Front row, from left: Donna Belanger Dion, Diana Lerman King, Lisette Elie Labelle, Rachel Dionne Casavant, Susan Gonneville Nichols, Barbara Marcotte Jacques, Dorothy Matteau Landry. Second wow, from left: Leo Moreau, Cynthia Bunting Baltuch, Patricia Boone Tilley, Nancy Dubois Truman, Peggy Fournier Townsend, Conrad Boucher, Linda Dee White, Denise Guerin, Claudette Michaud Letendre, Joan Leveille Warren, Joan Ouellette Shea, Valencia Whitten Tourigny, Janice Whalen Feell, George Vassill, Denise St. Our Mercier, Spiros Droggitis. Third row, from left: Linda Dichard-Gutru, Susan Hutchins Carrier, Sharon Fortier Eon, Joy Abbott Parisien, June Binette Nolette, Gerard Guillereault, Roland Beaudoin, James Ready, Stephen Lamb, Randy Parenteau, James Seward, Steven Morris, James Townsend, Richard Nolette. Fourth row, from left: James Gagne, Roland Eon, Mike Swanton, Spencer Droggitis, David Fifield, David Loper, Alan Casavant. Laurie Ready Photo

BIDDEFORD — Forty-five members of Biddeford High School Class of 1970 gathered for a reunion June 25.

There was a barbecue at Riverview Pavilion on the University of New England campus — complete with talk, laughter, and a lot of reminiscing. As well, 20 classmates, spouses and guests toured Biddeford High School and 28 toured the Biddeford Mills Museum, said Spiros Droggitis, the Class of 1970 president who served on the Reunion Committee, along with Donna Belanger Dion, Barbara Marcotte Jacques, and Steve Morris.

The reunion marks 52 years since 181 seniors received their diplomas at Biddeford High School. It had been planned for 2020 — but as were many events and celebrations, it was sidelined by COVID. Still, there were 50th anniversary “Golden Diplomas” presented by Mayor Alan Casavant, a member of the 1970 graduating class — and his was presented to him by former Mayor Donna Dion — also a 1970 BHS graduate.

Members attending also marked a solemn moment, remembering the 37 classmates who have passed away,

On a lighter note, most graduates have or will turn 70 years old sometime this year, Droggitis said, and so cake was served, marking that birthday milestone.