In remembrance
of days we shared
- James Allison
- Dennis Baldi
- Arthur Goldfond
"Although we weren't at all close, for some reason I have a very clear recollection of Arthur's personality. Maybe because we were paired up on ascavenger hunt at a party in junior high. He had an uncommon sense of humor: sarcastic and so dry it could have doubled as sandpaper. Exceptionally bright, but completely modest. Quiet, but when he did open his mouth it was worth paying attention because something sharp or funny was about to spill out. Knowing now that he wasn't meant to live to an advanced age will make this sound eerie, but looking back I recall thinking that here was something in Arthur that reminded me of a little old man. Perhaps because he was mature for his years. He would have been a welcome addition to our reunion. -- Karen Moskowitz
- Michael Goodman
- Anthony Lovisi
- Dennis McCarney
- Kevin Molloy
- Andrea Moore
"I remember Andie as a ray of sunshine. Rare was the time she wasn't wearing that big squared-off smile. She loved to dance - and was darn good at it - and was always good company at the lunch table and at parties. It's still difficult to absorb the fact that her life ended so prematureely. - Karen Moskowitz
"I have endless happy and special memories of my dear friend Andrea Moore. We became friends in elementary school and shared the love and dedication Miss Britton bestowed upon each and every student in the 5th grade. We shared many interests such as bicycle riding and dancing. One of the things Andrea and I loved the most was to trick or treat on Halloween. We would go together with a big shopping bag and canvas her neigborhood and mine, returning home in between to unload the candy we collected. As we grew older, having parties at our homes became part of our life. Our parents became friends as well. Andrea enjoyed laughing, smiling, participating, giving of herself and being herself. I know she loved her parents and two brothers very, very much. I also know she loved all her days and teachers at Herricks Junior and Senior High. When I learned of her passing, I felt as if a part of my youth was clouded. About two years ago I had a dream which included Andrea and a first cousin of mine who passed on as well. Both were in an outdoor park setting with many people around. One recognized the other and expressed feelings of peace and harmony. When I woke up and realized it was a dream I knew in my heart both are in a good place. I no longer felt a part of my youth was clouded. I feel her memory living on through her family, friends, schoolmates, and teachers. May this special reunion and tribute to Andrea let her spirit know how much she is loved by all." - Peggy Cambus
- Andrea Olicker
- Veronica Osmer
"While Ronnie and I did not socialize out of the high school, she sat behind me in Social Studies senior year and we became close classmates that year.
She was fairly quiet and so pretty with beautiful long light brown hair and a shining smile. While I can't recall the contents of the notes we passed back and forth nor the comments behind our giggles as we tried to stay awake that last period, I remember a warm friendship that carried over into the hallways as we passed each other during period changes. We promised to make plans and looked forward to spending time at the beach that summer after graduation. She wrote in my yearbook: "Dear Anita, It's been great knowing you and becoming friends up here. I hope that after graduation we'll continue our friendship and get to the beach this summer! I hope that no matter where you go or what you do, that you'll always find much happiness! Love, Ronnie."
Shortly after graduation, I received the call that she had died in a car accident. She was entering the parkway when a drunk driver came speeding up the ramp in the wrong direction and hit her head-on. She never had a chance.
She was crushed between the steering wheel and the dashboard and died when all of her internal organs were crushed.Susan Berry and I attended the wake.
She was the only child of elderly parents and was laid out to rest in her prom gown. She looked like a princess who was waiting for her prince to kiss and wake her up. It was one of the most difficult losses I've ever attended. I have often thought of Ronnie, especially when I hear of a car accident involving a drunk driver. Perhaps that was a major contributory reason towards my disdain of drinking. I'm not really sure. But I do know that I never liked to drink, never went bar hopping, and never really travelled with a circle of people who were heavy drinkers. - Anita Epstein
- Liz Pagel
- Richard Peers
"I remember a wild and crazy young man, who had the gift to make me laugh. " -Yvonne Fernandes
- Claudia Rabe
"Claudia was my best friend. We met in 7th grade; became great friends right away. We were in 10th grade when we discovered we could take the bus down Hillside Ave. to Jamaica and take the E or F subway into Manhattan. From that time on, that was our Saturday playground. We explored every part of Manhattan; shopping and eating exotic lunches when we had babysitting money; otherwise museums, gardens, parks, or just walking. We'd seek out old neighborhoods, find great delis [Stumbled on places like Zabar's that were the highlights of our trips.]
She had a great family; I probably slept over her house a hundred times. We talked about everything under the sun; both of us great readers and we loved to compare notes. She moved the week after graduation so we didn't get to see each other as much after that. [We had decided when we were in Junior High that we were going to go to William and Mary together and work at the restored village in the summers!, but actually neither of us even applied there] I was in Illinois for a while, lived on Long island for about 5 years after college, and settled in Virginia Beach, where I still live. Claudia landed in Hartford, became a social worker. We'd get together about every 2 years, and talk every couple of months; just pick up where we'd left off, it seemed. She had breast cancer; everyone was positive they caught it early, sure she would be fine. About 2 years later, it was back. I spent a couple days with her a few months before she died; no one knowing yet that her time was so short. I can remember it like it was yesterday, standing in my kitchen; getting the call from her sister, describing her last days. [To this day I remember parts of that conversation verbatim] No funeral; it was over.
I've never had another friend like her. For years after she died I thought about her almost daily, still often do. She was a great person; fun, kind, interesting. I still miss her and I hate that I didn't get to share my life with her."- Nancy [Kucich] Warren
'Claudia Rabe and I were friends were friends all through elementary school (Park Ave). Her mother( along with Julia Dody's mother) was the leader of our Brownie troop.Those were sweet, innocent times making "situpons" ,baking goodies and having singalongs,always ending with the song, "Make new friends, but keep the old.."
I am so sad to find out Claudia has passed away. I last remember talking to her about her family moving to upstate New York after graduation.
Memories, now tinged with sadness.''-Ann Behr
- Scott Reisch
- Susan Schiffman
- Stephen Tozzi
"I remember Steve best from his appearance at our Talent Show, near the end of the year, our senior year. My impression of him up to that point I think was that he was quiet and rather shy, but he sang his heart out that night. I particularly remember him singing Wooden Ships, by C, S, N and Y. He was so passionate, so vulnerable, so courageous - he WAS his music. His voice was beautiful, and yes, it had a hint of sadness in it. To tell you the truth, I sorta fell in love with him that night. I was absolutely taken in and deeply moved by his connection to his music. I'll never forget it. When Steve Litchenstein told me years later that he had died, it was the picture of Steve up there on stage that jumped immediately into my head.
And just before the reunion I was going over my yearbook and saw that thequote Steve had chosen was from that song. Hi Steve, and thanks. - Nancy Levy_________________________________________________________________
"Steve was my boyfriend in 8th grade. I can remember him bringing me chocolate covered cherries and a stuffed skunk. He would put things in my locker for me to find. I too remember the talent show in high school. I was up there singing harmony with him. It was Tozzi and Mike Spano and Laura Kay and I and we did a couple of Crosby, Stills and Nash songs. "Helplessly Hoping" was one and to this day whenever I hear it, I hear Steve's voice. But mostly I think of him when I hear the Rascals "I Aint Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" because he could sing the hell out of that song. I have a tape (2track) of the Courtjesters. They rehersed at my house alot. Those were the days when girls weren't in bands but Tozzi alway encouraged me to sing and play guitar. I listened to him and I still play and sing (so Steve if you can hear me - you had a lot to do with me sticking to it). We remained friends most of high school but went our separate ways and all I can tell you is that I miss him and wish I could have seen him or spoken to him in the last thirty years. He had a very big heart. - Andi Helfant
- Jonathan Wolff
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