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

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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

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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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William Chafee Fisher, III Fifth Form — '47 Bill Bill’s first appearance at Kingswood was marked by the characteristics for which he later became known. Neatly dressed, he made the journey from Manchester in his renown 1931 Model A Ford. Soon he was found playing on Mr. Root’s second soccer team while all the time planning to join up with the motcly 3:30 Club. This was until Mr. Morris caught up with him and forced him into taking morning basketball. Before coming to Kingswood, Bill spent two years at Manchester High School where he dis- tinguished himself as a member of the Dramatic Club. Both here and in Manchester Bill leads a very active social life. As chairman of the The Junior Social Committee of the Manchester Country Club and Editor of the Old Boy’s News, Bill docs an excellent job. Bill’s sportsmanship led him to become a member of the newly-formed golf team in his fifth form year. Following through with soccer and morning basketball, he again managed to keep up with his favorite sport this spring. One of Bill’s feats is in keeping his Model A in fair (?) running condition. He is seen chugging along to school in the ancient green relic each morning, rain or shine, summer or winter with his fellow Manchcstcritc, Doug Friend. The class underwent great suspense when he made one of his many operations on such parts as spark plugs, pistons, generators, ttc. We arc all in ardent hope that it holds out at least long enough to carry him faithfully to and from school during his last year at Kings- wood. Although it continually makes him late for school, he persists in saying, “It’s a good old car, and I wouldn’t part with it for under five dollars.” Probably the keynote to Bill’s success at Kings- wood is his omnipresent appearance at the sundry bits of night life in West Hartford. Bill seemingly always pops up with his jolly sense of humor and his acquired accent. To him we say in parting, “Thanks awfully”. Brown 23