Jan Blakesberg

90 Riverside Drive, 5-F,

New York, NY

 

 

rsd5f@aol.com

 

Hi all, I've lived in NYC for the last 20 years.  I have two boys, one   who is a Sophomore in High School and one in Fourth Grade.  I have a Custom Handcrafted Jewelry Business.  Currently I am in a serious relationship with Craig Hyman (Class Of '76) who I saw while attending The Class Of '76 Reunion last year.  Could have never anticipated that.  Hmm, you never know what life has in store for you around the next

corner.

  

 

Carol Pelosi (Catalano)

62 Fairview Road

Clark, NJ 07066

 

 

carolpelosi@msn.com

 

My life since I left High School, where do I begin.  I graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth with a degree in History, which I never used.  I went into banking, investments and insurance.  I got married in 1983 and had two children, at which time I stopped working.  Over the next 18 years I took a series of part time jobs.  My favorite was substitute teaching in the High School (ALJ).  I still work part time but my husband is bugging me to work full time since the kids are now big.  My son Vincent was born in 1988 an is now a Sophomore at Moravian College he’s Pre-Med (makes his mother proud) and my daughter Victoria was born in 1990 and is a Junior at ALJ.  This year I will be married 24 years and have started on a new career in bookkeeping.  Sure glad I went to college for History.  Last year had a mild health setback, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, but I’m happy to say that is behind me now.

 

 

Robi Salierno (Weisholtz)

10 Thor Solberg Road

Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889

 

 

whippetcat@aol.com

 

After I graduated high school, I went to school to be a Court Reporter.  I ended up going for one year and deciding it wasn't what I wanted to do.  I then got into the steamship business and worked in Export Traffic for several years (and was fortunate to work in 2 World Trade Center on the 99th floor in the early '80s.)

 

I married my husband, Rick, in 1979.  I had twin sons, Dustin and Kyle, who were born in 1983.  I worked as a legal secretary while they were growing up, and was fortunate enough to work part-time at that point and be home with my boys as they grew up.  In 2005, Dustin graduated from Temple University and Kyle graduated from Rutgers University.  They both work for Progressive Insurance in Claims--Dustin lives in New Hampshire, Kyle lives in East Brunswick, NJ.

 

I continue to work as a legal secretary in Bridgewater and do volunteer work and am on the Board of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.  We have lived in Whitehouse Station since 1994.

 

 

Andy Byer

1766 Kirsten Lee Drive

Westlake Village, CA 91361

 

 

iabyer@aol.com

 

I left the Garden State in 1980 to settle in Southern California and have been there ever since.  I live in Westlake Village, a small town close to Malibu.  I have been married to my wife Debra for 20 years and we have two boys, Zac 19, a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, and Max, 16 a sophomore in high school.  I co-founded a food distribution company in 1980, which I later sold in 1999.  I then entered the tech space and currently serve as the Executive Vice President for STI, an educational technology company with corporate headquarters in Alabama.    In my free time, I enjoy golf, running, skiing, attending Dodger games and spending time with friends and family.  Whenever I come east, I still make sure to take a trip down “memory lane” and visit all the old hang-out spots.

 

 

Nick Caterino

360 Spruce Drive

Brick, N.J. 08723

 

 

tncaterino@comcast.net

 

After High School I attended college and earned an Associates Degree before I gave up school for good. About the same time I finished school my family left the restaurant business so I had to go out and find a job. I worked in odd jobs like plumbing and heating and air conditioning. Then an injury and back surgery laid me up for six months. About the time I was ready to resume work a friend that owned a truck needed a driver, so I said what the hell. I drove the truck for awhile and slowly worked my way off the road and into the company’s warehouse. I was soon working in the Logistics Dept. I soon left that company and became the warehouse manager for a haz-mat shipper. When they closed down I moved to my current company Hall’s Fast Motor Freight where I now serve as the Safety Supervisor. I have been with Hall’s for almost 13 years. I met my wife Trish on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights in 1981 and married her in 1987. We have 2 teenage daughters, Kimberly is 17 and a senior at Brick High she also attends college classes at Ocean County College. Melissa is 15 and a sophomore at brick high. We lived in Rahway for approx. 13 years after we were married and then moved down to Brick in June 2001. My wife is a Paraprofessional working with handicapped children in the Brick school system. We both enjoy the beach and time spent on a friend’s boat or just kicking back on the deck in our yard poolside.

  

 

Cathy Stamato (Metzinger - "Sprout")

Woodbridge, New Jersey

 

cath1204@msn.com

 

Married to Gerry Stamato since 1984.  Have two children, Nicole, Age 18 -- presently attending Kean College with hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher; Billy, Age 14 -- just beginning first year of high school.  We have lived in Woodbridge since 1985.  I am employed as a legal secretary @ McDermott & McGee, LLP in Millburn, New Jersey.  I've been with the firm for 31 years -- yes that's right, starting working two days after graduating ALJ !!!!!  Can you say "second home"?? 

 

I am still close friends with Rose Herrmann (Esposito) and Kathy Pajonk (Kessler). 

 

 

Doug Lewis

231 N. Kane Avenue

Middletown, RI 02842

 

 

Doug_Lewis@stgeorges.edu

 

Since graduating from college in 1981, I have been a high school math teacher.  From '81 through '95 I worked at the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, and since 1995 I have been head of the mathematics department at St. George's School, one of those New England boarding schools, in Newport, Rhode Island.  I have been married since 1989 to my wife, Melanie, who is also a math teacher at St. George's.  We have a son Ben (15) and a daughter Emily (13).  We still get down to the Jersey shore every summer, but I haven't been back to Clark for quite a while.  It's hard to believe it has been 30 years.   Wow...

  

 

Lee Anne Bentsen (Orshak)
Living in Clark
One Child: 29 years old
Working in Cranford for Steamship Line

 

lbentse@uasc-sag.com

  

 

Donna Gurarda (Russamano)

22 Country Club Dr.

Colonia, NJ 07067

 

 

auburnursenj@aol.com

 

After graduating ALJ, I attended Union County College and Elizabeth General Nursing School for about a year, but did not succeed. I married in 1981, had one son Nicholas in 1984.  In 1986, I re-enrolled in nursing school and graduated valedictorian with AS and RN degree. I had two more children, Joshua in 1990 and Elizabeth in 1993. I worked in orthopedics, med surg and psychiatry for about ten years. I divorced in 2000 and continued with my career advancement working in assisted living and long term care facilities. Presently I am the Director of Nursing for Care One in Navesink, which is a long term care rehabilitation center. Nicholas is a Rutgers graduate, Joshua is a senior at Colonia HS planning to also attend Rutgers and Elizabeth is a high school freshman.I have resided in Colonia since 1985.

  

 

Lee Opperman Donna Opperman (Pelusio)

CRS, ABR, SRES
Broker Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Basking Ridge/Bernardsville Office

LeeOpperman@aol.com

 

After high school Donna went to work and I went off to college at Delaware.  Heartbroken after being away I came home to Monmouth after one year and then dropped out and we moved in together in 1979 and went to work.  We got married in 1981 and had a daughter Allison in 1985 and another daughter Rebecca in 1988.

 

We have lived in Bedminster since 1984 and I have been a residential real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Bernardsville since 1993 and after years of working at various jobs and raising the children Donna has taken a hectic full full full time job as an executive assistant and facilities manager at a high energy engineering firm in Warren and has been there since 2000.

 

Allison is studying to be a teacher and dancer at East Stroudsberg U. and is in her fourth year and Rebecca is a freshman at James Madison University in Virginia studying Kinesiology and dance.

  

 

Carl K. Paladino

24B Brookdale Gardens

Bloomfield NJ 07003

 

cpaladino5@comcast.net

 

Not sure I have enough to say that anyone could read with out falling to sleep.

 

After graduating I went to a bigger High School to study Biology at Union County College.  After a while and a Major change I went to Montclair State where I graduated with a B.S. in Business/ Marketing.    Abandoning my childhood dream of being the Italian Jacques Cousteau and traveling the seven seas to play with Dolphins and whales for an office with no windows working every day for the next 25 years in heartache and Misery, toiling for someone else.

 

Once I got my degree I kind of went into the family business, not ours, but the same company my grandfather worked for for 37 years and then my dad for 48!  Union Camp in Clifton NJ and after 25 years and 2 name changes, International Paper and now Shorewood Packaging a business of International Paper I’m still there.  My jobs have changed quite a few times but still working for the same company a third generation legacy that most people still can't believe up to an including my boss.  Started as an estimator and made it up to Plant General manager in Clifton right up until the time they decided to close it in 2003, to move the work to Va.  I did get to have the distinction of being the last company employee out the front door before the wrecking ball knocked the whole thing down.  Spent 13 months after that work on a special project for Phillip Morris in Richmond living out of a suitcase four days a week for 13 months.  I don't recommend living in Richmond for any length of time---- YOU CAN'T GET A GOOD PIZZA THERE!  After that I kind of came back full circle as the Director of Corporate Estimating for the company with  15 estimators in the US, Canada and now Mexico!

 

As you can see most of my whole life has been work, right up until last May when I had a small stroke and took a new look at things.  Fortunately no residual effects or permanent damage except to my non stop work profile and attitude.  Things can always get finished tomorrow!  No wife or kids, no one would put up with the hours I used to work day in day out. 

Everything is changing for the better since May.  I am even leaving Bloomfield where I have lived for the last 19 years to move to a Nice Place in Hardyston, in Sussex county over looking the 3 fairway of Wild Turkey golf course.  1 mile from my brother Marc and his wife and 2 1/2 year old daughter, my favorite person to spoil!  There I will sometimes work from the office and sometime from Home.  The home days will be capped by 9 holes or some fishing starting at 4:00!  Isn't life grand?

 

 

K.C. Cobbs
Lapine Associates, Inc.
15 Commerce Road
Stamford, CT  06902

warehouse address:
467 West Main Street

KCCobbs@lapineinc.com

 

Graduated from the University of Delaware in 1981 with degree in Business Administration.   Worked for Hahne’s Department Store chain as assistant buyer, then Men’s Store department manager for 2 years.  Moved to Stamford, CT and took employment at David S. Lapine, Inc, then a small family-owned sales and service company and distributor.   Responsible for electronics purchasing, managing warehouse & fulfillment, and general operations.   Now the company has grown exponentially, and I am entering my 25th year.

 

Bought a home in Norwalk, CT and married Jennifer in 1987, we recently celebrated our 20th anniversary.   Emily is 17, beautiful and smart, and a senior in high school---just like we were 30 years ago.   She aspires to be a professional shopper.   Danny is 14 and a freshman, also brilliant but not as smart as he thinks he is.   We enjoy playing ball together; I was his little coach/manager for 8 years.   When I am not working in and around the house in my spare time, I like to relax and watch sports (especially the Yankees) on the tube.

  

 

John Sanzone

 

tayama9@yahoo.com

 

I’ve been married for 20 years to my wife Michele. have 2 kids Amanda 18 who's at Rowan as a freshman and son Taylor who is 13. Been a pediatric nurse for over 20 years. live in Cranford since 99. Still am involved in music as much as I can and have been blessed with a great life. It’s hard to believe its been 30 years, but strangely i don't feel that much different then i did way back when. I have a great family, wonderful friends and a deep faith that has brought me full circle. I hope only to continue the journey.

  

 

Cheryl Wood (Wolf)

2409 Fairway Drive

York, Pennsylvania  17408

 

 

cewood59@comcast.net

 

Wow – where have the years gone!

 

I moved to Pennsylvania in 1978.  Thought I had the man of my dreams but that didn’t work out. 

 

I worked as an Executive Secretary for P. H. Glatfelter Company (paper manufacturer) for twelve years.  I decided to retire after my second child (in 1990) to be a stay at home Mom.  I was married in 1986 (just celebrated 21 years!) to Bob who I met at Glatfelter.  We have three children – Valerie, 19, who is in her second year at Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio; Ryan, 17, who is a junior in high school; and Bradley, 13, who is in the 7th grade. 

 

I have been very fortunate to continue to be at home.  My Mom moved to Pennsylvania after she retired about six years ago and, because of her age and health, I help to care for her.  My youngest, Brad, keeps me in business as his personal taxi driver as he is active in soccer and basketball. 

 

Our whole family is active in our church, Grace Fellowship.  From meetings to worship team to youth group, someone is usually at church a few days a week! 

  

 

Donna Dietrich (Shapiro)

7305 NW 61st Terrace

Parkland, FL 33434

 

 

Cbllue@aol.com

 

Thirty years is a long time, how do you summarize where you’ve been and who you’ve become.  I’ll try….

 

After high school I attended Syracuse University. I decided that being a Phys. Ed. Major wasn’t the direction I wanted to go in. I had gotten very involved with the Arts and got married just after my sophomore year at SU.  I sold my art in Boston and throughout New England, returned to school and graduated with a Major in Studio Arts and Minored in Art History.  I became involved with Boston city arts council groups.  Politically I spoke before the House Finance Committee regarding the importance of public funding of the arts. Those of you, who can remember the 80’s, remember that was a battle lost. During that time I had had two wonderful baby boys.  I was a stay at home Mom, but continued to sell my artwork; and was back in the gym as an aerobic instructor.  After living in New England for almost 20 years, I divorced and moved to South Florida with my sons then in middle school & high school.

 

Living in South Florida is living a mini vacation year-round.  I discovered scuba diving, golf, and many other wonderful lifestyles. So many things to learn, I even got my motorcycle license.  I never intended on having a motorcycle, I just wanted to know I could do it and I did.  For several years I was the Executive Assistant to the principal of a private high school.  Why at this age I needed to learn something new is still beyond me.  I made a career change and I’m now Executive Secretary to the #1 private country club manager at the #1 club in the country.

 

After raising my boys on my own for 10 years, I met a wonderful Jersey boy and married him a year ago August.  My boys are grown, and both have graduated from college. One with a degree in Physics, the other triple majored in Economics, Political Science, English and minored in Philosophy.  They are terrific young men; one is living in California and the other here in Florida. 

 

So much is left out, but I want to share a story. About 15 years ago while I was visiting in New Jersey, I drove my sons through Clark. I showed them where I went to school, hung out, and the house I grew up in.   I drove them around my old neighborhood and never planned to knock on a door. That was until I saw a familiar sight in the driveway of one house.  The boat in the driveway told me who was still living in that house.  So I took a shot and knocked. The face at the door was just as I had remembered it was Mrs. Muchmore.  She invited us inside and it just so happened she was baking cupcakes.  So as we caught up on our lives, my boys enjoyed her cupcakes. That is exactly what coming home feels like, even when you haven’t any family left in the area.

 

Unfortunately due to timing I can’t make the reunion.  I will be in the Cherry Hill area over Thanksgiving. Off by a month!  Would have loved to be there, hope you have a wonderful night!      

  

 

Amy Axelrod (Weisholtz)

55 High Pond Ln

Bedminster, NJ