Three days of music, fun and friends commenced Thursday, August 1, at Memorial Park where classmates had the opportunity to get re-acquainted. The Class of ’69 Banner was on display to welcome classmates to a special tent where they gathered to visit and enjoy the Music in the Park provided by the City of Dunkirk. The fun continued on Friday at Rookies on the Lake as more class members attended, with pizza and dancing on Rookies’ patio.

Saturday evening, a cocktail hour was held in the Dunkirk American Legion Memorial Post No. 62 banquet room. The evening’s program began with an Invocation and Blessing given by Mary Ann Herrington followed by a delicious dinner provided by the Catering Company.

Mary Jane DiPietro and Wayne Stolinski welcomed classmates and led the evening’s program. Former DHS Football Coach Vince Keough was featured as guest speaker and recounted his many fond memories at DHS — his first high school coaching position. Classmates who served in the Military were recognized and veterans in attendance were given a token of appreciation for their service. A Time Capsule of fun items from 1969 was presented by Linda Ardillo Bradley.

One of the evening’s highlights was a presentation of a DHS diploma to Craig Sutton who left high school before graduation to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. Classmates cheered as he received his diploma, presented by Michelle Parlato Johnson, daughter of 1969 Principal Joseph Parlato.

Dunkirk High School Class of 1969 Reunion Committee consisted of 11 classmates who offered their time and talent to create a gala four-day event. Reunion highlights included the planting of a tree in the front yard of the high school as a class gift, a speech by former DHS football coach Vincent Keough at the reunion dinner, the awarding of a high school diploma to U.S. Army veteran Craig Sutton, and a Mass of Remembrance for deceased classmates at St. Hyacinth Church. Pictured are front: Linda Ardillo Bradley; middle row, Janet Kuzdale Allesi, Mary Ann Kolassa Herrington, Judith Tenamore and Mary Jane DiPietro. In back: Nicholas DiCara, Maureen DelPopolo, Wayne Stolinski, Mary Andrews Feniello, Nancy Valentine Rutski and Craig Sutton.

As the evening continued, the names of 31 deceased classmates were read by Mary Ann Herrington as fellow classmates lit sparklers. The Class of ’69 donated a Crimson Maple tree, which was planted at the front of the High School. The group also joined in singing the Class Song, “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley, followed by the crowning of Steve and Pauline Pryll as King and Queen. The Prylls, both classmates, have been married for 48 years and have attended every class reunion.

The weekend concluded with a Mass of Remembrance for deceased classmates celebrated at St. Hyacinth Church. Classmate Barney Kuzara played Amazing Grace and Taps on his trumpet.

members of the Dunkirk High School Class of 1969.

Dunkirk High School Class of 1969 reunion committee members, left to right. Front Row: Craig Sutton, Wayne Stolinski, Judi Tenamore, Mary Jane DiPietro, Nancy Valentine Rutski. Back Row: Mary Andrews Feniello, Maureen DelPopolo, Nick DiCara, Janet Allesi. Missing from photo: Linda Ardillo Bradley and Mary Ann Kolassa Herrington