Hello Guys,

I just started to write this email and my phone rang. Joe Bonfe who is the youngest brother of our classmate George Bonfe gave me the sad, sad news that George had passed away today at 12:30PM. His family members were with him this morning at the hospital. This is such sad news for many of us who knew George well, many of us since we were kids. George was a remarkable man; car accident in the mid 1960’s coming home from his army camp, severely injured and was a paraplegic since that time. But since that time nothing has slowed him down until now. George started and ran 3 successful businesses, George adopted and raised three children, George seldom missed any event of his kids, his nieces and nephews, traveled much of the world  and always was up for social and political gatherings. This man was REMARKABLE and as his brother Roger told me he should have written a book about his life.

I will pass on what services are planned as soon as I find out.

George, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

(See 2021 In Memoriam for more on George here)

———

At today’s class lunch much talk was of George as he was a regular attendee of the luncheons from the beginning back in 2014.

In November we always try to give a special salute to the veterans in our class and the photo attached is of the vets that were present today at the lunch. Thanks to you guys and all the vets in the class of 1963 for serving our country.

Also today at the Pool and Yacht Club were some “young guys” having lunch who had a very special connection to the class of 1963. Those guys were the younger brothers (class of 1969) of two of our deceased classmates.

Bert Christensen, Matt’s brother and Tom Murray, Jim’s brother. Very nice to have them with us.

Classmate Larry Neuman wrapped up our meeting with a couple of jokes—-maybe that will start a tradition for wrapping up our lunches, thanks Larry and keep that in mind for all you  guys who attend the gatherings, try to remember any good jokes you hear so you can share them.

Finally next meeting will be Thursday Dec 8^th—–mark your calendars.

Click on image to enlarge

Tom Troskey

Click here to read the news article.

Congratulations Steve from all your classmates!

Hello Everyone,

Great turnout today for the class of 63 lunch. I think there are a few of the regular attendees who will be heading south very soon so they made sure to be there today. The season is changing pretty quick here and as Jim Dimond and I walked into the place today we both lamented how another layer of clothing is needed.

So enough on the weather. We had a first time attendee today all the way from Nevada, Jon Steele and he looked great. I say that because many of you may recall that just one year ago Jon was critically injured in a bicycle accident. Jon is doing well and we are so glad he was able to join the group today.

Another classmate who is a regular at the lunches but has not been able to join us in recent months was present. Pat McDonnell is on the recovery track after have back surgery 6 months ago and the early stages of his recovery did not go well but it is now going well. Great you are back with the crew Pat!

Some great news on Tom Rubbelke as well, for several years Tom has been dealing with the ravages of cancer, he is now cancer free and classmate Charlie Evans saw Tom recently and said he looks terrific and is anxious to get back to the class lunches very soon. Can’t wait to see you back at the gatherings Tom!

On Oct 25^th our classmate Steve Nachtsheim will be receiving the Bishop Joseph Cretin award at the St Paul hotel. This is a very big honor and you can see details on the award presentation on the CDH web site and our class of 63 web site.  https://cretinclassof1963.org         Check out the class web site as I think you’ll see a photo of two of our classmates from 60 years ago………..

The new Stem Center at CDH looks great from the outside and matches the old school brick very well. I am anxious to see the inside. You might recall this was a gift from Ron Ryan of the class of 1962.

Next class of 63 lunch is     NOVEMBER 11^TH—- VETERANS DAY   Our class has dozens of Veterans and hope to see many of them next month.

So for now take care

Tom Troskey

Click on any photo below to enlarge

A bonus challenge for all of you – the last picture in the series is of two of our classmates when they played hockey for the Edgecumbe Team circa 1961. Can you name them? Hint – their initials are DB and JD.

This awards dinner is listed on our site’s Events Calendar.

The notice/invitation sent out by the office of President Frank Miley follows:

President Francis M. Miley, JD., cordially invites you to the
2021
Cretin-Derham Hall
 Awards Ceremony

Monday, October 25, 2021
Saint Paul Hotel
350 Market Street
Saint Paul

6:00 p.m. Social Hour
7:00 p.m. Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Cost: $75.00 per person

We encourage you to register online here for this
wonderful event celebrating our CDH Community Award Recipients.

2021
AWARD RECIPIENTS 

Carondelet Award
Katie Williams Szyman ’84 
*will recieve the award at the 2022 ceremony

Signum Fidei Award
Monica Moores Watts ’00
Dr. Stephen Richardson ’04

Monsignor Ambrose Hayden Legacy Award
Mike & Kristi Kampmeyer

St. DeLaSalle Award
Stephen Seidel ’74

Eugene & Mary Frey Community Award
Tim, M.D. ’64 & Kim Scanlan, PhD

Bishop Cretin Award
Stephen Nachtsheim ’63

Hugh Derham Award
Irene O’Neill, CSJ ’72

Richard R. Engler Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Reiling ’50

Hello All,

Sorry for being a bit slow on getting out a few notes on the class of 63 Sept lunch at the Pool and Yacht club.

I have not been able to be at the Aug and Sept lunches, thank you to Joe Schufman for the Sept photos.

At the Aug golf event Ray DiPrima provided us with some photos and I want to thank Ray for that as well.

This past Thursday there were 15 guys at the lunch on a beautiful day on the Mississippi.

Last week Judi Rogers who is our classmate Ken Rogers’s wife emailed me to be sure to “give all of the class of 63 a BIG hello from Ken” who has had some serious health issues over the summer and is now rehabbing in a transitional care facility. Thank you Ken and Judi and a BIG get well soon from all the guys in the class.

I was over at CDH a week ago and the new STEM center is really coming along. What a wonderful facility and gift. This is made possible by a gift from Ron Ryan 62’ and his wife. Anxious to take a tour when it is finished.

Mark your calendar for the next Class of 63 lunch is        THURSDAY OCTOBER 14^th.

Best to all and hope to see many of you at the October lunch.

Click on image to enlarge..

Tom Troskey

On August 3 Bob and Barb O’Malley joined me and my wife Cynthia for lunch in River Falls, WI. Bob and Barb were in Minnesota to attend a family reunion in the Brainerd Lakes area. Their two sons and daughters in law and all their grandchildren came to Minnesota. Bob told me it was the first time his sons had been in Minnesota and they really enjoyed getting together in such a lovely location.

We had a good time catching up and telling old stories. Wish we could meet more often, but Bob and Barb live in Arizona. We are motivated to take a trip to Phoenix this winter to see them again.

Joe Schufman

Click on image to enlarge

Hello Guys,

The past week the class of 63 held two regular events.

The 8^th annual Golf outing that was started by our classmate Charlie Schuldt in 2014. Charlie ran it until his passing in September of 2016. In the greatest respect for Charlie the Golf event has been known as The Charlie ever since then and Dave Britz took over running this fun day each August.

The day after the Golf outing our classmate George Bonfe again hosted classmates at his home on Forest Lake. Both events had PERFECT weather and were enjoyed by all.

Thank you Dave and George for handling these two events.

I have some photos of the golf outing attached and may get some from the Lunch at George’s!!!!!!!

Also, The Inaugural  ONE  Cretin Derham Hall —a celebration of ALL our schools alumni will be held at CDH on September 16^th. If you are a Cretin, Derham Hall or CDH alum this event is for you.

So check it out at    www.cretin-derhamhall.org

Finally our next class of 63 luncheon will be back at the Pool and Yacht Club on Thursday September 9^th. Mark your calendar and hope many of you will be there.

Best to all

Tom Troskey

Click on photo to enlarge

Hello Guys,

Great day today at the Pool and Yacht club for the class of 63 lunch.

A couple of hours of good food and wonderful conversations—solving world problems to wondering how we got old quicker than we figured we would!

So, hear are a few things coming up to put on your calendar.

• Golf outing  (The Charlie) on Wednesday August 11^th—-if you want to play be sure to let Dave Britz know ASAP —-
• Class of 63 August lunch Thursday August 12^th at George Bonfe’s home on Forest Lake   (I think our 6^th year there)—– thanks George and more info will be coming as that week approaches
• The ONE CDH evening for ALL Cretin, Derham Hall and CDH graduates on Thursday September 16^th  —— much info to follow soon.

Don’t forget to check the class web site  at   https://cretinclassof1963.org      If you would like to have something put on the class web site let either me or our web master Joe Schufman know.

Thanks and hope you all are well and enjoying the summer.

Best

Tom Troskey

(Click on image to enlarge)

A new page was added under the Military Tab. It chronicles one of our classmates journey to obtain VA Benefits as a result of injuries suffered while serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. You can quick link to it by clicking here. Worth a read since it pays tribute to another of our classmates.

Hi Guys,

Nice gathering of classmates today at the Pool and Yacht. A jump in the pool would have been in order as the hot 96 degrees made us all thankful for AC.

The guys gathered today were Don Danneker, Joe Schufman, Jim Dimond, Tom Troskey, Tom Racine, Dave Tyree, Joe Brooks, Ed Sund, Joe M. McGrath, Larry Moser, Rick O’Connor, Dave Britz, George Bonfe, John Lentsch, Tom Schleck.

A couple of guys called me to be sure I give a hello to all since they could not be there. Pat McDonnell sent his regards and hopes that he can attend the gathering again soon. Pat had back surgery about 6 weeks ago and the “recovery” has not gone very well—-best to you Pat from all of us.

Classmate Bill Haskamp sent his best wishes to all and we hope to see Bill at one of the lunches soon.

Recently I came across my Freshman year—-Bulletin of Information (BLUE BOOK) We passed it around  to the crew. Kind of fun to see many things detailed in the book,  procedures, policies, uniform requirements, discipline, costs—tuition $170/year, expectations etc.

On Sept 16 CDH will be holding a first  time event and it is titled —ONE Cretin Derham Hall. It is to recognize the alums of all three schools that make up CDH

Currently Cretin has about 6,000 living alumni, Derham about 2,000 and CDH 10,000. This event will bring all three school’s alumni together. Think of it, brothers, sisters, mothers, sons, grand parents, fathers, husband/wife. If you are an alum of any of the three schools you are invited. Lots of planning is going on to make this a very enjoyable evening. More info will follow over the summer. So Mark your calendar!

A couple of more things to mark your calendar for are the 8^th annual Class of 63 Golf outing (THE CHARLIE). Dave Britz is the chair and the date is Wednesday August 11^th. DAVE WOULD LIKE TO GET A RESPONSE AS TO WHO PLANS TO PLAY. So let me know or Dave Britz at britzie37@aol.com

For the 6^th consecutive year classmate George Bonfe would like to host the August Class of 63 luncheon at his home on Forest Lake on Thursday August 12th—thank you George

Finally, the next class of 63 lunch will be on Thursday July 8^th.

Tom Troskey