Category Archives: 1950s

Roland C. McEldowney ’59

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Roland ‘Mac’ McEldowney died at the age of 78 on Sunday, February 3, 2019 surrounded by his family. He loved his family and friends dearly. Many in the Evergreen community will remember Mac for his long-time membership and work with Blue Spruce Kiwanis, his support of the Evergreen Center for the Arts, and his stunning photography of African peoples, animals, and landscapes.

Mac was born in Newton, Massachusetts on November 14, 1940. His love of the natural world led him to a career as an exploration geologist. He began his lifelong adventures in Africa by traveling to Ghana, W. Africa with the 1963 class of the U.S Peace Corps. He spent 2 years mapping ore deposits for the Ghanaian government, drilling the bauxite deposits by hand. Mac summited Mt. Kilimanjaro during his Peace Corps experience and considered that a major life accomplishment. On the way back to the U.S. he met his future wife, Barbara McEldowney, in Paris. Never one to waste time, within a few days he had proposed to Barbara. They spent the next 53 years happily exploring the world and raising a family together.

Mac was an adventurer, an eternal optimist, and risk-taker. Coming back from Africa with his young wife, he started a Master’s thesis working in northern Baja, Mexico. While there he made a discovery of marine fossils, proving that the Baja peninsula was once under the Pacific Ocean and had been uplifted. Mac started several mineral exploration companies, designed and minted coins, built a cabin, re-developed a gold ore deposit outside of Bibiani, Ghana and retired at the age of 55 after being charged by an elephant in Burkino Faso. In retirement Mac reinvented himself and began his second career as a professional photographer. His love of people and the natural world is evident in his subject matter; specializing in images of African tribes, southwestern Native American tribes, African wildlife, and African and western U.S. landscapes.

Mac is survived by his wife Barbara; children Richard (Phoebe), Scott (Lisa), and Katie (Shawn); sister Marcia (Jim); grandchildren Kailien (Sean), Ramsay (Justine), Saylor, Cameron, and Ritter; and a great-granddaughter Skaia. His family and friends will miss him.

A celebration of life for Mac will be held at 1pm on Sunday, February 10th at Wind Crest Retirement Community in the Red Rocks, High Line Overlook building, 2975 Summer Wind Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.

Posted in: 1950s

George B. Benz ’59

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Born on January 14, 1940, to George W. and Louise Bremer Benz, in St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away on February 1, 2019 in St. Paul. He was a descendant of the Hamm’s Brewing, the Jacob Schmidt Brewing and Bremer Bank families. George was a graduate of The St. Paul Academy and Summit School in 1958, Williston Academy in 1959, University of Munich and Goethe Institute (Germany) in 1961, Colgate University in 1963, and The University of Minnesota Aeronautical Engineering and Business Law in 1965. George married Karen Bassett of Mora, MN in September, 1972. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Josephine Benz Carpenter. George is survived by his sons, George and Theodore (Derek); daughters-in-law Stephanie and Elizabeth and 2 grandchildren, Theodore (Finn) and Hendry as well as a sister, Louise Benz Plank of Buffalo, WY. George was the Chairman of the Board of American National Bank and Trust and Co-Chairman and CEO of American Bancorporation, Director of Commercial State Bank, Lake City State Bank, and American Bank and Trust of Moorhead. He was also CEO of George Benz and Sons and Owner of Oak Grove Dairy, and President and Director Jacob Schmidt Company. Along with his professional career, he cared deeply for many local associations serving as Vice President and Director Indianhead Council- Boy Scouts of America, Vice President and Director Minnesota Club, Vice President and Director Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Trustee Children’s Hospital of St. Paul, Treasurer and Director Ramsey County Lung association, Treasurer and Director Minnesota Society for Crippled Children and Adults, Trustee of the Courage Center Foundation, Director Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, Director Optimist Club of St. Paul, and Founding Financial Advisor Mounds Park Academy. He also served on the boards of the United Arts Fund, the United Way Fund, Norwesco, Horton Manufacturing, Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, Quintero, White Bear Yacht Club, and Desert Mountain golf clubs. George’s love of flying began at age sixteen when he earned his single engine pilot’s license. While attending Colgate he furthered his flying dreams by attaining his Commercial, Certified Flight instructor, air land and sea, multi engine and instrument ratings. He was Vice President and Director of Aqua Float Corporation, Vice President and Director of the Cessna dealership, Wings Inc. and then worked his way up to Vice President at Cessna Aircraft Company where he met the love of his life and co-pilot, Karen. Together they dedicated their lives to various philanthropic endeavors and traveled the seven continents. He shared his love of golf, winning the White Bear Yacht Club Invitational Championship as well as a Mr. and Mrs. Championship; his love of skiing by producing the film “Alta Man”; sailing, hunting, boating, fishing and hockey with his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be on April 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake, MN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memoriam to Children’s Hospital Neuroscience Center of Minnesota.

Posted in: 1950s

M. Richard Fish ’59

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Matthew Richard “Dick” Fish, who was born in 1941, died December 20, 2018.

He leaves his wife Sheila Sharac Fish, his son Kenneth A. Fish, his granddaughters Jessica, Cherokee Rain, Jacqueline, and Ryan Lynn, and his great-grandson Aiden; also, his friend and associate Eric Parham, and dear friends Griselle Cruz and her family. He was predeceased by his son William James (Billy) in 1988, and by daughter-in-law Candace K. Hall in 2018.

Dick was a photographer in Northampton for many years: for the Daily Hampshire Gazette; for his studio “dickfish inc”; and later for the Smith College Imaging Center. For many years, he enjoyed and participated wholeheartedly in the community of St. John’s Episcopal in Northampton. Each summer, he left this community for a while for wonderful summer retreats in Pemaquid, Maine. Dick will be remembered for his warmth, his enthusiastic involvement in our local community, and his great hugs.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, June 14, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Elm Street, Northampton. If you are so moved, feel free to donate to the charity of your choice in Dick’s name, or to any of the following: MANNA; Safe Passage; St. John’s Episcopal Church.

 

Posted in: 1950s

Robert R. Farnum ’59

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Robert Riggs Farnum, 78, a longtime resident of East Street in Great Barrington, MA, died November 18, 2018 at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington. Born October 24, 1940 in Norristown, PA he was the son of the late James M. Farnum and Amy Riggs Loungway.  Robert attended the Williston Academy (1957 – 1959), Wentworth Institute (1959 – 1961) and Fitchburg State Teachers College (1962 – 1965) where he received a BS in Education. Robert married his wife Susan Elizabeth Guppy on June 12, 1965 in Danvers, MA.  Soon after they were married they moved to Great Barrington where their two children, Hilary and Stephen were born. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington where he sang in the church choir.  He was also a member of The Berkshire Hillsmen, a Barbershop Chorus as well as a life member of the Girl Scouts USA. In 1986 Mr. Farnum retired from Becton-Dickinson Medical Supplies in Canaan, CT where he had worked as an architectural draftsman for 18 years. Robert is survived by his wife of 53 years, Susan G. Farnum, along with their children, Hilary Jewett Farnum and Stephen Return Riggs Farnum.  He also leaves his granddaughter, Maple Wynne Farnum, his daughter-in-law Cathy Brooks and her children, Mara, John and Ethan, his brother, Alexander D. Farnum and wife Joan, sister Anne Farnum Fix and husband Gary as well as their children, Samuel Fix and Sarah C. Eiseman.
A memorial service for Robert R. Farnum will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, MA with a reception to follow in the parish room. Donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the Mason Library Children’s Room Native American Stories or Western Stories through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  To send remembrances to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com

Posted in: 1950s

Charles E. Galanie ’52

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Charles E. “Joe” Galanie, 85, passed away Jan. 25, 2019, with his family by his side.
Joe was born in Natick, Mass., on May 21, 1933. After graduating from Boston English High School and Williston Academy in Massachusetts, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After serving, Joe attended Northeast University in Boston where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. While at Northeastern, Joe was a cheerleader, active in drama, choir and intramural ice hockey. More importantly, there he met the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Marcella Trueheart.
Upon graduating from college, Joe began his 35-year career with PPG Industries. His time with PPG took him and his family from Barberton, Ohio, Sierra Leone Africa, and finally to Lake Charles, La., in 1976, where he spent the remainder of his life. After retiring in 1996, Joe and Marcella travelled extensively visiting all 50 states and other locales from Canada to Antarctica. During their travels, they attended minor and major league baseball games in many ball parks across the country as well as competed in bridge tournaments in nearly all of the 50 states. Joe was an avid bowler, bridge player, and enjoyed his weekly poker game with old friends. Above all this, Joe took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren and watching them develop into beautiful children and successful young adults.
Joe will be forever remembered and missed by his wife, Marcella; sons Jim (Sheila Baldwin) of California, Md., and John (Rici Johannessen) of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter Valerie Johnson (Don) of Lake Charles; his grandchildren Stephanie, Katherine, David, Laura, Matthew, Ryan, Allison, Jason and Callie; and his brother and sister-in-law and travelling companions, Bill and Betty Trueheart.
Visitation and a memorial service will be Jan. 29 at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA 70605. Visitation from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 1 p.m.

Posted in: 1950s

Helen Michels Feuer ’54

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Helen ” Cappy” Michels Feuer passed away on the morning of January 4, 2019. Cappy was born on November 17, 1936 in the suburbs of Chicago and raised mostly in Winnetka, Illinois.

She graduated from The Northampton School for Girls and Elmira College. Six months after graduating college, she married the late Stuart Feuer in 1958. Cappy and Stuart first came to Naples in 1969, and eventually became full time residents in 1996.

Cappy was very involved with Trinity by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, as well as other charitable work in Naples. She loved Cooking, Classical Music, Traveling, Gardening, Needlepointing, Socializing and Entertaining, Reading, and Cultural Events. She also loved teaching piano and Sunday School at Trinity.

Cappy is survived by her 4 children, son and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren; Alyn and Brian (Kaitlyn), Michael and Carolyn (Michael and Alex), Polly (Saeanna), and Elise and Mary. Cappy was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Stuart Feuer.

Cappy was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother; she was an extraordinary individual and will forever be deeply missed.

Donations can be made in Cappy’s name to Trinity by-the-Cove Episcopal Church.

A service will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, 553 Galleon Drive, Naples, Florida 34102.

 

Posted in: 1950s

Joseph L. Lucier ’50

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Joseph Lane Lucier died peacefully at home on December 31, 2018 in Duxbury, MA at the age of 87. Joe is survived by his son David Linscott Lucier (’84) and his wife Dana of Cohasset, MA and their children Grace, William, Maggie and Teddy, his daughter Leslie Lucier Marino (’81) and her husband Jim of Westfield, NJ, and their children Katie and Andrew, his son Mark Brooks Lucier (’80) and his wife Megan of Wayland, MA and their children Olivia and Charlie and his daughter-in-law Lynn Morse Lucier of Laguna Nigel, CA and her children Jessica, Danielle and Jake. Joe is also survived by his sister, Ellen Supinski Dugal of Northampton, MA. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Priscilla Ruder Lucier (’50) and his son, Daniel Deforest Lucier (’77) of San Juan Capistrano, CA.
Joe was born on 1931 in Northampton, MA to Frank Albert Lucier and Viola Claudia Foster Lucier. He attended the prep school Williston Northampton from 1948 to 1950 and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1955. After serving in the Army in Germany, Joe spent most of his career, almost 30 years, working for John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
Joe was a man of many hobbies including photography, kite making, gardening, fly tying and helping others maintain sobriety. The Williston Northampton School also played a big part in Joe’s life, where he was a highly successful fundraiser and ardent alumni. His children remember him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who lived a strong faith in God and was generous of his gifts and time.
A private celebration of Joe’s life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cranberry Hospice, Philanthropy Office Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth, 275 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Posted in: 1950s

John P. Ossolinski ’58

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John Paul Ossolinski, 78, passed away in Bradenton, FL on September 30, 2018. He grew up in Chicopee, MA and was the son of Matthew and Anna (Stawarz) Ossolinski. John is survived by his wife Patricia Daugherty, son Robert Ossolinski, daughter Christine Hollins, brother Richard Ossolinski, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Janik Ossolinski. John was a graduate of Williston Academy, Bowdoin College, and Wharton Business School. His friendships with classmates from all three schools brought him much joy. In retirement, John enjoyed traveling and attending family reunions with his wife, whose family embraced him.

A service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery in Nashville, TN. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Posted in: 1950s

William M. Ferguson ’55

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William MacKay Ferguson of Pembroke Parish, Bermuda, beloved husband of Marlene, passed away in his 83rd year. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Christ Church Warwick, The Church of Scotland, Middle Road, Warwick Parish on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 3 p.m. Interment will follow the service in Wesley Methodist Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Pembroke. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Agape House, Friends of Hospice at Suite 124, 48 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11 or online to www.friendsofhospice.bm.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law: Jeanne Fothergill; nieces: Kristy Angeli, Lisa Lacey (Stuart); great-nieces: Francesca Angeli, Gemma Angeli; great-nephews: Etham and Max Lacey; first cousins: Dianne Wilkie (Bruce), Rod Ferguson (Martha), Jeanette MacDonald (Ian), Kerrylou Bell (Lee), Joan Wurst, Grant Briggs and Joe Briggs; other relatives, and many friends. Colours may be worn.

Posted in: 1950s

Elizabeth Lamoureux Gagnon ’54

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Elizabeth A. “Betty” Lamoureux Gagnon passed away Monday, September 24, 2018,  surrounded by her family and her loving husband and partner of 62 years Francis J. Gagnon Jr. at Baystate Medical Center. She is predeceased by her parents, Mary and Clarence Lamaourex, a brother, Donald P. Lamoureux, and her son-in law, Michael P. Linnell ’73.

Elizabeth was born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts in 1936 and attended Northampton School for Girls (Williston Northampton) in Northampton. Elizabeth worked for Pepin School for 23 years as the cafeteria supervisor. She loved working with all of the children and during her summer vacation, she worked in the family marina business in Connecticut and Florida with her husband and their three sons. She loved being on boats, traveling and spending the day on the Long Island Sound with her family.

Anyone who knew Elizabeth or came in contact with her was immediately engaged in conversation. Elizabeth had an insatiable love of life and people and cherished her friends. She loved her Irish heritage and on her 50th anniversary she and her husband Francis traveled throughout the emerald island.

Elizabeth leaves her loving husband, Francis J. Gagnon Jr., 87, of Easthampton, her four children, Brenda Linnell of Westhampton, MA, Steven and Lisa Gagnon of Los Angeles, California, James and Lorna Gagnon of Easthampton, and William Gagnon and Cesar Melo of Douglass, MA. In addition to her children, she leaves seven grandchildren, Jennifer and Joe Selfrank, Matthew and Amy Linnell, Megan and Matt Still, Joe and Alysha Linnell, James Gagnon, Chloe Gagnon and Sean Gagnon, and six great grandchildren, Audrey, Lillian, Zachery, Ethan, Ashley and Lincoln.

Elizabeth lived in Easthampton for 63 years with her loving husband Francis in their family home. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family and friends at the Graham Funeral Home, 18 Adams St., Easthampton, who have honorably and proudly been entrusted with providing for Betty’s care and services.

In lieu of Flowers memorial donations may be made to the Easthampton School Department, C/O PTO, Payson Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Posted in: 1950s