Annual Alumni Gathering Returns on Sept 19, 2021

Although The COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of our 2020 Memorial Mass and all-class reception, relaxed restrictions on social gatherings and social distancing have allowed us to reinstitute our joyful reunion on Sunday, September 19, 2021, beginning with Mass at 10am. A “hard copy” newsletter with complete details will be mailed in August to alumni and friends on the Alumni Committee’s mailing list. In the interim, additional information will be posted on this page and on the Blessed Trinity School Alumni Facebook page. If you wish to be added to that list, use the “Contact” feature below to provide name (maiden name, if applicable), year of graduation, and mailing address.

 

In Memoriam, 2021

“I believe in … the Communion of Saints….and life everlasting. Amen.”
The Communion of Saints depicted in iconography on the façade of Blessed Trinity Church.
Photo Credit: Margaret Dick.

 

Deborah M. Besch Patti, ’63

Deborah M. Besch Patti, ’63
September 15, 1949 – January 3, 2021

 

MaryAnn McPartland Tole, ’57

MaryAnn McPartland Tole, ’57
June 22, 1942 – January 6, 2021

 

Jean Marien Heubusch, ’39

Jean C. Marien Heubusch, ’39
January 14, 2021

 

Richard “Dick” MacVittie, ’43

Richard I. MacVittie, Sr., ’43
April 25, 1927 – January 28, 2021

 

Phyllis Colucci Nigro, ’41

Phyllis R. Colucci Nigro, ’41
March 1, 2021

 

James P. Fleming, ’56

James P. Fleming, ’56
1943 – April 15, 2021

 

Sharon L. Kazimir Janas, ’60

Sharon L. Kazimir Janas, ’60
July 18, 1946 – May 14, 2021

 

Suzanne Parker Spahn, ’60

Suzanne Parker Spahn, ’60
June 18, 2021 at age 74

 

Maryann Fruehauf Wegner, ’52

Maryann Fruehauf Wegner, ’52
June 25, 2021

 

Helen Speyer McGrath, ’49

Helen A. Speyer McGrath, ’49
July 13, 2021

 

Kathleen Szymaszek Michalek, ’69

Kathleen A. Szymaszek Michalek, ’69
July 18, 2021

 

Janet Ehlers Simmeth, ’52

Janet L. Ehlers Simmeth, ’52
October 19, 1938 – July 28, 2021

 

Michael J. Kurzdorfer, ’62

Michael J. Kurdorfer, ’62
August 26, 2021 at age 72

 

James C. Lester, Jr, ’57

James C. Lester, Jr, ’57
May 29, 1942 – October 7, 2021

 

Kathleen M. West Schau, ’67

Kathleen M. West Schau, ’67
March 18, 1953 – October 29, 2021

 

Vera J. Karl Hunold, ’41

Vera J. Karl Hunold, ’41
November 5, 2021

 

George A. Hitzel, ’41

George A. Hitzel, ’41
October 13, 1927 – December 14, 2021

Ardyth Langenfeld Balling, ‘48

Ardyth M. “Ardy” Langenfeld Balling, ’48
1934 – December 12, 2021

 

Richard J. Winter, ’67

Richard J. Winter, ’67
1953 – December 26, 2021

 

Mary Grace Horn Sprague, ’52

Mary Grace Horn Sprague, ’52
December 8, 1938 – December 31, 2021

COVID Cancellation: Oct 4, 2020 Alumni Mass and Reunion

Docent Tom Brodfuehrer, ’75, describes unique Harvard bricks during church tour preceding annual alumni Mass.

When the coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of church services in March 2020, none of us could have imagined that its long-term effects would  persist into the fall and threaten the alumni’s fourteen year tradition. Although Sunday Mass has resumed at BT, current diocesan social-distancing requirements mean only family units can sit together. There can be no mini-tours, joyful embraces in the vestibule, class group seating or gift-bearing processional. And with little hope of relaxed rules on public gatherings, there would be no possibility of hosting a reception following the Mass. For all of the above, the alumni committee has reluctantly decided to cancel the Oct. 4, 2020 Alumni Memorial Mass and all-class reunion.

Katherine Speyer LeClaire, ’59

Had we been able to proceed as planned, this year’s reception would have been dedicated to Katherine (“Kathy”) Speyer LeClaire of the Class of 1959. Kathy had been a dedicated member of the committee since its formation in 2005 for purposes of planning the 2006 centennial gathering. She participated in the decision to continue gathering for a Memorial Mass and all-class reception and supported the annual endeavor with her time and energy (and homemade pastry). Kathy’s family recognized her commitment in choosing the church’s Under This Roof Fund to receive memorial contributions. We were all saddened by Kathy’s unexpected death on April 11, and will continue to honor her memory as we anticipate a Memorial Mass  in 2021.

When we are able to gather again at Blessed Trinity, we will also remember the following graduates who have passed away since last year’s Mass: Richard J. Gibney, Class of 1941; Rosemary MacVittie White, ’43; John J. “Jack” Kennedy, Jr., ’45; Rev. Donald L. Measer, ’46; Sister Dorothy M. Smith, ’48; Robert J. O’Connor IV, ’50; Leona Louis Frank and Edward Arthur Mauger, ’55; Mary Crehan, Robert M. Guy, Jr. (died in 2018) and Lee J. Vaughan, ’56; Sister. Linda Glaeser, ’61; Mary Joan Hriczko Santiago, ’67; Susanne M. Gampp, ’73; and former Assistant Pastors Rev. Msgr. William J. Gallagher (1969-71) and Rev. Msgr. Kevin T. O’Neill, (1971–75). Please inform the Committee if you are aware of other recent alumni or faculty deaths so that they may be included as well.You can view a honor roll of deceased alumni from previous years by clicking HERE.

By now, you should have received the annual alumni newsletter in the mail with news of the cancellation and other pertinent information. If you did not receive it, you must be missing from our database of alumni and friends. To be included, use the contact feature below. Please provide your name (including maiden name if applicable), year of graduation from BTS, postal address, email address and preferred phone number. We promise not to besiege you with emails or phone calls. The information you provide will be used for the purposes of class or school reunions only.

In addition to the “School Alumni” pages of this web site, the Alumni maintains a “Blessed Trinity School Alumni” Facebook page. We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook and share your memories or class photos. You’d be amazed at how many comments one class photo can generate. The BT Web Diva, Margaret Stiffler Dick (’59), will happily assist you in adding photos or information to the Facebook page or web site.

In Memoriam, 2020

“I believe in … the Communion of Saints….and life everlasting. Amen.”
The last of 12 symbols on our church façade depicting tenants of the Faith (belief in life everlasting) as recited in The Apostles Creed.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

 

 

Richard J. Gibney, ’41

Richard J. Gibney, ’41
October 9, 1927 – January 8, 2020

 

John Kennedy, ’45

John J. “Jack” Kennedy, Jr., ’45
January 27, 1932 – February 17, 2020

 

Lee J. Vaughan, ’56

Lee J. Vaughan, ’56
June 22, 1942 – February 29, 2020

 

Rev. Donald L. Measer, ’46

Rev. Donald L. Measer, ’46
September 21, 1931 – March 9, 2020

 

Sr. Linda Glaeser, SSJ, ’61

Sr. Linda Glaeser, S.S.J., ’61
March 26, 2020

 

Edward A. Mauger, ’55

Edward Arthur Mauger, ’55
December 24, 1941 – April 1, 2020

 

Katherine Speyer LeClaire, ’59

Katherine Speyer LeClaire, ’59
September 2, 1944 – April 11, 2020

 

Leonard J. Higgins, ’48

Leonard J. Higgins, ’48
July 26, 1932 – May 12, 2020

 

Susanne M. Gampp, ’73

Susanne M. “Sus” Gampp, ’73
October 9, 1959 – May 20, 2020

 

Mary Crehan, ’56

Mary Crehan, ’56
June 29, 2020 at age 77

 

Mary Joan Hriczko Santiago, ’67
May 9, 1953 – July 31, 2020

 

Rev. Msgr. Kevin T. O’Neill

Rev. Msgr Kevin T. O’Neill
July 16, 1935 – August 11, 2020
Assistant Pastor, 1971-1975

 

Leona A. Louis Frank, ’55

Leona A. Louis Frank, ’55
1941 – August 19, 2020

 

Sr. Dorothy M. Smith, OSF, ’48

Sr. Dorothy M. Smith, O.S.F., ’48
January 26, 1934 – September 7, 2020

 

Carol Best Kaun, ’52
October 1, 2020

 

David E. Fruehauf, ’50

David E. Fruehauf, ’50
April 9, 1937 – October 10, 2020

 

David H. Balzer, ’56

David H. Balzer, ’56
January 25, 1942 – November 12, 2020

 

Arnold J. Horn, ’43

Arnold Joseph Horn, ’43
December 9, 1929 – December 7, 2020

 

Michael E. Forster, ’60
December 20, 1945 – December 12, 2020

 

Janey A. Zylka, ’70

Janey A. Zylka, ’70
1956 – December 12, 2020

 

James J. Foley, ’41

James Joseph Foley, ’41
March 25, 1927 – December 27, 2020

Original Church Bell on Permanent Display

The church bell which hung in the former church and school
building from 1909 until 2018 is now permanently
displayed on Leroy Avenue.
Photo credit: Margaret Dick

Welcome Home St. Helena ~ The first building constructed by Blessed Trinity parish was a combination church/school building completed in 1907 at 307 Leroy Avenue. Two years later, a bell manufactured by the McShane Bell Company in Baltimore, Maryland was installed in its steeple. It was customary for a church bell to be given a saint’s name, and Blessed Trinity’s bell – a gift of parishioner Helena Eckard — was named “St. Helena” after her patron saint. The 2017 sale of the former church/school building (visible on the right side of this photo) necessitated removal of the bell. This challenging task took place in October 2018 with the help of the building’s new owner, John Cozzarelli. Repair and restoration of the bell was entrusted to the Verdin Bell Company at its Cincinnati, Ohio facility, and on August 27, 2019 the refurbished bell was installed on a newly-built concrete pedestal located on the church lawn. The parish is grateful to alumni of Blessed Trinity School, the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Trinity, and two benefactors whose contributions preserved this important part of parish history, and to Mr. Cozzarelli who provided equipment and workers each time the 1,200 pound bell was moved. Decorative work on the pedestal having now been completed, the century-old bell is fully restored and ready to peal once more. Hidden from public view for 110 years, “St. Helena” is now a new Leroy Avenue destination, available for all to see. Please stop for a visit and photo-op.

2019 Alumni Mass and Reunion Set for October 6

Docent Tom Brodfuehrer, ’75, describes unique Harvard bricks during church tour preceding annual alumni Mass.

Alumni Mass – Our Annual Alumni Mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Church on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM. We look forward to welcoming all Alumni, especially the Fiftieth Anniversary Class of 1969. A reception in St Charles Hall following the Mass provides an ideal opportunity to view or display school photos and memorabilia, reminisce and renew old acquaintances. (As in past years, we ask those who are able to bring a food item to share at the reception). Additional details about the day’s events and any individual class reunions will be posted here as they become available.

As part of our Annual Mass we pause to remember all deceased alumni and faculty. The names of graduates who have passed away since last year’s Mass will be read. We will be remembering Charles A. Ferella, ’68; Michael J. Demma, ’66; Martha E. Collier Wagner, ’63; Robert V. “Bob” Pritchard, ’61; Sr. Jean Marie Klaus (Sr. Mary Andrew), ’58; Sheila Gillogly, ’57; William F. Pernick, Jr., ’57; Donald R. Moreno, ’52; Daniel O’Connor, ’51; Madeline G. LaPenna, ’50; Lois Knapp Gillen, ’49; and Glenn H. Grundtisch, ’41. Please inform the Committee if you are aware of other recent alumni or faculty deaths so that they may be included as well.

Keeping in Touch – The Alumni Committee continues to provide a time and place for you to renew acquaintances, but we can’t guarantee that the people you want to see the most will be there. That’s where you come in. Bobbe Lukasik, who maintains our database, will be happy to provide whatever information she has for your former classmates and friends so that you can reach out and make that reunion happen.

BTS Social media presence ~ In addition to the “School Alumni” pages of this web site, the Alumni maintains a “Blessed Trinity School Alumni” Facebook page. We encourage you to “like” us on Facebook and share your memories or class photos. You’d be amazed at how many comments one class photo can generate. The BT Web Diva, Margaret Stiffler Dick (’59), will happily assist you in adding photos or information to the Facebook page or web site. You can reach her at mnbdick [at] roadrunner [dot] com or 716-832-2540. 

Every year we lose touch with some of our base because of changes in contact information. Please don’t become a missing person when our 2019 newsletter is mailed in early September. If you have moved, changed your email address or abandoned your land line telephone, please notify Bobbe Lukasik of your new contact information. You can also use the contact feature below to update your information; just remember to specify “alumni” as the subject.

We hope you will plan to join us on Sunday, October 6, 2019.  If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with Bud Dick, 716-832-2540, mnbdick [at] roadrunner [dot] com or Bobbe (Schmelzer) Lukasik, 716-684-5365, bertababe2 [at] yahoo [dot] com.