SHS Class of 1983 Zoom Meet-Up

Hi everyone,

I was involved in a conversation on Facebook and the idea came up for a Class of 1983 meet-up online via the ZOOM video conference platform. This meet-up has been scheduled for this Wednesday evening, April 8, at 8:00 PM Eastern time. The meeting will last approximately 40 minutes.

For those interested in participating, please private message me your E-mail address on Facebook (if I don't already have it) up to 1 hour before the meeting time. I will create an invite through ZOOM based on the number of participants I receive. We can have up to 100 people participating.

When you receive the E-mail invite, you will simply need to click the "Join Meeting" link in the E-mail.

I'm eager to see everyone, and happy to find ways to stay in touch during these difficult times.

See you on ZOOM Wednesday.

John Leahy

SHS 83

DAVID GEARIN (1964-2019)

DAVID GEARIN (1964-2019) 

The Stoughton High School Class of 1983 is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David Gearin. David was a longtime Stoughton resident who also raised his family in Franklin. He was active in ice hockey and spent his time coaching. He was educated at Northeastern University and Babson College. 

David and I went to elementary school together at what was then the Chemung Hill School in Stoughton. Although I hadn’t seen him in many years (I think the last time I saw him was at one of our reunions) I always remembered him as being a very intelligent, funny guy. He always had the rare ability to make people laugh- and he was good at it. 

Fellow classmate Stephanie Ciulla reminded us that she along with Dave were voted as the most sarcastic in our graduating class. Dave carried that humor all through school wherever he went. 

David will be missed by everyone who knew him and loved him. Please join me in remembering David and wishing peace comfort and strength to his family during this very difficult time. 

- John Leahy, SHS Class of 1983 

ARTHUR (TIGER) BISHOP (1964-2019)

ARTHUR (TIGER)BISHOP (1964-2019) 

We are saddened to report of the passing of a fellow classmate from the Stoughton High School Class  of 1983, Arthur (Tiger) Bishop III, who passed away on November 7, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Medical Center. Tiger was a longtime resident of Stoughton who resided in West Bridgewater. He was a hockey player at SHS and was an avid Patriots fan. Tiger was a loving family man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him and had the pleasure of his company.

Please join me in remembering Tiger and sending loving thoughts and prayers to his family that they may find comfort, peace and strength during this extremely difficult time.

LAST REMINDER- STOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1983 35TH REUNION- NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!!

Hello friends,

The time is now virtually here! We are just days away from our 35th High School reunion, on Saturday evening, September 22nd, at the Hilton in Dedham. We have a terrific evening planned.

I wanted to let you know that if you haven't decided on coming, or are still on the fence, that you can still attend if you wish by paying at the door. Our financial coordinator, Billy Mace, will be accepting payments at the door ($85) for those who may be deciding at the last minute. We would like to see as many of you as possible, and we encourage you to come even if it comes down to the last second!

Our reunion committee had their final meeting at the Hilton last night (Sept. 13th) and we finalized the details in terms of food and drink, music, and the actual venue. We've worked as hard as we can to create a special night commemorating # 35,  and now all we need is YOU.

There will also be an "after-party" type get-together after the reunion itself, very similar to what we did at our 30th five years ago.

I will be taking photos of the event and posting them up here on the blog for viewing after the event.

I look forward to seeing you at the Hilton next Saturday night!

- John Leahy

SHS Class of 1983

SHS CLASS OF 1983 REUNION IS NEXT MONTH!!!!!

Hi everyone,

I thought I would take a moment to check in. The summer is blazing by us quickly, and as such, I just thought I would remind everyone that our 35th reunion is coming upon us NEXT MONTH, September 22, at the Dedham Hilton, 25 Allied Drive, in Dedham, MA.  The cocktail hour begins at 7:00 PM.  Our class picture is scheduled to take place at 8:30 PM.

The cost to attend is $85 per person. Please send your checks to:

WILLIAM MACE
960 WEST STREET
STOUGHTON, MA. 02072

Rooms are available at deeply discounted rates at the Hilton. Here is the booking code if you would like to secure a room (you can cancel up to 24 hours prior to the event if your plans change):

https://secure3.hilton.com/en_US/hi/reservation/book.htm?inputModule=HOTEL&ctyhocn=DDHDHHF&spec_plan=SHSR&arrival=20180922&departure=20180923&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Here are phone numbers of the committee members should any have any questions at all: 

DAVID JORDAN (781) 910-8888 

BILL MACE (508) 828-0150 

KAREN DOYLE (508) 889-1876 

ADAM DOYLE (508) 889-2129 

JOHN LEAHY (508) 596-1571 

This promises to be a special night. As we come together to celebrate our friendships, we'll also pause to remember those that have passed before us. Pete Fountain. Cathy Gallant. Should be quite an evening. 

We also have a room reserved for an "after party" for those interested. 

I hope to see you all on the 22nd, please come join us in Dedham. 

Best, 

John Leahy 

SHS Class of 1983 

CATHY GALLANT (1965-2018)

Just a mere 10 days after the loss of our great friend Pete Fountain, our Stoughton High School Class of 1983 was devastated a second time when we learned of the passing of our dear friend Cathy Gallant. Just as I did for Pete, I'd like to spend some time sharing some thoughts about this dear, devine woman that enriched all of our lives in so many ways.

The first thing that you always noticed about Cathy was her heartwarming smile. She loved everybody. Family and friends meant the world to her. She was the kind of friend that you could talk to for hours, until 3:00 in the morning. You really got the sense she cared about you. She loved being with the people she loved. We spent many a night at the House of Brews in Stoughton- she loved that place- and whenever I would send out invites to our monthly night of song she would frequently be the first one to respond that she was coming. She truly enjoyed it. In fact, she only missed one of them. ONE.

Her kids, Megan and Stephen, were her pride and joy. She loved both of them and would do anything for them. Time and time again she would go above and beyond for them. Anybody who knew her saw that love in her heart time and time again.

I used to love to make her laugh. She had a great sense of humor. I would send my corny, pun-infested one liners to her and she would laugh at every one of them. And it was genuine. She wasn't laughing to spare my feelings- she genuinely enjoyed that corniness, I think it cracked her up. I would love seeing her happy.

Speaking of the House of Brews, I think the hardest part of Cathy's passing is that we're not going to see her come through those doors again, and that's what hurts me the most. The next time I go in there to play, I know I'll look over at the doors and expect her to walk in. And it's not going to happen, and that's going to make me very sad. But I'll tell you this much- I'll sing for her in heaven. And I know she'll hear it, and she'll be smiling down on all of us.

Her face lit up when she was around all of us. You could tell she really enjoyed it.

And our reunion in September- she was so excited about coming. Just thinking about her not being there is making me tear up.

I'm going to unload some feelings here. It's going to be pretty deep. But hopefully it will be therapeutic. Cathy was one of my best friends. She truly was one of my favorite people I've ever known. We just clicked together as friends. It was natural and comfortable. We understood each other and were at ease with each other, all the time. We used to talk about the drink Limoncello- that was another thing she loved- and I went over to her house one Thanksgiving and we shared a few glasses of it.

Cathy made us all better people just by being herself. She was a ray of sunshine wherever she went. When I played at the Last Shot in Stoughton recently, her and Diane Kimball, another friend that I adore, came out to see me play. I was so excited to see both of them there. They made it fun for me, and gave me a gift I'll always remember.

Cathy. I know you know this , but man you were so loved. We loved you with all our hearts. The loss is being felt by everyone, everywhere. We'll press onward, and you will always be in our hearts. I wish I could bring you back, right now. I know I personally am very, truly sad.

When I sip on some Limoncello, I will think of you. When I am at the House of Brews playing, I will think of you. You are my "unbiological" sister.  I wish I could see you , one more time. I wish I could bring you back, just as I wish I could bring Pete back.

You are with the angels now. I'll never forget you. I'll do everything I can to make you proud.

Fly high with the angels, dear friend. Until we meet again.

PETE FOUNTAIN (1965-2018)

Stoughton's Class of 1983 lost a good friend and all around good guy this week in the passing of our dear friend Peter Fountain. I think I can say in all honesty there was not one person who didn't love Pete and the person he was. He always had a kind, uplifting word for everyone he met. His sense of humor was legendary, I know he always made me laugh. His love for sports was something I shared in common with him. He was quick to make other people feel good- he quickly commented on my 1000th game last summer with his famous "Fountainism" - strong work. He loved music too- another shared interest. He loved to make quirky videos spotlighting his sense of humor- whether it be celebrating a Patriots touchdown, a Bruins goal, or anything he felt like doing at the time.

I often thought I would like to get together with Pete over a beer and just talk and laugh. We always have the best intentions, and I know I did, but now that opportunity is gone and my heart aches. I grieve for his son Dan and his family. Pete will forever live in our hearts and I know I'll take a part of him wherever I go. Pete, if you only knew how much we loved you- how much joy you brought into our lives..... Our hearts are heavy. We'll be thinking of you- every time we go to the Town Spa or the Halfway Cafe.... we'll think of you when the Pats find the end zone this fall.

We always appreciated the wit and wisdom from our "old pal Pete." You kind of became a folk legend with your humor whether you realized it or not and whether you wanted it or not.

Rest easy, my friend.

Do you have any thoughts or memories of Pete you'd like to share? Don't be shy, leave them in the comments below.