Joseph William Marco, 63, of Fairplay, CO, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 2, 2018 in Breckenridge. Born Dec. 25, 1954 in Pittsfield, MA, he was the son of the late William E. and Verne E. Marco. Joe was a graduate of Berkshire Country Day School and Williston Academy and attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Bucknell University. Joe’s love of skiing drew him to Colorado where he worked as a ski instructor and guide as well as a skilled carpenter, owning J. Marco Construction of Fairplay. Joe met and married his wife of 39 years Kari (Bjornstadt) in Breckenridge and together they enjoyed skiing and many of the things Colorado has to offer. Joe is survived by his wife Kari, daughter Hilary and son-in- law Dave Hassan and granddaughter Clara, of Lafayette, CO, sister Joan and brother-in- law Bob Little of Pittsfield, MA, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws along with friends and clients from all over the world. Joe was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Leslie.
Category Archives: Class Decades
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.
Stephen P. Bunker ’72
Stephen Bunker, 61, of Palm Bay, FL, passed away Wednesday May 11, 2016 at his home.
Stephen was born in St. Johnsbury, VT. He came to Brevard County in 1981 from Hanover, NH.
Stephen worked for Holmes Regional Medical Center as a respiratory therapist and hospital administrator.
While he received many honors for improving public health in Brevard County, he was particularly proud to be presented with the Heartland Award by Governor Lawton Chiles in recognition of the difference he made in the quality of life in the community.
Stephen was preceded in death by his mother Margery Bunker.
Stephen is survived by his wife Jill Bunker; daughter Heather and son-in-law Noah Sulman; son Sam Bunker; grandchildren Lilian, Asa and Selah; father Samuel and his wife Virginia Bunker; brother Jamie and sister-in-law Deb Bunker; sister Jennifer Bunker and brother-in-law Ken Kowalewitz; sister-in-law Lynn and brother-in-law Mark Koontz; nieces and nephews Michelle Treadwell, Michael Koontz, Hayden Bunker, Lynden Bunker and Oliver Kowalewitz.
Edward W. Wrobleski ’51
Edward W. Wrobleski, 86, of Easthampton, MA, passed away Feb. 21, 2018 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
He was born in Northampton, July 20, 1931, the son of the late William and Mary (Bednarz) Wrobleski. He was educated in the Easthampton schools, was a graduate of the Williston Northampton School, Class of 1951, and later earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Class of 1957.
Mr. Wrobleski was a Korean War veteran serving as a Corporal in the US Army. He was employed for 37 years as an Engineer for the FM Global Protection Mutual Insurance Co., based in Chicago, IL. Edward was a communicant of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, presently the Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Easthampton. He was a member of the Dalton-LaVallee American Legion Post #224 in Easthampton.
Edward was predeceased by his sisters Anne Green and Sally Parzych, and Phyllis Barber and his brother William Wrobleski Jr.
Roger H. Sherman ’45
Roger H. Sherman, formally of Williamstown, MA, 91, passed away on February 5, 2018 at Melech Hospice House in Tampa, FL. He was born to Frederick and Isabel Sherman on January 2, 1927, in North Adams, MA.
While attending Williamstown Elementary School, Roger lived with his parents on Moorland Street in Williamstown. After elementary school, Roger attended Williston Academy. Roger returned to Williamstown High School after his sophomore year as a result of his father’s passing. Roger obtained a waiver from his senior year in high school to enlist in the Navy at the end of World War II and served on the USS Theodore E. Chandler Destroyer until being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1949.
Upon returning to Williamstown, Roger entered the drafting program at General Electric in Pittsfield. Roger later met KayJanet Andrews and they were married on October 12, 1957.
As a longtime resident of Williamstown, Roger worked many years for General Electric and Sprague Electric and later opened Roger’s Card Gallery. After the business closed, he briefly worked for Hunter Machine Company in North Adams before relocating to Stuart, FL to work for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. After his retirement from Pratt and Whitney, Roger moved to Tampa, FL to be closer to family.
Roger’s main hobbies were stamp collecting and golfing. While in Williamstown he was a member of the Taconic Golf Club and the Williamstown Lions Club.
Roger was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his four children: John (Kelly) Sherman of Hancock, MA, Wendy (Ernesto) Jimenez of Houston, TX, Keith (Minerva) Sherman of Carlsbad, CA, and Jay Sherman of Williamstown, MA, and six grandchildren, Andrew, Christina and Michael Jimenez, Cassondra and Blake Sherman, and Chantal Sherman. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Ken) Harris, his cousin Alice Sherman Wheeler, his ex-wife Kay Janet Sherman, one niece, Christie and one nephew, Jeffrey.
Patricia Newton Dupre ’50
Patricia “Pat” Newton Dupre, 86, passed away January 30, 2018 in Ocala, FL. Born April 14, 1931, in Northampton, MA, to Russell and Mary Margaret Bush Newton. She graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1950, then later graduated from Cooley Dickinson School of Nursing. Pat was affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital and received the Florence Nightingale award for outstanding nursing. Pat was also a member of the DAR (Daughter’s of American Revolution), the Q.O.P for many years, choir, CCA, and making sacrifices beads. She so loved sailing and for many years. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Lawrence A. Dupre; son, Joseph Lawrence Dupre, of Murphy, TX; daughters, Deborah J. Norris, of Bristol, CT, Loreen Ann Dupre, of Ocala, FL, son-in-law Ed Norris, daughter-in-law Diane Dupre and; three grandchildren, Brandon, Kaitlin and Anthony.
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.
C. Bradley McGrath ’49
C. Bradley McGrath, 88, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.
He was born Feb. 12, 1929 to the late Edward McGrath and Margaret (Bradley) McGrath. Brad was born and raised in Easthampton but was a longtime resident of Northampton.
He graduated from the former St. Michael’s High School in 1947, attended Williston Academy on an athletic scholarship from 1947-1949, graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1954 and received his master’s degree in education from Westfield State College in 1960.
He spent his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Smith Vocational High School in Northampton; serving as teacher and coach from 1954-1967; its assistant director from 1967 to 1976 and its director from 1976 until his retirement in 1991. During his time there he was an inspiration to many students, athletes and colleagues due to his subtle yet encouraging style, character and example.
Brad’s life was dedicated to athletics, especially youth sports. He played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher in his youth leading the way to his many positions as a community sports enthusiast. He coached soccer, baseball and basketball at Smith School where he won many league titles. In 1992, the gym at Smith Vocational School was named “The C. Bradley McGrath Gymnasium” in his honor. He was director of the Northampton Recreation Department from 1965 to 1967 starting many new innovative sport leagues, served as a soccer and basketball commissioner, was a baseball, basketball and soccer official sharing all these talents with his children who proudly pursued reputable careers in these areas. Even though he was a humble man, he took great satisfaction in knowing he affected the youth of his community in such a positive way.
Brad insisted on contributing to his community in any way possible. He was head of the United Way, an officer and member of the Northampton Elks, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and Northampton Youth Soccer Association of which he founded.
In his leisure time, Brad was a member and avid golfer of the Northampton Country Club, enjoyed trips to Hinsdale Race Track with his many close friends, watching his grandchildren’s sporting contests and spending winter months with his wife in Vero Beach, Florida. Brad was also a faithful communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton.
His largest pleasure and gratification in life was his family. Brad leaves his devoted and dedicated wife of 66 years, Mary “Ginger” Bouthilette McGrath, his children, who will miss him deeply, Patty of Easthampton, Dan and wife, Maureen, of Ludlow, son, Jim, daughter, Maureen Sawula, and son Bradley and his wife, Ellen, all of Northampton; nine grandchildren who affectionately called him “Poppy”, Amy, Sarah (husband Chuck), Michael, Brian, Kevin (wife Aimee), Kristine, Allyson, Jillian and Luke. He also leaves four great-grandchildren. He leaves his brother, Ed and his wife Rueith of Harwichport. In addition, Brad leaves many nieces and nephews and a very large extended family.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his three sisters, Sr. Margaret James McGrath, Elizabeth “Betty” Walsh, Mary Woods and his nephew, Jeff McGrath.
Brad will forever be remembered for his kind and generous nature, but most especially for his dry, quick wit and memorable sense of humor. He devoted himself to his family, faith and community and we are all better for having known, loved and met him.
Bradley A. Sandner ’96
October 22, 1977 – January 15, 2018
Bradley A. Sandner, age 40; loving son to Geraldine Murphy (James) and late James L. Sandner (Erica); dear brother to Cheryl L., Douglas S. (Brandi), Leanna M., Jacqueline A., and Ellen L.; fond uncle to Aidan and Colin Brown and Anabelle and Holden Sandner; dear nephew of John F. “Jack” and Carole Sandner, Patricia and Ronald Ozmin and Nancy and Mike Novak. Fond cousin of many. Bradley was a proud graduate of Tulane University where he received his undergraduate degree and Loyola University where he received his MBA. Bradley loved music, politics and scuba diving.
Malcolm M. Stone, Jr. ’53
Mal M. Stone, Jr, 82, of Hollis, NH and formerly of Peabody, died November 25, 2016 at the Epson Manor Health Care Center following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Carol J (Muse) Stone with whom he shared over 13 years of marriage.
Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Malcolm and Dorothy (Ayer) Stone. He was raised in Peabody and attended high school at Williston Academy in Massachusetts and Kents Hill School in Maine. He then attended the University of Maine at Orono for two years. He has lived in New Hampshire for the past 8 years.
Mal owned and operated his own trucking company for over 30 years before retiring many years ago. He was a member of the Masons in Exeter, NH and also enjoyed doing woodworking as well.
He is survived by his three sons, Malcolm Stone of Duxbury, Keith Stone of Portland, ME, and Kenneth and his wife Debbie Stone of Newport, his daughter Dorothy-Ann and her husband John Simoneau of Raymond, NH , his brother, Richard and his wife Lorraine Stone of Newport, ME, his grandchildren, Danielle Simoneau and Nathan Rice of Raymond, NH, and Katie Trask and Abigail Stone of Newport, ME, his step children Ryan Shepherd of Nashua, NH, Lisa Pezzella of Peabody, and his step grandchildren, Erin, Kendra, and Cady Shepherd, Madison and Jacob Pezzella.