Category Archives: 1950s

William “Bill” Cohen ’58

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William E. “Bill” Cohen, 75, a longtime resident of Medina, passed away Monday, August 18, 2014, at Hospice of Medina County, of cancer.

Bill was born July 2, 1939, to the late Morris and Ida (Kelman) Cohen in Westfield, Massachusetts, and raised in Laconia, New Hampshire.

Bill attended Baylor University, majoring in English. Following college, Bill was employed by Clark Discount Department Stores, then Cooks Discount Stores. While employed at both, he opened new stores, as well as managed stores throughout the U. S.

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Posted in: 1950s

James Walles ’52

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James WallesJames Alton Walles (Jim), 82, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2015, at the Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Brentwood, New Hampshire.

Jim is predeceased by his parents, Harry Alton and Josephine Walles; his loving wife of 46 years, Betsey Walles and his brother, David Vaughn Walles. Jim is survived by his wife, Carole Walles.

Jim and Carole married in Exeter, N.H. on August 5, 2005. Their romance rekindled when Jim tracked Carole down in 2004. They were just as happy together these last ten years as when they were teenage prom king and queen. Jim was very proud of his children, Jane Walles Hall (Steve) of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Robert Alton Walles (Jennifer) of Wen-ham, Massachusetts and Elizabeth Walles Duda (Aaron) of Tega Cay, South Carolina. He also delighted in his grandchildren, Gretchen and James Hall of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Mackenzie and Zackery Walles of Wenham, Massachusetts and Charles, Harry and Josephine Duda of Tega Cay, S.C. His family admired Jim for his intelligence, morals and love for his family.

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Posted in: 1950s

H. Clark Island ’51

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150x172-3710025Clark Island, 82, of Hobe Sound, Florida passed away peacefully on September 17, 2015 at Amore Dementia Care in Stuart, Florida surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne, his sons, David and his wife Tracy , Curt and his wife Erin, his daughter Lynn Shouse and her husband David; and his grandchildren , Kristen, Steven, Emily, Bobby, Matthew, Olivia, Jack and Phoebe. He was Uncle Clark to three nieces and a nephew.

Clark was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He attended Williston Academy and Meriden High School and he is a graduate of General Motors Institute (now known as Kettering University) with a mechanical engineering degree. Lieutenant Island served in the US Navy as a Navigator on P2V’s. Following his military service he worked as a sales representative in the ball bearing and stamped metal parts industries in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York and ultimately Connecticut.

Clark began a second career in selling long term care insurance that covered a span of 20 years and moved to Florida in 2001.

Clark has served in the M.W. Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Connecticut for 50 years. Additionally, he served with the Acacia Lodge in Stuart Florida for the past 14 years and was active in the Republican Party.

Without a doubt, Clark’s deepest passion was singing. He participated over most of his lifetime in school choirs, church choirs, the Society of Barbershop Singing in America (via the Big Apple Chorus in NY) and more recently the Treasure Coast Community Singers in Stuart, Florida.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1951

Dr. William Joule ’50

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jouleDr. William Walter Joule quietly passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2015, having led a full and accomplished life.

A proud veteran that served as a medical officer with the United States Army during the Korean War.

Dr. Joule went on to have a long and successful career as a Louisville radiologist, eventually retiring from practice while affiliated with the VA Medical Center.  Dr. Joule was an avid reader, and believed strongly in the power of education to better the human condition. He was beloved by all that knew him. 

He is survived by his devoted wife JoAnn, sister Betty Frances Joule, his step-son Stephen Carson, daughter Kristina Suttles and sons Tom and David Joule. He was also a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

William Opsahl ’54

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OpsahlWilliam Gerald Opsahl,  age 79, of Minneapolis, passed away Sept 1, 2015.

Preceded in death by parents Morris and Eileen, Bill attended Duluth East High School, graduating from Williston Academy and Yale University (’58). He sang with the Yale Glee Club, Bakers’ Dozen and Whiffenpoofs.

His lifelong involvement with the arts included president of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, performances with the Minnesota Chorale, and Basilica Choir. He was an appointee to the Minnesota State Arts Board, served on the Board of the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and Duluth Zoo, advocated for passage of Minnesota’s 2008 Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Amendment, and was active in Minnesota’s Republican party.

He was Minnesota representative for the Yale Alumni Association and trustee emeritus of The Williston School. He was the Executive Vice President of Superwood Corporation and later engaged in venture capital and consulting.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Voss; his children Lee Stubenvoll (John), Laura Bordelon (Brett) and Michael Opsahl (Lisa); grandchildren Megan Knetsch (Jonathan), Michael Stubenvoll, Ari Opsahl (Harley), Matthew and Thomas Opsahl, and Maxwell Bordelon; and great granddaughter Ella Knetsch.

Posted in: 1950s

Leila Shapiro ’52

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ShapiroLeila P. Shapiro, 80, of Springfield, MA passed away peacefully on May 27, 2015.

Daughter of Faye and Benjamin Shapiro, she is survived by her four sons Eric, Brian, Steven and Robert Zeller; daughters-in-law Allie Belser and Mela Zeller and her four grandchildren Rebecca Zeller, Benjamin Zeller, Madison Zeller and Dania Zeller.

She was an advocate for children and the disadvantaged. She was politically active and served as President of the Springfield Chapter of the League of Women Voters in the 1970’s. She was proud of her Jewish heritage and was a former member of Sinai Temple. Her passions included music, art, and cooking. She leaves behind extended family and friends too numerous to be named and will be greatly missed.

Posted in: 1950s

Terry Light ’53

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Terry LightTerry Barnum Light, of Vienna, VA, died on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Tall Oaks Assisted Living in Reston, VA.

Beloved husband of 49 years to Emily Pierce Light; loving father of Brig Joyner (Kagan), Thomas Barnum and George Allen (Sandra) Light and cherished grandfather of Kathryn Ann, Emily Jordan, Terry Travis, Mary Caroline, Halley Eliza, Ella Pierce and Tillery Evelynn Light. He is also survived by the greatest caregiver God could have sent, Teresa “Joy” Descalzota and a special daughter Kimberly Rodgers.

Terry was a graduate of Yale University class of 1958, served in the US Marine Corp 1958 to 1974. He left the military with the rank of Major. Terry was a graduate of Marshall Wythe School of Law (William & Mary 1970) and an Attorney from 1970 to 2006. He was an avid trumpet player and member of the Jazz Masters.

Most importantly, Terry will be remembered as a great family man. He reached his goal of leaving his family better then he found it.

Posted in: 1950s

Margaret Elizabeth Crooks Burke ’56

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crooksMargaret Elizabeth Crooks Burke, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2015.

Born December 24, 1938. Long time resident of Marblehead. Born to William D.K. Crooks and Helen Martin Crooks both of Marblehead.

Peg, as she was known, attended the Northampton School For Girls in Northampton, Massachusetts and the Brimmer & May School in Newton. She attended college at Marymount in Tarrytown, NY. She was married to Paul Burke of Littles Point Swampscott, for fifty five years who predeceased her in July 2014.

In addition to raising two children, Peg was also very active in charitable fundraising and political pursuits; some to include Boys and Girls Club, Catholic Charities and various political fund raisers throughout the 60’s and 70’s. She was also a member of the Junior Aide Society, the Ace of Clubs, Salem Country Club and Corinthian Yacht Club. Peg enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, cooking, reading, entertaining, her pets, others pets and her grandchildren.

Surviving her are her son and daughter, H. Victoria Burke of Salem and Paul A. Burke of Salem and Palm Beach, Florida; two grandsons, Burke A. Oppenheim and Tucker A. Oppenheim both of Salem, a son in law Jeffrey J. Oppleheim of Hamilton, two sisters in law Betty Burke of MA and Penny Crooks of Florida, numerous nieces and nephews on the Burke and Crooks side the Honorable Joseph L. Tauro Family, Judge Joseph L. Tauro and Anne LeFavour Jones Tauro, Beth Tauro and Christopher M. Tauro all of Marblehead and Joseph L. Tauro, Jr of Florida.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1956