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.

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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

Class of 1964, 50th Reunion

An excerpt from a May 29, 2014 note from Rita Thornton (STA Class of 1964):

Just wanted to thank you so very much for posting our information on the STA website.  We found almost everyone with the exception of 15 so all the help was much appreciated.  Of course, everyone couldn't attend, but we had about 36 meet at Doc Ryans and had such a wonderful time.  We are hoping to plan a yearly get together.  We're so very proud of our west side roots and all agree it was a great place to grow up. Thank you again.

It looks like a grand time was had by all.

Doc Ryan's Bar and Grill, Forest Park, Illinois,  May 3, 2014

Photo: Courtesy of Rita Thornton (Class of 1964)

Do You Know Where the Following 1964 STA Graduates Are?

The STA Class of 1964 will hold its 50th Reunion at Doc Ryan's in Elmhurst on May 3, 2014.  

Rita Thornton ritathornton05@yahoo.com is asking for assistance in locating the following "missing" graduates.  If you have information that might help locate these individuals, please contact her.

List of 1964 STA Classmates We Need Assistance Locating:

Michael	Amato
Richard	Belmonte
John	Brady
Thomas	Casey
Theresa	Cox
Kathleen	Creason
Shirley	D'Agostino
Charles	DiCiana
Denise	DiSantis
James	Donner
Brendan	Doyle
Michael	Fultz
Patricia	Gallagher
Mary	Guida
Allison	Hooker
Phil	Jacobs
Mary Ellen	Lafferty
Linda	LaPage
Joe	Lapp
Charles	Marquette
Sandra	Marquette
James	McGrath
Jan	Messina
Debra	Miraldi
Eileen	O'Shea
Catherine	Peterman
Debbie	Quinn
Carmelina	Rizzo
Judy	Shepler
Michael	Sweere
Franca	Tenuta
Robert	Trombino
James	Wallwin

Source: Email from Rita Thornton, February 17, 2014

St. Mel High School Class of 1964 - 50th Reunion

Since so many STA graduates attended St. Mel High School, the following message from Carl Alaimo, St. Mel High School Class of 1964, is shared here.

Hello,

Just wanted to take a moment to let you know that the St Mel High School Class of 1964 is celebrating its 50th year anniversary this year. The class will be recognized at the St Mel reunion banquet to be held Friday, June 6th, 2014 at White Eagle Restaurant. More information will be sent out in a mailer in just a few weeks.

A few of the 1964 graduates meet last night at the Christian Brothers of the Midwest office in Burr Ridge, IL. Those present were Pat Kenny, Thomas “Mick” Hyland, Arnie Carlstrom, Mike Carbonara, Ray Redding, and myself. While I’ll admit we spent most of our time talking about our classmates and the Brothers, Rob Cummings, St Mel Alumni Director, attempted to keep us on track for our assignment.

We have a roster of 328 graduates containing the usual ID information. We will be making calls and sending out mailings to those we have been able to verify through our contacts etc.  I have been informed by my kids that the social media is the way to go to find your friends, so I am addressing this email as a start to the addresses we have on record. We know some of the database needs to be corrected from our own personal contacts with classmates.

I hope you can help us with contact information, and information in general about our classmates, and even let us know if we may see you June 6th at a private cocktail reception set up for the Class of 1964. 

You may recall just a couple of names of friends who have passed, John “Jack” Ryan was killed in Viet Nam, William “Bill” Hibbler was a Judge at 26th and California, the Cook County Criminal Courts, Chicago, promoted to a U.S. Federal Judge and passed in 2012. Perhaps you know of others from our class who lost their lives serving our Country, as did Jack. We could make mention of our fallen heroes at our reunion, as well as those who have pasted. Information on deceased class members, information to assist us with the database would be invaluable given our short time frame to the event.

Thanks for taking time to send us any information that would be helpful in contacting and/or correcting our 1964 Class data base.

Hope to hear from you and perhaps see you at the Reunion,

Carl Alaimo

P.S. If you would be available to help us stuff envelops etc. we are meeting again at the Midwest Office of the Christian Brothers on March 3rd at 3pm. Call the office for directions and talk with Rob or Megan for easy directions 630-323-3725 or email Rob at rcummings@cbmidwest.org

Source: Email from Dan Carr, STA Class 1960; Photo: 1958 St. Mel High School Yearbook, page 8.

March, 2011 Gathering at STA

Many of Dan Carr's (class of 1960) photos and videos are interspersed throughout this site.  Tonight he shared a slideshow he put together from our first gathering on March 13, 2011.  He calls it "Sweetest Hours." Some of the photos are from the set up and clean up of the day.  Thank you Dan for continuing to create wonderful memories from our 2011 Class of 1960 STA Reunion.




Slide video courtesy: Dan Carr

Siena All-Class Reunion, September 28, 2014

The Save the Date announcement has arrived

If you are a graduate of Siena High School, Jacky Caronia Alpert, '72 hopes you will mark your calendar for the next reunion planned for:

Sunday, September 28, 2014, 

11:00 a.m.

Venuti's in Addison, Illinois.

Also, consider joining the Siena High School, Chicago, IL Facebook page where updates regarding the reunion as well as contacts with fellow students can be found.

Please send information regarding:

• mailing/address/email changes, 
• information on "lost" alumnae, or 
• names of any alums who may have passed away since the last reunion

to

Jacky Caronia Alpert
P. O. Box 7142
Deerfield, IL 60015
or email to
AllSienaReunion@gmail.com

First Holy Communion, 1945

Look at these angelic faces....  Thanks so much to Bill Moorhead, Class of 1951, for sharing photos of three of his classmates and himself from First Holy Communion Day, May 30, 1945. 

Carol Ann Schuten, William J. Moorhead & Leanna Larabee

Jay Sullivan

Photos courtesy: Bill Moorhead