Brothers came from near and far to attend Omega’s 120th Anniversary Celebration. Close to 200 brothers packed the Coral House in Baldwin with members who traveled from as far as Holland, California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, the Carolinas and of course the tri-state area.
1st Place – Delta Delta Chapter, Tampa Florida
2nd Place – Delta Gamma Chapter, Nassau County New York
Exalted Chapter Members Meeting.
Mark Quering, Beta Chi/Delta Delta ’72 EC Secretary
George deJager, Beta ’60
Mike D’Apolito, Beta Gamma ’66 EC President
Scott Marchetta, Tau Zeta ’73
Richie Bonacorsa, Beta Chi ’71 Chris DiPasquale, Beta Pi ’88
Tony Torcasso, Beta Chi/Delta Gamma ’78
Mike Fiumara, Beta Chi/Delta Alpha ’70 EC Vice President
George Statler, Beta Chi/Beta Sigma ’75
Tom Dapolito, Beta Gamma/Delta Zeta ’65
Rich Hoffmann, Beta Chi ’70
The Exalted Chapter was created by resolution of the Grand Council, April 3, 1926. The Grand Council elected its original members and stated that thereafter the Exalted Chapter be self-electing.
Being elected to the Exalted Chapter of Omega Gamma Delta serves as the highest recognition that can be earned by an Omegaman for service to his fraternity. Selection and election is made by the living members of the Exalted Chapter. Members meet annually and are elected for life.
Exalted brothers also serve on the Corporate Board of Directors of the National Fraternity ‘ the highest legal authority within our order. Since its establishment, only a select group of 81 brothers have received this honor.
Delta Gamma Chapter, Nassau County NY, raised $2,000 for the St. Baldricks Charity that benefits children with cancer. Several brothers had their heads shaved to raise money for the charity.
Our Delta Delta Chapter, Tampa Florida, donated $200 at a “Women with Purpose” benefit through their Omega Charities t-shirt sales program. Pictured here are brothers Mark Drucker, President and Mark Quering, Vice President.
This year our Delta Zeta Chapter, Nassau County NY, is a sponsor of the Marine Corp “Toys for Tots” program.
I’ve been living in Rockville Centre NY for about 25 years now and buying flowers at Wicks Florist in Baldwin NY. I have been dealing with the same guy there for 20 + years. I went in today to pick up some flowers for my wife’s birthday. As Bill is making up her arrangement he asked how I’m doing. I told him my spare time has recently been spent trying to help put together an 80th anniversary celebration for my high school fraternity. He asks which one at what high school? I tell him Omega Gamma Delta at Valley Stream Central. With that he extends his hand out and gives me the grip. Then he repeats the password in a low voice. Turns out he is Brother Billy Deery from Iota Rho Chapter in Baldwin NY 1972. Small World. If you ever need flowers go see him.
Brother Jerry Lange
Brothers Dennis Reilly, Phil Cigna and Bob Gooch pack supplies to be shipped to our military families.
Mike Fiumara - Delta Alpha Chapter, Daytona Beach Florida Frank Dixon - Delta Beta Chapter, Dallas Texas Scott Marchetta - Delta Delta Chapter, Tampa Florida Jerry Nardella - Delta Epsilon Chapter, Northern New Jersey Tony Torcasso - Delta Gamma Chapter, Nassau County New York Mike Fiumara - Delta Theta Chapter, South Florida Steve Piccolo - Delta Zeta Chapter, Nassau County New York Kenneth Smith - Delta Kappa, Charlotte North Carolina Bob Gooch - Delta Lambda, Myrtle Beach South Carolina Mike D'Apolito, Exalted Chapter
Dr. Carl Pete Palmblad. Kappa Psi Chapter CL 1976. SUNY Stony Brook, Doctorate from New York University, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dentistry NYU. Dentist, since 1987, with 2 offices in Suffolk County NY under the name Smile Makers.
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The Second Edition of ‘The Spirit of Omega’ is in. 175 pages of Omega history. Get your copy by emailing Corporate Secretary Mark Quering at [email protected] – $20 includes shipping.
Dear Brothers
This is Charles F (Teddy) Robertson Jr. #63 Class of 1965 East Meadow High School I just turned 73. I was out with friends the other day talking about the good old days when thoughts of the Fraternity came to mind. When I got home I decided to see if there was any information on the old Black and Gold, well was I surprised to see such an outstanding web site and that the frat was still very active. One of the happiest and proudest moments of my young teenage years was when Harry (the Hook ) Fedoryk charter member #7 asked me to pledge for the Frat, sadly Harry is no longer with us. I couldn’t wait to get my Sweater, Jacket and Frat pin which I promptly Pinned my Girlfriend with and now is my wife. All the old names, friendships and crazy things we did back then came to mind Wednesdays were are meeting day and it was mandatory Shirt, Tie and Sweater day, walking the halls seeing fellow brothers and knowing that I was an Omega man was like walking on air even my girlfriend was thrilled to where our colors. I still have my old Jacket and Sweater and membership card but like me they are worn and tattered. The school kind of looked at us as the bad guys of the school you know it was that fifties and sixties mentality but actually we were proud individualist Americans who believed in God, Family, and Country we had a strong sense of Honor, Fidelity and a Respect for the Law we weren’t all Boy Scouts but not far from it. I graduated in 1965 and went to work for Grumman Aerospace in Bethpage LI on the lunar landers and other space vehicles. In 1966 I enlisted in the USAF, got married and went off to war (several of my Brothers never made it back), I was stationed in Northern Thailand with a TAC fighter group as a Crew chief and Airframe and Power plant mechanic the famous Robin Olds was my CO, many an hour was spent working on his bird of prey. After I mustered out of the military with the grade of Sgt. I joined the Suffolk County Police Department (1970) Highway Patrol, I worked normal patrol, Emergency Service Bomb Unit, and did my last ten years in Alcohol and Narcotics enforcement. When I was reviewing the long list of brothers particularly those that came after me I was very surprised to see how many Police officers were Omega men. I even worked with some but never knew they were more than police brothers but also fraternity brothers, I wish I had known then as some have passed many years ago. I retired in 1991 and now live in Leesburg Fl. a lot of water has gone under the bridge but I still have many great memories and how the frat kept me on the straight and narrow path and helped me to become the person I am today. One question I have if I may, as my original sweater and Jacket are in terrible shape can these items still be purchased I would love to get new ones to not only wear with pride today but pass down to my grandchildren as a memory of Grandpas wild and wooly days as a teenager. May God Bless the Brothers and their families Past, Present and Future. Respectfully Submitted Charles F (Teddy) Robertson Jr. USAF-SCPDHP
Brother Charlie Kettles, Alpha Psi ’53 receives Lifetime Achievement Plaque from Brother Mike D’Apolito, Beta Gamma ’66 Past Corporate President, for his over 50 years of service to Omega. Brothers George deJager-Beta, Ben Montante-Alpha Psi, Geroge Statler-Beta Sigma and Dave Herman-Alpha Psi look on.
Dear Brothers,
I was a member of the Alpha Mu Chapter in Jamaica High School class of 1933. I will be 93 years old this year and I still recollect many fond memories of my youth in Omega. I was chairman of the dance committee for several years. I remember we rented out two ballrooms in the Garden City Hotel, hired two bands and had several hundred people attend. It was so packed we had to set up bars in the hallway to accommodate all the revelers. It was a night to remember. Another time we rented the Starlight Room in the Hotel Aster in New York City. Our dances were so successful we were able to rent a clubhouse over a florist shop on 212th Street in Queens Village where we held all our meetings. I was also a member of the swimming team at Jamaica High 1932-33.
I toured Europe at the expense of the Government as a US Army Lt. Colonel [1944-45] from Omaha Beach in Normandy to the Elbe River where we met up with the Russians.
I lived in Glen Cove, N.Y.[1946-1980] then St. Augustine, Fl [1980-2000] and moved to Southern California in 2001. I would like to contact old members of the Alpha Mu Chapter or any Brothers in Southern California. Please contact me at[email protected].
I will always fondly remember Omega Gamma Delta. Best wishes to all.
Bro. Bill Wolf ’33
Erling Raymond (Erl) Landsnaes, is an alumnus of Gamma Chapter at Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, Class of 1926. He was born on July 4, 1908. Following Erasmus, Erl attended Fordham University and Fordham Law School while working part-time in the ball bearing industry. Following law school he became a Special Agent with the FBI and served in that position through World War II, part of that time chasing German spies dropped by submarines on Long Island. Following the war, he became a salesman for the Bearings Specialty Company, moving to California for the firm in 1957, and continuing there until retirement.
Erl’s younger brother, Ralph, joined Gamma Chapter before he did in the 1920s, graduated from Dickinson College and spent a lifetime in the motion picture industry. Like Erl, he also proved the value of “good genes” by surviving until the age of 95 in 2005.
Says Brother Landsnaes of life “I don’t regret any of it. You can’t regret things. Or for that matter forget things.” Erl still remembers his involvement in Omega Gamma Delta in Brooklyn and proudly wears his Omega cap.
My name is Stephen J. Chiarello, I graduated from Valley Stream Central High School. I was a member of the Alpha Psi Chapter of Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity, Class of 62. I attended New York Institute of Technology, and Graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and I was employed by The Hearst Corporation, Hearst Magazines Division as an Internal Auditor for 37 years when I retired.
I was also a member of the U.S. MARINE CORPS and the U.S ARMY RESERVES and retired after 22 years of service, and served in the Persian Gulf War in1990-1991as a Sergeant First Class (E-7), and was a Platoon Sergeant in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991.
I have fond memories of being a proud Brother and member of Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity.
In 1960, as a sophomore in 1960, I wanted to receive a “BID” to Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity so bad. There were four fraternities there at that time; Omega was by far the best. When I received my Bid to be a Pledge for Omega, I was so happy and proud.
The first day of joining my Pledge Class, the Brother’s called us “HAUNTS” or “HAUNTEE”, and we had to wear to school a sport jacket, white shirt and tie with big gold handkerchief and a giant safety pin in the outside pocket of the sports jacket. All Haunts had to carry a shoeshine kit, with a tooth brush, and plenty of sticks of chewing gum, to give out to the Omega Brothers and I shinned plenty of shoes for the duration of my Pledge Period.
Every morning each member of my Pledge Class had to meet in the Park in back of the School near the Bridge, to take orders from all the Omega Brother’s. We were Paddled, at times and had to do Push Ups and Jumping Jacks. This was the Omega Hazing process that every Omega Pledge had to endure before reaching “HELL NIGHT” after 6 weeks of being hazed as a Haunt.
HELL NIGHT was really an event I will never forget. All the Brothers’ would line up with their Paddles and Paddle my bare behind until it was rosy red. Some Brother’s had treats for the Haunts to eat such as fried grasshoppers and chocolate covered ants and there were many mind games they would play on us. Then the Brother’s blindfolded us and drove us very far away and dropped us off with no money so we had to get home on our own.
After Hell Night I was admitted as a Brother of Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity. I was initiated into our great Fraternity at a secret ritual meeting and was given my certificate of membership and a membership card; this was a great day for me. I purchased an Omega Sweater and Jacket and wore it proudly.
Every Wednesday, all Brothers of Omega Gamma Delta would wear a Fraternity Sweater with the Omega Emblem and a white shirt and tie to school because it was our meeting night.
My life as a proud member of Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity has made my High School days the best days of my youth. The respect I received from all my friends at school and my teammates in the sports were excellent.
There were three High Schools Valley Stream and they all had Chapters of Omega Gamma Delta. It was a quite a show at all the Football Games to see a flood of Brother’s from all three Chapter’s wearing Omega jackets , giving the handshake and cheering for their team on the sidelines and in the stands. Every place you went on Long Island you would meet Brother’s from different Chapters and have that great feeling that you were part of this great organization.
Alpha Psi Chapter had the best parties, best dances, and great Beach Parties. I enjoyed attending the Grand Chapter or “GC” Meetings each month, and also the Conventions they had every year. My memories of Omega have stayed with me my whole life.
The idea of creating of Men’s Chapters was a great idea and I and everyone in our great Fraternity owe a great gratitude for our wonderful web site (that brought me back to Omega), and the time and effort to keep this Historic Fraternity alive and prosper into the future to the one and only, Exalted Chapter Member Mike D’Apolito.
OMEGA GAMMA DELTA FOREVER,
BROTHER STEPHEN J. CHIARELLO
Whenever you watch footballs Superbowl on TV, you see the top teams competing for the “Vince Lombardi Trophy,” the highest honor in professional football. It is named for an Omegaman Brother Vincent Thomas Lombardi. Brother Lombardi attended St. Francis Prep in Brooklyn, where he was a standout on the football team and became a Charter Member of Omega’s Alpha Pi II Chapter on January 23,1933. Lombardi was legendary for his coaching philosophy and his motivational skills. Many of his speeches continue to be frequently quoted and he is remembered for his unequivocal commitment to winning. His most famous maxim is “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”
91 year old Omega Brother, Dr. James Houston, Beta Chapter ’28 shares his Omega memories at Omega’s 100th Anniversary Celebration June 22, 2002.
Born June 9, 1911. Initiated May 2, 1928. Passed September 14, 2007. Exalted Chapter from May 7, 1981 . William Paterson University. Columbia University, PhD. Professor and Chairman of Department of Psychology, William Paterson University.
Sports Illustrated Magazine – Oct. 14, 1976, World Series Game 5. Caption says “Fan runs on field after game winning HR and grabs Chris Chambliss.”
Brothers,
Thanks to all brothers who have sent me boxes, it is much appreciated.
And also thanks for sending me an OGD shirt.
Brother Sean Carey – PFC US ARMY
Beta Pi Chapter
Class of ’09
The Michael J. D’Apolito
Most Outstanding Brother Award
The Highest Award presented to an Omega Brother on the national level, who has earned the highest respect of all Brothers, for fraternal loyalty, personal integrity and for his outstanding contributions to his Chapter, community, and the brotherhood.
Tony Torcasso, Beta Chi ‘78 Board President Mike D’Apolito, Beta Gamma ‘66 Exalted Chapter President Kenneth Smith, Tau Zeta ‘81 Board Vice President Mark Quering, Beta Chi ‘72 Board Secretary Vinnie Cosentino, Chi Beta Chi ‘87 Board Treasurer Chris Argento, Alpha Psi '62 George Statler, Beta Sigma '75 James Ianniello, Beta Psi '75 Sal Tamburello, Beta Chi'92 Dave Herman, Alpha Psi '90 Joseph Mauro, Delta Beta '14 George Whiting, Beta Sigma '78 ALTERNATES
Brother Max wins by tap-out 1 minute and 38 seconds into the first round!
Brother Max Quinones WINS 4th pro fight. Sponsored by Delta Delta Chapter. Max will have an Omega Patch on his walkout shirt, his fighting shorts and his fight banner, not to mention his black and gold dyed hair!!!
The Texas Chapters of Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity put on one heck of a parade and car show! This was the 2nd annual Frisco Backs The Blue 2 honoring Frisco Police Department and kicked off a series of events for the “Frisco Community Awareness Night” with a parade. Thank you for all your hard work, time and partnering with local businesses and organizations to ensure this was a classy event!! BRAVO!!
A Message From Brother George deJager, Beta ’60
I just received a message from Brother Jim Brogan, Iota Omega ’60. His best friend and one of my best friends Bill Dutches, was KIA in Vietnam in 1966. He was recently contacted by a history buff in Canada who had acquired the helmet Bill was wearing when he gave his life for our country. Bill had decorated his helmet cover his Marine nickname “Snorkel” his girlfriend’s name (Betty Lu). And most importantly to our order: “Hawthorne New Jersey, Omega Gamma Delta.” Billy loved Omega and his Brothers. And – he was a Brother unto death, who never brought any shame upon our order through any act of his.
Our chapters combined distributed over $50,000+ in donations. The following charities benefited from our contributions.
Warrior Surf Foundation Back the Blue Event
St. Catherine’s of Sienna Church American Vet Dogs
Yes We Can Community Center Flood Victims of SC
Countryside Assisted Living USMC Toys for Tots
St. Thomas Apostle Church VFW Post 2718
Smyrna Beach Church Food Bank Austin’s Purpose
Clearwater Sea-Blue Festival Posh Pets Rescue
Down Syndrome Awareness PSTD Awareness
Long Island National Cemetery NSB Church of Christ
Several Local Families in Need St. Brigade Church
Brother Walter Hohenrath Family Christmas in the Park
Shining Stars for Special Needs ALS Association
Lexington Place Senior Living
America Legion Post 1087
Tier Tats Law Enforcement MC
Christmas at Main Street Station
Make a Wish Foundation
Layers of Love Coat Drive
US Army Airborne Veterans Association
West Hempstead Football Parents Club
Autism Awareness Foundation
Homeless Empowerment Program
St. Thomas Thanksgiving Outreach
Dallas Feed the Homeless Program
Katz Institute for Women’s Health
Family of Deceased Brother Anneca
Long Island Blood Services
Distracted Driver Awareness
Community Thrift Stores
St. Thomas Apostle Church Food Drive
Hot Meals for the Homeless
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Board Member Jack Straw closed on his new house, and the bank attorney was Bro. John Morgan Beta Gamma ‘62. Brother John lit up when he saw the Omega colors and immediately gave Jack the Omega grip.
Brothers John Walsh and Frank Dixon representing our Texas Chapters read off the names of the 2,974 Americans who lost their lives on 9/11.
Delta Theta Chapter and Brothers from all over Florida volunteered their time to clean the 125 year old Veterans section of the Historical Miami City Cemetery. Brother Hurwitz, the cemetery caretaker stated the “it is no longer the eye sore that it has been ever since its first burial thank to our Omega Gamma Delta Brothers”. Great job Brothers!
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Church of Christ/ Colors of Hunger Charity Event.
“Dinner under the Oaks”
This is the oldest church in New Smyrna Beach, FL.
A pay per plate charity event. Delta Alpha Brothers donate money to support their Food Pantry as well as work the event.
We serve food. Help prepare food supervised by a Chef. We set up and tear down. We serve alcohol. We help clean up.
We supply the music and announcements for the outdoor event.
We wear Omega colors & proudly display our banner.
In 1968-Four Omega Brothers attending Villanova University, PA. visited the last living founder of Omega- Bro. Arthur Edrop. Picture (front to back) Bro. Admiral Joseph Hare, Esq., Bro. Nicholas Ficca, Bro. Phillip L. Feliciano, Esq. The person taking the picture is Bro. Jerry Nardella, Esq.
Forty seven years later at a Villanova University alumni reunion- Left to right Bro. Phillip Feliciano, Esq. Bro. Jerry Nardella, Esq.,Bro. Admiral Joseph Hare, Esq., and Bro. Nicholas Ficca.
Beta Pi Chapter (Pompton Lakes NJ) held a 50th Anniversary Celebration on June 17th at the Pine Street Piazza. Congrats to Brothers Bill Lowe and Dana Colella for a great turnout and a job well done. Beta Pi is our longest on-going active Chapter.
With over 50 Brothers in attendance the Alpha Psi Chapter (Valley Stream Central HS) 80th Anniversary Reunion was a rousing success. Brothers from near and far celebrated the occasion at the Bergin Point Country Club on April 8th. Congratulations to Brother Jerry Lange and his committee members for a job well done.
Seen here with Brother Dave Herman, class of ’93 is Brother Jack Mahoney, class of ’42. Brother Mahoney flew for the Army Air Corp in WWII, was the chief pilot for Pan Am after the war and was the last guy to land a helicopter on the roof of the old Pan Am building across the street from Grand Central Station. He flew POTUS’s and dignitaries from all over the world.
Following the tragic murder of police officers in Dallas our Delta Beta Chapter came out in full force to support the local police. Our Brothers efforts made the local TV news. Were proud of you Brothers!!
Delta Beta Brothers pass out bikes to the needy at Christmas in Dallas, from left to right: Brothers Frank Dixon, Mario Bevilacqua, Larry North, Joseph Mauro, Phil Popick, Jay Lombardo, Eric Tomlin, and John Walsh.
From Left-right: Brothers Frank Dixon, Joe Mauro, Phil, and Brother John Walsh.
Our Delta Beta Chapter marched in the Columbus Day Parade in Dallas in October. In an effort to get our name out there the Brothers raised our banner high and marched proudly. When out of the blue came a 75 year old man with a big smile on his face and his arm outstretched enthusiastically reaching to give someone the grip. That man was Brother Phil Popick. Brother Phil was initiated into Beta Gamma Chapter in 1954. A stand out on campus, Brother Phil was Vice President of the Student Body and Captain of the Football Team. Quickly Brother Frank Dixon ran to his car and then presented Phil with an Omega T-shirt – which he immediately put on.
An old bank building in Lynbrook NY was about to be torn down. This large brass plaque in honor of our Brothers from Theta Chapter who were killed in the line of duty during World War II was attached to the front of the building for over 40 years. It is now part of our archives.
It reads:
To Honor the Brothers
of
THETA CHAPTER
Lynbrook, L. I.
OMEGA GAMMA DELTA
FRATERNITY
Who Gave Their Lives
In World War II
So That Others May Live
1941 – 1945
Frank Neu – AAF
Waldron Peterson – AAF
Robert White – AAF
Martin Spinelli – INF
John Eichman – AAF
For a video of our archives go to the Main Menu and click on Videos.
Glancing through the Omega records we noticed that an older alumni Brother lives in Port Orange Florida. So we asked our local Omega Ambassador Bro. Mike Fiumara, Beta Chi ‘70 if he would like to go visit him. In which he responded “hell yea.” Brother Karl Jones, Jr. was born August 25, 1920 in the Bay Ridge Section of Brooklyn. He moved to Valley Stream NY in 1924 and became a Charter Member of Alpha Psi Chapter in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WW II 1942-1945 in Africa and Italy. He retired after 33 years as a Supervisor from Nassau Medical Center and moved to Florida in 1990. During the visit Bro. Karl surprised Bro. Mike with an Omega paddle that he has had in his possession for over 74 years. Bro. Karl was nice enough to donate the paddle to the Omega archives.
On the 45th anniversary of his death while serving his country in Vietnam, Brother Bill Dutches was honored by the renaming of Kingston Avenue in Hawthorne, NJ.
Honoring Bill were the Mayor, the State Senator for Hawthorne, and the American Legion color guard, honor guard, & Bugler. The Marine Corps honor guard also took part in the ceremony. Despite the fact that the event was held at 2:00 in the afternoon on a working day, 15 Omegamen were there to remember Brother Bill and honor his sacrifice.
Brother Jim Brogan, Bill’s closest friend, who flew in from Thailand to be there gave a moving speech about Bill, his life and his service. Brother George de Jager also spoke about his friendship with Bill that evolved from their relationship as brothers in Omega. Brother de Jager ended his talk by recalling several phrases the Omega Benediction:
“Be always ready to help a brother, let no shame come upon our order through any act of ours…… Bill never, ever brought any shame on our order, his family, or the Marines; and he certainly helped his brother marines by giving his life so that they might live.”
Hello Brothers, I was initiated into Omega Gamma Delta in 1944 in Beta Gamma Chapter, Oceanside, NY. Omega had all the top students and best athletes. My senior year Brother Bob Milos was Class President and Brother John Quatraro was President of the Student Body. We also had several captains of the sport teams in Omega. I have been active in fire service since 1948 and served as Chief of Oceanside Fire Dept in 1971. I retired from Texaco in 1975 and moved to San Jose California, enrolled at Mission College, got my degree in drafting and went to work for a disc drive company. Then I retired again in 1995, moved to Manteca in California Central Valley. I am still involved with FD activities with the local FD in Manteca, CA. I organized a senior volunteer group with Manteca FD and assist the department with various duties, school programs, CPR instruction classes etc. I also volunteer with Give Every Child a Chance (Tutoring program). I am a two time cancer survivor and my wife is also a survivor.
I am now preparing to settle in senior type housing, my wife and I are both crowding 90 so it’s getting near time to make a move. My best to all my Brothers, Omega was an important part of my life, keep the tradition going.
Brother Bob Prirmann
Taste and Tales of Sicilian Cookery by Brother Thomas Ciapi, Beta Chi ’73.
This back to Queens cookbook is a Sicilian story of four generations of the Ciapi family with recipes, tales, and pictures from the neighborhood influenced by their great and proud Italian American Culture.
Available at Amazon.com and www.thomasciapi.com.
