In Memoriam - Patrick Arloff

We were saddened to learn of the death last month of Pat Arloff, Class of 1960.

Patrick J. Arloff, 68, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam Veteran, born in Oak Park, IL on 12/17/1946, suddenly passed on 11/18/2015; loving father of Paul (Serena) Sauer, David Sauer and Kathleen Huttner; grandfather of Julianne, Katherine and Matthew Sauer, Joseph, Christina and David Sauer, and Michael Huttner; son of the late Leo & Rose Arloff; caring cousin and fond friend of many; Alumnus of St. Ignatius H.S. and Northwestern University; Passionate Traveler, Writer and Philosopher. Memorial Visitation, Sat. 12/12/15 from 11AM until 1PM at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western, Chicago; 2PM Celebration of Life Gathering at Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark, Chicago; Inurnment, Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.

To sign Patrick's online guestbook and view his MeM Video Tribute, go to www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com. It is a lovely video.

Source: Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2015- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=176691751#sthash.cFeh9zXU.dpuf

Class of 1965 50th Reunion

On October 24th, 28 members of the St. Thomas Aquinas Class of 1965 met at Brian Boru's in Forest Park to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation.  Old friendships were rekindled, and it seems like a good time was had by all.  Pictures and memorabilia brought back memories of a different era.  Conversation flowed and a lot of "catching up" was done.  Hard to believe that 50 years had passed!

Photo and write up courtesy: Mary Ann Whalen, Class of 1965

Photos from Class of 1960's 55th Reunion

Dan Carr does it again. A great group of photos from the Class of 1960's lunch gathering at Irish Times on October 16. For a quick look at all 81 of the photos, click here. If you would like to view each photo individually and you are on your laptop or desktop, here is the link to Dan's photos on Flickr.

Dan provides the following information: You get a full-screen looping slideshow if you visit the album (first link above) and click the arrow-in-a-screen icon at the top of the page. The 81 photos comprise more than half a gigabyte of data. Anyone can access large size versions of any or all the photos by clicking the downward pointing arrow in the lower right hand corner of each photo's 'home page.'

Or, just click on the photo below and start the show!



Thanks, Dan, for so wonderfully capturing a great afternoon.

Class of 1960 Plus 55 years

Class of 1960 Lunch Gathering

Irish Times

Brookfield, Illinois

October 16, 2015

Photo taken before our last colleague arrived, but in the photos to come, her face will be revealed. We were also lucky to have a Class of 1959 alum join us. Once the pictures are "cleaned up" there will be more posted.

Photo courtesy: Dan Carr

In Memoriam - Charles Dutra

As we prepared to celebrate a gathering of the Class of 1960, we were saddened to learn of Chuck's passing in 2013.

Charles E Dutra 
(December 28, 1945 - January 22, 2013)

U.S. Veteran Charles E. Dutra, 67 of Tomah died, Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tomah. He was born on December 28, 1945 to George and Lucy (O’Malley) Dutra in Chicago, IL. He was a member of the Austin High School Graduating Class of 1964. 

Growing up he worked as a life guard on Lake Michigan’s beaches. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was united in marriage to Eunice Deer. He was united in marriage to Eileen Straszewski on March 17, 2005 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Tomah. He worked for Burlington Northern Railways as an engineer operator and as an electrician. He always had curious appetite for learning about the infrastructure of the railways. He enjoyed fishing and eagle watching. He was an avid Notre Dame and Chicago Bears fan. 

He is survived by his wife Eileen of Tomah, 2 daughters Theresa (Patrick) Kittle and Angela (Patrick) Jacobs both of South, Beloit, IL, a step-daughter Diana Lyons of Richmond, VA, 5 children, Logan Kittle, Madeline and Abagail Jacobs, Linda and Andrea Dick, a sister Mary Dutra of Woodbury, MN, 2 brothers James (Sheila) Dutra of Chicago, IL, and George (Pat) Dutra of Minnetonka, MN, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 1, 2013, 11:00 A.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home. Rev. Kathleen Charles will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 212 West Grand Ave, Beloit, WI. Rev. Gail Abbott will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Woodbury, MN. The family requests that memorial be given to the American Cancer Society or the Tomah Hospice Touch in memory of Charles. 

Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com

Photo: Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin, 2010

Class of 1965 - 50th Reunion - October 24, 2015

Class of 1965 - 50th Reunion

The St. Thomas Aquinas School Class of 1965 is celebrating the 50th anniversary of our graduation. The reunion is at Brian Boru's, 7800 W. Madison, Forest Park, IL on October 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.  $20 for appetizers, coffee and desserts. Cash bar.

Our response for attendance has exceeded our expectations!  We would be so happy to connect with more of our classmates with whom we have lost touch.  If you can help us "find" any if these names, we would greatly appreciate it!  

For more information about how to attend the reunion and where to send your RSVP,  please contact Mary Ann (Whalen) Kadow at maryannkadow@gmail.com. 

We have extended the response date to October 5, but need to finalize with the venue soon after that date, so please let us know if you plan to attend. Open to friends, spouses, and significant others of the Class of 1965 also!

Can you help us connect to these classmates from 1965?

          Paul Alvarez

Maureen Berg

Janice Brady Coleman

Michael Burke

William Casey

Albert Colombini

Richard Commito

Mary Ann Conway

Susan Cox

Carol Cravatta

Ann Griffin

Michael Guseilla

Barbara Jones

John Jones

William Jones

Susan LaMarche

Jeanne Lee

Andrew Lentine

William Ludan

Robert Manor

John Marynczak

Patricia Mazzie

Thomas Monick

Thomas Nallen

Diane Nilson

Denise Powers

William Richards

Linda Serra

Janet Shepler

Sonia Tirado

Information provided by Mary Ann Whalen Kadow , September 20, 2015

Class of 1960 Lunch Gathering - October 16

The Class of 1960 lunch gathering is less than 7 weeks away. Having tried out the food at the Irish Times last week, I can say you will enjoy the lunch.

A small room has been made available for our gathering. 

If you haven't already, please RSVP to elaine.beaudoin@gmail.com

Class of 1960 Lunch Gathering

Friday, October 16, 2015, 11:30 a.m.

Irish Times

8869 Burlington Avenue

Brookfield, Illinois 

irishtimespub.com

In Memoriam - Joan Nallen Blasi

Joan Nallen Blasi, 1945-2015

It is with sadness we learned of our 1960 Classmate Joan Nallen Blasi's death this month. Her daughter provided this link to Joan's memorial page at the funeral home's website where you may leave a message in the guestbook.

http://www.ahlgrimfunerals.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?page=services&user_id=1641484

May Joan rest in peace.

Joan joined other classmates at our 25th reunion in 1985

Photos: 1960, Dan Carr; 1985, Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin

Class of 1960 - 55th Reunion Luncheon

Can you believe it has been 55 years since we graduated?

Join us as we celebrate our years at St. Tommy's and raise a glass to those who are no longer with us.

Date: Friday, October 16, 2015

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Place: Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513

Guests are welcome; separate checks will be provided.

RSVP: elaine.beaudoin@gmail.com by October 9.

Please share the invitation with other Class of 1960 classmates.

Hope you can make it.

Were you born at Loretto Hospital?

Loretto Hospital would love to hear from you!

If you wish to attend, call 773-854-5063 or email to external.affairs@lorettohospital.org for an RSVP card. Or, download this response card and send it in. Please put Janice Henry's name on the response card. She can be reached at 773-879-6182. Janice Henry RN, Community Health Nurse, Loretto Hospital.

It looks like it will be a fun day.

Source: Janice Henry, St. Martin de Porres church, email August 9, 2015. 

Class of 1965 Reunion in the Works!

The St. Thomas Aquinas Class of 1965 (and friends of the Class of '65) will be gathering in Forest Park on October 24th for a 50-Year Reunion! 

If you are a member, or have a sibling, friend, or relative who was a member, please forward this or send contact information to Mary Ann (Whalen) Kadow at maryannkadow@gmail.com with STA in the subject line. 

It would be so wonderful if we could get as many members to attend as possible!

Former STA Football Coach, Len Tyrrell, dies

Leonard M. Tyrrell

Born: August 06, 1933

Died: August 06, 2015 

Tyrrell, Leonard Martin Age 82, of La Grange Park and former resident of the West Side of Chicago/Oak Park and Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully on his 82nd birthday, August 6, 2015. Leonard was at home surrounded by his family. Cherished husband of Patricia (nee Collins); devoted father of Leonard, Jr. (Courtney), Brian (Amy), Kathryn (Jesse) Ciesla; proud Papa of Brady, Liam, Keanen, Fin, Jack and Eleanor Tyrrell and Maggie Ciesla. Predeceased by his parents, William and Catherine (nee Broderick); sister, Catherine Mary Wilson; brother, William Tyrrell (Mildred nee Fitzgerald). Survived by sister-in-law, Kay Crowley Tyrrell. Loving brother-in-law, cousin and uncle to many.

Len was a proud veteran of the Korean Conflict, a graduate of Quincy University, former head football coach at Fenwick High School and Chancellor of Maguire University. Len retired in 1994 from the Cook County States Attorney's Office where he was the Director of the First Offenders Drug Program. 

Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester (2 blocks West of Mannheim Road) on Monday, August 10, 2015 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Lying-in-State Tuesday 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 Spring Road, La Grange, IL. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Seasons Hospice, Inc. (www.seasons.org) appreciated. For further info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L. 

Published in Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 7, 2015.

For more information or to sign guest book click here.

Thanks to Carol Broderick (Class of 1960) for alerting us to her cousin's, Len Tyrrell's, death. She tells me he was also a graduate of STA, Class of 1947.

In Memoriam - William Stocker

Dan Carr (Class of 1960) shared the following:

Bill at 2010 Reunion

Our friend and St Thomas Aquinas classmate William Stocker (Class of 1960) passed away early Tuesday morning, May 26, 2015, after a protracted illness. 

It was fun meeting up with Bill again after fifty years at our reunion in 2010. Bill took it in his head after the reunion to visit the rectory of what is now St Martin de Porres church to chat up the pastor about the possibility of us former parishioners revisiting the church and school. The pastor was enthusiastic about the idea. 

I had the memorable experience of joining Bill, Elaine, and the school's caretaker, Maurice, for a leisurely preview in February of how stunningly preserved the old church remains. A date was set for March 2011 and would include attending mass with the current parishioners and a coffee social afterward in our old school's basement 'canteen' with option to tour all around the school. 

Word got around about how magical an experience it all was, leading to a second reunion with a larger turnout in September 2012. It was a moving and nostalgic experience for so many of us. And none of it would have happened without Bill taking the initiative. Because of Bill's sweet and affable modesty, few people were aware of his important contributions.

Dan also created a photo video of Bill which can be viewed by clicking here.

Rest in peace, Bill.

***************************************************

Bill's sister Marian has posted a link to the funeral parlor's site. She welcomes people to leave a note of condolence.

William “Bill” Stocker, age 68, U.S. Air Force veteran, passed away May 27, 2015 after a long battle with congestive heart failure. Bill was a loving companion to his girlfriend of four years, Mariellen Norris. They shared a happy home together along with their cherished dogs, Buster, Jake and Kahlua. Bill is survived by his devoted sisters and brothers; Marian (Jim) Judd, Bob (Joan) Stocker, Pegi (Paul) Meegan, Tom (Patti) Stocker, Betty (late Frank)LaMasse, (late) Terri (Jeff) Klingseisen. Also his many nieces and nephews; Michael Sullivan, Marisa Sullivan, Rob Stocker, Ryan Meegan, John Stocker, Kelly Meegan, Lisa (Jake) Steve, Lauren LaMasse, Sara Klingseisen, and Michael Klingseisen.

Bill graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas grade school and St. Mel’s High School. Bill was an electrician by trade and he was an avid bowler with 300 games. His love of ice-skating was eventually met with being an instructor at Santa’s Village ice rink in Dundee, IL. Physical training daily was his passion. His dry sense of humor and quick wit will be missed. He was so sweetly modest that few people knew he was responsible for bringing the St. Thomas Aquinas West side parishioners together after fifty years. So many were moved by revisiting the church and grammar school of their youth, and it wouldn't have happened if not for Bill.

Bill also chose himself to be the daily caregiver for his brother-in-law, Frank LaMasse during his battle with prostate cancer. For several months Bill came early AM to late PM to spend time caring for him. Wheel chair wheelies through the neighborhood, card games and attending his many needs. We were so proud of him.

At his request the internment will be private. Donations to BestPals Animal Rescue Center would be a kind expression of condolence if desired. Donations to the non-profit BestPals can be sent via paypal through their website, http://bestpalsarc.wix.com/bestpals