C. Bradley McGrath ’49

C. Bradley McGrath, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.

He was born Feb. 12, 1929 to the late Edward McGrath and Margaret (Bradley) McGrath. Brad was born and raised in Easthampton but was a longtime resident of Northampton.

He graduated from the former St. Michael’s High School in 1947, attended Williston Academy on an athletic scholarship from 1947-1949, graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1954 and received his master’s degree in education from Westfield State College in 1960.

He spent his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Smith Vocational High School in Northampton; serving as teacher and coach from 1954-1967; its assistant director from 1967 to 1976 and its director from 1976 until his retirement in 1991. During his time there he was an inspiration to many students, athletes and colleagues due to his subtle yet encouraging style, character and example.

Brad’s life was dedicated to athletics, especially youth sports. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher in his youth leading the way to his many positions as a community sports enthusiast. He coached soccer, baseball and basketball at Smith School where he won many league titles. In 1992, the gym at Smith Vocational School was named “The C. Bradley McGrath Gymnasium” in his honor. He was director of the Northampton Recreation Department from 1965 to 1967 starting many new innovative sport leagues, served as a soccer and basketball commissioner, was a baseball, basketball and soccer official sharing all these talents with his children who proudly pursued reputable careers in these areas. Even though he was a humble man, he took great satisfaction in knowing he affected the youth of his community in such a positive way.

Brad insisted on contributing to his community in any way possible. He was head of the United Way, an officer and member of the Northampton Elks, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Northampton Youth Soccer Association of which he founded.

In his leisure time, Brad was a member and avid golfer of the Northampton Country Club, enjoyed trips to Hinsdale Race Track with his many close friends, watching his grandchildren’s sporting contests and spending winter months with his wife in Vero Beach, Florida. Brad was also a faithful communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton.

His largest pleasure and gratification in life was his family. Brad leaves his devoted and dedicated wife of 66 years, Mary “Ginger” Bouthilette McGrath, his children, who will miss him deeply, Patty of Easthampton, Dan and wife, Maureen, of Ludlow, son, Jim, daughter, Maureen Sawula, and son Bradley and his wife, Ellen, all of Northampton; nine grandchildren who affectionately called him “Poppy”, Amy, Sarah (husband Chuck), Michael, Brian, Kevin (wife Aimee), Kristine, Allyson, Jillian and Luke. He also leaves four great-grandchildren. He leaves his brother, Ed and his wife Rueith of Harwichport. In addition, Brad leaves many nieces and nephews and a very large extended family.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his three sisters, Sr. Margaret James McGrath, Elizabeth “Betty” Walsh, Mary Woods and his nephew, Jeff McGrath.

Brad will forever be remembered for his kind and generous nature, but most especially for his dry, quick wit and memorable sense of humor. He devoted himself to his family, faith and community and we are all better for having known, loved and met him.

Bradley A. Sandner ’96

October 22, 1977 – January 15, 2018

Bradley A. Sandner, age 40; loving son to Geraldine Murphy (James) and late James L. Sandner (Erica); dear brother to Cheryl L., Douglas S. (Brandi), Leanna M., Jacqueline A., and Ellen L.; fond uncle to Aidan and Colin Brown and Anabelle and Holden Sandner; dear nephew of John F. “Jack” and Carole Sandner, Patricia and Ronald Ozmin and Nancy and Mike Novak. Fond cousin of many. Bradley was a proud graduate of Tulane University where he received his undergraduate degree and Loyola University where he received his MBA. Bradley loved music, politics and scuba diving.

Malcolm M. Stone, Jr. ’53

Mal M. Stone, Jr, 82, of Hollis, NH and formerly of Peabody, died November 25, 2016 at the Epson Manor Health Care Center following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Carol J (Muse) Stone with whom he shared over 13 years of marriage.
Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Malcolm and Dorothy (Ayer) Stone. He was raised in Peabody and attended high school at Williston Academy in Massachusetts and  Kents Hill School in Maine. He then attended the University of Maine at Orono for two years. He has lived in New Hampshire for the past 8 years.
Mal owned and operated his own trucking company for over 30 years before retiring many years ago. He was a member of the Masons in Exeter, NH and also enjoyed doing woodworking as well.
He is survived by his three sons, Malcolm Stone of Duxbury, Keith Stone of Portland, ME, and Kenneth and his wife Debbie Stone of Newport, his daughter Dorothy-Ann and her husband John Simoneau of Raymond, NH , his brother, Richard and his wife Lorraine Stone of Newport, ME, his grandchildren, Danielle Simoneau and Nathan Rice of Raymond, NH, and Katie Trask and Abigail Stone of Newport, ME, his step children Ryan Shepherd of Nashua, NH, Lisa Pezzella of Peabody, and his step grandchildren, Erin, Kendra, and Cady Shepherd, Madison and Jacob Pezzella.

Marie Kragt Harvey ’42

Marie Kragt Harvey took her last breath surrounded by her devoted family on January 2, 2017 at Wood Ranch, Simi Valley, CA.

Marie was born to Herman and Jantje Kragt in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on August 11, 1923. Her family immigrated to the United States and she spent her early years in in Northampton, Massachusetts. She followed her parents to Beverly Hills, CA in the early 1950s and her love affair with Southern California began.

Marie’s long and varied career as an Early Childhood Educator culminated when she retired from her position as Administrative Director of the Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center. In the late 1960s and early 1970s she oversaw the conversion of 3 homes in the neighborhood surrounding the growing campus of California State University at Los Angeles. The center served the preschoolers of university students, while their parents were in class. Utilizing Child Development majors as the teachers, the innovative programming applied Marie’s unique approach to training that became the model for the Cal State University system’s Children’s Centers.

Marie moved from Los Angeles to Wood Ranch, Simi Valley, CA to be close to her daughter in the mid 1980s. Her volunteerism is an inspiration. A lifelong learner, Marie involved herself with many classes at the Simi Valley Senior Center. From ceramics to Tai Chi, Marie kept fit and her mind active. As a member of the VIPs (Visually Impaired Person) support group, Marie kept up her affiliation with the Braille Institute, Santa Barbara that supported her through her challenges with macular degeneration.

As a docent at Strathern Historical Park, Marie loved sharing her growing knowledge of the Chumash Indians and the pioneer history of Simi Valley.

Marie sat on the boards of local organizations Simi Valley Council on Aging, the Neighborhood Council, and the Christian Science Church of Simi Valley. She was an active member of the AAUW, participating in several events throughout the years.

At the age of 80, Marie attended 2002 Simi Valley Leadership, where she learned the inner workings of her community and reveled in the new contacts.

Up until 2015, Marie used the Dial-a-Ride to get to meetings, canasta card games and lunches with friends.

An avid traveler, Marie loved cruises and tours and always came home with lovely stories of her adventures.

Preceded in death by beloved husband, Jesse Marsh Harvey, Marie Kragt Harvey is survived by her children: Laura Burgess Olsen (John) Simi Valley, CA; Jeffrey Earl Burgess (Sandy) Vancouver, WA; Robert Whitney Jennison (Maryann) Coventry, CT; Richard Stanley Jennison, Nantucket, MA; and Pamela Jessica Wilkinson (nee Harvey) (Randy) Flagstaff AZ, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

W. Alan Dayton ’43

William Alan Dayton, age 92, of Palm Beach, FL passed away on September 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Born May 22, 1925 in New York, NY to Kenneth and Sylvia Dayton (nee Patten), Mr. Dayton was educated at the Williston Northampton School and graduated from Cornell University after serving in the US Navy for 2 years in the Pacific during World War II. After school he began work at Alcoa and then lived in West Berlin to aid in post-war reconstruction efforts. Mr. Dayton was fluent in German and French and enjoyed traveling with his friends and family throughout his life. Mr. Dayton was a real estate developer and investor. Starting with land development in the Bahamas in the 1960’s he then became involved with many apartment and hotel projects in Orlando from the early 1970’s through the 2000’s. Mr. Dayton loved golf, bridge, shooting, and entertaining. He was a member of many local clubs, including Seminole Golf Club, the Everglades Club and the Bath and Tennis Club. Dividing his time between Palm Beach and London for many years he was also a member of Sunningdale Golf Club, Portland Club, Mark’s and White’s. Mr. Dayton was passionate about education and served on the board of the Williston Northampton School for 10 years. In 1973, he married his wife of 38 years, Joanne Munzert Dayton, who pre-deceased him in 2011. He is remembered with love by their daughter Millie Dayton, step-children Karyn Kettles Winnington and Richard Hubbs Kettles, his first wife Suzanne McKee Dayton and their daughter Leslie Hart Dayton. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.