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Karl R. Josker | all galleries >> Buffalo >> The Immaculate Heart of Mary Orphan's Home >
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1986 Karl R. Josker


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Guest 31-Dec-2019 00:27
My mother Donna Intorre and her sisters were here. Was wondering if anyone has pictures of her? Working on a family tree and finding old photos and records is very difficult. Any help would be so appreciated! Thank you. -Lisa Deeds lisa2784@gmail.com

Budd Arnold Riker 11-Jan-2018 16:35
My brother Jack and I were in IHM from 1964 to 1968. I have so many memories, most not so good, including the IHM Orphans playing baseball with the OUT Streeters (kids from the surrounding neighborhood). We were pretty much physically abused by them. I remember friends Danny and Frank Hall. Spent most of my time there defending my little brother from the nuns. I remember the people who were kind were the Novitiates who came in the summer to give the full timers a break. I always tried to talk them out of becoming nuns. Mr. Mirko (grounds keeper/bus driver) was also nice. I could go on and on, but I won't. Would love to hear from those who were there during my time.
Paul 30-Jun-2017 06:44
Hi Fran, I remember your brother Sandy, we were in the same group. I am sorry to hear he passed away. I looked for his obituary but couldn't find it, was he Sandy E. Rodgers? I couldn't find you on FB either, but the last time I saw you was at IHM, you had short dark hair, probably not much help today. You seemed to be always smiling.

I see so many names I remember, and i remember the trouble I used to get into. I rememeber sneaiking out in the middle of the night to steal big chocolate chunks from Sister Rosalma (Sandy may have come with me on some of these trips).

I was a terrible person at the time, for a 12 year old. I used to get into fights all the time, especially with Johnny Ervolino. Good thing Angelo was never far away. I remember punching sister Gertrude in the face while she was beating me with a sneaker. Didn't phase her at all, but I DO remember how that sneaker felt. I also remember sister Rosalma using her judo on me. One day in class I must have been really mean to sister Restituta because she came over to me with her "Board of Education" and started beating me with it. I just held up my arms and laughed, which enraged her and she broke it on my forearm. I was in trouble again. LOL.

I was an altar boy for awhile. One of my favorite things to do was when the nuns came up for communion i would hold the platen under their chin to catch any particles form the host that might fall, so I took the opportunity to jab them in the throat, or in the paper part of the habit. I never got in trouble because I made it look like an accident, but one of the nuns gave me a look of suspicion, it was great. Small payback for the many beatings. Which reminds of Phillip Fort, at least I think it was him. He made a paddle for sister Rosalma to use on us and put big holes in it so it would leave welts.

My all time favorite memory was when I was with Michael Olonowsky (sp?) We were by a creek and he found a beautifully preserved trilobite fossil on a piece of slate, it was probably about two inches long and shiny black. I should have spent a lot more time with him. I would have gotten in less trouble and had more fun.

I think all of my fighting and running away caused me to be sent to Baker Hall, which turned out to be a much better place for me.

Some of the other people I remember: Al Zuffineri and his hook shots, Mr. Mirko, and a gym teacher who would slap our hands with a wooden bowling pin, some almost albino brothers who didn't want to be there. One sat next me at meals and he would throw up every time. ONce sister Gertrude came over with a really big serving spoon and scooped up the vomit off of his plate and shoved it down his throat, I was both repulsed and delighted.

I remember Walter Kania, he changed my life when he told me that now that I was 13 I didn't have to listen to my parents anymore. LOL. However, following his advice led to still more trouble.

IHM is one of those experiences I look back on and say, "I am glad that's over!"
Bonnie smith 24-Feb-2017 23:15
my name is bonnie.i was there when i was 5 years old .back in 1957..i still have myreport card from there with my pic on it
Jennifer Jarvela 19-Oct-2016 14:31
I'm looking for anyone that may remember my family.. My grandmother worked at the home so my mom and aunt could go to Villa Maria School... Veronica Lenhard , Dorothy Lenhard , Florence Lenhard.. They lived there from 1940- 1953,54... Also my grandmother took a child with her Elenor Witkowski
Guest 16-Jun-2016 16:34
WAS A RESIDENT FROM 1974-1977. MANY MEMORIES OF THE HOME...SOME GOOD, SOME BAD. REMEMBER FELLOW CHILDREN- SANTA LANDING IN HELICOPTER IN PARK ACROSS STREET FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY IN GYM, MAINTENANCE MAN MR MIRKO-REMEMBER HAD BOXING GLOVES WITH HIM MOST OF TIME/IF U HAD PROBLEM W/ANOTHER BOY HE WOULD LET U BOX EACH OTHER. REMEMBER ALL THE UNDERGROUND TUNNELS CONNECTING ALL THE BUILDINGS-CAN REMEMBER THE WHOLE LAYOUT OF THE BUILDING/PROPERTY- BEING AN ALTAR BOY/EARLY MORNING MASSES BEFORE SCHOOL BECAUSE THE SISTERS HAD MASS EVERY MORNING- MANY MEMORIES-COULD GO ON AND ON...
Kate Herman 06-Jun-2015 01:09
Immaculate Herat of Mary Children's Home has been something that has haunted me for years. I was there in the early fifties with my sister Patricia, brothers Winston and William Jr.(Skipper). Sister Grace Cecil was the only face of Christ I saw there. She was gentle and loving. Another nun hauled off and hit me for saying yella instead of yellow and as the blood flowed from my nose and I fell to the floor I could not understand why yella was wrong, after all, my southern father always said it that way. I had three meals a day, clean sheets and a bed to sleep in but no emotion support. I am still overwhelmed by my time there.
guest 29-Aug-2014 18:26
My father was Donald Lynch. Born 1929, we believe he was at Immaculate Heart until he was about 8 yrs old. If anyone remembers him please contact me at dogwalker247@yahoo.com. Thank you.
Fran 03-Jun-2014 03:21
Wow it is sad how many we knew and how hard it is to find very many ! My name is Fran. My brother Sandy who has passed away a few years back, well we were both in the home. I remember all of the sister's that you have mentioned. Our last name is Rodgers, I am on fb if you would like to send a message there.
Guest 18-May-2013 21:17
My 3 brother's and sister lived in the home for about 3 years. We were remove from our parents home due to a bitter divorce between my parents. My name is James Virella, and I recall good memories based on my experience. I remember being in the cub scouts, movie nights, and the soda shop. My first night I remember being so afraid to get out of bed, I end up wetting my bed. The sister were mad, and assigned the janitor (Big Guy) with the lantern, to wake me up and escorted me to the lavatory. Well I never pissed in the bed again. I remember, Sister Timothy, Sister Victoria, Sister Josephine, Sister Dennis.