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Mark Suter shares:
I was lucky enough to catch up with Craig Ellixson last week in Miami for dinner during “Spice week”. We had a fabulous dinner at Il Mulino and a great view of the beach. Craig filled me in on his trip to South Africa earlier in the summer and we caught up on families, work, etc.

Mathew Bucherati sent a photo displaying how his family continues to grow:
We held our family reunion at our mountain house this past fourth of July including Sara, myself, our four kids, their spouses and our seven grandchildren. There were actually 17.25 of us there since my youngest daughter, Rosie, is pregnant with her first and due in January. We have been so blessed as a family. I am still enjoying my career at Pepsi-Cola, now in its 34th year. I have been doing a tremendous amount of international business travel in recent years, so it almost feels like my sailing days again except much nicer ports of call. Sara tags along on many of these trips as well. Retirement is probably not too far off and Sara and I look forward to living full time in the Blue Ridge mountains of NC.

A.J. Murphy writes:
We have been trying locally to get some folks from the class together here in Houston for a catch up outing. Earlier Mike Curtiss was playing a big part in pulling some of us together and I was able to have a great visit with both Scott Hart and Mike Curtiss at a coffee shop in town.

With schedules being what they are, we were finally able to pull one together and four of us got underway on the lake just north of Houston – Kurt Larsen, Mike Booth, George Toma and myself. Sent along a selfie of the crew that day that included puttering around, some swimming and lunch up at the lake. We later adjourned to my house for a grilled dinner and more K.P. stories. But we were able to add one more to the group as Mike Curtiss was able to join us as well for the evening as the vessel traffic in Houston allowed him a bit of a break. We are hoping to rope in a few more classmates in Houston as we go further down the road, since Al Reeves, Mark Salinas and Tom Lightsey are also here.

Brian Foy continues to meet up with classmates regularly:
Hey Ray…I made it back to Homecoming this year and hung out with Chris Cioni, who was in town from the left coast visiting family. We walked the campus on a picture-perfect day, visited the Memorial Arbors (thinking about our deceased classmates) and even toured the Kings Pointer. Chris got to spend some time with his Dad, who was ill and has since passed away as of this writing.

While I was recently in San Diego, I reached out to Del Lewis and we met for breakfast. Del is doing great and says he occasionally sees Dan Baerman, who also lives in the San Diego area. Del and I reminisced about our years at KP, including plebe year in 5th Company, where the fun all started. After San Diego, I headed back to Washington, DC – my home away from home. I have been in touch with Sean Connaughton and Lee Forsgren and we are planning to get-together once our three schedules properly align.

I plan to spend the holidays at home in St. Augustine. If any classmates are passing by on their way to points south, give me a shout!

Mickey Cunningham spent lots of quality time with his daughter Sarah:
September 7th our youngest was married in Philadelphia with a strong showing from KP grads. From right to left are Barb and my cousin John Coleman ‘78, John and Donna Carbone, Mike and Jeannie Keane, Jim and Anne Quern, me and my wife Mary Kay, my sister Cathy Kirby and her son Aidan (Kevin Kirby ‘94), Kent and Julie Morton, Jim Goulden. In spirit and missed by all was John and Elaine Rhatigan who were unable to join us.

Erin Gantt was the first to alert me that Rich Colonna appeared in the CBS Sunday Morning show on 11/10. Link is on our website for “We, the People: Mary Whyte’s portraits of 50 veterans from 50 states” Rich appears at about 5 mins 18 seconds into the story and he is one of the 50 veterans whose portraits are in the exhibition.

May our whole class have a super holiday season and great start to 2020!

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AJ Murphy shares:
Here was a quick picture of classmate George Toma and myself at the ADM Buono luncheon for the Port of Houston Chapter end June.

Mark Hoyle’s note in previous column included incorrect Navy retirement year. It was actually 2012 when he retired after 28 years! Here is his photo to go with it.

Rex Gundle writes:
Just a quick note, I have landed back in North Carolina from Republic of Georgia to try my hand in the forwarding world, which allows me to be in the same time zone as 75% of my family (which is a record high over the last couple of decades).  I hope to be here, hanging out at the lake on weekends and working down in Charlotte during the week. As far as classmate sightings, I ran into Al Gebhardt in the office lobby this week, but no other sightings since the reunion. Keep on smiling!

Jon Kjaerulff shares:
I recently caught up with George Toma, Mike Curtiss and Chris Hart while visiting Houston.  They all look great and didn’t turn out old and fat like me!  Here’s a picture of the four of us.

John Carbone contributes:
Another month another KP ‘83 offspring wedding- here are the usual suspects celebrating at Michael Keane’s son Mickey’s wedding.

Mark Suter reports:
Jeanann and I were at the Academy Aug 27 to see NYU v KP soccer scrimmage.  We had time to take a walk through the water front before the game. These two teams have been playing each other for a number of years and every game is so close.  Last night was no exception as KP scored in the last 2 minutes to tie the scrimmage 2-2.

Our youngest, Nicholas is a freshman at NYU and like his two older brothers loved playing at KP.  Now all four male New York Suters have played on the USMMA field. Nicholas played in the last period and gave NYU its first goal, and his first college goal.  We were thrilled! Another fund connection is that Nicholas’ club coach’s daughter is dating a senior at KP, Nick Roros, who we met in the spring at a soccer club game, and we sat in the stands last night with his parents and brother, Greg who’s a plebe.

Also, we got to speak with Superintendent  RADM Jack Buono about the academy and all the wonderful improvements to the infrastructure.

Mickey Cunningham was on the road in Ohio and snapped a photo of shares a football team memory: “40 years ago we opened with the University of Dayton st Welcome Stadium.  I just drove by as I’m here for business.  I don’t remember them ‘welcoming’ us!”

Gary ’82 and Lisa Fields and I have been busy with their grandsons this summer.  Here is a picture of the three of them.  Finnlee, 8, Elliott, 1 week, and Bennett, 5.

From Ray: Notify me when you get together with classmates or if you’ve got news or email address of Jeff Fout, David Garnett, Steve Myers or Chris Shirley, or any of the names listed on home page of KP83.org. Take care.

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Summer greetings. I’m happy to say that a few people have come out of the shadows!

Ronda Cobb writes:
I’m alive and doing well.  Thanks for updating my website for me and creating a new App.  I feel so modern, now! Time has flown and the kids are grown.  Both are married, college graduates, and out in the working world.  And, no grandchildren so far.  I hope everyone else is doing well.

Mark Hoyle shares:
I retired from the Navy as a Captain after 28 years in 2012 [corrected date]. Though I was a “deckie”, the Navy had me in engineering most of my career. After working my way up the chain of command, I commanded the USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and we left one week after 9/11 to deliver Marines to Afghanistan. Afterwards, I commanded an engineering training group, and ended my career as the Engineering Chief of Staff at the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey.

I now work for a subcontractor in the Newport News shipyard as a Program Manager for the overhaul of the distilling units on aircraft carriers. Easy retirement work.  I have been married to my wife Linda for 34 years and we have two grown kids, Melanie and Jonathan.

Mark Smith notes:
I attended National Maritime Day Ceremony at MARAD headquarters today (5/22).  Got to talk with Brian Foy and Erin Gantt.  Erin performed the National Anthem and was awesome as always.  Lots of other KPer’s in attendance including Dan Turissini and Mike Hokana – 2 of our Indoc Instructors, almost 40 years ago.

On a personal note I will be retiring from Naval Sea Systems Command in June after 35 years working in Philly (4-1/2 yrs) and DC (30+ years).  Looking forward to enjoying life, continuing my association with Little League Baseball and playing with my grandson.

Mark Suter writes:
I’ve been busy seeing a few of our classmates and participating in an alumni chapter event.
My entire family headed to Miami for a few days during Easter week for some R&R and to see Craig Ellixson.  We met Craig for dinner at Boaters Grill in Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne and he also cooked a fantastic meal for us at his apartment.  Gorgeous views from the dock.  We had a great time and of course my sons loved hearing stories about Kings Point, sailing, etc.  Attached picture below from Craig’s dock with my wife Jeanann and me. Craig is doing great and working at the Port of Miami.

While in DC last week, I caught up with Kent Morton.  Kent and I have not seen each other for a long time and we really enjoyed catching up.  Unfortunately we did not have someone take a picture of us so you’ll have to take my word 😀 that we actually met.  Kent is living in Vienna VA (suburb of DC) with his wife, Julie.  He’s working for Moxie Energy which develops clean energy infra projects.

I also met Brian Foy for breakfast.  Our busy classmate had meetings scheduled that day on the Hill and continues to do a great job for the Academy.  Brian and I had seen each other recently besides the reunion at a NYU/KP Soccer game.

Last but not least, I participated in the service at the Maritime Memorial in Battery Park last Friday in honor of Maritime Day.  Mark Buzby gave a short talk and I had the opportunity to meet the new Superintendent as well as other alumni from KP and Fort Schuyler.  Academy Honor Guard was there and the luncheon afterwards was very enjoyable.

Brian Foy submits a photo:
The one and only Chris Cioni chillin in the hot springs near Mammoth, CA. And rocking the ‘83 USMMA 35th Reunion hat. I propose this go in the next Kings Pointer with a challenge to all ‘83 classmates to send in their best picture with the USMMA ‘83 hat! The Cioni Challenge!
(Published with permission)

Brian adds:
Ray…I hope all is well with the Marathon Man!  In late April, I joined the Myrtle Beach Mafia over three days at Legends Resort.  Lots of exaggerated sea stories and plenty of laughs – all fueled by an adequate supply of adult beverages.  Oh yeah…we played some golf, too.  Bob Ross and I were once again the “guest Deckies” among a sea of engineers, although it was nice to see Quentin Franklin and Andy Dywan stop by. Great to see all of the following classmates: Mike Keane; Jeff Coons; Jim Quern; John Rhatigan, Guy Wilson; Del Lewis; and Mickey Cunningham.  The Deckies once again took down the Engineers in the “match of the year” and we won’t mention any names will we, Bob!  I have attached a few photos for posterity, including one of Mr. Ross impersonating John Daly.

I also ran into Mark Suter in Washington, DC and we had breakfast at the Ritz. Mark is doing well, works for SS&C GlobeOp in the financial world and still resides on Long Island. It was great catching up.  I also recently met Dave Ferchau in DC and we spent one morning working the House of Representatives. Dave and I got a picture with his Congressman, Andy Kim (NJ-3).

If any of you are going to be in DC and are interested in meeting for coffee or want to go to the Hill, give me a shout!

Maureen McKeever reminisces:
I hope everyone has had a great spring! Things in Pittsburgh are good – lots of rain and warm. I am looking forward to my youngest nephew graduating from high school this month. I have been going through old boxes and found some old photos – I took a picture of one, a Plebe dance class. Remember those? All of us girls had to dance every dance, so you think I’d be a better dancer! At least it was a way for us to meet more classmates early in our stay at KP. When I get my scanner working better I’ll send more. I am also sending a picture of me at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto back in 2017. I hope that every one of our classmates and their families are healthy, happy and enjoying life!

John Carbone shares:
May 4th kicked off the 2019 wedding season for this jolly group of KP83’ers!  John & Donna Carbone, Mickey & Mary Kay Cunningham, Jim & Anne Quern, John & Elaine Rhatigan and Michael & Jeanne Keane all joined Jimmy Goulden in Cape May to celebrate the wedding of his daughter Katie.  Needless to say a terrific time was had by all- Stay tuned for more frivolity in the months to come!

Erin Gantt sings:
I received a last-minute request to sub for a celebrity who could not make it on a float honoring Korean War vets for the 2019 Memorial Day Parade.

* I can be heard around singing (where video will start) 1 hour 18 minutes into the parade however, the announcers & short video clips by celebrities drown me out a bit.  I shouldn’t feel bad because the announcers completely ignored Dean Martin’s daughter and 1970s TV actor Tony LoBianco who were also in the Korean War segment.  He was in a jeep but she was riding in a convertible with her name on the side.

Notify me when you do something exciting or get together with classmates or if you’ve got news or email address of  Patricia Dubois, Eric Duepen, John Green, or William Winget, just to mention a few. View color photos at KP83.org.

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