A note to our alumni: I do not have the power to simply change a member's email address. If you change your email address, you must re-subscribe using your new email address. Use the subscription box where it says Google Group on the HixNews homepage on the left and below the picture of the high school. Type your email address into the box and hit subscribe

Henry Lichtenstein

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We have to make an appeal to all you wonderful alumni who are helping sustain the newsletter.

The editors are anxious to see more stories about your experiences in Hicksville, and, at the same time, would love for your follow-up correspondence to be more direct. By direct we mean, who sent the email; the email address of the sender; the nature of your response; is it a question, or is it a statement?!
We get so many responses, it sometimes is totally impossible to ascertain who is asking the question or doing the writing.
Please help. Can you do that? We, then, can be more effective. We love effectiveness.!!! Can you tell?

The Editors

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SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, October 6th, 2012
Class of 1962 50-Year Reunion
7PM -12AM HOLIDAY INN, Plainview , N.Y.
Please be sure Karen Hubner Jenkins has your current e-mail address (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Our Reunion Website 62.hixreunion.com

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UPDATE!!! - Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial Project

Our hearts are heavy this month as we mourn the passing of Dennis Naso, HHS 1961. Dennis was one of our Veterans with Foreign Active Duty Service to his credit, but more importantly he was a wonderful family man and friend to many of us. He will be well remembered for many things, including his contributions to his class both during high school and as an alumna.

As for new names during the past month, October was slow with only 9 names added to bring our current total to 1,685 individual Veterans who served our country during the Vietnam War Era. However, excellent progress was once again made in filling in missing data on the list.

With regard to the missing data (as noted by red question marks on the List of Names), it is very important to review the list for missing information or existing information that needs correction, even if you don't have new names to send us. Please email me if you can help us fill in these blanks. High school class year has been specifically noted, where we have it, to make this review easier for you by quickly scanning the list for people you may know. Please pitch-in to make this Project a success.

In addition to building and working to complete The List of Names, much still needs to be done; including site selection, approval by local authorities for site use, final design, fundraising, construction of the Memorial and finally its dedication. As previously announced, Bill Walden is leading our efforts at the local level in Hicksville to make these important elements of The Project happen.

As with past issues of HixNews, please see the Honoring Our Veterans Section of this issue for the latest project information and to access the List of Veterans Names and what you can do to help this list grow, so that no one who deserves to be included is missed.

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

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So much was happening in September for the newsletter staff other than publishing the Newsletter. Suffice it to say that we neglected to wish ourselves a Happy Birthday and to pay respect to Holly Horton. So...

Happy Birthday To Us!

HIXNEWS starts its 11th Year

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A Tribute to Holly Horton

The untimely death of Holly Horton in 2000 saddened our hearts. She was a very spirited person who enjoyed life and enriched those she touched with unselfish commitment. Holly was instrumental in bringing Hicksville High School together again just prior to a mega reunion, organized by Anton Mure and Rich Delia that was attended by a wide variety of alumni in September of 2000. Holly authored a mailing list that she put onto a website. Her updates of names and addresses were eagerly anticipated and were augmented with tidbits of trivia that was the result of feedback from others. She put up special photographs that we all enjoyed. That effort united a wide bracket of HHS students. She did this because she wanted to give back special moments to others by providing a source that could be accessed by all of us. The only thing missing from that reunion was Holly herself who looked forward, with obvious anticipation, at the prospect of seeing some old friends and sharing remembrances of times past. It was several days prior to the reunion when an uncontrollable asthma attack ended her life; a tragedy in itself for a person who battled this malady all her life just to survive.

A fitting way to pay respect to Holly was to continue what she started. That challenge was accepted by Pat Koziuk Driscoll (Class of 1956) and Linda Piccerelli Hayden (Class of 1960). They have done this out of respect for Holly but also because they see the enjoyment others realize from their effort. It's a way to introduce coming events; such as reunions for various classes. It's an avenue for contacting friends and sharing information that we all treasure. We have the capacity to put up pictures at various web sites for all of us to enjoy. In other words, the newsletter is a perfect vehicle for keeping people apprised of "what's happening!"

Bob Casale, Class of 1961

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Attention Class of 1961 and whoever else is interested. There is an updated presentation of photos from the 1961 Fifty Year Reunion that was held on September 17th.
Go to the Photo Gallery to view the pictures that include a flashback to the reunion of 2004.

Thanks
Buffalo Bob Casale

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LEVITTOWN COMMUNITY CHURCH PRESENTS ITS 2nd ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO VETERANS BENEFIT CONCERT

Levittown Community Church , located at 100 Periwinkle Road in Levittown , is excited to announce our 2nd Annual Tribute to Veterans Benefit Concert on Wednesday evening, November 9th at 7:30 pm.

Levittown was built after WWII to give our returning servicemen affordable homes, houses of worship, schools for their children and a community in which they could raise their families. We are a town started by veterans, so it's only fitting that we should join together in appreciation to celebrate and honor our veterans and active service members who have sacrificed so much for our country's freedom and safety.

All veterans and their families are invited as our special guests. We would like members of Levittown and surrounding communities to come and enjoy the evening while, at the same time, showing support for our veterans and active military members. Our 2010 Tribute was a huge success, with approximately 300 people attending. The price of admission to this benefit is the donation of at least one of the items listed below. Last year we collected thousands of needed items that were donated to the VA in Northport, Soldiers' Angels and a local 'Stand Down' for homeless veterans. Many of these organizations have supplies that are currently running low. Let's all get together on November 9th and show how much we appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of our service men and women, both past and present, by donating as many of the following items as we are able:

Bar soap; bristle hair brushes; combs; coffee (cans); denture adhesive (medium size Fixadent or Poli Grip); deodorant (medium size); gloves (ladies and mens); lap blankets (36' x 48'); lip balm; disposable razors; laundry detergent powder; liquid body soap/body wash; postage stamps; shampoo; slipper socks; supermarket (local) food gift cards; sweatshirts/sweatpants (S,M,L); toothbrushes; toothpaste (small and medium tubes). Additional Items for Female Veterans: Underwear (S,M,L); decorative pins; scarves; moisturizers; hair trinkets; PJ's/nightgowns; slippers (non-slip).

Financial donations are welcome as well and will be distributed to various veterans' organizations that we have learned of while working on this exciting project. To date, the corporate sponsors who have generously donated to this benefit consist of Astoria Federal Savings and Loan in Levittown , Dalton Funeral Homes, Ferlise Photography Studio, and South Levittown Lanes.

A few of the performances for this benefit concert will include: duet by Debbie Desroches and Diana Maslauskas, solo by Mikayla Desroches; a choral group from Division Avenue High School; our own Bob Koenig; the joint choirs of Levittown Community Church and Parkway Community Church in Hicksville; Alexis Seminario; and our special guest (her uncle), Pat Seminario, whose song 'Freedom's Cry' was the inspiration for our first Tribute. Some of the organizations involved will include: the American Legion; Levittown Community Council; Levittown Historical Society; Soldiers' Angels; and the Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island.

Please join us for a wonderful evening of celebration on Wednesday, November 9th. Doors will open at 7:00pm, and the Tribute will begin at 7:30pm. Refreshments will be served following the evening's performances affording a time of fellowship. We are located in the flower section of Levittown at 100 Periwinkle Road .

For further information, or if you would like to make donations before the event, please call the church office at (516) 735-6550, Monday through Friday from 9am ' 1pm. You may also contact us via email at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Buffalo Bob, et. al.:

I nominate Dennis Dias, Class of 1964, for the HHS Hall of Fame. "Denny" is one of the founding members of the group Steely Dan. I would like everyone to celebrate his contributions to modern American music. His bio page on Wikipedia relates a great deal about him. In addition, many of the class of 1964 will remember his stellar guitar playing for the Spring Concert West Side Story.

Regards,
Dennis Listort '64

Please go to the Hall of Fame Page to see more about Denny!

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2 Great Shows * 1 Night Only

Mirelle's, 170 Post Avenue, Westbury , New York
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 9pm to Midnight

Mirelle's has a full dinner menu or you can just have drinks!!!
Large Dance Floor
Live Broadcast From B-103 Oldies Station
$20.00 All Night Admission

For additional information please call 516-338-4933 or visit www.drksmotownrevue.com

Hope to see you all there!!!

Also Don't Forget

Date: 11-9-11
Where: Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville , CT
Details: The Wolf Den @ Mohegan Sun, 7PM-11PM

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This is from David Teitel '68

The Newsletter

We regret that this edition of the Hixnews newsletter has been lost and is no longer recoverable.

Photo Gallery

50 Year Reunion - Class of 1961

Click the image below to see the slideshow. Use your left/right arrow keys to flip through the slides.

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Honoring our Veterans

The Global Hawk

Note the mission paintings on the fuselage, it's actually over 250 missions. (And I would suppose 25 air medals.)

 

That's a long way for a remotely piloted aircraft. Think of the technology as well as the required quality of the data link to fly it remotely from a source thousands of miles away.  Not only that, but the pilot controls it from a nice warm control panel at Edwards AFB, CA.  It can stay up for almost 2 days at altitudes above 60k.  The Global Hawk is controlled via satellite. It flew missions that went from Edwards AFB, CA. and back nonstop.

Basically, they come into the fight at a high mach # using military thrust power, fire their AMRAAMS, and no one ever sees them or paints with radar.  There is practically no radio chatter because all the guys in the flight are tied together electronically and can see who is targeting who, and they have AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems) direct input, as well as 360 situational awareness from that and other sensors.

The enemy had a definite morale problem before it was all over.  It is to air superiority what the jet engine was to aviation.  It can taxi out, take off, fly a mission, return, land and taxi back on its own.  There are no blackouts, pilot fatigue, relief tubes, ejection seats, and best of all, no dead pilots, and no POWs.

Memory Lane

Lillian Nelsen Anderson Long Time Hicksville Resident is 100 Years Old

By JAMIE HERZLICH Special to Newsday

Photo credit: Charles EckertIn 2001, Lillian Nelsen Anderson, then 90, wrote in a letter for a time capsule at her granddaughter's wedding that she wanted to wish the newlyweds well because she figured she wouldn't be around to celebrate the opening of the capsule on the couple's 10th anniversary.

This past August marked her granddaughter's 10-year anniversary, and Anderson proved even herself wrong.

"I never thought I'd make 100," said Anderson, who lives in the same Hicksville home she and her late husband built in 1939. "How many people do?"

 

Lillian could have been a 1929 graduate of Hicksville High. She was forced to drop out when she was 14 years old to help support the family. Lillian did attend the Nicholai Street School while the family was living on Harrison Avenue. The Junior High or Middle School shown below was actually considered the "high school" at one time.

Hicksville Junior High School Recently

According to government statistics, quite a few more now than in the last century. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that as of December 2010 there were nearly 72,000 Americans -- almost 62,000 of them women -- who were 100 or older.

In 1990, about one out of every 10,000 Americans was a centenarian. The United States and Japan have the highest concentrations of centenarians, due largely to diet and medical advances. In the United States, most centenarians reside in California and New York State.

An active lifestyle

Not only has Anderson made it to 100, she's done it by maintaining an active lifestyle that many who are years younger would envy. She took up golf at age 75, drove and lived on her own without assistance until age 96, and until last year handled her finances and taxes on her own.

Her pace has slowed in the past four years, but she plays cards with friends at her home twice a month, attends monthly luncheons with a hospital charity group, gets her hair and nails done regularly and is actively involved in family affairs.

On Sept. 10, she celebrated her 100th birthday at La Marmite restaurant in Williston Park with about 70 family members and friends.

"It was wonderful that so many people were there," said Anderson, noting that age hasn't prevented her from living life to the fullest. "I never stop to think about age. I don't feel 100."

Though she had to use a wheelchair for about 10 weeks earlier this year, for the most part Anderson is relatively healthy for a centenarian.

"She's like the Energizer bunny," said her oldest child. "She does very good," adds her live-in-aide, Teddy Severe.

John Anderson, Class of 1959

Joyce ( Anderson ) Merzbacher, 61John Anderson, 69, of Hollywood, S.C.: John graduated Hicksville High in 1959. Anderson has congestive heart failure and last year spent time in a hospital and rehabilitation for complications related to it, but she was determined to return home, said daughter Joyce ( Anderson ) Merzbacher, 61, of Farmingdale.

Joyce ( Anderson ) Merzbacher, 61, of Farmingdale: "I've never wanted to live anywhere else," said Anderson, noting that living with her three children was never an option in her mind. "They have their own life to live."

Though Anderson said Long Island has changed a lot over the decades -- "the potato fields have disappeared," she notes -- she wouldn't trade it for another ZIP code.

"It's gotten a lot more crowded, and there are more malls," she adds. "I think it's still a good place to live."

Staying positive

Anderson 's independence and positive attitude are an inspiration to those who know her. "There are many negative things that come with old age, but my grandmother seems to turn them into positives," grandson Mark Merzbacher, now 30, wrote in a college essay about whom he admired most. And she's done that her whole life.

Anderson, whose parents were Norwegian immigrants, was born in Brooklyn. She was the fourth of six children, all of whom are deceased, and grew up poor. The family moved to Hicksville when she was 10.

Anderson left school at 14 to help support the family. She worked in her father's wallpaper store for several months before following in her older sister's footsteps and enrolling in stenography courses at Drake's Business School in Queens. She was a stenographer in East Williston and later at Women's Wear Daily in Manhattan for almost 13 years.

It was on her train commute to Drake's that she met her husband, Francis "Andy" Anderson, who was a title searcher at a company in Jamaica, Queens. They married in 1936, and she worked up until the birth of their first child in 1941. Her husband was Nassau County clerk in the 1960s and then worked in the banking industry. Anderson returned to work in 1965 as an executive secretary for the Town of Oyster Bay, retiring from that job in 1975. And that's when she became even more active and continues to be so today, relatives marvel.

"She has a more active social life then I do," quipped John Anderson, 42, of Fairfax, Va., the oldest of seven grandchildren.

Anderson started bowling when she was 65, and 10 years later, when the Mercy League, a charitable organization that raises money for Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Center, formed a women's golf league, she became an inaugural member, her daughter said.

"My father encouraged her," Merzbacher noted. "He was a terrific golfer."

Anderson continued playing after her husband died in 1988 and traveled with the league into her late 90s, said her son,

Bill Anderson, 66, of Bellport

Bill Anderson, 66, of Bellport: "You have to go on living," said Anderson, who at 90 was the oldest volunteer at the U.S. Open in Bethpage in 2002.

Cutting back

She no longer golfs or bowls, and only stopped traveling in January 2010. "She's an inspiration," said longtime friend Jeanette Sadowski, 87, of Jericho, who plays cards with Anderson.

Anderson is beloved by her grandchildren and their children, too. Granddaughter Kristina Hilton, 33, of Farmingdale, who got the time capsule letter, visits Anderson weekly with her four children. Said her son, Andrew, 7, of his great-grandmother: "I hope she lives even longer."

Anderson said she's grateful she lived long enough to meet her 10 great-grandchildren, but with age comes some problems. She said she doesn't feel 100, but her body reminds her of it every day. "Your body gets weaker," said Anderson, who now uses a walker. "My legs went, so it's harder to move around. "But being a centenarian has its benefits. " "People treat you with respect," Anderson said. "They're more nice."

The Birthday Party

Lillian's Children

Siblings with their spouses

Lillian's Grandkids
 

And, Last, but not least, the Great-Grandkids

 

Casale's Corner

Dennis R. Naso

BORN: July 14, 1943
DIED: October 20, 2011
RESIDENCE: Port Jefferson Station, NY

Bob,

The parents of one of Dad's former students is in the process of starting a scholarship in his name. More info to come, but a page is was up on Facebook:

I wish you could have been at the funeral. The church was filled with people there from every part of Dennis' life ( Hicksville , church, school where he worked) Father's homily was so personable, he made us laugh and cry, talking about Dennis. He said that Dennis was in every ministry except one - "Mommy and Me". They had a "piper" there playing outside the church. As HE left the church there were police car and motorcycle escorts. It was an awesome send-off. I know Dennis was in your thoughts and prayers.

Stay well!

Barbara (Bobbie Governale) Cutrone

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Bob,

I am so sorry to hear the news. Please let me know about the arrangements. He was a wonderful, kind man who loved his family and friends. He will be missed. So glad I got to see him at the Mini reunions and our 50th.

Ann Fisher      Ann Fisher

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My heart is saddened and Dennis' friendship and smile will be with me always. Our prayers and thoughts are with Dennis and his family. Dennis has instilled a fond memory in our hearts and will be remembered always.

Bill Canham Classmate HHS 1961

Bill Canham      Bill Canham

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I am greatly saddened with the passing of Dennis, my heart and prayers go out to his family.

Ginny Frazer Caliguri      Ginny Frazer Caliguri

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I am glad that I had the opportunity to chat with Dennis at the reunion. When we met, he referred back to a long forgotten incident in high school when he told me to "keep this place clean or you will end up before the Clean Up Committee again". His attitude in the face of adversity was amazing and gives us an example to follow.

Larry Anton      Larry Anton

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So very sorry to hear about Dennis. My prayers are with Ethel and family during this sad time. My faith tells me he is in a better place and that memories will always be with us.

Bonnie (Scharr) Papes      Bonnie (Scharr) Papes

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Bob-
How sad to hear this news. Another reminder of how fragile this life is and that we need to lash on to every moment as though it is our last.
I think I will remember the guy with the black hair in the yearbook photo. And I will endeavor to "always keep my place clean."

Rosey... (Mike Rosenwasser)

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I am so saddened to hear this news. I think of Dennis as one of the backbones of our class and he will certainly be missed by those whose life he touched. Although we were not friends in HHS, the warmth and friendship he showed me at the mini reunions and reunion meant a great deal to me. Dennis, thank you for all you did for all of us. Dennis is probably in Heaven right now arranging a reunion of our classmates who are there with him. May his family find peace and comfort knowing that many mourn with them.

Susan Schwartz Serlin      Susan Schwartz Serlin

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This is a reply to Susan Serlin's lovely words:

Hi Susan, Well said. I was envisioning the same scene.... Dennis staging all the "over the top fun " to be had in Heaven. Such a special man, always ready to help, always ready to make people laugh. always ready to tease!. Dennis "The Devilish Angel in Disguise". We love you Dennis .R.I.P.

Bob Cerone      Kathy Graw Cerone     Kathy Graw Cerone

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I, too, was saddened to hear about Dennis' passing. I think all of us were afraid his health was failing. What a brave effort he made to be with us at the end of his life, and what a wonderful person he was! I think he touched all of us in a special way.

My fondest memory of Dennis was when answering a difficult question in school he would put his forefinger along side his nose and say "The Nose Knows!" I hadn't heard from Dennis since high school when one day my wife handed me the phone and said someone from NSO was calling. After 49 years I immediately knew it was Dennis calling. He had that kind of wonderful impact on me.

I believe he's gone on to Heaven and will be waiting for us. May he rest in peace.

Richie Penndorf      Richie Penndorf

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The Dear Naso Family,

Our hearts are so heavy and saddened at this time for Dennis and his devoted and lovely family. Dennis is such a wonderful, giving person - always thinking of others with a passion for always doing the best for everyone. We love him with all our hearts and we adore his wonderful wife, Ethel, and his sons Robert, Mark, Stephen and his dear brother, Joseph. Please know how many lives he has touched with his kindness and how much he has changed the world for the better with his compassion and love of life. Dennis is so very special to all. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Pat      Pat      "Little" Pammy Hiscox

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Hi Bob,

This is indeed very sad news. The world has lost a truly wonderful person in Dennis. My heart goes out to you too, having to send this email. I am at a loss for words and but want Dennis' family to know that we all loved being around Dennis from when we first met him in Hicksville . I am glad I was able to be there for our 50th re-union that he helped to make so special. I will never forget Dennis.

Thanks for all of your efforts in keeping us posted. I know it was very hard on you and the rest of the committee.

Best regards,

Beth Mangani - Knipfing

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Please extend my condolences. Dennis will always be remembered by me as fun to be in his company.

Shelley Heyman Baron (1961)      Shelley Heyman Baron (Florida)

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Dear Naso Family, I will always remember Dennis from our high school days. He was a down to earth great guy with a terrific sense of humor. We reconnected in the last year through HixNews and his work on the Class of '61's 50th Reunion , as the 50th for my class is next year. He never once let on that he was ill. I'm so glad to hear he was able to make his reunion and at least see some of his many friends for what became the last time. My heart goes out to all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Dennis will be missed.

Sincerely,

Joe Carfora HHS 1962

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Hi Bob

So sorry to hear about Dennis. He and I had shared many and e-mail over the years, we both had been middle school teachers. He had mentioned his sons and was so proud of them. He was a wonderful guy and I enjoyed seeing him at several of the reunions. He surly will be missed. Please send my condolences to his family. If you have an address I would like to send a card.

Thank you,

Dana (Hayden) Jackson (1962)

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Dear Bob

I am so sad to hear about Dennis Naso's passing. I was just thinking about him yesterday because I had posted, on Facebook's Hicksville Site, a picture of my father's reunion with Ernie Naso attending. Mr. Rusch was there. I was happy to hear that Dennis attended the 50th reunion even when not feeling well. My prayers to his family and friends. Hope all is well with you, Bob.

Maureen Uss Bensen (1964)      Maureen Uss Bensen

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Bob,

My wife and I are sorry to hear about Dennis passing away. It was great to see and talk to him at the reunion and our condolences go to his family. I appreciate your passing this along.

Thanks again,
Jerry and Merrilee Collock

Jerry Collock      Jerry Collock

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My heart is broken.... this is very sad news. Dennis has always been a ray of sunshine. I will miss his funny e-mails and I will keep his family in my prayers.

Lillian (Manzo) Ramirez

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I am truly sad to hear that Dennis passed away...I still remember him as being so very special in high school.

My sincere wishes to his family.

Maddy Frischman Leibowitz (1960)      Maddy Frischman Leibowitz

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Bob

My sincerest condolences to the entire Naso family.

John G. Cunningham (1958)

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Death be not proud. It took a good and decent person away from us. All my memories of Dennis are good. He was an exceptional human being. He will be sorely missed by everybody. I just finished training in a jail. I meet the lowest of the low. They're still around and Dennis is gone. Life isn't fair sometimes.

 

Gerry Bair

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Hi Bob,

Thank you for the note. My condolences to the Naso Family. Dennis was a Hicksville High School classmate as well as a Little League and Babe Ruth League teammate. In school or on the field he was always a "Bright Star" with a smile on his face and in his heart. He will be missed.

Ron Rocek (1960)      Ron Rocek

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It has been over 50 years since I have seen Dennis although I did speak with him during the planning of the Reunion. I am so sorry to have missed the reunion and being able to see Dennis again. Seeing his picture brings back such memories of high school and all the people I knew back then. It is like time passes but the memories are alive forever. Thank you Bob for keeping up this newsletter and info about Dennis. I have been blessed by your efforts.

Blessings,

Anna May (Powers) Riddell

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Dear Fellow Classmates,

It was more than 50 years since I'd been in touch with any of you and Dennis was the first person to contact me after super sleuth Ann found me. It was like we had been in touch through the years, sharing many laughs. I am so, so sorry to hear of his passing and mourn the fact that we will no longer be blessed with his person, his wonderful zest for life.

May God comfort and enfold in His arms, Dennis' family and all of you who were blessed to have Dennis in your lives through the years.

With Deepest Sympathy,

Eileen (Oxenholm) Baxter      Eileen (Oxenholm) Baxter

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Hi Bob

The information for the wake and church service is listed on Dennis Naso's Facebook page. I was able to view it, even though he was not a Facebook friend of mine...Hope all is well with you...

Barbara Harlin Madden

p.s.

Bob, the wake is at the Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket, NY on Sunday and Monday...Church service on Tuesday...If you Google Bryant Funeral Home you will be able to see all of the information that you need.

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Bob,

Just walked back home from the H.H.S homecoming football game against Plainview. Hicksville was winning 27-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter when I left. Halftime was a great show. The stands were filled with people for the one time that happens every year. The homecoming fair was jammed. I spent about an hour there and then drove back home. I did some stuff and then walked back to H.H.S What a day here in Hicksville. Autumn and all it entails.

Sorry to hear about Dennis Naso. His uncle, Pat Naso was an assistant principal my one year in the Jr. High [9th grade]

I'm going to watch the DVD you made for the class of 1961 again tonight. Take care,

Chris Andersen '67

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Dear Bob,

I just learned this morning that Dennis passed away. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with grief for Dennis and his family.

I would like to pass on my sympathies to Ethyl, Robert, Mark and Steven as well as Dennis's brother Joe. Is there some way I can convey the message of sympathy below? I would very much appreciate any assistance.

Thanks

Bob DeMatteo     Bob DeMatteo

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Dear Ethyl and Sons, Robert, Mark and Steven and Brother Joe,

It is with a heavy heart that I write you to express my sincerest sympathy for your loss of Dennis. Our family, my sister Angela and my wife Dale share in this loss of a kind and wonderful person.

For most of our years at Hicksville High School we shared a daily morning walk to school. When I would drop in to the Naso kitchen to pick Dennis up, there would be Mamma Naso doting over Dennis--breakfast laid out with his one a day vitamin and glass of orange juice next to his bowl of cereal. Here I would patiently wait while Dennis methodically completed his breakfast ritual which became a subject of much teasing. During these walks we would share many thoughts and much of Dennis's humor. At school we also shared a number of subject classes--Geometry, English, etc. These classes were all the more enjoyable because of Dennis's antics. I was always awed by his ability to ingratiate himself even after pulling some of the most outrageous stunts in class. Dennis had a talent for humor--his hero as I recall was the great American humorist/popular philosopher, Will Rogers. I remember him doing a Will Rogers routine in one of our classes. He used to quote him--'Never met a man I didn't like', was one of them, I recall. And in my experience, that's what summed up Dennis as a human being. He accepted people as they were, and always found the good in people.

I've been blessed to have Dennis as a friend. He added much to my life. He will always be in my thoughts. In these he shall live forever. Dennis and I lost touch over the years until the HixNews site brought us in touch with one another again. I am grateful that I was able to attend our 50th reunion and share some moments together again. It was fortunate also that my sister Angela got to connect with him also.

Please know that we share the burden of your sorrow.

With much love and sympathy, we remain

Yours,
Bob DeMatteo and Family

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My daughter told me today that one of her favorite teachers from high school had just passed away. It was Dennis. My children went to Sachem HS in Ronkonkoma. I did not know Dennis in school so had not realized "Mr. Naso" was a fellow Hicksville grad. My children spoke very highly of him. So, even though I didn't know Dennis, he has touched my family in a positive way. I am sending his family condolences from my family and hope they know he was a special man to more than just his family.

Anne (Kappel) Byrne (1967)

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Our thoughts and prayers are with the Naso family at this very sad time. We hope that the many happy memories you have shared together will help ease your pain. Dennis will be missed by all who knew him.

Ellen Eichler Sweeting and Jim Sweeting

Ellen Eichler Sweeting

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Dear Ethel and family, Ed and I send you all our deepest sympathy. Dennis was a dear friend who was always upbeat and happy to share a story about the old, high school days and the more recent events of his children, grandchildren, and any other item that crossed his path. It was wonderful to see him looking so well at our 50th reunion that it is just inconceivable that he will not be at the next reunion. We send you all of our love and prayers.

Angel Anselmo Giannelli      Ed Giannelli

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Dear Ethel and Sons, I am so sorry to hear about Dennis' passing. He was a very nice and caring person. Thank you for your prayers earlier this year for my loss. You both are wonderful!

Joan Komar Langlois, HHS 1961