Richard A. White ’75

On Saturday, October 24, 2020, Richard Allen White passed away at age 63.

Rich was born on July 6, 1957, in Hadley, MA to George and Ann Catherine White (Aubrey). He was a proud alumnus of The Williston Northampton School, Amherst College, and the School of Law at St. John’s University. On July 14, 1979, he married Noreen Fucci. They raised two children, Alicia and Brendan.

He had a passion for art, food, and underloved technologies, from film to reel-to-reel tapes to 8-track. He was also an avid musician and music lover—a collector of instruments, records, and tube-based amplifiers. He built a recording studio and darkroom in the basement of his home and nurtured in both his children an enduring love of the arts. During his children’s hockey careers, and in particular his daughter’s collegiate career at Wesleyan University, he was a model “hockey dad” who cumulatively drove hundreds of thousands of miles up and down the east coast for games, practices, and tournaments.

Upon corporate retirement in 2019 he dedicated himself full-time to painting and was an enthusiastic member of the studio community at the Manufacturers Village in East Orange, NJ. His paintings were heavily indebted to abstract expressionism and showed in galleries in Yonkers, Brooklyn, and Jersey City. His ready wit, cooking prowess, and jovial spirit will be sorely missed. “Work hard, have fun, learn something.”

Rich was preceded in death by his father George Sr., his mother Ann Catherine, and his brother George Jr. He is survived by his wife Noreen; his two children, Brendan and Alicia; his brother Stephen ’77; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. A virtual memorial service will be held at a later date.

To honor two of Rich’s passions, the family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions in Rich’s memory be made to Wesleyan University, in support of Women’s Hockey student-athletes (www.givecampus.com/campaigns/16960/donations/new) or to the Chicago Film Society (www.chicagofilmsociety.org).

Evelyn Lyman Smith ’50

Evelyn Lyman Smith of West Hartford, CT died on October 20, 2020. She was born in Hartford, CT, on June 13, 1932, to Louis Richard and Florence (Bradley) Lyman. She has been reunited with her husband of 59 years, G. Franklin “Frank” Smith. She leaves behind four daughters, Wendy Lyman Smith of West Hartford, CT, Kimberly Smith Pratt and her husband Terry of Oxford, CT, Brenda Smith Sanden and her husband David of Redding, CA, and Cheryl Smith Espinal and her husband Eduardo from West Hartford, CT. She was predeceased by her brother Louis Richard Lyman, Jr., and her sister Marilyn Lyman Hendsey. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Hunter Sigler, Cathain Pratt, Spencer Pratt, Audrey Pratt, Eric Sanden, Adam Sanden, Jennifer Espinal and Stephen Espinal. A lifelong resident of West Hartford, she attended both Sedgwick and Hall High school. She graduated from both Northampton School for Girls and Elmira College. She worked at the Traveler’s Insurance Company and dedicated many years to working at West Hartford’s Senior Center. She was an active, lifetime member of First Church of Christ Congregational where she served on numerous committees including the Head of the Flower committee and took great pride in the annual Christmas wreath hangings which later became a family tradition. She coordinated multiple fundraisers including the weekly sale of Marion Heath Greeting Cards to raise funds for the new church kitchen renovation plus the elevator campaign. Evelyn was known for the countless hours she spent in her beautiful backyard gardens on Sunrise Hill. She was a longtime member of the West Hartford Garden Club, very knowledgeable about all kinds of flowers and shrubs. Her cooking, baking, and overall creativity was to be admired. She was also an accomplished piano player, introducing all four daughters to the piano at an early age plus teaching several children from the neighborhood. Evelyn was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt and grandmother, delighted in being part of any family activities, especially when her children and grandchildren were involved. She will be greatly missed. Due to COVID, Services-calling hours be held privately by family.

Jonathan E. Holden ’01

Jonathan E. Holden, 38, of Millis, Massachusetts, passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2020 at the Milford Regional Medical Center.
Born in Providence, Jonathan was the son of Edward E. Holden and Lucinda J. (Close) Holden.
Jonathan was a graduate of Seekonk High School and the Williston Northampton School. He also attended Lynn University and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
Jonathan was a professional Chef. A very talented basketball player, he loved everything sport.
Besides his beloved parents, Jonathan is survived by his Aunts, Carolyn Hallin and Virginia Bacon, his Uncle, Bruce Holden and his wife Debra, and many cousins.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Jonathan’s burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jonathan’s memory to:The Massachusetts Heart Association at www.heart.org or The Make A Wish Foundation at www.massri.wish.org

Joseph C. Stevens ’49

Joseph Chauncy Stevens, MD, of Hanover, NH, died on October 5, 2020, after a short illness. He was 89. He was born in West Springfield, MA. Joe attended public school until the 10th grade, then went on to Williston Academy, Yale, Union Theological Seminary, and the U.S. Air Force. While in the Air Force, he met the love of his life, Jane Rita Wurtz, on a blind date. They married and returned to Yale to prepare for medical school.

Joe and Jane then moved to St. Louis where Joe attended Washington University Medical School. During medical school Joe and Jane welcomed all three of their daughters: Barbara, Mary and Susie. Joe completed his urology residency at Dartmouth/Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital and, after several years of urology practice in Madison, Wisconsin, Jane, Joe and the girls settled in Hanover, NH, where Joe continued his career as a urologist at Mary Hitchcock Hospital. Joe then opened a private practice in Claremont, NH, and Springfield, VT.

During Joe’s years practicing urology he commuted from Hanover to Claremont and Springfield. He was always on call and made the trip even in the worst kind of weather and in the middle of the night. Often in a hurry to get to the hospital, he was well known by the State Troopers patrolling I-91. He loved being a doctor and a surgeon, and remembered every single patient.

When Joe wasn’t working, he was focused on his family, friends, and his wide array of interests. He and Jane played tennis and golf regularly with many good friends. Although Joe liked to joke that he “flew a desk” in the Air Force, he later became an actual pilot and loved to fly Cessna’s and gliders in the sky above New England. At 54, Joe decided to become a runner, and ran his first (and only) marathon at 54. He loved opera, had a curious mind and was always interested in doing and learning new things. He took Spanish lessons, grew hydroponic tomatoes (in the living room), studied astronomy, wine, geology, and James Joyce. One summer he even tried his hand at raising sheep. He was a gifted painter, wood carver, and metal worker.

Joe developed and fostered wonderful friendships that he treasured until the last days of his life. In fact, he recently said that being a good friend was one of his greatest achievements.

Joe heartily supported those in need and the institutions that inspired him. He was an early supporter of the Montshire Museum when it was housed in an old bowling alley in Hanover, and was instrumental in its expansion to Norwich, VT, where he served as a trustee. He was an active supporter of Opera North, stayed involved in his high school alma mater, Williston Northampton. In more recent years, Joe renewed his spiritual life and became active in St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Above all, Joe was interested in people. If he met you, he wanted to know you. If he knew you, he was always happy to see you.

Joe’s generous spirit and jovial presence and will be missed and well remembered by all those who were lucky enough to cross his path.

His beloved wife, Jane, died in December of 2019. Joe is survived by his three daughters, Barbara Lucy Stevens ’76, of Key West, Florida, Mary Stevens (Michael Whitaker) of Norwich, VT, and Susie Stevens (Vince Watts) of Norwich, VT, and his brother Aaron Stevens ’45 of Ft. Meyers, FL. He was predeceased by his sister, Drucilla (Stevens) Mazur ’47. Joe was especially loved by all of his grandchildren. He made special time for each of them and they all have favorite Papa stories to tell. They include Sam and Henry Freel, Isabella Ackerman, Jordan ’17 and Joe Sansone ’15, and Jackson Watts.

Due to COVID-19, services for Joe will be held at a later date.

Marion F. Judd ’62

Marion F. Judd died September 25, 2020 at The Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA. after a brief illness. Marion was born in Northampton April 9, 1944 to Edgar R. Judd and Helen E. (Crofts) Judd. She grew up in Goshen and graduated from the former Northampton School for Girls (The Williston Northampton School) and Russell Sage College, Troy, NY. Marion was a social worker at the Department of Social Services for many years before leaving to follow her creative instincts and start her video production career as owner of Images. In 1993, a training video Marion produced and directed, “Reporting Elder Abuse: You Can Make a Difference” won a National Media Owl Award.

Marion loved her family, friends and pets. She was predeceased by her parents and older brother John. Marion is survived by her younger brother Edgar “Ned” (Carol) Judd Jr.of Leeds and their daughter Laura, sister-in-law Pearl Judd of Hatfield and nieces, Michelle (Donald) Lindstrom of Cornelius, N.C., Kristin (Jesse) Wirtes of Lanesboro and their son Justin, and Kimberly (Johnny) Sanchez of Hatfield and their children Domeniq and Haleigh, as well as many cousins. Marion’s chosen sister Caroline Bailey Toner, husband Bill and children, Sarah and Jack and their families will miss Marion dearly, along with friends Priscilla and Seth, Kathy, Marsha, and Bob and Katherine. Marion leaves behind her dog, Jenny, and cat, Isabelle.

Marion’s circle of friends was vast and diverse, including former classmates, colleagues and others she knew from her time as a social worker, movie-making cohorts from her work with Images, tenants, cousins, neighbors, fellow dog-lovers and many more. Marion was able to put anyone at ease and had a special gift for encouraging her family and friends to mingle and befriend one another. She prided herself on being the engineer behind 2 long-time marriages of her loved ones. Thoughtful, supportive, fun-loving and possessing a fine sense of humor, Marion was a beloved friend.

Marion delighted in cooking, baking and entertaining…her cakes and yeast rolls were legendary. Large gatherings she hosted in her 20’s are still fondly recalled today. Marion loved Thanksgiving, Christmas and turkey dinners. Morocco, Kenya, the Riviera, Tenerife, Greece, Rio de Janeiro, the UK, South Africa, and the Bahamas, where she spent extended stays on a houseboat, were some of Marion’s far flung travel destinations. More locally, her favorite places were Ogunquit, Wellfleet, and her own porch. She often took impromptu trips to NYC for tea at the Plaza or to Maine for a hotdog or to Boston for lunch at Locke-Ober’s. Marion was a fan of the British royal family, Volkswagen Beetles, movies, and Baroque music. She enjoyed her house on Massasoit Street, flowers, reading, early mornings and taking photographs. Marion was a devoted caretaker to numerous ailing family members and friends.

Those wishing to make donations might consider the Dakin Humane Society, 171 Union St. Springfield 01105, dakinhumane.org or The Fisher Home, 1165 No. Pleasant St. Amherst 01002, fisherhome.org.

It was Marion’s request not to have calling hours or a funeral. A Celebration of Marion’s Life will be held at a later date once it is safe to have a party of the size she would approve.

Douglas E. Gehlmeyer ’77

Douglas Edgerton Gehlmeyer, 61, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 with his loved ones by his side after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Glen Cove, NY, he was the son of the late Robert and Beverly (Church) Gehlmeyer. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Rogers) Gehlmeyer, with whom he raised his family in East Greenwich, RI.

Doug received his undergraduate degree from Drew University, where he met and fell in love with his wife Elizabeth. He later earned his Master’s degree in Accounting from Long Island University, where he was recognized as a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honors Society and went on to have a 30-year career as a Certified Public Accountant. His proudest achievement, though, was his role as a loving father of four.

Doug loved fishing and boating, working on cars, building and fixing things with craftsman-like attention to detail, learning about history and spending time with his adoring family and pets.

Besides his wife Elizabeth, he is survived by his four children, Amanda, Victoria, Jessie and Andrew, his brother, Robert Gehlmeyer Jr., and sister Marguerite (Gehlmeyer) Tierney. He will be profoundly missed.

Services will be open to family only. A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. Should they wish, friends may make a donation in his honor to: secure.go2foundation.org, www.preventcancer.org, www.stjude.org or www.guidingeyes.org.

Joseph J. Deliso Jr. ’65

Joseph John Deliso, Jr., 73, died peacefully, September 24, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Springfield, he was the son of the late Joseph J. and Jennie (Ambrosino) Deliso, Sr.
After having attended Williston Academy he majored in French and Art History at Columbia University. After leaving Columbia, he travelled extensively, including a memorable trip through Spain and down into Africa, where he hitched across the Sahara and through Mali down to the Ivory Coast. From there he moved first to Italy, where he met Elizabeth Fort, then to France. He and Elizabeth were very good friends for fifteen years, during which time Joseph, by then an established Teacher of English as a Foreign Language, returned to the U.S. to complete two master’s degrees at Columbia. He continued to teach, and produced a well-reviewed English as a foreign language teaching method which was published by Longmans. He and Elizabeth eventually deepened their relationship and settled in Provence, where they married in 1999.
They raised their two children there while building and running a successful inn, called Les Olivettes, in the village of Lourmarin, in Provence. Joseph was a visionary, and his taste and determination proved invaluable in creating an extraordinary, welcoming haven. In his spare time, he enjoyed sculpting bone china, riding his bicycle, harvesting his olives and hanging out with guests, friends and family. He became passionate about the wines of Southern France, and he and Elizabeth shared a taste for French cuisine. French, which Joseph had learned from his beloved Québecoise stepmother, was the family language, and Joseph was an unusually fluent, accent-less French speaker. He cultivated his long-standing friendships with his French friends and Elizabeth’s family. He loved his family deeply. They enjoyed many exciting trips together, across Europe, to the Caribbean and to Africa.
Joseph will be dearly missed by his wife, Elizabeth Fort DeLiso, their children, Claire and Pierre ’13, his brother, Clement ’50, his sister, Virginia and husband Van Govoni, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Pascal, and sister, Rosalie.
Joseph’s life was celebrated in a private service. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at www.TheAFTD.org or AFTD, 2700 Horizon Dr., Ste 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

Theodore D. Kurrus ’53

Theodore Dudley Kurrus, 86, passed away on Sept. 12, 2020. Ted was born in Mt. Kisco, New York, to Doris Dudley and Theodore Hornby Kurrus.

Ted’s youth was peppered with attendance at a dozen boarding schools, including Williston-Northampton School, Massachusetts, where in 2013 he was inducted into the Williston Hall of Fame for swimming. Following high school he attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he graduated with a BA in Economics and a minor in English in 1957. Continuing his swimming talents in college, Ted was recognized by his alma mater in 1997 with induction into the Kenyon Hall of Fame for his swimming and diving achievements.

After college, Ted began a worldwide photo-journalism career, which led him to 68 countries and a nomination for a Pulitzer Prize in journalism. His writings appeared in a wide variety of international publications.

In 1959, he worked for Chicago’s United Press International and later move to the Indianapolis Bureau. From there, Ted set sail for Hawaii where he joined the Honolulu Advertiser in 1961 as general assignment reporter, and later transferred to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He worked on special assignment for United Press International while in Hawaii covering the summer Olympic team in Tokyo and winter Olympics in Innsbruck 1964. Afterward, he ran his own freelance agency in Hawaii in the famed Treehouse at International Market Place, Waikiki. His career path led him to employment in Hong Kong as Associate Editor of Asian Business and Industry Magazine.

Ted was the first member of the Western press corps to enter the Citadel Proper (near Hue) on Sept. 16, 1972, where he photographed the initial raising of the colors of the Republic of Vietnam over the Main Gate of the Citadel at Quang Tri, which was considered the Iwo Jima for the Vietnam War. The U.S. Marine Corps gave him a commendation acknowledging “personal courage, unlimited ability and noteworthy dedication to the fundamental concept of full and accurate press coverage of the event.”

After Vietnam, he joined the Dallas Morning News, where he developed a great interest of China (PRC). He began interpreting whatever events could be seen through that country’s “bamboo keyhole.” And in 1976, he had the opportunity to visit the PRC as one of only three American-based journalists invited to report on the semi-annual Kwangechow Export Commodities Fair. The six-part series attracted the attention of China watchers in the USA and overseas.

In the late ’70s, he managed worldwide communications for Rockwell International based in Dallas, Texas.

He returned to Hawaii in the early ’80s and continued his life of writing and sailing. In 1990, he and his wife, Rita Mae, semi-retired to Seaside, Oregon, where they opened Rita Mae’s Great Little Bed & Breakfast and Rita Mae’s Great Little Wine Haus & Deli Pub. In 1993, they fully retired to Green Valley, Arizona.

Ted’s passion for the sea led to a peregrination around the world. In Hawaii, he pursued his mariner passions with membership in Kaneohe Yacht Club. His boats, Harmattan II and Summer notched many cup victories. He shared his love of the sea with his family. While Ted was an aficionado of all sports, the Chicago Cubs were his favorite and their winning of the 2016 World Series was a dream come true.

Ted lived life large. Artist, cartoonist, poet, golfer, Life Master bridge player, were a few of the hats he wore. He filled his life with the talent he was given to the fullest.

Ted is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rita Mae; son David Kurrus; daughter Kimberly Kurrus (grandchildren Jamie and Aaron); son Alexander (wife Stephanie) Kurrus (grandchildren Matthew, Steven, Chase, Alexis, Austin); daughter Kristina (husband Chris) Pagnotta (grandchildren Zachary and Nicholas); stepson Christopher (wife Maria) Spelleri (grandchildren Robert and Anna).

Preceded in death by two brothers, Jack “Butch” Jenkins and Thomas Kurrus. Survived by his brother, Theo (wife Susan) Kurrus, New Smyrna Beach, Florida; and sister, Jo Ann Kurrus-Emory, Houston, Texas.

A private Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley in Green Valley. Donations in Ted’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital, Hawaii Special Olympics or Green Valley Fire District.