DBT Boston Alumni Dedicate Memorial Plaque

By Fr. Mike Mendl, SDB

(Boston, MA — May 2) — Thousands of Boston-area young men attended Don Bosco Technical High School between 1945 and 1998—most of them at the campus on Warrenton Street in downtown Boston that opened in 1955. Grateful for the education they received and the life-long friendships they formed, on Sunday, April 23, about 120 of the alumni of the downtown site gathered, along with a few spouses, offspring, and former teachers to dedicate a memorial plaque at the DoubleTree Hotel that now occupies the former school building. Attendees were from classes as far back as 1955 and as recent as 1991 (at least).

Kevin Kelly '75, came up with the idea for the plaque, undertook the fundraising and execution to have it made, and coordinated with Tony Frazone, the hotel’s general manager, to have it installed. He was assisted by several other alumni, especially Jim Hager '74, in organizing the event. The alumni and others came together in the DoubleTree’s main lobby, restaurant, and lounge, which were generously made available after inclement weather precluded use of a courtyard as originally planned.

Kevin Kelly welcomed everyone at 3:00 pm after sufficient time for the guys to get reacquainted and avail themselves of the open bar. He recalled their shared experiences. Then Rick Saia '75, read the plaque’s tribute to their old school:

This plaque commemorates the halls, classrooms, and athletic facilities of Don Bosco Technical High School, which stood on this site from 1955-1998. Following the guiding principles of St. John Bosco, a 19th-century Italian priest who was their founder and inspiration, the Salesians of Don Bosco, aided by many lay teachers, educated and inspired thousands of young men in the Boston area to live lives of sound Christian values and contribute to the betterment of society.
It is with everlasting appreciation that the alumni of Don Bosco Technical High School thank those teachers and coaches whose dedication shaped the lives of so many who, in turn, helped shape the future of this great city and region. The alumni would also like to thank the Corcoran Jennison Companies for allowing this plaque to stand in honor and remembrance of our beloved school.
April 23, 2023

Kevin closed by stating simply, "Bosco shaped us during the most formative years of our lives." Fr. Bill Keane, SDB, offered a prayer before the unveiling of the plaque and accompanying photo, and Fr. Mike Mendl, SDB, blessed the plaque and everyone associated with DBT and the dedication event.

John Gushue '62, a former Salesian and DBT faculty member, expressed his gratitude for the school: "DBT took my family out of poverty and enabled me to live a responsible life. The dedication was a success on every level. Lots of Salesians earned their wings at the school and went on to be great men in and out of the order, never turning their back on the Salesian principles they nurtured at DBT."

At least two other former Salesians attended. Neil Sumner and John Murphy both graduated from "the other DBT" (Paterson, NJ) in 1959, professed as Salesian coadjutor brothers in 1960, and came to Boston to teach printing. After leaving the Salesians, they continued their careers in graphic arts; Neil even became a “graphic engineer” to Parker Brothers, the famous game- maker. For the last 15 years he’s been a permanent deacon in the Boston Archdiocesan, presently serving at Christ the King Church in Reading. After retiring from printing, John drives a school bus—a skill he’d learned at Paterson—and loves it.

Jim Hager in 2013 initiated a series of alumni reunions, the first of which took place the following year. Some gatherings had more than 200 attendees. He made a career of drafting, design, and project management. His best memory of DBT is the support that the students got from the faculty; some of the teachers were really able to connect with the students. He said the dedication day was "a very emotional day for many."

Tony Tuccelli '69, remembers the people of DBT, both teachers and students, and the sports program. He played freshman basketball, then became the varsity manager, and he ran track and cross country. He studied electricity, finding in Charlie Colbert a good code teacher, and went on to a career as an electrician.

Ed Falter and Frank Roddy were members of the Class of 1972. Ed has regaled his children with tales of his long daily commute from Watertown, worth it because DBT was "a great school." Two of his brothers also came to DBT. His best teacher was Br. Fred Therrien in building tech. Frank lauded the education he received. After learning carpentry from Br. Julius Bollati and other teachers, he worked as a union carpenter. Three of his brothers also attended DBT.

Jack Dempsey '75, treasures sports memories (he ran track and played intramural hockey) and the memory of Br. Charlie Bryson, who took him under his wing as a freshman. He spent 32 years in the Coast Guard (active and reserve), bringing his training in building tech to the service’s damage control systems. Then he went to work for Boston’s Fire Department for 36 years, eventually rising to fire commissioner.

Three 1985 graduates were happy to say that they’re Salesian Cooperators: Jeff Cahill, Joe Quinn, and Mark Coffey. They’re proud of the "very tight class" that they belong to. They’re also close to Br. Tom Sweeney from the graphic arts department. Jeff and Joe were outstanding trackmen. Jeff "lived the life of Don Bosco" as a youth minister in his parish for 14 years (until the pastor shut down the program). He worked as a business rep for UMass Amherst. Joe majored in communications in college and made a career in TV and with Comcast. He’s happy that now his kids are taking tech courses in college.