  Omega Mu Portrait Tom Tear Omega Mu Chef, 1919-1955 It takes a special person to work in a fraternity, and Omega Mu is lucky that we have had such a man grace our brotherhood for thirty-five years as the chef for our brotherhood, and that is a great achievement in any career. Amidst the daily hustle and bustle of Omega Mu fraternal life, Tom Tear made an indelible impact on our brotherhood during his long tenure as our Omega Mu chef, and we are grateful for his reliable, steady thirty-five years of service to our Omega Mu brotherhood. His daily efforts on our behalf was a rich, positive yield that benefitted generations of brothers from 1920-1955. He was present with our brothers through three bewildering periods of change in history: the Great Depression, World War II, and the Korean War. Through the challenge and difficulties, and twists and turns of these periods our Omega Mu brotherhood remained were fraternally alive and strong, and without a doubt Tom Tear played a significant in making our Omega Mu fraternal life a positive experience. Quite simply, Tom Tear was a temporal grace for our brotherhood because he made our fraternal world better by his very presence. It is almost unheard of for someone to work for thirty years or more at the same place, but Tom Tear did. In a word, he was unswervingly persistent, and his link in our long fraternal history is a notable one, a proud one, a fraternally committed one. Most importantly, our brotherhood only benefitted through his faithful labor! No doubt, many graduate brothers were delighted to see him when the they returned after five, ten, fifteen, twenty, or thirty five years. One can only imagine the stories that he could tell. It is safe to say that Tom Tear was a gift to our Omega Mu brotherhood during his thirty-five year pilgrimage with Omega Mu, and I am sure many brothers were grateful for his guidance and friendship. Most importantly, his resilient culinary work was daily a grace in order for generations of Omega Mu brothers to thoroughly enjoy life in the Castle, and that is no small matter in being around 30-40 free-spirited young men.         It takes a special kind of person to work for over thirty years in a fraternity, and Tom Tear was certainly one of them! He was a tide-of-fraternal life for our Omega Mu brotherhood in every way possible in preparing wonderful meals, party snack and party favors, and in providing guidance, good counsel, and friendship to the brothers for over three decades. In doing so, led by his deep affection for the brothers, Tom enhanced the quality of Greek life that generations of Omega Mu brothers experienced in living together in both Phi Gamma Delta Castles. Consequently, Tom was universally loved by generations of Omega Mu brothers, and the legacy of his loyal service to our historic brotherhood will never be forgotten because he played a significant role in helping young men truly enjoy our Omega Mu fraternal life.  1919 Omega Mu Brothers  1929 Omega Mu Brothers  1939 Omega Mu Brothers  1949 Omega Mu Brothers  1954 Omega Mu Brothers As Omega Mu's longest tenured chef, serving the brotherhood from 1919-1954, Tom Tear, with fraternal zeal, spit, and polish, made every Omega Mu smoker, party, homecoming, formal, and Pig Dinner special - memorable. He was there during the the three day celebration that commemorated the opening of the present Castle in 1925, and he was there when the first Winter Carnival concluded with a fireworks extravaganza in front of the first Phi Gamma Delta house. He witnessed the glorious labor when our brothers constructed some of the most beautiful snow sculptures ever created at the University of Maine.   1920 Freshmen Smoker  1922 Winter Carnival  1923 Dinner And Dancing Party "At 7 o'clock, a delicious dinner was served by the fraternity chef."  1926 Party "The card tables were kept going all the time and smoking materials of all kinds were plentifully scattered about."      1932 Omega Mu Initiation Meal  1934 Upside Down Informal Party  Larry Millers' Bears  1935 Homecoming.  1935 Midwinter Houseparty  1936 Upside Down Party  1936 Spring House Party  1937 Pig Dinner  1938 Spring House Party  1938 Fiji Frolic NO 2  1939 Spring House  Fall 1939 House  1940 Fiji Spook Party  1947 Smoker and Backward Party  "The the climax of the afternoon came. Santa Claus Johnny Ballou appeared, greeted by cheers from the younger children and skeptical looks from older ones. The children, led by Santa, sang the old familiar Christmas carols....The children were then shepherded into the dining hall where a meal with child-appeal awaited them - hot dogs, chocolate milk, ice cream and cookies.""  1948 Christmas Party  Early 1950's Formal  1935 Snow Sculpture  1936 Snow Sculpture  1939 Snow Sculpture  1940 Snow Sculpture  1941 Snow Sculpture  1948 Snow Sculpture  1950 Snow Sculpture  1952 Snow Sculpture    During his thirty-five years as Omega Mu's chef, Tom Tear lived a full, unique life with our brotherhood that was constantly filled with various activities and functions, and and he did all of it with a deep sense of fraternal commitment and camaraderie with each generation of Omega Mu brothers who in our two Castles. Sadly, he saw large numbers our Omega Mu brothers leave during World War II and Korea, and he welcomed them when they returned. He was present when the Castle was opened in 1925, and he was present when the Omega Mu brotherhood celebrated their 50th Phi Gamma Delta anniversary in 1949. Tom Tear was thoroughly faithful in his service to our brotherhood, and the temporal grace of everything Tom Tear did with his special, creative work for our brotherhood made him a perfect fit for our brotherhood during every year that he was with us from 1919 to 1955, helping create a strong level of contentment. He was a uniting, joyful, and beneficial presence in the Castle, on a daily basis, in everything he did, during his unbroken commitment to the brothers of Omega Mu for thirty-five years. Clearly, that is a great thing, a great grace that we will never forget in our fraternal history. Seemingly, he truly understood the substantive meaning of that memorable biblical declaration: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Tom Tear, Omega Mu Chef, 1919-1955  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge
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Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait John J. Zinno, Jr., 1972  Omega Mu Years   1968 Omega Mu Pledges   L-R: Jim Hayes, Mike Sullivan, Paul Wood, John Zinno, Paul Roy, Buster Marzinzak, Jim Walsh, Bill Pond, Jim McLean, Dennis McKenna, Russ Ross, Pat Ladd, Ed Obara, John Halloran, Jim Brown.  Clara Hammond, Omega Mu Housemother   Sophomore Owls: Back Row L-R: Mike Soloby, Fred Gallela, John Duffy. Front Row L-R: Dave Goode; Senior Skull, Ray O'Keffe,  Bob Duetsch, Bob Van Dyk, John Collins, Chris Eaton, Fred Galella.  Dick York and Rod Macklin  Hayes Gahagan  L-R: Brian Thayer, Dennis Roach, James "Red" Wolf Mud Bowl      Rod Macklin, the brother with a beard, is in the photo on the left.  Opposite bank, almost in the middle, wearing a white t-shirt is Jim Chaplin; Bob Deutsch, first person the left, not the brother with his back turned.  Jim Papasodora, back left, on his hands and knees; wearing the FIJI shirt is Jim McLean.  1971 Snow Sculpture  Working on the left portion of the sculpture:
Standing in the middle:
 Around the car
  Housemother Clara Hammond and "The Spook"  Greek Weekend  Fiji finished second.  L-R: Leigh Morrill, behind; John Kimball, front; Doyle Vauteur, seated; John Collins; Dusty Rhodes, behind. Fiji Island  L-R: Pat Ladd, Behind; Bob Mennealy, Paul Wood with the bandana, Mike Soloby wearing sunglasses University of Maine Athlete         Omega Mu Fiji Brothers on this football team: Paul Pooler, Paul Dulac, John Collins, John Rhodes, Chris Eaton, Dick Paganucci, Pat Ladd, Jim Hayes, John Kimball, Richard Rhodes, John Zinno.  Geico Executive  After graduating from the University of Maine in 1972, John accepted a position with Geico Insurance Company in 1973, and he devoted himself wholeheartedly to this profession until he retired. John quickly showed that he was a up-and-coming talent in Geico. Because of John's strong commitment to Geico Insurance, he strengthened and improved the company and its development by successfully undertaking various challenges in the insurance business, and because of this he earned considerable recognition with Geico. Consequently, because John Zinno exhibited standards of integrity and industry that befit a good leader in putting his talents to constructive use for Geico, he advanced with the company and served in numerous executive roles until he retired as the president of the Geico Insurance Agency. In a business and fraternal sense, John Zinno is a source of inspiration for his persistence, determination, and excellence in giving full measure of his strength and ability.   Pig Dinner    John Zinno, first on the left; Chris Eaton, Mike Porter, Bob Doyle, Mike Soloby, Fred Galella, Bill Soloby, and Chip Chapman  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. Their positive impact on the University of Maine community cannot be overstated. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Our scorecard is deep, and we appreciate, and we are proud of, all of our Omega Mu athlete brothers. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. Omega Mu Athlete Henry B. Eaton, II, 1926  Omega Mu Years     1922 Intramural Basketball Champions In the Library             1922 Winter Carnival   "The Phi Gam house at the University entrance was the Arctic scene fora brilliant fireworks display."  The Phi Gam house at the entrance to the University of Maine.   "Each house was suitably decorated for the occasion, many of them having informal dance orders, favors, and confetti dances."  "The dance orders of dark blue and white were in the shape of a lozenge."   
Firt Phi Gamma Delta House Destroyed By Fire, April 2nd, 1924         "Fanned by the Maine blizzard that was raging at the time, the flames spread quickly throughout the old wooden structure, which proved a veritable tinder box."  Brothers Going Into The House To Retrieve Items  "Then began a struggle against odds. Clad only in pajamas, bathrobes, or hastily acquired garb, the Fijis set about, in the teeth of a fierce snowstorm, to rescue what they could. Pictures, the piano, eggs, dinner coats were snatched from the tongue of the flames until at last the Fijis were compelled to retire."   "The brothers who went through the blaze.... are Brothers William Murray, Joseph Murray, Edgar Coffin, Henry Eaton, John Glenn, Donald Mitchell, Clarence Hart, and Donald Powell and pledge Russ Dyer."  ...."The colors came through unscathed."    The Castle, 1925  "All in all the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity has a house, which can hardly be surpassed in New England."     University of Maine Athlete          World War II  Henry B. Eaton, II was a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II.  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our Omega Mu brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Lloyd G. Hay, 1923  Omega Mu Years     1922 Intramural Basketball Champions In The Library of The First Phi Gamma Delta Castle         1922 Winter Carnival  "The Phi Gam house at the University entrance was the Arctic scene for a brilliant fireworks display. Rockets and bombs soared and exploded before an enthusiastic crowd who had come to witness the spectacle."     Lloyd G.Hay served in the 72nd Division of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I, and the 72nd was involved in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918.   72nd taking a rest during Meuse-Argonne Offensive      “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Brett Varnum, 1983  Omega Mu Years      Our Omega Mu Chef, Friend, And Brother: JT         Omega Mu Brothers               Mud Bowl    Sled Bed  Omege Mu Newport Journey To Buddy's  Fiji 24 Hour Marathon        1982 Snow Sculpture     1983 Snow Sculpture  Fiji Island            University Of Maine Presque Isle    Brett Varnum is a good man who is a willing, able, and committed leader and citizen in his hometown, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, with Northern Light and Health, and in teaching martial arts at the Discovery Center of Martial Arts. In short, Brett is a great gift, a great leader, to many, unreservedly so, and he does everything with a positive, caring spirit as an administrator and teacher. He encapsulates the sacredness and dignity of what it means to live life with deep human care and concern for others.  "Brett Varnum, UMPI's Foundation President   Brett Varnum serves as a coroporator to the Northern Light and Health Board of Directors. Discovery Center Of Martial Arts  Brett Varnum is the owner and lead instructor of the Discovery Center of Martial Arts in Easton, Maine.
Kyoshi means "One who is responsible for the teaching of teachers"     Brett Varnum is a man of remarkable character and commitment, and his good-natured, balanced approach has had a positive impact on countless numbers of people in everything that he does.  Balance  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge |
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