George L. Pezzini passed away peacefully in Camarillo, CA on May 15, 2021. He was born July 2, 1931 in Pittsfield, MA. Attended Williston Academy and University of Massachusetts.

George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 1949, assigned to Head Quarters 85th Maintenance Group where he received the Occupation Medal (Germany). He was honorably discharged in November 1952.

George is a past member of the IBEW, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club member and Hillcrest Hospital Board of Directors. He was a St. Mark’s Catholic Church parishioner and Knights of Columbus member until moving to Anaheim California in 1977, where he and his family joined St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church and then St. Mary Magdalen church in Camarillo, CA. He was also a mentor with Casa Pacifica Child Advocacy Group in Camarillo.

One of George’s proudest professional accomplishments was his leadership in the electrical design and contracting of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

George is predeceased by his parents George L. Pezzini, Sr., and Jane Cavallaro Pezzini, and son Stephen Pezzini.

George is survived by wife Claire Guiltinan Pezzini of 65 years, sons Peter (Margit) of Rosamond, CA, John (Debbie) of Heath, TX, Michael (MaryJo) of Wasilla, AK, daughter-in-law Pierangela Davisson of Woodinville, WA, daughters Catherine Nelson of Wimberley, TX and Anne Parker (Kevin) of Park City, UT. Nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held in Camarillo, CA at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, June 18, 2021, followed by a reception at Spanish Hills Country Club.

February 4, 1935 – April 20, 2021
Detroit, Michigan

Rex was born in Parkes, Australia in February 1935. During his childhood he excelled as a multisport athlete winning 3 first & 1 second place medals in the Eastern Track & Field championships, 2 first places in the Swimming championships as well as 2 Gold medals in the Australian National High School Swimming Championships. He also won 22 New South Wales State Championship medals as well as numerous other awards. Rex moved to the United States at the age of 16 and attended Williston Academy prep school in Easthampton, MA and then Yale University as a Political Science major. While at Yale Rex became a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and a member of the Book and Snake Society. Here Rex continued his excellence in swimming setting multiple AAU & NCAA records earning a spot on the 1952 Olympic team participating in 2 events and taking 6th place in the 100-yard freestyle. In 1954 he participated in the British Commonwealth Games where he won a Gold and a Bronze medal and in 1956 set a world record in the 100-yard freestyle. Rex was admitted into the Parkes Roll of Excellence and also had a street named after him, Rex Aubrey Place. He was recently admitted to the Williston Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. While working at the DAC he won multiple National titles as a Squash player, hobbies included tennis, scuba diving, and golf where he had 3 holes in one! Rex is survived by his wife, 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Due to the current situation with Covid the family has decided not to hold any type of memorial.

Donald M. Barnard, 81, of East Hartford, CT, beloved husband of the late Joanne (Rogers) Barnard passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford. He was born on May 31, 1939 in Hartford, son of the late Leon and Mary (Miller) Barnard. Don grew up in Bloomfield, attended Bloomfield High, graduated from Williston Academy in 1958, served in the US Army from 1962 to 1965 stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, graduated cum laude with an Associates Degree in Engineering from Ward Tech (UHART), attending classes while working for Pratt & Whitney full time. Don lived in East Hartford, working at Pratt both before the army and from 1965 to 1999, biking to work as a young father. When not at work, he could often be found attending to the yard, listening to music, working on the house or enjoying the shade of a pine tree in the side yard. Although Don retired from Pratt in 1999, he continued as a consultant for another 2 years. Don tested aircraft engines and aircraft engine parts and, in the process, forged close friendships lasting a lifetime. Don played the piano by ear, having had a few years of lessons as a young boy, continuing to enjoy playing for his own pleasure throughout his life, and for family and friends, such as at Worcester Poly Tech as a TEKE (Tau Kappa Epsilon, Zeta-Mu Chapter, circa 1959). For over 40 years, Don and his family spent their vacations tent camping at Acadia National Park in Maine, where he enjoyed hiking, canoeing, stargazing, cooking and eating meals by the campfire. Don and his wife Joanne continued to tent camp in Acadia for years after their children had grown, often with close friends Doug and Karen or Bob and Ellen. Don and Joanne shared their lives and many interests including nature, photography, cooking and beautifying and maintaining their yard and gardens and home, and did so together for 47 years until her passing in 2009. In his later years from his home in East Hartford, Don continued to study and appreciate the stars and planets through his telescope and music through his Hi-Fi stereo system; and the natural world, UCONN girl’s basketball and golf through television and his many maps. Don kept a journal, kept track of dates and took precise measurements at work and in the kitchen. After Joanne’s passing, Don would keep in close contact with old friends and family through many phone conversations. Don was always deeply dedicated to his family and leaves behind his son, Donald M. Barnard Jr. and his wife, Brenda of Colchester, his daughter, Christine Neal and her husband, Timothy of Harwinton. He leaves behind his sister, Barbara Douglas and her husband, Craig and three grandchildren, Andrew, Justin and Daniel Neal. He is predeceased by his brother, Leon “Peter” Barnard and leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins. His family will receive friends and family Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 2-3 PM followed by funeral services at 3:00 PM at Carmon Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. Flowers and sharing of memories are appreciated. Tribute donations may be made in Don’s (and Joanne’s) memory to Friends of Acadia at https://friendsofacadia.org/tribute-gift/ or by calling 207-288-3340.

Brewster Holman Staples, 81 of Pownal, ME passed away at his home on December 23, 2020 with his wife by his side.

He was born in Malden, MA, April 29, 1939 to Dr. Clark and Frances (Hall) Staples. After graduation from Williston Academy, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1964. He was a medical technologist during his years of study at Bryant and Stratton and Suffolk University in Boston. Brewster worked in the insurance and financial service industries; earning the LUTCF designation in 1988. He retired from Metropolitan Insurance Company and belonged to the Southern Maine Association of Life Underwriters; serving as its president and winning four National awards.

Bruce enjoyed his years of boating, camping, traveling to Nova Scotia and Key West many times with his loving wife of 51 years. He was an avid fisherman and looked forward each year to his week at Moosehead Lake in Rockwood. He was most happy at his home on the farm, always working the land and enjoying nature; talking with all who stopped by.

Brewster was a long-time member of South Freeport Church UCC, member of the Acacia Lodge #21 AF & AM in Durham, ME, Grand Organist of the State of Maine for many years and also a member of the AMVETS Post 2 in Yarmouth, ME.

Throughout his life, Brewster was recognized for his volunteer service to youth, including handicap children at the YMCA in Woburn, MA; raising rabbits for 4H in Massachusetts and Cumberland associations. Whether working seasonally at LL Bean for 15 years or participating in community activities, Brewster was respected and highly thought of by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, David and Clarke Staples. His is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate, Judith (Hayes) Staples; daughters, Deborah Staples Ferrara and husband Jim of Rangeley, Jennifer Staples LeClair and husband Robert of Key West; son Jay (John B.) Staples and wife Bonnie of Topsham; his dear sister, Anne Staples Dixon of Essex, CT and many loving grandchildren and special nieces and nephews. He is also survived by daughters, Tracie Staples Thomas and husband Dan and Kendall Staples and their families in Virginia.

A small graveside memorial will be held in June in Pownal, ME.

Richard T. Potsubay, age 79, of Clearwater, Florida passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Richard was born July 4, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York to Samuel F. Potsubay and Virginia Taylor. Richard lived a devoted life to his career and family. He enjoyed reading, writing, and traveling. There will be a graveside service at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park.

Stephan Moore Heider was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on March 24, 1940, and was raised in Lawrence, Kansas. His parents, Fritz and Grace Heider, taught psychology at the University of Kansas for many years. The family also included oldest brother Karl, middle brother John, and the English Springer Spaniel Tony.

Steve was always fascinated with electricity, and according to his mother, explored the electrical plugs at an early age. At Pinkney grammar school he built an intercom and then a lighting board for the high school theatre. As he grew up, he bought World War II surplus parts and built his own radios and other devices. He got his Ham radio license (WØLUB) when was he was 12. (In later years, he was very proud to be a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association.)

After high school, Steve selected physics as career path, and did his undergraduate work both domestically and abroad, in Durham, England. Along with his course work, he continued his independent exploration of applied technology, and at the University of Minnesota, he worked at the same radio station as Garrison Keillor.

Steve first came to Buffalo when he was accepted to the University at Buffalo (UB) doctorate program in physics in 1966. He dreamed of having computer analytics when memory was 4 kilowords in a Data General early computer. Building his equipment from scratch took time but resulted in several papers in atomic physics. After graduating in 1976, he left to go to Pittsburgh to work on computerizing mass spectrometers.

When Steve returned to Buffalo in 1978, he worked at the UB Physics Department and then choose to be an Independent consultant. He helped a number of businesses, including General Electric, computerize their equipment for data analytics. Steve felt strongly about keeping people employed using technology and not taking jobs away through automation.

Steve met future wife Arvela at the UB Flint loop bus stop in 1979. After getting their marriage license in Niagara Falls, they went to a Chinese restaurant and fortunately found out their zodiac signs were compatible. Steve married Arvela on May 7, 1983. They bought a “fixer upper” house in 1984 and enjoyed working on making it into a wonderful home.

Steve and Arvela’s 37-year marriage was a joyful partnership founded on intellectual curiosity and exploration. They built a business, Holark Systems—a collaboration from the name to the work itself. Their life together was also filled with many trips to science museums in the US, England, Europe, and even Australia. At home, their bookcases were lined with books on all subjects, and Steve remarked how he would read the titles and the books would reach out and grab him. Breakfasts were often delayed by a delightful read.

He was much beloved by his nieces and nephews. They (and their children) also brought great joy into his life. At almost two, the very youngest great-niece shows a desire to explore the world around her much the way Steve did all of his life.

Steve loved parties and we are planning on bringing family and friends together in the summer to share memories.

Sydney W. “Syd” Russell, 84, a resident of Pine Circle, Bennington, VT, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation following a lengthy illness.

Syd was born on July 16, 1936 and raised in Easthampton, MA where he graduated from Williston Academy before going on to Boston where he graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

Syd married the former Marilyn Simkins on November 25, 1967 in Dekalb, Illinois.

Syd began his long career as a pharmacist at Hillcrest Hospital in Pittsfield, MA before moving on to Putnam Memorial Hospital in Bennington where he served as Chief Pharmacist for 20 years. Syd served another 20 years as a friendly and recognizable face at The Pharmacy on North Street where he remained until his retirement.

Syd was a long time member of the Second Congregational Church in Bennington where he also served as a trustee. He was a former member of the Bennington Lions Club and also a member of both the Rattlesnakes and Gezzers coffee clubs. His passion was cheering for the Boston Red Sox and going to the races at Saratoga every August.

The family would especially like to thank the many members of the Second Congregational Church for their numerous acts of kindness during Syd’s long illness. They would also like to thank the staff at CLR, especially Brooke, and the caregivers who assisted him while he was living at home.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Russell of Bennington; three sons, Andrew Russell of Montclair, NJ, Todd Russell and his wife Jennifer of North Brookfield, MA and Eric Russell and his wife Leigh of Bennington; four grandchildren, Haley, Natalie, Lilly and Jacob Russell; his step-grandson, Jonathon Russell; a sister, Mary Russell of West Concord, MA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside committal services will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 12 noon at the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington .

Should friends desire memorial contributions in Sydney Russell’s memory may be made to either the Second Congregational Church or the Parkinson’s Foundation through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.