Francis X. “Frank” Balanda, 75, of Southbury, CT died suddenly Friday, March 9, 2018 at home. He was the husband of Joyce (Johnson) Balanda.
Frank was born April 4, 1942 in Waterbury, the son of the late Clarence and Alvera (Zuraitis) Balanda. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass., and of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran.
Frank worked as a juvenile probation officer for the State of Connecticut until he retired. He also worked many years as a dispatcher for Heritage Village.
Frank was an avid reader and loved tennis and spending his winters in St. Simons Island, Ga.
Besides his wife, he leaves his two children, Kate Balanda of Southbury and Kenneth Balanda of Naugatuck, and a special cousin, Joan (Shobrinsky) Rose of Waterbury.
Category Archives: 1960s
Robert T. Onkey ’69
Robert Theodore Onkey age 67, of Norwalk, CT, passed away on February 5, 2018 at his home. Robert was born in Bridgeport, CT on September 28, 1950. He was predeceased by his parents Robert Lee and Gladys Mary (Kost) Onkey as well as his brother, Peter Thomas Onkey.
Robert spent his earlier life on both sides of the U.S. / Canadian border. Robert attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and then completed his undergraduate studies at the University Of Western Ontario. He became a magazine journalist in Toronto, Canada and later went on to combining his passion for SCUBA diving with his career to form his own company offering Commercial Diving services. Bob, as he was known to most, loved the water and was happiest whether he was in it, on it or under it. Robert was a kind, loving, compassionate person who loved animals as much as he did people. His cat Sammy was his final companion. Despite life’s challenges, he never lost sight of the people that were most important in his life. Robert was as unique an individual as a person can be and he will be greatly missed by the many, many people whose lives crossed paths with his.
Survivors include his step-mother, Janet Onkey, and numerous cousins.
Charles M. Cohn ’61
Charles M. Cohn, 75, a long-time resident of Shelburne, MA, died of lung cancer Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in Northampton.
He was born in Allentown, Philadelphia, in 1943, to Beatrice Julian Cohn and Charles R. Cohn. He graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1965 where he made life-long friends. After graduation, he was a stockbroker in New York on Wall Street for about 10 years. In 1978 he moved to Shelburne.
For several years he worked for his uncle, Simon Cohn, as a realtor. In 1980 he opened his own business, Cohn Financial Services, to provide conservative and reliable advice for the specific investment needs of every client, no matter the amount of their financial resources. As a financial adviser, Charlie was committed to the welfare of every client. The business was more than a job to him. It was his passion. He said that he considered every client’s “nest egg” as valuable as his own. His clients appreciated his knowledge and honesty.
He was an avid fly fisherman and skier. He loved the beauty of Shelburne and the people of the community. He was a long time board member of the Franklin Land Trust, devoted to the goals of preserving the land. After becoming paralyzed 15 years ago, he demonstrated mental fortitude and physical endurance in the face of great challenges. Through it all he remained a devoted father and husband, a loyal friend and a productive member of the hill town community.
He is survived by his wife Catherine Smith, and his son Charles A. Cohn. Family came first to him, especially his cousins Robert Cohn of Greenfield, Susan Cohn Dorn of West Hartford, Connecticut, Marcus Cohn of Wayland, William Julian of Davis, California, Anne Julian Lennon of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jon Julian of Williamsville, Vermont, and William Rednor of Yardley, Pennsylvania, as well as their spouses and children.
Douglas E. Little ’67
Douglas Edward Little, 68, of Southbury, CT, died on Sunday, November 19, 2017 in Middlebury. He was husband of the late Deborah Little. He was born on May 9th, 1949 in New Britain to Edward and Jennie Little. Douglas attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA. He graduated from Syracuse University and obtained his Master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. While an undergraduate, he became a brother of the Lamda Chi fraternity and met his future wife Deborah White. After graduation, he worked dutifully for many years as an educator for the State Of Connecticut and Department Of Correction. Towards the end of his time there, he suffered a severe stroke that, by all medical accounts, should have killed him. Fearlessly refusing to let it quell his passion for life, he learned to walk again, and spent the rest of his life happily doing whatever he wanted despite his physical limitations. His days became rife with traveling, investing, screenwriting, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, art collecting, shooting, and even treasure hunting. Even as his health deteriorated more in his final years, he never stopped dreaming of what he could achieve in the future. While no one will ever forget Douglas as the eccentric, entertaining man who handed out glow sticks and payed for things with two dollar bills just to brighten a day for others, he’ll be forever remembered by those closest to him for his greatest achievements: his enduring resolve, and the endlessly selfless manner in which he conducted himself as a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, educator, and American. He was a paragon of how to live with purpose for both yourself and others. Douglas is predeceased by his father Edward, mother Jennie, daughter Phoebe, and wife Deborah. He is survived by his sons Edward and Radley, as well as his brothers Alan and William.
Marshall R. Louis ’60
Marshall Robert Louis, Jr., was born Jan. 26, 1943 and raised in Auburn, NY. He received his secondary education at Williston Academy, undergraduate at Yale, and graduate education at New York University.
Marshall served our nation in many roles, including at the US State Department as a Cultural Affairs Officer. After a distinguished career that included service in Zaire, Israel, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, and many other countries, he retired to central Maine.
He died after a brief battle with cancer on Nov. 11, 2017, in Bangor, Maine.
Marshall is survived by his three children, Rachel Barnett, Josh Louis, and Ana Gabriela Loius; and granddaughter, Olivia. He is also survived by his fiancée, Beth Zaccaro, and his much-loved dogs, Nor’easter, Klondike, Allegra, and Applejack. He is survived by three siblings, Tom (’62), Ken (’65), and Sue Louis. He had many friends in Milo and the Lake View Plantation area.
He was a man of many talents, a deep thinker, and had a positive impact on our nation’s international reputation. We love him, miss him, and will remember him.
James Bump ’64
James Bump, of Putnam, CT, passed away in November 2017.
Jim was born in Springfield, MA, son of C. Kilbourne and Gertrude (Lapham) Bump.
He went to Williston Academy after attending Minnechaug High School. At Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, class of 1969, he majored in piano, after realizing that he could read music faster than text. There he began to build instruments, laying the foundation for several years of lute building and about 19 years at Old Sturbridge Village. At OSV, he demonstrated crafts and built replicas of furniture and tools, from plows to looms to a printing press, so that historical techniques could be shown without damaging the original antiques.
In the 1990’s, Jim worked as a church organist and accompanist to students, soloists and choruses. Trying a week of classes at Summer Keys, Lubec, ME, he was taken on as piano accompanist for adult amateur musicians. He fell in love with Lubec, and bought a 5 bedroom house, where he rented rooms to music students, making friends from around the world. After 10 years, he resigned from accompaniment and concentrated on hosting string quartets, in which he was always the viola.
In 2012, Jim helped to start the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra, which continues to meet in Ashford, CT and perform in several nearby towns.
Jim is survived by his brother Ben and sister-in-law Ellen Bump, cousins, and longtime companion Rachel Lewis and her family.
John A. Alogna ’62
John A. Alogna, 74, of Bethlehem, PA died November 5th, 2017. He was born in Wethersfield, CT, the son of first generation Italian immigrants, Ella Corinne Maturo and Michael Paul Alogna. He attended the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA and went on to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. At a business conference, his father and future father-in-law realized they both had children attending schools in the same area (his future wife, Winifred (Wink) attended a prep school, Penn Hall, located in Chambersburg, PA). After being introduced by the fathers, John and Wink went on a first date, which must have made an impression on them both, as they recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. Upon his graduation and following their marriage, they moved to Philadelphia, PA where he received his MBA and Juris Doctorate from Temple University. John started his legal career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. After living and working in Pittsburgh and Williamsport, PA he and his growing family relocated to Bethlehem in 1981 when he joined the Fuller Company as Vice President, General Counsel and corporate Secretary. During his tenure, John expanded Fuller’s Legal Department, oversaw management of the international subsidiaries, and was instrumental in developing and implementing policies and procedures that had profound and lasting impacts on Fuller’s business. John was one of a handful of Fuller executives who collectively bought Fuller from GATX Corporation in 1986. He had significant involvement in every major endeavor Fuller pursued including the sale of the company on February 14 1990, to a Danish industrial conglomerate, F.L.Smidth & Co. John continued to serve as a director, senior vice-president and general counsel of Fuller (which later changed its name to FLSmidth Inc.) until his retirement in 2002. He was a long time board member and served several terms as Chairman of the Board of the Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Health Care, which is the major voice and advocate of local employers on health care issues. He was also a long time board member of the national nonprofit People’s Medical Society where he played an active role in propelling the society to become one of the largest consumer health advocacy organizations in the U.S. Upon retirement, John volunteered with the Service Corp of Retired Executives where he advised entrepreneurs in business fundamentals. He was recognized in leading the Lehigh Valley chapter of SCORE to national distinction in fundraising. He also dedicated many volunteer hours with the Historic Bethlehem Society, serving on the Board of Trustees. In 2013, John was chosen as the Historic Bethlehem Society’s annual Honoree for his work on behalf of the organization. John’s love of discourse also led him to start multiple discussion groups with diverse groups of people, discussing current issues and the impact they had on society. His love of people, animals, and the environment drove him to work tirelessly to alleviate the pain of others. Even during his last days, his greatest sorrow was seeing others suffer. Survivors: John is survived by his loving wife Winifred; his son Forrest and wife Sandrine of Paris, France and their children (Lucy and Felix); his daughter Nora and husband Indrajit (Ed) of Goa, India and their children (Ella, Sachi, and Max); his son Michael and wife Elizabeth of Bethlehem, PA and their children (Wyatt, Reese, Quinn, and Cora); his son Alexander of Bethlehem, PA; daughter Marian and husband Alistair of Jersey City, NJ and their daughter (Lillian); and his youngest daughter Victoria of Dunedin, New Zealand; He is also survived by his best friend and brother Michael T. Alogna ’57 of Arlington, MA; and sister Patricia Reiss of Lake Forest, IL. His sister, Donna Edson of Clinton, NJ, predeceased him.
G. Alec Harwood ’60
George “Alec” Harwood, 75, of Homosassa, Fla., passed away August 28, 2017.
He was born in Scarsdale, N.Y. Alec was an avid computer geek and worked as an internal consultant for Hewlett Packard prior to retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judith Harwood of Homosassa, Fla.; two daughters, Sarah Whittemore (Mark) of Maui, Hawaii, Amy Williams of Lake Mary, Fla.; step-son, Brian Barbieri (Kim) of Salem, N.H.; brother, Hugh Harwood ‘59 (Nancy) of Aiken, S.C.; five grandchildren, Dakota, Cassidy, Makena, Jacob, and Kayley. Alec had one niece and one nephew and two great-nephews, loving family, and friends.
Stephen C. Finn ’66
Steve Finn passed peacefully in the arms of his wife Connie with his son Jeremy at his side and in the heart of his daughter Sarah at Brigham and Women’s hospital on Sunday evening, May 28, 2017. He fought a long courageous battle with many different illnesses for several years.
Steve attended Williston Academy in Northampton and Bentley College. He was the owner and President of E&J Distributors a third generation business in Northampton. Steve was among the first to break ground and move his business to the Northampton Industrial Park. Steve served on community and industry boards. In support of the Jimmy Fund, Steve organized and ran numerous Massachusetts Legislature golf tournaments.His favorite spot was Block Island and after retiring he was able to enjoy, even more, his love of sports and the outdoors. He was an avid golfer and sports fan with special love for the Red Sox and the Patriots. Steve enjoyed boating and fishing and gardening and riding his mower to make the most beautiful lawn. He loved all the birds and animals that would visit him on his deck especially his friend Mike the duck. Steve loved to travel and took numerous cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. He spent several weeks in Nevis, a gift from his friends Mike and Ronnie Hartnett. He had an amazing rock collection that he gathered on his early morning walks on the beaches of Block Island. He found heart shaped and Block Island shaped rocks that were special gifts to his nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Barbara “Bonnie” Snyder. Steve leaves his loving wife Constance Volante Finn; his son Jeremy Finn and his wife Erika; and their four children, Liam, Rian, Kiera and Owen; his daughter Sarah Finn Cullen and her husband John; and their two children, Daniel and Justin; his brother William Finn and his partner Holly Sherick; and many nieces and nephews. There was a special place in his heart for Bill Dawkins who was a second son to him. Most important Steve was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a kind and generous man who loved and was loved by many.
Robert P. Rowe, Jr. ’64
Robert P. Rowe Jr., of West Palm Beach, FL, passed away November 8, 2014. He is survived by his family, including brother Richard Rowe ’66.