Catch up on what fellow alumni are up to in this issue of Class Notes. Have some news? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your news online at assumption.edu/classnotes.
1972
Ed Neafsey and Dave McCarthy participated in the Maine Lighthouse Tour bike ride in September 2018. Ed and Dave did the Metric Century ride, a 62-mile loop along the coast. Ed and his wife, Jane, also recently traveled to South Africa where his son lives and works.
1976
Joseph Kubacki recently had his third and fourth articles published in the national basketball magazine Winning Hoops.
Joan Laracy’s floral representation of the painting of St. Catherine Giulio Cesare Procaccini was displayed this January as part of the Worcester Art Museum’s Flora in Winter showcase. The painting is part of the museum’s permanent collection.
1977
Ron Gilbért is the global director of Gilbért, Flossmann & Zhang Worldwide, a global marketing consultancy with associates in Asia, Europe, and North America. The firm offers digital and traditional marketing strategy development and deployment services designed for regional markets and delivered in local languages. Ron previously held global marketing management positions at the Fortune 500 manufacturing companies Parker Hannifin, Danaher, and Fortive.
1980
Frank Doyle, senior vice president of insurance services at AAA Northeast, was recently quoted in the company’s publication regarding the organization’s recognition as the Brand Name of the Year by the 2018 Harris Poll EquiTrend study for its multiline insurance offerings.
1981
Patricia (Bermudez) Smith has been named the new assistant vice president/branch manager of the Bolton branch of Clinton Savings Bank. In her new role, she will oversee branch staff to foster and further develop the bank’s relationships with both individuals and businesses in the area. She was previously employed by Fidelity Bank and has more than 37 years of banking industry experience.
1982
Greg Ugalde, Esq., National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2019 chairman of the board, attended the State of the Union Address in Washington, DC, in February. NAHB is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction.
1984
Jackie (Trahan) Rezuke is in her ninth year volunteering as scenic artist for Shrewsbury’s community theater Regatta Players, and most recently painted part of the set for the group’s February performance of Drinking Habits. She has also volunteered her skills by painting stage sets for the town’s public high school musicals for a decade.
Vincent Salamone has retired after a career of more than 30 years with the federal government. During that time, he was a captain in the U.S. Army, a special assistant U.S. attorney, and a command procurement fraud advisor at the U.S. Army Communications–Electronics Command. Subsequently, as a civilian attorney at the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Vince served as an associate counsel. In that position, he also performed duties as the press liaison for 20 years and provided services as an ethics course instructor for more than 25 years for the General Services Administration. He was the recipient of the OGE Director’s Award on three occasions.
1985
Mary (Wood) Robins recently joined Bryant University as a lecturer in communication. She previously taught at Northeastern University and worked as a marketing consultant for a social media marketing firm and an online media education company.
1986
John F. Fulone has joined Cape Cod 5 in the role of senior vice president and director of strategic support, bringing over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. John is a member of the American Bankers Association’s Mutual Institutions Council and serves in a number of leadership roles for local nonprofits.
1988
Michael Johnson is a senior graphic designer for Aéropostale in Red Hook, NY.
Rear Admiral Andrew Loiselle, a former commander of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, served as one of 13 honorary pallbearers at the U.S. Capitol services for the late President George H.W. Bush in December 2018. Rear Adm. Loiselle, a Rhode Island native, attended Assumption on an ROTC scholarship. After graduating with a degree in mathematics, he became a fighter pilot and served as a flight instructor before earning an Executive Master of Business Administration through the Naval Postgraduate School in 2004 and graduating from the Navy’s nuclear power school with honors in 2007. Rear Adm. Loiselle commanded the USS George H.W. Bush from 2013–15.
1989 30th Reunion
Catherine Carbone, Ed.D., was named the new superintendent of schools in Bristol, CT, effective July 1. Dr. Carbone has served in numerous roles throughout her educational career, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, central office administrator, and her current position as assistant superintendent for the Bristol Public Schools.
1994 25th Reunion
Daryle P. Dwan was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the Boston Police Department. Lt. Dwan was pinned by his wife, Holly J. (Stavinski) Dwan, during a ceremony at Boston Police Headquarters in October 2018. He has been a member of the department since 1995.
1996
David Nordman was named executive editor of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in December 2018. David served as the paper’s interim executive editor since September. He joined the Telegram in 1995, holding many positions including deputy managing editor, sports editor, and copy editor, and most recently served as the assistant managing editor for digital and new media since 2015. He is also an adjunct professor at Assumption.
1999 20th Reunion
Pamela (Perfetuo) Wheeler and her husband, Rich, welcomed twins, Benjamin William and Tessa Elizabeth, on May 13, 2018. They join their three older siblings: Brandon (17), Emily (12), and Noah (8).
2000
Courtney Boulli-Brown and her husband, David Brown, welcomed their second child, Remington Alexander Brown, who joins his big brother, Maddox.
2001
Patrick Driscoll has been named the new assistant director of athletics at Austin Prep. Patrick assumed his new position in January. He was formerly the athletic director at Malden Catholic.
Amy Logue married Andrew Gontarz on October 6, 2018, in Scituate. Alumni in attendance included bridesmaids Jill (Moore) Bernhard, Meghan Logue ’12, and Cate (Leamy) Tyler, as well as: Matt Abraham, Erin (Jones) Barata, John Barata ’00, Bob Belforti ’02, Raquel Durkin Belforti, Jim Bernhard, Lauren Catalogna, Brittney (Cass) and Kyle Egress, Kyle “Rip” Gibbons, Kristen (Hurlbut) Gwiazdoski, Kara (Wilson) Mason, Lauren (Kres) Masterson, Tim Monahan, Beth Murray, Jon Pickard, Amy Sacco ’98, and Brian Toman. Assumption staff in attendance included
Nicki Lazaros and Sharon Mahoney P’07. Amy is the director of alumni relations at Assumption. The couple resides in Providence, RI.
Rich Rubino recently published his fourth book, titled American Politics on the Rocks: The Bizarre Side of American Politics. Rich enjoys speaking to various organizations and groups about his research in American politics.
2002
Davide Villani, CPA, CGMA, was promoted to partner at Alexander, Aronson, Finning CPAs (AAFCPAs) Wealth Management. Dave joined the firm shortly after graduating from Assumption. He leads AAFCPAs’ Employee Benefit Plan Audit & Consulting Practice and has extensive expertise in Employee Retirement Income Security Act standards.
2003
Gabriela (Galvez) Crosse and her husband, Seamus, announced the birth of their first child, Seamus Thomas, on May 6, 2018.
Adam Hardenbrook and his wife, Lisa, welcomed their second child, Molly Alexis, on November 9, 2018. She joins big sister, Lucy, 4.
Jessica (Cremin) Oliveri married Carl Oliveri, Ph.D., on September 14, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor Hotel. Jessica is a project manager for Mugar Enterprises and Carl is the associate dean of students at MCPHS University. They reside in Chelsea.
2004 15th Reunion
Michael Morrison is riding in the PanMass Challenge for the second time this August to raise money for cancer research and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The Pan-Mass Challenge is an approximately 170-mile bike ride beginning in Wellesley and ending in Provincetown.
2005
Shawn Huxley, CPA, MSA, was promoted to director of Samet & Company PC, an accounting firm in Chestnut Hill.
2006
Matthew McGinnis, CPA, has been promoted to partner at Alexander, Aronson, Finning CPAs (AAFCPAs) Wealth Management. Matthew joined the firm as a staff accountant upon graduation and has since excelled to become a leader of AAFCPAs’ Community & Economic Development Practice. He is also a leader of the firm’s Charter School Practice, providing proven solutions for charter schools and charter management organizations.
2007
Kristin Cannon has joined Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, NY, as their assistant athletic director, head girls’ soccer coach, and teacher. She spent the previous 10 years coaching college soccer, most recently at Division I Xavier University.
James Coletti has joined Suffolk Construction as a purchasing analyst in the Greater New York City area. Jim lives in Watchung, NJ, with his wife and two children.
2008
John Callahan received the Governor’s Award for Meritorious Conduct at the Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year ceremony on November 20, 2018. Last June, John and his crew from Worcester’s Park Avenue Station Ladder 7 rescued a man from a two-alarm fire. In January 2017, John and his crew received a commendation from the City of Worcester for the rescue of a family from the top floor of a three-alarm fire on Pelham Street.
Kara (Snyder-Gerardi) Schneider and her husband, Ronnie, welcomed their son, Jackson Cole Schneider, on December 19, 2018.
2009
Shannon Plasski and her husband welcomed their first baby, Madelyn Grace Perkins, on March 21, 2018.
Kim Ricciardone married Matt Kisil ’10 on November 3, 2018. Alumni in attendance included bridesmaids Amy (Laurendeau) Basbas, Marie (Torto) Bucklin ’10, Katie (Ricciardone) Conley’07, Marissa Howard, Katherine (Slifka) Leonard, and Laura Ricciardone ’16; groomsman Matt Wright ’10; and Megan (Kellett) Bray, Elizabeth Dickinson ’08, Jennifer (Clancy) McWhirter ’10, Alyse Moccia ’10, Cecilia Santos, Megan (Maddaluno) Scheeler, and Laura (Hart) Testa.
2010
Doug Starbird is currently serving in the Peace Corps in the Fiji Islands, where he also coaches high school soccer and basketball and is involved in volleyball and rugby in his village.
Dustin Wirzburger has been promoted to vice president and manager at Security First Mortgage Funding, LLC. Dustin previously served as the operations/closing manager for the company.
2011
Christine Marotto married Dr. Robert DiGiammarino ’12 on August 25, 2018. The wedding was held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and was celebrated by Fr. John Franck, A.A. Alumni in attendance included: Laura Begley, Jonathan Bishop, Nicole Campbell, Scott Corain ’12, Jenna Damato, Michael Dion, Zachary DeLoughery ’12, Nicole DePaola, Matt Epstein ’12, Meg Farnam ’12, Elizabeth Johnson ’12, Grace Kennedy, Alex Mascaro, Gayle Melko ’10, Peter Melko ’10, Alex Merriam ’12, Andrea Moniz ’12, Alex Potter ’12, Andrew Smith ’12, and Jeffrey Starr ’12.
Lauren Milka is the new digital solutions coordinator at the Massachusetts Dental Society in Southborough.
2012
Dr. Robert DiGiammarino recently launched Ocean Gem Psychological Care, PLLC, a private psychotherapy practice. He is a Massachusetts-licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children and families.
Shafayet Khan has been named the embedded software engineer at Next Generation Access Networks Comcast in Denver, CO.
2013
David D’Amico was recently named the strategic account executive for Recorded Future in Somerville.
Matthew Doherty and Elizabeth Gannuscio were married on October 6, 2018, in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Ron Sibougan, A.A., and a reception followed at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton. Alumni in attendance included: Jennifer Byrne ’12, Michael Conway, John Donegan, John Flaherty, Kimberly McIntosh, Lauren Mulkern, Allison O’Malley, Billy O’Neill, Britni Hagopian Parker, and Brittany Wonsor.
John P. Donegan was recently elected to the Cranston, RI, City Council.
2014
Brianna (Simoncini) Norton and her husband, Patrick, announced the birth of their first child, Patrick John (PJ), on November 8, 2018.
2015
Sarah Kupec ’15, G’18 recently joined Finivi, Inc. Financial Advisors in Westborough as a client relations manager.
Pablo Sierra-Carmona recently began a new position as deputy press secretary for U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). He previously worked for Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) for three and a half years, where he started as a press intern and was promoted to staff assistant and ultimately press assistant.
ASSUMPTION PREP
1973
Kevin O’Sullivan stepped down from his position leading Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives at the end of December 2018. During his 20-year tenure, the Worcester nonprofit launched dozens of life science businesses in Central Massachusetts.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
CE’98
Kathie (Holm) Mahoney has been promoted to center director at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP). In her new position, she will be responsible for leading and developing a team of professional consultants who create economic impact by transforming manufacturing enterprises.
GRADUATE STUDIES
G’74
Mark J. Griffin has been chosen as one of the AARP Purpose Prize Fellow awardees for 2019, which honors individuals who use their life experiences to make a better future for all. Mark has worked in the field of learning disabilities for more than 40 years. He is the co-founder of Understood.org and was the founding headmaster of Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, CT, a position he held from 1975–2009.
G’76
Holly Haines has been named chief operating officer at MLS Property Information Network, where she provides leadership and management while focusing on organizational excellence and technical vision. She previously served as the company’s director of operations and human resources.
G’11
Suzie Wagner, the regional manager for the Vermont Department of Labor’s Career Resources Centers in Springfield and Brattleboro, recently joined 18 other community members in serving on the Youth Services Board of Directors, a nonprofit agency that helps area young people and families thrive.
CLASS NOTES SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Assumption Magazine publishes Class Notes in each issue. Submissions can be made at alumni@assumption.edu or by mailing us your information. An icon may be placed by a wedding announcement, indicating a photo is posted online. The Magazineʼs editorial staff makes every effort to accurately print announcements, but cannot always verify the accuracy of information submitted for publication.
