Distinguished stage director Edward Payson Call died at his home in Seattle on February 1, 2023. Ed had a long and prominent career in the theatre starting in New York in the late 1950’s where he stage managed on Broadway. In 1963 Ed was part of the inaugural artistic staff of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, working with famed director Dr. Tyrone Guthrie. After directing at the Guthrie and other regional theatres, Ed was hired as the founding Artistic Director of the Denver Center Theatre Company which opened in 1980. He led that company for five years.

In the 1990’s, he settled in Seattle but continued freelance directing and teaching in cities and universities across the country. He was passionate about introducing young people to Shakespeare, which led him to start the Young Shakespeare Workshop here in 1992. Ed created a free summer course for teens to study and perform sonnets, speeches and scenes.

Ed was brilliant, gifted, demanding, and loved the written word. His amazing productions on stages across the country thrilled thousands of audience members. Hundreds of actors, directors, theatre technicians and administrative staff have stories—some funny, some touching, all memorable— about Ed Call, the BFAD. Above all, he helped so many young people in our community kindle their own passion for the words and works of Shakespeare.

There will be a celebration of Ed’s life at his home on Saturday, February 11 at 2:00 pm. Memorials or donations may be made to the Stage Directors and Choreographers Emergency Assistance Fund.

“When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

April 19, 1939 – February 20, 2023

Marshall was born at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, California – growing to a tall, blonde, handsome man with a heck of a sense of humor. A “Valley” boy, he attended Birmingham High where he lettered in football and baseball, then spent two years at Williston Academy in Massachusetts, lettering in the same sports. In the third grade he met his life-long buddy, Pat Connelly, and a year later, Skip Townsend. It was the 1950s – a great time for kids to grow up in the San Fernando Valley. After two years in the Army National Guard, Marshall started classes at USC joining Phi Kappa Psi fraternity for a lot of fun, and a few beers at the “901 Club”. Then on April 1, 1977, Marshall met Judy Lusk at Casey’s Bar in Downtown Los Angeles. They married a year later. Marshall and Judy traveled a lot – all the states and many European countries, finally settling down in Carmel Valley, California. Here at Garland Park, Marshall walked his dogs on the trails, in the hills and along the river. But the best time of all for the Benjamins? …fall and football and USC! Marshall and Judy did not miss watching one USC game in almost 46 years. “Who’s calling those stinkin’ plays?” was heard every season. And so … Marshall leaves behind his wife, Judy; his son, Erik; sister, Susan Stone; Beezee; his pals at Hertz; old-friend, Tim Townsend, and oldest-friend, Pat Connelly. Marshall has “run the race.” He is in the Heavenly realm with Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. We’ll meet again, Marshall. We love you. We miss you. FIGHT ON!

David J. Moriarty, age 86, of Holyoke, MA, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Day Brook Village. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late HFD Captain William A. Moriarty and Mary K. (Manning) Moriarty. He graduated from Holyoke High School Class of 1954, Williston Academy, Tufts University, and did graduate study at Babson College. David was employed at Mass Mutual and Confederated Insurance Companies, and also for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, and was activated by the United States Air Force from 1961-1962, serving in Germany. He lived in the Boston area when he was married to his former wife, Ruth Ann (Kirk) Moriarty, and returned to Western Mass, living most recently at Day Brook Village Assisted Living. He is survived by one son, Peter and his wife Cindy, and their two sons, Patrick and Michael of Rockland MA. David will be missed by his sisters, Eleanor Cress of Longmeadow and Marian Sullivan of Stamford CT, as well as his beloved friend Joan DiCarlo of Holyoke. He was predeceased by his brother William Moriarty. A private family funeral will take place at a later date, and David will be buried with his parents at Saint Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke. The Moriarty family would like to publicly thank the staff of Day Brook Village and Holyoke Medical Center for the care they offered to David during these last few years. The family asks you to please omit flowers.

Dr. Jordan Robert (Bob) Dann, who practiced veterinary medicine in Ridgefield Connecticut for over 65 years, passed away on July 10, 2022, 96 years to the day of his birth on July 10, 1926.

Bob was born in Pelham, New York to Albert Dann and Rosalind Dann. He left this world as he lived in it, peacefully, steadily, on his own terms, and with his dignity fully intact. He was married to the late Judith Leserer Dann and together they contributed to the Connecticut community they loved for more than fifty years. He is survived by his son, Curtis Dann of Danbury Connecticut, his son Jeoffrey Dann of Riggins, Idaho, and three grandchildren: Adam Dann of Washington D.C, Ashley Dann of Plympton, Massachusetts, and Elizabeth Dann of Burlington Vermont. He also leaves behind three great granddaughters, Cathleen, Molly and Maggie.

Beyond his immediate family, Bob Dann was father, friend, brother, and mentor to many others whose lives he touched and enriched beyond measure. There are too many to name here but of particular note are Dr. Sally Knowles of West Hartford, Connecticut and her sons David and Scott, Zion Banda and her daughter Zoe of Southbury, Connecticut, Dr. Delfino Hernandez Agula of Carr Jocotepec-Chapala, Mexico, his Godson, Andrew Jordan Zarro of Portland, Maine, Dr. Ian Smith of Chicago, IL Dana Smith of California and his friend Frank Zarro of Saratoga Springs, New York. Bob Dann had many other spiritual sons and daughters who will understand that the omission of their names here by no means diminishes how important they were to him, and he was to them.

This was no ordinary man. During his medical career, Dr. Dann was a member of both the Connecticut Board of Veterinary Medicine and Harvard Schools Committee for Fairfield County, Connecticut for two decades and served as Chairman of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Ethics for many years. Additionally, he provided leadership as the president of the Fairfield County Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Dann’s community service also includes his role as a member of the Danbury Hospital Development Fund Board of Directors. Bob Dann also had an entrepreneurial side and toward the end of his career initiated several significant privately funded public benefit programs addressing environmental remediation, workforce development for underserved communities, veterans’ rights, and affordable housing, which will benefit numerous individuals, families, and communities.

Jordan Dann served as a member of the U.S. Army Combat Engineers and was stationed in Germany from 1944-1946. Bob enlisted at the age of eighteen and quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant. At the age of nineteen he led a squad of men. He then entered officer training school and earned the rank of Second Lieutenant Combat Engineer. After the war Bob was admitted to Harvard University where he was awarded his undergraduate degree. Dr. Dann then went on to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with distinction from Colorado University.

Bob Dann spent his life serving others and caring for creation. His love and tenderness for all animals and his devotion to their comfort and wellness were matched only by his love of people. As tender and loving as this man was, he was also strong and resolute. His devotion to the people and causes he loved was unshakeable and it was sometimes difficult to comprehend how anyone so kind and loving could be so strong. His life was a continuous testament to the enduring and indestructible power of love. Bob was a man who lived simply and acted justly, always with the right combination of old-school Connecticut formality and Harvard self-confidence, solidly underpinned by genuine humility and a true sense of self. An “I love you” to Bob Dann was often met with this reserved but heartfelt reply: “you know that’s reciprocal.” We all at some point have occasion to say that this world has lost a great woman or man. In Bob Dann’s case, these words take on additional meaning. Bob Dann’s voice, as he assessed the world and proffered his assurance that it would all turn out well in the end was centering, stabilizing, and inspiring. The loss of his voice, especially in these difficult times, is unsettling. But we can be comforted by the knowledge that Bob Dann’s legacy lives on, exponentially, in the lives he touched, the places he made better, the work he did, and the way he loved. Those of us who had the good fortune and the privilege of knowing Bob have a special duty, to share what he gave to us, to honor his legacy, and to carry on with what his life was all about, “..To make gentle, the life of the world.” Love you, Bob. We know. It’s reciprocal.

A Memorial Service will take place in the Fall at a date and time to be announced. Contributions in Dr. Dann’s memory may be made to ROAR (Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue) or DAWS (Danbury Animal Welfare Society). Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in care of arrangements.

Richard Craig Sheldon (known to friends and family as Dick and Duke), 80, passed away on March 18, 2023 in Salisbury, North Carolina with his two sons by his side. Born in Stamford, Connecticut on December 31, 1942, he was the youngest child of the late Frank and Margaret Sheldon and was predeceased by his sisters, Lucie Sheldon and Barbara Baker.

Dick grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Bucknell University, where he was an All-American diver. After graduating from college, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany for two years. Dick’s outsized personality and ability to relate to almost anyone facilitated a long, successful career in sales. He dove headfirst into industries as diverse as consumer electronics and retail fertilizer, demonstrating inexhaustible passion for each occupation along the way.

He spent much of his adult life in Brentwood, New Hampshire where he raised four children whom he loved unconditionally: Wendy Sheldon (Michael Chun) of Rye, New York; Heather Sherman (Alex Sherman) of Littleton, Colorado; Paul Sheldon (Esther Farran Prats) of New York, New York; and Brian Sheldon of Salisbury, North Carolina. In addition to his children, he is survived by his brother Edgar (Ted) Sheldon and wife Francie Sheldon of Dexter, Michigan and six grandchildren: Megan Chun, Andrew Chun, Amaia Sherman, Zachary Sherman, Martina Sheldon-Farran and Laia Sheldon-Farran. Dick loved spending time with friends and family, most of whom were fortunate to enjoy his warm and generous hospitality and especially his barbecue meals. On weekends he was happiest at his children’s sports events or riding the lawnmower at his beloved home in Brentwood, New Hampshire. He also loved caring for and spending time with his dogs. Dick was a proud and loving father who was always funny, even in the final moments of his life. During his last year and a half, he enjoyed golfing with his son Brian at The Revival as often as possible.

There will be a celebration of life for anyone who would like to join his family in sharing stories about Dick on Saturday, April 15 at The Revival at The Crescent in Salisbury, North Carolina from 5:00-9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Fisher House Foundation (https://fisherhouse.org/) or the American Brain Foundation (https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/).

David P. Goodall Jr., age 77, a longtime resident of Tewksbury, MA and Phoenix, AZ, passed away at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Bedford, MA on August 1, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Manhattan, NY on August 19, 1944, and was the son of the late Jean (Golden) and David P. Goodall Sr. David was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam war, joining when he was 18 years old. After leaving the Navy he graduated from Middlesex Community College at which he served as trustee for many years. He was also a graduate of Suffolk University with a BS in Management. During this time, he was the owner of Goodall Insurance agency of Woburn. He was sober for over forty years and dedicated much of his time to helping others find sobriety. Later in life he worked as a councilor professionally and worked with the indigenous tribes in Arizona to combat substance abuse issues. This passion evolved into homelessness outreach and assistance. Dave became a lay pasture and organized a chaplaincy for the homeless in Phoenix, AZ. Through fundraising and personal assistance, he helped hundreds of people find their identities and reconnect with society. Dave spent his final days at the VA hospital in Bedford, MA, at which time he continued to help other veterans with their sobriety. We are eternally grateful for the care provided at VA in his final days. David is survived by his son David, and his wife Deborah, his daughter Rebecca, his former wife Patricia, his stepson Ruben Michael, and his wife Robyn, his stepdaughter Roxanne, and her husband Chris, his stepdaughter Rachel, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Ellen, and her husband Ted, his brother Thomas and his wife Jordan. Funeral services and interment will be held privately.

John Scribner Kemper, 86, a long-time resident of Northfield, IL passed away on March 10, 2023 at the Presbyterian Homes in Evanston, IL surrounded by his wife, daughter and son.

John was born on June 22, 1936 to Mark and Annabel (Wagner) Kemper in Barrington, IL. After attending the Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts, John graduated with a B.A. degree from DePauw University and earned an M.B.A. from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business. Most of his career was spent with the Kemper Insurance Company as a telecommunications expert and then later as an independent consultant to small businesses.

John gave back to the community over his lifetime volunteering for many organizations including the Chicago Jaycees, Northfield Public Schools, Winnetka Hockey Club, various local churches and the North Shore Senior Center. John was a handy man around the house willing and able to fix or build anything and he was passionate about travel (with an affinity for Kauai), his miniature schnauzers, Apple products and classical music. In the early 1960s he obtained his pilot’s license around the time he met his beloved Maggie. During the courtship, he would fly her to local Midwest destinations for lunch and back in a single engine Cessna. A devoted husband for 56 years, John professed his love for Maggie until his very last breath. In marriage and in life, John never wavered in his commitment to values of integrity, loyalty and kindness.

John is survived by his wife Margaret McElwain Kemper, daughter Katherine (Donald) Featherstone, son Scott (Jaime) Kemper, grandchildren Sophia Featherstone and Jack and Luke Kemper and sister Mary (Robert) Sowersby. He will be dearly missed by his family.
The family wants to express their sincere appreciation to all the nurses and staff at the Presbyterian Homes whose care and compassion for John will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held at the Elliott Chapel at the Presbyterian Homes in Evanston, IL (3131 Simpson – access from Golf Road) on May 5, 2023 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of John to the Geneva Foundation of Presbyterian Homes. https://www.presbyterianhomes.org/geneva-foundation/