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As part of the 50 year reunion, classmates were invited to provide a
yearbook update.
Included below are the updates that were received.
Frank Piotrowski
Kristine Battaglia McLaughlin -
Shamong, NJ
Accomplishments:
2 beautiful children Annmarie and David. 45 plus years owner
Burlington Floor Covering LLC.
Memories:
Being co-captain color guard and football games.
Future:
To live life to the fullest!
Gary Bembenek -
Elysburg, PA
Accomplishments:
One happy bride; one colorful career; degreed, married kids;
eight-is-enough grandchildren to spoil.
Memories:
As my SJHS recollections sharpen with age: I appreciate more, the
diverse, vibrant, and fun personalities with whom we were blessed to
be a part of.
Future:
Take 2 aspirin and see me on the beach, any beach, anywhere, any
time.
Nobe and (Jean Malesich) Bialoskorski -
Deptford, NJ
Accomplishments:
Jean and I have 2 beautiful, grown and accomplished children (Julia
& Lisa) who have given us 5 healthy and lovely grandchildren.
Memories:
Student / teacher basketball games with the enforcer (Mr. Plocharski),
and group dinners with Father Camponova.
Future:
Looking forward to retirement in November and enjoying our family.
Charlie Blank -
Williamstown, NJ
Accomplishments:
- Married 30 years to Joyce, 5 children, 2 step, 3
mine, 13 grandchildren
- Graduate U. of Maryland - 1972, BS in Education
- Retired teacher and coach
- Member of South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame
- Coach of the Year - South Jersey - 1980 and 2002
- Marketing Education Teacher of the Year for the
state of NJ - 2001
- Washington Township Teacher of the Year - 2001
Memories:
- Long days at St. Joe's
- Football and basketball games at St. Joe's
- Working with so many great young people over my
30 years as a HS teacher
Future:
- Enjoy my remaining years with family and friends
- Enjoy the Bisons Club
Mike Boone - Erial, NJ
Accomplishments:
- Camden Police Retired 1971-1996
- Navy Seabee 1969-1975
- U.S. Army National Guard 1978-2010 Retired
Future:
Mary Anne Byrne -
Medford Lakes, NJ
Accomplishments:
MBA from University of Denver followed by a rewarding career in
publishing. Enjoyed living in Denver for 33 years - hiked and skied
in the Rockies habitually.
Future:
Enjoy retirement.
Paul Christy -
Columbus, NJ
Accomplishments:
Still alive enjoying retirement with family.
Memories:
St. Joe's sock hops, football and basketball games, pep rallies,
going to Green Valley for ice cream after games.
Future:
Staying alive and healthy.
Bill Cipollone -
Williamstown, NJ
Accomplishments:
Retirement, survival, 2nd home in Florida, 5 grandkids
Future:
Travel the U.S.
Martin Costa -
Blue Anchor, NJ
Accomplishments:
Our three lovely daughters and our five wonderful grand children!
Francine DiCiano DeFoney -
Runnemede, NJ
Married, 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, retired Post Office, love to
travel.
Larry Dombrowski -
Merchantville, NJ
Accomplishments:
Overcoming a few unforeseen obstacles early on forming and raising
our family. Obstacles successfully overcome only with the faithful
support of my loving wife Lancy. Raising four children who have
accomplished much more than I ever did.
Memories:
Chemistry class Junior year with Tom McHugh. As bona fide class
clowns we were standing at separate lab counters during class
because of plying our trade. Tom was at the one ahead of me. Mine
had a working barometer from which I extracted a small amount of
hydrochloric acid (unknown to me at the time, showing my dearth of
chemical knowledge). With which I then proceeded to sprinkle Tom's
neck. A minute later poor Tom had red welts on his neck which Sister
Amadea had to rinse at the sink to relieve Tom's suffering. For some
reason I don't remember my punishment, had to be time spent with Mr.
Plocharski in detention.
Future:
Continue making money for nothing and spending it on trips and grand
kids.
Michele Dougherty -
Runnemede, NJ
Accomplishments:
- Accomplished stone sculptor
- Buyer for A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts for 16 years
- 35 wonderful years in the convent
Memories:
- Honored to be on the Student Council
- Member of SJHS first girls basketball team
- Attending all the SJHS sports events
- Times with friends who are no longer with us, especially
John Asher
Future:
- Would love to meet the man of my dreams in the
sunset years of my life!
Eileen Farrell Hartley -
Toms River, NJ
Accomplishments:
At the age of 54, went back to school to become a LPN and graduated
with a grade point average of 95.
Memories:
Great memories of time spent with my late husband Bill Hartley.
Future:
Whatever the man upstairs has for me!
Frank Frankowski -
Mount Ephraim, NJ
Accomplishments:
1 son, Matthew and 3 grandsons (my boys) Dominic, Gianni and
Anthony.
Memories:
Al Fatale's small explosion in Chemistry.Trip to Poland to
grandmother's home town
Łomża. Trip to Italy to grandmother's
home town Riccione.
Future:
Play bad golf, eat and drink too much.
Vince Gallo -
Lake Worth, FL
Accomplishments:
Living life to the fullest with my wife of 48 years, Gail. Raised a
daughter and son in Winslow Township. Traveled and enjoyed seeing
this Great Country of ours. Was a Winslow volunteer Fireman for 40
years and a Township Fire Commissioner for 6. Finally retired for
the 3rd time to sunny Florida where our children and 5 grandsons
live.
Memories:
My last job was working for the Camden City
School District. Where the last 3 years I worked, I traveled almost
weekly past our old SJHS. As I passed the school, many good and not
so good memories
would flash back of the days at school -
George Plocharski.
Future:
Life is short. We are making the time to smell the roses, enjoy
retirement and continue traveling and see the world.
John Giacobbe -
Williamstown, NJ
Accomplishments:
Married for forty-seven years to Jean (SJHS class of 1970). Two
great kids, four wonderful grandchildren, built two successful
businesses that are still in operation and employing over 20 people.
Memories:
Too many good memories to mention here.
Future:
Take one day at a time and enjoy life.
Darlene Holbrook Busacca -
Hamilton, NJ
Accomplishments:
A healthy attitude, healthy body and a healthy appetite! Grateful
for all, but would prefer a much less appetite for food - LOL.
Future:
My daughter married in 2017 so I'm hopeful to some day being a
grandmother and to doing more traveling.
John Iatarola -
Zionsville, PA
Accomplishments:
Spent the first 23 years after high school and college as a Business
Manager for the Georgia Pacific Corporation. Met and married my
beautiful wife Becky and went to and retired from the U.S Postal
Service after 25 years. Have continued to be an active musician all
these years.
Memories:
Mr. Lux, Ms. Szumska, Senior Prom.
Future:
Live long and healthy, and enjoy retirement.
Steve Kondracki -
Norfolk, VA
Accomplishments:
I’ve made my share of mistakes (taking too long to finish college,
forgetting to get married, not buying Apple stock in 1979, etc), but
I have done some things that have worked out okay: I pursued a
career in television production, which has been challenging, fun,
and rewarding; I wisely settled in Norfolk, Virginia, which has been
a great place to live, and continues to get better; I listened to
Mr. Annechino and others, and started investing early; and I’ve
always made it a priority to travel, visiting more than forty
countries. My August 2018 bike tour of Italy is my latest trip,
putting me at around 13,000 miles cycled in Europe. I’m involved in
work, my church, local Norfolk political activities, and the
Underemployed Cameramen’s Cycling Club. I have a lot of friends, and
look forward to making more.
Memories:
My memories of SJHS are of football and basketball games, assemblies
and pep rallies, and getting into trouble for trying to make people
laugh. I remember some great teachers that deserved respect, and
probably didn’t get it from me. A look at the yearbook reminded me
of freshman year homeroom teacher, Mr. Werner, a great guy. I always
seemed to have a lot of interaction with Mr. Plocharski and Father
Pieczonka. And who can forget Miss Szumska and Mr. Erwin Lux?
Future:
I hope to continue working in TV/Video production, traveling to
countries I haven’t seen yet (with or without a bicycle), cycling on
a regular basis, and possibly, meeting a woman who would put up with
me working, traveling, and cycling - and trying to make people
laugh.
Christine Krowicki LaLena -
Blue Anchor, NJ
Accomplishments:
Still enjoy working full time as a paralegal. Have been married for
47 years. Have three daughters: Heather who works at Virtua ICU has
two boys, Gregory age 14 and Thomas who is 11 years old; Gretchen
who has two boys, Anthony 18 years old and Johnathan 12, and Heidi
who has her Masters in Occupational Therapy, who just had a baby
boy, Anthony Daniel, Jr. born on June 28, 2018. Husband Frank
retired from ACME after 50 years. I am a Eucharistic Minister and
also a Stephen Minister at Christ the Redeemer.
Memories:
Musicals - choir, Sr. Benita - a real great nun.
Future:
Will continue to work, and spend vacations with our grandsons.
Ed Kuzniasz -
Sicklerville, NJ
Accomplishments:
Having two sons, Peter and Kenneth, and watching them grow into fine
men having families of their own. Watching grandsons grow up.
Memories:
Remembering all the fun times and places we lived around the world.
Missing Peg that I lost in 2013.
Future:
Having a great life with Karen and moving to SC for retirement, and
playing a lot of golf together.
Terri Martinac -
Ewing, NJ
Accomplishments:
Successful career; performed in shows and musicals, and as a "wedding
singer" for ceremonies; traveled both in the U.S. and abroad;
received the College of NJ Distinguished Alumni Service Award; past
president of Alumni Association at TCNJ, and chairperson of the
Foundation Board; honorary state member of Alpha Delta Kappa
International Organization for Woman Educators
Memories:
Being a member of various clubs; attending football games; senior
prom; trip to Italy
Future:
Continuing to travel; serve on the Boards at TCNJ; enjoying life!
James McHugh -
Madison, NJ
Accomplishments:
Currently teaching at Columbia University. 43 years of marriage to
Lindsey.
Future:
Travel - Tanzania and China this year.
Tom McHugh -
Springfield, PA
Accomplishments:
Still breathing.
Memories:
Too many to mention.
Future:
Keep breathing.
Mary McNamara Falcone -
Mount Ephraim, NJ
Accomplishments:
Getting married to my husband John in 2010. Bachelor's in Management
from Rutgers University. Working for RCA, GE Martin Marietta,
Lockheed Martin, L-3 Communications and now back at Lockheed Martin.
Memories:
Family, friends and enjoying life.
Future:
Continue to enjoy life and treasure every day.
Joe Miloszewski - Blackwood, NJ
Accomplishments:
As of 6/10/18, married 46 years to my lovely wife Beverly. 2 sons
Andrew and Justin, 3 grand kids Maggie, Bradley and Benjamin. 39
years in public education - elementary school teacher, guidance
counselor, guidance director.
Memories:
Football practice, meatball sandwiches at lunch, sock hops,
homecoming dance, 9th grade English class with Miss Szumska.
Future:
Grandparenting, taking grand kids to Disney World,playing golf,
cruising with family and friends.
Tony Mitchell -
Voorhees, NJ
Accomplishments:
- Rutgers Camden - BA in Political Science 1972
- Glassboro State - MA in Student Personnel Services 1977
- Teacher/Dean of Discipline – St. Joseph (Camden ) 1970- 1979
- Teacher/Guidance Director/Baseball Coach - now Athletic
Director, Paul VI HS 1979- present
- Inducted into the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame 2004
- Service Award from NJSIAA ( New Jersey State Interscholastic
Athletic Assoc.) 2017
- Sectional Award of Merit from DAANJ (Directors of Athletic
Administrators) 2018
Memories:
St. Joe’s friends
Future:
Will continue to work here as Athletic Director here @ PVI. This
is my 49th year- want to do at least 50.
Larry Nelson -
Berlin, NJ
Accomplishments:
Being married for 41 years (to the same woman), staying out of jail
(probably because I've been married to the same woman for 41 years),
staying alive long enough to collect Social Security and Medicare.
Got a total knee replacement A+++
Memories:
None that I can think of.
Future:
Hope to be available for the 75th reunion.
Nancy Nitka Andres -
Pitman, NJ
Accomplishments:
3 great kids and 4 wonderful grandkids
Future:
Enjoy house at the shore and travel
Ed Ott -
Mount Holly, NJ
Accomplishments:
Helped raise my son Michael, and married to Nancy for 46 years.
Secured gainful employment thanks to the Hamilton Township Schools
and Mercer County Community College.
Memories:
Growing up in Williamstown holds many special memories of people,
places and things. Leaving small town life and going to St. Joe's in
the big city was a revelation. Too many memories to list.
Future:
Continue to enjoy traveling with Nancy! Spend more time with family
and friends. Continue to work part time at the college to keep my
brain partially functioning. My brother-in-law says if he hits the
lottery he'll take care of me. I hope that's a good thing.
Frank Piotrowski -
Galloway, NJ
Accomplishments:
After 50 years, being able to say that today I now have more friends
from the class of 1968 than I did during the entire four years spent
at St. Joe's.
Memories:
Lots of 'em - Sophomore and Junior years were the best. Freshman
year was largely spent trying to figure out the rules of the game,
and Senior year was concerned with figuring out what was going to
happen after leaving St. Joe's. Worst - That at times we were so
immature and treated each other pretty crappy. Funniest - too many
to mention. At the top of the list were all the episodes where
somebody goofed on a teacher - the best ones were Al Fatale and Sr.
Amadea, Dennis Morrison and Herr Lux, and Jimmy Connolly and Miss
Szumska.
Future:
Nothing specific - go with the flow - whatever happens will happen -
enjoy life - buy more toys for myself, keep on traveling.
Pat Polanski Ciseck - Williamstown, NJ
Accomplishments:
Being retired and living the dream. Married 47 years to my soulmate.
Memories:
Sock hops and Collingswood dances. Tissue test before we could enter
typing class.
Future:
Just to chill back and enjoy retirement. Enjoy the five beautiful,
fine grandchildren we are blessed with.
Susan Pomelear Harker - Marlton, NJ
Accomplishments:
- Married Bill Harker in June 1970 (sadly he died in 1997 just
2 months after his 48th birthday).
- Earned my cosmetology license and managed a salon where I
earned a cruise to the Bahamas and a nine day trip to Hong Kong.
- Owned and operated my own salon for four years until a brain
aneurysm brought my career to a close.
- Raised three wonderful daughters and walked each down the
aisle in Bill's absence
- Enjoying every single minute of life.
- Loving 5 beautiful grandchildren: Alex, Juliet, Ryder,
Marcello and Rowen.
Memories:
- Getting away with pranks in Mr. Lux's class. He loved me
and Sally Huntley. (I am sorry that some of our antics got
some boys a detention).
- Making a tree for "Springtime".
- Senior year LOCKERS!!
- Being THE Bison (did anyone know that?).
Future:
- To keep enjoying life . . . it is so precious and
way too short.
- To impart as much wisdom to my grands, without
seeming to be an old lady.
Tom Ranieri -
Gloucester, VA
Accomplishments:
20 years USAF, 2 kids, 4 grandkids, sociology degree, amateur award
winning photographer
Memories:
My time in Germany and Europe, work and people
Future:
Long life
Diane Scherrer -
Erial, NJ Accomplishments:
- Still healthy and happy!
- Independent companion/caregiver to seniors
- Event Planner and Board Member for People For The Poor, a
non-profit organization that raises funds, giving 100% of all
proceeds to assist South Jersey’s poor
- Philadelphia Phillies Hostess
- Ghost write articles for national publications.
Memories:
- Landing a leading role in the operetta “Springtime”
despite being tone deaf and unable to carry a tune
- Late hours after school putting the student newspaper
“Impressions” together
- Attending Bison Basketball games
- Senior Prom
Future:
- Caring for my senior clients
- Working for those boys of summer - The Fightin'
Phils
- Writing
- Charitable work
- And above all, spending time with my family
Gail Senatore Dolente - Sewell, NJ
Accomplishments:
My career as a drug and alcohol counselor. My wonderful family. My
cancer remission.
Memories:
As everyone, I remember the innocence of high school. My marriage,
children and grandchildren.
Future:
A cancer free life, my husband.
Linda Skand - Woodbine, NJ
Accomplishments:
45 years of dental hygiene; now retired. Had 4 rental houses
previously.
Memories:
Namu rolling down stairs; she caught me ordering pizza from Rexy's
Bar.
Future:
Went on 3 cruises; hope to travel abroad.
Lorraine Staniul Tanski - Blackwood, NJ
Accomplishments:
Married to my husband Tom (SJHS '66) for 45 years and raised one
beautiful daughter. Retired after 38 years of successful employment
with local government.
Memories:
Enjoying all of the good and sometimes bad times at St. Joe's.
Future:
Hoping to live life to the fullest with health and happiness, and
especially winning the BIG ONE at the Borgata Casino.
Pat Stevenson - Gainesville, GA
Accomplishments:
Made it back from Viet Nam, a surveyor for 8 years. Attained aviation tech school
and GA
State U. Worked Bristow offshore helicopter group, Eastern Airlines and Lockheed
Martin Aero, programs: C-5 heavy cargo, C-130's, P-3 Orion 16 years, and F-22 Raptor
Jet Fighter for18 years. FAA aircraft / power plant mechanic, lead
mechanic supervisor and systems specialist, retired after 34 years.
Memories:
All the great people and times at St.Joe's. Basketball and football
games, and school plays. School dances at Collingswood High, Bishop
Eustace, Pope Paul VI, and Union Field. Wildwood, Atlantic City and
Sea Isle Beach. Great food of the area. New York Shipyard.
Philadelphia arts and all parts, and all the great music of the
area.
Future:
Enjoy retirement, traveling the country, being with family and friends.
Just enjoying life with good food, wine and Wild Turkey Honey.
Barbara Walat Christy - Columbus, NJ
Accomplishments:
I have been an RN for 40 years but am presently retired. Just in
case some of you don’t know, I married my high school sweetheart,
Paul Christy. We have been married for 50 years as of June 8th. It
has been an adventure to say the least! We have 2 sons, Paul and
Jeff who have blessed us with 6 grandchildren, 5 girls and 1 boy.
Three of the granddaughters are married and we have 5 great
grandchildren, 2 girls and 3 boys with number 6 on the way. We
presently live in Columbus, N.J. I enjoy playing golf with friends
and/or Paul. It is a sport that I am addicted to since living in
Florida for 10 years. I love watching football and am a big Eagles
fan! E A GL E S, Eagles! Unfortunately, my football playing husband
won’t buy me season tickets. Go figure!
Memories:
My memories were the fun and great times I had as a cheerleader at
the football and basketball games and pep rallies and going to Green
Valley after the games. Mr Lux’s German Class for two years, Sr.
Amadea’s trigonometry class and the lunch ladies in the cafeteria.
Future:
Staying healthy and living life to the fullest with my best friend
and husband, Paul.
Maria Wilk - Deptford, NJ
Accomplishments:
Maintaining long term friendships, especially with Anna Fronczek
Durant and Mary McNamara Falcone. A long career in bookkeeping and
office management. Doing a lot of traveling.
Memories:
Many fun times at Phillies and Eagles games, and many great trips
with the Phillies and Eagles.
Future:
Still working 1 or 2 days a week, but hope to be fully retired in a
year or two so I can do a lot more traveling. |