Category Archives: 1950s

Richard T. Dann ’59

Richard (Dick) Dann passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, after a short illness. He was born in NYC on March 1, 1941, to Edward and Edith Gearing Dann. He grew up in several places, Taunton, Springfield and Pittsfield, Mass. Dick, as a teenager, went to Williston Northampton School, then on to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Mass. where he received his engineering degree. He also attended ROTC while in college, then joined the army for active duty as a second lieutenant. Proudly, he served as commanding officer for the 83 Ordinance Company. After discharge, Dick joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford. In 1973, he was employed by Penton Publishing in Cleveland, Ohio, as the Assistant Editor of Machine Design Magazine and resided in Westlake, Ohio, with his wife and two sons. In 1988, Dick returned to CT, where he worked at Integrated Custom Software. Dick and Charlene then raised their family in Glastonbury. Close to retirement, Cromwell became their home, where Dick was employed by Cyber Research.

Music was his great love. As a child, he fondly remembered walking around the piano singing with his cousins, as his grandma Gearing played. In college, he started organ lessons and played at several church services. He was the choir director for the United Church of Christ in Columbia, CT, for several years. In 1970, he joined a barbershop chorus, The Silk City Chorus, where he was a member of a quartet. His quartet sang for The Mountain Laurel Chapter of Sweet Adelines and that is where he met the love of his life, Sweet Adeline, Charlene. During their married life, Dick continued singing both in barbershop and church choirs. He always harmonized with his cousins at family events, which was a welcome tradition. After retirement, he also continued organ lessons with Dr. Angela Salcedo, which he loved. He was very knowledgeable about choral music and joined The New England Chamber Choir for a few years. For 38 years, until his death, Dick sang in the Chancel Choir at First Church of Glastonbury. In 2001, he was particularly proud to be chair of the organ committee, being responsible for the purchase of the magnificent Schoenstein Organ.

In their retirement years, Dick and Charlene traveled to see their sons in Maryland and Georgia. They traveled yearly to Florida and Lakeside, Ohio, capturing many moments together of ocean views and sunsets at Lake Erie. When not traveling, they were employed by CDS within Costco, serving samples and having delightful conversations with customers. This job was a special joy to both of them!

Dick was a kind, loving, and gentle husband, father, grandfather, uncle, leaving his wife of 52 years, Charlene Lanza Dann; two sons, Geoffrey Dann and his wife Tracy of Lilburn, Georgia and Anthony Dann and his partner Amanda Lang of Riverdale, Maryland; and three grandchildren, Specialist Logan Dann, Maya Dann and Parker Dann. He was predeceased by his three loving cousins, Thomas Gearing, Alida Vasso, and Dorothy Frieler. He will be fondly missed by his family, nieces and nephews, friends and choir members.

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the staff of Water’s Edge Health Care in Middletown. Dick was given excellent care by Sandra, Keanadre, Alexis, Carl, Tyler and Aleshia, plus others not known.

A celebration of his life will be held at First Church of Christ, 2183 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT on February 21 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to the Music Program at First Church, Glastonbury.

Robert S. Ebersold ’59

Bob Ebersold of Chatham, MA died peacefully at home on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026. He was the loving husband of Lani for 66 years and was the father of Mark (Denver, NC), Debbie (Chatham, MA), Luke (Wethersfield, CT) and Sue (Dennis, MA) as well as a daughter, Kathy, who died in 1979. He also leaves 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

He was born in Hartford, CT in 1940 and raised in Fall River, MA and Holyoke, MA. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1959 and Trinity College in 1963. Bob and Lani retired to Chatham in 1995. Bob spent his entire career with Aetna Life and Casualty in Hartford, CT, other than 2 years in Montreal, Canada. His career started in marketing and then moved through executive assignments in human resources, regulatory affairs, and finally product management and pricing for all commercial property and casualty products. He was very active in property insurance industry affairs serving on the Board of Directors of Florida and Texas windstorm plans and as chairman of the New York Fair Plan. He had a strong interest in sports and was an avid fly fisherman for Atlantic salmon, trout, bone fish, and striped bass. Bob was also a long time member of the Country Club of Farmington, CT.

Esta Smith Busi ’55

Esta Smith Busi passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026 surrounded by her loving family in her Northampton home after vibrantly living with stage 4 pancreatic cancer for two years.

Born in Springfield October 25,1937, Esta moved to Northampton at age 11. She attended the Northampton School for Girls, then graduated from Smith College with a BA in Russian Literature and moved to New York City. There she married Meary James Thurairajah Tambinmuttu in 1960 where her eldest and only daughter Shakuntala Tambimuttu was born in 1962. In 1965, Esta moved back to Northampton and earned an MA in Education from UMASS Amherst. Esta then worked as a high school teacher in Milton, MA, marrying Professor Frederick Allen Busi in 1967. Together they took root in Northampton in 1968 and welcomed Andre-Issac Umberto Busi in 1969. After having Emile-Albert Abraham Busi in 1972, Esta obtained her realtor’s license and worked at a number of real estate companies for multiple decades. While doing this, Esta was active in the League of Women Voters and the Congregation B’nai Israel as President of the sisterhood, as well as President of the Board of Directors and President of Hadassah, while also cooking and serving the Senior lunches at CBI while she was able.

Esta loved to sing with her powerful voice and was a regular stage presence in the Valley Light Opera, Berkshire Choral Festival and in her own kitchen with friends and family.

She always enjoyed showing off her encyclopedic knowledge of all the hits of the 20th century. Throughout her life, Esta had several rescue dog companions, which kept her extremely physically active right up until the very end of her life, walking for hours in the “dog park” where she would add to the friends she would regularly host at her house.

She is predeceased by her parents Sarah and Louis Smith and brother Robert Smith.

She is survived by her brothers Perry and Brian Smith, her three children and six grandchildren.

The Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Donald J. Rosensweig ’51

Donald J. Rosensweig, 92, of Lititz, PA formerly of Cromwell and Newington, CT, died peacefully with his family by his side on May 20, 2026. Don was born in New Britain, CT and graduated from Williston Academy Preparatory School in 1951. After graduation, he went on to further his education at Fordham University, graduating in 1955. Don then served in the US Navy for two years and soon after found employment at the New Britain Machine Company and married, Anne D. (Donnelly) Rosensweig, the love of his life in 1961. After working at New Britain Machine Company, Don launched out into the industrial supply business for ten years. Desiring a change of field, Don entered the real estate business, and became an appraiser for a large appraisal company. Subsequently, he joined the trust real estate department at the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, now known as Bank of America. Donald became a vice president of this department. Don was a member of St. James Church in Lititz, PA and was also member of St. John’s Church in Cromwell, CT. He and his wife Anne often prepared meals and served them to the homeless.

Don also loved to travel and made several trips to Europe with his wife Anne. Cape Cod was also a favorite vacation spot. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed dearly. He was also a big fan of the UConn Huskies Women’s basketball team and the Boston Red Sox. Don was known for his generosity, quick wit and dry sense of humor. He brought laughter to many.

Don is survived by his daughters, Linda Musarra of Miami, Florida, Ellen Harpel and her husband Todd Harpel of Lititz, PA, his son, Kurt Rosensweig and his wife Carolyn Rosensweig of Newington, CT, his grandchildren Christopher and Matthew Musarra, and Ian and Reid Harpel. He was predeceased by his wife Anne Rosensweig, father Clarence Rosensweig, mother Helen Rosensweig, brother Robert Rosensweig, and his identical twin brother Clarence Rosensweig, Jr ’51.

Funeral services for Donald will be held on Friday, (May 29th), with a visitation from 9:00-10:00am at the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain, a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30am at Annunciation Parish (St. Mary Church) 626 Willard Ave, Newington. Entombment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, 1141 Stanley St. New Britain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association PO Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284.

Samuel P. Hull ’52

Samuel Prentiss Hull, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, died on June 12, 2025 after a brief illness, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, at the age of ninety and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Sam was born in Rocky Hill, CT on September 14th,1934 to Samuel Prentiss Hull and Hazel Woodman Hull. He was a graduate of Grafton (MA) High School, Williston Academy, Dartmouth College, and University of Connecticut (MBA).

Sam married Nancy Fryer Williams in 1956 and moved to Liberal, Kansas where he worked for the Panhandle Eastern Oil Company as a petroleum field geologist. Together they had three wonderful sons. Sam spent the 1960s working for the Mobil Oil Corporation in New York, St. Louis, and Casper, WY. In 1969, he moved with his family to Hong Kong, then a British Crown colony, where he worked for Burns and Roe. In Hong Kong, he joined both the American Club and the Foreign Correspondents Club, where he remained a member for 30 years.

Sam continued with power project development at Chas T Main, Dravo and Gibbs and Hill, travelling widely throughout Asia and the Pacific rim, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa, and eventually developing his own company, PowerTec.

In the early 1990s, seeking work closer to friends and family, Sam left behind international travel and began a new career as a Certified Financial Planner and founded Northstar Financial Planning where he helped many navigate the complexities of life and finance. At 76 years old Sam, ever learning, exploring, and growing, became a Life Coach

In 1986, Sam married Joan Rosalie Stygles on the Schooner Adventure in Camden ME, a partnership that would inspire many adventures. Together, they made their home in New York City before moving to Bedford, NH, where they began wonderful traditions of Magical family Christmas Eve celebrations and annual Cousin Camp adventures for their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. They moved to Arundel in 2007, and Sam soon became deeply involved in his new adopted home where he made many new friends of all ages. Sam’s marriage to Joan also brought him into the Stygles family, where he was welcomed by her parents and five sisters and their husbands.

Sam was a lifelong lover of sailing, skiing, running (member of the Boston Barley Hoppers), cycling (served as president of the Charles River Wheelmen), and outdoor adventure. At 79 years-old, he discovered another passion-long-distance walking. He and Joan completed walks of hundreds of miles in England and Italy; in Spain, they walked the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrim trail. To commemorate that achievement, Sam got his first tattoo, the traditional scallop shell that is a symbol of the pilgrimage. He served on the American Pilgrims on the Camino Board of Directors and inspired many to set out on their own Camino journey. At the time of his death, he and Joan were planning another trek in England.

Sam believed in giving back and was an active member of the community. He served on the Kennebunk Free Library Board of Directors, Arundel Economic Development Committee, and Sam was one of the founders and Directors of the Arundel Conservation Trust, building community through conservation.

Sam continued to live life to the fullest, mentoring, and inspiring others, celebrating his 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends, where he shared his poem “Don’t Let the Old Man In” and the wise words:

“… And dear friends, both old and new, remind me that saying “Yes!” to life, Usually yields to fresh viewpoints and new adventures ahead.”

In addition to his loving wife Joan, Sam is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Hume of Walnut Creek, CA; by his three sons and their spouses, Stephen Prentiss Hull (Ania Prawdzik) of Albuquerque, NM, John Andrew Hull (Susan Braden) of Branford, CT, and Matthew Williams Hull (Tanya Fagaly) of St Louis, MO; by his four grandchildren, Justin Hull (Jess Nadel) and Charles Hull of New York City, and Daphne and Colin Hull of St. Louis; and by his three great-grandchildren, Rowan, Shoshana, and Julia Hull of New York City and his many loving nieces and nephews. Besides his family and extended family, he will be dearly missed by his many friends of all ages near and far, and by Clancy, his six-year-old Golden Retriever.

There will be a celebration of Sam’s life held on Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 2:00PM – 4:30PM at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, 57 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport, ME.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be sent to the Arundel Conservation Trust at arundeltrust.org or the American Friends on the Camino at americanpilgrims.org

Judith M. Doane ’51

Judith M. Doane, 92, a lifelong Marblehead resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at Salem Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Mortimer Holden Doane and Elizabeth Mary Green Doane.

For many years, Judy devoted her professional life to teaching. Beginning in preschool classrooms and continuing throughout her career. She also loved her work with children with special needs—an endeavor that reflected her deep love of children.

Judy also had a lifelong love of music and the theater. In her earlier years, she enjoyed acting and dancing on stage, pursuits that brought her great joy. An avid reader, she also found great pleasure in books and in listening to classical music.

A lover of nature, Judy found beauty in every season. She delighted in the promise of spring, the warmth of summer breezes and the quiet beauty of falling snow. Autumn, with its deep colors and peaceful stillness, was especially dear to her.

Judy nurtured lasting friendships with coworkers, neighbors and all those fortunate enough to know her. She valued connection deeply and cherished the relationships she built over a lifetime.

A familiar and beloved presence in town, Judy was a daily early-morning regular at the Muffin Shop, where she and her friends gathered to catch up on local happenings. She was always quick to share her observations, delivered with her dry wit and sweet, infectious laugh.

Judy is survived by her nephews, Michael Doane of Aiken, S.C., Eric Doane of Savannah, Ga. and her niece, Leslie Doane of Falls Church, Va.

Service information: A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St., with light refreshments and fellowship to follow.

Jean (Young) Harrison ’52

Jean Young Harrison, aged 91, passed away on April 14th, 2026, following complications from a fall. A resident since 2021 of The Bridges at Warwick in Jamison, Pa., and a longtime former resident of Washington D.C., she was married for 47 years to Earl G. Harrison, Jr., who died in 2003. She is survived by Dana and Stephanie Harrison, their children Abigail and Niko Harrison, and by Colin and Kathryn Harrison and their children Sarah, Walker, and Julia Harrison. She is also survived by her late sister Katherine McCaw’s four children, Bill McCaw, Alleyne Coleman, Kelly Greiner, and Mary McCaw and their large extended families.

Born Jean Spencer Young on December 4, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in Texas, in New Orleans, and Massachusetts. In the summers, she enjoyed camps in the Northeast, where she canoed and sailed. A graduate of the Northampton School for Girls, she matriculated to Bryn Mawr College, where she earned a B.A. in philosophy in 1956. She later earned an M.A. in theater arts at Villanova University.

Jean Harrison’s greatest interest was in theater, and she passionately pursued this vocation in professional off-Broadway roles in New York City, in regional and summer stock productions in the Northeast, and in Philadelphia, where she was a co-founder in 1974 of The Philadelphia Company (now known as The Philadelphia Theatre Company), a troupe that put on plays ranging from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” to new plays by rising playwrights. She also directed and played roles in Philadelphia Company productions, at the Hedgerow Theater in Rose Valley, Pa., and at Westtown School, where her husband was the headmaster. In her later years she played in productions in Washington, D.C., including in the Kennedy Center, and Baltimore, and served as a private voice coach.

Jean Harrison’s life was marked by her long participation in the theatrical community. She spent decades acting, directing, and raising money for theater organizations. She was known for her graciousness and generosity, her ability to laugh (often at herself), and her wide interest in culture. Her sons enjoyed teasing her and she put up with this with patience and humor. With her late husband, Earl Harrison, she travelled to China, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. She also took each of her granddaughters—Sarah, Abigail, and Julia Harrison—on separate trips to England. Hers was a life well lived, and she will be missed.

Services will be private.

Ann (Nelson) Hoyt ’55

Ann N. Hoyt, 88, of Chillicothe, Ohio, died peacefully on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at her residence following an extended illness, holding hands with her loving and supportive children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joseph Nelson White Hoyt, who died March 20, 2014.

Ann was born May 26, 1937, in Essex Fells, New Jersey, to the late Charles Peter August and Frances Price Nelson. She met her husband at horse shows along the East Coast. Their shared passion for animals, particularly the Morgan horse, led Joe Hoyt, in less than one year, to convince Ann to marry him and move to Chillicothe, Ohio. She spent the next 65 years at Glenallan Farm, which held a special place in her heart where she found great joy caring for her animals and tending her gardens.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Betsy (Kevin) Hackett of Dublin, Ohio; sons Nelson Hoyt of Rocky River, Ohio, and Peter (Kate) Hoyt of Chillicothe, Ohio; step-sons Eric Hoyt and Cash Hoyt; dear friends Elinor Miller ’55, Beansie Cronin, Sharon Williamson, and Jan Fortney; and her beloved grandchildren Kate (Rahul) Hackett Sud of Atlanta, Georgia; Joe (Emily Bain) Hackett of New York, New York; Ellie (Andrew MacNeil) Hackett of Gainesville, Florida; Sam Hackett of New York, New York; Jack Hoyt of Chillicothe, Ohio; and PJ (Lexi Betts) Hoyt of Chillicothe, Ohio.

She was a graduate of Northampton School for Girls and St. Lawrence University. Ann was a former member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chillicothe and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). A spirited and feisty woman, she was never afraid to share her opinion. She deeply loved her family and was always there when they needed her. Ann loved to travel, especially visiting the family home in New Hampshire. She cherished her time with friends. She will be remembered for her devotion to family, her strength, the kindness she showed others, and her deep love of animals and gardening.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held at a later date, as Ann requested, at her beloved Glenallan Farm. Arrangements are under the direction of Ware Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Ross County Humane Society, 2308A Lick Run Road, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Adena Hospice and her devoted caregivers Tina, Gwen, Sarilda, Debbie and others for their compassionate care.

“To live in hearts you leave behind is not to die.”

A. Frederick Wood ’55

Dr. Albert Frederick (Fred) Wood passed away at his home in Larkspur at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family.

Fred was born on June 7, 1938, in Amherst, Massachusetts. He attended Williston Academy, Amherst College, and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, where he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn, an operating room nurse.

After graduating from medical school in 1963, Fred completed his internship in the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base. His service then took him to San Antonio and Abilene, Texas, for flight surgeon training. During the Vietnam War, Fred was stationed at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand, where he cared for fellow service members as well as members of the local community through a clinic established by base physicians. His time in the Air Force–and especially in Thailand–sparked a lifelong love of adventure and travel.

Following his military service, Fred completed a residency in urology at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. While at UCSF, he fell in love with Marin County, particularly Larkspur. In 1971, after completing his residency, Fred joined a private urology practice in San Francisco. Alongside a busy general practice, he helped establish the Davies Rehabilitation Center, specializing in urologic care for patients with spinal cord injuries. Fred served on the medical staff of several Bay Area hospitals, including Davies and St. Mary’s, and retired in 1998 after 27 years of dedicated practice.

In retirement, Fred embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. He enjoyed tennis, golf, and taking countless classes at the local community college. He and Carolyn spent much time at their home in Maui and delighted in “grandparent trips” with their grandchildren. An avid traveler married to a birdwatcher, Fred explored Europe, Africa, Central and South America, New Zealand, and Alaska. Among his most cherished adventures were trips to Kenya and Tanzania with his brother Roger, a turtle paleontologist, including a memorable stay at Richard Leakey’s research camp. Fred and Carolyn also participated in numerous surgical missions to Antigua, Guatemala, where they formed a lasting connection with a local orphanage they generously supported alongside many others in the Marin community.

A lifelong learner, Fred approached everything he did with energy and curiosity. He found joy in camping, backpacking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, and coaching his children’s soccer teams. Known for his warmth, humor, and zest for life, Fred will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Carolyn; his daughter Jennifer Synold and son-in-law Tim, and their daughters Taylor, Kelly, and Jessica; his daughter Angela and grandson Spencer; his son Tim and daughter-in-law Mindy, and their sons Cameron, Lucas, and Tyler; his brother Roger ’58 and his wife Gary; and his brother Dan ’65 and his wife Toni.

A celebration of life will be held at Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley on April 11th at 1:00 pm. RSVP tfw@gsienv.com.

Memorial contributions can be made to Case de Angeles Orphanage: https://casaangeles.org