Connecticut Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Connecticut
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1477692
PAGE 2 SPEACONN Wade Medlar '81 Will Marvin '82 Steven Chaneles '83 Steven Jason '83 Joe Langella '83 Charles "Chip" Hunziker '84 Marshall Senk '85 Bill Wivell '85 Amy Killeen and Tom Birmingham '86 Neil Goldberg '86 Vincent Piselli '86 Chris Chadbourne '88 Donna and Chad Stewart '88 Craig Zettergren '88 Randolph Wojnarowicz '94 Andy Kelly, Arkansas '00 Danon Dixon '06 Andrew Kim '15 John Forlivio '16 Johnathan Rasimas '17 Max Sicard '17 Samad Khan '18 Daniel Lubinitsky '18 Luke Maloney '18 Sean Chilson '19 Dylan Feldmeier '19 Tim O'Toole '19 Nick Semenza '19 John Brindisi '20 Louis Crisci '20 Maxwell Neary '20 Dominic Shumilla '21 Middletown Framing Thank You, Brothers and Friends, for Making Our Celebration Possible I t was wonderful to be able to gather to celebrate the life of Ed Kaplan '88 and his dedication to Sigma Phi Epsilon. The entire weekend was made possible through the generous financial and in-kind support from the following brothers, loved ones, and special friends. Thank you! O n the cool, overcast day of Sunday, April 24, 2022, over 100 SigEp undergraduates, alumni, and family gathered in Storrs, Connecticut to honor the life of Ed Kaplan '88. The emotional celebration was punctuated with the news that SigEp's National Board of Directors voted to posthumously recognize Ed with the Exemplary Service Award, the fraternity's second-highest award for exceptional service and the highest honor bestowed posthumously. To honor the impact Ed had at UConn, the undergraduate brothers in attendance voted to dedicate the chapter house as the "Ed Kaplan House at Connecticut Alpha." During his rich life, Ed loved to hold court, so it was fitting that those who had traveled from as far away as California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York were rewarded with a touching tribute to one of the greatest brothers to walk the halls of Connecticut Alpha. Van Augur '20, the current president of Connecticut Alpha's Alumni and Volunteer Corporation, led the celebration and set the tone. He thanked Chad Stewart '88 for helping organize the event as well as Joe Langella '83 and Steve Chaneles '83 for donating a beautiful, framed photo of Ed taken by Dylan Feldmeier '19, which was hung in the house, and to Chip Hunziker '84 for sponsoring the happy hour before the Saturday night dinner. In his homage to Ed, Van expertly wove together a poignant story about the unfinished business of the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and Ed. As legend has it, before his death Puccini asked his students to finish his last opera, which they did with broken hearts. Similarly, Van encouraged the audience to emulate Ed's unparalleled passion and spirit for his life and his fraternity. In keeping with the theme, the Sabbs Brothers, Connecticut Alpha's legendary house band, unveiled a new song, entitled "A Life Unfinished," written by Sabbs members Mike Gourdier '86, Bill Gunn '88, and Vinny Piselli '86. Those in attendance naturally were emotional, especially during the touching chorus: For he lived a life unfinished And we're here to carry on You're a brother and son, lover and friend And we'll keep on singing your song On that special day in Storrs, it was clear that "Big Ed's" spirit of service, devotion to duty, and sense of brotherly love will carry on. Fraternally, Tom Birmingham '86 Ed Kaplan '88 Memorial Service Brothers and Family Gather to Celebrate Big Ed Ethan Lovallo '23 (top) and Dan Sullivan, Quinnipiac '13 (bottom) share stories of Ed. The Sabbs Brothers singing their new song, "A Life Unfinished." Van Augur '20, the president of Connecticut Alpha's Alumni and Volunteer Corporation, leads the celebration.