55th CLASS REUNION........... The 55th Class Reunion was held on Friday, June 27th and Saturday June 28th at the Bridgeport Country Club........... Reunion Committee.......Fred Wilson, Barbara (Tomaro) Tiano, Patty (Bickers) Day, Mike and Louise Caruso, Tom and Patty (Showalter) Long, Lucille (Bonasso) D'Annunizo and Bob Bates. Nora (Griffin) Davisson started but the distance was too far for her to continue.......

OUR LEADERS.......

Patty Showalter, Class Vice President.
Fred Wilson, Class President

Fred Wilson

Tom and Patty (Showalter) Long

Louise and Mike Caruso

Doloris and Sam Gorgonio

Joretta and Don Westfall

Carolyn (Sinsel) and Leroy Humberston

Mary Jane (Gaskins) and David Jolliffe

Carolyn and Bernard (Bud) Marshall.....

Marlene (Cline '49) and Bob Graeber

Laura Jane Fisher Booth

Jim Bob and Sue Anne (Coffman) Allman

Don and Betty Danley

Connie and Jim Welch

Patty (Gocheour) Blair

Lucille Bonaso D'Annunizo

Charles and Helen Baker

Melba and Art (Class of '46) Babbitt

Barbara (Tomaro) and Bill Tiano

Alberta (Ball) and Carlton Sanders

Doloris (Degler) Vineyard

Dick and Joan Hinkle

Jim and Sue (Jefferies '50) Garrison

Bea (Vannoy) and Gene King

Patty (Bickers) Day

John and Page Thomas

Sam Wetzel

Patricia (McNeill) and Marion Henshaw

Marilyn (Lemasters) Ransone

Ruth Anne (Griffin) Brown and John Casto

John and Ruth Anne dancing on Saturday Night.......

Jack and Dora Tribett

Bob and Dana Bates

Jim and Caroyn Switzer

Sara (Wilson) and Buck Bennett

Betty (Mitchell) and C. B. Shingleton

Anita (Bartlett) and Carl White

Virginia and Joe Oliveto

Phil and Donna McIntyre

Phil McIntyre and Bob Layfield

Charlie DeValliere and Phil McIntyre

John Timberlake

Gene "Beefy" Wallace......."Beefy" passed away peacefully at 1215pm on Monday, July 28th 2003

"Beefy" and Phil McIntyre.....1948

ALEXANDRIA, VA...... Gene "Beefy" Wallace, 72 years old, of Alexandria, Virginia, departed this life Sunday, July 27, 2003, in the Veterans Medical Center, Washington, D.C., after a long, hard fight for his life. He was born on December 31, 1930, in Clarksburg, WV, the son of the late Madge Virginia Garrett and Alfred Ellmore Wallace. He is survived by a companion, Leta Staton, Alexandria, VA; one daughter, Wendy Elaine Pumphrey, one grandson, Aubrey Levi Pumphrey, and one great-grandson, Tyler Wayne Pumphrey, all of Clarksburg; two sisters, Madge Virginia Jay, St. Marys, WV, and Nancy Lee Price, Bridgeport, WV, and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Two brothers preceded him in death, Alfred Scott Wallace, Clarksburg, and Harold Garrett Wallace, Baltimore, Maryland. Gene attended Washington Irving High School, where he participated in all sports, and, upon graduation, served his country in the Marine Corps from 1948 through 1952 in the Korean Conflict. During his lifetime, he worked for Hope Gas Company, Hazel Atlas Glass Company, the Jack & Jill Cue Club, Arlington, Virginia, Air Flow Associates, Springfield, Virginia, and Sutton Place Gourmet, Alexandria, Virginia, retiring from the latter due to illness. Washington Irving¹s 55th reunion of the Class of 1948, held June 27, 2003, was dedicated in Gene¹s honor. This news, along with a lovely card his classmate, Barbara Tiano, had made especially for him, touched his heart. He spent many happy, proud moments just looking at that card. Early in life, his beloved parents taught him love and respect for God, country and family, and this he carried with him throughout his life. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Gene was special and will be sadly missed by all who loved him. ............................................................................... The memorial will be Aughst 26th at 3:00 P.M. Arlington Cemetery Fort Meyer Memorial Chapel   Leta would love for some of the class to attend and come to their home after the service for a meal.  If anyone can attend, please let Leta know by the 15th of August as she needs  to let the catering service know the number of people attending.   Leta's Phone Number 1-703-780-4703 ................................................................................ From Dick Hinkle Thursday Auguast 28th 2003..... Classmates:  Received a phone call from Leta this afternoon.  She has asked me to convey her appreciation to all the classmates who send cards or made phone calls to her and "Beefy" during his illness.  Leta said the memorial service was something to behold.  She had received a express mail letter from Charlie DeValliere and it was read at the service.  Charlie had written about his life long association with "Beefy", beginning when they first met and had a fight.    The letter went on to tell about he and "Beefy's" career in the pool rooms, about going to the Marine Corp together, how they got separated during the Korean War, and then got reunited to resume their common love of pool.          Leta tells me that there is one mystery about the service that she would like to solve.  She was told that floral arrangements would not be allowed, but when she arrived she said some of the biggest and most beautiful wreaths were in place, however, someone had removed the cards which told who had sent the flowers.  If anyone knows who sent any of these flowers would you please let Leta know, or let me know and I will forward the information.       Leta received quite a surprise at the service.  She thought that "Doc" Garrison was the only one to represent our class, but it seems that "Doc" is on the ailing list due to having surgery for a hernia and was unable to attend and had notified Leta that he wouldn't be there.  One of the attendants told Leta that someone was waiting for her in the family room, and the person who had to travel the farthest  was there to represent the Class of 48.  Joe Oliveto came all the way from California to be at the memorial service.       Leta is going thru a very bad time right now, not only with the loss of "Beefy" but her son was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to have extensive surgery,  so keep her in your prayers and let her hear from you once in a while.                                                                                                                                                                Dick

PIERMONT GRADE SCHOOL

Don Danley, Alberta Ball, Patricia Shaw and Bob Graeber

CARLISLE EAST SIDE GRADE SCHOOL

John Thomas, Sara Wilson, Laura Jane Fisher, Sam Wetzel, Bea Vannoy and Carolyn Sinsel

ALTA VISTA GRADE SCHOOL

Doloris Deglar, Fred Wilson, Jim Switzer, Carl White, Anita Bartlett, Patty Showalter, Marilyn Lemasters, Bud Marshall and Mary Jane Gaskins

MORGAN GRADE SCHOOL

Patricia McNeill, Joretta Cochran, Sue Anne Coffman, Betty Mitchell. Dick Hinkle, Art Babbitt, Don Westfall, Jm Allman, Bob Bates and John Casto

TOWERS GRADE SCHOOL

Barbara Tomaro, Patty Gochenour, Patty Bickers, Lucille Bonasso, Ruth Anne Griffin. Jim Garrison, Jack Tribett, Sam Gorgonio and Joe Oliveto.

A LOOK BACK IN TIME.......

This is a photo of a fourth-grade class of Morgan Grade School in Spring of 1940. From left are, front row: A boy named David, an unidentified boy, Eva Miller, John Casto, Lois Bartlett, a girl named Polly, Marjory Morrison, Phillip McIntrye, Wanda Rae Coon, a girl named Rita and Joan Wolfe; second row, another girl named Polly, Gloria Clapper, Lois Floyd, Junior Johnson, children named Sarah, George and Jimmy, Joan Linger, unidentified boy, Charles DeValliere, Diane Ferry, Louise Carter, Lois Hardman and Fred; back row, unidentified girl, Jean Knapp, Bobby Blair, Jackie Gabbert, Jimmy Curry, Carolyn Sinsel, Patrick Helmck, Unidentified girl, Bobby Murphy, unidentified boy and a girl named Barbara................Can anybody out there identify the unidentified???

FIVE GOOD MEN........

Charles Baker, Carl White. Jack Tribett, Dick Hinkle and Art Babbitt.

SEVEN GOOD MEN.......

Charles Baker, Phil McIntyre, Dick Hinkle, Jack Tribett, Carl White, Jim Switzer and Art Babbitt.......

55TH CLASS REUNION WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL, BRIDGEPORT COUNTRY CLUB

Row 1 (left to right)
 
Bernard Marshall, Laura Jane Fisher, Mary Jane Gaskins, Lucille Bonasso, Betty Mitchell, Anita Bartlett, Patty Gochenour, Patty Shaw, Patty Bickers, Sue Coffman, Jim Allman, Philip McIntyre
 
Row 2
 
Don Danley, Barbara Tomaro, Joretta Cochran, Jim Switzer, Jim Welch, Frank Merandi, Jack Tribett, Bea Vannoy, Sara Wilson, Fred Wilson, Dick Hinkle, Bob Bates, Patty Showalter, Ruth Anne Griffin, John Casto, Marilyn LeMasters
 
Row 3
 
Sam Wetzel, Patty McNeill, John Thomas, Bob Graeber
Don Westfall, Sam Gorganio, Jim Garrison, Charles Baker, Carolyn Sinsel, Tom Long, Mike Caruso
 
Joe Oliveto was at the reunion but unfortunately missed the picture taking.
 

Barbara and Fred...

Dick, Jim Bob and Charlie

Tom and Patty

C. B. and Betty

Sue Anne and Ruth Anne Singing.........
While.......

Barbara is playing....."You Great Big Beautiful Doll"

Honestly Folks.............Does this woman look like a Septuagenarian!

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER.......THE DAY YOU RECEIVED ONE OF THESE.........

Just in case you do not remember........... It was Monday Evening May 24th 1948 at Eight Fifteen O'Clock. First there was the Senior Processional, which was to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" by Elgar. Then the Senior Chorus sang "The Heavens Are Telling" by Haydn, High Lighted by the Trio of Edith Dessent, Gray Williams and Robert Maxwell. The Invocation was given by the Reverend J. C. Fisher. The Senior Chorus then sang "Hear Our Prayer" by Abbott. The Class Address, "What Did You There?", was given by Dr. Irvin Stewart, President of West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Presentation of Diplomas was made by Arthur V. G. Upton, Superintendent of Schools. Next the Senior Chorus sang, "Onward, Press Onward" by Giauque. Then a Solo by Patty Showalter and a Violin Obligato by Raymond Hawkins. The Benediction was given by the Reverend H. C. Fox. The Washington Irving High Class of 1948 then made their Exit March to the tune of the "March Of he Brave" by Zamecnik............ HALLELUJAH!.............PRAISE THE LORD!.............

Announcement of Commencement Exercises.......

How many of you remember this Presentation by the Class of 1948.......

Abby Brewster was played by Laura Jane Fisher. The Rev. Dr. Harper was Raymond Hawkins. Teddy Brewester was played by Gray Williams. John Timberlake was Officer Brophy. Arthur Upton was Officer Klien. Martha Brewester was played by Joanne Flynn and Elaine Harper was portrayed by Patty Gochenour. Mortimer Brewster was played by Bob Blair. Bob Layfield was Mr. Gibbs and Jonathan Brewster was John Thomas. They had Fred Wilson to be Dr. Einstein and Chuck Roberts to be Officer O'Hara. Lieutenant Rooney was portrayed by John Edwards and Robert Wetzel was Mr. Witherspoon. Jack Dodds was Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Spenalzo was Philip McIntyre...............
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The Business Manager was Fred Wilson and Patty Showalter was in charge of the Box Office. Linda Lee Byers took care of the Publicity and Jim Allman was the Stage Manager. The Stage Crew consisted of Bob Blair, Philip McIntyre, Carolyn Ash, Dick Corsini and John Edwards. Lighting was taken care of by Bob Baltzley and Arthur Upton. In charge of Properties were Mary Lou Turk, Joan Keeney, Barbara Barton, Anita Bartlett, Barbara Young and Catherine Flora. Carolyn Ash and Chares Roberts took care of the Posters. In charge of the Book was Pat McNeill and Bea Vannoy. The Sound was taken care of by Hollis Schofield and Joyce Fulk.
Members of the House Committee were: Malcolm Chorpening, Robert Maxwell, Philip Nicewarner, George Riley, Tom Long, Bob Bates, Jim Almond and Jack Stickman.
Ushers: Barbara Gainer, Ruth Anne Griffin, Helen Cunningham, Barbara
Grimm, Josephie Presseau and Martha Lou Gandy. Make Up: Sally Reed, Barbara Young, Diane Ferry, Phyllis Nuzum, Malcolm Chorpening and Arthur Upton.
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Does anyone remember what the Class Colors were..................

Received the following e-mail in regard to class colors....... From: PMCINTYRE@ec.rr.com (Philip McIntyre) Date: Sat, Aug 23, 2003, 10:26pm To: WIHS1948@webtv.net (Fred Brown) Subject: Class Colors Class colors for the Washington Irving High School Graduating Class of 1948 were MAROON and WHITE.   Phil

LIST OF DEPARTED CLASSMATES..........                                                                                                                               Jim Almond                    Tom Ash   Joan Atkinson   Richard Brown Patty Black   Linda Byars   Ada Bunnell   Dolores Castello   Malcolm Chorpening   Louise Clevenger   Jack Cook   Clifford Cork   Martha Conley   Dick Corsini   Jim Criss   Helen Cunningham   Ronnie Curtin   Marjorie Davis   Ruth Davisson   John Edwards   Joan Everette   Diane Ferry   George Finley   Don Fittro   Angeline Fragale   Rose Ellen Goots Lee Harbert   Pat Helmick Richard L. Hinkle   Patsy Imperial   Eddie Jenkins David Lee Johnson   Nancy Johnson Laura Klieves   Homer Kramer   Wanda Kuhn   Martha Maxwell   Barbara Molle   Dorthy Morris   Charles Nay   Philip Nicewarner   Richard Pratt   Betty Quigley   George Riley   Sally Reed   Charles Roberts   Nick Romano   Pauline Sheline   John Snyder Jack Stickman   George Swisher   Don Tomblin   Bob Thomas   Mary Louise Turk   Arthur Upton   Nick Vacolas   Jim Van Horn   Dolores Van Horn Gene Wallace   Gray Williams   Barbara Young

Sue and Fred Brown.....8/26/03......Another Wedding....... ................................................................................Thats all for now Folks.... ............................................................................... A special thanks to John Casto and Phil McIntyre for all the material that they sent me......
................................................................................. If any of the Classmates who could not attend would care to send me their picture I will post it on the Web Page....... ................................................................................. If I made any mistakes, please let me know so I can correct them.

This Web Page was last updated Saturday, January 22nd 2005 at 230am.........(Chinese Toothache)