Category Archives: 1960s

Jean Lyndon Lathrop ’62

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LatrhopJean 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.

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Posted in: 1960s, Class of 1962

Neal Lenti Howard ’62

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Neal HowardNeal 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.

Posted in: 1960s, Class of 1962

Gary Mysorski ’69

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MysorskiGary 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.

Posted in: 1960s

Peter Russell Fletcher ’67

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FletcherPeter 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.

Posted in: 1960s, Class of 1967

Virginia Stiles Shepardson ’63

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StilesVirginia 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.

Posted in: 1960s

Patricia Schneider ’68

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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.

Posted in: 1960s

Donna Robertson Clark Godfrey ’62

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godfreyDonna Clark Godfrey, 71, of Yarmouth and formerly of Raymond,MA passed away on May 3, 2015, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, from a nine-week battle with cancer.

Donna was the mother of two loving children, Donald and Deborah Perkins, both of Maine.

Born in New York state on April 21, 1944, Donna was the daughter of the late Donald Clark Godfrey and Ellen Pegues Godfrey. Donna never knew her biological father who died on a training flight as a navigator-bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps. The 22-year-old airman left behind a newly-pregnant wife. He and Donna’s mother were married only five months.

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Posted in: 1960s, Class of 1962

Bion Howard ’69

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Bion HowardThe building performance industry has lost another friend with the passing of Bion D. Howard on 11/21/2011.

Bion was a tireless advocate of home energy ratings and building science. His background includes service with the National Association of Home Builders, the Alliance to Save Energy, NAHB Research Center, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and consulting as the owner of Building Environmental Scientist and Consulting (B.E.S.T.). Mr. Howard also served on the RESNET Technical Committee.

RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden commented, “I had the pleasure to work closely with Bion on a number of initiatives ranging from the Department of Energy/Housing and Urban Development National Collaborative on Home Energy Ratings and Energy Efficient Mortgages to the planning committee of the Affordable Comfort Conferences. He was a tireless advocate for building science and home energy ratings. Everyone who worked with Bion appreciated his technical expertise and commitment. The building performance industry has loss a good friend.”

Posted in: 1960s

Richard Wells Dennison ’63

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dennisonRichard Wells Dennison, 68, of Vernon, beloved and devoted husband of Bernadette (Bean) Dennison, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 2, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born February 20, 1945 in Baltimore, MD, a son to the late Wells C. and Mildred A. (Elliott) Dennison, he had lived in Manchester before moving to Vernon in 2006.

He was employed with Connecticut National Bank for 15 years and later worked with the Bank of Waterbury, Norwich Savings Society, New Haven Savings Bank and lastly American Savings Bank where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Informational Officer, retiring in 2003.

He was a member of the Gilman Dive Club and enjoyed many years of scuba diving. He was also a member and past president of the British Iron Association of Connecticut, and was a collector of numerous vintage motorcycles. Richard was also an avid lover of Labrador Retrievers, breeding and competing in many agility competitions over the years.

In addition to his wife, Bernadette, he leaves his loving daughters, Jennifer Case Dennison and her husband, John Fatteross of Westport and their children Jack and Will Dennison; and Abigail Case Lang and her husband, Dylan of Round Rock, TX; two sisters Carol Case Dennison and Lynne Steeves both of Old Saybrook; and among his many nephews and nieces he leaves Tanner Steeves and Julia Padilla.

Posted in: 1960s

Peter Homans ’68

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Peter HomansPeter Parkman Homans, 63, passed away on September 8, 2014, in Asheville, NC.

He was the son of William P. Homans Jr, Esq. of Boston, MA, and Ann C. Beecher of Asheville, NC. He was the loving father of Alexander of Cambridge, MA and Savannah of Somerville, MA. Peter is survived by his former wives, Cathrine Saunders Scott of England, and, Leslie Ahlgren Homans of Cambridge, MA, the mother of his children. He is also survived by brothers William P. Homans III, Robert Totty and Nicholas Ionnitiu; and sisters Ann Bruce Totty, Elizabeth Homans McKenna, MD, Penelope Craig and Ana Ionnitiu. In addition he leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends who knew and loved him.

Peter was a warm-hearted, vibrant conversationalist and a brillant cook, who enjoyed nothing better than gathering friends and family around a gourmet meal. He loved walking the beaches of West Tisbury, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, or throwing turkeys at his local bowling alley. Although he spent over 30 years as a Boston-based securities adviser to individual and institutional clients, his true passion was music. He was a gifted musician and accomplished composer and all kinds of music infused his life.

Posted in: 1960s