Robert L. Secundy ’56

Robert Lewis Secundy passed away September 6, 2016. He was born on June 20, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of Lillian May Jorgensen Secundy Lynch and Benjamin Secundy. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Magna Cum Laude with a degree in electrical engineering, 1959 and received an MBA from The Wharton School in 1961. He was in the national honorary business fraternity Beta Gamma Sigma. In 1967 he moved to Reston, a planned community in Northern Virginia, to raise his two children. In the late 1960s he was one of the founders of the Reston Black Focus, an organization created to promote black culture, lifestyle and participation in Reston. Robert was on the first line for the newly established Reston chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Zeta Upsilon Lambda in 1977. He also served on the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission. Robert began his professional career as a financial analyst for Sun Oil Company. He then served as comptroller Metrotec, Inc. Metrotec was a publication development firm that catered to federal government agencies and was owned by his friend of many years, Jack Nelson. Robert set up the accounting and financial systems of the firm and maintained the records required for federal contract reporting. He also shepherded the firm through each of its arduous biennial federal audits. He was beloved by all the staff for his sense of humor and camaraderie. Later he started his own company, Humanics in Atlanta Georgia, which provided services for Head Start programs for disadvantage children. After that he started his own computer training company. During this time he meet his wife of 29 years Cynthia Barnes. In 1988, Robert joined the American Press Institute (API) as Associate Director for Finance and Administration. He was the first minority member on their executive staff. After 17 years of service, he retired from API in 2005. Robert will forever be remembered for his unequaled dedication and generosity to his family and the way he supported and encouraged loved ones to pursue their dreams. We will cherish the memories of his leadership in the black community, his technical savvy, his playful wit, and passion for tennis. He is survived by his wife Cynthia Barnes, his daughter, Susan Secundy, his son Joel Secundy, his brothers Gerald (m. Donna Boone), Benjamin, Jr. (m. Angela Hayes), and his five grandchildren: Bianca, Lauren, Robert, Lillian, and Oliver and a host of other relatives and friends.

Brian L. Cowell ’75

Beloved father, brother, boyfriend, uncle, nephew, and friend, Brian L. Cowell of Windsor Locks passed away at Hartford Hospital at the too-young age of 59 on September 6, 2016, surrounded by many who love him. Ever since he was born on April 25, 1957 in Conway, SC, Brian, as one of his favorite aunts put it, was “a big guy with a big heart and a great smile.” He was also funny and very smart. An avid reader, history buff and sports fan, Brian was the one you wanted on your trivia team, especially for questions on the Red Sox, Giants, Patriots, Bruins, college basketball or Notre Dame football. Growing up, he was a natural athlete and always one of the first to be picked for the annual whiffle ball game at the Cowell picnic. Brian graduated from Williston Northampton School and Westfield State College. He was a hard worker and spent most of his career at United Technologies Aerospace Systems (Hamilton Sundstrand), where he served as Operations Manager, retiring in March. Brian leaves behind many heartbroken loved ones: his children, Courtney Cowell of Palmer, MA and John “Jack” E. Cowell II of Agawam, MA; his girlfriend, Ann Magleora, and her children, TJ and Raelynn Voislow of Windsor Locks; his siblings Deb Brown of Amherst, MA, Jackie Cowell of Henniker, NH, Jenny Bourgeois of Wilbraham, MA, and Tom Cross of Plano, TX; and too-many-to-name in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Margaret “Gay” (Campbell) Cross, John “Jack” E. Cowell, and Raymond R. Cross.

Madeline Ricker Swain ’50

 

swain Madeline Barbara Ricker Swain, also known as “Dutch” peacefully passed away Friday, September 9, 2016 in Charlton, MA at the age of 84. Her husband of 56 years, Jonathan FolgerSwain, “Bing,” predeceased her. She is survived by two daughters; Jennifer of Los Altos, CA and Suzanne of Winchester, MA, three grandchildren, Mark, Lexie and Juliana all of Winchester, MA, and ten nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Earl William and and John Marshall. Born April 12, 1932 the daughter of Earl Malcolm Ricker and Edla Marie Lindholm Ricker, Dutch was raised in Walpole and summered in Nantucket, where she would meet her husband, Bing. She was a graduate of Northampton School for Girls and received a B.A. degree from Wheaton College. She resided in Sudbury, MA for 44 years with her husband, where they raised their two daughters. Dutch was a wonderfully loving and caring full time mother, wife and volunteer member serving many schools, organizations, local food pantries and her church, Sudbury United Methodist Church. She enjoyed tennis, baking brownies, Red Sox games, reading, cooking up her top secret clam chowder recipe, spending time with a circle of her close friends who called themselves The Fat Farm and the island of Nantucket.