Diman Vocational High School - Artisan Yearbook (Fall River, MA)

Page 38 text:

fN RQPHECY CLASS P f gp Y Q V . June, 1970 At 15,000 feet above sea level, flying ata speed of l,200 miles per hour, I, Al Ferreira, accompanied by Al Perreira, arrived for the reunion of the class of 1950. We landed our supersonic jet on the grounds of LaGuardia Airport and were surprised to find out that Mr. Arthur Oliveira, owner of this and other leading airports in our country, had done so well. As I hailed a cab, Mr. Perreira noticed the owner's name as being that of Bill Shanahan, who could be no other than our old classmate and dear friend. The cab rolled down Fifth Avenue, and we noticed the changes in the appearances of the buildings that had taken place since our last visit to New York in l950. Later we were greatly surprised to find out that the changes we noticed had first taken place on the drawing board of the brilliant draftsman, Donald Ferry. Before entering the main dining room where the reunion was to be held, we stopped and talked with the new owner of the Waldorf Astoria, Mr. Louis Charest, who was doing remarkably well at this business. , When we entered the dinin.g room, we folmd we were among the first to arrive, but gathered in a secluded corner was a small portion of our class who were attentively watching a television broadcast. As my friend, Al Perreira, and I drew close to the gathering, we heard the announcer say, Now presenting the world's second Milton Berle, alias Gerald Minkin. Naturally, this explained Gerald Minkin's absence from the reunion. As I started to look over the crowd, the faces started to bring back memories and recognitions. Suddenly in the door appeared two members of my class, Bill Aitken and Edward Pappas, known to the business world as Pappas and Aitken, Roof and Steeple Building Contractors.

Page 37 text:

ft ? ? 64444 Will . , K Patrick Roberts, muffling devices for the benefit of the future unfortunates that have to listen to his never to be won arguments. John Harrington, an electrical Yo Yo to save the wear and tear on his right arm. Norman Dube, we leave Gerald Ratcliffe, and to Ratcliffe we leave Dube, and to both an extensive alarm and awakening system to awaken them at the same time. Edward Pappas, the hope that he may invent an improved system of framing houses. Arthur Oliveira, a large, prosperous, financially sound automotive shop of his very own. William Shanahan, the economical Scotchman, a tube of lipstick for his girl, that he may get it all back. , Alfred Perreira, a men's haberdashery to keep his fine looks and good grooming. Lloyd Bennett fthe tin soldierj, we leave him a place in the Army to command the WACS. Joseph Barboza, a national league soccer championship, with recommendation to the Hall of Fame. Edmond Silva, the first contract awarded to install electricity in the small town of Rehoboth. Matt Burke, we leave a barber to keep his curly locks in place.

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Just behind Bill and Eddie were William Desrosiers and Lloyd' Bennett, shareholders in the Brown and Sharpe Company and running Andrew Carnegie, American steel king, a close second fortune. As Al and I wandered to the buffet, we met Lionel Lafleur and Harold Piche, owners of the Oakridge, Tennessee, atomic bomb factory, formerly owned by the Government. Just then-we heard the voices of Pat Roberts and Josiah Haskett as they were quibbling in loud voices about which was the richer. Standing close by, listening to this argument, were Lawrence Quinn, 'Pro- fessor of Electronics, and Norman Methot, United States Conservation Officer. During the course of conversation we heard someone say that Gerald Ratcliffe, radio announcer for CBS, would not be able to attend, due to a radio broadcast he was scheduled to make. . , - Another member unable to attend was Admiral Joseph Barboza, who was in France on a world tour. The next person to appear before my vision was Edmond Silva, inventor and designer of electrical farm equipment. Just a little to my left in an overstuffed chair was Edward Rego, now taking Gregory Peck's place in Hollywood. Sitting on the arm of Eddie's chair, with a big cigar in his mouth, was Jim Carey, coach of basketball for Holy Cross. As I looked up, in the door appeared the huge form of the owner of the Stork Club and various dance halls, Donald Butler. A hush of silence came over us as John Harrington, our next president of the United States walked in with his private dentist, Mr. Matthew Burke. During the last twenty years, the only two members I lost track of were Everett Gaudreau and Norman Dube. Their disappearance was explained when I picked up a paper and read as follows: Two of Fall River's oil kings have struck oil again in Egypt. Last but not least came Neil O'Brien, a married man with five fine children and a swell wife. Neil is doing well, for he still lives in Tiverton and now owns its only bank. After the banquet was over, the reunion started to break up, and Al and I had our own little business to attend to. It was a happyreunion except for the fact that it is not nice to see your friends grow told.