Martin C. Goldman (“Bozie”), of Swampscott, MA, passed away January 17, 2018 at age 91. Married for 66 memory-filled years to Maxine (Rosenbaum). Loving and proud father to Nancy and Steve Walter of Swampscott, Betsy and Dan Rooks of Marblehead, Bob and Jose Goldman of Lynn, and Jeff and Judi Goldman of Swampscott. Grandfather and cookie thief to Joshua and Rebecca Rooks, Sam and Asher Goldman and Camila Paiva and Godric Laird, Danielle, Alexa and Jake Goldman, Melissa (and Mark) Richards and Michael (and Cindy) Walter. Father-in-law to Barbara Goldman. Son of the late Charles and Marion (Leavitt) Goldman, brother to the late Bob Goldman and Harris Goldman, brother-in-law of June Goldman and Carolyn Goldman, uncle of James Goldman, Joan Finn and Charles Goldman. Esteemed North Shore lawyer, lifelong resident of Swampscott and efficient Moderator of Town Meeting for 21 years. Past board member and president of both Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore. Booster of all things Swampscott, especially the schools and sports programs.
Category Archives: 1940s
Roger H. Sherman ’45
Roger H. Sherman, formally of Williamstown, MA, 91, passed away on February 5, 2018 at Melech Hospice House in Tampa, FL. He was born to Frederick and Isabel Sherman on January 2, 1927, in North Adams, MA.
While attending Williamstown Elementary School, Roger lived with his parents on Moorland Street in Williamstown. After elementary school, Roger attended Williston Academy. Roger returned to Williamstown High School after his sophomore year as a result of his father’s passing. Roger obtained a waiver from his senior year in high school to enlist in the Navy at the end of World War II and served on the USS Theodore E. Chandler Destroyer until being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1949.
Upon returning to Williamstown, Roger entered the drafting program at General Electric in Pittsfield. Roger later met KayJanet Andrews and they were married on October 12, 1957.
As a longtime resident of Williamstown, Roger worked many years for General Electric and Sprague Electric and later opened Roger’s Card Gallery. After the business closed, he briefly worked for Hunter Machine Company in North Adams before relocating to Stuart, FL to work for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. After his retirement from Pratt and Whitney, Roger moved to Tampa, FL to be closer to family.
Roger’s main hobbies were stamp collecting and golfing. While in Williamstown he was a member of the Taconic Golf Club and the Williamstown Lions Club.
Roger was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his four children: John (Kelly) Sherman of Hancock, MA, Wendy (Ernesto) Jimenez of Houston, TX, Keith (Minerva) Sherman of Carlsbad, CA, and Jay Sherman of Williamstown, MA, and six grandchildren, Andrew, Christina and Michael Jimenez, Cassondra and Blake Sherman, and Chantal Sherman. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Ken) Harris, his cousin Alice Sherman Wheeler, his ex-wife Kay Janet Sherman, one niece, Christie and one nephew, Jeffrey.
C. Bradley McGrath ’49
C. Bradley McGrath, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.
He was born Feb. 12, 1929 to the late Edward McGrath and Margaret (Bradley) McGrath. Brad was born and raised in Easthampton but was a longtime resident of Northampton.
He graduated from the former St. Michael’s High School in 1947, attended Williston Academy on an athletic scholarship from 1947-1949, graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1954 and received his master’s degree in education from Westfield State College in 1960.
He spent his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Smith Vocational High School in Northampton; serving as teacher and coach from 1954-1967; its assistant director from 1967 to 1976 and its director from 1976 until his retirement in 1991. During his time there he was an inspiration to many students, athletes and colleagues due to his subtle yet encouraging style, character and example.
Brad’s life was dedicated to athletics, especially youth sports. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher in his youth leading the way to his many positions as a community sports enthusiast. He coached soccer, baseball and basketball at Smith School where he won many league titles. In 1992, the gym at Smith Vocational School was named “The C. Bradley McGrath Gymnasium” in his honor. He was director of the Northampton Recreation Department from 1965 to 1967 starting many new innovative sport leagues, served as a soccer and basketball commissioner, was a baseball, basketball and soccer official sharing all these talents with his children who proudly pursued reputable careers in these areas. Even though he was a humble man, he took great satisfaction in knowing he affected the youth of his community in such a positive way.
Brad insisted on contributing to his community in any way possible. He was head of the United Way, an officer and member of the Northampton Elks, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Northampton Youth Soccer Association of which he founded.
In his leisure time, Brad was a member and avid golfer of the Northampton Country Club, enjoyed trips to Hinsdale Race Track with his many close friends, watching his grandchildren’s sporting contests and spending winter months with his wife in Vero Beach, Florida. Brad was also a faithful communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton.
His largest pleasure and gratification in life was his family. Brad leaves his devoted and dedicated wife of 66 years, Mary “Ginger” Bouthilette McGrath, his children, who will miss him deeply, Patty of Easthampton, Dan and wife, Maureen, of Ludlow, son, Jim, daughter, Maureen Sawula, and son Bradley and his wife, Ellen, all of Northampton; nine grandchildren who affectionately called him “Poppy”, Amy, Sarah (husband Chuck), Michael, Brian, Kevin (wife Aimee), Kristine, Allyson, Jillian and Luke. He also leaves four great-grandchildren. He leaves his brother, Ed and his wife Rueith of Harwichport. In addition, Brad leaves many nieces and nephews and a very large extended family.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his three sisters, Sr. Margaret James McGrath, Elizabeth “Betty” Walsh, Mary Woods and his nephew, Jeff McGrath.
Brad will forever be remembered for his kind and generous nature, but most especially for his dry, quick wit and memorable sense of humor. He devoted himself to his family, faith and community and we are all better for having known, loved and met him.
Marie Kragt Harvey ’42
Marie Kragt Harvey took her last breath surrounded by her devoted family on January 2, 2017 at Wood Ranch, Simi Valley, CA.
Marie was born to Herman and Jantje Kragt in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on August 11, 1923. Her family immigrated to the United States and she spent her early years in in Northampton, Massachusetts. She followed her parents to Beverly Hills, CA in the early 1950s and her love affair with Southern California began.
Marie’s long and varied career as an Early Childhood Educator culminated when she retired from her position as Administrative Director of the Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center. In the late 1960s and early 1970s she oversaw the conversion of 3 homes in the neighborhood surrounding the growing campus of California State University at Los Angeles. The center served the preschoolers of university students, while their parents were in class. Utilizing Child Development majors as the teachers, the innovative programming applied Marie’s unique approach to training that became the model for the Cal State University system’s Children’s Centers.
Marie moved from Los Angeles to Wood Ranch, Simi Valley, CA to be close to her daughter in the mid 1980s. Her volunteerism is an inspiration. A lifelong learner, Marie involved herself with many classes at the Simi Valley Senior Center. From ceramics to Tai Chi, Marie kept fit and her mind active. As a member of the VIPs (Visually Impaired Person) support group, Marie kept up her affiliation with the Braille Institute, Santa Barbara that supported her through her challenges with macular degeneration.
As a docent at Strathern Historical Park, Marie loved sharing her growing knowledge of the Chumash Indians and the pioneer history of Simi Valley.
Marie sat on the boards of local organizations Simi Valley Council on Aging, the Neighborhood Council, and the Christian Science Church of Simi Valley. She was an active member of the AAUW, participating in several events throughout the years.
At the age of 80, Marie attended 2002 Simi Valley Leadership, where she learned the inner workings of her community and reveled in the new contacts.
Up until 2015, Marie used the Dial-a-Ride to get to meetings, canasta card games and lunches with friends.
An avid traveler, Marie loved cruises and tours and always came home with lovely stories of her adventures.
Preceded in death by beloved husband, Jesse Marsh Harvey, Marie Kragt Harvey is survived by her children: Laura Burgess Olsen (John) Simi Valley, CA; Jeffrey Earl Burgess (Sandy) Vancouver, WA; Robert Whitney Jennison (Maryann) Coventry, CT; Richard Stanley Jennison, Nantucket, MA; and Pamela Jessica Wilkinson (nee Harvey) (Randy) Flagstaff AZ, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
W. Alan Dayton ’43
William Alan Dayton, age 92, of Palm Beach, FL passed away on September 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Born May 22, 1925 in New York, NY to Kenneth and Sylvia Dayton (nee Patten), Mr. Dayton was educated at the Williston Northampton School and graduated from Cornell University after serving in the US Navy for 2 years in the Pacific during World War II. After school he began work at Alcoa and then lived in West Berlin to aid in post-war reconstruction efforts. Mr. Dayton was fluent in German and French and enjoyed traveling with his friends and family throughout his life. Mr. Dayton was a real estate developer and investor. Starting with land development in the Bahamas in the 1960’s he then became involved with many apartment and hotel projects in Orlando from the early 1970’s through the 2000’s. Mr. Dayton loved golf, bridge, shooting, and entertaining. He was a member of many local clubs, including Seminole Golf Club, the Everglades Club and the Bath and Tennis Club. Dividing his time between Palm Beach and London for many years he was also a member of Sunningdale Golf Club, Portland Club, Mark’s and White’s. Mr. Dayton was passionate about education and served on the board of the Williston Northampton School for 10 years. In 1973, he married his wife of 38 years, Joanne Munzert Dayton, who pre-deceased him in 2011. He is remembered with love by their daughter Millie Dayton, step-children Karyn Kettles Winnington and Richard Hubbs Kettles, his first wife Suzanne McKee Dayton and their daughter Leslie Hart Dayton. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Elizabeth Brumback Beebe ’43
Elizabeth “Betsy” (Brumback) Beebe, 92, formerly of Ashfield and Shelburne Falls, MA, died Saturday, Dec. 16th, 2017, at The Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. Although in relatively good physical health, she struggled with the challenges of dementia over the last few years.
She was born October 28, 1925, in Van Wert, Ohio, the daughter of Willson P. and Rowena (Conn) Brumback. She attended grade school in Van Wert, and high school at the Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, Ohio, and the Northampton School for Girls where she graduated in 1943. After high school, she attended Smith College for a short time before moving to Boston, where she ultimately graduated from the Eliot Pearson School of Tufts University. It was during her time in Boston that she developed a love of teaching, which lead to a life-long career in education.
She taught all manner and ages of children at more than half a dozen public and private schools in both Massachusetts (The Bement School in Deerfield; Sanderson Academy in Ashfield; Rowe Elementary School in Rowe; Buckland-Shelburne Elementary in Shelburne Falls; and the Academy at Charlemont in Charlemont) and New York (she taught 3rd grade at what is now the Gardner-Dickinson School in the Wynantskill Union Free School District). She was most proud of the pinnacle of her own education – obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, at the age of 43, while she was a dorm parent at The Emma Willard School in Troy.
After retiring from teaching at age 65 she continued to work for many years, including at the Smith College Alumni Association, Singley Real Estate, and the Mohawk Trail Concert Association. She also volunteered her time at the Senior Center in Shelburne Falls, the Mary Lyon Foundation, and several other organizations in Western Massachusetts.
One of her life-long passions was the Brumback Library in Van Wert, which was built by her great-grandfather in 1899, and bears the distinction of being the first public county library in the United States. She was an avid traveler, both nationally and internationally, having visited England, France, and Italy, as well as Mexico and China. She spent her spare time knitting, weaving, and quilting, and continued to improve her command of the French language well into her 80’s. She thoroughly enjoyed reading; her bedside table and bookcases were always stacked high with books, and her coffee table littered with magazines and newspapers. She would often cut articles out of the newspapers and magazines and mail them to unsuspecting relatives and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Sarah and husband John Peck of La Selva Beach, California, and Susan of Tucson, Arizona; three sons: Dwight of Northampton, Willson and wife Vickie of Midland, Texas, and Tyler and wife Brooke of Briar Cliff Manor, New York. She is also survived by several nieces, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her brother, Willson P. Brumback, Jr., predeceased her earlier this year. Her husband, William H. Beebe, predeceased her January 15, 1975.
Those who knew Betsy would not be surprised to learn that several years ago she crafted her own obituary: “Elizabeth (Brumback) Beebe, 101, died yesterday at home.” And in her instructions left with the funeral home, she also insisted, “No funeral, but the kids may decide to have a party or what-have-you”. Although she did not quite make it to 101, Betsy lived a rich and wonderful life, and always enjoyed sharing her life stories (and opinions) with students, friends, and family. She “never met a stranger”, and will be remembered fondly by all whose lives she touched. She will be deeply missed.
D.J. Harry Webb ’46
Atty. D.J. Harry Webb, 88, of New Britain, CT, husband of Sylvia “Winnie” (Engstrom) Webb, passed away Monday December 18, 2017 at Jerome Home in New Britain. Born and raised in Hamden, son of the late Daniel John Henry Webb and Olive (Sarles) Webb, he lived in New York City while attending graduate school, moving to New Britain in 1960. Harry graduated from Williston Northampton School, attended Wesleyan University and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in 1953, his Law Degree from UConn Law School in 1956, and received a Master Degree in Tax Law from New York University in 1958. Harry was a Partner in the Law Firm of Pease, Kozlosky & Webb in New Britain until 1963. He later formed the firm of Webb & Belkin and then the firm of Pudlin, Silver, Webb, Sweeney, Clebowicz and Griffen. He opened his own firm as he approached retirement. Harry was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in New Britain; a former member of Shuttle Meadow Country Club; local, county and state bar associations, and many local organization including serving as president of the United Way and the New Britain Bar Association. He also served as pro bono legal council for the Jerome Home Arbor Rose, where a library is dedicated in his name. When he wasn’t cheering on his favorite UCONN Huskies, Harry loved diving into a WWII history novel, and expanding his knowledge through travel to many places including Alaska, Turkey, Normandy, the Baltics and South Africa. Being an avid outdoorsman, Harry enjoyed running, hiking, tennis and skiing into his 80’s. Harry had a wonderful gift of being able to engage in conversation with anyone about anything. Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his beloved family. Besides his wife Sylvia, he leaves a son, Daniel A. Webb and his wife Laurie of Guilford and Bluffton, SC; three daughters, Linnea Hoyt and her husband Karl of Boston, MA; Alison Jahn and her husband Anders of Newburyport, MA; and Victoria Baughman and her husband Eric of Hanover, NH; 10 grandchildren Caroline, James, Sarah Webb; Mather, Josephine, Harry Hoyt; Annika, Tomas Jahn; and Charles, William Baughman. He also leaves his former wife, Laurine (Hoaglund) Webb of Newburyport, MA. He was predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth P. Brown and Frances M. Canfield.
John P. S. Handy ’48
John Peter Stone Handy passed away on May 25, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Marcia Steiner Handy, dear father of Linda H. Morehead (Scott A.), John K. Handy (Cynthia S.), grandfather of Lauren C. Handy, Christopher S. Handy, Caroline F. Morehead, William K. Morehead, brother-in-law of Nancy S. Sheridan, dear friend of Mildred A. Moulder, and friend to all. After graduating from Bowdoin College, Jack served in the Korean War and received the National Defense Intelligence Service medal. After the war, he traveled extensively in Asia working for Monsanto. Upon returning home, Jack worked as a sales executive in the plastic industry for more than 50 years, eventually starting his own company. He loved spending time and traveling with his grandchildren.
Lewis C. Schlotterbeck ’43
Lewis Christian Schlotterbeck passed away at the age of 93 on October 26, 2017. He resided in Mt. Pleasant, SC, where he and his wife had moved in retirement.
His career was with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Most of it was spent at the southeast district office in Bournedale, but at the time of retirement, he was the Deputy Director in the state capital.
His military service was long and included the position of ball turret gunner in a plane that was shot down over China in WW II in 1945, making him eligible for the Caterpillar Club. He joined the USAF reserve in 1948. He was commissioned in 1957, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Selective Service division.
Being predeceased by his wife Elaine and daughter Martha Lanoue, he is survived by his daughter Anne Lee Schlotterbeck of Savannah, GA as well as three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The best years of his life were spent fishing, scalloping, and raising a family on Cape Cod in the town of Bourne.
Alan W. Waite, Jr. ’48
Alan Whittlesey Waite, 91, passed away on November 21, 2017 at his home in West Hartford, CT. He was born the son of Alan Whittlesey Waite Sr. and Marjorie Osborn Waite. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Sara Johnson Waite, and sister Ruth Waite Jordan. He is survived by a son, Peter Whittlesey Waite, daughter- in-law Donna Stewart Waite and two beloved grandchildren, Dylan Whittlesey Waite and Courtney Stewart Waite. Alan was born and raised in West Hartford, attended Sedgwick Middle school, Williston Academy, and graduated with a B.S. from the University of Connecticut. Alan and his family moved to Rochester, New York, where he was employed by Aetna Life & Casualty as a senior liability and bond claims adjuster. They remained there for over forty years, participating in community activities and making many friends. Over the course of his life, Alan was dedicated to public service. Beginning in World War II when he did his part with the US Navy during World War II, to being a volunteer fireman, boy scout leader, a certified EMT, active in his Church, and finally, an enthusiastic member of a Habitat for Humanity team. After retiring from Aetna, Alan and Sara returned to West Hartford where they were able to reunite with family, revive old relationships, but most of all, be part in their grandchildren’s lives. While Alan should be remembered for his community service, it was in his roles as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as a reliable coworker, and loyal friend that those close to him will hold dearest. The family would like to extend gratitude to Gail Porter for taking such good care of Alan in his final weeks.