EXPLORER - La Salle College High School

53 Explorer Fall 2009
classnotes
1930’s
LTC William O’Donnell, USAF (Ret.) ’38 plays golf three days a week
and still shoots under his age (89).
Joseph Gavaghan ‘39 is enjoying his old age visiting son Patrick Gavaghan
‘62 at his homes in Raleigh, NC and Jackson Hole, WY.
James McGoldrick ’39 is a retired WW II Naval Aviator. Jim and is wife
Mildred celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in May 2009 and
Jim has retired as a City Councilman in North Wildwood, NJ. Jim and Mildred
are the parents of three children, seven grandchildren, and eight
great-grandchildren.
1940’s
Philip O’Neill ’41 writes that the O’Neill’s continue their travels. They have
gone on 39 trips including 70 countries, 42 trans-Atlantic crossings, and 23
cruises totaling 900 days at sea.
Leonard Whalen ’42 writes that he is still enjoying life in Florida and lives
with his daughter. “God Bless to All”.
Joseph Bergan ’44 sadly lost his wife Marion on January 6, 2009 after a
25-year long courageous battle with breast cancer. They had just celebrated
their 46th wedding anniversary and months earlier, welcomed their eighth
grandchild.
Dominic Marino ’44 regretfully reports they he has lost two daughters, but
is delighted to have eight grandchildren and is proud of the Catholic influence
in their education.
Carl Helwig ’45 is having a get together with some 1956 classmates
and their wives at Michael’s Cove on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake
Bay: Jim Goodyear, John Tuohy, Kevin Carey, and Cliff Gillespie will be
in attendance.
James W. Jones ’45 is taking his grandson, Matt Lamson ’08 on a trip to
Spain. He will be entering his sophomore year at La Salle University. His four
years of Spanish at La Salle College High School will be a big help.
Martin Pendergast ’45 watched with pride as his grandson, Kyle Finlay,
graduated from La Salle College High School in May of 2009. A second grandson,
Patrick Finlay, will be entering La Salle in the fall, following his brother’s
and grandfather’s footsteps.
William Bailey ’46 is happy with his move to Richmond, VA.
Harry Reckner ’46 is still working with his youngest son making glass eyes
for taxidermy. They make machinery for the company in his machine shop at
home. Harry is restoring an Austin Healy sports car.
Charles Wynn ‘46 was named “Volunteer of the Year” for visits to patients
in convalescent hospitals in San Rafael, CA. Charlie was a participant in
“Human Race” fundraiser for affordable housing in Marin County, CA.
James Fallon ’47 has been married to his wife, Dolores, for 58 years, resulting
in eight children, thirty-three grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Jim is Secretary of Fort Dix Retiree Council. He retired PARNG as SGM.
George Guld ’47 reports that after living in a two-story log home for twenty-seven
years in the Pocono Mountains, will be moving to Schuylkill County.
Nicholas Marino ’47 welcomes emails from his classmates to njmarino1938@aol.com.
August Ober, Jr., ‘47 writes that his granddaughter, Candice, made him a
great-grandfather this year.
Robert Jardel ‘48 and his wife Dorothy have a new great-grandson –
Michael James Allison, born April 19, 2009.
William Sharpe ’48 finally made his long-awaited trip to the Galapagos
Islands this year. The Tour Guide mentioned Mendel as well as Darwin.
Gerald Speitel ’48 was awarded the Drexel 100 Medal at the Rittenhouse
Hotel in Philadelphia on May 2, 2009 by C.R. Pennoni, President of Drexel
University and Dominic Caruso, Chairman of the Drexel 100. The Drexel 100
is the Drexel University Hall of Fame and only 194 graduates have received
this honor. These outstanding alumni embody Drexel’s heritage of excellence
and achievement in their professional accomplishments, public service, and
philanthropic activities.
Gerald received a BS in Civil Engineering from the Drexel Evening College in
1963 and a MS in Engineering Management from Drexel University School
of Engineering in 1967. He was President of Speitel Associates, a Consulting
Engineering firm specializing in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He
founded the firm in 1972 and it grew to 140 employees before becoming part
of BCM Engineers in 1996. He was a licensed Professional Engineer in seven
states and a licensed Land Surveyor and Professional Planner in the State of
New Jersey.
Gerald has been President of the New Jersey Consulting Engineers Council,
the South Jersey Branch and New Jersey Section of the American Society of
Civil Engineers. On the national level, he was ASCE Director of District One
and Zone One Vice President. He was elected the 1989 Delaware Valley
Engineer of the Year and was later selected for the New Jersey Engineer of
the Year and the Distinguished New Jersey Civil Engineer Awards.
Drexel previously recognized Gerald with the College of Engineering Alumni
Service Award, the Mary S. Irick Drexel Medal, the Key “D’ Award, the Joseph
Vetter Service to the University Award, and the Twenty-Year Attainment
Award.
Gerald serves on the Ocean City High School Advisory Board for “Project Lead
the Way”, a program which encourages students to consider a career
in engineering and architecture.
Peter Finley, EdD ’49 and his wife Nancy celebrated their golden anniversary
this summer. They took their three grandchildren on a trip to Ireland to
visit one of their ancestral homes in County Donegal.
Joseph Margre ’49 now has sixteen grandchildren and three
great-grandsons.
Ted Regan ’49 is very proud of La Salle Academics and Sports!