Category Archives: 1950s

Helen Michels Feuer ’54

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Helen ” Cappy” Michels Feuer passed away on the morning of January 4, 2019. Cappy was born on November 17, 1936 in the suburbs of Chicago and raised mostly in Winnetka, Illinois.

She graduated from The Northampton School for Girls and Elmira College. Six months after graduating college, she married the late Stuart Feuer in 1958. Cappy and Stuart first came to Naples in 1969, and eventually became full time residents in 1996.

Cappy was very involved with Trinity by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, as well as other charitable work in Naples. She loved Cooking, Classical Music, Traveling, Gardening, Needlepointing, Socializing and Entertaining, Reading, and Cultural Events. She also loved teaching piano and Sunday School at Trinity.

Cappy is survived by her 4 children, son and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren; Alyn and Brian (Kaitlyn), Michael and Carolyn (Michael and Alex), Polly (Saeanna), and Elise and Mary. Cappy was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Stuart Feuer.

Cappy was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother; she was an extraordinary individual and will forever be deeply missed.

Donations can be made in Cappy’s name to Trinity by-the-Cove Episcopal Church.

A service will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, 553 Galleon Drive, Naples, Florida 34102.

 

Posted in: 1950s

Joseph L. Lucier ’50

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Joseph Lane Lucier died peacefully at home on December 31, 2018 in Duxbury, MA at the age of 87. Joe is survived by his son David Linscott Lucier (’84) and his wife Dana of Cohasset, MA and their children Grace, William, Maggie and Teddy, his daughter Leslie Lucier Marino (’81) and her husband Jim of Westfield, NJ, and their children Katie and Andrew, his son Mark Brooks Lucier (’80) and his wife Megan of Wayland, MA and their children Olivia and Charlie and his daughter-in-law Lynn Morse Lucier of Laguna Nigel, CA and her children Jessica, Danielle and Jake. Joe is also survived by his sister, Ellen Supinski Dugal of Northampton, MA. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Priscilla Ruder Lucier (’50) and his son, Daniel Deforest Lucier (’77) of San Juan Capistrano, CA.
Joe was born on 1931 in Northampton, MA to Frank Albert Lucier and Viola Claudia Foster Lucier. He attended the prep school Williston Northampton from 1948 to 1950 and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1955. After serving in the Army in Germany, Joe spent most of his career, almost 30 years, working for John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
Joe was a man of many hobbies including photography, kite making, gardening, fly tying and helping others maintain sobriety. The Williston Northampton School also played a big part in Joe’s life, where he was a highly successful fundraiser and ardent alumni. His children remember him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who lived a strong faith in God and was generous of his gifts and time.
A private celebration of Joe’s life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cranberry Hospice, Philanthropy Office Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth, 275 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Posted in: 1950s

John P. Ossolinski ’58

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John Paul Ossolinski, 78, passed away in Bradenton, FL on September 30, 2018. He grew up in Chicopee, MA and was the son of Matthew and Anna (Stawarz) Ossolinski. John is survived by his wife Patricia Daugherty, son Robert Ossolinski, daughter Christine Hollins, brother Richard Ossolinski, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Janik Ossolinski. John was a graduate of Williston Academy, Bowdoin College, and Wharton Business School. His friendships with classmates from all three schools brought him much joy. In retirement, John enjoyed traveling and attending family reunions with his wife, whose family embraced him.

A service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery in Nashville, TN. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

Posted in: 1950s

William M. Ferguson ’55

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William MacKay Ferguson of Pembroke Parish, Bermuda, beloved husband of Marlene, passed away in his 83rd year. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at Christ Church Warwick, The Church of Scotland, Middle Road, Warwick Parish on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 3 p.m. Interment will follow the service in Wesley Methodist Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Pembroke. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Agape House, Friends of Hospice at Suite 124, 48 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11 or online to www.friendsofhospice.bm.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law: Jeanne Fothergill; nieces: Kristy Angeli, Lisa Lacey (Stuart); great-nieces: Francesca Angeli, Gemma Angeli; great-nephews: Etham and Max Lacey; first cousins: Dianne Wilkie (Bruce), Rod Ferguson (Martha), Jeanette MacDonald (Ian), Kerrylou Bell (Lee), Joan Wurst, Grant Briggs and Joe Briggs; other relatives, and many friends. Colours may be worn.

Posted in: 1950s

Elizabeth Lamoureux Gagnon ’54

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Elizabeth A. “Betty” Lamoureux Gagnon passed away Monday, September 24, 2018,  surrounded by her family and her loving husband and partner of 62 years Francis J. Gagnon Jr. at Baystate Medical Center. She is predeceased by her parents, Mary and Clarence Lamaourex, a brother, Donald P. Lamoureux, and her son-in law, Michael P. Linnell ’73.

Elizabeth was born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts in 1936 and attended Northampton School for Girls (Williston Northampton) in Northampton. Elizabeth worked for Pepin School for 23 years as the cafeteria supervisor. She loved working with all of the children and during her summer vacation, she worked in the family marina business in Connecticut and Florida with her husband and their three sons. She loved being on boats, traveling and spending the day on the Long Island Sound with her family.

Anyone who knew Elizabeth or came in contact with her was immediately engaged in conversation. Elizabeth had an insatiable love of life and people and cherished her friends. She loved her Irish heritage and on her 50th anniversary she and her husband Francis traveled throughout the emerald island.

Elizabeth leaves her loving husband, Francis J. Gagnon Jr., 87, of Easthampton, her four children, Brenda Linnell of Westhampton, MA, Steven and Lisa Gagnon of Los Angeles, California, James and Lorna Gagnon of Easthampton, and William Gagnon and Cesar Melo of Douglass, MA. In addition to her children, she leaves seven grandchildren, Jennifer and Joe Selfrank, Matthew and Amy Linnell, Megan and Matt Still, Joe and Alysha Linnell, James Gagnon, Chloe Gagnon and Sean Gagnon, and six great grandchildren, Audrey, Lillian, Zachery, Ethan, Ashley and Lincoln.

Elizabeth lived in Easthampton for 63 years with her loving husband Francis in their family home. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family and friends at the Graham Funeral Home, 18 Adams St., Easthampton, who have honorably and proudly been entrusted with providing for Betty’s care and services.

In lieu of Flowers memorial donations may be made to the Easthampton School Department, C/O PTO, Payson Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Posted in: 1950s

Vance E. Boyd ’52

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Vance Boyd, 85, of Fredericksburg, VA, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018.  Born in Springfield, MA on March 30, 1933, Vance was the son of Samuel and Mary Boyd. A graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Vance attended Babson College in Wellesley and received his B.S. in Business.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 as Specialist Third Class in the Quartermaster division.  He was owner/manager of the Bailey Wagner chain of furniture stores in the greater Springfield area, which his father Samuel Boyd founded. He went on to develop the Best Rental furniture rental company.
His passion/hobby included horse training, racing and showing – both Tennessee Walkers and Standardbreds/trotters.  He enjoyed trying to learn new musical instruments and was proud of his steel guitar – he was a student of Billy Cooper of Orange, VA and loved his lessons.  His other love included billiards and he was an avid Patriots’ fan. He founded the Billiards Club of Falls Run upon his retirement to that community.
The wake will be on Friday, September 21, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA. Funeral Mass on Saturday, September 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 97 South Street, Jamaica Plain. Prayers shall precede Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Internment will be private and at a later date.

Posted in: 1950s

Harriet S. Heller ’54

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Harriet Stone “Hatsy” Heller passed away at the age of 81 at the home of her sister, Mary Heller Smith, on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, in Elmira, NY. She was born in Elmira on October 8, 1936, the middle child of Mary Annetta Trimble and Richard Stone Heller. Harriet graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1954, and completed her education with a BA from Elmira College in 1958. She was a longtime member of Park Church, the Junior League of Elmira, and a current Board Member and Secretary of the Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery, and Elmira College Club. Always loving sports, she worked many hours for youth tennis in Elmira. Her professional life included Director of Alumni Affairs at Elmira College, Assistant Director of Annual Giving at SUNY Brockport and Event Coordinator for E Entertainment in Hartford, CT. She is survived by her son James Richard Sophia and daughter-in-law Melanie Moran Sophia of Shaker Heights, OH; her daughter Elizabeth Stone Sophia of Marietta, GA, and predeceased by her infant son, David Heller Sophia. She leaves her grandchildren, James Trimble Sophia, Julia Stone Sophia, Michael Louis McClellan III and Sophie Caroline McClellan; her sisters and brother-in-law, Mary Annetta Trimble Heller Smith  (’52) of Elmira and Janet Whyte Heller Howell (’56) and Fred Ellwyn Howell of Amesbury, MA; along with several nieces and nephews. Those of us who loved Hatsy knew she had her first cancer operation when she was 19 years old and had 63 years, most of her lifetime, living under the menacing shadow of this illness. Despite this, Hatsy always liked to have fun, to be out and about wherever she was. Always an excellent correspondent, she kept in touch with close friends and family from all segments of her communities throughout her entire life. She was curious, energetic, generous, and sensitive to the needs of others, always did her part and was a good and thoughtful friend to many. These stellar qualities held her in good stead at the end of her life as many came to help her, to care for her, to love her through the end days.

Posted in: 1950s

David A. Stewart ’50

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David Andrew Stewart passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 5, 2018. He was 87. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was raised on the Gulf Coast in Pass Christian, Mississippi where he was an avid sailor, a passion he held for his entire life. Dave was the youngest child of the late J. Norton Stewart, a commercial illustrator and the late Elizabeth Stewart (Lockett), a writer. After World War II, Dave’s family relocated from Pass Christian to Pelham Manor, New York. David attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and Lehigh University. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Point Cruz as quartermaster and signalman during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Dave pursued his love of sailing and went to work for his good friend Bill Luders as an assistant at the Luders Marine Construction Co. in Stanford, Connecticut. David met and married his wife, Flora MacPherson Church from Montreal, Canada in 1962. They settled in Barrington, Rhode Island and David began a long career as the head of his own business, Systematics, Inc. where he designed and built instrumentation systems for the jewelry plating industry. In 1970 Dave was hired as the coordinator for the 12 meter “Intrepid” America’s Cup campaign in Newport, Rhode Island. He was instrumental in Intrepid’s skipper Bill “Ficker is quicker” Ficker’s victory over Gretel II to retain the America’s Cup David was a lifelong member of the New York Yacht Club and a former member of the Barrington Yacht Club. David was predeceased by his older brother, J. Norton Stewart, Jr., a merchant marine who was lost at sea during World War II, and his older sister, Anne (Nancy) Stewart Dana, who passed away earlier this year. He is survived by his wife, Flora, his children, Mary Stewart Gibbs, of Barrington and Sarah Stewart of Brooklyn, CT and grandchildren Flora Gibbs of Walla Walla, WA and Daniel Gibbs of Barrington. David was loved dearly and will be missed by all who knew him.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

Edward D. McHugh ’50

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Edward D. McHugh, M.D. of Holyoke, MA, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center. Edward was born in Holyoke, son of the late Catherine “Kay” (Delaney) McHugh and the late Edward J. McHugh, M.D. He was a 1950 graduate of Williston Academy, a 1954 graduate of Dartmouth College, and a 1958 graduate of Georgetown Medical School. Dr. McHugh served in the United States Air Force prior to starting his private practice, which began with a surgical fellowship in New York City. He subsequently worked at Holyoke Hospital, Providence Hospital, where he was Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff, and his own private practice. He was a former communicant of Holy Cross Parish for many years. Dr. McHugh is survived by his wife, Janice C. (Carey) McHugh; three sons: Edward McHugh (’77) of Holyoke, Bruce McHugh (’78) of Snead’s Ferry, N.C., and Michael McHugh (’79) of Littleton, MA; and a brother, David McHugh of Connecticut. He was predeceased by a brother, John McHugh, M.D. in 2010.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

James A. Openshaw, Jr. ’51

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James Arnold Openshaw, Jr., 84, of Edinburgh, IN, formerly of Ellicott City, MD, died on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at his home after a long illness.

Born November 14, 1933 in Newport, RI, he was the son of Dorothy Harvest and James Arnold Openshaw. The family moved to Southampton, MA, where he spent his boyhood years. Jim attended the Williston Northampton School, Class of 1951 and was captain of the ski team. He matriculated with the Class of 1955 at Virginia Military Institute and graduated with distinction in civil engineering.

He received a commission in the US Army and was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion (Combat), with duty at Ft. Belvoir, Ft. Benning, Ft. Riley and Verdun, France. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and returned to the DC area with his young family to begin a civilian career in the construction industry.

After several years managing federal building construction projects for the Arthur Venneri Construction Co., he joined Cherry Hill Sand & Gravel Co., Inc. as General Manager and later as President, establishing it as a civil construction business with headquarters in Jessup, MD. He purchased the company in 1978 and changed its name to Cherry Hill Construction, Inc. Under his ownership and leadership, the company flourished and grew to become a major highway and heavy construction contractor in the mid-Atlantic region.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pamela Openshaw, his first wife Barbara Falge Openshaw, his two sisters, Mrs. Walter Findeisen (NSFG ’50) of Killington, VT and Mrs. Benjamin Naylor (NSFG ’56) of Calais, VT, his three sons, James A. Openshaw, III of Norfolk, VA, David B. Openshaw of Annapolis, MD and Mark F. Openshaw of Jacksonville, FL, and his daughter, Ann O. DeLawder of Bel Air, MD. He had 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1951