Oak Park River Forest High School

Thom Mammoser

Then

Now

Birthday:October 13, 1951 City:Aurora State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Semi-retired Marital Status:Divorced No. of Children:1

From Thom:

After OPRF I ended up in IT. In 2005 I became a grandfather. Over the last 20+ years I have been an avid motorcycle enthusist and spend as much time on my bike as I can. In 2008 I completed my quest to ride in the lower 48 states. Yes I do hope to ride to Alaska but that will have to wait until after I fully retire.

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Mary Marshall (Blanc)

Birthday:November 06, 1952 City:Evansville State/Prov.:IN Occupation:Long Story Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Mary:Starting in 1976 I could No Longer keep adding to "My Courses Collection" at the U of I Champaign-Urbana as my primary occupation ... and started teaching Junior High Science & Math. THAT filled 10 years at 3 schools across 2 states. Yes--The brain damage from the experience is permanent--Why Do You Ask ??

By then I was in Mpls MN, married to a General Surgery Resident at the U of MN, a Rookie Mom AND regularly in touch with Fellow-OPRFHS'ers Lisa Lee & Kathy LaCoy !!

Since the MN years ... Pete & I & our girls have been to...
Cleveland OH for a Peripheral Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic...
Winchester TN for the first surgery practice ... And To Thaw Out From All Those Years In Minnesota...
NE Pennsylvania (Wilkes-Barre & Dallas) for the next 11 years of surgery practice & child-rearing...
And Now ... Evansville Indiana ... Since 2004.

Throughout the years of all this moving around ... Oak Park Has Remained ONE OF MY ANCHORS ... Because--LUCKY ME--For 50 Years ... My Parents Stayed Put At The Same Home On South Taylor Ave That We Marshall's (there were 7 of Us Kiddos) Took Over In 1959. They finally had to put it on the market this Spring (it sold in 3 days) ... But Mom & Dad Still Live In Oak Park At The Holley Court Terrace Apartments@ Marion & Ontario--Almost Heaven !!

Anywho ... It's really NOT NECESSARY for Me to upload a "NOW" photo because ... I Haven't Changed A Bit.

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."

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Albert Mazeika

Then

Now

City:Tucson State/Prov.:AZ Occupation:Television Producer Marital Status:Married No. of Children:1

From Albert :Moved to Oak Park during Christmas vacation of 1958. Seven & a half years at good old, now departed, Emerson grade school and 4 years at OPRF. 4 Years at UIC (UICC back then) graduating with a bachelor's degree in Speech / Communications. Relocated to Tucson in late 1974 looking for work in broadcasting, ostensibly radio. Hired as a part time booth announcer/audio operator at KVOA-TV, Channel 4, the local NBC affiliate in early 1975. Had no idea I would still be here 40 years later but it's been an interesting, fun ride in several positions at the station with all the changes in broadcast technology from film to various videotape formats to Digital and High Definition Video. Currently a producer in our Creative Services Department where I still enjoy producing local commercial spots and in-house promotions as well as still doing some voice-over work. Married to Cathy (another Illinois "refugee"from Decatur) since 1981 and our daughter, Samantha (1985), is a Northern Arizona University graduate who is married and lives and works in the Phoenix area.

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John McHugh

Then

Now

City:Cincinnati State/Prov.:OH Occupation:Retired Marital Status:Married No. of Children:1

From John:I stayed in Ohio after graduating from Miami University. After a series of jobs, I ended up in the auto industry and retired after 30 years. My timing was perfect; exiting just before the implosion of the domestics. I married an attorney who is still working and we have a daughter who lives on the east coast. I travel some and spend time at our summer house in Michigan. I have very fond memories of our time at OPRFHS and of course, look forward to seeing everybody at the reunion!

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Gus Mehilos

Then

Now

City:Addison State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Contract Project Manager Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

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Chris Meyer

Then

Birthday:March 04, 1952 City:Oak Park State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Pet Adoption Coordinator Marital Status:Married No. of Children:1

From Chris:I'm still in Oak Park, living in my boyhood home that I inherited from my parents. I'm married to Terri with one 18 year old son, Eric. Eric graduated from OPRF earlier this summer & is currently attending Triton College. I'm an Adoption Coordinator at Animal Care League, so if you are interested in adopting a pet feel free to chat with me at the reunion. Looking forward seeing everybody!

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John Meyer

Then

Now

Birthday:June 26, 1952 City:Carmel State/Prov.:CA Occupation:Consultant Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From John:

Sorry to have missed everyone at the reunion, but at least I had a chance to see all the photos and the video.

If any of you have movie film, slides, negatives, prints, or audio that you'd like to share with everyone for the next reunion, contact me and I can professionally transfer this for you. After running three media-related software companies, I have learned how to transfer AND restore all manner of media. You got to see the results of this transfer and restoration in that marvelous 8mm B&W film that Chip Kramer’s dad took of our graduation back in June 1970.

Thanks to Bruce Lehman, Ron Sherman, John Sfondilias, and the entire reunion committee for their help in creating the DVD that we sent to everyone.

John Meyer
November 27, 2010

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David Mullin

Then

Now

City:Lemont State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Retired Labor Representative Website:www.nostalgiadragleague.com Marital Status:Married No. of Children:4

From David:Still married to the love of my life Donna Jo, since 1973. I'm living a great life as the head of the family, with 4 grown children who are, independent, successful, and happily married with children of their own.

I devoted 17 years to volunteer coaching of youth sports, served as a park district liaison, and the boards of multiple youth sports programs. I served my Union Brothers and Sisters at Automobile Mechanics Local 701 IAM&AW, for 10 years as a Shop Steward, and Local Lodge President.

I'm grandfather to 10 unbelievably good looking, smart, funny, and talented grandchildren, (well of course I'm going to say that) consisting of 8 boys, and two princesses. I can't believe that our two oldest grandsons are freshmen and playing for their respective highschool football teams.

I worked in the auto industry since 1968, (yes, I got out of school early to work at Oak Park Ford. For many years I regretted giving up Freshman Football for this other extracarricular activity, but it got me where I am with no regrets).

In 2008 I retired from a fulfilling 40 year career as a custom auto restoration shop owner, tradesman in the dealer network, with the final 13 years as the head of the Organizing Department and Labor Representative for the largest union of mechanics and related trades in the USA (IAM Local 701).

I'm living out my dreams, owning a nice place in the South Chicago burbs, with a corn field adjacent to my acre, my Labrador named Coupe, two garages with an air conditioned shop, filled with collectable vehicles, including a classic 1937 Chevy Nostalgia Gasser drag race car, that we race in the NDRL-IAM Championship Series,(of which I am a founder), and we travel to race tracks across the Midwest in our 42' motorhome.

Of course I couldn't do it without the help and support of my crewmen consisting of sons, grandsons, and of course the crew chief (my wonderful wife).

Years of work have been hard on the equipment, and I have some titanium replacment parts, but it's good to be this side of the asphalt!

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Ginny O'Connor (Gallagher)

Then

Now

Birthday:May 31, 1952 State/Prov.:CA Occupation:Retired - I think Marital Status:Widowed

From Ginny:

Yikes - 40+ years to reflect. LOTS of jobs (mostly in management) in various industries...law enforcement (including Oak Park PD), polygraph & private investigations, manufacturing & distribution, big box retail, music/entertainment, printing, finance, billing, software development, telecommunications, and last but not least, teaching. I became more serious with my education (somewhat late in life) and earned a B.S. in Business Management and a MBA in International Business.

The best part of my life though was being married to my wonderful husband, Jim, who for 29 years fulfilled all my dreams about marriage and provided the most loving and fun adventures to my life.

We moved to Northern California in 1981 and lived in the San Francisco bay area for ten years. Then we moved to the Sacramento area, which is where I taught International Business at CA State University. We also had the pleasure of traveling to many fantastic global places over the years (Ireland being our favorite), that now sustain me with wonderful memories. After Jim's passing, I moved to Austin, Texas (looking for work, not Lance nor Willie) but ended up coming back to CA within less than a year to live with and care for my disabled brother. The CA weather is even better in Southern CA, and since my "therapy" in my life is to ride my motorcycle, I have plenty of opportunity and beautiful landscape to explore by being in short range to ocean, desert and mountains. It keeps me balanced - well, that is, as long as I stay upright!

Interesting note: when I worked for OPPD (70’s & 80’s), I was interviewed by the FBI regarding my knowledge of Carlos Torres. Carlos who? He was arrested in Evanston shortly afterwards…was sentenced to 78 years in prison, but only served 30 - he was released in 2010...did anyone see him at the reunion?

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Holger Paetau

Then

Now

Birthday:January 14, 1952 City:CLAREMONT State/Prov.:CA Occupation:RETIRED Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Holger:lOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE FOR THE 40TH.

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