Hello, alumni of Pulaski High School, New Britain, Connecticut (CT)

This blog is for the use of all alumni of the Pulaski High School that formerly existed in New Britain, Connecticut (CT).  After 1982, Pulaski High School was converted to a middle school in New Britain, leaving the alumni without an alma mater.  Although the high school no longer exists per se, it does exist in the memories and hearts of all of its alumni.

Although there is another blog set up for Pulaski High School alumni, quite frankly, it does not permit alumni to comment and leave messages or questions for other alumni.  Since the purpose of a blog is to encourage intercommunication, I decided to set up a wordpress blog dedicated to that goal.  Hopefully, you and other alumni will find this blog on Google and start to comment, or at least say hello, and let us know that you are still breathing.

There is an account set up on facebook for Pulaski High School of New Britain, Connecticut (CT), where you can leave snippets or comments; however, here you are virtually unlimited in what you can do.  In fact, if you are so inclined, you have even post videos of you and your family, portfolios of pictures, or even finish that great American novel you set out to do in freshman English with Mrs. McConnell.

I encourage all of you to email pictures, bios, histories, videos, or whatever you wish to share to an email account that I set up so that I can post your submissions for others to see and appreciate.  Please send pictures of you, your family, what you have been doing for the past 30 to 50 years, who you are trying to locate, etc., and I will post your submissions here on this website as a blog entry.  The email address is:  pulaskihighschoolnewbritain@gmail.com.

In the event that you do not know yet, a reunion for all alumni is planned for September 8, 2012 at Falcon Field in New Britain, Connecticut (CT).  Other than that fact, I know little about the event.  But as details emerge, I will post them on this site.

If anyone has pictures of Pulaski High School, the faculty, and students, please send them and I will include them on the blog.

Perhaps I should now introduce myself.  I am William Brighenti, an alumus from the class of 1966.  I currently live and work in Berlin, Connecticut, having moved out of New Britain a number of years ago, like virtually everyone else who graduated from Pulaski High School.  If you wish to call me and ask me any questions or just say hello, please feel free to call at (860) 249-1323.  If I am not in, please leave a message and I will call you back.

Thank you.

March, 2024

My wife died on February 1, 2024. This is a picture of me taken in March of 2024. I am now 78 years of age. I hope my classmates are doing well.

I have been rescuing feral cats for 15 years as well as feeding and sheltering wildlife. I have several heated shelters in my yard, four heated food bowls, a heated bird bath, and two heated water bowls. Every night I clean the bowls, restock the food bowls, and change the water. I also have two large bird feeders. It gives me great pleasure to watch the wildlife nourish themselves in my backyard.

Burt Tessler, Class of 1966, Pulaski High School

I just received the following from Burton Tessler, class of 1966, Pulaski High School.

Hi Billy,
A mass of firemen & firewomen from our local station arrived on Sunday morning, as scheduled. Like last year, they parked in front of [my home]. Although there wasn’t a fire, an inextinguishable warmth burned inside me. The men & women made a line & passed to one another 8 banana crates of sealed games & toys down the front stairs. San Francisco, like the rest of our country, has its share of underprivileged kids.
It’s all about the children. As mom said, may she rest in peace, “They are our replacements.” Love them as your own.

Merry Christmas,
Burt Tessler
Jewish Elf
5′ 5 1/2″

Donald R. Santora Obituary

John Lepito, Burton Tessler, and Veronica Georges

John Lepito just emailed me these three photos of him and Burton Tessler in San Francisco; him and Veronica Georges in California; and Veronica Georges.

Veronica Georges attended Stanley School in New Britain, Connecticut. I remember her as being very beautiful, with long, straight, black luxuriant hair. Veronica was an excellent student, being very bright.

She and John were classmates in 4th grade. I believe Miss Dayton was their 4th grade teacher.

Gary Thibodeau pursued his love for gymnastics all his life

Gary Thibodeau found me on Facebook and contacted me. I am very happy that he did.

Gary Thibodeau sat near me in Rittner’s Chemistry class in eleventh grade at Pulaski High School. He was a good student then, and life has born testimony to his good study habits and intelligence: he is a walking success story.

I’ll let Gary tell his own story to you:

Hey Bill, I am doing just fine. Still working. Don’t think I’ll ever retire. I did get Degrees from CCSU and The University of Tennessee. I taught at Maryville College for about four years , Then resigned and started my own business. I have been running a gymnastics training center, summer camps, and a full-time preschool for children for about 45 years. I can’t complain. I hope you’re doing great. My brother Billy is visiting in the area for about a week. I don’t get to see him that much so of course I will be spending a lot of time with him and his wife this week. Give me a call next week at XXX-XXX-XXXX and we can get caught up. It has been a very long time!

I remember Gary being a gymnast at Pulaski; however, I never appreciated gymnastics until I witnessed it used by so many professional dancers in the movies, and followed it in the Olympics. I only wished that I had such control and ability with my body. It is truly both an art as much as an athletic event.

Here is a current picture of Gary with family:

Gary: “4 generations of Thibodeau’s. My father, my son, my granddaughter n 1 of my brothers….we didnt want him to feel left out.”

And here is Gary’s business, “Perpetual Motion,” an educational preschool, offering gymnastics and swimming lessons:

“Housed on 6 acres in East Maryville, Perpetual Motion has served local families and children for over 40 years. Our current location is convenient to Interstate I40, Seymour and South Knoxville, The center includes over 22,000 square feet of building space along with 2 swimming pools, large outdoor playground areas, a sand base grass volleyball court, a soccer field, picnic areas, and plenty of parking. In addition to our regular children’s programs, Perpetual Motion event facilities are often used on summer weekends for private family, corporate, and athletic team pool parties. The two large pools and the pavilion area are the center piece for these activities. Some families prefer pool “birthday parties” in the summer months, although “gymnastics birthday parties” are also available. Our instructional gymnastics and cheerleading programs are second to none. Your child will see the same professional instructor each week. Try us out. New students have a one month tuition guarantee!
Educational preschool class openings:
Toddlers, Preschool & Pre-K rooms”

I remember going to a football game with Gary at Penny High School and getting my nose broken in a fist fight. Like an idiot, I sat on the home side instead of the visiting side seats. I was such an idiot, and some things never change: I am still that idiot.

Gary, you were always a great guy at Pulaski High School so I am not surprised at your great success in life. God bless you, Gary Thibodeau. I am in awe of you pursuing gymnastics as a love of your life. Wow.

Suzanne Lesiczka passed away

It was with sadness that I post the passing of Suzanne Lesiczka. Suzanne graduated from Pulaski High School in 1966.

I didn’t know of Suzanne’s death until moments ago when I searched Facebook for her profile and discovered that her son had notified friends of her death on April 13, 2020, nearly a year earlier.  It appears that she may have had serious health issues for years.  Sigh.

I first met Suzanne in 2nd grade in Stanley School.  I still have a visual image of a very lovely blonde-haired girl wearing a white blouse, standing while being introduced to the class as a new student.  Although she appeared very shy, once befriended she would convulse with laughter whenever I feebly attempted humor in the classroom, mimicking our teacher, Mrs. O’Brien.  Suzanne loved to laugh; and her laughter was infectious.

I lost track of Suzanne after elementary school.  I didn’t see her in Nathan Hale Junior High School.  I think she was sent to a private school for some years up north out of state.  But suddenly she reappeared at Pulaski to my delight in my sophmore year.  Since she lived on Sefton Drive, parallel to Hillcrest Avenue where I lived, we occasionally walked home or took the bus together after school.

In class, Suzanne was a hilarious clown, mimicking the French teachers pronunciation of my French name:  Guillaume.  I recall her correcting Mrs. Petrin, asserting that she failed to pronounce my name correctly.  This did not bode well for Suzanne and I in French as my grades attested.  To correct a French teacher’s pronunciation of one’s supposed native tongue was a cardinal sin.

After graduation, John Cranley and I drove up to Portland, Maine, where she was living, to visit her.  She had married and was a proud mother.  It was the last time I had seen her.  Sadly, distances have a way of separating people.

I loved Suzanne as a dear friend.  I will cherish her smiles, her laughter, her entertaining conversations, her sarcasm.  She was a childhood friend, a sort of soulmate.  I hope to see her in the next life if I am worthy enough.  I pray that I will be.

 

 

John Lepito and Burton Tessler called me this evening

John Lepito and Burton Tessler called me this evening. And we yakked on the phone for three hours.

John’s daughter lives nearby San Francisco, where Burton has been living for decades, and John customarily visits Burton while out west. Johnny now resides in Pennsylvania, is retired, and travels around the country in his camper visiting family and friends.

Burton, always the entrepreneur, has had his own business for decades in the home furnishing industry. The name of his business is Dishes by Delmar. It’s rated quite favorably in Dun & Bradstreet. I’m not surprised because Burton was always a great salesman. I remember him in 7th grade coming to my home and selling my mother shoes … LOL. She loved Burton. She thought he was very cute.

Of course, the three of us reminisced, remembering all the pretty girls at Pulaski and Nathan Hale Junior High: Cynthia Miller, Susan Symecko, Carolyn Rosochacki, Linda Carfi, Patti Bosco, Sandra Gatta, Sue Zebrowski, Elaine Sobel, et al.

We then talked about classmates no longer with us: Jeffrey Silver, Teddy Karpiej, George Lukasik, Tommy Mehan, and others. Their deaths reminded us how fleeting life is, and how precious of an opportunity life is.

We promised to stay in touch and visit one another before signing off, conveying our love and best wishes.

May I take this opportunity to wish all my classmates the best. I send my love to all.

You are all invited to visit and stay at my humble home. And if you are unable to visit me here at my home in Berlin, Connecticut, perhaps we will see each other in the next life.

Until then ….

 

Obituary of Tommy Mehan Class of 1966 Pulaski High School New Britain Connecticut

I write this post with sadness. I just received a text from Johnny Lepito, informing me of the death of our classmate, Tommy Mehan.

I remember a very friendly guy, with Tab Hunter good looks, at Pulaski High School, between the years of 1963 and 1966. He often wore his red athletic sweater, and was seen walking the prettiest girl at Pulaski to her next class. I also believed that Tommy may have been our class President, too. He had all the qualities to be class President: he was handsome with a winning smile, a gifted athlete, and friendly to all. What follows is his obituary, which I found online.

Thomas P. Mehan, 70, of Windsor Locks, passed away Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Hartford Hospital. Born June 3, 1948 in New Britain, son of the late Joseph and Rosalie (Wrobel) Mehan, he grew up in New Britain, he lived in West Suffield for many years and he had lived in Windsor Locks for the past 10 years.

Thomas received his degree in education from Springfield College, he spent his entire 35 year teaching career at Windsor Locks Middle School before retiring. He was very involved in the Windsor Locks athletic programs, not only did he serve as Athletic Director, he coached many baseball, basketball, softball and cross country teams. He was also past president of the Suffield Little League.

Thomas was a very active parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Windsor Locks, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and he was very involved with prison ministry, Thomas also was a C.C.D. teacher with many churches over the years. He was very active with Tourette Syndrome’s CT Chapter.

Thomas loved to write, it gave him much enjoyment but his greatest enjoyment in life was the time he spent with family, especially his six grandchildren. He is survived by his three children, Adam Mehan and his wife, Christina of Broad Brook, Rebecca Mehan and her husband Kevin Schlottmann of Jackson Heights, NY, Kate St. Amand and her husband, Zachary of Barkhamsted; a brother, Joseph Mehan and his wife, Claire of Wethersfield; a brother-in-law, Roger Kidwell of Plainville; six grandchildren, Timothy and Tierney Mehan, Rosalie and Thaddeus Schlottmann, Hunter and Declan St. Amand. He was predeceased by his lifelong companion, Elizabeth Mehan; a sister, Barbara Kidwell.

Family and friends may gather Tuesday, November 20, 2018 from 4-7 PM at Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. His family will receive friends Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 9:30 AM at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM at St. Mary Church, Windsor Locks. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family.

John Lepito, class of 1966, Pulaski High School, New Britain, Connecticut

I just received a phone call from John Lepito, after not speaking with him for many years.   We spoke for 5 hours on the phone…LOL!  Can you believe it?  I guess we had a lot of catching up to do.  So I had to share my excitement in a blog post because Johnny made my evening by reaching out so lovingly and generously.

Whenever I think of Pulaski High School, I think of John Lepito. Who could ever forget John’s genuine smile and boyish laughter at school. He always made me laugh, joking and laughing himself, making your time with him fun! And he was fun. Can anyone forget his imitation of Ralph Leper on Senior Class Day, wearing a bow tie, strutting around onstage with a goofy grin, reminding one of Gomer Pyle? Johnny could brighten up an entire auditorium with his clownish antics, rivaling those of Red Skelton.

I went through seven grades of elementary school with John at Stanley School. In a photo album downstairs, I have pictures of John at Diane Leach’s birthday party from the 4th grade, when even then he entertained all of us by clowning around. Diane Leach always hosted the best parties in the 4th grade on Blake Road. And everyone went to her parties since virtually everyone was invited. There we would play all sorts of games, including the notarious and risque game, spin the bottle, which afforded me the opportunity to kiss Ellen Heinsman, since she was the object of my fantasies 60 years ago…LOL.

Although Johnny attended St. Paul’s during my junior high school years and I didn’t see him at Nathan Hale Junior High, we maintained our friendship in boy scouts and the Columbian Squires, as well as through our interactions with many of the same kids we had known at Stanley School: Skipper Mariani, Johnny Robinson, Tommy Giannotto, Jeffrey Weir, Bobby Manz, Sammy Rio, Johnny Graham, Elaine Sobel, Martha Syrocki, Linda Carfi, Michael Petunia, David Fulghum, et al.

Last night we talked for hours and hours, reliving our youth as if it had never left us. Although many images of my youth were somewhat hazy from the passage of time, John’s images and those of some of my precious peers were still there in the deep recesses of memory.

Although I could not find many photos of John on the internet, I believe I found one of him at Pulaski’s 50th reunion with Sue Symecko and Carolyn Rosochacki.  Don’t the three of them look great after 50 years?!  God bless them. And look who corralled two of the prettiest girls at the reunion? None other than John Lepito, Mr. Charm, himself.

I wish to thank, John, for five hours of recapturing my youth. He made me laugh and enjoy so many precious memories.  But what I shall always cherish the most about John Lepito is his generous and loving soul.  John liked everyone; he never uttered an unkind word about anyone; he was always sensitive of the feelings of others; he never looked down upon others, including any of his fellow classmates.  In a world of conceit, materialism, class, and status, those are indeed rare qualities today.

Love always,

Bill

Memories of Jeff Silver – Class of 1966 Pulaski High School in New Britain Connecticut

Jeffrey Silver was like a brother to me.  Over the many years of schooling together, he actually looked out for me and counseled me.  Looking back now, I realize that I owe him much since I am so indebted to him.  He helped make me a better person.  I still feel his influence today.

But ironically our relationship began turbulently.  In fact, it began with a fistfight, with Jeffrey getting the better of me in elementary school.  I probably made an insensitive remark and Jeff, rightly so, took me to task.  I ended up starry eye on the ground on Kilbourne Avenue, with his brother, Daniel, proudly announcing Jeff the winner after our mini-round bout.  I deserved that beating.

But as time went on, I began to idolize Jeff.  He had a moral compass that so many of us lacked back then.  I attribute that to his upbringing:  his father, Abraham, had been an attorney, very much concerned about civil rights.  Jeff internalized those values since he talked about his dad quite often, even bringing his father to Pulaski High School to Mrs. Martin’s “Problems in Democracy” class to discuss the constitutionality of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, and other issues of the day.  Jeff was very proud of his dad.

Jeff and I had much in common.  We shared our love for sports, music, studies, laughter and fun.  I recall jamming with him down at my parents’ cottage, playing rhythm and blues and the Animals latest recordings.  He loved music and loved to perform.  And he was talented, unlike me, who struggled on the accordion.  LOL!

I recall an incident in Mrs. Petrin’s class at Pulaski High School.  Dawn Moorad, my neighbor from across the street on Hillcrest Avenue, had been teasing me in front of the class, embarrassing me about my appearance; only Jeff intervened and chastised her for her insensitivity when no one else did.  He had that code of morality, that sensitivity for the feelings of others, that so many of us lacked.  That is what I loved and respected most about Jeff.

Although Jeff had an air of confidence, he was modest and humble.  He was not into status at all.  Rather, what motivated Jeff to excel was his desire to learn, grow, and become a better person.  That was rare back then when people were judged by the clothes they wore, the cars they drove, the house they owned, the job they held, the money they made.

For instance, when Jeff got married, he didn’t rent a fancy and costly tux.  No standing on ceremony for Jeff.  Instead he bought a second-hand suit at the local Goodwill store and wore that to his own wedding.  I believe that Jeff was making a statement:  the clothes don’t make a man; it’s what inside that person that makes a man and a woman.

That’s why of all my peers at Pulaski High School, I remember Jeff Silver the most.  He held the values that I now love and respect the most.  And I remain in his debt for sharing them with me.