St Sebastians School - Arrow Yearbook (Newton, MA)

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4 0 K6 4 ff gffalirsilly, gv ' +A, : '2 lil X r-L Q 45' - , s DANIEL JOSEPH O'BRIEN Dan' '-' '0bie Football 2, 3, 4 Baseball 2, 3 Hockey CCaptain 35, 4 L Sophomore year introduced some of us to the Greek language and all of us to Dan O'Brien-both events being milestones in our scholastic career. Immediately upon joining our ranks, the Brookline boy launched his most formidable weapon against us-a broad, Hibernian grin that brightened our days and disarmed even the most resolute of foes. The success of his attack is well attested by the fact that few of us would care to enter a popularity poll today against him. Perhaps the outstanding characteristic of Obie's personality is an enthusiastic loyalty that is quick to spring to the defense of the Wealthy Town , and eloquent in extolling the diamond superiority of the St. Louis Cardinals, even to the extent of financial risk. Dan's daily trips to St. Sebastian's were made in the protective custody of Fr. Keating, and the morning pilgrimages from the turnpike to Nonantum Hill were always enlivened by the Brookline lad's rapid-fire replies to the history teacher's thrusts. It was on one of these expeditions that Dan earned for himself the name Geronimo , due to the preparations he made for parachuting from the skidding vehicle. As an athlete Danny starred in football, baseball and hockey. His seemingly effortless clutches of passes won him the football nickname of Snatch , while his steady, sure-fingered fielding made him regular guardian of the hot corner of the diamond. When we fielded a hockey team in the winter of 1943-44, Obie was one of the prime movers in the enterprise and his election to the captaincy of the squad was no surprise. On the ice he was a stellar defenseman who was equal to any emergency, and at least once each year he made the long trip from behind his own blue line to register a score. Dan's one regret is that no one has ever taken up the challenge to match drives and putts with him-but perhaps the consideration of fifty cents a hole was too great a hazard. Obie parts from us with his eyes on B. C. but the Navy may send out an intercept- ing force in the meantime. As regards his ultimate career he is still undecided, but his native ability and that disarming grin should combine to spell success in any field. Happy landing, Dan, and thanks for the memories!

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at ff r efill N 5 w if ff EDMUND JOSEPH MURPHY Moore - IVlurpla Football 1, 2, 3, 4 Basketball 1, 3 l Murph is to St. Sebastian's what the Empire State Building is to New York. His 6 feet 4 literally dominated the scene when the school opened its doors to us in September, 1941, but any awe that we felt in his regard was soon dissipated by his mild, easy-to-get-along-with temperament. It was from him that we learned that Wellesley Farms had been explored and developed into a charming country seat even though there are no cows there . We soon came to marvel not only at the brilliance of his mathematical deductions in class, but also at the magnitude of his victual de- ductions in the dining hall. He supplemented his natural wit by the use of gags heard the night7beg61'e'l'bn Duffy's Tavern or Fibber McGee and Molly , and punctuated their conclusion by the rippling, treble chuckle which could serve as his dog-tag . No off-campus gathering of the gang was complete without Moose , although, until recently, his interests were exclusively masculine. As an athlete Ed starred in football and basketball, and followed all the other branches of sport with avid enthusiasm. His epoch-making 70-yard run after in- tercepting a pass in the Sacred Heart game of '42 stood out as a high-light of that season, even though his gangling stride was broken and his gigantic form hauled to earth inches from the last white line. To our gridiron foes he was not merely an end or a tackle, but in reality an octopus with countless tentacles that bestowed bone-crushing embraces. His height made him a natural center for basketball, and only rarely did he lose the tip-off. He was not the type to keep a record of how many points he scored, team play was much more important to Murph . When the diamond sport held our attention, Ed could be seen on the bench jotting down hits, runs and errors in the ofiicial score book, and no power on earth was capable of altering his decisions. Moose was called to active duty in the Navy on December 2, 1944, where he plans to make use of his scientific bent and advance his ambition of becoming an alumnus of M.I.T. He carries with him our prayers and good wishes for the achieve- ment of success in the cruise of life. 3 'eb ill' 5 f iii

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XSQSCOIWIPP 4 af:- H . +54 ' Qu H T ra.. at + 5-MN 1 ' 'T ll MAssA0l' JAMES THOMAS SCULLY jim - Stull Football 1, 2, 3 Baseball 1, 3 V Basketball 1 1 St. Sebastian's was only functioning three days as an educational gold-mine when the good news travelled southeast to Newton Centre and came to the ears of Jim Scully. A born opportunist, he was quick to hit the gold rush trail and cast his fortunes with the pioneers of '4l. His new comrades were quick to make an impres- sion upon him Cliterallyj, and the good nature he demonstrated on his initial ap- pearance on the hill, won him immediate acceptance and he was in . Our first impressions of him were justified as time went on and we were made the beneficiaries of his twinkling eyes, infectious grin and Gaelic wit. Any melancholy brought upon us by announcements of exams or assignments of major importance, would be quickly dispelled by Scull's ability to find a silver lining lurking in the clouds. When Dick Shea joined our ranks, the two Newton lads instituted a Damon and Pythias relationship which remained unbroken despite furious interludes on the squash courts. jim was handicapped in athletic competition by a lack of weight which no number of second helpings was able to remedy. However, his dogged persistence and ardent enthusiasm surmounted that barrier and made him a fancy fielding second baseman and a sure-fingered end. However, when the finger on the Wall began to trace a service career for the budding athlete, he sensibly put aside the prospects of athletic glory to pursue an accelerated scholastic program that would win him a diploma. His efforts were successful and the parchment had scarcely been placed in his hand when he became the second member of his family to don the Navy blue. Since that time he has trodden the well-worn path to Sampson and Great Lakes, our thoughts and well Wishes accompanying him and looking forward to the day when he takes his place again in our circle. NONANTUM H ILL. 'Ill