Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

Joseph L. Lucier ’50

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.

Steven E. Thurber ’74

Steven E. Thurber passed away on November 9, 2018.  His father, Ernest R. Thurber, passed away on November 18, 2018.  Their obituary:

Ernest R. Thurber was born on January 30, 1927 to parents, Julia and Edward Thurber in Chelmsford, MA and entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018. Ernest was born on January 30, 1927 to parents, Julia and Edward Thurber in Chelmsford, MA and entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018. Ernest graduated from Chelmsford HS in 1944 where he was the valedictorian and received a degree in meteorology from Penn State in 1962. His first love was flying and he saw himself as very fortunate to be a career Air Force pilot and then to work for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. Ernest is remembered for his love of God, family and country. His faith saw him through difficult times and was so very important to him until the end.

He is preceded in death by his wives Harriet Kearney Thurber and Martha Thurber as well as his brother, Edward Thurber. He is survived by his three daughters, Suzanna Thurber, Christine Johnson (Eric) and Robin Chamberlain (John), four grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Kathryn and Cale and four great grandchildren as well as his sister, Theresa Maguire.

Tragically Ernest’s only son, and apple of his eye, Steven E. Thurber passed away on November 9, 2018. Steven was a natural athlete in several sports from swimming and baseball to golf. He was a 1974 Honor graduate from Williston Academy in Massachusetts. Steven loved the open road and pursued both career and leisure time behind the wheel.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Thurber and his grandson, Blaine Mincey. Steven is survived by two children, Kathryn Mincey (Austin) and Cale Thurber (Taylor) and four beautiful granddaughters.

Services to celebrate both their lives will be at the Parish of the Resurrection in Nashua, NH on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Charles P. Gleason, Jr. ’46

Charles P. Gleason, Jr., (Jupe), a lifelong resident of Northampton, MA, passed away on December 21, 2018, at the age of 90. He was born July 23, 1928, to the late Charles P. and Francis (Rupprecht) Gleason. Jupe graduated from Northampton High School in 1945. He served as the Senior Class President and earned varsity letters in Football, Baseball and Basketball (Captain). Jupe later attended Williston Academy and Saint Anselms College, (President Sophomore Class) and went on to earn his business degree from The University of Massachusetts. He served in The United States Marine Corps. Working at the Montgomery Rose Garden in Hadley during high school enabled him to be assigned as the General’s gardener making his rose garden a sight of beauty. After graduating, Jupe worked at ProBrush. This prepared him for his future career in sales at the former Eastern Container Corporation. Traveling across the state, he made many lasting friendships. He was very active in the community and was presented with a sports recognition award for outstanding community service. He coached Little League baseball for 13 years and YMCA basketball for 11 years.  He was a life member of the Northampton ELKS Lodge, a member of the Florence Civic and Business Association, Friends of Cooley Dickinson Hospital (50+ years), President of Holy Name Society at Annunciation Parish, and President of the PTA at Florence Grammar School. He was elected and served 4 years on the school committee. He also served on the Ryan Road Building Addition Committee. Jupe married Marguerite (Midge) Douyard in 1950. They had a marriage made in heaven. They raised five children in Florence – Charles (Amy) of Holyoke, MA; Meg (Jack) Salvadore of San Antonio, TX; Colleen (Bill) Pohl of Cincinnati, OH; Kevin (Mary) of Altamont, NY; and Michael (Debbie) of Ocala, FL. He was a wonderful role model for his children, a caring and supportive grandfather of 11 (Aimee, Kristen, Kerry, Kevin, Billy, Dan, Meghan, Shelby, Brian, Mikey and Jamey; and proud great-grandfather of 21. Jupe had many interests. Reading was one. His favorites were political and historical novels. Golfing and belonging to the Northampton Country Club were a very important part of his social life. He especially enjoyed his morning matches with his friends and golfing with his boys in various tournaments. Going to Florida to his timeshare on a golf course in the winter was special. His greatest joy was having his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren join him at the resort. Having the family carry on the tradition pleased him very much. He played bridge and poker and enjoyed Wednesday luncheons at the Blue Bonnet. All of these activities done with old time friends. In 1970, Jupe and Midge went on their first airplane trip to Paris and that was the beginning of their desire to travel to different locations annually. They lived an idyllic life. Calling hours are Thursday, December 27th at Czelusniak Funeral Home in Northampton from 2 PM-5PM. The funeral will be Friday, December 28th at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton’s Annunciation Chapel on Beacon St in Florence at 10 AM. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Charles P. Gleason Jr. Scholarship, C/O Dollars for Scholars and mailed to PO Box 60382, Florence, MA 01062-0382 in Jupe’s name.

John P. Ossolinski ’58

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.

Joseph P. Deane ’14

Joe Deane, 23, of Madison, CT was killed on December 7th in New Haven, CT and declared on December 9, 2018.
Born Joseph Peter Deane at Yale New Haven Hospital, our family received a gift from God.
He attended Daniel Hand High School in Madison CT, leaving at the end of his junior year for Williston-Northampton where he played football, hockey, and lacrosse, leading the colonial league in tackles for football and dominating the field in lacrosse.
From Williston, Joe attended Bridgton Academy where he excelled in Lacrosse, wearing #34 for the Wolverines. He graduated in 2014 and went on to play one season of Lacrosse at Springfield College. After one year Joe decided it was time to go to work and immediately started with his father and brother at Dichello Distributors before landing a position on Wall Street as a broker for Premium Merchant Funding in Manhattan.
Joe leaves behind his beloved parents Peter and Lisa Deane of Madison, along with his Irish twin brother Michael.
Adoring Aunts and Uncles, Dina and Tim LaMotte, PJ and Miriam Cambo of Wilbraham MA, Philip and Kathy Cambo of Sturbridge MA, Ned and Teresa Deane of Boston MA, and Deb and Jeff Jankot of Ipswich MA.
Joe’s heartbroken and loving grandparents are Tess and Paul Cambo of Wilbraham, MA.
Joe grew up close to his several cousins, who became like loving brothers and sisters in life, as he was always happiest in their company. They are Neddie Deane of New York NY; Cam, Jake and Avery LaMotte of Wilbraham MA, and Mckenna Cambo also of Wilbraham MA.
He was pre-deceased by his uncle Michael Lindsay Deane. Michael served our country honorably in Vietnam with 101st Airborne and was killed in action. His paternal loving grandparents were Lee and Edward Deane.
Joe was an organ donor. Shortly following his death his donations were all successfully transplanted, saving the lives of four people.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12 Noon at St Cecilia’s Church 42 Main Street Wilbraham, MA 01095. There are no Calling Hours. Burial is private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stavros foundation at info@stavros.org. Helping to improve the quality of life of our disabled veterans.
The Deane family will be forever grateful to the staff at Yale New Haven hospital MICU. Their care and respect for Joe was extraordinary. A very special thank you and an abundance of love to Ana, Jenn, Toni, Patrice, Jen, Catherine, Paula and Bow.

Mark G. Weidhaas ’69

July 10, 1951 – Dec. 12, 2018

Mark George Weidhaas was born in Northampton, MA on July 10, 1951 to George B. Weidhaas and Eleanor Lucy Marciniak Weidhaas. Mark attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA. Throughout high school, Mark showcased his musical talent, inherited from his dad, in a band that performed throughout the area. Mark passed on that musical gift to his grandchildren.

After high school, Mark went on to The University of Massachusetts Amherst and architecture schools at Montana State University, The University of Idaho and Boston Architectural Center. He completed his apprenticeship in Portsmouth, NH. His education led him to a career in insurance, real estate, home design and building. In his 48 years in business, Mark designed and built hundreds of homes in Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island and Montana. With a smile, he would say, “I made a lot of people happy.”

Mark’s love of woodworking began as a young boy working with his dad in his shop. Throughout his life he continued to hone his woodworking skills becoming a true artisan. His dad also instilled in Mark a love of the outdoors. Mark was an avid and accomplished sportsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and shared his interest with others. A proficient freshwater fly fisherman since childhood, Mark snow-birded to Florida for eight years in order to expand his love of fishing to saltwater. In 2011 Mark moved from Bozeman, MT to Southwest Florida to further pursue his fishing passion.

Mark’s tenets of life were, “Try to treat others as you would like to be treated”, “If you do something, do it right” and “Persevere, never give up”. Diagnosed with cancer in 2015, Mark returned to Montana to be closer to family.

He is survived by his daughter, Sara (Tim) Gram; grandchildren, Will and Georgia Gram of Bozeman, MT; his son, Karl (Jennifer) Weidhaas; granddaughter, Elizabeth Weidhaas of Salt Lake City, UT; his brother, Allen (Caroline) Weidhaas, nephew, Clinton Weidhaas, of Stuart VA; childhood friend, Gail Fisher of Canaan, VT, who supported Mark throughout the final months of his journey; and a wealth of extended family and friends in New England, Florida and Montana. He will be missed by all those privileged to know him.

No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.

R. Scott Giguere ’83

R. Scott Giguere, 54, loving son, brother and partner and devoted father died peacefully, at his home in Killington, VT on November 22, 2018, surrounded with love, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Since the inception of Killington as a ski area, Giguere, has been a seminal figure in the vitality and development of the area. With the passing of Scott Giguere, an era also passes. Loved and known as Scotty, by all who knew him, Scott’s friendship was unbounded. There’s little that he hasn’t done for so many, that his goodness could not possibly pass with him. His love, laughter and light in his eyes, were forthcoming, whenever you were greeted by him. From the Wobbly Barn to Charity’s, to the Mountain and down to Route 4, Scott’s presence was an integral thread binding the community together.

Born in Killington on September 29,1964 to Jack Giguere and Phoebe Standish. Scott was predeceased by his father Jack, is survived by his mother Phoebe, son Colin, brother Brett, step brother Kenan, his partner, Jessica , best friend Benny, step mother, Teri, ex-wife Nicole, his precious dog Roxy and many other family members and many, many friends. His love for his family, especially for his son, was unbounded.

Scott was an avid skier and ski racer, a lifelong resident of Killington. He also enjoyed spending time at family homes on St. John U.S. Virgin Islands, Nantucket and Florida. He attended the Woodstock High School, transferred to the Williston Northampton School where he graduated. He went on to St. Lawrence University and graduated with a BA. His enthusiasm for everything he did, was obvious to all close to him, in all of his activities, from skiing, hiking, construction, building, developing and running Charity’s Restaurant. Scott’s tall, handsome, strapping stature, hearty laugh and winning smile was surpassed only by his kindness, generosity of spirit and full undivided attention that he gave to all who knew and loved him. His hospitality was unrivaled, at his home or business. You always felt welcomed by Scotty.

There is a deep absence felt by all who knew him, but Scott lives on in his family, friends and the community. Thank you, Scotty, for all you gave us. You will always be deeply loved.

A memorial service for Scott will be held on Saturday December 22nd at 10:00 am at the Church of Our Savior, Mission Farm, Killington, VT with a celebration to follow at the Foundry Restaurant in Killington from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Friends and family are welcome to attend either event.

Memorial donations may be made to a fund for Scott’s son Colin to attend summer camp. Donations should be payable to Colin Giguere C/O Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 30, Woodstock, Vermont 05091

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont.

Juanita de Olloqui Kenney ’42

Juanita Elena de Olloqui Kenney of Rexton, New Brunswick, passed away at the Moncton City Hospital on Nov 28, 2018 at the age of 94.

Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on March 3rd, 1924 to the late Alfonso Legorio de Olloqui and Vera Marcella Cahill. She grew up in Holyoke and attended Lovering School, Northampton School for Girls and Brown University. As a teenager she was licensed to fly Piper Cub airplanes and she developed a lifelong passion for painting. It was common to see Juanita painting into the evening hours at home or wherever her travels took her. In her later years, she often painted large format 4’x 8’ Christmas themes. Juanita always had an exceptional interest in wildlife and animals.

Juanita was a member of the Moncton City Council of Women and an early adopter of anything audio visual. She also enjoyed many outdoor activities including sailing boats, winter sports and showing horses. Juanita did not hesitate to share her skill and knowledge of painting and photography with all of her children and grandchildren and her legacy of artistic appreciation lives on in them.

Juanita was married to Dr. Francis William Kenney (MD) of Rexton, NB for 52 years . She is survived by six children : Dr. Alan Kenney (Angela) of Texas, Vera Wood ’67 (Bruce) Utah, Elena Kenney Ike-Duninowski (Karol) Richibucto Cape, Valerie Horsman (Hazen) Rexton, Dr. Mark Kenney (Rexton), Dwight Kenney (Dr. Angela Dobson) St. Margaret’s Bay, NS.

Grandchildren: Samantha Zecopoulos, Jefferey Wood, Ryan Wood, Matthew Horsman, Veronica Goodfellow, Jacob Kenney and Kyra Kenney. Great grandchildren: Kylie Wood, Luke Wood, Oscar Wood and Audrey Zecopoulos and one niece, Mrs. Donna Bross Campagna of Maryland. Juanita was predeceased by a daughter Patricia and two grandchildren Stefan Kenney and Rebecca Horsman.

Visitation will be held at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Richiboucto, on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm, Monday 12:00 pm until time of the funeral. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 3, 2018 at 2:00 pm, Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Rexton. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Moncton City Hospital or to the Immaculate Conception Church in Rexton, NB. Arrangements are in care of Thompson’s Funeral Home, Richibucto (523-4252).

Jarrell D. Ritter ’49


Jarrell David “Perry” Ritter, 84, died Friday, December 12, 2014. He was born June 14, 1930 in Amsterdam, New York, the son of Richard Wallace Ritter and Beatrice Shuttleworth Ritter, was a graduate of Worcester Academy and attended Babson Institute before enlisting in the Navy. He served in the Navy for four years. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Emma Lou Thomas Ritter; one son, Jarrell David (Katherine) Ritter Jr.; one daughter, Mary Louise Ritter Bader; and five grandchildren, Jarrell David Ritter III, Dane Edward Ritter, Sarah Evelyn Ritter, Edward Michael Skanes, and Emily Louise Skanes. He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Wallace Ritter Jr.; and two sisters, Mabeth Shuttleworth Quiri and Elizabeth Anne Ritter Clay.

Conrad M. Schirokauer ’46


Conrad Schirokauer died in Cleveland, Ohio on September 19, 2018 at the age of 89. Conrad was born in Leipzig, Germany. When he was six years old, his family left Germany and the rising Nazi regime for Italy, where they spent three good years before moving to Memphis, Tennessee in 1938. With few resources but abundant tenacity, the family found its way in a new country that welcomed them and became Conrad’s life-long home. The family’s time in Memphis was followed by multiple relocations until they eventually settled in Baltimore, Maryland. Soon after, Conrad left to attend Williston Academy. He completed middle and high school there, graduating as valedictorian in 1946.

Following high school, Conrad enrolled at Yale College, where he became fascinated with China and, in particular Chinese intellectual history. Against the advice of family and friends, he chose to pursue an academic career as a scholar of China, intent on exploring what was at the time a largely undeveloped field, and deeply committed to a belief in the value of learning about a culture and society different than one’s own. After graduating from Yale in 1950, Conrad continued his intellectual pursuits as a graduate student at Stanford University. In 1955, his studies were interrupted by obligatory military service.

The military stationed Conrad in Paris. For his first Christmas back in Europe, he accepted an invitation to Cambridge, England, to visit the Striches, a German expatriate family whom Conrad’s family had known well during their time in Italy. Conrad and Lore Strich (who remembered each other from childhood) were married not long afterwards, in November of 1956.

Conrad and Lore enjoyed the first two years of married life in Paris, after which they moved to Palo Alto, California so Conrad could complete his dissertation on 12th century Chinese political thought at Stanford. There, Conrad and Lore welcomed the arrival of their first son, David, who was born in 1959. Oliver would follow in 1962. Conrad considered becoming a father “an unprecedented act of faith, and trust of life.”

Conrad’s first academic position was at Swarthmore College. In 1962, he joined the faculty of the City College of the City University of New York, retiring in 1991 as Professor of History. Of great importance to Conrad and his family were three years of academic leave, taken early in his career (1967-69, 1971-72), which were spent traveling in Asia and living in Kyoto, Japan. The time spent exploring new lands nurtured a passion for travel in Conrad and Lore that was a defining feature of the next fifty years of their life together.

Conrad was deeply committed to his role as an educator and over the course of his career, he authored not only scholarly articles but also multiple textbooks on East Asian history. He especially loved to teach and after retiring from City College, continued to do so at Columbia University as a Senior Scholar in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, only stopping at the age of 89 when he fell ill.

Conrad passed away peacefully with his family at his side. He will be remembered for his kindness, concern for the well-being of others, gentle playfulness, and lively sense of humor and irony. Conrad is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lore, his son David and wife Dawn Adams, his son Oliver and partner Monica Gerrek, his grandchildren Leo, Somiya, and Sierra, and his brother-in-law John Goodell. He was preceded in death by his mother Erna, his father, Arno, his sister Annette, his granddaughter Kestra, and his sister-in-law Sabina Strich.

Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community