Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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social service worker; Robert F. Howe of Howe Celluloid Corporation; and Philip R. Horwitch, artist and illustrator. At a table at the end of the room a little girl whom everyone called “‘Mikey” was leading the crowd in the School Song. ‘‘Mikey,” or Phyllis, had already become a leading st: ge attraction and her first motion picture was soon to be released. With her was Marion Johnson, a noted dress designer from Chicago. Francis Lambert was there too . . . Francis, the head waiter at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. At the left near Mary Pickford, a naval nurs2, we heard, ‘‘Oh, I’m tellin’ yuh” followed by ‘‘Well, I don’t know.” Yes, you’re right. It was Bob Lamothe, the popular dancing instructor in an exclusive New York ballroom. After dinner a talk on France was given by a member of the class, who resided in Paris, Paul LaPierre. A comedy in three acts followed, directed by the talented Arthur Church. The cast, composed of the following persons, who, although they were not all, actors, were in some way connected with the theatre, certainly proved their ability to entertain last night: Eleanor Zickell, Lauretta Fife (Mrs. Stephen Kimball), Stephen himself, Rosina Hobbs, Robert Laserte, and Victor Loiselle. No one seemed to realize how many were present until the all-knowing Mr. Mitchell through popular demand gave a summary of who was who and what each was doing: Jerry Angelini, an entertainer in a Boston cabaret; Shirley Yager and Raphaela Picucci, teachers; Clarence Legault, Louis George, and Antonio Marchetti, partners in a chain of garages which are located throughout Worcester County; Bob Bartlett, a teacher of draftsmanship in the Worcester Trade School; Jack Bell, head of chemical research at M. I. T., and Doris Hart, a teacher of psychology at Simmons College. Many members of the business world were present. The stenographers, bookkeepers, and office workers were Phyllis Andrews, Rachel Vigneault, Lucille St. Cyr, Eileen Coleman, Lea Cormier, Evelyn Girouard, Norma Hayford, Camela and Mary Tata, Katherine Page, Betsy Drenova, Mabel Johnson, and Anna Langley. The business men, members of large firms, were Aldrich Cousins, Emile Caron, Baltrus Jancaitis, George Smith, Cecil Francis, John De- Carolis, Robert Lowe, Charles Morse, Larry Pellegrini, Aaron Viall, and Donald Rist. The feminine part of the class was well represented in the nursing profession. The nurses, besides those already named, were Eleanor Reg an, Everill Ordway, Margaret King, Miriam Johnson, Lucille Heustis, Dorothy Bachand, Mary McCaffrey; and Alice Arbo, Rachael Gillis, and Victoria DiMassa, children’s nurses. The lawyers of the class were numerous. The boys who had become members of the bar were: Robert Briscoe, George Flathers, Prescott Henriques, Warren Kibler, Clifford Kingsbury, William McCall, Ralph Sherwin, Jack Such, and Vernon Wiles. We found only a few feminine attorneys-at-law in the gathering, but more than in any other class which was holding its reunion this year. These were Doris Barrett, Selma David, Alice Emery, Janet Harrington, and Hannah Porter. We learned that Gerry Babbitt was tea room hostess and Irene Legere had built up a pros- perous travel bureau agency. Robert Debettencourt and Louis Christoforo had become the leading auto mechanics in Leominster. Jane Drury, Raphaela Parent, and Leslie Peake, all happily married and no longer living in Leominster, were back last night to join in the merry- making. Gladys Duplease had been promoted to head cashier of Brockelman Brothers, Inc. Barbara Chesborough was employed in an insurance office in Fitchburg, as a typist. Gertrude Marquis was another of the girls who had ventured into the sea of matrimony along with Dot Mead, Catherine Rock, and Carolyn White. Janet Rowe was fashion editor of the Boston Post. Erminia Palumbo, Pearl Nelson, Maxine Nye, Lina Beaudette, and Vivian Perkins were all department store clerks. George Baldwin and Sidney Pennery were co-editors of the Leominster Daily Enterprise; John Benson was an interior decorator in New York. Ray Bresnahan and Pete Capone ran [ 28 |

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Cllewe Prophecy (Excerpt from the Leominster Daily Enterprise, June 24, 1957) Yesterday the 9:30 train arrived at the newly renovated North Leominster Station with an unusually large number of passengers who seemed to be well acquainted with each other, for the air was filled with, ““Do you remember the time we painted the goal posts and then had to pay for them?” and ‘“‘Wasn’t that a terrific fog we had the night of the Senior Prom?” Yes, you're right; it was the Class of ’37 coming back for a grand reunion. Twenty years had passed since that memorable June night when they had sung their Class Song together in the City Hall. On the platform of the station was that local gossip columnist, Lawrence F. Mitchell, who knew all about them and who told everything as they stepped down from the train. First came the Honorable President, Lauri J. Cormier, M. D., who is now chief surgeon at the Boston City Hospital. With him were two nurses from that same institution, Madeline Kane and Catherine Lilly, both of whom are well known among members of their profession. Following these was Bernard Marquis, leader of a well-known orchestra which had just finished an engagement at that famous night spot, the Eden Gardens in Worcester. Remember! With him were a couple of the members of his band, namely Frankie Mancuso, Fred Hastings, and Norman Girouard, who had recently completed his first part for the Boston Opera Company. While Mr. Mitchell was telling about these, whom we all knew, we took a look around the platform to see if some of the old classmates hadn’t remained in this metropolis of ours, As we proceeded to do this we perceived, coming up the street, a welcoming committee let by that swashbuckling politician, Senator Martin P. White, accompanied by the eminent personage, the Mayor of Sterling, Joseph S. Grinkis. Other members of the committee were Coach Angelo Lanza of the Shirley Industrial School; Elva Murray, night school teacher for Sterling girls; and Anna Florio, athletic instructor for girls at L. H. S. During the time we were finding these, a number of important personages had gotten off. There was our friend Freddy Fournier. They told us that he had made quite a name for himself as a professional as had his companion Bob Harrington. We didn’t hear what kind of professionals though. In his spare time, however, Bob conducts a school for lonesome girls and, if one can believe the reports, he has quite a reputation as a tutor. Over there talking to the committee was Basil Altobelli, a successful accountant from Boston; with him was Robert Erdman, a local garage owner. The last ones to get off were some of the teachers of the class: Gertrude Arsenault from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School; Lawrence Vorse, head of a well-known kindergarten; Ruth McAskill, a teacher in Ayer; and Lester Anderson of Cambridge. The groups were separating by this time, planning to meet again at the banquet that night, at which time the rest of the class would be with them. At seven-thirty, the chairman, Edward T. Killelea, a prominent Leominster lawyer, proposed a toast to those who were unable to be there: Philip Newman, a ranch owner in Nevada; Betty Draffin, whose archaeological researches had taken her to South America. Aline Grenache, tennis champ, who was touring Europe; and Nina Hicks, missionary in Alaska. To the right of the chairman sat the class officers, two of whom, President Cormier and Secretary Fournier, we have already mentioned. With these were Mary Killelea, Supervisor of Nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Winifred Mager, junior member of a prominent New York law firm. Starting at the left of the chairman down the head table one saw Chet Blodgett, a prosperous farmer, Esther Fluet, owner of a large beauty shop; Wallace Mason, man about town; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Love (the former Claire MacDonald), who were residing in Fitchburg where Joe was connected with the Crocker-Burbank Co.; Ilse Fricke, head of Sargent School of Physical Education; Raymond Racine, president and treasurer of the Royal Diners Inc.; Hope Harrison, [ 27 |

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the Casino Pool Room; Rowland Hill, Eddie Sendrowski, and Ralph Morrow had become quali- fied electricians. Harold Stout, aided by Alex Bartimo, operated a well-known hunting lodge in the North Woods. Gerda Johnson was a teacher of physical education at Wellesley High School; Helen Kershaw was dean of girls at Columbia University; Lie utenant Francis Gettens was stationed at Fort Devens and hence was able to be with the crowd last night. When Mr. Mitchell had finished his resume of the Class of ’87 and what they were doing, Lucy Gentile and Josephine Fini famous terpischorean artists, went into their dance but they were interrupted by a loud cheering and shouting coming from the corridor. As the noise drew nearer one could make out the old long locomotive “‘L-E-O-M-I-N-S-T-E-R.”’ Soon this was explained when everyone recognized Bernard Vorse, Candido Torcoletti, John Rodrequenz, Gug Picucci, Gino Piano, Phil O’Brien, John MacDermott, Harry Horwitch and Francis Mager. They did a snake dance around the hall and in a short time were joined by almost everybody else. While this was going on, we inquired from Bud what these fellows were doing. Bernard, we were informed, was president of Vorse Painting and Paperhanging, Inc.: Tore, Johnny, Gug, and Gino were partners in the Italian-American Oil Co.; Mac was a Leominster contractor; Arthur, a supervisor in the Dupont-Viscoloid Plant; Phil, the district manager of the First National Stores; Harry, the president of the Independent Lock and Key Co. of Fitchburg; and Frannie a partner in the Harris Ice Co. By this time everyone was having a great time and the dancing had begun. We found that many of those who had refused to attend their Prom because of lack of dancing skill had certainly learned something new since they had left L. H.S. Well, Cheerio until 1960 when they’!l all be back for more! MARY KILLELEA, Chairman, BETTY DRAFFIN, EDWARD KILLELEA, FRANCIS LAMBERT. History of Class of WS7, September again! The new sophomore class, 204 strong, strutted up to high school and were welcomed with a cold reception by the upper-classmen. No time was lost, however, in digging out the football suits, and, lo and behold, we lowly sophs outdid ourselves by offering great players to the squad. The Blue and White succeeded in stealing a victory from unsuspecting Fitchburg on Thanksgiving Day. Soon football was forgotten and basketball took the spotlight. In the middle of the season, we struggled through those horrible mid-year examinations. The shock soon passed, and we could again direct our minds to more pleasant things. Not to be outdone by the male members of our class, the sophomore girls succeeded in es- tablishing five basketball teams. We sophomores were represented in the Better Speech Contest by two now famous speakers, Martin White and Hannah Porter. We lost in spite of their endeavors. Later, queer noises were heard coming from the Assembly Hall. Upon investigation we learned that tryouts were in process for the coming operetta, ‘““The Mikado,” which turned out to be a great success. Among the leads were Edward Killelea, Norman Girouard, Leo Cabana, and George Smith from our class. There were also many bashful sophomores in the chorus. The piano accompanist was Helen Kershaw. [ 29 ] |