Mystery Classmates 125

Congratulations to Debbie Faskow Feller, Kelly O’Connor, Coleman Brennan, Lori Haas Baccari, Staci Blagovich Dunbar, Pam Van Cara Collis, Leslie Rush Cuda, Kirsten Bonvalot Schwoegl, Milton Koutavas, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Kelly Sauer Mazon, Lisa Smith, Laura Murton O’Hara, Caren Bloom, Damon Johncour, Celesta Van Sickel Bjornson, Karen Campbell Ricci, Kira Kenyherz Bartlett, Cheryl Mehalic, Linda Wolff, Jean Ward Dunnivan, and Michele Sherer Ancheta, all of whom correctly identified David Barclay and Chris Kennedy (’84) as Mystery Classmates #125 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In addition, Maria Wojtaszek Hughes, Karen Bonvalot Torres, Joanna Patterson, Nancy Ondick Hahn, Rich Reschoff, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Lynn Abt LeBlanc, Tracey Lucchino McDonough, and Pam Pristas Dwyer identified only Dave. John Plack, and Amy Gongaware Senkow identified only Chris. They receive half credit.

In case you were wondering, Dave and Chris both reside in the Pittsburgh area. Dave is employed at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, and he and his wife Pam have a son Braden, age 5. Chris is running the family plumbing business and likes to ride his Harley. The photo was taken at May’s Class of ’84 reunion picnic.

Many classmates shared fond memories of Dave and Chris.

Coleman Brennan, John Plack, Milton Koutavas, and Caren Bloom remembered that Chris’ nickname was Kringle, Crinkle, Krinkles, or Crink. Maria Wojtaszek Hughes noted that Dave lives near her and she has seen him several times recently. Lori Haas Baccari opined that “age is their best friend. They look good.”

Caren Bloom recalled that Chris’ older brother Keith used to date her older sister Riki (’83). Damon Johncour remembered that Dave and Chris were good guys and great teammates. Lynn Abt LeBlanc went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania with Dave.

Ted Showers didn’t guess, but admired Chris’ mustache and noted that I took the time to erase Dave’s nametag in the picture. Kira Kenyherz Bartlett wrote, “I’ve known Dave since elementary school! He’s still as upbeat and happy friendly as I always remembered. He always had that mischievous twinkle in his eye!”

Michele Sherer Ancheta got to spend some time with Dave, his wife and son at the reunion picnic, but Chris was roaring off on his Harley when she arrived. She added, “He still looks the same - just an older version of his high school self! (Aren't we all?!?)” Lisa Smith enjoyed seeing the guys at the picnic and noted that “Dave's son, in some ways, is a ‘chip off the old block!’ In all seriousness, Dave and his wife have done a great job!!!”

Cheryl Mehalic told a funny story. “David cheated off of me in English since 5th grade!! See his name begins with B (in one row) and mine with M (in the next row) so we sat next to each other in English class, almost every year. In fact, one year he even had his class changed so he could be in the same class as I was so he could copy off of me!! The bad part is one year he actually got a better grade than I did (do to his capabilities at kissing butt). Oh well we laughed a lot!!”

The Burgard family is related to everyone. Erin Burgard DiPerna wrote, “I believe that the guy on the left is my cousin David "Cuddy" Barclay--the sunglasses are throwing me a bit. If that is David, I can't even begin to describe the ways he would terrorize my sisters, cousins and I when we were little. Cuddy can still belt out those Christmas carols at our family gathering on Christmas Eve night. I have fond memories of when David was a security guard at Monroeville Mall...decked out in his police gear. I think that David and Damon Johncour hold the ‘longest reception’ record at Churchill -- 99 yards? The Barclay family is still on Barclay Avenue and they are still hilarious.”

Milton Koutavas wrote, “David Barclay looks the same as if he were back in high school. Dave was friends with my older brothers Jerry and Denny and a good all-around athlete. I remember Dave and his older brother Danny coming by to shoot hoops when we lived on Barclay Avenue. I also remember when Chris played catcher on my brothers’ little league team. He led the team in hitting and being ejected the most. Good memories!!!!”

Donna Andreas Copley took the photo. She wrote, “I enjoyed catching up with Dave at the reunion... it was fun to remember back to seventh grade and the ole obstacle course challenge. It was amazing what a big deal that was in the school with bets and all..... One of those fun memories from the only year I got to go to Forest Hills Junior High! It sounds like Dave is doing well and getting some coaching in too! All I remember about Chris was that all the girls loved him in junior high...”

Nancy Ondick Hahn wins the prize. She wrote, “I have to say that I'd recognize that smile any day! Dave was one of my first crushes at Shaffer Elementary! I know that smile because I certainly stared at him enough through those years! I always hoped he'd pick me to be on his kickball team and as much as I hoped he'd throw the ball at me while playing desk ball, I also prayed that the force of the throw wouldn't knock me down to the floor! I actually got to roller skate with him once at the Forest Hills Roller Rink... a dream come true at the time! However, as we skated around, he was only digging for info about the girl he really wanted to skate with - Chrissy Perello! Such is life! I sure hope Dave enjoyed reading this baring of my soul!”

Amy Petrina Tarantini guessed that Chris was Keith Evers. Pam Pristas Dwyer guessed that Chris was Mike Damico. Erin Burgard DiPerna guessed that Chris was Geraldo Rivera.