Category Archives: 1950s

Peter R. Hewes ’58

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Peter Rawson Hewes of Groton, Connecticut who died at age 85 on Sunday, September 29, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.

Peter was born in New London, Connecticut on January 8, 1939 to Dr. Tyson Hewes and Anne Mariah (Moses) Hewes. Peter was a proud resident of Groton who grew up becoming an avid swimmer and lifeguard at Eastern Point Beach. He went on to become an All American Swimmer and Diver at Williston Academy. On shore, Peter was an incredible football player, and attained 12 Varsity letters prior to graduation.

Peter also attended Cornwall Academy during the summertime, and participated in the Boy Scouts of America, eventually earning the prestigious Eagle Scout ranking. In his teenage years, Peter became a camp counselor at Camp Wakenah, the oldest Boy Scout camp in America, and taught woodcrafting, sailing and canoeing. All of these accolades helped Peter gain acceptance to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland where he lived for a decade before returning to Connecticut.

Peter attended Paris Island Boot Camp, and was enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. Peter proudly preserved his allegiance and commitment to the United Stated Marine Corps throughout his life.

Peter loved his engines and cars. Over the years, he collected Porsches, Volvos, MiniCoopers, Mercedes Benz, BMWs and Austin Healey’s. He raced cars at Lime Rock, Connecticut and at the Marlborough Race Track in Baltimore, Maryland. He later became a specialized mechanic for these powerful racing machines.

He formerly owned Hewes Chevron in Groton, where he and his team serviced specialized vehicles. He retired as a senior engineer with the International Union of Operating Engineers, but never stopped working on various engines or rebuilding vehicles.

Peter was an avid sailor and long time member of both the Off Soundings Yacht Club and the Shennecosset Yacht Club. He loved working on his Tartan 27 “Philabeg” with his boat partner and dear friend Dick Burke, even during his two year battle with cancer.

Whenever he had a chance, Peter could be found at sea, sailing with various friends. He is acclaimed for his camaraderie, fellowship, and a love of the sea.

Peter was generous with his knowledge and time, offering to help anyone he could. He volunteered his engineering skills to the Mystic Seaport Museum, helping keep their boats up and running. Peter had an extensive knowledge of many things, including the history of Groton, engines, boats, cars and pretty much all things machinery. He truly left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

One of Peter’s proudest accomplishments was celebrating almost 40 years of sobriety. He was also so proud of his children and grandchildren, and his stories will be fondly remembered for years to come.

The Facetime, phone calls, letters, cards, and visits Peter received during the final weeks of his life were a tremendous source of joy, peace, and comfort to him.

Peter was predeceased by his twin brother, David Hewes, and is survived by his brother James (Mary Liz) Hewes, and his children Lisa (Mark) Szaro, Pete Snow, Peter Hewes II and Marika (Joel) Michelangelo, and his grandchildren, Patrick, Cassandra, and Justin Snow, Tyler Szaro, Aria, Kira and Theo Michelangelo and great-grand children, Lyric and Clover Snow. Peter was loved by many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

A graveside service will be held at the Colonel Ledyard Cemetery in Groton, Connecticut, at 11:00am on October 16, 2024. Family, friends, and others are invited to the Shennecosset Yacht Club following the service for a celebration to reminisce and honor the life of Peter. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s name to his favorite breakfast program (Puffins Restaurant) can be made to Seabirds Enterprises , 169 Thames Street, Groton, CT 06340.

Fredrick H. Lambert ’56

Fredrick H. Lambert, 85, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, died peacefully on November 22, 2023 at his home with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Cooper) Lambert, and five children; Bryan M. (Penny) of Southampton, Gregg A. of Granby Todd M. of Easthampton, Keith A. (Serein) of Florida, and Kelly J. Camp (Steve) of Easthampton. He leaves his sister Deborah Lambert (Frank Cushing) and her son Alan. He also leaves 5 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Fred was born in Westfield, MA to Romaine F. Lambert and Luella Hamilton Pease. He attended schools in Westfield and Southampton. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1956 and joined the Air Force and was trained at Chanute AFB then joined ANG unit in Westfield, MA.

Fred and Dottie were married on August 18 of 1967. Weeks later, on October 1, the Guard Unit from Westfield was activated and left for Phalsbourg, France on Nov. 1, where he served during the Berlin Conflict. They returned in early August of 1962. Life got back to normal; the Lambert family grew quickly and lived in Southampton for 28 years.

Fred’s work life was in the automotive parts business. Time for pleasure often had to do with something with wheels and an engine such as car or motorcycle races or car meets. Any vehicles he owned were cared for lovingly and with pride. He had many friendships that started at a car meet.

Fred and sons enjoyed outings on their motorcycles over the years. Dottie rode as his passenger, depending on the bike. In later years, stories about motorcycle adventures came to life around the holiday dinner table when the now grown-up family was together. Talking about family trips in the motorhome also triggered good memories, too.

Fred spent one-on-one time with his daughter Kelly during the years that her Mom was working 3-11. He never aspired to be a cook, so dinner out was a special treat for both.

Maintaining a good-looking lawn was a must and a joy. The word meticulous would be appropriate. Cleaning up after a snow storm ran a close 2nd, with sculpted paths around the house and up to the shed.

Fred’s life was centered around his family: parent, in-law, and children and their children. He and Dottie attended church together and sometime also sang in the choir. At Christmastime he loved singing “The First Noel” and particularly found joy in singing the descant part in the refrain. He found joy in the simplest things. He was such a good guy.

A private service was held on December 5th at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Agawam. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

L. Bradford Milne ’53

Brad Milne passed away at the age of 91 on June 18,2024. He was the beloved partner of Jean Milne. Son of Bradford and Ruth Milne, he was born January 17th, 1933 in Melrose MA.

Brad shared a great love for the outdoors with his family on camping trips, ski vacations, and many years of boating on the Jessi James.

Brad was a veteran of the Korean War and longtime supporter of veteran programs. He went on to become the Chief of Medical Media at the Boston VA Hospital for over 40 years.

Brad is survived by his loving wife Jean Milne. He was a devoted father to his three sons, Dana Milne and his wife Elizabeth Milne and son Ashton Milne, Thomas Milne, and James Milne and his wife Sue Milne; their sons Christopher Milne & wife Cory Milne & their daughter Camryn Milne, Jonathan Milne. His three step children; David Major, Dana Major and wife Peggy Roth Major, and Kimberly Linde and husband Matthew, daughter Jessica Collier- Major and Dylan Linde. Brad was an integral part to the family and was surrounded by friends and family who always have a funny “Brad” story to share.

A memorial service will follow for a celebration of Brad’s life. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Wounded Warriors Project, Disabled American Veterans, or the VA Hospital.

Stanley M. Seligson ’52

Stanley M. Seligson, of Westport, CT, peacefully passed away at his home at the age of 90 on September 5, 2024, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Carole Seligson, and his two children, Shana Seligson and Todd Seligson. He is also survived by his sister, Suzanne Serlin, and Mary Hill.
Stanley was a successful entrepreneur, real estate developer, and a compassionate and dedicated individual who touched the lives of many. Born in Norwalk, CT in 1933 to the late Emmanuel Seligson and May (Harris) Seligson, Stanley attended Norwalk schools, the Williston Northampton School, and went on to attend the University of Connecticut.
Following his father’s untimely passing in 1953, Stanley assumed responsibility for the family’s wholesale business, S&S Tobacco. He grew the original company into one of the largest distributors of candy, tobacco, vending, and arcade machines in the Northeast. In 1979, Stanley formed Seligson Properties and has since led the company to become a dynamic, forward-thinking real estate firm that has been involved with the investment in, and the development, management and construction of nearly three-million square feet. He was the driving force behind many key developments in Norwalk, including several projects the Connecticut Post said helped “transform Norwalk into a destination”. Stanley was extremely dedicated to his hometown and was proud to support his community. He served as an advisor and board member to many institutions including the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, The Norwalk YMCA, The Maritime Aquarium, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, and many others.
Stanley was fortunate to receive numerous awards throughout his career, including Industry Man of the Year from the Anti-Defamation League, Distributor of the Year from Philip Morris, and many accolades for his successful real estate projects. Stanley Seligson was a true gentleman, and prided himself on living his life with character, integrity, and class. He possessed a natural charisma that filled any room, and his quick-wit and terrific sense of humor led him to make connections and friendships wherever he went. Stanley had a passion for travel and enjoyed many of the finer things in life, but always remained down-to-earth. He equally valued the simple pleasures found at his homes in both Connecticut and Florida. Whether enjoying a quiet family evening at home or a fun night out with friends, Stanley cherished these moments. Stanley was an avid golfer and he enjoyed learning from some of the games’ best instructors and having the chance to experience playing at many renowned courses. He was a founding member of Rolling Hills Country Club (Wilton, CT), and was also a member of Birchwood Country Club (Westport, CT), Burning Tree Club (Bethesda, MD), Trump International Golf Club (West Palm Beach, FL), and The Mar-a-Lago Club (Palm Beach, FL).
Stanley will be remembered as a visionary business leader, an accomplished entrepreneur, and as a mentor and friend to many, but above all else, he will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, and someone who prided himself on taking care of those closest to him.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Temple Israel (14 Coleytown Rd., Westport, CT), with a lunch at 2:00pm at Rolling Hills Country Club (333 Hurlbutt St., Wilton, CT). At the family’s request, the burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Stanley M. Seligson to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Intensive Aphasia Program): sralab.org/ give-now or Smilow Cancer Hospital of Yale New Haven Health: givetoynhh.org/ways- to-give/make-a-tribute-gift/.

Judith (Mason) Dittrich ’55

Judith (Mason) Dittrich, 87, of Worcester, PA, passed away Saturday May 25, 2024, at Meadowood at Worcester. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Dittrich.

Born March 25, 1937, in Rahway, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Evelyn (Jackson) Mason.

Judi was known for her caring nature and wicked sense of humor. Family was always her top priority! When she wasn’t focused on her kids and grandkids, she loved reading, going to the movies, traveling, and eating – especially her love for chocolate. Her happy place was at the beach, and she was also involved with her church community and volunteered in her younger years.

She is survived by her children, Jackie Dittrich of Ormond Beach, FL, Tracy Wilcox of Beachwood, NJ, Gunnar Dittrich and his wife, Kay, of Winchester, KY, Ralph Dittrich and his wife, Carolyn, of Blue Bell, PA, Rob Dittrich of Egg Harbor, NJ, and Gretchen Dittrich and her husband, Frank Polek, of Eagleville, PA; ten grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, Baird Mason, Barbara Hamrick, and Lynn Shirley.

Services will be held privately for the family. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Wish of a Lifetime at www.wishofalifetime.org.

Carl L. Lo Conte ’50

Mr. Carl L. Lo Conte, a longtime resident of Medford, MA and beloved husband of Bridget A. (Servello) Lo Conte, passed away in Winchester on Saturday afternoon, October 28, 2023. He was 90 years old.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 16, 1932, he was the beloved son of the late Louis and Jacqueline (Lissack) LoConte. Mr. Lo Conte was a retired Manager for his family business, for many years.

In his spare time, Carl enjoyed routing for all of the sports teams, traveling with his family, especially with his son, Christopher and was an avid reader. He will be dearly missed.

Besides his wife, Bridget, he is survived by his loving children; Carl L. Lo Conte, Jr. of Stoneham, Christopher L. Lo Conte of Boston and Carla F. Lo Conte of Winchester, loving grandchildren, whom he especially enjoyed sharing in their accomplishments; Luca and Natasha Botis of Winchester. He is also survived by his grandson; Carl Lo Conte of Michigan and granddaughter; Jenna Raistrick of New Hampshire, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also the father-in-law of the late Patricia Lo Conte.

Funeral services were privately held.

Robert Stilson ’59

Robert (Bob) M. Stilson, 82, a longtime resident of Fairfield, died on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Maplewood of Southport. He was the son of the late Minott A. O. Stilson and Mary Edith Williams Stilson.

Bob attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, graduating in 1959, and spent a year at Kings College, England, as part of the English Speaking Union Exchange Program. He earned his B.S in Industrial Administration from Yale University in 1964 and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport in 1975. After graduating from Yale, Bob joined the US Navy in 1964 – 1967, serving as an operations officer on board a coastal minesweeper, MCS 290 Gannet, out of Sasebo, Japan, and as a Communications Officer in Norfolk, VA.

After the Navy, Bob joined Coopers & Lybrand in New Haven as an auditor, obtaining his CPA in 1972. His earlier employment consisted as an assistant production control manager at Risdon Manufacturing, Waterbury, controller for Broadstreet Communications, Hamden, controller for Turnkey Systems, Norwalk, and controller of Paper Sales involved in paper merchandising, converting, and warehousing. He joined Milton H. Friedberg Smith, CPAs, in Bridgeport as an audit manager in 1978. After a partnership with Stern & Stern CPAs, in 1982, Bob became Treasurer/Controller for Nutmeg Financial in Norwalk until 1985, when he joined Montrose Accounting Company, New York, NY, serving as Director of Finance/Controller until his retirement in 2010.

Bob also practiced part-time as a sole CPA, servicing Montrose Accounting clients who needed audit review or compilation services. He prepared tax returns and performed bookkeeping services until 2015.

His main volunteer activities included serving as Treasurer for Friends of Christ in India (a non-profit supporting programs in children’s education and care for the sick and elderly in India), VITA and AARP volunteer tax preparer assistance programs, Vice Chairman of Fairfield’s Solid Waste & Recycling Commission, WestBridge Inc. (a non-profit performing repairs to homes of low-income families and inner-city churches), SCORE mentor, and as a land steward for the Aspetuck Land Trust. Past involvements include being Treasurer of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport, and Community Sailing of Fairfield. He also served as an elected member of Fairfield’s Representative Town Meeting and its Board of Finance. His passions were sailing and auditing courses at Fairfield University as part of the Life Long Learners program.

Bob was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be missed by his wife of 54 years, Susanne Whitaker Stilson; daughter, Laura Stoltenberg (Scott Stoltenberg), of Wayzata, MN; son, David Stilson, of Fairfield; and grandchildren, Gavin Johnson, Tanner Stoltenberg, and Emery Stotlenberg, of Wayzata, MN. He was the brother of Ann Kidder, of Auburn, AL.

Bob was devoted to helping and serving others – whether it was to his family, work associates, friends, community, or church.

Rodney M. Jaros ’57

Rodney Mark Jaros, 85, of Southbury, CT and longtime resident of Danbury, CT and Chappaqua, NY died peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024 while surrounded by his family. Mr. Jaros was the loving husband of the late Mary (Raedy) Jaros.

Mr. Jaros was born on June 13, 1939 in Waterbury, CT; a son of the late Kasmir and Helen (Rupp) Jaros, they lived in Waterbury, CT until he was nine and then moved to Terryville, CT where his father, a chemical engineer, worked at Eagle Lock for a short stint until he started his own electroplating business. From a young age, Rod (his preferred nickname) understood the value of working a job to make his own money. From shoveling snow off his neighbors walkways to working at the local bowling alley, his most challenging job was becoming a newspaper delivery boy in which he would deliver the Hartford Courant on his bike, which was particularly time consuming. A mischievous pre-teen, he decided to take the old family Chevy on his route one day. Stopped at an intersection, a police cruiser who knows him tells him to take the car home immediately! Rod was an avid writer as well as reader and he documented this and many other stories of growing up in Terryville in his autobiography entitled Learning Curves–An Early Years Memoir.

At fifteen, Rod was sent to Williston Northampton School (formerly Williston Academy) for high school. He would spend the next four years there engaged in activities such as Baseball, Basketball, and Glee Club. He then went on to study at Fairfield University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science in 1961. Rod also obtained his Masters in English at Trinity College in Hartford and his Masters in Library Science from University of Hartford.

On February 17, 1962, Rod would marry his hometown crush, Mary Raedy, in Terryville. She was the love of his life. Rod and Mary raised three children together. Initially in West Covina, CA for just one year where their eldest was born, they moved back east to Chappaqua, NY in Westchester County where their children called home and attended primary and high school. After the children graduated college, Rod and Mary moved to Danbury, CT where they lived until Mary’s passing in November 2022 where Rod lovingly cared for her during her difficult struggle with dementia. Rod and Mary enjoyed sixty years of marriage.

An English teacher turned librarian, Mr. Jaros worked over 30 years at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY where he also lived and raised his family. Upon retirement, Rod worked several years in the library at The Wooster School in Danbury, CT. During summer months, Rod and his late wife, Mary and children summered in Cape Cod for decades. During some of this time they owned and operated a small inn in Eastham until they built a home near Nauset Beach in East Orleans where they would spend most of their summers, until eventually moving to Osterville. When he and his wife were not on the Cape or at their home in Danbury, they spent their winter months at their home in Saint Lucie West, FL where Rod enjoyed many a day walking out their backdoor to play his hand at golf, where he admittedly was not so good at! When not playing golf, Rod created a successful online golf newsletter called ‘Different Strokes’ in which there were many thousands of subscribers. He also found tremendous joy in spending time with his grandchildren especially attending their soccer, lacrosse, and track meets over the years.

He truly embodied the idea of a “renaissance man,” mastering hobbies from furniture making; sailing the family boat on Pleasant Bay in Cape Cod; reading voraciously books of all genres but especially classic westerns; becoming a licensed pilot; playing the flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, ukulele, and even the harmonica. If you needed a deck put on your house, Rod was the man to design and build it – with or without a hot tub! Known as a car guy, a lover of sports cars, he also enjoyed restoring a 1954 Chevy pickup with his son Matthew.

Mr. Jaros is survived by his three children: Kristin Boylan and her husband, Timothy; Mattew Jaros and his wife, Emily Wong; and Mark Jaros. Mr. Jaros is also survived by four grandchildren: Hannah, Luke & Finn Boylan and Tyler Jaros, as well as his sister Melanie Donnelly and brother-in-law Andrew, sisters-in-law Stephania Dedman, Margaret Butler and her husband Dennis, and 11 nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary’s Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place privately.

Nancy Smith Atwood ’50

Nancy Coke Atwood left this earth peacefully on April 29, 2023, at the age of 90, at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., of complications from a heart attack.

Beloved mother of four children, Nancy retired in 2003 after many years as a psychotherapist in private practice in Boston and in Wellesley, Mass. With a warm and empathetic soul, and a deep commitment to her profession, she helped hundreds of families and individuals in the Boston area to overcome adversity and live better lives. She earned a PhD from the Heller School at Brandeis University in 1983 after earning two master’s degrees in urban affairs and social work at Boston University. She was a member of the adjunct faculty at Smith College School of Social Work and author of many articles on psychology and social policy in academic journals. She was also the co-editor of an anthology of memoirs about growing up in the American working class, “Coming of Age in a Hardscrabble World,” published by the University of Georgia Press and used as a college text.

Yet the achievement she was most proud of was her four children, whom she raised mostly by herself after the death of her husband, Roger Pratt Atwood, in 1965. She enjoyed reading, cooking, classical music, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, and she was a champion Scrabble player. She was active until late in life in the Unitarian Universalist First Church in Boston. She also enjoyed travelling, cultural events, and volunteer work for many progressive causes with her partner in later years, David Berkowitz, who died in 2019.

Nancy Coke Smith was born on January 2, 1933, in Norwalk, Connecticut, the daughter of architect Perry Coke Smith and artist and teacher Martha (“Patty”) Cary Smith, née Pratt, later Miller. Nancy graduated with a degree in English from Wellesley College in 1954 and later worked as a public-school teacher. Always creative and energetic, and with a spirit of compassion for those less privileged, she worked at several hospitals and mental-health facilities. She later developed a successful, licensed psychotherapy practice at her home in the Bay Village neighborhood of Boston, specializing in family therapy and substance abuse treatment. At Christmas every year, she would receive stacks of cards from her grateful patients.

Until 2007 she spent part of the year in her beloved house on Jerusalem Road in Cohasset, where she enjoyed walks on the beach and was an active member of the Straits Pond Watershed Association. She lived later at 36 Irving Street in Cambridge, until moving to Cadbury Commons nursing home in August 2022. She is survived by daughters Emily G. Gawboy of Leominster, Mass., and Gwendolyn C. Atwood, of Ghent, N.Y.; and sons Roger Alexander Atwood, of Washington, D.C., and Christopher P. Atwood, of Havertown, Penn., and a brother, Monty Johnston, of Natural Bridge Station, Va., and six grandchildren.