Category Archives: Class Decades

Dorothy Warner Sills ’38

Dorothy “Dorie” Margaret Warner Sills, 1920-2016, died in Wilmette, Illinois on Sunday, June 5. She was a resident of Evanston, Winnetka, Wilmette and Wayne, Illinois, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Dallas, Texas, and Washington, D.C. She attended North Shore Country Day School, Northampton School for Girls in Easthampton, Mass. and Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She married Clarence William Sills Jr. in June 1941 and was later married to Frank Ryburn Jr. of Dallas, Texas. She led an active life, from volunteer nursing during and after World War II, heading the annual Wayne Art Show and one of her favorite activities – running the annual Christmas pageant at the Little Home Church by the Wayside in Wayne. She worked as an interior decorator for a number of years. She loved Chicago and regularly attended the theater, ballet, symphony, art shows and was an avid museum goer. She belonged to the Women’s Athletic Club, Dunham Woods Riding Club, and Lake Geneva Yacht Club. She was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church of Wilmette. She spent a lifetime gathering friends who remained devoted to her through thick and thin. She loved to entertain and did it often and well. Dorie wanted to be and always was at the head of the parade. She was a great story teller and wonderful poet of family events. She is predeceased by her beloved parents Dorothy Haskins Warner and Rawleigh Warner and her sisters, Mary Clifford and Suzanne Kenly, and brother Rawleigh Warner Jr. She is survived by five children, Peter (Andrea), Gay, Hilary and Casey (Anne) and step-son Frank S. Ryburn (Mary Jane) as well as in-laws Elizabeth Sills and Bill Hoar; eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who remember her with great love and affection.

Jacob H. Deutschmann ’48

deutschJacob Hersch Deutschmann, of Sierra Vista, known to family and friends as Jack, passed away on Aug. 8, 2013. He was born on May 9, 1930, in Newton, Mass., the son of Arnold and Beatrice Deutschmann. As a young man, he attended Tufts University in Medford, Mass., where he earned a B.A., with a major in history. He joined the Marines during the Korean War, then returned to Massachusetts where he attended Harvard University and earned his MBA. He later lived in New York City, Essex, Conn., and Placitas, N.M. He began his career as a stock market analyst in Boston, then later worked as a stock broker on Wall Street and in Hartford, Conn. He retired at the age of 65 from Fahnstock & Co. in Hartford, Conn. His greatest passion was sailing, and he owned a variety of sail boats over the years following the winds along the East Coast, from Annapolis to Camden, Maine. He was also a Civil War buff, and enjoyed reading about and touring Civil War battlefields.He leaves two step-daughters, Renata Wilke of Sierra Vista and Michelle Truly of Crested Butte, Colo.; son, James of South Africa; three grandchildren, Amanda Tarbescu of Sierra Vista, Michaela Wilke of Sierra Vista, and Jacob Deutschmann of Wilmington, N.C.; great-granddaughter, A’lexus Perry of Sierra Vista; as well as numerous friends and relatives in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Edith Tarbescu-Deutschmann, of Albuquerque, N.M., who was his partner for nearly 25 years. Donations may be made in the name of Jacob Deutschmann to dementia research to help find a cure for this devastating disease. His family and friends all over the country hope he’s sailing on the great lake in the sky.

Edward B. Kerin ’57

kerinEdward Berchman Kerin died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 2, 2016 at the age of 77. Edward is survived by his wife, Theresa Downes Kerin, their children, Katherine Kerin, Elizabeth & Kirk Carver, Timothy Whitesell, Patrick & Renee Whitesell, and grandchildren, Grace Nechanicky, Aurora Whitesell, Nell Stevens, Sophia Whitesell, & Rowan Whitesell. The son of Edward John & Josephine Karlsen Kerin, Edward was born on October 6, 1938 in Hartford, CT. He is survived by siblings, William & Louise Kerin, Lynn & Charles Cormier, Leah & John Giblo, and Robert & Randi Kerin, as well as many adored nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Miriam & William Keith. Key experiences shaped Edward’s path.

Struggling to read, his father taught him to love words and literature. He won a scholarship to Williston Academy, which opened his mind further still. He attended Colgate and then joined the U.S. Army, serving for six years and reaching the rank of Lieutenant, reinforcing his belief in loyalty, honor, hard work. He later received his Executive MBA from Columbia University. Having two daughters, and later, two stepsons and many grandchildren, was a great source of joy for Edward, which he shared with Theresa, his wife of 20 years and dearest friend. A 50-year resident of Poughkeepsie, NY, Edward worked for and eventually co-owned Chemprene, in Beacon, NY. He served on many boards, including Vulcan International Corp., Dutchess Golf Club (President), Vassar Warner Home, Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce (Chair), & Workforce Development Institute (Chair). With the voice of a lion and the soul of a poet, Edward championed anyone who worked hard, no matter what they achieved. He also championed a life well lived. To help those who deserve a chance at that life, his family asks that contributions in Edward’s memory be given to the Williston Northampton School or the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. There are no services.

Gilbert Knier ’59

Knier, Gil '59Gil Knier, 75, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, died on Monday, May 2, 2016.

Gil was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was involved with many other churches and Ministries, especially the Men’s Ministry Network. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1963-1984 including service in the Viet Nam War.

Gil was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Knier.

Gil is survived by his daughters, Stephanie (Earl, Jr.) Smith of Enid, Ok., Melanie Knier of Gatlinburg, and Katrina (Francis, Jr.) Maughan of Enid, Ok.; son, Steven (Kathryn) Johnson, of Lancaster, Pa.; two step-sons, Thad ( Janice) Narramore of Soddy Daisy, and Phillip (Christy) Narramore, of Signal Mountain; one sister, Melinda Wallis, of Kirkland, Wa., and one brother, Frederick (Paula) Knier, of Vero Beach, Fl.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many Wallis cousins.

Interment will be at a later date in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

John Murray ’53

John MurrayJohn Piper Murray, 81, of Fort Collins, Colorado died in hospice care on Friday, April 29, 2016. John was born in Sioux Lookout, Alberta, Canada to Alexander Keith and Mildred Isabella (Wilson) Murray. He moved to New York, then became a United States citizen at the age of 20. He is a graduate of Williston Academy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and The George Washington University.

He is survived by his wife, Dorcas (Morgan) Murray whom he married September 5, 1959 in Fort Collins, daughters, Laura Murray of Colorado Springs and Carol Cochran and her husband, Tim of Fort Collins; grandchildren, Tatum Cochran of Fort Collins, William Laycock of Colorado Springs, Catriona Cochran of Denver, and Shane Laycock of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his sister, Suzanne Murray of Canmore, Alberta and brother, Peter Murray (Mary Swanson) of Emigrant, Montana as well as several nieces and nephews.

Linda A. DeBarbieri ’59

Linda A. DeBarbieriLinda A. DeBarbieri, 74, of Easthampton, passed away suddenly Monday, April 25, 2016, at her home in Easthampton.

She was born March 10, 1942, in Holyoke, daughter of the late Edward and Sophie (Ezyk) DeBarbieri. She was educated in Northampton schools and was a graduate of the Northampton School for Girls, and Baypath College in Springfield.

Linda was a lifelong communicant of the former Immaculate Conception Church now the Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Easthampton.

Linda leaves her beloved sister Mary Ellen Kozuch of Huntsville, Alabama; her nephew Joseph Kozuch and his wife Jennifer of Huntsville, Alabama; two grandnephews; and a grandniece.

Robert Treat ’45

Robert TreatRobert Fuller Treat was born on March 6, 1927, in Hartford, Conn. He was the son of Merritt W. and Frances K. Treat.
Bob attended school in West Hartford, Conn., and graduated from the Williston Academy in 1945. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he received numerous medals. After the Navy, he graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He was associated with the family business of Clapp & Treat Hardware in Hartford, Conn., while further pursuits included working for a tour company in Europe, where he did extensive traveling. After returning to the U.S., he worked for Western Publishing in New York City.

In 1961, Bob married Sigrid Johnson, daughter of Carl and Thelma Johnson of Baltimore. Former residents of West Hartford, Conn., and Ridgewood, N.J., the Treats moved in 1971 to Oxford, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where he and Sigrid raised two children. He continued to put his entrepreneurial skills to work in his Easton retail business, Chelsea Cupboard, until retirement.

While in retirement, Bob was a volunteer to the Easton Water fowl Festival for many years. He also had a keen interest in gardening and could be found throughout Oxford helping residents keep their gardens beautiful. He loved all Oxford had to offer. He was a member of the Tred Avon Yacht Club and the Easton Lions Club. On any given day, he would ride his bicycle through town to catch up with friends along the way.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Sigrid Treat of Oxford; two children, Carl Treat and his wife Michael of Easton, and Alison Dalley and her husband Richard of Lambertville, N.J.; and a granddaughter, Kristin Treat.

At Bob’s request, his body was donated for the advancement of science.

Joan Oestreich Kend ’52

Oestreich, JoanJoan Oestreich, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2016.

Joan grew up in Great Neck, New York, the daughter of Sophie and Charles Oestreich, sister of David Arthur Oestreich and the late Richard Oestreich.

A graduate of Northampton School for Girls, she attended Vassar College and graduated from Columbia University’s School of General Studies.

Joan worked for many years in finance. A resident of Manhattan, Joan also enjoyed her estate in Millbrook, New York.

A patron of the arts, Joan collected both antiques and early American art. Joan was a member of the Harmonie Club in New York City and the Mashomack Preserve Club in Pine Plains, New York.

She is survived by her devoted brother, David, his wife Brenda and their children and grandchildren. She was married to the late David Kend and is also survived by step-sons Peter Kend and Robert Kend and their families. She was a loyal friend to many.

Richard O’Brien ’56

Richard O'brienRichard J. O’Brien, 77, of Northampton, devoted son and uncle, passed peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2016, at the Palmer House, Palmer, with his niece Tara (his god-daughter) and close family and friends by his side.

Son of the late Cornelius and Kathryn (Croke) O’Brien, Richard graduated from Chicopee High School in 1955, then attended Williston Academy for a postgraduate year. He was proudly a College of the Holy Cross Crusader, class of 1960.

A natural educator, he taught social studies in the Chicopee school system upon his graduation. Both his identical twin, William, and Richard were very gifted athletes, as highlighted recently with their induction into the Chicopee High School Hall of Fame. No small feat, Richard was also the starting quarterback as an underclassman for the heyday of College of the Holy Cross Football until a game injury left him permanently on the sidelines.

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Michael Bernique ’61

BerniqueMichael R. Bernique, 72, passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 18th at 3:06 AM at UCSD Thornton Hospital in La Jolla CA.

Michael was born on December 26, 1943 in Fall River, MA the only child of Therese and George Bernique. Michael spent some of his early years in New Bedford, MA with his grandparents Elise and Lucien Bernique. Because of this, his first language was French and a life-long love of France and all things French ensued. Michael lived in a number of cities during his childhood including Karlsruhe, Germany, and Washington D.C. After attending several prep schools, in June 1961, he graduated from Williston Academy (now Williston Northampton School).

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