Kingswood Oxford High School - Retrospect Yearbook (West Hartford, CT)

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Peter William Fairbairn Fifth Form — ’47 Pete Arising at six A. M. in order to catch the com- muter’s special from Granville, Mass, has been the daily task of Pete ever since he came to Kingswood from Mount Herman. There Pete played Junior League football, basketball, and baseball in his freshman year. The following year first team football beckoned, but an aggra- vated former shoulder injury forced him to give up the sport. The Mastermind has acquired quite a reputation for politics and studies. He has not completely submerged himself in his studies, however, for he displays a healthy in- terest in the great outdoors — being an ardent member of the Outing Club, and having been a staunch supporter of a similar organization at Mount Herman. Pete’s services during his first year went toward managing Mr. Morris’ basketball team, joining the Foreign Policy Association, and contributing his literary talents to the News. The Senior year was a mighty busy time for young Mr. Fairbairn. Every issue of the News contained an interesting and authorativc Who’s News column. Pete was also elected to the Classbook Committee, and he proved to be one of the backbones of the Business Board. Pete is probably best known for his knowledge of politics, both past and present. Several days before the election last fall Mr. Greene did not appear at the sixth form American History class. Confusion reigned for a few minutes, but as soon as it was ascertained that Willie was positively not coming, the suggestion was made that Political Pete give a talk on the prospects of the coming election and the American political system in general. He went to the front of the room and held forth for better than a half hour over respectfully quiet and in- terested students. Rivaling his political fame Pete will probably go down as that hard-hearted businessman who extracted the cold cash from the arriving couples at Kingswood dances. Harvard 21

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Thomas Robert Di Lorenzo Sixth Form —’48 Tom Tom joined the ranks of Kings wood's most illustrious class in the role of post-graduate after four years at Weaver High school. He was first seen around the campus practicing with the football team, where he proved himself to be a most welcome addition. Any one who saw the Saturday contests remembers the fleet halfback continually knifing through the opposition to make many a needed tackle. Tommy’s car, looking like a relic from an Armistice Day parade, caused a great furor upon its first appearance here, but the school soon grew used to half of it. It was probably the only car in existence that people ever recognized from the back, since few saw his late entrances each morning. All, however, saw his early exits. “Where is Di Lorenzo?” became a custom with the Doctor every day at twenty-five minutes of nine. This, followed by a “He’ll be here in a little while”, would prccccd a hasty and tardy, but always happy entrance for Tom. “I’ll sec you immediately after lunch in my apartment” was all that followed. Tommy spent his winter day wrestling with the morning basketball group, receiving fully enough injuries to bleed as much as the other veterans of the court. As usual, through thick and thin, snow and sleet, he managed to leave school early with the best of them. The smoking room privilege received his nicotinal aid also during the cold months. The whole idea of smoking in front of masters appealed heartily to Tommy, and he was often heard to remark, Weaver was never like this”. Throughout the year, Tom acted nobly on behalf of the Dance Committee, helping greatly in the planning and executing of its several functions. Anyone who has ever had the plcasure(?) of riding in his heap anywhere cannot possibly forget its torturous moments. It’s an unbelievably horrible experience to undergo. No one will for- get the driver either, calmly whizzing along with little or no regard for his surroundings. Trinity 20

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Thomas Patrick Finley Third Form —’45 Tom Among the group of new recruits that en- tered the Class of ’49 in the third form was Kingswood’s own Paul Bunyon, Big Tom Finley. A big boy even then, he wasted no time in becoming a member of the first football squad. After an uneventful winter — sportswise, that is—he worked out with the track squad. Dur- ing this year and the one which followed, Tom worked almost every day in the kitchen as a vol- unteer dining-hall monitor. He filled out his extra-curricular activities by joining Mr. Water- man’s embryo Carusos in the Choir. During his fourth form year he again was a member of the football team and in the spring was a member of the intermediate baseball team. Football and baseball constituted 'Pom’s athletic activities for the next two years. We won’t remember Tom for his athletic prowess, but we will never forget the sundry intricate problems in which he became entangled. He seemed to have chronic difficulties with “the powers that be.” Wherever there was trouble, Big Tom could almost invariably be found right in the middle. One of his most universally enjoyed attributes was the finesse with which he could — and did — throw the well-known bull. He always joined in the sessions and we were unceasingly fascinated by his stories, although taking them the while with a grain of salt. 'Pom has been constantly active in the choir and the dramatic club. Every morning wc have heard his resonant voice booming through the chapel, and he often soloed during Mr. Waterman’s splendid Christmas sings. He is also noted for his safe (?) driving of his father’s Pontiac. Wc will always remember Big Tom as one of the characters of our class of ’49. Providence 22