As I speak to more and more people in the Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Bridesburg and Port Richmond areas, fond memories of attending North Catholic High School are repeated over and over again. Teachers like Knobby Walsh, Jack Friel, Fitz, Sleepy Charlie, Jack Loughery, Bob Larkin, Ed Armsrtrong, Black John, the Wiz, Flunker Dan, and "the big four" are mentioned frequently. Kindly add some fond memories of North to this discussion. Over and over again, I hear North alums declare, 'My days there were some of the best days of my life.'

I remember Ernie busting balls for four years and then at graduation, privately addressing us before the ceremony in the basement of the civic center in his 'headmasters' gown, raising his arms in triumph, both hands with the victory sign, saying how great he thought we all were and sincerely wishing us good fortune in our lives ahead. We became men that day.

Some memorable teachers of mine were Mr Butler, Redinger, Fr Doc, ...man I can picture alot of the faculty in my head but I can't remember their names? and how about those caf ladies "...anybody just want a hot cheese?" hahaha

wow. Norf. good times... onward.

Now I feel better. little nun's original post didn't ring a single bell for me, although I knew from "history" that they were mostly before my time (class of '83). Larry99's memories sound very familiar.

Fr. MacNew's spanish class (learning how to say "hooo-ah" like a Marine...but in spanish), Fr Finn (Latin), Fr Gondek (typing "L-S-D, L-S-D, L-S-D") Brother Harry, etc. I too have difficulty with some of the names. Who taught my AP chemistry class? Calculus? hmm. And who was the heavy-set lady in the main office who answered the phone and handled attendance? May have to dig out my yearbooks tonight!

__________________

My freshman year was 1968. The first week in Mr. Butler's World Culture class I turned around to look at the clock & he made me draw 60 clocks: 9:01, 9;02, etc. Never turned around again that or any other year. Fr. Quayle jugged me for stacking the chairs 13 high in the cafeteria instead of 12 high as they should have been. Paid attention to detail the rest of my life. Next to my parents, Fr. Hurley was the biggest influence in my life with the Model UN debate team. Fablieaux!!!

"JUG" Justice Under God

Only a Catholic school would come up with such a name for detention!

__________________

Fr. McNew was one of my favorite jarheads.
He was my homeroom teacher my senior year and our homeroom slogan was "A-8; We Eat Our Dead!"
I still remember when we had a pep rally and Fr. McNew decided to swing across the gym (The Pit to us Norf guys) and missed timed his swing and smacked into the wall and broke both his arms.
Boy did we let him have it for the next six weeks until he got his casts off.

Some of my other favorite teachers there were Pat Manzi, Jim Greene, Father Erbrick and his Kamikaze Flag hanging on test day; Fran Dougherty's Accounting package that took up the whole second half of the year.

But my fondest memories most definitely occurred as a member of North's soccer teams.

LOL. Sorry I missed that! Jim MacNew was a deacon at my parish (St Joachim's) right before he was ordained. I worked in the rectory at the time. I saw recently that he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination. Boy that makes me feel old.

__________________

That guy was great, I had him at Judge for Spanish in 9th grade. He was still "Mr." back then, I guess he was still studying for the priesthood. It's cool how Judge and North shared so many faculty members over the years.

Does anyone know if Fr. MacNew remained as a chaplin for the marine corp or even if he is still active in the corp today?

He's no longer active duty. He's now the chaplain at Holy Family Univ. See http://www.oblates.org/development/n...spring2007.pdf

__________________