Our 50th Class reunion remembered
Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2015 06:17 AM
September 1, 2015
 
Dear Classmates:
 
 
Looking at the pictures on our 50th Reunion Picture Gallery, makes me smile and feel grateful that we reached this milestone in our lives.  It was a lot of fun as the comments in Message Forum attests and we are all grateful for Nancy Otis Cusson's leadership and the committee for the 50th reunion.  My thanks extend to 50th Reunion Committee Members:   Donna Belliveau,  Stan Levine, Donald Gamache, Henry Laferriere, Fran Palezcka Monteiro,  Dave Medeiros , Amelia Leontire, Ron Camioni, Emma Almeida, Claudia Settele , Jose Gonzales, Roger Goyette, Mary Perry and others who offered  suggestions and helped to bring such an outstanding event to fruition.  Some of the extra fun at the Hawthorne Country club included a photo booth, a 50/50 raffle and other  items to be raffled  contributed by classmates. Every detail was impeccable including a Whaleman water bottle and mouse pad for classmates, posters of pictures, a typed sheet of 1965 highlights on the tables. 
 
 
I loved seeing so many of my old neighbors and classmates.  The food and music were wonderful, the staff was very helpful and it was beyond expectations.  Saturday night was perfect.  To my disappointment, I missed  Friday night but was assured it was wonderful from the comments and pictures.  Our photo gallery on the left side documents the fun also.
 
 
The service Sunday morning was moving and a fitting tribute to those classmates that we've lost much too  soon.  It has been mentioned that their faces are frozen in time.  For me, it was an honor to be part of the ceremony by reading a selection submitted by Ilene Horvitz (it follows below ) and I'll always remember it.
Lew White set up a beautiful slide show of yearbook pictures and Nancy and Emma did a wonderful job reading the names as a bell tolled.   The addition of a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace" brought tears to many eyes. Our classmate, Rev. Stephen Ferreira officiated and reminded us to be grateful that we knew them and appreciate our lives.    It was an outstanding tribute.  Every one of those young faces brought back a singular memory, for me, one special poignant memory was Richard Landreville's picture.  We sat next to each other as the principal gave a historic announcement November 22, 1963.  Richard and I looked at each other.  It was the first time I saw the shock reflected in another face.  Never to be forgotten.
 
Some of us went on to enjoy breakfast at various venues around town and then we had to return back to the regular routine of our lives and slip back into our roles as older adults. 
 
Thank you again to all who made it possible.
 
Keep well everyone. I hope to see many of you at the next major class of '65 event! 
************   
 
 
       WE REMEMBER THEM.
 
 
At the rising of the sun and at its going down
           We remember them.
 
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
           We remember them.
 
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring
           We remember them.
 
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer
           We remember them.
 
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn
           We remember them.
 
At the beginning of the year and when it ends
           We remember them.
 
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as
           We remember them.
 
When we are weary and in need of strength
           We remember them.
 
When we are lost and sick at heart
           We remember them.
 
When we have joy we crave to share
           We remember them.
 
When we have decisions that are difficult to make
           We remember them.
 
When we have achievements that are based on theirs
           We remember them.
 
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as
           We remember them.