The Beehive -1/22/16

Upcoming Events

Molloy has already hosted a diverse set of wonderful events this school year. Our reunions, social gatherings, liturgies, and professional networking events have welcomed nearly 1,000 alumni, parents, and friends to Stanner High or other professional venues since September. We’d love to keep the momentum going in 2016, so please take a look at the upcoming events below, and be sure to check The Beehive and our event calendar routinely to stay in the know about what’s going on in our community!

Wine Tasting at Molloy

• When: Thursday, February 11th, 2016 | 6:30pm
• Where: Archbishop Molloy High School
• Who: Alumni, Parents & Friends (Ages 21+)
• Admission: $50 per person (Limited seating)
• Contact: Joe Sommo ’03 | jsommo@molloyhs.org
• REGISTER ONLINE

Molloy invites alumni, parents, and friends to attend our next wine tasting hosted by teacher and in-house wine expert Jim Sheehan ’75. Participants will experience a professional wine tasting class in a casual and friendly setting. This year’s event will feature Spanish wines that will create a unique theme unlike our previous tastings. Food and other refreshments will be offered as well. Due to the popularity of this event, and limited seating available, we recommend registering online as early as possible. Questions can be forwarded to Joe Sommo at the email above. Spread the word and bring a friend out to Molloy on February 11th!

30th Annual Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic

• When: Monday, May 2nd, 2016
• Where: North Hills Country Club and Plandome Country Club
• Contact: Matt Rizzotti ’04 | (718) 943-3186 | mrizzotti@molloyhs.org
• Details: www.molloyhs.org/golf

The milestone 30th Annual Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic is set for Monday, May 2nd, 2016. Alumni, parents, corporate sponsors, and friends have continued the annual tradition of the this outing since 1987. In that time, over $2 million has been raised in support of the scholarship program at Archbishop Molloy High School. These scholarships have impacted many bright young men and women. With your support, they will ensure that Molloy can help more students and families in need for generations to come.

Foursome reservations, journal ads, corporate sponsorships, and more are now being accepted. We are also seeking volunteers! Please contact Alumni Development Officer Matt Rizzotti ’04 at the number or email to make your reservations today. Formal invitations (pictured right) will be mailed soon. A downloadable invitation, as well as additional details about the Stanner Golf Classic and its Alumni Board, is available through the above link.

Badges Alumni Reception Welcomes Over 90

We are excited to report that Molloy’s Badges Alumni reception on January 8th was a great success with over 90 in attendance! The event was sponsored by our Badges Alumni Network but welcomed all alumni and friends to attend. Classmates caught up with each other, stories were shared, and new connections were made. This casual event featured food and cold beverages as well as VIP access to our boys Varsity basketball game versus Christ the King High School. It’s a good thing our guests had priority seating in the Jack Curran Gym, because this rivalry game drew a capacity crowd! There was plenty of action in the contest itself, with the lead changing hands several times. The score remained close throughout all four quarters, but CTK was able to build a six point lead in the closing minutes. The final score was 68-62 in favor of the visiting team, but congratulations are due to all players and coaches after an extremely hard fought game. Molloy’s Varsity team, including freshman sensation Cole Anthony ’19, is quite talented. We look forward to more big crowds throughout the season and in the years to come.

We were pleased to host such a great group of alumni and friends. Among our distinguished guests was Stanner Hall of Famer Kevin Joyce ’69 (pictured with President Richard Karsten ’81), one of Molloy’s all-time great athletes. The former Olympian took great interest in the Varsity game that evening, discussing plays and formations with other guests as the players moved up and down the court. Others in attendance included fellow Hall of Famer John Diorio, US Marshall Scott McLiverty ’83, retired US Customs Specialist Mike Contino ’68, FDNY veteran and 9/11 hero George Johnson ’83, and Molloy’s own Administrative Assistant for Students and former NYPD Sergeant (Commissioner’s Office) Ed Shannon ’84. “We had another outstanding and well attended Badges event, where old friends were reunited and new friends were made,” said Ed, who is a member of the Badges Committee and a lead organizer of this and other events. “The common bond of public service was present, and the willingness of Stanners looking to help out other Stanners in the field of law enforcement and fire safety was ever present.” Browse some of our photos below, or see the full gallery on Facebook.

aaaaaaaaaaaa View full photo gallery for Badges Alumni Reception.

Stanner Games A Success Once Again

Molloy’s track & field athletes and coaches hosted another spectacular Stanner Games at The Armory on January 16th. No less than 165 teams featuring over 5,000 athletes, from as nearby as Flushing and as far as Virginia, competed throughout the day. The diverse program included long distance races, sprints, high jump, long jump, triple jump, hurdles, pole vault, shot put, and much more. “We even finished the meet 10 minutes ahead of schedule,” Coach AJ Power ’84 proudly announced. Top performances included:

• Andrew Garabito finished 5th in Boys 1000M at 2:36.40, #6 all time at Molloy.
• Mike Reddy finished 3rd in Boys 600M at 1:23.45, #10 all time at Molloy.
• Molloy Boys Shuttle Hurdle team finished 1st at 32.04.
• Molloy Girls Shuttle Hurdle team finished 2nd at 35.17.

With so many athletes and events to coordinate, Molloy’s coaching staff can’t do it alone. Fortunately, a large number of alumni and faculty volunteers aided in making sure all athletes were prepared for their events, and that each event began as scheduled. Volunteers (some pictured above with President Richard Karsten ’81 and Principal Darius Penikas) represented at least six decades of Stanner graduates. “Their flexibility, efficiency, positive energy, and kindness toward all athletes are what set our meet apart and above all others,” said Power of the volunteers who lent their time. “Several coaches from other schools commented to me about our officials, saying bluntly that they contribute to this being their favorite meet of the year. On behalf of my colleagues I thank all the volunteers for giving back to our school, our team, and the sport we love.” President Karsten extended his appreciation. “Congratulations and thanks are due to all athletes and coaches on their outstanding work. Thanks to Joe Dombrowski, Br. Bob Andrews, AJ Power, Frank Gambino ’74, Jeff Gallagher ’88, John Kramer, Kawan Lovelace ’94, and all of our volunteers for your dedication to Stanner Games and our Track & Field program,” said Mr. Karsten. For an event of this scale to run so smoothly is a credit to all in our community.” | See Stanner “Games Results

Alumni Remember Mr. Egan

In the January 8th issue of the Beehive we shared news of the passing of Mr. Raymond Egan, a popular history teacher at Molloy for several decades. Mr. Egan left a positive, lasting impression on many of his students. After learning of Mr. Egan’s passing, several alumni contacted us with their thoughts and memories of him. We would like to share them with you.

Rob Jennings ’89 – “I got to know Mr. Egan during my junior and senior years working on The Stanner. Mr. Egan named me Editor-in-Chief, which came as a pleasant surprise. In those days we published six issues per school year. It was an especially interesting time for The Stanner since we were competing with the city papers for news on a classmate, Kenny Anderson, who of course went on to play in the NBA. Additionally, I was sent out for reporting. I once went to what was then known as Polytechnic University to interview Scott Carpenter, one of the seven original ‘right stuff’ astronauts on NASA’s Project Mercury. For another story, Mr. Egan invited a Molloy graduate who worked for the FBI to discuss his work. Mr. Egan allowed remarkable flexibility in publishing editorials and choosing assignments. He understood that learning how to make decisions was a big part of the experience. Among my many fond memories of Molloy, The Stanner, under Mr. Egan’s thoughtful leadership, ranks high.” (Pictured: Rob Jennings, next to Mr. Egan, posing with The Stanner staff in 1989)

Frank Bailey ’75 – “I did not have Mr. Egan as a teacher in class. I knew him as a faculty adviser to The Stanner while a photographer for his publication and for the Blue & White yearbook. But, I spent most of my time with him as a counselor at the Ray Egan Baseball Camp that he held at the LaSalle Military Academy grounds in Oakdale, Long Island. He ran a week-long camp during the summer and I participated over three of those summers. He attracted local baseball stars to come out and visit with the 100+ boys that attended his camp. One of those stars was NY Yankee great, Lou Piniella. We had a terrific afternoon with Lou, as he hit balls to the kids on the LaSalle field and gave hitting and sliding instruction. Mr. Egan’s camp atmosphere was always relaxed, just like his demeanor at Molloy. He was a real pleasure to be around, both in and out of the school building.”

Al Funke ’64 – “I was saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Egan. He was my teacher for classes in my freshman and sophomore years, and he had a profound effect on me. His knowledge and patience were legendary. May he rest in peace.”

Mark Cunningham ’75 – “I took an American History class taught by Mr. Egan, and I really became obsessed with learning more about US presidents afterward. He was passionate about his work, and I loved talking history and sports with him. When I read about presidents these days I always think of him and his class. He did make an impact.”

Dr. Howard Balbi ’73 has served as the Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases for the past 13 years at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip (affiliated with Catholic Health Services of Long Island). Recently, Dr. Balbi was promoted to Associate Chairman of Pediatrics as well as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Specialty Center. “I have always enjoyed new challenges, and after more than 30 years in Pediatrics this has definitely added another dimension to my career,” remarked Dr. Balbi. Further details were featured in a press release: (Photo courtesy of Rich Helm & Good Samaritan Hospital)

Dr. Balbi earned his medical degree from Universidad Central del Este in the Dominican Republic. He completed a residency in pathology at Montefiore Medical Center. He also completed a residency and chief residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at Nassau University Medical Center, where he later served as Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Pediatric AIDS Program ,and as Associate Director of the Pediatric Residency Program.

During his 13 year career at Good Samaritan he has served on the Infection Control Committee and has been actively involved in the hospital’s pediatric residency program. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. Balbi has authored several papers in his field in respected journals and has been invited to lecture at forums including the United Nations.

He is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the School of Medicine at Stony Brook as well as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Victor Sailer ‘78 (pictured right) was inducted into the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships Hall of Fame on December 11, 2015 in San Diego, California. Victor, who retired from the FDNY in 2002 after 20 years of photography contributions through the company PhotoRun.NET, is still an active runner. He is married to Tabitha Ondari of Kenya and lives in Smithtown, Long Island. “I still keep in close touch with John Sciales ’78 and Tom Lydon ’78.”

Christopher Kai ’91 has written a new book titled Big Game Hunting: Networking with Billionaires, Executives and Celebrities. “Success isn’t about who you are necessarily; it’s about who you want to know as well. I teach my readers how to find the ‘Big Gamers’, the people of influence that will transform their personal and professional lives.” Additional details about Chris and his other professional endeavors are available on his website. | Visit christopherkai.com

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Jim Rush ‘67. Jim passed away on December 25th after a long and courageous battle with MS. Despite the increasing difficulties he experienced from the disease, Jim never bemoaned his fate nor lost his sense of humor. He took comfort in many things, particularly his wife Ellen, son Brian, daughter Shannon, and son-in-law Jason. His pride in being a Stanner was also among his proudest accomplishments. According to close friend Bruce Baulch ’67, “among his numerous other achievements was his status of once being the boy on the box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, as well as being painted by Norman Rockwell himself – an achievement  surpassed only by  his legendary upstaging of Dion and the Belmonts at the Copa on Prom night in 1967. That is all true! Jim was often larger than life in the best sense. Most importantly, the dignity and love of family with which he handled the last very difficult years should be an example to all of us.” Please keep Jim in your thoughts and prayers.

It is with sorrow that we share the December 25th, 2015 passing of John A. Bailo ’78. John is survived by his son Gio, mother Rose, siblings Marie, Carole, Paul ’83, brothers-in-law Bill Schroeder ’79, Charles Iervolino ’80, and his sister-in-law Kathy.  John will be fondly remembered for his brilliant mind and generous spirit. Please keep John and the Bailo family in your prayers.

The Stanner Alumni Center published a note regarding the passing of James Rhatigan ’70 in the January 8th issue of The Beehive after some readers had already browsed the issue in full. We are publishing more information about James’s passing at this time: James E. Rhatigan ’70, Deputy Mayor of Floral Park, passed away on December 28, 2015. Jim served the Village of Floral Park with pride, professionalism, intelligence and wit as Trustee from 2005-2015. Jim was appointed as Deputy Mayor in April 2011. During his tenure, he served as the Trustee Liaison to each Village department including Public Works, Buildings, Library, Police, Fire, and Recreation. Through his years as Trusee, Jim actively served with the South Side Civic Association, the Belmont Preservation and Improvement Task Force, the Emrgency Management & Civil Preparedness Task Force, the Conservation Advisory Council, the Recreation and Pool Committees, the Beautification Committee, and the Cable/4 Village Studio Committee. He is survived by his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. (Photo courtesy of the Rhatigan family)