Class Notes

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 ’58 

David Ahr and Jim Howe presented Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B. ’63 with a class photo on June 6 at the Breakers Reunion in Spring Lake.

 ’59 

Michael Falivena is a keyboardist in the Venice Florida Community Orchestra.

 ’64 

The watercolors of artist and sculptor Mike Bertelli were recently featured in the Clifton New Jersey Arts Center’s show “Reach for the Stars” by 10 independent artists that ran from January 29 through February 22.

Pat Pepe celebrated 52 years of practicing as a C.P.A. in June.

 ’69 

Christopher Duffy wrote that during Spring Training in Surprise, Ariz., the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals both play there, and he volunteers every year. He knows a few of the coaches on each team because of both of his sons’ time in pro ball. Christopher also serves as an umpire for high school and tournament games for both baseball and girls’ softball.

Peter Huryk and his wife, Gerri, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in November 2024.

 ’70 

Michael T. Colonna has been issued Merchant Marine Credentials (Captain License) from the Coast Guard as a Master, 25 Gross Registered Tons, Inland, and Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels, Near Coastal (offshore out to 100 miles). Michael regularly takes people offshore to catch tuna, sailfish, and a variety of other species. He also delivers vessels to new owners and
for service.

Mark Decker wrote that he retired from his position as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of The Connell Company in September 2024.

 ’72 

Christopher Froelich shared that his daughter, Erin, and son-in-law had their second son, Rowen Gregory, and that they live close by at the Jersey Shore.

 ’77 

Markos Guess had the honor of inducting his nephew, Jaden Oates ’22, into his fraternity.

 ’83 

Al-Tariq Witcher started a new position as Managing Director of External Affairs at Fair Share Housing Center in Cherry Hill, N.J.

 

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 ’86 

Andy McGee became a grandfather on January 2 when his daughter, Kalee, presented the world with a beautiful little girl. His dad, Philip H’85, is the proud great- grandfather and sent us the news!

 ’87 

Pat Napoli hosted Benedict’s graduates Andrew D’Arcy ’89, Michael Holleran ’22 and Melo Scarpone ’22 in Madrid, Spain. Michael is attending NYU and Melo is attending UMass. They connected while
studying abroad.

Tim Peter has released a new book, Digital Reset: Driving Marketing and Customer Acquisition Beyond Big Tech, to strong sales and positive reviews. One marketing expert called it “A must read for business owners and executives.” Tim wrote, “I owe so much to Benedict’s for helping me develop the discipline needed to write the book. Special shout out to Mr. Jim Gaul, Mr. Mark Jackson and Ms. Pat Flynn for everything they did to help me grow as a writer.” The book is available for sale on Amazon.

 ’93 

Jose Nata wrote that he and Jorge Tavares ’95 have been inaugurated into the Hall of Fame at Camp Glen Gray in Mahwah, N.J. 

 ’97 

Gilbert A. Torres, Sr. wrote that he graduated from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He’s a former infantry U.S. Marine who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, as well as in 2008. Gilbert and his wife have been together 18 years, married for 14 years and have three children. He’s currently a semi-retired expat and has been living with his family in the Dominican Republic since July 2021.

 ’08 

Quadeer Porter is the Executive Director of Brothers Building A Better Nation, a non-profit in Newark dedicated to empowering BIPOC young men through mentorship, mental healthcare and community-focused programming. In March he read Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson at the Camden Street School’s Celebrity Read & Read Across America celebration. Quadeer wrote to us that this powerful story about young people leading with courage during the Civil Rights Movement “is a reminder that our children don’t have to wait to become leaders. They already are.”

 ’15 

Kenya Moncur-Whitaker earned his law degree from Rutgers Law School and is pictured with his uncle, Adrien Moncur ’97. 

 ’19 

Jacob Amaro graduated from the Columbia University School of Journalism and joined The New York Times as a Dow Jones News Fund editing intern. Over the summer, he worked alongside editors on the Flex Desk, a small but vital team that fills editing gaps across the newsroom, helping hold copy to The Time’s standards. Prior to the internship, he completed a rigorous training program in multiplatform editing at The University of Texas in Austin.

 ’21 

Michael Cocco has his own photography business that specializes in youth sports. He regularly photographs football, wrestling, softball and baseball at area high schools. He is increasing his skill base by enrolling in an online photography course at Cornell University.

Sal Parent is back at The Hive. “I am so excited to be back at Benedict’s as the Annual Giving Coordinator! After graduating from Saint Anselm College in May, I was keen on the opportunity to come back home to work on behalf of this school that I love so much. You can reach me at sparent@sbp.org.”

 ’22 

Reuben Kadushin graduated with Highest Honors from Swarthmore College’s Honors Program earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Sociology (Honors). He will embark on a dual degree program at NYU Law School and NYU’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences history program with a focus on Caribbean and Latin American Studies, pursuing a J.D. and Ph.D., respectively. At NYU Law School, Reuben was awarded admission to the Furman Academic Scholars Program, with a full-ride scholarship to the program that prepares J.D. students who show exceptional promise for careers in legal academia.

 Marriages and Births 

Jason Thomas ’01 married Ruth West in Green Cove Springs, Fla.

Tom Holt ’08 and his wife, Courtney, welcomed James Naughton Holt on March 3.

Matt Aaron ’10 and his wife, Christian, welcomed their daughter, Madison Grace Aaron, on July 29 in Alexandria, Va. Madison weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz. and was 20 inches long.