June 2010 The Annunciator Find us on the web at www.school.Annunciationcrestwood.com Graduates Serve Our Country and Preserve our Freedom There is a saying that “if long distance. It was a great Paul Reilly ‘48 you enjoy your freedom, thank way to wind up my career of Paul served in the Army a veteran!” Here we give soldiering. In addition, I was on active duty from 1958 to thanks for the following An- also a weapons instructor 1960, trained at Fort Dix, nunciation graduates who have including grenades, bayonet, NJ and was stationed in served in the Armed Forces. and 3.5 rocket launcher, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Inside this issue... commonly known as a ba- James Hanifer ‘48 Bavaria. Letter from the Pastor 222 zooka.” Jim was in the Army from John F.X. Manning ‘48 and Principal Jim retired as a Vice February 1954 to February President of Marsh & As a senior at Fordham Parish Treasures 333 1956. Basic Training was at McLennan after having origi- University, John applied for Fort Dix, NJ and Advanced 20 Years at 888 nally been hired by them, the Naval Aviation flight Training was at Ft. Knox, KY. Annunciation then moving to their com- training program. He went Jim was a lifeguard both sum- petitor, Johnson & Higgins, to Pensacola, FL for the Grad Appointed Judge 999 mers at Ft. Knox and Camp for about 25 years until J&H Aviation Officer Candidate Perry, OH. After the pools, he 12 was acquired by Marsh. He pre-flight program and for Crestwood 1212 was put was a property claims ad- sixteen weeks of intensive Connection on every juster and traveled through- study and physical training. detail and Twins Abound 151515 out the U.K., Germany, Bel- He was commissioned as an Jesus was 161616 gium, Holland, South Amer- Ensign in the US Naval Milestones l o o k i n g ica, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Reserve and started Primary after him. all over the USA. Flight Training. Once pro- Reunion Reviews 171717 “I had a ficient at flying the T-34, m i l i t a r y 221121 Class Notes l i c e n s e Continued on page 4 and on my Sports Stories 242424 record it was recorded that I had been an altar boy as a One Graduate Who Gave it All Annunciation Elementary School youth at Annunciation. As we 465 Westchester Avenue were preparing to go on ma- James F. Burke, Jr. ‘58 neuvers to Ft. Polk, I was or- Crestwood, NY 10707 served our country as a Navy dered to report to the Regi- helicopter pilot during the mental Chaplain, Father John Vietnam War. Jim was one of The Annunciator Editorial Board: Hurld. Father Hurld said that he needed someone to drive four servicemen who died in a Richard Burke ‘48 his jeep and who could re- crash at the Vinh Long Airfield Judith Horncastle DiMenna ‘57 member the Latin (this was after he and his crew were re- Chris Grealy Brown ‘62 prior to Vatican II). He also turning from a nighttime re- explained I would be E.D. connaissance mission. Mary Theresa Gill McCombe ‘75 (Exempt from Details). I was John Sullivan ‘82 elated and shook hands with Jim was twenty-three years old and survived by his parents Marie Villani-York ‘93 him saying, ‘Father it's a deal!’ James F. Burke, Jr. and his siblings, Sharon ‘62 Melissa Brennan ‘95 We celebrated three Masses every Sunday as our three bat- Photo courtesy of and Tim ‘72. Caroline Sohr ‘08 talions were spread out over a www.virtualwall.org Page 2 The Annunciator Letters to the Editor were understudies for A Tree Grows in to be 81 year old mother, the former Brooklyn when it was a hit on Broad- Sally Martin. We lived next door to way. I can still remember seeing them the church, all my life till we, my twin Just a note to let you know that at Mass with their hair dyed Ginny and I graduated high school in you do a great job with the newsletter red. Those were the days. Again, 1974, but my parents and younger and I, along with the other alumni, thanks for all your hard work on the siblings, till the late 1980's. All in all appreciate all your hard work. I have newsletter. over thirty years or more. We had a always believed that anyone who ringside seat to all the happenings at went to Annunciation, either church Bob Geiger, South Carolina the church, and the school! Great or school, will never forget the time childhood memories!!! And back in they spent there. Crestwood was, the day, my dad Jack Martin was the and hopefully still is, a very unique Thank you for The Annunciator! It mister fix it for the nuns and the rec- is a pleasure to learn about all the pro- place to grow up. I have met many tory!! They were always frequent visi- people over the years, but have never gress that has been achieved. Since I tors at the house. With eight kids there was in the third graduating class known anyone who spoke about wasn't much we could do, without their childhood with the fond memo- (1950), I especially enjoyed reading the the nuns and the priests knowing. ries of those of us who grew up in history. I vividly remember Monsi- After all, all they, and we had to do Crestwood and attended Annuncia- gnor Dugan, Sister Frances, and also was look out the windows. And the tion. My only regret is that I met Jim Sister Jean Imelda whose name I took memory of every morning being Hanifer about 1946, and I've never at Confirmation, the two houses that woken up by the church bells!! That been the same since!! Just kid- made up the school and convent, and was our alarm clock, and loud they the basement church with wood ding. Jim is my best friend. That's were! I'll look forward to the next pretty good to be able to say that carved statues. Thanks so much. newsletter. Thanks again. after all these years. Mary Ellen Quinn St.Pierre, Florida One last thought. Jim sent me an Elizabeth Martin Speece, Florida e-mail today to let me know that Billy Pagen, one of our classmates, died Thank you for the news link to The You can email the Editor at recently. I don't know if many folks Annunciator, it was great reading all the mtmccombe@annunciationcrestwood remember, but Billy and his brothers memories!! I even sent it to my soon .com! Letter from the Pastor Letter from the Principal Dear Alumni, Dear Alumni and Friends of Annunciation School, This past April 17th, Annunciation Parish began a new tra- As I write to you, the students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are dition of holding a Spring dinner dance with a theme of Faith eagerly preparing for the spring concert. The drama club recently and Treasures. At the dinner we honored three very special presented an outstanding production of Beauty and the Beast, and individuals, Treasures of Annunciation Parish: Father Joseph our second graders have received First Holy Communion. All of Novak, S.J. who was a Sunday assistant at Annunciation for these wonderful springtime events remind us of the unique na- ture of the Catholic School Community. over 20 years; Evelyn Cosgrove, our school nurse who contin- In a few short weeks, our 8th graders will complete their ues to care for the children of our parish; and Paul LaSalle who final exams, celebrate at their Mass and dance, and receive their has been the sacristan in our Church for many years. A great diplomas at their graduation ceremony. These seventy-two fine time was had by all as we celebrated these individuals and young men and women will join the many distinguished alumni thanked God for all that they have done to enhance Annuncia- of Annunciation School. tion Parish. Over the summer we will prepare the school for a new, rewarding academic year. Our students will be challenged with Be assured we treasure all of our alumni and hope that you new math books that are closely aligned with the New York State know that you are always welcome to revisit your school. standards and will be exposed to more integration of technology with our interactive white boards. We are always grateful for Sincerely, your support of your alma mater! Warm Regards, UtÜutÜt fA ^tätÇtz{ June 2010 Page 3 Class of 2010 Selects Their High Schools The seventy-two graduates of An- Academy and The Loyola School. A par- torian and Salutatorian are awarded to nunciation’s Class of 2010 have made tial scholarship was also awarded by the the students with the first and second their high school selections. In Sep- FDNY Holy Name Society to one of our highest averages and are selected in tember 2010 they will be attending thir- graduates. the last few weeks prior to graduation. teen different schools located in West- Subject medals, and awards for perfect The Ursuline School and Fordham chester County, the Bronx and Manhat- attendance, and Christian service are Preparatory School will each have 18 new tan. also given at graduation. In addition, Annunciation students in September. various scholarships are presented In addition, the graduates received Iona Preparatory School will have 13 of including those in honor of former full scholarships to Regis High School, our graduates, and Good Counsel will parishioners such as Rose Basso, John The Academy of Our Lady of Good have seven.