Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of
Hicksville High School Hicksville, New York

The Editors:
Buffalo Bob Casale '61	Linda (Piccerelli) Hayden '60
Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56	Bob (Gleason) Wesley '61

Contributing Editors: Bob Gillette & Walter Schmidt

Webmaster: Roger Whitaker

To contact the editors, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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A mini reunion for the class of 1961 was held at the Smokey Bones Cafe in Ronkonkoma on Sunday, April 10, 2011. Pictures from that event can be viewed by going to the Photo Gallery. Access to that page can be gained by clicking on Photo Gallery in the Article Index at the top of this page.

We would also like to extend a hearty "Thank You" to Katie Kennedy for coming aboard following the death of Bob Wesley and helping to transform presentation aspects of HixNews. Katie is leaving because she has some new commitments starting in June that precludes her continuing with the great job she's been doing.
Thanks, too, for your valued friendship.

LAPOINTE, JACK R., 72, of Orlando , FL , went to be with the Lord on Good Friday, April 22, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jean E. LaPointe, their son, Douglas J. LaPointe, and two beautiful grandchildren, Katie and Cameron. He is also survived by his sister, Claudette Curtin, his niece, Sue Curtin, his nephews, Tom and Jack Curtin and other loving family and friends. Jack was born and raised in New York , graduated from Hofstra University and moved to Orlando in 1973. He was a sales rep and retired in 2002. He was proud to be a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Orlando . He loved gardening, golfing and reading. Jack's Memorial Service will be held in honor and celebration of his life on Monday, May 2, 2011, at 10 a.m., at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Orlando . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church or Vitas Hospice. Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com . Arrangements entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park amp; Funeral Home, Gotha, FL. 407-293-1361.

Patricia Koziuk Driscoll

Two years ago, Hicksville Newsletter, and the community lost a true friend who worked diligently on providing former alumni with much sought after nostalgia. Pat Koziuk Driscoll, who graduated Hicksville High in 1956, compiled most of the material that was included in each issue of HixNews. She spent countless hours copying and pasting information on multiple pages.

HixNews started out as a two or three page email that was sent to some 100 or so readers. Eventually, it evolved into a multi page newsletter that was placed onto its own website and was supported with many special features. It was fortunate that Pat saw many of the changes that surfaced over the years.

Most probably never knew that Pat was not in the best of health because she was never looking for sympathy or an 'attaboy!' She didn't complain but just kept going like the energizer bunny. Pat shared time with her Florida pals shopping and fraternizing despite needing special consideration over the years. Pat spent most of her last year on oxygen 24/7. She loved her portable transportation (a golf cart) that allowed the mobility she lacked because of her dependence on oxygen. Her death created a void that exists today.

Pat's efforts brought many hours of joy to the readers who waited patiently each month for tidbits of information. Pat, along with Linda Piccerelli Hayden, a 1960 graduate, were the pioneers of HixNews. They spent many hours scouring through emails from former students gathering information that was typed into an email and sent out at the beginning of the new month.

Pat was surrounded by family when she was summoned by a higher authority. Not an unusual thing because family was her life. She spent many hours enjoying those she loved most.

Pat here with Marty Watkins, a special person who made her life believable

 

Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial Project Update

65 new names were added in April, for a new total is 1,412! April's contribution again came largely from the work of one of our alumni in collaboration with the Hicksville Public Library Historian. With the continuation of this effort and the additional contributions of the entire alumni readership of HixNews, we expect the list will continue to grow in the months ahead.

Please see the Veteran's Section of this issue for the latest project information and List of Veteran's Names and what you can continue to do to help its success.

It's also more important than ever (even if you don't have new names to send us) to review the list for missing information or information shown in red that needs correction or clarification. Please send me an email if you can help us fill in the blanks. High school class year has been specifically noted, where we have it, to make this review easier for you to scan the list for people you may know. We made good progress in filling in the blank information once again in April, so let's all pitch in to continue this effort!

On behalf of the Project Team,
Joe Carfora, HHS '62

Welcome Aboard Val Pakaluk and David Rubin

Val Zalewski Pakaluk graduated Hicksville High in 1951 and currently is the Executive Assistant to the Director of Meetings amp; Courses at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. One responsibility is to coordinate meetings throughout the year in the United States and China . Additional responsibilities include updating the laboratory web pages (https://meetings.cshl.edu/). Val says, "I've become a master at producing journals for the Community Council Dinners, the Chamber of Commerce Dinner and special events like the Eagle Restoration (Historical Society), John Bull Steam engine (Chamber of Commerce); LIRR 150^th anniversary (Dave Morrison amp; the Long Island Sunrise Trail Chapter amp; National Railway Historical Society)."

Val co-authored a book published by Arcadia Press with Dave Morrison about LIRR stations and edited the book on Hicksville with Dick Evers who was Hicksville's town historian. Besides all that, Val worked at Litmor Publications as an Associate Editor for a good many years being responsible for 9 weekly newspapers. She continues to be a frequent contributor to the Hicksville Illustrated (clearly the best newspaper in Hicksville).

Val is President of the Hicksville Public Library Board, outgoing president of the Hicksville Community Council, Treasurer of the Hicksville Boys amp; Girls Club, a member of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce and, in her spare time, is Secretary to a Men's Tennis League.

Val is married to Mike, a graduate from the class of 1948. The couple had three children, Michael, June and Jim. Jim passed away in 2009. All the children attended Hicksville High.

Val was named a Woman of Distinction by the Town of Oyster Bay and a Trailblazer by Nassau County.

David Rubin graduated from Hicksville High in 1982. He Attended Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy NY and earned a degree in Chemistry. After graduating in '86, David proceeded to be burned, poisoned, irradiated and just got dirty in general while toiling with the chemical industry.

It was the interesting challenge of chemicals that prompted a career change. David realized that his real life would be better served working in something less volatile. He switched to a life of computers, specifically database technologies. After working for several big consulting firms, he created and is owner of Data Futures (www.data-futures.com), a database consulting firm, since 1995 in South Florida . Data Futures has been at the forefront of intelligent data warehousing efforts all over the globe, bringing small and large companies to the Internet with business intelligence and not just a pretty face as well as keeping some of the biggest and most important databases running 24x7. Data Futures continues to shape the data for companies like Kraft Foods, Bed Bath amp; Beyond, M amp;M/Mars, Nabisco, Cemex Mexico , Cable Bahamas and many more companies across the world.

David met his wife, Beth DesLauriers, in Troy where she attended Russel Sage College and they married in '88. Two children and three dogs later, they live happily in Boca Raton FL.

SATURDAY, MAY 7TH !!!!!!
SAVE THE DATE !!
MIDLIFE CRISIS BAND @ CALLAHAN'S EAST MEADOW !!!

The Newsletter

Photo Gallery

Class of 1961 Mini Reunion, April 10, 2011, Smokey Bones Café, Ronkonkoma

Birthdays Anniversaries

Honoring our Veterans

When the Music Stopped

This was written by a Chaplain serving in Iraq :

For those who are unaware, the National Anthem is played at all military base theaters before the movie begins.

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda.  We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings.  As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature.  All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States?  I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin.  Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq, 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward.  The music started again and the Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention.  But again, at the same point, the music stopped.  What would you expect 1000 Soldiers standing at attention to do??  Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.

But No!!... You could have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at attention.  Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:

"And the rockets' red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,
gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave,
o'er the land of the free,
and the home of the brave."

It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you.  Remember them as they fight for us!

Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins.

LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad.

God Bless America and all troops serving throughout the world.

Memory Lane

Excerpts from the 1976 Hicksville Comet

Casale's Corner

I Believe

That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and, you must forgive them for that.

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance and the same goes for true love.
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them
That you can keep going long after you can't.
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

That our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

That people who don't even know you can change your life in a matter of hours.

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a
friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

And Finally, I Believe...
that the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.
Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.