2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ A Model of Success and Service
grateful for his East Catholic roots; accomplished in academics and in his careers as businessman, lawyer, banker, and author; serves many organizations in his Santa Barbara community; served as past president of the Harvard JD-MBA Association and of the Manchester Instructors of the Handicapped ~ the epitome of the “East is Best” tradition

Biography

Bruce recalls the first time Father Shaw saw him. “He said, ‘Hi Bruce, how are you doing?’ Then I knew a) the rumor that he memorized everyone’s name and photo before September was true, and b) he really cared about us. That sense of caring was something I felt from all of the faculty. They all taught us to be independent thinkers and gave us the basics to be good people.”

Bruce’s parents, Laura and Bill, were loyal supporters of East Catholic. His family includes many alumni: sisters Connie ’69, Grace Mary ’75, Alice Ann ’76, and cousins Rick Andisio ’66, Jay Andisio ’68, Phil Conti ’71, and Rick Conti ’71.

Bruce received his AB from Harvard College in 1976. In a joint program at Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School, he received his JD and MBA in 1985. He has been a banker in NY and Milan, an investment banker in NY and London, a lawyer and management consultant in Milan, an adjunct professor in Italy, the CFO of International Risk Management Group, and co-founder and CEO of BenchmarkPortal LLC. Bruce authored Benchmarking at Its Best for Contact Centers.

In his community, Bruce is a longtime member and current president of the Santa Barbara Sunrise Rotary, an assistant Scout Master, a board member of the Italian-American Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, and a mentor and judge for the Santa Barbara City College Entrepreneurship program. Closer to his hometown, Bruce was the past president of the Harvard JD-MBA Association and also served as past president and board member of the Instructors of the Handicapped, heading the Finance Committee that secured funding for the Manchester High School pool addition.

Bruce is the proud husband of Gloria and the proud father of Siana and William.

Bruce will never forget the last day of French IV with Miss Canistraro. “There was no lesson plan, just a message from the heart. ‘As you go forward in life,’ she intoned, ‘be your own person.’ I have thought of that often.”

Christine M. Gagnon

Alumna – Class of 1983 ~ Generous Supporter
an actuary for 25 years, a past member of the East Catholic School Board, a novelist who hopes to inspire her readers to help needy children, an Eagle dedicated to giving back to her community and to her alma mater ~ a fine example of all that makes East best

Inducted ~ March 3, 2024

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Dedicated and Decorated Serviceman
has served our country in the U.S. Army for 33 years, has had multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, has been awarded many decorations for his service, is slated to be the Chief of Staff of 5th U.S. Army (ARNORTH) ~ a fine example of Eagle leadership and service

Biography

David has fond memories of his years at East Catholic. He made lifelong friends and especially enjoyed Mrs. Ward’s classes. David says, “Mrs. Ward had an immense impact on me, and her influence was critical to my success.” He calls East “a beacon of education and scholarship and a builder of character” for its students. His sister, Patricia Lamy Grabski ’87, followed David at East Catholic.

David enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1989 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1995. He graduated from Eastern CT State University and received his master’s in national security strategy from the National War College.

David has served in several command and leadership positions at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels and in multiple tactical, strategic, and Special Operations organizations. He commanded the 51st Signal Battalion (expeditionary) and the 106th Signal Brigade. David is slated to be the Chief of State, 5th U.S. Army (ARNORTH).

David has had numerous operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He has earned many awards and decorations during his 33 years of service to our country, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and German and French Parachutist Badges.

David and his wife, the former Beth Graham, have two sons, Ryan and Jeff.

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Public and Parish Servant
a proud member of East’s first class, the longtime police chief in Glastonbury and Vernon, the state commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the commissioner of the CT Department of Public Safety, an active member of the parishes of St. Dunstan and Saints Isidore and Maria ~ the embodiment of East’s motto, “Do Whatever He Tells You”

Biography

In Skip’s words, “Attending East Catholic was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my life! The culture at East Catholic was just what I needed. There was a very strong commitment to discipline, academics, sports, and spirituality.”

Skip joined the Glastonbury Police Department in 1968, serving as detective, sergeant, lieutenant, training officer, and aide to the chief. In 1985, he became Vernon’s Chief of Police. Under his leadership, the first Citizens’ Police Academy, the Special Olympics Torch Run, and the Tri-Town Narcotics Task Force were begun. Skip returned to Glastonbury as the Chief of Police in 1987. Father Shaw gave the benediction at his swearing-in.

Upon his retirement from Glastonbury in 1998, Skip worked in several capacities for the State of Connecticut, including as the first commissioner of Emergency and Management and Homeland Security and as the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Skip was educated at St. Louis University, the University of New Haven, the FBI National Academy, and the Law Enforcement Executive Institute. He has been an instructor at Eastern CT State University, Holyoke Community College, the CT Police Academy, and the Connecticut Law Foundation.

Skip has served as a CCD teacher, eucharistic minister, parish council president, and parish trustee at St. Dunstan Church. He is currently on the Finance Council at Saints Isidore and Maria Parish.

Skip and his wife, Jane Chapman, are the parents of Joanne (Brad Wheatly) and Jenna (Christopher Amirault) and the grandparents of Tyler, Haley, James, and Kyle.

Ken Brasa

Alumnus/Athlete – Class of 1979
Football and Baseball Player
two-sport Eagle athlete and team captain; member of all-conference football and baseball teams; active participant in the East Hartford, Manchester, and St. Christopher communities; very generous supporter of East Catholic High School; father of three alumnae ~ a true blue and white Eagle

Inducted~ March 3, 2024

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Baseball Champion and Active Supporter
earned 11 wins on the mound during East’s 1983 championship season, accomplished much in the academic and business worlds, served on the East Catholic School Board, gives generously to his community and his alma mater ~ a tried-and-true Eagle

Biography

Mike is grateful to East Catholic for many things. “ECHS was where I learned many of the values that are important to me today. Sports and teammates showed me the value of hard work and what can be accomplished when teams work together. My love of math and learning came from great teachers. [I also learned the importance of] community and giving back, that you need to share your gifts with those who are not as fortunate.”

Mike was a very valuable member of the 1983 state championship baseball team. In his senior year, he was 11-0 on the mound, tying a school record at the time. He started and earned victories in three tournament games during the Eagles’ championship run.

After continuing his education at Providence College (BA), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MBA), and George Washington University (master’s certificate in project management), Mike worked at Pratt and Whitney, The Hartford, Guidewire Software, and Travelers Insurance where he is currently vice-president of program management. In 2005, Mike was recognized as one of Elite 8 CIOs by Insurance and Technology magazine.

Mike gives back to his community in many ways. He is a board member of the Miracle League of Northern CT, an active participant with Habitat for Humanity and the Tolland Community Emergency Response Team, a past member of the East Catholic School Board, and a former adjunct professor in the UConn MBA program.

Mike and his wife, Linda, have three sons – Chris, Brendan ’15, and Matt ’19. Mike’s brother Steve ’84 is also an alum.

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Basketball Star
four-year starter and three-year captain for the Eagle basketball team, four-time all-conference and all-state player, winner of three conference championships and two state championships, 1200+ point scorer, two-time CT Player of the Year, 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year, participant in the USA Junior Olympic Festival, All American honoree, and NCAA Division 2 national champion at Southern CT State University ~ truly, a soaring Eagle

Biography

Shamika’s memories of East Catholic include how welcoming staff and students were during her freshman year; the relationship she built with Mrs. Reilly, Mrs. Wentzel, and Senora Mack; and being challenged academically in preparation for college.

Eagle basketball was as special to her as she was to it. She played for four years, captained for three years, won three conference championships and two state championships, scored over 1200 points, was a four-time all-conference and all-state player. Shamika was a two-time CT Player of the Year, an honorable mention All-American, and the 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year. In 2004, she was a participant in the USA Junior Olympic Festival and a member of the gold team. But most important to her, she met and played for East Catholic Coach Nick Eco who became like family to her.

Following East Catholic, Shamika attended Boston College and earned her BS at Southern CT State University and her master’s in sports administration at Liberty University. Shamika is proud to be the first of her family to graduate from high school and attend college.

While at SCSU, Shamika was a member of the NCAA Division 2 national championship team in 2007. She was an All-American and two-time Northeast-10 First Team All-Conference. Shamika has been inducted into the SCSU Hall of Fame and the Northeast-10 Hall of Fame.

As a K–5 physical education/health teacher in Middletown and the Lyman Hall High School girls basketball coach, Shamika is a role model to many young people. Prior to coaching high school, she was named the CIAC Middle School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year as the Illing Middle School coach.

Shamika and her wife, Emily Jackson, are the parents of Gavin and Promise Jackson and Alexis and Kayla Little.

About her Hall of Fame induction, Shamika says, “I am deeply and humbly grateful to be honored. It’s a testament to who I am today and what I gained during my time at East.”

Kara Jaclyn Kochanek

Alumna/Athlete – Class of 2008
Basketball Star
a four-year basketball starter, a two-year co-captain, all-conference and all-state honoree, 1000+ point scorer, a four-year cross country runner, an honor student, a member of the student council and executive board, and a student ambassador ~ a fine example of Eagle athletic talent

Inducted ~ March 3, 2024

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ The Eagle at its Finest
mathematics teacher extraordinaire, multi-sport coach, class moderator, member of many school committees, department chairperson, vice-president of GHCEA ~ ever-present and always spirited Eagle

Biography

Adrienne Andrews has been a mathematics teacher at East Catholic since 1986. She has excelled in the classroom, but her work and her influence have extended far beyond her classroom walls.

During the past 37 years, she has been the moderator for both the junior and senior classes; the coach of JV girls soccer, indoor and outdoor track, and field hockey; a member of the Retention, the Scheduling, and the Communication Committees; the chairperson of the Sunshine Club; and the coordinator of basketball concession stand workers. She currently serves as the Math Department Chairperson, the class of 2024’s moderator, and the vice-president of the Greater Hartford Catholic Education Association.

Adrienne praises East Catholic’s community feeling which sets it apart from other high schools. She fondly remembers bonfires, chili tailgates, basketball and soccer championships, and how East always pulls together as a school when times are hard.

Adrienne received her bachelor of science degree from Springfield College and her master’s degree from Eastern CT State University.

Adrienne is married to Geoffrey Andrews. Her son, Tyler Machowski, graduated from East Catholic in 2017.

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Founding Principal
the first principal of East Catholic High School, established many of the traditions still present at the school, dedicated to the school’s success, remembered with fondness by the earliest students and staff members ~ the reason why “East is Best”

Biography

Father Shaw was appointed the founding principal of East Catholic High School in 1961. He served as principal until 1970. It’s part of East legend that Father wrote the school song and the school’s “East is Best” motto. Father was also known to memorize the photos and names of incoming students in the summer, so that he could greet each student by name on the first day of school. He had a passion for learning and an innate ability to bring out the best in young people.

Father was ordained to the priesthood in May 1951 after being educated at Fairfield Preparatory School, St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. His first assignments were as parish priest and school principal at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Naugatuck and then at Immaculate Conception Church in Hartford. Prior to opening East Catholic High School, Father Shaw was the assistant to the superintendent of the Hartford Archdiocesan Schools.

Following his tenure at East Catholic, Father was a counselor and academic dean at St. Joseph College in West Hartford and the director of guidance at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain. Father Shaw was a member of the CT State Board of Higher Education, serving on the Teacher Education, Budget and Finance, and Academic and Student Affairs Committees.

Father earned master’s degrees in administration and counseling from Fairfield University and Central CT State University and his Ph.D. in administration from UConn. Father Shaw passed away in November 2011.

During his lifetime, Father turned down numerous nominations to the East Catholic Hall of Fame. It is our hope that he would be pleased with this delayed, but very well-deserved, induction.

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Volunteer Extraordinaire
past chair and currently co-chair of the East Catholic School Board; construction advisor for East Catholic and for St. James Church and School; member of the Manchester Building Committee, the Manchester Zoning Commission, and the St. James School Foundation; father of two successful alumni ~ a longtime friend and loyal Eagle

Biography

Charlie Crocini has given much to East Catholic High School. First and foremost, he and his wife, Helene, raised two East graduates – David ’90 and Adam ’95. Grateful for the foundation his sons received at East, Charlie has put his God-given talents to work volunteering at East Catholic for many years.

Charlie’s career in facilities construction and management left its mark in CT, NY, and MA where he successfully completed over 1.8 billion dollars in construction projects. Educated in engineering and in program and facilities management, Charlie worked at Pratt and Whitney, Manchester Memorial and Hartford Hospitals, Digital Equipment Corporation, and for the City of Hartford.

He is a member and past chair of the Town of Manchester Building Committee and the St. James School Foundation. He has also served as a construction advisor to St. James Church and School and as a member of Manchester’s Zoning Commission. He was past chair and is currently vice-chair of the East Catholic School Board. Charlie was a vital part of the construction of East Catholic’s new math, science, and fine arts wings.

Charlie is also an accomplished musician and woodworker.

In his own words, he is “humbled to be in the company of so many wonderful, talented people. I was given many talents from God and using them has placed me in this esteemed group.”

Inducted March 3, 2024 ~ Longtime and Generous Supporters
Following the model of giving begun by their wonderful parents, Loren “Andy” ’72, Michael ’72, Mary ’73, Karen ’75, John ’78, and Ann ’79 continue to contribute to their alma mater, ensuring its future success. They are kind and loyal friends and benefactors of East Catholic High School.

Biography

Like their parents before them, the six children of Loren “Andy” and Margaret “Peg” Andreo have continued the family tradition of generously supporting East Catholic High School.

Loren “Andy” Andreo ’72 states, “What our family does is out of love and our faith and our belief that a Catholic education has extraordinary benefits to individuals in forming their moral compass as they enter adulthood.” He and his wife, Janet, have four children – Loren III, Melissa Reynolds, Meghan McGloin, and Michelle Farrell – and eight grandchildren. After 36 years as a retail grocer, Andy has been a property/asset manager for the past 12 years.

Michael J. Andreo ’72 considers his East Catholic years as a great experience which brought him many lifelong friendships. In his words, “I am proud to continue my father’s legacy and believe in helping others.” Michael and his wife, Victoria, have a daughter Dana O’Sullivan who graduated from East Catholic in 2006. Besides being invested in Andreo Family Enterprises, Michael was the past owner of three Dunkin’ Donuts shops and is currently the owner of Putnam Plaza Super Liquors.

Mary Andreo Randazzo ’73 remembers how involved her parents were with East Catholic while she attended with her brothers. She is married to Paul Randazzo, Sr., and they are the parents of four children – Margaret Jenkins ’07, Matt, Paul, and Michael – and seven grandchildren. Mary is an administrator for the family business.

Karen Andreo Marandino ’75 has memories of East Catholic’s magazine drives, freshmen orientation, and her senior trip to Italy. Karen is married to Dominic Marandino, Jr. They have four children – Christina ’04 (married to Brendan Yester ’01), Andrea Royce ’06, Dominic III ’09, Lauren ’13 – and seven grandsons. Karen previously was an office administrator.

John D. Andreo, Sr. ’78 remembers the magazine drives and sporting events at East Catholic. He and his wife, Karen, have five children, all of whom graduated from East Catholic – John D. Jr. ’05, Jennifer ’07, Nicholas ’08, Christie Morelli ’09, Jacalyn ’14 – and a granddaughter. John served as vice-president of Andy’s Foodtown for 20 years and president of Nathan’s and Arthur Treacher’s for 10 years. He is currently president of Valley Fine Wine and Shoreline Super Liquors.

Ann Andreo Brazel ’79 enjoyed her time at East Catholic and praises her parents for their involvement in the community and at East Catholic. She and her husband, David, have four children – Peter, Katie ’06 (married to Dominic Dubaldo ’03), Patrick ’10, and Kara – and three grandsons. Ann worked as an administrator for Andreo Family Enterprises.

The Andreo Family’s relationship with East Catholic High School spans six decades. During that time, the family’s dedication, commitment, and generosity to the school have been exemplary. Praise and gratitude to Loren and Peg who started it all and to the wonderful family who continues their benevolent legacy.