Magic came to Fairview last Saturday

Dick and Mimi Coogan, heading back to their McLean, Va. home after a memorable class reunion weekend in Torrington, stopped to drop off a thoughtful gift for Maureen Pugsley and me on Monday morning. On Sunday evening, we had shared a pizza at DiFranco’s, opposite the Litchfield green. When the time came, it was a reluctant goodbye for the former Mary “Mimi’’ Hubbard and the former Maureen Murphy.

But that’s what this 65th reunion of the Torrington High School class of 1952 was all about — joyous hellos on Saturday at Fairview Farm Golf Club in Harwinton and reluctant goodbyes on Sunday afternoon or Monday.

Mimi and Maureen were best friends. The Hubbard and the Murphy families lived in close proximity in the North End. Their fathers had important

jobs in town. John Murphy was Superintendent of Schools and Thomas Hubbard ran City Bus Lines. The M& M girls attended St. Francis School and Torrington High together and were roomies at the College of New Rochelle.

Years, even decades, slide by, sometimes, before former best friends come together, but when it happens, years dissolve and memories come to life. That’s what reunions are and what they produce.

Dick Coogan is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. He and Mimi, parents of six, have traveled the world, retiring to Virginia when the time came. Maureen is a school teacher and a confirmed Californian for over five decades.

There were a number of athletes at the reunion, including Susan Mignerey Kearney, widow of Phil Kearney. Susan came up from New York City. Ed LaPorta, after a chat with her, reported, “She still swims five days a week.” It’s true, and slim Sue still has the appearance of a champion swimmer, which she had been at THS. Phil was by far the best athlete in the class, who went on to become a college gridiron star and a storied high school coach at Hartford Weaver and later at Windsor High.

A trio of still-beautiful women – Joan Berra Finkelstein, Anna Sterling Parsell and Janet Noad Colombie, who traveled from her Florida home, shared a table. I have a special bond with them because the four of us grew up in Burrville when it was farm country, although none of us lived on a farm. (Side Street: My friend Maureen kids me about being a Burrville farmer at heart and calls me “E-I-E-I-Owen”). Was it grand to see those girls again? You know it.

Mary Gallo Ward, who with her dear friend, the late Roberta DeMichael Keesler, teamed to write a class song when they were seniors remembered: “Bobbi and I lived near each other on the Newfield Road, and were best friends and playmates. We both liked music and combined to sing and play and sometimes to write music. I miss her dearly.’’

Our spiritual leader and best-known member, retired Bishop Peter Rosazza, delivered a blessing and a stirring message on Saturday but couldn’t come to the Sunday breakfast because of a religious commitment in Meriden. But having him there Saturday was a blessing in itself.

I’d like to name and tell the stories of every one of the 64 class members who attended (89 people counting spouses and guests) but it is obviously impossible to do so. Marlene Hornfischer Parker, who with Jean Wylie Reid co-chaired the event from Day One, provided the numbers, and I’m compelled to say the Jean-Marlene team belongs in a special Hall of Fame, as does treasurer Judy Weidhaas Brown, who worked tirelessly.

This was recognized by all as our final reunion and that reality was felt and appreciated through the chatter, laughter and Dick Plaskett’s recorded music-of-the-era on both days. But we are all big boys and girls and it didn’t dampen our celebration because there was a stronger feeling of good fortune at having made it this far. And of course – and this was unmistakable – the shared knowledge that, along with those who have already made the last journey, we’ll be together again.