The Class of 1968

The Class of 1968 gathered Blue Jays near and far to its Golden Anniversary Reunion, which took place on May 11 and 12 at homes of ’68 alumni. Frank Maselli hosted Friday night’s stag party, and Tom and Emily Ryan opened their doors to classmates and their guests for the Saturday night couples’ reception.

The “Welcome, Blue Jays” sign hangs on the balcony of Frank Maselli’s uptown home.

View the Photo Gallery from the Class of 1968 Stag Party

View the Photo Gallery from the Class of 1968 Couples’ Mass and Reception

Both events had special features because, as many tenured Blue Jays know, the 50-year reunion is special. And just like any reunion, the Golden Anniversary only comes around once in a lifetime.

Fr. Eddie Gros, S.J. ’68 distributes Communion to Blue Jays and their guests.

The stag was not only complimentary, thanks to the generosity of Frank Maselli, but it also included premier catering from Chef Andrea of Andrea’s Restaurant. Saturday’s special features were offered before the reunion itself, as Blue Jays and guests were invited back to campus for a tour of the school and a couples’ Mass in the second-floor chapel. As Jay Baudier, the ’68 reunion chairman, noted, sometimes the best part of a reunion is not even the reunion itself. “I have to say the Mass and homily by Eddie [Fr. Eddie Gros, S.J. ’68], music by Timmy Todd, and participation by others was my favorite part of the reunion weekend,” Baudier said. “What a great bonding experience! I was moved.” The excitement of the couples’ party reached a peak when Merrilee Rush took to the mic and her husband, Billy McCarthy ’68, settled in behind the piano to transport the Jays back to their senior year with a stirring audience-participation rendition of her 1968 classic, “Angel of the Morning.”

Baudier went on to thank his classmate Mat Grau, Jesuit’s alumni director, and his team for their hard work and organizational skills in putting both reunions together.