Never Satisfied Mirror [96] from the New York Heritage digital Ilion Free Public Library Yearbooks collection. Link opens in new browser tab. (added March 26, 2021)

Class Roster, Officers and Honor Students, as published in the "The Mirror - Never Satisfied Mirror [96]", are available on the 1996 Class Roster page. (added September 26, 2022).

Jeffrey Kowalczik is organizing this fund raiser for Jeff's childhood friend, Joe Maneen. Joe is battling sarcoma which has metastasized to both his lungs. "He is considered Stage 4, but the Doctor has some things up her sleeve."

The funds raised here will help the medical costs and travel expenses since the family (wife and 2 girls ages 8 and 10) will be split between the Panhandle and Tampa. Jeffrey Kowalczik kicked of the fund raising with a whopping $10,000 donation!

Joe Maneen is the son of Anthony Maneen, IHS 1964 and Jean Keddell Maneen, IHS 1965. Visit the fund raising page to learn how you can help Joe and his family. Medical bills support for Joe Maneen - Please help Joe Maneen. (January 26, 2021)

Cortland Pitcher Tyler Brien
Image used with permission of Patrick Brien

Tyler Brien and the Cortland Red Dragons won their first-ever Division III World Series and were welcomed home as national champions. The Red Dragons have been to the World Series 13 times. This was their first time winning the championship. Tyler is the son of Patrick Brien IHS 1996 and step-son of Katherine (Donahue) Brien IHS 1998.

In mid-May, Ilion's Tyler Brian was granted a "... a rare military exemption waiver earlier this week. The NCAA Division III Baseball National Committee allowed SUNY Cortland to include Brien on its 25-man playoff roster for the regionals opening two days Wednesday and Thursday at Falcon Park in Auburn, N.Y., and then replace him for the remainder of the tournament." see the full story - SUNY Cortland Relief Pitcher Fulfills Duty on the Mound and in the Military. (June 13, 2015)

Tyler Brien with Coach, Mike Urtz IHS '89
Image used with permission of Patrick Brien

Tyler Brien with his dad, Patrick Brien IHS 1996
Image used with permission of Patrick Brien

"My Dad, Jerry Walsh, was a 1966 graduate of Ilion High School. Unfortunately, he passed away on August 13, 2008 after a 15 month battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Our family has decided to hold a golf tournament in his memory to benefit ALS of Utica for patient/family care and national research. We invite all Ilion alumni to join us on Sunday May 31 at Hidden Valley Golf Club in Whitesboro. For more information please call Carol Walsh at 894-9115 or email carolwalsh@twcny.rr.com or visit our website at www.cakeeaterclassic.com. We hope to see as many alumni as possible. It is our hope that we can save other families from experiencing such a painful loss due to this horrible disease." Chris Walsh (May 5, 2009)

The friends and family of Todd G. Wheelock (1996) are hosting the 2nd Annual Todd G. Wheelock Memorial Golf Tournament. This tournament is held in memory of our dear friend, Todd Wheelock who died in 2003 as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

The 1st annual Todd G. Wheelock Memorial Golf Tournament is being organized to fund a scholarship to be given to an Ilion High School senior who displays the many exemplary qualities that Todd did.

The tournament will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2007 at 10 am (shotgun start). The event will be held at Pine Hills Golf Course in Frankfort.
Cost for the event is $70 per person or $280 per team. Captain and crew format.

Price includes 18 holes of golf, cart, hamburgs and hot dogs on the course, steak dinner to follow, assorted beverages.

There will be raffles, skins, and a 50/50 raffle at the course. Contact phone is 733-1454 or 867-7282 or pags1031@yahoo.com to register or for more information. Checks need to be made payable to cash or call for information by 9/6/08.

Thank you!! We appreciate all the support we can get from the community in helping to fund this scholarship. (Aug 15, 2008)

Amy Williams recently graduated from Niagara University and began work in the Management and Training program at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo. She's also been dancing and cheering for the Buffalo Destroyers Arena Football Team's as a member of the "BUFFALO BOMBSHELLS". (July 20, 2000)

IHS 1996 graduate, Jeff Kowalczik, a member and employee at Mohawk Valley Country Club, broke the club record on July 21. Jeff shot 64, to break the record - 65, held by Wayne Levi. Jeff has been a member of the club for at least 10 years and has been an employee for the last six years. He's entering his senior year at LeMoyne College and will be a member of the LeMoyne golf team. Jeff is the son of John and Sharon Losier Kowalczik 1968. (July 30, 1999)

Cory McDowell is a member of the five-member Clarkson University Construction Management team and a member of the Clarkson University class of 2000. Clarkson's Construction Management team recently took top honors in the student construction management competition at the Associated Schools of Construction Region One Conference in Pleasantville, NJ. Region One extends from Maine to Virgina. (April 1, 1999)

Erin Blair, received a $1,000 scholarship from the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing for outstanding academic and clinical achievement. Erin has been on the Dean's list for the past three semesters at St. Elizabeth's and was recently placed on the National Dean's List for outstanding academic achievement. (August 22, 1998)

Amy is the daughter of Dave Williams '70 and Kathy (Losier) Williams '70.

Amy Williams, received The Statler Foundation, Scholarship of Excellence for the academic year of 1999-2000, at Erie Community College, on August 17, 1999.

Amy will be a senior at Niagara University this Fall, majoring in Hotel & Restaurant Administration. She is completing an Internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL this Summer. (August 28, 1999)

Roy David Abeling, IHS 1996 age 46, of Schenectady and formerly of Ilion passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 5, 2023, at his home from natural causes. He was born on February 23, 1977, in Ilion, NY the son of the late Ronald and Ruth (Angle) Abeling. Roy was a graduate of Ilion High School. Roy was a talented musician and drummer, playing with many local area bands throughout the Mohawk Valley. He is survived by his brother Chris Abeling and wife Jacky of Ilion; his aunts, Karen Cooper and husband Thomas, Janice Hall and Beverly Hutchinson; and many cousins. He was pre-deceased by his mother, Ruth on August 7, 1999, his father, Ronald on May 23, 2015, his step-mother, Zoraida Abeling on February 10. 2012, and his uncles, James Hall and Jim Hutchinson. In keeping with Roy's wishes, a celebration of his life will take place at a time to be announced. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of the Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service (next to Hannaford Markets), 527 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY. (July 21, 2023)

Michael S. LaPorte, IHS 1996, age 41, a lifelong Ilion resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, September 6, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer. His passing occurred in the privacy and comfort of his home, with the love and support of his family by his side. Born on June 14, 1977, Michael is the son of Gerry and Linda (Leuenberger) LaPorte. He was raised and educated in Ilion, graduating with the Ilion High School Class of 1996. On July 9, 2005, Mike was wed to the former Heather Aquino, and together they shared in over thirteen years of marriage. Their's was a relationship filled with love, laughter and friendship; family was of the utmost importance, and they raised their children to stick together through both good times and bad. Mike was employed as a truck driver with XPO Logistics in Syracuse for many years, until his illness no longer enabled him to work. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with those he loved; whether it be playing a game of cards or sitting around the table for a home-cooked meal. He enjoyed the game of golf and was a die-hard Oakland Raiders football fan. Although taken too soon, Mike will forever live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He is survived by his beloved wife, Heather; his parents, Gerry and Linda LaPorte of Ilion; his grandmother, Dee Richardson of Ilion; his daughters, Lauryn Patterson and Emma LaPorte, both of Ilion; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jesse and Jen Peckham of Mohawk and Cody and Mary Sprague of Clayville; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Jennifer and John Burton of Newport and Tammy and Chad Daley of Ilion; and his special friends, Mark and Rachel Mathy of Mohawk, and Miles Bennett and his daughter, Kyra, who was Papa's baby. He also leaves his in-laws, Ralph and Barbara Brown of Manlius, Thomas and Mamie Aquino of Rome, Susan Riley of Sauquoit and Meghan and Ryan Kinney of New Hartford; along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and his special canine friend, Jeffrey. A special thank you is extended to the staff of the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, especially Dr. Din and Darren Laplante (Nurse Ratchett) and his girls from the Oncology Infusion Center; the care and compassion shown to Mike and his family throughout his illness will never be forgotten. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Michael's visitation on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. His funeral service will commence on Tuesday evening at 7:00PM, immediately upon the conclusion of visitation, with Rev. Paul Catena, Pastor of the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, officiating. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the Amazing Gracie's Gift Foundation, PO Box 134, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Mike's final wishes were pre-arranged and entrusted to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, funeral directors.(October 25, 2018)

Robert E. Foster III 1996 age 28, of 141 West North St., Ilion, passed away on Wednesday morning, April 4, 2007, in Faxton/St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford, following a long illness. At the time of his passing he was surrounded with the love and support of his family. Robbie was born on October 24, 1978 in Herkimer, son of Robert E. Foster, Jr., and Patricia (Rende) Foster, and graduated with Ilion High School, 'Class of 1996'. The most important part of Robbie's life was being surrounded by family and friends. His daughter Hayley was the light of his life and enjoyed and cherished every moment he spent with her. In his spare time he enjoyed playing video games and working on the computer. Survivors include his loving family; his parents: Robert and Patricia of the home address; his cherished daughter: Hayley Foster and her mother Jennifer Caleo who is Robbie's close friend; his maternal grandmother: Nellie Cline of Ilion; a close sister: Lori Poehler and her daughters who were very close with Robbie, Makayla Latour and Desarae Fiato; several aunts, uncles, cousins and close family friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather: Joseph Rende, his maternal step-grandfather: Raymond Cline; paternal grandfather: Robert Foster and his paternal grandmother: Dorothy Foster. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., (Main Street between Ilion and Frankfort), 894-8000, on Friday, April 6, 2007 from 5-7 p.m. His funeral will commence on Saturday morning, April 7, at 10 am from the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Wollaber, pastor of the United Methodist Church, Ilion, officiating. Procession will follow to Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion, where he will be laid to rest in the family plot. (April 13, 2007)

Todd. G 'Wheels' Wheelock IHS 1996, age 26, of W. Main St., Ilion, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, October 4, 2003 at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, following a motor vehicle accident. Todd was born December 18, 1976 in Ilion, son of Darryl and Florence (Jaquish) Wheelock. He was a graduate of Ilion High School, "Class of 96" and attended HCCC. Todd was currently employed by the House of the Good Shepherd, Utica, as a certified teaching assistant, primarily in the Physical Education Dept., he also enjoyed working part-time at Primo's Pizzeria in Ilion with is good friends, Shawn and Joey Cacciatore. Todd loved the outdoors and enjoyed the company of his many friends four-wheeling, hunting, fishing and camping. Survivors include his beloved parents, Darryl and Florence Wheelock of Ilion; his grandmothers, Doris Wheelock of Ilion, and Una Jaquish of Schuyler; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Todd leaves a multitude of friends including his special friends, Mike Paragi, Jeff Metz and his co-worker, Eric Hubbell. He also leaves his devoted canine companion Max. Todd was predeceased by his grandparents Gerald Jaquish in 1993 and Howard Wheelock in 2001. Todd's funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2003, commencing at 12 noon at the Applegate & Day Funeral Home, 102 West St., Ilion. Procession to Armory Hill Cemetery for interment will follow. Family and friends are invited to visitation Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Applegate & Day Funeral Home, Ilion. Those wishing to do so may consider memorial contributions in Todd's name to the House of the Good Shepherd or the American Heart Association. Donation envelopes will be available at the funeral home. (October 5, 2003)

Eric Gahan, Athletic Trainer, Boston, MS, email, sent news. (June 9, 2009)

Adam Dorn, Associate Civil Engineer, email from Camillus, NY, re-registered. (Feb 22, 2009)

Roy Abeling, Artist, email , www.myspace.com/roysdrumcannon, from Herkimer, NY, re-registered. (Oct 12, 2008)

Vanessa Bunce, Disability Case Manager, email , from Ilion, NY, re-registered. (July 13, 2008)

Tommy Rogers, Pastor, email, from Boyertown, PA, registered. (Mar 6, 2008)

Aaron Clark, email, Irvine, CA, sent news. (Oct 26, 2007)

Kelly Kerber Archer, email sent news. (April 20, 2007)

Andrea Brenon, email, from Boston, MA, wrote..... (July 27, 2006)

Mark Mathy, email, from Mohawk, NY, wrote "Want to wish everyone happy holidays". (Jan 7, 2006)

Ray Charles, email, from Pompano Beach, FL, sent new. (November 14, 2005)

Nicole.. Niki Richards Olson, email, Phoenix, AZ, sent news. (Sept 10, 2005)

Dana Schell, MSW Student, email, from Ilion, NY, registered. (August 3, 2005)

Patrick Brien, Commercial Underwriter, email , from Ilion, NY, registered. (May 28, 2005)

Erin Ballantine, Sound Engineer, from Dallas, TX, registered. (May 28, 2005)

Dawn Fournier Coffin, Pharmacy Tech, email, from Ilion, NY, re-registered. (May 28, 2005)

Michael Henry, Consultant Pharmacist, email , Rochester, NY, sent news. (April 25, 2005)

Brian Gregg, email, from Kissimmee, FL, re-registered. (April 25, 2005)

Matthew Lasher, U.S. Marine Corps, email, from San Diego, CA, registered. (April 3, 2005)

Michael Lennox, Illustrator, email, from Bradenton, FL, re-registered. (April 3, 2005)

Mark Mathy, warehouse employee, email, from Mohawk, NY, registered. (Feb 20, 2005)

Charles Danforth, email, from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, re-registered. (Jan 30, 2005)

Amy Conklin Smith, from Chadwicks, NY, sent news.

Daniel Laymon, email, from Fairmont, WV, sent news. (October 4, 2004)

Erin Blair Catanzarite, Pediatric RN, email , from Camillus, NY, sent news. (September 6, 2004)

Timothy Conover, email , from Liverpool, NY, sent news. (July 11, 2004)

Joseph Maneen, USAF, from Mount Laurel, NJ, email , sent news. (February 19, 2004)

Alicea Wells, Teacher/Student, from Herkimer, NY, email, re-registered. (October 9, 2003)

Bill Trevor, Graduate Student, email, from Boston, MA, re-registered. (October 5, 2003)

Jeremy Stephens, capenter/paramedicine, email , from Ilion, NY, registered. (September 29, 2003)

Josh Wildey, email, from Ilion, NY, sent news. (August 7, 2003)

Edward Stanek, Auto Mechanic, email, from Utica, NY, registered. (August 7, 2003)

Chad Mergenthaler, Machinist, email, from Altmar, NY, registered. (July 19, 2003)

Bradley Watson, Communications Engineer, email, Fredericksburg, VA, registered. (May 29, 2003)

Miranda Dove, email, Pattern Designer/CAD, Charlotte, NC, registered. (May 29, 2003)

Erin Richards, email , from Leesburg, VA, sent news. (October 19, 2002)

Michael Henry, Supervising Pharmacist, email , Rochester, NY, re-registered. (September 6, 2002)

Sheri Prior, Ilion, NY, registered. (June 26, 2002)

Aaron Clark, Provo, UT, sent news. (June 5, 2002)

Peter Keddell Jr., email , Ilion, NY, visited the web site. (April 11, 2002)

Joe Urtz, email , from Ilion, NY, submitted the survey. (March 13, 2002)

Peggy Murphy, 3rd Grade Teacher, email , Ilion, NY, re-registered. (February 25, 2002)

Christina Tyner, email , Severn, MD, submitted the mega-reunion survey form. (February 18, 2002)

Amy Williams, from Niagara Falls, NY, email , sent news.

Kelly March, email , Ilion, NY, registered. (April 18, 2001)

Brad Sweeney, email , from Newport, NY, registered. (Jan 8, 2001)

Jim Knowles, Salesman, email , from Ilion, NY, registered. (August 13, 2000)

Amy Archer, email , from West Winfield, NY, sent news. (October 29, 2000)

Amy Conklin, sales rep, from Ilion, NY, email

Mike LaPorte, email , Kingston - Ontario, Canada, signed the Guest Book. (March 26, 2000)

Heather Engelbrecht update, "I am going into to my block next semester." (December 18, 1999)

Jessica Fitch, email , from Ilion, NY, registered. (November 26, 1999)

Bob Harrod, student, email , from Ilion, NY, registered. (November 6, 1999)

Robert Pedersen, email , from Germany, registered. (October 31, 1999)

Erin Blair, Registered Nurse, email , Ilion, NY, sent news. (October 30, 1999)

Karry Nichols, dancer, email , from Herkimer, NY, registered. (July 2, 1999)

Charles Anyango, Air Force, email , from CA, registered. (May 31, 1999)

Jill Fitzer, email , from Ilion, NY, signed the Guest book. (March 12, 1999)

Erin Richards, from Herndon, VA, sent news for her classmates. (December 27, 1998)

Roy Abeling, Student at Art Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, sent news. (modified March 21, 2000)

Keith Klein, email had the correct answers in the "Guess The Graduate" feature. (October 30, 1997)

Aaron Postiglione, email had the correct answers in the "Guess The Graduate" feature. (October 20, 1997)

Theodore Stubley, email

Mike Henry, from Albany, email , the second alumnus from the Class of 1996 to register in the alumni directory. Mike is a Pharmacy Student. Here's an update from Mike.....