Westfield High School class of 1966 reunion organizers Greg Kallfa and Anne Kertiles. (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD-50 years.
As committee members for Westfield High School’s Class of 1966 put the finishing touches on their upcoming class reunion, there are still individuals who have yet to be found and area residents are being asked to assist with tracking them down.
“The lead up to this reunion has been a lot of work for the committee members as this time around compared to the past ones since we concentrated on retaining email and current addresses and trying extra hard to locate classmates,” said Greg Kallfa.
Reunion committee members joining Kallfa are Frank Popkowicz, Gary Readio, Bill Amanti, Kathy Akins Hickey,
, Mary Beth Cantell, Patty Tripp Liptak, Willow Bargeron Shire and Lorraine Adams Jachym.
With 335 members in the Class of 1966, committee members have contacted approximately 250 and noted that close to 30 have passed away. Contact information is being sought for the following classmates yet to be found: Douglas Bailey, Joan Bemis, Carolyn Bruneau, David Carrington, Mary Connolly, Beverly Cortis, Larry Cowan, Susan Ezold, Boris Gan, Betty Hampton, Judy Haracez, Nowell Irwin, Martha Jennings, Barbara
Greg Kallfa
Judd, Jan Keeney, Pam LaPorte, and Rich MacNeil. Also, James Maloney, Kirtley Mann, Darlene Martin, Stella Minnow, Thomas Mitchell, Linda Moon, David Muszynski, Sandra Nagorka, Ellen Norman, Judith Olechna, Donna Parker, Linda Parsons, Donald Pierce, Mary Pinilo, Pat Posnick, Nancy Rabidou, Jack Rankin, Sandra Rice, Barbara Rider, Lydia Rivera, Franceen Rolland, Mary Russell, Sandy Siermienski, Deborah Smith, Judi Smith, Stanley Smith, Judy Swochak, John Szramowski, Marilyn Tempo, Kenneth Warner, Alyce Wheelock, and Catherine Zaminski.
Anne Kertiles Polaski
“We all went the extra mile to locate and find as many classmates who could be or wanted to be found,” said Kallfa. “We’re not doing bad as we graduated before personal computers were invented and before cell phones and emails.”
Kallfa added that the committee found two classmates alive who were originally on the deceased list.
“We do our best to confirm that list before actually adding their picture at the reunion for a remembrance we plan to have for those who have passed away,” said Kallfa.
As the committee has been working through their call lists, they have found some interesting tidbits about their fellow classmates.
“We just found out one of our students wrote three novels and led an exciting career with the NSA and he also worked in the intelligence area in the military for many years,” said Kallfa. “Another student is a professor at the UNC teaching physics and chemistry.”
For other classmates, some entered the service during the Vietnam conflict, many trained as teachers and accountants, and others specialized in the aviation field.
“Many were also parents who valued their time raising their children and chose to maintain a healthy family life compared to multi-tasking life with a business career,” said Kallfa. “Every path the students took was valuable to their families and to their communities. It was just the way we were all brought up in the 60’s.”
The reunion is slated Nov. 12 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Tekoa Country Club on Russell Road. A buffet dinner is planned with a cash bar. Cory and the Knightsmen will provide the entertainment for the affair.
Tickets are $40 per person and checks should be mailed by Nov. 1 to Patty Liptak, 75 City View Boulevard, Westfield, MA 01085.
An informal gathering is also slated for the morning of the reunion at Stanley Park from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the picnic area near the playground with access through Gate 1 across from the Woodward Center.
“Classmates interested in enjoying even more time together can drop by for coffee, conversation, or a walk through the park,” said Kallfa.
Polaski, who was in the city on Monday morning to help out with logistics, said she hopes that classmates turn out for the event.
“Celebrating our 50th reunion is important so we can reconnect after many years apart,” said Polaski, adding it is a time “to renew old friendships, make new ones, reminisce, and remember classmates who have passed away.”
Kallfa echoed those sentiments.
“Overall, one couldn’t ask for a better graduating class including every one of the 335 members,” said Kallfa.
