Our Lady Queen of Peace
Class of 1951

North Arlington, New Jersey

     I knew Jerry Wynn as such a superior football player in Queen of Peace High School, North Arlington, N.J.
     In 1951, this school may have had 150-160 boys, but Jerry Wynn's admission to West Point and his making the Army football team - a perennial national power - attests to Jerry's outstanding ability. Red Blaik, a coaching legend in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's, directed that squad with the help of a young backfield coach (Jerry's position coach) by the name of Vince Lombardi.
     Jerry thrived on his West Point education and, undoubtedly, the Army was rewarded with a better than average career officer. Though military assignments sent Jerry far and wide, he was always respected and thought of constantly by his high school friends and acquaintances.
     To the man and to the women in his acquaintance it would be unanimously agreed that he was a doer not a theorist: Each is convinced he was an officer who led by personal example. He made demands on his men. But more on himself. He led in the thick of things, not from an academically safe perch. He demonstrated integrity by his commitment to all his responsibility as an officer and leader.
     The best single proof of anyone's impact on his peers is the lasting genuine affection and admiration his peers maintain years after his tragic death in Vietnam, serving his country. These words are not about an athlete as much as they reflect the man of whom they are written.
     Each country expects soldiers to do their duty. When Jerry Wynn was killed only his body died. The proof of his meaningfulness lies in his spirit, which lives on actively in the minds of his friends and continues to do so.

Joe Tully, Queen of Peace Football Coach, 1950

     The stories I remember about Jerry I don't think should be put in print but I'll try; those parties. Oh boy, who can forget our senior class trip to Washington D.C. Our boat trip, up the Hudson River to Rye Beach, just too many chairs and too much Pepsi's. Who can forget those good OLE times, kids like us were just celebrating our graduation.
     I used to visit Jerry at West Point on my way down from my college in Norwich and found it hard to believe that such a wild spirit could live in such a structured environment. Jerry was always one to push the envelope - I would pull into West Point at all hours and he would risk expulsion or demerits (once I visited him while he was walking off demerits) to visit with me. Once you were a friend of Jerry's he would break all the rules for you. I guess that is loyalty. He was a risk taker and a gambler. You never dared him to do something - He would always take you up on it and mostly he would win - So I don't want bore you with my stories, but I think he touched many people and had that ability to create a loyalty with you.

Tom Hekker, President Class of 51 QPHS Portland, Oregon

     Jerry is someone I'll never forget, not only because he was a friend, a classmate, and had a great personality and that devilish grin. He was responsible for Ed and I going together, that was 50 years ago when we were juniors. After our Senior Prom Jerry made all the arrangements for a group of us to go to New York to the Night Club called Tony Pasture's, he told the guys don't worry it's not a bad place. By today's standards it would be perfectly acceptable but not to the girls in 1951. Our knowledge was increased by two words. Transvestite and cross- dressers; it was a night to remember and only Jerry could get away with something like that. Oh if the poor nuns ever knew.
     Remembering Jerry by this biography was a great idea, Ed worked hard and long, receiving a lot of help and support from his classmates at the Point. Everyone that knew Jerry agrees that he was the devil may care type of guy, who lived life to the fullest, we all only wish it could have been 50 years longer.

Joan (Frotton) Jarvis, Lavallette, New Jersey

     I always felt Jerry could accomplish anything he set out to do. He approached what he did with enthusiasm from playing pool and cards to going to the racetrack and his love for water skiing. My wife and I did attend a few Army football games with him.
     I thought Jerry was invincible and would be with us to celebrate our 50th reunion.

Phil Lundell, Lavallette, New Jersey

     Of all the fond memories I have of Jerry two stand out in my mind. In school at 10 0'clock he would be so hungry he would eat my sandwiches (bean & ketchup or banana, butter and salt) then he would buy me lunch. When he was driving he would hand his glasses to me in the back seat to clean for him, this I did until I realized he couldn't see without them. Both my husband and I did attend his funeral in Westbrook, Me. This day will never be forgotten.

Eileen (Staudt) Lundell, Lavallette, New Jersey

     Jerry Wynn and I became friends early in my freshman year. He visited my home in Nutley and I to his, our friendship grew from those visits. Obviously he was a great football player and the principal reason for our senior year's team success. He was never egotistical regarding his athletic skills. I was also impressed by this academic progress as he worked very hard as a junior and senior to become one of the top students in our class.
     I didn't see him again much after high school as I didn't live in North Arlington, but we kept in touch and in the mid 1960's. We had a reunion in Atlanta at which his wife was present, along with Agnes "Honey" McAteer Strong and her husband were also in attendance. It was a wonderful time for which I will always fondly remember.
     Having fought in the Korian War as a marine right after high school I lost friends in battle, but none affected me like Jerry's sacrifice because we began high school in friendship and these relationships and ours in particular, are forged in our lives a very special way.

(Bud) William MacFarlane, Verona, New Jersey

     When I arrived at OPHS in the middle of freshman year I was a lost soul. From the beginning Jerry made me feel part of things. We shared many bus rides going home from Brummer's when the conversations were about more serious subjects than school "doings". I learned a good deal regarding his family, future and how he viewed himself, on those rides. Jerry remained a good friend until graduation took us in different directions. I saw Jerry for the last time on the eve of my wedding day when he stopped by my home to ask me to be his date for his friend's rehearsal dinner. Unfortunately that was not possible! I introduced him to Ed and Jerry's parting words were, I guess the next time we meet I will be bouncing your baby on knee. My enduring memory of Jerry is that of a "gentle" man, never given to mean, cruel, or destructive words or actions.

Pat (Hickey) Fabricius, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

     When I was in grammar school I didn't have a lot of fun, I had an after school job since I was in the 6th grade. When I wanted to play on the grammar school football team I paid for all my equipment out of my own money, things were not that great for me, and I wasn't part of the in crowd. I was really a nobody, I wasn't cool, I wasn't an athlete, I didn't date, I couldn't dance, I was small, I never felt I was "included". Somehow Jerry befriended me, why I don't know, but he did and that was really special, that brought me not satisfaction (at that age) or more self-esteem but simple pleasure. Jerry liked me, which meant the world to me because everyone liked Jerry. I was finally having fun and Jerry changed my world, Life was good.
     In high school Jerry had a car and the money to go to the Jersey Shore and who did he ask to go with him, me, boy I was thrilled. I got to see the ocean for the first time. Hanging out in our rented room, sleeping on the floor I really felt like one of the guys. After mass on Sunday we went to a local Italian restaurant for spaghetti and meeting the in crowd girls, boy I was in heaven. Many times I asked myself why, I felt I had a bodyguard and a great friend who really cared for me. But that was Jerry.      Through out high school he was my mentor and always include me; our class trip to Rye Beach (Oh Boy), the Washington trip (whee, what a weekend) those were times I will never forget, I now felt good about myself and a part of the class. I have many stories about our friendship through the years but space does not allow me to expand on them. Jerry and I stayed in touch when he was at the Point and when our military careers put us close together; we would always find one another. When you dream about someone like I do of Jerry he always meets me with that radiant smile and his high spirit full of life, Why do I have those dreams? I venture its because he's dead, he is irretrievable except in dreams, and he died an ignominious death, young and in a war that was a complete waste. A war that was a organism of political ego. In closing, I ask, wouldn't it be great if we meet again in Heaven?

Francis DeFonce, Los Angeles, Ca. (Major, US Air Force, Retired)

     My memory of Jerry from those days was walking to school together. I lived several blocks away from him. As I made my way I'd walk past his house and he'd be coming out to walk to school. We would walk together and talk, about what, I can't even remember (school probably). He seemed shy and quiet (we both were then), he was always very pleasant and always the gentleman. I have only fond memories of him. I've often remembered him in prayer at mass and will continue to do so.

Bernadette (Kiel) McMenaman, Spring Lake, New Jersey

     It is great that tribute is being paid to our friend Jerry and that he will not be forgotten. I have fond memories of those happy times after football and basketball games, Eagan's, dances and especially the proms. All the practical jokes he played, never knowing who would be next. He must have been the favorite of some of the Sisters that taught us, he always seemed to get a desk in the front row, or could there have been other reasons????
     Jerry was so much apart of the good times and I still have pictures from those occasions that will be treasured as Q.P.H.S. memories of the Class of '51.

Doris (Bryan) Costello, Convent Station, New Jersey

     I have only fond memories of Jerry, of course. Most are forgotten due to "Senior Moments" one vivid memory is Jerry, the Deegan twins, Ellen Nash and I trying to learn how to type at 8:00 in the morning --we couldn't fit in the regular class. We all took physics- really tried the patience of our poor nun. I'm sure she never forgot us. Jerry even helped me get through trig and calculus.
     My lasting memory of Jerry is that he blossomed in junior and senior year. Who knew he was very bright. And most vivid, what a truly nice person he was. Ellen and I were not in the "in" crowd but that made no difference to him. He was truly a friend with whom we shared many happy times.

Rose (Mead) Iosco, Toms River, New Jersey

     My most vivid memory of Jerry at QP is Sister Mildred Marie's 10th grade homeroom class, which was a bit wacky to say the least. I can remember Jerry sitting in his front row seat (where the good nun had put him) eating his lunch and Sister Millie popping him with her book when he spoke out of turn, which if I can remember was quite often.
     Jerry was funny, witty, a great big tease in school and he grew up to be a true American hero. How could we ever forget him.

(Honey) Agnes (McAteer) Strong, Jacksonville, Florida

Monsignor O'Connor awards Jerry Wynn the "Most Valuable Player" trophy
	Wynn gets ready for the second half
Rest time on Washington Trip