Class Notes
T
he Dr. Donald Metz ’47 Scholarship Committee thanks those who contributed this past spring
to the Dr. Donald Metz ’47 Scholarship Fund. The Committee hopes to fully fund this scholarship
within the next year and are well on our way to meeting that goal.
Dr. Donald Metz, who died in 19 9 9, was an alumnus and member of the faculty from 1951 through
1981. He spent most of that time teaching chemistry and physics pro bono on Saturdays while serving
as Director at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the Nuclear Engineering Department.
In 198 4, the centennial of St. Francis receiving its Charter, Dr. Metz was recognized as one of the
College’s two most prominent alumni. You can read more about him in the NY Times article, “Lives Lived
Well And the Lessons That They Teach” (12 /26 /9 9 ). If you would like to help commemorate this true
Franciscan, contributions can be made through http://metz.kintera.org. ●
1940s
John J. O’Neill ’42 recently celebrated his 95th
birthday with his daughter and two sons. He has been
Professor Emeritus from Temple University School of
Medicine since the 198 0s, and reports that after he
graduated from St. Francis, he spent three and a half
years in the Army before earning degrees in chemistry
and biochemistry from the University of Maryland.
John Mahon ’43,
’15 was presented
with an honorary
degree by Vice
President for
Development
Thomas F. Flood
and Rocky the Terrier on the occasion of his and
Betty’s 65th wedding anniversary. Mahon left
St. Francis to serve his county during World War II.
For many years he had one BIG DREAM — to receive
his SFC degree. He is now officially a member of the
Class of 2015 and 19 4 3.
Tom Nardo ’48
of Richmond, VA
celebrated his
9 0 th birthday
with the Terriers.
He was so proud
that the Men’s
Basketball Team made it to the NIT that he bought
tickets and watched them courtside in Richmond
with his grandchildren, Alexis (wearing a vintage
SFC sweatshirt) and Logan, as well as Director of
Athletics Irma Garcia ’80.
1950s
Daniel D’Errico ’50 currently resides in Fredericks
burg, VA. He is a widower since the death of his
wife, Carline, in 2011, and remembers fondly his
days as Alumni President. He sends his regards
to his fellow 195 0 alumni on the celebration of
their 65th Anniversary.
William J. Brooks ’51 and his wife, Maxine, live
at Shell Point, a big retirement resort community
in southwest Florida. They love hearing from old
classmates, so get in touch!
Gerard J. Baxter, USMC ’55 and his wife, Alice,
are still active in the senior communities of both
Rockaway, NJ and Vero Beach, FL. Gerard still has
his antiques and collectibles business in Andover,
NJ while his wife recently retired from real estate.
He sends much peace, joy, love and laughter to
his fellow alumni.
Michael J. McPartland ’57 has been a teacher
for 55 years, and has been at CUNY/Kingsborough
Community College in Brooklyn for the past 22 years.
He credits his happiness in teaching to his English
professors at St. Francis who helped put him on the
path to a great career.
George C. Bergleitner, Jr. ’59 was elected Vice
Chairman of the Delaware County (NY) Republican
Committee. He is also happy to announce the birth
of his new grandchild, Jacob Michael Bergleitner.
George has three sons. He is also Chairman (and
founder) of the Christmas Feeling Fund based in
Stamford, NY, which last year raised $25,0 0 0 for
needy families in Delaware County.
1960s
Harold J. Martin ’61 reports that after he graduated
from St. Francis, he received his teaching credentials
as well as a law degree. He sends a special “shout
out” to the Key Lords, an SFC singing group from
1957-195 8.
Edward D. O’Brien ’62 and his wife, Anne,
celebrated their 5 0 th wedding ann iversary in August
2014, in the company of many friends and family
members as well as most of their bridal party.
Stephen P. Keller ’64 reports his radiation therapy
concluded in March and he had his prostate-specific
antigen test this past May. He is happy to report that
the prognosis is good with this type of treatment.
Francis “Frank” P. Roland ’40
By Alison Lowenstein
When Frank Roland’s graduating class celebrated its 75th anniversary last June, he was its lone surviving member. An inauspicious position, perhaps,
but Roland, continues to embrace life, viewing his world with a sense of humor and understanding that he has much for which to be grateful.
R
oland says that the school had an enormous impact on his life, and not
St. Francis, embracing campus life, and ultimately was the Vice President
just from the education he received at the hands of inspiring professors
of his class, a member of the history club and a participant in many other
including Francis Delaney, Bro. Leo, Bro. Columba, and Charlie Shaem. activities as well.
One college friend became a clergyman and presided over his first marriage.
After the war, Roland attended and graduated from St. John’s Law School.
Obviously a lot has changed since Frank bid farewell to the halls of
He spent most of his work career at Equitable Life Insurance in the underwritSt. Francis. Back in 19 4 0, the school charged $5 a credit, and the United
ing department until his retirement in 198 0.
States was on the brink of war. Several months after graduation, Roland was
Noted for his strong sense of humor — he had heart surgery on St. Patrick’s
drafted into the Army and served his country in the Pacific. He was a decorated Day and thanked the surgeons for wearing green — he has approached life
soldier by the time he left military service in 19 45 having attained the rank of
with a sense of adventure. In addition to writing poetry, he took up skiing at
captain. He remained in the reserves for 10 more years.
age 5 0, and regularly skied 10 0 days per season at Okemo Mountain,
While the war tore apart millions of families, Roland’s earlier years had been
Vermont, earning admittance into the “9 0 plus ski club.”
fraught with sadness as well. A first-generation American, he was one of 13
Although he had to stop skiing shortly after joining that club, he continued
children. Tragically, his
to mow his own lawn
parents died when he was
until his heart surgery at
six, and he wound up in
Winthrop-University Hospital
an orphanage.
at age 9 6.
After attending St.
He raised his three kids
Augustine’s High School,
in Mineola, Long Island, and
Brooklyn, he told Monsignor
the family spent many happy
Lawrence Bracken at St.
summers on the east end
Vincent’s Home for Boys in
where he now lives full-time.
Brooklyn that he wanted to
A father, grandfather,
attend college. It was to be
great-grandfather, and twice
the first of many goals that
a widower, Roland has always
C E N T E R : A tribute to his time at St. Francis, the poem
Francis Roland ’40 with his
he set for himself and that
valued family, and he still
Farewell of the Class of 19 4 0. R I G H T: Francis and his
service
medals.
(Photo:
Wade
he achieved. Roland entered
lives near his children. ●
daughter,
Anne
McElroy.
Shields).
14 | ST. FR ANCIS COLLEGE TERRIER | FALL 2015