Category Archives: 1970s

Mark Hannabury ’71

Mark HannaburyMark David Hannabury, 63, passed away on December 19th, 2015 after a 4-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Ruth Flaherty Hannabury and step father Leo Flaherty.

He leaves sisters Susan Hannabury Sheridan and Tracy Hannabury and nephew Marcus Sheridan, aunts, uncles, cousins and a loving circle of friends including Eric and Liz Barklund and family.

A successful attorney Mark also enjoyed reading, art, music, running, photography, cartooning and he just recently obtained his parachuting certification. He was possessed of an endless curiosity, amazing wit and profound intelligence.

Paul Loiero ’73

Paul LoieroPaul J. Loiero, 59, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center.

Born in Utica, NY on October 29, 1955, son of the late Dr. Francesco and Edith (Marotta) Loiero, he lived in Westfield for the past fifty one years.

Paul was a graduate of Williston Northampton, Class of 1973 and Bates College, Class of 1977 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Biology and Chemistry. In 1983 he earned a Masters in Business Administration from American International College.

Paul was a supervisor for Midac Corp. and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a member of Mt. Tom Amateur Repeater Association with the call sign of NIFI and loved his time on Cape Cod. He was also an organ donor.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of twenty six years, Cynthia A. (Krenzul) Loiero; two loving step-children, Richard W. Conroy and his wife Rebecca, of Westfield and Ronald A. Conroy and his partner Ramona Cavallini, of West Springfield; two cherished grandchildren, Samuel and MacKenzie; several cousins; and his faithful dog and best buddy, Solo.

Christopher Farmer ’73

Chris Farmer '73Christopher Hurley Farmer passed away on April 17, 2010, in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the age of 56. Chris died of a heart attack while hiking with his girlfriend and her family.

Chris was born in Troy, New York and lived in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts before settling in Olympia.

Chris is survived by his mother Jeanne Farmer of Newburyport, Massachusetts; brothers Malachy Farmer of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Michael Farmer of Amesbury, Massachusetts; sisters Kate Pallotta of Dublin, New Hampshire; Dodie Farmer of Lake George, New York; Debbie Farmer of Newburyport, Massachusetts; and Candy Farmer of New York City; and by his girlfriend Sophie Stimson of Olympia, Washington.

Gus (Pietraskiewicz) Peters ’70

gusGus Peters, 62, of Strong Road, Southampton, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died suddenly Sunday, March 1, 2015, at the Holyoke Medical Center.

Gus was born June 16, 1952, in Northampton, and was the son of the late Stanley Pietraskiewicz and Frances (Swiatek) Pietraskiewicz. He was educated at the former Sacred Heart of Jesus School and was a graduate of Williston Academy in 1970, continuing his education at Franklin and Marshall College, Greenfield Community College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst receiving his bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in business in 1978.

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Edward “Ted” Sexton ’72

SextonTed Sexton was born in Chicago, Illinois May 3rd, 1954. At the age of 14, Ted moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts where he was raised by his Uncle Tom Sexton. It was here that Ted graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1977.

After graduation, he started his career in the restaurant industry. He held the position of training specialist and eventually became General Manager of several corporate restaurants. This took him all over the U.S.

Ted had a dream. His dream was to one day open his own restaurant. Little did he know he would far exceed his dream. After opening one of the largest chain restaurant’s in Colorado Springs, Ted met his now long-time friend, Franco Pisani. The two had similar dreams, and set off as Entrepreneurs to create their own multi-award winning Paravicini’s Italian Bistro in April of 2003.

Ted was a self-made man who overcame much adversity in life. This helped him grow and become an inspiration to others. He was a great mentor to anyone he came across.

Ted married his wife,Tricia in 2002, and they would have celebrated 12 years of marriage on June 3, 2014. He leaves behind his devoted wife ,Tricia Sexton; his two step-sons, Michael and Ross Caldwell; his Aunt Jane Kane; and UncleTom Sexton; his 2 brothers, Bill Sexton and Mike Sexton; his sister Debbie Williams. He also leaves behind his best friend, Franco and wife, Lynn along with extended family to include all of his co-workers at Paravicini’s, plus all of the patrons who have made his dream come true.

Larry Neilson (Edward Moore Lawton Jr) ’71

Larry NeilsonLarry Neilson, formerly known as, Edward Moore Lawton, died Sunday, June 15, 2014, in Shoreline.

He was born Sept. 3, 1954, in Northampton, Massachusetts.

He was predeceased by his father Edward Milne Lawton, Jr. He leaves his mother Sally Lawton of Westhampton, Massachusetts; his sister Cynthia Lawton-Singer; his brother James Lawton; and many friends in the Seattle area.

Larry graduated from The Williston Northampton School in 1971, and from Vassar College in 1975 with honors in history. He worked in advertising, web design and photography.

He grew up in Westhampton, Massachusetts, and later lived in Marblehead from 1982 to 1990 and in Seattle since 1990. There he belonged to the University Unitarian Church, the Fremont Arts Council of Seattle, and the Seattle P-Patch Community Garden. His lifelong interests included trains, sailing and battleships, jazz, history, street theater, art cars, social justice movements and gardening.

Michael Conlin ’72

ConlinMichael P. Conlin, 59, a man who could enter a room as a stranger and leave as a friend, died September 7, 2014.

Michael was born in Worcester, MA to Daniel and Carol (Sloan) Conlin. He attended Assumption Prep and graduated from Williston Northampton School where he excelled at cross country and track. He attended UMass and pursued an avid study of Irish language at the Elms, in Ireland, and at schools and conferences throughout the northeast.

Many remember Michael for his work in scouting. He was scoutmaster for TR 110 in Westfield, and founded and led TR 210 in Southampton. He received the Silver Beaver award for his work creating and implementing the Chief Warner Jr. Leader Training program.

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Ted Sexton ’72

SextonEdward Gray Sexton passed away May 5, 2014. Edward “Ted” Sexton fought renal cell cancer 10 months after first diagnosis.  Ted Sexton was born in Chicago, Illinois May 3rd, 1954.

At the age of 14, Ted moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts where he was raised by his Uncle Tom Sexton. It was here that Ted graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1977.

After graduation, he started his career in the restaurant industry. He held the position of training specialist and eventually became General Manager of several corporate restaurants. This took him all over the U.S.  Ted had a dream. His dream was to one day open his own restaurant. Little did he know he would far exceed his dream. After opening one of the largest chain restaurants in Colorado Springs, Ted met his now long-time friend, Franco Pisani. The two had similar dreams, and set off as Entrepreneurs to create their own multi-award winning Paravicini’s Italian Bistro in April of 2003.

Ted was a self-made man who overcame much adversity in life. This helped him grow and become an inspiration to others. He was a great mentor to anyone he came across.

Ted married his wife, Tricia in 2002, and they would have celebrated 12 years of marriage on June 3, 2014. He leaves behind his devoted wife ,Tricia Sexton; his two step-sons, Michael and Ross Caldwell; his Aunt Jane Kane; and Uncle Tom Sexton; his 2 brothers, Bill Sexton and Mike Sexton; his sister Debbie Williams. He also leaves behind his best friend, Franco and wife, Lynn along with extended family to include all of his co-workers at Paravicini’s, plus all of the patrons who have made his dream come true.

Alex MacFarlane III ’70

MacFarlaneAlexander “Alex” MacDougall MacFarlane III of Brentwood, Tennessee passed away peacefully on May 20, 2014.

Alex was born in Torrington, Connecticut on August 18, 1952. He grew up in Connecticut and spent his early adult life in Bermuda before returning to the United States.

During his life he was an avid reader, skilled guitar player, and patient gardener. Alex enjoyed a diverse range of literature and letters. He was a talented guitar player and spent hours picking at his Ibanez, Martin, and Gibson guitars. His love of nature and green thumb were expressed by growing roses and a large assortment of other flowers in his home garden.

Alex is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his son, Alexander and daughter, Kathryn; his stepmother Jean MacFarlane, his sisters, Jean MacFarlane and Alison MacFarlane-Barnes and husband Ed Barnes, his nephew, Stephen, and niece, Anna, and his brother, Carson Brown. His parents, Alexander MacFarlane Jr., and Kathryn Brown preceded him in death.