This is the home page for the Irvington (NJ) High School graduating class of 1955.  Catch up on what's been happening with your classmates. Send in your current photo and concise bio and we'll add it to our site!

Class News

(Updated January 8, 2010)

News from Marlene Ficzko Bratach <cookiemar2@aim.com>

Fred: After almost 72 years of living in NJ, I relocated to Decatur, IL in October (2009). My daughter and son-in-law have lived here since Anne was offered a professor's position at Millikin University in 2003. She has her Ph. D. Hubby Andy does not, but he is a very well loved and respected TA at Millikin - can't ask for anything more than that. Anyway, they had asked me in 2004 to come here to live. I put off a decision until last Christmas. Came here in June, bought a one-family home in 5 days, gave Anne power-of-attorney to act on my behalf for the closing, and relocated on October 23. (My 72nd birthday was October 28 - what a lovely celebration with Anne and Andy.)

Classmate Janet Cataldo Tully, reports that classmate Antonia (Toni) (Palmisano) Ricigliano, on Jan.1, 2010, became the first woman Mayor of Edison, N.J.

Edison is the fifth largest municipality in N.J. with a population of over 100,000. Janet, who lives in Edison and is a neighbor of Toni's was attended Toni's historical inauguration.

We all wish Toni the best.

(Updated September 2, 2009)

Congratulations to classmate Robert Wedin and IHS flag-swinger Doris Aschenbach ('56).

They were hitched in May, 2009!

(Updated July 7, 2009)

Classmate and multimedia artist Stan Gilbert has a new web site: www.stangilbert.blogspot.com

(Updated June 8, 2009)

An IHS'55 Small World Story:

On the way home from Spain on 5/4/09, Marion and I flew to London Heathrow for a day and night, so we could visit Windsor. While i was on one of our hotel computers talking to a few american women who were on the other computers, one of them (Nancy) turned out to be the wife of one of our IHS '55 classmates - Marty Salzbach - who was upstairs in their room. During our 'reunion' it turned out that I had visited him in Tampa when I was there on a Flying Tigers market research trip in 1980. See photo below. Fred Enfield (5/30/09)

(click to enlarge)

(Updated May 29, 2009)

An update on Helen Dudas (deceased) has been received from her sister Joan Weinstein, her email reads as follows:

"Just wanted to update you on one of your classmates. My sister was Helen Dudas. She passed away in October of 2004. She had advanced diabetes. She married in October 1960 to Theodore Pietrzykowski and they had 6 children: Michael, Christine, Linda, Susan, Theodore John, and Cynthia. At the time of Helen's death she was divorced and went back to using her maiden name. My niece Christine found this site. I don't think Helen knew about it which is too bad. She would have liked to know about her high school friends. Your home page is great. Happiness and long life to you all. Joan (Joannie) Weinstein <witch5759@hotmail.com>"

(Updated April 9, 2009)

Joan Meyer Shannon reports on the 2009 FL all-classes reunion:

This annual event was held this year in Boynton Beach in March. Joannie says that our class was well represented and lots of memories and laughs were shared by herself, her husband Tom, Billy Applebaum, Betty Arbeitman Blum, Marcia Grossman Bovit, Marlene Dupuy Daffner, Linda Heyman Halperin, Marcia Zanger Kaufman and Betty Smith Perna.

(Updated March 23, 2009)

Boynton Beach Reunion

Dear Marlene,

Many "thanks" for being my "driver". We sure had a ball! Sending the photos to the rest of the "kids" in NJ. These pictures were taken at the luncheon in Boynton Beach on Saturday! Wish you all were there, but you can share in the smiles! Hope to see everyone September 26, 2010, but ya'll welcome to visit M.B. Joanie O'D., until your next visit here - love/hugs from M.B.

Until our next chat - love/hugs from M.B.

Click pics to enlarge

Identified in the third group photo are l to r: Back row: Marcia Grossman Bovit, Marcia Zanger Kaufman, Marlene Dupuy Daffner Anneliese Furtner Crefeld, Betty Arbeitman Blum, Front row: Betty Smith Perna, Linda Heyman Halperin, Joanie Meyer Shannon

(Updated February 11, 2009)

News from Bob Bahrey:

Now that my serious life’s responsibilities are behind me, such as employment, and raising a family, I am really having a good time in retirement. For example, this past summer I motorcycled to Alaska, 10,000 mile 4 weeks.

Following is a synopsis of my trip which appears in the local BMW motorcycle club monthly news letter. I was recently elected president of a local 40+ member orchestra comprised of mostly retired seniors. I’m on the far left front in the violin section.

I spend lot’s of time with my two grandson’s ages 6 & 8, visiting sites in and around Chicago area, biking, and playing together. I’m in a 6 member folk fiddle group playing gigs from time to time.

Active in my Unitarian Church Doing most of the repair and maintenance on my home and 3 vehicles.

Synopsis of my trip (pdf)

(Updated December 3, 2008 )

Barbara Sanchelli passed away 11/24/08

In a message from Betty Smith..dates 11/25/08:

      Fred, Anneliese just called and asked me to relay this to you as her computer is giving her problems.  Barbara Glodek Hoheb called to tell her that Barbara Sanchelli passed away in her home yesterday after not doing well for quite some time.   Barbara Hoheb, a good friend of hers, was with her at the time.  Sorry to be the bearer of this sad news.

      Sincerely, Betty

(Updated September 28, 2008 )

(Updated July 13, 2008 )

Classmate and multimedia artist Stan Gilbert has a new site, displaying some of his recent works: http://www.stanleygilbert.com/

(Updated March 09, 2008 )

MORRIS "MARIO" A. ALBANESE, 72, of BARNEGAT, passed on Friday, Feb. 22.
Born in Irvington, he was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was employed by the Wakefern Food Corp. and lived in Union, where he was active with the American Legion Baseball Organization, the Boys and Girls Club fundraising committee and the Little Theatre Drama Club. He moved to Manahawkin and later to Barnegat in 2005. He will be remembered for his love of acting, gardening and home decorating, but above all else, he loved his family.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Damian and Julius. Surviving are his beloved wife of 33 years, Patrice J. Donnelly Albanese; three loving sons, Charles A. and his wife Mary of Basking Ridge, Guy D. and his wife Jean of Springfield, and Damian C. and his wife Lisa of Manahawkin; four cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jack, Tommy and Mathew; a loving sister, Ramona and her husband Ralph Basilone of Barnegat; many devoted nieces and nephews; and his beloved Angel and Hope.

The viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 W. Bay Ave. (corner of Gunning River Road), Barnegat. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Entombment will follow in White Cedars Memorial Park, Manahawkin. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Cancer Center, c/o Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, 360 Essex St., Suite 301, Hackensack, NJ 07601, would be appreciated.
(Asbury Park Press.)

(Updated February 18, 2008 )

Marlene Ficzko Bratach reports the following passing:

Miss Dorothy M. Lyszczek, 70, of Linden died on Sunday, February 10, 2008, at home.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the funeral from the Werson  Funeral Home, 635 No. Wood Ave., Linden, on Thursday, Feb. 14,2008, at 9:15 a.m.  Funeral Mass is in St. John the Apostle R.C.Church, Clark, at 10 a.m.  Interment is in Holy Cross Cemetery,North Arlington. Visiting hours are on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9p.m.

Born in Newark, Miss Lyszczek lived in Linden for the past 23 years.

She was a claims adjuster with Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Newark for 32 years before retiring in 1988.

Miss Lyszczek was a 1955 graduate of Irvington High School and a member of St. Casimir's R.C. Church, Newark.

She was predeceased by her parents, the late Andrew L and Aniela L.(nee
Kwasna) Lyszczek, sisters, Bertha Baldyga and Helen Lyszczek, and brothers Frank, Chester, Walter and Edward Lyszczek.  Surviving are three sisters, Sophie Lyszczek, Stephanie Barrett and Emily Drozdziuk , and one brother, Matthew and his wife Blanche.  She is also survived by nine nieces and nephews, 15 great-nieces and nephews,and five great-great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 in her memory would be appreciated.

=========================

Still Truckin':   Oregon Coast,  June 2007

From Robert Bahrey: I visited the late Herb Mayer and his wife in Yakima in June 2006 while on my 5,500 mile BMW solo motorcycle ride to and from the West Coast.

(Updated January 06, 2008 )

From The New Age Examiner Tunkhannock, PA  
ROBERT SIGNORELLO

Robert A. Signorello died on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in the Mercy Hospital Hospice Unit in Scranton.

He was born on Feb. 28, 1937, son of the late Sam and Mary Brown Signorello.

Prior to his retirement he was employed as an engineer at the General Dynamics plant in Eynon. He was an Army veteran and a member of St. Joachim's Church in Meshoppen. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and a number one field hockey, soccer and cheerleading fan at his granddaughter's games.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Claire Leahy Signorello, and his second wife, Anita Walz Signorello.

He is survived by daughters Claire Kropa, Tunkhannock; Kim Garey and husband William, Vestal, N.Y.; son Thomas and wife Holly Signorello, Wilmington, N.C.; five granddaughters; and a grandson.

Services were held on Monday, May 14, from the Church of Nativity B.V.M. in Tunkhannock.

Interment, St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Meshoppen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Unit, Mercy Hospital, Scranton, or to the local Boy Scout troops.

(Updated December 30, 2007)

Article: Stanley Wnek, 87, legendary athlete

Click HERE to read the entire article (click the image to enlarge).

Please keep the updates and new information coming!

CAUTION - The information on this web is only for the convenience of members of the IHS class of 1955; it has been collected from informal sources, has not been verified, and could be incorrect. 
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