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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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Jerry Tisdell

Well it has been a while since I had any input. I'll be 80 in a few weeks. I keep reflecting on a really fun life I had growing up in Quincy. Like most of us I had a father who served in WW2 and saw a lot of hard things as a combat officer. He drank and gambled in an effort to bury his memories. Growing up I never had a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out. My point being is that I loved my youth and in spite of doing without, I still participated and had fun at it. I had a bike with one petal that was more a bar where a petal would go,there was nothing on the other side. My front tire was run over, so it wobbled. But I was OK with it. I played football, hockey and ran track. I recall Mr Leoni, Mr Rodgers, Mr Casali at Central to metion a few. I measure my life in successes rather than nice stuff. A lot of us were survivors but we made it. I saw my life growing up as something special now. We grew up around history that can only be appreciated in my later life. I really hope that our younger generations can really appreciate their youthful upbringing, just as I I see in mine now. 

Quincy Square was so active with Joe and Nemos, the Bargain Center, The Strand, Art and Adams Theaters. The Army Navy store, and Tom McCans shoe store. We used to attend Mass at St Joseph's after hockey on Sunday mornings at Weymoth rink with Joe Zona. The Rapids in the summer. Back in my youth we could actually go on the USS Constitution, not today. Amellio Dellaciasa was the Mayor of Quincy for ever. We had a very historic cemetery naxt to the Art theater where we all saw the Creacher from the Black Lagoon. Two Presidents of prestiege are buried in the square. Our football rivalries were always awesome. Even our brawl with Broad Meadows, in junior high school for God sake. What all of us had growing up was so much more incredible sans the cell phones computers. But we had real community back then without the political indiffernces that fragment todays society. Back then we all cared about things that meant something. Young people came from everywhere to drink a beer at Squaw Rock, and there was not a single fight. back then we all got along. Yes, my youth was special. Yours was too, if you just think about it.  

Thomas Burns

Jerry,  

You did a nice job of reflecting on our younger days.  Those were special times, and I'm glad you have such a positive attitude.  It seems everyone our age thinks growing up in Quincy was very special "back in the day."  Like you, I have a lot of great memories of my "Squantum" days, and my "Wolly Beach seawall" days, and my "Up the Downs" days.  It's good to hear some of us "survived" and did OK in life.  As you well know, some of us  didn't get the chance to enjoy "the golden years!"

I'd like to be one of the first to wish you a very happy and wonderful 80th Birthday!!  You deserve it, my friend! And may you continue to enjoy many more years of happiness with your wonderful family!

CHEERS!

Nick Rucky

As always - well done "T" - Happy Birthday - Catch you later - Nick

Jerry Tisdell

Thanks Tom and Nick for the birthday wishes. Yes Tom, we were fortunate where other weren't, Harry Chase being one who came to mind. Harry was always positive and passed much to young. A quick story came to mind. Mike Smith's grand mother Agg, as she was known, would always tip a few on Saturday. Then she would drive around in her giant Buick and round up all the guys in the neighborhood to go to confession. One day Artie Vandermollen was with us and she told us to put him in the car. We told her Artie was Jewish. She said God doesn't care what he is, besides it will do him good. Some things you just don't forget. Artie got shot up real bad in Vietnam and was hospitalised for a while. He also passed to young.

At this point in our lives our memories are wonderful gifts that we need to appreciate, while we can. But what ever we do never stop being our goofy selfs. Because we are tomorrow's memory for the special people we love, maybe even for those we simply touched for a moment. 

Phyllis Giove (Backstrom)

Well said Jerry and yes we did grow up in a great era.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Jerry Tisdell

Thanks Phyllis,yes we did. We had fun, laughed a lot and genuinly cared about one another. Things that are lost on line today!

Frank M. Stewart

If you have a spare moment and haven't as yet heard about this incredible ground-breaking medical program, Google "Pig Kidney Bill Stewart". Bill is our courageous 54 year old son, dying from defunct kidneys and on Dialysis for over two years, who just became the third person ever to receive a kidney from a DNA/Genetically alterecd pig grown to match his own DNA. He made it through the transplant surgery at Mass General in June and is currently stable and improving slowly and just went back to work. If all of this works it will save millions of lives over time. They are currently working on a segmernt for sixty-minutes. Very exciting! Stay tuned.

Cathy Mc Closkey (Waterman)

Jerry Tisdell

Frank we live in a world that changes everyday. More often than not, such change is filled with unnessasary pain. To often the bad new touches all of us deeply. We are left without recouse and simply share what we cannot make sense of. But then we see the door that opens where we can find the hope in a promise that will not be fleeting, but very real. A bell sounds for something that touches us all in a good way. But even more importantly the joy shared with someone we all knew, and that makes it even more special. Something so special it almost seems as if you can touch it, rather than read about it. The truth be told, sorrow when its our children truely hurts all of us. But when we see what is almost a miracle it's exciting. For you and for your family Frank, it's exceptional. Thank you Frank for sharing this with us. Jerry T 

Rosemary Palm (Boyer)

Wonderful news, Frank.  I'm so happy for your son, you and your family.  God bless you all!

Rosemary Hayes (Earley)

What wonderful news about your son. Hopefully this is something that will help make a difference in many lives. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks for sharing your story. 

Patricia Grant (Hesselbach)

such amazing and wonderful news, frank.  will keep your son in our prayers for continued improvement and good health!

David McCloskey

Frank, a blessing on your family. Wonderful news may it bring joy to many other families in the future.

Dave

Marcia H. Wright

When I saw on the news the amazing achievement of the MGH transplant., I thought how wonderful for the recipient + hopefully, for future reciepients.  Now, to learn that he is your son.  So great for you + your family.  We are so lucky to live here in the hub of medical miracles. I wish for your son continued good health so he can enjoy the love of your family + many years ahead in the future.  Marcia

Phyllis Giove (Backstrom)

What wonderful news and I did hear that on our local Boston news  I wish your son the best and his family also.

Linda A. Pratt (Ward)

Oh my goodness, Frank! I am just now reading your exciting and inspiring message.

So happy for your son, for you, and the entire family.

Will be watching for your son's story on 60 Minutes!

Linda

Sandra Leach (Volpe)

Paula made arrangements for us to meet at the Common Market restaurant in Quincy today.  It was a wonderful day.  The food was good - the company was better.  The first is the original picture we had taken then I asked ChatGPT to make us 30 years younger - thus the second picture.  I thought it was good for a couple of laughs.  I hope everyone is well.  The best part of today is that we are all in the same boat and our age goes from 78 to 79.  (I'm not sure if any of us has turned 80 yet - next year for sure).

Michael J. Haskins

Ladies, next luncheon you should book it in Key West, maybe in December (?), where you can have lunch at the pool or ocean side and in bathing suits! A good change of pace! I think you need to give the guys your secret; they all look much too old for you! 

Diane T Mulcahy (Malmgren)

I've been absent from the site until now.  Long story short my computer in Florida was kaput.   Very frustrating getting up and running with new PC, then had problems logging on.  

Rosemary Hayes (Earley)

Glad  to see you are back Diane. I try to put off getting a new computer or phone as long as possible.  There is nothing fun or easy about setting up either one.  Sounds like you were up for the challenge & I look forward to seeing your posts.

Diane T Mulcahy (Malmgren)

Thanks, Rosemary.  I posted a few things, although a little late and short on Veterans Day

Sandra Leach (Volpe)

Thank you to Elaine for opening her home up to us today.  It was nice to get together.   Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all......

Thomas Burns

The NQHS Class of 1964 men got together again at Alba in Quincy Square for our annual Holiday Luncheon!  After a cocktail (or two), we enjoyed ice cold shrimp with cocktail sauce and Duxbury oysters with cocktail sauce and Champagne vinegar, followed by Caesar Salad, and then carved sirloin steak and mashed potatoes.  For dessert we helped ourselves to a variety of Fratelli's Pastries!  The food was great, but the company and atmosphere was even greater!  What a great bunch of guys!

From the top: Dennis Volpe, Marty Butler, Joe Garofalo, Joe Gildea, Nick Rucky, George Gale, George Clarke, Billy Walker, Peter Murphy, Mickey Gillis, Rich McNeice, Tom Burns, Ed Leahy, Don Mc Nally, Wally Young, and Tom Kiley.

It was great to see our old friend, Joe Garofalo for the first time in many years!  Over lunch, Peter Murphy extended a very Merry Christmas to all from Gary DeCoste who recently moved to Atlanta.  We also remembered one of our own - Frank Norton, who passed away on Thanksgiving.  All-in-all, it was a great gathering and great comraderie.  See you guys in June!

Merry Christmas!!

Michael J. Haskins

I missed another one! You gotta come to Key West for one of these luncheons and I promise not to miss it! Lookin' good guys!

Rosemary Palm (Boyer)

Fellow classmates:  Please pray for Washington state.  The devastation from the storms this past week is horrendous. News reports hardly begin to give a fraction of the damage being done to the lives of our residents.  Thanks, Rose