SWCS Class of '66 classmate Sue Clark has passed away

Jamestown, NY - Sue Clark, one of our Class of '66 classmates passed away last Thursday.

Below is her obituary notice from the Jamestown Post Journal. 

R.I. P. Sue.

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FROM THE PJ:

Sue E. Swanson, 73, of Sinclairville, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, after a 21-month, warrior-like battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born March 27, 1948, in Jamestown, the daughter of the late Walter and Beverly Barkman Clark. She was a 1966 graduate of Southwestern Central School.

In addition to helping her husband with the daily operation of the family farm, Sue was also em-ployed for over 22 years as a teacher’s aide at Cassadaga Valley Central School and continued to substitute in the office until 2019. In the evenings, she was the supervisor of extracurricular sporting events for the district and she was a waitress at the Stockton Hotel and the former White Horse Inn. She was also a member of Park United Methodist Church.

Sue kept the score books for her husband’s softball and basketball teams and loved driving around the family properties on her golf cart. She loved being a grandmother and attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, music recitals and school activities. Whether on a Caribbean or Lake Erie beach, mowing the grass, or sitting at the pond, Sue loved being in the sun. Other happy times were spent on the phone with her sisters, having coffee with Linda Bailey and Beth Loomis on Wednesday mornings, having lunch with Helen Bochmann, and taking country drives with Johnny and her dog, Bear. Sue also enjoyed decorating the house for Christmas, al-ways paying special attention to the details on her Christmas tree. She had a knack for buying friends and family the perfect gift(s) and for planning family vacations. She loved traveling, especially to visit family in North Carolina.

Wife to Johnny Swanson; mother of Amanda (Marc) Myles and Vicki (Kevin) Martin, all of Sinclairville, and Jill (David) Lawson of Cassadaga; grandmother of Lindsey (Chas) Criss, Kay (Steven) McElwain, Lauren (Scott) Fenton, Jon Kevin (Libbi) Martin, Karli and Annie Lawson and Melanie and Mallory Myles; great- grandmother of J.V., Chas and Charles Criss, Kevin and Skyler Herington, Ken-ny, Karolyn, Shepherd and Selah McElwain, Tucker, Marsal, Marty and Clint Fenton, Robby and Jay Martin and baby girl Martin arriving in December; sister of Diane (Wendell) Berg and MaryEllen (John) Owens; aunt of David (Marie) and Jared Berg, Jennie (Matt) Mayo, Evan (Kate) Owens and their children: Rylan, Bella, Owen, Lucy and Oakleigh.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. in Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville. A funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Park United Methodist Church, 39 Sinclair Dr., Sinclairville. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Sinclairville.

Memorials can be made to Park United Methodist Church or Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care.

The family sends a heartfelt thanks to caregivers: Karen and Kayla from Hospice as well as Dr. Basem Goueli and Jill Lawson for the dedicated care to Sue which allowed her to spend her final days in the com
fort of her home.

Photos from the Class of '66, 55th reunion

 JAMESTOWN - Barb Garlock posted the following pix on Facebook from the SWCS Class of '66 reunion held Tuesday.

More pix will likely be coming. 

But these are a great start. Thanks Barb!

Barry and Ann Harris

Bob and Sally Tyler

Bob Tyler and Craig Young

Bonnie Anderson, Shirley Adams and Pat Levin

Cathy Lindstrom and Vern Ahlgren

Jennie Young and Dianne Hagglund

John Schultz and Ward Romer

Linda Anderson and Craig Fransen

Randy Hinsdale and his wife

Steve Sewell, Randy Carlson and Louis Acquisto

 

Class of '66 reunion attendees listed

 JAMESTOWN, NY - Below is a list of Class of '66 classmates (and spouses) who indicated they will attend July's soiree...

I will be updating this list as more people contact me - so check back!

Attendees as of June 23:

Shirley Adams

Bob Tyler

Mike Coon

Randy Carlson

Lee Johnson

Dianne Hagglund Shaw

Barb Garlock

Cathy Prince

John Shultz

Vern Ahlgren

Craig Fransen

Larry Nelson

Pat Levine

Stephen Sewell

Linda Dawson

Ward Romer

Barry Harris

Doug Hooper

Class of '66 reunion is ON! for Tuesday July 6

JAMESTOWN, NY - The 55th reunion of the SWCS class of 1966 is on.

Randy Carlson reported today that classmate Lee Johnson has reserved the Allen Park Men's Club, 1309 Norby Road, Jamestown for a reunion Tuesday July 6.

Lee's yearbook photo

 The festivities - whatever they turn out to be - will begin at 4 p.m.

 "We will have a charcoal fire going for grilling, a cooler with block ice, music - and the building will be hand in case of rain," Randy reports.

 Rain? In Jamestown in July? No way.

"Bring whatever food and drinks you need," Randy said. "Plus, I'm sure any 'pass around' goodies will be looked upon favorably." He also suggested we might bring along SWCS memorabilia for folks to check out.

Memorabilia from 1966 almost falls into the category of historical artifacts in 2021. Maybe relics.

There are folks talking about other events including golf.

More on all that later. 

And here's a little blast from 10 years ago, when we all gathering for a similar reunion - Class of '66 in 2011.

In the meantime, I hope to see y'all on Tuesday, July 6.

Chances of a Class of '66 reunion this summer?

 JAMESTOWN, NY - More than a year ago the idea of a SWCS Class of '66 reunion (it would be our 55th) was floated, right when the pandemic was just getting warmed up.

LINK: Class of '66 reunion in 2021?

But that duck never lifted off the lake for all the reasons I won't bother to go into here today. Timing is everything, after all.

Except that I want to throw it out there again in case there are folks who - fully vaccinated I imagine - would like to figure out some kind of get together, somewhere, sometime this summer. 

I expect to be in Western and Central NY zip codes from mid-June until probably late summer dragging my travel trailer, The Red Writer. I hope to catch up with folks and will do my best on an individual basis. (Can you hear me, Bud Hooper, Cheryl Towers, Barb Garlock, Shirley Adams, Mike Cook, Vern Ahlgren, Randy Carlson, Barry Harris, Sue Chandler and, and, and, and - sorry for all the other folks I left out, but I hope to see, too.)

But a party!!! A party would be great! Maybe an afternoon on the shore the lake? Dinner someplace? Breakfast? A tailgate gathering in the SWCS parking lot? (Hmmm... now that sounds like fun.

Any thoughts amigos? Summer is almost here. Almost.

Classmate Darlene Chadwick Koterass has passed away

 The following is the obituary for Darlene Koterass from the Hubert Funeral home.

=============================================

Obituary of Darlene L Chadwick

Darlene Chadwick, 73, of Jamestown, New York passed away peacefully on February 3, 2021. Darlene was born on June 29, 1947, the daughter of the late Marquin and Harry M. Koterass. Darlene graduated from Southwestern Central School. Prior to early retirement due to disability, Darlene was employed by Jamestown General Hospital and Fenton Park Nursing Home. Darlene was a social butterfly and always enjoyed the company of others and a hot cup of coffee. She was always ready to help and care for family members in any way she was able to. Darlene was strong in her faith and love for the Lord.

Darlene is survived by her devoted husband, Kenny Chadwick, her son, Adam Pattyson, and her grandson, Joshua Pattyson. Her sisters, Georgia and Peter Hadley, Fuquay-Varina, NC and Paula (late, Russell) Barron, Angola, NY. She is further survived by her nieces, nephews, a great grandson, grandnieces and grandnephews, and stepchildren. Darlene will be greatly missed by her dear friend, Sandy Jones. Also left in mourning is her canine companion, Cocoa.

Beside her parents, Darlene is preceded in death by her son, Michael Pattyson, her sister, Sue Ellen Trahan, and niece, Rebecca Hadley. Arrangements entrusted to Hubert Funeral Home. Services will not be observed. Send a condolence by visiting www.hubertfuneralhome.com

Tribute to SWCS teacher Harry Robie

 JAMESTOWN, NY - There's a move afoot to put together a book of remembrances about the late Harry Robie, spearheaded by a 1970s era SWCS grad and debate club member, Jennifer Schlick.

Here's what she emailed to me:

    "Recently, a Zoom Reunion of 1970s era debate club folks was held. We caught up on each other's lives, and shared with each other several Harry and Laura Robie stories.

We have decided to put together a book of memories, stories, expressions of gratitude, etc.  for the the debate club, Great Books, and the Robies have meant to us over the years. We will present the book to Laura.

     If you would like to contribute, email your story to swcs1974@gmail.com and I will pass it on to the editor of the book."

   Harry Robie figured big in my life, which I have already written about about twice.

Harrie Robie dies at 75

Year of the Robie

 And Jennifer's email prompted even more memories. We'll see if I can remember them long enough to get them down on paper... (Paper?)

If you have something you would like to pass along about Mr. Robie, please give Jennifer a shout.

Classmate Linda Hetrick has passed away

Classmates:

The Jamestown Post-Journal published the following obituary for Linda Hetrick, one of our Class of '66 classmates.

----------------------------------------

Linda Hetrick Gill, 71, formerly of Lakewood, passed away Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Asheville, N.C.

She was born Sept. 15, 1948, in Jamestown, a daughter of the late Daniel and Edith Brooks Hetrick.

A 1966 graduate of Southwestern Central School, she later graduated from Jamestown Business College.

She was employed by Jamestown Community College as an administrative assistant.

While living in this area, she was a communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

She will be remembered as a kind and generous person who enjoyed spending time with her daughters and grandsons.

Surviving are her husband of 41 years, Timothy Gill, whom she married Sept. 1, 1979; two daughters: Diana Zilich and Cristina (Jim) Zilich, both of Lakewood; two grand-sons: Robert Gardner and Logan (Hannah) Alexander, both of Lakewood; two great-grandchildren: Toby Gardner and Brinleigh Alexander, both of Lakewood; two stepdaughters: Michelle (Christopher) Brigman of Asheville, N.C., and Amy Galloway of Weaverville, N.C.; step grandchildren: Amanda and Dallas Brigman of Asheville, N.C., and Aaron (Lindsey) Galloway of Weaverville; step great-grandchildren: Evan and Heidi Galloway of Canton, N.C.; nephew, Stephen Hetrick of Jamestown; great nieces and nephews: Stephanie, Heather, Michael and Shelby Hetrick; two brothers-in-law, Paul (Paula) Gill and Christopher Gill, both of Dunkirk; two sisters-in-law, Charlane Gill and Kay (David) Randazzo, both of Dunkirk; and a nephew, Michael Gill of Gowanda, N.Y.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Hetrick.

A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Visitation will not be observed.

Inurnment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Suite 6 Waltham, MA 02451 or Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037.

You may leave words of condolence at www.lind funralhome.com.

Column about friendships across the decades

Classmates: 

     I published this column Friday and posted it on Facebook.
I thought it might be of interest to folks not on FB or the Finger Lakes Times email feed...
     Stay safe. See you in 2021 - at a Class of '66 Reunion I hope.

================================================

Finger Lake Times (Geneva, NY)

August 28 2020

Write On column

By Michael J. Fitzgerald, staff columnist

     A cascade of memories about friendships and growing up in upstate New York washed over me like a tsunami this past week.

     Fellow newspaper columnist and good friend Greg Awtry sent the wave my way via his recent column in Michigan’s Alpena News.

     It was a poignant tale chronicling a visit with a childhood friend, talking about their decades of friendship, shared adventures and what it’s like today in the fourth quarter of their lives.

     But he had me when he wrote about duck hunting.

     As I was growing up at Lake Chautauqua, one of my uncles would reluctantly take me duck hunting in the fall, despite my lack of shooting prowess and my teenage unwillingness to listen to his advice.

     Those supposed-to-be bonding expeditions ended abruptly one foggy morning when I broke a cardinal rule of duck hunting. I tried to blast a duck bobbing on the water, instead of shooting while it was airborne.

    Duck hunters reading this already guessed what happened.

     My normally lousy aim was straight and true that day. But instead of hitting a fat mallard, a 12-gauge shotgun blast turned a floating decoy into splinters. It was one of a dozen decoys my uncle had carefully hand-painted in his basement the winter previous.

     Still sorry about that, Uncle Gordy. Still.

     But that particular memory led to thoughts about boats and adventure-filled summers on Lake Chautauqua, the good and bad of high school and even striking out for California in 1970 in a VW van.

     Most of all, memories of friends over the decades started popping up like dandelions.

     Faces, experiences, triumphs and tragedies have been occupying my thoughts.

     Names? They don’t come so easy.

     But every so often there is a “Eureka!” moment.

     Just now, Chester Anderson leaped into my mind, his amazingly freckled face and the 25 cents I lent him to buy milk one day in the high school cafeteria.

     He never paid me back.

     As his name sprung up, so did my college roommate’s — J. Douglas McDowell. I lost touch with him when I left Villanova University, as well as contact with another Villanova classmate, Mark Strodel, who introduced me to books by Norman Mailer.

     Reading Mailer’s works and a biography of Jack London (given to me by my duck-hunting uncle) led me to a life of writing, journalism, and interest in what we call “social justice” today.

     In recent decades, many of my Finger Lakes friends came together with common environmental concerns such as the threat that was posed by the now-defunct proposal by Crestwood Midstream to store liquid propane gas in unlined salt caverns near Watkins Glen.

     Common cause forges strong friendship bonds.

     Thinking about those Finger Lakes’ friends — too numerous to mention here — reminds me how much I have missed my annual summer travels around the Finger Lakes, completely thwarted by the pandemic. Emails, social media communiques, occasional Zoom calls and snail mail letters are no substitute for sitting with friends on a Seneca Lake dock, lunch at a lakeside restaurant or listening to music at Rasta Ranch Vineyards' Monday Night Blues in Hector.

     Yet, that’s what we have right now. And I am thankful we live in an age where we can keep the friendships’ connected.

     As this column has been written, the notebook on my desk has been filling with names of people to contact along with scribbled notes about just-remembered anecdotes to share with them.

     Mercifully, the recalled anecdotes and memories lean toward stories that should generate smiles and a good laugh or two.

     One of those notes will head to Greg Awtry and the Alpena News, to say “Thanks for the memories.”

Fitzgerald has worked at six newspapers as a writer and editor as well as a correspondent for two news services. He splits his time between Valois, NY and Pt. Richmond, CA. You can email him at Michael.Fitzgeraldfltcolumnist@gmail.com and visit his website at michaeljfitzgerald.blogspot.com.

Classmate Greg Bachelor has passed away

CELERON, New York - SWCS Class of '66 classmate Greg Bachelor has passed away. (Thanks to Sue Siecker-Saullo for sending along the information.)

Greg's photo from our SWCS yearbook is below as is the obituary from the Jamestown Post-Journal
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Gregory L. Bachelor, 72, of Celoron, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, at the home of his daughter, Jennifer, in Celoron.

He was born Dec. 2, 1947, in Jamestown, a son of the late Stanley and Elizabeth Myers Bachelor.

A 1966 graduate of Southwestern Central School, Greg served in the U.S. Army from 1967-69 during the Vietnam War.

Prior to retirement, he had been a sales representative for Phoenix Metal. In earlier years, he was employed by Jamestown Metal Products and Bush Industries.

Greg was a former member of the Celoron Volunteer Fire Department and the Celoron American Legion. He was also a great Cleveland Browns fan.

Surviving are two daughters: Jennifer Bachelor-Phelps (Isaac) of Celoron, and Lisa Woodmansee (Gary) of Lakewood; seven grandchildren: Payton Phelps, Amanda Moore, Kayla Michael, Katlyn Michael, Alexis Michael, Emily Michael and Danny Michael IV; six great-grandchildren: Hayden, Ashton, Benton, Abel, Gracie and Cameron; and a brother, Gary W. Bachelor (Marcia) of Celoron.

A private family service will be held, led by the Rev. Michael Childs. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Visitation will not be observed.

Memorials may be made to the Celoron Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 328, Celoron, NY 14720-0328; or the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.

To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.

Jamestown Post-Journal story/tribute for Gordy Puls

   
   JAMESTOWN, New York - Given that I often criticize the Post Journal's news coverage, I have to say the newspaper did a nice job on a story about the passing of Gordy Puls. 

   LINK: Post Journal story and photo 

    It's not often I am interviewed for a newspaper story. In this case, the reporter/writer must have had a good recorder running when we talked.

   Below is the photo that ran with the story - classic Gordy.

Gordon Puls, Jr., former SWCS teacher - and my cousin - has died

   CANTON, Ohio - Former SWCS teacher Gordon (Gordy) Puls, Jr. died last night.
     He was teaching math in the junior high wing of Southwestern the last few years of our time at high school.
     I once committed the nearly unpardonable sin of calling him "Gordy" in the hallway as classes were passing. He was my cousin, after all, so the slip was given a pass.

Gordy Puls, Jr.

     He was 79 when he died. And that age difference as kids made him my cousin, but also sort of a grumpy older brother, too.
     From the time my mother and I moved to Lakewood in 1959, Gordy got stuck often with me - taking me fishing, hunting, and boating. All the things a 10-year-old kid from Brooklyn (me!) knew nothing about.
     But he also taught me how to sail, which oddly enough is connected to the post/news yesterday about Lakewood Beach.
     Gordy and his older sister Barbara were lifeguards at Lakewood Beach. And so it was some years later that Kathleen McAvoy (also my cousin and Gordy's cousin) worked at Lakewood Beach as a lifeguard. I joined the ranks about then, too, making Lakewood Beach kind of a family business.
     But after several years of working at the beach I got sideways with the legendary Harold 'Doss' Johnson, father of late SWCS Class of '66 classmate Pam Johnson Berglund and teacher at SWCS.
     I ended up getting suspended for one week without pay for not getting permission from Doss (who ran Lakewood Beach every summer as an administrator) to take a day off from lifeguarding. I had a substitute lifeguard (my cousin Kathleen) step in.

'Doss' Johnson

     The punchline to this too-long, Lakewood Beach-Gordy Puls anecdote is that Gordy let me borrow his Snipe sailboat for the week. He simply said, "Just go have fun." He'd had his own run-ins with Doss.
     I did just as he said and fun cruising all over the lake, including a few passes back and forth in front of Lakewood Beach while Doss watched me from the shore.
     That week, Gordy's sailboat, and his generosity was the start of a life of sailing for me, capped by cruising to Mexico on my 48-foot sloop Sabbatical in 2002.
     Gordy and his dad Gordy Sr. were both good friends of Flash Olsen and Harold Burgard from SWCS. Many times after high school I sat in the kitchen of the Puls house and sipped a beer with the group. Not with Flash - he didn't drink. But the others sure did. Whatever beer was sale.
     My cousin Gordy married and moved to Ohio where he and his wife raised his children. He had a career in education. But we lost touch over the years. The last time I saw him was at his brother-in-law's celebration of life in Lakewood some years back.
     R.I.P. "Mr. Puls." And thanks for letting me borrow the Snipe. It changed my life.

Lakewood Beach won't reopen this summer - thanks a LOT coronavirus!

   LAKEWOOD, New York - Lakewood Beach, the scene of innumerable adventures for our class (legal, illegal and perhaps illicit) will not open this summer, village officials have announced.
    Here's the story from the Jamestown Post-Journal: Lakewood Beach.
    Many thanks to Sue Siecker for sending it along.

Lakewood Beach today

    The beach when the Class of '66 was in its heyday featured a massive slide on a derrick just off the end of the dock.
    It was a dangerous damn thing. At least once a week someone got hurt on it, I remember.
    I remember it vividly because I was a lifeguard there for four years and sometimes had to patch up people who got hurt.
   That doesn't count the people who swam there at night and jumped off the top of the tower.
    But is was a very cool, popular apparatus that gave me two extra weeks of work per summer - one to put it together, the other to take it down.
   The village got rid of the derrick and slide decades ago. Too dangerous to insure, I understand. And, predictably, use of the beach dropped off.
    If anyone has a photo of the slide and derrick, I would love to publish it here.

A 55th SWCS Class of '66 reunion in 2021? Maybe

   
   JAMESTOWN, NY - At this point the idea of a 55th reunion of the SWCS Class of '66 a year from this summer is just a ginned-up thought. 

   Ginned up is probably inaccurate. It was more likely the product of the imbibing of some volume of beer or wine. I don't know anyone who drinks gin anymore.

   But this week Randy Carlson contacted me and floated the idea, asking me to sent out a missive to all of you.

   So, here it is... Missive accomplished.

   One caveat right out of the box. Randy suggested that any reunion NOT be held on July 4 or closely thereabouts.
   Agreed!

   In any event, if you think a 55th reunion a good idea, have suggestions for when the reunion might be held - or anything else, please contact Randy, Jim Lindell, Barry Harris, Louie Acquisto - or me.

   Emails are here: Randy, Barry, Louie and Michael.
   I am missing an email for Jim Lindell. If anyone has one, please let me know and I will update this posting.
   I hope to see you all in 2021 - if not before.

Classmate Kathy Baker has passed away

      


   JAMESTOWN, NY - Classmate Kathy Baker passed away last Sunday.
     Her obituary from the Lind Funeral Home is reprinted below.

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Kathleen A. Walz, 71, of 110 Liberty St., passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020 in her home. She was the wife of Joseph R. Walz whom she married August 31, 1968. Kathleen was born in Jamestown January 25, 1948 and was a 1966 graduate of Southwestern Central School. In earlier years she was employed by Jamestown Sterling and for 25 years by Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing, formerly Fenton Park. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. She loved to cook and bake and host family gatherings, and also enjoyed her soap operas and shopping in Erie, Pa. In addition to her husband, Joe, surviving are two children: Christopher Walz of Jamestown and Jennifer (Cody Aten) Mabes of Sinclairville; two grandchildren: Jessica (Andrew) Dies of Ashville and Casey (Ryan Sadler) Mabes of Warren; and her great-grandson, Blake Penhollow of Warren. Also surviving are two brothers: Duane (Emily) Baker of Jamestown and James Baker of Falconer; a sister, Karen Austin of Findley Lake; and sister-in-law, Vonda Walz of Jamestown; as well as all of her friends and co-workers at Heritage Park. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard W. Baker who died Sept. 16, 1975; mother, Beatrice M. White Baker Emules who died Dec. 9, 2019; step-father Michael Emules who died Feb. 25, 2012; a great-granddaughter, Harper Judith Dies; mother-in-law, Betty Walz; and grandparents, Clarence and Melda White. The funeral will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Gerald A. Haglund, Chaplain of Heritage Park, will officiate. Friends will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday prior to the funeral service in the funeral home.

To plant a tree in memory of Kathleen Walz, please visit Tribute Store

Visitation at Funeral Home

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Lind Funeral Home, Inc.

805 W. Third Street

Jamestown, New York, United States

Funeral Service

5:00 pm

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Lind Funeral Home

805 W. Third Street

Jamestown, New York, United States

Obituary & details about SWCS classmate Dan Sundquist

   NORTH SUTTON, New Hampshire - Obituaries from our late classmate Dan Sunquist appeared in New Hampshire and the Jamestown Post-Journal.
     The full obituary from the PJ is printed below.
     Here is the direct link: DAN SUNDQUIST

SWCS Classmate Dan Sundquist has passed away

    NORTH SUTTON, New Hampshire - Classmate Dan Sundquist passed away this morning at his lakeside home here.
     He told me in October he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
     His wife Sara told me today he died very peacefully and without any pain.
     Dan and I were friends and track competitors in our years at SWCS. But it was in the last six or seven years that we reconnected, discovering we had led somewhat parallel lives.
     I visited Dan and Sara's New Hampshire home several times. He loved the place but was planning a major move to Wyoming when he discovered the cancer.
    Losing any of our classmates is hard. This one is tragic for me.
     And if I may be permitted to let my professional journalism guard down, I have to admit I am so goddamn tired of writing obituaries for all these good people we went to high school with. I weep for all of them. 
     I know we all have to - in Dan Sunquist's words to me - "cross the Rainbow Bridge" someday. But it doesn't make it a scintilla easier.
   For tonight, rest in peace Dan. And "duerme con los angelitos..." - Sleep with the angels.

Tom Priester honored as USA Track & Field official

   JAMESTOWN - Tom Priester was recently selected the USA Track & Field Niagara Association Official of the Year.
     A big thanks to Class of '66 classmate Dan Beckstrom for calling this to my attention so I could post it.
     Below is the story/caption that appeared in the Jamestown Post-Journal.

FROM THE P-J

     Tom Priester of West Ellicott holds the trophy he was presented upon being selected the USA Track & Field Niagara Association Official of the Year. 
     The honor is in recognition of his dedication, outstanding contributions and positive accomplishment to the Niagara Association. Priester’s responsibilities include officiating

P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

meets from area high schools to international competitions.       
     His officiating prowess has taken him to the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships; the Olympic Trials three times; the USATF Indoor and Outdoor Senior Championships; the USATF Outdoor Junior Championships; the NCAA National Championships for all divisions; the New Balance Nationals for 25 years; and New York state high school meets. In addition, Priester was awarded the Outstanding Service Award for the Niagara Association in 2011 and 2013; and received the National Officials Committee Chair Award in 2016, and the Dick Ferziger Memorial Award for distinguished service to high school track and field in New York. 
     Priester was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Classmate Linda Carlson Larson has passed away

     Over the weekend I received word that our classmate Linda Carlson (who married classmate Steve Larson in 1965) passed away Friday.
     Linda was a neighbor of mine when we were at SWCS. She lived just up the street on Gifford Avenue in Lakewood.
Steve's address is:

Steve Larson

8696 Bergman Drive

Nineveh, IN 46164

     Below is the obituary from the Jamestown Post-Journal:

FROM THE POST-JOURNAL

     Linda M. (Carlson) Larson, 71 of Nineveh, Ind., passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, Ind. 

     She was born Aug. 27, 1948, in New Rochelle, Westchester County, N.Y.

     She married Steven D. Larson on Nov. 13, 1965, in Lakewood, N.Y., he survives. 

     She had worked for the Bartholomew County Clerk Treasurers office in Columbus, Ind., for 14 years.    

     She previously had held various positions in the floral industry. She loved working with flowers and plants, gardening, cooking, traveling, and the music of the Beach Boys. 

     She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She also was past treasurer of the Lakewood Fire Department Auxiliary in Lakewood, N.Y. 

     Survivors include her husband, Steve D. Larson of Nineveh, Ind.; three sons: Scott S. Larson (Courtney) of Indianapolis, Ind., Christopher J. Larson (Dayna) of Hinsdale, Ill., and Jeremy P. Larson (Sara) of Nashville, Ind., eight grandchildren: Erin Lapota (Michael) of Indianapolis, Ind., Courtney Lynn Larson of Indianapolis, Ind., Cody Larson of Indianapolis, Ind., Katelyn Larson of Indianapolis, Ind., Gabriel Larson of Hinsdale, Ill., Elizabeth “Libby” Larson of Hinsdale, Ill., Tristan Larson of Nashville, Ind., and Foster Larson of Nashville, Ind.; a great-grandson, Clark Lapota of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sisters: Susan Lantz (Dave) of Busti, N.Y., and Janice Wheeler (Howard) of Goose Creek, N.Y. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Harold L. Carlson Jr.

     Father Joseph Moriarty will conduct a service on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, at 11 a.m., at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Ind.

     Friends may call on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, from 6-8 p.m., at the mortuary. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, Ind. 

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Systems Atrophy Coalition 9935-D Rea Road 2112, Charlotte, NC 28277 or at www.multi plesystematrophy.org/ msa-donation. 

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738- 0202.

Classmate Jack Nobbs has passed away

   SPOKANE, Washington - SWCS Class of '66 member Jack Nobbs passed away July 9. His obituary from the Jamestown Post Journal is printed below.
     Most of my memories of Jack were from his participation on the SWCS wrestling team where he was a great competitor, often pointed to by Coach Flash Olsen as someone the rest of us should emulate.
     He was one helluva wrestler. And in my memory, a good guy.
     Rest in peace, Jack...

FROM THE POST JOURNAL:

Jack Allen Nobbs was born in Jamestown, N.Y., on March 15, 1948, to Jack and Catherine Nobbs. 

Growing up in Jamestown, Jack attended and graduated from South-western Central High School in 1966. In 1966, Jack enrolled at Edinboro University where he participated in football and wrestling. This is also where he met the love of his life, Linda Mitchell of Finleyville, Pa. Jack and Linda married on Aug. 9, 1969 in Finleyville, Pa. A year later, in 1970, Jack was drafted during the Vietnam War and enlisted into the U.S. Navy. While in the U.S. Navy, Jack attended the Naval Nuclear Power School and was certified to work on nuclear submarines. In 1976, Jack left the U.S. Navy and turned what he had learned into a life long career in nuclear power. 

Jack and Linda had three children: Mark, Laura and Matthew. During much of Jack’s adult life he traveled all over for work, allowing his family to see much of the United States. Jack retired in 2011 from the Hanford Nuclear Site. After retiring Jack was able to spend his free time perfecting his passion, fly fishing, as well as spend as much time as possible with his family and two grandchildren. 

Jack passed peacefully on July 9 surrounded by his wife and children in Spokane, Wash. 

Jack is survived by his wife Linda; children, Mark Nobbs (Caryn), Laura Habersetzer (Josh), Matthew Nobbs; and his two grandchildren, Brynnlee Moore and Ethan Nobbs. Jack is also survived by his five siblings; Frank, Sherry, Bob, Patty and Cathy. 

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made to Now I Lay Me Down Ministry, c/o the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 108 Washington St.. Monroe, Mich. 48161. 

A memorial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m., at Life Tributes in Kennewick, Wash. 

Please leave online condolences at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by Mueller’s Funeral Home, 509-783-9532.