Category Archives: 1960s

Newell S. Doty ’61

Newell Smith Doty (80) of Hendersonville, NC, was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 30, 2024, surrounded by his wife and three daughters.

Born to Allen Render Doty and Ruth Greene Smith Doty on June 20, 1943 in Providence, RI, Newell grew up in Longmeadow, MA with his brother, Paul ’64. He attended Williston Academy of Northampton, MA, Washington and Lee University and American International College, where he met the love of his life, Veronica (Ronnie), on a blind date.

Ronnie and Newell were married on August 21, 1965 and together, they raised their daughters, Kristin, Katherine (Katie), and Elizabeth (Betsy), in Rochester, NY. Newell was an insurance executive with Aetna Life and Casualty for 27 years before being drawn to the North Carolina mountains to fulfill his dream of running a B&B. He and Ronnie owned and operated The Orchard Inn in Saluda, NC, for nearly 5 years before his retirement.

An active outdoorsman, Newell was a lacrosse player in his youth and enjoyed running (17 marathons and many mini-triathlons), fly fishing, hiking, and golf. He served others as a former EMT, training his dog Hershey to be a therapy dog, and working with the backpack program at his Church, St. John’s in the Wilderness.

Papa New, as he is affectionately known by his 6 grandchildren, will be forever remembered as a loving father and grandfather, who prioritized family time, never missed an opportunity to cheer on his grandkids, and kept us all laughing with his quick wit and corny jokes.

Newell is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ronnie, his daughters Kristin (daughter Molly) of Flat Rock, NC, Katie (husband Robb and children Abbey, Logan and Caroline) of Birmingham, AL, and Betsy (husband J.D and daughters Lyla and Paryn) of Edwards, CO. The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Tore’s Home for their devotion and love of Newell and Four Seasons Hospice, who treated him with compassion and dignity.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Newell’s honor to Memory Care of Asheville, NC and St John’s in the Wilderness of Flat Rock, NC. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday April 13th at 11:00 in the morning at St. John’s in the Wilderness of Flat Rock, NC. Hallelujah, He is Risen Indeed!

Henry S. Hacker ’60

Henry Samuel Hacker (“Hank” to many of his closest friends), beloved father, grandfather, cousin, uncle, friend, lifelong scholar and New York sports fan, died peacefully on June 6, 2024, in Boston, MA. He was 81.

Henry was born on December 26, 1942, in New York City, and was raised in Beacon, NY, where his parents, immigrants from Austria who escaped Nazi persecution, settled in response to a call for doctors to fill a void left by World War II. After graduating from Williston Academy, Henry was awarded an English Speaking Union scholarship and traveled aboard the RMS Queen Mary to spend a gap year at Sutton Valence School in England, an experience that ignited his enduring passion for British culture. While at Sutton Valence, Henry made lifelong friends from both sides of the Atlantic and would return often to visit the school throughout his life. From there, Henry went on to graduate from Yale University and Cornell Law School.

Henry’s professional career was diverse and prolific. His early years were spent in investment banking at Dean Witter and from there he began a long tenure as a corporate lawyer in private practice, first at Skadden Arps when the firm was still in its infancy and later at his own firm. In 1995, Henry left the legal profession to become Chief Operating Officer for the popular menswear brand Alexander Julian, helping the company grow rapidly through creative licensing opportunities. He parlayed that experience into his own lifestyle and branding consultancy firm, Hacker, Dolan + Partners, and spent the remainder of his career helping clients, including fashion designers, musicians, artists and other creative people, monetize their talent. Clients and colleagues recall Henry as a skilled negotiator and a man possessing a keen intellect and unimpeachable honesty, integrity and character.

A thruline in Henry’s life was a passion for history, art and amassing collections, not merely for his own satisfaction, but to preserve items of cultural and historical significance for future generations. He donated generously throughout his life, and in an interview, he once observed: “If you give your collections to a museum, you can always go visit them.” While this lifelong pursuit had the humble origins of collecting baseball cards as a child, Henry’s collections would go on to be featured in museums throughout the world. He donated his 6,000 item baseball card collection to the Hudson River Museum in New York and his collection of over 500 British transportation posters resides in permanent collection at the Yale Center for British Art. The British poster collection was featured prominently in an exhibit titled “Art for All: British Posters for Transport” at Yale, the Wolfsonian in Miami and several other international museums.

In retirement, Henry’s indefatigable passion for scholarship and arts access led him back to school, where he wrote a thesis on the restitution of art looted during the Holocaust. At 71, he earned his third degree, a master’s in museum studies from the Harvard Extension School. In recognition of this feat, he was featured in the Harvard Gazette as a “stellar graduate” alongside other graduating Harvard students (most close to 50 years younger than him).

Above all else, Henry was a devoted and loving father and grandfather. As a vault of esoteric knowledge, he could always be counted on for help perfecting a high school, college or graduate school essay (often with an impending deadline); solving a particularly daunting corporate finance problem set; preparing for law school exams; or completing a Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. He never missed an opportunity to watch one of his children’s various sporting events, and was known to spend his weekends driving countless hours across the Northeast (and beyond) to figure skating competitions, ice hockey tournaments and Middlebury football and Tufts lacrosse games. Henry was incredibly generous with his time and resources and always there when needed most, whether through a simple reassuring phone call, an emergency financial “loan” or even riding shotgun on a cross-country drive. He was a world class listener and advisor, and his children (along with clients, colleagues, friends and other family) were the beneficiaries of his practical advice, even keel and unfailing advocacy.

Henry’s family is grateful for the eight years he lived after receiving a kidney transplant from a generous deceased donor and for the care he received from many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. He is survived by his children, Michael, Matthew, and Katrina Hacker; their spouses, C.J. Hacker, Sarah Dmitrovsky, and Charlotte Hastings; grandsons Luke, Colt, Pete, and James Hacker; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews and lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider registering as an organ donor when you renew your driver’s license or online at https://registerme.org/, or making a donation in Henry’s honor to the Massachusetts Organ Transplant Fund/New England Donor Services (https://neds.org/) or the Yale Center for British Art (https://britishart.yale.edu/get-involved). A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Charles R. Donnellan ’69

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Charles Ricker Donnellan on May 5, 2024 at a care center in Sylmar, California. He was a resident at Sunrise at Sterling Canyon in the Assisted Care wing and had his own apartment for the past three years. While there, he gained the title of Jigsaw Puzzle Wizard. He was able to assemble a 1000-piece puzzle within a matter of four hours. Other residents were quite upset to find he had completed all the puzzles set up in the community room while they all slept. He did his best work at 4AM along with a cup of coffee until the puzzles were all completed. He was greeted with open arms at the breakfast table at 7:30AM.

He passed from several health complications, the most recent being liver failure.

He was flown to Hartford, Connecticut and a private internment was held on June 8, 2024 at the Union Hill Cemetery in Middle Haddam, Connecticut.

He is survived by two older siblings, Mary Ricker Leao-Martin, NSFG class of 1965 and Virginia Donnellan Eberhard, NSFG class of 1967.

Douglas S. Fuller ’68

Douglas Swanson Fuller, born January 22, 1949 and died April 8, 2024 after a robust fist-fight with bone cancer. Son of Robert and Janet Fuller and grandson of Robert Swanson, owner of James W. Elwell, the oldest ongoing transatlantic shipping company in the U.S.

Doug graduated from Williston Academy in Massachusetts, then The Ohio State University. His career was in commercial real estate becoming a Senior Vice President of Olympia & York Properties in NYC.

His passions included travel with Pam, skiing with the grandkids, fly fishing, skeet shooting and Buckeye football.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Pam, sister Susan McDonough, brother Rob Fuller, stepdaughter Angela Pinkerton, grandchildren Vivian, Ridge and Marley Pinkerton and Wyatt Estepp, nieces Jennifer Coppola, Ann Savery, Abigail McDonough, Cassidy Fuller, nephews Andrew McDonough, Matthew McDonough and Tim Fuller, cousins Janet Stewart, David Kindle, Tom Kindle and Andy Adams.

Doug was active in community organizations including being a member of the Advisory Board of The Ohio State Center for Real Estate, board member of The Liberty School, Durango, CO and board member of Music in the Mountains, Durango, CO.

Brian C. Clarke ’64

Brian Cole Clarke passed away on January 5, 2024. Brian was born in Yonkers, NY on December 13, 1946, and spent his childhood in Dalton, Massachusetts with his parents and two brothers. He was a graduate of Williston Academy and earned a BS in engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1969. He joined the United States Army ROTC program during his time at UMASS and subsequently served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1969 to 1971 where he was deployed to Korea during the Vietnam War.

Brian had a successful engineering and business career, landing as the President of Sensor Engineering in Hamden, Connecticut. He obtained his MBA from the University of New Haven in 1985. Early on, his engineering career followed his automotive interests where he assisted in developing after-market automotive performance parts. His business career led him to many opportunities through several states and industries from Connecticut, Virginia, and Michigan before he ultimately retired and eventually moved to Johnson City, TN.

Brian married Judith Bowe in 1974 and raised their only child in East Haddam, CT enjoying the outdoor space, woodworking shop, and family time the property offered. Brian had many passions in his life and was not afraid of hard work and challenges. Early in life, he raced cars and revisited that passion when Raybestos needed a test driver through his work at Sensor Engineering. He won the SCCA World Challenge – T1 Rookie of the Year in 1996 and raced on numerous cup circuit tracks across the US – often taking his daughter with him to be part of the pit crew. He took ski trips with his friends, brothers, and daughter all across the United States. He enjoyed felling trees, woodworking, and the game of golf his entire life. In retirement, he continued his hobbies of woodworking and golfing and learned guitar. As a dog lover, he enjoyed the company of a good, faithful dog. Ultimately he was known as a very intelligent, kind, and generous man who often asked, “what can I do for you.”

Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen ’40 and Lillian Winifred Clarke. He is survived by his wife Judith and daughter Nicole Henderson (husband Stephen), granddaughter Kelsey, and two brothers James ’68 (wife Annette) and David (wife Joan), as well as two nieces and two nephews. He leaves behind friends in many states and will be greatly missed. There will be a family celebration of life later in 2024.

James U. Edwards III ’65

James “Jim” Upshur Edwards III, a beacon of resilience and joy, passed away on December 19, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that embodies the celebration of a life well-lived. Born on September 19, 1946, in Manchester, NH, Jim navigated life with a disciplined approach, forged in the crucible of a Type I Diabetes diagnosis at the tender age of 11.

Jim’s journey through life mirrored the rhythmic strokes of a world-class swimmer. From his formative years at Williston Academy, a premier swimming institution in Easthampton, MA, to the currents of the University of North Carolina, where he swam on scholarship, Jim’s competitive spirit defined his aquatic prowess.

His commitment to fitness and nutrition, honed by the challenges of diabetes, manifested in daily pilgrimages to the YMCA. Yet, it was not just about physical well-being for Jim; it was a philosophy that radiated warmth and engagement. His engaging personality drew people close, savoring every moment with family and friends.

Beyond the pool, Jim navigated the currents of a successful career in international banking and dedicated himself to philanthropy, volunteering at an SBA start-up business incubator. His love for life extended to the culinary realm, with “regular” dining spots becoming the backdrop for cherished memories.

At the heart of Jim’s universe was his beloved family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret Anne “Maggie,” who stood by his side; his children, John David Burton and Andrea Edwards Scalia and grandson, Joseph Edmund Scalia. Jim’s familial bonds were unbreakable.

A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends following the service in the Blue Room at the church. The service will be livestreamed at: https://www.christchurchcharlotte.org/funeral-live-broadcast/ for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY, a cause close to Jim’s heart. As we bid farewell, let us remember Jim Edwards not for his final stroke, but for the vibrant ripples of a life lived fully.

Denis K. Berube ’61

It is with deep reverence that we announce the passing of Denis Kurt Berube, devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. Denis passed away peacefully on January 2nd, 2024, in his home surrounded by family.

Born on July 26th, 1942, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to George and Evelyn Berube, Denis was the embodiment of curiosity, determination, and integrity. He spent his youth steeped in the delights of childhood farm life. He loved to share the stories of fly fishing in the Deerfield River, woods filled with adventure, the rewarding work of farm chores, and life among his beloved family and pets.

Denis came into the world with an incredible capacity to be both perfectly present in almost any moment and laser focused on the journey ahead. He held the innate wisdom of knowing that one must be solidly planted in the now in order to reap the fruits of the future. He always knew that he wanted to be an engineer and saw precisely how to get there. Years before he would become a teenager, he began saving money and planning how a farm boy of humble means would attend a local elite prep school. With the help of his dedicated parents and his own steadfastness he got himself into Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts where he relished life as a boarding student, tenacious athlete, and rising young man. He gave tirelessly to this institution throughout his life as he walked his two daughters through their own Williston journeys and continued to offer his time, money, and passion to help further develop the school long after he and his children had graduated.

From Williston Denis went on to study Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and to earn his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Union College. He received his executive training at GE Crotenville. And so began an extraordinarily rich life that would take him places most can only dream of. He traveled to nearly every corner of the world; constantly observing, learning, and enjoying. He took little for granted and truly relished in his lived experiences. From life beneath the surface in a submarine to flying at Mach speed off an aircraft carrier he truly met life with courage and commitment at every turn.

Alongside Joanna, the love of his life, he built an empire of dreams come true. They worked tirelessly together to make an enduring and meaningful impact on the world at large through business, philanthropy, education, and development. 40 years of devout perseverance, understanding, commitment and love took them on grand adventures that will carry on beyond time and space.

Hard work was an enduring side of Denis, matched equally by his ability to play hard; a life motto that he held to his dying day. He had a lifelong affair with his ability to truly appreciate the moment and a patience for enjoyment that was unmatched. These traits made him a worthy Bridge opponent, a skilled athlete, an avid sports fan, and a voracious reader. From the black diamond ski slopes and most competitive golf courses all the way to the pickleball courts and nearly everything in between, he was a contender. He never met a sport that didn’t delight him, and he seemed to be good at them all. He loved science fiction and quantum theory, blue cheese and potato chips, ice cream, and puzzles. He also really loved naps. It was the simple pleasures among the luxury that he savored the most.

Denis spent his final 20 years building a life where he could fall easily into peace and pleasure on an Island and in a home that he adored. Eternally a masterful creator, he built his second architectural masterpiece on Kiawah Island, a seaside retreat that provided him his greatest reward – simplicity. He loved everything about the nature and ease of life in Kiawah. His day was full if he witnessed the sunrise and the waves crash. He was once an avid sailor, and the ocean always called him home.

Denis is survived and celebrated by his adoring wife, Joanna Lau, daughter Caitlin Berube ’13, daughter Blythe Berube Rowan ’92, Son-in-Law, Dr. Christopher Rowan, grandsons, Riley Rowan and Teo Rowan, brother Charles Berube, and many nieces and nephews.

Denis will be cremated, and his family will make a pilgrimage to honor his life at his most sacred places. We ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kidney Cancer Foundation and in place of a public celebration of life, what a beautiful tribute it would be to do something you truly enjoy today and raise a glass to him.

Lynn Bryan Sobocinski ’65

Lynn Bryan Sobocinski, 76, passed away on October 15, 2023. Beloved wife of David P. Sobocinski. Loving mother of Amy Daly (James) and Mitchell Sobocinski (Luciana). Cherished grandmother of Leanne and Callan Daly, Hannah and Mitchell Sobocinski.

Lynn was a Pan Am flight attendant and afterwards a financial advisor with David. She loved to golf and enjoyed traveling. A gracious host and excellent chef, many had the pleasure of being at her home. Countless people have said that Lynn was their best friend who always placed herself second, everyone else came first.

Visitation Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Ave., Huntington Station. Funeral Mass Friday 10:45 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, Huntington.

In lieu of flowers, Lynn would greatly appreciate donations be made to: Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, www.littleshelter.org 33 Warner Road, Huntington, NY 11743 in Lynn’s name would be greatly appreciated.

Gregory W. DiMartino ’64

Gregory DiMartino passed away on November 27, 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island. Born on April 23, 1945, he was the son of Mary Dulleba DiMartino and Alexander DiMartino. He is survived by a sister Mia McKee of Naples, Florida and sons Brian DiMartino of Erving, Massachusetts and Jay DiMartino of Greenville, South Carolina. Also surviving are grandchildren Annabella DiMartino, Cecelia DiMartino and Brendan DiMartino.
Visiting hours are Saturday, December 9th 1-3 pm at Avery-Storti, Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Greg’s name.