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.
Tag Archives: Williston Academy
Barry M. Quinn ’65
Barry M. Quinn, 72, of Hampden, MA, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, March 2, 2019. Son of the late Dr. John and Caroline (Marchetti) Quinn, Barry was born in Springfield, grew up in East Longmeadow, and spent many memorable childhood summers on Lake Winnisquam in NH. He graduated from The Williston Northampton School and later went on to receive his Associate’s Degree from Holyoke Community College. Barry loved fishing, tying his own flies, and cooking both in the kitchen and outside on the BBQ. Recently, Barry started to learn to play guitar and composed much of his own music. He also spent time writing fly fishing stories for a local paper. And then there was his love of hockey. Barry played hockey most of his life. He spent years coaching many local youth teams. Coaching was one of his true talents, and he loved doing it. He also coached the Easthampton Softball team for many seasons. Above all, Barry loved spending time with his family. He was the center of all the wonderful vacations on Cape Cod with his great meals and the soothing sounds of his guitar. Barry will be dearly missed by all who knew him including his wife, Barbara Quinn; his sons Aaron Quinn and his wife Alyson of Rindge, NH and Kyle Quinn of Springfield, MA; his daughter Heather Mantell and her husband Brett of Exeter, NH; his brothers Johno Quinn of East Longmeadow, MA, and John Rahkonen and his wife Trudy of Monson, MA; his sisters Kathy Fukushima and her husband Dennis of Maui, HI, Diane Guzzo and her husband Jim of San Pedro, CA, and Susie Quinn of Maui, HI; his former wife Frannie Frank; and his grandchildren Shayna and Nora Quinn, and Reilly and Jake Mantell. Visiting Hours for Barry will be held Friday, March 8, 2019 from 10am-11:30am followed by a memorial service beginning at 11:30am. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Greater Springfield, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.
Melvin J. Tucker ’48
Melvin J. Tucker, of Amherst, NY, a professor emeritus at the University at Buffalo who specialized in English Tudor history, died Feb. 15, 2019 in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowaga. He was 87.
Born March 3, 1931 in Easthampton, Mass., he was a 1948 graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, which he attended on scholarship. He also received scholarships to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1953.
He completed a master’s degree in history from the University of Massachusetts in 1954, then served for two years as an Air Force lieutenant in Japan, taking courses at Sophia University in Tokyo.
He went on to receive his doctorate in history from Northwestern University in 1962, having studied with two masters in the field – Lacy Baldwin Smith at Northwestern and S.T. Bindoff, his mentor at Queens College, University of London, which he attended under a Fulbright scholarship in 1958-59.
While completing his doctorate, he taught European history at Colby College and humanities at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, then joined the UB faculty in 1963 as an assistant professor of English and European history. He became an associate professor in 1966, was director of graduate studies in the History Department from 1979 to 1985, and retired in 2005.
His landmark research into Tudor poet John Skelton, published in 1969, determined that 
Skelton’s most famous work, “The Garland of Laurel,” was written much earlier than previously thought – in the 1490s, not the 1520s – and as a result, the noblewomen mentioned in it had been incorrectly identified.
His first book, “The Life of Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey and Second Duke of Norfolk, 1443-1524,” published in 1964, was cited by author Richard Marius for the help it provided in writing his definitive biography of Sir Thomas More.
Dr. Tucker helped pioneer the study of childhood throughout history, teaching a popular seminar on the subject and contributing a chapter, “The Child as Beginning and End: 15th and 16th Century English Childhood,” in the 1974 book, “The History of Childhood.”
He also was an early practitioner of meditation and co-authored a book, “Centering: Your Guide to Inner Growth,” with Saunders G. Laurie in 1978.
He was the author of more than 100 book reviews, mostly for the library journal, Choice. Others appeared in the American Historical Review, Albion, Cithra, Journal of Modern History, Renaissance Quarterly and Speculum.
He received numerous academic honors, research grants and fellowships.
He was a contributing editor for History of Childhood Quarterly and The Journal of Psychohistory. He also was a council member for the Association for Bibliography of History.
His family noted that he had a passion for teaching. They said he let his students rewrite papers for better grades and was happy to discover that renowned economist and management expert Peter Drucker did so, too.
His wife of 59 years, the former N. Evelyn “Lynn” Rapalus, who worked in the Personnel Department at Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center, died in 2012.
Survivors include two daughters, Ann Tucker-Jobson and Ellen Tucker-Cohen; a son, Michael; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Blvd., Town of Tonawanda.
Malcolm E. Tumey ’52
Malcolm Edward “Bud” Tumey, of Bradenton, Florida passed away Tuesday December 4th, 2018 at the age of 84; he was born June 10, 1934 in Greenfield Massachusetts. Malcolm is a graduate of Williston Academy and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his MBA from Western New England University. Malcolm served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1962. He completed a tour of duty in France and provided exemplary service to his country during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. After his service, Malcolm returned to the Kollmorgen Corporation in Northampton, MA to develop periscopes and other optical equipment for the United States Navy. He left the corporate world in 1970 to pursue his vocation teaching Physics, Mathematics, Electronics, and Industrial Arts at Easthampton High School in Easthampton MA. Mal
colm was an enthusiastic amateur radio operator (callsign: W1VSX) and had a lifelong interest in radio and electronics. He is survived by his loving Wife Carol Ann Allaire Tumey, brother Lincoln E. Tumey ’53 (Mary Lee), children: David M. Tumey (Danielle) and Diana L. Tumey, grandchildren: Derek Lockhart (Megan), Chad Lockhart (Elizabeth), Jonathan Tumey, Jacob Tumey, Ian Tumey and Ellie He, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward & Annette Farwell Tumey.
Alan B. Slawsby ’58
Alan Slawsby, age 79, of Wellesley, MA, formerly of Nashua, NH, passed away on Thursday, February 14, 2019. He is survived by his wife Lauri, son Alex and his wife Eli, and three granddaughters, Ava, Bree and Cameron. He is also survived by his sisters, Sheila Kowal and her husband Blake Chambliss and Karen Stone and her husband James and his sister-in-law, Jane Rosser and her husband Ken Vitale and their families. Alan retired in 2016 after 34 years in residential property management. He is a graduate of Williston Academy and Cornell University, AB ’62. Alan was also a member of the Ancient York Masonic Lodge No. 89 of Nashua, NH for 56 years, as well as a 32nd degree 
Mason. Alan served as Treasurer and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Meadowbrook School of Weston in the 1980s. Funeral Services will be at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley on Sunday, February 17 at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Crawford Street Memorial Park, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury. Donations in Alan’s memory may be made to the MGH Cancer Center c/o Dr. Inge Lennes, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02214.
Roland C. McEldowney ’59
Roland ‘Mac’ McEldowney died at the age of 78 on Sunday, February 3, 2019 surrounded by his family. He loved his family and friends dearly. Many in the Evergreen community will remember Mac for his long-time membership and work with Blue Spruce Kiwanis, his support of the Evergreen Center for the Arts, and his stunning photography of African peoples, animals, and landscapes.
Mac was born in Newton, Massachusetts on November 14, 1940. His love of the natural world led him to a career as an exploration geologist. He began his lifelong adventures in Africa by traveling to Ghana, W. Africa with the 1963 class of the U.S Peace Corps. He spent 2 years mapping ore deposits for the Ghanaian government, drilling the bauxite deposits by hand. Mac summited Mt. Kilimanjaro during his Peace Corps experience and considered that a major life accomplishment. On the way back to the U.S. he met his future wife, Barbara McEldowney, in Paris. Never one to waste time, within a few days he had proposed to Barbara. They spent the next 53 years happily exploring the world and raising a family together.
Mac was an adventurer, an eternal optimist, and risk-taker. Coming back from Africa with his young wife, he started a Master’s thesis working in northern Baja, Mexico. While there he made a discovery of marine fossils, proving that the Baja peninsula was once under the Pacific Ocean and had been uplifted. Mac started several mineral exploration companies, designed and minted coins, built a cabin, re-developed a gold ore deposit outside of Bibiani, Ghana and retired at the age of 55 after being charged by an elephant in Burkino Faso. In retirement Mac reinvented himself and began his second career as a professional photographer. His love of people and the natural world is evident in his subject matter; specializing in images of African tribes, southwestern Native American tribes, African wildlife, and African and 
western U.S. landscapes.
Mac is survived by his wife Barbara; children Richard (Phoebe), Scott (Lisa), and Katie (Shawn); sister Marcia (Jim); grandchildren Kailien (Sean), Ramsay (Justine), Saylor, Cameron, and Ritter; and a great-granddaughter Skaia. His family and friends will miss him.
A celebration of life for Mac will be held at 1pm on Sunday, February 10th at Wind Crest Retirement Community in the Red Rocks, High Line Overlook building, 2975 Summer Wind Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.
George B. Benz ’59
Born on January 14, 1940, to George W. and Louise Bremer Benz, in St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away on February 1, 2019 in St. Paul. He was a descendant of the Hamm’s Brewing, the Jacob Schmidt Brewing and Bremer Bank families. George was a graduate of The St. Paul Academy and Summit School in 1958, Williston Academy in 1959, University of Munich and Goethe Institute (Germany) in 1961, Colgate University in 1963, and The University of Minnesota Aeronautical Engineering and Business Law in 1965. George married Karen Bassett of Mora, MN in September, 1972. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Josephine Benz Carpenter. George is survived by his sons, George and Theodore (Derek); daughters-in-law Stephanie and Elizabeth and 2 grandchildren, Theodore (Finn) and Hendry as well as a sister, Louise Benz Plank of Buffalo, WY. George was the Chairman of the Board of American National Bank and Trust and Co-Chairman and CEO of American Bancorporation, Director of Commercial State Bank, Lake City State Bank, and American Bank and Trust of Moorhead. He was also CEO of George Benz and Sons and Owner of Oak Grove Dairy, and President and Director Jacob Schmidt Company. Along with his professional career, he cared deeply for many local associations serving as Vice President and Director Indianhead Council- Boy Scouts of America, Vice President and Director Minnesota Club, Vice President and Director Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Trustee Children’s Hospital of St. Paul, Treasurer and Director Ramsey County Lung association, Treasurer and Director Minnesota Society for Crippled Children and Adults, Trustee of the Courage Center Foundation, Director Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, Director Optimist Club of St. Paul, and Founding Financial Advisor Mounds Park Academy. He also served on the boards of the United Arts Fund, the United Way Fund, Norwesco, Horton Manufacturing, Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, Quintero, White Bear Yacht Club, and Desert Mountain golf clubs. George’s love of flying began at age sixteen when he earned his single engine pilot’s license. While attending Colgate he furthered his flying dreams by attaining his Commercial, Certified Flight instructor, air land and sea, multi engine and instrument ratings. He was Vice President and Director of Aqua Float Corporation, Vice President and Director of the Cessna dealership, Wings Inc. and then worked his way
up to Vice President at Cessna Aircraft Company where he met the love of his life and co-pilot, Karen. Together they dedicated their lives to various philanthropic endeavors and traveled the seven continents. He shared his love of golf, winning the White Bear Yacht Club Invitational Championship as well as a Mr. and Mrs. Championship; his love of skiing by producing the film “Alta Man”; sailing, hunting, boating, fishing and hockey with his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be on April 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary of the Lake, White Bear Lake, MN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memoriam to Children’s Hospital Neuroscience Center of Minnesota.
M. Richard Fish ’59
Matthew Richard “Dick” Fish, who was born in 1941, died December 20, 2018.
He leaves his wife Sheila Sharac Fish, his son Kenneth A. Fish, his granddaughters Jessica, Cherokee Rain, Jacqueline, and Ryan Lynn, and his great-grandson Aiden; also, his friend and associate Eric Parham, and dear friends Griselle Cruz and her family. He was predeceased by his son William James (Billy) in 1988, and by daughter-in-law Candace K. Hall in 2018.
Dick was a photographer in Northampton for many years: for the Daily Hampshire Gazette; for his studio “dickfish inc”; and later for the Smith College Imaging Center. For many years, he enjoyed and participated wholeheartedly in the community of St. John’s Episcopal in Northampton. Each summer, he left this community for a while for wonderful summer retreats in Pemaquid, Maine. Dick will be remembered for his warmth, his enthusiastic involvement in our local community, and his great hugs.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, June 14, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Elm Street, Northampton. If you are so moved, feel free to donate to the charity of your choice in Dick’s name, or to any of the following: MANNA; Safe Passage; St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Robert R. Farnum ’59
Robert Riggs Farnum, 78, a longtime resident of East Street in Great Barrington, MA, died November 18, 2018 at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington. Born October 24, 1940 in Norristown, PA he was the son of the late James M. Farnum and Amy Riggs Loungway. Robert attended the Williston Academy (1957 – 1959), Wentworth Institute (1959 – 1961) and Fitchburg State Teachers College (1962 – 1965) where he received a BS in Education. Robert married his wife Susan Elizabeth Guppy on June 12, 1965 in Danvers, MA. Soon after they were married they moved to Great Barrington where their two children, Hilary and Stephen were born. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington where he sang in the church choir. He was also a member of The Berkshire Hillsmen, a Barbershop Chorus as well as a life member of the Girl Scouts USA. In 1986 Mr. Farnum retired from Becton-Dickinson Medical Supplies in Canaan, CT where he had worked as an architectural draftsman for 18 years. Robert is survived by his wife of 53 years, Susan G. Farnum, along with their children, Hilary Jewett Farnum and Stephen Return Riggs Farnum. He also leaves his granddaughter, Maple Wynne Farnum, his daughter-in-law Cathy Brooks and her children, Mara, John and Ethan, his brother, Alexander D. Farnum and wife Joan, sister Anne Farnum Fix and husband Gary as well as their children, Samuel Fix and Sarah C. Eiseman.
A memorial service for Robert R. Farnum will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, MA with a reception to follow in the parish room. Donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the Mason Library Children’s Room Native American Stories or Western Stories through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com
J. Wayne Collins ’65
Jon “Wayne” Collins was born on July 16, 1945 in New Britain, Connecticut and passed away on January 24, 2019 in Bradenton, Florida.