I remained at Fairfield after graduation as a Graduate Coordinator in Regis and earned a MA in American Studies. I then began a 25-year career in education as a high school social studies teacher and Assistant Principal earning a few more degrees along the way. In 1998 I retired and began studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Bridgeport at Catholic University in D.C. I was ordained in May of 2003 and served in parishes until last November when I retired a second time. I now live at a parish in Fairfield helping out at various parishes in the area.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
Fairfield and the Jesuits provided me with a solid foundation for my life's journey. I am sure that is where the seed for priesthood was first planted but took some time to sprout. Having never left the area, visits to University events have been a part of my life for the last 50 years. Pre-covid I would go on retreats to the Jesuit Retreat/Retirement Center in Weston, MA where I would see many Fairfield Jesuits - Vic Leeber, Vinny Burns, George Gallarelli, Al Cardoni, Larry O'Neill. They have all gone home to God. I owe Fairfield a lot.

My Post-Grad Journey:
After Fairfield, I received a PhD from the University of Minnesota and did postdoctoral studies at the University of Virginia, specializing in pharmacology. I spent 19 years at Schering Plough Research Institute in drug discovery and development, initially as a senior scientist and ultimately achieved the position of presidential fellow. I then joined Geltex pharmaceuticals as Senior VP of R and D. Geltex was acquired by Genzyme and I became head of drug discovery and development at Genzyme until my retirement. Sharon Purdie, my wife of 45 years and I have two wonderful children and a 1-year old grandson. We share the same passions of downhill skiing, sailing, bicycling and distance running. I have stayed active with Fairfield over the years. Our family sponsors a scholarship fund. I have been a member of the college of arts and sciences advisory board since 2005. I have given numerous lectures to biology and chemistry students and faculty at Fairfield. In 1987 I was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2017 became the second alum to be inducted into Fairfield's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (my friend and professor emeritus Kurt Schlichting '70 being the first).

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
I have many favorite memories of my time at Fairfield. These include Freshman Orientation, classes with inspirational professors such as Carmen Donnarumma, John McCarthy and Donald Ross, ice hockey games at the Wonderland of Ice, and spring trips to the Appalachian hills of Kentucky and Georgia.

My Post-Grad Journey:
I combined my degree in politics with a masters in health services administration and spent 40+ years in health policy, education and administration. It started in Albany with the Hospital Association of NYS and then the American Hospital Association (AHA) in Chicago. I met Barb, a nursing quality assurance consultant, and we married in 1977. We moved to Spokane, WA, in 1979 where I experienced a few years of hospital administration, a decade of independent consulting and a dozen years of regional Catholic health system leadership. From there we moved to DC where I served as the CEO of the AHA for almost a decade and I retired in early 2016 as President Emeritus. We have four children. At one point, they were all in college at once. All have settled in the Pacific NW, and they and their spouses have blessed us with seven grandchildren. We now divide our time between Spokane and Buckeye, AZ.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
Fairfield provided many wonderful experiences. I learned to think more critically and broadly. I had a great circle of friends and classmates. I played varsity tennis. And I helped organize two homecoming weekends and oversaw a dormitory as a senior, bringing me into direct contact with the university's administration and decision-making processes. Recently, I served on the advisory board of the Kanarek Center for Palliative Care Nursing Education within Fairfield's school of nursing.

My Post-Grad Journey:
After teaching language arts at Branford High School, I had the opportunity to work at Chateau Monbousquet, St. Emilion France. Upon my return to NYC I began my wine career at Kobrand Corporation, an import and marketing firm. Global travel, Michelin restaurants, and fine wines and spirits were a part of corporate responsibility. My career path led to an opportunity to join United Distributors Inc. in Atlanta Georgia as the Corporate Director of Education and also served as Adjunct Professor of Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University. Retired now traveling and drinking my cellar.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
A collection of memories are distilled into early days on Campion 2, the beauty of the campus and environs, my classmates who became brothers and the academic challenges this Jesuit Liberal Arts offered its student body.

My Post-Grad Journey:
I got a BA degree/Spanish major and a teaching degree. Got a teaching job in Bristol, CT and Branford, CT for 6 years. Moved back to Long Island in 1978 and went on working for various pharmaceutical and medical devices companies in sales, management, and ownership for the 35 years until retirement.

What is your favorite Fairfield University memory?
Meeting my lifelong friends. Dorm life, all nighters, crazy parties. My teachers; Father Leeber, S.J. ; Paul Davis; and RA Father Mahan, S.J.. Friends for life: Jim Sinnott, Lou Stathis, Jim Thompson, Mitch Syp, Joan Barber Syp, Jim Kelly. Red Garter night. Best times of my life in those days.

A special thank you to the members of the Class of 1972 50th Reunion Committee!

Joseph Berardino
James Clarke
John Herlihy
James Kelly, Jr.
Robert Lacobelle
Thomas McKinney
David O'Connor
Rev. Christopher Samele
Elaine Halas Scott
Joan Barber Syp
Mitchel Syp
Edmund Sybertz, Jr.

Here is a look at where your classmates have relocated to after graduation.

California
Patrick Delaney
Thomas Hildebrandt
Paul Hoffmann
William Kruse
James Moynihan Jr.
John Vierling
Mary Jane Brady Witkower

Colorado
John Fagan
Richard Leary
David O'Connor

Connecticut
Gerard Agoglia
Joseph Berardino
Henry Barry Jr.
Robert Boccardi
Francis Boyle Jr.
Frank Bria
Mark Breen
Frank Bruno
Thomas Bukowski
John Bussmann Jr.
Mark Cantin
Gerald Capocci
Gary Clayton
Joseph Collins
Thomas Connor
Raymond Corby
John Cullen
Robert Dawe
William Day
Dennis DeAngelis
Raymond DeGennaro
John DeLucia
Paul Dodd
Nicholas Doria
Lawrence Dunn Jr.
Edmund Dunn Jr.
John Elgee
Joseph Evan
Lawrence Fischer Jr.
Joseph Foehr Jr.
D. Patrick Foley
Roger Fox
Thomas Gallese
Christopher Galvin
Robert George
Vincent Giannetto
William Gill Jr.
James Ginocchio
Anthony Giuliano
Thomas Gniadek
Walter Hajducki
Elaine Halas Scott
John Healy
Paula Jodoin Henry
John Herlihy
Stephen Hicks
Paul Higgins
William Hill
Harry Hirsch
John Kennedy Jr.
John Korolyshun
Thomas Krause
Joseph Huntz
Robert Lacobelle
Gerald Langlais
George Langley III
Raymond Larrivee
Alan Malash
Ronald Maselli
Albert Mauro
Adam Mazeika Jr.
Brian McDonnell
Jeffrey Montague
Thomas Morton
Francis Neary Jr.
Rich Niezabitowski
Joseph Oliveri
Robert Petrini
Richard Pinkowski
Domenick Pinto
David Piper
Lawrence Pothier
Joseph Puzzo Jr.
J. Mark Regan
John Roberto Jr.
Eddie Rodriguez Jr.
Giancarlo Rossi
Michael Roth
Robert Russo
Martin Ryan
John Rybczak
Neal Salvey
Christopher Samele
James Santanelli
Patrick Shea
Keith Sittnick
Thomas Sobocinski
Patrick Sullivan
Gilbert Thornfeldt
Patricia Tristine Toth
Nicholas Visconti
Matthew Vitello
Robert Volz
Charles Wailonis
Michael Walsh
James Walsh
Francis Wiatr
William Zielinski

Delaware
Michael Ostroski

Florida
Mark Abalan
Sharon Braun Aragona
Francisco Armada
Robert Cardillo
John Connell
Joseph Corriveau
Robert Fiscella
David Gresko
Thomas Gryzbala
Robert Hagney
Jay Lyons
Robert Marko
William McGill
Judi Back Menegay
John Mesek
Andrew Paczkowski
Edward Penza
Donald Sandaal
John Sassano
Robert Schneider
Edmund Sybertz
David Tottle
John Zrebiec

Georgia
John Hollfelder
Michael Venezia

Illinois
John Dillman
Michael Gallagher
Paul Riel
William Rogers

Massachusetts
Calvin Annino Jr.
James Bolger
Peter Callagy
David Christiani
Richard Coen
Kevin Connors
John Curelli
Thomas Dunn
Charles Frissora
Dennis Gilbert
Richard Hayes Jr.
Gerard Kelly
Thomas Kwasniak
William LaBrecque
John Laflamme
Edward Lizotte
Justin McCarthy
Edwin Milan
James Monahan Jr.
William Packard
Stephen Robinson
Edmund Sapeta
Robert Schortmann
Joan Barber Syp
Mitchel Syp
Charles Washburn
John Wiggin

Maryland
Mary Broadhurst
Thomas Kerwin
George Vurturo

Maine
John Danaher III
William Good Jr.
John McGovern
David McGuire
William O'Neill
Philip Smith

Michigan
David Baby
Michael Galvin

Missouri
Thomas DeVoto

North Carolina
George Dubay
William Franko
Arthur Gallagher
Margaret Janelle
Robert Kelly
Stephen Lane
Thomas McKinney
James Morrow Sr.
Richard Nastasi

New Hampshire
Matthew Grasberger
Mark Ponton
Robert Roy

New Jersey
Gordon Andrew
Timothy Barnes
Charles Behnken
Robert Billmeier
Richard Bisbe
J. Brendan Bruder
Ismael Colon
Robert Curley
Richard Esperon
Jesse Heap
Raymond Ifill
George Keenan
Theodore Martens
Gregory McGrath
John Nappi Jr.
Paul O'Connor
Steven Parrillo Jr.
Robert Pontone Jr.
John Reid
Howard Roile Jr.
John Sidote
Michael Stampfle
Joseph Uvino
Stephen Vanacore

New York
Edward Barone
Tullio Bertoli
Michael Borzansky
Francis Cappuccio
James Clarke
Salvatore DeTores
Kenneth Doherty
Robert Donley
Dennis Gallagher
Brian Keefe
James Kelly Jr.
Thomas Kinnally
Rocco Lafaro
William Macklin
Robert Mantione
William Marrinan Jr.
George Martin Jr.
Daniel McCarthy
Terence McDonough
James McGintee
Thomas Mitchell
Philip Mulry
Anthony Nebiolo
Francis O'Connor
Arthur Pagano
Robert Reeves
Robert Rovegno
Terrence Sacchi
Brian Smith
Louis Stathis
Lawrence Wachter III
Francis Wisnieski
Robert Zimardo

Ohio
Louis San Marco
Frederick Sandmann

Oregon
William Tierney

Pennsylvania
Thomas Condon
William Haff
William Harker
William Mezick
Michael Weitekamp

Puerto Rico
Jaime Noble

Rhode Island
Robert Closter
George McKiernan Jr.

South Carolina
Gregory Keilty
Donald Salomone
Elizabeth Tampone

Tennessee
Stephen Dormer

Texas
Stephen Galiette
G. Edward Goodwin
Robert Mulqueen

Utah
Linda Price Darnell
Elliott Kulakowski

Virginia
Brian Connor
Judith Gallagher
Samuel Harvey Jr.
Joan Evenski Jach
Paul Marble Jr.
Frank Verrastro

Vermont
Ernest Clerihew
Wayne Krevetski
Robert Morlino

Washington
Thomas Andle
William Dillon
Richard Umbdenstock

No Home Address
Laura Bower
S. Thomas Butera
James Callahan
Albert Fischetti
Joseph Gerics
David Lamb
John Mathews
Duane McDonald
James Montagano
John Mullen
Christopher Peters
John Wyatt

Last updated June, 2022.

Contact information (mailing address, phone number, and/or email address) for the following members of the Class of 1972 is missing from our database. If you know where your classmates are and/or how to get in touch, please e-mail alumni@fairfield.edu.

S. Thomas Butera
Albert Fischetti
John Mathews
James Montagano

Last updated: March, 2022

As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1972, we remember in a special way the members of our class who have gone before us...

Eternal rest grant to them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May these and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Kenneth Alexander Jr.
Real Bourgon
Colleen Britt
Anthony Clerihew
Donald Conn
Philip Courtney
Kenneth Daly
Lawrence DeTullio
Robert Doyle
Stephen Ferri
Richard Fischer Jr.
Margaret Gallagher
Lee Goodman
William Gorski
Robert Groen
Gerard Hourihan
Herbert Keating
John Keough Jr.
James Kiernan
Joseph Kurzel
Brian Lenihan
Vincent LeRoy Jr.
Thomas Lyddy


Patrick McCaherty
William McDonnell
John McGrath Jr.
John McManus
John O'Brien
Kathleen O'Brien
Dwight Page
Stanley Pawloski
Robert Ranieri
Kevin Regan
James Russo
James Shukie
Richard Singer
James Sinnott
Donald Tenczar
James Thompson
Michael Tibbets
Ronald Waite
Robert Wollow

Last updated: March, 2022

Photos are available to view and/or download via the Class of 1972 50th Reunion album on our Fairfield Alumni Flickr page. Enjoy!

Once graduates of Fairfield University celebrate their milestone 50th Reunion, they become members of the prestigious group known as Golden Stags. This group is the cornerstone of our alumni family and we are proud to recognize and celebrate their importance to the Fairfield community. Currently, the Golden Stags are made up of alumni from the classes of 1951 through 1971.

For more information about our "Golden Stags," please visit: fairfield.edu/goldenstags.

Feel free to contact us at any time!

The Office of Alumni Relations: (203) 254-4280
Email: alumni@fairfield.edu
Fax: (203) 254-4104
Website: www.fairfield.edu/alumni or www.fairfield.edu/goldenstags