Classmates

FRIDAY OCTOBER 12th.   6:00 to 8:00 pm.    WINE TASTING.   (Seltzer and Soda also available.)    Hosted by George Wheeler and Ellen Taylor.   Suite number will be given later.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 13TH.   5:00 to 7:00 pm.   Come say hello to some of your former MK teachers.   Bistecca Lounge.  

7:00 to 11:00 pm.    THE BIG BASH!  
OPEN BAR  (7:00 to 10:00), DINNER, AND DANCING to records spun by the Famous and Fabulous Tom Hammer.   And Open Mike!  Morris Room.   
(Night Owls may meander over to the Bistecca Lounge afterwards, if you so desire, to keep the party going.) 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 14th.   9:00 to  11:00  am.   BREAKFAST IN THE WATERVIEW ROOM, adjacent to the Bistecca Lounge. 

Jack Beckwith

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired Procurement Specialist
Comment: Gratefully retired in NW Arizona after 32+ years in aerospace/defense procurement, life here is easy & quiet, tho' devilishly hot. Looking forward to seeing y'all!

David Black

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Venture Capitalist
Comment: I spent the first part of my career (starting the summer after graduating MK) writing software, and the second part investing in a wide variety of tech-oriented start-ups as a partner in a venture capital firm. If you want details, the website link shows my work profile, which has links to my LinkedIn profile, patents, books and blog. I'm still working because I'm part of a team that invests in innovative companies that are making a difference in healthcare and fintech. Here is an article by my partners on how healthcare is being transformed. I've been married for 35 years, with a boy overseeing NASA's budget at the OMB and a daughter who's an MD. I live part time in what was my parent's house in Cedar Lake, part time in a shore house in Cape May in the southern tip of NJ and part time near Lincoln Center in NYC. FWIW, I haven't eaten meat or fish for 45 years, and had no alcohol for 15 years.

Adele Bozza

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 1
Occupation: Mentor and Angel Investor

Keith Clifford

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: Retired
Comment: After graduating MKHS in 1968 I went to Montclair State College (now University) and graduated with a teaching degree in Social Studies with a 7-12 certificate My first job was teaching 8th grade in Rockaway Boro. I went back to William Paterson College (now University) for a K-8th teaching certificate. I later taught in Mendham various grades in the elementary school. Lastly ending in 1980 I taught elementary school in Vernon.

 

in 1973 I married another Monclair grad and had two daughters. We divorced in 1996.

 

1980-2001 I was a Denville police officer retiring as a Sgt. and was the D.A.R.E. officer (back to teaching). I went back again to William Paterson College for a Criminal Justice degree. After retirement  from the DPD I worked as a National Park Ranger for 5 seasons.

 

I have lived in Denville in Indian Lake the last 32 years

 

in 1998 I married for a second time and gained another daughter and a son, a cat and a used Honda. She turned out to be a keeper and we just finished 20 years together. All our kids have good jobs and turned out to be decent and honorable people which I consider  my greatest accomplishment in my small part of raising them.

 

Sadly, in 2018 with near perfect health otherwise I was diagnosed with ALS which has kicked me and my family hard in the butt. Of course there is no cure and my family and I are trying to get by the best we can. This is why I was not able to attend the 50th reunion.

 

Peggy Darnell (Moore)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: business owner/software company
Comment: Hi gang!

Wow, where to start.

  1. Went to Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York. Was a sorority girl, weekend hippie, and English major. Graduated 1972.

  2. Lived in Hackensack, N.J., with two college friends, and worked for a real estate company in N.Y.C. Started out as an admin and became a junior copywriter in their advertising department.

  3. At a college reunion in 1973, got reacquainted with a guy I'd known throughout my college years, but never dated, Jon Kenney. We started dating and I moved with him to Park Slope in Brooklyn. 

  4. We got married in May of 1975 (Margaret was my maid of honor). I got laid off from my work (the company was having legal problems) AND found out I was expecting a baby in August of 1975--hello adulthood!

  5. Had my wonderfun son, Adam Moore Kenney (who is now 42, glass artist, husband, and father of two, living in Pittsburgh), on April 8, 1976.

  6. Jon was a banker for Manufacturers Hanover, and I stayed home and took care of Adam. We saw better opportunities outside of the East coast and moved to Phoenix in July of 1978 (40 years ago this year). He got a job with The Arizona Bank. I returned to N.J. in September to be Margaret's matron of honor!

  7. Life was less expensive and easier in AZ although we missed family and friends. I also started working for The Arizona Bank as a technical writer and worked my way up to managing projects in the Systems Management area.

  8. After 10 years, Jon and I divorced in 1985. I bought my own little house for Adam and me. Amazingly, my older step-brother Rick Suhl and his family (wife and three kids) were transferred to Scottsdale that year. So, Mom and Rudy decided to move out here also. It was awesome...we were all together for the first time in so many years.

  9. I didn't date much but decided to join Parents Without Partners in 1988, hoping to meet friends with kids Adam's age (he was then 12). I met Dave Darnell at PWP picnic. He was there with his three kids. We started dating, got engaged on my 40th birthday and then married on October 12, 1991. My amazing parents gave me a second wedding--this time at their lovely Scottsdale home. 

  10. The Arizona Bank was bought out by Security Pacific Bank and then they were gobbled up by Bank of America. I was laid off after 12 years. Dave was working for a IT company but had his own company, Systrends, on the side. I began doing contract technical writing under the Systrends label. 

  11. I then worked for a COBOL software copany, Viasoft, which was the most successful IPO in Arizona history (they have since gone out of business!). I was a tech writer, content manager, and created their first website--I loved the place and was named "Development Employee of the Year" in 1995. It was exciting as tech writers usually don't get a lot of attention or cudos. 

  12. I was a long-distance runner and worked out like an animal, but injured my back in 1996. It was kind of a sleigh-ride to hell as I was misdiagnosed and dissed by a lot of doctors. I finally found someone who read the MRI correctly and had interbody fusion surgery in 1997. Took a while for the pain to settle down, but eventually I was nearly 100% OK.

  13. While I was recuperating, I started working with Dave and we have been partners now for over 20 years. We do software and service bureau hosting--EDI transaction and XML tariff management--for energy companies. Dave is the technical guru and I do all the writing (proposals, marketing, training, etc.). And I do a fair amount of admin stuff as well. We have now expanded into cybersecurity and I've gotten my first certification in that area--CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor. 

  14. Although I was always drawing and loved art as a young person, I didn't pursue that hobby for many years. I started painting with my mom after my stepdad Rudy died in 1997. And I've continued to enjoy it--my style is very colorful and crazy--a lot different from my business life which is so good for my head and my heart.

  15. I have my wonderful son, Adam. I also have three wonderful step-kids: Jennifer (now 45), Kody (42), and Allison (37). We had quite the houseful and lots of chaos and drama there for a while (well, more than a while). When we married, they were all teens and pre-teens so most of you will understand that challenge. The miracle is that everyone turned out OK and I couldn't ask for a sweeter bunch now. I have 6 (!!) wonderful grandchildren who just know me as Nana Peg. 

  16. From my continuing to run and congenital stuff, I had a hip replacement in 2007. Works great and I've really had no problems with it. While we were in the middle of a product launch and a house remodel in 2010, I found out I had breast cancer. It was a good kind to get (DCIS Stage 0); I decided on a double mastectomy; did not have to do chemo or radiation. I feel very grateful and feel like a had "bc light" compared to so many people. One of the wonderful things is that Adele came out and helped to take care of me. 

  17. Speaking of friends, I have been so fortunate in that department to still have so many H.S. and college friends still in my world--especially Margaret, Adele, John, and Ellen (and Lynn L. who we hope to see at the reunion). Some highlights include:




  • Seeing Margaret at least once a year (or more) no matter where we were living.

  • Ellen and her first husband John supporting me so much during my divorce.

  • Ellen and my New Mexico trip--Santa Fe and Taos.

  • Margaret's amazing 50th birthday week in NYC!

  • Several mini-reunions over the years--including N.J., and an amazing time in San Francisco.

  • Margaret and Ellen at Adam's wedding in Nashville 2005.

  • Margaret's 60th birthday party at my house with John as the special surprise guest.

  • Adele's 60th birthday party in Boston; Adele then at my 60th birthday party.

  • Wonderful trip to Corsica.

  • Italian cruise with Margaret and Frank.

  • Etc., etc.

  • Getting to know Ted Dick and being a part of Adele and Ted's courtship and at their wedding last year.


Many of you remember my wonderful Mom! She was still traveling and having fun into her 90's. She lived to be 100 and died in June of 2015. The last couple years were pretty rough on both of us, but she never lost her grace or humor. She was a shining example really of love and acceptance. 



Like Jimmy Stewart, I've had a wonderful life. I wouldn't change a thing as it's all part of the journey. I so look forward to seeing everyone in October. 



Love,

Peg

David Dixon

Marital status: Single
Occupation: retired engineer
Comment: After high school I spent 4 years at Stevens Institute of Techology, ending up with a BS degree in physics.  The job market in 1972 was not very promising so I opted for graduate school: a plasma physics program at Columbia.  Controlled fusion seemed a worthwhile goal that might be achievable, but is still a distant goal.  After 5 years and a PhD from Columbia, a job offer from aerospace firm TRW brought me to Redondo Beach in southern California.  That job lasted for 33 years in the R&D division, but after TRW was merged into Northrop Grumman research priorities shifted so I decided that I could live on the pension they offered and I now call myself retired.  I spend my time riding my bicycle along the beach path to get a little bit of exercise.

Joe Douglas

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 6
Occupation: Protected Federal Witness

Gary Egan

Marital status: Married
Occupation: Chief Financial Officer
Comment: After graduation from Morris Knolls, I had a series of jobs before I started college. I was an assistant manager of a small family owned department store in Chester, NJ and then worked my way up to be a store manager in their Vernon Valley store. I started at County College of Morris (CCM), at 28 as an “older student”, was super motivated and become class president and graduated as valedictorian. While at CCM, I also met my life partner. My educational journey continued when I transferred to Georgetown University (GU) at the age of 30. Even though I was a Finance major, I took many electives in the fine arts and worked part time at the Kennedy Center. This later led to my combining finance and arts management as my career choice.

 

After graduation from GU, with a degree in Finance, I merged my interest in finance and computers and worked on campus for 9 years, taking on a number of progressively responsible financial management positions such as Assistant Controller and Project Manager for the installation of a new Financial Accounting and Budgeting System for entire University.

 

I left GU to become VP for Finance and Administration for the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), in Washington, D.C.  This higher education association promoted the importance of the Liberal Arts in education. During this time, I earned a MBA from George Washington University. After 6 years at AAC&U, I accepted a position at The Mariner’s Museum (TMM) in Newport News, Virginia. This started my 20 plus year career in arts management.

 

I worked at the Museum for 8 years as COO/CFO at an interesting time.  One of my duties was to represent the Museum and worked with the U.S. Navy and NOAA on the recovery and salvage of the USS Monitor (of Civil War fame).  Later I was responsible for planning and over-sight of the construction of a $30 million Museum expansion to conserve and display the artifacts from this iconic Union ship. During this time my partner earned his PhD in Tumor Immunology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA.  In Washington, DC and southern Virginia, I served on various arts and cultural non-profit boards as well as a number of state-wide human rights and equality boards. 

 

In 2005 I joined Phoenix Art Museum as the Deputy Director and was again responsible for a $30 million Museum building expansion as well as all financial and administrative operations. After 11 wonderful years at the Museum, and many domestic and international exhibitions, I semi-retired in 2016 and started my own consulting business. My consulting business led me to a position as Interim CEO for an 18 months at a health and human services agency called SW Center for HIV/AIDS in Phoenix which cared for clients and did education and outreach in the community. After a permanent CEO was hired, I then started looking for another position.  This time again focusing on arts management. 

 

In the spring of 2018, I took a position as CFO at the Phoenix Symphony and I’m now enjoying a different side of arts management. I plan on working for a few more years.  My partner for 38 years, and now husband, Daniel, and I enjoy traveling. We enjoy our home in Phoenix, AZ, but often can be found at our cabin nestled in the northern mountains in Pine, AZ enjoying the cooler weather and frequent visits from deer and elk.  I look forward to seeing many old friends from Morris Knolls this October.

 

Ron Foy

Marital status: Married
Children: 3
Occupation: Operating Partner
Comment: I’ve enjoyed a long career in both and public corporations and private investment. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve CEO and other Executive  positions that enabled world travel, community involvement and the creation of goods that  hopefully added value in terms of consumer satisfaction, jobs creation, economic development civic volunteerism.

None of those accomplishments equal the joy and satisfaction of my long marriage and our three wonderful sons which has only been enriched by our two granddaughters, the most recent arriving January of this year. I’ve officially retired twice and find myself once again engaged in private equity portfolio’s. Some habits are hard to break! Still, travel and lots of golf (I’m probably overly proud of my single digit handicap) along with good food, friends and family make my life overly blessed. I’m excited to see all the “old” faces and reminisce. 

Beverly Francis (McCauley)

Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Registered nurse
Comment: I married my high school sweetheart right after graduating and we will be celebrating our 50 th anniversary in August. We have 2 sons, and 4 grandkids, 3 of which are triplets, now 18 and graduating high school this summer. 

I went to college after Greg finished . I graduated as a RN IN 1980 and worked as a labor and delivery nurse for almost my entire career.  I retired almost 2 years ago.  We have lived in Southern California for 38 years and retired to Palm Springs area 2 years ago.  I've taken up golf and partying.  We live in a 55+golf community with lots to do and great folks.  Life is good. I love traveling, Greg doesn't, so my sister Sandy and I travel  together.  

Im hoping to make the reunion, but we have 3 grandkids we've promised each their own trip for graduation this summer, which is a work in progress.