Hall of Fame

The Old Orchard Beach Alumni Association welcomes the late John McSweeney into the Alumni Hall of Fame. John was nominated by his niece Sandra McSweeney MacDonald and former student and player under 'Mac,' John Regan. Sandra says he was a man of very few words — kind, known by everyone in town, passionate, and dedicated, he always gave to students, players, and the needy in town and from the heart. As a young girl, Sandra remembers him taking in players to his home, in bed by 8am every night, and up at 3:45am for his corn flakes, banana, orange juice, and hot tea before heading out the door to The Clam Shell to get the coffee going for the locals. After retiring he became State Representative at the State House, selling his signature Amod t-shirts. He continued to help people find employment, became head of the Lottery Commission, and continued to support all in the hour of need. As he got older he delivered Meals on Wheels. Sandra says Uncle John emulated the right way to live, and through his example many people, including herself, perceived life in a positive way and learned to treat others as he would.

John Regan '73 gave us a little history. Born in Saco in 1923, John McSweeney got his early education in Old Orchard but graduated from Thornton Academy. His teaching career started in 1953, teaching business math, geography, and becoming athletic director. Coach McSweeney coached football, baseball, track, and basketball. John's passion was basketball — his career win/loss record was 276 wins and 129 losses, with several tournament appearances and a championship in 1957. In 1973 he was awarded the Eric "Ollie" Berg Award by Western Maine basketball officials for his contributions to the sport. John also received the SYSSA Service Youth Award in 1978 for his work in our school system from 1953 to 1978.

E. Emerson Cummings, a talented and respected teacher at OOBHS from 1956–1981, was nominated into the Old Orchard Alumni Hall of Fame along with another longtime alumnus, teacher, and coach, John Ladakakos, at the fall 2012 Reunion. "Emmy," as everyone knew him, initiated Old Orchard Adult Evening School, served on the town council, and co-chaired the building committee for Old Orchard High School — his name is now affixed to the street the school resides on. A scholarship was established by many who knew him in his honor.

John "Golden Greek" Ladakakos also accepted the honor. A Class of 1957 grad, John lettered in basketball, baseball, and football and captained all three sports his senior year. From 1956 to 1995, John taught physical education at OOB and taught many of the current coaches and teachers at Old Orchard Beach High School.

Irving 'Bud' Hertz '62, just hours after receiving a Lifetime Appreciation Award at the 50-yard line of the homecoming football game, was entered into the OOB Alumni Hall of Fame. Susanne Brown Brousseau '44 was also bestowed the honor postmortem. Bud was a basketball player and a member of the Oceana Student Council. He served his country for six years in the U.S. Navy, returning to Old Orchard to become a member of the OOB Fire Dept. for 16-plus years. For years, Bud coached AAU basketball teams while officiating basketball throughout Maine. He has been a member of the football chain crew, kept the Seagulls' boys basketball scorebook, scouted for the OOB teams at his own expense, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Old Orchard sports. Bud is a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Margaret's Parish, and has not missed a single reunion since the re-establishment of the Association in 2000.

Susanne Brown Brousseau '44 had her award presented to her daughters — Karen '69, Robyn '77, and Connie '77 — prior to dinner at the All-School Reunion in October. Susanne was a lifelong resident of Old Orchard Beach, a Seagull cheerleader, and a member of the 1944 State All-Star basketball team. She passed up nursing school to care for her ailing father, and continued post-grad secretarial studies at OOBHS night school. While married and raising 5 children she was active in Girl Scouts, PTA, and the VFW Auxiliary, as well as being a high school girls' basketball and cheering coach. She and her husband, Ernie, contributed to, organized, made costumes for, and participated in OOB's Diamond Jubilee Celebration in 1958. She served as secretary to OOB's Superintendent of Schools — a compassionate person who loved meeting people, had a smile for everyone, and a listening ear for those in need.