Class Of ’62 Celebrates 50th Reunion

Coming from Arizona, Colorado, Virginia, or still living in Newtown, members of Newtown High School’s graduating Class of 1962 filled Rock Ridge Country Club with laughter and memories on June 24.

Resident and former Fairfield Hills Authority chairman Bob Geckle stood with Anne Housh, who now lives in Colorado. Although she graduated in 1964, she attended the reunion with her brother and Class of ’62 graduate, David Housh. As reunion guests arrived, many old friends met again over cocktails and dinner, and conversation. Mr Housh confessed, “I have only made one [reunion] in 50 years. I was the class president as a senior, so I couldn’t wiggle out of it.” He added, “It’s been fantastic.”

Walking over to greet him was Mr Geckle. As the two men shook hands, Mr Geckle said, “We were best friends in high school.” Then he remembered Anne’s prom. Joking with her, Mr Geckle said, “I wasn’t her first choice,” but he had attended her prom night with her “anyway,” he said.

“Oh, he was cute,” Ms Housh said.

Standing in a huddle and leaning in to view old photographs were Don Steisel, George Berls, and Ross Walker. Holding the photo closer, Mr Steisel said, “This is my old sweetheart.” He brought the photo over to Karen Blanchard to confirm that the teenager standing under a tree in a sundresses was the girl he remembered.

Among the crowd were Terry (Madsen) Qubick and husband Jack, with friends Dave Ballerini and Sailor (McCain) Cascio. Emi and David Lydem posed for a photo nearby. Tom Kretsch slipped into the room through the main doorway, glancing for familiar faces in the crowd. In the lobby were Bruce Herring and his wife Dea, who spoke quietly with Dale Cipollini.

Watching as Class of 1962 members gathered for a group photo were Alison Underhill, Slass of 1961, and Alan Carbonneau, Class of 1963. Vicki and Henri Burges enjoyed cocktail hour and meeting again with high school friends. Speaking with Sandi Kretsch was Mr Geckle’s wife Kathy Geckle; Ms Kretsch, married to Class of ’62 grad Tom Kretsch, and Ms Geckle laughed, “We’re the younger wives.”

Before serves got dinner to the tables, class members hurried to pose for a group photo of class members able to make the 50th class reunion.