This past weekend, the Class of 1975 held its 50th class reunion at the former St. Mary’s School, now operating under the name of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS). Former classmates gathered at the school on Friday evening for a tour, then a small get-together afterward.

“It went great,” said Don Stoyle, a graduate of the Class of 1975. “People traveled from all over the country.”

The next day, members of the Class of 1975 met at Point Gratiot Park for a picnic. The Class of 1975 was joined by other graduating classes of St. Mary’s on Saturday. Stoyle counted 72 graduates at the reunion.

“It was a gorgeous day at Point Gratiot,” Stoyle said.

Pictured are several members of the St. Mary’s Elementary School Class of 1975 at its 50-year reunion this past weekend.

Stoyle helped coordinate the reunion along with Deni Trippi, Silvana Bajdas, Jeanette Morales.

Stoyle recalls his days at the school fondly. He said, “It was a great place to go to school. It was small, so it created a family atmosphere. It gave us our foundation for life. It was a wonderful place.”

Two former St. Mary’s students were honored at the reunion, Jim Noto and Philip “Oscar” Schmatz, who each passed away.

Schmatz was given the nickname Oscar after his dog, a beagle. The nickname stuck for most of his life. He passed away in 2008.

After playing basketball at St. Mary’s growing up, Noto coached basketball for 29 years at the school, which itself held three different names throughout his tenure. Noto retired in 2008 and passed away in July of 2022. At the reunion, roughly $1,600 was collected in his honor to support the athletic programs at NCCS.

The festivities and the fundraiser were sponsored by the Fireman’s Exempt Club, the Sons of American Legion Post 62, Lakeside Club, First Ward Falcon Club, Fourth Ward Falcon Club, the Dunkirk Monnies, Pizza Village, Tops Friendly Market, Walmart, Tim Weaver and various graduates of St. Mary’s.