Weston High School Alumni News

Your news welcome! Please continue to send in your news We'll post it here as it arrives, most recent first. Also, here's a reminder for members of all classes to send in your email addresses. (Don't forget to mention your class and where you're located.) Our alumni email address list is a great resource for keeping contact with classmates. While you're at it, why not tell us what's new in your life as well? 

1969 - From Bob Warren: A mini reunion of snowbirds and classmates in Florida is being held on April 10 in Delray Beach. Please join us for a get-away weekend in the sun. Contact bobwarren21@gmail.com for information. (3-10-10)

1970 - I cannot believe that this June will mark the fortieth year since we graduated from Weston High School. Is anyone working on plans for a reunion?  I would be happy to help plan and work on a reunion. If anyone is interested please e-mail me at mmleva@aol.com.  I hope I hear from you. Margie Pink Levasseur (2-22-10)

Beloved and revered physics teacher Donald Burke passed away on Monday, January 11, 2010.Notes of condolence may be sent to Carolyn Burke and family, 77 Floral Street, Newton Highlands, MA 02161. Remembrances may be sent to the Alumni News, and will be appended to the death notice from the Boston Globe, which follows:

BURKE, Donald J. Of Newton, passed away January 11, 2010, he was 71. After attending Sacred Heart School in Newton Centre his first twelve years, Donald studied at Boston College, graduating in 1960 with a BS in Physics. His passion for Physics continued as he completed studies at Syracuse University with a MS in 1969 and then a PhD at UCLA in 1972. Donald began his teaching career at Mission High School in Roxbury, MA where he taught for 2 years. After Mission, he moved on to Weston High School as the Physics teacher where he remained for the next 30 years. He is fondly remembered by his hundreds of students, many of whom he has remained in contact with over the years. The highlight of his teaching career occurred in 1993 when he was honored by President Bill Clinton at the White House in Washington, D.C. as one of the Presidential Scholars. Since his retirement, he has fulfilled his desire to travel having visited many countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. In each new country, he enjoyed experiencing the different cultures and cuisines. Son of the late Thomas J. and Mary (McFarland) Burke. Donald was the loving brother of Rita M. Aucoin and her husband the late Edward T. Aucoin of Newton, Virginia M. Welch and her husband John of Needham, Mary "Dotty" Jordan and her husband Francis of West Newton and Carolyn M. Burke of Newton and brother-in-law of Mary E. Burke of Andover. He is also survived by his dear friend John Maynard of Brighton as well as many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Marguerite C. Burke, Gertrude T. Burke and Esther Codyer, and brother Thomas F. Burke. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 16, at 10AM in Sacred Heart Church, Newton Centre, followed by interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury. Visiting hours will be Friday 4-8PM at the Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington St. (Rte 16) WELLESLEY HILLS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Brothers of St. Francis, 785-789 Parker St. Roxbury, MA 02120 or to Father John McBrearty, SSJ, St. Augustine Church, PO Box 548, New Roads, LA 70760. Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home Wellesley Hills—www.henryburkefuneralhome.com. (1-13-10)

From Marty Galligan ’77: This guy was a great teacher. He made learning the stuff easy, and the subject matter was hard. (1-28-10)

The Weston METCO Scholarship Fund has a proud, 30-year history of supporting students going off to college and of being generously supported by WHS alumni. It is currently holding an urgent drive, with a special offer by the Hiatt family to match new and increased gifts. This year’s appeal letter includes an impressive list of Board members, including many WHS graduates you will recognize. Please support this fund, by downloading the fundraising letter and following its easy instructions for making a donation. (1-6-10)

1970 - From Roger Sturgis: Does anyone want to help plan the 45th reunion of the Weston Junior High School 8th grade class? There were a lot of 9th grade departees. Debbie Phillips- email me when and if you see this post - rs@rbsturgis.com. (12-15-09)

1970 - Debbie Phillips “would appreciate hearing about reunion plans if possible.” Any word? (11-21-09)

1966 - Any Weston Alums who are living in Florida, especially North Florida in the Panhandle, beaches in Destin, or even Georgia, Alabama please contact me! Also love to hear from some long time friends!! Thanks....Woody Hoblitzell ’66 orange66@cox.net. (11-8-09)

1974 - 35th Reunion will be held on Saturday, December 5, at the Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. For more information, contact Dotty Farrell Shelton at dfshelton@comcast.net. (10-28-09)

1964 - Léo Valter Tschiedel writes all the way from Brazil, wondering about a reunion: I haven't seen too much news lately. Where’s everybody? Do they have plans for this year? I’m asking because if there will be an Anniversary Comm., I’m thinking of going this time! But I have to get ready for the visa, and all that kind of thing that makes a trip to the US rather tiring! (I can’t imagine myself being asked “what do you intend to do in the US”; I’d answer, bring some dollars to spend! and visit friends from a lifetime). Best always, Léo (10-11-09)

1967 - Kathy Leonhardt Daly and Cathy Wischmeyer Newman have found each other on Facebook. We are having a great time catching up on 40 years worth of news. If you don't have a Facebook account please try it so you can catch up with us and others.....can you believe it has been forty years...yikes!!! Alan L. where are you and how are you? :) Ciao, Cathy (7-4-09)

1989 – NIGHTLINE ’09: The Class of 1989’s 20-Year Reunio takes place Saturday, October 3, 6:00pm. Come reconnect with old friends and classmates at the Class of ’89’s 20-year reunion held at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. We welcome ALL former members of the class–even if you did not graduate with us, we would love to see you!! Discounted advanced tickets are $45 per person until Sept. 25th ($55 after the 25th and at the door). RSVP and purchase tickets via our Evite site:
http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/FCIXJPVREXANQKGJPDMR/whs89reunion.
Free informal family event on Sunday, October 4th, on the Town Green from 12-2. We hope to see you there!!–Mike Chin, Patty Birgeneau Prince, Sue Ohler (Delduchetto) and John Harmon. (6-20-09)

1984 - Sent in by Laura Westman Canavan: The Class of 1984 will be having their 25th reunion on Saturday, July 18, 2009 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Rock Bottom Brewery (www.rockbottom.com) located at 115 Stuart Street in Boston. The cost is $30.00 per person (payable by cash or check at the door) and this includes appetizers, buffet and dessert. (Alcohol may be purchased separately.) Please RSVP by July 3, 2009, to Laura Westman Canavan at lauragcanavan@gmail.com or (707) 782-0321. Hope to see all of you there! (6-2-09)

1979 - Hello Class of ’79!  E-mail invitations for our 30th Reunion on June 27, 2009, will be going out very soon—if you have not been receiving regular updates, send your e-mail address to Jennifer (Bell) Knapp at  JenniferBKnapp@aol.com as soon as possible!  The main event will be at the Weston Golf Club Saturday night, and we will meet at a local bar Friday night (the 26th)...location to be announced shortly. Hope to see everyone there! Christy (Sutherland) Edwards (christy.edwards2@gmail.com). (5-24-09)

All classes – Third Annual WHS Baseball Alumni Game. This invitation is sent in by Jim Crouch ’76: On Monday, May 25, 2009, the Weston High School Varsity Baseball team will host a seven-inning exhibition game where the baseball alumni of even graduation years, will play their odd year counterparts. The third annual event will bring together players from four decades, and it promises to be a fun afternoon for all. There will be free refreshments and plenty of seating for families to watch and enjoy the game. The day promises to be action-packed, as past and present players play ball. Current varsity and junior varsity players will be in attendance. At the high school baseball field, batting practice starts at noon, with the game getting underway at 3:00. For further information or if you’d like to participate, please call 617-755-8692 or email at: tkskenderian@gmail.com. (5-5-09)

Warning - We have received another complaint about a notice being sent around for a “New Weston High School Alumni Archive” site. Past recipients of this solicitation have recommended ignoring it as spam. In any case, it has no connection to the WHS Alumni site you are now on. Also, a couple of alumni have notified us about receiving emails linking to political comedy videos at the web site politrick.com. We have no idea why Weston alumni would be connected in some way to that site. (updated 5-13-09)

All classes - Ms. Johanna Sweet, Weston Middle School teacher for many years, is retiring at the end of this year. Former colleague and French and Spanish teacher Glenn Perrin is assembling a tribute and memory book in her honor to commemorate her career. He asks that former students and colleagues send tributes, recollections, photos, or other memorabilia to him as soon as possible. Please send to:
monsieurgp@comcast.net. (4-29-09)

1969 - More sad news: We’ve just learned that Debbie Griffin Cuccia died from cancer more than a year ago. We extend our sympathy to Debbie’s family. Thanks to Judi Lowell for alerting us. (3-10-10)

1974 - Sad news: David Sheldon Powers, age 54, passed away on Thursday, February 25. He was the beloved son of Robert M. and Janice Orr Powers. David is at peace after a long illness, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. He resided in Weston, MA, Sunapee, NH, and finally in Osterville, MA. He is survived by his brother Robert Scott Powers of Jackson, NH, and his sister Linda Jeanette Powers of Larkspur, CO, and 5 neices and nephews. David graduated from Weston High School and earned a BS degree at New England College. He worked as a salesman and manager in several different companies. He loved baseball, football, skiing, gardening, and all boating and water activities. David was enthusiastic about playing the guitar and was involved with several musical groups. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Wianno Ave., Osterville, on Thursday, March 4, at 10 am. Burial will be private at a later date. Visting Hours in John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Rd. (Rt 28) Marstons Mills on Wednesday, March 3, from 4-7 pm. Memorials in his name may be made to Catholic Charities USA, P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066. (Thanks to Dolly Butler Ryan ’76 for this posting.) (3-3-10)

1976 - “My brother Brian O’Hara died Tuesday [February 16] at his home, from recurrent cancer. He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Cindy, and 3 great kids, Katie, David & EB. He will be sorely missed. Vaya con Dios, mi Hermano!”—Kevin O’Hara ’74. (2-19-10)

1971 - Earle Pughe is mentioned in a delightful encounter at the end of a story in the magazine Acoustic Guitar about Grammy winner Dave Rawlings. See the story online at:
http://www.acguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=25129
and check out the end of the article to get some insight into Earle and Dave. (2-17-10)

1965 - Russ Terkelsen sends in news, a proposal, and a challenge: Norm Toppan has been helping me to reach our ’65 class mates. I am now in Cridersville, Ohio (near Lima, Ohio, between Toledo and Dayton along I-75), and have invited Léo (’64)to join our class reunion. I visited Léo in Brazil 3 years ago and revisited Porto Alegre. I told Léo I would get the ticket to get him here, so all he needs is a date and time for the event to get his visa! Hello, are we going to do this!?! I will help as much as I can, just call me! (419-302-7771) … PS: Not connected with Lys anymore, but she is still on Cape Cod and I imagine she would make it too! (2-15-10)

1973 - Greetings from Chase Morrison. Woody Hoblitzell? [’66, see 11-8-09, above] He was my tennis teacher when I was maybe ten. He (and my father) taught me everything I know about tennis...Well, I never thought I’d be saying this, but I am teaching music in Santa Fe, NM’s public schools—general music K-2, and conducting two middle school orchestras. On top of that I have a full private music studio in Santa Fe, and run a chamber music program for kids. I still perform—classical, jazz, & latin on the cello—and have a blogspot to review cellist’s CDs...My mother moved back to Weston after many years away, and now lives in the Brook School apartments, occupying what I believe was Mr. Schaefer’s home room, and is right across from Miss Collins’s home room, where I was for 4th grade. It was weird the first time I went to visit her and climbed the stairs of building C, with its now very-polished oak handrail. The steps are still the same. (2-06-10)

1969 - Stu Berman sends in this sad news from wickedlocal.com (the online reference for the Weston Town Crier and other local papers:
Ernest Schofield, 59, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 18, 2009 at his residence in Weston. Ernie was born in Waltham on May 3, 1950, the son of the late Douglas Schofield and Virginia (Wheeler) Schofield. He was the father of Steve Schofield of Lebanon, N.H. and Ernest T. Schofield. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Schofield and his wife Laura of Waltham, by his nephew Patrick Schofield, niece Brittany Schofield and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Ernie has been a lifelong resident of Weston and was educated and attended Weston High School. For over 29 years he was a Grounds Keeper for the Town of Weston school department and retired in July of 2008. Ernie enjoyed being out doors and chopping wood for a warm fire in the fireplace. In his earlier years, he enjoyed canoeing. He was devoted to his family and particularly liked spending time with them. He will be missed by all who knew him. His funeral service and interment was held. For those who desire, gifts in his memory may be made to the charity of the donors choice. Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. (1-4-10)

1981 - Barry Zellen has published the third book in his Arctic series: On Thin Ice: The Inuit, the State and the Challenge of Arctic Sovereignty, the sequel to Breaking the Ice: From Land Claims to Tribal Sovereignty in the Arctic, is now available from Lexington Books. This is the third volume in the Arctic Security Project book series. On Thin Ice explores the relationship between the Inuit and the modern state in the vast but lightly populated North American Arctic.It chronicles the aspiration of the Inuit to participate in the formation and implementation of diplomatic and national security policies across the Arctic region and to contribute toward the post-Cold War re-conceptualization of Arctic security. More information, as well ordering opportunities, are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Lexington Books. (12-3-09)

1974 - Peter Hug writes that he is “living in Easton CT for 25 years, self employed in the excavating business. Graduated from New England College w/Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Loving Life. Where are the Healey twins Mary Jane & Mary Anne, Class of 74/75 ??? (11-21-09)

1981 - Barry Zellen has just published his second book on the transformation of the Arctic during global warming: Arctic Doom, Arctic Boom: The Geopolitics of Climate Change in the Arctic (Praeger, October 2009). It does not see Global warming as necessarily doom. In this volume, Zellen argues that “the twilight of the reign of ice in the Arctic marks the dawn of a new geostrategic pivot and economic powerhouse—a rich new navigable “Mediterranean” basin full of beneficial promise for the future of the Arctic rim nations, the indigenous Arctic peoples, and human history.” Read the full press release. (10-28-09)

1966 -Floridian Woody Hoblitzell writes: Just ran across this site and nice to read about some good friends. As a grad, I need to come back home and see the best town in the US...It’s nice in Florida, but…fall seems like a good time to head north. Anyone around contact me--or at least say hello via e-mail. (9-24-09)

1968 - From Murfreesboro TN, Bruce Werme’s wife Asta, the Internet maven of the pair, reports, “We have been married 38 yrs. We have four adult children and 4 grands, one more due in Sept (09). We live on an historic farm...in my family since 1826. We have restored the house (an ongoing forever project) and raised our family here.” (8-19-09)

1993 - Jacqueline Wohlers Arnoldy catches us up: Hello from New Delhi, India! We have embarked on quite an adventure. My husband, Ben Arnoldy, is now the South Asia Bureau Chief for The Christian Science Monitor newspaper. You can follow his reporting from Afghanistan, India and Pakistan at http://www.csmonitor.com/. I have spent the last ten years teaching high school French and Spanish in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and California. I am currently exploring my options within the field of education here in India. I have also begun to send updates back home to friends and family who are interested in experiencing this fascinating country through our eyes. If you too would like to read about our adventures, please send your email address to arnoldyj@hotmail.com. If you are ever passing through New Delhi, let us know. We wish everyone well. (8-17-09)

1964 - We are sorry to report the death of Martha Lee Rafuse on July 3, following a brief illness. You may read her obituary from the Town Crier. (7-11-09)

1982 - From the Metro West Daily News of 2/15/09 : MetroWest Daily News staff photographer Ken McGagh garnered five awards in the Boston Press Photographers Association announced last week, including a first place in the Sports Feature category. While photographing last December’s rescue of two teenagers from Pickerel Pond in Natick, which placed second in the Boston contest in two categories - spot news, and fire/ems - McGagh himself fell through the ice and had to be rescued by firefighters. He managed to hold his two cameras safely out of the water during the ordeal. McGagh also finished among the top ten photographers in New England in the National Press Photographers Association's monthly clip contest for 2008. McGagh, who lives in Natick, joined the staff in 1986. For a look at the award-winning work click on the slideshow below.
SLIDESHOW: MWDN photographer wins awards (5-24-09)

1934 - It’s 75th Reunion time, and David Earle MacLeod of Syracuse NY writes, “I’m an alumnus of Weston High School class of 1934. This year will mark 75 years since our graduation. Are there others from that graduation year with whom you maintain contact? If so, I am interested in learning who they are and where they are now.” The Alumni News is also interested! (5-24-09)

1989 - Alex Sayegh fondly recalls being “one of the key basketball players for the Wildcats. I haven’t been to any reunions as of yet, however have seen and spoken with a couple of people from my class over the years. It’s been 20 years since graduation and a lot has happened since then. Sorry to hear my Principal Bruce MacDonald has passed on. He was a great person and very dedicated individual. After leaving Weston High I attended Northeastern University for 1 year to later transfer to Framingham State College for 2 1/2 years. I completed my BA in business on a part time basis from Glendale University’s online adult program. I have worked in the finance field for over 15 years now as an Independent Insurance Broker. I got married in May 1997 and my anniversary is coming up this month on the 18th. My wife Cheryl and I have a son, David, 5 years old, and live in Framingham MA. I have been involved in Civil Defense through the Department of Emergency Management for several years now in cities like Worcester, Shrewsbury and most recently Framingham as the town emergency coordinator liason to the PD Chief of Emergency Management. My hobbies are amateur radio (ham radio), weather reporting through the National Weather Services Skywarn program. Other things I enjoy aside from family life is writing. I have been a minister and spiritual writer for several years now and have recently completed my 400 + page book “Your Greatest Purpose” which I am aiming to have published this fall.” (5-13-09)

1977 - A Facebook invitation! Ellen Sturgis writes: Not sure other classes are finding this, but the Class of 77 has had a great time reconnecting via Facebook! I estimate between ¼ and 1/3 of our class is now connected, which is amazing. If you want to join us, either enter Weston High in your high school and search for others, or just look for me, and look at my friends list! It’s helping us reconnect in a way our reunions (until the 30th) weren’t. (4-7-09)

1967 - Cathleen Wischmeyer Newman has just discovered the Alumni web site and says: Although, I did not get to graduate with my friends in 1967 because of our move back to Texas, I have always considered Weston as my high school. Please put in my email so others can locate me. I have lived in Atlanta GA for the past 10 years and work as a reading specialist in the public schools. Through the years I have visited my brother and sister that live in Norwell, but have never made it back to Weston, much to my regret. I have two lovely, married daughters and 5 grankids. They still live in Texas, so I go back to visit often. (3-23-09)

See Archives - WHS Alumni News from Previous Years