Alumni News & Notes
1960
As voted on at the last reunion, the Class of 1960 has officially “gifted” our class fund to the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives. This endowment should bring back many memories to those of us who were afforded the opportunity of being in Dr. Grenander’s classes. Nancy Lou Ryan Gnan and husband John of Melbourne, Fla., celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on a Baltic cruise. They visited 10 countries, the Norwegian fjords, and the castles and cathedrals of St. Petersburg. Nancy’s grandson completed his first year at the Air Force Academy. Another grandson spent the summer studying Mandarin and doing service work in China. Both gentlemen were awarded Chi Sigma Theta scholarships this year. In 2012, David Feldman relocated from Syracuse to Kendal at Longwood, a retirement community outside Philadelphia. He is active in the community’s theatre group. His play, Sitting Quietly Doing Nothing Spring Comes and the Grass Grows was presented at Kendal last spring. David recently traveled to State College, Pa., to visit Lee Upcraft and wife and Lillian Upcraft ’62. He occasionally sees Nancy McGowan Clinton.
Class Notes Councilors: Doris Hische Brossy, [email protected]; Joan Cali Pecore, [email protected]
1962
Jean Brody Somlo retired from Syracuse schools in June. She continues to instruct seniors at the OASIS educational center. Robert Sweeney and wife Phyllis took a river cruise in Europe and drove to Munich. Their oldest daughter is an ordained Methodist minister and pastor. Their second grandchild will be a girl. Bob volunteers at food banks and a horse range for challenged youth, and assists with fundraising at Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Gene Altman and wife Shelley Levin Altman ‘66 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Oregon with family. Retired, Gene is a lifeguard, swim instructor, and SCORE mentor for small businesses. Eleana Rabine Halady celebrated the arrival of her 10th great-nephew. She spends winters in Del Ray, Fla., and travels the world with her boyfriend. She also plays golf and tennis and enjoys ballroom dancing. Elena’s brother, Lawrence, is recovering from his third successful open-heart surgery. Helen Arcuri Stoloff, Sheril McCormack, Eleana Rabine Halady, Mac Gordon Mobray, and Gene and Shelley Altman recently met in Florida. Sheril is active in the Red Hat Society and the North Shore Women’s’ League on Long Island.
Class Notes Councilor: Sheril McCormack, [email protected]
1964
Alan Minarcik and wife Clare celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May. Columba DeFrancesco Heinzelman and her husband are working on projects at their home in Webster, N.Y. Planning for the Kappa Beta reunion this Homecoming is underway. The committee is in the process of contacting brothers from the Class of ’64, as well as those from all classes. If you’re a Kappa Beta alum and have not received reunion information, please contact Bill Robelee.
Class note councilors: Alan Minarcik, [email protected] and Bill Robelee, [email protected].
1965
Mary Glass Funes has spent much of 2016 traveling abroad. Her recent travels include a 28-day cruise around South America on the Celebrity Consellation, northern Italy and Tuscany, and a week in Sanibel Island. She plans to spend October in Hawaii and cap off 2016 with a Caribbean cruise. Mary and Carlo have visited all seven continents and more than 100 countries. They plan to visit India, Sri Lanka, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates in 2018. Mary credits the researching required in her travels for broadening her knowledge base. She was happy to see everyone at the 50th Reunion, and looks forward to the 55th. Gene Tobey concluded his solo career June 5 in a performance with Albany’s Festival Celebration Choir of “Schubert’s Mass in G.” He and Karl Peterson were members of the Statesmen 50-some years ago. Gene has been bass-baritone soloist with all the Capital District’s major choral forces at one time or another since 1968. The Bach passions and cantatas; requiems by Mozart, Brahms, Fauré and Duruflé; and the Mendelssohn and Hayden oratorios have been staples in his repertoire, as have numerous performances of Handel’s “Messiah.” He sang in the chorus for Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” at SPAC with the Philadelphia Orchestra Aug. 4. Judy Madnick and husband Stu celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June. Their children and grandchildren celebrated with them at Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in Highland, N.Y. Ruth Siegel Baker traveled to China, India, and Africa. She enjoys playing bridge and attends several tournaments a year. She is ranked as a Bronze Life Master. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology IT 2016 INSPIRE Athena Award was dedicated in honor of Ellen Jacobs LeClair, an inspirational mentor and educator. Ellen taught English and French at Commack High School in Commack, N.Y. More info: https://getinspired.mit.edu/inspire-2016-winners.
Class notes councilor: Judy Madnick, [email protected].
1966
The Class of 1966 will observe its 50th-year reunion Oct. 7-9 with exciting events, including a welcome reception, induction into the Half-Century Club, class dinner, and downtown campus tour. To reconnect, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/UAlbany66, a closed group exclusively for Class of 1966 alums. If you haven’t received any correspondence from the Alumni Association, please email updated contact info to [email protected] or call 1-800-836-2586. See you in the fall!
1967
Calling all Green Gremlins! Planning is underway for our 50th-year reunion in October 2017. Please contact your class councilor if you would like to join the planning committee. As the Guardians of Minerva, we will plan to gather at Minerva for a class photo. “Meet ’67 classmates at Minerva in 2017!”
Class Notes Councilor: Canon Kay C. Hotaling, [email protected].
1971
Joel Volinski was elected president of the Council of University Transportation Centers, a national organization comprised of 100 of the nation’s top engineering and planning university programs that promote research, education, workforce development and technology transfer as essential to the nation’s transportation system. Joel is the director of the National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida. Douglas Goldschmidt recently opened a private psychotherapy practice in Syracuse, N.Y.
1976
Jeff Black '76 and partner Jeff Schwarts '94 at Black's retirement celebration in May 2016.
Jeffrey Black recently celebrated his retirement from Deloitte LLP. He served many of Deloitte’s largest multinational clients, held various management roles and served on its board of directors from 2004-11. Jeffrey is a member of the executive committee of The University at Albany Foundation and a founding member of the UAlbany School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board.
1978
Joseph Cupo, one of Maine’s best-known and longest-serving TV meteorologists, retired after 37 years with Portland station WCSH.