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A s c e n s i o n A l u m n i Vo i c e ascensionalumni.org December 2014

Membership Fund

We need your contri-

butions badly to con-

tinue the work of the

Alumni.

Please continue your

generosity.

Mailing address.

Margaret A. McKiernan PO Box 106 4364 Katonah Avenue Bronx New York, 10470-9998

In this issue

Reorganization 1

CAP Donors 2

CAP Giving

Societies

3

CAP Ways to

Donate

4

Alumni Obits

5

6

7

Yvonne Hampden

‘73

8

Lou Rivera ‘54 9

From Facebook 10

11

To

14

Notes

Blast From The

Past 15

Notes and Info 16

MEMBERSHIP FUND

Membership checks should be sent to the school and we will put them

in a separate account that I have control over.

No PO box should be used.

The membership account will eventually close. So it is best that all

checks come to the school. Unfortunately, Peg McKiernan’s name will

not be able to go back on the account.

If any payments for incidentals are needed we will write a check to

cover the cost.

Omar O. Ortiz MPA, MS. ED.

Principal

(“Editor; Incidentals are Alumni Voice, Mailings, Website, Reunions

and Photo Service”)

With no animosity, the Alumni committee have decided that we

will open a New Bank Account and PO Box to receive your

notes and your contributions to the

Alumni Fund only.

At present we have no direct access to the funds which are meant

for our Alumni activities.

The membership dues pays for Alumni Voice, Mailings, the Web-

site, Reunions and Photo Service.

A committee member will advance money to pay for this edition

of the Alumni Voice!

It is our duty to donate to Ascension School through the CAP

program as we are able.

It is our choice to help the Alumni Association with our usual

$20 contributions to the Membership Fund to continue our

activities.

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A+ Donors (A+ Graduates Your annual support of $1,000-$2,499)

We are grateful to the following donors who made leadership gifts to their elementary

alma maters through the Catholic Alumni Partnership during the 2012-2013 school

year.

This is a small sampling of the list as it appears on the CAP website.

http://adnycap.org/a_plus.html (See “Support my Alma Mater” link.)

Ms. Donna F. Anderson,

St. Christopher's School, Staten Island, 1962

Frank and Gloria (Patelli) Arone,

St. Elizabeth School, Manhattan, 1959

Dr. Anthony R. Avanzato,

Holy Rosary School, Bronx, 1977

Mr. Scott R. Barbrack,

The Epiphany School, Manhattan, 1978

Ms. Patricia Connors Becker,

St. Brendan School, Bronx, 1958

Monsignor William J. Belford,

St. Rita School, Staten Island, 1962

Marie M. Bingham,

St. Joseph School - Yorkville, Manhattan, 1966

Dr. Frank J. Bottiglieri,

Santa Maria School, Bronx, 1964

Ascension Alumni on the list

Mr. Manuel R. Tortosa,

Ascension School, Manhattan, 1953

Mr. Michael F. Kearney,

Ascension School, Manhattan, 1949

We salute in grateful remembrance the following alumni from whom we received estate and

trust distribution last year, and we offer sympathy to their families and loved ones.

Estate of Dennis Powers,

Ascension School, Manhattan, 1954

We salute in grateful remembrance the following charitable gift annuitant,

and we offer sympathy to his family and loved ones. Mr. John Powers†,

Ascension School, Manhattan, 1950

Honor Roll James Hagan

Ascension School Manhattan 1947

John Luckie

Ascension School Manhattan 1944

Mr. Bernard Maloney,

St. Luke School, Bronx, 1944

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Maloney,

St. Elizabeth School, Manhattan, 1947

Mrs. Margeret Manganelli,

St. Luke School, Bronx, 1956

Ms. Regina G. Marengo,

St. Raymond Elementary School, Bronx, 1971

Mr. John McAteer,

St. Luke School, Bronx, 1958

Mr. Martin N. McCarthy,

Corpus Christi School, Manhattan, 1947

Mr. Timothy J. McCarthy,

Good Shepherd School, Manhattan, 1954

Mr. John J. McCrosson,

School of the Incarnation, Manhattan, 1957

T h o s e N o t L i s t e d

Head of the Class Your annual support of $501-$999

Gold Star Your annual support of up to $500

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Principal’s List Your annual support of $5,000 or more

• Membership in the Cardinal Dolan

Alumni Society

• Invitation to the Catholic Alumni

Partnership (CAP) Annual Alumni

Recognition Reception with

Cardinal Dolan

• Recognition in the annual alumni

donor listing in a September, 2014

issue of Catholic New York, America’s

Largest Catholic Newspaper

• Listing on the CAP website at

www.adnycap.org

• Your alma mater may provide

additional recognition, such as

the school newsletter and/or

school website

Alumni Leader Your annual support of $2,500-$4,999

• Invitation to the Catholic Alumni

Partnership (CAP) Annual Alumni

Recognition Reception with

Cardinal Dolan

• Recognition in the annual alumni

donor listing in a September, 2014

issue of Catholic New York

• Listing on the CAP website at

www.adnycap.org

• Your alma mater may provide

additional recognition, such as

the school newsletter and/or

school website

A+ Graduates Your annual support of $1,000-$2,499

• Recognition in the annual alumni

donor listing in a September, 2014

issue of Catholic New York

• Listing on the CAP website at

www.adnycap.org

• Your alma mater may provide

additional recognition, such as

the school newsletter and/or

school website

Head of the Class Your annual support of $501-$999

• Listing on the CAP website at

www.adnycap.org

• Your alma mater may provide

additional recognition, such as

the school newsletter and/or

school website

Gold Star Your annual support of up to $500

• Your alma mater may provide

recognition, such as the school

newsletter and/or school website

Giving Societies of esteemed alumni donors 100% of your donation goes directly to your alma mater.

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Planned Giving Remembering your elementary school can help you meet your financial and charitable goals,

while creating a legacy at your alma mater. We offer four planned giving options: bequests,

charitable gift annuities, life insurance and retirement assets. For additional information on

your planned giving options, please contact Jacqueline Comesanas at 646-794-3316 or email

jackie.comesanas@archny.org.

Questions about donations? Please call 646.794.3376, fax 212.753.5980,

or email adnycap@archny.org

Join the growing list of generous alumni intent on preserving the Catholic education system.

Our schools are under serious financial pressure, but together we can create a new future for

a system that helped us realize our own. Donate today to your alma mater. We are pleased to

offer a variety of ways to give to the cause.

See Support My Alma Mater

Donate by Mail If you are interested in making a donation by check, please:

Make the check out to Catholic Alumni Partnership

Note to- Ascension School

Mail it to: Catholic Alumni Partnership; P.O. Box 1828; NY, NY 10150

Donate Online

Please select your elementary school from the drop down list if you’d like to make a secure

online donation using Paypal.

Please select your elementary school...

Ways to make your donation

Alumni Membership Dues

Alumni should be made aware of the new mailing address and that the checks should be payable to Margaret McKiernan since I will be depositing and doing the accounting. As before, I will make a zerox copy of all checks before I deposit them. This way everything is on the up & up. Peg McKiernan President

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A l u m n i O b i t s

June 18, 2013

It is a sad chore for me to advise you that my

twin sister, Joan Bell Luckey, 82, passed away

on March 4th 2013

after a three month illness.

Gerard Bell ‘44

June 13, 2013

The Buckleys lived on 102 St.

Nora Marie (Buckley) McShane ’46 died peacefully Saturday June

1st at Saint Peter's Medical Center

after a short illness.

June 26, 2013

Please note the passing of John P.

Devaney on April 19, 2012 John was 80. He was the forth son of

five, of Mary and Thomas Devaney.

Mary McGinley Quirk class of

1951 died after a long illness on

April 13, 2012 in Leesburg, Flor-

ida. Mary is survived by her hus-

band of 50 years.

Edmund Quirke

November 13, 2013

Margaret Mary (nee Wynne) (Peggy)

Plunkett 1949

Thursday May 30, 2013

Lived at 216 108th, next to the convent.

May 15, 2013

Andrew M. Zonneveld, ’44 of Tappan, NY

and Punta Gorda, FL, died on May 11, 2013.

Andrew was predeceased by his wife of 49

years, Johanna (née Shea) Zonneveld

July 10, 2013

Lawrence A. Hetheringon ‘44

83, on July 1, 2013. Beloved husband of Mildred (nee Walk-

ley). Loving father of four children.

August 5, 2013

Stephany Kelcinski

Dowling ‘55

My Sister Stephanie

Passed away this year.

September 11, 2013

Tom McGraph ’45

August 20, 2013

Tom’s Obit

Thanks to Jack Cleary

October 12, 2013

James Mc Andrews class of 1945

passed away October 9, 2013.

(103 Street and Columbus Ave.)

September 11, 2013

John Gerard Wall ‘36.

August 13, 2013.

John’s Obit

Thanks to Jack Cleary

September 18, 2013

Ellen "Sissy" Mahon Loonam from class of

about 1945 died on September 9, 2013

in Banagher, Offaly, Ireland.

The Mahons lived in 207 West 109 Street.

November 20, 2013

James Powers, JR, November 16, 2013

Husband of Bernadette Brawley Powers

‘51

Bernie Brawley Powers ‘51

Apologies for

delay in publishing

the Voice and

reporting the

Obits!

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November 30, 2013

Received an email from Ellen Smith, sister of our

Classmate Tommy Smith , ‘57

advising that last week Tom passed away

unexpectedly.

Marty Sweeney

January 6, 2014

Br. Francis' first assignment was teaching

at the "Big A" 1946-1948.

I got to know Brother from working at Manhattan

College and of course from Br. Gregory Hunt,

Br. Gabriel Healy and Br. John Muller.

He enjoyed reading the "Voice" Peg McKiernan

January 6, 2014

Michael "John" Mulroe ‘47 of Dumont

died Nov. 11, 2013.

He served in the Army during the Korean con-

flict and was a member of American Legion

Post 21 in Cresskill. Peg McNamara ‘44

March 22, 2014

I was just informed about the passing of

Sister Miriam Thomas.

Sister Thomas taught at Ascension from

1954-1962.

Frank Lucas (From Facebook post)

April 1, 2014

I am sending you the obituary for

Anna Mae (nee Walsh) Burke who died November 20, 2013.

She was from my older sister Kitty's class of 1952, and

lived in 235 West 109th Street

John P. Martin/Juan P. Martin, M.M.

May 16, 2014

Henry A. Kelcinski ‘57

Brother of Mark Kelcinski ’69 has

passed. He went on 5-13-14.

Horrible struggle with Lung Cancer.

I need to have faith he is in a better place. Mark

June 5, 2014

Henry Fitzgerald ’46 of 108th Street

Henry Fitzgerald of Eltingville, Staten Island on

May 23, 2014. Beloved husband of Myra (nee

Carty). Dear brother of the late Patrick, Maurice

Fitzgerald and Mary Coleman. All Ascen. Grads.

February 11, 2014

James Stewart Stephens ’46 from 109th

died Saturday, February 8, 2014. Born in New York City,

he had resided in Fair Lawn since 2013.

Prior he had lived in Ridgewood for many years.

He was a graduate of Xavier High School,

then Manhattan College. Ed McClain

C l a s s o f 1 9 4 5 July 17, 2014

Please say a prayer for a wonderful Lady from As-

cension., Rita Sweeney Kenny ‘53 74 of Belle Har-

bor who passed away yesterday, we have lost a great

bubbly fun women, she was a sister-in-law to Judy

Barrett and a real doll.

R.I.P. Rita, you will be missed.

Patsy Boyle Hagner- from Facebook

Rita’s Obituary

May 13, 2014

This is to inform you that Joy Thomas Rogalle

class of ‘44 died on May 4, 2014.

She was tragically killed by a drunk driver in

Central Islip, Long Island.

She leaves behind her husband Peter and 10 chil-

dren, 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Joy and Peter would have celebrated their 59th

wedding anniversary at the end of this month.

Peggy Sullivan McNamara ‘44

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McNAMARA-Peter J. ‘49 Passed away on June 22,

2014. Retired NYPD. Loving husband of Gayle (Nee

Carter). Loving father of Anna Marie McNamara-

Tonna, Mary June Hoffman, Gayle Patrina McNamara

Feldam, Richard Pope and Ronda Gayle Hall. Dear

brother of Thomas and Sr. Nancy McNamara S.C. Also

survived by 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

YARROW-Thomas, ’47 passed away on Friday June 6,

2014. He was born in New York City to the late Thomas

and Nellie Yarrow. He graduated from Rice High School

and served his country in the Air Force. He went on to

work for the Bendix and Verizon Corporations for many

years. Tommy loved to watch a football game. He is sur-

vived by his sister Eileen and her husband Joseph. He is

also survived by many nieces and nephews. Tommy will

be missed by all who knew him.

KENNY-Rita M. (nee Sweeny), 74, ‘53 of Belle Harbor.

Formerly of Manhattan. Passed away on July 15th, 2014.

Worked for NYS office of Court Administration for over

20 years. Beloved mother of James (Viola), Paul

(Jeanette), Alicia Davin (Michael), Michael (Annie), Mary

Harkins (Joseph), John (Christine). Cherished grand-

mother of 20.

Martin James Barrett, 85, ‘43 of Whitehouse Station,

NJ, formerly of Upper Montclair, NJ passed away peace-

fully on Sunday August 3rd, 2014. He is survived by Bar-

bara, his beloved wife of 60 years.

Born and raised in Manhattan, NY, Marty was a graduate

of Fordham University, an Air Force veteran and a retired

Textile Marketing and Sales Professional, having worked

for Burlington Industries and the Forstmann Woolen

Company in New York City, NY

September 13, 2014

James William Brawley (Jim) 89, ’39 servant of God,

devoted parishioner of St. Andrew's Roman Catholic

Church, and longtime resident of Westwood, NJ went to

join his beloved wife Evelyn (McClain) in the presence of

the Lord on Friday, August 8, 2014

Jim was my brother-in-law. He grew up on Amsterdam in

the house next to Kennedy’s Funeral Home.

Was a right hand man to Bishop Donahue.

September 19, 2014

Constance K. McManamy, (nee Maloney) ’48, a resident

of the Bronx, passed away on September 14, 2014 at 80

years old.

Connie was the loving mother of Richard, Jim (Geraldine),

Catherine Deegan, Eileen Wenz and Robert.

Cherished grandmother of 7

She is survived by her brother, Maurice and sister, Joan

and was predeceased by her brothers James & Dermot.

November 13, 2014

Passing of Mary nee O'Donnell Purce on Nov. 11 2014

Mary was a member of the Ascension Community.

She had a beautiful career as a R/N at Columbia Presbyte-

rian for 35 years.

Predeceased by husband Edward Purce and is survived, by

her children

Beloved mother and mother in law of Ed (Tami), Daniel

(Rita), Keith (Mary).

Granny of Kevin and Alicia, Sean, Kieran, Cecelia, Jack

and Michael.

She is a cousin of Barbara Connelly

Funeral mass at Ascension, Thursday at 10:30

R.I.P. Mary.

Interment at Gate of Heaven

Apologies for shorter Obits.

Full Obits can be seen on

our Alumni website.

http://ascensionalumni.org

November 13, 2014

Passing of Mary nee O'Donnell Purce on 11/11

Mary was a member of the Ascension Community.

She had a beautiful career as a R/N at Columbia Presby-

terian for 35 years.

Predeceased by husband Edward Purce

and is survived, by her children

Beloved mother and mother in law of Ed (Tami), Daniel

(Rita), Keith (Mary).

Granny of Kevin and Alicia, Sean, Kieran, Cecelia, Jack

and Michael.

She is a cousin of Barbara Connelly

Funeral mass at Ascension, Thursday at 10:30 R.I.P.

Mary.

Interment at Gate of Heaven

Thank you Patsy Boyle Hagner

8

Yvonne Hampden.

Thank you Yvonne for your beautiful note.

Wish you and your siblings all the best!

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'70ers at the 2007 Reunion

Class of ‘66 at a mini reunion

Happy to report that 9 of the class of '54 met for our 60th anniversary of graduating from the

" Big A " last Friday...Mr. Luis Paez gave us a great tour of the school and we then walked to

Ellington's on 106th for lunch and laughs...Patsy, we did toast your brother, Johnny Boyle,

and went on to talk about all the wonderful memories of the people and characters of the

neighborhood...Only problem was that it was too short and we had to call it a day and prom-

ise to get together again, and as Joe Mulroe said, next time we should get hotel rooms...Lou

Rivera took pictures and hope to see them on the site soon...My best and thanks to the guys

of '54 for a fantastic time down memory lane.... Pat Kilcooley

(Editor- Ellington’s was formally the Sunset Bar)

Betty Butler and 7 others like this.

319 West 107th Street

Patsy Boyle Hagner I was 170 west 107th st what a

difference a couple of numbers make. lol

Carmen Escobar Negreira I was 174.

Thomas Sullivan 211

Patsy Boyle Hagner Big deal all the class came out

of the lower numbers.

NICHOLAS ROERICH MUSEUM

From Facebook

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Lou Rivera ‘54

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R e m e m b e r ?

12

Jopsephine C Leahhy

931 Thompson Drive

Bayshore New York 11706

13

Myrna Rodriguez ‘70

Hector Pereira

Gladys Rodriguez ‘66

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May 14, 2005

A WEST SIDE MEMORY Mary Hennessy Trotta Growing up on the West Side of Manhattan during

the 1940's was to me, as a child, very pleasant and

as I think back very happy memories. As an only child I was always made to feel com-

fortable and secure, with a loving mother and fa-

ther. I lived on the top floor of a 4-story walk up. Top

floor was always cool in summer and cool in win-

ter. When the steam heat wasn't sent up. Boiler

was broken a lot in those days. Rent was always

cheaper too! Our neighbors were our friends and so were the

children. Most of our apartment families were

from Donegal. So it was 910 Columbus Avenue,

the "Donegal House." There was no air-conditioning in those summers.

Our cooling off time was spent in Central Park,

under the trees. No pools, or sprinklers, either.

We had a good six block walk over to Central Park

and then up at least 100 stairs to a spot called "The

Hill."

Our fathers spent time playing cards, slapping and

yelling, "trump," "No trump." I think the game was

called "Uker." A lot of the men played horseshoes

and shuffleboard too. The women sat on benches and

crocheted and knitted and talked about the latest news

from Home, church goings on, births, weddings and

deaths. A bit of Irish gossip.

We children were left to play tag, roller skate

(there was a great rink), play hide and seek, dig in

the dirt, run around under the cool trees. Lunches or drinks were very seldom brought.

There was always a clean drinking fountain. Lunch was usually had back home. Down the Hill

stairs over the six blocks and up to the top floor

again, for lunch and maybe a rest. A radio could be listened to, no TV. Of course,

everyone was anxious to hear the war news and

saddened by it. We had no one in our immediate

family who was in the service, or fighting, but we

felt for them and friends we knew who were "over

there." In the early evening after dinner we would walk

back again and up the "Hill" and enjoy the pleas-

ures of Central Park again, just as we had earlier in

the day. On our way home from the park, the children were

treated to ice cream from a local German ice

cream parlor, where the man made his own. A

favorite of mine and my friends was a large flat

cone, the top the size of a saucer, topped with va-

nilla ice cream and a scoop of orange ice, and it

only cost a nickel. I have never seen the same

since. It was way before the "mellow roll" which

has also disappeared from the New York scene. We children would have our ice cream, and our

dads, and sometimes the moms too, would stop in

the local bar and have a cool draft beer to finish

the day. The families could sit in the back and at

tables, in the back. The children could eat the

pretzels and drink sodas, and of course on week-

ends there was always fine Irish music, which we

all grew up listening to.

Mass was held on Sundays only, at Ascension

Church on West 107 Street a good 4 long block

either way, and nary a complaint. It was the thing

to do. Saturday evening we would be there to con-

fessions, and we would not forget our Monday af-

ternoon novenas.

The Church played an important part in our lives,

summer and winter. There was a great faith and

devotion to God and "Our Blessed Mother" from

our family and friends during the 1940's because

of the War and the faith that our parents had in-

stilled in them, which they brought from Ireland.

16

Mailing Address

Margaret A. McKiernan PO Box 106 4364 Katonah Avenue Bronx New York, 10470-9998

We’re on the web

ascensionalumni.org

Please include

Year of Graduation When you write to us

Don’t get lost

Send a

forwarding address

Let us know when an

Alumnus Passes Away

Please remember Ascension Church

in your will. Suggested wording:

“I give, devise and bequeath to Ascension Church on West 107th Street NY, NY 10025

the sum of $ _______ for general purposes”.

Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

7H15 M3554G3 53RV35 7O PR0V3 H0W 0UR M1ND5

C4N D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5!

1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5! 1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG 17 WA5

H4RD BU7 N0W, 0N 7H15 LIN3

Y0UR M1ND 1S R34D1NG 17 4U70M471C4LLY

W17H 0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17,

B3 PROUD! 0NLY C3R741N P30PL3 C4N R3AD

7H15.

We have over 1000 Alumni on our mailing list.

We have 326 Alumni on our email list.

We are at a point now where we really need some younger Alumni to get together to figure

out how to keep the Alumni together.

So that we can continue to, 1. Send out the Alumni Voice.

It is through the Voice that we have kept in touch with 1000 of us.

It has served to bring in contributions to the Scholarship Fund and the Membership Fund.

2. With the Voice we send out Invitations and information about the reunions.

3. We hear from the alumni in the notes that they send with their contributions.

4. We can continue with the Alumni Website. http://www.ascensionalumni.org/index.html

We know that Facebook has served to keep some of us in touch.

Especially the younger alumni. It doesn’t serve the purpose of reaching out to the vast majority of us. Those

who do not have computers or do not get involved with Facebook.

Contact Ed McClain ‘45

emcclain1@tampabay.rr.com

Margaret A. McKiernan PO Box 106 4364 Katonah Avenue Bronx New York, 10470-9998

Note that the above return address is correct.

The next Voice, in June will have it correct.

I didn’t tell the printer and he put Ascension

Church as the return address on the current copy.