Category Archives: Class Decades

Barton D. Kagan ’52

Barton David Kagan of Randolph, MA, on September 10, 2017.  Beloved husband of 62 years to his dear wife Barbara (Block) Kagan of Randolph. Cherished father of Phyllis Kagan Clayman and her husband Larry Clayman of Massachusetts, Rory Kagan and her husband Rafael Garces of Virginia, and Anita Kagan of Massachusetts. Devoted grandfather of Gregory Clayman of California, Julie Clayman of Massachusetts, Raquel Garces of Virginia and Renee Garces of Virginia. Adored brother of Richard G. Kagan ’60 and his wife Celia of Massachusetts and Florida. Treasured brother-in-law of Nelson E. Block and his wife Rhonda of Massachusetts. Revered son of the late Sidney J. and Mildred B. Kagan of Malden. Also survived by many nephews, nieces and cousins. Bart was a cum laude graduate of Williston Academy where he was a member of the Chess Club, Debate Club, the school newspaper and the school yearbook, as well as holding a state record in Track. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and his Juris Doctorate from The New England School of Law, where he was his class valedictorian. He had many interests, most notably anything to do with New England sports teams, which he followed with a zealous passion. There wasn’t a math problem he couldn’t solve, and a dog he didn’t love. He was a true family man and derived his greatest pleasure from his wife, children and grandchildren.

Paul V. Gabel ’47

Mr. Paul Voigt Gabel died Wednesday, May 4, 2016 in Tyler, TX, at the age of 87. He was born Monday, March 11, 1929 in Syracuse, NY.
He was an entrepreneur and a member of the N.E.T.A.S.A. American Indian Horse Trail Riding Club. He was 46 years clean and sober in the fellowship of A.A. and a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Survivors include his wife, Dorene Gabel of Quitman; goddaughter, Nichole Chiarappa of Ft. Lauderdale; children, Paul Gabel, Jr. of Florida, Mark Gabel of Florida, Haley Gabel Bitterman of New Orleans, Jon Paul Gabel of Long Island, NY, Christopher Gabel of Hartsdale, NY and Jennifer Gabel of Wilmington, NC and five grandchildren.

Edward S. Duncan ’47

Edward “Ted” Duncan, 88, husband of Ann (Kennedy) Duncan, of New Britain, passed away Saturday (September 2, 2017) at Jerome Home in New Britain, CT. A lifelong New Britain resident, he was born on June 13, 1929, the son of the late A. Stanley Duncan and Catherine W. Duncan. Edward attended New Britain schools and then graduated High School from Williston Academy. He then went on to become a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. After graduation from college he joined the U.S. Navy in 1952. Accepted in the “S” class of Officers Candidate School at Newport R.I., upon graduation commissioned as an Ensign, and received orders to report to the USS Hailey, a destroyer based in Newport. During his three years aboard the Hailey the ship made a 7 month “around the world cruise” leaving Newport September of 1952 , returning in April 1953 that included three month duty in Korean waters during the Korean war. After being discharged from the Navy in 1955, he married his love, Ann Kennedy in 1956. Edward was employed by Tectonic Industries in Berlin CT for 27 years, retiring as VP of Sales in 1996. A very active member in the church life at the First Church of Christ in New Britain, he served as a deacon, chairman of the Visitation Ministry and as a member of the church council. After retirement he volunteered at the Hospital for Special Care, in New Britain, with the Equipment Exchange Program. He enjoyed playing golf and being with his friends on the golf course. Edward was a member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club and the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association. Besides his beloved wife of 61 years, Ann, he is survived by a son Michael Duncan and his wife AnneMarie of Kensington; a daughter Carolyn Anderson and her husband Stephen of Killingworth; four granddaughters, Sarah Duncan and her fiancé Joel Park of New York City, Alison Duncan of New York City, as well as Elizabeth Anderson and Cailey Anderson both of Killingworth; and two nephews William and Chris Lumm. He was predeceased by his sister, Grace Lumm and brother-in-law, Charles Lumm. Ted’s family expresses sincere thanks to all the staff at Jerome Home for their loving care shown during the past year.

Persis Brown Smith ’45

On June 16th, 2017 Persis B. Smith passed away after a brief illness at Brookdale Place in Colorado Springs. She was 91 years old.

She was born in Colorado Springs on February 24, 1926. She was the daughter of the late Alfred Brown and Lucy Jones Brown. Dr. Brown was the superintendent of the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind for many years.

Persis was the granddaughter of Asa T. Jones, a Colorado Springs pioneer who came to cure his tuberculosis from Spencer, Massachusetts. He was a leading businessman in Colorado Springs and “gave birth to many charities” (Sun newspaper, July 24, 1972). He built the Cheyenne Building now home to Phantom Canyon Brewing Company on the corner of Pikes Peak and Cascade Avenue.

Persis went to Columbia Elementary School, North Junior High and the Colorado Springs School before graduating from the Williston Northampton School for Girls in Easthampton, Mass. She graduated from Vassar College and received a Masters Degree at the University of Denver in child psychology. She worked at the Rocky Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Colorado Springs for 15 years.

Persis was married four times to wonderful men. First, to the late Wessel Ruhtencrantz Von Ruhtenberg and then to John Max Wolf of the Wolf Ranch in Black Forest. She later married Myron Wood, the well-known photographer. Finally, she was married to the late Dr. Robert Smith for 22 years. He preceded her in death at 99 years in 2012. He was one of the founding doctors of the Colorado Springs Medical Center.

Persis Smith was an accomplished painter, studying for years under the well-known local artist Herman Raymond. She was a member of the Broadmoor Garden Club, Tuesday Club and the Colonial Dames Society. She volunteered for years at Silver Key, was a member of Grace and St. Stephens Episcopal Church and was an active member of and donor to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

She is survived by her daughters, Lucy Lewis of Colorado Springs, Persis Schlosser of Castle Rock, Colorado, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and eleven step-children.

Ginger Kahn Stuck ’81

Ginger Michelle Kahn was born on March 10, 1963, in Beverly Hills, California, but she spent her formative years in Chappaqua, New York.
She was one of four children born from the union of the late Lloyd Kahn Jr. and Charlene (Center) Kahn Berman.
After graduating from Horace Greeley High School, she studied Psychology and Education at St. Thomas Aquinas College and Dance at Ithaca College.
Ginger married Jack Williams III in 1988. She later married Charles Stuck on March 25, 2000, in Dearborn, Michigan, and together the couple would raise their family of five children.
A member of the B’Nai Israel Temple in Monroe, Ginger enjoyed staying very active in the community. She was quite instrumental in the expansion of Paula’s House on South Custer volunteering many hours. She was also the founder of Teens with Family Addiction (TFA), assisting at-risk youth.
Ginger was always generous and kind and willing to open her home to those in need. She was extremely charismatic and had a heart for service to others, and everyone knew it.
A confidante to many, Ginger still had a profound sense of humor.
Ginger loved to vacation, and when it came to travel she spared no expense on her family making sure they experienced everything possible and had a few souvenirs to leave with.
Two favorite sayings summed her up: “That’s Just Ginger” and “It’s Ginger’s way or the highway.” For several years she co-owned Cold-Steel and Elysium Tattoo in Monroe.
Ginger Michelle Stuck, age 54, of Monroe passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, July 9, 2017. Her passing was preceded by her father, Lloyd Kahn Jr.
To cherish her memory, Ginger leaves her husband: Charles Stuck; her mother: Charlene Kahn Berman; a daughter: Josephine Stuck; a step-daughter: Nicole (Scott) Fowler; two sons: Jack (T’leah) Williams IV, Ryan Stuck; a stepson: Christopher Stuck; two brothers: David (Jodi) Kahn, Adam (Lily) Kahn; two sisters: Amy Kahn and Michele Hart, and four grandchildren: Easton Williams, Emory Fowler, Connor Fowler, and Killian Fowler.

David Gregory ’57

David Gregory, age 77 of Toney, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Martha, daughter; Donna (Brian) Fuller, son; Matt (Jan) Gregory, two grandchildren; Alex Fuller and Madison Fuller. Mr. Gregory was preceded in death by his grandson Wesley Fuller. Mr. Gregory retired from IBM after 29 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and an avid Alabama fan.

Henry A. Poirier ’48

Henry A. Poirier, 86, of South Windsor, Connecticut formerly of Manchester, Connecticut beloved husband of 57 years to Bibiane (Cloutier) Poirier passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 23, 2017 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his adoring family. Henry was born in Adams, Massachusetts, August 29, 1930 son of the late Archie A. and Florence (Molleur) Poirier. He attended local elementary schools, and completed high school at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Later, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC. Henry proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. He resided in Manchester for most of his life before moving to South Windsor in 2016. He worked at Aetna Casualty and Surety Company for 35 years, retiring as Vice President of Farmington Management, a subsidiary of the Aetna.
As a young man, Henry worked in the Poirier family laundry business, Aladco, in Adams, Massachusetts. In later years, Henry was an active member of the Gilbert & Sullivan theater group in Manchester, Connecticut. He was a communicant of St. Bartholomew Church for many years, and he wrote for St. Bart’s Herald. He also enjoyed many friendships through the St. Bart’s Men’s Breakfast group. Henry loved watching the UCONN Huskies women’s basketball team as well as the Boston Red Sox. Henry played bridge with a group of close friends for many years, and together they had many adventures, including an annual weekend trip to Cape Cod.
After Henry retired, he and Bibiane enjoyed many trips around the United States and the world. What Henry loved most, however, was being surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Holidays were always a special time for Henry, and he and Bibiane enjoyed planning for the family’s stay at their home. Each year Henry and Bibiane also treated the family to an annual vacation at Cape Cod. This vacation has given the family many treasured memories.
Henry is survived by his loving family, his wife Bibiane, two daughters, Michelle Poirier and her children, Adam Bazenas and Adrian Bazenas of Amesbury, Massachusetts, Martha Tagliaferro and her husband, Dean, and their children, Thomas, Daniel, John, and Libby, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts and his two sisters, Claire Rowley and Alice Shea both of Adams, Massachusetts. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and their families and numerous sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-law and their families. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a sister, Virginia Harvey.

Clarence L. Simpson, Jr. ’51

Mr. Clarence Lorenzo Simpson, Jr., former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and former Attorney General of Liberia, died January 30, 2016 at his Brewerville, Liberia home. He was in his 83rd year.

Following his return home with a Law degree, Mr. Simpson, son of President Tubman’s first Vice President Clarence Lorenzo Simpson, was appointed Legal Counsel of the Ministry of Public Works.

President Tubman later called young Mr. Simpson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.

Following the death of President Tubman and the accession of Dr. William R. Tolbert as President of Liberia, he named Mr. Simpson as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, a job he held for a number of years.

Mr. Simpson was born on June 15, 1933 to the union of Counselor Clarence Lorenzo and his wife Mrs. Abrametta Stubblefield Simpson. He received his high school diploma from Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and later enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. He later took the LLB degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

On July 19, 1961 he married Judith Mars Simpson in Kakata, Margibi County and this union was blessed with seven children.

His survivors include his widow, Mrs. Judith Mars Simpson; children, Clarence L. Simpson III, Mrs. Lorraine Simpson Harvey Mrs. Linda Simpson Emiroglu, Clarine Simpson Vaughn, Cheryl Simpson Cornwall, Christian and Alpha Simpson; several grand children; and sister Amanda Simpson.

Mr. Simpson, Jr., like his father, was a lifelong Episcopalian.

Jay S. Brisk ’54

Jay S. Brisk, 81, died of heart and kidney failure in Boston on June 20, 2017. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Susan Brisk; sister, Hazel Buchwald; nieces, grandnieces and grandnephew. At age 14, while watching a July 4th fireworks display, he was hit by an errant rocket. Despite a long and difficult recovery, he graduated Great Neck High School while also studying piano and music composition at Julliard School of Music. A dedicated New Yorker, he graduated Columbia University, School of General Studies and later taught writing at NYU and acted in some off-off Broadway plays.