Starting off with some important business, Brian Foy writes:
Greetings Shipmates…our 30th Reunion is bearing down on us! Mark your calendars and plan to be at Kings Point for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, September 27-29, 2013. Here are the basics so far: our Reunion Hotel will be the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, NY (next to the Nassau Coliseum) and we have reserved a block of rooms. We are planning an “Icebreaker” Reception for Friday evening, September 27, in or near the Marriott. We are reserving Tailgate Space at the Academy on Saturday morning, September 28th, after which we will “march-on” and attend the football game. Later that evening we will celebrate our 30th Reunion with a Dinner Event back at the Marriott.
Watch for updates and register for activities at www.KP83.org. (Thanks, Ray!) You will also be receiving a letter from Scott O’Connor, Reunion Co-Chair, and Chair, Class Gift Campaign, encouraging you to give as generously as possible during this special year. Our thanks to those of you who have agreed to help us personally reach all of our ’83 Family in this Class Gift effort. My personal thanks to the members of the Reunion Committee for “stepping up” and helping Scott and I: Chris Thayer; “Webmaster” Ray Christensen; and Lisa Fields.
If you want to help us, please let us know. We hope to see EVERYONE in late September!
Acta Non Verba…
Brian Foy, Reunion Co-Chair.
Bob Bennett writes:
I am very proud to report that my youngest daughter, Meghan, has received her official acceptance paper work and she is now a member of the US Naval Academy’s incoming class of 2017. She committed to play lacrosse for the women’s lacrosse team almost 2 years ago so it seems like we’ve been waiting forever for it to become official. Needless to say we are very proud of her. Unlike me, I think she’s smart enough to stay off the restriction muster. If not, I’m hoping John Carbone’s son, who’s already there, will help her stay on the straight and narrow. Well, that’s all for now- I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at this years homecoming… what is it 30 years/can’t be…
Matthew Bucherati overcame a heart health challenge last year and now reports happier news:
I am pleased to announce the birth of my new Granddaughter, Molly Rose at 5:19 this morning (1/25/13). She is 9 lbs 14 oz with curly brown hair. Shannon and Molly are both well. See attached photos. Did I mention she is Beautiful? Her brother, Matthew and sister, Madison will be meeting their little
sister shortly. It is a blessed day.
Rick Boudiette writes:
Chevron has loaned me to SIGTTO (Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators) for 3 years, based out of London. My assignment started on what was Thanksgiving Day in the US, just another Thursday in the UK. In a nutshell, SIGTTO (www.SIGTTO.org) is an industry association promoting safe and reliable operation of gas tankers and terminals. Primary focus to date has been several issues under review by the IMO like the revised Gas Code, ship emissions, and LNG as Fuel. The office is on a historic street in London (in the direct shadow of the Gherkin, for those that are familiar with the skyline) and is comprised of a small staff, 2 of which are technical advisers loaned in from member companies. It’s been a good first 2 months, including a 2.5 week vacation over Christmas and New Year’s in Thailand and Cambodia with my cousin and her family. Now settling into the pace of London – I have a flat in Marylebone (think Sherlock Holmes), just south of Regent’s Park, which gives me a really easy commute to the office while placing me in London’s West End for non-work activities.
I was able to get together with some classmates during the year. Attended both weekends of JazzFest in New Orleans in an attempt to catch up on missed years; it was a good year to catch both weekends given both the lineups and the cooperative weather. Frank and Kim Liantonio were gracious hosts as I used their place as a base for some trips around the area, including my old stomping grounds in Mississippi. Spent some time with Jim and Anne Quern as well, and we all had dinner with Skip McAloon and his wife. Mickey Cunningham made a few trips to SF during the year, and brought Mary Kay once. Reno Mastrocola works for a crane/winch manufacturer, and we therefore get together from time to time. Despite all of my travels with Chevron these past few years, it was only in 2012 that I made my first, as well as my second, around-the-world trip. Both went via South Korea, which has been almost a second home for me these past 5 years (one immigration officer said to me, “you come here a lot…” This allowed me visit fairly frequently with Kerry O’Neill and, sometimes, his wife Miles. Kerry is building ships and offshore stuff out of Samsung shipyard. I was able to connect with John Wright while on holiday in Thailand; he’s living near Pattaya. Talked with Steve Nicholson and Dan Baerman a few times.
Steve is working at Bath Iron Works in Maine and Dan is with Sempra in Orange County. A few weekends ago I met up with AJ Murphy in Cambridge, England; he was over on a business trip so I took the train up for a day trip. Kurt Larsen and I cross paths every now and again, mostly in Europe it seems; in fact he was here last week, foregoing 70 deg, sunny Houston weather for freezing snow… Looking forward to our 30th in September.
Take care,
Rich (just to confuse Mickey and Quern)
A.J. Murphy writes:
Rick Boudiette & I were able to meet up in Cambridge, U.K. as it was on his list of places to see, and toured around that very interesting and historical spot where Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking among others attended university. One shot is of us outside of Kings College and the other is just outside Queens College on the river Cam. As engineers, the bridge is great as it is made without the use of any nails or metal reinforcement. A geometric and practical wonder. Plus the punting on the river is quite popular for tourists.
I am off to New Orleans to see Jim Quern and family to ride in a Mardi Gras parade this Saturday night, prior to the Super Bowl there on Sunday evening.
Again, please visit www.KP83.org for reunion info and to update your profile if you like. Check list of those I’ve got no email for and ask them to contact me.
Take care and I really hope to see you in September!
—– Ray Christensen
Mattew Bucherati with granddaughter – Jan 2013
Mattew Bucherati with family at his mountain cabin – Christmas 2012
AJ Murphy & Rick Boudiette in Cambridge, UK
AJ Murphy & Rick Boudiette in Cambridge, UK