Can you delete Facebook friends before reactivating account?

[john]

I've been off Facebook for the past couple years but I'm planning on reactivating my account. Is it possible to delete friends before reactivating or before they know you're reactivated? What exactly happens when you come back? Is there a big announcement in the news feed that says you're back on? There are people from a former life I kind of want to disassociate myself from without them knowing... Any way to do this?

[Luke C.]

Unfortunately I don't think this is possible. The best thing for you to do would be to reactivate your account and then to go through your list of friends and delete the ones you don't want.
PS. There is no announcment on the news feed,