Category Archives: Class Decades

Carolyn Johnson Gleason ’46

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johnson gleasonCarolyn Johnson Gleason, 84, of Auburn, died Wednesday, October 3, 2012.

Mrs. Gleason was born in Auburn, the daughter of the late Dr. Raymond and Florence Messer Johnson, and had resided in the Auburn-Fleming area for all her life.

She was a member of the former Sand Beach Church, where she taught Sunday school and served as treasurer. Mrs. Gleason was employed at Auburn Memorial Hospital as an LPN. In addition, she worked for the Cayuga Red Cross, which included coordinating the swimming program at Owasco Lake for many years. She was a caregiver for several elderly friends over the years. She particularly enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s many activities.

Surviving are three sons, Michael Worden of Skaneateles, Kenneth Worden (Sharon) of Owasco, Steven Gleason (Sarah) of Fleming; two daughters, Linda Worden (David Palochko) of Rye, NH, Denise Franklin (James) of Fleming; eight grandchildren, Brian, David and Jeffrey Worden, Jessica, Jason and Jennifer Franklin, Elizabeth and Charles Gleason; one great-granddaughter, Kayla Worden.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Charles A. Gleason, of 31 years in 1990 and sister, Elizabeth Phillips of Inver-Grove, MN, in 2006.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946

William Dunham ’46

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DunhamWilliam B. Dunham died on January 11, 2016 in New York.

Although he had a long career in finance, human resources, and real estate, he is best remembered for his role in the traditional jazz scene. First drawn to jazz in boyhood, he played with the Crimson Stompers at Harvard as part of the then thriving college jazz band circuit. Eventually settling in New York, Mr. Dunham organized one of the early traditional jazz bands, the Grove Street Stompers, to play Monday nights in Greenwich Village. Mr. Dunham led the band for over fifty years. At times leading jazz musicians, such as Wild Bill Davison were featured with the group. Arthurs Tavern, where the band played, remains one of the most celebrated locations for traditional jazz world-wide, still following the format instituted by Mr. Dunham.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sonya, daughter Amy, son-in- law Richard and three grandchildren.

Posted in: 1940s

John Lauris Blake, Jr. ’46

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blakeJohn “Buck” Lauris Blake, Jr., age 87, a resident of Gwynedd Estates in Ambler died on September 17, 2015.

He was the devoted husband of Patricia Anne Kramer Blake. He is also survived by his loving children and their spouses: John, III and Patti Blake and Debbie and Denny Gardiner; by his step-children and their spouses: Eric and Chris Stanmyer, Robert and Connie Stanmyer, Thomas and Susan Stanmyer and Ann Stanmyer; by 15 grand-children and by 7 great-grand-children. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Tefft Blake and by his step-son, James Stanmyer. He is also survived by his step-brother, Walt Bradford.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946

William Alpert ’41

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William AlpertWilliam of Woodmere passed away on July 21, 2015 at the age of 92.

He was a devoted husband to the late Helen Mills Alpert. He is survived by his brother, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), beloved father to his daughter Patricia Alpert Benson, son Peter Alpert, and grandfather to grand-daughters Rachel and Rebecca.

Graduate of Williston Academy, Dartmouth College and Boston University School of Law. Veteran of the Army Air Corp (First Lieutenant and Pilot Instructor WWII). Former Assistant Attorney General. Prominent Manhattan attorney. Former President Temple Beth-El in Cedarhurst.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Jerry Finger ’50

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fingerJerry Elliott Finger passed away on the 3rd of February 2016, after a life well lived. He died surrounded by, and comforted by friends and family. His death was caused by complications from emphysema. Jerry lived a full life that included many achievements and experiences, but none were greater than the relationships he enjoyed with friends, family, associates and business partners, students and the many lives he touched and made better by his enthusiasm and generous heart.

He was born on the 11th of October 1932, in Houston, Texas to Hyman and Bessie Finger. He was later joined by his two brothers, Marvy and Ronny, to whom he was close to his entire life. Growing up, he attended Sutton Elementary School and later attended military school at Allen Academy in Bryan, Texas for part of his middle school years. He only ran away once from Allen Academy, and it was because he had the flu and came home to get proper care from his mother. He attended high school at San Jacinto High School and graduated in 1949. Only seventeen upon graduation from high school, he attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA in 1950 for an additional year of study, and during that time, spent a summer with his Uncle Tobias Gordon in Wharton, Texas, where he developed a life-long passion for reading.

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Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

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

David Brakey ’76

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BrakeyDavid S. Brakey, 44, of Natick, died unexpectedly Sunday, April 27, 2003, at his home.

He was the husband of Ellen (Rosenfeld) Brakey. Born in Holyoke, he was the son of Gladys (Pryor) Brakey of Easthampton and the late Walter Brakey. He was a resident of Natick for the past 11 years.
He was employed as a chemist at Abbott Bioresearch and formerly was employed by DuPont and New England Nuclear Laboratories.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, hiking, backpacking and skiing. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts and received his master’s degree from Northeastern University.

Besides his wife and mother, he leaves two children, Jesse and Danielle Brakey, both of Natick; a brother, Glenn Brakey of South Hadley; a sister, Laurie LaPointe of Greenwich, Conn.; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robert and Ida Rosenfeld of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Posted in: 1970s

Priscilla Walker ’76

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Priscilla WalkerPriscilla Elaine Walker was born in Mt. Kisco, New York on November 22, 1958 to the late Reverend John Wesley and Alice Suzanne Walker.
She was called home to be with the Lord on October 28, 2011.

Priscilla leaves three lovely children, Kyle Francis (Kate) of California; Daeveon Alyce and Adriene Sylar both of Beacon. Also two sisters Sharon T. Allen-Ladson and Barbara A. Walker-Brickhouse both of Beacon. Three nephews James Laroy Reddrick(wife Mary),Palmer Lamont Allen(wife Beatriz) and Turone Wesley Walker;two nieces, Ashley Dawn-Suzanne Walker and Janai BreeAnnie Brickhouse all of Beacon. Two greatnieces Alaetra Lyn and Grace Teresa and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Posted in: 1970s

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

Rebecca Sowers Peapples ’58

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sowersRebecca Dean Sowers Peapples, age 72, died Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Arbor Hospice from Pancreatic Cancer.

Becky was a wonderfully creative, gentle, and intellectual woman with many varied interests including a great love of literature which she inherited from her mother, and a passion for cooking instilled by her father.

Becky was born in Benton Harbor, a town on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, in 1940 to Lucinda Murray Clark and Bouton Franklin Sowers. She attended the Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, MA for high school. Her post-secondary education was at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages. She then earned a Master of Arts in Italian from the U of M.

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Posted in: 1950s