Wednesday, November 29, 2017


Bluegrass artist AJ Lee has a song out, “Monongah Mine,” about the 1907 twin explosions of #6 and #8 mines that killed 361.

She only mentions #6 mine in the song, though.

But if you want to hear her Prava Sessions rendition of “Monongah Mine,” click on


Folks in Monongah will be observing what still is the worst coal mining disaster in American history on Friday, December 6.

The day will begin with an 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in memory of the victims.
There will be a presentation of an urn from Sant’ Erasmo di Formia Church in Italy that contains soil samples from all the Italian towns whose former residents died in the 1907 explosion.

At 10 a.m. State Senator Roman Prezioso, who grew up in Monongah, will be featured at a commemoration ceremony in the Monongah Town Hall and at the Monongah Memorial.
 
There will be a presentation of the Olive Tree to the Town of Monongah and an unveiling of the Tombstone in memory of the mine disaster.

At noon people will gather for prayer at Mount Calvary Cemetery on Park Avenue in memory of the mine victims.

The soil samples in the urn from the Italian towns affected by the tragedy will be dispersed at the cemetery, to mix forever with the victims.

At 1 p.m. there will be a reception at the Monongah Town Hall to wrap up the day’s events for a day which shall live forever in history for everyone in and who has ever lived in Monongah.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017


Bill Cameon, Class of 1960, who lives in Highland, Utah, will celebrate his birthday December 18.

He’s among many Monongah High alumni born in December, beginning December 2 with Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964, married to Earl McDougal, Class of 1963, and living in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and winding up the month of Lions birthdays on December 30 with Deborah Prunty Poluck, living in Idamay with husband Louis Poluck, both Class of 1973. Debby’s parents are John Prunty, Class of 1949, and  1950 Farmington High grad Margie Jones Prunty.

Bill’s parents were Clyde and Maggie Cameon of Carolina whose other children were Virginia Cameon Mezzanotte, married to Pat Mezzanotte for 52 years and living in Fairmont; Nathaleen Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948, of East Chicago, Illinois, who was at Monongah High during my time there; Pete Cameon, Class of 1958, of Clarksburg; Linda Cameon, Class of 1966, of Carolina; and, all deceased, Albert Cameon, Class of 1947, Arthur Cameon, Class of 1946; Joe Cameon and Rudy Cameon. passed away in 2014.


Pete’s son, also Peter Cameon, a North Marion and WVU grad, and wife Beth Passarella Cameon live in Morgantown.

Other Cameons at Monongah High:

Jean Cameon Onitus, Class of 1939.

Francis King Cameon, Class of 1942.

Constance Koldres Cameon, Class of 1963.

Angela Cameon Viney, Class of 1968.

Joanna Cameron Reeves, Class of 1971, married to Adam Reeves. 

Francine Cameon Jurasko, Class of 1978.

Virginia’s nephew, 1981 North Marion grad Stan Cameon, lives in Fairmont with his wife, 1980 North Marion grad Sheri Slamen Cameon.

Cynthia Cameon, who lives in the Italian hotbed of Clarksburg, runs a Cameon family Facebook group page that includes:

 
Christopher Cameon, a graduate of Eastlake (Ohio) North High.

 
Denise Cameon Jett, assistant manager at Jo-Ann Fabric who lives in Farmington and is from Carolina.

Craig and Laura Cameon.

Brian Cameon.
 
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.


 

December


2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

2 -- Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

6 – Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974
8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

 
10 – Richard Weaver, Class of 1957

11 – Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

16 – Paula Rossi Wiley, Class of 1976

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

29 --  Dolores Edwards, Class of 1955

30 – Deborah Prunty Poluck, Class of 1973

 

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

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

15 – Clarence William “Bill” Woods, Class of 1952

18 – Nancy Carol Davidson Kantura, Class of 1955

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959

25 -- David Edwards, Class of 1976.

25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate

28 – Josephine Popovich Jones, Class of 1952

 


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

15 – Judy Stewart Monell Razook, Class of 1959

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

5 – Louis Poluck, Class of 1973

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, wife 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

17 – Lorraine Hulderman, Class of 1968

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

29 – John Woods, Class of 1957

30 – Dave Westfall, Class of 1948  

 

June


1 – Parma Kay Fetty, Class of 1973

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

5 – Ann “Peaches” DeMary

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 Morrison Bombardiere, Class of 1967

14 – Regina Levelle Humphrey, Class of 1973

14 – Regina McCoy Murphy, Class of 1973

17 – Delmas Gene Hartley, Class of 1979

20 – Shirley Ann Woods Merchant, Class of 1953

22 – Prudence Deane Tetrick Funk, Class of 1960.

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

23 – Ron Manzo, Class of 1969

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

 

July


3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

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

10 – Mary Fleming Toothman, Class of 1960

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

14 – Bentley Evans, Class of 1978

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

20 – Catherine Reckart Boyce, Class of 1973

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

5 – Robert Tennant, Class of 1971

6 – Wauneda Evans, Patty DeMary Evans’ mother-in-law

7 – Dorie Mike Whetsell, Monongah graduate

8 – Sandra Ashcraft, Class of 1964

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

17 – Twins Earnest Hayes & Chester Hayes, both Class of 1965

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, Class of 1975

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

 

September


 

1 – Claude Domico, Jr., Class of 1959

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 – 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

29 – Pamm Yanero Bragg, Class of 1969

 

October


 

2 – Stanley H. Vance, Class of 1964

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

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

14 – John Prunty, Class of 1949

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

20 – Richard Edwards, Class of 1978

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

25 -- Rachel Vivian Stalnaker Sloan, Class of 1962.

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

31 – Helen McDougal Mudry, Monongah High grad

 

 

November


1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

4 – Roger Harbert, Class of 1960

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

10 – Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945

13 – Elwood Toll, Class of 1951

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

27 – Roy Foster, Class of 1945

28 – Danny Fullen, Class of 1961

29 – Dave Westfall, Marcia Westfall Michalski’s son

Sutton native Fred L. Fox II, who retired in 2010 after 40 years as Marion County Circuit Court Division I Judge, passed away Monday, November 27.

Former Marion County Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Judge Pat Wilson called Judge Fox “absolutely an icon here in Marion County.”

He was elected a judge in 1970 after returning from military service as a Marine in Vietnam with two Bronze Stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and a Purple Heart.

Judge Fox was a legend in Marion County, driving his Wrangler Jeep around Fairmont, smiling and waving to passersby.

He got his undergraduate degree from Davis & Elkins College and is a West Virginia University Law School graduate.

The 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster Remembrance will be Wednesday, December 6.

361 coal miners lost their lives that day, still the worst coal mining disaster in American history.

The day will begin with an 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in memory of the victims.

There will be a presentation of an urn from Sant’ Erasmo di Formia Church in Italy that contains soil samples from all the Italian towns whose former residents died in the 1907 explosions of #6 and #8 mines.

At 10 a.m. State Senator Roman Prezioso, who grew up in Monongah, will be featured as a commemoration ceremony in the Monongah Town Hall and at the Monongah Memorial.

There will be a presentation of the Olive Tree to the Town of Monongah and an unveiling of the Tombstone in memory of the mine disaster.

At noon people will gather for prayer at Mount Calvary Cemetery on Park Avenue in memory of the mine victims.

The soil samples in the urn from the Italian towns affected by the tragedy will be dispersed at the cemetery, to mix forever with the victims.

At 1 p.m. there will be a reception at the Monongah Town Hall to wrap up the day’s events for a day which shall live forever in history for everyone in and who has ever lived in Monongah.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Children to ride with Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, chief fundraiser for The Charge of the Lights Brigade that has put 21 Christmas street lights up in Monongah, keeps lighting up the lives of her fellow citizens, even the youngest of them.

Let Susan explain:

 
“On Friday Dec the 15th at 5:00 the Christmas light committee is planning a very special evening for the children.

We have arranged a ride for them through town under the Christmas Lights and Singing Christmas Carols. They will follow Mr. & Mrs. Claus on the Monongah Fire Department truck and end up at the Town Hall to talk to Mr. & Mrs. Claus. There we will have Hot Chocolate & Cookies.

“Any parent who wants to ride with their child is welcome, depending on room. We will have adults on there as well. We will be going very slowly.

“We will need a place to load the children. Any ideas are welcome. We have had wonderful offers to help us and we cannot thank you enough. Will be posting final plans soon.

“Please remember this a totally free event for everyone.

“Thank you so much.

“The Christmas Light Committee.”



Later, Susan provided more details.

“We have arranged for a 15-foot flatbed wagon with sides that will be decorated and pulled behind a truck. There will be adults riding with the children. We even have a couple of elves.

“The Monongah Fire Department will lead the parade with Mr. & Mrs. Claus in front of the children.


“We will sing Christmas carols and view all the Christmas street lights.


“We are planning to load the children at theTown Hall parking lot at 5 p.m. After their ride we will then head back to the Town Hall where we will have tot chocolate and cookies for the children while they wait their turn to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Claus.


“Parents are welcome to take pictures.”
 
 
There are almost 40 children lined up for the ride. Parents and children will meet at the Town Hall parking lot whee the parents can park their cars.
 
The children will ride through town and sing Christmas Carols and get to see all the new Christmas street lights, which brings the town total to 21 Christmas street lights.
 
The parade will finish at the Town Hall for cookies, hot chocolate and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, whose appearances were paid for by Donna Colvert Davis, Class of 1961, and husband William Davis, Class of 1958, in honor of Donna's late mother, Norma Moorehead.

Well, that should brighten the evening for a lot of young faces!

Saturday, November 25, 2017


Rose Marra Gandy, mother of Jim Gandy, Class of 1964, passed away Friday, November 24. She lived on Bridge Street in Monongah.

Linda Lopez Gandy, Class of 1965, and Jim’s wife, posted:

“I write this with a heavy heart. My mother-in-law, Rose, passed away at Fairmont Regional Hospital. She had been there for 8 days.
"On Thanksgiving Day she got to visit with all 3 of her sons, her grandsons and great-grandchildren. Friday she got to see the youngest member of the family.
"May you rest with God among the Angels. https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f40/1.5/16/1f494.png💔

A family friend, Sheilla Blake, wrote:

My heart breaks for Jim. Rose was blessed when she had a son like Jim. From the 8 a.m. phone calls and everyday devotion to her needs to making sure she never spent a holiday alone, he has been there. God bless you, Jim. Rest in peace, Rose.”

Jim is on the Monongah High Alumni Association board of directors. Linda is the Alumni Association president.

Rose’s parents were Anthony Marra and Catherine Minardi Marra, also the parents of Mary Marra Bommarito of Michigan; Larry Marra, who married Rose Spino Marra;  Sam Marra; Joe Marra; John Marra; and Vicki Marra Talerico.

Rose was the widow of Harold Gandy.

Rose's obituary:

Rose Mary Gandy, 96, of Monongah, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017 at the Fairmont Regional Medical Center.  She was born July 28, 1921 in Meadowbrook, WV, a daughter of the late Anthony and Catherine Minard Marra.  She was preceded in death by her husband Harold R. Gandy.

Mrs. Gandy was a member of the Monongah Baptist Church and was a homemaker in her own home.  She enjoyed her church family, traveling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Rose enjoyed watching Billy Graham, John Hagee, and Joyce Meyer Christian programs.  She loved watching WVU basketball and football, as well as all womens’ collegiate basketball games.

Survivors include her sons: Robert and his wife Margita Gandy of Richmond, VA, Benjamin and his wife Linda L Gandy of Fairmont, and James and his wife Linda A. Gandy of Monongah; grandchildren: Maria and her husband Scott Winslow, Dianna Gandy, James and his wife Joyce Gandy, Brian and his wife Amy Gandy, Benjamin W. and his wife Andrea Gandy, Trent and his wife Misty Speicher, and Josh and his wife Blair Speicher; great grandchildren: Paul Gandy, Summer Winslow, Jarrett Gandy, Faith Gandy, Kayla Gandy, Lauren Gandy, Brendon Gandy, Natasha Gandy, Nikita Gandy, Taralynn Gandy, Tristan Speicher, Treylon Speicher, Tison Speicher, Charley Speicher, Colt Speicher, and Calan Speicher.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers: Joe, John, Sam, and Lawrence Marra, as well as her sisters, Victoria Talerico and Mary Bomarito.

Friends and family may call the Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 1PM until 8PM and on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 from 10AM until 11AM.  The funeral will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 11AM with Pastor David Huckins officiating. Interment will follow at the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery, Shinnston, WV.  Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com .