Latest Alumni Notes

Congratulations to Dr. Adam Ham, OD ’06 for joining SightMD, Connecticut’s (a leading multi-specialty ophthalmology platform in Connecticut) Expert Team. Dr. Ham earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph’s and went on to achieve his Doctor of Optometry degree from New England College of Optometry. Dr. Adam Ham is a board certified optometrist who has a special interest in pediatric eye care.

When asked what excites him most about joining the SightMD Connecticut team, Dr. Ham said “I am excited to join the SightMD CT team to add my years of experience with pediatric eye care and specialty contact lenses. I look forward to filling a need and growing our practice in the greater Hartford area for pediatric eye care as the demand outweighs the help that is available. The development of children’s vision is very important for lifelong learning and health and children need all the tools in life to succeed and vision is a major part of that.”

Vince Micucci ’09 has been named Senior Vice President, Value Based Solutions for Alliant Insurance Services, within its national Employee Benefits Group. Based in Portland, Maine, he will lead a team delivering analytics-driven risk management solutions to the healthcare industry. Vince earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Saint Joseph’s, and an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College.

Angela Wright ’01 has been named the Special Education Professional of the Year by the Maine Department of Education for her dedication and service. Angela teaches at Leavitt Area High School and a recent article points out how she works with students to find their hidden talents and skills, using their natural strengths to help them thrive. Angela has a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Secondary Education from Saint Joseph’s College. Please join us in congratulating her on this award!

Luke Wilde ’22 is the new principal of Bethlehem Catholic High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He’s worked at the school since 2009, holding many positions, including teacher of literature, field hockey coach, and director of studies. Luke has an undergraduate degree from DeSales University and a master’s degree in education leadership from Saint Joseph’s College.

Jon Francis ’05 recently accepted a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Case Worker, a dream career for him where he will be helping those in need.

Jason Rosenburg ’19 MSN, will assume the role of Chief Nursing Officer at Maine Behavioral Healthcare on September 23, 2022, where he will be responsible for the delivery of nursing care, treatment and services throughout MBH. He formerly served as the director of inpatient services at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. Jason received his Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Saint Joseph’s College

Obituaries

Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.

It is with deep sadness that we share that we have learned of the passing of Dr. Colonel Jaime Solis ’93, USMC (Ret), who was a member of the Board of Trustees here at Saint Joseph’s College.

Patricia (Kilmartin) Golden ’79 passed away at the age of 62 on Sept. 15, at Maine Medical Center surrounded by loved ones after sustaining injuries from a car accident. Patricia was born in Portland on Aug. 7, 1960, daughter of Joseph and Bonnie Kilmartin. Patricia, or as many called her, “Patty”, spent her youth living in Portland, where she graduated from Catherine McAuley High School, class of 1978. She attended Saint Joseph’s College where she made lifelong friendships.

Lucille Theresa Amnott Emery ’47 passed away September 24, at the age of 95. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College and a master’s degree from USM. She worked as a teacher and librarian at Maine public schools. She was a lifelong communicant at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Gorham.

Nancy L Fournier Barnes ’68 passed away peacefully on July 28, 2022, at home in Sierra Vista, Arizona, after a brief illness. Nancy attended Catholic school and went on to earn her degree in French from Saint Joseph’s and her master’s in education from Fitchburg State University. She taught English in the US and in Osaka, Japan, before beginning a successful career working for the government at the Military Intelligence School in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. She loved the outdoors and traveled to the coast of Maine every summer with her husband and their beloved dog.

Helen Mary McFarland Polito ’51 passed away on August, 8, at Northern Light Mercy Hospital. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s Academy and Saint Joseph’s College. Helen Mary, who worked with her husband in the production of Luigi’s Pizza and Spaghetti Sauces, and managed Luigi Food Products after Angelo’s death. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph’s Parish.

Theresa “Tess” Sheil ’79 passed away on August 11, in Bronxville, New York. Tess graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse and went on to earn her bachelors degree in Science from Saint Joseph’s College and her masters degree from New York Medical College. She retired from a long career in the New York City Department of Education where she was NYC School District Administrator, Assistant Principal, and the supervisor of Nursing Programs. A longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross, she was honored with the Clara Barton award for the Greater New York Region, and was working in the city during the 9/11 attacks, where she was part of the rescue efforts.

Patty Ann Palmieri Frank ’79 passed away peacefully on August 18, in Killingworth, Connecticut. She received her RN from Ona-Wilcox Nursing School and earned her Bachelor of Science from Saint Joseph’s College. She worked as an OR nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital and Middlesex Hospital. A devout Catholic, she served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Lawrence Church. Patty Ann volunteered for blood drives and loved knitting, travel, and puzzles.

Irene M. Fortier LaBranche ’76 passed away September 1, after a brief illness. Irene was a Sister of St. Joseph de Lyon, known as Sister Paul Joseph, from 1956-1972. She taught school at Sacred Heart in Auburn and at Holy Family School in Lewiston. She was released from her vows in 1972. Irene earned her B.A. in Education from Saint Joseph’s College. She spent her later career working as a clerk for home health organizations until her retirement.

Ruth E Cunningham ’52 passed away on August 31. Ruth was a graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She spent her career as a nurse, retiring from Visiting Nurses of Aroostook in 1991.

Rev. John R. Skehan, 66, former Board of Trustees’ member at Saint Joseph’s College from 1999 – 2008 and recent Pastor of St. Michael Parish in Augusta, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 31, at the home of friends in Gray. Fr. John served the Catholic Communities of Maine with the core values expected of any priest: he was kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and above all, he had an innate desire to be in service of God and others. Fr. John was the epitome of a caring and kind priest who went above and beyond to help in any way he could. He will be deeply missed by his family, the entire Diocese of Portland and the parishioners of the communities he served.

Mary “Terri” Theresa (Riley) Morris ’50 passed away on August 23. Terri graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy as salutatorian at the age of 16 and went on to graduate magna cum laude from Saint Joseph’s College. Later she earned her MS.Ed. in counseling from the University of Maine. She and her husband had 10 children in 12 years. Incredibly active, Terri ran the Beach to Beacon race 10 times, the last time at 90 years old. She had a lifetime love of community theater and eventually fulfilled her dream of retiring to Florida.