12/25/2025
An article about Anna Shaughnessy suggested by Jerry Morse was added December 25, 2025.
Jerry Morse continues to contribute historical items:
click here to view
We now have a page you can post your biography and view what others have posted. See the menu item BIOGRAPHIES
Let us know if you want items like this added to our website as they become available by emailing info@classical65.com.
Jerry Morse suggested that we add this to our website, a 2015 article about Miss Shaughnessy that is posted at:
http://theworcesterjournal.com/2015/04/03/2015324anna-shaughnessy-maker-of-writers/
There were other novelists not mentioned in the article that were influenced by Miss Shaughnessy. Noah Gordon (Noah Mandell’s cousin) had at least 5 novels published. The first was published during our senior year at Classical. If you know of others, please notify benbachrach@gmail.com.
Anna Shaughnessy, Maker of Writers
by Edmund Schofield
Worcester Journal Editor’s Note: As a rule, we don’t publish work by older, established writers, but we make an exception with this piece by the late Edmund Schofield since it tells the story of an English teacher who had the rare ability both to instruct and inspire. Anna Shaugnessy mentored young writers who went on to great success–Stanley Kunitz, MIlton Meltzer, Charles Olson, and Nicholas Gage. Every young writer should be lucky enough to come across an Anna Shaughnessy.
We learned about this piece through Joan Gage, who featured it in her blog, A Rolling Crone. We are grateful to be able to publish this edited version of the essay in the Journal.
There is a further twist to the tale. Schofield’s original essay described three writers mentored by Miss Shaugnessy, and only at the last minute did he discover that Nicholas Gage, Joan’s husband and an accomplished author whose books include “Eleni,” which was made into a successful movie of the same name, and “A Place For Us,” had also been a student of hers. Gage’s thoughts on his old high school teacher are in a postscript to the essay.
continued at:
from Jerry Morse
Every time I watch the University of Oklahoma play football, I wonder where they got the music for their fight song Boomer Sooner. The music happens to be identical to the music for our much beloved Salitube. So I looked it up.
“Boomer Sooner” is the fight song for the University of Oklahoma (OU). The lyrics were written in 1905 by Arthur M. Alden, an OU student and son of a local jeweler in Norman. The tune is taken from “Boola Boola“, the fight song of Yale University (which was itself borrowed from an 1898 song called “La Hoola Boola” by Robert Allen (Bob) Cole and Billy Johnson.
While Boola Boola is till much loved at Yale, it is no longer the official fight song.
Jerry
This comes from an 1892 book entitled “History of Classical and English High School, 1845 – 1892″. The book’s author was Alfred Roe, one of the principals at the high school (1880-1890). Not only did Roe do all of the research and writing, he also self-published the book.
On one of Jerry Morse’s trips to Worcester, he visited the Worcester Public Library to conduct some genealogical research. There, he found a box of books which the library offered to anyone who might want them. The 1892 book’s binding had all but disintegrated, but he was able to find all the pages. The book is now held together with a binder clip.
Save the date for our next Zoom Reunion
Monday
January 12, 2026
7:00 PM
If we have your current email address, you will receive an email with the Zoom Meeting information on or about January 9, 2026. If you are not sure we have your current email address, please send a note to benbachrach@gmail.com
please thank Jerry Morse for providing the content for this page.
The above images were extracted from the following pdf files
An essay by a member of the class of 1930 describes the original mission, ideals and objectives of our alma mater.
Submitted by Jerry Morse
An article from Classic Myths 1845 -1945 entitled “Way Back When”
content provided by Jerry Morse
Alan R. Cooper, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and cherished member of both the Worcester and Florida communities, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2025, in Florida, with “Larry Bird” and his family by his side. He was 78 years old.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie; his children, Adam, Lisa (Michael Rankin), Brad (Sara), and Eric; his adored grandchildren, Morgan, Amanda, Harris, and Betsy; and his brother, Gary.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Alan was a pillar of strength and warmth to all who knew him. A proud and devoted family man, he also left a lasting legacy in business and community leadership. In 1975, he joined his father at The Atlas Press and transformed the family business into one of Central Massachusetts’ premier printing and communications companies. His entrepreneurial spirit was matched by a deep commitment to the local business community. He was an active member of the Greater Worcester Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and the Worcester Business Journal.
Alan’s dedication to his community extended far beyond business. A founding parent and later president of the Solomon Schechter Day School, he was also a passionate leader within the Jewish community. He was the past president of B’nai B’rith as well as serving on the boards of B’nai B’rith and the Worcester Jewish Federation and was an engaged member of Congregation Shaarai Torah West and Congregation Beth Israel as well as B’nai Torah Congregation in Florida being noted as one of the Rabbi’s best Talmud participants. His commitment to youth development was evident through his involvement with Junior Achievement, the Junior League, and BBYO.
Even in retirement, Alan remained as spirited and generous as ever. He organized the annual Worcester–Florida reunion, bringing together old friends and familiar faces year after year, and remained deeply committed to causes close to his heart—especially the selection of recipients for the Queen Esther college scholarship.
Alan was known for his big personality, warm heart, and unwavering generosity. Whether offering guidance to young professionals, cheering on his beloved Red Sox, or proudly displaying his sports memorabilia, he brought enthusiasm and joy to every part of his life. He had a special gift for making others feel seen, heard, and valued.
In retirement, Alan found joy in life’s simple pleasures—playing and teaching bridge, boating, walking the beach at sunset, and most of all, spending time with his family. Nothing made him prouder than being a grandfather. Watching his grandchildren perform in school musicals, play in jazz bands, and compete in sports brought him immeasurable happiness.
Alan’s memory will live on in the countless lives he touched, the community he helped build, and the family he loved with all his heart.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester. Interment will follow at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.
Immediately following the Interment Service the family invites everyone to a Memorial Observance Reception at Congregation Shaarai Torah West, 835 Pleasant Street, Worcester with a Minyan Service at 8:00 PM. Shiva will continue at the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester on Thursday from 3:00 – 9:00 PM with a Minyan Service at 8:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made to the Queen Esther Scholarship Fund through the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, 646 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 (www.jewishcentralmass.org/donate), or Congregation Shaarai Torah West, 835 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602.
Above text from: https://www.milesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/alan-cooper
Alan’s funeral service will be available by Zoom, starting 2:00 PM, Wednesday, July 16, 2026.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86192092483?pwd=hTEzUnh1Vou2kZjvXCRvH1G5wVK5b9.1
A recording will be available; the link will be posted here when known.
