"It is not enough to have great qualities; we must also have the management of them."
"Silence is often mistaken for saintliness."
I graduated from what is now UMASS-Dartmouth in 1969, moved to Akron, Ohio and commenced a 4 year long career in the engineering field. I left that career for a nearly 40 year aviation career, the first 10 as an pilot instructor and the remaining years working for the Federal Aviation Administration.
I worked for FAA first as an Air Traffic Controller in Ohio and then as an Aviation Safety Inspector in Bedford, Boston and Burlington, MA. I retired from FAA in 2011. My wife, Susan, and I met in Ohio and this summer will have been married 35 years. We moved to Princeton in 1987 and have two grown children. Our daughter lives half a year in Idaho and the other in New Zealand; our son lives in Aspen. My work with FAA allowed us to travel as a family throughout the US, and in retirement that travel has continued with several European trips as well as rail travel in the states. Susan and I enjoy golf and spending time at a vacation home in Steuben, Maine. I continue to enjoy snow skiing and we are both fortunate to be in good health. The memory I have is that of 4 years of Latin class with Mr. Foley and his rule that if you wore a tie on Fridays, you stood a good chance of not having to do a translation. |
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
After graduation I unsuccessfully attended UMass Amherst. I later graduated from Becker College with an Associate of Science degree in 1968. I began working for Oriol Healthcare (Holden Nursing Home) handling their medical records and patient accounts. In July, 1969, buddy Perry and I were married. We initially rented in Jefferson, but later bought homes in Holden, the last one being my family home, which we purchased when my parents retired to Florida. We had two children, Josh in 1973 and Cassie in 1977. In 2000 I left Oriol Healthcare and went to work for UMass Memorial Medical Center working in patient accounts. In January, 2008, our son Joshua tragically passed away. He did however, leave us with three beautiful grandkids, Kylie, Peyton and Caden. Our daughter Cassie lives in Rutland with her husband and her daughter Ainsley and son Keegan. I retired from UMass July 1, 2014 and have been busier than ever since then. We spend a good deal of time with all of our grandkids. In fact, our oldest granddaughter just presented us with our first great grandson - Joshua. In down time I enjoy reading and playing cards. I am hoping that things will quiet down somewhat so that I can become involved at the Holden Senior Center. I don't really have a favorite memory from high school. I just recall very fondly when I look back that those were some of the happiest times in my life. I am looking forward to seeing so many of you at the reunion.
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"We can do more good by being good than in any other way."
I live in Vero Beach, Florida. I have worded in the legal field for 35 years, as a judicial assistant and paralegal. I was married for 38 years and my husband died tragically in 2005. I have 2 children and 5 grand children.
I am retired and do volunteer work now. I drive for the ambulance squad, am a guardian ad Litem for abused, neglected and abandoned children, Cert (community emergency response team) and volunteer for Red Cross. I work out every day and try to do my 10,000 to 12,000 steps per day. I lift weights at the gym 3 times a week. |
"Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together."
I live in Cambridge, Ohio. I was a Salvation Army officer for 12 years. My second husband is Cal Rice, from Michigan. We travelled thru Ohio, Pa. and W.Va doing Christian dialogues, which Cal wrote, in churches and nursing homes. Also, I was in plays in local theatre productions for at least 20 years. My husband is a professional actor and a former United Methodist minister. He is 83 years old.
We have 9 grandchildren spread out through the country. I have 3 children, in Las Vegas, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Florida. When I can I like to visit my children. We have also visited Cal’s kids in Canada, Michigan and Atlanta. We have also done some traveling to Civil War sites. I am retired and paint when I can. I use my art training from Mr. Bowes. I have won various awards for my art including 2 "Best of Shows". Have exhibited throughout Ohio and West Va. |
The last 5 years I have had health issues including colon cancer (I am a survivor!) and a stroke, where I could not walk, talk or move my right side. With therapy in hospital (3 weeks) and a nursing home (6 weeks) I am almost back to normal. Praise God! He got me through.
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Rita (Haney) Quist
I worked as a dental assistant to Dr. John Shaw, D.D.S., but have since retired. I am married, and we live in Rutland. I am a survivor of melanoma and breast cancer. If you can call grandchildren a hobby, that’s my favorite one! We have five wonderful grandchildren. Our oldest granddaughter will be entering the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis on July 1, with a major in nuclear engineering. We have three daughters: Stacey and Chuck Skerry have two children, Kristen and Karl. Erica and Noel Skerry have two children, Kylie and Hannah. Kendra and John Slack have one daughter, Avery. |
"Never cease every joy to glimmer on my mind."
"High in height, high in mind, a friend like him is hard to find."
After leaving high school I was drafted into the Army in 1966 and did a tour of duty in Vietnam in 67-68.
Once my Army hitch was done I went back to school and got my Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and began a career as a fiber optic engineer. Aside from living in several New England states, we spent 4 years in Long Beach, California and 19 years in Glendale, Arizona. We have one son Michael (WRHS85) and a grandson Mason. After 40 years working in the Telecommunications Industry, my wife Debbie and I retired to Sedro Woolley, a quiet little town in the north west corner of Washington State. Here I spend my days with the usual home maintenance chores, tending my vegetable garden, doing some woodworking projects with my grandson, visiting with family and kicking back watching the Eagles soar overhead. |
"Man is the only creature endowed with the power of laughter."
Charlie Harvey
"His strength and health on sea or shore will never fail."
"The secret of success is constancy of purpose."
Ramona (Hassan) Churchey
My husband Donald and I live in Spencer. Over the years I’ve held many jobs, and enjoyed all of them. Now I am retired. I have three sons, Robert, David and Lee. And we have four grandchildren: Jonathan, Caitlyn, Larissa and Lindsay. I had breast cancer in 2013. My favorite hobby is taking care of my granddaughters. When we travel, we like to go to the ocean. Of Wachusett, I remember home room, my teachers and my friends. |
"Music is a prophecy of what life is to be."
After high school, I served in the U.S. Army. Following that, I worked for Stone & Berg Lumber in Worcester for 33 years. For the past 15 years, I have been an Instructor for the Central Mass Safety Council.
Also, for the past 35 years, I have been the Organist of Salem Covenant Church in Worcester. My wife, Dianne, and I are the parents of 9 children and grandparents of 12 grandchildren. We currently reside in Holden. |
"Sincerity is the key to everything that is worth-while."
Attended night school at Quinsigamond college. Married in 1968, gave birth to one son named Michael, and was sent another son who was 10 years old at the time, to visit for the summer. He ended up staying until he emancipated as a young man. His name is Kevin.
I was divorced after 16 years; got remarried 8 years later to Richard; he died of cancer in 2011; met a great guy named Bob, who I am now dating. While married to my first husband, who was in Air Force for 4 years, we had the good fortune to live in Germany for 2 years. We traveled to 9 countries while there....a great experience. I have two stepdaughters from my second marriage, 9 grandchildren (natural, step and extended), 4 great grandchildren (natural, step and extended). I've had various professions over the years: bank teller, prescription drug specialist and merchandiser. My last two jobs were at Allmerica Financial (formerly State Mutual Ins. Co.). I have been a Merchandiser at Acosta Sales & Marketing for the past 13 years. Recently retired. I enjoy going to movies, playing pitch, going out to eat, and spending time with family and friends and Bob. Looking forward to our 50th class reunion. My favorite memory of Wachusett was meeting people from all the towns and becoming best friends with Norma and Carl from Sterling. Thank you for all the hard work you’ve all done to get this reunion together. It’s well appreciated by all! |
My thoughts are with you and my fellow classmates as you celebrate our 50th reunion. I know you're going to have a wonderful time rekindling old friendships and reminiscing. Those were the days!
Please feel free to pass on my email address. A big hello to Sandy MacGregor, Maureen o'Brien, Janice Dwelly, and Carol Abdella. Hope to see you in San Juan the next time you visit. Cheers and May The Good Times Roll Tonight. With Big San Juan Hugs to all, Linda |
"An unreflected light did never yet dazzle the vision feminine."
"You live but once, so make the most of it."
Graham Homewood
I am single, but I will come to the reunion with Jackie Aubuchon. My career was a carpenter, but I am now retired. I live in Princeton. When I travel my favorite place to go is Yellowstone. My favorite hobbies are hunting and fishing. And I’m still in pretty good health. Of Wachusett, my favorite memory is graduation. |
"To live is good, to live wildly is better."
I will be attending with my husband of almost 45 years! His name is Ron Swanson and a die hard resident of Rhode Island, but we had a visit with destiny when we both went to Bermuda when we were 18 years old! We were each with our parents, & we met in Hamilton while renting scooters. We got married on October 24th, 1970!! Seems like a hundred years ago! So, anyhow, there will be two of us.
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"Is it true blondes have more fun?"
I worked for 24 years as a Registered Nurse at Hahnemann Hospital in Worcester. I followed that with another 24 years at the Paul Revere/Unum Insurance Company. That means I worked forty-eight years before retiring, on March 13, 2015.
I live in Leominster, and love to travel to Italy. I am single, but will come to the reunion with my sister. My least favorite medical situation is that I had to have both my knees replaced. Looking forward to the reunion! |