In Memoriam
Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

John Joseph Bergen III ’69

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John BergenJohn Joseph Bergen III passed away March 26, 2014.

A man of generosity, integrity, precision. Dedicating his mathematical and scientific aptitude to a career in Aerospace Engineering, earning three honorary Phd’s. No brag here, nor for his creative and artistic brilliance, developing graphics software and interactive entertainment before its time. Well done, John.

But his steaks, keep ’em rare, artichokes tender. Foodie, palate pleaser, environmentalist at heart, east coast to west, rock climbing to riflery, wingtips or white tennies, his character always true. Another round, drinks and ammo, another drag, cigarette and Boss 302.

We will watch Cosmos.XO Rhonda, John IV, Jacqueline, Wendy, Mimi, and friends.

Posted in: 1960s

Dr. William David Michael, Jr. ’39

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Williams David MichelDr. William David Michael Jr. passed away Saturday, May 3, in Weymouth. He was 95 years old.

Dave was born in Quincy, in 1919, to William David Michael Sr. and Mary (Alexander) Michael. He graduated from Thayer and Williston Academies and received his Doctor of Optometric Degree from Pennsylvania State College of Optometry.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, he joined his father’s Optometric practice in Quincy.

He married Marion Ross Scudder, his childhood sweetheart, in 1942. They settled in Weymouth and later moved to Hingham. Dave continued his Optometric practice in Quincy until retirement, when he and Marion moved to Hilton Head, S.C., in 1978. In retirement, they pursued their love of travel and Daves dream of golfing year round.

Dr. Michael was predeceased by his wife of 65 years Marion, his parents, a daughter, Marion Leslie Michael, and a grandson, David Monroe. He is survived by his three daughters, Joan Monroe of Weymouth, Wendy Mauch of Lochmere, N.H., and Meredith Schubach of Tucson, Ariz. Dave is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

Posted in: 1930s, Class of 1939

William Wenk ’50

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Williams WenkWilliam Bible Wenk, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, in Springfield.

Born in Springfield, MA, loving son of the late William J. and Helen (Bible) Wenk, he was a lifetime resident of the Springfield area. William graduated from Springfield Technical High School 1948, Williston Academy 1950, University of Connecticut 1952.

Upon graduation he joined his father William Joseph Wenk, at Wenks Florist in Springfield, MA. He attended the Naval School of Mine Warfare in York Town, Virginia, where he studied underwater mine ordinances, served aboard the aircraft carrier Essex during the Korean Campaign and returned home to manage and later own Wenks Florist.

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Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

Mary Sessions Morier ’48

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Mary SessionsMary Sessions Morier of East Hartford, formerly of Glastonbury passed away at Middlesex Hospice in Middletown on April 13, 2014 at the age of 84. Mary was born in Bristol, CT on March 20, 1930 to Grace McCall and Paul Beach Sessions. Mary graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1948. She went on to earn a B.A. in Fine Arts from Connecticut College in 1952.

She married Robert Morier in 1952 and eventually settled in Glastonbury where she raised her family. In 1980, Mary opened her own florist shop, Woodford,s Flowers. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the cottage at Grove Beach Point in Westbrook. She loved mystery novels, the daily crossword puzzle and watching her birds at the feeder. An avid sports fan, she supported UConn Women,s basketball, the PGA tour and she adored her Red Sox. She loved to wager the occasional bet or two and enjoyed trips to the casino.

Mary is survived by her six children: Ann Morier of East Hartford; Jim Morier and his wife Shirley of Rockville; Robin Fagan and her husband Paul of Camden, Maine; Peter Morier of Vancouver, Washington; Jenifer Morier and her husband Neal Harley of Guilford, Vermont and David Morier and his wife Meghan of Ionia, New York; and her seven grandchildren: Lily and Sam Lyons, Mary, Ann and Michael Fagan and Tobias and Roland Morier. Mary was predeceased by her brother, James Sessions and her sister, Janet Beach.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1948

Richard M. Austin ’47

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Richard AustinRichard M. Austin , 86, of Keene, NH peacefully passed away April 17, 2014 at Maplewood Nursing Home after a period of declining health.

He was born in Worcester, MA April 13, 1928, the son of James and Clara (Marsh) Austin. Mr. Austin spent his childhood years growing up in Dudley, MA, a neighbor to his “love of his life” and future wife, Lucille Bates. He attended Bartlett High School; Webster, MA and subsequently graduated from Williston Academy; East Hampton, MA in 1947 and Clark University; Worcester, MA in 1952 with a degree in business administration. During his high school and college years, he played basketball and football, however his true passion was baseball which he excelled at. Post college, he pitched on several semi-pro teams and was even invited to try out for his beloved Boston Red Sox.

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Posted in: 1940s

Joseph Bury, Jr. ’54

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Joseph L. Bury, Jr., 79, of Rockville, also known to his close relatives and friends as “Junior” went to eternal rest on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at Hartford Hospital.

He was born August 23, 1934, son of the late Joseph L. and Pauline (Sadlak) Bury, Sr.  He was raised in Rockville, attending local schools.

Joseph was a faithful communicant of St. Joseph Church. He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army. Joseph was co-owner with his brother, Robert S. Bury, of various real estate ventures and DeLuxe Amusements, established by their parents.

He is survived by a special cousin Marion Connor of Rockville, his additional close cousins that we are aware of, Marie Munson, Irene Gates, Stanley Sadlak, Anthony Sadlak, and Alita. He also leaves his former dedicated secretary, Joan Berman of Ellington and many caring relatives and friends.

Posted in: 1950s

Natalie Vogel Lawton ’42

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Vogel LawtonNatalie V. (Vogel) Lawton, 90, of State Street, Westerly, passed away on Wednesday morning, April 2, 2014, at the Apple Rehab Watch Hill.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Arthur Newman Lawton, on January 25, 1995, whom she met while vacationing at Watch Hill. After they married in 1954, she moved to Westerly. She is survived by her son, Allen D. Lawton of Westerly, her sister-in-law, Mary Lawton of Westerly and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Lawton was born in New Bedford, MA, on June 30, 1923, the daughter of the late Ellery and Sarah (Lewis) Vogel. She spent her early years in Northampton and Longmeadow, MA. She was a graduate of the Northampton School for Girls (now known as Williston- Northampton Academy), Lasell Junior College (now known as Lasell College) in Newton, MA, and Tobe’ Coburn School in New York City. She majored in merchandising in college.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1942

Ann Cohen Bachmann ’54

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Cohen BachmannAnn Bachmann, nee Cohen, age 76, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2014 with her family at her bedside. She leaves behind her husband Bruce, her cherished children, Steve Bachmann, Cathy (Doug) Ethridge, Betsy (Jeff) Kushen and Andy Bachmann, her adoring grandchildren Rachel Ethridge, Alex Kushen, Benjamin Ethridge and Samantha Kushen and her brother Jim (Hyla) Cohen.

Posted in: 1950s

Frederick George Fischer, Sr. ’41

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FischerFrederick George Fischer Sr. died Saturday March 22, 1014, at his home in Palm City, Florida. He was born February 19, 1924 in New Haven Connecticut, and had just celebrated his 90th birthday.

Fred graduated from Williston Academy and the University of Pennsylvania, and served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, when he was stationed primarily in Cairo, Egypt. He worked as a Certified Public Accountant in New Haven, Connecticut, eventually becoming Partner-in-Charge at Ernst & Ernst, later Ernst & Whinney. After retirement from the firm, he served as Financial Vice President at the University of New Haven, until full retirement, when he relocated to Harbour Ridge in Palm City, Florida.

Fred will be remembered for his long-standing support of the Junior Achievement and United Way as well as other local charities in the Port St. Lucie area. In addition he was an avid golfer and long-time football enthusiast, cheering on and recruiting for teams at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of New Haven. Fred was a fixture at the Grill Room at Harbour Ridge and his boundless sense of humor and generosity will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann Fischer; a daughter, Pamela Lally; a son, Frederick Fischer Jr.; as well as four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1941

Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community