Successful Reunion Weekend June 10-11, 2011 Reunion Weekend & AHOF Sponsors and Advertisers Conolly Printing Cooper Haims Advisors, LLC GLC Business Services Great Northern Pizza Kitchen Impact Sales Group La Salle College <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> M&T Bank M5 Networks MailStar Mengel Metzger Barr & Co. Rochester Red Wings The Distillery Webster Properties Wegmans 13 WHAM-TV Whitney & Company William Thomas Wilmorite Management Group LLC Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong> <strong>Jesuit</strong> 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong> <strong>Jesuit</strong> alumni, to direct attention to the work, achievements and accomplishments of <strong>McQuaid</strong> <strong>Jesuit</strong> 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong>, 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong> <strong>Jesuit</strong> 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong>. 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong> traditions, including Mass at the school chapel.” Tom Dessauer with <strong>McQuaid</strong> <strong>Jesuit</strong> President Edward Salmon, S.J. honored. My experience at <strong>McQuaid</strong> has impacted me for the past 51 years. Freshmen entering <strong>McQuaid</strong> 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 <strong>McQuaid</strong> 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."
1 Picture Descriptions 1. Classmates from ’71 at the stag reception 2. Alumni enjoying the stag reception following golf 3. ’86 classmates posing as a team 4. ’96 guys enjoying the weather 5. Winners of the golf tournament; Christian Cassara ’08, John Mihalitsas, Paul Vacca ’08 and Matthew Grosodonia ’04 6. Stan Gutowski ’91 with his two sons at the family picnic 7. Members from the class of ’61 recalling 50 years of memories 8. Class of ’06 celebrating that they reached their reunion goal 4 5 6 7 8 Reunion Weekend 9 3 2
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