Derek A. Scoble, of West Sussex, England, passed away April 22, 2016.
Category Archives: 1960s
Daniel T. Griffin III, ’62
On July 31, 2016, Daniel Thomas Griffin III died peacefully and of natural causes. He was born on October 26, 1943, the son of Daniel T. and Eileen Griffin of Holyoke. He was raised on Morgan Street and went to St. Jerome School. At Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, he played football, hockey and lacrosse. After graduating, he attended Boston University and played hockey and then transferred to American International College. After college, he joined the U.S. Army and served two tours of duty in Vietnam, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He worked in the family business, Central Package Store on Dwight St. in Holyoke and then at Commercial Distributing in Westfield, MA. He married Margaret Ballard and lived in South Hadley. For many years, he owned and operated Pink Swan Antiques on Cherry St. in Holyoke. After recovering from a serious illness in 2004, he moved to Cape Cod; and then in 2010 to Jay, OK to be close to his daughter and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Maginnis. He is survived by his daughter, Lee Griffin of Aston, OK; grandchildren Ellen, Ethan, and Elise; his former wife Margaret; his brother Robert, and his nephew and niece, Frank and Eileen Maginnis.
Edward Spence Wilcox ’62
Edward Spence Wilcox of Griggstown died on September 15, 2015 at University Medical Center of Princeton after a four-year battle with prostate cancer. Born in Passaic in 1944, Spence was raised in Rutherford and spent summers in Sparta, NJ. A graduate of Newark Academy ’63 and Middlebury College ’67 (English), he took classes at Boston Architectural Center in 1973 while heading a contracting business in Boston and Cambridge. In the 1980s he studied computer science and became a technical writer, first at Bell Labs, then at UNIX System Labs and HP. In retirement he was a relentless gardener & nurseryman, a passionate music lover (Bill Evans, James Booker, Alfred Brendel, Aretha, Townes Van Zandt, Eva Cassidy, Altan, Youssou N’Dour, Buena Vista Social Club), a grinning contradancer, a world-class hunter-gatherer (craigslist), a thoughtful poker player, and an enthusiastic member of the Princeton Country Dancers governing committee. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Wilcox; son, Matthew Wilcox Tenny (Manon Tenny) of Milton, VT; daughter, Emma Wilcox (Evonne Davis) of Newark; brother, Donald Wilcox of Denville; and grandsons, Addison and Damion Tenny, of Milton, VT.
Michael Bernique ’61
Michael R. Bernique, 72, passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, March 18th at 3:06 AM at UCSD Thornton Hospital in La Jolla CA.
Michael was born on December 26, 1943 in Fall River, MA the only child of Therese and George Bernique. Michael spent some of his early years in New Bedford, MA with his grandparents Elise and Lucien Bernique. Because of this, his first language was French and a life-long love of France and all things French ensued. Michael lived in a number of cities during his childhood including Karlsruhe, Germany, and Washington D.C. After attending several prep schools, in June 1961, he graduated from Williston Academy (now Williston Northampton School).
Jean Lyndon Lathrop ’62
Jean Lyndon Lathrop, 71, of Plainfield, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 27, 2015, at her beloved home, which was a part of the New Hamburger Community.
She was born on September 4, 1943, in Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Roger Lyndon, the noted mathematician, and Barbara Whitmer. She was raised in Unity, New Hampshire, by her mother, the late Barbara (Whitmer) Clark and the late Alan “Buddy” Clark.
She received her B.A. and an M.A. in American women’s history from Goddard College. She then taught for many years in a Goddard College undergraduate program for low-income adults.
Neal Lenti Howard ’62
Neal Lenti Howard, 72, of Southampton died Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 15, 1943, in Springfield, the son of Eleanor M.(Brown) Lenti and the late Neal M. Lenti, who died in World War II before his son was born. Neal was adopted by George H. Howard, who also predeceased him.
Neal attended Williston Academy before graduating from Easthampton High School in 1964 and from Saunders Electronics School in Boston. He worked in the electronics field, was a former member of the Southampton Fire Department and Southampton Police Department and retired as a manager from Storage Technology in 2005. Neal was also a retired veteran from the 104th at Barnes where he worked in the avionics shop.
Neal enjoyed truck pulling and working in his shop on all kinds of projects. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a commercial hot air balloon pilot enjoying the “ups and downs” of his balloon named Gallagher.
Neal is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane (Sudnick) Howard, his mother Eleanor Howard of Easthampton, and three daughters, Ann M. Sarafin and fiancé Tommy Bigos, Lisa J. Rice and husband Matt and Laurie A. Boudreau and husband Jim, all of Southampton. He is also survived by his two sisters, Jane B. Howard of Montana, and Susan Farland of New Hampshire. Neal will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Mike and Matt Sarafin, Vanessa and Kayla Rice, Patrick and Bryan Boudreau, and Chad and Chelsea Bigos and soon to arrive great-granddaughter Elizabeth Boudreau. He has been an inspirational role model and guiding presence in each of their lives. Neal was predeceased by his brother Attorney John B. Howard.
Gary Mysorski ’69
Gary James Mysorski, 64, passed away at his home in Rockport, TX February 23, 2016. He was born in Northampton, MA August 18,1951 to Benjamin and Marjorie Mysorski. Gary graduated from Williston Academy in 1969.
Gary spent nearly 30 years with the YMCA, both domestically and abroad, getting the most enjoyment from his involvement with youth and aquatic programs. Gary met the love of his life while working at day camp in San Antonio. His tenure with the Y eventuality led him to Rockport, where “every day felt like a vacation.” Gary enjoyed the sights, activities, and most of all the people of this community, where both his children graduated high school. Gary was very active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kiwanis, the Art Center, and volunteered in various activities within the community. In 2001, Gary found his calling developing and directing programs with Port Aransas Parks and Recreation – all the enjoyment of the work he had grown to love. After 13 years, he retired to spend his time with Genie travelling, visiting friends, and enjoying the outdoors, the atmosphere, and the lifestyle that this community provides.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Genie Mysorski; sons, Geoff Mysorski and his wife Laura, Matt Mysorski and his wife Katie; sister, Jill Morrill and her husband Jim; grandchildren, Milo and Sebastian, and many dear friends and relatives.
Peter Russell Fletcher ’67
Peter Russell Fletcher, 67, of Casco, passed away at home on Jan. 31, 2016 after a courageous fight with Parkinson’s Disease.
Peter was born June 21, 1948 in Hartford, Conn. and grew up in Berlin, Conn. Peter graduated from Williston Academy and continued on to the University of Vermont.
He served in the Connecticut National Guard and was active in Connecticut Explorer Scouts and Kiwanis Club Berlin chapter for many years and served one term as president.
At the age of 15, Peter started working for Leonard Abrahamson Home Construction. He founded Fletcher Woodworking & also worked for Arnold Carlson Construction before moving to Maine. Peter was a master artisan with wood and his workshop was a special place where he created beautiful pieces of woodwork. He passed on these skills to his son, Peter, and many others just like his father had.
Peter & his wife Cathy, whom he married in 1974, dreamed of building a home in Maine, which he did in 1998 and lived there until 2013 when they moved to an ADA house. Peter loved his family, golden retrievers, fishing, boats, sailing, camping, hiking, and enjoying nature, including embarking on an Alaskan expedition in 1969. Peter was a past member of the Kensington Congregational Church of Connecticut. He was an active member of Windham Hill UCC in Maine, and was on the board of trustees for 15 years then as a consultant and a multiple committee member.
Peter is predeceased by his parents, Russell and Natalie Fletcher. Peter is survived by his loving wife, Cathy and their three children, Cammy and Jeff Haydar of Ontario, Canada; Peter and Sarah Fletcher of Boston, and Alison Fletcher of Casco; grandchildren Cooper and Madison Haydar; siblings, Susan F. and Steven Buckley of Londonderry, N.H. and Betsy F. and Wells Peck of San Diego, Calif.; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, family & friends.
Virginia Stiles Shepardson ’63
Virginia Ruth (Stiles) Shepardson, 70, of Parsons Street, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at her home.
She was born in Northampton, and is the daughter of Gladys (Aquadro) Stiles of Easthampton and the late Howard D. Stiles.
Virginia graduated from the former Northampton School for Girls and received a bachelors degree from American International College in Springfield. She earned her master’s in education from Westfield State College plus 60 additional graduate credits.
Virginia was a longtime educator in the Westfield Public Schools, retiring in 2009 after 18 years at Juniper Park School. She was a devoted teacher who was known for her great sense of humor and an ability to connect with students. She was passionate about teaching and inspired a love of learning beyond the classroom, to her six grandchildren, who she adored.
Besides her mother, she leaves two daughters, Jennifer Brenes and her husband Brent of Easthampton, and Kathryn Carpenter and her husband John of Florence. She also leaves a sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law Wolfgang Neumann of Switzerland; her grandchildren Megan and Ryan Morissette, Amberlie and Kyle Brenes, and Jack and Grace Carpenter; nieces Juliana, Alexandra, Nathalie Neumann and Sarah Stiles; and nephew Ben Stiles.
Besides her father, she is predeceased by her brother Mark Stiles.
Patricia Schneider ’68
Patricia J. Schneider, 64, died Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH after a brief battle with lung cancer.
She was born June 24, 1950 in Reading, PA the daughter of Frank W. and Lavona (DeWald) Schneider. She attended Northampton School for Girls and graduated from Cortland High School in Cortland, NY class of 1968. She attended Bay Path College and graduated from Windham College in Putney, VT class of 1974. She worked for a time at the Ski Area’s of New York and has spent the past fifteen years at Fine Paints of Europe in Woodstock, VT.
Patsy was instrumental in the development of the Watson Upper Valley Dog Park in Hartford,VT and has continued to steer its direction as an active member of the Upper Valley Dog Park Supporters and presiding as its president. She also enjoyed skiing in the winter and kayaking in the summer. But what she loved the most was the time spent out with her dog.
She is predeceased by her parents.
Patsy is survived by her brother Lawrence Schneider of Killington, VT, a sister Sandy Kutkiewicz of Roxbury, NY; several nieces and nephews; and Nathan, a large black Newfoundland.