ND Class of 1968 Contact: Tom Figel, 312-223-9536 office
Submitted: May 2, 2013 tfigel@lake-effect.com
Reunion Shock Troops, led by Weyer and Ptak
Dennis Toolan’s wedding to Mary Louise Deane Nash on April 13th was a sort of Blue-Gold 45th reunion scrimmage, minus helmets and safety pads, for a happy group of Chicago and Michigan City classmates: 17 of the fellows by President Tom Weyer’s count. With the snows of Indiana swirling outside Sacred Heart Basilica and a campus rugby match in progress on a field near some new (post-1970) dorms, Dennis and Mary Lou exchanged vows witnessed by Tom Weyer and Mary, Roger Guerin and Jean, Bryan Dunigan, Tom Gibbs and Sheila, Joe Kernan, Tom McKenna and Mary Ann of Carmel, IN, Tom McKenna and Mary Pat of Chicago, Gene Cavanaugh and Pat, Tom Moore and Kathy, Chris Murphy and Carmie, Dave Kabat and Barb, Ron Zabo and Lynn, Matt Walsh and Joyce. On the left side of the basilica, like a rollicking set of visiting fans, were rows and rows of festive Mary Lou relatives, a multi-generation, fecund group probably multiplying during the very ceremony. Through the balance of the day’s parties, from newborns to guys our age, they would hula-hoop, dance, celebrate and, in sum, set a high bar. The family even had its own troubadour, Mary Lou’s brother Pat, who came from Florida with his band and his family lore set to music. Bob Ptak, Roger Guerin and Dennis Toolan countered with a musical number Bob remembered from student days at Lake Michigan. Outside the party hall, Joe Kernan told some Sorin Hall fables that included the celebrated Brien Murphy and a hapless door. It was that kind of wedding.
And it will be that kind of reunion, as you will know from the class blog.
Still, you won’t find some notables in those reunion notes and photos. Bill Kelly and Mary, now living in Scottsdale, AZ, expect to be in the midst of gutting and remodeling their retirement home, this on the heels of a Mediterranean cruise – a 30th wedding anniversary celebration – that will only miss one or two ports and a mountain top Alpine chapel. Bob Brady and Margaret, who spent a month in Hawaii during the winter, will be absent. Jim O’Rourke, a strong reunion recruiter, received no’s from Tom Scully and from Tom Warner: “Tom Scully and his bride will be in Spain and France on holidays. The Warners will be in their Tuscan farmhouse during the olive harvest.” Tom Fitzharris, who booked travel to South Bend months in advance, had to cancel with mixed feelings when he was accepted into an Italian program the same weekend; he will be in Rome for a drawing course.
Jim O’Rourke also reported the loss of Bill Foley, who died January 12, 2013 in Grosse Isle, MI. Bill had been a public accountant before he joined the family business, Michigan Foundation Company in Trenton, MI. John Broderick, who brought his easy laughter and good spirit to many events, succumbed to cancer on February 15, 2013 in Ludington, MI. John’s mother had been a stunt double for Lucille Ball and other actresses. Albert W. Stuchlik died on February 22, 2013 in Bonner Springs, KS, where he was active in all the activities of his family plus those of the VFW. He was a former member of the City Council. Dick Frey ’66 sent the news to our class. John Tracy, only recently celebrated for his achievements as one of the Chicago area’s most accomplished high school basketball players, died in Michigan City, IN in late March, 2013. Mike Duddy died following surgery in Philadelphia, PA on April 9, 2013. Mike and his wife Sandra had a family of three Notre Dame graduates and ten grandchildren. We also send comfort to Dennis Reeder, whose mother Evelyn Wellnitz Reeder died in Columbus, OH on April 21, 2013. May God not punish this mother of Notre Dame graduates for her unflagging loyalty to Ohio State University. The blog has additional notes about each of these departed classmates and friends.
Thanks for sending news to: Tom Figel, 1054 West North Shore, Apt. 3-E, Chicago, IL 60626, tel. (office) 312-223-9536, tfigel@lake-effect.com.