Living Histories Program Keeps Class of 1951 Connected

Members of class share their own life story in monthly class newsletter

It was a summer day in 2015 when Gus Concilio ’51, scrolling through his Facebook feed, happened upon a photo of former classmate Jim Jebaily ’51. Not having spoken with Jebaily since graduation, Concilio sent his old friend an email in hopes of reconnecting.

Jebaily’s response – a descriptive narrative of the past 60-plus years of his life — was a pleasant surprise. It was also the perfect inspiration for what Concilio now calls “Living Histories.”

Due to age and declining health, Concilio says, many of his classmates have not had the opportunity to connect in person in a number of years. Concilio serves as the chair of the class of 1951 and sends monthly newsletters to his classmates, including obituaries for those who have passed, to help friends stay in touch.

But without the context of a classmate’s post-college activities, those obituaries are essentially meaningless to his readers, he says. Jebaily’s letter, along with a similar narrative penned by friend Bob Mumford ’51 in honor of the class’ 60th reunion, offered a solution.

“If people had the opportunity to talk about themselves when alive, the result would be more meaningful to the class than sending out obituaries,” he says.

Concilio has since included the writings of both Mumford and Jebaily in the monthly newsletter. He even wrote his own history, first titling it “My Proposed Living Obituary,” and then thinking better of it.

“The word ‘obituary’ was a little gruesome,” he laughs. “I changed it to Living History.”

Concilio encourages all members of the class of 1951, as well as other classes, to join the Living History program. To date, he has collected 31 histories from his 124 living classmates.

If you are interested in starting a Living History program for your class or would like more information, please feel free to contact Gus at MaryGusC@aol.com.

Written by Caroline Shannon ’17 for the Summer 2017 issue of Holy Cross Magazine.

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Holy Cross Magazine (HCM) is the quarterly alumni publication of the College of the Holy Cross. The award-winning publication is mailed to alumni and friends of the College and includes intriguing profiles, make-you-think features, alumni news, exclusive photos and more. Visit magazine.holycross.edu/about to contact HCM, submit alumni class notes, milestones, or letters to the editor.