some odd piece of news or current event . ( We often tried to steer clear of the more mundane topics of weather or science – not because we weren ’ t interested but because Gary was a walking treasure trove of information who NEEDED to tell us all he knew about cumulus clouds or the formation of a coral reef .) Point of this would be the wide variety of topics Gary knew so much about !
One addition to our group as the years went by was the jaunty and non-judgmental Google . Gary was , perhaps , the first to include this technological advance to our table . No “ B ” list actor could be mentioned , or even described , that Gary had not reached into his pocket for his handy phone and , voila ! a complete filmography was conjured up and shared with the gathered assemblage . This was usually followed by a quick reference to some scientist ( is not everything related to modern physics , after all ?), and then it would be back to beakers and Bunsen burners !
… And speaking of ( fill in the blanks ), was , quite honestly , the best way to wrest the conversation back to more important topics of sports news , Hollywood gossip , the classes we were teaching that day , our upcoming holiday , or , quite frankly , the particularly good quality of Bob McLaughlin ’ s bread that day . The Breakfast Club , originally hosted by Judy Kramer at her front desk , grew to an almost roundtable before the pandemic put something of a kibosh on it . Included , but not only present during our daily gathering , were Bob McLaughlin , Tom McLellan , Thea Osborne , Nancy Iannicelli , Rovena Kilkeary ( R . I . P .), Gwen Kaplan , Ann Haddad , MaryBeth Coudal , and SO many drop-ins too numerous to mention . This kaleidoscope of people is mentioned because Gary would interact with all , in a personal , caring , genial way . He greeted all passersby with dignity , good cheer , and a boundless interest in their lives . Gary would almost visibly light up when a new “ guest ” would wedge his / her way onto the table . Even folks just grabbing a cup of coffee were greeted with warmth and a genuine “ Good Morning !”
When the breakfast club ended , the crossword puzzles would begin . ( we did cram quite a bit into our early mornings .) Gary was / is an absolutely phenomenal crossword puzzle solver . While Bob , Joe Kilkeary , and I were looked at as puzzle gurus , it was invariably Gary who would crack the Thursday “ trick ” puzzle and the wordy Friday offering of The New York Times . Gary ’ s alternative view of things , coupled with a brilliant mind for clues and hints , allowed him to sometimes do a puzzle in 15 minutes ! He may or may not have known the American League MVP in 1968 , but he darn well knew the scientist or mathematician worthy of note . Moreover , as the unselfish guy he was , he often would find one of us during the day and show us the answer to a clue we were “ angsting over ” for a couple of days — without any fanfare or self-aggrandizement . That was just Gary !
What would some notes about Gary be without including his Chapel talks ? As a member of the Judaic culture , we learned from Gary more about the Jewish traditions and customs in his 15 , -er , 20- minute talks in the morning . We all , at Saint David ’ s , eagerly awaited the annual blowing of the shofar during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur . Prior to the sounds of the ram ’ s horn , G a r y w o u l d
take us through the meaning and symbolisms of the event . We all sat , on the edge of our pews , as he sometimes struggled to get the tones out ! When he finally did , we felt enlightened and proud to be a part of this piece of Jewish heritage . We were almost moved to cheer and applaud , but respect for Gary ’ s Chapel allowed us to remain silent , yet awed . These were , perhaps , Gary ’ s finest moments in our daily Chapel , only slightly surpassing the making of the potato latkes for large groups of family and friends ( don ’ t try it !) and his devotion to animals , and specifically rabbits . A Gary Kessler Chapel was , in a word , an event not to be missed , filled with good humor , rare devotion , and a genuineness to the entire Saint David ’ s community .
Finally , it has been a pleasure to add a few comments to the ledger of Gary Kessler . I consider him a Renaissance man and a good friend . Good luck , Gary , in all that lies ahead ! You will be missed . M
Leading a hike during the Seventh Grade ’ s week on Cape Cod . Under Gary ’ s leadership , the school added a natural drawing component and a program with Woods Hole scientists to the Cape Cod experience .
Tom Ryan is an Eighth Grade Homeroom Teacher and member of the Breakfast Club .
14 • Saint David ’ s Magazine