The Chelsea High School Class of 1975 held its 50th Reunion at Spinelli’s, Lynnfield.
Graduates from the Williams, Carter, Shurtleff, Saint Rose, Our Lady of Grace and Saint Stanislaus Schools attended the reunion, along with other students from Chelsea who joined the class during their high school years.
The class is unique and stands out in many ways, most notably it was the first class to attend all four grades (9-12) at Chelsea High School, following the restructuring of the junior high system after a fire destroyed the Carter School in 1971.
Reunion Committee members, the personable and charming Jerold Bornstein and the charismatic and dynamic Robyn Glazer, welcomed their classmates to the celebration.
Bornstein told a witty story about how as a student in English teacher, Dr. Max Ross’ class, he was making an oral presentation and “I got up there with my [note] cards, and I dropped them. So here I am 50 years later, I made cards and I’m not going to drop them.”
“Thank you, everyone, for being here,” said Bornstein. “We have classmates that have come from all over the country far and wide, which is nice. It really meant a lot for everybody that’s here to be here (For example, successful businessman Robert Hart traveled from his home in Beverly Hills to attend the reunion, while noted author and storyteller Barbara Gross also journeyed from California to be with her classmates).
Bornstein believed that “we all wanted to be here and we all wanted to see each other and we all have a connection.
“And the connection that we have is to the City of Chelsea and to ourselves. We all have that Chelsea pride, and it’s something that if you’re not from Chelsea you just don’t get [understand].”
Bornstein, who obviously had prepared his remarks for the auspicious occasion, then drew upon a quote from legendary afternoon talk show host Dick Cavett.
“Dick Cavett once said it takes a certain amount of guts to go to your class reunion,” said Bornstein. “So, I’d say we all have guts.”
“I’m going to let Robyn Glazer say a few words, and then we can party like it’s 1969 (a play on Prince’s song “1999”) concluded Bornstein jestfully.
Glazer Milbury, whose husband, Tom Milbury [Walpole High School] has been made an honorary member of the class, thanked her fellow reunion committee members for their diligent efforts in organizing the reunion.
“Enjoy, cheers to the class, and a lot more to come,” said Glazer Milbury.
Also highlighting the festivities were a drawing for a world-famous Chelsea Clock, musical entertainment by DJ George Athas (whose father, Peter Athas, was the CHS cafeteria manager in the 1970s), and a brilliantly decorated table of CHS souvenirs and memorabilia, including the Red Devil Press.
The committee also arranged a thoughtful tribute to deceased members of the Class of 1975.
(The Chelsea High Class of 1975 50th Class Reunion was recorded for broadcast by Chelsea Community Cable Television and the video can be on the station’s YouTube Channel).
A successful and
spirited class
The Class of 1975 had extraordinary success in academics and athletics. The CHS baseball team memorably won the Eastern Mass. title in the 1975 season. Three of the stars of the school’s greatest baseball team coached by Joe Bevere – outfielder Bobby Spinney, first baseman Bob Ham, and catcher Tommy Duval – were in attendance at the reunion.
Also of note, reunion guest Paul Finklestein was the first freshman to suit up for the CHS varsity basketball team. The football team, led by the aforementioned Spinney (quarterback) and Duval (running back), linemen David Webb and Dominic DeAngelis, and Thom McAn Award recipient Richard “Turk” Szarythe (running back and record-breaking track athlete) defeated Everett in Thanksgiving games.
“I want to thank David for keeping me healthy with his excellent blocking,” said Spinney 50 years after the fact.