Ernani C. Falcone ’50

"Nani" died of a stroke on May 13, 2002, in San Antonio, Tex., his home since he retired in 1989, after 33 years of teaching social sciences at Swarthmore and Upper Merion (Pa.) Highs. A Haverford (Pa.) High graduate, he earned an international affairs degree at Princeton and, in 1959, a master's in history and government from Penn.

During the Korean conflict he served in Europe with the Army. Starting as a private, Nani retired from the Reserves in 1982 as a colonel with the Army Commendation Medal.

Politics shared his passion with teaching. In Pennsylvania, he was respected in Democratic circles for his leadership. He brought his civic dedication to San Antonio, where he became the center of major policy debates. He fought for neighborhood greenbelts, historic preservation, and funding city parks. In recognition, a new park now bears his name. Mayor Ed Garza called Nani an adopted son of San Antonio, and said, "Our city has lost a champion."

Tributes abound for his enthusiastic work for Princeton, especially 10 years as South Texas schools chair. We remember Nani for hosting our San Antonio mini-Reunion.

Our sympathy goes to Nani's widow, Patricia; his brother, Samuel Farmer '45; his daughter, Julie; and his son, Claude.

The Class of 1950