Where Are They Now Wednesday~Larry Gocella

Name - Larry Gocella

Years at LHU - 1951-1957 (Interrupted 9/1954–returned after Military Service 9/1956)

Degree(s) Earned – Health & Physical Education (Masters at Glassboro, NJ)

Years Swam – 1956

Best Event – Diving

Most Memorable Moment- Lycoming 1956 – hit head on ceiling before meet. Trying out “new” Fiberglass diving board. Sent to hospital for stitches-never participated in the meet!

Awards Received- Lettered in Football, Gymnastics, Swimming & Track

Occupation:

-Health & P.E. Pittsburgh (1 year)

-Health & P.E.  Milford, DE (5 years)

-Director of Athletics, Health, P.E. and Recreation – Pottstown, PA (1 year)

-Taught Methods and Materials courses at University of Delaware for 11 years.

-Taught Health, Psychology, English, Special Ed. High School -  Colonial District New Castle, DE (31 years)

Spouse – Margaret – deceased

Additional Information to Share With Haven Nation: Larry has been heavily involved in LHU for years since graduating. He attached info regarding the creation of the PennDel group of alumni, as well as the origins of the PennDel Endowed Scholarship. 

Origin of the Penndel 50's Club

    In December of 1996, 9 of Lock Haven's finest and accumulators of additional adipose tissue, met at the Susquehanna Club in New Cumberland, PA. (It is on the grounds of the old Defense Distribution Center) The purpose of the meeting was to re-establish ties with "friends" of the "Haven" who attempted to excel in some form of athletic endeavor during the late 40's and early 50's! (Most of us contributed, but rarely exceeded, the expectations of our coaches back then!) The gathering was considered, by most, to be successful and very enjoyable and the group, which has since been labeled "The Penndel 50's Club", decided to hold biannual meetings at the Club on the second Tuesday of April and first Tuesday of October. The reason for this schedule is to enable the "snowbirds" to find their way back north after a sojourn in warmer climes during the winter solstice!

          The original foray consisted of 4 from Delaware and 5 from Pennsylvania and if you succeeded in obtaining Junior Class Standing back then, you have surmised by now how we came up with the name! (We wanted it to be "Delpenn," but being outnumbered; the PA contingent insisted we flip a coin!)

          The meetings needed a transfusion of new ideas and faces and the group was not opposed to inviting spouses, significant others and a better class of individuals. Thus the infusion of the extended family of LHSTC grads and sophisticated ladies, improved the demeanor of the "Club."

          Our roster has grown to almost 100 and we are constantly endeavoring to "upgrade" the membership by contacting those we think would enjoy having the opportunity to dust off their "harassment" skills and joining us! Not everyone attends every meeting, but those who do, seem to enjoy themselves. Most of the membership is within a 2-hour drive from the site, but occasionally a few surprise us

          The 9/11 tragedy altered our plans somewhat and we could no longer meet at the Susquehanna Club. We settled on Angelina's on S. Front St. in Wormleysburg, PA and in April of 2005, decided that Duke's Riverfront Restaurant, just up the street about 150 yards was a more propitious location! Duke’s had a few obstacles that prevented some of our “geriatric generation” from navigating steps so, the meeting place has once again moved down the street next to the old Angelina’s and is now christened, Rock Bass! (We are now back at Duke’s since they installed an elevator!)