B3

By Madeleine Leclerc

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Graduates from 1947 and 1948 of the Grand Falls Composite School held their respective 61st and 60th reunions on Saturday, July 5. Bob Kirkpatrick (class of 1948 graduate) acted as master of ceremonies for both groups who met at Suzanne's Club to share a meal and memories as well as catch up through the years.

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Madeleine Leclerc photo

Left to right: Bob Kirkpatrick (holding the groupis mascot Bobby the Moose), Glenna Christensen Hitchcock, Alta Arbeau Berton, Barbara Hill Hitchcock, Enoil Bourgoin, Natalie Koven Cohen, Charlie Kern, Leona Baird Recktenwald, Clair Hill and Beatrice Jensen Hansen.

Madeleine Leclerc photo

Even though they are deceased, the following 1947 and 1948 graduates were not forgotten during the recent reunion held in Grand Falls. They include: Francis Burgess, Maxine McCluskey, Gladys McCormack, Elaine St. Amand and Annie Shorey (class of 1947); Gerard Beaulieu, Edwina Côté, Jean Fraser, Donald Merritt and Alice Mockler (class of 1948).

Charles (Charlie) Kern (class of 1947 graduate) spoke on behalf of his class while Natalie Koven Cohen adressed the group on behalf of the 1948 class of graduates. Both gave a breakdown of previous reunions.

"It was a very informal get-together," stated Kirkpatrick. "We enjoyed each other's company and catching up with events from each other's lives."

Guest speaker at the reunion was local MLA and Agriculture and Aquaculture Minister Ronald Ouellette, who was accompanied by his wife, Doreen.

"He presented each graduate with a certificate signed by New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and himself, in recognition of our 60th and 61st reunions," added Kirkpatrick.

Earlier the same day, both groups attended the John Caldwell School's alumni breakfast.

The graduates are hoping to have another reunion in five years. "At the start of the celebration, we had a class meeting and voted to have another reunion in five years," he said.

"We also had a toast for our 10 deceased classmates," Kirkpatrick said, pointing to a display which included photos of the former classmates. They included: Francis Burgess, Maxine McCluskey, Gladys McCormack, Elaine St. Amand and Annie Shorey (class of 1947); Gerard Beaulieu, Edwina Côté, Jean Fraser, Donald Merritt and Alice Mockler (class of 1948).

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Natalie Koven Cohen and Clair Hill for all their hard work in researching and getting the contact information in order for us to try and reach as many of our classmates as possible and invite them to the reunion," he added.

Attending the reunion were: Bob Kirkpatrick and his wife Helen, and their son Robert and his daughter Emily and their daughter Susan's son James, Charles Kern and his wife Jean, Glenna Christensen (late Sylvester Hitchcock) and her daughter, Monica, Barbara Hill and her husband Robert Hitchcock, Enoil Bourgoin and his wife Mae, Natalie Koven and her husband Max Coven, Leona Baird (late George Recktenwald) and her brother Edgar Bard and his wife Azilda, Clair Hill and his wife Ruth, Alta Arbeau and her husband Carl Berton and Beatrice Jensen (late Robert Hansen).