Delta Sigma Phi-Gamma Rho-Alumni

George Behringer and Tom Stasiak

2018 Reunion

Dear Brothers,

With less than four months to go, before we gather in Erie, PA, for what is sure to be the largest gathering of Delta Sig Alumni from Gamma Rho Chapter ever, we have received many of the completed REUNION REPLY forms. Thank you to those who got into the Sig Spirit and made plans to be with their Brothers!

Please see the "two attached forms" and study the fantastic activities that our Erie planning team of Jerry Nichols and Dick Walsh, have put together for the September 20th through 23rd......starts with two PREMIER golf outings - first at the famous KAHKWA CLUB of Erie and followed by the LAWRENCE PARK C.C. ( you have never seen a prettier golf course as many holes border the cliffs overlooking Lake Erie ).

Meet and Greet on Friday night will be an Italian evening with assorted Pizza Pies, Veg and Cheese Trays, with plenty of Cold Beer, Wine and some soft beverages ( in case some TKE's make the scene ! )

Saturday....a guided tour of the magnificent St. Patrick's Parish Church...Msgr Henry Kreigel will provide the tour and we'll have a continental breakfast with him in the historic Rectory...this is one tour you do not want to miss! Then we'll tour the Gannon Campus and see some of the new and renovated buildings that will certainly bring back memories of our days at Gannon in the 60's and 70's.

Lunch will be with the current Delta Sig Brothers and you'll be able to see how Sigs today live, study and party ( just a bit). Its a cookout and you'll enjoy the young Brothers of Gamma Rho.

Cocktails and Buffet dinner at the Msgr Addison Yehl Alumni Room will be the final highlight of a wonderful Saturday and Gannon President Keith Taylor will provide a short, but detailed view of Gannon today and more importantly, the GANNON of the future...and its a bright one!

Sunday will be the Memorial Mass in the Gannon University Chapel...what better way to remember those wonderful Brothers that have passed, but will NEVER be forgotten! Then our final Brunch in Old Main and farewells till the next time.

Please make your booking at the Marriott Courtyard on the Bayfront.....we have a limited number of special priced rooms for Sigs only, so please call or email them today.

And lastly, look at the two attachments and commit yourself to be part of the Delta Sig Reunion....just cast your mind back to your years at Gannon, to pledging , to the moment they pulled off that blindfold and YOU WERE A DELTA SIG! These were great years for me and the last 54 years, as a Sig Alumnus, has been the best 54 years of continued friendship, brotherhood, caring and concern for others....after all, that's what Delta Sigs do!

Fill in your Reply Form...it will be the best 3 or 4 days of your life!

YITBOS,

Joe Cooley
Gannon '64
Delta Sig FOREVER

Email Dave Prawdzik [email protected] for the forms

REUNION DETAILS:

LODGING
Marriott Courtyard Erie Bayfront, 2 Sassafras Pier, Erie, PA 16507 (814) 636-1005
Click on this link to Marriott

https://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Delta%20Sigma%20Phi%20Reunion%5eERIDT%60DSPDSPA|DSPDSPB%60139.00-159.00%60USD%60false%604%609/20/18%609/23/18%608/21/18&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes

Reunion rate is $139 or $159 per night / Parking fee waived / Free internet
NOTE:
Last day to book for this rate:
August 21, 2018

PARKING
For the Friday Meet & Greet and Saturday dinner, use the Erie Parking Authority garage. It has only one entrance located on the west side of Peach Street between 7th & 8th Streets. The one exit for the garage is on 7th Street directly across from the Waldron Center. After 8:00 PM when the attendant goes off duty, the gate is opened and no fees are charged.
THURSDAY / SEPTEMBER 20
1:00 pm Tee Time / Golf / Kahkwa Club, 3300 Kahkwa Club Road, Erie, PA 16506 (814) 838-1901 / $87.00 Each Coordinate through Joe Cooley ([email protected]) or Tom Waldron ([email protected])
FRIDAY / SEPTEMBER 21
11:15 am Tee Time / Golf / Lawrence Park Golf Club, 3700 East Lake Road, Erie, PA 16511 (814) 899-0257 $73.00 Each Coordinate with Joe Cooley ([email protected]) or Tom Waldron ([email protected])
6:00 pm / Meet & Greet / Room 219, Second Floor, Waldron Center, Gannon University, 124 West 7th St., Erie, PA 16501 / INCLUDED: Beer, Wine, Veggie and Cheese Trays, and Assorted Pizza / $23.00 Each
SATURDAY / SEPTEMBER 22
9:00 am / St. Patrick’s Church & Rectory Tour, 130 East 4th Street, Erie, PA 16507 (814) 454-8085
Tour (45 minutes) led by Msgr. Henry Kriegel/ Magnificent church with beautiful life size Stations of the Cross
Following the Tour: Coffee – Danish & Donuts / $6 Each / $10 Couple
11:00 am / Gannon University Guided Campus Tour / Meet at Gannon Old Main, 109 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16501
1:00 pm / Lunch / Delta Sigma Phi Apartments, 220 West 9th Street, Erie, PA 16501 INCLUDED: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Beer & Soft Drinks / $15.00 each / $25 couple
6:00 pm / Cocktails & Buffet Dinner / Yehl Room, Waldron Center, Gannon University, 124 West 7th St., Erie, PA 16501
INCLUDED: Buffet Dinner, Beer, Wine, & Soft Drinks / $40.00 Each
NOTE: Beer & Wine are the only alcoholic beverages available
SUNDAY / SEPTEMBER 23
9:30 am / Mass / Gannon University Chapel, 520 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16501
Brunch following in the Boardroom of Gannon University Old Main,
109 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16501 / $17.00 Each

If you need a registration form send an email to Dave Prawdzik

[email protected]

www.marriott.com

Dear Brothers,

After many weeks of tying up the final details of the September Delta Sig Reunion at Gannon University, you will find “two attached forms” for your review and action.

Our local planning team, led by Jerry Nichols and Dick Walsh, have been meeting with Marriott Courtyard execs to get some very special Delta Sig room rates and were even able to get Free Parking and In-Room Internet....and you have a choice of either a bay-facing room or one that looks into the marina and city. If you haven't yet, now is the time to call Brittany Brock at Courtyard Marriott sales and get your reservation set-up. You may also use the link in the attached “Details Form” or at the end of this email to book the group rate for the Delta Sigma Phi Reunion.

Golf has been coordinated by Tom Waldron and Brother Jim Toohey, with the latter making our arrangements for THURSDAY afternoon GOLF at the Kahkwa Club with an outstanding price, that even includes a cart. This wonderful Donald Ross designed course was built at the turn of the century and has improved throughout the years. Jim, looking forward to this unique outing!

The same could be said about the Lawrence Park Golf Club, formerly the General Electric of Erie Country Club for its employees. Situated on the bluff over-looking Lake Erie, the member owned course has some spectacular holes and views. Tom Waldron's longtime friend, Chuck Agresti is a member and arranged our FRIDAY MORNING outing.......many thanks to Chuck, a Prep grad, as with so many Sig Brothers.


SEPT 21....FRIDAY night, the formal reunion kicks-offs with our "Meet and Greet" on the Gannon Campus at 6PM....plenty of Italian treats, cheese and veggie trays and that all important cold beer and tasting wines. Pete White has promised to bring his deck of cards (not the marked ones he used to play with in the 60's) and everyone will get a chance of seeing FLOATING ACES! You and your wife will get a chance to see old Friends and meet new. Casual and fun, people enjoy this opportunity to chat, show pics of their children and grandchildren and just plain hang out.

SEPT 22….SATURDAY morning at 9am, we have arranged a very special visit to St Patrick's Church and a personal tour of this outstanding facility built back at the turn of the century by Italian stone masons who had arrived in the city in the late 1880's. The church is certainly one of the most grand parish churches I have ever seen and Msgr. Henry Kriegel will surprise you with some of the facts about this church. The full-size Stations of the Cross are a real treasure and magnificent in their presentation. Want to see more pics of the church, google “St. Patrick's Church, Erie, PA”. We'll then have a continental breakfast in the rectory, which in itself, is a wonderful building.

At 11:00AM, Cathy Fresch of Gannon Development has organized a 90 minute walking tour of some of the newest and recently renovated buildings on the growing Gannon University campus.

Lunch time with the Sigs of Gamma Rho will begin at 1:00pm. The current brothers will be cooking for us at the Delta Sig Apartment House. This will allow you to see where the Sigs of 2018 live, eat, study and party! And, they say their hotdogs, hamburgers and assorted cold beverages will allow you to have a relaxing afternoon. A great few hours to spend some time with these campus leaders, class officers and scholars. It’s always a pleasure to meet those that are proudly wearing the pin of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and representing it well!

At 6:00pm, we all will be gathering in the Msgr. Addison Yehl Alumni Room.......named after our former brother, chaplain and advisor. Addison was always there for the Sigs. Whether coaching our winning basketball teams, enjoying the first hour of the parties (he had enough sense to depart before the real fun began) or leading in prayer for the loss of a family member or consulting us on the merits "of not having" another panty raid on the Hurst or Villa, Addison always looked after us! A great man who is missed by many and all. It’s cocktail time at 6pm. Time to meet the dynamic president of our university, Dr Keith Taylor, and hear some of the exciting news in Gannon's future. Dinner will be served at 7:00pm and you'll enjoy the cuisine!

SEPT 23….SUNDAY .....There's a Memorial Mass at 9:30am in the Gannon Student Chapel, celebrated by Fr. Jason Glover, the Gamma Rho chaplain and advisor to the current Sigs. We'll be remembering those brothers that have passed, but never forgotten. Special remembrance to four brothers that passed since our last reunion. Let me just mention a few comments about each brother....

Eddie Kuhar >>>>> Brother Ed was visited by several Sigs during our last Erie reunion and a very festive few hours were spent with Eddie, wife Mary and many family members. Talking about Ed's ability to hit those long jump shots, his long military career (retired as a full Colonel in Army Reserves) and his many year of teaching and in administration in the Erie school system were a highlight. It was a wonderful experience to visit Ed and he still had that shy smile all the time we were there. Several weeks later, we were notified that Ed had passed and his long-term medical problems had finally ended. Boy, were we happy that we made the visit and had time to talk and laugh with our brother!

Dennis Cerami >>>>> Another fellow brother, Dennis, was a gifted artist and a person who enjoyed life to the fullest. As a graduate of Cathedral Prep in 1965 he went on to earn both undergraduate and masters degrees from Gannon. Dennis worked in adult education and career counseling. An artist most of his life, Dennis participated in local art shows and exhibitions, while still finding time to coach his children in soccer and basketball. As a person who contributed, Dennis was a true Sig!

Jim Mantyla >>>>> A legend in his time, Jim was another proud graduate of both Cathedral Prep 1965 and Gannon University. I remember listening to Jim and Carter Rowland re-living old times together during the lunch at the Plymouth Tavern during the last reunion. Carter was really giving it to him about his time at Gannon. Many laughs were generated on both sides. Jim was the owner of Glenwood Beer Company for over 20 years and a strong supporter of Gannon and Prep during his working years...both in volunteer work and financial support. A hunter and fisherman, Jim loved the outdoors. Wonderful to see a proud alumnus, being so active and generous!

Frank Tassotti >>>>> Frank, aka “Chi-Chi”, was a true visionary who committed many years working with the Gamma Rho Alumni Control Board in re-generating the fraternity's re-entry onto the Gannon campus. He believed that with a collection of bright and dedicated students, learning about the past traditions and success of the Gamma Rho Chapter at Gannon, that he and other alumni could convince Gannon Administration to allow the re-establishment of the chapter. Frank was truly committed, and the results speak for themselves. The Gamma Rho Chapter re-emerged at Gannon and did so with outstanding young men wearing the coveted Delta Sigma Phi pin. They carried some of the highest GPA averages ever seen from fraternities. They hold leadership positions in many on-campus organization and possess a volunteer spirit that has impressed all the Gannon leadership team. Frank "gave back" and did so with little talk and a lot of action. Frank is missing, but remembered so well by all the brothers that re-started Gamma Rho!

After the Memorial Mass, you'll be joining all the Sigs and their wives / partners for a delicious BRUNCH in the Board Room at Gannon's Old Main....they don't get much better than this brunch, so come hungry and be able to gather once more before we all depart for home.

CLOSING....please review the two attached sheets and make sure you call the Marriot Courtyard Bayfront to make your September booking. You can also use this link: Book your group rate for Delta Sigma Phi Reunion or the link on the attached “DETAILS PAGE”.

This is going to be one of the best reunions ever. As Cathy Fresch always says...." there is NO ONE that hosts reunions as the Delta Sigs and boy, do they have FUN"! 👍😃

See you in SEPTEMBER...like the song said!

Joe Cooley
Gannon '64
Delta Sig FOREVER
[email protected]

YITBOS

HELLO FELLOW BROTHERS,

Mark your Calendars........Thursday, September 20, its all beginning again! Yes, over the last few months, the SIG Planning Committee has been going back and forth on where and when our next Gathering will be. Veterans like Coach Pete White, Nort Demma, Chuck Moore, Paul Kuzina, Mark Vahey, Dick Walsh, Greg Cahill, Bob Janosky, Bud Wilcox, Gerry Nichols, Dave Prawdzik and several others have weighed in. The consensus is that we return to our founding place, where it all started so many years back......to Gannon University and Erie, Penna!

As an aside, the other day I was speaking to my 12 year old Grandson and he asked me about the Fraternity Reunions, that I have often spoken about and the blessings I feel that I have experienced, by being a member of Gamma Rho and the Delta Sigs of Gannon. Connor asked me why I called these people "Brothers", since we are not related as family and that I only had two Brothers.

The best way to approach it was, to grab the Webster's Dictionary and he looked up the word BROTHER / BROTHERHOOD. As he read to me.....words like "fellowship, comradeship, a society, association or fraternity" were heard. Also "a feeling of friendship, support and understanding" came out.. Connor said the word BROTHERHOOD was first used in the 13th Century and he read on "a group of persons, formally joined together for some common interest, with the feeling of closeness and friendship that exists between companions ". He learned that day what BROTHERHOOD was all about and I again realized what my 55 plus year association was truly about....a bond, a friendship, a unity as one and the knowledge that we were connected by something very, very special........why else would this Bond and this Brotherhood have lasted so long and continue to be so strong!

Sorry to be so long-winded, but as one gets older, you look at things near and dear to you......and count one's blessings, that you made that decision, after the Sig Rush Party in 1961, at 547 West 6th Street, in that White House with three Green Letters on it, to accept their invitation to pledge the DELTA SIGMA PHI Fraternity. And how many times since graduating, have we continued to gather, in Erie many times, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Naples and Cooperstown..... to be together and enjoy/ savor / feel / and be thankful for a BROTHERHOOD that has and will continue to stay with each of us. Not many people that belonged to fraternities, sororities and clubs, during their college days, still experience the feeling of true Brotherhood that exists, when the Sigs of Gannon come together.

There is no particular theme for the September 20-23 gathering....just that its right and welcoming to spent some quality time together, relive so many great memories of our days as active Sigs and to even talk solememly of those Brothers that have passed and are missed, but NEVER FORGOTTEN!

More details will follow, but we will center our accommodation at the Waterfront (September is a great month in Erie ) at the Marriott Courtyard -on-the Bay. A block booking will be made and we'll make sure that plenty of rooms are available, at a special Delta Sig rate.

Activities such as Golf, Bar-b-Cues, Campus Tours, Dinners and a Delta Sig Mass and farewell Brunch are all being planned. And we even have a Delta Sig House that we plan to visit and get to know those Brothers, who proudly wear their Sig pin and carry on the Sig tradition of School Leaders, Movers and Shakers, great Athletes and those that make a difference everyday.....for their School, their Community and for their chosen Fraternity.

I am proud to work with the Erie-based Planning Committee to make this September 2018 another GREAT GATHERING of some REMARKABLE PEOPLE.....BROTHERS that cherish what the Fraternity did for them, what the friendships made many years ago meant then and continue today. Please mark your calendar today and make a promise to relive what you had so many years back in Erie, with those people that became your Brothers and who today are ready to BE THERE FOR YOU, FOR WHATEVER, TO HELP AND ASSIST, TO PRAY AND COMFORT......that's what BROTHERHOOD among Delta Sigs is and always has been and ALWAYS WILL!

Mark your calendars and be in Erie...and let the fun begin.

YITBOS ( Yours in the Bond of the Sphinx ),

Joe Cooley
Gannon '64
Delta Sig FOREVER

2016 Delta Sigma Phi
Gamma Rho Reunion
Sept. 23 - 25, 2016

Please make check payable to "DELTA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY". Send completed form and check to: (Please return Registration Form by August 15th)

J.E. Cooley
24902 Back Creek Drive
St. Michaels, MD 21663
[email protected]
Mobile 1-301-467-8473
Name.................................................................................................

Spouse/Guest.....................................................................................

Address.............................................................................................

City.......................................State..............................Zip.................

Email...................................................................................................

Phone...............................................Cell #...................................................

Initiation Year…………
Big Brother....................................Little Brother..........................................

Friday night Meet and Greet #............... @ $24.00/person....................

Saturday Dinner #............... @ $29.00/person.....................

Sunday Brunch #................ @ $15.00/person …………….

TOTAL...........................

Your Delta Sig Brothers look forward to seeing you in September ...this will most certainly be the "Biggest and Best Reunion Ever"!

Golf @ Downing Friday #.................

Take School Tour #..................

Meet at Plymouth Tavern #..................

With the initial Reunion bulletin sent out some four weeks ago, the early response has been outstanding. Completed Registration Forms have been coming in daily and several Brothers have called to say they will be in Erie and the Registration Form will follow.

Congratulations go out to Brother MARK VAHEY, Class of 1964, as his Registration Form was rec'd first......Mark has always been on top of his game and ever since taking over from Jack Rose, as the Sig Social Chairman, Mark has always practiced the credo that Jack passed on....."if you break anything, take it with you! Mark has never missed a Sig Reunion, whether it be in Erie, Pittsburgh, Naples or Cooperstown....and there were no broken pieces found at any site!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: We have been able to secure a Group Rate at the BAYFRONT SHERATON for the two nights (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 ).....and we will also have a Group Rate at the Marriott Courtyard nearby. The Sheraton is $159 per nite plus taxes, while the Courtyard is $149 plus taxes.

For the Bayfront Sheraton Hotel bookings, call 1-888-627-8094 and tell the Operator you are calling about the September 23/24, 2016 Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity group booking in Erie, Pa. The Operator will quote you the Group rate of $159.00 plus taxes per night, for their standard room. You will have to secure your booking with a Credit Card, that will not be activated / charged till you stay at the hotel. They will book and send you a Confirmation. Please note, we were only able to get 40 rooms held for us, so its first-come, first served....so book your room today!

With the Sheraton being our primary base, we were also able to get additional rooms at the Marriott Courtyard, now in construction at the Bayfront, and they have offered us a $149 per night...unfortunately, they will not be accepting room reservations for another few months....but we will have a block booking for Sigs there.

Some Sheraton rooms have King size beds and others have two twin beds ( that works, if some Brothers are coming alone and would share, thus splitting the cost ).

Reunion details:

Friday night is still being planned, but we would like to have a very casual get together, with plenty of light snacks and cold refreshments. As soon as we have a firm venue, we will advise. Golf will be late morning on Friday and the dinner for Saturday will be in the Msgr Addison Yehl Alumni Room.

Closing Comments:

Over the last few weeks, in working with Dick Walsh and Jerry Nichols of Erie, I cast my mind back to the dozen or more Sig Reunions that I have worked on......and I asked myself, why are the Sigs of Gannon so unique, so different from other groups, so close and so passionate about the love that they all have for each other?

Every Reunion we have, seems better than the last and as one casts their eyes around the gathering, you can quickly tell that these men (Brothers ) still exist as a unit......close-knit, united and always looking after each other! Yes, they are grayer and heavier, but they are still Sig Brothers in each other's eyes. The pride they felt, for what was accomplished during those four years together at Gannon, was palpable and something else that was clear to everyone, was the Respect and Friendship they still feel for one another.

Delta Sigs share this moment that few other people know. The overwhelming emotion is derived from more than just Pride. One's devotion to your fellow Brothers, the depth of your sense of Belonging is something like Blood Kinship, but without its complications.

Rarely can words fully express it.....in the world we live in today (some 50, 40 and even 30 years since we were together in Erie ), it's like Grace or Beauty or Ease in other areas of your life. It is the bond that Selflessness forges!

These Reunions are held for those reasons above and even though there is always some Brothers that have passed on since past Reunions ( Jerry Lott, Jerry Harter, Joe Kozil, John Mauro, Jack Jolley, Pat Hayes, George Gegenfurtner, Jim Zimmerly, our dear Brother Addison Yehl and so many others ), it is important to make that effort to come and see who is there and to celebrate ......and share the Brotherhood that makes us Delta Sigs from Gannon.

September 23/24/25 will be a Sig Reunion for "all Brothers", from EVERY graduating class...make an effort to come to Erie to share the life force that always exists when we come together. There may not be another chance to see many of us .....and I look forward to see each and every Brother from the Grad Classes of the late 50's, 60's, 70's, the 80's and 90's.... or even more recent.

We are also expecting to have the current Delta Sigs of Gamma Rho with us during the Reunion and you'll be able to see the high caliber of student that is attracted to the Chapter. The Sigs of Gannon and alive and well!

Below is the Registration Slip that needs to be completed and sent...provide the info requested, so we can make plans to have this next Reunion the best ever!

YITBOS,


Joe Cooley
Gannon '64
Delta Sig FOREVER



REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR THE SEPT 2016 SIG REUNION

NAME__________________________________________ GRAD YEAR_____________
Address__________________________________City _______________State_______
Zip______________
Tel someone be accompanied you________________
Arrival date_________ Hotel needed_______________Number of Nights___________
Golf on Friday_________Want to tour Gannon Campus on Sat AM______________
Will attend the Memorial Mass and Brunch on Sunday morning_______________

Please complete this slip and send it to Joe Cooley, 24902 Back Creek Drive, St Michaels, MD 21663