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March 2004
Volume 4 Number 6

DISTRIBUTION – 530 email addresses

March Birthdays and Anniversaries
Welcome to Our New Readers
In Memory
News, Notes and Memories
Hall of Fame
Announcement
Reunions
Trivia

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Welcome to Our New Readers

Welcome, and we hope you enjoy being a part of the Hicksville Newsletter Family. If you have any memories or stories of Hicksville that you wish to share with our other readers do not hesitate to contact us at: hixnews@tampabay.rr.com.

Do you see a name below that you wish to connect with? If so contact Linda at gocomets@nac.net and I will try and get you reunited.

Linda Piccerelli Hayden, 1960

• Joseph (Joe) Bausk - 1950

• Rich Gallagher - 1956

• Gary DeFelice - 1959

• Lana (Koplar) DeFelice - 1960

• Anthony (Tony) Genovese - 1961

• Rosaria (Marchese) Genovese – 1961

• George McConnell, 1961

• Richie Blauvelt - 1962

• Robert McCotter - 1962

• Susan (Voelbel) Dalton - 1965

• Barbara (Leek) Favero - 1965

• Jim Fischer - 1965

• Armand Sepanski - 1965

• Judy (Topliffe) Brumit - 1965

• Robert (Bob) Ward - 1966

• Steve Gordon - 1968

• Steve Riscica - 1970

• Terry (Ellis) Riscica - 1971

• Vinnie Luisi - 1972

• Peter Humann – 1973

• Jean Skvarich, 1973

• Carol Dichtenberg - 1976

• Mark Leippert - 1978

• Jean Marie (Sturz) Urban - 1987

• Ted Urban - 1991

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In Memory

• Gladys V. Reichle (Beloved wife of George Reichle, 1956)
  
  REICHLE-Gladys V., of Hicksville, on January 9, 2004. Active member of Jos. Barry Columbiettes. Beloved wife of George. Loving mother of the late Rosemary Greco and Edward G. Willett. Dear mother-in-law of the late Eileen. Cherished grandmother of Darren and Susan, Matthew, Alison, Justin, Gregory, Lori, Brian, Sean, John, George, Kristian, Scott and great-grandmother of Antonia, Alexandra, George III and Tristen. Dearest sister of Rosemarie. Dear sister-in-law of John and Thea and Edward G. Willett. Fond aunt of Bunny DiZinno. Friends and relatives may visit at The Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Homes, 125 Old Country Rd., Hicksville, on Saturday and Sunday 2-4PM and 7-10PM. Funeral Mass, Monday 10:45AM, St. Ignatius Loyola RC Church, Hicksville. Interment to follow at Queen of all Saints Cemetery, Central Islip.
  Published in Newsday on 1/10/2004.
  
  

• Dorothy(Schultz) Greggo, 1950
  
  DOROTHY GREGGO
  9/17/32 - 2/5/99
  It has been five years, and you have been missed by all.
  With love, Greggo Family
  Published in Newsday on 2/5/2004.
  
  

• Bob Ward, 1966 writes:

  “For any real old-timers out there, my mother, Veronica M. Hnatuk (maiden name) Ward, HHS class of '37, passed away on January 20, 2004. I have her 1937 class yearbook.”

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News, Notes and Memories

• Bob Steedman To Create Roster Of Past Hicksville High School Alumni.

  Bob's plan is to create a listing for all past students. The roster will include the name of the student, the year of graduation and the student's current email address. The roster will be created using "ms excel." Please send your information directly to Bob at kt4cu@earthlink.net

• Hello from the Generation Xer newsletter recipient:

  As I was reading the newsletter today, I came across a former teacher from Hicksville Jr. High/Middle School who happened to teach me I would guess 1986-1987 7th grade Social Studies.

  Now that I am working in a high school as a guidance counselor it is funny how stories from our past educational experiences come up with colleagues. I work at Plainview-Old Bethpage/JFK High School (a rival of Hicksville). While I was chatting with a US History teacher there, who happens to throw paper airplanes at the loudspeaker, I shared my experience of Mr. Olitsky my 7th grade social studies teacher who used to throw chalk and erasers at the loud speaker when they made the morning announcements. I had him first period and we had a gigantic class. It was that class that I met my best friend for life and had a great time learning social studies. It is actually the area I plan on getting my second certification in. So Mr. Olitsky, thanks for a great 1st period! FYI: I still talk to about half of the class, funny how things happen-

  Jessica Baker (Kaiser) HJHS?HMS '88 HHS '92 :)

• Hi!

  Thanks for sending me the newsletter. I loved reading about all the things that have happened to my former classmates. (And saddened too, to read about some others).

  After graduating from HHS in 1960 I attended Nassau Community College and then went on to Queens College where I earned a degree in Early Childhood education. After getting married in 1965, I taught school in Jamaica, Queens for three years before moving to Port Jefferson Station, New York. I taught first and second grade for the Longwood School District before leaving to have my two children, Allen and Judy. I returned to teaching when they entered school. I taught third, and fifth until two years ago when I retired and am now enjoying the freedom and joy retirement brings. My husband and I like to travel and enjoy our two grandchildren, Kyle, 3yrs. old and our granddaughter, Ilyana 1yr. old. There will be an addition this August as my daughter is expecting again.

  I still keep in touch with many of my friends from HHS; Kathy McDonald, Maddy Eisenberg and Sharon Goldman. I also have seen Dolores Kump and been in email contact with Allen Court. I was in touch with others when the Big Reunion was in progress, but have lost touch since then. I would welcome some contact again. Question I never got answered: Has anyone been in contact with Richie Bizzaro? Last I heard he was in California working for Cole swimwear.

  I guess that's about it. Regards and email me - Pengnlvr@hotmail.com

  I look forward to hearing from anyone from the class of '60. GO COMETS!

  Linda (Zuckerman) Rausch, 1960

• G'day Again Dear Friends!

  It's always wonderful to get the Hix news! You do a great job, thanks so much!

  I'm still wondering if there is ANYONE who actually remembers any of my sisters or me attending East Street School between 1962-68? I did not go to Hicksville High as my family moved to Australia in 1968-69. I'd really love to hear from anyone who might remember us? And also is there going to be any school reunions for grad year of 1975, as that would have been the year I graduated had I been here. Well, all the very best to everyone!

  Patti Hickey Rees, 1975 aussiepatti@msn.com

• To Susan Miltonberg, 1966
  

  I have been in touch with several of our classmates since I joined the Newsletter. I know what you are saying because we had about 900 graduates. 47 doesn't seem like much. Include your email and I think some others will respond. Don't know if you remember me - anyone that does - please e-mail me I love hearing from my classmates. Won't say 'old'.

  Some of you that e-mailed me I have lost information on my computer and no longer have e-mail addresses for you - please write again. Thanks for all your work in putting this newsletter together.

  Nancy O'Geary-Smith (Alfano 1966) - getnancy@mchsi.com

• Hi. My name is Jim Fischer and I graduated in 1965. I now live in New Bern, North Carolina.

  I believe the school pictured in the "How to submit" section is Woodland Ave School. I was 4 years old when my family moved to Hicksville and the school was under construction. My best friend and I would walk to the school during the day and "borrow" things from the construction site like barrels of nails, 20 foot lengths of gas pipe or anything we could fit into our wagon. That night, our fathers would bring it all back. What great memories!

• Hicksville High School A Two Generation Affair

  I just want to write a short message to say that I think this site it is great and hope to see more information being posted in the future.

  My father is a 1961 graduate and I am a 1991 graduate. We both share the same name Ted Urban. My dad worked/trained in the Print shop at HHS and continues in that trade today. I am an accountant and who chose to buy a home in Hicksville and have married fellow alum. Jeanne Marie Sturz, class of 1987.Again it is nice to see. Take care.... Ted Urban, 1991

• Steve Gordon, class of 1968, is looking to make contact with some of his old friends.

• Hi,

  I do remember the Sunrise Village in Bellmore, but I don't remember any show. All I can think of is the good German food!

  I think the school pictured may be Fork Lane.

  Sue (Voelbel) Dalton, 1965

• To all of our friends and supporters, we want to extend a sincere “thank you” for your participation in making Saturday night's event a pure success. Thanks to you, $11,000 was raised for Charlie and his family!!! We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did!!! A more detailed list of the names of those who selflessly helped is forthcoming.

  Anton Mure, 1968 (L.I.)

  (Bob Casale has posted photos on classmates.com)

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Hall of Fame

After today, when, in your thoughts, you envision Tom Cruise flying upside down in “Top Gun,” your mind should immediately shift gears…you will now remember another graduate of the Top Gun school in Miramar, California who is, by the way, a 1958 graduate of Hicksville High School.

What a wonderful career this man has had, and it grows day by day.

If you flash back to that spring day of 1958…the graduation ceremony at the high school… there would be little doubt in anyone’s mind that this man would be successful in whatever he did. He distinguished himself in the hallowed halls of the high school and continued that tradition at the University of New York at Oswego.

There is a plaque in the front lobby of the high school that displays the name, Philip Anselmo. It is this man who has been selected as the second Hicksville High School Newsletter Hall of Fame inductee.

Following graduation from high school, Phil went off to college in Oswego. After graduation from Oswego, Phil enlisted in the United States Navy. He went to flight school in Pensacola, Florida and received a commission as a Naval Aviator in 1963. His official designation at the time was Radar Intercept Operator.

Over the next several years, Phil served in the following fighter squadrons: VF-31 on-board USS Saratoga, VF-151 on-board Constellation and VF-213 on-board USS Kitty Hawk during Western Pacific cruises. His tours included combat duty in Vietnam. Additionally, Phil served as Commanding Officer of VF-154 and VF-121, the West Coast F-4 Phantom Training Squadron.

The epitome of ones career in the navy, as an officer, is to have command. Phil realized this dream in 1985 when he was designated as Captain of the USS Kansas City. He served in this capacity until February of 1987. The Kitty Hawk was on deployment in the Indian Ocean. His second command, aboard the USS Constellation, was from May 1987 until June of 1988. It was December 1987 when Phil was selected to Rear Admiral (lower half). This was the culmination of years of dedicated service that saw Philip move through the ranks to a pinnacle not many reach.

He assumed command of Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet in July 1989 and was subsequently selected for Rear Admiral (upper half) in June 1991.

He then reported as Deputy Director, Space and Electronic Warfare (OP-094B) in October 1991 and subsequently as Director, Aviation Plans and Requirements Division (N-880) in January 1992. In July 1994, he reported as Deputy Director, Space and Electronic Warfare (OPNAV N6).

He has had a diverse set of shore assignments to include Director Navy Space Programs, Commander Fighter Wing, US Pacific Fleet, CNO Plans and Programs (N-8), Director Aviation Plans and Requirements (N-78B), Deputy Director, Space and Electronic Warfare (N-6B), Commander Naval Space Command, and Director, Space and Electronic Warfare (N-6).

His first Washington tour was a member of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Program Planning Directorate as Special Assistant for Air Warfare.

Phil retired from the navy in 1995. His personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4), Meritorious Service Medal (5), Air Medal (15), and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" (5).

It was in December of 1995 when Phil joined Northrop Grumman in Baltimore.

Since joining Northrop Grumman at the executive level, he has led the Electronic Sector in the development of strategic, surveillance, and intelligence systems for the Department of Defense and the four services. A leader in transformation and network solutions, he initiated the Navy's use of space and tactical sensors in the Naval Fires Network program. Congress and DOD have recognized this effort for Rapid Deployment Capability in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This effort is the cornerstone of the services ability to conduct "Time Critical Strike and Time Sensitive Targeting".

He is on the Board of Directors of the National Correlation Working Group, is a member of the National Academy of Science/Navy Studies Board and participates on the Navy Space Panel.

Phil and his wife, Diane, reside in Crownsville, Maryland and have two children Christopher and Elizabeth.

His present position is Director C4 ISR and IW Programs.

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Announcement

Official Tribute to the Crews of 9/11 to be dedicated in Richmond

WASHINGTON DC- After nearly three years of planning and gathering of archives leader from the State Government of Virginia, Airlines Industry and family members of American Airlines Flight 77, National Memorial Committee members, and citizen of the Commonwealth will gather in Richmond on March 18,2004 to dedicate the first official tribute to the airline crews of 9/11/2001.

The event will begin at 4:30 PM at the Virginia Aviation Museum, which will be charged with the care and preservation of the tribute. Planned and organized by the Four Captains’ Memorial Committee, Inc. located in Fairfax, Virginia the tribute will include displays of local art by students from Atlee High School near Richmond, porcelain replicas of the crew members by nationally rank show doll maker, Beverly Coan of Florida, original art by famed aviation illustrator Nilo Santiago of Arlington, VA and many other archives items that are too numerous to list hereon.

The invited keynote speaker is Virginia Governor, the Honorable Mark Warner.

More than 350 people are expected to gather at the Virginia Aviation Museum for the dedication on 18 March 2004.

The Four Captains’ Memorial Committee is a planning division of the National 9/11 memorial Committee and has tribute being developed for Flight 93 in Somerset, PA area, Flights 11 and 175 in the New York area, and for all four flights at the White House. The Four Captains’ Memorials will focus on lives and members of the crewmembers from each aircraft seized by terrorists and murder that morning in 2001.

The Four Captains’ Memorial Committee, Inc is a non-profit organization of volunteers brought together to pay tribute to the crews of 9/11. The Committee has been working closely with the county governments of Virginia and Pennsylvania for the first two sites that will be dedicated in 2004. For more information on the Committee or the dedication events please contact the Chief Operating Officer at: Kstrafer@henryarthur.com or 703-307-1257

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Reunions

• Hi it is me again, Ray Muller. I started my quest for a reunion in the year 2005 a little over a year ago. There have been interruptions now and then because of a death and different sickness and broken bones in the family. I still live in VA and still working on the reunion. I joined classmates last year and they have been a great help. As soon as I contact someone from the class I ask if they know the where abouts of our class. As of this writing I have 39 names and addresses. Please put in the newsletter a request of the readers if they know of anyone from the class of 55. Contact me at rdmoe@yahoo.com.

  Thank you very much, Ray

• CLASS OF 1956 – following is a letter received by this newsletter:

  December 2003

  Dear Fellow Classmates,

  We are just a little over two years away from our “Golden Anniversary Reunion”. It is time for us to start putting our plans together in hopes of making it a memorable time.

  At the last gathering, for out 45th, we asked for feedback from the attendees. One of the responses was to have the reunion in the spring or summer.

  To make this weekend more involved than just a dinner, we are looking to include other activities, such as:

  Walking tour of the high school with a buffet in the cafeteria

  Golf Outing

  Brunch the day after the dinner

  Attending graduation as guests

  A trip to see a show (i.e. Westbury Music Fair/Broadway)

  Another area we are planning to include for the dinner is to invite the classes from 1954-1958, who were all acquaintances of ours during our time – our days in high school. We will also try to contact any teachers to join us at the dinner.

  Your reunion committee is open to all suggestions to help make this a wonderful and memorial occasion. Please direct all suggestions to Rich Gallagher or Rita Henkel Gordon. Hope to see and hear from you soon.

  Your Reunion Committee,

  Rich Gallagher 9 Loretta Court Coram NY 11727 (631) 732-5176 dorig01@aol.com

  Rita Henkel Gordon 56 Bedell Place Amityville NY 11701 (631) 691-1765 (H) (631) 598-6567 (W) FAX (631) 598-3284

• Dear Classmates… (Class of 1961 + 1959, 1960 and 1962)

  We know it’s awhile until the reunion next May, but it’s not too early to obligate or at least say, “I might make it.”

  We are starting a listing of those who have said yes…some have already paid….

  Here we go…

  Mike Bisaccio
  Bill Canham
  Bob Casale
  Linda D’Amato (Liparota)
  Rochelle Heyman (
  Baron)Pat Hunchick (Sadowski)
  Ginny Kolenik (Doherty)
  Elaine Krauss (O’N
  eill)Lillian Manzo (Ramirez)
  Rob McCotter
  Mary O’Shaughnessey (Cleary)
  
  

  There are many suggesting they might be there but nothing positive yet. Drop a note to anyone on the reunion committee.

  Thanks

  Mike Bisaccio TerMik@aol.com

  Bill Canham whcanham@msn.com

  Bob Casale bufbob@juno.com

  Lillian Manzo lillianramirez@realtyexecutivesphx.com

  Mary O’Shaughnessey mcleary876@aol.com

  For the banquet, please forward a check in the amount of $85.00 made payable to Michael Bisaccio, 48 Stockton Street, Brentwood, NY 11717. Mike is Treasurer for the reunion and will be collecting and depositing funds.

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Trivia

Sports "Lasts"

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHT
The last bare-knuckle fight of pro boxing took place in 1889. John L. Sullivan ko'd Jake Kilrain in 75 rounds.

BASEBALL HOME RUN
Hank Aaron hit his 755th and last home run in Milwaukee on July 20, 1976.
Mickey Mantle hits final career homer, # 536, in 1968.
Babe Ruth hit his last 3 home runs in 1935 when the Boston Braves faced the Pirates.

DISCONTINUED OLYMPIC SPORTS
Cricket - last in Paris in 1900
Croquet - last in Paris in 1900.
Golf: men - last in St. Louis in 1904
Golf: women - last in Paris in 1900
Lacrosse - last in London in 1908
Polo - last in Paris in 1900
Rugby - last in Paris in 1924
Tug of War - last in Antwerp in 1920

OLYMPIC LAST:
The 1912 Olympics was the last Olympics that gave out gold medals that were made entirely out of gold.

WOODEN TENNIS RACQUET
A wooden racket was last used at Wimbledon in 1987.

Pat Koziuk Driscoll, 1956 (FL)
Linda Piccerelli Hayden, 1960 (NJ)
Bob Casale, 1961 (HX)

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