Us as juniors in 1959. Where are you?

See if you can find yourself. If so, tell us where you are in the comments below. Photos thanks to John DiTomasso, who will buy dinner for the first 5 winners at Haven Brothers in downtown Providence. See the picture on the right.

Thorough Preparation -- Jim Doane

When the swim team dried off for the season I went out for Spring Track. I made the team and was competing in the high jump, high hurdles, and one of the replay teams.   Brother Stephen was our coach, Bill Murry recalls that I nick-named him skeeter.  So shortly after the season began Brother Stephen told us that we would be competing in the RI Relays at Hope High on the weekend. When we got there he tells me that I'm on the shot put, javelin, and discus relay teams with some other teammates.   I look at him and say "Brother I don't know how to do any of those events."  He said look at the other teams and just copy them, which is exactly what I did.  

I watched closely as other teams began and I just tried to do the same thing.   Most of the competitors looked like football linemen and then here was little Jim Doane all 125 pounds of pure muscle.    Needless to say, we didn't win any medals, but it was fun to try those brand-new events.   Not sure why I remember this, but after the meet Brother Stephen asked me if I wanted ice cream, and he bought me a cone.   

Once the track season returned to meets against Tolman, West, and other teams I amassed enough points to earn a major letter, which I thought was the coolest thing.   My Mom took off the swim team letter from my Saints sweater and sewed on the letter with a flying foot - - the symbol of track.    In my sports career at SRA I earned 3 major letters in swimming and track.   At URI I competed in the same track events as I did at SRA. 

Calling All Rhode Island Nostalgia Buffs -- Pete Healy

If you attended SRA's 60^th Virtual  Reunion,   we know that you enjoy revisiting the happy days of our youth at Saint Ray's in Rhode Island.  As a follow-up,  you may be interested in the Providence Journal's three-volume, hardcover, coffee table quality  Pictorial History of Rhode Island: Vol. I – "The Early Years"; Vol. II – "The 1940s and 1950s";  and Vol. III – "From Turmoil to the Providence Renaissance – The 19960s through the 1990s."  Each volume is loaded with iconic photos that capture Rhode Island as it was and as it has evolved over the last century, sure to activate "the mystic chords of memory" to remind you of so many familiar places and events in the storied history of the   Ocean State.  Just go on the Providence Journal Website, write in the names of the books and you can order one, two, or all three.  You will not be disappointed!

Memories from Reggie Macamaux

Reggie's leadership is genetic -- here's his mother who was president of the Ladies Auxiliary during our years at St Rays. She's second from the right, beautiful, I don't know what happened to Reggie :-). 

Memories of Saints

Our recent virtual 60^th Reunion of our class at Saints has gotten me thinking more about our years at the academy and the friends, classmates, and teammates during that period.  As I look back, my memories of certain of the Brothers, of teammates, of specific games (wins and losses) are very vivid.  I think we would all agree that those years were critically important in our development as individuals for many reasons.

While I was always pleased at getting good grades and the accolades of teachers, our team achievements in sports created more adrenaline.  It was always a thrill to play in front of a big crowd at McCoy Stadium on Thanksgiving, and particularly in our senior year when we had such a winning season.  While many years have passed, I still feel a deep connection with Dennis, Tom, Paul, Terry, Reggie, Charlie, Jeff, etc.  They were all great classmates and teammates. 

I think one of the major lessons learned at Saints was a spirit of friendly competition.  As I learned later, the business world is very competitive and you must have dreams, goals, and the focus and desire to achieve them.  For me, those dreams and goals began at Saints. 

I look forward to a non-virtual reunion in the near future.  Until then, stay healthy everyone! 

Bill Farley

Slater Park

The sign is obviously new but I'm betting many of us Saints have lots of memories tied to this place. For

myself, I have memories that include being a preteen and riding my bike to the ten mile river within the park, the carrousel (grabbing the slug), and, of course, the submarine races after Saints dances. Much later my father delighted in taking my kids to the park to see Fannie the elephant. What do you remember? 

 

John DiTomasso