Harold Resnic, age 88, of Longmeadow, MA, peacefully passed on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Holyoke, April 12, 1933, to the late Sam and Theresa “Babe” (Hendel) Resnic. A life-long learner, Harold was a graduate of Williston Academy, Brown University, Cornell University (MBA), and Western New England Law School (JD). Harold lived in Longmeadow since 1967 and practiced law in Springfield for more than 40 years. He had a passion for jazz, especially Big Band. Harold also enjoyed playing saxophone, tennis, golf, skiing, and traveling the world. Most of all, he loved spending time with his loving family and his many friends in Longmeadow and Quechee, Vt. Harold is survived by an adoring wife of 56 years, Sally Ann (Reback) Resnic; two sons, Steven Resnic of Arlington, Va. and David Resnic and his wife Amy of Sudbury, Mass.; a brother Burton Resnic and his wife Margie of Holyoke, Mass.; two beloved grandchildren, Abby and Ben; and many nieces and nephews. The family thanks Pam, Gertrude, and Sandy for their loving care. Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth El in Springfield on Monday, August 30 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Beth El Cemetery in West Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 450 Brookline, Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or a charity of one’s choosing. The Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Monthly Archives: August 2021
Edwin A. West, Jr. ’53
Edwin Allyn West, Jr., 85, of Fremont, NH passed away surrounded by family, Tuesday morning August 10, 2021. He was born October 28, 1935, in Holyoke, MA, the son of Edwin A. West and Adah E. Dunham.
Allyn graduated from Williston Academy, Easthampton, MA in 1953 and received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA in 1958. He met the love of his life, Joan (“Joanne”) Davis in Boston. They were married 64 years ago in Meriden, CT on July 20, 1957.
Allyn had a long career in the aerospace industry in the Washington DC area. He was very active at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA during that time. For many years he was on the Vestry, served as Junior Warden, Acolyte Advisor, Thurifer and Master of Ceremonies for many festival services. He and Jo retired to Sharon, VT in 1984 to enjoy their special place on 26 acres in the country, where Allyn designed and built a home. There he enjoyed a very large vegetable and fruit garden, logging to provide wood heat for their home, and making his own maple syrup. He was also an accomplished wood crafter making many pieces of furniture and gifts for the family. He worked during these years as an assistant to the Board of Selectmen and served as President of the Sharon, VT Historical Society. In 2004, Allyn and Jo moved to the Sugar Hill Retirement Community where he served as Resident Director to the Board of Directors and chaired the Conservation Committee.
He is survived by his wife Jo and 4 children; Theodore and his wife Susan of Round Rock, TX; Elizabeth of East Hampstead, NH; Christopher and his wife Karen of Londonderry, NH; and Judith of East Hampstead, NH. Eight grandchildren; Tricia and her husband David, Sylvia, Zebulon, Noah, Lauren, Kayla, Madison, and Jacie. And two great grandchildren; Conner and Ryker. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Allyn was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Charles A. West of Pittsburg, PA and Paul D. West of Athens, PA.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please give to a charity of your choice.
Cornelia Porter Ford ’53
Cornelia (Nina) Porter Ford of Stamford, CT, beloved wife of the late Thomas R. Ford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at her home in Stamford. She was born in Tucson, AZ, to Rutger and Bernice (Walkley) Porter, who operated a nursery and landscaping business on land that is now the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Thus began Nina’s lifelong passion for horticulture, botany, and conservationism. After her graduation from Vassar College in 1957, she and Tom settled in West Hartford, CT, where they raised four children over many happy decades. There, Nina cultivated verdant gardens filled with diverse flowers, herbs, vegetables, and shrubs. The family spent every summer in Center Sandwich, NH, in a setting little changed by modern times. She had a love of music and encouraged it in her children. At the piano she led sing-alongs with family and guests, especially at Christmastime. In the 1970s she played banjo and sang in a folk group. Later she played electric piano in a cover band of popular music. In 1976 she bought Herbs and Whey, a natural-foods store in Avon, CT, of which she was the proprietor for four years. In 1983, She joined the Connecticut Unit of the Herb Society of America, serving as Vice-Chairman in 1989. In 1987, she graduated from Central Connecticut State College with a master’s degree in biology. In 1990, Bat Conservation International received Nina’s permission to publish her teaching unit “A Year in the Life of the Little Brown Bat” in an Educators Activity Book. Nina was a quiet feminist and a life-long spiritual seeker. During 1996-97, she was a student in the inaugural class of the Women’s Leadership Institute at the Hartford Seminary. After the passing of her husband, Nina moved to southern Connecticut to be closer to those children and grandchildren living on the East Coast. Throughout her life, Nina sought personal connection with everyone she encountered, always asking their name and taking genuine interest in their lives. Strangers were simply friends she hadn’t met yet. Nina is survived by her loving family; her children, Becky and Nick Lai of Stamford, CT, Dan and Mary Ford of Ridgefield, CT, Ted Ford and Anne Fitzgerald of Seattle, WA, and Andrew and Molly Ford of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Sarah Ford, Roxanne and Sophie Lai, and Audrey and George Ford; brother-in-law, Richard Hill of Tucson, AZ; sister- and brother-in-law, Mimi and Christopher Stahler of Wenatchee, WA; sister-in-law, Eli Ford of Cape Cod, MA; and several nieces, nephews, cousins as well as an abundance of loving friends. Contributions in Cornelia’s memory may be made to the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Bat Conservation International, or The Miriam Therese Winter Chair in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality at The Hartford Seminary.
Susan B. Martula ’58
Susan Barbara Martula, 80, retired principal clarinetist with the Albany Symphony, died on June 28, 2021 at her home in Troy, New York.
Susan, the daughter of the late John and Helen Martula, grew up in Hadley, Massachusetts. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Smith College in 1962, and afterwards studied at the Paris Conservatory and worked for Nadia Boulanger. Upon her return to the States, she studied clarinet with Leon Russianoff at Manhattan School of Music, receiving a Master of Fine Arts in 1964. As a professional clarinetist Susan continued to study throughout her career and was a student of Larry Combs and, in later years, Steve Hartman. In addition to her work with the Albany Symphony she was principal clarinetist of the Berkshire Symphony. She also played with the American Symphony Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski, the Colorado Philharmonic, Lake George Opera, and others. She has recorded with Albany Records, New World, and Nonesuch.
Susan served on the faculties of Skidmore College and Williams College, where she was artist associate, led the Williams Clarinet Choir and performed with the Williams College Chamber Players. She was adjunct instructor in music at Emma Willard School and was the founding conductor of the orchestra.
Throughout her distinguished career, Susan taught and nurtured scores of young musicians. Her home was fondly referred to as “Camp Martula” by artists who traveled to the Capital Region to perform with the Albany Symphony. She took great delight in hosting her visiting colleagues, and regaled them with legendary dinners precisely timed to get the group to the concert hall on schedule.
Susan was fun to be around. She was charming, gracious, and had a keen wit. People enjoyed her elegant sense of fashion and great smile. She displayed these same qualities during her recent years of treatment for her illness and the pandemic. She stayed as active as possible, even swimming long distances in the ocean which was a lifelong passion, and continuing her Pilates, another passion. Most importantly, she planned and did joyful things like getting ice cream with those she loved. Susan knew how to enjoy every moment that was given to her.
She was predeceased by her husband of 29 years, David A. Perry, M.D. She is survived by brothers Dick (Ann) Martula and David (Tanyss) Martula, nephew Stefan and niece Rose (David), grandniece Brooke, stepdaughter Noelle and stepson Nathan (Amy), goddaughter Deslyn (Alex), and eight grandchildren: Kage, Kevin, Cameron, Mia, MacKenzie, Isabelle, Penda and Charlotte.
Thank you to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County and all the health care workers, especially Bibi, Jennifer, Dee, and Wendy, who assisted Susan during her illness. Special thanks also to Susan’s circle of deeply devoted friends, especially Ellen, Victor, and Mitsuko.
Burial will be private and a memorial service is planned for later this year.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Susan B. Martula to the Albany Symphony Orchestra Inc., 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207, or to the Berkshire Symphony, Bernhard Music Center, 54 Chapin Hall Drive, Williamstown, MA 01267.
Christine A. Pratt ’68
Christine Anne Pratt, 71, a thirty-year resident of Belchertown in Western MA, passed away on March 27, 2021 in Northampton, surrounded by close friends. Christine’s life was devoted to the service of mankind through work for social justice and racial amity and her lifetime commitment to spiritual development. Most of all, Christine wanted to touch people’s hearts, to inspire, and transform. She touched many hearts.
Christine was the daughter of Lyndon E. and Ann (neé Gray) Pratt and grew up in Norwell, MA. She graduated from Northampton School for Girls (now Williston Northampton School) and New England College, 1972, majoring in Education.
Throughout her school years, Christine was active in athletics, theater and the creative and literary arts. She acted in stage plays in Massachusetts and Connecticut. For over twenty years, Christine worked as a teacher and administrator in early childhood education. Both of her parents instilled in Christine a deep love and appreciation of literature. For the last two decades of her life, Christine developed her craft in writing and was lauded as a gifted poet. Her poems are published in many literary journals and anthologies.
Christine joined the Baha’i Faith after college. She served on Baha’i Institutions in many capacities and positions. Behind all of Christine’s pursuits was the ideal of a unified and diverse world standing on the pillars of justice and love. She brought a spiritual perspective to community building. Her commitment to social and racial justice was reflected in her membership in the NAACP and long-standing involvement in Citizens for Racial Amity Now in Amherst, MA. Christine was also an avid student of native indigenous teaching.
Quabbin Reservoir in Belchertown, with its wildness and expanses of water, was a place of spiritual connection for Christine. As a child and as an adult, she found inspiration and peace through her long walks in the woods. Nature was her companion and teacher.
The spirit of Christine lives on in her poetry and in her dedicated life of service. Christine leaves four brothers, three nieces, and six great nieces and nephews as well as many close friends.
Arthur Kaiser ’62
Arthur Kaiser, loving husband and father, unfortunately passed away suddenly in Kennett Square on July 1, 2021. Art was born in Brooklyn NY, November 27, 1943, the oldest of five children; four boys and one girl. His father was an attorney who graduated from Columbia Law School and his mother graduated from Hunter College with a degree in math. As the family grew, they moved from Brooklyn to the North Shore of Long Island. From an early age Art played sports. He played doubles tennis with his father as well as playing baseball and squash.
Art graduated from Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA followed by Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT where he majored in European History and was captain of the squash team. After college, Art began an MBA program at Columbia University, but left before graduating to join the US Army where he served in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant. He tried love a second time when he met Connie Lotz in 1984. They met on a Appalachian Mountain Club cross-country ski trip in Vermont through a friend of Connie’s who was Art’s rock climbing partner. Art always said he was attracted to the red sweater Connie was wearing. Connie was attracted to his sweet demeanor and cute face. Her only concern at the time was that he was at least 35 years old. Lucky for both of them he was forty! They married in June 1985 and in 1986 their son Gavin Lotz Kaiser was born. After the military, Art worked as a lending officer in a bank and later joined the staff at his family’s store, Kaiser’s Men’s Apparel in Greenwich Village New York, where he worked until 1989. Together Art and Connie moved to Powelton Village in Philadelphia. The neighborhood’s close proximity to 30th Street Train Station enabled Art to commute to New York and Connie to her office in West Philly.
Art loved being a father. In an attempt to calm baby Gavin and reclaim sleep, Art would try anything including browsing the “colicky baby” shelves at the NYC Tower Records store. As Gavin grew, it was clear that Art’s love of sports and fierce competition was visible in Gavin. Art loved coaching Gavin’s baseball and soccer teams. He loved coaching and interacting with his young pupils. One of his favorite coaching sessions was when he held a parents versus players’ game. Middle and High School ended Art’s sports coaching career, but he continued attending all of Gavin’s baseball, soccer, lacrosse and basketball games. In addition to coaching sports, Art taught Gavin how to drive stick shift in Kennett Square with only one casualty the mailbox. He was a terrific father who loved to share his love of the outdoors with his family. These included planning extreme trips to the Alaska frontier and mountains of Maine. Later in life he made multiple pilgrimages to the Everglades, surviving with little more than his kayak, map and compass. While Art majored in European history in college it turned out that his real love was finance. He read voraciously to understand what was happening in the world, which he felt was crucial to making informed decisions. His curiosity of the world enabled him to connect with anyone. Art loved to travel and hike. His favorite trips were always with Connie and included Big Bend National Park, Canadian Rockies, Namibia and Botswana. In addition, Art admittedly took too frequent of trips to his favorite store for free samples and bulk purchases, Costco. His favorite Costco items were the rotisserie chickens and Aussie Bites.
Art is preceded in death by his brother Jonathan Kaiser (Blair). He is survived by his loving wife, Connie Lotz; son, Gavin Lotz Kaiser (Ashley); a sister, Katha Clark (Ted); two brothers: Steven Kaiser (Jennifer) and William Kaiser; two nieces and two nephews. Art will be dearly missed. To those who knew him well, he will always be remembered as adventurous, athletic and curious.
The memorial service will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd. Newtown, PA 18940 on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 11:15 sharp, it’s the military. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service. We appreciate all your kind thoughts; they bring great comfort to us. Should friends desire; contributions in memory of Art may be sent to Powelton Village Civic Assoc. PO Box 7616 Philadelphia, PA 19101-7616
John P. Spare ’60
John P. Spare, age 78, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, August 1, 2021. He is survived by his daughter, Catherine Spare; brother, Stephen Spare, M.D.; nephew, Alex (Keely) Spare; and niece, Jenney (David) Gillikin.
John was born in Rochester, NY and was the son of Raymond and Pauline (Paulson) Spare. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in Massachusetts and attended Upper Canada College. John earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree from RIT. He served with the Peace Corps in El Salvador for two years. John developed and operated the Hotel Galapagos on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos for several years. He owned and operated Sparetime Travel in Canandaigua for many years. Singing was a major activity for John. He sang in the First Congregational Church choir, Rochester Voice Squad, Finger Lakes Chorale and participated in many theatrical productions, including some solo shows. John was the master of ceremony for Canandaigua’s July 4th Parade. He was a member of the Lakeland Rovers, a local hiking club. John was a loyal and active member of the Canandaigua Rotary Club and received multiple Paul Harris awards. He had perfect attendance at Rotary for 45 years.
John’s family would like to extend special thanks to Sarah Hamlin (family member) for the excellent care she provided to him.
His memorial service will be held Monday, August 9, at 10 am, at the First Congregational Church, 58 N. Main St., Canandaigua. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Canandaigua. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 435 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14620 or Canandaigua Rotary Service Foundation, P.O. Box 671, Canandaigua, NY 14424.
David W. Hepworth ’46
David Whitman Hepworth, of Thornton, NH, died at home on April 10, 2021, at the age of 92 from COVID-19 complications. David was predeceased by his wife Keren whom he shared marriage with for 60 years.
David is survived by his daughter Susan and her husband David Bunker, three grandsons, Jeffrey, Christopher and Neil Bunker; great-grandsons, Noah and Atlas Bunker; and great-granddaughter Clara Jane Bunker. David was the son of Archibald Hepworth, who spent a 47-year career (1926 – 1973) first at Williston Academy and then Williston Northampton School, serving as a history teacher, coach, and Dean of Students.
David and Keren lived the last 22 years at Owls Nest Golf course resort where they thoroughly enjoyed all the wonderful outdoor activities and socializing at the club. In his latter years, David enjoyed spending his time at the driving range, with just a small bucket of balls and hitting the course when his daughter and son-in-law joined him. Until COVID-19, David also spent his days playing bridge with his friends at their homes and also at the Plymouth Senior Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pemi-Baker Community Health, 101 Boulder Point Drive, Plymouth, NH 03264.
A celebration of life will be planned at Owls Nest once COVID-19 concerns subside.