Class Prophecy, Class of 1960

Class Prophecy

St. Thomas Aquinas School

Class of 1960

In January 1983, Toni Malizia, first woman President of the United States, toured the country on the way to her inauguration in Washington, DC.  Because she owned a new model helicopter and employed a private chauffeur, Frank Otto, she was able to stop off and visit some of her old grammar school friends who would not be able to attend the celebration.  Elizabeth Giangrego (alias Liz Lange) and Rock McNeela, a 6 ft, 6 in, Wally.  To her delight, she witnessed the Academy Awards being presented to them for the "umpteenth time."  After reminiscing and much laughter, she departed. As she passed through Illinois, she paid a visit to Elaine (McIntyre) and James Tracey now operating a book mobile.

Toni suddenly developed a toothache and was forced to stop off in Chicago and have it extracted.  The dentist, John Kivlehan, recommended by nurse, Louise Tito, at the drive-in hospital, brought both quick relief and a happy renewal of an old friendship.  While waiting for her helicopter to be repaired (some damages had occurred in the landing), Toni took in a baseball game and watched John Santoro pitch one of his famous no-hit games.  While talking to his biggest fan, Bernadette Birkett, she learned that another classmate, Roger Anderson, was also well-known in the national sport.

But time was passing and Toni decided she must be on her way. At the next stop, Detroit, she toured the plant run by the brothers Ford now pushing their latest invention, the planemobile.  She also visited a new university dedicated by the Reverend Thomas O'Connor at which Fathers John Quinn, James Finn and James Enright, John Rigney, and Tom O'Halleran were attending a convention.  After learning from them that Peggy Dernbach and Carol Broderick had established an orphanage in Pittsburgh, she couldn't resist the temptation to stop and pay her respects.  But on to New York to see Jan (Stewart) and Bob Perry off to Europe and the launching of a short-story writing career.  Robert Hutchinson and Loretta Tantillo were also at the airport to wave them off.  Their pilot, Patrick Roche, had received recognition for his record of flying passengers safely to their destination,

While in New York, she decided to see the big Broadway hit "Era of Rock 'n Roll" taken from the book by Phil Kelley starring that great team of Violet Scalise and John McGuiness; Janice White and Marion Riester were also in the cast.  After a brief chat with some acquaintances, Connie Schleimer, Walter Renaghan, Kathleen Houlihan, Rita Flanagan, Erwin Bircher, Joan Carroll, Sandra Tromotola, and that famous playboy, Patrick Arloff, her chauffeur escorted her to a waiting planemobile.  At the motel, she received her keys from the clerk, Roger Miraldi, by awakening him from deep slumber with the new awakening ray invented by the famous Michael Letson.

After a good night's rest, she arose early to start her journey to Boston.  Upon her arrival, she was police escorted by Lt. Charles Dutra and Sgt. Victor Amato, and patrolmen Bob Collins and Tom Blitsch.  She decided to spend a few hours at an art exhibit, where famous paintings by Mary McGuff and Kathleen Hughes, distinguished for their late 20th century paintings, were shown.  Also, "Satellites of the Fifties" exhibited by Daniel Carr.  She had to speed up her journey, so she only stopped in one more city.  there she visited her friends, Sister Mary Damien and Sister Mary Stella, the former Pat Carroll and Lynn Kryzak, and Sister Mary Robert, the former Lynette Vivacqua, staying at a newly built convent.  They informed her that a carnival was to be held to raise money for the new Order of Fabianites.  She decided to see it and was surprised to recognize her old friends, Lucille Valentino and Dennis Czechanski doing their spectacular motormobile act.  Also, Virginia Salemi did her world famous horseback riding.

Adding glamor to her reception in Washington, was Janice Radek leading a well-known band composed of internationally famous musicians, among them were Bill Stocker, playing drums; Don Rio, playing the bugle; John McAuliffe, on saxophone; Alex Martini, on clarinet; Dick LaRose, on accordion; and Tom Donzelli, playing the tuba.

She was immediately rushed to the Conrad Stella Hotel where she was to stay.  After a good night's rest, she went down from her suite to get acquainted with the employees and patrons.  To her surprise, she discovered some of her classmates were among them.  For instance, Bob Dunphy was now a retired hotel manager.  As she passed the beauty parlor, she noted that Lucy Amore ran the hotel's famous hair styling shoppe, Senora Lucille of Italy Beauty Parlor, with the help of Diane Cullnan and Carol Ruscik.  She was escorted through the hotel's kitchen and fabulous banquet halls.  Although the kitchen was robot-controlled, Ray Mangan gave orders from his anchored-to-the-ceiling mechanical chair.

She visited a fine dress shoppe owned by Regina Sears who specialized in clothes designed by her friend, Noreen Christie.

The great day at last arrived.  January 20, 1983 found Maureen Rigney, chief justice, administering the oath to Antoinette Malizia.  Afterwards, when she was honored at a huge inauguration luncheon, she noticed the place cards were printed by the Arney Carlstrom Printing Company and she was informed that the invitations were also printed by Arney and his associates. Among the guests were Sharon Rotchford and Vice President Irene Fuentes.  Sharon is a world champion golfer.

Among the guests were Raymond Redding, president of the Redding Breakfast Pill Company; and Barbara Bird, president of the Paris Strap Shoe Company.  Her shoes were modeled by the celebrated Betty Neil who also modeled an original dress by designer Noreen Christie.  James Fitzgerald, inventor of the robot-controlled caterers who served the dinner, appeared with his latest invention, the Skyliner Satellite, which Pat O'Connor will take to the moon, accompanied by Denise Wallwin.

The entertainment for the afternoon was directed by Diane Hallinan who decided that it should be gay-fifties style.  Choreographer Mary Ellen McMahon appeared with her dancing girls, among them were Pat Reithal, Kathleen O'Rourke, Joan Laughlin, and Carole Keough.  The singing quartet consisted of Mary Kinahan, Kathleen McClure, Peg Maloney, and Jeanette Lawlor, who sang the old songs, "Mack the Knife," and "Running Bear."  Joan Nallen and Linda Kovach did a comedy skit of a classroom sometime in the 50s.

After the show, speeches were given by Donna Falco, Secretary of Defense, and Kathleen Dobias, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Upon her return to the hotel, she was happy to receive a telegram of congratulations from the famous ice skating team of Janet Jankuski and Tom McGrath, who were touring Europe to raise money for the Order of the Fabianites.

This is our class prophecy.  It is, of course, pure imagination for no one knows what the future really holds for the Great Class of '60.


Please excuse any reference to the true careers of the above mentioned.  The ambitions have been changed to protect the innocent.

Author: Betty Giangrego