Brian Cole Clarke passed away on January 5, 2024. Brian was born in Yonkers, NY on December 13, 1946, and spent his childhood in Dalton, Massachusetts with his parents and two brothers. He was a graduate of Williston Academy and earned a BS in engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1969. He joined the United States Army ROTC program during his time at UMASS and subsequently served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1969 to 1971 where he was deployed to Korea during the Vietnam War.

Brian had a successful engineering and business career, landing as the President of Sensor Engineering in Hamden, Connecticut. He obtained his MBA from the University of New Haven in 1985. Early on, his engineering career followed his automotive interests where he assisted in developing after-market automotive performance parts. His business career led him to many opportunities through several states and industries from Connecticut, Virginia, and Michigan before he ultimately retired and eventually moved to Johnson City, TN.

Brian married Judith Bowe in 1974 and raised their only child in East Haddam, CT enjoying the outdoor space, woodworking shop, and family time the property offered. Brian had many passions in his life and was not afraid of hard work and challenges. Early in life, he raced cars and revisited that passion when Raybestos needed a test driver through his work at Sensor Engineering. He won the SCCA World Challenge – T1 Rookie of the Year in 1996 and raced on numerous cup circuit tracks across the US – often taking his daughter with him to be part of the pit crew. He took ski trips with his friends, brothers, and daughter all across the United States. He enjoyed felling trees, woodworking, and the game of golf his entire life. In retirement, he continued his hobbies of woodworking and golfing and learned guitar. As a dog lover, he enjoyed the company of a good, faithful dog. Ultimately he was known as a very intelligent, kind, and generous man who often asked, “what can I do for you.”

Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen ’40 and Lillian Winifred Clarke. He is survived by his wife Judith and daughter Nicole Henderson (husband Stephen), granddaughter Kelsey, and two brothers James ’68 (wife Annette) and David (wife Joan), as well as two nieces and two nephews. He leaves behind friends in many states and will be greatly missed. There will be a family celebration of life later in 2024.

James “Jim” Upshur Edwards III, a beacon of resilience and joy, passed away on December 19, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that embodies the celebration of a life well-lived. Born on September 19, 1946, in Manchester, NH, Jim navigated life with a disciplined approach, forged in the crucible of a Type I Diabetes diagnosis at the tender age of 11.

Jim’s journey through life mirrored the rhythmic strokes of a world-class swimmer. From his formative years at Williston Academy, a premier swimming institution in Easthampton, MA, to the currents of the University of North Carolina, where he swam on scholarship, Jim’s competitive spirit defined his aquatic prowess.

His commitment to fitness and nutrition, honed by the challenges of diabetes, manifested in daily pilgrimages to the YMCA. Yet, it was not just about physical well-being for Jim; it was a philosophy that radiated warmth and engagement. His engaging personality drew people close, savoring every moment with family and friends.

Beyond the pool, Jim navigated the currents of a successful career in international banking and dedicated himself to philanthropy, volunteering at an SBA start-up business incubator. His love for life extended to the culinary realm, with “regular” dining spots becoming the backdrop for cherished memories.

At the heart of Jim’s universe was his beloved family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret Anne “Maggie,” who stood by his side; his children, John David Burton and Andrea Edwards Scalia and grandson, Joseph Edmund Scalia. Jim’s familial bonds were unbreakable.

A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends following the service in the Blue Room at the church. The service will be livestreamed at: https://www.christchurchcharlotte.org/funeral-live-broadcast/ for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY, a cause close to Jim’s heart. As we bid farewell, let us remember Jim Edwards not for his final stroke, but for the vibrant ripples of a life lived fully.

It is with deep reverence that we announce the passing of Denis Kurt Berube, devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. Denis passed away peacefully on January 2nd, 2024, in his home surrounded by family.

Born on July 26th, 1942, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to George and Evelyn Berube, Denis was the embodiment of curiosity, determination, and integrity. He spent his youth steeped in the delights of childhood farm life. He loved to share the stories of fly fishing in the Deerfield River, woods filled with adventure, the rewarding work of farm chores, and life among his beloved family and pets.

Denis came into the world with an incredible capacity to be both perfectly present in almost any moment and laser focused on the journey ahead. He held the innate wisdom of knowing that one must be solidly planted in the now in order to reap the fruits of the future. He always knew that he wanted to be an engineer and saw precisely how to get there. Years before he would become a teenager, he began saving money and planning how a farm boy of humble means would attend a local elite prep school. With the help of his dedicated parents and his own steadfastness he got himself into Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts where he relished life as a boarding student, tenacious athlete, and rising young man. He gave tirelessly to this institution throughout his life as he walked his two daughters through their own Williston journeys and continued to offer his time, money, and passion to help further develop the school long after he and his children had graduated.

From Williston Denis went on to study Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and to earn his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Union College. He received his executive training at GE Crotenville. And so began an extraordinarily rich life that would take him places most can only dream of. He traveled to nearly every corner of the world; constantly observing, learning, and enjoying. He took little for granted and truly relished in his lived experiences. From life beneath the surface in a submarine to flying at Mach speed off an aircraft carrier he truly met life with courage and commitment at every turn.

Alongside Joanna, the love of his life, he built an empire of dreams come true. They worked tirelessly together to make an enduring and meaningful impact on the world at large through business, philanthropy, education, and development. 40 years of devout perseverance, understanding, commitment and love took them on grand adventures that will carry on beyond time and space.

Hard work was an enduring side of Denis, matched equally by his ability to play hard; a life motto that he held to his dying day. He had a lifelong affair with his ability to truly appreciate the moment and a patience for enjoyment that was unmatched. These traits made him a worthy Bridge opponent, a skilled athlete, an avid sports fan, and a voracious reader. From the black diamond ski slopes and most competitive golf courses all the way to the pickleball courts and nearly everything in between, he was a contender. He never met a sport that didn’t delight him, and he seemed to be good at them all. He loved science fiction and quantum theory, blue cheese and potato chips, ice cream, and puzzles. He also really loved naps. It was the simple pleasures among the luxury that he savored the most.

Denis spent his final 20 years building a life where he could fall easily into peace and pleasure on an Island and in a home that he adored. Eternally a masterful creator, he built his second architectural masterpiece on Kiawah Island, a seaside retreat that provided him his greatest reward – simplicity. He loved everything about the nature and ease of life in Kiawah. His day was full if he witnessed the sunrise and the waves crash. He was once an avid sailor, and the ocean always called him home.

Denis is survived and celebrated by his adoring wife, Joanna Lau, daughter Caitlin Berube ’13, daughter Blythe Berube Rowan ’92, Son-in-Law, Dr. Christopher Rowan, grandsons, Riley Rowan and Teo Rowan, brother Charles Berube, and many nieces and nephews.

Denis will be cremated, and his family will make a pilgrimage to honor his life at his most sacred places. We ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kidney Cancer Foundation and in place of a public celebration of life, what a beautiful tribute it would be to do something you truly enjoy today and raise a glass to him.

Kenneth Herbert Barratt
August 10, 1929 – December 25, 2023

Kenneth Barratt passed away peacefully at his home at La Posada in Green Valley, Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Sabina (Zaleski) Barratt and his three sons, Stephen and his wife Carol of Long Valley, New Jersey, Curtis ’73 and his wife Diane of Hampton, New Hampshire and David and his wife Lynn of Cocoa Beach, Florida; along with five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Kenneth was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts graduating in 1947. There he was know as “Fingers Barratt” for his skill on the piano. He attended Wesleyan University graduating with the class of 1951. During his time in college, he met and fell in love with Sabina to whom he was married for 73 years.

He worked his whole career in the industrial rubber industry moving to
Massachusetts, Ohio, Delaware and New Hampshire. In 1973 he founded
Barr-Chem Associates, a Manufacturers Representative firm, that he ran
until his retirement in 1994.

His focus was always his family. He had many interests including skiing,
sailing and golf. But his main passion, that he stayed with his whole life,
was music. He delighted in entertaining people and joining with other
musicians to collaborate. Throughout his life he always had something
going with music; mostly big band jazz. He was with the big band
Suburbanaires in Sudbury, Massachusetts in the 1960’s and 70’s. When
he moved to Green Valley, he quickly fell in with other musicians to
entertain folks there as a member of the Big Band Sounds of Green Valley
and other groups.

Plans are for internment at the Green Valley Cemetery. There will be a
small memorial service for family only.