Tag Archives: Williston Academy

William H. Aydelotte ’55

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William H. “Willie” Aydelotte, 82, passed away October 3, 2017 at his home in Reno, NV. Willie was born in Schenectady, NY on August 14, 1935 to William and Margaret Aydelotte. Willie grew up in Schenectady and attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and Bryant College in Providence, RI where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Upon graduation, Willie went to work for the Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, CT. Although he was trained in all facets of the Life, accident and Health Departments, he eventually was placed in the Employee Benefits Division. After a year of training, The Travelers transferred him to their branch office in San Francisco, CA.

After several years in the insurance industry, Willie was lured away by a client who wanted him to head a recreational facility near Heavenly Valley, CA. Willie sold his insurance agency and moved to South Lake Tahoe where he helped to develop several townhouse and recreational facilities. Eventually the real estate venture failed and Willie was forced to move to Reno where he became a real estate agent until his retirement in 1995.

One evening, a friend invited Willie to square dancing class to learn the dance and meet a lovely friend of theirs who was well versed in the dance and would be his “partner for the evening.” The “partner for the evening” turned into a partner for life and Mary Anna and Willie were married in August 1991.

Willie was very active in Free Masonry. He was Worshipful Master of his Lodge, Potentate of Kerak Shrine and president of many clubs and organizations, both in Reno and Ft. Myers, FL where he retired. He loved to play golf and was a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association. He was also an avid skier also belonged to the National Ski Patrol.

Willie is survived by his wife Mary Anna, his sister Margaret Mills of New York, his brother G. Thomas of Greenwich, CT, nieces Julie Levine and Lee Aydelotte Boffey, nephew Tommy Mills, two stepsons, Chris and John and many, many other relatives by marriage.

Posted in: 1950s

Herbert Fisher ’45

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Herbert Fisher of Bloomfield Hills, MI died peacefully in his sleep on September 30, 2017, aged 89. Mr. Fisher had a long career as a market research and advertising executive. He retired from corporate advertising in the 1980s to become co-founder of Allison-Fisher, Inc., a market research firm. Mr. Fisher was a graduate of Williston Academy, Harvard College and University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in sociology. Among his numerous non-profit endeavors, he served as a Trustee of Cranbrook School. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ann (“Betty”) Dederick Fisher, his four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. The family plans a private service in the Bahamas.

Posted in: 1940s

Barton D. Kagan ’52

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Barton David Kagan of Randolph, MA, on September 10, 2017.  Beloved husband of 62 years to his dear wife Barbara (Block) Kagan of Randolph. Cherished father of Phyllis Kagan Clayman and her husband Larry Clayman of Massachusetts, Rory Kagan and her husband Rafael Garces of Virginia, and Anita Kagan of Massachusetts. Devoted grandfather of Gregory Clayman of California, Julie Clayman of Massachusetts, Raquel Garces of Virginia and Renee Garces of Virginia. Adored brother of Richard G. Kagan ’60 and his wife Celia of Massachusetts and Florida. Treasured brother-in-law of Nelson E. Block and his wife Rhonda of Massachusetts. Revered son of the late Sidney J. and Mildred B. Kagan of Malden. Also survived by many nephews, nieces and cousins. Bart was a cum laude graduate of Williston Academy where he was a member of the Chess Club, Debate Club, the school newspaper and the school yearbook, as well as holding a state record in Track. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and his Juris Doctorate from The New England School of Law, where he was his class valedictorian. He had many interests, most notably anything to do with New England sports teams, which he followed with a zealous passion. There wasn’t a math problem he couldn’t solve, and a dog he didn’t love. He was a true family man and derived his greatest pleasure from his wife, children and grandchildren.

Posted in: 1950s

Paul V. Gabel ’47

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Mr. Paul Voigt Gabel died Wednesday, May 4, 2016 in Tyler, TX, at the age of 87. He was born Monday, March 11, 1929 in Syracuse, NY.
He was an entrepreneur and a member of the N.E.T.A.S.A. American Indian Horse Trail Riding Club. He was 46 years clean and sober in the fellowship of A.A. and a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Survivors include his wife, Dorene Gabel of Quitman; goddaughter, Nichole Chiarappa of Ft. Lauderdale; children, Paul Gabel, Jr. of Florida, Mark Gabel of Florida, Haley Gabel Bitterman of New Orleans, Jon Paul Gabel of Long Island, NY, Christopher Gabel of Hartsdale, NY and Jennifer Gabel of Wilmington, NC and five grandchildren.

Posted in: 1940s

Edward S. Duncan ’47

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Edward “Ted” Duncan, 88, husband of Ann (Kennedy) Duncan, of New Britain, passed away Saturday (September 2, 2017) at Jerome Home in New Britain, CT. A lifelong New Britain resident, he was born on June 13, 1929, the son of the late A. Stanley Duncan and Catherine W. Duncan. Edward attended New Britain schools and then graduated High School from Williston Academy. He then went on to become a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. After graduation from college he joined the U.S. Navy in 1952. Accepted in the “S” class of Officers Candidate School at Newport R.I., upon graduation commissioned as an Ensign, and received orders to report to the USS Hailey, a destroyer based in Newport. During his three years aboard the Hailey the ship made a 7 month “around the world cruise” leaving Newport September of 1952 , returning in April 1953 that included three month duty in Korean waters during the Korean war. After being discharged from the Navy in 1955, he married his love, Ann Kennedy in 1956. Edward was employed by Tectonic Industries in Berlin CT for 27 years, retiring as VP of Sales in 1996. A very active member in the church life at the First Church of Christ in New Britain, he served as a deacon, chairman of the Visitation Ministry and as a member of the church council. After retirement he volunteered at the Hospital for Special Care, in New Britain, with the Equipment Exchange Program. He enjoyed playing golf and being with his friends on the golf course. Edward was a member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club and the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association. Besides his beloved wife of 61 years, Ann, he is survived by a son Michael Duncan and his wife AnneMarie of Kensington; a daughter Carolyn Anderson and her husband Stephen of Killingworth; four granddaughters, Sarah Duncan and her fiancé Joel Park of New York City, Alison Duncan of New York City, as well as Elizabeth Anderson and Cailey Anderson both of Killingworth; and two nephews William and Chris Lumm. He was predeceased by his sister, Grace Lumm and brother-in-law, Charles Lumm. Ted’s family expresses sincere thanks to all the staff at Jerome Home for their loving care shown during the past year.

Posted in: 1940s

David Gregory ’57

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David Gregory, age 77 of Toney, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Martha, daughter; Donna (Brian) Fuller, son; Matt (Jan) Gregory, two grandchildren; Alex Fuller and Madison Fuller. Mr. Gregory was preceded in death by his grandson Wesley Fuller. Mr. Gregory retired from IBM after 29 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and an avid Alabama fan.

Posted in: 1950s

Henry A. Poirier ’48

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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.

Posted in: 1940s

Clarence L. Simpson, Jr. ’51

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Mr. Clarence Lorenzo Simpson, Jr., former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and former Attorney General of Liberia, died January 30, 2016 at his Brewerville, Liberia home. He was in his 83rd year.

Following his return home with a Law degree, Mr. Simpson, son of President Tubman’s first Vice President Clarence Lorenzo Simpson, was appointed Legal Counsel of the Ministry of Public Works.

President Tubman later called young Mr. Simpson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.

Following the death of President Tubman and the accession of Dr. William R. Tolbert as President of Liberia, he named Mr. Simpson as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, a job he held for a number of years.

Mr. Simpson was born on June 15, 1933 to the union of Counselor Clarence Lorenzo and his wife Mrs. Abrametta Stubblefield Simpson. He received his high school diploma from Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and later enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. He later took the LLB degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

On July 19, 1961 he married Judith Mars Simpson in Kakata, Margibi County and this union was blessed with seven children.

His survivors include his widow, Mrs. Judith Mars Simpson; children, Clarence L. Simpson III, Mrs. Lorraine Simpson Harvey Mrs. Linda Simpson Emiroglu, Clarine Simpson Vaughn, Cheryl Simpson Cornwall, Christian and Alpha Simpson; several grand children; and sister Amanda Simpson.

Mr. Simpson, Jr., like his father, was a lifelong Episcopalian.

Posted in: 1950s

Jay S. Brisk ’54

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Jay S. Brisk, 81, died of heart and kidney failure in Boston on June 20, 2017. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Susan Brisk; sister, Hazel Buchwald; nieces, grandnieces and grandnephew. At age 14, while watching a July 4th fireworks display, he was hit by an errant rocket. Despite a long and difficult recovery, he graduated Great Neck High School while also studying piano and music composition at Julliard School of Music. A dedicated New Yorker, he graduated Columbia University, School of General Studies and later taught writing at NYU and acted in some off-off Broadway plays.

Posted in: 1950s