Category: CURRENT AFFAIRS

SAINT MARY’S JUNIOR GUILD, GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ

By Tom Bowe

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ–Monsignor Edward Lucitt (Big Ed) pastor of Saint Mary’s Parish, Gloucester City, was the driving force behind the St. Marys Men’s Guild, which was started probably by Msgr. Brick during the depression. Both priests were similar in nature, great heart, passionate, and when something went wrong, they took no prisoners.

Big Ed was my first basketball and football coach in grammar school.

The men of the Guild made fishcakes on the first floor and delivered them and other food to the citizens of Gloucester City during those awful years of the depression.. During the war years, while I was in grammar school (St. Mary’s), all the fellows were in the service, and the Men’s Guild evolved into the Junior Guild. It also kept a lot of young guys out of trouble by giving them a place to hang out.. Not to mention that Big Ed also kept an eye on us and the building..

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1971 Gloucester Catholic HS Football Team Honored

source GCHS Press Release

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (October 2012)–Gloucester Catholic’s 1971 unbeaten, untied football team was honored on Saturday, October 20, 2012, during a reunion of team members at Gloucester Catholic High School. Team players, coaches, and staff were honored prior to the Rams’ 10:30 a.m. homecoming game against Woodstown in a special ceremony.

Guided by former coach Bob McQuillan, the 1971 Rams posted a 9-0 overall record, led by All-South Jersey standouts Jack Long and Steve Rotella, along with quarterback Steve Johnson. They capped a spectacular season with a 34-29 victory over Middle Township team in November 1971.

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Joe Murphy, Alumnus, Athlete, Coach, Teacher and Friend of Gloucester Catholic

By GUS OSTRUM

GCHS Director of Advancement

Ramblings Spring 2012 edition

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (June 2012) –Joe Murphy has served on both sides of the fence at Gloucester Catholic, and has earned a reputation as a beloved figure within the community as a former alumnus and athlete, coach, teacher, and friend.Two plays later, Grant found himself circling the flank for the thirty-first point.

“Coach Murphy,” a 1954 graduate, began his long affiliation with GCHS as. The love affair with the school has never stopped, even after some 62 years. freshman student entering classes in the Fall of 1951. The love affair with the school has never stopped, even after some 62 years.

One key life lesson Joe has never forgotten is the strong bond between a teacher (coach) and a student and the influence it has on a young person’s life.

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ONLY IN AMERICA!

(July 2012)–Whenever there is an election involving a seat in Congress or in the White House, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be a big year for federal grants to be given out. Even though the national debt is $16 trillion and climbing, the “Washington Elite” doesn’t care; after all, it is not their money they are spending.

For example, in May, a list of 25 towns across the United States receiving funds to help pay firemen’s salaries or rehire them was released. The funds were awarded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a program that provides $400 million in grants nationwide for rehiring laid-off firefighters and retaining those whose jobs are in jeopardy due to budget constraints.”

Some of the local communities that received funds from that program in May were Gloucester City ($598,000), Camden City ($5 million), Passaic ($1.5 million), and Scranton, PA ($8 million).

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Gloucester High Gridiron Coach Enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame

(July 2011)–Former LaSalle Football Coach Bill Manlove (photo) will be heading to South Bend, Indiana, this week for the College Football Hall of Fame ceremonies held July 15-16. He is one of four coaches who will be enshrined.

Knowledgeable South Jersey football fans will remember Manlove as the head football coach at Gloucester City High School in the 1960s. A graduate of Temple University, Manlove taught math at GHS. Along with coaching football, he also coached Lions freshman basketball.

Former Gloucester City Mayor Bob Bevan, who was coached by Manlove, said, ”I played for Bill in my junior and senior year (1961, 1962). We had a losing record in his rookie year as Head Coach and had a 6-2-1 record in our senior year. He was more of a strategist in his first year and became more of a motivator during his second year. He became successful over the next several years in both high school and as a college coach. He was a gentleman and always treated his players with respect.”

Echoing those remarks, 1961 GHS alumnus Bill Tourtual added, “Bill Manlove was an amazing coach, talent scout, and person. I will always treasure the times the late Larry Pusey and I spent together under the coaching of Bill Manlove.

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THE KAIN EPISODE FINALLY ENDS

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (April 11, 2011) The ongoing quarrel between the City of Gloucester City and former Municipal Clerk/City Administrator Paul Kain has come to a conclusion. 

Kain was fired in December 2009 for being absent from work without permission for more then 120 days. His last day of work was July 13, 2009.  The former municipal clerk said he was absent because of depression and presented the city with documentation about his illness from physicians. In the February 11, 2011 Gloucester City News Kain said  “My illness, Major Depressive Disorder – major depression – progressed noticeably until the point on July 13, 2009 I could not get out of bed let alone go to work.  It was on this day that I began using my accrued paid time to start treatment for my recovery. My wife, Maggie, then started a very open and honest dialogue with the city on my behalf.”

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SOME GOOD NEWS FOR GLOUCESTER CITY FIREMEN

BY CLEARY’S NOTEBOOK NEWS

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (March 14, 2011)-Asked about those remarks, Gloucester City Fire Chief Brian Hagan said no more firemen will be laid off. According to the Chief there is a chance that some of those let go in December will be rehired. 

Chief Hagan released the following statement on Monday (March 14) afternoon. 

“I have spoken to the Fire Officers and Union Leaders pertaining to the BLS Units and the transition of such, and what our responsibilities will be. I will address each shift regarding these issues to explain the information to them and address their concerns.

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What’s Going On ; New Road Cutting Through Cemetery

By CLEARY’S NOTEBOOK NEWS

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (March 14, 2011)—WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE NEW AMBULANCE SERVICE? A city firefighter, who wished to remain anonymous, was asked if anyone from the James Administration has talked to them about Lourdes Health Systems taking over the city ambulance service. The city awarded a three-year contract to Lourdes in February.

The firefighter said, “Absolutely nothing has been said. We have no idea where they will be stationed, who they will report to, or how our operations will be affected. We don’t know if this means more layoffs or if they will keep the remaining guys on to keep the company full. Even if we don’t lay off any more guys, we still don’t comply with the 2-in-2-out federal regulations. They will tell you we do, but they don’t consider the whole picture in terms of each guy’s roles and responsibilities. We’ve been at 5 for a long time, same as 7/4/02, and we know how that turned out. It was hard enough managing with 7 guys at times, but we managed. Our volunteer ranks have decreased, and some volunteers aren’t responding at all (not knocking them). So our backup, which usually took 6-10 minutes, is now anyone’s guess as to how long it will take. Collingswood’s response depends on their staffing, which was cut. Mt Ephraim asked to be taken off automatic aid. Westville and Bellmawr sometimes don’t respond. Then there’s the mess involving Lipsett and Chief Hoffman from Washington Twp., which probably helped convince the mayor and council to proceed with layoffs and the privatization of the ambulance. So our guys come in every day just waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak. Mark my words, this mess is going to lead to someone getting hurt or killed—it’s inevitable.

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Highland Park School To Be Closed

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (MARCH 2011)(CNBNEWS)The rumors about the Highland Park School, Park Avenue and Highland Blvd., being closed are true, according to Gloucester City School Supt. Paul Spaventa. The gossip about this school have been circulating throughout the City since March. Why a formal announcement about the closing to the residents of the community was never released is unknown.

On Thursday (April 21) Spaventa said  “Highland Park School will be closing but the Program for Success and Adult Night School will remain intact. Exact arrangements for accommodations of the programs are taking place and not finalized.”

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TCNJ EDGED BY LATE GOAL 1-0

Soccer_player-animated

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey men’s soccer team pushed unbeaten #17 Montclair State to their limit, but the Red Hawks (8-0-1) knocked in a loose ball off of a corner kick with 4:16 remaining to edge the Lions 1-0.

TCNJ (3-3-3) played a balanced match and were in position to hand Montclair State its first loss of the season. After a scoreless first half, TCNJ had the better part of play for the majority of the second period. Sophomore Ray Nelan (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) and classmate Michael Recchia (Wayside, NJ/Ocean Township) spearheaded several offensive attacks, but the Lions had difficulty penetrating a strong Montclair defense led by sophomore Kevin Brown (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley).