Alumni News
ALUMNI STORIES
Read about some of the great things your fellow alumni are up to. If you have a story you would like to share, please contact Jennifer Dube, Alumni & Development Coordinator, at jdube@syrdiocese.org or 607.231.1440.
“Giving Back” Connie Nappi
Known by friends and family as the “answer lady” Connie Nappi left her mark on hundreds in her community. Named Salutatorian of her class in 1963, Connie graduated from Seton Catholic High School and went on to graduate from Lemoyne College in Syracuse. Growing up in Slovac heritage, those customs and traditions became an integral part of Connie’s life. She strived to keep those traditions alive for her family and children.
Known by many, she never forgot a birthday, anniversary or special occasion. She never took herself too seriously and always had a kind word to say. “She was a second mother to a lot of my friends”, says her daughter. Involved in community, Church and family, Connie wasn’t afraid to offer her opinion, but by the same token, open to hearing all opinions. Compromise, commitment and being best friends were the pillars to her almost fifty year marriage to her husband Dick. September 2018 would have been a milestone fifty year anniversary. Over the years Connie introduced Dick to many of her “loves” including Czech Slovak Moravian Dancing. She didn’t participate because “she had two left feet”, Dick says.
Connie’s life revolved around helping people. “The bottom line is that she was always there for the people she cared for”, says her son Ted Nappi. Now, even in her death, she will continue to be remembered at Seton Central High School. Her husband, Dick, established the Constance Charsky Nappi ’63 Memorial Scholarship in memory of his beloved wife. The scholarship will aid students in need so they can obtain the same Catholic education his wife did. As one condolence card read, “Her heart was big enough to harbor us all”. Connie will be remembered by the Saints community for years to come.
Back Together Again!
2018 saw its share of reunions. First, the Class of 1968 celebrated their 50th reunion with a mass at St. Thomas and a reunion event at the Holiday Inn. Approximately 150 alumni were in attendance. Second, the Class of 1988 celebrated their 30th reunion with a small get together at House of Reardons.
The class of 1978 made up for lost time at their recent 40th reunion. Classmates gathered at Terra Cotta in downtown Binghamton for the main event, as well as an icebreaker event at Peterson’s Tavern. The late September reunion drew about eighty members of the class of 1978. Through the generosity of its members, the class made a donation back to Seton Catholic Central in the amount of $500.
The Class of 1983 enjoyed celebrating their 35th reunion in October 2018. Twenty-five to thirty alumni gathered Friday night at Peterson’s Tavern, and Saturday evening at Harry L Pub to catch up and reminisce.
If you have a reunion recap or would like to start planning your class reunion, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development at 607.231.1440. We are hear to help, and look forward to hearing from you!
Alumni Showcase
The Catholic Schools of Broome County have alumni who left Seton and went in many different directions. Alumni have found success both here in Broome County and around the country. In September, Brian Ehret ’91, Brendan Foley ’10, Tom Kane ’77, and Jon Sarra ’93 returned to Seton Catholic Central to speak with students about their experiences after high school and their respective career paths.
They spoke to several classes throughout the morning, then sat on a panel in the afternoon for the senior class to discuss career planning and college preparation. During the panel session, seniors were able to ask a variety of questions. Questions ranged from each alumni giving a short bio on what they do for a living, to asking what they would do over if they had the chance. Many of the students asked how they chose their specific college and how to best prepare for the huge decision.
Brian Ehret is the Senior Forensic Investigator and Director of Regional Investigations at the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office at the regional Center for Forensic Sciences in Syracuse, New York. He has over 20 years’ experience in forensic science and medicolegal death investigation. He is also an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.
Brendan Foley entered the seminary for the Diocese of Syracuse attending St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland in the fall of 2015. After completing three years of graduate school, he started his internship this year. He is currently at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Baldwinsville, NY where he is working with and learning from long-time friend of SCC, Fr. Joe O’Connor. After this year, he will return to Baltimore for his final two years of academic work before ordination.
Tom Kane is the Director of Naval Helicopter Programs for Sikorsky at Lockheed Martin (Owego, NY). In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of Sikorsky’s cost, schedule, and technical support performance for Naval Platforms. This includes management of the current USN and international configurations of MH-60R, MH-60S aircraft, S-70B and the Coast Guard MH-60T aircraft, in addition to several other international program pursuits. Tom and his wife Molly have seven kids, all of which are alumni or currently attend Broome County Catholic Schools.
Jon J. Sarra is the Assistant Managing Partner at Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP and chair of its Trusts, Estates and Wealth Planning Practice Group. He is also a member of the Real Estate and Energy and Environmental Law Practice Groups. Combining his background in these areas with his business law work, Jon counsels businesses and individuals in all aspects of estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, elder law, business succession planning, general business matters, and residential and commercial real estate. He also counsels foundations and not-for-profit corporations. Jon resides in Endicott, NY and is involved in many local non-profits including EPAC, the UHS Foundation and the Catholic Education Foundation.
The CSBC is beyond blessed to have such a wide base of alumni that are willing to return and share both their success and knowledge with our current students. This event is something the Office of Alumni and Development looks to carry on in the coming years. If you are interested in being a speaker, please contact the office at 607.348.0337 or email kehret@syrdiocese.org.
Remembering Those We Lost
The following are faculty, staff and alumni who have passed away.
September 2018
Joseph Donald Ahern II – Seton Catholic ’90
Sister Diane DC Louttit
July 2018
Joseph Gallagher – Seton Catholic ’82
June 2018
Joseph Conti – Seton Catholic (Staff)
Daniel J. McCormack – Catholic Central ’65
May 2018
George S. Gabello – Seton Catholic ’66
April 2018
Evelyn Cox – St. Patrick’s Academy ’38
February 2018
John “Jack” C. Donovan Jr. ’87 – Seton Catholic Central ’87
November 2017
Noel Dahlander – Seton Catholic Central (Staff)
September 2017
John Tirrell – Seton Catholic ’77
If there are alumni, faculty and/or staff that we are missing, please notify the Office of Alumni & Development at 607.231.1440.
Congratulations Class of 2018!
Welcome to our newest alumni. The class of 2018 was an impressive group of students. With a hundred percent graduation rate and one hundred percent of the students going on to higher education, the SCC community is extremely proud of the 2018 Saints. Click on the link below to take a closer look at the class.
Where Are They Now?
What happened to some of your former classmates? Here are some quick updates to keep you informed. Please send us your updates at CSBCAlumni@syrdiocese.org or fill out the alumni update form.
Mary Ann (Hudgick) Chegezy ’67
After more than forty years as a Medical Technologist (ASCP) in the laboratory at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, PA, Mary Ann has decided it is time to retire in July. Mary Ann looks forward to gardening and volunteering during her retirement.
Pat Dane ’67
Pat has traveled all over the world, and has proven to be a successful entrepreneur in his travels. He has a thirty-year track record of identifying and launching over a dozen successful technology products and companies. He has overseen the development of virus protection software that is available on over a billion computers worldwide. He developed marketing channels that resulted in virtual registration of personal computers. This also resulted in the manufacturing and use of the mouse, icons, Xerox, and Ethernet networking. Throughout his career, Pat has lobbied on Capital Hill and has been active on many social networking sites.
Joe Flanagan ’70
Joe just began his thirty-third year at St. Bonaventure University, where he serves as the Alumni Director. Joe is looking forward to joining his classmates in 2020 as they celebrate their fifty-year class reunion.
James B. O’Hora, ACSW, LMS ’58
Jim was blessed to be a member of the very first graduating class from Seton. Jim went on from Seton to attend the University of Dayton. He found it very difficult to be away from home, and almost quit his studies. However, through the encouragement of faculty, staff and friends he continued on to complete his studies at the University of Dayton. Graduating President of his class with a dual major in Sociology and Social Work, he went on to Ohio State University to complete his Master’s degree in Social Work. In the last thirty-four years, Jim has been the CEO of five different non-profits. Throughout each stop, Jim left these non-profits with the tools necessary to have top notch staff, facilities, and programs. Jim feels blessed to have had time at Seton and the support of the amazing faculty. Without this support, he knows his life could have gone in a much different direction.
Phil Propes ’66
Phil lives in Davenport, IA with his wife of forty-six years. Phil still works full time as the supervisor of a water treatment plant. He attempted to retire after working as the Superintendent of the Water Plant at Rock Island Arsenal, however realized quickly that he enjoyed working much more. Phil enjoys the many outings that he gets with both of his granddaughters, Eila and Poppy and his grandson Axel.
Lawrence Raymond ’52
Lawrence is still enjoying practicing medicine in Charlotte, NC, though he has decided to slow down just a tad. In his spare time he enjoys working with employers in the Charlotte region on the prevention of diabetes in the workplace. To this day, Lawrence counts his many blessings, including the devoted Sisters who taught him at St. Patrick’s all those years ago and encouraged him on the right path in life.
Leonard Santalucia ’71
After working and retiring from IBM in 2008, Leonard works for IBM Business Partner, Vicom Infinity, based out of New York City. Leonard currently lives in Richmond, VA with his wife of forty-two years, Linda Ann (Class of ’69; Potenzino) and their two children, Leonard Thomas and Nicole Marie.
Admission to Catholic Schools of Broome County is the first step on a journey toward personal success.
