Tag Archives: Class of 1978

Varick M. Warren ’78

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Varick M. Warren of Warwick, NY on February 1, 2024.
Varick was born September 15, 1960, in Douglaston, NY to Marjory Ann (nee Thomas) Warren and the late Douglas James Warren of Warwick, NY. He lived in Douglas Manor, NY until age 12 when his family moved to Manhattan. He attended Waldorf School in Garden City, NY and New Lincoln school in Manhattan, NY and graduated from Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA where he played on the ice hockey team. He was a great player and still played multiple times a week in Newburgh, NY, until his passing, and of course was a huge Rangers fan. Varick was an active member of the Ultimate Advantage weightlifting community, spending multiple days per week supporting and mentoring others. Varick loved Fire Island where he spent most of his childhood summers and continued to vacation there every summer. There he flourished, going fishing, body surfing, and sailing, among a few hobbies while developing lifelong friendships which he cherished dearly.
Varick had an accomplished career beginning on Wall Street back in the 1980’s. Eventually he transitioned into the produce industry where he excelled for over 30 years. Most recently he was Chief Operating Officer at Solata Foods, Newburgh, NY. He was an innovator and an esteemed fixture in the industry, always thinking ahead and developing new products. He was highly respected by his colleagues and co-workers. He had a huge heart and was known for offering opportunities to so many.
Varick was charismatic, generous, and knew how to make others laugh. He was a kind, big hearted man, who was always there to help those in need. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Varick was a very loved husband, son, father, brother, uncle, and friend, of which he had many. Varick is survived by his two children, Mckenzie and Molly Warren; his loving wife, Neide Vera; her four children: Amanda, Kimberly, Maria, and Anna Vera and their children: Alan Vera, Sophia Rajos, and Penelope Reales; his mother, Marjory Warren; two sisters, Shaun Bangert and Andrea (Oney) Huffman; and his cat, Kitty.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please reach out to Mckenzie Warren (mckenzie.j.warren@gmail.com) to support the creation of a scholarship fund in his name.

William L. Van Alen III ’78

William L. Van Alen III passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023. Will was born to Sydney Purviance Van Alen and William L. Van Alen, Jr. on October 22, 1959. He graduated from Montgomery Country Day School and the Williston Northampton School. Will was an excellent athlete; the captain and high scorer of his lacrosse team at Williston. During the summers of his college years at the University of Vermont, Will taught windsurfing at 3rd Beach in Middletown RI. He came in second place in the Worlds and was featured as the centerfold of Windsurfing Magazine. Early in his life Will’s sheer joy of doing things directly involved with nature and the great outdoors was well established. Lured by the compelling beauty of the lakes, Will moved to Minnesota in the early 1990s and never left. There he found a new extreme sport, namely Sky Skiing. Will loved it and through endless practice, attained a high degree of proficiency. Loving the mountains as well as the oceans and lakes, Will enjoyed going out with friends four-wheeling. He often came home covered in mud with a big smile on his face. In the winter months, Will loved snowmobiling and skiing. Going fast and facing somewhat risky challenges definitely appealed to Will. During those years, Will married, later divorced, and started and ran a successful roofing and siding business. He also loved spending time with his family in Northeast Harbor, ME. He is survived by his mother Sydney Blynn Toland, three siblings, Alexandra Van Alen Frazier, Dina Gibson, and Luke Van Alen, seven nieces and nephews, and two great nieces and one great nephew. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tee it up for the Troops. Services will be held at St. David’s Church on May 6th, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

Bruce L. McHugh ’78

GySgt. Bruce Luke McHugh, USMC Ret., 60, of Sneads Ferry, NC, died Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCareCenter in Wilmington.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Edward McHugh ’50. He is survived by his wife, Lisa McHugh; his mother, Janice McHugh; and two brothers, Edward ’77 and Michael ’79.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Jones Funeral Home, Holly Ridge Chapel, with Rev. Alan Sasser officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society through www.cancer.org.

Tara O’Brien-McNally ’78


Tara A. O’Brien-McNally, of Rockland, MA, died on February 20, 2020. Tara was born in Boston, daughter of the late Edward and Ann (Lewonis) O’Brien. She was raised and educated in Easthampton, MA graduating from the Williston Northampton School. Tara earned her Bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a Masters in Business Administration from The University College of Dublin.

A loving mother, raising three children and caring for her sick parents all in the same house. A dedicated and compassionate employee of the Commonwealth. A friend to everyone, someone who’d ask a complete stranger if they were okay. Tara had a fiery spirit and sought to spread good feeling, the intensity of which was matched only by her love for her husband, her children, and the large family of friends she had.

Tara is survived by her husband John, her three children Pearse, Saoirse, and Ronan; her three sisters and one brother; and three nieces and two nephews.

The O’Brien-McNally family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate Tara’s life at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at The Holy Family Church in Rockland on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Services will be followed by cremation.

Paul F. Cox ’78


Paul F. Cox, age 58, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away March 12, 2019.  A Celebration of Life service was held  March 22, 2019 at West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta with interment at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge. Memories of Mr. Cox will be cherished by his loving family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to West Hunter Street Childrens ministries. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home.

Michelle Goldfrank-Cariot ’78

Goldfrank Michelle B. Goldfrank died December 26, 2013 at her Cornwall-on-Hudson home in the company of friends and family after battling lung cancer. Michelle is survived by James Cariot, her husband for 25 years, sons Ben (34) and Adam(24) and daughter Sarah (19). A loving spouse, mother and aunt to many nieces and nephews she built a warm and welcoming home for all who entered.

Michelle was active for many years with the Cornwall-on-Hudson School’s Kids Club and Drama Programs. She was also a familiar sight in town while working on a ladder at her painting business. We would like to thank friends and family for the love and support she received while battling her illness and the outpouring of friendship from the Cornwall community she was proud to call home for twenty years. Her fearless personality and calming guidance will be missed by all.