Category Archives: 1970s

Richard P. Dec ’73

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Richard Peter Dec of Hadley, MA, born January 31, 1955, passed away on March 29, 2020 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a long illness. Rick graduated from the Williston Northampton School where he excelled in soccer, hockey, baseball and art. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UMass and a Master of Arts Degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City.

While studying for his Masters Degree, Rick became interested in carpentry while renovating apartment units in Brooklyn. After graduating from Pratt, he returned to the Pioneer Valley and embarked on a 30-year career that would become the Northampton Brewery. He was a big fan of all Boston sports teams, especially the Bruins and Red Sox. After 30 years of building construction, with an artist’s talent for finished work, his knees gave out, and he returned to his love of art.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Doris and Wallace Dec. He is survived by his sister Doreen Dec, brother David Dec (Mona Balicki) of South Hadley, and brother Steven Dec (Claire Largesse) of Louisville, CO.

There will be no funeral services, but a retrospective of Rick’s artwork is being planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Williston Art Department, Williston Northampton School, 19 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027.

Czelusniak Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Posted in: 1970s

Tara O’Brien-McNally ’78

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Tara A. O’Brien-McNally, of Rockland, MA, died on February 20, 2020. Tara was born in Boston, daughter of the late Edward and Ann (Lewonis) O’Brien. She was raised and educated in Easthampton, MA graduating from the Williston Northampton School. Tara earned her Bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a Masters in Business Administration from The University College of Dublin.

A loving mother, raising three children and caring for her sick parents all in the same house. A dedicated and compassionate employee of the Commonwealth. A friend to everyone, someone who’d ask a complete stranger if they were okay. Tara had a fiery spirit and sought to spread good feeling, the intensity of which was matched only by her love for her husband, her children, and the large family of friends she had.

Tara is survived by her husband John, her three children Pearse, Saoirse, and Ronan; her three sisters and one brother; and three nieces and two nephews.

The O’Brien-McNally family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate Tara’s life at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at The Holy Family Church in Rockland on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Services will be followed by cremation.

Posted in: 1970s

Marie-Therese Tarantino ’74

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Marie-Therese Tarantino, formerly of Northampton, MA, died on February 3, 2020 in Delray Beach, FL after a brief illness. Marie-Therese was born on February 21, 1957 in Springfield, MA and grew up in Northampton. After attending the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, she graduated cum laude from Boston College with a degree in psychology. She went on to graduate cum laude from Northeastern University with a Master in Business Administration in 1980. Beginning her business career in Miami, Marie-Therese worked for the Miami Herald newspaper as a Major Accounts Manager. She also worked for IRE Financial Corp. of Coral Gables, FL and PaineWebber in Miami before becoming a manager at Merrill Lynch and Trust Company in Miami. She loved to travel, especially to exotic destinations such as Nepal and Tahiti, and had a flair for interior design. She practiced at an ashram in India and taught yoga in Miami. She took cello lessons for several years, was an avid tennis player and was in the process of reading all of the Pulitzer prize-winning novels. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Joseph and Patricia Tarantino of Northampton, MA. She leaves her loving husband, Henry Guignet, of Delray Beach, FL; her sister, Rosemary Tarantino ’73 of Haydenville, MA; two brothers, Carl Tarantino ’77 of Virginia Beach, VA and Joseph Tarantino ’78 of Northampton, MA; two aunts and a niece and nephew. A Celebration of Life will be held for Marie-Therese on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Del Lago Chapel from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, 131 South Lakeside Drive, Lake Worth, FL 33460.

Posted in: 1970s

Roger V. Bourdeau ’72

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Roger V. Bourdeau, 64, of Thompson, CT, died peacefully on Wednesday May 29, 2019 at the UMass Memorial Healthcare. He was the loving husband of Paula (McQueen) Bourdeau. Born in Ware, MA, he was the son of the late Robert and Josephine (Lorence) Bourdeau.
Roger worked in sales for several businesses including Safety-Kleen, R. Sparrow Hicks, Loomis Real Estate, and Lundgren Honda. Roger loved listening to and playing music. He enjoyed singing, collecting records and played a variety of instruments. Roger was a truly dedicated family man who loved going on road trips and cherished spending time with his wife, his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Roger is survived by his children, Jessica Aguilar (Omar) of Anahiem, CA, Christopher Bourdeau (Lorena) of Huntington Beach, CA, and Matthew Bourdeau (Alyssa) of Boston, MA; two sisters Diane Arnesen of Hampden, MA, and Joan Callanan of Pasadena, CA; two beautiful grandchildren, Declan and Penelope. He was predeceased by his late brother Richard Bourdeau.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Roger’s family from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday June 5, 2019 in the Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT.

Posted in: 1970s

Paul F. Cox ’78

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Paul F. Cox, age 58, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away March 12, 2019.  A Celebration of Life service was held  March 22, 2019 at West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta with interment at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge. Memories of Mr. Cox will be cherished by his loving family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to West Hunter Street Childrens ministries. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home.

Posted in: 1970s

Steven E. Thurber ’74

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Steven E. Thurber passed away on November 9, 2018.  His father, Ernest R. Thurber, passed away on November 18, 2018.  Their obituary:

Ernest R. Thurber was born on January 30, 1927 to parents, Julia and Edward Thurber in Chelmsford, MA and entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018. Ernest was born on January 30, 1927 to parents, Julia and Edward Thurber in Chelmsford, MA and entered into eternal rest on November 18, 2018. Ernest graduated from Chelmsford HS in 1944 where he was the valedictorian and received a degree in meteorology from Penn State in 1962. His first love was flying and he saw himself as very fortunate to be a career Air Force pilot and then to work for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. Ernest is remembered for his love of God, family and country. His faith saw him through difficult times and was so very important to him until the end.

He is preceded in death by his wives Harriet Kearney Thurber and Martha Thurber as well as his brother, Edward Thurber. He is survived by his three daughters, Suzanna Thurber, Christine Johnson (Eric) and Robin Chamberlain (John), four grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Kathryn and Cale and four great grandchildren as well as his sister, Theresa Maguire.

Tragically Ernest’s only son, and apple of his eye, Steven E. Thurber passed away on November 9, 2018. Steven was a natural athlete in several sports from swimming and baseball to golf. He was a 1974 Honor graduate from Williston Academy in Massachusetts. Steven loved the open road and pursued both career and leisure time behind the wheel.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Thurber and his grandson, Blaine Mincey. Steven is survived by two children, Kathryn Mincey (Austin) and Cale Thurber (Taylor) and four beautiful granddaughters.

Services to celebrate both their lives will be at the Parish of the Resurrection in Nashua, NH on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Posted in: 1970s

Randall S. Shelden ’76

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Randall Stuart Shelden, local businessman, entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer, and multi-sport athlete passed away peacefully July 10, 2018 surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Rockford, IL, May 28, 1957, son of James and Norma Shelden, Randy attended Keith School and West High School before graduating from Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. He later graduated from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Randy was a fitness enthusiast, and to that end he founded The Edge Fitness Center in Belvidere. He had a keen awareness of the need for proper nutrition and physical fitness to maintain a healthy mind and body.
He was a hard-working real estate investor having rental properties in Lake Geneva, as well as several local properties. He enjoyed rehabbing homes and improving neighborhoods in the process. And through vacation rentals, he truly enjoyed creating a welcoming and relaxing environment for his guests.
Randy had a love of photography, gardening and camping, which he enjoyed throughout his life. To say Randy loved sports, might be considered an understatement. He excelled at snow and water skiing, lake and ocean sailing, Nordic skiing and canoeing. And his competitive pursuits ran the gamut from sailing with the Lake Waubesa Sailing Club to the “Mac” race to running numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and completing four Iron Man Triathlons. His true passion was Nordic skiing, and he completed his 33rd annual 50K American Birkebeiner (Birkie) ski marathon in February, where he was an uberlegger finisher, having skied thirty or more Birkies. Randy was a past member of Second Congregational Church and more recently attended Heartland Community Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Kay Lynne, Rockford; brother James Shelden Jr. (Carrie), Atlanta; brother Charles Shelden ’77 (Kittie Hook), Denver; sister Julia Trowbridge, Clarendon Hills, IL; aunt Carolyn Bailey, Rockford; and several cousins, nieces and nephews whom he adored. Randy was humorous, generous, loyal, fun-loving, loved to laugh, and cared deeply for others. He will be greatly missed by friends and family. Preceded in death by parents James Whitney and Norma J. Shelden, uncles James Bailey and Bennett Griggs, and an aunt, Margaret Shelden Griggs.

Posted in: 1970s

Julian F. Greeley II ’72

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The family of Julian Greeley II announces with great sadness his sudden passing on Monday, July 9, 2018, at the age of 64.

Julian will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Colleen O’Brien; three children, Kevin, Molly and Colin Greeley; and grandson, Brayden.

Julian was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Williams Greeley; father, William Greeley; mother- in-law, Jean O’Brien; and brother in-law, Patrick O’Brien. Julian’s sisters, Michelle Greeley, Gretchen (Greeley) Walters; sister-in-law, Lynn O’Brien; brother-in-law, Timothy O’Brien; father in-law, Ronald O’Brien, along with many friends and co-workers, will fondly remember Julian.

Julian was born in 1953 in Milton, Massachusetts. He attended Tabor Boarding School in Boston, later graduating from Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He was recruited from high school to play hockey for the University of Vermont. Julian was passionate about sports both in his youth and as an adult. He participated in football, lacrosse, hockey, baseball, wrestling, and boxing. After college, Julian spent several years in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, working and windsurfing. When his mother passed, Julian moved to New Hampshire to be with his father.

He met his wife, Colleen, in Massachusetts. They later moved to Everett, Washington to begin their family. Living in Marysville, Washington, Julian never forgot his New England roots, with an avid allegiance to the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. Although Julian’s best times were spent home with his family, he enjoyed attending sporting events, maintaining his car, bike riding and talking with friends and family near and far.

Julian began his career as a union laborer in 1992 and spent most of his career working in Seattle.

Posted in: 1970s

Ilse Wilson Shumway ’74

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Ilse Wilson Shumway, of Amherst, MA, born Jan. 3, 1956, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, after enduring her battle with cancer.

Ilse was the beloved wife of Philip E. Shumway (’42) and cherished mother to Philip, Spencer, Jennifer, Clarissa and the late Geoffrey Shumway. She also leaves behind grandson Jackson Shumway and dear siblings John, Peter, and Harold Wilson, Holly Jenne and the late Eric Wilson as well as many nieces, nephews and family members whom she cherished greatly.

For Ilse, family was everything. Throughout her life she continuously placed the needs and desires of others before her own; the ultimate example of this can be seen through the manner in which she loved and cared for her family. Ilse reached beyond the walls of her home as well to be of service and advocate for many she came in contact with. From a very early age, her genuine care for others shown through as a volunteer worker at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Professionally, Ilse was an accomplished Certified Public Accountant who carried out her own practice and touched the lives of many of her clients.

 

Posted in: 1970s