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| Newton High School ∗ Class of 1957 August 2009 Newsletter |
Class News
It's a shame that the highlight of these newsletters is acknowledging the passing of classmates, but I guess that's where we are in life. At least they have had 70 good years and we can celebrate the time we spent together and the things they loved. Those who passed this year were Kay DeVincenzi, Clara Garrison and Dick Harrewyn. The first of our annual fall gatherings at Ed Risdon's campground was held last October and went very well. A photo album is online and you'll find news of this years October 3 Get Together below and on our website. If you haven't visited our website in a while it has been redesigned and a few features and pages added. If you're nostalgic for the Fifties, Sussex County and New Jersey you'll enjoy reading the Fifties section of the website. A year ago there seemed to be a number of other Newton alumni websites online but have dropped away. Most used templates supplied by paid providers and even the Newton High School official site now links to an outside vendor. We do it the old fashioned way writing in html code, which means no ads to contend with. I did yield to the times by creating a Facebook page for our class as you'll see below, but I continue to resist texting and Twitter. Most of the information in this newsletter is also on our website. I confess that I have been slow to update the site. Life is good and there are more challenging projects than time to do them so I can't promise to improve much. If you send me your news and photos, I'll add them to the website and send out another newsletter . . . eventually. If you are on Facebook that's a faster way to share information. And please send any personal updates for the Directory to Linda as the booklet won't be updated for another three years. I have email addresses for about 60 classmates; if you are in touch with people from the class please forward this to them just in case they are not on the list or their emails have changed. I've used multiple email addresses for some of you because I'm not sure which is up to date. If you let me know which are bad I'll delete them from the list. - Jon Roe
2009 Fall Get TogetherWe so enjoy the brunches at ED RISDON's campground that he suggested we hold a get together every Fall for those in the area or who can stop by. The first was held last October, an informal opportunity to relax and share memories. This year's is scheduled for Sunday, October 3 beginning at 10:00 a.m.; notices were mailed to all classmates. For details see the website or call MYRA SNOOK at (973) 383-4803. Major reunions will continue to be held every 5 years. You'll find an album with photos of the 2008 Get Together on our website courtesy of Ron Nagy and Alyce McKeeby. If you'll send me photos I'll add this year's event also. » Go to Fall Get Together We're On Facebook
Social networking is just one more way to stay in touch and exchange information. I tried for a long time to avoid it, but so many friends and family were doing it and pestering me that last spring I finally joined Facebook. I'll still not sure I love it, but I have found some old friends and can keep up with things the family is doing. On Facebook you can reach many in the class and upload your photos without having to connect with Linda or myself. We can also find your latest email if you forget to notify us of changes. The Facebook Group is called 'Newton High School Class of 1957'. You'll also find information on our Fall Get Together listed as an Event. It's easy to find those on Facebook who listed their high school and class, but not everyone does and there are likely classmates out there to be found. If you have the time search for some of your old friends and let them know about the website and Facebook page. Kay DeVincenzi's Passing
Kay was part of my small Branchville class and was a gifted artist even in elementary school. She attended a number of our reunions, including last fall, and even with the health challenges she faced embraced life and enjoyed every minute of our being together. The following is from his obituary: Catherine S. (Kay DeVincenzi) O'Connell, loving wife, mother, grandmother and gifted artist, quietly and peacefully passed away after an extended struggle with health issues on February 22, 2009. She is survived by her husband of fifty years, Dick; daughters, Mary Beth (Doug) Till and Lynda (Mike) Battaglia; son, Chris; grandchildren, Michael, Ryan, Mike, Sarah and David; sisters, Debbie (Mike) Kishbaugh of PA, and Betty (Tony) Frato of NJ. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Marie and brother Johnny. Kay and Marie Bianco got together at last year's reunion. Marie had this to say about Kay's passing, "I'm terribly distressed at having to give you this information but realize that you'd want to be informed. Kay DeVincenzi O'Connell passed away this afternoon. Her husband Dick called me this evening to let me know. He said that she passed comfortably, with their three children by her side. He also stated that it was her heart complications which caused her demise and not the Parkinson's." "Kay was like a sister to me. I'm so very glad that we had our visit together in October. We had so many good memories...she was such a truly good person."
Clara Garrison's PassingIn our yearbook it predicted that Clara would become an English teacher and indeed that was to be her career path. The following is from her obituary: Claire Garrison Kilbourne, 69 passed away April 7, 2009, at her home. Mrs. Kilbourne was born in Port Jervis, NY, and lived in Lafayette until marriage. After her marriage, she lived in Pennington, then for 10 years in East Windsor Township before moving to Yardville in 1973. She graduated Trenton State College in 1961 with a BA in education. After earning her teaching degree, she taught English at the Hopewell Grammar School. Later she taught for Hamilton Township school district and was a highly regarded teacher of the gifted at both the Grice and the Crockett Middle Schools. She retired in 1998. Claire liked to write poetry, enjoyed cooking with her original recipes and took great comfort in her treasured friendships, but most of all she loved and adored her children. She is survived by her husband, Warren Kilbourne; a son, Kevin C. Kilbourne, Lansdowne, PA.; a daughter, Caroline A. Kilbourne, North Bethesda, MD.; a brother, Eston Garrison, Lafayette and a sister, Alice Sweller, Newton.
Dick Harrewyn's PassingDick stayed in the county and married Judith Decker, also from our class. The following is from his obituary: Richard S. Harrewyn, 70, died on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at home. Born in Newton, Mr. Harrewyn lived in Hampton Township before moving to Mansfield. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during Vietnam. Mr. Harrewyn was a supervisor for Tree of Life at the Byram Shop-Rite. The son of the late Jan H.M. and Gladys Mae Pierson Harrewyn, Mr. Harrewyn is survived by his wife of 47 years, Judith; one daughter, Cheryl Donaldson of Mansfield; one granddaughter, Lauren Donaldson; one brother, Julius Hagelberg of Hampton Township; and three sisters, Nancy Welsh of Gladstone, Mo., Linda Kish of Fredon, and Jan Pettersen of Stillwater. Others We KnewOver the course of the year others not in our class, but who we knew well, also passed. Following is information on a few of them. BARNEY J. BLOCK, 70, passed away on February 24, 2009 in Chandler, Arizona where he resided. Born in Newton, Barney served in the U.S. Navy and was an active member of the Junior Athletic League, for which he was a coach. He was also a volunteer fireman and an Exalted in the Newton Elks. While living in Newton, he was a business owner. Barney will always be remembered for his funny stories and his wit. Barney is survived by two sons, Peter D. Block of Sparta and David Block of Chandler; and three grandsons. He is also survived by Dee Block of Safety Harbor, Florida. Barney's father owned Blocks Cigar Store and News Stand in Newton. After our freshman year he attended a prep school. WHIT GRAY, 68, of Lenexa, Kansas passed on December 29, 2008. He was able to attend his 50th Newton reunion last fall. He graduated from Penn State University where he played on the Penn State tennis team. He remained an avid Nittany Lions fan. He worked for over 35 years in the animal health pharmaceutical industry. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, tennis, and spending time at a family cottage in Northwest New Jersey. Whit is survived by his wife of 43 years, Diane Gray. Other survivors include three daughters, and three grandchildren. He leaves his brothers, Dr. William C. Gray of Newton, NJ; Daniel Gray of Norfolk, Va., Dr. George Gray of Chilliwack, B.C. and a sister Jane Reinhard of Westhampton, NJ. Whit will be remembered most by his courage, devotion to his family and friends, and humor. MELVYN MILLER, 71, of Jamesville, NY, passed away at home on November 13, 2008 after a courageous battle against cancer. Melvyn was a graduate of Newton High School, class of 1955. He joined the Army soon after, suffered a serious spinal cord injury while stationed in Germany and was successfully rehabilitated at Walter Reed Medical Center. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University in 1962 and received his MS from Syracuse University in 1999. A former employee of MONY, he established his own financial planning business with his son Adam. He was a past board member of the Syracuse Jaycees, Open Hand Puppet Theatre, Men's Garden Club and the DeWitt Rotary Club. He was also a member of the Circus Model Builders Club and could be found at the annual Pancake Day dressed as a clown along with his grandsons. He had a passion for gardening and during the winter for woodworking, cooking, painting, writing and his collections of music, coins, stamps and clown memorabilia. He is survived by his wife Beverly, a son Adam, daughter Sarah Chamberlain and fur grandchildren.
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