PITTSTON — High school class reunions are usually celebrated on a milestone anniversary year, but some former school friends like to meet in between reunions. Pittston’s St. John the Evangelist High School Class of 1973 gathered on Saturday, Oct. 10, to celebrate classmates’ 60th birthday.

Eighteen of the 89 members of the class were on hand at The Red Mill, Pittston, to mark many of the members who have and will turn 60 years old this year.

The class doesn’t usually need an excuse to gather because many of the classmates get together once a month all year round, according to Marianne Sauter-Trotta, Pittston.

Present for the celebration were the class’ three sets of twins. Joe and George Sharkey, natives of West Pittston; Robert Kirk, Shavertown, and Barbara Kirk-Tzamalas, Wyoming; and Joe Petro, Pittston, and Mary Ann Petro Avery, Pittston Township, gathered for a photo marking the occasion.

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Dr. Gwen Galasso, Pittston, was on hand along with Bill Burke. The two classmates have known each other since first grade. Galasso attended the event with fiancé, Joe Ward. Ward was a 1972 graduate of St. John’s and had been a friend of Galasso for many years. Ward and Galasso reconnected some time after his wife had passed away.

“We meet every month at The Red Mill and each month we see different faces,” said Sauter-Trotta.

Sauter-Trotta mentioned two classmates that passed away this year, Judy Donahue and Marianna Gildea-Smith. “It was a shock when both passed away,” she said. “Marianna came to all of the meetings.”

The monthly meetings are not really meetings as much as a time to get together. Initially, the class gathered at Cooper’s but gravitated to The Red Mill.

“This was one of the neat things to go through when we all met three years ago planning the 40th reunion,” Sauter-Trotta said. “I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect, but once there, I felt like we never stopped seeing each other.”

A November meeting date has not been established but Sauter-Trotta assures classmates to check with the class Facebook page for further details.

Members of the St. John’s Class of 1973 recently met at The Red Mill, Pittston, to celebrate classmates 60th birthdays. First row is Theresa Acernese Roebuck. Second row, from left, Anne Maganello, Mary Ann Petro, Barbara Kirk, Dr. Gwen Galasso, Marianne Sauter-Trotta, Mary Ellen Tierney Boos, Ann Williams. Third row, Paula Cadden Glodzik, Jane Egan Grimes, Bob Kirk, Joe Petro, Bill Burke. Fourth row, Mike Ziobro, George Sharkey, Joe Sharkey, Pat Grimes, Joe Weizorek.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_St.-John-s-1973-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of the St. John’s Class of 1973 recently met at The Red Mill, Pittston, to celebrate classmates 60th birthdays. First row is Theresa Acernese Roebuck. Second row, from left, Anne Maganello, Mary Ann Petro, Barbara Kirk, Dr. Gwen Galasso, Marianne Sauter-Trotta, Mary Ellen Tierney Boos, Ann Williams. Third row, Paula Cadden Glodzik, Jane Egan Grimes, Bob Kirk, Joe Petro, Bill Burke. Fourth row, Mike Ziobro, George Sharkey, Joe Sharkey, Pat Grimes, Joe Weizorek. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

St. John’s Class of ‘73 had three sets of twins. All three sets were in attendance for the 60th birthday party. From left, Barbara Kirk-Tzamalas, Wyoming and brother Robert Kirk, Shavertown; George Sharkey, West Wyoming, and brother Joe Sharkey, Laflin; Joe Petro, Pittston, and sister Mary Ann Petro-Avery, Pittston Township.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_St.-John-s-1973-2.jpg.optimal.jpgSt. John’s Class of ‘73 had three sets of twins. All three sets were in attendance for the 60th birthday party. From left, Barbara Kirk-Tzamalas, Wyoming and brother Robert Kirk, Shavertown; George Sharkey, West Wyoming, and brother Joe Sharkey, Laflin; Joe Petro, Pittston, and sister Mary Ann Petro-Avery, Pittston Township. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Mike Ziebro, left, Joe Weizorek, center, and Joe Sharkey chat during the evening.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_St.-John-s-1973-3.jpg.optimal.jpgMike Ziebro, left, Joe Weizorek, center, and Joe Sharkey chat during the evening. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Bill Best and Dr. Gwen Galasso were classmates from first grade through graduation.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_St.-John-s-1973-4.jpg.optimal.jpgBill Best and Dr. Gwen Galasso were classmates from first grade through graduation. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Mary Ellen Tierney-Boos, Harleysville, left, with John and Merrie Boyle, Pittston.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_St.-John-s-1973-5.jpg.optimal.jpgMary Ellen Tierney-Boos, Harleysville, left, with John and Merrie Boyle, Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
St. John’s Class of ‘73 gathers for 60th birthdays

By Tony Callaio

For Sunday Dispatch

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