Delta Sigma Phi-Gamma Rho-Alumni

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