In Wallingford, John Leslie Julian “Jack”, age 73, passed away on March 21, 2021. He was born in Bristol, CT., the eldest son of Pearl and Leslie Julian. He leaves his wife, Susan and his siblings, Pamela Gleason (Bruce), Mark Julian, and Leslie Julian (Noreen), as well as several nieces and a nephew. He was a graduate of Williston Academy and Clark University before serving in the US Army in Vietnam. Until his retirement, he owned and operated Julian’s Custom Painting and Wallpapering for many years.
Arrangements are private. His own wish was that, in lieu of flowers or contributions, we should all find some goodness in every day. Be at peace, Jack.
James C. Carlson, 72, of Hyannis, MA and formerly of Harwich, passed away after a brief illness at Cape Cod Hospital on Friday, February 26, 2021. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Barbara (Cahoon) and Paul E. Carlson. James was a 1967 graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and attended American University in Washington, D.C. Known by his friends as “Jim” he was an avid amateur astronomer. He was the past Director of the Cape Cod Astronomical Society and helped to build and establish the Werner Schmidt Observatory at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School in South Yarmouth, MA. His involvement included hosting star parties at various locations across the Cape and conducting classroom outreach in Cape school systems. Jim was an observer for The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) and regularly contributed data and technical information to that organization. He was recognized by AAVSO at their 1999 and 2011 Annual Meetings for his significant work in recording sunspot activity. James is survived by his siblings, Joel Carlson of Holliston and Janet Newton and her husband, John of Carlsbad, CA. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his twin brother, Jon Carlson. Private family arrangements are being held and are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston.
Peter Marvin Wheelock, age 72, died at Concord Park Memory Care Unit on January 19, 2021 from complications of COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease. The son of Dr. Frank Cawthorne Wheelock and Nancy Marvin Wheelock, Peter grew up in Newton, MA. From a young age, he was drawn to oceans and mountains, which he explored by sailing, hiking in all seasons, and backcountry skiing. He overcame early challenges with dyslexia to become an avid reader of books and news sources, including the Boston Globe, which he read in full each morning before 7am. After completing college with a major in Geological Sciences at Middlebury College, Peter worked as a ski patrol for a couple of years in New Mexico. He then went to the University of Massachusetts, earning a degree in Structural Engineering with high honors. He worked as an engineer for Weidlinger Associates, Inc. for 35 years, where he formed many friendships. Most of all, Peter was a devoted family man, a team player in family gatherings, as well as a very giving and supportive husband, and most proud father of his daughter, Alyse. Peter will be missed by his wife Susan Dutt Wheelock, his daughter Dr. Alyse Berk Wheelock, his sisters Debby Wheelock and Betsy Povtak, daughter-in-law Lauren Berk Wheelock, and extended family including Jim Dutt, Joan Lentczner, Chuck Paine, Nick Paine, Sophie Paine, Jessica Povtak, Micheal Nham, Mike Povtak, and Marika Povtak, as well as his close friends and neighbors. A Celebration and Remembrance of Peter’s Life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Peter Wheelock to Clean Energy Innovation Policy Program at itif.org
James Merritt Hitchings, Sr. of Mount Pleasant, SC passed away on February 7, 2021. Jim was born September 28, 1948 to Frank and Jane Hitchings of East Aurora, NY. He attended Northeastern University. Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Margaret “Peggy”, his son James M. “Jimmy”, Jr., and daughter-in-law Lynn, his sister Betsy Hitchings Hampton (Brian), many cousins, nieces, nephews and his beloved dog Oscar.
Jim spent most of his adult life living and working in the Boston area before moving to South Carolina in retirement. He had many lifelong friends from school, work and golf who will miss his humor, political views and rabid support of the Buffalo Bills.
Jim loved traveling, playing golf with his son, hosting dinner parties, attending theatrical performances and concerts with his wife. He was a warm and exceptionally kind man whose love and devotion to his family will forever be treasured.
Due to the Covid pandemic, funeral arrangements will be private. Contributions in Jim’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or First Tee (firsttee.org).
Nina Hart Griffiths, actor, singer-songwriter, airline pilot. Daughter of Joan Hart and Everett Hart, born in New York City on November 27, 1949; died in Miami, FL on December 23, 2020. She wrote and performed the hit song “I Believe in Love” in Milos Forman’s 1971 film “Taking Off,” played Meredith Halliday in “As the World Turns,” and toured the US in theater before becoming a commercial airline pilot. Educated at Friends Seminary and the Northampton School for Girls, Nina lived in New York City, San Francisco, Sharon, CT, and Key Largo. Twice married and divorced, she retired from United Airlines after 22 years with 11 years as a 767 and Airbus Captain. Generous, warm, talented, independent, and courageous, in addition to music and flying, she loved sailing, reading, and dinners with friends and family. Survived by her sister Laurie Kain Hart of Los Angeles and beloved nephew Murdo McGrath, she will be so deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Thomas J. Garstka , 69, of Southampton, MA, died on January 16, 2021 after a short illness. He was born July 3, 1951 in Northampton to Max and Dorothy Garstka. He attended Williston Academy graduating in 1969. Tom was a home builder with his father and brother Dave as Max T. Garstka & Sons for many years. He was a Deputy Tree Warden for the Town of Southampton for 40 years and in his younger years Tom was a member of the Southampton Volunteer Fire Department. He married Donna Syriac on September 7,1975 in the Williston Academy Chapel. In 2003 Tom and Donna started raising pastured poultry and sold their eggs to local stores under the name Cold Spring Chicken Ranch. He also sold firewood for a time as AX Man Firewood.
Tom loved gardening, country music and wearing western hats and boots. He will be remembered for his laughter, many stories about his dad in WWII, and love of the outdoors. He was a member of the Philadelphia Church of God. He served by giving opening and closing prayers. Tom is survived by his loving wife Donna, sons Randy and Paul, brother David and his wife Mary Ann and niece Jillian and sister Susan in Denver, CO. Donations may be made in Tom’s name to Philadelphia Church of God, P.O.Box 3700, Edmond,OK 73083.
Charles (Cam) Campbell Savage, Jr. died of heart failure at home in Burlington, VT, January 11, 2021. He was born January 28, 1942 in Schenectady, NY. He moved with his family to Stowe in the early 1940s and remained there for the better part of his life. Cam graduated summa cum laude from Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass., and from Dartmouth College and Pratt Institute with a degree in architecture. He took time off before graduating from Dartmouth and headed to Hollywood to try his luck at stardom. After a few bit parts in “Gunsmoke” and “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and a brief stint modeling, he decided a college degree was the better choice. Cam designed, built and renovated commercial buildings and private homes throughout his career. He was a creative soul and expressed himself through a variety of mediums. Cam was a lone wolf and took great pleasure in cruising the back roads of Vermont on his various motorcycles. In his youth he played football, hockey and was a wild and crazy skier. The companionship of his dogs and cats over the years gave him solace. In spite of his physical discomfort and challenges, he maintained his sense of humor, avid curiosity and sobriety until the end. He leaves his son, Noah Greer, his sisters Janet and Paige Savage, and his nieces, their husbands and children. Thank you to Cam’s kind neighbors for their help thoughout the last year. In lieu of flowers and cards we ask that you double up on treats for your pets today.
William “Bill” Anderson, formerly of Norwell and Brookline, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 31, 2020 at his residence at Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA at the age of 73. Bill was born on September 8, 1947 in Boston and was raised in Norwell. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1965 and Hartwick College in 1969. He was employed by John Hancock for many years until his retirement. He was predeceased by his parents Elizabeth “Betty” Anderson and Edmund “Ed” Anderson ’34, both of Norwell and New Hampshire, his sister Ellen Anderson of Newton and his brother in law Dean Hobbs of Marshfield. He is survived by his sister Caroline (Anderson) Hobbs of Marshfield, his brother Ted Anderson of Lewistown, MT, and his sister Elizabeth (Liz Anderson) DiSanto of Redwood City, CA. He is also survived by one nephew and three nieces. Bill was a quiet man and had a gentle soul. His many friends were far and wide. He was an intellectual who was very involved in the political climate of the time and enjoyed a good discussion with family and friends around the dinner table. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, funeral services will be private. The family requests that any donations in Bill’s memory be made to the Charles River Center, 59 East Militia Heights Rd., Needham, MA. or to the ARC of South Norfolk, 789 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, MA 02090.
John Joseph Lyons of Hyannisport, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020 at age 75.
John was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to John and Yvette Lyons in 1945 and attended Cathedral High School and Williston Academy. An outstanding athlete at Cathedral, he was voted All City in football and All Western Mass in Baseball. At Williston he was All New England and inducted into the Williston Hall of Fame in 2007.
John graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where he also played football and baseball starting on the varsity of both from his freshman year. At Bates he met his bride of 51 years, Carol Barry from Dedham, Massachusetts.
John was a dedicated father and grandfather first and foremost. He and Carol treasured their children. He especially enjoyed time spent with his five grandchildren. John was often present at many sports activities, musical performances, and school functions with them.
John began his real estate career in the early 1970’s and co-founded his own company, Landry and Lyons in 1975. With the acquisition of Whyte company the firm became the largest residential real estate company in Western Massachusetts with over 200 realtors. John and his partner sold the company in 1987 and he continued to run the company for 2 additional years.
John retired in 1989 at the age of 44 and continued to be somewhat active in business. He guided select New England companies to grow, become more profitable and ultimately be sold. He also played a lot of golf at both Wyndemere Country Club and the Hyannisport Club.
John’s early retirement allowed him to spend more time with his wife Carol. John and Carol enjoyed travelling the world and visited every continent except Antarctica on their many adventures. John and Carol especially enjoyed their recent two-week trip to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They brought their whole family to Europe on a trip down the Rhine River.
Most of all John loved his family and instilled in his children strong values including hard work, generosity and doing the right thing. John will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. John leaves behind his son, John Lyons Jr., Dina Lyons and grandchildren Jack and Nik of Centerville, Massachusetts, his daughter Beth Strachan, son-in-law Richard Strachan and grandchildren Gus, Charlotte and Brook of Hingham, Massachusetts. He also leaves his sisters Mary Leary (James), Kathleen Lucas (Marc), Laura Mirandi (Thomas), and his brother Thomas Lyons (Suzy). His faithful furry companions Charlie and Brady will miss him dearly.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date in Massachusetts. Donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund at danafarber.jimmyfund.org
J. Keith Alford spent nearly all of his working years in the family business. You might know that business as Adam Meldrum & Anderson Co., the preferred department store of Western New Yorkers for generations, the eight-story downtown flagship renowned for its glittering Christmas window displays and cozy Yankee Doodle Room. Mr. Alford, of Amherst, NY, died November 2, 2020, after a period of declining health. He was 79. “He loved working with people,” said Mr. Alford’s daughter, Ann Alford, who said he described AM&A’s as a “challenging and exciting place to work.” Mr. Alford was best known among his many friends for his easygoing nature. “People repeatedly talk about what a kind, gentle, honest and even-tempered man he was, and many people remember his great laugh,” his daughter said. Born April 8, 1941 in Buffalo, Mr. Alford was the middle child of Mary-Louise Kittinger Alford and Dr. J. Edwin Alford. He attended Campus School, then Nichols School, and spent his final two years of high school at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass., graduating in 1960. On June 14, 1963, in Trinity Church, Mr. Alford married Wende Stevens Adam, the daughter of Robert Borthwick Adam III, grandson of the founder of AM&A’s and the store’s top executive. While the couple had “known each other forever,” their daughter said, they had their first date at a New Year’s Eve party at the urging of their younger siblings, who were close friends. He graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in English from Syracuse University, where he belonged to Phi Delta Theta fraternity. From 1965 to 1966, Mr. Alford worked as a salesman for the Kittinger Furniture Co. in Buffalo. He then went to work for AM&A’s, first as receiving and marketing manager, then as merchandising contractor. From 1969 to 1980, he was vice president of operations, guiding AM&A’s through its expansion heyday. From 1980 to 1994, he was president and chief operating officer, the start of a gradual transition of the company’s management, said CEO Robert Borthwick Adam III, Mr. Alford’s father-in-law. “Instead of a one-man show, it’s been a two-man show since 1980,” Mr. Adam told The News in 1989. In 1989, Mr. Adam stepped down as CEO of the company, making Mr. Alford his successor and remaining as chairman. Under Mr. Alford’s leadership, the downtown AM&A’s store defied trends by outselling its nine suburban stores. In May 1994, AM&A’s was sold to The Bon-Ton Stores, a regional retailer based in York, Pa. Mr. Alford worked as a consultant for The Bon-Ton for a while, then joined his longtime friend Stuart Hunt in the Hunt Commercial Real Estate Corp. as a shopping center and retail consultant/licensed agent. Through the years, Mr. Alford was a member of the board of directors of Marine Midland Bank Western Region in Buffalo, of McCurdy & Co. in Rochester and of Frederick Atkins, Inc., in New York City. A trustee of Buffalo General Hospital starting in 1985, he was secretary to the board from 1991 to 1996. He was a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Greater Buffalo Partnership between 1993 and 1995. A member of the Western New York Retail Merchants Association and its board of directors from 1980 to 1992, he belonged to the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce and served on its board from 1983 to 1985. He also served on the board of AAA of Western and Central New York, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the United Way, and was chair of Buffalo Place and the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was on the board of directors of the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation in 1990. Mr. Alford was dean of the Saturn Club in 1984 and director of the Buffalo Yacht Club from 1995 to 1998. He was listed as a noteworthy department store executive by Marquis Who’s Who. His major volunteer commitment was to the Salvation Army, where he served on the advisory board for 40 years, starting in 1976. He was secretary of the board of directors from 1984 to 1985, vice chairman in 1989 and chairman in 1990. Especially after retirement, Mr. Alford enjoyed visiting his family’s property, Longhouse, in Muskoka, Ont. He was an avid sailor and skier and belonged to the Buffalo Ski Club in the 1970s. He also enjoyed antique cars, woodworking and traveling. Mr. Alford was a member of North Presbyterian Church in Amherst, and served on its Session before becoming ill. He was devoted to his wife and family, said his daughter, and was “a fantastic ‘Poppie’ to his seven grandchildren, all of whom adored him.” Besides his daughter, Ann Alford, Mr. Alford is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wende Adam Alford; two sons, Scott and James Alford ’87; a sister, Gail Gundlah; a brother, Bryant Alford; and seven grandchildren. A private family service has been held.
