I believe this 1964 Christmas Card was the most ambitious card that Grandpa ever designed, and unfortunately, he passed away in September, two days after his 80th birthday, before it was finished. The Family worked to complete it and included a message that Grandpa had composed, probably years before, to be appended to his final Christmas card. When completed, it was a 21-page booklet, covering many personal touches of Grandpa’s children, their spouses and 20 of his 21 grandchildren. (His 21st grandchild was born two years later) Consider this Grandpa’s Christmas Legacy.
March 17, 1913 was the day Alfred Duryee Guion married Arla Mary Peabody.
ALFRED DURYEE GUION
B.C.S., New York University
Founder and Chancellor
1884 to 1964
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
Once more I am faced with recurring problem of selecting a suitable
idea on which to base a Christmas Message to all my cherished friends.
This year the impact here has been so strongly on graduations and educational
achievements that my thoughts were colored in this direction and are reflected
in the idea of this “1964 Year Book”.
It will have failed in its purpose, however, if above all else it does not
proclaim my deep and abiding thankfulness in that you have filled so
large a place in making my many years happy ones.
My annual Christmas wish at this sacred season therefore, comes with
renewed hope that “peace on earth and good-will toward men” may
truly yours.
Sincerely,
Alfred D. Guion
THE MAIN CAMPUS IN TRUMBULL
First portion of main building completed in 1756
THE FACULTY
ALFRED P. GUION – Professor of Technology and Mechanical Engineering. Also conducts classes in Boating and Water Safety.
DANIEL B. GUION – Professor of Civil Engineering and Modern Building Technique. Also teaches Indian Lore and Youth Fitness. Licensed by State in Surveying, University of Connecticut
DAVID P. GUION – Director of Business Administration,. Courses in Modern Duplicating Equipment and Management.
MAIN CAMPUS
MARIAN I. GUION – Heads Educational Program Activities, Kindergarten specialization
PAULETTE V. GUION – Language Department Head, specializing in Advanced French. Classes also in Interior Decoration and Color Harmony.
ELEANOR K. GUION – Dir., Vocational Guidance Staff. Classes in Home Furnishing and Antiques.
FACULTY – HUNTINGTON CAMPUS
RAYMOND ZABEL – Heading School of Applied Science, Advanced Screw Machine Techniques. Courses also in Woodcraft, Hunting and Fishing.
ELIZABETH G. ZABEL – Dir., Domestic Science Dept., Household Budget Methods. classes in “How to make friends and influence people.”
HUNTINGTON CAMPUS
Situated in the Town of Shelton, Connecticut. Ideally located with view of Long Island Sound, within 15 minutes ride of Main Campus. Dormitory accommodations. Spacious grounds. Raises own vegetables.
FACULTY – KEENE CAMPUS
CEDRIC D. GUION – Professor in Retail Marketing and Business Management. Classes also in Aeronautics and helicopter engineering.
FANNIE P. GUION – Professor of Applied Science. Wells graduate. Teachers Archaeology. Health Director.
KEENE (New Hampshire) CAMPUS
SWANZEY HALL
In the storied Monadnock Mountain region near Keene, New Hampshire, offers students a bracing climate and ample facilities for hiking, picnicking and mountain climbing.
FACULTY – HOLDERNESS CAMPUS
RICHARD P. GUION – Dir. of Manual Training Department. Conducts class also in woodworking and child training.
JEAN M. GUION – Dir. of Home Economics Department, Heads Advanced Cooking Courses. Classes in Budget Management.
HOLDERNESS CAMPUS
Situated in the famous “Lakes Region” near Meredith, New Hampshire. Large acreage affords many opportunities for summer boating and winter skiing sports. Combines gracious living in a rural atmosphere.
LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE SUMMER CAMP
Spring Island
An island camp in Moultonborough Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. Established many years ago as a recreation retreat for faculty members, students and friends of the University where summer water sports, boating, fishing and blueberrying can be enjoyed in a private preserve. Owned by the Corporation in perpetuity.
SECOND ANNUAL PICNIC at HUNTINGTON CAMPUS
Through the courtesy of the Raymond Zabel’s, a family picnic was held for the second year here for the faculty, students and friends over the Labor Day holiday. The above picture shows the Chancellor surrounded by ALL of his grandchildren.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
RAYMOND ZABEL, JR – Graduated from University of Pennsylvania, June, 1963. Now married to Elaine Ventresca of Philadelphia and the proud father of Suzanne, born April 3, 1964. Employed as Junior salesman by Congoleum-Nairn. living in Youngstown, Ohio.
POST GRADUATE SCHOOL
MARTIN ZABEL – graduated June 1964 from the University of Connecticut. Now working to save money for post-graduate work in economics.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES – 1964
ARLA D. GUION – Graduated Trumbull High School in June, 1964. Enrolled University of Bridgeport, Junior College, for two-year course for Medical Secretary, Associate in Arts Degree, Commuting from Trumbull.
DOUGLAS A. GUION – Graduated Trumbull High School, June, 1964. Working at E. Kurtz & Sons, Trumbull. May be leaving soon to enter one of the Services.
JUDITH A. GUION – graduated from Trumbull High School in June, 1964. Enrolled in freshman class at Central Connecticut State College, New Britain, Connecticut, 4-year course in Elementary Education specializing in Kindergarten and leading to B.A. Degree. Living on campus during week, home week-ends.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS – 1964
GREGORY A. GUION – Entering Senior Class in Trumbull High School, College Course.. Interested in sports, especially baseball.
CEDRIC V. GUION – Entering Senior Class in Trumbull High School. Works summer in construction.
MARIAN LYNN GUION – Entering Junior Class in Trumbull High School, College Course. No definite plans
ARLA ZABEL – Entering Freshman year in Shelton High School, College Course. No definite plans for the future.
MICHELE d. GUION – Entering Freshman year in Trumbull High School, no definite plans for future.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 1964
SUZANNE GUION – Age 11 Attending Junior High School in New Hampshire.
WENDY S. GUION – Entering Eighth Grade in Middlebrook Junior High School. Age 13
GRAMMAR SCHOOL – 1964
MARILYN R. GUION – Age 9, Attending Grammar School in New Hampshire.
BRUCE R. GUION – Age 10, Entering Fifth Grade in Daniels Farm School.
ARTHUR C. GUION – Age 7, Attending Grammar School in Keene, New Hampshire.
DAVID P. GUION, JR. – Age 6, Entering First Grade in Daniels Farm School.
PRE-SCHOOLERS
NEIL P. GUION – AGE 5
ROBIN J. GUION – Age 4
JEFFREY L. GUION – Age 3
GARY P. GUION – Age 3
JUVENILE TRAVELINQUENTS
1954 – Arla Guion to Calais, France, visiting her French grandparents.
1960 – Arla, Judy and Douglas on bus tour to Washington, D.C. and Mount Vernon, Virginia.
1961 – Gregory and Cedric on bus tour to Amish country – Lancaster and Hershey, Pennsylvania.
1962 – Martin to Yucatán (Chichen Itzo) Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rico, Grand Cayman and Miami.
1962 – Cedric, Michelle and Wendy to Québec, Montréal, St. Lawrence Seaway Canal and Fort Ticonderoga.
1963 – Douglas by plane to Copenhagen, Germany, Switzerland, France, Holland, England and Scotland.
1964 – Arla Zabel and Lynn Guion on New England bus tour, to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Provincetown, Plymouth, Salem, Boston.
1964 – Sue and Marilyn to Maritime provinces of Canada, including New Brunswick, Fundy National Park, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Publishers note: The “Chancellor” went along on most of the strips and bore all the expenses of every one of them.
On September 13, 1964, just two days after his 80th birthday,dad passed peacefully onto the great unknown. As he was already working on this “Year Book” Christmas message to you, and because we knew he would have wanted us to, we have decided to publish it.
Also, among his effects, we found this additional message which he intended to be his final message. We send them both along to you.
The Guions
When you receive this card I shall have faded into the mysterious silence of eternity.
In my annual Christmas greetings for the last several years I have striven each year to create something a bit out of the ordinary and in this, my final message, I want to adhere to the same tradition.
It is difficult to tell another what the heart feels. Man is inarticulate in the presence of deep emotions and profound truths. He can feel the verities but cannot express them. Yet at the imminence of approaching departure one can sense part of the meaning behind the experience we label “life”.
Everyone in his earthly journey has passed through periods of storm and sunshine, gloomy nights and glad some days. Among the latter were gratefully numbered those little human contacts, pleasant words and kindly deeds that have made me want to remember you and tell you so at that recurring season of open hearts and good-will, known as Christmastide.
I have felt that as I approach the inevitable day and realize I cannot wait around indefinitely to see the fruition of all the wonderful achievements of science, medicine, atomic power, outer space, etc., or the blossoming into flour of all my promising grandchildren, that the kind the father of us all grass my hand and with a friendly smile says: “Come, little man, you had a busy day. It’s bedtime now. Put away all your toys till tomorrow, and then when you awake to a bright new day there will be awaiting you delights and wonders far beyond your fondest dream. All your playmates will be there too, so say “good night”, and happy dreams.” In a recent book there is told the story of an Indian isolated in the California Hills, the last of his race, who, driven by starvation, wandered into the world of the hated white man who fed and cared for him and learned the ancient unwritten philosophy of life and death of his people, as expressed in the following lines:
When I am dead cry for me a little. Think of me sometimes, but not too much.
It is not good for you or your wife or your husband or your children
to allow your thoughts to dwell too long on the dead.
Think of me now and again as I was in life at some moment which is pleasant to recall.
But not for long. Leave me in peace as I shall leave you, too, in peace.
While you live let your thoughts be with the living
It’s been a good long day in my case and I’m happier for having known you.
Alfred D. Guion
So touching.
Thank you for sharing these lovely thoughts.
Compliments of the season to you from New Zealand.
Valerie – May you and your family share a blessed Christmas season.
Grandpa’s final letter brought tears to my eyes. What a remarkable man he was.
Liz – You would not get an argument from me. I do wish I was able to appreciate him more when I was young. He passed away when I was 18 and wouldn’t see these letters until 40 years later.
GP – Thank you for that lovely picture.
My pleasure, Judy. I hope your Christmas was spectacular!!
GP – It was better than I could have imagined.