Where are they now?

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

In Memory of: RALPH SCAZAFABO, Watkins Glen Middle School and High School Math Teacher (1972-1980) who passed away on July 24, 2011 at the age of 62.

Born in Lackawanna, NY Ralph went on to receive his B.A. and M.S. degrees in Education, his Ed. in Administration/Certificate of Advanced Studies and a New Jersey School Business Administrator Certification.

Moving on from Watkins Glen, Ralph served in a number of Educational Administrative positions, working his final 13 years as Superintendent of Schools for Myron L. Powell Elementary School and Principal for Roberts Elementary School in Moorestown, New Jersey.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In order for this column to be successful, I need to hear from graduates and retired faculty/staff (year of graduation or years employed and in what capacity, college and/or work experience, honors/awards, interests/hobbies, spouse/children, memberships in organizations, volunteer work, etc.). Please contact me at: brianodonnell74@yahoo.com.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

#1: JIM KUTTNER: Watkins Glen High School Class of 1984; joined U.S. Air Force in 1985 and has been stationed at RAF Upper Hayford (England), Griffiss AFB (New York), Kunsan AB (Korea), Ramstein AB (Germany), Offutt AFB (Nebraska) and deployments to Belgium, Egypt, Gambia, Greece, Morocco, Okinawa, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Spain.

Jim retired from the Air Force Fire Department in 2005 as Assistant Chief of Training and currently is Assistant Chief of Operations with the Offutt AFB Fire Department (all civilian since 2007). He earned the AAS Degree in Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force and has Certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) as Fire Officer III, Fire Inspector II, Fire Instructor III, Hazardous Materials Technician/Incident Commander and National Fire Academy Incident Safety Officer. Jim is a member of a local firefighter association and a strong supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Jim and his wife of 18 years -- Patty (O'Donnell), a 1989 WG graduate -- and their four-year-old daughter Sara live in Papillion (in the Omaha metropolitan area), Nebraska. The Kuttner family often returns to Schuyler County in the summers to visit with family & friends and spend time with fellow 1984 grads John Fritzon and Mike Voorheis.

#2: "Little" JACK WOODFORD": Odessa-Montour High School, Class of 1969; Jack has been away from Schuyler County for more than 40 years. He began his education at the Burdett Elementary School, where he completed Kindergarten and 1st grade, and then completed 2nd and 3rd grades at the Watkins Glen Elementary School. Grades 4-12 were completed at Odessa-Montour. Jack is a Certified Lay Minister and Stephen Leader/Stephen Minister at Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick, Maryland. When I asked why he calls himself "Little" Jack, he replied, "I am 6 feet 10 inches tall and a little over 300 pounds. You should see 'Big' Jack."

#3: BONNIE SEELEY: Odessa-Montour Howard A. Hanlon Elementary School Teacher from September of 1971 to June of 1993; now in her 21st year of "retirement" and by no means inactive as evidenced by her writing career: Odessa Neighborhood Column for the Watkins Review & Express, Editor of the Village Messenger and Newsletter for the Odessa Baptist Church, and her "C IS FOR COURAGE, NOT FOR CANCER" journal on The Odessa File. Additionally Bonnie does freelance writing, writes children's stories & poetry and loves Japanese Haiku. As a 'professional volunteer' Bonnie is a member of Schuyler County RSVP, and Trustee for the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library in Odessa. As "MOMS STAR," the Clown, CHD (Certified Humor Doctor), she is involved in "Clowning for Charity."
* Look for more on Bonnie Seeley in my March column and perhaps I'll be able to tell you about a 27 1/2-year-old mystery she's been trying to solve since "...that red envelope arrived in my mailbox, Saturday, December 7, 2013."

******

Note: Again I ask graduates and retired faculty/staff to respond with their information; this column cannot exist without you.

Photo in text: Brian J. O'Donnell

*****

This is the second in a series of columns. For a look at the first "Where are they now?" column, click here.