In Memoriam
Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

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

Lydia Gillespie ’81

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lydiaLydia May Gillespie, 52, died unexpectedly Friday, June 19, 2015, in her apartment on Pleasant Street. The cause of death involved gastro-intestinal bleeding which may have resulted in asphyxiation and/or cardiac failure. Lydia was a woman in long-term recovery who continued to take many medications over a long period of time, which her family believes caused damage to her body and may have contributed to her untimely death.

Lydia leaves behind a brother Vincent Gillespie, presently of Greenfield, a number of other relatives, and many dear friends including Peter Hadley of Greenfield, and her longtime friend Lori Baeumler of Boston.

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Posted in: 1980s

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

Charles Angell, Jr. ’32

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Charles H. Angell, Jr passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the age of 99 years, 10 1/2 months. He had lived in the same house in Glencoe, IL for 62 years.

Charles was the loving husband of Lucinda M Angell, nee Marsh, deceased, whom he married on September 14, 1940. He was the father of Charles H. Angell III, deceased, (Gail), Susan F. Angell, Lucinda J. Angell (Harold C. Ogg), and Jeffrey C. Angell (Karen); grandfather of five; great-grandfather of nine. He was born in Springfield, MA, son of Charles H and Jessie F. Angell.

Charles was a graduate of Princeton University, class of 1937, with a BS in Chemical Engineering. His ROTC Unit was the last Horse Drawn Field Artillery Unit at Princeton. He was a veteran of World War II, stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, Charles continued in the Reserves, finishing up with another year of Active Duty at Fort Lee VA, as a member of the 322 Logistical Command.

Charles worked first for Dow Chemical in New England. When Charles and Lucinda moved to Glencoe in 1952, he began working for Corite Reynolds, where he later became president. After leaving Corite, he started working as a consultant in Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics. He soon grew to love his consulting work, since it literally took him all over the world–all 7 continents, all 50 states, all countries in Europe, and others too many to mention. As part of his consulting work, Charles spoke at scientific conferences, again all over the world. In their leisure time, he and Lucinda continued their love of traveling, and took their children on some fabulous vacations

Posted in: 1930s

John Laliberte ’38

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LaliberteJohn P. Laliberte, 94, died peacefully on Friday, November 21 at Renaissance in Holyoke.

Born on August 8, 1920, he was the son of Amedee and Irene (Lavoie) Laliberte.

He attended schools in Holyoke’s Highland Grammar School which was constructed by his paternal grandfather Joseph, president of the Laliberte Construction Co. and then Williston Academy, graduating in 1938.

John proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII. His military service was followed by 40 years of service with the Fisk Tire Co, U.S. Rubber Co & Uniroyal Tire Co as chief chemist in the technical and quality control division. He and his family enjoyed membership for 50 years at the Holyoke Canoe Club, where he served on the board of directors.

He will be forever missed by his sons, David and his wife Jean and Paul Laliberte all of Troy, AL. He also leaves a grandchild Jennifer Gruber and husband Nick, great grandchildren, John Harrison Gruber and Hawkins David Gruber all of Lincoln, Nebraska and brother-in-law, Chuck Viens of South Hadley. He was predeceased by his wife Lois, son Donald and sister Annette Viens.

Posted in: 1930s

Marguerite “Peggy” Newton Smith ’32

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M NewtonMarguerite “Peggy” Newton Smith, 99 of Torch Lake, Antrim County, passed away on Mar. 16, 2015 at St. Anne’s Mead Senior Care Community in Southfield.

Marguerite was born July 25, 1915 in Pittsfield, MA, the daughter of Edward G. and Eugenia (Peterson) Newton.

She graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1932 and Brenau College in Gainesville, GA with a bachelor’s degree in English. Marguerite worked as a secretary for G.E. and Reader’s Digest. She also was a Red Cross Staff Assistant stationed in Tunis, North Africa, during WWII.

On May 1, 1945 in Pittsfield, MA, she married Dr. George E. Smith. After many years of living in Bloomfield Township, they moved to Torch Lake in 1979. Marguerite became an active member of the Central Lake Lioness Club and enjoyed the many friends she met.

Surviving Marguerite are her children Jon Smith of Royal Oak, Steven (Jeanne) Smith of Royal Oak, Sharon (Dennis) Blom of Edwardsville, IL, Nancy Baker of Salt Lake City, UT, 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband George in 2009, her daughter Carol Smith in 1989, and brothers John and Edward G. Newton.

Posted in: 1930s

Paul Loiero ’73

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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.

Posted in: 1970s

Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community