Looks like I’m a little late to the blog! So much fun to read about
fond memories of Willard School, and seeing all of the pictures. I hope
the 40th RHS reunion went well. Now, we’re looking at our 50th in a
couple of years. Anyone game? I’d love to see everyone again.
Like
Barbara, I left Ridgewood pretty much after going to college, but was
back frequently to visit parents and grandparents. Eventually, I moved
to California and now live in Northridge, which is part of LA. After
college, I lived in Burlington, VT for some time and worked in the UVM
medical library. I became interested in libraries and subsequently went
back to school to get a library degree. A high point of that time was
reuniting with Barbara Tomkins and meeting her then boyfriend, Jerry
Melnick. Jerry worked at the Harvard School of Public Health and helped
my then boyfriend find a job there. Barbara and I didn’t see that much
of each other during that time, but it was nice to know that she was
nearby.
After that, I moved with said boyfriend, later husband,
to California on a temporary basis while he did an internship in
Bakersfield. Eventually, that marriage ended and I moved to LA and
worked for the VA. After some time, I met and married the love of my
life, Bob McGaughey, and we recently celebrated our 25th anniversary.
Reading
Bobby Elgin’s entries reminded me of going over to his house in the
morning when the family would be having breakfast. I lived across the
street from him and played with his sister, and all of us kids would
walk or ride bikes to school together. I now realize that probably the
last thing his mother needed was extra kids hanging out at that time,
but we would sometimes get a cup of grape juice, which I thought was
very cool. Oh, and we got to watch TV—in the morning no less!
So
many memories of playing at Barbara’s house after school and of her
parents. I remember that her grandfather lived with them for some time,
and that when he died, you could still smell cigar smoke in his room. I
remember going to a birthday party in that room and that her mother
made a really fun game out of little gifts that were tied to pieces of
yarn. The yarn was all tangled up like a spiderweb, and you had to
follow the end you were given to get your gift. Later, Barbara and I
would try to be cool and as teens took the bus to NYC to experience
Greenwich Village. I remember wondering exactly how we would know when
we got there.
When we were all a little older, I remember Mark
Brotherton and, like Barbara mentioned, we would go to wherever he was
babysitting and hang out. He was about the first of us to get a
driver’s license, and I remember him driving his VW. He even let me try
driving once, but I seem to remember having a close call with the curb
on Mountain Ave., and he thought maybe that wasn’t the greatest idea
after all (he was always the smartest one in the class).
I hope that the blog is still active. I hope everyone is well and enjoying life, and I’d love to hear more. Take care,
Betsy Rodie McGaughey.
Rick Bowe states: A follow up on Jerry Coleman, jr and senior. Senior is an accomplished guy. They moved to San Diego before we entered high school. I have no stories about Jerry jr, but I do know that Jerry’s older sister, Diane (RHS ’68) is married to the brother of my dad’s lady friend. Yeah, go figure that one out.
Bob Elgin adds: I say chalk one up to your Dad’s ladyfriend’s brother. Diane Coleman was very attractive as I recall.
Judy Hall Saydah recalls: Jerry Sr. was the 2nd baseman for the New York Yankees, then was a broadcaster for them. I think he retired as a broadcaster for the Padres and is in the broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was at a book signing last year at Bookends book store before the Yankee Old Timers game. I foolishly didn’t go.
They lived up the street from us. Susan Main lived almost across the street from him and remembers more than I. Jerry Jr. was in my second grade class. I remember him not feeling well in school one day. No one believed him because he had a way of crying wolf. Ended up he had his appendix out.
Diane went to my brother’s reunion in ’08 and all the guys said she is still absolutely gorgeous.
Rick Bowe replies: Judy,
Great story about Jerry jr’s appendix. The things we remember…
Still gorgeous, huh? I have pretty high hopes for lots of you ladies out there in Oct. Plenty of time to get ready…drop a few, tone up.
Susan Main chines in: Jerry went away to boarding school. He used his ladder to exit his second floor bedroom too many times so his parents thought he needed a little more help. I don’t know if anyone knows or not, but I don’t think he is alive anymore. I spent much time in and around that house and have many fond memories. My brothers both have a baseball signed by all the Yankee greats and even saw Mickey Mantle in the buff…………
Yes, all the guys had the hots for Diane. Oh no, how many months do we have to work on our looks? That goes for you guys also!
Rick responds: I will look into Jerry Jr. On behalf of my guy friends, we accept the challenge also.
Hi--Dave Chandler herer--This discussion is very near and dear to me. Jerry (Jr.), or "little Jerry" as my family called him, was one of my two best friends as a young boy, when we both attended grades K-4 together at Travell, before we both moved to "upper" Ridgewood. We lived about 5 houses down from the Colemans before we both moved. I still have a picture of us with our arms around each other and our other best friend Stevie when we were about 6 or 7 that my Mom labeled "friends forever." I could tell you stories...like when Jerry convinced me to play hookie from school in first grade. Or when he burned down his backyard, or when he dug a huge hole in his backyard for fun, or when he would "hit the jackpot" at the Adventure Club at the Y and get 10 Cokes out of a machine for a single dime, or when he buried some cigarettes when we were in 5th grade and I smoked one with him for the first (and last) time. He was one of the first kids I remember to get an ID bracelet and then actually "go steady."
And Diane--she was gorgeous even as a kid. I think she may have modeled. I was in love with her as a 5-year-old. I still get warm, fuzzy feelings recalling being naked with her in a little blow-up pool in my backyard in the 50s...
Then there was Jerry Sr. What a dashing guy. When I had an accident as a kid he got me an autographed ball from the Yankees. I can still remember the color of the pen on it and all the greats names written on it, including the Mick. I can remember him driving me around in his flashy convertible. Once he took me and Jerry to a Yankee game and we got to sit in the broadcast booth. Then he took us to the clubhouse and I shook hands with two players. I can still remember their names and how they shook my hand. Incredible memories.
I know the Coleman family and little Jerry in particular always had huge challenges, many likely resulting from Jerry's career choice. I was saddened to hear that Louise (little Jerry's Mom) had died a number of years ago. I've tried to locate little Jerry a number of times to no avail. It would be terrible if he wasn't alive--if what Sue says above is true. I just went online and saw that big Jerry wrote a book. I'll order it and give it to my Dad for father's day I think. Having the "Coleman connection" definitely solidified my lifetime allegiance to the Yankees
From Rick Bowe: Dave, nice comments on the Colemans. Sounds like you were, in fact, very close. I imagine it would be great for you to reconnect with Jerry Jr, about whom I have an update.
My good friend (and fellow Graydon Pool life guard) Ken Ruhl (RHS '67) lived in San Diego in the 90's. He was close to Diane Coleman, who was then married to Ken's friend Mike Urbano. Jerry Sr. was still involved with the Padres, and Jerry Jr. was still involved, but, I gather, peripherally. Diane eventually divorced Mr. Urbano, and Ken moved away from San Diego, and the trail grew cold.
But, I called my friend yesterday, inquiring after Jerry Jr. He, in turn, called Mike Urbano, who believes that Jerry Jr. is very much alive, and living in Colorado, perhaps Inglewood, CO. We could have Irene track him down there, should be easy for her.
By the way, Diane Coleman is remarried. I believe to the younger brother of my father's lady friend. So there...
Wow, thanks, Rick. I just received Jerry Sr's book, detailing his life as a Yankee and then broadcaster (elected to the Hall of Fame!) There's a pic of little Jerry in the book that just doesn't look anything like what he did as a kid. I would never recognize him on the street. Nor Diane--who unsurprisingly, is still gorgeous. Irene got an address for little Jerry in Lake Tahoe. I think I'll contact him.
Dave
Dave:
I've been following your comments. Very interesting. Jerry and I were friends as well during elementary school and into GW. It was funny. He was one of the nicest guys who always wanted to do bad things. I'm sure you're right, that his Dad and his career provided a lot of additional stress for him. At any rate, if you do get in touch with him, be sure to tell him I said hi. And for sure, let us know what you find out.
Dave,
Let us know how the book is. I may want to read it.
Rick
thanks Rick for the Jerry Jr. update- I am thrilled to hear he has been found!!