Recent Reunions

VCHS Class of 1971 Holds 40 Year Reunion

The VCHS class of 1971 held their 40 year reunion on Saturday, August 20th, at the Knights of Columbus in Oil City. The reunion included 28 classmates, 11 guests, and three faculty including Rod Hartle, John Rosenhamer, and Fr. John Santor. Fr. John Malthaner, headmaster at Venango Catholic High School, was invited to give an update on the school. The alumni presented him with a check for the "Buy a Blind" fundraiser currently being held to replace the blinds at the school. Dave Hall was Master of Ceremonies for the night.

Fr. John Santor led a prayer in remembrance of the eight deceased members of the class of 1971: John Buchanowski, Tom DeCorte, Dan Fedorek, Mark Garbacz, Julia Martyna Jamison, Denny Serafin, Kathy Woloszyn Phipps, and Jim Woodring.

Thank you to all of our committee members including Kathy Andres McBride, Eileen Caffery Riddle, Jean Deemer Gilmore, Dave and Connie Fitzgerald Hall, Carey Solle, Chris Straub, and Jerry and Rosi Todhunter Schneider.

Class of '76 Holds 35 Year Reunion

The class of ’76 had their 35 year reunion on August 6th, 2011, in the Latonia Ballroom in Oil City, PA. A wonderful time was had by all! We provided an updated contact list to the school after the reunion, but if some reason you were not included, feel free to call the school at 814.677.3098 or email vchs@venangocatholic.org to update your information.

St. Joseph Class of 1961 holds 50-year reunion

The St. Joseph High School Class of 1961 held its 50-year reunion last weekend.

Events were held Aug. 12 at the Arlington and Aug. 13 at Cross Creek Resort. Mass, said by the two priests from the class, was held Aug. 14 at St. Joseph Church.

A brunch also was held. Classmates who attended include (starting with the front row, and going up the stairs): Mary Jo McClelland Yargar, Ed Gawrys, Pat Symons, Mary Kay McLaughlin Lowrey, Monsignor Robert Smith, Joel Camp, Don Sobina, Tom Garvey, Will O’Neil, Suzie Stanton Gifford, Sue Carson Williams, Elaine Stewart Melquist, Diane Gierlach Jackson, John Zawislak, Cathie Morgan Palley, Judy Rhodes Neinberg, Kate Scandlon, Barb Sambolich Kreunen, Martha Kokai Bukolt, Don Carone, Bill Johnson, and (in the top row): Bob Stanish, the Rev. Paul Masson, Cliff Woodworth, Paul Hopwood, Jack Fink and Fred Sebold.

Originally published in The Derrick on August 16, 2011.

St. Joseph High School Class of 1960 Reunion

Check out the Facebook page for the St. Joseph High School Class of 1960 Reunion – lots of photos, memories, and fun!

Class of '90 Reunion

Dear Fr. John, Thank you! The members that came to our class of 1990 reunion had a great time together, and it was voted that we will have a 25 year reunion as opposed to waiting another 10 years! Thank you for your kindness and support! The kids at VCHS are very lucky to have you! Sincerely – BJ Brooks, '90

In the reunion photo (left-to-right) Eric Foy, Kathy Chadman, Jim Stanish, Matt Woods, John Danzer, B.J. Angros Brooks, Pete Plumer, Joe Heinzer, Tim Lutz, Jason Smith (kneeling)

Class of '65 Reunion

In December 2007, the sudden loss of our '65 friend and classmate Maggie (Coyne) Camp, initiated a chain of events that resulted in this photo. A group of classmates organized a "Maggie Memorial" to help friends find closure to Maggie’s death. Thirteen classmates gathered at Venango Catholic High School for a memorial Mass. Classmates who hadn’t seen each other for years rekindled old friendships.

Pictured in the photo are Marilyn (Camp) Henderson, Panni (Bauer) Fry, Joan (Stover) McGreevy, Paula (Wydro) Phenicie, Suzanne (Duda) Dolecki, and Karen (Fitzgerald) Wander. This group wound up in Cancun together – catching up on missing years and trying new things like snorkeling – who would have thought?!

In summary: Value your friendships. It’s never too late to contact old friends with the wonders of email and internet.

Class of '00 Multi-Year Reunion

We had a multi-year class reunion (’99, ’00, ’01) held on July 31st, 2010. Fr. John had Mass for us at 4:30 in the VC chapel, which was followed by a steak fry at the school. It was great to see everyone!