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.
Tag Archives: Class of 1948
Janet Hinds Saunders ’48
Janet Hinds Saunders, 83, of Cumming, GA died on July 1, 2013 at Northside Hospital Forsyth. Born in Northampton, MA she was the daughter of the late Gailon and Ruth Hinds. Janet is survived by her beloved husband, Alfred Saunders of Cumming, GA; sons, Jeffrey Charles (Allison) Saunders and Stuart Alfred (Leigh Ann) Saunders; and much-loved grandchildren, Will Phillip Saunders, Elaine Saunders, Haylie Rose Saunders and Abigail Leigh Saunders.
Arden Tinti Nicoli ’48
Arden Nicoli, formerly Arden Tinti, from the well-known Tinti family of Agawam, left this life on October 16, 2015. Arden learned the art of cooking through the Tinti’s family restaurant and some of her specialties were Macarungs, spaghetti and tuna, tortellinis, along with her famous cheesecakes, cream cheese brownies and apple pies. A Barnard graduate, Arden taught middle school at West Springfield Jr. High. Arden spent the last part of her life, owning and operating “The Golden Peacock” on Sumner Ave, a vintage resale boutique. An eternal woman of style, she channeled that into her store, with a passion for tag sales and finding the ultimate treasure. She had a collection of antique cocktail purses and vintage tea cups. She was a gifted soprano opera singer and performed at St Michael’s church, East Longmeadow of which she was a member. She raised her children in Longmeadow giving them not only a gifted life but a life with a special mother, indeed. The family traveled to Italy and Canada and spent their summers in Cape Cod. She loved rummy cube and reading and will be remembered for her gentle, nurturing and loving nature. She will be greatly missed by her children; her daughter, Dawn from San Diego; and Mark from Westfield, his wife Michelle and daughter, Molly Rose. Arden and her family would like to thank the staff at Redstone Nursing Home for being so amazingly helpful and caring during her last days here.
Sheila Walsh Parizeau ’48
Sheila Mary Walsh Parizeau, 87, of Wellesley, MA, passed away on October 26, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. She was born into the Walsh family as the youngest of six close-knit siblings on July 16, 1929 in Buffalo, NY. Her sister Jerry was her lifelong sidekick. Her brother Eddie often said that she was the best of the bunch and nicknamed her “The Franchise.” If you happen to see Eddie, have him explain what that means to you (and us). Sheila was determined to be a single working woman until a handsome French Canadian named Doug Parizeau showed up in church and changed her mind with his charismatic charm and sense of humor. They married and started a family, raising their five children in Westfield, NJ. When Sheila’s husband Doug died when she was 48 years old, she courageously accepted her newest challenge. Jumping into the real estate business with her best friend Joyce at her side, hard-working Sheila put all five kids through college. Sheila was a competitor all her life. She loved tennis, card games, puzzles and any activity that involved her grandchildren. Anyone who knows Sheila probably knows those 17 grandchildren well, as Sheila was their biggest supporter and talked about them all the time. Sheila was so proud of her family. She leaves behind five children, their five spouses (who she loved like they were her own children) and 17 grandchildren: Ernie Parizeau (wife Kim and children Kate, Doug, Molly and Sam), Sue Frame (husband Michael and children Megan, Andy and Davis), Doug Parizeau (wife Christy and children Izzy, Louis, and Annie), Will Parizeau (wife Lisa and children Oliver, Charlie, and Wylie); and Sally Tyrie (husband Dave and children Baylor, Jack, Devon and Reese).
Howard G. Hetzler ’48
Born on November 16, 1929 – Died on August 11, 2016
Howard Hetzler continued to volunteer daily, socialized among his large circle of friends, and remained active until his cardiac arrest. Over 100 people attended the Celebration of his Life.
Arthur MacBriar ’48
Arthur H. MacBriar Jr., 86, died on May 3, 2015 after a period of declining health.
His two nephews survive him: Randy A. Williams and Bradford L. Williams who both reside in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Arthur overcame many difficult challenges during his lifetime and became a fond and trusted friend to many. We will remember and miss him.
Gordon Prochnow ’48
Gordon Russell Prochnow, Sr. age 85, of Freehold Township passed peacefully in his sleep at home on January 4, 2016.
Born in Boston, MA and raised in East Hampton, MA he attended Williston Academy and became a volunteer firefighter at age 14. After moving to New Jersey in 1967, he was active in the local community serving the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company No. 1 for almost 50 years as a member, serving as Chief in 1980, Fire Commissioner District No. 1 and Fire Bureau member. He was an instructor at the Monmouth County Fire Academy assisting many volunteers start their careers with proper training and always a good story to tell.
Sally Allen Lewis ’48
Sara “Sally” Allen Lewis, age 84, a longtime New Canaan resident and former resident of Mount Kisco, N.Y. died peacefully Dec. 18, 2015 in Stamford.
Sally was born in Greenfield, Mass. on April 23, 1931. After attending The Bement School and The Northampton School for Girls, she earned a BA in Bacteriology from Goucher College in 1952.
Sally’s lifelong passions included horseback riding, theater and extensive global travel. She worked in a variety of positions at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the corporate offices of Dress Barn. Most recently, she was a volunteer at Norwalk Hospital and at Treasure House in Norwalk.
Sally is survived by her children Alexandra (John) DeMarino of New Canaan, and Scott Ballantyne Lewis of Brooklyn, N.Y., granddaughters Kathleen and Elizabeth DeMarino, nephew Stewart (Kathy) Allen, niece Marie Louise (Rick) Martin and three great nephews, all of North Platte, Neb. She was predeceased by her brother, David Field Allen, and her parents Lewis W. and Louise Field Allen.
Anne Phelps Dodge Herbert ’48
Anne Phelps Dodge Herbert was born on March 28, 1931 in Colorado Springs, CO and died on July 16, 2015 in Mobile, AL after a long illness.
She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Phelps Dodge of Colorado Springs, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers Stuart and Peter and her first husband John Wesley Geary, Jr. She is survived by her second husband Donald Edmonds Herbert, Jr. to whom she was happily married for nearly fifty years and her daughters Hillary Herbert and Emily (nee′ Wason Geary) and her husband Victor Maskey of Mobile, AL a son John Wesley Geary, III and his wife Stacy (nee′ Hill) of Atlanta, GA and two grandsons Jack and Riley also of Atlanta.
Bruce Yarber ’48
Bruce A. Yarber passed away on July 9, 2015 at the Holyoke Soldiers Home.
The beloved husband of Suzanne (Patterson) Yarber, he was 85 years of age. Born and raised in Holyoke, Bruce was the youngest of three children born to the late Clifford Yarber and Ida May (MacMonegle) Yarber.
Bruce attended Holyoke schools until the eighth grade, when he went to the Williston School for Boys in Easthampton. He graduated from Williston in 1948. Following Williston Bruce attended Brown University, graduating in 1952. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army serving during the Korean War.