St. Anthony’s celebrates all-school reunion
St. Anthony High School’s Class of 1959 celebrated its 25th high school reunion during an all-school reunion held June 8 at the St. Francis Center in Folansbee. Those attending included, from left, Lou Julio, Barb Sarafine Julio, Vickey Sciarretti Ross, Mary Jane Sabol and Bernie Ciccolella.
Members of the Class of 1959 also included members, from left, Angelo Ciccolella, John Ace Kafton and Jim Picirillo.
St. Anthony High School’s Class of 1959 celebrated its 25th high school reunion during an all-school reunion held June 8 at the St. Francis Center in Folansbee. Those attending included, from left, Lou Julio, Barb Sarafine Julio, Vickey Sciarretti Ross, Mary Jane Sabol and Bernie Ciccolella.
Members of the Class of 1959 also included members, from left, Angelo Ciccolella, John Ace Kafton and Jim Picirillo.
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FOLLANSBEE -- Generations gathered, as more than 230 classmates and guests attended St. Anthony's all-school reunion in Follansbee June 8. The evening began with a special Mass by the Rev. Gerald Mouka at St. Anthony's Church. Dinner and dancing followed at the St. Francis Center.
The event was co-chaired by the Rev. Joe D'Aurora, Class of '64, and Vickey Sciarretta Ross, Class of '59.
A memorabilia room was organized by Angelo Ciccolella. Items on display included yearbooks, newspaper articles, photos, a letterman sweater and old uniforms.
Follansbee Mayor David Velegol welcomed back all alumni. In turn. classmates thanked Velegol for displaying a St. Anthony banner across Main Street.
Grace was said by D'Aurora, who spoke on the history of the schools, with St. Anthony Grade School opening in 1938 and the high school in 1955. The last class to graduate was in 1964. He talked about priests who led the congregation -- the Rev. Robert Weiskircher, the Rev. John O'Riley and the Rev. John Allison.
D'Aurora discussed the dedication and influence of the Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus, women who arrived from Germany and taught at the schools. Special mention was made of Sister Baptista, who taught first grade in the same classroom for more than 55 years. Special art work was presented as gifts to Rita Sciarretti Ficca, a student in the first class of 1938; and to Nick Fuscardo, who traveled from California to attend the reunion.
Ciccolella and Jim Piccirillo entertained the audience with the success of its sports programs. Ciccolella noted his father was the first athletic director of the high school. He stated the highlight for him and the school was having the opportunity to go to the annual West Virginia Catholic Basketball Tournament in Huntington.
Piccirillo discussed the fifth- through eighth-grade sports program who participated in the competitive Parochial League in Steubenville, noting the basketball games were played at the Catholic Community Center on Fourth Street. He explained the school was poor and could not afford uniforms, so they wore hand-me-downs and were transported to games by way of the back of Nazionale's beer truck.
Coaches and players from the school were inducted into Halls of Fame, including the school's first head coach, former Follansbee Mayor Anthony Paesano. Paesano was inducted into the Duquesne Athletic Hall of Fame; coach George Taibi into Bethany's Hall of Fame for track and football; basketball coach John Nese into the College of Steubenville; and Coach Rich Wilinski into the Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame.
Despite only having seven years of varsity athletics, five school athletes were so successful in college sports, they were inducted into halls of fame, Piccirillo stated. They include Dave Casinelli, Mike Ciccolella, Nick Fuscardo, Guy Fuscardo and Ray Prantil.
D'Aurora discussed a memorial for classmates who have died, presenting a book for friends to write the names of those classmates.
"St. Anthony's was always proud to call themselves family," organizers stated.
That last class to graduate in 1964 was celebrating its 60th anniversary.