Best Friends, Maureen McNally and Ann Marie Griswold-Kozla.


Warren Gross, Class of 71 and young Warren Gross, his nephew. I took this picture of him about a month ago. Great kid, great athlete ....just like his uncle Warren. Very, very heartwarming to have the Gross family back in my life. Young Warren is the son of Scott and Michelle Gross. They also have a wonderful daughter named Lindsay.


Glen Conrad, Mike Sikora, Yvonne Russomanno, Frank Bellis, Linda Dispenza, Bernie Sikora, Kathy McMinn, Ron Mazur, Nancy Walker, Pete Bronzino.


Mike Sikora, Yvonne Russomanno, Linda Dispenza, Bernie Sikora, Kathy McMinn, Ron Mazur, Cindy Sikora?, Nancy Walker, Pete Bronzino.

Shelley Barchanowitz, Class of 71
has written a book of poetry called
“You Are Love”



Joey Vargas


Don Nardone






Best of Friends, Patty Ahearn and Joey Vargas


Cathy Mennitt, Linda Kipper, Illene Orlowsky, Vicki Pezza, Norma Pilone, Patty Ahearn. All class of 72 except Norma, Class of 71.


Dean Braithwaithe, Craig Schreiner, Patty Cataldo, Mike Malgeri, John Manning, Charlie Lombard, Nancy Kuscher, Paul Lobozzo, Patty Ahearn, Joey Vargas.




Seated: Sandy Salerno, Ilene Orlowsky, Debbie Ringler, Lorraine DelPizzo, Paula Kolodich, Patty Ferrara. Standing: Pat Ahearn (that's my leg - LOL), Karen Kozlowsky, Kathy Minnella and Liz Maenza. 

Nancy Kuscher, Class of 71
Dinner date in Lauderdale by the Sea with dear friend Nancy Kuscher.
















Patty Ahearn, Class of 72



Suzie Hrasna Meissner, Mary Basile, Joey Hrasna at corner of Union Ave. and Paine Ave. probably about 1964 or 65

Mt.Vernon, Class of 1970

Hi, my name is Maureen McNally I graduated from Irvington high in 1974, I thought you would like this picture from Mt. Vernon Avenue school graduating class of 1970.....in this picture there is Mike Vargus, Perry Campolillo.





Three great Class of 71 girls !!!

Nancy Kuscher, Nancy Jo Golaski and Marilyn Gramm

1971 Color Guard





Left to right, seated: Unknown, Jeff Joy, Nancy Kuscher, unknown
Standing: Joe Maurus, Cindy Sikora, Nancy Jo Golaski, Jim Dubel

1960 Cheerleaders


An adorable Nancy Kuscher, Class of 71.

Mike Malgeri, Class of 70, Then and Now

Pictured above is Mike Malgeri. Mike grew up in the Florence area of town. He was one of those guys who had it all. Great athletic talent, good looks, smart, popular. That beautiful swing that you see above left once produced three long home runs over the fence in a single game at the Little League field at Chancellor Park.

Mike was a perennial all-star in his day and a key member of the all-time best Little League team (the Underwood Dodgers) which won 33 consecutive games. Mike was the starting 3rd baseman for the Irvington varsity. Today he is a teacher, is married with children, and still lives in Jersey. Picture above right was taken a few weeks ago while I was having lunch with Mike & Paul Madeo. And Mike still has those great looks.. lol.

Dale Wolff, Joey Paolella, Mike Malgeri: 3 baseball stars !!!

Paul Madeo, Class of 70, with Mike Malgeri

Paul Madeo, above left, always very gregarious and a friend to all, was an outstanding athlete who started both varsity football (defensive back) and baseball (outfield). He once returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown. Paul was best friends with the varsity baseball team’s brightest star, Karl Gordon.


Old varsity baseball baseball buddies. Mike Malgeri, 3rd Base, Joey Vargas, shortstop and Paul Madeo, outfield, having lunch at The Town Pub in Bloomfield.

Note, a little history: The reason I became the starting shortstop as a sophomore in 1970 was because Karl Gordon, our team star, suffered a shoulder injury and had trouble making the throws to first. Karl was so good as a shortstop that Coach Wnek was reluctant to move him to first base where he could nurture his shoulder. And we already had a terrific first baseman in Dale Wolff.

We experimented with Karl staying at short and flipping the ball to me (shadowing Karl from 2nd base) to throw to first. LOL, it actually worked OK in practice. But the more logical decision was made to move Karl to first, Dale Wolff to rightfield and me to shortstop. I always felt very strongly that Karl’s injury was so unfortunate.

Although hurting badly from a personal problem that sadly lead to my almost complete disappearance as a competitive athlete from my sophomore thru senior years, I nonetheless was still physically a gifted natural shortstop and performed admirably that year while replacing Karl.

But not having Karl at short and crafty left-handed fielder Dale Wolff at first hurt the great athletic chemistry we had in that infield with Mike at 3rd, Karl at short, me at 2nd, and Dale at first. That year we lost in the GNT to Seton Hall in a game where ace pitcher Nick Stanzione pitched a two-hitter. And Karl Gordon, despite his injury, did not strike out all year long and remained a line drive hitting machine. Many of us feel that team could have advanced to win the GNT if Karl had been injury-free. Our chances definitely would have been aggrandized.

As many of you know, Karl Gordon went on to great heights as a shortstop for Montclair State College playing under renowned coach Clary Anderson and advanced to the brink of major league baseball stardom. He is now an athletic director in New Jersey

Interesting side note: Dale Wolff was a left-handed fielder/thrower and a right -handed batter. That is a combination that you seldom see.

Left to right, Mike Malgeri, Dale Wolff, Karl Gordon and charismatic Paul Madeo.


Left to right using maiden names: Ellen Patrinick, Patty Cataldo, Noreen Coleman, Merle Bogner, Joyce LaSalvia, Karen Kozlowsky, Miriam Sherry, Cindy Sikora, Linda Dispenza, Debbie Alati.


Donna Luciano, Class of 71


Carol Schreiber, Class of 71


Pattie Olshefski-Vallorano. This lovely lady is a 66 graduate of Mt. Vernon and a 70 graduate of Irvington High. She would love to hear from any of her old classmates. You can contact her at pateeovo@aol.com. 


Joanne Cicalese, Class of 72 beauty, Then and Now.






Joey Vargas in 1978


Joey Vargas in 1976


Yeah, I have a few Mennitts ...lol. Left to right: Marilyn Williams, Linda Mennitt, Bill Mennitt, Cathy Mennitt and Jackie Mennitt.


Denise Marcell with sons Joey and Donnie


Cathy-Mennitt-Cadmus, Class of 72, and husband Craig


Cathy-Mennitt-Cadmus, Class of 72, and husband Craig


Cathy and daughter


Cathy and family

Maureen Cooney, Class of 71

Pictured above is Maureen Cooney at a recent prom with her husband, Phil. Maureen is the principal of South Mecklenburg HS in Charlotte, NC. She is one to be proud of. Many of you might remember that Maureen’s mom was the principal at Augusta St. School for many years back in the day. Maureen’s a chip off mom’s block.

Glen Sytko, 73, & daughter Angela at Fenway.


1960 IHS Basketball Team

Counterclockwise, starting to the right of the coach: Walter Ivankow, Richard Stammler, Jim Sodano, Bill Ort, Fred Klittich, Don Marantz, Al Leiter, Bill Varas, and Coach Alan Rowe

1960 IHS Majorettes

Carole Oncavage, Head Majorette


Diane Sullivan and Gail Geyer

1960 IHS Sports Dancers



Left to right: Pamela Albanese, Linda Handy, Carol Martineau, Donna Scheels


Left to right: Doreen Webster, Elizabeth Krumwiede, Captain Betty Lou Schroeder, and Joyce Marchin.


Left to right: Joann Lindia, Barbara Kucap, Judy Machiaverna and Patricia Zlydaszek

1960 IHS Flagswingers



Left to right, front row: Laraine Olsen, Barbara McTherson, Joan Kiss, Margaret link, back row: Betty Ferencz, Marilyn Della Valle, Marilyn Schofield, Judy Manz


Left to right, front row: Marie Cieplak, Mary Ellen Dombrowski, Judy Maringer, Pat Koropatnik, back row: Ann Greenberg, Jean Martin, Barbara Mentus, Mary Ann Stefani, Lorraine Mikulicka


Left to right, front row: Rita Sadowski, Eileen Gillece, Kathy Croghan, Genevieve D’Allessio, back row: Gail Ortland, Jeanette Rossi, Lois Surowiec, Elizabeth Germuska, and Janice Krampetz



Terry Giampino on drums.

“”THE PIT” -  legendary local gathering place

Here is a graduation picture from 1971, just after the graduation, before the party!  This was taken at "The PIT" a basement cellar, hangout on 21st street that was built by Joe Maurus and Jim Dubel. The Pit became “The Place” to gather for a few cold ones.

Left to right are: Joe Maurus, Lenny Denise, Fred "Fritz" Adamsik, Jim Dubel, Mike Zemel & Paul "Red" Bessinger

Joanna Junger, Class of 71, & Joey
Having some fun down the shore

Ice cream at Day’s in Ocean Grove




Joanna Junger and Joey Vargas at Doolans holding original chairs from Olympic Park


Stone Pony in Asbury Park


Stone Pony in Asbury Park


Stone Pony in Asbury Park


A little vino with a lovely girl at the Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant



About to have dinner at Wharfside in Point Pleasant


Hugging up on a pretty girl


Being a bug-a-boo outside the Wharfside in Point Pleasant


Dinner at the Wharfside in Point Pleasant




Visiting my high school sweetheart, Vicki Pezza, in Jackson for lunch

Then and Now, Vicki and Joey
My all-time love, Vicki Pezza, Class of 72.

Vicki Pezza and Joey Vargas, Junior Prom, 1971 and 2009.


Donna Walsh, Class of 72, Joanna Junger and Gayle Fucci, both Class of 71, on Saturday night at the Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant.


Donna Walsh, Class of 72


Joanna Junger, Class of 71


Donna Walsh, Joanna Junger, Gayle Fucci







I might be reading this wrong, but I think she’s trying to say that I’m #1 in her book. Wow, I feel so special !!!


Oh wait a minute. She changed her mind. I’m only #5. Women are so damn fickle.




















Debbie Evers, Class of 72, looking fine and divine !!!


Pattie Patriaco-Coull and Billy Coull.


John Messina, Class of 72. One of my all-time music and concert soulmates !


Ray Boyer and Helen Ann Sima






Ray Giampino


Charlie Lombard and beautiful wife, Lorraine


Jose Lorenzo and grandson


Forever friends since 2nd grade, Jose Lorenzo, Ernesto Reina & Joey Vargas.


Mike Vargas with both sons, Michael and Matthew


Nick Stanzione, Charlie Lombard and Barry Pasko


Master pianist, Claire Russomanno, honoring me with a song. She is a Julliard graduate and her talent is boundless. She hadn’t sat down at the piano in several years.


Phil Sgroi, Class of 72, at home pool

Roy Miller, Class of 78 - “Large and in Charge”

Roy Miller getting ready to attend the opening of his production of West Side Story on Broadway. Roy has made the big-time. Gotta be proud of this Irvingtonian !!!


Roy Miller with great friend Baseball Bob Molee at Paddy’s Place In Union. They took the time to come join a score of other Irvingtonians to see Joe Torre and the boys !! While he was there he even handed me an envelope of stuff to share for the Irvington Remembered web site.


Roy Miller and Bob Molee on Broadway in NYC


Roy Miller with famous entertainer Joanne Worley. Remember her from Laugh-In !!!


Roy Miller with Laverne and Shirley star, Cindy Williams


Roy Miller at the Tony Awards.


Roy Miller with Cindy Williams and Bob Saget


Roy Miller wih Joseph Kaspriskie, Irvington High music teacher for many years, and a huge inspiration to Roy. This picture was taken at the opening of Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway.


Roy Miller’s old house on Stanley Street in Irvington


Roy Miller back in the day

Maureen Cooney and Kathleen McMinn,
both Class of 71, reunited


“It’s Hammer time”
Michael Hammer, Class of 72 President.
Now the proud father of a budding baseball star

Michael and son, Jared Hammer. Jared recently pitched a no-hitter


Michael’s son Jared Hammer, terrific young high school star, in game action.


Cheryl Alvarez, Class of 74, baby picture


Gorgeous Cheryl Alvarez, Class of 74, one of my favorite concert buddy-ettes, makes reference to her and my brother Mike having to carry me home after a J. Geils Band concert at the Sunshine Inn in Asbury Park. I was still in my post-Vicki breakup funk.


Cheryl Alvarez friend, Donna Ciallella, Class of 74, one of the cutest girls who has ever graced the halls of Ivington High.

Diane Zaleski, Then and Now



Mt. Vernon Boys, Great Friends
Mike Vargas, Perry Campolillo, Eddie Coogan, John Birenbaum, Lou Petrone, Joe Capra
I didn’t have a picture of Dominck Campolillo to include.


Paul Whistler:
One of Irvington’s all-time greatest musicians

Paul Whistler with the legendary Whistler and the Wheels


Cleopatra Records  recording artists, "The Reminincenes"
Left to right: Jukebox Eddie, Fenny Buckley, Paul Whistler, Rocco Galenti.


Sounds of Asbury Park album recording session at the Asbury Paramount.
Left to right are: Patti Scalfa (Springsteen’s wife), Lisa Lowel, Holly Sherwood,
Paul Whistler


Paul Whistler album cover


The Jersey All-Stars, Too Tall, Steve Cotrell, Michale Scalfia, Vini Mad Dog Lopez, & Paul Whistler crossing Cookman Ave.


Paul Whistler, John Laraschi, & Jersey blues guitar great Billy Hector


Paul Whistler playing with legendary singer Otis Blackwell. Otis wrote many classic songs including Don’t Be Cruel and Return To Sender as sung by Elvis Presley.


Gary Tallent, of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band, with Paul Whistler


Paul Whistler & Kenny "Mr.Popeye" Pentifallo singing "It Ain't The Meat It's The Motion" the S.O.A.P. Show


Whistler at the Upstage Reunion


Paul Whistler on stage with The Wheels and his wife Nora, who is a fabulous blues singer, and their son Cody.


Paul Whistler 1965 prom picture


The great Whistler and The Wheels at the Rock and Roll Cafe on Bleeker St. in the Village in New York City.


Paul Whistler and Barry Sussman


Paul Whistler and best friend Jerry Ciccone performing at The Fast Lane.


Jerry Ciccone


The great Jerry Ciccone, RIP


The inimitable Barry Sussman with Richard Berry. Richard is the performer who wrote the famous song Louie, Louie which was originally recorded by the Kingsmen


Four Irvington boys together at Madison Square Garden to see the reunion of Cream (Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce). Left to right are Joey Vargas, Mike Vargas, Perry Campilillo and Craig Philhower. One of the great concerts of all time.

Dennis Fenton at Tommy’s Record Shop







Greg Silk, Ed Rea and Doris


Joe Hrasna and Patty “Colleen” Ahearn in Nashville. Both are Class of 72


Happy Birthday, Patty Cataldo


The Irvingtons are Charlie Lombard, Gene Vargas, Nick Stanzione, Craig Philhower, Mike Vargas and Joey Vargas. Nick’s two children are kneeling in front.


Joyce LaSalvia-Goldstein with her daughter


Randy Goldstein, Class of 70, with his wife, Joyce LaSalvia-Goldstein, Class of 71