St. John the Evangelist High School Class of 1965 gathers for reunion in Exeter

EXETER — The St. John the Evangelist High School Class of 1965 experienced a blast from the past when they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their high school graduation at Fox Hill Country Club, Exeter, on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Prior to the reunion, a Mass was held in the class’ honor at St. John the Evangelist Church on William Street in Pittston.

When classmates gathered at Fox Hill, two vehicles from the 1960s parked under a welcome banner at the entrance of the country club where they took their class reunion photo.

The last time the class held a reunion was for its 10th anniversary, which explains why many of the former students did not recognize each other. To help the cause, nametags were provided with their photos from the yearbook.

“The last one we had was 40 years ago and I just wanted to see everyone again,” Mary Elizabeth Fereck Cazzone of Charlotte, North Carolina, said. “We had a good time 40 years ago and I wanted to see everyone again.”

Cazzone tries to get back to Greater Pittston once or twice a year.

The 1965 class graduated 138 students, which is one of the largest classes to graduate from the Catholic school. Forty-five classmates attended the affair at Fox Hill.

“It was extremely important to attend the reunion in light of the fact that we lost so many people in our class that it makes you pause and realize what a great group we have. Even with those no longer with us, it’s time to celebrate,” Avoca native Marianne McGowen, of Brookline, Massachusetts, said.

According to classmate George Missett, Exeter, organizers started planning for the event in November 2014. “We had a meeting a month and it’s been a pleasure,” Missett said. “The last night of meetings, it got a little emotional.”

The class gathered the evening before the reunion at the Susquehanna Brewing Company, Pittston, before moving to Sabatini’s, Exeter, where a beer was dedicated to the class.

“Unfortunately, we had a class president that died very young and no one took the bull by the horns. Fifty is important number and a few took the bull by the horn,” Missett added. “People keep saying, ‘Thank you for your hard work.’ It wasn’t hard work, it was a pleasure.”

Missett said there is interest in gathering for classmates’ 70th birthdays in two years. “It might be a picnic or whatever, but we will plan something,” Missett said. “We’ll all be 70 in a couple of years and we all want to keep this going.”

Approximately 45 classmates from the St. John’s class of 1965 gathered for their 50th anniversary reunion at Fox Hill Country Club on Saturday, Aug. 8. Shown in the photo are (in alphabetical order): Mary Aquilina Hanczyc, Kenny Bednash, Mary Bidwell McNulty, Carol Biga Paddock, Ann Bowman Jamieson, Carl Brezak, Ronald Casterline, Janet Charney Zupa, Anne Corcoran Woodmancy, Mary Cotter Burke, MaryLou Dashnaw DeMarco, James Doran, Patrick Dougherty, Robert Dougherty, Mary Lou Dunn, Emma Joseph, Maureen Fee Mosca, Mary Elizabeth Fereck Cozzone, Michael Feschak, Joseph Flannery, Ellen Foster Smith, AnnMarie Hughes Higgins, Anthony Iorfida, Vincent Judge, Barbara Kutzmas Loftus, Marie Lucille Limongelli Perry, John Loftus Thomas, Margaret McCabe Redington, Marianne McGowan, Charles McHale, Mary McHale Dougher, Ann McHale, George Missett, Sr. Diane (Mary Louise Moughan), Marty Murphy, MaryAnn Narsavage Long, Paul Okupniarek, Margaret Quinn Morgantini, Ernest Renfer, Sheila Sheridan Durkin, Rose Skrzysowski, Robert Valvonis, Christopher VanLuvender, Grace Walsh Solano, James Williams, Patricia Williams Faleski, Ellen Woods Toole.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_St.-John-27s-65-1.jpg.optimal.jpgApproximately 45 classmates from the St. John’s class of 1965 gathered for their 50th anniversary reunion at Fox Hill Country Club on Saturday, Aug. 8. Shown in the photo are (in alphabetical order): Mary Aquilina Hanczyc, Kenny Bednash, Mary Bidwell McNulty, Carol Biga Paddock, Ann Bowman Jamieson, Carl Brezak, Ronald Casterline, Janet Charney Zupa, Anne Corcoran Woodmancy, Mary Cotter Burke, MaryLou Dashnaw DeMarco, James Doran, Patrick Dougherty, Robert Dougherty, Mary Lou Dunn, Emma Joseph, Maureen Fee Mosca, Mary Elizabeth Fereck Cozzone, Michael Feschak, Joseph Flannery, Ellen Foster Smith, AnnMarie Hughes Higgins, Anthony Iorfida, Vincent Judge, Barbara Kutzmas Loftus, Marie Lucille Limongelli Perry, John Loftus Thomas, Margaret McCabe Redington, Marianne McGowan, Charles McHale, Mary McHale Dougher, Ann McHale, George Missett, Sr. Diane (Mary Louise Moughan), Marty Murphy, MaryAnn Narsavage Long, Paul Okupniarek, Margaret Quinn Morgantini, Ernest Renfer, Sheila Sheridan Durkin, Rose Skrzysowski, Robert Valvonis, Christopher VanLuvender, Grace Walsh Solano, James Williams, Patricia Williams Faleski, Ellen Woods Toole. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Bob Smith, left, Ellen Foster Smith, center, and Sheila Sheridan Durkin point out classmates on the memory board.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_St.-John-s-65-2.jpg.optimal.jpgBob Smith, left, Ellen Foster Smith, center, and Sheila Sheridan Durkin point out classmates on the memory board. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Marianne McGowan, Massachusetts, left, Sr. Diane, New Jersey, center, and Mary Elizabeth Fereck Cozzone, North Carolina, all came a long way to see fellow classmates at their 50th anniversary reunion.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_St.-John-s-65-3.jpg.optimal.jpgMarianne McGowan, Massachusetts, left, Sr. Diane, New Jersey, center, and Mary Elizabeth Fereck Cozzone, North Carolina, all came a long way to see fellow classmates at their 50th anniversary reunion. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pausing for a photo on the veranda are, from left, Janet Zupa, Wilkes-Barre; George Missett, Exeter; Mary Lou Dunn, Binghamton, New York; Peggy Morgantini, West Pittston.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_St.-John-s-65-4.jpg.optimal.jpgPausing for a photo on the veranda are, from left, Janet Zupa, Wilkes-Barre; George Missett, Exeter; Mary Lou Dunn, Binghamton, New York; Peggy Morgantini, West Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Catching up on old times are Carl Brezak, Maine, left, and Kenny Bednash, Old Forge.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_St.-John-s-65-5.jpg.optimal.jpgCatching up on old times are Carl Brezak, Maine, left, and Kenny Bednash, Old Forge. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

That’s Charles McHale, left, Tampa, Florida, and Barbara and John Loftus, Philadelphia, reminiscing during cocktail hour.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_St.-John-s-65-6.jpg.optimal.jpgThat’s Charles McHale, left, Tampa, Florida, and Barbara and John Loftus, Philadelphia, reminiscing during cocktail hour. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch