Classmate Update (A-E)Current to January 10, 2000 Classmates are listed by last name at time of graduation. Should your name appear on this page? If you'd like to share any information with the rest of us, we'll be happy to post it on this site. The best way to do this is by sending us e-mail Click here to tell us where you are now !If someone's name is underlined and/or in red, click your mouse on their name and you can send them e-mail! Laura (Abate) Schaffer (Berkeley Heights,NJ) - Laura admits she's still not ready to get her own e-mail account yet, but has enjoyed following classmates via the Web. She recently shared an interesting story, "Eric Somebody ( I can never remember his last name I think he's a 1980 graduate) that lives on my street congratulated me on my wedding. I asked him how he knew and he replied " I saw it on the reunion Web Site" How cool is that!" Laura is a newlywed -- she was married on October 4, 1997. Her big sister Mary Jo reports that the wedding was fabulous -- it took place on top of Mount Tom in Vermont. Laura works for Roche Diagnostics Systems. She has a dog named Zach. You can send Laura e-mail in care of Mary Jo. Debbie (Alley) Conley (Wesley Chapel, FL) Dennis Allocco (Summit, NJ) writes: "I am currently living in Summit NJ. I have been married for 13 years and have two beautiful children (Katelyn age 7 1/2, Danielle age 6). My wife Cathy is from Chatham. We have lived in Summit for the past 11 years and just purchased our second home two years ago this July. I am employed by the U.S. Postal Service and am the Postmaster of Summit. P.S.--I don't look like the picture in front of McDonalds anymore! Beth (Amiano) Gleason (Chester, NJ) Janet (Anderson) Leopardo (Hillsborough, NJ) and her husband Andrew have been married for almost 14 years. They have three children - Marie, 11 1/2; Christina, 7; and Susan, 3 1/2. Debbie Armel (Lexington, KY) Mike Arthur (Seattle, WA) writes: "Things have been going well for me. I've been in Seattle for almost six years, now, and like it a lot. I'm on the faculty of the School of Social Work here at the University of Washington (although my degree is in psychology, not social work), and I spend my time doing research on how communities can prevent juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, and other social problems. Haven't figured out the answer yet. My wife, Cindy, is taking a break from the professional world to raise our three kids (Elizabeth-6yrs, Meagan - 4 years, & Christopher - 1 year), who keep us both pretty busy and usually exhausted. We've got a dog, 2 cats, a minivan, and life is good!" Kevin Austra (Delaware City, DE) writes that he's been "married 15 wonderful years and have three beautiful children (Don't parents always say that?). Kevin said good-bye to the Army in 1994 after 12 years of commissioned service and rejoined the civilian ranks. He's currently with Progressive Insurance as Claims Manager for Northern Delaware. As a serious amateur writer, he's had many of his articles published. Look for Kevin's most recent article in World War Two. "I still enjoy studying military history, but of late my energies have focused on understanding the likes of Barney, Arthur, Spice Girls, Hanson, Xena, and Hercules. Isn't it great to be a parent," says Kevin. "As the ultimate do-it-yourself-er, I'm also busy doing my own home improvements where a $20 project often turns into a $200 adventure. Does this sound familiar to anyone?" Liz Baechler-Warren (Guilford, CT) Jon Bailey (Milford, CT) writes: "My life for the past 20 years (in a nutshell)...Graduated from Nyack College, Nyack NY ('82) - BS Pastoral Ministries Alliance Theological Seminary ('86)- Masters of Divinity. Married my wife Dawn in 1985. We have 4 children, Joshua (9), Anna (7), Stephen (3), and Caleb (1). I am an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I have been serving here in Milford, Connecticut since 1986 at Calvary Alliance Church." William Leon Baker (Mullica Hill, NJ) - Bill is the Marketing Director for Ciba Specialty Chemicals. He married Barbara Lewis (GL class of 1979). They have three children: Marie, Billy, and Julie. Leslie (Baraff) Tubul (Springfield, NJ) - In late May, 1999, Leslie reported the she, husband Danny, and the children have settled into their new home in Springfield, NJ, and are doing quite nicely. Susan Barns (Los Alamos, NM e-mail withheld by request) writes: "My parents asked me to write you, so... I am currently married, working and living in Los Alamos, NM. I am a J.R. Oppenheimer Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory (the H-Bomb place). When I am not doing science, I enjoy riding my motorcycle, training hunting dogs, and drinking (although none simultaneously!). Have a nice reunion." Was Sue always this friendly in high school? Kevin Bataille (Waterbury, VT) Dave Bauers (Lakewood, NJ) - is a professional videographer, and calls his business The Video Man. Visit his Web Site at: http://www.pipeline.com/~jb/video.html Lisa M. Bennett-Coccia (Glen Ellen, CA) - Married Sil Coccia (GL Class '77) in 1982. They have 5 kids, ages 12 - 7. Lisa is working part-time and being a mom. The Coccias are living in CA wine country, Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. Biagio Bernardo (Flanders, NJ)writes, "I'm working entirely too much! I own a Jewelry Store in Ledgewood, NJ -- Bernardo Jewelers -- big surprise huh?" Biagio has been married for 14 years. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children Vincent (12), Victoria (4). Christina (Bernardo) Tranquilli (Basking Ridge, NJ) - reported to us by Biagio, Christina is married to Dominick Tranquilli, and has three children, Maria, Dominick, and Paul. Gary Bernstein (Chatham, NJ) Lisa Bescherer (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Joanne (Birr) Chatterton (Chatham, NJ) - married Gregg Chatterton in October, 1983. They have three sons, Jeff (10), Jim (almost 8), and Peter (2.5). Joanne is also playing a key role in our reunion planning. Nicole Bistis (Summit, NJ) Nicole writes, "When I'm not playing golf, I teach and counsel substance abusers at Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J." Stephen Bland (Califon, NJ) Bob Block (Concord, NH). Dr. Robert Block is alive and well, living in Concord, NH with his wife Carrie and daughters Katelyn (4 1/2) and Rebecca (2). Bob works for the Leahy-Hitchcock Clinic. Phil Bolton (Bernardsville, NJ) Jon Boroshok (Groton, MA) - Jon lives in Groton, MA with his wife, Caren, and one-year-old daughter, Stephanie. He is President of TechMarcom, his own agency specializing in marketing communications for emerging technologies. He writes "Even as a Dad, I'm not going bald or driving a minivan, so I'd have to say that life's pretty good!" He also pointed out that the town he's living in, Groton, MA, "is even smaller than Berkeley Heights, but my neighbor three houses away is Gary Kraemer from the G.L. class of 1977!" For more details about Jon, visit his new company Web site at: http://www.techmarcom.com. Richard Boss (Berkeley Heights, NJ) writes: "After leaving GL I went to Lincoln Tech graduated as a Certified Auto Technician/grease monkey... worked various jobs in the auto field (naturally all in Berkeley Heights). In 1981 to the present I took over the management of the Gillette Amoco in Gillette, NJ. This position varies as the management has other sub businesses like a landscaping business known as "Deans Greens" and "Limo's Unlimited" So, on any day of the week you could either find me with my hands in grease, grass or driving behind the wheel of a white stretch limo. Like superman I can go from grease monkey to monkey suit in a matter of minutes. Since 1980 I've been a volunteer on the Berkeley Heights Fire Department working my way up the ranks. Currently I am a Captain and enjoy this very much. Personal stuff: I married in 1984 Leslie Stewart-Boss from Millington. She was a blind date set up by Jimmy Delia. June, 1999 will be our 15 year anniversary. We have two girls Lauren (11) and Amanda (7). My wife is the president of the Ladies Auxiliary for the fire department and has her own day care in the house so we always have kids in and around our house. See you in November!" Patricia (Brehm) Barry (Katonnah, NY) - writes, "Three months ago, I gave birth to my husband's, Richard, and my third child, Peter. He joins Ricky, 5 1/2, and KiKi (Katherine) 2 1/2. Needless to say, my life is a little crazy right now! I have been a full-time mom since the birth of Ricky. To keep myself from losing my mind, I have been volunteering as a naturalist in the Westchester Park System for school groups the past four years. I also enjoy hiking with my dogs and an occasional night out with hubby. Prior to motherhood, I worked for seven years on Wall Street crunching numbers and analyzing market trends. After an MBA in marketing, I worked in fundraising at the Environmental Defense Fund in NYC. Tim Brenner (Chatham, NJ) - is married and has lived in Chatham for the past 15 years. The Brenners have three children, Erika (12), Tamie (10), and Kaley (4). Tim works for Newark Wire Cloth Co. in Newark, as the Company's Production Supervisor. He points out that he's a Miami Dolphin Fan, and found out about the site from Billy and Barbara (Lewis) Baker. Carolynn (Briggs) Parisi (South Plainfield, NJ) - Carolynn has been married for 7 years to Glenn Parisi. They have 2 children, Shawn who just turned 6 and Renee who just turned 3. They live in South Plainfield, NJ. Glenn is a music teacher at Franklin School (K-5) in South Plainfield. Carolynn works 3 days a week for IBM as a Senior Project Manager. Carolynn really has not had any contact with anyone from the class of '78 except for running into Marc Jacoby a few times over the past 20 years at drum corps shows. She writes: "I'm looking forward to seeing lots of people I've lost touch with, maybe even rekindle a few friendships". Carolynn is a "Serious Parrothead" (fan of Jimmy Buffett) and has turned her 2 kids onto the music as well. Craig
T. Bruening (Auburn,
NY) and wife Kay have been married since May 1985. They
have twin boys, Justin and Scott, who are 6. Craig
writes, "I'm still working in New Jersey and commute
to New York for the weekends. Currently I'm wrapping
things up here and actively looking for an Environmental
Engineering Consulting firm to work for in the Syracuse
area. Living at mom's blows since like most mothers she
is unable to stop mothering her children even though I'm
38. Mondays are a long day since I drive back down in the
morning beginning at about 4:30 am. Like I said, I'm
ACTIVELY LOOKING!! In fact a job with the phrase
"WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT" is beginning
to look good. We are living approximately 3 miles out in
the country from the Village of Skaneateles which is
located at the north end of Lake Skaneateles (Finger
Lake). The area is beyond beautiful and should be labeled
GODS COUNTRY. We did not get blasted by the storm that
rolled through Central New York on Labor Day Weekend;
however, approximately 5 to 6 miles north of us got
slammed. The pictures that were shown on the Weather
Channel and on News programs only gave a glimpse of the
total devastation that occurred in some areas. Being that
we are out in the country we became owners of a stray cat
that is apparently pregnant. FREE Kittens should be
available at the reunion if Linda (Buck) Koppisch (Bedminster, NJ) - Linda Buck and Peter Koppisch re-kindled their friendship at our 10 year reunion and were married in May of 1990. They have two children, Sean (6) and Jacklyn (4.5) They report that they are "doing well and look forward to the reunion." Peter Burke (Phillipsburg, NJ) Greg Burnside (Washington, DC)- Greg works as a contract interpreter (Russian) for the State Department. Nanette (Burton) Kryston (Bedminster, NJ) writes: "I graduated from Montclair State University with a BS in Business Education. Taught Business Education at North Brunswick High School. After teaching high school, I taught special education preschool and am currently teaching first grade in Bedminster, NJ. I have been married for almost 15 years and have one 10 year old son in fifth grade. My husband Steve (New Providence High School '76 and Jersey City State College '80) and I also own Kryston's Hardware in Summit, NJ." Edward J. Caffrey (Beltsville, MD) - Ed joined AT&T in 1980, and has lived across street from work since he moved to Maryland in 1989. Ed reports that his job has changed three times since he moved there. He writes, "I am surprised each time I stop by Berkeley Heights with the changes. Last time I went, C.Whelan surprised me with her family. The new housing. The tree growth. The increase in wealth. The dearth of children. All surprise me. I live close to both Baltimore and Washington D.C. I visit both often. Aside from the horrendous traffic, pollution, and crime this megatropalos is a very livable. I am lucky to have three siblings in the area and three great nephews. We plan to have all nine in the immediately family, four b-sister in-laws and eight kids at Thanksgiving dinner. My passion has been Nets basketball for the past twenty one years, sci-fi, oldies and Irish music." Patty (Calabrese) Davidson (Warren, NJ) Bob Carbone (Berkeley Heights, NJ) Jeanne (Carey) Yerdon (Jacksonville, FL) writes: "I am a very happy recently divorced mother of two boys, Kyle 6 yrs. & Brian 3 yrs. I have been in the mortgage banking industry for the past 15 years; currently the Vice President of Underwriting for Alliance Mortgage Company. I am a 1983 graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in Business Mgmt. I am a football fanatic- GO NOLES!! and my newest joy JAX JAGUARS! GO JAGS! Although I have been surrounded by 'southerner's' since I left NJ in 1978, I still consider myself a 'Jersey Girl' and am proud of it!! " Patricia Carlin (Somerville, NJ) - is AVP-Department Manager - European Systems for Chubb & Son, Inc. of Warren, NJ. Carl Cataldo (Gardiner, ME) Gregg Chatterton (Chatham, NJ) - married Joanne Birr in October, 1983. They have three sons, Jeff (10), Jim (8), and Peter (2.5). Gregg works on Wall Street. Mario Coccia (Fanwood, NJ) - writes, "It's been an interesting 20 years--I had plans as a senior, and nothing happened as I planned it. College (for architecture) didn't agree with me. After trying my hand at studying music, being a short-order cook, and having a rock band, I wound up getting a degree in English. I'm now in healthcare advertising and marketing, and doing quite well. I'm married to a wonderful lady, Aileen, and we have three beautiful daughters, Mirjana, Gianna, and Isabella (ages 5, 3, and 9 mos.)--and none of that would have happened had I stuck to my plans!" Robin (Cohen) Sultzer (Newtown, PA) Nancy Coleman Katchen (Bridgewater, NJ) Karen Cook (Princeton Junction, NJ) Mary Corrigan Valenti (Westfield, NJ) Ann Marie Corsello (Chatham, NJ) writes: I've been working in the Healing Arts field (self-employed) working as a Massage Therapist for 5 years. I studied at The Massage Institute of N. England in Cambridge, Mass. I moved back to New Jersey in 1995, after having traveled up and down the East Coast (Baltimore, Phila.,Boston). I am happy to be back home. I am planning to be married in May. I would love to hear from classmates, please e-mail me at Mcdonaldrp@aol.com" Steve Corsello (Kinnelon, NJ) writes: "I was beginning to wonder how the 20 year reunion would ever take place and be organized. Great job to all involved. I live in north Jersey-20 min. above Morristown. I have been married for 10 years and have had the privilege of having 4 children with my wife Diane. I am self employed." You can read more about what Steve does by visiting his Web site at http://www.activize.com/index.htm Patti (Crisafi) Bonner (Old Bridge, NJ) writes: "I am happily married, for 17 years! I have three exceptional kids, Trisha (16), Michael (15), and Taylor (11)! I am looking forward to seeing everyone, so that we can share memories of the past, as well as stories of the present!" Carol (Crockett) Hoover (Mahwah, NJ) Leslie Dadourian (Westfield, NJ) Denise Dale (Morristown, TN) Diane (Davignon) Lubiak (Chatham, NJ) Marc DeBanico (Hancock, NH) John DeBisco (Milford, NJ) Mark DeCarlo (Piscataway, NJ) is married to Donna Greenwald -- another class of '78 marriage. They have been married for 13 years. We have 3 children, Justin 7, Kyle 5, and Cherylin 4. They've lived in Piscataway for 6 years. Mark is a UPS driver and does electrical work on the side. Donna is the Office Manager for Watchung Pediatrics. Ed Delia (Berkeley Heights, NJ) Sandy Dellomo (Murray Hill, NJ) John Demas (Lake Bluff, IL) writes: "Denise and I have been married for 13 years(we met in college).We have four kids: Tabitha 10,Tiffany 8,Harrison 6,and Charlton 4.We are all happy and doing fine.In 1983 I started trading commodities and in 85 Denise and I moved to Illinois where I have been trading stock index's at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.I send my best wishes to all and hope to see you in the fall. Jim Dendinger (Plano, TX) - according to his brother, Jim is an attorney in Plano, Texas. Jim is married and has two sons. Mike DiMare (Morristown, NJ) Tom Elliott (Venice, FL) Doug Ewertsen (Montclair, NJ) Doug writes, "I'm a partner with an insurance firm in Iselin, NJ. Starting my fifteenth year there.....looking forward to retirement. Playing as much golf as possible although handicap has risen due to parental responsibilities. My vote for the greatest invention that mankind has developed since '78 is, by far, the DIAPER GENIE! A very distant second may be the PC. Former G.L. Guidance Counselor Duane
Brown read about our
class Web site in the paper, and writes: "I read
about the plan of the class of 1978 to celebrate its 20th
year graduation from G.L.H.S. and wanted to extend my
best wishes to you and to all members of your class. My
recollection of the class of 1978 is that it was
comprised of many fine young people who were destined to
contribute much to society and to enjoy many successes in
life. In October my high school graduation class
will be celebrating its 45th year reunion! It will be
exciting to meet and greet those classmates of so long
ago once more. I am certain that you will be similarly
thrilled as you renew old acquaintances and recall those
special memories." Go back to the main reunion page | Go back to the "found" page |