Music of the 1950s and '60s, tables decorated with purple and gold linen accents, floating floral arrangements, flickering candles and the school banner prominently displayed greeted Cardinal Mindszenty class of 1962 classmates.
The event, held at the Clarion Hotel, was attended by classmates from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, New York and Mexico. Name badges, outlined in gold, were provided by class member Carol Gdula Keddie.
Following a warm welcome by Master of Ceremonies and Class President Rich Bardwell, the Rev. Robert Stolinski, classmate, offered the invocation.
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From left, front row: Rita Fedor Boivin, Rich Milazzo, Kathy Polowy Kavanaugh, Howard Falco, Joe DiCara, Beth Murtaugh Ensalaco and Charmaine Bienko Andrews. Second row: the Rev. Bob Stolinski, Kathy Murtaugh Miller, Judi Skrzypek Lewetzki, Marti Klein Byne, Carol Gdula Keddie, Marsha Hurley Miller, Sally Renckens Kilian and Dorothy Pakula Whittaker. Third row: Rich Bardwell, Kathy Lagano Glowski, Bill Gittere, Sherry Goggin Klaybor, Jack Lazarczyk, Floyd Kuzdzal, Bev Michalak Slichta-Cusick and Paula Sheedy Bailen.
Following a buffet dinner, Keddie announced historic happenings of 1962 and engaged classmates in fond memories and imitations of former teachers.
Class member Floyd Kuzdzal designed and provided everyone with a printed address and e-mail directory of classmates.
Howard Falco, a Vietnam veteran, acknowledged fellow classmates who had served in the military.
Classmate Rich Milazzo, accompanied by Joanne Harper, provided dulcet tone entertainment.
Purple blankets with C.M.H.S embroidered in gold were presented to each classmate by Beth Murtaugh Ensalaco as a memento of the 50-year reunion.
As a show of continued school spirit, everyone participated in singing the Mindszenty Fight Song, led by classmate Kathy Murtaugh Miller.
A large basket filled with purple and gold flowers, designed by Beverly Michalak Slichta-Cusick, adorned the memorabilia table.
The names of deceased classmates were remembered by Class Vice President Kathy Lagano Glowski and the formal festivities concluded with purple and gold balloons being released into the breezy night sky over Lake Erie in memory of: Ann Berube Marranca, Elizabeth Brisky Stelmack, Mary Rita Carpenter Schmidt, Peter Corsi, Carol Ganey Lonadier, Patrick Gaura, Mary Hickey Shiley, David Hornemann, William Kuschel, Patricia McGroder Ketcham, Thomas Sekula and Jeanne Reed Johnson.
On the preceding evening, classmates were invited to a Van Buren Bay residence, where Slichta-Cusick, Dorothy Pakula Whittaker, Marti Klein Byne and Sally Renckens Kilian hosted an informal gathering for class members, family and friends.
