Row one (seated), left to right Laurel Toohey Casazza, Pat Johnson, Gracemary Naughton Comstock, Trish Sommer (Pat Ball), Laksmi Devi (Pat Caiola), Karen Elliott Erlanger, Anne-Marie Coufleau Brisset, Vicki Pierandri Morgan, Susie Kirtley Hand; row two: Dick Martin, Jeff Bryers, Pete Robbins, Mary Jo Croce Costabile, Nina Coogan Robertson, George Leeman, Phil Herzog, Al Tiburzi, Bob Simonson, Jude Lyons, Debbie Bernstein Cowden, Mary Ellen Carboni Pacific, Danny Leary, Sharon Mulvaney Warner, George Mulvaney; row three: Suzanne Corrie, Herb Perlman, Don Chandler, Bruce Robertson, Rick Coppola, Jim Bacchiochi, Jim Watson, Chris Brown, Jim Cupper, Jim Cowden, Harry Pierandri, Chet Zawacki, Bugsy Santini, Don Coe, Dave Ferry.
Fifty years after graduating, the Class of 1964 reunited last month.
Members of the class celebrated a three day reunion Sept. 26–28. More than 45 people met at Sagi Cucina the evening of Sept. 26, and in the afternoon of Sept. 27, about thirty explored various parts of downtown Ridgefield, the highlight being a tour of the new library by director Christina Nolan. More than 60 came to the main party on the evening of Sept. 27, at Silver Spring Country Club. Finally, about 40 attended a brunch at the Platinum Club in Danbury on Sept. 28.
The committee spent a year planning the reunion and was able to account for almost all the classmates. The committee members were: Laurel Toohey Casazza, Don Chandler, Jim Cowden, Debbie Bernstein Cowden, George Leeman, and Mary Ellen Carboni Pacific. A digest was distributed with names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, recollections, awards, geographical distributions, unusual birthdays, and biographical data. Many classmates enhanced the digest with personal pictures. Also, some local classmates made guest rooms available to save travelers hotel costs.
A few awards were given the evening of Sept. 27, by Jim Cowden, the party emcee:
Classmate who traveled the longest distance to the reunion (4,925 miles), Chris Brown (who lives in Hawaii); Classmate with the most grandchildren (11), Vicki Pierandri Morgan; Classmate married the longest (51.5 years), Vicki Pierandri Morgan (several classmates have been married more than 40 years, and Bruce and Nina Coogan Robertson will celebrate their Golden Anniversary this month); Classmate with the longest digest entry (1,167 words), Jim Cupper.
A few additional awards which were noted or mentioned in the digest: Classmate closest to the Reunion party (1.2 miles), Chris Lynch; Classmate living in one of the 15 coolest neighborhoods in the world — according to Vogue Magazine, Sept. 5, — Anne-Marie Coufleau Brisset, Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY; Classmate with parents still living in Ridgefield, Howard Boardman; Classmates making cash contributions without attending the reunion, Sandy Ridolfi Hennessey, Mike Robinson; Classmates with an intraclass next generation marriage: Andrea Sollecito Knox’ son Ryan and Christine Rodier Pfeffer’s daughter Susie, married in 2013; Most impressive sailing experience, Brion Sirine, winning the Philadelphia Cup Regatta for 27-foot boats, September, 2012; Classmate who hosted the most people at his house (five), George Mulvaney.
In addition, this writer was given a gift to acknowledge his contributions to the reunion events.
The class of 1964 is a closely knit collection including successful individuals. It spans 27 states, the Virgin Islands, and Canada. Many classmates have now retired, and there are 40% fewer in both Connecticut and New England than ten years ago.
Getting organized
Mary Ellen determined the brunch location and food choices for all relevant events; she personally prepared the desserts for the main party. Jim and Debbie determined the main party’ program. Jim acted as our emcee at the main event, and Debbie was our DJ, choosing all the songs. She also helped with food details for the brunch. George worked on developing needed databases, early versions of the digest, and coordinating many details which arise in reunion planning. Laurel oversaw all the artistic needs of the events, producing decorations, party favors, graphics, and two tables of memorabilia at the main event. She also produced the final version of the digest. Don streamlined our approaches with his computer knowledge, suggested and implemented the idea of giving flash drives to everyone, and handled all needed photography items. He, Debbie and Laurel produced a slide show for the main party. Everyone participated in the overall decision making, deciding the details for each event, locating classmates, and follow-up phone calls.