Charles “Charlie” Williams Fairbrother passed away on August 23, 2026, in Mystic, Connecticut, at the age of 81. Charlie was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, on December 27, 1944, to Billings and Margaret Fairbrother. He grew up in Stonington, Connecticut, alongside his older brother, Dean.

He attended high school at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts, earned his bachelor’s degree at Bethany College in West Virginia, and completed his master’s degree at the University of Rhode Island. In 1971, Charlie married Elizabeth Groton of Stonington. Together, they raised their two sons, Chaz and John, in Canterbury, Connecticut. Charlie dedicated his professional life to education, spending the majority of his career teaching middle school history and geography in the Plainfield Public School System. Deeply involved in the Canterbury community, he served as a volunteer firefighter, coached Little League baseball for his sons, led as a Boy Scout Scoutmaster, and later served as president of the Canterbury Historical Society.

Following the tragic passing of Elizabeth in 2002, Charlie remained active in both his teaching career and community life. He was a dedicated member of the Wadawanuck Yacht Club in Stonington, serving on numerous committees and leading as President of the Tennis Committee. In 2003, Charlie married Jane Simmons Kennedy. He retired from teaching in 2006, after which he and Jane settled in Ledyard, Connecticut, enjoying their retirement years in the Stonington area they both loved so dearly.

Charlie is survived by his son, Chaz Fairbrother; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Marlene Fairbrother; his two cherished grandchildren, Makenna and Davis Fairbrother; his brother and sister-in-law, Dean ’62 and Judith Fairbrother; and his cousin, Prudence Meehan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billings and Margaret Fairbrother; his first wife, Elizabeth Groton Fairbrother; and his second wife, Jane Simmons Kennedy Fairbrother.

Services for Charlie will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 3pm, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 27 Church Street, Stonington, CT, 06378. A private burial will take place at another time, and no formal reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Charlie’s honor to the American Cancer Society.

Michael Stuart Smernoff, 79, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Born on March 9, 1947, Michael lived a life marked by dedication, love, and an easy-going nature that endeared him to all who knew him.

Michael’s academic journey began at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he graduated as Valedictorian. He continued his education at Yale University earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and an MBA from Rutgers University, laying the foundation for a successful career. He worked with Wometco Enterprises in Coral Gables, Florida, before serving as Comptroller and Vice President of Operations at the Tallahassee Democrat. Later, he became Financial Director at Tri-Eagle Sales until his retirement in 2013. At which time, Michael decided he wasn’t quite ready for the full relaxation of retirement, so he became a substitute teacher with Leon County Schools.

A devoted family man, Michael is survived by his loving wife Leslie Smernoff; his daughters Jessica Smernoff-Rose (Singing Arrow) and Megan Smernoff; his twin grandsons Brendan and Gabriel; and his brother Richard Smernoff. He was predeceased by his parents, Arnold Louis Smernoff and Goldie Belsky Smernoff.

Michael’s passions extended beyond his professional life. An avid animal lover, he cherished the companionship of his three dogs-Goldie, Georgia, and Lulu-and his cat London. His love for travel took him to breathtaking destinations such as Alaska, Croatia, Ireland, and along the Danube River. A sports enthusiast through and through, Michael was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and cheered for numerous NCAA and NFL teams including UGA, FSU, UM, the New England Patriots, and the New York Giants. A talented pianist with an ear for classical music, he often played pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach from memory.

Michael’s warmth and dedication left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.

David T. Hunn, age 82, passed away peacefully on June 3rd, 2026, at his home in Brunswick, NY. David was born January 20th, 1944, to Dr. David Edward and Janet Lohnes Walker Hunn. He was the 4th generation on his mother’s side to live in Brunswick.

He was raised in Troy, attended Troy Schools, Trinity Pawling School, and Williston Academy, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1967. He served in the Navy as a photojournalist, producing photo stories used worldwide. David also used his photo skills as an official sports car photographer for Lime Rock Race Track, the 12 Hours of Sebring (FL), and many other sports car tracks. His scenic photographs of Nantucket appeared in national calendars, including Cape Cod Life.

Following military service, he joined General Electric’s Power Systems as a marketing communications project manager, writing and producing for print, video, speech support, and trade shows. He particularly enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. for location photos and trade shows. In 1999, he moved to the NYS Department of Corrections, Corcraft, to produce marketing materials, visiting most maximum security correctional facilities. In 2005, he worked directly for the Commissioner and the Executive Deputy Commissioner as project manager for the Department’s first exhibit building at the NYS Fair.

He was active in Troy community affairs, having served on the Boards of Oakwood Cemetery (serving as President for several years), Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, and Country Club of Troy. He was a long-time parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry and was Junior and Senior Warden. He led the church property committee for over twenty years, overseeing capital and historical restoration projects as well as repairs and maintenance.

He was known for his sharp sense of humor, which helped him in difficult times, including cancer surgery, which left him with a laryngectomy in 2005. His pride, joy, and love were for his family. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Florence (Sonie) Urban Hunn, and sons David (Lauren), Henry (Shannon), and his four grandchildren, Sadie, Violet, Emersen, and Henry, two siblings, Martha Hunn Wilmot (Don) of Granby, CT, and Robert Hunn (Ginny) of South Portland, ME.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 146 First Street, Troy, at a time to be announced. Donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Properties Fund, 146 First Street, Troy, NY 12180, or Vanderheyden Hall Memorial Fund, PO Box 219, Wynantskill, NY 12198, or Oakwood Cemetery, Head of 101st Street, Troy, NY 12180.

Jarlath William Crowe, 78, of Berlin, MA passed peacefully in his sleep, April 12, 2026, at St. Mary Health Care Center, in Worcester, MA.

Born February 23, 1948 in Rochester, NY, to Dr. Thomas Crowe and Frances Crowe (nee Hyde), where his father was in residency in radiology at Strong Memorial Hospital. His father had previously served as a doctor in the US Army during WWII.

The family moved to Hartford, CT where it was discovered that Jarlath was deaf. His parents decided that Jarlath would be trained in the oral method with the residual hearing that he had. His mother, Frances, took a course at the John Tracy Clinic in California to train Jarlath, having taken his sister and grandmother along for the ride in a Douglas DC-4 propeller plane.

To continue the oral method, his parents selected Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, MA where he met Rebecca, who would later become his wife.

Jarlath continued at Clarke School until he was 12, and later graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton MA. He attended RIT in Rochester, NY, where they had a new program: NTID (National Technical Institute for the Deaf). He earned an associate degree in Biology and a degree in social sciences.

He was an avid fisherman and liked to tie fishing flies. He loved to fish off the Cape Cod canal with friends. His other great love was skiing, having been a proud member of the Deaf Olympic team and skied for USA in college.

He worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service for 30 years, at fish hatcheries in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. His son Patrick was born in 1981 and Jarlath raised Patrick as a single father until 1993.

In 1993 he married Rebecca Wathen-Dunn and they lived in Sheffield, MA, briefly before moving to Foxboro, MA. He loved hiking with Rebecca and their dog Nina at the nearby F. Gilbert Mills State Forest. After 28 years in Foxboro, they moved to Berlin, MA in 2022.

Jarlath is survived by his wife of 32 years, Rebecca Wathen-Dunn; his son Patrick and two grandchildren in California; step-son Ian Baker in Virginia; his sister Caltha of Colorado; brother Tom in Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of life are being planned, details will be announced.

With heavy hearts, we announce that David Henry Thorne, 83, of Easton, CT, passed away on March 16, 2026.

A man nearly impossible to categorize, David was a “master of fun.” A rare blend of romance, comedy, physical agility, and strength, he possessed a room engulfing energy that persisted until his final hours. He was steadfast in shunning negativity and encouraging happiness, a “lost art” that defined his character. To know David was to share laughter, nature, Looney Tunes cartoons, mischievous behavior, and a genuine love for life.

As a resident of Easton CT, a graduate of Williston Academy, and Rutgers University, he excelled as a standout athlete and a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta. His athletic talent led him to be drafted to the Atlanta Braves organization. Following his time on the diamond, David transitioned into a successful career in sales, ultimately spending decades as a dedicated mortgage broker with Independent Mortgage in Fairfield, CT.

David was a proud family man who deeply cherished his parents, Fredrick Thorne and Martha Helen Stull, and his sister Connie Whitbeck ’56, who predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, Fred Thorne ’55 of West Hartford.

David’s legacy lives on through his children, Duke, Greg, and Brian, born of his 17-year marriage to Nancy Wall Thorne. “Papa T” will be forever missed by his grandchildren, Jeremy, Morgan, and Keira.

In the second half of his life, David found love again with Patricia Orr of Westport, CT. For nearly 40 years, he enjoyed life with Pat and her children Alicia, Adriane, Caroline, and David, and their eight granddaughters who knew him affectionately as “Big Dave.”

David passed away following complications of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. Even as his health declined, he remained aware of and grateful for the people around him. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Johnson Assante, who provided exceptional care and companionship to his “King” during his final years.

To honor David’s love of nature, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Connecticut Audubon Society: ctaudubon.org/donate.

As predetermined, David will be laid to rest alongside his parents at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, CT. Funeral and burial services will be private. The Thorne and Orr families will organize a Celebration of Life as a final send off. For information regarding the date and time of the memorial gathering, please email daddix@gmail.com

Edward Halsey Foster, poet, publisher, and scholar, died peacefully on January 12, 2026, in the company of his family at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, NY. He was 83.

Foster was born December 12, 1942 in Northampton, MA. The son of Edward Clark Foster and Edith Derosia Foster, he spent his early years in Williamsburg, MA, and attended Williston Academy, graduating in 1961. Eager to move to New York City and experience the literary scene of the 1960s, he attended Columbia University, receiving his BA in 1965 and his PhD in American Studies in 1970. While still in graduate school, Foster began teaching at Stevens Institute of Technology where he achieved the rank of full professor and taught for more than 50 years. While at Stevens, Foster served as Dean and created the College of Arts and Sciences.

With grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and NJ State Council on the Arts, he established a multiyear Festival of NJ Poets, welcoming Allen Ginsberg, Amiri Baraka, and John Ciardi among others.

He was a Fulbright professor at Haceteppe University in Ankara in 1978-79 and Istanbul University in 1985-86 and later a visiting lecturer at Beykent University, all in Turkey. He also pioneered faculty exchanges with universities in Turkey and Russia, and lectured widely on American Studies and poetry at universities around the world.

Foster authored more than 40 volumes of poetry and criticism. Eventually his passion for poetry led him to create Talisman: A Journal of Contemporary Poetry and Poetics. The journal ran from 1988 to 2014 in print and then continued online. Initially each issue was devoted to a single poet; Alice Notley was the first. Later volumes were more wide-ranging and inclusive, but always with the goal that each “poet could be read free of any single poetic tradition.”

He went on to found Talisman House Publishers, which published anthologies, poetry, criticism and selected works by various authors reflecting movements such as New York School, Beats, Black Mountain, San Francisco Renaissance, and Boston Occult, among others. Gay writers and international literature were also featured. Poets including William Bronk, Simon Pettet, Gustaf Sobin, Burt Kimmelman, Elinor Nauen, Joseph Donahue and Timothy Liu graced the covers. Foster was widely considered to be one of the most important independent publishers of avant-garde poetry.

On retirement from academia, Ed moved to Northfield, MA, where he enjoyed hiking, gardening, and hosting poets and artists at literary weekends. He founded the Pioneer Valley Poetry Project with a group of friends, organizing readings and continuing his commitment to contemporary poetry and poetics. Ed enjoyed international travel throughout his life, including trips to Iceland, Norway, and Sweden with his children and grandchildren, and many trips to Turkey with family and friends.

Foster is survived by his brother, Roy Foster of Fort Lauderdale, FL; his former wife, Elaine Dunphy Foster of Jersey City, NJ; his daughter, Katherine Hearn Foster, of NYC; his son, John Clark Foster (Johanna Hagelthorn) of Saugerties, NY; grandchildren Sophia (Taylor Foster) of Jersey City, NJ, Irene of Washington, D.C., Ian of Saugerties, NY.

A private service is planned for the family.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Nature Conservancy, The Poetry Project, or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Robert J. Samuelson, an economics columnist for Newsweek and The Washington Post died on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. He was 79.

His death, in a hospital, was caused by complications of Parkinson’s disease, his daughter, Ruth Samuelson, said.

Mr. Samuelson married Judy Herr in 1983. In addition to his wife and daughter, Ruth, he is survived by two sons, Michael and John; a brother, Richard; and two grandchildren.

To read Mr. Samuelson’s complete obituary, please visit the New York Times.

Gordon Eugene Cadwgan Jr, age 81, of Wilmington, DE, formerly of West Palm Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Gordon’s life was marked by service, scholarship, and a genuine appreciation for the world around him. He graduated from the Williston Northampton School and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He proudly served his country in Vietnam before completing his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts.

Gordon began his professional career at Union Carbide in West Virginia. In 1981, he joined the DuPont Company as a research chemist, where he continued to pursue his passion for scientific discovery. Beyond his career, he dedicated many years to the Alpha-1 Foundation, where he served as Chairman of the Board and worked tirelessly to support its mission.

An avid golfer, Gordon was a longtime member of Ibis Golf and Country Club. He had a deep love for animals and generously supported Big Dog Ranch in Wellington, FL, and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue in West Palm Beach, FL. Some of his happiest moments were spent at the family beach house, where he cherished summers surrounded by those he loved.

Gordon is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Cadwgan; his daughters, Lois Slusser (Kevin), Kate Cadwgan (Dave), and Sally Bronson (Jason); his son, Larry Williams (Pam); his two cherished granddaughters, Samantha Walsh (TJ) and Mary Leverette (Jordan); and his four great-grandchildren, Timothy, Grayson, Liam, and Alana.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 1 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803.

Gordon will be fondly remembered for his kindness, intellect, and unwavering love for his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to alpha1.org/tribute-giving/