IN THIS ISSUE - McQuaid Jesuit High School

Successful Reunion Weekend June 10-11, 2011
Reunion
Weekend & AHOF
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Thomas Dessauer ’64: 2011 Alumnus of the Year
On Friday, June 10, Thomas Dessauer ’64 was
honored as the Fr. Noonan Distinguished
Alumnus of the Year. The award was presented
to him by McQuaid Jesuit President Edward Salmon,
S.J., during Reunion Weekend at the Fr. McNamara
Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament at Shadow Pines
Golf Club.
The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor
outstanding McQuaid Jesuit alumni, to direct
attention to the work, achievements and
accomplishments of McQuaid Jesuit and to encourage
our alumni to merit recognition and honor by the
excellence of their service and their lives. Tom embraces
these qualities through his endless and tireless ways of
helping people, especially those who have or are
affected by cancer. Tom’s work with Gilda’s Club of
Rochester, Camp Open Arms continues each year.
During the summer, Tom makes sure the kids have
plenty of ice cream and water throughout the camp day.
During the Christmas season, Tom plays Santa Claus at
the annual Christmas party for the kids and their
families. Tom loves to help kids with cancer because it
means so much to them and their families. When
accepting the award, Tom addressed his fellow alumni
by saying: “I was shocked and surprised to receive this
prestigious award from McQuaid, however very
8 Reunion Weekend
Thank you to everyone who traveled near
and far to be a part of this year’s Reunion
Weekend. The weather was great, the
“remember when’s” were plenty and the
brotherhood unmatched! Over the course of
the weekend, more than 500 alumni of
McQuaid Jesuit took part in golf, receptions,
sailing, an outdoor picnic on the new turf at
school, class gatherings, Mass, and the Athletic
Hall of Fame Dinner.
On Friday, June 10, 136 golfers hit the links
at Shadow Pines Golf Club in Penfield. Fr.
McNamara did his job from above as the
weather couldn’t have been nicer. The 25th
Reunion Class, 1986, led the way with four
teams teeing it up. The classes of 1961, 1971
and 1996 also were well represented. At the end
of the day, the returning champs of 2010 came
away victorious again: Matthew Grosodonia
’04, Christian Cassara ’08, John Mihalitsas ’08
and Thomas Vacca ’08. The long drive winners
were Thomas Vacca ’08 and faculty member
Bill Hochadel. The closest to the pin winners
were Hai Nguyen ’00 and Chip White ’85.
Immediately following the golf was a stag
reception under a tent at Shadow Pines. Sixty
additional alumni attended the reception.
Alumni enjoyed a hearty buffet while
reminiscing about the good times they had
when they were young knights at McQuaid.
Saturday, June 11, 50 alumni and family
members enjoyed an outdoor picnic next to
Tom Seymour Field and Bob Bradley Track.
Alumni and their kids enjoyed running,
jumping, catching the football and a fast pitch
machine. There were tours of the school,
robotics demonstrations and an alumni Mass
celebrated by Fr. Salmon, with Fr. Fischer
concelebrating.
According to Kraig Siracuse ’86, who
brought his family from Washington, D.C., for
his 25th Reunion:
"The weekend was fantastic. It was a great
chance to see close friends and have the
opportunity for my two boys to experience the
unique McQuaid traditions, including Mass at
the school chapel.”
Tom Dessauer with McQuaid Jesuit
President Edward Salmon, S.J.
honored. My
experience at
McQuaid has
impacted me for the
past 51 years.
Freshmen
entering McQuaid in
1960 came together
as strangers, and
after four years these
classmates became
my family, my
brothers. We continue to be a very close group of
friends. In times of need we are there for one another.
We support our fellow classmates whenever and
wherever we can. I am proud of my McQuaid
classmates, fellow alumni and current students. Many
students are counselors at Camp Open Arms and their
friendship and support of these children is amazing.
The best thing about camp for these kids is they don’t
have to go to the hospital for the day. It’s amazing how
a small gesture like a group hug can make such a huge
impact on these children. You become personally
attached, you can’t help it.”
Giving back to the community is a way for Tom to make
a difference. Tom is in the true spirit, a "Man for Others."