Bishops Road - Spring 2016 / Issue 14

SPRING 2016 - CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2016 Issue.14

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

JAMES LONG ‘42

TRACK AND FIELD THROUGH THE

YEARS

CHS YESTERYEAR

1954

2016 ALUMNI BASKETBALL

FINALES

AN ALUMNI TREASURE 50 AND 25 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Connecting the Cathedral High of the past with the Cathedral High of the present & future.Bishops Road

GOLD&SILVERTHE

PIN CEREMONY

What better way to give back to CHS than by opening up a Cathedral Scholarship Account (individual or class).

You pick the student (perhaps from your old grammar school or neighborhood) or CHS can pick one for you.

You present the scholarship certificate to the student at our annual Brother Gus Scholarship Presentation this November.

Your name/class year on the certificate (named after you/your class).

Meet and greet with the students and their family members following the presentation.

Drive home that night from the presentation with a very warm heart.

WHEN WE WERE STUDENTS, THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GAVE TO US. IT IS NOW OUR TURN TO GIVE BACK TO THE CURRENT STUDENTS OF CATHEDRAL. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU GATHER UP 10 CLASSMATES (INCLUDING YOURSELF) WILLING TO GIVE A ONE TIME YEARLY DONATION OF ONLY $50.00.

Questions? Contact Newsletter Editor William Gallegos ‘89 at [email protected] for more information

We assure you that every dollar from your scholarship will go directly towards the tuition account of your chosen student(s). Payment plans are the best way to go for an individual scholarship (with remaining balance due by November 2nd, the night of the scholarship presentation). Tax ID #95-4598507.

PLAYING IT FORWARD

23456 8

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UPCOMING EVENTS / NEWS AND NOTES

MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF : PRESIDENT

MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF : EDITOR

IN MEMORIAM/PHANTOMS REMEMBERED

COVER STORY: ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLD AND SILVER CEREMONY

CHS YESTERYEAR: 1954

PHANTOM SPORTS: ALUMNI TOURNAMENT FINALE

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: JAMES LONG ‘42

TRACK AND FIELD THROUGH THE YEARS

FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT: DANIEL BARCENAS


CONTENTS

COVER PHOTO:Gold and Silver pin ceremony recipients class of 1965 and 1990 (inset) along with Alumni VP Carlos Carbajal ’72 and ’42 graduate (name unknown) celebrate at June 2015 event.

Front and inside cover photos, cover story photos, and basketball tournament photos provided by Joe “the Commissioner” Sandoval.


WILLIAM GALLEGOS ‘89EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HECTOR ROMAN ‘76CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ROBERTO VALDIVIA ‘95ART DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTORSPasquale Gabriele ‘54

Ron Baca ‘65Armando Dominguez ‘65

Tom Huerta ‘65Tony Ortega ‘65Lou Ramirez ‘65

Paul Villa ‘81Davian Corona ‘92

Daniel BarcenasJoe “The Commissioner” Sandoval

The family of James Long ’42Mary Long Gilman

Maricela LongJames Long

ADVERTISE INQUIRESAdvertising in our Newsletter also

places your ad on our website. Visit www.CathedralAlumni.com for more

information.

WEBSITEwww.CathedralAlumni.com

www.fb.com/cathedralalumni www.twitter.com/cathedralalumni

The Cathedral High School Alumni Association Newsletter has been published since 2011.

It’s mission is to “Connect the Cathedral High of the Past with the Cathedral High of the

Present and Future”; to educate and entertain the alumni and others interested in Cathedral

High School; to install and sustain pride in being an Alumnus of Cathedral; and to present

current issues that help maintain a historical record of the activites of the Alumni Association.

Get A “Printed” Version of this NewsletterWe hope that you enjoy this latest issue of the CHS Alumni Newsletter. If you prefer the paper

version over the electronic version, you can have one mailed.

Donate Online:

Go to www.cathedralalumni.com and make a one time donation of only $25.00 (one single

payment gives you paper issues for life). Donation info will be located on the alumni website’s

homepage. Your donation will go to helping the many programs at Cathedral High School.

Donate Via Mail:

Prefer to pay by mail? Send $25.00 (payable to “CHS Alumni”) to address below.

Paid subscribers will also get the paper version of all past issues as well (while supplies last).

Contact UsWe always welcome your comments - both criticism and praise - about this publication. Alumni

are encouraged to submit news and stories. Get your class represented by contributing a

story or photo in a future issue. Share a story or photos from the past that you would like to

share with the entire Cathedral community. Send us your comments, news, story, and photos

(high resolution ) with your contact information to the address below:

Mail: William Gallegos

c/o CHS Alumni Newsletter

PO Box 660302

Arcadia, CA 91066

Email: [email protected]

General Deadline for Submissions: Winter: 2/01 Spring/Summer: 6/01 Fall: 10/01

Cathedral Alumni Association MeetingsThe Alumni Association meetings are held the first wednesday of each month at 7pm in the

Melvin Henderson-Rubio Conference Room, which overlooks the Cathedral High Football

field.

All artwork and content in this issue or online are property of Cathedral Alumni Association. All Rights Reserved.

BISHOPS ROAD THE CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2016Issue. 14

UPCOMING EVENTSApril 2 & 9, 2016 (weekend)2016 alumni basketball tournament…(CHS Gymnasium)

April 29, 20164th annual Comedy Night (Steven’s Steakhouse in Commerce)

June 11, 2016Silver/Gold Pinning (CHS Gymnasium)

August 6, 2016 6pm-12am (‘70-’90) August 13, 2016 6pm-12am (‘50-’60)Cathedral Gala 2016 (CHS Gymnasium)Reunion Years: ‘56, ‘61, ‘66, ‘71, ‘76, ‘81, ‘86, ‘91, ‘96, ‘01, & ‘06

November 13th, 2016Veteran’s Celebration (Cathedral High School)

November 24th, 20162015 Turkey Bowl…Thursday, (Cathedral High School Football Field)

ASSOCIATION

CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

2

On a final note…..Fellow classmate David Alvarez ’76, and I along with our wives recently visited our former teacher Brother Richard Orona at Mont La Salle in Napa, California. It was a great weekend visiting with Br Richard as we also had the privilege of meeting other Phantom Brothers. Pictured are….Top Row: Hector Roman ‘76, Brother Richard Orona ‘61, Brother Arnold Stewart ‘48, and David Alvarez ‘76. Seated: Brother Brendan Kneale ‘36


PRESIDENT’S CORNERA MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF

3

This past November, the Alumni Association presented

scholarships to roughly 20 students at our annual Brother Gus

Scholarship Presentation (you may have recalled seeing the

2014 recipients on the front of issue #11 a year ago and the 2011

recipients on the cover of our 2nd issue from years ago). Many

of these recipients come from the same grammar schools and

neighborhoods we once came from. These scholarships were

made possible by the alumni and Cathedral family who supported

us through their presence at our yearly events (ie…comedy night,

Alumni gala, Veterans Day Celebration, Big Ten).

Did you know that in the mid-1950s, tuition for one Cathedral

student was only $6 a month? When I was a CHS student in the

mid-1970s, tuition was still at a low $35 per month. Today, it is now

close to $1000 per month….and that doesn’t even include other

school-related costs, such as uniforms or joining a sports team.

I think we all knew 1 or 2 families during our 4 years at CHS who

had at least 2 or more sons attending Cathedral at the “same” time.

Can you imagine the financial burden those families may have been

facing had their sons been attending Cathedral today? Better yet,

can you imagine the burden of today’s CHS families with 2 or more

sons currently at CHS?

Last November’s Alumni Association scholarship presentation

also included an individual scholarship from this Newsletter Editor

William Gallegos (who presented his scholarship to a CHS student

from the same part of town William came from…Northeast LA) as

well as several scholarship presentations from the class of 1962.

For 2016, here is my request to all Phantom

alumni….almost every one of you reading

this still has strong ties with many members

of your class. I would like to encourage you

to organize your class and set up a class

scholarship (with one classmate each month contributing $62.50

from March to November of this year). The entire $500 would then

be presented to the student of your choice at the November 2nd

scholarship presentation.

I can name at least 10 classes right now from the past 60 years

that are capable of making a class scholarship a reality. What better

way to own bragging rights at Cathedral than by having this kind of

scholarship?

Please don’t wait for someone else to take charge. Get on that

phone or on your Facebook account and start contacting your

classmates! The students of Cathedral and their families are in need

of your help.

Check out all the info you need on the inside cover of this issue.

Wishing you a fantastic new year.

Hector Roman ‘76President, CHS Alumni Association

Return to Cathedral Alumni Galas in back to back weekends

William Gallegos ‘89 with recipient’s motherSPRING 2014 - CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

EDITOR’S MESSAGEBishops Road Newsletter is now

entering its 6th calendar year of existence. It seemed like it was just a month or two ago when Alumni President Hector Roman and I were in the conference room discussing an idea that would celebrate the history of Cathedral through photos and stories not only from the past but from the present-day Cathedral as well. Amazing what has happened already in these 6 years.

We have shared with you the stories of alumni who have gone on to become professional athletes, surfing icons, barbers to the stars, young directors with a promising future, secret service agents to both the Pope and President, and veterans who proudly served our country. We have taken you back in time to certain eras in CHS history, such as the first full year of our school (1927), the Golden Anniversary of our school (1975), and the first CHS school year of the millennium (2000). We have shared memorable stories of our past including those stories involving a group of students who had perhaps the greatest after prom in CHS history, those paying tribute to those Phantoms who are no longer with us, and those involving a group of 1950s alumni who worked hard in the saving of our school in the 1980s. And we have kept you updated with the Cathedral High of today by profiling our sports teams, our clubs, our present day faculty (some who taught you and some who did not), and those young men who have served our school as the ASB President in recent years. Taking charge of this newsletter is a job

that has been both enjoyable and amazing because of the fact that I have learned so much history of the school. As most of you know, this newsletter exists only because of the many members of the CHS community who have taken the time to help out through a photo or story. As a member of this same community, it is very much important that you continue to help me by sharing your stories and photos because without them, we cannot exist.

Will I say that this newsletter is in trouble? Not at all. Will I say that it can be in trouble soon if we run short of stories and other contributions? Perhaps. Every one of you has a story that needs to be shared with the rest of the CHS community. What you may consider as a CHS story “not worthy of sharing”, someone out there may consider it as one of the best stories they have read in this newsletter so far.

Please don’t rely on someone else to turn in their story. Be that “someone else” and share your story with us. Let’s keep this proud newsletter running. Wishing all of you a fantastic 2016. William Gallegos ‘89 - Editor

PHANTOMS REMEMBERED 5


We pay tribute to the many Phantoms who went on to achieve greatness for themselves, their community, and their country, during their post-Cathedral years. Should any of our readers come across an obituary or two of a recently departed

Phantom brother, please forward all info to Editor William Gallegos ‘89 at [email protected] so that it can be shared with the rest of the Cathedral community.

BILL THOMAS ‘57 (1939-2006 )

Born in Glendale in 1939, Bill grew up with a passion for sports. He lettered in football and baseball at CHS and covered prep sports for the former LA Examiner. He went on to graduate from San Diego College for men in 1961 (later turned co-ed and known as “The University of San Diego”) with a degree in journalism. He would return to SD in 1963 and would work for the Evening Tribune and taught journalism part-time at USD. In 1970, Bill

Thomas was appointed chief of staff for county supervisor Henry Boney but two years later, he would be hired at Sea World as a marketing consultant. He would make an impact at Sea World, where between 1972 and 1980, attendance rose from one to three million. His input was valuable not only in San Diego but in Ohio and Florida (where additional parks opened in 1970 and 1973). He was very instrumental in introducing such features as the Penguin Encounter in 1983 and the Shark Encounter in

1992. During the last 15 years of his career, he negotiated five-year, $40 million partnership contracts with Kodak and Pepsi and served as executive producer of six network television entertainment specials showcasing Sea

World. As senior vice president of marketing, he oversaw a $50 million marketing budget and a staff of 300. A tireless communicator who devoted 30 years to the park before his retirement in 2002, Bill Thomas passed away in 2006 at his home in Solana Beach.

A man of tremendous spirit, energy, and enthusiasm for life, his tremendous spirit was clearly exemplified by his continued dedication to his high school classmates. He played a major role as Chief Editor for the class of 1935 newsletter and as a reunion committee member for roughly 65 years. Some of his proudest moments included his stint as Campaign Manager for his father, Gordon McDonough Sr, for LA County Supervisor and Congress. In addition, he was president of the Wilshire Chamber of Commerce in 1966 and President of the Catholic Press Council of Southern California in 1967.

GORDON MCDONOUGH ‘35 (PASSED AWAY 12/5/01)

ROBERT KEEFER ‘43, (1925-2001)

Robert Keefer,

a graduate

of the class of 1943, was born in Los Angeles in 1925. He would attend St Dominic’s school in Eagle Rock and following his CHS graduation would attend UCLA. He would serve his country in both WWII and Korea as a First Lieutenant before going on to a 40-year career in the auto business, where he would be known as “The Lonely Lynwood Ford Dealer”. In his spare time, he was a volunteer for the UCLA Sports Information Department. He was a wonderful man that Cathedral was fortunate enough to have met in the mid-90s just as the school was starting the development office. Bob would sit in the office for hours at a time and share advice on what he believed CHS should be doing to raise funds needed to continue serving a mostly inner-city low income latino student body. He was very instrumental in assisting Cathedral in raising

over half a million dollars towards scholarships for CHS students who would have otherwise not been able to receive a quality college preparatory education. Till the very end, he always asked various friends to help support his alma mater.

ROBERT BERBER

Class of 1953

HENRY AZAIS Class of 1955

CARLOS QUINTERO Class of 1994

LOUIE MORENO

Late 80s Coach

IN MEMORIAM

PAUL KING Class of 1945

LIVE JESUS IN OUR HEARTS,FOREVER!

JOAQUIN SEPULVEDA Class of 1968


COVER STORY

THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLD & SILVERTony Ortega says about the PIN event, “The Golden Pin Ceremony held on June 6, 2015 at Cathedral High School was the commemorative

ceremony of our 50th High School Reunion. The event was

an outstanding day; filled with great memories, the reuniting of friendships and a reflection of some of the most formative

years of our lives. The attached class photo is a great caption of the enjoyment that the Class of

1965 experienced that afternoon. I am most thankful to Cathedral

High School for its ongoing efforts to honor and recognize its alumni. Truly, we the Class of 1965 and those who have

preceded us, as well as those who have followed us, have a

bond, a fraternal connection that will last forever. Go Phantoms

Tony Ortega, Class of 1965

Tom Huerta says about the PIN event, “The Cathedral Phantom Golden

Pin. Small in size when one considers all that it represents

and stands for.…the 50 years we have traveled since we left these

hallowed halls of education as well as the playing fields, arenas, and tracks of athletic endeavors.

But most of all…memories of the friends and friendships cut in stone and forever lasting in the hearts of those who entered as young boys but left as a band of brothers who truly loved the

school of the Christian Brothers….”All Hail Cathedral, Hail”.

“As I sat among the many in attendance from the Class of

1965 who received their Golden Pin this pass June, I realized

that this Golden Pin attached to the lapel of my shirt was a true reflection of who we the Class

of ’65 are and the friendship and love we share for one another

and thus, one for all.

Its 360 degree circumference is the map of our journey

together…..beginning at a point in 1961 only to return in 1965 to

the same point it all began at. Not really an end but the beginning of

the next cycle of our journey….brothers then, brother now,

brothers forever. That next part of the journey sent many of us

to a war which left a scar on us, our nation, loved ones, and our parents forever; to higher

education; jobs and the start of our own new families.

But once again we came together again just as this

round Golden Pin comes full circle…..to celebrate at one’s

wedding, rejoice at the birth of a child, remember the life of a

brother gone to God’s Paradise, and simply to celebrate life

and this most precious gift of Brotherhood.

We will continue to walk these circular path of life….with each completed circle interlocked to the next….as brothers do

arm-in-arm….journeying to the new and eternal Jerusalem. For remember, we are Cathedral….

we are Phantoms….and PHANTOMS NEVER DIE.”All Hail Cathedral, Hail”

We graduated in May of 1965. We were all so glad for that

long-anticipated event to arrive. Once it was over, we quickly scattered in our own directions without a single thought to the fact that we were seeing some of our classmates for the last time. We had no way of knowing that in a few short years, several of our classmates would be gone or that by the 50th anniversary of our graduation, close to 30% of our class members would no longer be living. A Catholic priest said something at a funeral I attended many years ago and I’ll never forget what he said. “At the end of your life, the only things that will matter are faith, family, and friends.” Amen! So why does the alumni Association put on an event like the GOLD/SILVER PIN Ceremony? For me that’s easy to answer…. People are precious….life is short….and old friendships are PURE GOLD!!! Young Phantom graduates just don’t get it yet! They are still in college somewhere or serving Uncle Sam or trying to get established in their jobs. But mostly they don’t come to these reunion events because they haven’t figured it out yet. So c’mon Phantoms, look at the front cover photo of this newsletter. How many 1965 phantoms do you see? We came back to celebrate our 4 years together, we came back to celebrate our lifelong friendships, and yes, we came back to celebrate that 50 year Golden PIN we all received that day. Here’s some comments that our ’65 classmates had to say about this ceremony:


PIN INDUCTION CEREMONY

7

Celebrating our Golden 50th, and touched by your love and friendship, I remain your most humbled brother, Tommy Huerta, Class of 1965.Armando Dominguez, who came all the way from Texas says about the PIN event,

“The Gold/Silver Pin ceremony was a great experience. Coming back home to Cathedral after fifty

years and reuniting with many of my former classmates was

an emotional experience. Visiting my old high school brought back

many memories of the school, the Christian Brothers, football, dances and so many others. At the same time, it was very sad to learn about classmates who had moved on, many of whom I had hoped to see and talk to

about their lives since graduating. May they rest under God’s good

grace, I will miss them.

Lou, this was a very special day and one that I will always remember. I hope that God

will grant me the opportunity to reunite with my former

classmates one more time.

All the best,Armando Dominguez, ‘65

In early June of 2016, the alumni Association will again sponsor the PIN Induction Ceremony. but many of you don’t have to wait for the Golden PIN. The classes of 1967 through 1991 will receive their Silver PIN. And of course, all graduates from 1966 and older will receive their Golden PIN. The beauty about this event is that even if you have already received your PIN, you can still attend, have a free lunch, and celebrate with those Phantom brothers that will receive their PIN.

To close, here is a poem written by our 1965 class poet Ron Baca

who captures the story of his life and some of them as a Cathedral Phantom. He shared this poem with all of his 1965 classmates:

Continued on page 17 “GOLD/SILVER”


CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AT CATHEDRALChristian Brothers at CHS...Br Arthur, Br Augustine, Br Bertram, Br Celestine, Br Edward, Br Gene, Br Kenneth, Br La Salle, Br Louis, Br Lucian, Br Maris, Br Paschal, Br Raphael, Br Victor, and Br Virgil.

THE YEAR AT CATHEDRALBrother Bertram is Principal and Brother Edward is Vice-Principal.

The 1954 Chimes Yearbook is dedicated to Most Blessed Virgin Mary, also making its cover.

Anthony “Lalo” Valenzuela is ASB President.

Clubs and organizations include...History, Speech, Drama, and Legion of Mary.

The “Bees” Basketball team take league, going undefeated.

The Santa Monica Bay Club is the site of the 1954 Senior Prom

The Forum Theatre is the site of the 1954 Graduation (now the “Hebron Presbyterian Church” on Pico Blvd).

Paul Heimenz is the class valedictorian and will attend USC.

FACULTY AT CHSMr Ashley, Mr Barens, Mr Campo, Mr Cimino, Mr Hensley, Mr McGovern (Charles) , Mr McGovern (Thomas), Mr Portillo, Mr Reeves, Mr Rohan, Mr Sandshulte, and Mr White.

STAFF AT CATHEDRALReverend John Cowhig (Chaplain), Mr and Mrs Banks (janitors), Mrs Graff and Professor White (office), and Mrs Brady and Mr and Mrs Tomlinson (cafeteria crew).

CHS YESTERYEAR

1954

Jan 12 Marilyn Monroe marries Joe Dimaggio.

November 3The first Godzilla film premieres in Tokyo.

December 4The first Burger King opens in Miami, Florida.

Sports champions of 1954... Cleveland Browns, Detroit Red Wings, Minneapolis Lakers, and New York Giants (MLB)

Popular movies of 1954... The Caine Mutiny, Demetrius and the Gladiators, Rear window, 20,000 leagues under the sea, and White Christmas.

Popular albums of 1954... Sarah Vaughn (Sarah Vaughn), That bad Eartha (Eartha Kitt), Songs for young lovers (Frank Sinatra), Dinah Jams (Dinah Washington), and Swing Easy (Frank Sinatra).

Popular TV shows of 1954..... Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Disney, Lassie, I love Lucy, The Jack Benny Program, and Father Knows best.

Notable personalities we said goodbye to....

Frida Kahlo Lionel Barrymore.Machine Gun Kelly

HEADLINES OF 1954March 25 RCA manufactures the first color TV ($1000 for a 12-inch screen).

May 6 Roger Bannister runs the first sub-four minute mile in Oxford, England.

June 14 The words “under God” are added to the US Pledge of Allegiance.

July 4 West Germany beats Hungary 3-2 in the 1954 Fifa World Cup.

August 16The first Sports Illustrated magazine is released.

September 11 The Miss American Pageant makes its TV debut.

September 29 New York Giants outfielder Willie Mays makes “the Catch” in the 1954 World Series.


PHANTOM SPORTS

Basketball has been an indelible part of American and international

sports. The sport has a rich history at Cathedral as well. Certainly, our school’s rich and successful history has included numerous league titles, outstanding All-CIF players and key role players, great runs in the playoffs, a CIF title (1978), and forays into the state championships. Cathedral’s intramural history also tells the story of great competitive games amongst its students during and after school (ah...memories of those blacktop games by the chemistry lab in the senior building!). Also notably, the great and competitive games between faulty and alumni.

In April 2005, the Alumni Association hosted a “Farewell to the Gymnasium” Basketball Tournament for all Alumni to participate to honor the closing of the school’s gymnasium after 64 years. The event created many memories of basketball games, dances, rallies, etc., but more importantly, it inspired many Phantoms to return to Cathedral for the first time since their graduation and re-live their days at Phantom City. Due to the success of the Farewell to the Gymnasium Basketball Tournament, the Alumni Association, headed by Bill Marin wanted to continue this event on an annual basis when the new gymnasium opened

The tournament would be open to all alums, ex- athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone with dreams of putting on their Magic, Jordan, or Bird moves on the court. They saw the tournament as a way to further the spirit of Cathedral (more about that later) and to raise money for the school. Since its inception in 2008, the alumni basketball tournament has had over 100 teams and over 1000 alumni participate. The championship games will take place on Sunday April 10th (Yes, there are two championship games: one for the younger alums of the 1990’s and 2010’s and for the wiser alums of the 1960’s and 70’s.

What is the spirit of Cathedral, in this writer’s view? It is a sense of having graduated from Cathedral, but never leaving back in one’s past. There is always a connection to the school because of what our teachers imparted to us, formative friendships forged with our buddies and a desire to see and or help

t h e school in any

2016 ALUMNI TOURNAMENT - 4/10

10

ABOUT THE AUTHORPAUL VILLA Class of 1981

“As a great outside shooter all my life, this

had to be one of the greatest competitions

I have participated in. I didn’t think I would

last after the first round. It has been an

honor and a pleasure playing in the Alumni

Basketball tournament. I love competing

against my fellow alumni”. Ron Valdez ‘64


12

When he passed away on February 21, 2015 at 91 years of age, Jim

Long was a hero to his family, his community and his country. In writing his story, his family hopes to convey to the Cathedral High School alumni community that, in addition to his family, the Christian Brothers taught him that service, knowledge and brotherhood - being part of a team - were the keys to a great life.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois on August 24, 1923, the youngest of six children, he and his family moved to Glendale, California when he was about 3 years old. After graduating from Holy Family Grade School in 1938, he and his best friend and later “best man” at his wedding, Joseph Campbell, enrolled at Cathedral High School, traveling by bus and then by car from Glendale. Together they played on the “B” football team in their early years, but Jim changed to the track and field squad in his junior and senior years, performing broad jump and sprints. According to his yearbook in 1942, Jim liked “good music and was a familiar figure at all Cathedral social affairs”. It was at a

SEAL teams. His time with the U.S. Navy/O.S.S on UDT 10 taught him the value of training and teamwork - mastering your task because your brother’s life just might depend on doing your job right.

After demolition training in Fort Pierce, Florida and Maui, Hawaii, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Rathburne and engaged in combat operations,

clearing the beach landing zones, in Angaur Island, Palau; Ulithi Atoll; Leyte Gulf/Red Beach, Philippine Islands (PI) (Bronze Star with combat V); Lingayen Gulf (Purple Heart) and Zambales Province/Luzon, PI. He was honorab ly d ischarged on November 2, 1945. In March 1998, U. S. Army, John F. Kennedy Warfare Center authorized inclusion of

the O.S.S. Maritime Unit Personnel as members of U.S. Army, 1st Special Forces Regiment, entitled to wear the Special Forces Tab and Green Beret. In returning to civilian life, Jim had multiple options open to him but he

dance in 1942 that he met his wife, Elena. They were married on December 24, 1943, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1993. After graduation in June 1942, with World War II only 6 months old in the United States, he enlisted in the Navy, making him part of what we now call America’s “Greatest Generation.” However, to his family, he seemed like “Clark Kent” because he was so humble about his accomplishments. He always said he was just part of a team, a “brotherhood” he called it. His kind of brotherhood was made up of people who act selflessly and put the needs of others first. The seeds of service, knowledge and brotherhood were planted and nurtured by his family and the Christian Brothers, especially Brother Daniel, at Cathedral High School. In December 1942, Jim entered basic training at the Navy base in San Diego, California. His initial assignment was to the Armed Guard Center in the Pacific where he served as a gun crew aboard the Merchant Marine ship, George D. Prentice, to India. Upon his return in November 1943, he volunteered for extra-hazardous duty with the newly formed Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) Maritime Unit, a forerunner of the CIA, where he became a member of Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) and Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) 10, a forerunner of the present-day Navy

JAMES L LONG ‘42ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT


decided to apply for a firefighter position on the City of Glendale Fire Department. His wartime experiences had primed him to be a leader in the fire service, and his fire career reflected his commitment to service, teamwork, and changing things for the better. He was a fire prevention inspector from 1955-58, an engineer from 1958-61, a captain from 1961-73 and a battalion chief from 1973 to 1983. He was also Union president of IAFF Local #776 from 1963-71. His career included laying the ground work to reform the city’s 1956 fire prevention code to bring it into the 21st century. Another highlight in his career was a Command Leadership Accommodation awarded to him by the City Council for his leadership role in the three-alarm Holiday Inn fire in 1979. Upon receiving it, he gladly accepted it as the command leader of the team because he said “….you’re only as good as the men you have working for you. Most of the credit goes to the performance of those guys. If you don’t have that, you will never

succeed as a commander.” He was admired by his fellow firefighters because he passed on his commitment to selflessness and

service. He passed on his skills and expertise to others by openly sharing all of his knowledge and by leading by example. His nickname at the fire station was “Chief Long Nose”, but the true meaning was “Jim Long knows”. When the firefighters around the station had a question about anything - about tactics, pumping, or things going on within the department, the chorused response would be “Jim Long Knows!” He was the person people went to for the answers. One small example was his simple act of helping a lowly rookie firefighter late at night, who was practicing knots on the dark, lonely apparatus floor. At the time, Jim was a Battalion Chief, but he just started sharing his secrets of knot tying with the rookie, teaching him the shortcuts that would help him pass his probationary knots test. Jim was a man who knew things and then passed that knowledge on without asking anything in return. Another example closer to home was the year he took on managing his son’s Babe Ruth baseball team. The prior year the team had been loaded with high school talent but the team ultimately lost to an underdog team in the city championship. After that loss, the team floundered - losing coaches and good players. Jim volunteered to coach the team himself. He took a ragtag collection of very average ballplayers and built a championship

team, winning the city of Glendale baseball title. Jim knew how to build winning teams - whether it was baseball or the fire department. In his usual fashion, Jim did not take credit for that win either - he gave it to the players: “No coach ever won a game - that’s up to the players.” He also wanted his children to be the person people went to

for answers - all 12 of us. Why else would he take us repeatedly to the

L.A. County Museums and the L.A. Zoo - making us read every placard. He knew that knowledge held the power to make an impact on lives - your own and those you interacted with. He wanted us to be the person who knew how it worked, the person who knew the solution, the person who knew what to do when decisions and actions have consequences. He and his wife raised 12 children that got the

message - service, knowledge, and teamwork were the key components to a meaningful life.

In 1983, Jim retired from Glendale Fire after 34 years of dedicated service. He spent another 31 years in retirement with same commitment to his family as he had given to his community and his country. Although he lost his beloved wife of almost 52 years to cancer in 1995, he continued to hold his family together, teaching the same lessons of service, knowledge and teamwork that he learned at Cathedral High School. While Jim’s story has concluded, he lives on within us - the circle of people he met, loved and helped along the way. Here’s to Jim L Long from the class of 1942, our Alumni Spotlight recipient for the spring of 2016.


In 1961, Cathedral began to develop a respectful track team with the

talent of Robert Taylor who set the school record in the 70 high hurdles in

8.5 seconds and the 120 high hurdles in 14.4 seconds. Taylor also set a national high school record in the high hurdles that year. The team

also included junior Charles Canales, who would set the school record the following year with a time of 51.1 seconds in the 440. He broke Walter McKinney’s record the year before. Beside Taylor and McKinney, the 1 9 6 1 t e a m produced All-C a t h o l i c performers Rudy Garcia and Tom Davidson. The team also included freshman sensation Paul Buford, who three years later would set the record for the 100-yard dash.

The 1964 Track team is considered one

of Cathedral’s best teams ever and had some of the greatest i n d i v i d u a l performers of all time. The team placed second behind Notre Dame in league

but won the All-Catholic meet behind

the fastest sprinter the Phantoms ever produced in Paul Buford, who set the school record in the 100 yards at 9.7 seconds and in the 220 yard dash with a time of 21.3 seconds. He was honored as All-Catholic and All-CIF, and would go on to the State Finals.

The senior standouts on the team were the All-Catholic and All-CIF honors runner Carlos Barrera and sprinter Larry Schneider along with David Thomas, who also earned All-Catholic honors in the high jump along with Paul Charles in the long jump. The relay team that consisted of Paul Buford, Larry Schneider, Robert Preslicka, and Robert Johns/Ulysses Allen ’65 took first in league in a 440 relay that was a sight to witness. With the addition of junior Jaime Cagigas (70 high hurdles), Marvin Stewart (sprinter) and the great 440 runner Tyrone Seals, the team was loaded with great distance runners in Louie Gutierrez, Louis Espinosa, and freshman sensation miler Oscar Gutierrez. In the field events were Darryl Carter and Gilbert Sanchez in the shot put. The team will always be remembered as the greatest track talent of all time. The 1968 Track team produced the school’s only league title in the 1960s. Sprinter Danny Tiscareno, who was a varsity letterman for three years, led the track team. As T iscareno was entering Cathedral as a freshman, Paul Buford ’64 had just

graduated and had just set the school record for the 100 yard at 9.7 seconds. In Tiscareno’s senior year, he posted a best time of 9.8 seconds in the 100 yards. He also led his team in the 220 (21.7 seconds) and the 440 (50.0 seconds), becoming records for the school. He also participated in the 400 relays and the long jump.

Notre Dame, the powerhouse track team of the 1960s, was once again in contention for the title in 1968 with the Phantoms, both undefeated in league as they met for the league title. The Phantoms prevailed on the last event, the long jump. The Phantoms only needed one point to take the title and they got it from Danny Tiscareno, who placed third.

Besides Tiscareno, the league champions included All-League sprinters Louis Tilis and Greg Wells along with Danny Espana. The distance runners were Anthony Canales, Cruz Montanez, and Carlos Hurtado. Furthermore, All-Leaguer Troy Lyons in the long jump was always an event to see. The following year, he would place third in the long jump in the State Finals. Cathedral showcased many star athletes in the 1960s, but its Track and Field teams were definitely the highlight. Beside the Cross Country team, the Track and Field team was the only sports team at Cathedral to take a league title during this decade. One can say that the 1960s would go down in Cathedral history as the “decade of the runner”.

TRACK AND FIELD THROUGH THE YEARS….PHANTOM SPORTS

14

Daniel Tiscareno1968

Paul Buford 1964

Walter Mckinney ‘61

Robert Taylor 1961


15

1935

1952

1976

19922001

1967

1986

1945

2015


FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT

DANIEL BARCENAS Dodgers were my first love when it came to a sports team. Having the chance to hear Vin Scully would make it so much sweeter. If you had put Chick Hearn in that equation, I would have definitely chosen the Lakers

Q:Favorite places to visit.? A: Napa here in California and San Gimignano in Italy. Wine appreciation has slowly become a passion for my both my wife & me.

Q: Favorite hobbies/activities? A: Outdoor cooking.Attending sports events with my son.Tailgating at USC and Raider home games. Attending concerts at the Hollywood Bowl with my wife. Collecting wines.Photography.

Q: 5 music artists that must be in your I-Pod or radio while taking a nice drive out of town. A: B.B. King, Peter Frampton, Paul Simon, ZZ Top and Dave Matthews.

Q: Advice to the 8th graders throughout LA County who hope to attend Cathedral this fall. A: Take advantage of all Cathedral has to offer. Ask questions and require answers. Innovate and push your mind and body. Don’t do something just because somebody else has done it that way before.

Q: Advice to the next graduating class of 2016? A: This is your time. This is only the beginning of your adult life and soon you will be expected to lead. That’s the reason you attended Cathedral in the first place. To be a leader. Remember that you don’t need a reason to come back to Cathedral. This is your home and we will always welcome you with open arms. Most importantly, have fun in your next endeavor. #GoPhantoms16

Q: Neighborhood you were raised in. A: El Sereno and Lincoln Heights

Q: Education History? A: El Sereno and Nightingale Middle

Schools, Lincoln High, US Marines, USC.

Q: Relatives who also graduated from Cathedral? A: Son; Adrian Barcenas class of ‘06.

Q: Years associated with CHS? A: 13 years and counting.

Q: Current position at CHS? A: Football Boosters Club President. Phantom Football website creation and maintenance. Management of all Football Social Media – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & YouTube. From time to time, I also help the Basketball and in the beginning, I was heavily involved with the Arts Boosters. After my son graduated from Cathedral, I just focused on Football.

Q: Best part of being associated with CHS. A: Witnessing the maturity and confidence my son gained by attending Cathedral. The help and discipline he received from the staff have been invaluable to his evolvement both as an individual and a family man and I’ll forever be grateful for all the life lessons he has learned here.

Q: Most memorable moment during your entire association with CHS A: Being selected as an Honorary Phantom for Life in 2006. The reason I’m involved with Cathedral has never been about seeking recognition, however, it was a nice and welcome surprise. The fact it was done in front of my family

was even sweeter.

Q: The Daniel Barcenas story is in the early stages of productive. Which actor do you want to portray you? A: That’s an easy one – El Friendo himself – Javier Bardem. That’s one tough, and funny in his own evil way, dude..

Q: Favorite restaurant(s) to go to. A: La Serenata de Garibaldi by the Mariachi Kiosk in East L.A. - Best fish around. The sauces made from scratch are amazing.

Q: Favorite movie(s)? A: Pulp Fiction and Full Metal Jacket while the boys in company C deserve an honorable mention.

Q: Favorite TV show(s). A: The Sopranos, Suits and Seinfeld.

Q: Favorite sports teams (pros). A: Raiders, Dodgers and Lakers.

Q: Favorite sports teams (college) A: USC Trojans of course.

Q: Favorite sports athletes? A: Magic Johnson, Peyton Manning and Fernando.

Q: Being a sports fanatic, which one game do you attend (if all choices actually happened)….the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl, Game 7 of the 2016 World Series at Dodger Stadium (Vin Scully’s last game ever behind the mic), Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at Staples Center (Kobe’s last game ever), or USC vs UCLA in the 2017 NCAA College Football Championship? Why this choice? A: Argh… My head is about to explode with this quagmire but I’d have to say the Dodgers. Growing up in Lincoln Heights the


Continued from page 7 “GOLD/SILVER”

A Look Back In The Mirror of Time; Then Look Forward---In Memory of Family & Friends

I kept the bathroom mirror and medicine cabinet

from the house I grew up in. My parents bought the house

on S. Concord St in the Boyle Heights area of East L.A.

for $6,500 in 1953. When I look in the mirror I see my family.

I remember seeing my father with shaving cream

on his face, shaving with a lit Viceroy cigarette in his mouth

before driving to work at Lockheed in Burbank.

I see my mother combing her hair and applying lipstick

getting ready to walk to her job as the cashier at

the market on the corner of Beswick & Lorena Streets.

I see my brother getting the curl in the front of his hair just right

and combing the back of his hair ducktail-style

before picking up Leonard Munoz and driving to

Cantwell HS in his metallic green ‘41 Chevy coup.

(James Dean was a copy-cat, a Hollywood wanna-be tough guy.)

I recall my sisters hogging up the mirror every morning

teasing their hair & applying make-up

getting ready for school at Sacred Heart.

We all brushed our teeth standing in front of that mirror...

I see, in the mirror of time, a short, skinny

high school freshman running to catch the 47 Bus

on 8th & S. Concord Streets with Terry Torres and Linda Corona,

transfer to the 50 Bus on Soto St., stop at Sacred Heart,

and onto Cathedral. I see the kid who attended

Resurrection Grammar School with Stoney, Paul De La Rosa,

Robert Basso, and Joe Gras from our Class of ‘65.

Looking back in time, I recall classmates no longer with us.

Our Class of ‘65 Victory Bell tolls & rings & chimes for them....

Looking back in time, I think of Eddie Sanchez.

Eddie and other classmates lost in Vietnam and elsewhere

are always in my thoughts. Now more than ever I firmly believe

war is not the answer.

When I look in the mirror I see my family.

When I looked in the mirror this morning

I saw every one of you guys.

I saw you and you and you....

Ron Baca ‘65

ABOUT THE AUTHORLOU RAMIREZ Class of 1965

CONTRIBUTOR ARMANDO DOMINGUEZ Class of 1965

CONTRIBUTOR RON BACA Class of 1965

CONTRIBUTOR TOM HUERTA Class of 1965

CONTRIBUTOR TONY ORTEGA Class of 1965

2016 SILVER/GOLD PINNINGSAVE THE DATE June 11, 2016


NEXT ISSUE PREVIEWMORE CURRENT CHS NEWS

STORIES AND PHOTOS FROM PAST AND PRESENT

CHS ALUMNI MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

CHS FACULTY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

CHS BAND THROUGH THE YEARS

YESTERYEAR SPOTLIGHT ON ANOTHER YEAR IN CHS HISTORY

more info contact: www.cathedralalumni.com

2016 GALA ANNOUCEMENT

Bishops Road - Spring 2016 / Issue 14

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Transcript of Bishops Road - Spring 2016 / Issue 14