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Our North Quincy User and Classmate Forums and messages to classmates are intended for reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.  All of us on the Reunion Committee welcome and encourage your use of these sites to share memories and stories as well as providing updates on our lives since leaving North Quincy High School.

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Linda Perry (Cibotti)

So very sorry to hear of Gary's illness and passing. He was a great guy & we always had a lot of fun at the reunions. My condolences to Susan and his family!

Alan P. Gnospelius

I've. Known Gary since Elementary School, Atlantic JH and North. We played hockey around town and worked together at Milton's. He was a great guy and will be missed. 
Thanks for the update, Tom. I know this must be harder and harder to do. 

Jerry Tisdell

Its always sad to hear of a classmates passing. Joe Zona used to talk about Gary when ever I would see him. I told Joe that his name was familiar but I left for Florida just before my Junior year so I missed out on a lot. But I do know this, that Gary and I would have been life long friends had I not gone to Florida. I feel sad that I never got to know him because he was such a good friend to so many of you. Life is short, but you never understand that until you get there. Tom said that when he spoke with Gary his spirits were good. For myself that makes me feel better that he was settled, and I guess thats all we can ask for at that tiime in our lives. Rest in Peace Gary.

Michael J. Haskins

FYl - my new Mick Murphy Key West Mystery is now out as an e-book and paperback on Amazon. Looking for Answers is my first book since COVID hit town  and my bout with gallbladder surgery (not COVID). My daily writing went into the hopper and days without writing didn't help. Anyway, if you read any of the series or think you might enjoy a KW mystery about a Boston journalist based in the Florida Keys, give it a try and PLESAE let me know what you think. It's been too cold here for a few weeks, so you are not suffering alone!

Michael Haskins

Donald McNally

It's tough losing long-time friends. Gary had been in my life ever since I was allowed to leave the back yard. I first met Gary at Welcome Young Field where we would skate on frozen puddles. Gary would often, and right to the end, blame me for being responsible for his first stitches. Since then 

ewe were friends for life , our paths crossing many times over the years. Most recently golfing together with our make-shift Red Raiders golf group, appropriately named "all scores are approximate". Gary loved these outings. Although his later years were marred by medical issues, he refused to give in and never complained. His most recent issue, however, was too much and has taken him away from us. Gary was one of the most pleasant people to be around, always having a positive attitude combined with a great smile. It has been said that he was one of the best...he surely was and will be missed by many. May you now rest in peace, my friend, Don 

Paula Kelly (Mazzone)

I didn't know Gary well but always liked to talked to him at our reunions and remember that he was always a gentlemen who had a great smile and personality.  Reading all the accolades from our classmates, I know he will be missed by so many.  May he rest in peace! Paula Mazzone

Jerry Tisdell

All I can say Micheal is that if you still have the will and the wit to continue writing you have been blessed. Truely you have my friend. Yes Conks and Coconuts don't work well with snow unless you have some rum with it. The title sort of mimicks life in a way. Especially at this age as we are always looking for answers, our keys and our cain. We are always under the gun because we are slow, and under the knife because whats broke is on the inside, and though we should have, none of us were born with a zipper. The only two doors in are useless and just get us into trouble. The bad part there is the fix is either a gag or a diaper.. Oh well..stuff happens. Happy fishing Micheal. We lucked out this year.

Michael J. Haskins

Jerry, as you witnessed, writing keeps it necessary for me to visit watering holes and that keeps me moving forward, looking for new ideas. In my two recent short stories, the bad guys ain't guys, they're women! First one is at Ellery Queen for consideration the next just found it's ending! Now it needs to get on paper! Sorry, I mean computer screen!

Hadn't looked at the book title that way, but what you said gave me reason to think the title works! Dumb luck of the Irish!

Thanks!

Sherry Shaw (Curns)

I am so sorry to read of Gary's passing and my deepest sympathy to his wife Susan and her daughter. Susan was my intern in Guidance Dept. at Atlantic Middle School and later hired by Quincy Schools. Sherry Curns

Phyllis Giove (Backstrom)

I remember Gary at North I think he was in 1 or 2 of my classes, very nice guy.  This news is so sad.

Jerry Tisdell

I loved the cold weather ........when I was young! Now I am old and if I heard the weather man correctly he said we may have flurries in Tampa.  Are you kidding me? This is Florida....it doesn't snow in Florida because its not supposed to snow in Florida. There can only be one reason for this madness. Somebody in Massachusetts came south and left the damn back door open. So if you don't mind, and I don't care who it is either, just please close the back door. Thank you. Mr. Tee

Yes I liked to play hockey when it was cold. But my damn skates don't fit anymore. No they didn't shrink. ? well only a few pounds. When your old its OK, and besides no one notices Older people can't see! They all wear glasses.

Phyllis Giove (Backstrom)

You are a classic Jerry so funny.  Well we in the Boston area and me down in Sagamore Beach got almost 2 feet of snow.  Another storm coming Sunday, a northeaster, but not as much snow thank God.  Hang in there Jerry spring is coming. 

Michael J. Haskins

Tampa! Isn't that north of the Mason/Dixon Line? It's cold enough in Key West to hail! And not because the gang's all here. Do you have any idea what it costs to build a fireplace in a stilt house in the Keys? Then you need to ship in firewood... no end to the challenges! 

But the too cheerful weather guys say relief is 1on the way (in at least a week). Book signing tonight and I've pulled out the North Quinch emergency clothing. Jerry, Schooner Warf Bar has those large propane space heaters! Come see for yourself. Don't see space heaters in the Keys too often.

Jameson in the coffee always works, try it, Jerry!

Thomas Burns

The world is turning upside down!  Tee, the last time it snowed in Tampa was on Jan. 17, 1977!!  And Mick, I must admit, heaters at the Schooner Wharf just doesn’t sound right.  I hope you’re keeping that tab open -- but take it easy on the Jameson’s!  I have to get back to the Keys and pay it off before it exceeds the national debt.

I’m looking forward to joining everyone in God’s Waiting Room in the near future, but I’ll be between the both of you, in the Pompano/LBTS area for a couple of weeks.  Rest assured, the pleasant weather will return.

Mick, I am impressed you still have “North Quincy emergency clothing.”  And Tee, we all know why “your skates don’t fit.”  We just don’t talk about those things anymore; they’re just not important.  What IS important is that you guys stay warm during your short inconvenience; and stay healthy!  CHEERS!

Michael J. Haskins

Tom, another week or 10 days of bad weather. The weatherman (woman) must have gone to NQ High! Who would of thunk it that there'd be a market for space heaters in the Keys! At least it's summer weather in Argentina! Another day or two of this and I'll be considering the move! At least we escaped, but so many stayed! Think warm thoughts of Schooner Warf Bar, it might help!

Michael J. Haskins

Tom, I've tried to get into God's waiting room a couple of times, but he didn't want me, and neither did Satan, so I could go on forever. I'll try to get your name in the same waiting room book.

Thomas Burns

Mick, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to slip into town unannounced in 9 days and leave by the back door when it's time to go home.  From what I see up here, you Margarita Ville-gers are in for some 50 degree weather tonight!  Break out the NQ gear!

And Tee, you guys in Tampa are going to be in the 30s!!  Since your skates don't fit anyway, why not take in the Boston Bruins / Tampa Bay Lightning game tonight, outdoors at Raymond James Stadium!  It'll be just like the old days!   

Diane T Mulcahy (Malmgren)

I was sad to hear about Gary.  He was a class act.

32 degrees here in Ruskin.  Windy, but at least the sun is out.  Heat not coming on.  Hoping our plumbing company can get to us soon.  Of course overtime rates;  it's Sunday.  Good day to make chili in a crockpot, and bake some cornbread.  Snow flurries earlier this morning in Pinellis County, which is about 40 miles northwest of us.  Highs in the 50's and 60's for the rest of the week.  Never remember being this cold in the 20 years we've been here.  Hope our tomato plants make it.

Yesterday, a spectular annual event for 220 years, Gasparilla celebrated capturing the key to the City of Tampa with a Parade of Pirates on a pirate ship and on floats down Bayshorever boulevard.tossing beads into the crowd.  It was cold, windy and drizzled off and on, but thousands of locals and tourists lined the way.

Raymond James Stadium in Tampa was tranformed into an outdoor ice rink.  Tomorrow night the the Tampa Bay Lightning plays the Boston Bruins in their first outdoor home game.  To combat any potential weather issues affecting the ice, the entire rink was constructed inside of a 34-foot high, 125-foot wide, 240-foot long steel-framed air-conditioned structure to protect it.  Don't think they'll need the A/C tomorrow.  The game will also be the first in NHL history to be played in a Florida football stadium.

Winter Olympic games start February 6, and next Sunday Superbowl.  Go Pats!

The 50th season of Survivor kicks off on the 25th of February.  And American Idol already started.  It's been on for about 23 years.

So something to watch this winter.  Unfortunately, March Madness will be on soon.

Michael J. Haskins

I expect snow flurries this evening! I think I have every heavy piece of clothing I own on! Windy, high is low 50s, low is supposed to go down to mid 40s! God's either forgotten the Keys or He's showing his sense of humor! I could've stayed in NQuincy if I wanted this! I'd trade Tom in for a working fireplace and wood! I tried to order a snowjacket, but it wouldn't get here for a week, and either the weather will be improved, or I'll be cremated, so why bother? The way the special two votes went in Florida last week, I think the Governor left the Union and moved us to Canada.Electric blanket tonight, so 'early to bed...'

What a sissy I've become. Remember walking to high school uphill both ways in the snow!

Good night!

Diane T Mulcahy (Malmgren)

We have an electric fireplace, which I turned on because our power went out.  Guess what?

Thomas Burns

Di,   I'm not going to say anything!   Has your power been restored yet?  Dave must be beside himself!!  I hope you folks in Florida don't have to put up with the cold much longer.  The blood really does get thinner and you feel it more.  And besides, we're gonna be down there next week and it better be warm!!   Anyway, we're thinking of you guys and hope you're back to normal soon.   GO PATS!

Jerry Tisdell

Oh for sure Florida is the new Alaska. Punksatawny Phil has gone into hiding, the last I heard he was floating south on a frozen gator dressed as a big mouse. I shouted to him as he went by to change outfits. The way that Rat in Orlando has been raising prrices he better hide too.

New Years eve I was in surgery for my back, and yestersday I was at the VA for another chop job. The worst part was that darn IV, I am a terribe stick. They kept calling a Code Blue. I told the nurse to turn the AC off or were all going to be code blue. The place was frozen. I hope this is the last of the slice and dice for a long time or install a zipper..

I t was 34 degrees this morning and we were on the warmer side with another cold front coming. someone once told me if my head was in the freezer and my feet were on fire on the average i would be just fine. Well Florida. is going to mess up that anllysis for while. I fo to the Airport for a good laugh, just to watch the Canadians get off the plane looking so damn confused. Code Blue, eh.

They say when you fall of a bike get right back on. It all comes back...right! Tom for some reason there was more of me that there was room in my skates. so I rented a pair that had no support. On top of that I could barely reach the lases to tighten them. Then the bird arrived that told me to not even attempt the ice. What did I look like? Put four bootys on your dog and put him in the snow. Yup, that was me, Mr. Limpit. My grandsons said Pawpaw I thought you said you played hockey. So I smaled and told them, well it's a long story.

Tom I used to get free tickets to the Panthers, and they were way up there. I am not watching a hockey game from outer space. So when the "old Guy" was showing people their seats, Mr Tee slipped by and into the lower bowl. Someone payed lots of money for those seats and didn't come to watch, So I just ave the seat the respect it deserved along with a friend. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. That only works at a hockey rink though, not at a football stadium. Those people at Raymond James Stadium payed big bucks and froze watching little tiny people chaseing "something really really small." I watched that game at home 50 miles away in front of my heater and then went to bed. Now thats an old Hockey Fan using his head.

Rosemary Palm (Boyer)

Jerry,  I have problems with needles and taking my blood.  Here are four suggestions I have for you.  1.  If you know a day ahead of having your blood vessels tinkered with then drink copious amounts of water for 24 hours ahead.  2.  If you're on the spot having a tech stick you, you can ask for the most experienced lab tech available in the facility..  3.  You can ask the tech to put a hot water bottle on your veins or heat up a wash rag to really hot and use that on your arm.  4.  You can have the job done with the radiologist using her xray equipment to pinpoint the most accessible vein and get the job done in radiology.  Good luck, Jerry, from one who has suffered a great deal at the hands of inexperienced lab techs.  One time an old crone tried 26 times to draw blood using both arms. I wished I were an octopus then with 6 more arns to prick.  When I told my GP,  she said to only allow two tries, then call for someone more experienced.  I even phone up the labs a day ahead and request to only deal with the most experienced tech.

Jerry Tisdell

Rosemary I had a good tech who requested a vein tech with a machine that found the elusive pipe and hit it on the first shot. I never even felt the needle go in. I am used to it by now though, especially with the last month. The vampires come around every night at 4AM. Their european and miserable as well. The girl was great and was from Boston to boot. A nice Italian girl and her uncle was a kid I grew up with and lived by Eastern Nazarene Colleg. I told her if you see him tell him I said hi. She told me she would but he passed. I thought to myself, thats right, I'm old, I forgot about that part.  Thanks for the advice Rosemary. JT

Diane T Mulcahy (Malmgren)

Tom, fortunately our power was only out for a short while.  We get a lot of power outages, but other than when hurricanes hit, it's usually back on within an hour or so.  I think it should be warm next week.  Have a good trip.