Category Archives: 1950s

Andrew W. Korts III ’55

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Korts '55Andrew W. Korts III, 76, died on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Albany Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Rochester, he was the son of the late Andrew W. Korts Jr. and Helen Louise (Paterson) Korts Sauer. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass. and he earned a master’s degree in education from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Korts was an Irish Christian Brother and devoted his entire career to education. He was an accomplished organist and worked with Father Peter Young at Blessed Sacrament Church in Bolton Landing and at Mother Teresa Catholic Community in Albany, handling all of the liturgical music needs at both churches. He also was a secretary for the Peter Young Housing Industries and Treatment Foundation. Mr. Korts was a world traveler.

Survivors include his nephew, Michael Butler of Rensselaer; his “adopted niece” Dawn Dayter of Rensselaer; his cousins from England, Julia and Katie Henderson and his dear friend and colleague, Fr. Peter Young and everyone involved with the PYHIT Foundation.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1955

William Wenk ’50

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Williams WenkWilliam Bible Wenk, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, in Springfield.

Born in Springfield, MA, loving son of the late William J. and Helen (Bible) Wenk, he was a lifetime resident of the Springfield area. William graduated from Springfield Technical High School 1948, Williston Academy 1950, University of Connecticut 1952.

Upon graduation he joined his father William Joseph Wenk, at Wenks Florist in Springfield, MA. He attended the Naval School of Mine Warfare in York Town, Virginia, where he studied underwater mine ordinances, served aboard the aircraft carrier Essex during the Korean Campaign and returned home to manage and later own Wenks Florist.

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Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

Joseph Bury, Jr. ’54

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Joseph L. Bury, Jr., 79, of Rockville, also known to his close relatives and friends as “Junior” went to eternal rest on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at Hartford Hospital.

He was born August 23, 1934, son of the late Joseph L. and Pauline (Sadlak) Bury, Sr.  He was raised in Rockville, attending local schools.

Joseph was a faithful communicant of St. Joseph Church. He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army. Joseph was co-owner with his brother, Robert S. Bury, of various real estate ventures and DeLuxe Amusements, established by their parents.

He is survived by a special cousin Marion Connor of Rockville, his additional close cousins that we are aware of, Marie Munson, Irene Gates, Stanley Sadlak, Anthony Sadlak, and Alita. He also leaves his former dedicated secretary, Joan Berman of Ellington and many caring relatives and friends.

Posted in: 1950s

Ann Cohen Bachmann ’54

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Cohen BachmannAnn Bachmann, nee Cohen, age 76, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2014 with her family at her bedside. She leaves behind her husband Bruce, her cherished children, Steve Bachmann, Cathy (Doug) Ethridge, Betsy (Jeff) Kushen and Andy Bachmann, her adoring grandchildren Rachel Ethridge, Alex Kushen, Benjamin Ethridge and Samantha Kushen and her brother Jim (Hyla) Cohen.

Posted in: 1950s

William F. Levine ’53

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LevineWilliam F. Levine, a Nassau trial lawyer involved in at least two cases of national importance and a former president of the Nassau Bar Association, died Monday at his home in Sea Cliff. He was 78.

“The legal community has lost a giant,” said Nassau County Administrative Judge Thomas Adams. “His extraordinary knowledge of the law and gentle demeanor maintained a sense of dignity and respect for the court and those he represented.”

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Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1953

John Burke, Jr. ’51

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BurkeJohn Burke, Jr. born October 12, 1927, passed away peacefully at the NY State Veteran’s Home at Montrose, NY on Monday, January 6, 2014. 

John was born in Holyoke, MA, and graduated from Holyoke High School before entering the US Navy. Following his honorable discharge John attended Williston Academy before enrolling at Columbia University graduating in 1995. He was employed by Columbia until his retirement.

He continued to be active working for the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) before it moved to Washington,, DC. He also worked for the New York Times Election Polling Department as a researcher for the CBS News Election & Survey Unit, and he had a plant store called “Green Pastures” on 111th and Amsterdam. He could always be found in the neighborhood of Broadway and 112th Street where he was known by many as the “Mayor of Broadway”.

He is survived by his four nieces and nephews and their families. He is also survived by his “NY family – the Lashers” who cared for John in his last years.

Posted in: 1950s

Robert Hutzler ’58

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HutzlerRobert “Bob” Albert Hutzler, 74, of Delray Beach, Florida, passed away on Friday January 24, 2014. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family service will take place at a later date.

Bob was born in New Haven CT to Charles and Elizabeth Hutzler. Bob graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton MA. He attended Stetson University in Deland FL.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was active in the Florida Farm Bureau.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents. Bob is survived by his sisters, Priscilla (Charles) Sparks of Maryland and Ruth (Ralph) Shelley of Illinois; a brother, Arthur of Iowa; and 21 nephews and nieces.

Donations in Bob’s name may be made to Bethesda Memorial Fund, Bethesda Hospital, Boynton Beach FL.

View Bob’s guest book on PalmBeachPost.com here.

Posted in: 1950s

James Ewing ’55

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EwingJames Hildreth Ewing, 75, of Lexington, formerly of Brockton, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at the Lahey Clinic after suffering a stroke.

James was born May 11, 1938, to Clifton and Lora Ewing, and grew up in Westhampton.

He was a retired electrical engineer and avid boat enthusiast. James was a graduate of Williston Academy class of 1955 and of Amherst College class of 1959.

He is survived by dear friend and partner Mathilde Wood; his children and their spouses Eleanor Gittelman and husband Arye of Seattle, Wash., Lora Ewing of New York City, N.Y., Ruth Ewing and wife Jennifer Collins of Maynard, David Ewing and wife Teresa of Longmont, Colo, and Jeannette Levitt of Chicago, Ill.; his siblings Margaret Stern, Peter Ewing and Heidi Kapsokavathis; grandchildren Rachel, Juli, Aaron, Scott, Tim, Emily, Amanda, Lily, Nick and Sophie; and several nieces and nephews.

James was predeceased by grandson Andrew Levitt.

Posted in: 1950s

Barbara Cheney Ross ’54

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Barbara Cheney RossBarbara Ellen Cheney Ross, age 76, of Toms River, NJ, passed away on Thursday morning, August 29th, 2013.

She bravely endured a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and heart problems. Barbara was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where she was raised by her parents Stanley and Dorothy Cheney.

She attended Northampton School for Girls and then Smith College in Massachusetts and received her BA from Georgian Court College in Lakewood. She later received her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and practiced family law in Toms River for over 20 years. Barbara and a colleague founded a non-profit adoption service, New Jersey Friends of FANA.

Barbara is survived by her beloved husband Robert, a retired USAF Colonel and Pan Am World Airways pilot. They were married for 57 wonderful years and raised four biological children: Elizabeth, Victoria, Stanley John and Ian. They adopted and loved many other children including: Adriana, Jennifer, Katherine, John, Hope, David, and Alec. Barbara and Robert lived and raised their family for over forty years in Toms River. She will be forever loved and missed by her family.

Posted in: 1950s