Category Archives: 1940s

Joan Shaw Propst ’46

After a happy and adventuresome life, Joan Pierson Shaw Propst, passed away on September 7, 2021. Joanie was a dedicated wife, mom, grandma, great grandma and horsewoman.

Joanie was born in 1929 to Kenneth and Margery (Field) Shaw and raised in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Joanie had a love of horses early on. She babysat, weeded tobacco and picked strawberries among other jobs, to earn money for a horse. One of her later horses was trained to pull a cart, so she drove her brother to summer camp in order to save gas due to gas rationing during World War ll. Joanie was determined to move “out west” for college and to marry a cowboy. Much to her mom’s worries, Joanie boarded the train for Colorado A&M (now CSU, Fort Collins) to graduate with a degree in Animal Science. She did meet her cowboy, Allen Douglas Propst. Together they helped to get a rodeo arena built and organize college rodeos and other events. Joanie was the rodeo’s “All Around Cowgirl” in 1949.

Married in 1950, Doug and Joanie worked on various ranches in Colorado and Montana, before accepting the opportunity to take over ranch management for the Santa Catalina Island Company. Interviewed in Chicago in the Wrigley building, the Propsts moved sight unseen to Santa Catalina Island. When they got off the boat, the prospects didn’t look too great as the island was horribly overgrazed, but they stuck it out to make the improvements. There is a whole lot more to this story, but suffice it to say, that it was really rewarding in many ways, challenging in others.

Joanie was well-known for raising Welsh show ponies, teaching riding lessons and establishing the Catalina Island Pony club of which she was the District Commissioner. She was also in the egg business, providing eggs to island residents. Joanie provided endless hours and effort in support of Doug’s efforts in improving Catalina’s interior, and later in getting the Catalina Conservancy up and running. Joanie made countless jeep tour lunches, and buffalo stews for range tour groups. After 44 years, Joanie and Doug retired to Modoc County to be closer to family and also to not have to ride any more cross channel boats or ocean going barges.

Joanie was predeceased by husband Doug, and granddaughter Jessica Younger Dickens. Left to celebrate a life well-lived are her brother Ken Shaw ’51, sister Margery Shaw ’58; daughters Susi Younger(Jay), Barbie Read(Dick), Robin Paine, (Ernie); grandchildren; Ruby Uhart(Domingo), Elizabeth Younger, Doug Paine(Kristin) and three great grandchildren; Marcus Uhart, Hadley Paine, and Walker Paine.

private family celebration will be held. Please remember Joanie in your own way. If you wish, donations in remembrance can be made to: Santa Catalina Island Pony Club, PO Box 395, Avalon, California 90704. This pony club is an affiliate of the United States Pony Club which encourages children to have a knowledge of horses as they become good riders. The Catalina Pony Club appreciates funds to help sponsor local kids who aren’t able to afford riding lessons.

James M. Gangemi ’48

James “Marvin” Gangemi, 92, of Williamstown, MA, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 23rd 2021 surrounded by family at the Bennington Veterans Home in Bennington, VT. Marvin was born in North Adams, MA, son of the late Dr. Michael A. Gangemi and Evelyn (O’Neil) Gangemi, and was about to celebrate 68 years of marriage with his loving wife Mary (Morrissey) Gangemi.

Marvin graduated from Williston Academy in 1948, Tufts University in 1952, and received a Master’s Degree in Education from North Adams State College in 1960. Marvin served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

Marvin was fulfilled by sharing his passion for the outdoors and was in his element when surrounded by his students and family. He was known for his love of all creatures, especially his loving labradors. He was dedicated to the Williamstown community, serving in the Williamstown Public Schools from 1956 until his retirement in 1992 where he positively impacted many young lives as a beloved coach, teacher, principal, and superintendent. He took pride in being a co-founder of the Williamstown Little League. He, along with his wife Mary, served on the board of directors of A Better Chance. Marvin was also on the board of directors of the Williamstown Boys Club, serving as its president for several years, and later served on the board of directors for the Hoosic River Watershed Association.

In the 1960s he and his wife Mary founded Camp Tamarack in Florida, MA which they operated for 20 years, welcoming youth from surrounding towns to experience the joys of the outdoors and develop lifelong friendships. In 1984 he and Mary started a successful bed and breakfast at Steep Acres Farm, which became a gathering place for Williams College Alumni, and attracted visitors from all over the world.

Marvin was a devoted husband, father, and friend and loved gathering with his large extended family. He married Mary (Morrissey) Gangemi in 1953 and they raised a family of six children. Marvin is survived by his wife Mary (Morrissey) Gangemi of Williamstown, MA, son Daniel Gangemi of Sarasota, FL, daughter Sarah Bardo and husband Seth of Stamford, VT, daughter Johanna Gangemi-Brown and husband Boyd of Gold Hill, CO, son John Gangemi and wife Robin Bissell of Columbia Falls, MT, son Anthony Gangemi and wife Dabney Langellier of Whitefish, MT, and daughter Mary Kate Bronder and husband Michael of Andover, MA. Marvin is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sisters Annetta Gleason, Mary E. Ramm, Jeanne Durocher, and his brother Michael Gangemi.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Berkshire Humane Society at https://berkshirehumane.org/donate/.

Samuel Ansell ’40

Cartoonist, ad man and business man Samuel Ansell, 99, of Waltham, died on August 1st, 2021. Sam Ansell’s career changed course many times but cartooning was always part of it. Mr Ansell grew up in Newton and attended Newton High school where his humorous essays filled the pages of the Newtonian magazine. His love of George Herriman’s Krazy Kat drew him to cartooning and his style and humor saw him published in numerous magazines of the 40s, such as “Colliers”, “Look”, and the “Harvard Lampoon”. Mr. Ansell attended Harvard as an undergrad in English Literature at a time when quotas for Jews made that a rare occurrence. His writing and cartooning made him a perfect candidate for the editorial board of the reinvigorated humor magazine “Harvard Lampoon”. Upon graduation in 1944, he enlisted and served in the Pacific as an ensign in the US Navy. After the war, he went on to receive an MA from Columbia University’s School of Journalism. It was while in college that his cartooning career blossomed. His cartoons and humor columns were regular features in the “Harvard Lampoon” and the “Columbia Jester”. Through syndication, other college humor magazines across the country picked up his cartoons as well. After Columbia, Mr. Ansell stayed in New York and turned his writing talents to public relations, landing a job as a PR man for the New York Metropolitan Opera, a stint that was cut short after the wife of the featured tenor insisted he be fired for neglecting to bring her the coffee she demanded. He then spent the remainder of the fifties and early sixties on Madison Ave as a copywriter and illustrator, continuing to employ his cartooning skills in many of the ads he created. It was during this time that Mr. Ansell met and married Na’ama Lubin with whom he remained for the next sixty-nine years until his death. As TV ramped up, the downturn in print advertising forced his next career move, a return to the Boston area to lead the sales and marketing effort for the family business, S. H. Ansell & Son, a South Boston-based wholesale container company founded by his grandfather Solomon Ansell in 1888. Those driving in Boston in the 70’s and 80’s were likely to have seen bright yellow trucks with “Someone’s getting bottles Fast from Ansell” on the side. His cartooning skills again became a fixture in the marketing pieces he created. A voracious reader and prolific writer, Mr. Ansell was also an avid outdoorsman. He skied, biked, canoed and somehow found time to hike all forty-eight 4,000 foot or higher mountains in New England earning entry into the exclusive Appalachian Mountain Club Four Thousand Footer Club. After retiring, the Ansells moved to a small mountain town in Umbria, Italy where his interests in opera, wine, hiking, great food and medieval architecture were well indulged and rewarded. They returned to live in Waltham when travel became difficult. In his last decade, Mr. Ansell continued his lifetime of education by attending Brandeis’s adult learning center and contributing cartoons to the program’s publication the “Bolli Banner”. Mr. Ansell leaves his wife Na’ama, daughter Aliza Ansell and son-in-law Ric Nudell, son Seth Ansell, son Gideon Ansell and daughter-in-law Mary Rutkowski and grandchildren, Adeline Ansell and wife Ashley Mallon, Ivan Rukowki-Ansell and Leya Ansell. Those wishing to read more about Mr. Ansell’s life can visit his memorial page at https://memories.net/timeline/samuel-ansell-99484. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of his favorite charities: Doctors Without Borders or the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Philip D. Holmes ’41

Philip Dearborn Holmes died at home in the early evening of Monday, October 18, 2021 with Jean, his wife of 76 years holding his hand. Philip was born in Whitman, Massachusetts on October 30, 1922 to Carrie E. Chamberlain Holmes and J. Albert Holmes. He was a graduate of Whitman High School, Class of 1940, where he was active in its sports program and played on the football team during his junior and senior years. Dad attended Williston Academy after high School in preparation for his acceptance to Brown University. With the outbreak of WWII Dad left Brown to volunteer for the Navy who promptly rejected him as he could not pass the physical exam. The Coast Guard did the same. Determined to serve his country Dad entered the Maritime Service, a training organization for the Merchant Marine. He was trained as a radio operator and served as such of three Liberty ships and one Victory Ship. The (first) SS Henry Austin took him to the British beach heads Gold, Juno and Sword during the invasion of Normandy. He shuttled between London and the French coast with soldiers through August when the areas were considered secured. On other ships he covered great and dangerous distances off Iran, Antwerp, Mozambique, through the North Atlantic, the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Persian Gulf to bring needed fighting personnel and equipment. Returning home from the war Philip and Jean Harper were wed on November 6, 1945. Their first home together was in Providence, Rhode Island as Philip returned to Brown University and received his BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. Philip and Jean brought their young family to Cape Cod in the mid-1950s when Dad took a Civil Engineering job at, the then, Otis Air Force Base located in Bourne. After several years at Otis, Dad decided to start his own company called Philip D. Holmes Registered Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor in the town of Falmouth. His work took place during a period of changes in all areas of town. As his company grew Dad chose a partner and the name changed appropriately to Holmes McGrath, Inc. Michael McGrath bought the company when Dad retired. In 1983 Philip and Jean moved to Dover-Foxcroft, Maine where they managed their 250-acre woodlot and grew several acres of balsam fir Christmas trees. These were sold in their dooryard where families came to choose-and-cut their own tree, have a snowy sleigh ride and hot chocolate in the warm barn. Truly a magical time. In 1999 Philip and Jean returned to Cape Cod to be closer to their children and growing families. Dad is survived by his wife Jean Harper Holmes, daughter Martha Nickerson, and her partner Gail Donaldson, Nancy Sweeney, Susan DeJong, Judith Abbruzzi (Lawrence) and James Philip Holmes. There are six grandchildren; Matthew Sweeney (Allie), Sarah Allers (Philip), Thomas John Abruzzi (deceased), Lauren Medeiros (John), Molly Holmes, Rory Holmes and Taylor Holmes. AND six greatgrandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Falmouth Congregational Church, 68 Main Street, at 11:00 AM on October 30, 2021, Philipss birthday. A private burial will be held at a later date. Donations are encouraged to both: Hospice of Cape Cod (giving@capecodhealth.org) and Neighborhood Falmouth (neighborhoodfalmouth.org,). The Holmes family cannot say enough about these two organizations and how much they helped comfort Dad in his declining years. From the bottom of our hearts; Thank You to all the volunteers, nurses and home health aides.

Natalie Brown Denton ’41

Natalie Brown Denton passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021. Nonnie was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925, the daughter of Lois Hoffman Brown and Wayland Wickliffe Brown. She was a long-time resident of Elmira and was deeply engaged in numerous civic activities and Grace Episcopal Church, where she was a member. Nonnie was the widow of Richard Denton and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests that gestures of remembrance may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 375 West Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901, or to Meals on Wheels of Chemung County, 409 William Street, Elmira, NY 14901.

Charles L. Robitaille, Sr. ’43

Charles Laurier Robitaille, Sr. of Shelburne, VT, closed his final flight plan on July 8, 2021. He passed away at McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT.

He was born on July 25, 1925 in Holyoke, MA. He was a veteran of the Army and served tours in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He married Freola Katherine Files in 1946. He is survived by his children, Gary Robitaille of North Carolina, and Susan Wolff of Florida, as well as his 10 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren and his companion Sally Luedeke. He was predeceased by his wife, Freola (Kitty) and his son, Charles Jr.

“Chuck” had a deep love for flying, especially giving airplane rides to many enthusiastic children of the Young Eagles. He enjoyed the friendship of many like-minded pilots who met weekly at the “Coffee Klatch.” He loved his family and friends deeply and will be missed by all.

The family would like to thank the McClure Miller Respite House for their love and compassionate care during the final days of his illness. There will be a private service for family at his interment ceremony. In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Hwy, Colchester, VT 05446.

Paul D. Tremaine ’49

Paul Donald Tremaine, known affectionately as “PT,” died at his home in Honolulu on August 5, 2021. PT was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 21, 1930, to Jay Eugene Tremaine, Jr., M.D. and Evelyn Meribah (Ely) Tremaine, and was the second of the family’s three children. His early childhood years were spent in Highland Park, Illinois until the family settled in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1941. Following his graduation from the Williston Academy in 1949, PT joined the U.S. Navy and for the next four years was stationed at the Long Beach Naval Station to the south of Los Angeles.
It was in Pasadena that PT’s dedication to a life in the theater began. After two years at the Pasadena Playhouse, PT spent the next three years dividing his time between summer stock at the Ramsdell Theater in Manistee, Michigan and winters at the Circle Theater in Nashville, Tennessee. For seven seasons he worked with the Erie, Pennsylvania community theater. It was here that he met Newell Tarrant who, in his later role as resident managing director of the Honolulu Community Theater, would invite PT to join him there. In the meantime, PT worked— on-stage and backstage— at both the Houston Playhouse Theater and the then newly founded North Carolina School of the Arts. In addition to a role as Announcer on the Kraft Theater, an early television program, PT’s film credits would later include acting credits in Ride the Wild Surf (1964) and M Station: Hawaii (1980)
In 1963, PT accepted Tarrant’s offer, taking a position as Technical Director at the Honolulu Community Theater (now the Diamond Head Theatre) in 1963. His association with the Diamond Head Theatre would continue for the next 58 years.
Early in his tenure at Diamond Head Theatre PT met Punahou School’s drama teacher, Eldon Almquist. The two joined forces to address what was a constant and significant challenge— finding affordable theatrical equipment on the island. Their solution was to start their own business. With $200 in the bank and a small storefront rental, they named their company the Almquist-Tremaine Theatrical Company, later changed to ATTCO.
ATTCO grew from a three-person shop (Tremaine and Almquist were joined by David Newell in 1968)—building and renting theatrical sets, lighting, and props—to become the state’s largest theatrics-for-hire operation, supplying equipment for trade shows, conventions, fireworks displays, and Hollywood television and films. PT’s days were spent at ATTCO and his evenings at DHT. After his retirement from ‘officially’ working at ATTCO in 2013, he stayed active at the company as a volunteer. His work with the theatre continued as well, and long after his acting days were behind him, he continued to sit on the DHT Board.
In addition to his height and leading-man good looks, PT possessed charm, wit, an irreverent sense of humor, and a middle-schooler’s delight in jokes (practical and otherwise). A lifelong ski enthusiast, he joined his brother for annual ski trips at mountains across the mainland or in Canada; a tradition ending only within the most recent few years.
PT never married or had children of his own. He did, however, leave behind an extended family and beloved friends, all of whom will miss him. Predeceased by his sister Maryanne (Tremaine) Hiebert (1929-2021), PT is survived by his brother and sister-in-law John Winthrop Tremaine and Elizabeth Tremaine of Silver Spring, Maryland; nephews Timothy Hiebert (Providence, Rhode Island) and John Hiebert (Wayland, Massachusetts), nieces Sarah (Hiebert) Flowers (Cranston, Rhode Island), K. Kirsti (Hiebert) Morse (Yarmouth, Maine), and Amy (Hiebert) Murphy (Warren, Rhode Island).
He also leaves behind his sailing partner and fellow prankster, former ATTCO colleague Gary Fenner, Kailua, Hawai’i, and fellow actor Joan (Vincent) Dillon, Kailua, Hawai’i, whose six-decade friendship (as well as that of her children Henry Vincent (1960-2011), Douglas Vincent (1955-1996) and Gail (Vincent) Godenzi, Kailua, Hawai’i) was central to his life.
A Memorial Celebration of PT’s Life will be held at the Diamond Head Theatre on a date tbd. Information will be posted on the DHT website (www.diamondheadtheatre.com) when this has been scheduled.

Roy K. Piper ’46

“Monadnock is a mountain strong, Tall and good my kind among; But well I know, no mountain can, Zion or Meru, measure with man.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Roy Kingsbury Piper, 93, of Keene, NH and the last surviving grandchild of Harry T. Kingsbury, passed away peacefully on Aug, 18, 2021, supported by his loving wife. Roy was born on April 12, 1928, in Keene, the son of the late Allison Nims and Lucy Friend (Kingsbury) Piper. He completed his high school education at the Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass., and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Brown University. Following college, Roy joined the U.S. Army and served in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines during the Korean War. After his military duties, Roy was employed by Aero Services Corp. (Philadelphia), which sent him around the United States mapping the Interstate Highway System. While working in New Jersey, he met and married his wife, Anne, with whom he built a house in Keene and celebrated 65 years together. The opportunity to purchase a land surveying business allowed Roy to return home, work in the outdoors which he loved, and pursue a career in which he excelled and was highly respected. He was an active member of the community, and of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene. He served on the church’s board and, for many years, sang in the church choir and with the Keene Barber Shoppers. He was a multi-gallon blood donor, had been a member of the Keene Country Club and served six years on Keene’s Conservation Commission. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Poetry Society, and published a collection of his work titled “Eternity Lost and Other Poems.” A true New Englander, Roy loved cross-country skiing, summers swimming and canoeing on Spofford Lake and gardening in the backyard. He was an avid runner, who also enjoyed Dixieland jazz and attending the opera. But most of all he loved time with his family. Roy will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Anne Piper, of Keene; his children: Jon Kingsbury Piper ’75 and his wife, Beth, of North Newton, Kan.; Stephen Roy Piper and his wife, Susan, of Dover; and Kathrine Anne Piper and her husband, Chad Swahnberg, of Keene; a son-in-law, John Miglietta; his grandchildren: Joshua and his wife, Ashley; Emily and her husband, Matthew; Samuel; James and his wife, Hannah; Thomas and his fiancee, Kylie; Aaron; and Lily; his great-grandchildren, Theo and Wilona; as well as many nieces, nephews, distant cousins, and extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Leslie Allison Miglietta; and his siblings: David Piper and his wife, Dorothy; Margaret Hanrahan and her husband, Charles; and Nancy Murray and her husband, James. Memorial contributions may be made in Roy Kingsbury Piper’s honor to: Monadnock Conservancy, 15 Eagle Court, Keene NH 03431 (www.monadnockconservancy.org); or Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, P.O. Box 564, 312 Marlboro St., Keene NH 03431 (www.HCSServices.org). A celebration of Roy’s life will be announced at a later date.

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.

Walter H. Clemens ’47

Walter Clemens passed away peacefully on April 2, 2021, after a long illness; he was 92. At his passing he was surrounded by his daughters and one of his devoted caregivers. He was the only child born to Beth Keeney Clemens and Arnold Walter Clemens in New London, Connecticut on October 28, 1928. Walter graduated from Bulkeley School and Williston Academy before attending Yale University.
At Yale, Walter was a divisional major in economics and psychology, he played one year of freshman football and three years of varsity football under coach Herman Hickman, in the position of left tackle. He was selected and played on the North side of the 1950 North/South Shrine game in Miami, Florida on Christmas night. In 1950 he was also awarded The New Haven Gridiron Trophy as the outstanding player to appear in the Yale Bowl and was the first Yale football player selected to play in the Senior Bowl Game on January 6, 1951 in Mobile, Alabama.
Upon graduating Yale in 1951, Walter joined the Marines and was sent to Paris Island, South Carolina, and was later stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1951, he married Margaret (Peggy) Dwyer. Walter was devoted to Peggy and their marriage lasted 63 years until Peggy’s death in 2015. Walt was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1953.
Walter spent almost 40 years in the insurance brokerage business. He started with The Travelers and then moved on to Johnson & Higgins, at the time, the largest privately held international insurance brokerage and benefit consulting concern in the world. Walt remained at J&H for the rest of his career. He was Chairman of the California Corporation and served as one of three Executive Vice Presidents of the parent company.
While Walter enjoyed many activities in his retirement, including traveling, golf, and swimming, his greatest pleasure was to spend time with family.
Walter leaves behind, his three children: Mark William Clemens ’71 (Kimberly), Marybeth Clemens Anicich, (Greg) and Susan Clemens; three grandchildren, Kathryn Anicich Elze, (Derek) Laura Nicole Cowan, (Alvin), and Michael Gessner Boileau, (Laura); and four great grandchildren, Dakoda Addison Elze, Emma Kaye Elze, Stella Rose Cowan and Maximillian Meyers Boileau.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Perpetua’s Catholic Church on July 29, 2021, at 11 a.m. Donations can be made in Walter’s name to hospiceeastbay.org or mailed to Hospice of the East Bay, 3740 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.