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

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Walter Wheeler Lowell Walt Walt first entered the gates of Kingswood in his Second Form year in 1945, after leaving Collinsville Grammar School, crammed with enough education to enter our noble institution. Walt settled right down, and during that illustrious year lent his talents to the not too successful Lancaster Club. Through his relentless banter, the class learned much about the welfare of the Canton variety of muskrats, and also of their probable downfall. He was then promptly dubbed “Mush- Rat” Lowell. At the end of that and the next fishing season, “Mush Rat” found that he had won the prize for the largest trout caught that season in the Outing Club contest. Because of a broken arm, during his Third Form year, Walt had little to do with sports, except as a member of Mr. Goodwin’s Outing Club. Walt continued with the Outing Club in his Fourth Form year, and also proved himself an outstanding member of Mr. Jacobus’ Golf team. In that year, Walt also showed his business qualities by being admitted to the business board of the Wyvern. In the Fifth Form Walt became an active member of the second soccer team and was able to win his letter. Walt was on the business board of the Wyvern for another year and proved himself an outstanding member. When spring came, Walt headed for the golf links, and after playing a fine season on the team was named captain-elect for the next year. In September of 1949, Walt once more entered Russell Gate to see how it felt to be a senior. At the beginning of the year, Walt was elected business manager of the Wyvern. He also joined the Dramatic Club, and at the end of the fall season, won his letter on the varsity soccer team. During the winter, Walt bravely risked life and limb while playing as one of the chosen few on the Morning Basketball Hackers A. C. When spring came, Walt rounded out the year nicely, by captaining the Kingswood Golf team. 28

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John Whitfield Larrabee, Jr. Jack Jack joined the Kingswood ranks in the spring of 1946. Almost immediately after his arrival, everyone felt we had indeed received a welcome addition to our class. Because of his cvcr-rcady, and inexhaustible humor, Jack made for himself the reputation of being a “right-guy” among his classmates. The change from Plant was a big one, but never once did it interfere with his keen sense of humor. Although not the “valedictorian” of the class, Jack was always “well above water”. However, it might be said this was accomplished only by long, hard, and industrious time and effort. His senior year was certainly his biggest. In the fall, jack very capably managed the soccer team. Like everything else he did, Jack was always efficient, even to the detail of supplying the particular brands of gum requested. No one was ever disappointed. For his real enthusiasm Jack received his major “K”. As winter came along, Jack helped to organize a squash team. There were many difficulties to overcome such as transportation, courts, etc. He helped solve at least one of these by furnishing a car every day. Never leaving an ounce of his hearty laughter dormant, Jack became co-editor of the “Keyhole . Many students laugh from one issue to the other, over Jack’s tireless efforts. As if this were not enough, Jack also wrote on the Editorial Staff and gathered many ads lor the Business Board. When week-ends came, Jack’s was always the place for the parties. He satisfied everyone. For those who didn’t like the idea of dancing, or for those who didn’t have dates, Jack furnished food and drink, and a large card table. Although some left these social get-to-gethers, with a little less money in their pockets than when they arrived, everyone had a good time. Jack’s ambition is to follow in his father’s footsteps, and become an M.D. We are sure that he will be as big a success in his later life, and he was at Kingswood. Good luck, Jack, from the entire class of 1950.” 27

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James Dcnnis Marinan, Jr. Spider Jim strode through the Russell Gate in the fall of 1946 and immediately settled down to the task of becoming one of the most popular boys in the class. Despite a prolonged illness in the fall term of his freshman year, he constantly main- tained a place on the C-list and distinguished himself in the intermediate athletic program. In his sophomore year, “Slats”, as he was then called, advanced to second team football, basketball, and baseball, remained on the C-list, and favored the News with his attention by joining its editorial staff. It was in his Fifth Form year, however, that Jim came into his own. He was elected to the lucrative position of secretary-treasurer of the class and became one of the tuxedo-clad members of the Dance Committee. Because of the difficulty he encountered when he tried to gain weight, he switched his affiliations from iootball to soccer and played on Mr. Jacobus' undefeated team. In the spring the lanky left-hander pitched for Coach Morris' nine, and we all remember his 19-3 victory over the Hartford Uconns. In his senior year, Jim was one of the six prefects. He was also elected editor-in-chief of the Blac and Crimson, popularizing the command, “Will you guys please go down to Burian’s and have your pictures taken! He somehow found time to write for the Wyvern, and to add his voice to the Choir. Jim was in the starting line-up of this year’s soccer team. Someone, seeing his educated left foot, which, incidentally, is hitched to the end of a rather long leg, blast the ball half the length of the field, shouted, “Nice kick, Spider!”, and thus his nickname was bom. In the winter term he spurned basketball and became a member of the “Three-Thirty Club , but in the spring he caught baseball fever and again played on the varsity. In his four years at Kingswood, Spider dis- tinguished himself as a hard and willing worker. He was always ready to assist anyone who needed help, whether it was in doing math or sweeping the gym. He made many friends, none of whom will ever forget him. He doesn’t need it, but: Good luck to a swell guy!” 29