"It was a very enjoyable evening," said Gene Mehl, member of the reunion committee. "We really had a very nice time, and it was exciting to see some of the old classmates once again and exchange stories about days in high school."
For these former Memorial High School Tigers it was a time to catch up with old friends, and remember the good times.
"I actually got up and sang some songs," said Mehl, who is a retired tax consultant. "I have always liked music and played the piano, so during the reunion I got up and sang a few songs."
However, the true star of the reunion was one of their former homeroom and history teachers, Joseph Cuviello, who is 101 years old and has attended a number of their reunions.
Mehl said that he and other classmates have visited their beloved teacher for the past several years.
"He has been to several other reunions and it's remarkable," said Mehl. "He's 101 years old and in good health."
Cuviello was also presented with a plaque on behalf of the 1957 class and the reunion committee. Members of the committee include: Lou Cumo, Al Fenrick, Gene Mehl, Bob Muller, Class president Charlie Swenson, and Committee President Tom Gilbert.
Mr. C
Affectionately known as "Mr. C," Cuviello was born in the family's Sullivan Street apartment in the Greenwich Village section of New York City in 1906. The family moved to 66th Street in West New York in 1913, and Cuviello graduated from Memorial High School in 1927. During the 1930s, he also played viola with Newark Symphony Orchestra.
In 1931, he received his bachelor's degree in history, and then a Master's Degree, from New York University. Immediately afterwards, he went to work as a music teacher in the West New York Public School system, and married Weehawken school teacher Irene Marshall in 1943. They had one son, James.
Cuviello also served in the U.S. Army from 1931 to 1945, and served in Europe under General Patton as part of the D-Day invasion force build up. He remained in the reserves after his discharge.
In 1945, Cuviello became a history teacher at Memorial High School, and by the early 1950s became the History Department chairman. He retained the position until retiring from teaching in 1972. He also performed as a member of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and NYC Local 802 Musician's Union Senior Concert Orchestra until 2000. Cuviello currently resides in Moorestown.
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