Marybrook Novitiate 1963

 

Mini Reunion in Buffalo

 Jack and Diene Coyne recently invited a number of the Montfort Alumni to gather at their home near Buffalo, NY for a few days.  One of the highlights of the trip was the requisite visit to Niagara Falls and a ride on the Maid of the Mist. 

L to R: Jack Coyne, Ben Colbert, Ed Dilgen, Pete McGorry and Lou Miller, at lunch overlooking the Falls. It was way too wet to take pictures on the Maid of the Mist.

 

 

The Buffalo skyline as seen on an evening cruise on the Niagara River.

Pete Ballenger, RIP

 

With heavy heart, I write to report the March 9, 2023 death of beloved Montfort alum, Peter Ballenger at the age of 80 years. For the past 5 years he has resided in memory care facilities in Hartford City and Muncie, Indiana until entering hospice care a few days before his death.

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia on June 12, 1942, Peter was adopted by Howard and Delores Ballenger. After the Second World War, Howard’s work at a defense plant ended and he returned with his family to their home in Hartford City, Indiana.  Years later, when the Pursley family donated their Hartford City mansion for use as a novitiate, the Ballengers became S.M.M. friends and benefactors. During my own novitiate year, Howard and Delores were welcomed as frequent visitors.

In 1956, Peter entered Montfort Prep as a high school freshman. He was athletic and excelled in soccer and basketball (Hoosiers all play basketball, don’t they?).  Following 6 years in Bay Shore, he was invested in 1962 and returned to Hartford City to begin novitiate and made his first profession in 1963.

He completed Philosophy training in 1965 in St. Mary, Missouri. Peter undertook the first 2-years of Theology at Montfort seminary in Litchfield, Connecticut. He completed the remaining 2-years at St. Louis University and was ordained in June of 1969. Peter’s first assignment (assistant/later Pastor) was at St. Theresa of Avila Church in St. Louis.  Then an “inner-city” parish and considered a difficult appointment, Fr. Ballenger's ministry attracted the notice of a wealthy benefactor and transformed it into a fully functioning, thriving community of involved Catholics. His tenure there lasted for 10 years.

In 1979, Peter accepted a new assignment as Pastor of the Parish of St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park, NY. After 5 years in that position, he resigned as a priest, left the SMM and became a professional carpenter in New York City (reminds me of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus). In 2001 he retired from carpentry and returned to the Ballenger family residence in Hartford City he had inherited from his mother. He never married and has no biological descendants. Nearest next of kin is Peter’s brother Patrick Ballenger.  May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. 

Brian Harrington

Investiture Class of 1961

Steve Palmer RIP

 

STEVEN PALMER  May 27, 1947 - January 25, 2023

Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Jan. 28, 2023.

Steven Richard Palmer

May 27, 1947 - January 25, 2023

Steven Richard Palmer, first son of William and Jeanette (Lopshire) Palmer, died on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

He was the gentle, steady heart of his family, a beloved teacher, and a talented musician. He was thoughtful, witty, and kind. He enjoyed simple things – a favorite bakery or treat, freshly ground coffee, a snow day, a good book, and a well-made fire.

A devoted husband of 49 years, he said of his wife, Jo, “On my best day, I couldn’t have picked anybody better.” He loved being a dad and grandpa, nurtured special bonds with each of his kids and grandkids, and cherished family time – a chat across the street, holiday sing-alongs, trips to state parks and Lake Michigan, making homemade ice cream and pizza, and everyday moments together.

He was a graduate of St. Andrew’s Catholic School, Montfort Preparatory Seminary High School (Long Island, NY), St. Louis University, and Indiana University with undergraduate and graduate degrees in history.

He was a teacher for 45 years, beginning at St. Joseph and ending at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. He was especially remembered for inspiring civic engagement and bringing his guitar or banjo into his classroom. He forever appreciated connections made with students and colleagues and was honored to receive the diocesan Light of Learning Award.

He loved music and sharing it with others – attending folk and bluegrass concerts, hosting hootenannies, and providing encouragement through daily song videos during the pandemic. Over decades, he humbly shared his faith and talents as the music director at both St. Joseph and St. John Bosco. A self-taught builder and son of a carpenter, his affinity for St. Joseph culminated in the only song he ever wrote, In the Hands of the Carpenter.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann (Harber); his son, Michael (Heather); daughters, Darcey Palmer- (Michael) Shultz, and Christa Palmer (Zach) Lange; daughter-in-law, Brooke Charleston; grandchildren Aubrey, Eli, Ella, Jude, and Eve; as well as his siblings, Thomas (Mary Winicker), John, Julie (Mark) Maddocks, Vince (Kathy), Ron (Karen), and Tim (Kara). He was preceded in death by his son, Andrew.

A funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2213 Brooklyn, with visitation at 10 a.m. To honor his wishes, contributions will support the placement of a memorial tree at a Fort Wayne park near a memorial tree for his son (via Venmo @StevePalmerMemorial). Memorial gifts may also be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana.

 

Steve is third from right with "The New World Singers" circa 196?

L to R: George Sullivan, Jack Callery, Jack Lyons, George White, Steve Palmer, Larry Cullen, and Dennis Kelly. 

 

 

Steve at Montfort Reunion 2000

Joe Coviello, RIP

 

An obituary posted in "Universitas", The Alumni Magazine of St. Louis University, listed as deceased Joseph Coviello, a 1968 graduate of the School of Arts & Sciences. Joe was a native of New York City and enrolled at Montfort Prep in 1964. After Novitiate, he was enrolled at St. Louis University along with other Montfort Seminarians. Joe passed away two years ago on February 1, 2021. Thanks to help from Tom Dwyer (a Bay Shore contemporary), for the link below to Joe’s obituary:

Joseph Coviello Obituary - Sarasota, FL (dignitymemorial.com)