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

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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

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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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John Davison Fithian Second Form — 44 Johnny John's first appearance at Kingswood was marked by his joining the York Club. During that same year he distinguished himself by earn- ing a Wyvern in both soccer and softball. At the beginning of the winter term he added to his activities the post of Wyvern board member for the lower school. Here John temporarily in- terrupted his career by spending his next two years at Plant Junior High and Hall High respectively. At Plant he was a member of the History Club, Debating Club, and Camera Club, besides being secretary of his class. His rabid enthusiasm for joining clubs followed into Hall where he added the Latin Club to his collection of the previous year. During the fifth form year Johnny escaped the clutches of Hall and stumbled through the portals of Kingswood for the second time. That fall he worked out with the second soccer team, and during the winter he joined the group of morning exercisers. By the rime Spring rolled around John was donating his industrious services to the first team of the Three-thirty Club. With stellar performance and scintillating singularity, John has risen to the height of Grand Wizard in the noble organization. After John’s introduction into that big political machine, the sixth form, he decided to keep his interest in sports alive by becoming manager of the soccer team. He devoted a lot of time to helping the squad through its undefeated season, and he was truly a credit to the team. The winter term saw him again a member of the morning basketball contingent. In addition to his other activities he found time to be a loyal member of the Outing Club. Johns affable good humor and kind thought- fulness has brought him many friends among the Kingswood student body. His friendly attitude and appreciation for others has marked John as one of the highest regarded fellows in our class. As one of the Forty-niners, John lends his talents amiably and with profound success. University of Connecticut 24