Lewiston-Porter Central School District

September 2016

Lew-Port Class of ’58 Alumni Scholarship
On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Senior Recognition Day, we presented one (1) $1000.00 scholarship to a deserving senior student.  We memorialized Judy Dibbley Cloy, Joseph Dolansky, Roger Freischlag and George Decker, our math teacher.  You made a wise and right decision with your donation to the scholarship fund.  We can’t begin to thank you enough!  You can be assured that 100% of your donation goes to the scholarship fund. All the mailing materials, letters, postage, time and travel to the presentation are covered by us. Forty-one (41) scholarships have been awarded to date.  You have become a partner in giving back to Lew Port. Even George Decker, who 101 years old this past February, took time three days before he passed on to make a donation!!   We believe this is the only active, continuous class scholarship in New York State. Below this is the presentation of the scholarship award:

"Good morning and congratulation to the Lew-Port Class of 2016.          

My name is Ed Engel; I am co-chairman of the Lew Port class of 1958 memorial scholarship fund. The class of 1958 is the most giving class in the history of Lewiston-Porter and we believe in NYS. This will be 58 years since we have graduated and this year we will award the 41^st scholarship. No other class in the history of Lew-Port can stand up to this benchmark. We challenge your class to do this!

This scholarship is presented in memory of all our departed classmates. We would like to honor and remember three classmates who passed on this past year.  They all were supporters of the scholarship program. The first is:

Judy Dibbley Cloy’s family, who moved 20 times during her K to12 years.  Lew-Port ended up her true home.  She went to Plattsburg State and when she returned, she married her husband Donald.  They lived and raised their family in Middleport, never to move again. 

Joe Dolansky graduated from Niagara University, received his degree in education, and taught at Lew-Port. He finished 30 years of teaching in Newfane High School. After retirement, he and his wife, Joan, purchased a fruit farm in Appleton.  Joe’s true love was farming. His wife, Joan received many positive comments and memories from his former students.

Roger Freischlag believed in education, hard work, and financial responsibility. He chose to go to Cornell and received his BS & MS degrees in electrical engineering because he received a full scholarship.  MIT offered only a partial scholarship. He received his MBA from Harvard. He liked to design and fix things. He founded Energy Billing Systems, a company that does utility billing. He was President and CEO. He was an early pioneer in this industry and a driving force in developing and designing metering systems.

Lastly I would like to remember George Decker, a math teacher at Lew-Port.  He will always be remembered for his ability to help students pass the math regents and for his love of golf. George had the ability to get (3) holes-in- one at the age of 95.  He mowed his lawn, raked his leaves, and shoveled his driveway at 100!  He was in the hospital shortly after his 101st birthday in February.  While in the hospital, three days before he passed on, he wrote a check for the scholarship fund.  What a person!!

The $1,000 winner of the Lew-Port Class of 1958 Scholarship is:  James Piva."

We will need more classmates to step up to fill gap for the four we just memorialized. It’s not just the donation, it’s part of your class spirit and the giving back to the students, school and the communities.  We know everyone has a different financial situation. The important thing is to please donate what you can and be part of this spirit.

We had thirty-two (32) students apply for the scholarship.  I wish we could have given a scholarship to all!  Students are more aware of the student loan debt situation and that it is a bigger problem than credit debt. 

Class of ‘58 Plaque
We are working with the administration to have a Class of ‘58 plaque put in the new entrance of the high school to honor the class accomplishments and to memorize its classmates.  More to follow in our next newsletter. 

In Search of Possible Classmate
We would like more information on Peter Dixon.  The school claims he graduated in 1958.  We have not contacted a person who knew or had knowledge of him.  He is not in any of the yearbooks.  We welcome him into the class, but would like to know more about him.  Any help would be appreciated. 

Stay in Touch
If time permits send us a card or letter and update us how you are doing.  It’s always good to hear from you.  Also if you are in the area, the class continues to meet monthly for lunch at various locations around the Lewiston/Youngstown area on the second Tuesday of the month at 11:30AM.

Thank You for Your Support
Only your generous support of classmates like you makes it possible for the memorial scholarship fund to exist.  Thank you again for your support.  Wishing you continued good health and happiness.

Keep the faith,

Judy Abbott and Ed Engel

April 16, 2016

Joe Dolansky passed away on April 9, 2016. After graduating from Lew-Port in 1958 he attended and graduated from Niagara University. He continued and finished his career teaching Social Studies at Newfane High School. After retirement he and his wife Joan continued to run the family fruit farm in Appleton. He was asupporter of the class memorial scholarship program. He will be memorialized during this year's scholarship presentation.

If you wish to send a card to his family the address is7057 E. Lake Rd., Appleton NY 14008

January 10, 2016

It is with sad hearts that we announce the death of Judith Dibbley Cloy. She will be missed more than words can express. She was a member of the Lew-Port class of 58 and a good friend to many. She passed away on Saturday, January 9^th. She was a regular attendee of the Tuesday class lunch and a supporter of the class scholarship. Further information is available on the Niagara Falls Gazette or the Hardison Funeral website.