At Naval Academy, a family tradition
Generations of mids celebrate 175 years of life on the Yard
The Shanley family has a record, one that might be beaten by themselves.
They are one of the families with the most members to attend the Naval Academy. As the Naval Academy celebrates its 175th anniversary, there are families who have seen multiple generations attend the prestigious naval school, including two local Annapolis ones.
The Shanley family starts with retired Capt. Jack Shanley, who graduated from the Class of 1956.
Jack Shanley came from Brooklyn, New York, went to the academy, and had a 31-year tenure with the Navy. His time with theNavy included spending time at theacademy. Which meant that his seven children grew up on the Yard.
Of the seven children, five of them attended the academy. That’s what secured them as one of the families with the most to attend theNaval Academy at one time.
“I think they were all proud to have gone,” Jack Shanley said.
First, there was Capt. Jay Shanley, class of 1988, followed by Cmdr. Kevin Shanley, class of 1989, Cmdr. Gerard Shanley, class of 1990, Lt. Tom Shanley, class of 92, and finally Cmdr. Tim Shanley, class of 2003.
“We like the mission, you know, the whole whole man morally, mentally, physically, service to country,” Kevin said. “The traditions there.”
The two daughters, Ilene andMeg, married Naval Academy graduates. Tim Berzin, who married Ilene, is class of 1995.
The Berzins have 16 kids, two of them are currently
midshipmen. The family stands to take the record from the Shanleys, if their younger children decide to attend the academy.
Living on the academy grounds helped encourage the boys to follow in their father’s footsteps to attend the academy and the grandchildren.
“You know how they call the Naval Academy the Yard? It reallywas our yard,” Kevin Shanley said.
They applied to other schools, Jay said, but the Naval Academy was always the goal.
Now, they arewatching the next generation: the two Berzin sons.
“So it’s just like upholding the legacy of great graduates and great midshipmen,” said Gerard Berzin, who is in his second year at the academy.
Of course, with the family spread across the years, they all discuss the different ways the academy has changed. All agreed the academy is hard, whether the focus is on the academics or the physical fitness.
“When you really think about their mission and what they have to do, they can’t fail,” Tim Berzins said.
As aNavalAcademy family, they like the traditions, such as tailgating games.
And sometimes, they tailgate with another Naval Academy family: the Ostrowskis.
Maeve and John Ostrowski are a Navy
family. They are also the parents to two NavalAcademy graduates and sixacademy grandchildren.
Unlike the Shanleys, who were all siblings, the six grandchildren are spread among the Ostrowskis three sons.
Their oldest son, John Ostrowski, wasn’t sure where he wanted to go to college so John Ostrowski, whowas in the Navy dental corps, suggested he look at the academy. He applied and got in.
“He was just so beyond the moon,” Maeve said. “I can still see him dancing in the driveway ofmy house in Olney.”
Then Paul, the second oldest, decided to go, as did Michael.
Michael andWendy Ostrowski’s daughterMadeline, the oldest grandchild, graduated fromthe academy in 2018.
She started the grandchild train at the academy, Wendy Ostrowski said.
Paul’s son Luke and daughter Claire both graduated in 2020. Another sonMark is currently at the academy, Maeve said. John’s son, Joe, is also currently at the academy.
Like the Shanley/Berzin clan, the Ostrowskis like to follow Navy traditions, including tailgates. The families like to do it together.
The Shanleys are likely to hold the record unless the Berzins take the reigns. And while the Ostrowskis are not in the running, Maeve Ostrowski said her family is very blessed for having so many family members attend.
“It’s very special,” she said. “We’re very proud of them.”