Address:
2401 SE Stark Street
Portland, OR 97214
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Phone: (503) 235-3138

Fax: (503) 233-0073

What's Up With You?

We want to know what's going on in your life.  Please feel

free to share with the community by sending updates using the "Update your information" link in the Links box to the right.

What's Up With Others?

Check in to see about a classmate today.  Click the decade below to see the most recent additions.  Check the Archives at right to see updates provided within the last year. 

Don't forget, your classmates want to know "What's Up With You" too!

1940's • 1950's • 1960's • 1970's • 1980's • 1990's • 2000's

1940's

Richard Scherzinger ’42

“I graduated from high school 65 years ago.  After graduation I went into the army for three years.  I was in the invasion of Europe and fought with the 257th Combat Engineers and fought across France and southern Germany. After that I went to Yale University for a year and then finished up my education at Oregon State University with a BS in Biology and Game Management.  I worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and retired in 1982.

I was married to Lois Shannon and after 44 years she passed away.  I then married Annamay Bissonette and she died after 11 years of marriage.  I am now married to Alice Rohrbacher and we live in The Dalles.  I am not sure but I think I am the oldest living alumnus of Central Catholic.  I turned 84 in May*.  To date I am healthy and enjoy deer hunting and elk hunting.  My hobbies are carving life-sized birds and gardening.  I am a master gardener for Wasco County under the auspices of Oregon State University.”

* It seems Dick’s claim to being our eldest statesman is, unofficially, accurate.  Thanks Dick.  Best wishes!

Pete Petros ‘47 [pictured left]

“Wow! Sixty years have now passed since we graduated from our Stark Street institution.  When I look back it seems to be just a short time, but then it was an entire lifetime ago.  Images of Fathers Schaefers, Maloney, Whalen, DeJardin, Thielen, and lovely Sisters, Eunice Mary and Justitia bounce back frequently.  They still echo in the halls for me. 

To my classmates, you and your spouses are cordially invited to the class reunion and especially to the class dinner on the evening of Saturday August 4, 2007.  Please plan to be there, and be prepared to reminisce to the group.  Remember when…., who did he/she said…etc.

Lyle Rogers is coming from Texas and we’ve just found Bill Drapeau (see What’s Up from Bill).  Will you join us Bob McCullugh?

Central Catholic will have a great steak dinner with all the trimmings, a no host bar, great dessert, round table seating for groups of eight, and entertainment in the courtyard.

Please fill in your calendar and save this night, you won’t regret it!  Maybe Frank Sinatra will sing for us!”

Bill Drapeau ’47 [pictured right] :

“I noticed that I was on the missing list of alums.  I graduated in 1947.  Boy, it’s hard to believe that was 60 years ago!  My brother Jerry (Gerald L.) also went to Central, a couple of years after me, but he has been deceased for quite a while now.  After Central Catholic,  I worked for a couple of years, and then went to Portland State (known as Vanport College, in those days).  I took a break for a couple of years of military duty, then graduated from Portland State ( I think it was the second graduating class from the school), and went to work for IBM Corporation in Portland.  After retiring from IBM, I went to work for the State of Oregon Department of Revenue, here in Salem, for about 10 years.  I have retired from there as well.  Now, my wife, Joann, and I are enjoying the retired life here in Salem.” 

1950's

Class of '51 - We need your help identifying these members of your class in the above picture.  The back of this lost gem reads "Religion class, Fr. Dooley, sophomore ’49".  Please email Peter Corrado with any names of individuals you may know.  And you might as well catch us up on your life while you are writing!

David J. DeMartino ’55 [pictured left] and his wife Rosalie will each celebrate their 70th birthdays this spring and their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2008.  They have four children and eight grandkids.  Dave is a retired attorney and resides in Salem.

Nick Santangelo ’55 recently, won the inaugural Swigert Family Volunteer of the Year Award for an ESCO employee or retiree. Throughout his 40 year career at ESCO Nick was known as “Mr. Volunteer” because of his ability to recruit and mobilize ESCO employees to volunteer in the community. Nick continues his dedication to volunteerism today and dedicates about 30 hours a week with the Holy Redeemer council of St. Vincent de Paul, which provides food, housing, and other aid to low income and disadvantaged people. “I guess volunteer work is a big part of who I am,” Nick says. “There are lots of folks who need help. A little bit of volunteer effort - a few hours a week - can have a big impact. I enjoy it, and I try to set an example for our kids and others.”

Bob McPheeters ’51 was re-elected as Mayor of Tillamook, OR with 52% of the vote.  As the incumbent he ran against three other candidates.

Bill McDonald '57 [pictured at right now and then]

[Bill writes]  Life following my four years at Central has been good! I attended Oregon State for one term and then transferred to the University of Oregon, from which I graduated in 1961 with a degree in economics and a commission, as a 2/Lt, in the U.S. Army.

Following graduation I began working for the U.S. National Bank in Portland. In October of 1961, I entered active duty and attended the army’s artillery branch school at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and then proceed to my assignment with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea. Within 30 days of my arrival, I was sent TDY, as an artillery advisor, to a small village in Laos, where I lived, along with an NCO and a Thai interpreter, in a Peace Corps like environment. The three of us lived in the field with a Lao Pack 75 artillery battery for the entire time. After 10 months in Laos, I returned, briefly, to my unit in Korea and then back to Ft. Lewis, Washington, where I spent the remainder of my active duty commitment.

Following my release from active duty I returned to Portland, resumed working for the U.S. Bank and enrolled in the University of Portland’s MBA program. Having traveled to Asia and been exposed to the numerous cultures and challenges of the preceding years, I was restless back in a somewhat staid routine, so began to think about options.

While at Ft. Lewis I met my future wife and in early 1964 we were married. I completed my MBA program in mid 1966 and left immediately to accept a position with the U.S. Foreign Service, with an initial assignment in New Delhi, India. For the next 20 years we lived in India, Thailand, Washington, D.C. and the Philippines.

Living and working in Asia presented numerous opportunities and a number of challenges. My job required considerable travel, so both my wife and I were able to see many of the cities, towns and villages in India. Our personal life, while in India, differed significantly from life in the states…because of the languages; longstanding customs, and the local economy, it was virtually mandatory that we have a household support staff unthinkable here in the states. We had a cook, housekeeper, nanny, laundryman, gardener, tailor and night watchman!

Our two children were born while we were stationed abroad. Our daughter, now 37, was born in the U.S. on home leave from India, and our 35 year old son was born in Bangkok, Thailand. Both children obtained much of their elementary schooling during the six years we lived in Manila, The Philippines.

Life in Thailand and the Philippines was much easier and professionally more rewarding than living in India. All of us retain many fond memories of our times in these two developing countries.. English is widely spoken, poverty is not nearly as pervasive and extra curricular activities are more readily available.

One of the non-quantifiable benefits of working with foreign governments is the opportunity to meet people. During our time in Asia among the personalities we met, are Indira Ghandi, the Queen and Queen Mother of Thailand and Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos. My wife had the unforgettable opportunity to meet one-on-one with Mother Theresa.

Following my career in the U.S. Foreign Service and the exodus from home of our grown children, we decided to return to the Portland area, coming back in March of 2000. Since our return, I’ve been privileged to work on several of Central’s fund raising campaigns and serve on the school’s Endowment Board. Like many Central graduates, I feel my four years at Central were critical in forming me, as a member if society, and directing all aspects of my adult life.

1960's

Steve Sammler ’63 [pictured left]

returned as a Vietnam vet in 1965. He graduated from the University of Oregon and Oregon State University graduate school. He began a 20-year teaching career that took him from Alaska to Warm Springs Indian Reservation to teaching in various schools and prisons. He is now with Portland Community College. Steve has three children who have careers in teaching, physics, and art, and three grandchildren. He hopes to retire to his house in Mexico in a couple of years.

“My grades at Central didn’t show it, but I learned a lot about morals and values that I live by today. It was a good experience.”

Mario Bisio ‘67 [pictured left]

The Mario’s name is a brand that continues to be associated with fine men’s and women’s clothing.  Mario extended that label to include a special line of clothing for the 2006-2007 Boys’ Basketball Team.  Coaches, players, and managers showed off a classic style in blazers, slacks and ties donated to the program by one of Central Catholic’s generous patrons.  This fashion assist was instrumental in the team’s march through to the quarterfinal round of the Boys’ OSAA 6A Playoffs.  Thank you Mario and Anne for your ongoing support.

Randy Schlechter ’67 [pictured right]

“I graduated from Portland State University in 1975.  In between I was drafted and spent two years in the US Army, one of them in Vietnam.  After graduation from Portland State University, I worked for Georgia-Pacific in Portland for seven years, before they moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1982.  I re-entered the US Army, the Reserves in 1974, and spent the next 31 years as a Reservist with the 104th Division in Vancouver, Washington.  After leaving G-P in 1982, I spent the next 22 years working as the civilian Resource Management Officer with the 104th Division in Vancouver, Washington.  In 2004, I retired from the US Army Reserve, both as a civilian employee and a Sergeant-Major.  I am currently employed by the US Attorney’s Office in downtown Portland as their Budget Officer.  I married my wife Roberta in 1981, and we have lived in Mt. Tabor since 1976.”

Patrick Monahan ’67 [pictured left]

is widowed and lives in Tucson Arizona.  He is the Clinical Director for a Substance Abuse Program at a prison. 

1970's

Tony Wege ’74 “I am an Associate Professor of Political Science at Coastal Georgia Community College (just made full professor but state board has to approve it – can’t use title for another couple of months). I have been married 25 years.  We have a seven year old at St. Francis School here and my wife works there as a teacher’s aide. I have always appreciated Central keeping up with me all these years.”

Henry (Niiranen) McDonald ’76 [pictured left] “I am currently in Afghanistan with the 41st Brigade Combat Team.  I am working as an Embedded Trainer with the Afghan National Army.  We operate out in the field on a daily basis.  We have been in contact with the Taliban.  We have lost people and the Taliban has lost people.  I am set to return to the states in June of 2007.  Hopefully my days of having to go overseas are finally over.  I will return to my civilian job with the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services sometime in August.”

 Chris Corrado ’77 [pictured right]

“CC tradition runs so deep in my family that I even changed my initials to match. Go CC! After graduation I dabbled in a few things; Director of Development at Central Catholic for three years and, since 1997, owner of Corporate Environments of OR, Inc. - a full service office furniture sales and service company.  Our office is located just down the street from Central Catholic at the corner of Seventh and Belmont.  One of the partners of the company is another Ram, Larry DeMarco ’71.  Stop in and see us! We just celebrated our 20 year anniversary with a complete overhaul of the exterior and interior of our building.

My wife Kimra is the daughter of the famed Central Catholic Football Coach and PE Teacher Bill Dressel.  Little did he know when he bounced me off a locker following a disheartening loss to Jesuit that I would one day be his son-in-law!  I have four lovely daughters: Chelsea ‘04, Kegan ‘05, Carly ‘07 and Cheyne ‘10. Life is great.  We are blessed beyond measure and enjoying every minute of our CC connection.”

Steve Mozena ’78 “My wife, Lucille, and I are running for City of Carson (California) Council. Check out our website www.mozena.com.”

1980's

Cliff Brady ’83 and his wife Tiffany welcomed Ethan Gabriel Brady on October 17, 2006.  Ethan joins Andrew (17), Anthony (14), Nathan (12), Evan (7) and Elisabeth (5). “Everyone is doing well and we are thoroughly enjoying our newest addition.”

Kris Welch ’87 [pictured right]

“Hello to all Rams.  I am currently the Athletic Director at Century HS (three years).  I have been blessed to have Erica, my loving wife of now 14 years.  She has been so understanding and flexible with the job demands an AD faces.  I have two fantastic kids - Abbygail (nine years - born while I was teaching and coaching at CCHS) and Harrison (six years).

Like many of my classmates, I look forward to coming back to campus to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our graduation.  I had the opportunity to be back to the building recently and, for anyone who has not been back – WOW!  The building has changed.  Don’t expect to find your locker where it was before.  And it sure would have been awesome to have some of the upgrades that are in place now back in the 80s.

We had some great times and I’m looking forward to seeing classmates from ’87 AND people from other classes.  Our freshman football team only had eight kids turn out and we wouldn’t have been able to play games without some sophomores filling out our roster.  That freshmen baseball team was really bad, but we had a lot fun with Coach Brown and those road trips in the short yellow bus that was like a tank (It could hit anything even cars in parking lots without leaving marks, oops, that’s right, it did hit a car that one time.)  We did not win a single game, but that did not matter because we had so many good moments.

I also had a chance to be a part of history as an assistant coach for the 1994 State Championship Boys’ Basketball Team.  It was a special experience being a part of a group that worked hard, supported each other and, with leadership from Coach Halligan, were able to achieve the ultimate reward…the joy of seeing that clock run down to zero and realize there was no one better in Oregon.”*

1990's

Gina Pizzuto Welch ‘92 [pictured right]

“This year has been a busy one for the Welch family.  We had our second child, a little girl named Ella Rose.  She will be a year old in June and has been such a blessing!  Our 4 1/2 year old son, Aubrey, is enjoying being a big brother!  I am a stay-at-home mom which I love, a member of the CCHS Alumni board, the Family Coordinator for my husband’s military unit, as well as putting a lot of remodeling time on our house (did I say I stay at home?).  My husband, Wyatt, is full-time in the Army National Guard and is currently stateside.  Having been through an Iraq deployment, I want to give my heartfelt appreciation to the soldiers and their families for their service and sacrifice. 

I look forward to seeing many of my classmates at our 15 year reunion this year!  Hello to the Class of ’92!  Time has flown by. I know we are all busy with our jobs, families, and lives, but the Alumni Weekend is an event NOT to be missed!  I have attended the past two years and cannot say enough about it!  A wonderful dinner and live entertainment is provided, and best of all, it’s FREE.* 

Adrienne (Williams) Mahoney ‘92 and I are on the alumni board and plan to send you all information about the event.  We encourage you all to mark your calendars for Saturday, August 4th!  It is held at Central Catholic and for all of you who haven’t been back to our alma mater, it’s not the same school.  It is unbelievable.  Hope to catch up with you all soon!”

Julio Omier ’92 [pictured left] “Hello from sunny Palm Springs, California! I wanted to advise you all of my new adventure these past two years.  Last year, I worked for the Beaverton School District as an Assistant Principal at Aloha-Park K-8 Spanish Immersion School.  This year, I am working for the Palm Springs Unified School District as an Assistant Principal at Raymond Cree Middle School.  My wife and I relocated from beautiful Portland, Oregon to the desert for its beauty and climate.  I will be starting a Doctoral Program in Education from the University of Laverne, California in Fall of 2009.” 

Kristen (Stansgar) McFarlane ’94

“I have been working for an international non-profit organization for the past 8 years and love every minute.  My husband Steve and I married in November of 2005 at St. Patrick Church in NW.  Father Murphy officiated and many CCHS alumni were part of our big day.  We both have very large extended families so we just bought a house in North Portland and plan to stay in the area.”

Karla (Witthar) Løvoll ’96 lives with her husband, Bjorn, and their three sons; Lars (6), Nils (4) and Kristian (2). They relocated to Norway in March 2006 and live on an island off the coast of Møre og Romsdal.

Steven Jenkins ’96 is engaged to be married in October to Robin Helene Raskin in New Jersey.  Steven holds an accounting degree from the University of Oregon and a Masters in Accounting from San Diego State University.  He is currently a Financial Accounting Consultant and resides in New Jersey.

Heather (Hawkins) McGowan ‘97 [pictured left]

“It has been ten years since I graduated, and I think it is pretty safe to say, not a day goes by that I don’t think about Central Catholic.  Not only is much of my social circle made up of fellow grads, I am also married to one.  Three years ago I married Jonathan McGowan ’92 after being introduced by Nicole Rauch ‘97.  We currently live in Laurelhurst a few blocks from where Jonathan grew up and we attend All Saints Church.

I am in my second year as Outreach Coordinator for Central Catholic.  It’s a little strange having my “office” in my former high school library, but you never know where life is going to take you.  As Outreach Coordinator my main focus is admissions and getting the word out about Central Catholic.  I am happy to say we are currently at our maximum capacity for students with a healthy waiting list.

I am constantly reminded what a special place Central is by the motivation and enthusiasm of the current student body, the teachers (many of whom taught me!) who dedicate their time and talent to the school every day, and the alumni who support the school to ensure others will have the opportunity and experience they had.”

Melanie Edwards-Scrivner ’99

lives in Washington with her husband, Ken, who is in the Army.  She is working as a care provider for a special needs child.

2000's

Stephanie Clements ’03 “My father, Bill Clements, works at Central Catholic and my sister Amanda Clements ‘08 attends Central currently.  I am a junior at Western Oregon University. This past fall term I earned a 4.0 and academic honor roll as well as the President’s List.  I am currently a member of the National Honor Society and was one of 60 Students nominated for the 2007 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. This program was designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement and student leadership.

I took a year off after I graduated from Central Catholic in 2003 and then attended a small, all women’s college in Massachusetts for one year.  I realized I missed home and family so I decided to pursue my education closer to home.  I am working on a double major in Business/Accounting and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement. I will finish school, hopefully, in spring of 2009, two years after my fellow classmates but well worth the wait.”

Kate Benz ’03 received the Outstanding Graduating Senior award for the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University.  Kate graduated with a double major in Communication and History.  She plans to pursue a career as a writer and has begun her career search on the east coast.