About 40 members of the Class of ’69 turned out Friday, October 23 at Lakeview Harbour
Restaurant to honor classmate Kevin Heigle as Jesuit’s 2009 Alumnus of the Year. Among those
enjoying the spirited event are, front row from left, alumni chaplain Fr. Norman O’Neal, S.J.
(who taught chemistry to many of the ’69ers ), Wayne Fontana, Jay Marino, honoree Kevin Heigle,
Jesuit’s director of special projects Bro. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58, and Bill Brundige.
Back row, from left are Fritz Kolb (who jetted in from Houston), Charlie Ruello,
and Don Faust. Hiding directly behind Heigle is a wannabe ’69er  —  his brother Thomas ’83.   

With their backs to Harrison Avenue, Scott Eschmann, Henri “Butsy” Louapre, and Fred Crane
enjoy a Blue Jay view of the room. Crane drove in from St. Augustine, FL to attend the lunch.

Heigle shares a true story with Julio Torres (left) and Bucky Marshall.

Wally “Gator” Landry, Roger Rholdon, and Darryl Foster talk oil, pediatric medicine, and law.

John Anderson, Wayne Fontana, and John Meunier recall their B and A years.

Jay Zainey, who was Jesuit’s 2008 Alumnus of the Year, dispenses advice to the newest AOY. 
Zainey has spent decades lobbying for Heigle to be honored as AOY. 

Steve Delony (right) is bemused by Donny Cerise (middle), who gave free vision checks
to several Blue Jays who could not believe their eyes that Chuck Glueck brought his wallet. 

Happy as a clam, a retired George Marse chews the fat with Rob Toye,
who drove in from Atlanta for Homecoming weekend.

George Escher, Kevin Heigle, and Stan Gauchet reminisce about the 1973 oil embargo.

Ted Saba and Mike Mitchell meet again for the first time.

Mick Quinlan (left) tells Kevin Heigle, Wayne Fontana, and John Anderson that his stint
as Jesuit’s prefect of discipline represented “the craziest years of my life.”

Bro. Billy Dardis, S.J. corners Mike Valentino for tips about operating an inn.

Donald Meyn and Ronnie Vaccaro discuss successful engineering and construction techniques
that should have been in place on the failed levee system.  

Stunned and speechless, Kevin Heigle breaks down as Fr. McGinn informs him that he
can take all the time he wants for his acceptance speech at Sunday’s Homecoming Mass.

Jay Zainey ticks off the many achievements during his reign as the 2008 Alumnus of the Year,
reminding his classmates that Jesuit sports new environmentally aesthetic windows 
and fresh artwork on the walls near the Banks Street entrance. 

Wayne Fontana, piqued at once again being snubbed for the Alumnus of the Year honor,
confesses to his classmates: “I had this Alumnus of the Year gig in the bag until 
someone — who shall remain nameless — reminded the nominating committee 
about that silly fire extinguisher incident. What can I say except I am sorry
I sprayed flesh-eating caustic soda on you guys on the last day of school.
But you gotta admit I tell better jokes than Kevin.” 

Kevin Heigle whips out his personalized LSU bat for his son, Eric, who graduated
from Jesuit in 2002. The bat is a replica of the one he used on Fontana after being
hosed in the face with that fire extinguisher back in 1969.  

As shocked classmates look on, Wally “Gator” Landry inspects Chuck Glueck’s
pair of $20 bills to make sure they are not counterfeit.   

Heigle, Heigle, and Heigle: Thomas ’83 still takes advice from his older brother Kevin,
who also dispenses it freely to his own son, Eric ’02.