Salesian Old Boys Hold Annual Reunion in Boston

Salesian Old Boys
Hold Annual Reunion in Boston

At Emerson College in Boston, overlooking the Common, 28 former Salesians, 3 wives, and 1 present Salesian took part in the annual reunion of the informal “Salesian Old Boys” association over the weekend of July 24-26.

From across the United States and Canada about 200 former Salesian priests and brothers and former aspirants, as well as some active SDBs, have joined this group. They are very active on-line, sharing news, memories, and photos. Each year they make a substantial monetary contribution to some Salesian cause of their choosing; in recent years, for example, they have supported Fr. John Thompson’s missionary work in Africa and the Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Takoma Park, Md.

For the last several years from 20 to 40 former and present Salesians have taken part in the annual gatherings at sites around the U.S. to renew old ties, meet men of different generations, re-affirm they love for Don Bosco, and thank the Salesians for what they (the SDBs) have meant in their lives. Past meetings have taken place on Long Island and in Columbus, Los Angeles, Haverstraw, and Miami.

The meeting in Boston also allowed the former Salesians to visit East Boston, Ipswich, and what used to be Don Bosco Tech (now the Doubletree Hotel and the Wang Chinatown YMCA). New England Biolabs, the current owner of the Ipswich estate, has done a terrific job renovating the old buildings and landscaping the property. They’ve also added two new, modern structures that don’t fit well with the older ones although they are handsome buildings by themselves.
This year’s gathering featured the presentation of a book, We Were Brothers, in which more than 30 of the Old Boys remembered and reflected on their seminary experiences. Three present Salesians and the Australia-Pacific Province also contributed in various ways.


Spencer Boudreau introducing We Were Brothers to his former SDB brothers. George Stanton is standing behind him.

This year’s attendees were John Andryuk, John Bosse, Spencer Boudreau, Tim Brick, Kevin Brophy, Joe Buijs, Nick Ciranni, Bill Englemann, John “Chico” Ferreira, Jim Fidelibus, Bruce Fiedler, John Gushue, Jim Howe (and Joanie), John Hudak, Terry Jones, Pat Kemple, Tom Lennon, Cesar Maradiegue, Fr. Mike Mendl, Bill Moriarty (and Marion), John Riordan, Greg Sand, Tony Smaldone (and Cora), Victor Smith, George Stanton, Peter Sullivan, George Thompson, Alex Tucciarone, Tom Walsh. At the Salesian Boys & Girls Club in East Boston, Fr. Bill Ferruzzi and Jimmy Gleason hosted the 14 who visited on Saturday morning.