22

always there and rooting us on. I recall a RV full of Hopkins rolling up on more than one occasion.

Years after graduation, long after our playing days were over I was lucky enough to reconnect with Kevin through our coaching of youth sports. Kevin coaching Holy Rosary and I Holy Angels in CYO. I also coached Newark National Little League where I met Kevin’ s sister Katie Van Heest who was there at those Willy games years prior. I coached Bob and Katie’ s sons during that time and we have remained friends to this day.

During the time I spent in line waiting to pay my last respects I overheard many of his friends and co-workers from Delmarva speak in such loving terms about their friend, my friend. I wanted to interject my own thoughts but decided instead that I wanted to hear others speak of him with the praise and respect that I hold deep in my heart. The size of the crowd was immense, each person waiting patiently for their chance to say a prayer, hug the family, and tell a quick story.

I shed tears for our fellow Williamsonian out of the gut wrenching pain his untimely passing brought to us all. RIP Kevin P. Hopkins, # 11 on the gridiron, # 1 in our hearts. Until we meet again. Thanks to all the Willy grads that met up at the Del Vets to lift his spirits awhile back, too many to name here but you know who you are.

Steve Spiese Sr.

Dean Iacobucci 1433 Cider Knoll Way West Chester, PA 19382 Cell: 610-812-2507 610-431-4456 deananddiana @ verizon. net

Hello, Class of 9W2!

It’ s been awhile since we’ ve had anyone write on how things are going up at school and what some of us have been doing lately, so, here goes.

I’ ve been actively involved with the new WAA( Williamson Association of Alumni) for a few years now. Kevin Welde 9W7 and I are involved with planning and organizing alumni events- Happy Hours, Golf Outings, Phillies Games, Jersey Shore Beach Bashes, and our annual Cornhole Tournaments, where alumni play against the current students. This past year we had some great attendance at these events.

These events are a great way to get back in touch with our classmates and return to campus to see what’ s new and how things have changed since we graduated 33 years ago. Here’ s a list of our top events of 2024 in regards to alumni attendance: 1) Homecoming Day- 181. 2) WAA Golf Outing( 50th anniversary outing)- 144 golfers. 3) Milestone Reunions- 140 alumni and guests. 4) Phillies Game- 131 alumni and guests.

5) Wildwood Beach Bash- 122 alumni and guests.

We also had a new record for our Holiday Happy Hour at Duffers on Rt. 352 with 80 alumni coming out. The Cornhole Tournament is growing every year. We have it on campus in the newly built Wesley Student Center. This year was the 4th annual with 48 participating alumni. So, that’ s what’ s we’ ve been doing at school and some of the events the WAA hosts throughout the year.

I know everyone likes to hear what’ s going on with our fellow classmates. Here’ s what I’ ve been doing. Basically, since we graduated in 1992, I’ ve been working for myself as a general contractor. My wife Diana and I live in West Chester, Pa. We have two kids- Madison and Ryan. My daughter is in her final year at Penn State and Ryan was looking to follow in my footsteps and attend Williamson for electrical, but he wasn’ t accepted so he’ s going to apply for the Local 98 Electrical Union this spring. Fingers crossed!

You’ ll be happy to hear our fellow graduate Paul“ Bricks” Bowen is now at school teaching the newest brick masons their craft one day a week in Brick Shop. Paul is married to Adriana. They have a daughter, Emma, who is attending Fairfield University in Connecticut. He also has twin boys, Nick and Joe. They reside in Havertown.

Also in Havertown is Gary Gillespie with his wife Michelle and three daughters. Pat is currently working for Delaware Valley Paving. His dream of opening up a small engine repair shop never really came to fruition. Sorry, Patrick!

Next up is one of my Smith Eyre dorm mates. Max Mallon also is living in West Cheddar. We are neighbors. Max and Maureen have two kids- Sarah and Sean. Maxy has his own construction business- Silver Hammer, LLC. He and Rob“ Pitt” Pittenger work together doing renovations- kitchens and bathrooms. Rob has his own business, also. When not working you can usually find Max golfing or playing poker. We often try to get out together for a round or two at Duffers or out on the links.

We ran into Matt Boyce a few years back with his wife Barb, who by the way happens to be Dave Smith’ s old girlfriend who Matt is deeply in love with. He is busy honing his carpentry skills to date, but does claim to hold the title of“ Best Bartender in Mexico.” Matt and Barb live in Glenn Mills, Pa.

I ran into Dave Smith and Franny Shoup at a few events this past year. Congratulations to Dave on his recent marriage to his wife, Selma. Keep those hammers swinging, you two!

Staying on the carpentry theme, I ran into Matt Houck. He is a teacher in Delaware, but has aspirations of throwing his tool belt back on and applying to Williamson as a candidate for Carp Shop instructor. Claude would be

Eight members of the Classes of 9W1, 9W2, and 9W3- friends for life- got together in the fall at the Glen Mills, Pa., home of Matt Boyce 9W2 to spend some time together socializing and sharing stories. Pictured are( from left to right): Fran Shoup 9W3, Dave Smith 9W2, Joe Carol 9W1, Jerry Dolan 9W1, Dean Iacobucci 9W2, Matt Boyce 9W2, Jim Esposito 9W1, and Bill Breslin 9W1. They may have graduated some 30 years ago, but their friendships are as strong as the day they graduated.

proud, Matt, of you wanting to follow in his footsteps. Good luck!

I’ ve had the pleasure of keeping in touch with a good amount of our classmates. Some only by phone, but occasionally in person. I have run into Wes Manspeaker of Beaufort, N. C. He makes his way up to Pennsylvania on occasion for some events. Wes has a place in North Carolina with a sweet boat, so who’ s ready for a fishing trip? See ya at a Phillies game, Wes.

Still haven’ t heard a peep from Steve Miller or“ Jumping” Johnny Keiper? Where are those two guys?

I hope to have more to report after our Happy Hour at Barnaby’ s coming up mid March. Maybe I will run into a few more of you guys at the Golf Outing at Paxon Hollow in June?

Lastly, I spoke to Rodger Reilly recently on the phone about his son Shane getting into West Point and his daughter getting accepted to the University of Auburn. Congratulations to Rodger and his wife Nicole.

Well, that’ s all I have to report. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the lives each of you have created with your families.

Feel free to contact me on my cell( 610-812-2507) or by email with any updates you’ d like to share and I’ ll make sure to include it in our next issue.

Dean

John Queeney 471 Kirk Lane Media, PA 19063-2219 610-892-8989 Cell: 610-420-2767 johnqueeney @ yahoo. com

JohnQ @ tbpconstructionproducts. com

Hello 9W5, I cannot stress enough that if you

haven’ t been to campus lately make the time to visit. There are plenty of mentoring opportunities that require only a small amount of time for positive returns.

In the last year I have run into Bob Ryan and Big Joe Mac helping prep seniors for the Career Fair and more recently had the good fortune to run into Jim Sharkey and Chris Aaron while participating in a Cornhole Tournament.

Our class has a lot to offer the current students and they are ready to accept any guidance we can provide. Certain things may change and evolve, but one thing that is a constant is the type of young man who attends Williamson.

This next bit of information may seem unbelievable, but our 30-Year Class Reunion is happening this April! I recall seeing alumni on campus as a student and must admit I thought those guys were old! Thankfully, times have changed and now being in your 50s doesn’ t automatically make you one of the“ old dudes.”

Please spread the word in any way you can. Call old friends and make sure they are aware of the reunion. It would be great to have a large turnout for our 30th anniversary.

Alumni Weekend / Reunion, April 25 & 26, 2025- SAVE THE DATE!!

Please save the date for Alumni Weekend! All alumni are invited to campus on Friday, April 25, to celebrate Alumni Day. The Milestone Reunion celebration follows that evening and the weekend caps off with the WAA Alumni Breakfast. Registration is now open so register soon; you will be glad you did.

For the full schedule of events, visit: williamson. edu / events / alumni-weekend-2025 or contact Laura Brown, director of alumni relations, at 610-566- 1776, ext. 420, or lbrown @ williamson. edu.

John Queeney