BHS Class of 1947 celebrates its 70th anniversary

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield High School Class of 1947 held its 70th reunion at Brookdale Tavern + Kitchen on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 10. One hundred and eighty-nine invitations were sent out and 15 classmates attended the event. They brought along one dozen guests. The Class of 1947, the 93rd to graduate from the school, had 446 students receiving diplomas. Its commencement was held Tuesday, June 3, 1947.

The reunion committee chairwoman was Dorothy Johnson; John Colgate was treasurer and Jack Allen, secretary. Jack’s wife, Henrietta, was a committee member. Dorothy is a retired Bloomfield Public Library director. Planning for the reunion began in January with email addresses being updated.

According to Ann Dassing, executive director of the Bloomfield Educational Foundation, this is the first time BHS has had a 70th class reunion. And the Class of ‘47, Dorothy said, was the last one to have its graduation ceremony at the school. The following year, the ceremony was held at Foley Field for the first time.

Some classmates who did not attend sent letters. Dorothy read from those by Maudie Campbell, Betty Jean Allen Potter, and Mary Ellen Smith Brown who said she does not drive that far anymore. Mary Ellen lives Newtown Square, Pa.

As might be expected, planning a class reunion was a lot of work.
“I responded to everyone, including sending out sympathy cards,” said Dorothy.

She attended with her husband, David. John Colgate attended with his wife, Mel. The only other married couple at the reunion were the Allens. Jack met Henrietta at Demarest Elementary.

“I got married in the sixth grade,” Jack said. “I don’t remember being single.”