THE WI NEWSLETTER 03/12

THE WI NEWSLETTER

Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith

Issue 151

March 2012

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the Hollow of His Hand.

MYSTERY PICTURE IN THE FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

submitted by: Bill Norris (WI '62)
bcnwv@ma.rr.com
Roleta,
Having grown up in Heartland I spent many hot summer evenings at the CHESTNUT HILLS SWIMMING POOL.

submitted by: Sara L. Hall Howe (WI '63)
Chestnut Hill's pool. A small community pool where a lot of good memories happened.

Thank you for your work on the newsletter

submitted by: Sam Iaquinta (WI '54)
samiqiii@gmail.com
This pool was right behind my home on Van Buren street. I think the first life guard was Punky Goodwin.

submitted by: Judy Holden Cork (WI '62)
The mystery picture is the Chestnut Hills swimming pool. I spent a lot of time during the summer at the pool with my friends in Chestnut Hills. Before we moved to Taylor Street we lived on Williams Court and the only way we could swim was to go to the Bridgeport Civic Center pool or to one of the lakes. I was thrilled to have a pool in our neighborhood! I remember I learned to dive there. Many years ago, on a trip back to Clarksburg, I was sorry to see that it was no longer there.

submitted by: Bob White (WI '72)
bobwhite7037@yahoo.com
This month's picture, I believe is the Chestnut Hills pool... I never went swimming there, but my dad and uncle, Bob White and Don Gardner, both WIHS class of 1945's, used to take me to watch them pitch horseshoes next door.

submitted by: Linda Allen Andersen (WI '69)
garyandlinda2002@yahoo.com
This is the Chestnut Hills Swimming Pool . Only residents of Chestnut Hills could be members. It was a great place for kids to hang out. I worked at the concession stand while in high school. The neighborhood was a close knit group and had lots of functions at the pool. As long as you could pass the swimming test you could go to the pool by yourself without a parent being there. Talk about the "good old days"--that was it!

submitted by: Gladys Williams (WI '71)
Gwill1004@aol.com
That is a picture of Chestnut Hills Swimming Pool. It was located at the end of Taylor St. The pool opened in 1958. Each family paid $300.00 which gave them stock in the pool. Only families living in Chestnut Hills were eligible to join. I am not sure of the exact year that it closed, but think it was sometime in the early 1990's. Like other community pools, the expense for repairs and cost of water because of the leaks, forced it to close. The only family that paid their dues every year was Gene Cain so therefore they took over the deed. His sons were all graduates of WI- Rick, Randy, Roger and Jeff.

Because of the dangers of mosquitoes, the pool had to be filled in. The bath house and everything surrounding the pool were torn down and hauled away.

It was a great place to "hang" out. We would go to swim team practice in the morning, go home for lunch, go back to the pool to swim in the afternoon, home for dinner and most evenings hang out there until it closed. We were very fortunate to have this as part of our community. I don't know if I would have ever had the opportunity to learn to swim if not for this pool. I took swimming lessons and passed my test when I was 7 years old, joined the swim team at age 10 and swam until I was 18. Today, I am once again competing with the YMCA Masters' Swim Team.

I remember a few of the lifeguards: Probably-John Hovey, David Beakes, David and Danny Hyre, Tom Plemons, Rusty Rutan were just a few I can remember. Bladen Lowndes and Burger (last name)-lived on Roosevelt Rd., Dave Kehoe were some others. They were either lifeguards and/or swim team coaches. Some taught swim lessons too.

submitted by: Joe Williams (WI 56)
& Shirley Heidelmeier Williams (WI 57)
joeandshirlw@yahoo.com
The picture is Chestnut Hills Swimming Pool. We moved to Chestnut Hills in 1969, and joined the pool. Our three daughters spent their summers at the pool, after learning to be good swimmers they were on the swim team and we all had great times. There were neighborhood cookouts at the pool. As time went on the pool closed due to high insurance costs, and upkeep. We sure miss those days.

submitted by: Vic Gentilozzi
vicgentilozzi@gmail.com
Looks like an early photo. When I lived in CH the pool also had a concession stand on the right. I was on the board for a few years and later the president for two. The honor included going down there in the spring with a few good friends and taking the dead squirrels and leaves out, scrubbing it down and painting it. Plus broken pumps, etc. There was never a dull moment during the summer since kids acted like kids. It was hard to fill the board vacancies. This wasn’t how it started out just after WWII. People there accepted using their house deeds for collateral to borrow the money to build the pool. There was a waiting line to work on the board as well as getting membership. I think it was the first private pool in Clarksburg. My hat is off to those forefathers like Herb Cain, Sam Iaquinta, etc. who made it possible for the many kids from Chestnut Hill to enjoy their summer. The pool went belly-up a few years later from competition with the city pool.

submitted by: Barbara Paugh Patton (WI '61)
BAP5555@aol.com
The swimming pool is Chestnut Hills. My grandmother and I walked around Chestnut Hill after school and in the summer.

submitted by: Jeff Westfall (WI '80)
westfall-family@hotmail.com
This is the Chestnut Hills pool. I lifeguarded on and off there in the mid 1980s. I was helping a buddy of mine who worked there, and had to leave early a couple of days a week to go to the YMCA to teach swimming, so I would come in and cover the end of his shift there.

submitted by: John Hovey (WI '64)
jhovey71846@yahoo.com
The picture in question for February was of the Chestnut Hills swimming pool. It looked like the picture was taken from our bedroom!

submitted by: Jane Stout Gavan (WI '59)
jognjsg@att.net
I do believe that the mystery photo is of the Chestnut Hills pool. Carolyn White Rector and I taught swimming classes there in the summertime. Brings back memories.

submitted by: Bill Phillips (WI '60)
If Alford Starkey is on your list of followers please forward it to him. I picked him up at his house on Van Burean in Chestnut Hills. We would go down the hill, Roosevelt, slam the brakes on and slid, my 47 Plymouth. Well one night I lost it and ended up in the Chestnut Hill wading pool, my car was there for days before it was towed out. Just can't have fun anymore.

submitted by: Carolyn Spagnuolo (NDHS '62)
Cspag315@aol.com
It looks like the Chestnut Hills swimming pool. My relatives used to live up there and I used the pool often.

submitted by: Molly Lynch Knotts (WI '66)
hotknots99@aol.com
This month’s picture is of the Chestnut Hills Community Pool and was most likely taken right after it's completion. The "founding fathers" of Chestnut Hills bought stock in the pool and contributed many man hours of hard labor to build it. On it's opening day the water was ice cold but that didn't matter to the kids...we all dashed in and within minutes had blue lips and chattering teeth. After a few years, the apron of the pool was expanded and one was able to lay on their towel in the sunshine. I lived at the bottom of Roosevelt Road and the street dead ended on the hill above the pool area. It was at least 2 years of following a dirt path down the hill until the "founding fathers" constructed steps.

I am not sure when the pool was demolished, but it has been many, many years.

submitted by: Barbara J.Younkin Park (Easton MD HS 1962, would have been WI 1962.
I lived at 408 Roosevelt Road.)
That is the Chestnut Hills pool over the hill from the dead end of Roosevelt Road. I left before the pool was built but returned for a visit and Dan Wheeler took me to see it. I have a similar photo, from I think 1959 or so.

I also remember a school visit to the Carnation Milk plant and to this day I think it was awesome!!! When I buy evaporated milk, I buy only Carnation.

CORRECT ANSWER WITHOUT A MEMORIY INCLUDED

Old Chestnut Hills community pool.

Dave Preston (WI 1970)

May the leprechauns be near you,
To spread luck along your way.
And may all the Irish angels,
Smile upon you St. Patrick’s Day.

THE MYSTERY PICTURE FOR MARCH
Pictured below is our mystery picture for the month. Can you identify the name or location of this place? Write to Roleta1@aol.com and see if your guess is correct. I only print correct guesses.

submitted by: John Hovey (WI '64)
jhovey71846@yahoo.com
In February's News Letter, my brother asked if anyone could give him any insight about the woman who walked the kids to the Chestnut Hills playground often in the summer. I told him that the kids had come from the big building at the end of Horner Ave. near Chestnut Street, which is still standing but I believe is now empty. The kids were moved to the Laurel Park area in the early 70's.

SUBJECTS TO JOG YOUR MEMORIES
Write and tell me about the guys carrying their black umbrellas and jumping the parking meters on Main St on the way to Hagans after coming down The Arcade.

Or Mr. Traugh and Mr. Duckworth sitting up in the rafters outside the principal’s office smoking between classes.

Do either of these subjects cause you to say, Yep, I remember that? Tell us about it…or tell us about any memory you have….We are all at that point in our life when we remember when….so here is the place to share your memories.

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

CHECK ALL THE LINKS
QUITE A CIVIL WAR HISTORY LESSON
PHOTOS:

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/02/the-civil-war-part-1-theplaces/ 100241/
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/02/the-civil-war-part-2-thepeople/ 100242/
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/02/the-civil-war-part-3-thestereographs/ 100243/

ARTICLES:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/toc/2012/02

PRICKETT’S FORT
submitted by: Charles Ferrell (WI '46)
I was pleased to see the Prickett's Fort on the block on the quilt. The book "Prickett's Fort A Bastion in the Wilderness" by John M. Bromback provides a little history on this fort. It was built by Zaqkwell Morgan, Captain's militia company during Lord Dunmore's War in 1774. He served 174 days in the construction of the fort. My ancestor Robert Ferrell, Lieutenant also served for this same time period.This book provides the names of the officers and troops who were involved in the construction and later in 1777.This book is available at the Fort visitor center in Fairmont.

I discovered this book on a visit to the reconstructed fort on returning from a NARFE Convention in Kentucky a few years ago.

MEMORIES OF THE 50’S
submitted by: Tim Cork
I like the way this video is made. At the bottom of the screen there are 3 buttons; reverse, pause, and play. If you didn't read a page fast enough you can go back, and pause it and take your time reading it . If you grew up in the 50's you will enjoy this video. If you didn't, you should enjoy the history lesson.

This is one of the best 50's video's I've seen. You will enjoy this. But only if you were in our generation or very close. . . . And if you were not in this generation -- listen and eat your hearts out. It was the best of times...

http://oldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheFifties.htm

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter;
Lullabies, dreams and love ever after.
Poems and songs with pipes and drums;
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes...;
That's the Irish for you!

SWINGING BRIDGE IN STEALEY
submitted by: Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
jjaranko@frontiernet.net

Here is the picture of the swinging bridge that connected Hart Street to River Road. It is the old one, the one that would roll under your feet and could be scary, believe me. If you will notice there is a barricade to the right of the picture. The story about that is this: The Lyons family lived up Hart Street to the angle where it met McDowell Street, right across from Mr. Adam's garage. Mr. Lyons was the councilman and he had worked and worked to get the city to build a road that completed Hart Street at Milford Street. The Canteen on one corner and to the left was the Stealey bridge. It would save time and gasoline for the people living in that part of Stealey.

The trouble was that the road would fall in about halfway around it and it was very dangerous. It fell in two or three times and the city would repair it, but finally they just decided not to do it anymore and the road was closed. Mr. Lyons did his best for the people there but failed to get it open again. I think I have a picture of the huge tree that took this swinging bridge out. When they erected another swinging bridge, they made it higher up from the water and it didn't roll like the old one. I don't know what happened to that bridge as I moved away but I know it is gone and none has replaced it. If I can find the other picture, I'll pass it on to you.

WRITE AND TELL ME
What teacher do you think was the strictest disciplinarian? Was it fair or unfair discipline?

Write to Roleta1@aol.com

WEST VIRGINIA MARKERS (HISTORY)
submitted by: Charles Hugh McClung (WI '48)
cmcclungsr@msn.com
http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?State=West%20Virginia

Another website to view West Virginia markers. Much easier to read than the one posted in last Newsletter. Maybe put this in next Newsletter?

GUESS WHO
Can you name any of the gals pictured below? Send in your guesses to Roleta1@aol.com. I won’t print incorrect guesses.

NEW READERS

Lucy Meredith Villa (WI '63)	villa01@localnet.com
Tom Bargeloh (WI '71)	tombargeloh@yahoo.com

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Harriet Stout Noel (WI '59)	harriettnoel@charter.net
Nina Meredith Chace (WI '60)	mynichace@comcast.net
Dave Kulina (WI '61)	dkulina@ma.rr.com

A world of wishes at your command,
God and his angels close at hand,
Friends and family, their love impart,
And Irish blessings in your heart!

THOSE WHO GAVE TO THE WIN SCHOLARSHIP
Larry (Bridgeport 1955) and Beverly Ellis O’Grady (WI 1958)
Jerry Winerman (WI 1956)
Barbara Charles (Bridgeport 1955)
Sharon DiMaria (WI 1961)
Marolyn Tustin Jett (WI 1956)
Bill White (WI 1956)
Barbara Paugh Patton (WI 1961)
Anthony Bellotte (WI 1957)
Alexis Julian Scott (NDHS 1965)
Beverly Morris Hissong (WI 1958)
Bob Manley
Elizabeth Murphy (WI 1949)
Frank Martino (WI 1965)
Frank Bush (WI 1959)
Don Sager (WI 1956)
Bill Bryan (RW 1957)
Babe Bisping Cashman (WI 1956)
Martha Sue Robinson Pierson (WI 1965)
Carole Findley Cinci (WI 1964) and George Cinci (WI 1960)

If you would like to give to the WIN Scholarship, simply write out your check to:

Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship

And mail to :
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, FL 34240
Thank you

TOURIST TRAINS IN WV
submitted by: Buzz Floyd (VHS '56)
Very nice youtube video. I didn’t know WV had all those tourist trains. I rode the one at Cass in 2005 with Missy, Jan, and Ari.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0qih5wECM4

DEREK W. HOTSINPILLER FEDERAL BUILDING
submitted by: Diana Shablack Sandy (WI '69)
Hi Roleta,

Yesterday, February 16th, marked the first anniversary of Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller murder. The Clarksburg paper had an article regarding the re-naming of the Federal Center there. If you haven't already received it and would like to put it in the March newsletter I thought I'd send to you. Derek and my niece were best friends from the time they were pre-schoolers. Feb 16th is also her birthday - so it will always bring back sadness to her over his tragic loss. Also attaching a photo and one of the officer down emblem.

http://www.cpubco.com/articles/2012/02/15/news/03.txt

To Bill:

I missed the time when we wrote about our past assistant coaches, so here goes.

We sometimes forget to appreciate our assistant coaches, but they work just as long and hard as the head coach does, without the accolades. Mitch Poniwaiz looked a little bit like Rodney Dangerfield, had a very mild temperament and was one of the nicest coaches I probably ever knew. He was independent though and didn't ever let anything that someone thought about him, good or bad, affect his feelings. He started working with me in the eighth grade, a somewhat precarious age for most. I had a pretty decent jump shot in basketball, as it goes, but I also shot my fouls with the same motion and made probably 70 %. That was a cool way to shoot fouls. Coach Mitch pleaded with me to change to a two handed, underhand foul shot instead. He explained that your jump shots come from all over the court in different directions and always from a different distance each time. Therefore, you always have to exert a different pressure for each shot from the court and always from a different angle. "You have too many variables to deal with", he would say. If you go to the line in the 4th quarter, you are tired and you don't shoot the same. Then, he would kid me, saying "I taught Wilt Chamberlain to do this and he really improved a lot"! My coach was about to teach me one of the most valuable lessons on peer pressure that I would ever learn in life. I knew it wasn't cool, but it made good engineering sense. If you only shoot your foul shots one way and you never use in any other situation, then, your consistency is always, equal no matter what quarter it is. Sometimes, at 13 yrs. old, it is hard to become different from everyone else. I decided to listen to coach and I was the only one on my team to do so. My own teammates ribbed me as did the opposing team and the spectators at away games. You know something? When all your foul shots start to fall, you really begin to overcome all of that. Peer pressure was just as bad back then, except for maybe drugs. But as time went on, my percentage climbed into the high 80's and sometimes the low 90's.

My assistant coach, Mitch Poniwaiz, taught me one of the most valuable lessons of my life that never left me again. He taught me to think clearly regardless of the social consequences and to create things in life that really count. In my later business career, I was never afraid to think out of the box, no matter what anyone else thought. To me, this is the ultimate lesson that we are supposed to get from participating in sports. The foul shot was just a small thing in this story, the lesson was to know how to persevere in the face of adversity and to achieve your ultimate goal in life that lasts a whole lot longer than sports in school. Thank You Coach Poniwaiz!!!!!!

Pat Elder, ND 1957

Reply To Pat:

It is great to hear from you. I agree that assistant coaches sometimes help players more than the head coach. They probably have more time to spend with individual players. As for the underhanded foul shots, I shot that way until I got to high school. I did much better using that style than the one-handed style. I'm sure you recall Rick Barry using the underhanded style in the NBA. I believe that he averaged over 90% using it. Again, thanks for the letter. It's never too late to write us about any sports subject.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

To Bill:

Some buddies and I were discussing the WV-Clemson game and how many points WV scored. One of them said that it would probably be one of the highest scoring games in history. I told them that is was far from a GA Tech game years ago. I couldn't remember what the score was so I pulled this up.

1916 CUMBERLAND VS. GEORGIA TECH FOOTBALL GAME
MOST LOPSIDED GAME IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY

The 1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game was an American football game played on October 7, 1916, between the Georgia Tech Engineers and the Cumberland College Bulldogs at Grant Field (now known as Bobby Dodd Stadium) in Atlanta, Georgia. The game became the most lopsided in the history of college football, as Georgia Tech was victorious 222–0.

Jim Alvaro, W I 1956

Reply To Jim:

I knew that the WVU victory was not a scoring record, but had never realized that the Ga. Tech/Cumberland game had the record. WVU used to score a lot of points on schools like Otterbein, WV Wesleyan (You remember that school), and Geneva College in the earlier days. I think they scored more than 70 points on Rutgers during Rich Rod's tenure. Someone could win some cash in sport's trivia with this information.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

REAL MONEY, NIT-PICKING AND THE BIG 12
Although it has been a slow month for letters from our readers, there has been a wealth of news about West Virginia sports.

High school basketball season is winding down and tournament time is just around the corner. Fairmont, Sr. and Morgantown have both been in the top ten in the ratings all year. Of course, ratings mean nothing. We'll have see who survives the tournaments.

WVU has finally been given the green light to officially join the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2012. To say that it was expensive, would be an understatement. $20 million seems a pretty steep price to pay to leave the Big East, but the powers that be say it was the right move. For those of you who live near enough to Morgantown to attend the home games, it will be fun, to say the least. Having Oklahoma and the other Big 12 teams visiting Mountaineer Field this fall will be thrilling. However, I'm not too sure we will feel that way throughout the season. There may be times when we will be glad they sell beer at the stadium, since we will need something to drown our sorrows. Several writers claim that the Mounties will compete for the league championship in their first season. I hope they are right, but I wouldn't bet the house on it. Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas State and Oklahoma State are NOT Connecticut, Rutgers, Syracuse and Louisville. Not even close. One thing is for sure. If we win, we'll get the national recognition we deserve. Maybe we have finally found a way to get some RESPECT!!

I don't know how many of you watched Bob Huggins news conference after the loss to Marquette. After seeing his performance, I now know what a bomb about ready to explode looks like. I have never seen a coach as disgusted with his team (or at least certain individuals on his team) as Huggins was. Without repeating myself too many times, I really believed he would find a way to mold these guys into a winner. I was wrong. I saw very little improvement as the year progressed, especially in the freshmen. Without Kevin Jones, this team would not have won ten games. I was very disappointed in Deniz Kilicli. He has a real problem passing or at times, even holding on to the ball. Let's pray that he improves and has a lot of help on the way for next year or we could be in for another long season. Regardless, I'll still be there living and dying with each possession. GO MOUNTAINEERS !!

Would you like to comment on any of the above? If so, write to me about this column or anything else concerning sports that is on your mind. Send your emails to:

Bill (billmere@aol.com)

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

OBITUARIES
SUSAN LOUISE GRIFFITH
Susan Louise Griffith, 53, formerly of Clarksburg, passed away of sudden illness Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at her residence in Toledo, OH.

She was born February 22, 1958, in Clarksburg, the daughter of the late Kenneth Clyde and Wilma Jean (Criss) McCauley.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy Charles Griffith, on January 13, 2007, whom she married June 12, 1976.

She is survived by two daughters, Jennifer M. Griffith and Anthony Napierala, of Ottawa Lake, MI, and Melissa D. Urban and her husband Michael, of Toledo, OH; one brother, Russell C. McCauley and his wife Patricia, of Colonial Beach, VA; one granddaughter, Zoe Doss; father-in-law, Howard G. Griffith, of Clarksburg; two brothers-in-law, Jeffery L. Griffith and his wife Sonja, of Clarksburg, and Mark D. Griffith and his wife Kim, of Mt. Clare; nieces and nephews, Kenneth Paul McCauley, serving in the U.S. Navy, and his wife Marla, San Antonio, TX, Renee Diane McCauley, of Herndon, VA, Justin Griffith, Kalyn Edwards and her husband Glenn, all of Clarksburg; one great-nephew, Kolton Edwards, of Clarksburg.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Delores L. (Preston) Griffith.

THOMAS JOSEPH ABRUZZINO
1923-1944
An obituary that you need to read—sent to us by Dave Kuhl

http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvmemory/vets/abruzzino/abruzzino.html

GEORGE A. JUDY
George A. Judy, 89, of Clarksburg, WV, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at his daughter’s residence in Winter Haven, Florida.

He was born in Flemington, WV, on April 27, 1922, a son of the late William Denver and Maude Flora Bolyard Judy.

His wife of 62 years, Nancy Curry Judy, preceded him in death in 2009.

Mr. Judy is survived by two daughters, Dr. Linda May of Winter Haven, FL, and Dr. Jean Carlson and her husband, Charles of Easton, MD; two brothers Clifford Judy of Pendleton, Oregon, and Charles Judy of Seattle, Washington; four grandchildren, Dr. Jeffrey May, Gregory May, Timothy Carlson, Steven Carlson and four great grandchildren, Morgan, Garrett, Dawson, and Beau May; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Judy was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard and Kenneth Judy and one grandson, Grant Rutkowski.

He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, and a 1940 graduate of Washington Irving High School. He retired in 1982 from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company with 28 years of service. After retirement, he worked as a private contractor on home and business repairs in the Clarksburg area.

He proudly served his country during WWII in the Aleutian, Philippine and Hawaiian Theaters in the 42nd Construction Battalion of the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946.

MARY D. KULCZYCKI
Mary D. Kulczycki, age 77, of Clarksburg, WV, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2012, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV.

She was born on July 21, 1934, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter to the late John and Martha Kulczycki.

She is survived by her brother, Walter Kulczycki of Clarksburg, WV; a sister and brother-in-law, Olga Anderson and her husband David of Clarksburg, WV; two nieces, Martha Jean Bains and her husband, Dr. David Bains of Homewood, Alabama and Lt. Colonel Olga Marie Anderson of Watertown, Ny; a nephew, Dr. John David Anderson and his wife, Dr. Andrea Greenfeld of Palmer, Alaska.

Ms. Kulczycki was a 1952 graduate of WI High School. Before deciding to attend college, she was employed for eight years at the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company. She then enrolled at Fairmont State College and received her BA in Education degree. Following that, she attended West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, and received a master's degree, plus 45 hours. Because of her love of educating students, she dedicated 34 and a half years to teaching at the following schools: Wyatt, Summit Park and Nutter Fort.

THOMAS P. BASILE
Thomas P. Basile, 76, of Clarksburg, went to see his Lord, Sunday, February 5, 2012, on his 56th wedding anniversary, at Meadowview Manor in Bridgeport, after a long illness, surrounded by members of his family.

Tom was born June 22, 1935, in Clarksburg, son of the late Angelo and Cora (“Scalzi”) Scott Basile.

He is survived by his wife, Raffaella “Folly” Romano Basile of 56 years; two sons, Thomas F. Basile and wife, Jody Mueller, of Charleston, and Mark Anthony Basile and wife, Maria (Giordano) of Clarksburg; one daughter, Clara Jean Basile and partner, Connie Wolf of San Francisco; three granddaughters, Joanna Basile of South Bend, Indiana, and Emily and Sarah Basile of Charleston; two sisters-in-law, Sylvia Basile and Regina Basile, both of Clarksburg; many nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and greatnephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Dominick Basile at age 3, Dominick “Beezball” Basile and Angelo David Basile; and two sisters, Anna Minnocci and Mary Amelia “Beezy” Voldeck.

Tom graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Clarksburg in 1953 and attended Fairmont State College for 2 1/2 years to pursue a degree in journalism and sports broadcasting, before changing his plans to start a family and begin what would ultimately become a long, successful career as an insurance agent and financial advisor.

Tom owned, successfully built and managed Basile and Associates for over 50 years, now located at 444 West Main St. in Clarksburg, where he was a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Chartered Life Underwriter, a business that will be carried on and continued by his youngest son, Mark.

Tom received numerous awards in his profession over the years, including: the Man of the Year Award 25 times; the National Quality Award 30 times; numerous Sales Achievement Awards; a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, having qualified for 35 years and The President’s Club 20 times. He was also a member of the Fairmont AIFA. Tom exhibited a passion for his community, Italian heritage, family, friends and beloved WVU.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where, at various times, he was on the Parish Council and served as a Eucharist Minister and Lector. He was a huge supporter of the Harrison County Catholic School system, which honored him in 2010 by making him a recipient of its Irish Legends award. He was an avid WVU sports fan and donor, being a WVU Champion Level donor, a member of the WVU Director’s 100 Club and contributing significantly over the years to WVU athletic scholarships.

He was known to spin a good yarn and loved to tell stories, especially of his sports heroes, like Joe DiMaggio, Rocky Marciano, Jerry West and Sam Huff, but also of his travels and his family and friends; and if one were fortunate enough to have listened to him and his brothers, “Beezball” and Angelo David (“the BB brothers”), get after it when they gathered together, then one was in for a real entertainment treat. He was a classic movie buff who derived great pleasure from making family and friends sit down with him time and time again to watch his favorite movies (“ATFs”) such as “The Godfather,” “Gone With The Wind” and “Casablanca,” so he could give his expert running commentaries throughout.

Many people considered him a wizard on sports probabilities and frequently sought his advice and studied insights on such matters, particularly on fall weekends. His family and friends and heritage were the special pride of his life, along with food, wine and travel. He was a member of the Clarksburg Elks, Knights of Columbus, Clarksburg Moose, Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy, Columbian Club, National Italian American Foundation and past Board member, President, Chairman and Entertainment Chairman of the highly successful West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival.

ROBERT STRINGER WILSON, M.D
Robert Stringer Wilson, M.D., 92, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and formerly of Clarksburg, West Virginia, died January 30, 2012, at his home from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

He was born in Clarksburg on January 9, 1920, the son of James Edward Wilson, Sr., M.D. and Mary Evelyn Boggess Wilson.

Dr. Wilson graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1937 and West Virginia University in 1941, where he was a member of the golf team and Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He went on to graduate from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1944 and was an Orthopaedic Intern at Johns Hopkins from 1944 to 1945, Assistant Resident, 1945-46 and, from 1946 to 1948, served in the Army Medical Corps where he obtained the rank of captain. He came back to Johns Hopkins in 1949 as Chief Resident, Orthopaedics.

In 1950, Dr. Wilson returned to Clarksburg where he practiced orthopaedic surgery, establishing an office in the Prunty Building. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He was a member and president of the medical staff of the former Saint Mary’s and Union Protestant hospitals. Following the merger of these two institutions, he served as United Hospital Center’s first president of the medical staff. Dr. Wilson was instrumental in bringing the polio vaccine to Harrison County. He was past president of the Harrison County Medical Society. “Dr. Bob,” as he was known around Clarksburg, retired in 1994.

On June 30, 1945, Dr. Wilson married Helen Maynard of Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of William Hard and Helen Vail Maynard. She passed away on June 12, 1969. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Helen Woodward Croghan, daughter of John Robert and Brita Long Woodward. Seven sons and one stepson survive him: Robert Stringer Wilson, Jr. of Rockville, Maryland, James Edward (Diane) Wilson II of Brookline, New Hampshire, Richard Maynard Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Philip Caleb Wilson of Rutherford, New Jersey, David Matthews Wilson of Palo Alto, California, William Levin Wilson (James Higgins) of Kinston, North Carolina, Frederick Fielding (Jacqueline) Wilson of Clarksburg and Thomas Woodward (Patricia Pittman) Croghan, M.D. of Davidsonville, Maryland.

JOHN BARTLETT HORNOR
John Bartlett Hornor, the oldest son of Wayne Bartlett Hornor and Artie Mae Hornor (nee: Swiger), will be laid to rest next to his parents and brother in the Elk View Masonic Cemetery, Clarksburg, West Virginia, on February 7, 2012, at 1 p.m. in a formal military burial.

John was born on October 25, 1922, at the family home on West Pike Street in Clarksburg, graduated from Washington Irving High School and attended West Virginia University before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in France and Germany with the 264th Combat Engineers, Patton’s 3rd Army.

After the war, he married Patricia Slater, daughter of Dr. Charles N. Slater, Clarksburg, and completed his degree at the Wharton School of Finance in Philadelphia.

John was an active member of the Clarksburg Jaycees, holding offices of Secretary through President, and spearheaded many successful projects for that civic organization.

He was employed in the spice industry for 30 years, retiring as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for B. Heller & Co., Bedford Park, Illinois.

John volunteered for many years at the Spring Hill Hospital, Spring Hill, Florida, and was an usher most every Sunday at Grace Presbyterian Church.

He also volunteered at Del Webb Hospital for several years after their move in 2003 to Surprise, Arizona. The last eight years were filled with visits from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, special anniversary parties and birthday parties, holiday gatherings and all the love those events could generate.

On January 15, 2012, John succumbed to the cancer he fought so valiantly over the last year. Just as he lived his life, his passing was peaceful, calm and dignified.

John is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of 65 years; daughters, Linda Nilles and Anne Hornor; sons, John Jr. and wife Betty and David and wife Beth; grandchildren, Robert Nilles Jr. and wife Tammy, Shannon Lee, Benjamin Hornor and wife Breanne, Thomas Hornor and wife Andrea, Lauren Hornor, James Hornor, Ellen Hornor, Emma Hornor and Zachary Hornor-Hernandez; and great-grandchildren, Elise Nilles, Cody Lee, Robert “Trey” Nilles III and Kayla Lee.

CHARLENE A. ROLLAND LEON
NUTTER FORT — Charlene A. Rolland Leon, 68, of Clarksburg, WV, departed this life on February 24, 2012, at Ruby Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born June 9, 1943, in Clarksburg, WV, a daughter of the late Ernest Rolland Jr. and Fay Marcella Heidelmeier Rolland.

She is survived by her husband, Victor L. Leon, whom she married on March 26, 1976.

Also surviving are two brothers, Ronald Rolland of St. Petersburg, FL, and Eugene Rolland of North View; one sister, Sallie Skipper and her husband John of Florence, SC; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Leon was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a 1961 graduate of Washington Irving High School and retired from the Clarksburg Harrison County Health Department with over 20 years of service.

She was a member of the Clarksburg Women’s Club and was on the WI Class of 1961 Reunion Committee. She enjoyed playing bridge at the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center.

May luck be our companion;
May friends stand by our side;
May history remind us all
of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness;
May love and faith abide.

Newsletter Archive

Back to WI Index