18 AQUINAS LANDMARK | WINTER 2025 Alumni Notes On December 12, 2024, our oldest living alumnus, Gerard “Jerry” Schmitt ’34, celebrated his 108th birthday! To celebrate, Jerry received a visit from Jay Polston ’90 and President Dave Eustis, along with a video of our Aquinas student body singing ‘Happy Birthday!’ Aquinas Art Teachers Lorin Easton and Chris Blaine visited Professional Artist Richard “Dick” Kane ’49 at his home in December 2024. Dick still keeps up with his painting practice on a weekly basis with support from his wife and children! Several of Dick’s paintings hang throughout the Aquinas campus. Aquinas Class of 1951 regularly gather to share stories and enjoy good company over lunch. Aquinas Class of 1953 cherishes their time together, reuniting for lunch. Aquinas Class of 1959 enjoy meeting together for lunch and reminiscing on good times. Congratulations to Philip R. Wegman ’61, Founder and Chairman of Wegman Companies, Inc., for being inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame. Aquinas Class of 1964 got together for breakfast in early November 2024. Robert “Bob” Gibbons ’65 authored Becoming Aquinas, the first comprehensive history of the school. This story-based book is illustrated with dozens of vintage photographs and chronicles the school’s enduring traditions in music, sports, drama, and debate, alongside its everyday experiences over the decades. Proceeds from the book sales will directly support The Aquinas Institute and its mission. Aquinas Class of 1970 meet every other month at Bath Tub Billy’s. In September 2024, President Dave Eustis joined them. Thank you to Bill Shaheen ’72, President and CEO of Whitney & Company, for coming to Aquinas to speak to students in the Smart Money Decision Making Classes, and congratulations on being named to the Rochester Business Journal’s Banking and Finance Power List. Bob D’Ettore ’73 started his 48th year of teaching at our Alma Mater this September 2024. Bill Carpenter ’74 was inducted into the New York Public Transit Association Hall of Fame! David “Dave” Bond ’80 competed on Jeopardy! in December 2024. Dave was a two-episode champion, winning a total of $51,400. Dave even wore his Aquinas maroon and answered about Saint Thomas Aquinas on his first episode! Thank you to Pete Noto ’81 for generously pledging to match every donation up to $10,000, doubling the impact of every contribution to the Aquinas Fund this #GivingTuesday, December 3, 2024. Congratulations to Bob Russell ’81 on being listed in the Rochester Business Journal’s Power 30 for Health Care. Todd Battaglia ’82, President and CEO of MG&A Wealth, ranked 116th in AdvisorHub’s Top 150 advisors to watch managing over $1 Billion. Congratulations to David Riedman ’82 and Riedman Development Corp., for being listed as one of the Best FamilyOwned Businesses in Rochester by the Rochester Business Journal. Aquinas Class of 1984 came together to celebrate their 40th Reunion. Julie Anne Cianciola-Beach ’89 of Beach Perio, Implants & Medspa, was featured in Teeth Xpress magazine! Thank you to Michael Compisi ’89 for coming to campus to speak with students about Yale University. On September 25, 2024, Daniel G. Van Slyke ’90 of iPlanLaw, was featured on a podcast to explain how charitable trusts offer a win-win solution for philanthropy, income, and tax savings. Here’s a photo of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger with AQ’s Li’l Irish David Gardner ’91. Share your good news! Email alumni@aquinasinstitute.com with your good news or submit it online at aquinasinstitute.com/class-note. If you send a photo, please be sure to include all names of those pictured.
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