Since I'll be in Morgantown and Fairmont on Tuesday and riding the auto-train on Wednesday, there won't be able postings on this blog for two or three days. Happy New Year to everyone. And if you're in Florida during January through March 2015, call me at (330) 388-4466 and we'll arrange a reunion.

Can YOU connect the Boydoh dots?

Grave hunter Adam Michna’s photo of the cemetery marker for Joseph and Anna Boydoh still leaves underanswered questions, mainly which current Boydohs are descendants of the couple.

Joseph, born in 1811, died in 1891. His wife, Anna, born in 1828, died in 1907 at the age of 79, a long time in those days.

Lillie Boydoh Fast was Class of 1928. Louise McNece Boydoh is Class of 1933.

Among the Boydohs that I’m aware of is Robert Boydoh, Class of 1956, who lives in Hebron, Ohio. His birthday is Oct. 29.

Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960, remembers Bob and Cheryl Boydoh during his Monongah High Days. Cheryl Boydoh Fordyce is Class of 1963.

Jim Fullen remembers Paul Boydoh living on Main Street in Monongah “in a white 2-story building across the street from Bob Brummage. I think the front of the building was 4 apartments and the rear was an attached home that Cheryl and her parents lived in.”

Nancy Kantura wrote that “I went to school with Glenna Boydoh and, if I remember correctly, I think she had a brother, Robert.”

Joy Damico chimed in: “Paul Boydoh was my uncle.”

Paul Reger Boydoh, Class of 1956, passed away in 2011 in Madison Heights, Virginia. His widow is Margaret F. Boydoh. His parents were Paul Lane Boydoh and Louise McNece Boydoh. Mr. Boydoh was a U.S. Navy veteran and retired from GE/Erricson. He was a member of the Elon Ruritan Club and Elon Baptist Church. He also volunteered his time at Lynchburg General Hospital.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Miracle B. Williams and her husband Larry, Mitchell L. Boydoh and his wife Pamela, and Melody B. Grubbs and her husband Greg, all of Madison Heights; six grandchildren, Sarah W. Skeens and her husband Josh, Elizabeth W. Mawyer and her husband Mark, Andrew M. Boydoh, Paul W. Boydoh, G. Taylor Grubbs and Chris P. Grubbs; three great-grandchildren, Alana K. Williams, Levi Skeens and Michael Mawyer; and one sister, Cheryl B. Fordyce and her husband Richard of Grand Rapids, Mich.

If you can connect Joseph and Anna Boydoh to any other Boydohs, whether mentioned here or not,  email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com

John Huffman today did something that is difficult to achieve. He lived to retire from the coal mines, one of the world’s most dangerous occupations, after 38 years of providing coal for the nation.

John is married to Goldie Basagic Huffman, who grew up in a coal mining family and knows the fear of waiting to see if family members come out alive each day.

Brooke Pethel, Goldie Huffman’s daughter, wrote:

“I am so proud of my father! Today marks a day of new beginnings! He has retired from the coal mines where he worked for 38 years. He has provided for his family, put two children through college and supported us in our decisions throughout our lives. We love you, dad! You and mom need to enjoy the next chapter in your lives!”

Adam Pethtel, a prankster who hacked into Goldie’s Facebook page and told the world what a great son-in-law he is and made it look like Goldie was doing the bragging, is Brooke’s husband.

John and Goldie can spend more time with their family, such as granddaughter Winnie who had her 5th Birthday in 2014; and Jackson who, I think, is their grandchild by daughter Brooke.

December has been a good month for Goldie, who celebrated her birthday Dec. 6 and now has her husband home safe and sound for the rest of their lives.

I know all about the dangers of coal mining, but not from going into the hellfire, because my father told me: “If you go in the coal mines, I’ll kill you.” Good enough advice for me. I chose West Virginia University and a 43-year newspaper career instead.

John W. Olesky, Sr. survived TWO cave-ins. Both covered his entire body. Rescuers had to dig through four feet of coal to get to any part of his body. Just about every bone in his body was broken. Consol was so sure that he would die that they took him off the payroll, which he learned when he returned to work 18 months later.

But the coal mines won in the end because Dad died of black lung after years of using oxygen tanks. It is like suffocating, millimeter by millimeter, hour by hour, day by day. Terrible way to go.

No one in this world gets more respect from me than coal miners.

Everyone in Monongah knows about the 1907 twin explosions in Monongah mines No. 6 and 8 that killed 362 officially (Consol’s claim) or more than 500 in reality (Father Everett Briggs and gravediggers’ count).

Leo L. Malone, General Manager of the two mines, told The Fairmont Times that 478 men had checked off as entering the mines. That did not include the 100 trappers, mule drivers, pumpers and other men and boys not subject to the check system (fathers brought sons as young as 10 into the mines with them). 

So Father Briggs’ count seems more accurate, maybe even a little low since 478 plus 100 totals 578 and only Peter Urban survived the twin blasts, only to be killed several years later in a slate fall.

The grandfather of Steven “Bucky” Satterfield, Class of 1949, was a foreman at the Monongah mines. But he decided to go rabbit-hunting in the snow with Bill Colvin. They heard the explosions while hunting, and avoided the tragedy. Grandpa spent 3½ weeks helping families cope with the terrible event.

Charlie Dean, grandfather of Tom Dean, Class of 1949, who lives in Altavista, Virginia, who was alive beyond 1907 because he missed work on the day of the explosions, and lived to the age of 85.

It still is the worst coal mining disaster in American history, even if you go by Consol’s too-low body count. In that same year, 1907, if you go by Consol’s count, 3,242 miners were killed around the world. Thirteen days later, 239 miners died in the Darr mine in Jacobs Creek, Pennsylvania. Dawson, New Mexico, with 263 miners killed, is No. 2 to Monongah in American history.

After 1,779 miners were killed in three years, the U.S. Bureau of Mines was established in 1910 to try to force coal operators, sitting far from West Virginia in their mansions counting the money the miners made for them, to make the miners safer. It worked, although it took a full century before “only” 18 were killed in 2009, the best year on record.

There have been 623 coal mine accidents that killed 5 or more miners since records were kept before 1875.

Larry Brian Radka,  Class of 1961, has some value photographs of the 1907 horror. Go to Monongah Mine Disaster and then Monongah Mine Explosion Memorial Photographs to see them.

God bless every coal miner as he enters that dark, dank place of employment. Lord knows they need all the help they can get to return home safely to their families.

Gilbert and Lillie Westfall, parents of David Westfall, Class of 1948, are celebrating their 63^rd wedding anniversary today – Monday, Dec. 29.

David’s wife, Marcia Westfall, Class of 1974, who lives in Kilarm with Dave, wrote:

“Happy 63rd Anniversary to my mother- and father-in-law, Lillie and Gilbert!!”

The photo of Gilbert is with the ship he was on in the Korean War.

Dave and Marcia will be attending another event on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Three Ways Inn in Fairmont, a gathering of up to 18 Monongah High alumni and guests. Maybe they’ll varoom up in their Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide, which has taken them thousands of miles from coast to coast and north to south.

Also at Three Ways Inn will be Marcia’s mom, Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, who lives in Monongah; June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948; Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951, and husband Okey Edgell, Class of 1944; Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955, and husband Andy; Jeanie Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949; Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, & 2 family members; Don Halpenny, Class of 1950; Paula Kerns Fazio, daughter of the late Dorothy Stevenski Kerns, Class of 1942, and husband Joe Fazio; and me.

If you are in the vicinity, pop in and join us. 7 p.m. Three Ways Inn. Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Trail of Monongah High birthdays to greet us in Florida

While Paula and I are in Florida for January-March 2015 I hope to help some Monongah High alumni celebrate their birthdays.

Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951, will add another notch to her lifespan on Jan. 18. We will see her and husband Okey Edgell at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 at the Three Ways Inn in Fairmont when at least 14 MHS grads will be sharing dinner and memories.

Joe Martin, Class of 1957, who lives on Treasure Island, Florida, will have his birthday Jan. 19 and Paula and I will probably see Joe and wife Arlene Kitchin (born May 12) in Sarasota at noon Feb. 6, 2015 for the 3^rd annual Monongah High Reunion/Sarasota at the home of Bill Meredith (born July 5), Class of 1957, and wife Roleta. And maybe again on March 1 at West Virginia Day Picnic in The Villages.

Bob Nichols, Class of 1964, will have his birthday Feb. 9. Bob & Penny plan to visit us in The Villages for West Virginia Day because they live in Seminole, which is near St. Petersburg.

Lyle Cosner Howell, Class of 1958, probably will show up at the Merediths for the Feb. 6 MHS reunion. Her birthday isn’t till April 14, but maybe we can have an early birthday party for her. Pat Slovekosky Morris (born June 8), Class of 1970, who lives in Sarasota, usually shows up for the Meredith bash, too with husband Train. So does Sandy Weils Shaffer Cook, Class of 1959, who lives in Fort Myers, Florida with husband Bob.

Joyce Cowart Davis Peck, Class of 1966, lives in Palm Harbor, Florida, as do John Matkovich, Class of 1948, and wife Dolores Sweede Matkovich, Class of 1953. John and Dolores plan to meet us for West Virginia Day in The Villages.

Pat Meredith Wills (born Aug. 29), Class of 1950, who lives on Crescent Beach near to St. Augustine, Florida, plans to attend West Virginia Day in The Villages with husband Don Wills.

Leo Kubiet, Class of 1942, lives in Largo, Florida, which is near St. Petersburg. His birthday is April 11. Another early celebration.

As for the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 dinner at the Three Ways Inn in Fairmont, those attending will include June Paxton Rogers; Ramona Fullen Michalski and her daughter, Marcia Michalski and Marcia's husband, Dave; Linda Tomlinson Stevenski & husband Andy; Jeanie Nagel Viglianco; Jackie Olesky Straight & 2 family members; Don Halpenny; maybe Paula Fazio & her husband; and me.

And you if you want to join us, call me at (330) 388-4466 so that I can tell Three Ways Inn how many chairs to set at our table.

Monongah High birth dates

If your name is not on this list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com  with your full name, including maiden name, your birthday date, your graduation year and your current hometown.

January

6 – Jeanette Barr Baczuk, Class of 1940

13 – Beatrice Salisbury Mills, Class of 1951

17 – Susan Colaneri Monell, Class of 1949

18 – Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951

?? – Marie Bee Zwiegel, Class of 1951

18 – Bertha Pazdric Sullivan, Class of 1954

18 – Greg Vandetta, Monongah mayor, husband of Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

19 – Joe Martin, Class of 1957

19 – Joann Thompson, Class of 1962  

22 – Jo-Jo DeMary of Monongah, who lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is married to Yvonne King DeMary

24 – Marcia Michalski Westfall, Class of 1974

24 – Mark “Hooch” Aldridge, Class of 1973

29 – Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968

February

1 – Debra Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

2 – Sylvia Edwards, Monongah grad living in Idamay

3 – Debbie Weaver Hurley, Monongah grad living in Monongah with husband Milton Hurley

3 – Rebecca Urish Anderson, Class of 1971

8 – Tom Fleming, Monongah grad living in Bridgeport

9 – Bob Nichols, Class of 1964

10 – Bonnie Nicholson Moats, Class of 1960

11—Linda Renay Hess Postlethwait, Class of 1968

15 – Jerry Koloskie, Class of 1975

17 – Larry “Danny” Eates, Class of 1970

18 – Mark Tarley, North Marion grad

20 – Harold Dean Kniceley, Class of 1960

21 – Eva Huey Jarvis, Class of 1975

24 – Mary Kelly, Monongah & North Marion

29 – Betty Sikinow Cunningham, Class of 1954

 

March

5 – Phil Colanero, Jr., Class of 1963

5 -- Doris Carpenter Rogers, Class of 1971

6 – Karen Fitzwater Pausch, Class of 1961

9 – Richie Basagic, Class of 1975 

9 – Brian Evans, Monongah graduate married to Patty DeMary Evans

11 – Benny C. Morgan, Class of 1948

15 – Donna Colvert Davis, Class of 1961, married to 1958 MHS grad Bill Davis

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959

25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate

 

April

4 – Charlotte Walker Cahill, Class of 1954

5 – Bernie Fullen, Class of 1963

9 – Paula “P.J.” Hickman, North Marion 1983

11 – Leo Kubiet, Class of 1942

12 – Linda Sawyer Duckworth, Class of 1966

14 – Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958

16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961  

30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954

May

4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, main squeeze of Joe Martin, Class of 1957

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1955

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

17 – Colette Stanley Melton, Class of 1970

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

27 – Ed Graffius, Class of 1971

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

June

1 – Parma Kay Fetty, Class of 1973

3 – Jim Birdsell, North Marion grad from Monongah; married to Angela

7 – Kenneth Kincaid, Class of 1968

8 – John Koloskie, Jr., Class of 1944

8 – Pat Slovekosky Morris, Class of 1970

13 – C.L. “Roy” Parker II, North Marion Class of 1982

13 – Rick Morrison, son of Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968  

14 – Pamela Bombardiere, Monongah grad

14 – Regina McCoy Murphy, Class of 1973

17 – Delmas Gene Hartley, Class of 1979

17 – Dennis Jones, Class of 1954

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

23 – Ron Manzo, Monongah grad

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

July

3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

4 – Bob Fox, Class of 1948

4 – Barbara Fleming Marsh, Class of 1947

5 – David Gowers, Class of 1971

5 – Bill Meredith, Class of 1957

7 – Alex Fazio Huff, North Marion 2005 grad

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

14 – Bentley Evans, Class of 1978

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

21 – Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973  

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

19 – Jane Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

29 – Pete Basagic, Class of 1972

August

1 – Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979

3 – (Agnes) Jean Larry DiLaura, Class of 1950

7 – Dorie Mike Whetsell, Monongah graduate

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

12 – Angelo Catania, Class of 1943

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

18 – Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960

18 – John Fazio, Class of 1970

19 – Greg Postlethwait, Class of 1964

19 – Barbra Eller-Hanning, Monongah grad

20 – Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966

20 – Connie Warash, Monongah grad

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

September

6 – Dave Domico of Monongah, Fairmont West grad married to Andrea Justice Domico

7 – Mary Louise Orsini, Class of 1948 (honorary)

7 – Phillis Tarley, North Marion grad from Idamay living in Fairmont

8 – Fred Moorehead, Class of 1964 

8 – Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955

13 – Karen Manzo, Class of 1974

14 – Suzanne Barr Loss, Class of 1948

14 – Jim Shaver, Class of 1954

15 – Bettie Hensley Lowther, Class of 1948

17 – Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972

20 – Greg Patrick, Class of 1970

23 – Sally Wood Tarley, Class of 1959

24 – Joe Fazio, Class of 1974

25 – Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948

25 – Jim Davis, Class of 1964

26 – Nathaleen Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948

27 -- Bonita Lavencheck Waybright, Class of 1968

29 – Dietta Harden Goush, Class of 1959

October

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

9 – Mary Frances Miller Myers, Class of 1951

11 – Felix Colisino, Class of 1947

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

12 – Brenda Manzo, wife of Danny Manzo, Class of 1957

20 – Leona “Duckles” Davis Schooley, Class of 1953

21 – Dorman Keith Beckner, Class of 1942

21 – Ken Slovekosky, Gilmer County High Class of 1976.

26 – Lori Hawkins Ice, Fairmont East graduate living in Carolina

29 – Robert Boydoh, Class of 1956

31 – Patty Steele McCombs, Fairmont East graduate who lives in Monongah

 

November

1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

17 – John Todd Moats, North Marion Class of 1985

20—Hellen Snider Carpenter, Class of 1950               

20 – Kathryn Toothman Crim, Class of 1950

22 – Mike Ahouse, Class of 1968

23 -- Antheai Justice Turner, North Marion 1982

25 – Gerald Nelson Hartley, Class of 1955

28 – Danny Fullen, Class of 1961

29 – Dave Westfall, Marcia Westfall Michalski’s son

December

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

16 – Barbara Sweede, Class of 1956

16 – Shelvy Maze Cunningham, Class of 1964

16 – Henry Moore, husband of Beth Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

18 – Bill Cameon, Class of 1960

20 – Mike Hess, Class of 1975

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

23 – Jim Fullen

25 – Chris Shamrock Henning

27 – John Yokay III, son of John Yokay, Class of 1953

More trouble for Pulice family

Hoo, boy, the Pulice family is getting a rough deal again.

The latest: Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945, is in Monongalia General Hospital with an upper respiratory infection that contributed to a heart attack.

Toni Pulice Pill, Anthony Pulice, Jr.

His daughter, Toni Pulice Pill, Fairmont West and Fairmont State graduate, went to Fairmont General Hospital in August for several days of steroids and anti-biotics.

Wrote Toni: “My mother can also use prayers due to the same illnesses that occurred two weeks ago.”

Larry Paul Pulice, son of Anthony, Jr.,  passed away Nov. 13, nine days before he was to marry Michelle Curfman.

Anthony, Jr. and Saverio Pulice, Class of 1942, of Elkton, Maryland lost their sister, Genevieve “Jennie” Pulice, Class of 1936, in 2012. 

Jennie was predeceased by brother James William “Bill” Pulice, Class of 1948, who died in 2001.

Bill’s wife, Geraldine “Jerry” Pulice, died in 2011. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Lucia Costa Palagino.

Toni’s siblings are Julie Pulice Kraley; Jesse James Pulice (married to Chelsie Colisino Pulice); Mark Pulice; and Jamie L. Pulice.

Frank, Jr.’s siblings are Joseph A. Pulice and James Anthony Pulice, both of Arizona; Mary Pulice and Edith Pulice, both of California; Theresa Pulice of Arizona; Beatrice Pulice of Monongah; and the late Sam, Tony and Bill Pulice.

Frank Pulice, Jr. was president of the MHS Alumni Association 1981-82 and on the Board of Directors from 1983 through 1986. For 35 years he was one of Fairmont General Hospital's major supporters.

Anthony Pulice, Sr. and Frank Pulice, Sr. were brothers.

Anthony, Jr. grew up in Worthington. Anthony, Jr.’s nephew, Jim Pulice, Class of 1969, was principal of Monongah Middle School.

Other Pulice family members with Monongah High diplomas:

Geneveive Pulice, Class of 1936

Saverio Pulice, Class of 1942

Frances Savereno Pulice, Class of 1948

  Gerald Pulice, Class of 1974

Maybe Paula & John will see you in Florida

After attending the Virginia Tech-WVU basketball game in the WVU Coliseum with my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, of Rivesville, having dinner with other Monongah High alumni at the Three Ways Inn in Fairmont at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, I’ll be leaving Marion County Wednesday, Dec. 31 to board the Amtrak Auto-Train in Lorton, Virginia for the three-month stay in The Villages, Florida with Paula.

I will arrive in Samford, Florida at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1.

I will have my laptop with me so that I will be able to continue posting on the Monongah High Alumni blog at jo4wvu.blogspot.com while we’re in Florida through March 31.

If you’ll be near The Villages in January through March, call John Olesky at (330) 388-4466 and we’ll arrange a Monongah High alumni get-together.

As a bonus, March 1 will be West Virginia Day Picnic in The Villages, so you may see thousands of Mountaineers in one place. Call John if you can make it and he’ll try to arrange a table for MHS grads.

I know that Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950, and John Matkovich, Class of 1948, and wife Dolores Sweede Matkovich, Class of 1953, plan to be there. Pat and husband Don Wills have a winter home on Crescent Beach south of St. Augustine Beach, Florida and spend summers in Fairmont. John and Dolores live in Palm Harbor, Florida, which is near St. Petersburg.

If you will be in Sarasota on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, join us at the 3^rd annual Monongah High Alumni Reunion/Sarasota. It will begin at noon 2015 at the home of Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, who lives in Sarasota with wife Roleta, a Clarksburg Washington Irving High graduate.

Call John Olesky at (330) 388-4466 or Bill at (941) 342-0030 so that Roleta will know how many to prepare food for and so that Bill can give you name to the guard at the guardhouse entrance to their complex so that you can have access to their street.

Bill’s directions to his home:

3201 Charles MacDonald Drive. 

To get to our home from I-75, take exit 207 (Bee Ridge Rd.) and go east about 1½  miles to Gary Player Drive.  Turn left onto Gary Player Dr. and proceed to the gate.  All names will be given to the guardhouse.  Once through the gate, go to the first stop sign (Tom Morris Dr.)  Turn right on Tom Morris and go to the first street on the right, which is Charles MacDonald.  Turn right and proceed about 1/4 mile to our home on the right side at 3201.  The number is on the mailbox.

If you live in Florida or will be vacationing there Feb. 6, 2015, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com to let him know if you think you can make it.

If you’re near The Villages, Florida in January-March, 2015, call John at (330) 388-4466 and we’ll arrange a Monongah High reunion of former Lions. 

John even has a second set of golf clubs in case anyone shows up. Just saying . . .

JOHN OLESKY, CLASS OF 1950

John Koloskie, Jr., Class of 1944, widower of Julia Monell Koloskie, also Class of 1944, is recovering from knee surgery. 

John’s son, Jerry Koloskie, Class of 1975, former assistant athletic director for University of Nevada-Los Vegas, is helping dad deal with the recovery. Today, Jerry is winter-tasting with the family in Sacramento, California.

300,000 Americans have knee replacements every year. Dr. Raymond Acus of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio installed my store-bought right knee several years ago.

Julia’s brother is the late Raymond “Soak” Monell, whose widow is Elaine Hewitt Monell, Class of 1949, of the Dayton, Ohio suburb of Riverside.

Jerry was named UNLV's Interim Athletics Director in 2009, after former UNLV Athletics Director Mike Hamrick accepted the same position at Marshall University, until Jim Livengood was hired as UNLV's Athletics Director. Jerry had been with UNLV athletics department since 1982.

He played baseball for two years at Marietta (Ohio) College before graduating with a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in 1980. He earned his master's in physical education from Iowa State University in 1981.

Jerry was on the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee from 2004-2008, as Chairmen from 2006-2008.

He and his wife, portrait artist Annette, who live in Henderson, Nevada, have three children: sons John and Jim, and a daughter, Megan, as well as a granddaughter, Kayden. Megan Koloskie is a teacher at Somerset Academy Okey-Las Vegas. Jerry and Annette met at Iowa State when Jerry was getting his master’s degree.

Jerry’s favorite word is “dank.” It was a word made up by marijuana afianadoes to mean awesome. Hmnn . . . J

Well, Jerry does live in Colorado – in Henderson, near Las Vegas. So does Agnes Jean Larry DiLaura, Class of 1950. 

Patrick and Traci Ice DeFazio of Monongah, brother of Joseph Michael DeFazio, who passed away in 2012, are the grandparents of Belle Juliana DeFazio, born Dec. 24. Patrick calls her “our Christmas present.”

Patrick and Joe’s sisters are Debra DeFazio Zickefoose, living with husband Larry Zickefoose in Covington, Kentucky, which is across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, and Annette DeFazio, also of Kentucky.

Their parents were Jean Tomana DeFazio of Monongah and the late Eugene DeFazio. 

Joe had been a D.C. policeman and a Marine and worked the gaming industry out West for 28 years.

Joe’s widow, Charla Payne DeFazio, lives in Fairmont. His children are Jason and Micah DeFazio of Ozark, Missouri; Jennifer DeFazio Foy and Steve Foy of Fernley, Nevada; Danielle DeFazio of Stanton, California; and Haley DeFazio Farra of Kansas. Joe’s stepchildren are Jason and wife Melissa Johns, Janice and hus­band Jim Wrather and Lindsay Johns, all of Missouri.

Traci Ice DeFazio came from Reader, West Virginia to spend her life with husband Patrick.

Goldie DeFazio Lipinski, Class of 1937, is a sister of Loraine DeFazio Barth, Class of 1951.

Goldie’s daughters are Judy Lipinski Cook,  Class of 1958; Henrietta Lipinski Hawkins,  Class of 1959; Sandra Lipinski Hawkins, Class of 1962; and Joyce Lipinski Evans, Class of 1969.

Goldie’s grandchildren are Vicki Cook, Class of 1977, and David Cook, Class of 1979.

Another DeFazio, Johnnie (1924-1975) once owned and operated DeFazio Esso Station, at Bridge and Lyndon streets in Monongah.