Power newsletter 06 2015 final

June 30, 2015
Dear Members of the Power Memorial Academy Community (Alumni, faculty, friends and
family):
1. Power Memorial Academy Board of Directors as of May 25, 2015
ANDREW PISANI President
MIKE KELLY Vice President Hall of Fame Dinner and PPP
KEVIN BOLLBACH Treasurer
JOHN TORRES Secretary
SEAN CROWLEY .
JOE DEFAZIO Remembrance Mass
KEVIN MCGEARY Archivist
NORM JARDINE Newsletter
ED KELLY Parade Marshall
CARL HALL
RICHARD PETER MARTIN
JOHN BEGLEY Webmaster
JOE MAFFIA Emeritus
BROTHER LARRY KILLELEA Emeritus, Deceased
LEN ELMORE Emeritus
VIC KAPLAN Emeritus
ANGELO PINO Emeritus
ART KENNEY Emeritus, Past President
TERRY MCADAMS Emeritus, Deceased
ED O’KEEFE Emeritus
BRIAN KEARNEY Emeritus
GEORGE SMYTH Emeritus, Deceased
TOM MCGUIRE Emeritus, Deceased
RICHARD COPPOLINO Emeritus, Deceased
CATHAL CUNNINGHAM Emeritus, Deceased
BROTHER A.E.D’ADAMO Emeritus, Deceased
DION MCKENNA Emeritus, Deceased
TOM C. MURRAY Emeritus, Deceased
TOM CULLEN Emeritus
ROB MERCADO Emeritus
JOHN MINTON Emeritus
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2. Gate Update: President of the Alumni Association, Chick Pisani
reported he is working with Vinnie Sapione. The gates remain in his barn upstate. The
Gates will be installed at West Park cemetery, the final resting place of the many of the
Christian Brothers who taught at Power, Rice and All Hallows.
 Class of 1965 – 50th
anniversary reunion
On Saturday evening, April 18, 2015, the Power Memorial Academy Class of 1965
celebrated its 50th Annual Reunion at Moran's Restaurant on 10th Avenue at 19th St. in
Manhattan. A committee comprised of Ed Kelly, Joe Vidal, Mike Martin, and Jack Haren,
convened a year prior to organize and plan the event.
From a list of over 150 of email and home addresses, coordinated by Mike Martin,
classmates were contacted and voted upon the location of the event, overwhelmingly choosing a
Manhattan site. While Fordham University at Lincoln Center had a sentimental tug, the
amenities at Moran's carried the vote. Enthusiastic classmates stepped forward with deposit
money nine months in advance to secure the restaurant and date.
A series of letters were sent to the mailing list during the ensuing months to advise of
the progress of the planning, choice of menu, and other particulars. Norm Jardine arranged for a
memorial Mass to be celebrated by classmate Father Ray Maher at a nearby church just prior to
the event.
Over 100 people, including wives and partners, took over the classic New York tavern
at 5:00 pm, with two hours of cocktails and appetizers in the bar area to begin the evening. Photo
name tags with yearbook pictures, which proved to be popular (and very useful!) were prepared
and distributed by Joe Vidal, who also handled all the event finances. Kevin Bollbach,'64 and
Alumni Association Treasurer, gave great assistance managing the funds. This was a most
convivial beginning for many who had not seen each other since graduation. Classmates
travelled from as far away as Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, and Paris, France for the
reunion.
All then moved to a private dining room for a sit down, buffet dinner. This began with
a nostalgic music video produced by Ed Kelly which captured the hit tunes and yearbook photos
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of our time at Power in the early 1960's. The video brought a rousing response as the faces,
places, and sounds of a half century ago flashed before our eyes and ears.
A commemorative program, in Purple and Gold and similar to the one for our
graduation, was graciously prepared and contributed by Jack Haren. The evening agenda
included background music from the 60's, a welcome and recognition of those who had
contributed to the preparation of the reunion, a briefing by PMA Alumni President Chick Pisani,
and the reading of best wishes sent by several classmates who could not attend. The next three
hours were spent eating, drinking, laughing and reconnecting with each other. Greeting cards
were circulated and signed and phone videos recorded to be sent to several classmates whose
health precluded them from joining us.
Chick Pisani brought PMA memorabilia items and order forms and raised nearly $500
for the Alumni Scholarship fund. All agreed it was a memorable evening for the PMA Class of
1965.
Class of 1955 – 60th
anniversary reunion
The 60th Anniversary of the Graduation of the PMA Class of 1955 took place at Connolly’s,
East 47th Street, NYC on Saturday June 6th 2015.
We had 15 in attendance as shown in the picture below.
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back: Bill, Frank Cassidy Mickey Hannon Pat Porzio
John Sharkey Greg Delgado Dan Sheerin
Bob Gaba Pat Rooney Jim
Mulvihill’48 Mike Kelly
front: Jim Heydenreich Bob Hannigan Bob Daddario Bob Grant
We started off the afternoon at the Bar. There the unending conversation began and
continued throughout the afternoon. This was the first time back since the actual graduation
for two of the attendees. Attendees were from New Jersey, New Hampshire, and New York.
When we sat for lunch, we started the event with a prayer thanking the good Lord for our
PMA education and the good health to be back together. We then read the NECROLOGY of
the known members of ‘55 that are deceased.
We signed a poster board with the actual graduation photographs of the attendees. This will
be presented in the coming week to Brother Michael Delaney resident of St. Josephs at Iona
in New Rochelle. His birthday was a few week ago.
A special thank you to Jack Sharkey, Pat Rooney and Greg Delgado for making the
arrangements. Before we parted company there were requests that we sign up for the 75th
Anniversary.
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 Summer 2015 events:
o Attend a Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra concert. Its musical
director/conductor is Power alum, Lou Panachulli, PMA ‘68. Web site:
http://www.npso.org/:
Fri. July 31 8:00 pm - Wilson Park, 185 Westbury Ave, Mineola, NY 11501,
we will meet, go from parking lot via Union Street. The showmobile will be
positioned along the west side of the park.
o Group to attend NY Mets/Miami Marlins baseball game. Marlin
pitcher, Dan Haren Jr. is son of Power alum, Dan Haren, PMA ‘67. We firm up a
date.
 Power Memorial Academy social media:
LinkedIn: If you are a LinkedIn member, there is a Power Memorial Academy Alumni
group. Simply send an invitation, with the name of your principal, to validate. There are
some non-Power grads that “snuck” in, but it is tough to remove them. This site under the
control of the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Board of Trustees. Web site:
https://www.linkedin.com/grp/home?gid=1851659&goback=%2Egna_1851659
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Facebook: If you are a Facebook member, there is a Power group. Simply send an
invitation, with the name of your principal, to validate. This site is managed by a Power
graduate, not under control of the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association. The site
is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/68163241042/10153263494356043/?notif_t=like (or
look for Power Memorial Academy Alumni)
 Annual Alumni Reunion and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner
Circle this on your calendar
WHAT: Power Memorial Academy 84th Anniversary Reunion Dinner and PMA Hall of
Fame Induction Ceremony
WHEN: November 7th 2015---6pm-11pm
WHERE: Armenian Reception Hall, 630 2nd Avenue (Between 34th St. & 35th St. on East
Side of 2nd Ave.) N.Y. C.
WHAT: OPEN Bar, Hot Buffet dinner with carving stations, salads, breads, dessert and tea
or coffee
COST: $150.00 per person. Tables will hold 8 people
For further information please contact Mike Kelly '55 at 845-462-2865 or by emailing him at
parades2@verizon.net
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Make check out to PMAAA and mail to Mike Kelly at 91 Hillis Terrace, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
12603
Please include all names and the year of graduation, not a graduate just the name
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 PMA Hall of Fame
The 5th
class of Hall of Fame Inductees for this year are:
Brother Michael Delaney Faculty
Charles Bauer MD ‘61
Mario Elie ‘81
Louis Panacciulli ‘68
James Reed ‘65 Posthumously
Raymond Teatum ‘54
There will be a hot buffet dinner with dessert, coffee and tea and an open bar throughout the
evening. There will be a silent auction and PMA memorabilia for sale.
 Congressman Joe Crowley’s (Democrat, 14th
Congressional District, Queens, Bronx)
comments
May 28, 2015
Below is an abridged version of the commencement address delivered by Congressman Joseph
Crowley (NY-14), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, to the 2015 graduating class of Queens
College.
Like so many of you, I grew up right here in Queens. But for most of my childhood, I lived on
the same block in Woodside, had the same friends, and spent a lot of time with my extended
family and local community.
So, despite Queens being one of the most diverse places in the country, I didn’t truly experience
diversity and a broader piece of the world until I arrived at Queens College. Even though I
wasn’t far from home, it took me some time to get used to this new experience – my first foray
into the adult world.
Page 7 of 12

I took new kinds of classes and learned new things. I met new people, from all different ethnic
and economic backgrounds. This place, Queens College, truly opened my eyes to the world
around me in a unique way that I’m not sure would have happened anyplace else. But it wasn’t
without help.
I distinctly remember my professor, Patricia Rachal, giving me some important advice. “Go out
and see the world,” she told me. I took that advice to heart, and a few years later, I was fortunate
enough to go on a trip overseas with a few friends.
It was 1989 and I was visiting a friend in London. Word started to spread that the Berlin Wall
would be coming down. So, on a whim I jumped on a plane with a few people I had just met.
And, a few hours later there I was—in West Berlin.
We stood on the frontline of history as thousands of Germans who had been separated for
decades tear down the 100-mile-long wall that divided them. Now, I had always been interested
in politics, and even as a kid I followed the struggles for change in Northern Ireland.
But that moment, it was incredible. All at once, the importance of seeing the world, the power of
politics, and the value in bearing witness to history—I was a part of it all! The truth is though;
it’s not just the big moments that matter. Learning that we as individuals have the power to
make change happen should motivate all of us, no matter the career path we pursue.
But to sow the seeds for that inspiration, it takes a depth of understanding about the world and
about each other. A few years ago, I had the privilege to journey with Civil Rights-era leader
and current Congressman John Lewis to Selma, Alabama.
And I was able to bring my family, including my three young children. Each year, a group
called the Faith and Politics Institute arranges a pilgrimage for members of Congress and others.
Arm in arm, on the anniversary of what is known as “Bloody Sunday,” we all walked across the
famous Edmund Pettus Bridge alongside Congressman Lewis, who led the march on that fateful
day in 1965 when peaceful protesters were savagely beaten by Alabama State Troopers.
But my family and I were there at one of the most emotional moments of the trip that year, when
the Chief of the Montgomery Police Department apologized to John Lewis for his treatment
there so many years ago. Afterwards, my oldest son, who was 13 years old at the time, asked
me if he could hug John Lewis. I was so moved, to see my son so moved.
Opportunities to learn on a personal level about issues other people face go a long way in
forming the empathy that inspires us to make others’ lives better. And going to such a diverse
place like Queens College makes you a cut above for that very reason. But one of the most
important things I learned here and have continued to learn in Congress is this:
In order to learn about change, you have to have an open mind and broaden your understanding
of others.
Page 8 of 12

o To help participate in creating change, you also have to be able to show others
where you’re coming from.
o You have to tell your story and the stories of people like you so others understand
why you feel and think and believe the things you do.
o The same organization that arranged that visit to Selma gave me an opportunity to
do just that on an issue that’s very important to me, for our city, and for our
country: immigration reform.
o Two years ago, I led a “Becoming America” Pilgrimage for a bipartisan group of
my colleagues in Congress.
o This exploration of our nation’s immigrant heritage presented another chance for
me and my colleagues to promote the idea that, unless you are Native American,
all Americans were immigrants at one time or another.
o I brought my congressional colleagues to Ellis Island, where for decades men,
women and children caught their first glimpse of the better life that awaited them
in America.
o And I brought my colleagues here to Queens, to see up close the diverse array of
communities, many recent immigrants, who despite having vastly different
backgrounds all share the common goal of making a better life for themselves and
their families.
I sincerely hope that showing other members of Congress where I come from and who I
represent helped them to understand why I feel so strongly about things like reforming our
immigration system, helping folks earn a living wage, and making sure everyone has access to
affordable health care. Because I believe that when you can trace someone’s worldview back to
the world that surrounded them, you can find common ground and advance solutions to complex
problems.
That is the crux of what Queens College gave me. Along with the understanding that it’s not just
about witnessing history up close, but turning that experience into action. In 2011, when the
New York State legislature was considering marriage equality legislation, I worked hard behind
to scenes as the Queens Democratic Party Chairman to make sure elected officials from our
borough would help it pass.
When it came to a vote, every Democratic State Senator in Queens gave the measure their
support. It was so gratifying to contribute to making such a difference here in New York in a
way that affects thousands of families. And I have no doubt that the lessons I learned in and out
of the classroom made a huge contribution to my own life and my ability to take on issues like
these.
But as you go out into the world to try and make it a better place, I hope you will take to heart
the words of one of my heroes Abraham Lincoln, who in replying to a young man who sought
his advice on becoming a lawyer, told him to “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to
succeed is more important than any one thing.”
Page 9 of 12

 Power Memorial History Lesson
Jim D’Esterhazy, class of ’65, asked that we share the following web site. There are pictures of
NYC from the past, good luck.
http://gothamist.com/2015/05/26/old_nyc_photo_map.php
This Photo Map Will Bring You Back To Old NYC, Block By Block
 Final Dismissal
Faculty:
Brother Lawrence A. Killelea - a Member of our Hall of Fame, former PMAAA Board
Member, Principal, and PMA Alumni. He was also born in the Hospital that became PMA.
Class of 1936:
Henry J Westermann, passed away at the age of 92.
Class of 1938:
Brother Edward R. Cassidy-entered the ICB Juniorate in the fall of 1938 and was still
studying when he developed cancer and died on November 26, 1940 at 20 years of age.
Class of 1942:
John Cantwell-From a sudden death on February 2, 1941, in his Junior year, he would have
graduated in 1942. His parents presented the school with a large crucifix in his name. It
hung on the wall in the main vestibule
Class of 1946:
Joe E Walsh
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Class of 1953:
The Honorable State Senator Brian T. Kennedy, 77 of Manasquan, NJ, died Wednesday,
March 21, 2012 at Ocean Medical Center after a short illness. Born on April 11, 1934, in
Astoria, N.Y., Brian was a proud graduate of Power Memorial Academy, New York, the US
Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1957, and New York University Law School in 1965.
He practiced law for over 45 years and served the citizens of NJ in both the State Assembly
and Senate.
Class of 1954:
John T Walsh
John F. Hesse (prior to graduation)
Class of 1965:
James Reed
 Request for submission of articles, updates of personal situations,
new jobs, grandchildren, anniversaries, reunions, volunteer activities, retirements,
pictures, etc.
If you have any submissions for future Alumni newsletters, please send to Norman Jardine,
editor, at Njardine@aol.com
 President’s Letter
June 2015
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Greetings Fellow Panthers,
As the summer approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my
best wishes to you as we will all be very busy with the season of vacations, family outings and
the multitude of outdoor activities.
I, along with the PMAAA Board of Trustees, wish to thank John Minton ’61 and Joe
Maffia’77 for all of their years of service to the Board as they have stepped down from their
positions as active Board members. They worked with the dedication in all of our endeavors so
typical of a Power alumnus. They provided us with countless contributions of ideas and
direction. We will miss working with them.
Carl Hall ’83, Ed Kelly’65 and Richard Peter Martin ’76 expressed interest to participate
on the board and were gladly accepted. I look forward to working with them and listening to
whatever new ideas they may have. John Begley ’70 has also joined the board and will be our
webmaster.
We have learned that Paul Krebbs, the President of All Hallows High School is retiring
this year but will stay on as a part time consultant. Paul has been a longtime supporter of our
Alumni Association by sharing his expertise and advice to us. Please join me in wishing Paul
heartfelt congratulations
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Br. Lawrence Killelea. He
was born in the hospital that was to later become Power Memorial and later attended high school
at Power. He entered the Congregation of Christian Brothers, became a teacher and eventually
the Principal of Power Memorial. Br. Killelea was a charter member of the Board of Trustees of
the Power Memorial Academy Alumni Association and was highly influential of its inception.
He was also inducted into the PMAAA Hall of Fame. Please keep Br. Killelea in your prayers.
I look forward to seeing you at our next Hall of Fame dinner on November 7, 2015.
Pro Christo Rege,
Andrew “Chick” Pisani
President, PMAAA
Page 12 of 12

Power newsletter 06 2015 final

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Power newsletter 06 2015 final