Great
Letters
These
letters are addressed to all of us.
Hand written, typed or Emailed
From the guestbook
on the website
January 30, 2012
what a delightful 3 hours
mom-Ann CASSIDY-DEVANEY - and I just had navigating this website. She is in
Florida (doing very well) and I am home in manasquan n.j. and i was able to talk her
through many pictures on various "older links"-catskills,
1944 reunion etc. where we laughed and cried. We miss daddy JOSEPH DEVANEY
CLASS 1944- so very much. It is so wonderful that people have sent all of these
pictures, so that we could go back to Ascension and even to gaelic park and rockaway! What an absolute joy for both
of us. To see all of the wonderful, wonderful people that were friends of momma
and da, and parents of the children I grew up with-
the Luckies, Zonnevelds, Walls,Conroys, O'Briens, the list
is endless between the good fortune I had to be their daughter, live on
225th-St.John's - and Rockaway (we lived all summer on 92nd street and da"s brothers and cousins stretched all over that town
and into Breezy Point (Eddie Conroy) and north to 89th st.
(St.Rose ) where I babysat for Tom Cody and his wife,
Nancy. I took the time in 2004 to go with my parents to the 60th reunion, I
wanted to see all of their friends, and I had one of the happiest days with
them. ( I was the one who took the class picture in
front of church). We even wandered up to Cannons for a warm beer with Mrs. Wall
(Kay). Mr. Denis Sheehan- I especially want to thank you and Mr.
___________________________________________________________
February 8, 2010
Hi Ed
Thank you for the response. The site is great!
I am so appreciative of the effort you have put into it. It is rare to be able to
connect with your elementary school after so many years. The best part is that
my family still lives in the neighborhood and I frequently have the opportunity
to pass by the school. We also still gather at the church for all
family events. No matter how near or far we live myself and my siblings have
all return to Ascension church to be married, to baptize our children and for
funeral masses for our departed loved ones.
I have wonderful memories of my relationship with
the Sisters of Ascension. Their discipline and teachings have served me well in
life and I have been able to pass on those same values to my children. I
lived 3 door away from the convent so I spent a lot of
time with them after school. They even taught me to dance the
Unfortunately, we had an unfortunate incident in our
childhood home that destroyed all of our belongings so I do not have any
pictures. I am hoping that an old classmate might be able to
duplicate our graduation picture for me. Does the school have any
pictures of events such as the Glee Club shows or plays?
Myrna Toro ‘66
An Ascension Tale
To say that I was the most popular student in my
class would be a huge understatement. In
fact, if I e-mailed any of my classmates, they would more that likely not know
who I am. My only claim to fame, sad to say, is that my mother passed away
while I was in the eighth grade. That fact might jog a few memories.
I was raised by my mother, since my father passed away
when I was two years old. He left us a very small pension which mom put to good
use. We lived on
But there was a reason that we lived there. Living
there meant that she would have the extra money to send me to Ascension school.
She loved the idea of the leadership, education, and relegious
teachings that was so important to a young mind.
I still remember my enrollment and our first meeting
with Sister Julia, who my mother really liked. The instructors included: Sister
Mary Aquin (sorry about spelling) for 1st grade,
Sister Patrick, Sister Thomas.
The fourth grade had Brother James, then Brother Henry,
Brother Kevin, then Brother James for the 7th and 8th grade.
Somehow, mom always found the money to not only pay
for the tution, but also to bring cakes for the nuns
and brothers. And, of course, flowers for the altar.
She would always take me to school in the morning,
meet for for lunch, and meet me again at 3pm. Rain,
snow or sunshine, and even when she got cancer, she would still be there for
me.
The cancer came in 1956 when I was in the 6th grade.
She was in the hospital, St. Lukes, for about a
month. They told her brother that it was terminal, which I found out years
later. They released her from the hospital, and we went back to our normal
lives, so I thought.
One day, in 1958 while I was in my 8th grade class,
she fell and the pain was intense. She called for help and was sent to St.Lukes.
Meanwhile, Brother Cohan, our princapal,
told Brother James, that he needed to speak to me. I went into the hallway, and I could see that
something happend by the look on the good brother's
face. He placed his hand on my shoulder and told me what happened to my mother.
I lowered my head and started to cry. He placed his hand on my chin and raised
my head and told me "Don't worry, God will look after her". That was one of the kindest things, that anyone ever said to me.
Later that month, my uncle came to pay the tuition,
but Brother James said "to let it ride". What kindness that was shown
in a world where money is everthing. I still don't
know who paid that tuition.
After St. Lukes, she was
sent to the House of Calvery, then to
December 31, 1958, when she was 36 years old, God
finally said 'Enough is enough! Come home" She began her happiness on that
day. In January, 1959, Brother James had
a mass said for her, and the entire 8th grade was there. They were my family,
my brothers.
Upon graduation in June 1959, we all went to pursue
our lives and dreams. I did go back to Ascension in the early sixties for a
class reunion. I was alright inside the school, but when I left and was walking
down the front steps, I looked at the spot where my mother would usually wait,
but sadly, she was not there.
We all have our opinions of the years we all spent
at Ascension. Some have their own opinions of the teachers, the homework, and
punishment for talking. But I think we can all agree that the foundation that
they installed would have a lasting effect.
We all have our own stories, during and after our
graduation. But, regardless of the year of our graduation, the students and
teachers will always be united to Ascension.
And even today, as the 50th aniversary
of my mother's death approaches, at times, I still find myself back in 1954, it's 3pm, and I'm walking down the front steps of Ascension,
and my mother is accross the street waiting for me.
I share my story, not looking for any sympathy, but
just a tale. Another
John P. Ciresi,
USAF Ret.
Wow, John Ciresi’s
story, posted on our web site, is really powerful; sad and uplifting!
I’d like to express my thanks to
him for sharing that small glimpse into his rough beginnings.
His story should remind all of us
that it was a fortunate privilege we shared to have had the opportunity to the
excellent education that Ascension offered.
John’s mother sounds like she was
truly a saint and I’m sure, as John indicated, she is enjoying the well
deserved happiness of Heaven.
Don McKenna ‘49
***************************
01/30/2008
Peggy Wynne Plunkett ‘49
A note to those who will
remember my oldest brother Ed Wynne. Ask for your prayers.
He passed away last week.1/16/08 in
Lived with our mother in the
Bx. until she passed on Thanksgiving Day 1992.
He's with our parents now in St. Raymond's Cemetery
in the Bx.
Father Duffell, our
wonderful pastor at Ascension, responded, without a moments
hesitation to
have him at the gravesite. (and it was cold)
My brother Hugh lives in E Rutherford NJ
I’m in
We lived at 216 W 108th.
Brick to brick with the convent in those years.
Didn’t know until I was an adult (when did that
happen?) that my mother also went to
Ascension, somewhere around
1921, after coming from
Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the 2007 reunion but
plan on making the next, whenever.
Thanks for listening.
Peggy
**********************
From: Emcfoto
To: JPDuffell
Sent: 1/21/2008 11:14:44 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: 1960 Grad
Hello Fr. Duffell,
I thoroughly enjoy receiving the AAV and especially reading news of former
classmates, especially from 1960 and grateful the alumni association has
continued. In speaking with friends who graduated from other elementary
schools, I realize the strength and devotion of the group to keep the
association alive, as their school alumni association is not as active. Kudos and a big shout-out to the commitee
members.
Can you let me know how to get involved and help with the next reunion?
I've been wanting to do this for some time now and
decided this year I'm going to step up to the plate. With some of my
skills I believe I can assist in either the next publication of AAV or in
helping to coordinate the next reunion. Please let me know what I can do
to help ...and I still live in the area.
FYI - Both my sisters, also graduated from Ascension
...Marguerite Collazo, presently lives in Puerto Rico
and Jennifer (Romero) Collazo lives in
Evelyn Collazo
212-874-7587
emcfoto@aol.com
**********************************
December 30,
Thomas P. Smith
6644 Evelyn Place
Dear Friends,
I received your November 2007
newsletter. Thank you.
Two points: On the front page is a picture of ten people from the class of ‘57.
I was in that same class, but I cannot recognize any of the people in the
photo, and no where in the newsletter are the people identified. Do you know
who they are? If so, please send me their identities on the photo.
Also, you can add my e-mail address
to your database. It is tomboss@charter.net
The second
point is that Bobby Eiermann wrote a note that was
published in the newsletter. He was also in the class of ‘57. I wrote him a
letter, and attached some pictures, and sent it via e-mail. It came back as
“undeliverable”. Even a short note came back the same way. Do you have an
updated e-mail address for him? If not, can you send me his home address so
that I can write him.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. Smith
********************************
September 24, 2006
It was with Regret that I read in the Ascension
Alumni Obits the death of two of my Classmates of the class of 1940. James
Thomas O’Brien,a.k.a. Jim
O’Brien, who was a “kid” with red hair. The last time I saw him was at an
Ascension Reunion at
The other was Paddy O’Brien, (Patrick Benedict
O’Brien), a.k.a. Brother Benignius Daniel F.S.C., and
later changed to Brother Daniel O’Brien, F.S.C. He and I were altar servers
together at Ascension. (Yes his brother Philip was also a Christian Brother, I
believe class of ’36, a brother “Chick” or
Jim Blaney
’40 -----See EARLY ‘40S
GROUP
*********************************************
September
13, 2006
Mary Martin ‘55
The call came on December 19,
2005. It was her birthday and her
daughter, Trish, called to tell me that her mother, my dearest friend, was
gravely ill. The ventilator that was keeping
her alive would be removed the next day.
After 27 years of suffering with M.S., Margaret Alice McGroary Yorke was going home to
God. I was able to go to
We met in first grade in
Ascension and remained close friends for over 60 years. I have such wonderful precious memories of Margaret. As young girls, we would run to Horn & Hardart’s Automat on
After 8 years in Ascension,
Margaret and I and a company of our classmates entered Blessed Sacrament High
School on
Margaret leaves behind five
amazing children and 6 grandchildren who loved her and took care of her, yet
through all her illness, she remained the matriarch of her family. Dan Yorke, her
husband, died 8 years ago. Needless to
say, Margaret and Dan met at a dance at St. Stephens of Hungry and from the
night they met, they knew they were ment for each
other. Now, they are together once
again. Please say a prayer for Margaret
and he family.
Rose Flynn Contini
Hi,
some old photos from our
time in Ascension from some of the class of ‘42
Not all
are still here and having the photos brings many memories back. Good years to
remember & the friends we’ve sustained over time.
The
Alumni Voice is great to read and realize, time passes, oh, so quickly.
Sincerely,
Mary
McAllister Prior 1942
*******************************************
October
20, 2005
Hi Ed:
It has been a long time since writing to you. I enjoy reading all the
remarks from the young folks. The stick ball, the stoop ball and all the
things we did back in the 30's. Nothing has changed but the names of the
participants. I do remember vividly the Parish House either 107th or
I had good intentions to attend the festivities on the 22nd but do to a daily
medical procedure Grace and I are unable to attend. But someday I'll get
back to Ascension.
I have sent in the raffle ticket and by separate mail I am sending dues and
something for the Scholarship fund.
We do hope you have a successful reunion and I can't wait to see the pictures.
Sincerely,
Owen J. Costello (36)
*******************************************
September
21, 2005
To Whom it may concern,
We
would like to tell you how much we enjoy your newsletters. It brings back such wonderful
memories. My husband graduated from Ascension In 1935. You’ve been sending the
newsletter to Michael O’Connor.
My
husbands name is Michael O’Connell (known to all as Mickey O’Connell) from
107th and
My
Maiden name is Rita O’Brien. I went to PS 165 on
God
willing we will celebrate our 62nd Anniversary on June the 4th of 2006. We were
married in Our Lady of Mercy on
We
remember Clem’s candy store on 106th and
We
attended the PAL functions; I think it was 108th &
Father
Donahue was the pastor. Mike had Brother Benedict and Brother
I
attended Sunday school with Sister Loretta.
Please
continue to send your newsletters, we enjoy them.
God
bless you. Thank you,
Sincerely,
Rita
O’Connell
Mt Laural NJ 08054
(856)
235-4250
*****************************
September
16, 2005
It was
good to finally come across the
Frank
White ‘49
mailto:FrankandBeeWhite@AOL.com
****************************
June 22,
2005
Dear
“Fellow Ascension Student”,
I was a
student there in 1932, ‘33 and ’34 and for the first time in 71 years I dropped
by there this past Friday!
What a
joy to meet Father Sean McCaughly- one hell of a fine
man! And he told me that another classmate (back in my “period”) had
“organized” a group of fellow students
(at Ascension) and sends a “news” about “fellow classmates”
now and then.
Please
send me a copy, if you can.
Jack
O’Connell
We O’Connells lived at
Editors
note:
Jack
enclosed a history of his schooling ending with degrees earned at Harvard and
*********************************************
June 8,
2005
Correction
for the Newsletter:
The “L”
train that turned at 110 Street went down
also known as
The “L”
was removed on 1938-1940 and shipped to
The
independent subway was on
Michael
J Purcell
Classs of 1939
**************************
June 8,
2005
Re-newsletter
Thought
the McInerney story was outstanding.
Too bad
there is not a publication/contest to which it could be submitted.
It was
a story from the heart- good and bad- yet filled with warmth, honesty and told
it like it was.
Maybe
AARP might be a venue.
Peggy McGuinniss
**************************
June 8,
2005
So glad
to receive the Alumni news- what a delightful pair you were able to interview
in
The
Our
brother Tom passed away several years ago, but there is still my sister Anna
and brother Michael hanging in there with yours truly.
The
Newsletter is great-
Mary
McAllister Pryor
Class
of 1942
*****************************
June 8,
2005
Ascension
Alumni
I was
very surprised today (May 5, 05) when I found out that “House” magazine.
May-June issue published my story about my young years in Ascension
Neighborhood.
It
could be put on Ascensionweb-site, I could forward to
whomever, in charge of Ascension Alumni news.
As the
editor & owner of “House” Magazine is an Ascension Alumni Class of “44”,
Denis sheahan, I sent him my story.
Sincerely,
Mary
Hennessy Trotta
Class
of “48”
******************************
May 13, 2005
May 6,
2005
Dear
Sir,
In case
you are not aware of it I wanted to let you know that Sister Margaret
She was
my second grade teacher at Ascension and was truly special; to me and to my
mother. After many years I was able to reconnect with her and last year when my mother
was hospitalized at
Sincerely,
Brenda
A Ewald ‘56
P.S.
What are the chances that we can have Sunday brunches or other informal
gatherings of alumni in
*****************************************April 7, 2005
The
other nite when I was sending information about Sr Margaret I read "Pope Memories"
I don't
know if you know that Fr Ed O'Brien's sister is a Sister of
I
printed the column & brought it with me into NY for the wake & funeral.
I gave it to one of the Sister's to give to Fr's
sister. Sr. Marita Rose is at the Sisters Nursing
Home (
Fr Duffel was at Sister’s funeral Mass - only had a minute to talk.
During
the wake &/or funeral saw some others from Ascension Sr
Elizabeth McLoughlin,'43? - Sr Mary O'Brien,'46 – Sr Nancy McNamara'47 –
Sr Nora Cunningham, Sr Pat
McGowan &
(last 3 were taught by Sr Margie). Sr Angela Marie Rooney & Sr
Miriam Thomas Collins taught at Ascension were
also there. Others could have been there I did not see.
Helen Montaigne '47
*************************************
March 24, 2005
My
mother and two uncles were graduates,
Mary, Daniel and Edmund Kissane.
I went
to Ascension for five years 1957-1962 before moving to
I
remember Jimmy O'Rourke, Thomas Vitello, Mark
Cunningham,
Johnny
Templeton, Gregory Roberts and
Brothers Cassian John, Francis and Michael.
Mr. Romero
was my choir teacher.
I also
had Sisters Madeline, Bridget and Maria de Lourdes. I also had Mrs. Geiss in
4th grade.
They
were good days.
Good
luck to all,
William
J. Kilfoil
************************************************************