Tag Archives: Class of 1946

Corinne Rogers Honkalehto ’46


Corinne Rogers Honkalehto, of Hamilton, NY – beloved mother and friend, dedicated swimmer, reader, gardener, and crossword aficionado – died peacefully in her sleep on March 29, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Boise, Idaho, after several months battling heart failure and vascular disease. She was 89.
Corinne was born to Virginia Thompson Rogers and Reginald B. Rogers on March 9, 1929, in Manhasset, NY, and grew up in the Long Island town of Huntington. She and her sister Judy attended Adelphi Academy in Brooklyn, NY, while their mother attended library school at Pratt Institute. Later the family moved to Northampton, MA, when her mother became Head of Circulation for Nielson Library at Smith College. Corinne graduated from Smith in 1950 with an A.B. in Sociology and later earned a Masters in Library Science from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
Corinne’s professional librarian positions included school, business and academic settings. While working as a reserves librarian at MIT in Cambridge, MA, she met a handsome Finn from Quincy, MA, Oswald Honkalehto, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics. They married in 1953 and lived in Brookline, MA, and also in Princeton, NJ, while Ozzie worked at Princeton University. In 1957, they moved to Pittsburgh, PA, (Carnegie Mellon) where their daughter, Taina, was born, and next to East Lansing, MI, (Michigan State) where their 2nd daughter, Liisa, was born.
In 1962, Ozzie was recruited to teach Economics at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, where they settled as part of a cohort of young faculty who arrived in the 1960s – most of whom raised families and stayed in Hamilton for many years. Corinne worked as full-time mom, then on and off in the Colgate Language Lab, as a substitute librarian at Hamilton Central School, and as librarian at the American Management Association. She also served on the board of the Hamilton Public Library.
The family enjoyed playing tennis, spending summers at Colgate Camp, Old Forge, and Speculator, NY, with close family friends, and visits with relatives and friends on Cape Cod. Corinne and their daughters also accompanied Ozzie to England over several fall semesters with the Colgate London Economics study group. Later, after he retired the two of them enjoyed many trips to New York City, to Europe and elsewhere with the MIT Alumni Association, and on South American and south Pacific voyages aboard the Queen Mary II.
Corinne was active in the women’s Hamilton Fortnightly Club, and she loved swimming almost anywhere, especially in the ocean or with friends at the Colgate pool. In addition to tennis and swimming, she played guitar and sang, and later took up the piano. She enjoyed dancing, reading books, traveling, and became a master at Sunday New York Times crossword puzzles.
Corinne was thoughtful, kind, and patient, and delighted in experiencing both the quiet outdoor beauty around her in Hamilton and the culture of world cities. She maintained strong friendships with long-time friends, and welcomed new friends from her travels with ease. Her last years were spent enjoying reading, movies and art in Hamilton, Manhattan, Boise and Seattle with her daughters and their friends. She had a knack for remembering little jokes and rhymes, and she shared them with family, friends and caregivers into her last days.
Corinne was preceded in death by her husband, Oswald, in 2013, and sister, Judith Rogers Atwood ’45, of Kingston, RI, in 2001. She is survived by her daughters, Taina Honkalehto (Ed Melvin), of Seattle, WA, and Liisa Rogers, of Boise, ID, and two nieces.
The family wishes to thank Treasure Valley Hospice of Nampa, ID, for their expert care and services during her last weeks.
A remembrance gathering for Corinne will be held in Hamilton in late spring or early summer 2018.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Colgate University Lineberry Natatorium, Colgate University Gift Records, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346.

Claire Neiley Moss ’46

Claire Neiley Moss was born in Binghamton, New York in 1928. She began her education in the Endicott Public Schools, later attending Northampton School for Girls, Skidmore College, Boston State Teacher’s College, and Harvard University. A resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts for more than sixty-five years, she was active in schools, church, and community affairs. During the 1960’s, Claire was the first director of the Roxbury-Belmont Summer Program, a summer school that preceded the formal integration of the Boston and area public schools. Claire taught in Westwood and later in Belmont for thirty-one years. Upon retirement, she was a field supervisor for education students at Harvard University. Claire also worked with Amnesty International in London and with The Tuesday Meals Program at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard Square. In 1983 she married Van Wood. They traveled and enjoyed life together for many years. She loved the arts and was herself artistic. Her family, her students, and her friends will remember Claire for her kindness, her devotion to social justice, her passion for both teaching and learning, and her love of life. She met life challenges by always working toward good possibilities ahead. Claire was pre-deceased by her husband Van (2007) and by her three brothers Dick (1988), Bob (2011) and Chick (2015). She is survived by her two daughters Molly Moss (David) and Kate Moss Manski (Chuck), as well as her four grandchildren including Ben Manski (Sarah), Becca Manski, Anna Rosenbluth (Paul), and Peter Rosenbluth (Milvi), and by six great-grandchildren: Alex, Hannah, Aivi, Lev, Miku, and Isaac. If you wish to make donations in honor of Claire, please consider The Tuesday Meals Program at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Cambridge, Amnesty International, or Planned Parenthood. Claire worked all her life for a better world. A memorial for family and close friends will be scheduled at a later time.

Edward J. O’Brien ’46

Edward (Skitzie) O’Brien, 89, of Keene, NH passed away at the Cheshire Medical Center Saturday January 14, 2017 after a period of failing health. He was born Oct. 09, 1927 in Keene to parents Edward O’Brien and Ann (Chardon) O’Brien. He was a lifelong resident of Keene attending local schools graduating from Keene High in 1945. After graduation he served his country by joining the US Navy. Upon leaving the service he achieved his undergraduate and law degrees from Boston University. He returned to Keene upon graduation joining the law firm of Homer Bradley and Dick Fernald until establishing his own private practice. At one time he served as the Keene City Attorney becoming involved in creating and planning Keene’s first subdivision. In 1964 he became Cheshire County attorney, a position he held for almost 30 years. Initially it was a part time job he balanced along with his private practice. In the 1980’s the influx of court cases increased to a point where the position became full time and later expanded to include two full time assistants. Upon leaving the position of County Attorney he returned to private practice retiring at the age of 76. During his career he held many professional and city wide volunteer positions. In the 1960’s he served as a member of the Keene School board and was co-chairman for several years. He also took part in the School Planning Board during a period of time of increasing school enrollment. He was active in the local Lions Club and a member of the American Legion. He was an accomplished trumpet player and one of his greatest pleasures was playing in the American Legion Band and the taking part in the Lions Club annual performances. He enjoyed being around his fellow band members playing at concerts and performing in parades in Keene and other locations throughout the country. Golf was another favorite pastime of his and you could often see him on the course two or three times a week. Skiing was another. He and his late wife, Patricia, loved spending time at their Spofford lake house when not at their Keene residence. Ed enjoyed telling stories about growing up in Keene in the 30’s and 40’s and what life was like back then with the people he knew and the activities that they did. His ability to talk, help and get along with anybody was a great quality of his. To those that knew him he was a loving father and a compassionate friend. Ed is survived by his daughter Lauren Berube and husband Bob of Lewiston ME., son Matthew O’Brien and wife Gail of Keene, son Nathan and wife Lesley of West Chesterfield, a daughter in law Christina O’Brien of Keene, stepson Michael Bomba and wife Sarah of Hinsdale and stepdaughter Lisa Bomba of Hinsdale. He is also survived by his first wife and good friend Jane O’Brien, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, a niece Cheryl Soones and nephew Steven Oliver both of Summerland Key FL. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia, his son Mark and granddaughter Stephanie Little. Friends and family are invited to call on Friday January 20, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Foley Funeral Home located at 49 Court Street, Keene. A private graveside service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation with the following web address information https://www.kidney.org/support.

Mary Elizabeth Ockenden Loweth ’46

December 6, 1928 – September 27, 2018

Elizabeth died peacefully, surrounded by love, in her 90th year. Born in Massachusetts to the Rev. Albion and Kathrine Ockenden, Elizabeth was the third of five children. She graduated from Smith College in 1950 and in 1955 married the Rev. Gerald Loweth. They moved to Hilo, Hawaii in 1956, where she served as the only woman on the Charter Commission for the County of Hawaii, moving toward legal charter for statehood, and as the Founding President of the League of Women Voters in Hilo. During the eight years they lived on the Islands, they welcomed their four children. The family moved to Toronto in 1964. Elizabeth enjoyed a long and varied career in mental health, human rights, and social justice. Her last position before retirement was Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Corporate Policy. She was also an active volunteer, particularly with the Anglican Church, and in recognition was given the Anglican Award of Merit in 2010. This is the highest honour given to lay people who have contributed to the life and work of the church at national and international levels.

But more than career and awards, Elizabeth was devoted to her family. She survived her husband and best friend of 61 years, and will be deeply missed by their four children: Doug (Maureen Loweth), Kitty (Jim Danks), Maile (Mark Reeves) and Jennifer. Elizabeth was so proud of her eight grandchildren, who gave her so much joy: Tenney and Aidan, Bradley and Alexandra, Bridget and Connor, and Clara and Charlotte. Elizabeth is also survived by a sister, Kitty Ockenden (’49) of New York, and seven nephews and nieces, all of whom gave love and support. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings: Johanna Sencak, Edward Ockenden, and Albion Ockenden.

Heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth’s medical team, including Dr. Christine Elser, Dr. Bernard Cummings, Dr. Daniela Costantini, Dr. Martin Strauss, Dr. Bruce Horten, Elena Aviva and Chris Bell for their care. They would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Oak Ridges Retirement Residence where Elizabeth lived for the last month of her life.

Visitation will be held at Marshall Funeral Home, located at 10366 Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, on Thursday, October 4th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00. The service will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, located at 10030 Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, on Saturday, October 6th at 2:00.

In Elizabeth’s memory, her family would appreciate donations to the International Anglican Women’s Network, c/o the Canadian Compass Rose Society, or the Yellow Brick House (www.yellowbrickhouse.org/).

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.

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.

Kenneth M. Coleburn ’46

Kenneth Meeker Coleburn died on August 19, 2018, in Redding, Connecticut. He was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, on June 22, 1928, the youngest of three children of Kenneth Meeker Coleburn, Sr. and Emily Eleanor Coley Coleburn.

Ken grew up in Norwalk. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1950.

At Middlebury, Ken met Carolyn Sackett; they married in 1952. They raised their family in Rye, New York, where they lived for 46 years. Ken was a partner and sales manager at Stiles Business Products, selling and maintaining business equipment in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties. Ken would say that he drove a car for a living. He knew every mile of those counties, and was appreciated by his customers for his strong handshake and extensive knowledge of his adding machines, calculators, and mailing equipment. Instead of business cards, Ken gave his customers seven-inch rulers printed with his contact information.

Ken and Carolyn moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut, in 2000 and then to Meadow Ridge in Redding, Connecticut in 2015.

Some of his favorite hours, from childhood into his seventies, were spent playing tennis with family and friends. While captain of the Middlebury tennis team, and at public courts, Shenorock Shore Club, and Thompson’s Point, Charlotte, Vermont, Ken was well known for both his powerful forehand and his lack of fashion sense on the court. Ken’s talents with a racquet in his hand extended into his 80s. He was still playing, and winning, at ping-pong at 89.

Ken volunteered with Meals on Wheels in both Rye and Ridgefield. He enjoyed bringing good food and good cheer to people who could not shop or prepare food for themselves. He liked to think of his bringing meals to his elderly clients as extending the time they could stay in their own homes by six months. He also volunteered with the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association. He so enjoyed making people happy that after moving to Ridgefield he got a part-time job delivering flowers.

Ken was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered by family and friends for his sunny disposition and genuine gratitude for what is good in life.

Ken is survived by his children, William, Jacqueline, Robert, and Carolyn; their spouses, Mary Lou Coleburn, Robert McDonough, Robin Coleburn, and Harry Philbrick; and his four grandchildren, Andrew, Cameron, Kara, and Charlie.

 

Elisabeth Ward Gilroy ’46

Elisabeth Ward Gilroy of Marco Island, Florida, and Bedford, New Hampshire passed away at her home in Bedford on July 31, 2018, after a lengthy illness. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 14, 1929, the daughter of Henry C. Ward and Marion (Nicholson) Ward. She attended the Northampton School for Girls and graduated from Wellesley College, class of 1950. She married Gordon, her husband of 65 years, in 1953. Gordon and Liz originally lived in New York and moved to New Hampshire in 1976. She was devoted to her friends and family, raising three children. Liz participated in many volunteer roles. She served as president of the Wellesley Club of Naples for many years. She was an avid bridge player and a devoted crossword fanatic. She was famous in the family for completing the New York Times Sunday puzzle in ink in less than an hour. She was predeceased by two children, Gordon “Chip” Gilroy and Elisabeth van Duren. She is survived by her husband, Gordon C. Gilroy, her son Scott N. Gilroy and nine grandchildren and two granddaughters-in-law.

Miriam Goldstein Sommer ’46

Miriam Hilda (Goldstein) Sommer, age 89, of New Haven, Conn., died peacefully on May 9, 2018, at The Connecticut Hospice. She was born on May 2, 1929, in Springfield, Mass., to Nathan and Annie (Ginsberg) Goldstein. Mimi, as she was known to many, attended Northampton School for Girls and Wells College and later earned a master’s degree in art history at Southern Connecticut State College. For many years, she worked in the Department of Music at Yale University. She was proud of her second career as a freelance journalist; her interviews and stories were published in The New York Times and in various travel magazines. She was a champion of the arts and a devoted cinephile. For many years she held a weekly “story hour” for her neighbors’ children. She leaves behind many loving and devoted friends and relatives, including her “French family.” She was predeceased by her three older brothers and is survived by her daughters, Babette, of Forest Hills, N.Y., and Annie (David Rabinowitz) of Hamden, Conn. She was previously married to Leonard Samuel Sommer of Key Biscayne, Fla.

D.J. Harry Webb ’46

Atty. D.J. Harry Webb, 88, of New Britain, CT, husband of Sylvia “Winnie” (Engstrom) Webb, passed away Monday December 18, 2017 at Jerome Home in New Britain. Born and raised in Hamden, son of the late Daniel John Henry Webb and Olive (Sarles) Webb, he lived in New York City while attending graduate school, moving to New Britain in 1960. Harry graduated from Williston Northampton School, attended Wesleyan University and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in 1953, his Law Degree from UConn Law School in 1956, and received a Master Degree in Tax Law from New York University in 1958. Harry was a Partner in the Law Firm of Pease, Kozlosky & Webb in New Britain until 1963. He later formed the firm of Webb & Belkin and then the firm of Pudlin, Silver, Webb, Sweeney, Clebowicz and Griffen. He opened his own firm as he approached retirement. Harry was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in New Britain; a former member of Shuttle Meadow Country Club; local, county and state bar associations, and many local organization including serving as president of the United Way and the New Britain Bar Association. He also served as pro bono legal council for the Jerome Home Arbor Rose, where a library is dedicated in his name. When he wasn’t cheering on his favorite UCONN Huskies, Harry loved diving into a WWII history novel, and expanding his knowledge through travel to many places including Alaska, Turkey, Normandy, the Baltics and South Africa. Being an avid outdoorsman, Harry enjoyed running, hiking, tennis and skiing into his 80’s. Harry had a wonderful gift of being able to engage in conversation with anyone about anything. Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his beloved family. Besides his wife Sylvia, he leaves a son, Daniel A. Webb and his wife Laurie of Guilford and Bluffton, SC; three daughters, Linnea Hoyt and her husband Karl of Boston, MA; Alison Jahn and her husband Anders of Newburyport, MA; and Victoria Baughman and her husband Eric of Hanover, NH; 10 grandchildren Caroline, James, Sarah Webb; Mather, Josephine, Harry Hoyt; Annika, Tomas Jahn; and Charles, William Baughman. He also leaves his former wife, Laurine (Hoaglund) Webb of Newburyport, MA. He was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth P. Brown and Frances M. Canfield.