Class of 6/63 2001
Reunion
by Marie Antignolo Gill
After 6 months of searching the Internet, planning and anticipating, the reunion of a lifetime took place in Floral Park, New York on October 27, 2001. 15 Pascal's classmates who graduated from 8-3 in June 1963 gathered together again after 38 years. It was as if time had stood still. One by one the "kids" arrived and were greeted with shrieks of joy, along with endless hugs and kisses. Joining the students were Sr. Lumenella, and Sr. Mary Clara and Sr. St. Christopher,
the guests of honor.
The American Legion Hall in Floral Park was the perfect place for our party. It looked like everyone's "basement" back in the 50s & 60s where so many parties took place. We had plenty of music from the early 60s and a few brave souls tried the lindy and the cha-cha. Everyone brought Pascal's memorabilia they had saved for all these years:
a girls "beanie" uniform hat, the words to the Pascal's school song, graduation memory books autographed with 8th grade words of silly wisdom, report cards full of gold stars, graduation pictures with smiling, angelic faces, school newspapers and tons of photographs - even a movie film of a 6th grade party. Stories were endless, emotions were overwhelming and the joy contagious.
The renewed friendships made that evening are ones that will now last a lifetime. Not only did the Internet play a crucial role in finding everyone, now it makes it so easy for everyone to keep in touch. A 39th reunion has already been scheduled for September 2002 and a 40th reunion in 2003 is in the planning stages. Friends have been meeting in small groups for lunch and dinner and golfing. We all continue to be amazed at how easy it is to slip back into each other's lives as if no time has passed.
There clearly is something special about this group of kids from Grade 8-3. I think we knew it back in 1963 but circumstances beyond the control of 13-year old friends took us away from each other and our neighborhood at a very important time in our lives. In a way, it makes sense that we are finding each other now at a point in our lives when children are leaving home, thoughts of retirement are creeping into our minds and we are remembering our past with a mix of joy and melancholy. This reunion is only the beginning
- we have 38 years to make up for and the fun has just begun!
8-3 Students attending the reunion: Marie Antignolo (Gill), Larry Bernet, A.J. Gerace, JoAnn Giannini (Larsen), Robert Haggarty, John Judge, Joey Lange, Ave McElhinney (Baulch) Marie McMullan (Woods), Buddy Merola, Bryan Pisciotta, Bunny Squillace (Caridi), Carol Steven (Goetz), Liz Wingenfeld (Marcantonio), Kenny Woods. Sisters attending the reunion: Sr. Mary Lumenella, (Sr. Mary Soerensen), Sr. Mary Clara (Sr. Roseanne Curran), Sr. St. Christopher.
See reunion photos
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Yahoo Group. Got some interesting photos?
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