Fort Schuyler_2023_Fall_web

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1980 Eleventh Annual Islamorada Fishing Excursion

The warm glow of sunshine and the soft subtropical breezes of the Florida Keys provide the perfect setting for the Class of 1980 on their eleventh annual Islamorada fishing excursion. Timely, too, was their getaway – the Friday-to-Tuesday trip last February 3-7 encompassed what was otherwise one of the most bone-chilling weekends of winter ‘23 in the New York Metro area. Activities enjoyed by this group of classmates included an Italian meatball dinner, fishing on Saturday, a fish fry dinner Saturday night, a mass conducted by Father John Corbett ‘80 on Sunday morning, followed by a barbecue dinner Sunday night. Fishing and excursions around the island paradise carried on through Monday with everyone looking forward to the next Islamorada invasion planned for February 2-6, 2024.

Front Row, l-r: Bill Kreppein, Peter Brock, Anthony Ruggerio, Andrew Werner, Paul Theofan (black shirt), Billy Bauman, Eddie Johnston, Dan Hawley, John Sharko, Pete Sammis, Steve Gulotta. Back Row, l-r: Victor Corso ’83 at far left, George McCarthy, Don Berdan, Joe Breglia (blocked by Don Berdan), Wayne Schmidt (blocked by Randy Johnson), Randy Johnson, Bill Trenkle, Mark SanAntonio, Jennifer Barnes-Hayes, Brian Kelly (behind Paul Theofan), Steve Carbery, Jack Whitney, Jay Webster, Tom Breglia, Dan Morgan, John Wenz.

waters of the pool at Jim Hogle’s home. ’ 88

What better way for Maritime classmates to celebrate a reunion year than aboard ship? Folks from the Class of ’88 did just that last July 7-14, with the help of Brian Fierro ’88 and Coastwise Travel, operated by Brian, retired Maryland State Pilot for the Port of Baltimore, and his wife, Pamela. Royal Caribbean Lines’ Oasis of the Seas provided the venue for this gathering with many reunion-oriented activities. For anyone planning a similar venture, Brian Fierro ’88 gives this guidance: “We started planning about a year out. It took work to canvas the class and to track people down; it was an email, phone call and word of mouth process. We got to about 45% of the class in that try, then got a few more as time went on.” Some structured activities kicked off the camaraderie, and more gatherings evolved. Planning paid off – and “a good time was had by all!” ’ 88

Members of the Class of 1988 c elebrated their 35th anniversary together last July 29 beside the blue

L-r: Rob Hintz, Vessel Supervisor at Vane Brothers; Jim Hogle, Vice President for Facilities at RWJ Barnabas Health; Noel Capellini, Broker for True North Chartering; Ray Feige, Chief Engineer for New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection; Ray Reichel, Deputy Chief of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Dept. and George Doumar, Director of Facilities Management at Matheny Medical and Education Center.

Bowing out due to a last-minute emergency, Brian arranged the cruise from Cape Liberty, NJ, to the Bahamas for nine classmates plus families. Pictured at Giovanni’s Italian Table aboard ship are Brian White, Mike Parr, Neil Franklin, Ray Reichel, Gerry Reynolds, Michael DeMato, Bob Vrendenburgh, and Ray Feige.

36 | Fort Schuyler Fall 2023