Category Archives: 1950s

Vance E. Boyd ’52

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Vance Boyd, 85, of Fredericksburg, VA, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018.  Born in Springfield, MA on March 30, 1933, Vance was the son of Samuel and Mary Boyd. A graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Vance attended Babson College in Wellesley and received his B.S. in Business.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 as Specialist Third Class in the Quartermaster division.  He was owner/manager of the Bailey Wagner chain of furniture stores in the greater Springfield area, which his father Samuel Boyd founded. He went on to develop the Best Rental furniture rental company.
His passion/hobby included horse training, racing and showing – both Tennessee Walkers and Standardbreds/trotters.  He enjoyed trying to learn new musical instruments and was proud of his steel guitar – he was a student of Billy Cooper of Orange, VA and loved his lessons.  His other love included billiards and he was an avid Patriots’ fan. He founded the Billiards Club of Falls Run upon his retirement to that community.
The wake will be on Friday, September 21, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA. Funeral Mass on Saturday, September 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 97 South Street, Jamaica Plain. Prayers shall precede Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Internment will be private and at a later date.

Posted in: 1950s

Harriet S. Heller ’54

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Harriet Stone “Hatsy” Heller passed away at the age of 81 at the home of her sister, Mary Heller Smith, on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, in Elmira, NY. She was born in Elmira on October 8, 1936, the middle child of Mary Annetta Trimble and Richard Stone Heller. Harriet graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1954, and completed her education with a BA from Elmira College in 1958. She was a longtime member of Park Church, the Junior League of Elmira, and a current Board Member and Secretary of the Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery, and Elmira College Club. Always loving sports, she worked many hours for youth tennis in Elmira. Her professional life included Director of Alumni Affairs at Elmira College, Assistant Director of Annual Giving at SUNY Brockport and Event Coordinator for E Entertainment in Hartford, CT. She is survived by her son James Richard Sophia and daughter-in-law Melanie Moran Sophia of Shaker Heights, OH; her daughter Elizabeth Stone Sophia of Marietta, GA, and predeceased by her infant son, David Heller Sophia. She leaves her grandchildren, James Trimble Sophia, Julia Stone Sophia, Michael Louis McClellan III and Sophie Caroline McClellan; her sisters and brother-in-law, Mary Annetta Trimble Heller Smith  (’52) of Elmira and Janet Whyte Heller Howell (’56) and Fred Ellwyn Howell of Amesbury, MA; along with several nieces and nephews. Those of us who loved Hatsy knew she had her first cancer operation when she was 19 years old and had 63 years, most of her lifetime, living under the menacing shadow of this illness. Despite this, Hatsy always liked to have fun, to be out and about wherever she was. Always an excellent correspondent, she kept in touch with close friends and family from all segments of her communities throughout her entire life. She was curious, energetic, generous, and sensitive to the needs of others, always did her part and was a good and thoughtful friend to many. These stellar qualities held her in good stead at the end of her life as many came to help her, to care for her, to love her through the end days.

Posted in: 1950s

David A. Stewart ’50

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David Andrew Stewart passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 5, 2018. He was 87. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was raised on the Gulf Coast in Pass Christian, Mississippi where he was an avid sailor, a passion he held for his entire life. Dave was the youngest child of the late J. Norton Stewart, a commercial illustrator and the late Elizabeth Stewart (Lockett), a writer. After World War II, Dave’s family relocated from Pass Christian to Pelham Manor, New York. David attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and Lehigh University. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Point Cruz as quartermaster and signalman during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Dave pursued his love of sailing and went to work for his good friend Bill Luders as an assistant at the Luders Marine Construction Co. in Stanford, Connecticut. David met and married his wife, Flora MacPherson Church from Montreal, Canada in 1962. They settled in Barrington, Rhode Island and David began a long career as the head of his own business, Systematics, Inc. where he designed and built instrumentation systems for the jewelry plating industry. In 1970 Dave was hired as the coordinator for the 12 meter “Intrepid” America’s Cup campaign in Newport, Rhode Island. He was instrumental in Intrepid’s skipper Bill “Ficker is quicker” Ficker’s victory over Gretel II to retain the America’s Cup David was a lifelong member of the New York Yacht Club and a former member of the Barrington Yacht Club. David was predeceased by his older brother, J. Norton Stewart, Jr., a merchant marine who was lost at sea during World War II, and his older sister, Anne (Nancy) Stewart Dana, who passed away earlier this year. He is survived by his wife, Flora, his children, Mary Stewart Gibbs, of Barrington and Sarah Stewart of Brooklyn, CT and grandchildren Flora Gibbs of Walla Walla, WA and Daniel Gibbs of Barrington. David was loved dearly and will be missed by all who knew him.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

Edward D. McHugh ’50

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Edward D. McHugh, M.D. of Holyoke, MA, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center. Edward was born in Holyoke, son of the late Catherine “Kay” (Delaney) McHugh and the late Edward J. McHugh, M.D. He was a 1950 graduate of Williston Academy, a 1954 graduate of Dartmouth College, and a 1958 graduate of Georgetown Medical School. Dr. McHugh served in the United States Air Force prior to starting his private practice, which began with a surgical fellowship in New York City. He subsequently worked at Holyoke Hospital, Providence Hospital, where he was Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff, and his own private practice. He was a former communicant of Holy Cross Parish for many years. Dr. McHugh is survived by his wife, Janice C. (Carey) McHugh; three sons: Edward McHugh (’77) of Holyoke, Bruce McHugh (’78) of Snead’s Ferry, N.C., and Michael McHugh (’79) of Littleton, MA; and a brother, David McHugh of Connecticut. He was predeceased by a brother, John McHugh, M.D. in 2010.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

James A. Openshaw, Jr. ’51

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James Arnold Openshaw, Jr., 84, of Edinburgh, IN, formerly of Ellicott City, MD, died on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at his home after a long illness.

Born November 14, 1933 in Newport, RI, he was the son of Dorothy Harvest and James Arnold Openshaw. The family moved to Southampton, MA, where he spent his boyhood years. Jim attended the Williston Northampton School, Class of 1951 and was captain of the ski team. He matriculated with the Class of 1955 at Virginia Military Institute and graduated with distinction in civil engineering.

He received a commission in the US Army and was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion (Combat), with duty at Ft. Belvoir, Ft. Benning, Ft. Riley and Verdun, France. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and returned to the DC area with his young family to begin a civilian career in the construction industry.

After several years managing federal building construction projects for the Arthur Venneri Construction Co., he joined Cherry Hill Sand & Gravel Co., Inc. as General Manager and later as President, establishing it as a civil construction business with headquarters in Jessup, MD. He purchased the company in 1978 and changed its name to Cherry Hill Construction, Inc. Under his ownership and leadership, the company flourished and grew to become a major highway and heavy construction contractor in the mid-Atlantic region.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pamela Openshaw, his first wife Barbara Falge Openshaw, his two sisters, Mrs. Walter Findeisen (NSFG ’50) of Killington, VT and Mrs. Benjamin Naylor (NSFG ’56) of Calais, VT, his three sons, James A. Openshaw, III of Norfolk, VA, David B. Openshaw of Annapolis, MD and Mark F. Openshaw of Jacksonville, FL, and his daughter, Ann O. DeLawder of Bel Air, MD. He had 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1951

William L. Olds, Jr. ’59

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William Lee Olds Jr., a fourth generation San Franciscan who was a long-time resident of San Francisco died peacefully, July 25, 2018 at the age of 77. William attended Williston Academy before graduating from University of San Francisco.
He is survived by his three children, William Lee Olds III, Helene Hanneken, and Michelle Sauger as well as his son in-law James Sauger, eight grandchildren and his sister Jane Olds Bogart.
He was the President of the William G. Irwin Charity Foundation, a founding Board member of University High School, long time Board member of the San Francisco Humane Society and sat on numerous other non-profit boards. William was also a member of The Olympic Club for 58 years and The Bohemian Club for 48 years, where he was very active in their productions.
He was old school, regal, and selfless in his generosity; never expecting anything in return. William literally lived by the phrase “belt and suspenders,” which is commonly used in finance to describe cautious bankers, or for having redundant safety procedures in place to eliminate risk.
He was prepared, systematic and preserving of the resources he was a steward of, while also known to sport a belt and suspenders in his day to day. He was a voracious reader and a world traveler. He loved to travel on boats and had a passion for the Antarctic after his visit there. He was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1959

Joseph Wayland-Smith ’57

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Joseph Wayland-Smith passed away peacefully on July 25, 2018 after a long fought battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Seattle, Washington and lived in Oneida, New York for many years and later retired to Bonita Springs, Florida. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Betty and Jerry Wayland-Smith; sister, Nini Hatcher, brother and sister-in-law, Janny and Bill Rosenberger and brother-in-law, Robert Kopp.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Ellen, of 53 years, his adoring children, Anne Salerno (Allen Salerno) and Douglas Wayland-Smith (Amy Wayland-Smith), and his cherished grandchildren, Ian Salerno, and Abby and Natalie Wayland-Smith. Joe is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Kopp and brother-in-law, Lang Hatcher. In addition, he leaves behind many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Joe graduated from Williston Academy, Syracuse University and Albany Medical School Physicians’ Assistant Program. Joe proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960. He worked for Oneida Limited for many years but his true love was working as a PA in the Emergency Room. Joe had many interests in life. He was a football referee, soccer coach, EMT and a woodworker. He served on the board of the area arts council for many years and various other volunteer organizations.

Joe and Ellen enjoyed their vacations on Nantucket for 25 years surfcasting for blue fish. They also made wonderful memories at their daughter’s cabin in the Adirondacks. Pontoon boat rides and hearing the loons were particularly special to him. Joe and Ellen spent 17 wonderful years in retirement at Worthington Country Club in Florida where they made lasting friendships with folks from various parts of the U.S. and abroad. Joe was interested in the stock market, reading, golf, duplicate bridge and loved being surrounded by his family and friends engaged in conversation and laughter. He will be remembered for his kindness, courage, patience and dedication to helping others.

Posted in: 1950s

Peter P. Gerquest ’51

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Peter Prior Gerquest, of South Freeport, ME,  passed away June 1, 2018. Peter was an impassioned sailor, hobby lobsterman, and a career shipbroker; the sea was his garden. For the last 20 years of his life, Peter watched the sea every day from his home in South Freeport, overlooking Casco Bay. Peter was brought into the world by poet, family friend, and physician William Carlos Williams, in Passaic, N.J., on March 3, 1932. He was the son of Llewellyn Prior Gerquest, a painter and sculptor, and Arthur Stevens Gerquest, an engineer and potter. Peter and his sister, Sonja, grew up among a community of creatives who influenced his lifelong appreciation for art and music. Peter attended Williston Academy, Hamilton College, and graduated from Columbia University, with an interim stretch serving in the Korean War. As an avid sailor, Peter raced on such famous yachts as The Weatherly and The Ticonderoga. He lived with his wife Mabel in Riverside, CT for 35 years. There, they raised their children, Heidi and Chris, while Peter ran his own shipping company Sea Quest, later renamed Sea Reef Chartering and Beaufort Navigation. Peter traveled the world in both personal and professional capacities throughout his life. In 1995, Peter and Mabel moved to Freeport, where they lived down the street from their daughter, Heidi and granddaughter, Fiona. He was deeply involved in his community both by land and sea. Peter devoted his time to the Harraseeket Yacht Club, the Freeport Historical Society, served as the president of the South Freeport Congregational Church, and as a board member of the Maine Maritime Museum. For those lucky enough to have received a knowing smile from Peter, his charm and wit were an understated but ever-present way of connecting with friends, family, and strangers alike. He will be greatly missed by many. Peter was predeceased by his sister, Sonja, and his much-beloved dog, Phoebe. Surviving members of the family include his wife, Mabel Gerquest; his daughter, Heidi Gerquest and her partner, Johnny Walker; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Heather Gerquest, and his adored grandchild, Fiona Prior Harbert.

“But the sea, which no one tends, is also a garden” -William Carlos Williams.

Posted in: 1950s

William L. Wright ’59

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William L. Wright, age 76, of Ogdensburg, NY, passed away with complications from lung cancer on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center with his wife by his side.

Bill was born on March 15, 1942 in Ogdensburg, NY, a son of the late Archie & Leona (Prosser) Wright. He graduated from Heuvelton Central School in 1960, and later enlisted in the US Army from 1964 – 1966 as a paratrooper medic, serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. After receiving his honorable discharge, Bill earned his RN at Canton College and worked in geriatrics at veterans’ hospitals. He also worked at United Helpers Nursing Home as a nurse for a few years. In 1973 he attended the NYS Ranger School in Wanakena NY, graduating in the Class of 1974. After working for Finch Pruyn Paper Company as a logging supervisor, he returned to Ogdensburg. He found his life’s work at Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, where he earned a degree in alcohol treatment. In 1986 he began his career at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Alcohol Treatment Center where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

Bill was a member of Friends of The Ogdensburg Public Library, the Society of American Foresters, the National Rifle Association, the American Chestnut Foundation and the Planetary Society. He enjoyed being in the woods, hunting, reading, gardening and being with friends & family.

Surviving is his wife Karen; two sons Noah Wright of Lake Hill, N.Y. and Thomas Wright of Boulder, CO; daughter Ellen Wright & her fiancée Joshua Baublitz of Henrietta, N.Y.; brother Timothy Wright of Ogdensburg; mother-in-law Dorothy Lauber of Heuvelton and brother-in-law Brian Lauber & his wife Cheryl of Virginia, along with many cousins.

A sister Dr. Nanette Gordon, sister-in-law Bonnie Wright, and brother-in-law Robert Lauber predeceased him.

 

Posted in: 1950s

Noel J. Belcourt, Jr. ’53

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Noel John Belcourt, Jr., 83, of Sarasota, Florida passed away Wednesday morning June 28, 2018.
Born in Hartford, Ct., he was a son of the late Noel J. Belcourt and the late Frances Llewellyn Belcourt. In addition to his parents Noel was preceded in death by his son, David Belcourt.
Noel attended schools in Wethersfield, Ct. and graduated from Williston Academy in 1953. He then attended Boston University and graduated in 1957 and was a graduate of Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University. Noel served his country in The United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961. He was a past President of the Manchester, Ct. Rotary Club. Noel retired after 32 years in banking with Connecticut Bank and Trust Company. He was a property a manager for several home owners associations. He also served on the board at Bent Tree and served as treasurer at Laurel Lakes. Noel volunteered at Habitat for Humanity for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lee Gowdy Belcourt; three sons, Kenneth Belcourt and his wife, Stephanie, Richard Belcourt and his wife, Joanne and Douglas Belcourt; his brother, Llewellyn N. Belcourt; granddaughter, Angelica Mack and daughter in law, Leibia Willis.

Posted in: 1950s