Michelle Goldfrank-Cariot ’78

Goldfrank Michelle B. Goldfrank died December 26, 2013 at her Cornwall-on-Hudson home in the company of friends and family after battling lung cancer. Michelle is survived by James Cariot, her husband for 25 years, sons Ben (34) and Adam(24) and daughter Sarah (19). A loving spouse, mother and aunt to many nieces and nephews she built a warm and welcoming home for all who entered.

Michelle was active for many years with the Cornwall-on-Hudson School’s Kids Club and Drama Programs. She was also a familiar sight in town while working on a ladder at her painting business. We would like to thank friends and family for the love and support she received while battling her illness and the outpouring of friendship from the Cornwall community she was proud to call home for twenty years. Her fearless personality and calming guidance will be missed by all.

Clara Louise Stiles ’48

Clara Louise Stiles of Middleborough, MA died peacefully on February 3, 2014 in Golden Living @ Oak Hill following a period of declining health. Clara was born on August 11, 1931 in Springfield, daughter of the late William H. and Ruth (Stiles) Mosgraber. Clara attended Hopkins Academy prior to her time at Northampton School for Girls. Following graduation, Clara attended Oberlin College in Ohio and Duke University. Clara was a gifted writer, artist and musician. She is survived by her cousin, Dan Stiles of Falling Waters, West Virginia. Following cremation, the scattering of cremated remains will be in West Virginia.

Margaret Perkins Stiff ’39

StiffMargaret “Peg” (Perkins) Stiff, 92, of Simsbury, beloved wife of 58 years to the late Victor O. S. Stiff, died Thursday, January 2, 2014 at John Dempsey Hospital.

She was born June 1, 1921 in New Haven, daughter of the late Rowan and Marion (Dowkontt) Perkins and had lived in Honolulu, HI, Buffalo, NY and North Canton, prior to recently moving to the McLean Cottages in Simsbury.

Peg was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged as Lieutenant (JG). She was a graduate of Northampton School for Girls and Smith College.

Mrs. Stiff was a Psychology Associate for Hartford Hospital for many years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Canton Center. Peg enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Peg had many and varied interests. She enjoyed animals very much and loved raising her Puli dogs. She and her husband, Victor were active in The Puli Club of America where she served as past Historian, Newsletter Editor and served on the board as an officer of the club. Peg was also active in The Pilgrim Puli Club and The Puli Club of CT. They enjoyed attending and participating in dog shows and had numerous trophies, ribbons, pictures and memories of their wonderful dogs’ achievements. Painting was a lifelong passion. Her home was full of wonderful paintings she had done. While living in Honolulu, Peg took painting lessons by the now renowned painter, John Pike. Peg enjoyed traveling with her beloved husband, Victor. They traveled to numerous dog shows across the country and they also enjoyed vacations to Europe and Switzerland. Peg also had an adventurous side to her. She even took airplane pilot lessons.

In her early years, Peg suffered a great tragedy by the early passing of her father. Her grandparents were very supportive and assisted her mother in raising Peg and her brother, Rowan. They traveled a great deal spending most winters in Sebring, FL. Summers were spent in Lithia, MA where her grandmother ran Mountain Rest, a summer home for missionaries.

She is survived by her seven nieces and nephews, Carol Landis of Manchester, MO, Katherine Lafferty of Henderson, CO, Rowan Perkins of Stevensville, MD, Eric Perkins of Elkton, MD, Patricia Waldorf of Newark, DE, Dan Perkins of Bear, DE and Shelley Perkins Foster of Wilmington, DE and her and Vic’s longtime friend, Stephen Jackson.

John Burke, Jr. ’51

BurkeJohn Burke, Jr. born October 12, 1927, passed away peacefully at the NY State Veteran’s Home at Montrose, NY on Monday, January 6, 2014. 

John was born in Holyoke, MA, and graduated from Holyoke High School before entering the US Navy. Following his honorable discharge John attended Williston Academy before enrolling at Columbia University graduating in 1995. He was employed by Columbia until his retirement.

He continued to be active working for the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) before it moved to Washington,, DC. He also worked for the New York Times Election Polling Department as a researcher for the CBS News Election & Survey Unit, and he had a plant store called “Green Pastures” on 111th and Amsterdam. He could always be found in the neighborhood of Broadway and 112th Street where he was known by many as the “Mayor of Broadway”.

He is survived by his four nieces and nephews and their families. He is also survived by his “NY family – the Lashers” who cared for John in his last years.

Robert W. Hill, Jr

HillRobert Webber Hill Jr., father of Williston Northampton head of school Robert W. Hill III and the Henry Norman Hudson Professor Emeritus of English at Middlebury College, died at his Weybridge home Tuesday evening, Jan. 28, 2014, one week after his 80th birthday.

Born in Wilmington, Del., he attended the Tower Hill School through the seventh grade, distinguishing himself as an eager math and science student, a relentless classroom questioner, and a fearless competitor in any sport or game he chose to play, all qualities he continued to display throughout his life. In the fall of 1947, he entered the second form (8th grade) of Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn., the boarding school from which he graduated magna cum laude, despite the reputation of being “the most slovenly student” the school had ever seen. He entered Harvard in the fall of 1952 and began to consider English as a major while maintaining his interest in the physical sciences. Bob weathered an almost disastrous sophomore slump at Harvard, righted himself with a characteristic surge of determination in his final two years, and emerged again magna cum laude.

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James “Jim” Hamilton ’61

HamiltonJames Warren “Jim” Hamilton died Saturday, February 1, 2014 at his home in Cohasset following a brief battle with bladder cancer. He was 71.

Jim was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Marjorie and Harold Hamilton. He attended Williston Northampton School and Dartmouth College and received a masters degree in graphic arts under the tutelage of Alex Nesbitt at Southern Massachusetts University.

Jim had a long and productive career as a printing salesman for Nimrod Press, which later became part of Universal Printing. Well known in the printing industry of New England, he was a longtime member of the Society of Printers from whom he received the Benjamin Franklin Award for distinguished service in 1996. He was a member for many years of PINE, Printing Industries of New England, and chaired their scholarship program.

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Bayley F. Mason ’47

MasonBayley F. Mason, 84, of Cambridge, formerly of Weston and Belmont, a retired Senior Development Officer for Harvard University, died peacefully on January 27, 2014.

An avid historian, he will be greatly missed by his family, friends, students, advisees and colleagues. Beloved husband of the late Edith (Harwood) Mason. Devoted father of Beverly Mason Dillaway and her husband Lance of Weston, Stephen Mason and his wife Susan of Bethlehem, PA, and Christopher Mason and his partner Myrna Reevis of Browning, MT. Loving grandfather of Rebecca and Margaret Dillaway, David Mason, and Sierra Mason. Brother of the late Herbert P. Mason, Jr. and his late wife Jeanne. Dear cousin of Frederick J. England, Jr., step-brother of Joan (Sprague) Garry and T. Leslie Shear, Jr., Brother-in-law of Justine (Harwood) Laquer and LTC (ret) David Smith. He also leaves his caregiver Andrew Lenzini, and many nieces and nephews.

Born 1929 in Lynn, MA he graduated from Williston Academy, Harvard College 1951 and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Awarded his commission from Navy OCS, he was a Naval Intelligence Officer from 1952-55, serving on the staff of Commander, Naval Forces, Far East in Japan and Korea as Lieutenant, j.g.

A longtime dedicated fundraiser for Harvard University as Associate Dean for Development at both the Medical School and the Kennedy School, member of the 1951 Permanent Class Committee, he was also an Admissions Office alumni interviewer, freshman adviser, Crimson executive, instructor at Harvard Extension School (management of NGOs) and Senior Common Room member of Lowell House. Also Administrative Vice President for Oberlin College 1971-74 and Vice President for Resources of Boston University 1974-80. Private family services were held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston where he served as vestryman and senior warden. A memorial service will be held in the spring at The Memorial Church of Harvard University.