Category Archives: Class of 1941

Nancy White Jencks ’41

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jencksNancy White Jencks, 94, of Barrington, passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at Silver Creek Manor, Bristol, after a long illness. Born in Providence, March 3, 1922, she was a life-long Rhode Islander.
After graduating from Smith College, Nancy started a family and worked in the family foundry business as a draftsperson. She drew numerous pictures a day for many years, including the Veteran’s cemetery flag holders for Korean War vets. Having exceptional financial acumen and foresight, Nancy and her good friend, Rita Beaver, were inspired to start the Barrington Citizens’ Scholarship Fund in 1959. It is now known as the Community Scholarship Fund of Barrington. Finding herself a single parent in the mid 1960s, Nancy became one of the first women stockbrokers in Rhode Island. She was an active member of the Barrington District Nurse Association and a member of the Barrington Congregational Church, where she also served on the finance committee. Nancy was an avid and talented sailor. She competed in the “Tuesday Night ‘Tired Fathers’ Series,” at Barrington Yacht Club, and won often.  Another of her great pleasures was the cabin in the woods of Maine that her teenage sons built in the early 70’s.
Nancy was predeceased by her son, Ross Jencks. She is survived by her children, Randy Jencks (Nancy) of Bristol, Peter (Mary Ann) of Newport, Andrew of Barrington, fifth “son,” John Palmer of Marblehead, MA, grandchildren, Rosey Jencks of Albany, CA, Marey Jencks of New York, NY, Peter Leopold of Oakland, CA, Molly Jencks of Newport, Ben Jencks of New Orleans, LA, and great grandchildren, Miyah and Isaiah, and Sally and Walt. The five other teenagers who lived under her wing in her house will also miss her. For a very good reason, Nancy was affectionately known by many as, “Ma Jencks.”
Nancy’s family offers special thanks to the staff at Silver Creek Manor for their many years of care.
Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Bill McClelland ’41

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McClellanDr. William K. McClelland, 92, of Colrain Road died Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at home.

He was born in Chicago, IL on May 19, 1923, the son of Dalton and Maud (Kelsey) McClelland. He grew up in India and at the age of sixteen came to the United States, to attend Williston Academy and graduated in the Class of 1941. He continued his education at Yale University obtaining a Bachelors Degree in 1944, and went on to graduate from Yale Medical School Class of 1947. He did Post Graduate training in Surgery at Hartford Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Pondville Cancer Hospital. During his time at Yale, he was a member of the United States Navy V12 program. He was a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corp during the Korean War.

He had a General Surgery practice in Greenfield for 35 years, working at the Franklin Medical Center (now Baystate Franklin Medical Center) before his retirement in 1991.

His passion was classical music, playing bassoon in the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, Windham Orchestra, and the Four Seasons Ensemble. He played tennis and squash with a devoted group several times a week. He also enjoyed hiking on the Long Trail in Vermont. He was especially passionate about the Cleveland Indians and was anticipating a comeback to the World Series any year. He was a devoted dog lover and bird watcher.

Among his survivors, William leaves his beloved wife of 67 years, Betty Jean (Weake) McClelland; three children, Alan McClelland and his wife Patricia of Montague, MA, Jean McGowan and her husband Ed and James McClelland and his wife Terry, all of Greenfield; a brother, Dalton McClelland of Tucson, AZ; thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Also considered as part of his family was Soni Oyekan, an exchange student from Nigeria.

William was predeceased by a brother, Harry McClelland of California,and a sister, Marion Cramer of Ohio.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

William Alpert ’41

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William AlpertWilliam of Woodmere passed away on July 21, 2015 at the age of 92.

He was a devoted husband to the late Helen Mills Alpert. He is survived by his brother, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), beloved father to his daughter Patricia Alpert Benson, son Peter Alpert, and grandfather to grand-daughters Rachel and Rebecca.

Graduate of Williston Academy, Dartmouth College and Boston University School of Law. Veteran of the Army Air Corp (First Lieutenant and Pilot Instructor WWII). Former Assistant Attorney General. Prominent Manhattan attorney. Former President Temple Beth-El in Cedarhurst.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Eileen Sullivan Vail ’41

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Eileen Sullivan VailEileen S. Vail, 92, of Nashua, and formerly of Northampton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, in Nashua.

Eileen was born March 30, 1923, in Northampton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Neil and Viola (Sheridan) Sullivan. Eileen attended local schools, graduating from Northampton High School class of 1940. She furthered her education, and graduated from Smith College in 1945.

Eileen entered the insurance field and was a sales and insurance representative for several companies throughout the years. She met and married Thomas Vail and they began their family. They moved to Monson, Massachusetts, where Eileen taught elementary school before the family moved to New Hampshire where they settled.

Eileen was a devout Catholic and attended church in her youth at St. Mary’s in Northampton, Massachusetts, and later in New Hampshire. Family was very important to Eileen and she cherished her time spent with them at gatherings, holidays and vacations.

Eileen was predeceased by her parents, Neil and Viola Sullivan and her husband Thomas Vail who passed away in 2008. She leaves her children Laurie Casey and her husband William of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Thomas Vail, Jr., and his wife Jennifer of Westminster, Colorado, and Shauneen Lund and her husband James of San Leandro, California, and her grandchildren Matthew, Bryan and Lillie Vail and Kim Lund. She also leaves her dear sister Barbara Laughlin of Northampton, Massachusetts, and several nieces and nephews

Posted in: Class of 1941

Vance Likins ’41

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Vance LikinsMr. Vance F. Likins, Jr., age 94, died peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2015 after a lengthy illness.

He was the beloved husband of Christine (Robinson) Likins, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage.

Born in Cambridge, Vance was the son of the late Vance Likins, Sr. and Marthella (Church) Likins.

Prior to his retirement, Vance worked as an Insurance Adjuster for Aetna Insurance Co. for over 28 years. Vance and his wife spent many hours on Siesta Key and enjoyed walking the beach. He enjoyed his Jazz Music and he and wife traveled the world with the Count Basie Band.

In addition to his wife, he leaves one son: Vance F. Likins, III and his wife Beverly of Marblehead. He was the grandfather to Sandy Norris, Meri Likins and Skip Likins. He was the great grandfather to Shawn, Sarah, Shayla, Susie Emily, David, Tabitha, Isabella and Lucky. He was the brother to Priscilla Doty of Bethesa, MD and the late Sam Likins and Cynthia Vernardakis.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Stephen King ’41

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KingStephen B. King, age 91, a North Chatham resident since 1989, died Feb. 14, 2015 at Cape Cod Hospital, after a brief illness.

He was the husband of Helen L. King. Mr. King was born in Northampton, MA where he attended Smith College Day School followed by Williston Academy prior to graduation from Deerfield Academy. He went on to MIT from which he graduated in 1947 with a degree in chemistry, after serving in the U.S. Army and attending the Coast Guard Academy. During his stay at MIT, he was a member of Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, the vice president of his senior class, the commodore of the MIT Sailing Association and the president of the Intercollegiate Sailing Association.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

John Costello ’41

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Picture1John Joseph Costello, Jr., 93, formerly of Northford, beloved husband of the late Nancy Gere Costello, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and dear friend, died peacefully, Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Talmadge Park in East Haven.

John was born October 5, 1921 in Springfield, Mass, a son of the late John J. and Loretta Bradley Costello. He was a graduate of Williston Academy, Easthampton, MA and Syracuse University.

John was a Manufacturer’s Representative working most of his life with scopes, tools, and gun manufacturers.

A life-long member of the NRA, he was an avid sportsman and gun enthusiast. He was an active North Branford Rotarian and for many years an usher at St. Monica Church.

He is survived by a son, John J. Costello, III and his wife Patricia, of Garland, ME; a daughter, Elizabeth C. Buonocore and her husband Gary, of Guilford; five grandchildren, Janette (Todd) Schiavi, Sarah Buonocore, Jason (Dominica) Costello, Sean LeTarte, and Thea (Alan) Douglass, and ten cherished great grandchildren. He also leaves his very special friend and long-time companion, Amellia Zaehringer, of Northford; a brother-in-law, George LeRoy, of Cape Cod, and several nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by a brother, Robert Costello, and a sister, Barbara LeRoy.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Lindsay Mathewson Collins ’41

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CollinsLindsay Mathewson Collins, 91, died Saturday, February 8, 2014 at his home in Elkins, NH. He was born in Springfield, MA in March of 1922 the son of William Oliver and Edna Lindsay Collins. His early schooling was in Westfield, NJ. He earned his BCE at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1947 and an MS in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Lindsay served in the Navy during World War II as an enlisted man and officer doing convoy escort, mine sweeping, and three years in the Pacific with amphibious forces on the USS Rushmore, LSD 14. His professional career was as a municipal engineer in New Jersey and Colorado, as a consulting engineer doing all phases of sanitary and civil engineer’s duties, and as a New Hampshire state employee handling state and federal grants for municipality waste water projects.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Robert Henry Matthias ’41

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MatthiasRobert H. Matthias passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 28th while looking out a window where he lived at Maris Grove.

Bob was born in Bridgeport, CT, to the late Virginia and Frederick William Matthias, Jr. and was raised with his two brothers, Bill and Donald, by his mother after his father passed away.

He graduated from the Williston Northampton School in 1941 and then went on to study at Amherst College. Postponing graduation with fellow classmates, Bob entered the US Navy where he served as a WWII pilot and flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida. He resumed his studies after the war and graduated with the class of 1945 from Amherst in 1947. He also attended Brown University and University of North Carolina before starting his career with DuPont in 1952.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Frederick George Fischer, Sr. ’41

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FischerFrederick George Fischer Sr. died Saturday March 22, 1014, at his home in Palm City, Florida. He was born February 19, 1924 in New Haven Connecticut, and had just celebrated his 90th birthday.

Fred graduated from Williston Academy and the University of Pennsylvania, and served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, when he was stationed primarily in Cairo, Egypt. He worked as a Certified Public Accountant in New Haven, Connecticut, eventually becoming Partner-in-Charge at Ernst & Ernst, later Ernst & Whinney. After retirement from the firm, he served as Financial Vice President at the University of New Haven, until full retirement, when he relocated to Harbour Ridge in Palm City, Florida.

Fred will be remembered for his long-standing support of the Junior Achievement and United Way as well as other local charities in the Port St. Lucie area. In addition he was an avid golfer and long-time football enthusiast, cheering on and recruiting for teams at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of New Haven. Fred was a fixture at the Grill Room at Harbour Ridge and his boundless sense of humor and generosity will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann Fischer; a daughter, Pamela Lally; a son, Frederick Fischer Jr.; as well as four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941