"She'll get by with a twinkle in her eye."
Sandy (MacGregor) Hakkarainian
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Sandra Hakkarainen
Hello. After 50 years away from high school, I am glad to report that I am happy, as well as happily married with two sons and seven grandchildren. We've recently sold the big old farm house that we shared with our kids and parents, and moved into a condo (formerly a second-grade classroom at Rice School in Holden) with our good old dog, Rocco Bama, and cat, Judi Dench. I've retired from the high-tech world, and now enjoy a bit of office work for our son and some volunteer work in town. Genealogy and quilting are a couple of my passions, as is our camp on Queen Lake in Phillipston. A good life this. |
Big Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
"Hinges of true friendship will never rust."
Dottie (MacKenzie) Parker
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Dottie MacKenzie
I’ve been married for 47 years and currently live in Hudson, MA. We have one daughter and 3 grandchildren. I graduated from Quinsigamond Community College and attended Worcester State College. I worked for 31 years at the former Paul Revere Insurance Company in Worcester (now UNUM) and retired (actually got laid off) in 1998. I have never looked back and have enjoyed every minute of my “early” retirement. I play tennis (2-3 times/week), practice yoga, work out at the gym (occasionally), love to cook and read. We especially enjoy time spent with family and friends at our summer home in New Hampshire. I am in excellent health. Life is good. I am blessed. Looking forward to seeing my WRHS classmates in September. |
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Joan Nartowt, Dottie MacKenzie and Linda Lindberg, the day after
Big Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
"Diligence is the mother of good fortune."
Maureen (Maher) Locke
After graduation I attended UMASS Amherst and obtained my BSN. The next thirty years I spent working as a labor and delivery nurse and loved it. I followed that with nine and a half years as a circulating nurse in day surgery where I learned a lot.
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Jack Locke and I were married in 1970. We welcomed Bryan in 1972 and Julie in 1975. Both of whom graduated from WRHS in 90 and 93. Between 2001 and 2007 we welcomed 6 adorable grandchildren. So much fun. We are fortunate to have three girls and three boys. Bryan has two of each and lives just outside of Chicago. A great place to visit! Julie has one of each and is close by in Shrewsbury. We get to spend a lot of fun time with them.
I retired in 2008 and enjoy doing lots of things "what I want, when I want, if I want" I enjoy traveling especially with and to see family. Also like to volunteer, read, take short and long walks and spend time with friends. We moved to a retirement community three years ago, only about two miles from our home of thirty-eight years. The management company takes care of all the outside yard and snow removal. A great thing!! Helping to plan our 50th reunion is really fun. It's great to reconnect with classmates. |
Birthday Bash - 2017
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Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
Liz Marsh
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"Modesty makes a beautiful woman adorable."
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"God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions."
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My career was the operator of construction equipment. I was also a welder and a truck driver. I work whenever I feel like it. I spent 47.5 years with R. H. White Construction Company after two years in the US Navy, with the Sea Bees in Vietnam.
My wife Carol and I have two sons and three daughters, and we live in Oakham. As far as my health goes, I have had cancer twice, and have been treated for Agent Orange and had PTSD counseling. My hobbies include model railroading, antique farm and construction equipment, old cars and trucks, fishing and wood working. When we travel, I enjoy the coast of Maine. My favorite memory of Wachusett is energizing Mr. Bianchi’s Carman Ghia with a door bell transformer so he couldn’t get in it! |
Dennis Martin
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Dennis Martin
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"A smile for all, a welcome, jovial way he had."
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My wife Tina and I still live in Spencer. She is a retired Spencer school teacher and we have been married almost forty five years. We have two grand children, one by each of our two sons and both born in 2014. One in January (girl) and one in November (boy). I haven't retired yet and still work for the MORGOIL department of what use to be Morgan Construction Co./Siemens and now PRIMETALS Technologies. I have been with this company for thirty five years following a stint as a landscaper and four years in the U.S. Navy. My favorite hobby is sailing and secondly model railroading. I enjoy being with my family most of all though.
Rob Mase |
Robin Mase
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"The rule of joy and the law of duty seem to me all one."
Gary Mason
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Gary and Anne Mason
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Gary Mason
It's difficult to comprehend 50 years has pasted since graduation. It is of great interest to read how our classmates have experienced life since graduation. Following graduation I received an Associates degree from Dean Jr. College in 1967, a BS degree from Northern Michigan University in 1969 and a Master of Education degree from Plymouth State College in 1976. I began teaching physical education in Orange, MA. In 1972 I married my wife Anne and we moved to Littleton, NH where I continued to teach physical education and driver education for the next 36 years, also owning and operating Littleton Driving School. I retired in 2009 and we moved to Venice, Fl. I traded a snow shovel and skis for golf clubs and a beach chair. We have had good health and have enjoyed traveling and visiting friends and family. We have 2 children, a son Garrett and a daughter Jennifer, both are in education. After returning from the Peace Corps in Liberia, Garrett is currently teaching in New Orleans, LA in a private school and Jennifer is teaching PE at a public school in Frederick, CO and lives in Longmont, CO. Jennifer is married and is expecting our first grandchild any day. |
Anne and Gary Mason at the Birthday Bash, August 20, 2017
Stanley Matis
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"Men are not measured in inches."
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"Why all this toil and trouble?"
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Jud May
After High School I completed a Ph.D. in Geology (University of New Mexico) and worked for 20 years as an exploration / research geologist with ARCO Oil and Gas Co. (Atlantic Richfield) in the Dallas/Plano area. I also spent two years as a Geology professor at Eastern Kentucky University and for the last 15 years have been teaching Geology at Collin College in Frisco, TX (north of Dallas). |
Big Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
Susan (McGovern) O'Donoghue
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Sue (McGovern) O'Donoghue and her son
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Susan (McGovern) O'Donoghue
"The world delights in sunny people."
Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
"The devil is kind to the devilish."
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Brian Morey
I am an optician, and I am still working. My family status is too large to compress into this profile. I live in Jefferson. My favorite hobbies are my BMW Roadster and to travel. We like to go to Aruba, Disneyland, Maine, and especially to cruise in the Caribbean. |
Brian Morey
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"The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong -- but that's the way to bet."
Charlie Morris
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Charlie Morris
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Went to work at Norton Co, Machine tool division after graduation. I couldn't believe anyone would pay $1.97/hr to push a broom.
Enlisted in Army July 1967 after choosing a school from a thick book with my eyes closed.
I was a week late getting to the bus and the MPs paid a visit to my house, but by that time I was in basic training.
My dad was mad as hell.
Sent to Korea in feb 68, I SPENT MANY MONTHS IN THE FIELD, on, and north of, the 38th parallel, getting a good taste of "Soljerin". All the good equipment went to the rear echelons.
I'm in the brotherhood of "The U.S.Army's best kept secrete"
My experiences with Uncle Sam, SET ME ON A 30 YEAR COURSE OF CRAVING THE RUSH .. I embraced "La Vida Loca."
My quest took me on a 4 month hitch hiking excursion across Europe, lived in Spain as a bartender, and Amsterdam as a bum. Returned home, bought a motorcycle and rode throughout the Canadian Maritimes.
25 or so trips to Mexico, later driving down the East cost of Mexico in a school bus, (GOT LOST) to El Salvador, stopping along the way to pay mordida ("the bite"), at every military checkpoint.
It took 3 months to sell everything that was brought down in that bus.( drove down on el camino del muerto). Also traveled to Belize, Guatemala, and the American Southwest.
I HAVE HAD A LIFE LONG INTEREST IN Central American culture and it's people.
I started college at 30, (full and part time) accumulated over 160 credits by the time I was done(5 1/2 years). While I went to school, I lived in an old apartment building where everyone but me, was an illegal.
I helped them all with their english and was adopted into their culture..
I needed 3 credits for a sheepskin, when I dropped out to form a partnership in the construction trade. It lasted for 6 years until my partner was killed in an accident.
I went to Mexico to sort things out and get my head straight again. In 10 days I accumulated a bar bill of 3.5 million pesos.
I spent 15 years working for a well known tax prep corporation as a manager and as a Sr. Master preparer. I enjoyed my clients. I made sure they got every penny coming to them. Sometimes I had to fight the very company I worked for to ensure the client got full representation. The corporation was like all corporations, interested only in their bottom line.
I also spent 15 interesting years on and off, roaming the streets of the big city (Worcester ), driving a cab. Every fare a story.
Only job I ever had where a total stranger tells you their life story in the short span of a 10 minute ride.
Lived with 5 different women.
3 were good, two were bad.
Spent all my money on WINE,WOMEN AND SONG.
WHAT EVER WAS LEFT, I WASTED.
I never could work at the same place for too long. I had that rabbit in my blood.
Now I am single and retired. Spending my time fishing and arguing politics with my buddies.
I got replacement parts for my body to include two total knee replacements.
Walk everyday to get back into shape.
Found my army buddy by sheer chance using the internet. A man I had served with some 47 years ago. He's a grandfather his 60's. ( who isn't...right ?),
A follow up phone call confirmed this was the same man. He and his wife came to visit me from Wisconsin. The following year I stayed at his house for a week.
After 47 years, neither he nor I drink booze or smoke tobacco. Quite a difference from our soldierly activities decades before.
When the Company gave me orders to the DMZ for 90 days of O.P. duty after I brought an E-6 up on charges, my buddy Bob took my place so I could continue with the legal process against the E-6.
I pursued the matter, and the E-6 got his comeupence and lost his chance at promotion.
I was selected by the Battalion Commanding Officer for the 7th Division NCO academy, however I had a collective dislike for anything military, and declined.
After a brief and unusual encounter while on outpost duty, the Battalion C.O. again recommended me, this time for Imjin Scout school.
13 + months in Korea, no promotion.
My buddy Bob, who saw more action than anyone in the battalion, remained a PFC his entire 13 months. Army Justice.....forget it, there is none.
Ironically, we are both involved in helping veterans. Me in Mass, he in Wisconsin. This has been my main activity for the last 8 years.
I am not pro war, I am pro Veteran.
FOUR universal truths of life:
1 IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING IS DONE ... DO IT yourself, don't rely on others.
2. IF SOMETHING CAN GO WRONG, MOST LIKELY IT WILL.
3. THE ONLY WOMEN A MAN CAN REALLY TRUST IS HIS MOTHER. (until she gets dementia )
4. IF YOU HAVE NO DESTINATION IN LIFE ... ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE
**************** TEMPUS FUGIT ***********
Enlisted in Army July 1967 after choosing a school from a thick book with my eyes closed.
I was a week late getting to the bus and the MPs paid a visit to my house, but by that time I was in basic training.
My dad was mad as hell.
Sent to Korea in feb 68, I SPENT MANY MONTHS IN THE FIELD, on, and north of, the 38th parallel, getting a good taste of "Soljerin". All the good equipment went to the rear echelons.
I'm in the brotherhood of "The U.S.Army's best kept secrete"
My experiences with Uncle Sam, SET ME ON A 30 YEAR COURSE OF CRAVING THE RUSH .. I embraced "La Vida Loca."
My quest took me on a 4 month hitch hiking excursion across Europe, lived in Spain as a bartender, and Amsterdam as a bum. Returned home, bought a motorcycle and rode throughout the Canadian Maritimes.
25 or so trips to Mexico, later driving down the East cost of Mexico in a school bus, (GOT LOST) to El Salvador, stopping along the way to pay mordida ("the bite"), at every military checkpoint.
It took 3 months to sell everything that was brought down in that bus.( drove down on el camino del muerto). Also traveled to Belize, Guatemala, and the American Southwest.
I HAVE HAD A LIFE LONG INTEREST IN Central American culture and it's people.
I started college at 30, (full and part time) accumulated over 160 credits by the time I was done(5 1/2 years). While I went to school, I lived in an old apartment building where everyone but me, was an illegal.
I helped them all with their english and was adopted into their culture..
I needed 3 credits for a sheepskin, when I dropped out to form a partnership in the construction trade. It lasted for 6 years until my partner was killed in an accident.
I went to Mexico to sort things out and get my head straight again. In 10 days I accumulated a bar bill of 3.5 million pesos.
I spent 15 years working for a well known tax prep corporation as a manager and as a Sr. Master preparer. I enjoyed my clients. I made sure they got every penny coming to them. Sometimes I had to fight the very company I worked for to ensure the client got full representation. The corporation was like all corporations, interested only in their bottom line.
I also spent 15 interesting years on and off, roaming the streets of the big city (Worcester ), driving a cab. Every fare a story.
Only job I ever had where a total stranger tells you their life story in the short span of a 10 minute ride.
Lived with 5 different women.
3 were good, two were bad.
Spent all my money on WINE,WOMEN AND SONG.
WHAT EVER WAS LEFT, I WASTED.
I never could work at the same place for too long. I had that rabbit in my blood.
Now I am single and retired. Spending my time fishing and arguing politics with my buddies.
I got replacement parts for my body to include two total knee replacements.
Walk everyday to get back into shape.
Found my army buddy by sheer chance using the internet. A man I had served with some 47 years ago. He's a grandfather his 60's. ( who isn't...right ?),
A follow up phone call confirmed this was the same man. He and his wife came to visit me from Wisconsin. The following year I stayed at his house for a week.
After 47 years, neither he nor I drink booze or smoke tobacco. Quite a difference from our soldierly activities decades before.
When the Company gave me orders to the DMZ for 90 days of O.P. duty after I brought an E-6 up on charges, my buddy Bob took my place so I could continue with the legal process against the E-6.
I pursued the matter, and the E-6 got his comeupence and lost his chance at promotion.
I was selected by the Battalion Commanding Officer for the 7th Division NCO academy, however I had a collective dislike for anything military, and declined.
After a brief and unusual encounter while on outpost duty, the Battalion C.O. again recommended me, this time for Imjin Scout school.
13 + months in Korea, no promotion.
My buddy Bob, who saw more action than anyone in the battalion, remained a PFC his entire 13 months. Army Justice.....forget it, there is none.
Ironically, we are both involved in helping veterans. Me in Mass, he in Wisconsin. This has been my main activity for the last 8 years.
I am not pro war, I am pro Veteran.
FOUR universal truths of life:
1 IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING IS DONE ... DO IT yourself, don't rely on others.
2. IF SOMETHING CAN GO WRONG, MOST LIKELY IT WILL.
3. THE ONLY WOMEN A MAN CAN REALLY TRUST IS HIS MOTHER. (until she gets dementia )
4. IF YOU HAVE NO DESTINATION IN LIFE ... ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE
**************** TEMPUS FUGIT ***********
Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
"More than wisdom, more than wealth -- a merry heart that laughs at care."
Wendy (Morrison) Kempland
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After graduating from WRHS and Becker, I moved to St. Louis, MO. I worked in banking, was a flight attendant, stay-at-home Mom with my two children, and back into the work force in medical sales.
In 2004, my husband and I relocated to western MA, (Longmeadow and then Montague). We are now retired and living on Cape Cod. I spend time traveling to St. Louis and Atlanta to visit my four grandchildren as often as possible. Gardening, reading, learning about wine(!) and volunteering for the Department of Natural Resources keeps me busy at home. I am thankful for good health and some wonderful life experiences! Working on the reunion committee has been the best. |
Wendy (Morrison) Kempland
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Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
"friendship improves happiness and abates misery."
Gail (Muzzy) Perkins
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After graduation, I received my Associates degree in Animal Science from Stockbridge School at UMass. From 1967-1970, I worked at UMass in the Vet Science Lab performing salmonella testing. I was married to my former husband in 1970. Moved to Pensacola, Fl as my former husband became a Navy pilot. First daughter Kelly was born in 1971 in Pensacloa. After a year and a half, we were off to San Diego, Ca where we lived for five years. Second daughter Erin was born in 1974. Then onto northern Ca outside Oakland where we lived until 1979. Upon our divorce, my daughters and I moved back to Holden. I worked at Norton Co/St Gobain in Worcester for 15 years as an Integrated Systems Tech. Daughters were educated through the Holden school system. In 1994 I left Norton/ St Gobain and went to work for a Financial retirement company as Senior Systems Anaylst. I commuted by train to Boston for a year and a half until the Company moved out to Marlboro. I worked there for 17 years before retiring 2 1/2 years ago.
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Gail (Muzzy) Perkins
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Both my daughters have 2 sons each. I sold my house in Holden and moved to a condo Sturbridge in 2006. Shortly after moving, my two older grandsons Broc and Dorian came to live with me. I became their legal guardian in 2010. They are currently both in high school. We spend some of the summer time visiting siblings in Belfast, Southwest Harbor and Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I like getting to the gym 3 times a week and working in my small flower garden in the spring and summer.
Gail at the reunion at Val's, September 2015
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Birthday Bash - August 20, 2017
