It is with great sadness that the family of Dong Kingman shares news of his passing on February 4, 2022.
Since early retirement from Marsh & McLennan, he enjoyed lawn bowling in Central Park, restorative yoga and swimming at the JCC, vacations in Bermuda, art museum openings, concerts at Lincoln Center, Broadway plays, and all that NYC has to offer. He thought of his friends often.
His wife, Elaine, and children, Melissa and Jonathan, plan to inter Dong alongside his father at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin on West 46th Street in Manhattan. A small service will be held in the summer when the family can gather.
If you wish to celebrate Dong’s memory, please consider sending a donation to Studio in a School (www.studioinaschool.org/support); the Central Park Conservancy (www.centralparknyc.org/donate); or any charity or organization of your choice.

Robert Salisbury Birch, 83, died peacefully in Lake Wales, FL on February 7, 2022. He was born in Boonton, NJ on March 13, 1938 to Elizabeth and Foster F. Birch III. He grew up in Boonton and spent his summers in Cape Cod, MA where he was a wicked backyard croquet player and a crafty tennis competitor. He had a lifelong love for the stock market, even though his first investment, at age nine, was in a worthless penny stock sold by a slicker over the phone. His father made him follow through on the purchase because he had given his word, and he gained an enduring lesson. He started as a runner on Wall Street as a teenager, became an intern in his college years, and an analyst and broker before rising to Managing Director at Oppenheimer and Company in a career there that spanned 55 years. He attended Brown University, where as president of his fraternity, Sigma Chi, he is remembered for his ability to run it with a profit without cutting out the fun. After graduating with a degree in Political Science, he pursued an MBA from Cornell University and then moved to his first job at A.G. Becker in New York City. There, he learned the business, having the pioneering Jane Brett, one of the first female stock analysts in a world of men, and the legendary Bob Wilson, as mentors. Over the years, his colleagues laughed at his many pithy sayings (“The advice is free, but it could be very costly,” “Patience can be rewarded as long as you’re not sitting on stone eggs,” or “Buy straw hats in the winter”) which they enjoyed so much they eventually compiled and circulated in a little red booklet entitled, “The Sayings of Chairman Birch.” All the while, they celebrated his shrewd market wisdom and admired his daring and unconventional investment style. He loved his many friends and dogs, especially Berry, a gift one Christmas. And his friends loved him for his jovial nature, loyalty, and generous spirit. He was thoughtful, remembering birthdays, sending flowers for all occasions (but candies on sale to his wife on February 15th), delighting in Christmas caroling, and applauding others’ accomplishments far and wide. He was a tremendous father and grandfather, always present, loving, and patient. He enjoyed giving advice, loved bargains and auctions, and delighted in a good joke with a merry twinkle in his eye. He had a grand tradition of presenting house guests with hats, bags, or shirts – all adorned with his made-up family motto, “Melius suspendi est ut lupum quam ovem.” (Better be hung for a wolf than a sheep.) He was a generous and engaged member in the communities where he lived in New York and Cape Cod, serving on the boards of The Bridge Fund of New York, Dancing Classrooms NYC and the Bourne Conservation Trust. He was an Elder, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, a Trustee, Brick Church, both in New York City and served on his coop board for years. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eugenie L. Birch, his children and their spouses: Foster (Aileen Kim), Rebecca (Mark Pankoff), and Victoria (Yves Vandeplas), and his seven grandchildren: Robert, Lawrence, and Elizabeth Birch; Hugo, Augusta, Phebe, and Fredericka Pankoff. A memorial will be held in the spring. Those wishing to celebrate his memory, please send donations to the Bourne Conservation Trust: (https://www.bourne conservationtrust.org/) or The Bridge Fund Inc of New York for Preventing Homelessness https://thebridgefund.org/

Arthur Bailey Locke of West Granby, CT, passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. He was the son of Alice Bailey and William S. Locke. Born in Hartford in 1936, Art moved to West Hartford a few years later where he lived until moving to Bloomfield in 1961. A graduate of Williston Northampton School, Hobart College, and Harvard Law School, Art joined the law firm Murtha, Cullina (then Shephard, Murtha, and Merritt) in Hartford where he practiced law until his retirement in 1992. An outdoorsman at heart, Art enjoyed gardening, splitting wood, building stone walls, and making maple syrup. He liked walking around in the woods, especially after moving to West Granby in 1994 where he could walk in “his” woods.
Art is survived by his wife of 56 years, Aurelle Smoot Locke; three daughters, Alison Perchuk (Andrew) of Santa Monica, CA, Amanda Locke (Jonathan Chesler) of New Milford, CT, and Katharine Locke (Julian Wiggins) of Orono, ME; and his granddaughter, Hazel Bailey Wiggins.
Calling hours will be Sunday, February 6, 1:00 pm at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby CT. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Northern Woodlands Education, PO Box 270, Lyme, NH 03768, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Paul W. Brown, Jr., 89, of Westborough, MA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 27, 2022.

Paul was born in Northampton on September 15, 1932 and was raised in Hadley where he attended Hopkins Academy. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1951 and from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1955 and then joined the Army where he was stationed in Germany. Paul was a civil engineer who started his own construction company, P. W. Brown, Inc. in Westborough. He took great pride in the construction projects that his company completed. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and adored grandfather. He got the most joy out of spending time with his family and friends. Paul will be remembered for his generosity and kindness to all.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betty Brown, and their four children: Paul W. Brown III, Douglas Brown and his wife Robin, Susan Swirbalus and her husband Robert, Kristin Nyren and her husband Jeffrey. Paul leaves four grandchildren: Jessica Whittier and her husband Christopher, Justin Brown, Paige and Brooke Nyren. He leaves his brother, Raymond ’55 and wife Cathleen; sisters-in-law Grayce Jones and Betty Jane Carlson; nephew Steven Jones; and nieces Karen Golding ‘81 and Amy Brown ‘84. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ruth Brown; sisters-in-law Logie Brown and Evelyn Carlson; brothers-in-law Robert Carlson, Calvin Jones, and John Carlson; and nephew Bradley Jones.

Family and friends are invited to gather for calling hours on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4 PM to 7 PM at Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough. Paul’s Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 10 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 120 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Westborough. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s honor to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Clayton Thomas Hardon of Fox Chapel, PA, died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 11th, 2022, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Sally Flannery Hardon and son, Clay Jr. ’78 (Claire ’79), daughter, Meg, daughter, Kelly O’Leary (Frank), son, Chris ’81, son, Tony (Michele) and daughter, Sara Aros (Steve), plus his eight grandchildren, including Tommy (Donna), Michael (Ida), Kelley, William, Margot, Jack, Callie, and Addie. He was raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts by his mother, Elizabeth Coulter Hardon, an immigrant from Scotland. He attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, and graduated from Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served as a navigator bombardier in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force. Following his service in the Air Force, he came to Pittsburgh to start his career at Westinghouse Electric as an engineer in their nuclear division. It was in Pittsburgh that he met his beloved wife, Sally, and where they raised their six children. His entrepreneurial ventures started with a steel fabrication business that served the steel and electronics industries, followed by a commercial signage business. He was an active member of his many communities including Judge of Elections in Fox Chapel, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, Fox Chapel Hackers golf group, and the Pittsburgh Field Club. As a lifelong athlete and competitor, Clay played ice hockey, football, squash, paddle tennis and had a lifetime enjoyment of golf. He passed his love of paddle and golf on to his kids and grandkids who enjoyed competing with him on the course and the court. Cover-to-cover reader of The New Yorker, faithful completer of the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle and jazz aficionado, he appreciated creativity, philosophy, and the arts. Clay approached life with an easy-going and unpretentious warmth. He will be remembered with love and fondness by his family and friends for his natty dress, dry wit, and grateful spirit. Friends will be received on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. in the Atrium of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church followed by a Funeral Service at 2 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in memory of Clayton Hardon to Foxwall Emergency Medical Services, 749 Hemlock Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Robert H. “Bob” Sammis, 89, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, died Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Abington-Lansdale Hospital. He was the husband of the late Joyce E. (Miller) Sammis.

After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan College and completing his military service, Mr. Sammis began a lifelong career in finance. Initially on Wall Street as a security analyst after completing advanced programs with the New York Institute of Finance and then as a broker and manager with a regional NYSE member firm in the greater Bridgeport area. He then moved on to become the first Trust Investment Officer for the original Connecticut National Bank and subsequently a Senior Vice President at Union Trust Company (now a part of Wells Fargo). He also completed advanced studies at Williams College under the New England Banker’s Trust program. In addition to his professional career, he was heavily engaged in the area of community service. He served over his career as a Director of Family Services-Woodfield, the Greater Bridgeport Council of Churches, the Stratford VNA and a founder of the Community Foundation. He served as President of the Stratford Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) and was awarded their prestigious Distinguished Service Award. He was a Director and President of PYE (Protect Your Environment) during the early years of environmental awareness. He was a Founder of Housatonic Community College and the Connecticut Harbor Management Association. He was the longest serving member and Chairman of the Stratford Waterfront and Harbor Management Commission and was recognized by both Governor M. Jodi Rell and the State Legislature for his service to the state and community in that role.

He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the American Festival Theater the successor to the Shakespeare Theater in Stratford. Because of its rich tapestry of aviation history, Bob and fellow enthusiasts formed the Connecticut Air and Space Museum covering the contributions of both lgor Sikorsky and Dr. Anselm Franz.

Mr. Sammis continued his post retirement activity acting as a portfolio consultant to other financial advisors, municipalities and charitable endowments in addition to individual clients. He takes particular interest in promoting a more global approach toward investments. Much of this interest stems from the travels with his wife, Joyce, to many corners of the world.

He has worked closely with various institutions including the University of Bridgeport where he was elected a Fellow of the International College dedicated to expanding the awareness of business potential of the Pacific Rim, principally China. He was also the sponsor of the Robert Sammis Lecture Series on doing business in China at the University of Bridgeport. He was a member of the committee, Trade and Diplomacy in Asia Pacific, which developed the certification of a graduate level curricula and parameters, thereto.

Upon retiring from banking, he continued to manage a number of portfolios and was instrumental in guiding many clients toward major gifts at various post secondary institutions.

Joyce and Bob retired once again to Lansdale, Pennsylvania so as to be nearer both children and grandchildren. They stayed active and continued to travel around the globe.

Surviving are his children, Nancy Hellendall (Kenneth) of Melrose Park and Jeffrey Sammis (Christine) of Leonia, NJ; four grandchildren, and sister, Martha Sammis of Allentown. He was predeceased by brothers, Donald S. Sammis Jr., and Wilson F. Sammis; and a sister, Martha.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Samuel Winchester Morey, 84, of Cottonwood, Arizona, passed away in his home on November 17, 2021. His beloved wife, daughters, and faithful dog, Amber were by his side. Sam was born on December 22, 1936 in Boston, MA to Ruth Winchester and George Palmer Morey.

Sam and Connie were married for 62 years and were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Donna Dill (Jeff), Debra Stalvey (Noah) and Diana Jeffrey (Daniel) and their beloved grandchildren, Kristen Dill, Dr. Sarah Dill (Brendan), Amanda Stalvey, Adam Stalvey; great stepson, Gage Boone and great-granddaughter, Dylan Mercer who will soon be joined by a little brother. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Donna; son-in-law, Jeffrey Dill; infant granddaughter, Melissa Stalvey; his parents, his sister, Prudence Palmer and brother, George Morey.

In 1976 Sam and Connie moved to Arizona where he became a real estate and mortgage broker in the Tucson area. There he was active in both local and state politics, and served as a district chairman. He founded the Tucson chapter of the 100 Club which later merged with the Phoenix chapter. Sam and Connie moved to Cottonwood in 2001.

No services are planned at this time, but a Celebration of Life will be held in the future.