Hello, classmates!
Ace Conro ’63G, class president, has received the Block M Award for his years of service to the class. It will be presented to him at the Portland pre-Reunion dinner, as he is not attending Orono activities due to appointments on the following day.
Knowing you have received the “save the date” postcard, here is a little information about DiMillo’s. It is a former ferry boat that was purchased by Tony DiMillo and it is just off Commercial Street with a ramp that takes you to the entrance. Dinner will be lobster or a chicken option entrée. More information will come with a letter from Nancy Morse Dysart. After the pre-Reunion on September 11, we will head to Orono for the other activities. Speaking with classmates, some will only do one, and others both.
Joan Gregoire, who lives in Nobleboro, retired to her home state of Maine after 32 years in education. Researching family history led her to write a book based on her grandmother’s diary of her sailing trip around the world in 1899 as a tutor to the captain’s daughter. The book, The Lydessy: Lydia Keene’s 1899 Voyage Around the World in her Own Words, with Joan’s commentary, is available at Sherman’s bookstores.
Judy Ward Lessard ’74G of Cape Elizabeth recently retired after 30 years of teaching at St. Joseph’s College. Her specialty was teaching speech, Maine writers, and writing, especially cursive writing to help those going on to graduate school who might study old documents. Her four daughters all live in Maine. She was an AOP Alpha Chi Omega at Orono. One of her daughters wrote a great obituary about their father, Joseph Lessard ’65G, who met Judy at Orono, and was a big part of the skiing community of Carrabassett Valley before he moved to Cape Elizabeth.
Norman Lagasse of Chandler, AZ, is one of many who have written Ace to thank him for his annual letter. Although Norm will not be attending Reunion, like many others with medical issues, he wishes all good health.
Sally Wakefield of Clearwater, FL, has four grandsons living nearby and enjoys their company. She hopes to come to Maine this summer.
Fred and Diane Tatlock Pierce spent their holiday in Hawaii and watched the New Year’s fireworks with their friend on the beach. They have sold their Las Vegas townhouse and moved to Plano, TX, where their daughter Sue lives. In the past year, they lost their son, Fred IV, in San Diego, from cardiac arrest. Fred is still an avid golfer and Diane a bridge expert.
Richard “Dick” Sturgeon ’66G, PKE, got together for a mini-Reunion along with Skip Chappelle with members of the basketball team that won the Eastern Division championship in our senior year. Their record was 16 to 4.
Also in sports news, this year the UMaine hockey team won a national hockey championship in a 4-3 double time marathon victory over Northeastern University. After that win they defeated the University of Connecticut at TD Garden for the Hockey East title, the first since 2004.
Donald Lewis, TKE, of Brewer, lost his wife, Mary Gentile Lewis ’61, two years ago. He has remarried and he and Claudia enjoy dinners with his grandsons. He “may” attend Reunion.
Tade Osier Cross, of Winston-Salem, NC, recently called me. She is active with animal rescue and may come to Maine this summer. Speaking with her Phi Mu sorority sister Midge Crispi (?) of Rockland, Midge recently tripped and broke four ribs. She will not attend Reunion. If Tade’s son drives her to Maine where she has a home in Pemaquid she should go to Reunion at Orono with Dr. Mike Cheeney, (?), her neighbor.
The Sandra J. Page Academic/Athletic Scholarship Fund has $11,682 for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Maria Eshelman, formerly Tanous has reached her senior year, and one step closer to graduate school at UMaine. She writes to thank us for making a difference in her life. She has made it through her entire undergraduate life “without having to take out a loan.” Lydia Drisko, from Bangor and Augusta, is a freshman nursing major. Her grandfather was an alumnus of 1961. She is very grateful to honor his legacy.
Lastly, I called class vice president Rick Lloyd in Honolulu, HI, and we had the most delightful conversation about his soulmate and friend of 40 years, Herbert Fletcher. Herbert was 16 years younger and showed all signs of good health. He passed away on December third. Herbert was an honorary member of the great Class of 1960, and a joy to be around. His daughter and her children became “Uncle Rick’s” Hanai family. Rick’s condo is on the upper slopes of Punchbowl, which houses the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, the Pacific Arlington. Rick’s mom, dad, and brother are there. He could almost throw a baseball to their graves.”
In closing Joan Ward Lessard made the comment that “old age is not for sissies.” And remember Forest Gump’s philosophy? “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.” Please, send me news.
Love to all from Gail.