St Sebastians School - Arrow Yearbook (Newton, MA)

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l HIS USUAL 'L 7 L C Room aivfMlz.Gnasaus,,3 A ,F it Q tif . 4 Z, 1 O .bg fy .L 4, 4' 'ilk lg WILLIAM PHILIP GIBBONS Bill -- Gibby Practically everybody at St. Sebastian's regards the Gibbons estate in Westwood as a second home and it is a rare day indeed that Mrs. Gibbons is not playing host to an army of Billy's friends. As a result, some Sebastianites have become expert equestrians and many are the stories that have drifted back about the unlimited possibilities of good times in the country, Even before enrolling at the School, Gibby carried our colors into action while still at Mt. Alvernia and he has been an outstanding athlete from his earliest days on our Hill. Two years ago, he and Murph catapulted the School into the headlines of Boston newspapers by being temporarily missing at sea and many were the sighs of relief when they emerged safe and sound. Very popular with his classmates, Bill has been a class officer and a leading figure in all the enterprises of our group. Although he never threatened Fran Kett's scholastic supremacy, Will had a fine mind and would never descend to the use of outside aids in getting up his Latin. In his earlier days, he possessed the faculty of catching 40 winks in the classroom even in spite of Father Keating's booming tone, One of the finest athletes in our class, Gibby earned many a scar in Red and Black competition, but he was fortunate in having his devoted father on hand to repair the damages. On the gridiron, he was a hard-running halfback who could be depended upon for sizable chunks of yardage. Late in the Hudson game this year it was Billy who sparked our drive for the tieing score with a sparkling side-line scamper that carried him deep into hostile territory and paved the way or the touchdown pass. As a Senior, he also carried the responsibility of booting us out of danger and his high left-footed aerials were things of beauty. When Hockey took the center of the stage, Bill was a very valuable defenseman whose sweeping stick broke up many an attack on our cage and afforded our goalies the maximum of protection. Carrying the puck, the Gibbons Express reached terrific momentum and packed one of the hardest shots in schoolboy ranks. After these successes, Gib turned to diamond competition and achieved even greater laurels. A real ball-hawk in his first season of play, he was converted into a first baseman by Vip and became a regular Fancy Dan around the initial sack. In the slugging department, he was a long ball hitter who amazed Coyle supporters by homering into the Taunton River, Planning to strengthen the chains of friendship forged at St. Sebastian's, Bill intends to make Boston College his Alma Mater. Smooth sailing, Gib, and may you anchor often at our home port. 1-I 38 I-i

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4 a'+ '59 N Mg 31- Bl ' 1 79 At, f a? 'MASSAUX WILLIAM HENRY FLANAGAN, JR. Bill Out from the heart of the Blue Hills, a red-headed trail blazer makes his way to Nonantum Hill every morning, picking up various Miltonites along the route, Quite frequently the jeep and its cargo just miss making the nine o'c1ock bell and a long, de- tailed explanation of the tardiness is evolved by Bill in the interest of escaping the jug penalty. Highly successful time and again in convincing Miss Kenny, he was quite taken back on one occasion when Miss Meuse intervened to remark that that particular excuse was outworn and that all concerned would have to report at 3:15. Before the jeep made its appearance, a snow storm would cut the Flanagans off from the rest of the world, but now the Willys is equal to every challenge of Nature and has been a life- saver for the Milton contingent. At St. Sebastian's, Bill has been a quiet classmate who realized the importance of academic pursuits, His chief interest is his home and he never tires of describing the pool which he and his father built together. As a result, the family are able to enjoy swimming and boating in their own backyard, while junior has become an interested observer of goldfish, polywogs and other species of finny creatures. Formerly a Summer resident of Scituate, he is looking forward to spending this vacation on his own estate. Very particular as to whom he associates with, Bill has often been pressed to the very limit of his resources in trying to escape commitments made for him by his sister. ln such a crisis, he adopts the most persuasive tones in an endeavor to find a substitute, but generally to no avail. As an active member of Father Harrington's Radio Club, Bill made great progress during this last year and won the undying gratitude of Paul Burke in the process. Putting his technical skill at the beck and call of Father Keating, Bill was a most important factor in the success of this year's Minstrel Show and the services he rendered to a fellow redhead were due no doubt to his gratitude for the fun he had in learning to ski as a member of the Alpine Club. Not willing to go far from his Milton Eutopia, Will plans on attending B.C. for the next four years, Thanks for your loyal comradeship, Bill, and may the years serve to add to your blessings, :-I 37 I-1 Q00 wouw You use METQ FIX You UP WITH A DREAM? qw' ,r Q. 7 . 1? 1. ,hx

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COUNIQPQ' K K L' s s, gf it 5 Nl 1:95 S. V' ' SSAU5 HENRY REED GOMPERTS Gompy Knighthood will always be in flower as long as Reed Gomperts walks this earth. Last Summer he had occasion to prove his chivalry when an old man was set upon by an assailant and it took our hero only one blow to accomplish the rescue, As a member of our class since the Sophomore year, Reed has been a most genial companion and one possessed of a quiet sense of humor that pervaded all the hours of his day. If he favored one academic subject more than another, Latin would get his preference and he seemed to enjoy his proximity to the platform because it enabled him to study Father Flanigan at close range. At times he had to tear himself away from the academic program of the School, and, on one such occasion, a trafhc violation gave rise to great worry as to whether the time of the misdeed would appear on the notice sent to his father, For some reason or other, Brookline was an obsession with him: he felt obligated to look in on the High School from time to time, he liked the tempo of relaxation at Howard johnson'sg he moved in social circles that had the approval of Father Barrett and Father Harrington. Together with Ebber Ryan and joe McCarthy, Gompy liked to spend as much time as possible at historic exhibits like the Freedom Train. Jim Delay was another buddy of Reeds, but even jim was not allowed to interrupt his program of sleeping the clock around on Saturday mornings. During his first two years on the Hill, the Jamaica Plain boy was not in physical sha e to play Football that he loved so well. This past season, however, his joy knew no lbounds when doctors gave him the green light to don pads and helmet, Reporting as a backfield candidate, he became first string when Bob Murphy and Bill Gibbons were sidelined by injuries, and he gave an especially fine account of himself in the night game at Hudson. His size and speed made him difhcult to tackle, as St. Mary's of Brookline has good reason to remember. Unfortunately, an injury sustained during a practice session forced him out of service for a while and prevented him from having the best season possible. Reed will pursue his higher education at Boston College, where many of us will be able to continue the friendships made with him during our St, Sebastian years. Success in your every venture, Reed, and always be assured of a warm welcome from your class- mates of '49. 1-I 39 1-: L LEAVE U5 60 T0 THE FREEDOM E1 TRAIN W AGAIN 'L gf XX 37 1?