AWHS Class of '76 Members Gather at Captain's Cove

Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 members JoAnne (Amelung) LaVista and Tony Procaccini (at left) joined several other classmates at an informal gathering with members of the AWHS Class of 1978 Sunday afternoon in Bridgeport.

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1978 held its 29th reunion social at Captain's Cove Marina in Bridgeport this past Sunday afternoon, July 15. This year's event included some members of the AWHS Class of '76 as well.

The weather was just about perfect for the social event. The music was provided by To the Max, which includes 1976 AWHS classmate Jerry Vigorito.

AWHS 1976 classmates attending the informal gathering included:

- Jerry Vigorito (in the band)
- Tony Procaccini
- Tommy DeLaurentis (his wife is part of Warde 1978)
- Kevin Shay (came in by his son's boat, after hearing the music)
- Packy Paules
- Tom Skultety
- Sue Manthorne/Carmen Tortora
- Debbie Russo
- Joanne Amelung-LaVista
- Beth Gilbert

The photos are courtesy of Beth Gilbert. Enjoy the slide show.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the AWHS Class of 1976 Gift Shop.

Helene Guarnaccia Enjoying Retirement

Helene Guarnaccia was a Spanish teacher at Andrew Warde High School for over 20 years. She was a fixture in Barlow House before retiring in 1985.

What is Helene Guarnaccia's fondest memory during her teaching career at Andrew Warde High School? "The kids," she told me by telephone from her Fairfield home this morning. "I really loved teaching, and I loved my co-workers." She still stays in touch with "a couple" of her former co-workers at the Melville Avenue school.

Even though she's been retired for 22 years, Mrs. Guarnaccia has been involved in antique shows since her teaching days. "My house is full of antiques," said the grandmother of three who has lived in the same home for over 50 years. "My house is furnished with antiques."

Prior to coming to Andrew Warde High School, Mr. Guarnaccia taught Spanish at Tomlinson Middle School "for a few years." She came to Warde "because they had an opening in the Spanish department," and she became a fixture in Barlow House for several decades.

Mrs. Guarnaccia, a Connecticut College alumnus and product of Woodmere, Long Island, is proud of her two sons who both live in New Jersey. One is a professor at Rutgers University and the other is a free-lance illustrator in Montclair.

She told me that she's "winding down" her antique shows, and she has no plans to move from her home. In fact, this typist has seen Mrs. Guarnaccia a number of times at Shaw's Supermarket on Black Rock Turnpike.

Mrs. Guarnaccia always seemed to have a smile while doing what she loved in the classroom. Even on the telephone, she still sounded like she was smiling.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the AWHS Class of 1976 Gift Shop.

Ken Tavares Still Keeping Busy in Retirement

Mr. Tavares was the Dean of Barlow House during our years at Andrew Warde High School. He retired from the Melville Avenue campus in 2001 after 39 years at the high school.

Even though he officially retired from Fairfield High School in 2001, former Andrew Warde High School teacher, dean, and housemaster Ken Tavares is still keeping busy.

"I supervise the student teachers from Sacred Heart (University), and I teach at Housatonic (Community College)," the veteran educator told me by telephone this morning from his home in Milford, where he has lived for more than 32 years.

In fact, he was reunited with several former co-workers from Andrew Warde and Fairfield high schools when he assumed the substitute role of dean at Fairfield Ludlowe High School last semester.

Mr. Tavares spent 39 years and parts of five decades at the Melville Avenue home of Andrew Warde and Fairfield high schools, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

"There were so many fond memories I have," he told me. "It always has been a very friendly, supportive staff. They made me comfortable when I first started at Warde. I made a lot of good friends. John Honey is a good friend. I remember when he was a student teacher. For me, it has been a wonderful place to work."

Mr. Tavares started his teaching career at Andrew Warde High School in 1962, just six years after it opened. He is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport, and he was a member of the first class to complete all four years at Bullard Havens Technical School in Bridgeport. "I began as a Math teacher," he said. "I taught Math for 13 or 14 years."

He made the move from the classroom to administration in 1973. "I was one of the first deans they had in the district," he said. "I enjoyed it. That was for about six years. There are so many positive influences a dean can have for youngsters. I found out that I could make a difference in a child's life."

Mr. Tavares recalls many people asked him why he wanted to become a dean. He told me that, "I actually enjoyed the six-years of being a dean the most." Mr. Tavares later became a housemaster at Andrew Warde High School and, after consolidation, Fairfield High School.

Naturally, after spending close to 40 years as a teacher, dean, and housemaster, it was very difficult for Mr. Tavares to step aside in 2001. "It was a lot more difficult on me than I thought it would be," he admitted. "When I made the announcement that I was going to retire, I couldn't stop crying. It was a very emotional time for me."

Mr. Tavares told me that Mr. Honey helped him get through his retirement party without breaking down. He thought he was going to "lose it" at the end, but he kept his composure throughout the farewell party.

Mr. Tavares was always well-liked at Andrew Warde High School. "I really enjoyed it," he said. "It has been a wonderful place to work."

Good luck in your busy "retirement," Mr. Tavares. We wish you well.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the AWHS Class of 1976 Gift Shop.