Fordham Prep - Ramview Winter 2024 Vol 44, Issue 1 | Page 35

CLASS

1913 & 2001

Years ago , Mrs . Anne Goswami P ’ 01 answered the call to find the earliest known Prep ring in response to an article in Fall 2011 Ramview by school historian Lou DiGiorno , class of 1988 , “ Lords of the Rings .”
It turns out , not only was Anne a Prep mom , but a Prep granddaughter as well — and , in fact , still had the class ring of her grandfather , John Michael Karl , Class of 1913 : by far , the
earliest known Fordham Prep ring in existence .
Eighty-eight years after John first wore his class ring , his great-grandson , Blaise Goswami , would receive a Prep ring of his own , marking him as a member of the Class of 2001 .
John Michael Karl and some of his books , certificates , and math quizzes from his time at Hughes Hall .
Last spring , the Goswamis donated both John ’ s and Blaise ’ s rings to the Prep asking only that the rings be kept together always as a testament to their family ’ s Rose Hill legacy . In addition , they donated some of Grandpa John ’ s books , certificates , and even a math quiz from his Hughes Hall years — amazing and irreplaceable glimpses into school life in the early 20th century . Our thanks to the Karl-Goswami family for sharing their story and their Fordham Prep treasures with the Rams of today and the Rams of generations yet to come .

1955

Daniel Melia , the grandson of Tom Comerford ’ 55 , is a junior at Fordham University and is an Honors student . Tom spent 17 years connected to Fordham through his time as a student at the Prep and in the Summer Camp Programs , then as a student at Fordham University and Fordham Law School . Not to mention his Golden Ram status and 68 years of being a Fordham Prep Ram !

1956

The Williams and Creegan Family claimed their Big Top Experience : “ Keepin ’ It Old School ” — dinner with our Fordham Prep Archivist , Lou DiGiorno ’ 88 . They had an evening of reminiscence and tales of their shared Fordham Prep legacy . Lou presented the Williams and Creegan
Left to right , top row to bottom : Lou DiGiorno ’ 88 , Patreece Williams-Creegan , Patrick Creegan , Phyllis Williams , Paul Creegan ’ 24 , and Paige Creegan .
Pictured in front of Hughes Hall : Frank Suozzi ’ 58 , Tony Spohr ’ 58 , Larry Ricciardi ’ 58 , and Jim Melican ’ 58 .
Family with a blowup of the 4 / 20 / 56 Rampart , the front page of which mentioned the Paul WIlliam Quartet , the band that rocked Hughes Hall back in the mid-1950s , headed up by none other than drummer Paul Williams ’ 56 , late husband of Phyllis Williams , father of Patreece Williams Creegan P ’ 24 , and grandfather of Paul Creegan ’ 24 .

1957

Old friends from the Class of ’ 57 Jeanne McAnaney ( widow of Ed McAnaney ’ 57 ), Helen Waters ( widow of Marty Waters ’ 57 ), and John Hoey ’ 57 caught up with each other at the Prep ’ s Annual President ’ s Reception and met Prep President Anthony Day .

1958

Sixty-five years after they graduated from the Prep , Class of 1958 members Frank Suozzi , Tony Spohr , Larry Ricciardi , and Jim Melican take every opportunity to gather and reminisce about their time at the Prep .

1958 & 1959

Richard Sartore ’ 59 and Edward Sartore ’ 58 have been enjoying retirement and traveling . Most recently visiting relatives in Italy and toasting their time at Fordham Prep .

1960

Three 1960 Fordham Prep grads — Jack Geraghty , Jack Bergen , and Brendan Walsh —
Pictured : Anthony Day , Helen Waters , Jeanne McAnaney , and John Hoey ’ 57 .
Students from Fordham Prep , Prep teacher Mike Kravitz , and other Viva House volunteers pictured with Brendan Walsh ’ 60 , at left in dark blue shirt , and his wife , Willa Bickham , standing below .
set out on paths that would clash as the Vietnam War unfolded . Geraghty enrolled in the U . S . Naval Academy , Bergen enrolled in the U . S . Military Academy , and Walsh enrolled in LeMoyne College . Walsh left the seminary in 1967 , became active in the antiwar movement and protested the draft while Geraghty and Bergen rose in military ranks and came home from the war with Bronze Stars . During the war , Walsh turned their home into a Catholic Worker house called Viva House where they serve meals , provide shelter and tackle the complex problems of poverty and violence . Despite their different paths , Geraghty and Bergen nominated Walsh for Fordham Prep ’ s Hall of Honor for his 50-year effort to combat poverty in Baltimore . Geraghty and Bergen traveled to Viva House with 8 Fordham Prep students and 2 staffers to deliver more than 150 bags
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