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Gerard Walsh
Ronald Vazzano
Richard S. Abramson ’63
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Class of 1967
Gerard Walsh
March 8, 2023
I was proud to play football from 1963-1967 under the guidance of legendary coach Adam Cirillo. If you were a member of the team, life at Tech was a little bit different. We were grouped together in a homeroom (i.e., “T” prefect) with our fellow team members. This promoted camaraderie but also allowed Adam to address the group on both team and school matters. We also received academic assistance when needed. That was the overriding theme at Tech: academic excellence.
At the time, our team practiced across the street in Fort Greene Park. It was not a field, it was a dirt hilltop shared with broken bottles and rocks. It is amazing that we performed as well as we did. We would practice till the sun went down, cross Dekalb Avenue, go up to the locker room, shower, dress, then most of us would hop on a bus or subway back home. On Friday we would take our equipment home to bring to the game on Saturday. No fancy bus rides for us. And, since we did not have a field of our own, we played our home games at Boys High’s field. All this sounds like complaining, but it was a process we rolled with and never thought we were deprived.
Lastly, I would like to share some some of my more vivid memories of Tech. I remember the ‘fairy-dust battles’ in foundry; going to Dykes Lumber to get a piece of pine when we ruined our step V block in Shop; gathering in our beautiful auditorium for assembly sessions; torturing the slop cops at lunchtime; avoiding the SOS in the hallways; dreading walking to classes on the upper floors; figuring how to turn a three-view drawing into an isometric; and hoping Mr. Kaufmann would not call on you to discuss the Weekend In Review section from the New York Times, etc., etc.
Class of 1963
Ronald Vazzano
March 8, 2023
After graduation from Tech, I attended Manhattan College where I earned a BBA with a major in advertising. I spent 31 years as a media director at major ad agencies in New York and L.A. That career was interspersed with a seven-year stint as an actor (still am a member of Actors’ Equity). Twenty-four years after I returned to advertising, I retired in 2003 from the Publicis Groupe, a French-owned international advertising and media company.
I’ve spent the last 20 years as a writer, poet, and speaking performer and frequently do public readings through the auspices of the writers’ groups I belong to: Italian American Writers Association (IAWA), Irish American Writers and Artists (IAMWA), and the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). I have written a monthly online piece I call a MuseLetter. It is now in its 19th year and can be accessed here.
I didn’t turn out to be an engineer, but was able to apply the training and discipline I learned at Tech, through its challenging curriculum, to other professions and life endeavors. I have not set foot in Brooklyn Tech in 60 years and look forward to returning for Homecoming, March 25, 2023.
Class of 1966
Arnold T. Oftedal
January 25, 2023
Tech was extra special. I remember the transit strike when Ken Larsen and I rode our bikes to school and were permitted to “park” them in the inside courtyard. Ken and I were Editors-in-Chief of the Blueprint. Teachers I remember are: Dr. Rich, Mr. Pasner, Mr. Polan, Miss Coyle, Mrs. Piraino, Mr. Malachias, Mr. Starfield, Mr. Weiss, and Miss Cincotta. There were many others I can list – indicative of the tremendous impact they all had on my years at Tech.
I attended CCNY, earning a BS in Mathematics, went on to Richmond College, earning an MS in Math Education, and subsequently going on to CSI, earning a 6th Year Certificate in Supervision and Administration. I taught Mathematics in the NYC school system for 14 years, moving on to administration, becoming an Assistant Principal Administration, subsequently leaving NYC schools after 23 years to enter administration in the New Jersey school system. I was a high school principal for 14 years, ending my career as an elementary school principal. I retired after 40 years.
During my career in education, I was also a member of the New York Army National Guard, receiving my commission as an officer in 1971 and then leaving the military in 2000 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Now, in retirement, I have become involved with Northern Ocean, NJ Habitat For Humanity on a volunteer construction team. I am also involved with the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center in Brooklyn, as a member of the Board of Directors. Finally, I am also a Board Member at the Lutheran Brethren Conference Center in Pennsylvania.
All in all, my direction towards leadership in most all that I have undertaken I attribute to my development at BTHS. Those three years (I came in the 10th grade) were the most profound in my educational upbringing. For that, I am profoundly thankful. Not to get too corny, but: “Tech Alma Mater, Molder of Men!”
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Sarah Natochenny ’05
Sarah Natochenny ’05, the voice behind Pokémon’s Ash Ketchum was only 18 when she landed the job: “My goal was never to be a famous actor.”
moreEdward A. Feiner ’64
The Brooklyn Tech community mourns the loss of Edward A. Feiner ’64 who passed away on July 1, 2022 from brain cancer.
moreMaurice Ashley ’83
Maurice is not only the first African-American Chess Grandmaster, he is also a three-time national championship coach, author, ESPN commentator, iPhone app designer, puzzle inventor and motivational speaker.
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The New York Times: “This is my great chance.”
In-depth interviews with Asian and Black students at Brooklyn Tech paint a more complicated portrait of the debate over ending entrance exams to specialized high schools in this page one story of The New York Times: “This is my great chance.”
moreThe Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation Welcomes New Members to the Foundation Team
The Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation Board of Directors and staff are pleased to welcome Courtney J. Ulrich ’90 as the Foundation’s new Executive Director.
moreTech English Teacher Timothy Ree Publishes Book of Poetry
Mr. Timothy Ree debuts book, “Beasting,” newly available for pre-order.
moreTable Module
Name | Phone | |
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Jon Smith | 323-445-9870 | jon.smith@orgname.org |
Jon Smith | 323-445-9870 | jon.smith@orgname.org |
Jon Smith | 323-445-9870 | jon.smith@orgname.org |
Jon Smith | 323-445-9870 | jon.smith@orgname.org |