May 2025 Newsletter

The month of May brings us May Day, Mothers’ Day, Armed Forces Day, and of course Memorial Day.  While May Day has many meanings, i.e. a celebration of unions and workers, I recall at my university an annual May Pole dance on the south green opposite the coed housing.  Never witnessed it, but my Yearbook is replete with pictures, even a queen and court!

Our town commemorates Memorial Day with annual City-run service at the War Memorial plaques and statue (George S Patton Jr. is a native son) at our public park, and at Rotary.  This year’s Rotary speaker is 101 years old, a veteran of WWII, and served in the Philippians.

And, hopefully the mothers among us will be taken out to lunch, or at least given flowers. Whose Moms do you so acknowledge?

For those of you that know seniors in high school, having to pick their college can be an agonizing experience, oft left to the last minute!  We have two of those, a granddaughter and a grandson.  So interesting to have an opinion…but having to be cautious not to push too hard!

Since the last monthly Newsletter, we’ve heard from Armond D’Agostino, Adie Harris, Ed Cook, Cynthia DiDonato, Rita McKeown, Bob Delezenski, Kay McCormick, Bob Alvine, Annie Zimmerman, Don Catino, Pat Howlett, Bronson Stout, Rocky Imperatrice, Arlene Walsh and Lew Kain.  And, Denise Smith, Buddy Lavacca’s daughter, informed us of Jim Stoddard’s passing.

Rocky has a new email address (edimperatrice@gmail.com) as does Arlene Walsh (affleming@me.com).

Our next Zoom is tomorrow, Friday, May 2, at 3 pm east coast time, when the current Student Prints advisor, Diane Mangru, will be our high school update person. She has invited one of her students, Faraz, to join her and talk of his experiences.  Wally Riker sent out the Zoom meeting link yesterday.  And, for those that may need the short-course Zoom 101, please dial in early…as early as 2 pm.

As the NBC newscaster is famous for saying “Please take care of yourselves, and each other”!  See you tomorrow.

Annie Z  /  Bob A  / Walter R / Bill P

WARREN JAMES STODDARD, Obituary

                          August 25, 1937 – March 14, 2025

Jim was born in Lancaster, PA. He lived most of his life and raised his family in the towns of Bloomfield, Cranford, Washington, Clinton and Basking Ridge, NJ.  A move to Williamsburg to be closer to family occurred in 2010 where he and his wife Barbara enjoyed life in Colonial Heritage.

Jim graduated from Bloomfield High School, was a part of the New Jersey Army National Guard in the Artillery Division for three years and went on to attend both Seton Hall and Fairleigh Dickinson University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering.

He went on to own his own manufacturing company for over 20 years in Newark, NJ where he eventually retired from in 2003.

For almost 14 years Jim was a member of the St. Olaf Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and a very active and well-known member of the Colonial Heritage golf community.

He loved sailing, spending time at his beloved lake house in Skaneateles, NY, reading and golfing. Most special to him however was spending time with his nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Ann, his son Warren James IV and his son John Francis. Surviving family members are his son Paul Stoddard (wife Lisa), his daughter Mary Elizabeth Mueller (husband Don), his daughter Barbara Jeanne Stanko (husband Joseph) and daughter in law Susan Stoddard.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Olaf Catholic Church at 11:00am on Monday, April 7, 2025. Memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s name to Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg.

BHS Roster Class of '56