Fifteen graduating classes of Joliet Catholic High School, St. Francis Academy and Joliet Catholic Academy recently held reunions.

JCHS Class of 1951: Celebrated their 60-year reunion during a two-day event the weekend of Aug. 19-20. Under the guidance of committee members Jim Birkey, Jim McGuire and Jack Smith, many attended a golf outing on Aug. 19 at Woodruff Golf Course. A reunion dinner was held on Aug. 20 at Al’s Steakhouse. Classmates and spouses enjoyed an evening of friendship and camaraderie. In attendance were Jack Azman, Jim Birkey, Bill Birsa, Bob Fenney, Dick Mandella, George Mavrin, Jim McGuire, Jack McGuire, Jack Pastore, John Pissini, Ray Sicinski, Frank Smego, Jack Smith, Joe Turk and Joe Voitik. This reunion generated a gift of over $400 for JCA.

SFA Class of 1951: Celebrated their 60-year reunion on Oct. 22, 2011 with a dinner at Al’s Steakhouse in Joliet. Friends came in from as far away as Florida to reminisce. The committee of Kate Fitzgerald Broderick, Marilyn Nolan Lonzo, Noreen Schmitz Bussey and Lou Ann Kinney reflected on the passing of classmate Mary Anne Meyers Kostelz just weeks after the reunion. “How lucky we are to have our group photo,” Broderick said. The reunion generated over $1,000 for the Helping Hand Tuition Assistance Fund.

JCHS Class of 1956: Celebrated their 55-year reunion, beginning with a pizza party at Cemeno’s Restaurant. The reunion continued on Saturday afternoon with a mass at St. Paul’s Church, dedicated to the 24 deceased members of the class. The downpour of rain did not dampen the spirits. The Joliet Country Club provided the setting for dinner and an evening of renewing friendships and reliving favorite memories. Chuck Lennon acted as Master of Ceremonies. The recently retired Lennon spent 30 years as Notre Dame’s Executive Director of the Alumni Association. The class donated over $1,000 to the Jack Adler Scholarship Fund, which was established to help a student in need attend JCA. The reunion committee of the Rev. George Klepec, Don Gould and Ralph Haldorson would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Holly Scordo, JCA’s Director of Alumni Relations, for her invaluable assistance. The class is already planning for their 60th reunion in 2016.

JCHS/SFA Class of 1961: Celebrated their 50-year reunion on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. After attending JCA’s Homecoming football game on Friday night, an informal pizza party was held at Cemeno’s, with over 115 classmates attending. A golf outing was held on Saturday and a dinner reception was held that evening at the Joliet Country Club. There were 172 in attendance, including the Rev. Warren Carlin, O. Carm., who was only in his second year of teaching at JCHS in 1961. A musical CD of the era and a bound booklet that featured senior pictures of all the graduates, their latest information and other 1961 memories were given to each classmate in attendance. Rick Moore acted as emcee and also brought along his 1957 Chevrolet for a photo op. Photos of both nights were taken by Jayme Ran Zobel (SFA, 1987). A slideshow of her photos can be accessed on the JCA website. JCHS and SFA classmates who danced at the socials and got married back then and attended the reunion included Barb Hardy Young and Rick, Sharon O’Brien Berta and Mike, Mary Lou Gergorich Gans and Ron and Jeanie Residori Gelsomino and Vince. Homecoming king and queen Pat Sullivan and Sue Strametz Funk were once again acknowledged. Sue Strametz Funk donated the fall centerpieces. Classmates traveled from Florida, California, Michigan, Missouri, Idaho, New York, Colorado, Virginia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Arizona and Louisiana to attend. A thank you goes to the reunion committee from SFA of Lee Cherven Ryan, Lois Brenc Heilman, Donna Churchill, Chris Kirincich Boban, Bev Leber Murer and Kathy Whitgrove Kerr and from JCHS of Alec Beaudoin, Mike Berta, Tom Jurkovich, Rick Moore, Bob O’Dell and Pat Sullivan. Over $1,500 was donated to the Helping Hands Tuition Program and a JCA Brick Paver with the inscription “JCHS & SFA – Class of 1961 – 50th Class Reunion – 2011” will be installed in front of the Student Activity Center next spring.

SFA Class of 1965: Celebrated their 64th birthday at Al’s Steakhouse on Sept. 17. The celebration was based on the Paul McCartney song, which has lyrics questioning, “Will you still love me when I’m 64?” Each guest received a commemorative bracelet, with one brave husband attending. The class, which had a big reunion celebrating their 60th birthday, is considering a get-together for their 65th birthday.

JCHS/SFA Class of 1971: Celebrated their 40-year reunion on Sept. 23 at Traditions in Joliet. Over 100 members of the two classes came together to enjoy pizza and beverages in an open house-type event that allowed all Angels and Hilltoppers to mingle and reconnect. The committee would like to thank everyone who attended and hopes to see you at the next one.

JCHS/SFA Class of 1975: Celebrated their 36-year reunion with over 75 people attending. The event kicked off on Friday night with a gathering on the patio of Traditions. Classmates continued the celebration on Saturday with a buffet dinner at Al’s Steakhouse. The weekend came to a close with the Homecoming Mass at JCA, followed by a tour of the school given by John Horn, JCA’s Director of Development.

JCHS/SFA Class of 1981: Celebrated their 30-year reunion the weekend of Sept. 23-24. On Friday, 47 people boarded a chartered motor-coach bus from the parking lot of Traditions for a journey around town, from Thirty Buck to Paulie’s Pub to Twin Door and Double J Sports Bar. The last stop was at Traditions for pizza at midnight. In addition to the bus, approximately 15-20 people either followed or joined the class on stops along the way. Brown and white “Reunion Pub Crawl” T-shirts for the guys and identical blue and white T-shirts for the girls were handed out at check-in. On Saturday, a group of approximately 20 teed off from Inwood Golf Course. Later that evening, 87 classmates and some spouses attended a reception at The Department. The 30th reunion committee was Ed Dollinger, Karen (Ragusa) Grubisich, Sue (Georgantas) Gulas, MiMi (Bortoli) Hylka, Harry McSteen and Joe Whalen. Classmates attended from Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Stay tuned as the next event for the class will be a 50th birthday party in 2013.

JCHS/SFA Class of 1986: Celebrated their 25-year reunion the weekend of Oct. 14-15. The group gathered Friday for a casual party at Cemeno’s. The main event was held Saturday at The Department, with over 100 people attending. The committee held a raffled for an iPod and donated over $400 to the Helping Hands Tuition Program. The evening was full of memories and laughter.
JCA Class of 1991: Celebrated their 20-year reunion on Saturday, Sept. 24 at McBrody’s in downtown Joliet. Over 90 classmates and spouses attended. Classmates traveled from as far as California, Utah and Maryland, and one recently returned home from military service overseas.

SAVE THE DATE!

JCHS/SFA Class of 1952: 60-year reunion to be held weekend of Sept. 14-15. Details to be announced. Questions? Please call or email Matt Ramuta at joanr@eisolution.com or 815-741-4482 or Pat McFadden Sterr at psterr@comcast.net or 815-953-3460.

JCHS Class of 1962: 50-year reunion to be held Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at Al’s Steakhouse. Details to be announced.
SFA Class of 1962: 50-year reunion to be held Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Couples welcome. Details to be announced.

JCHS/SFA Class of 1972: 40-year reunion to be held weekend of July 27-29. Events are scheduled for Friday through Sunday, with an icebreaker at Heroes West Sports Grill on Friday, a lunch/tour of JCA on Saturday and a mass at the Cathedral of St. Raymond on Sunday. Volunteers are still needed. Registration will be in January, 2012. Watch for updates on Facebook and JCA’s website. Planning committee email addresses are as follows: Ray Blackburn (raymond.w.blackburn@gmail.com), Joe Bussone (jdbussone@gmail.com), Cathy Carew Vie (carewgirl54@yahoo.com), Patti Clark Stockert (d.stockert@sbcglobal.net), Mary Diamond (madiamond@sbcglobal.net), Tom Fitzgerald (tfitzger@winston.com), Don Fisher (djfisher1954@sbcglobal.net), Jeanne Glad (djglad@hotmail.com), Michael Grace (michaelj.grace@verizon.net), Hope Janisco Mathy (hopej5728@sbcglobal.net), Dave Kaluzny (dkaluzny2@aol.com), Myrita Parker Craig (myritapcraig@gmail.com), Rich Pellegrini (alp572@yahoo.com) and Jane Crossen Rinard (rinardj@yahoo.com).

SFA Class of 1973: 39-year reunion to be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at Truth Restaurant in Joliet. Details to be announced. Questions? Please contact Betsey Horrigan Carlin at betseycarlin@yahoo.com.

JCA Class of 1992: 20-year reunion to be held Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at The Department in Joliet. Details to be announced. Questions? Please contact Kai Lazor Marriott at Kailyn.Marriott@comcast.net.

For more information, go to JCA’s website at www.jca-online.org and click “Alumni.”