Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community

John Burke, Jr. ’51

BurkeJohn Burke, Jr. born October 12, 1927, passed away peacefully at the NY State Veteran’s Home at Montrose, NY on Monday, January 6, 2014. 

John was born in Holyoke, MA, and graduated from Holyoke High School before entering the US Navy. Following his honorable discharge John attended Williston Academy before enrolling at Columbia University graduating in 1995. He was employed by Columbia until his retirement.

He continued to be active working for the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) before it moved to Washington,, DC. He also worked for the New York Times Election Polling Department as a researcher for the CBS News Election & Survey Unit, and he had a plant store called “Green Pastures” on 111th and Amsterdam. He could always be found in the neighborhood of Broadway and 112th Street where he was known by many as the “Mayor of Broadway”.

He is survived by his four nieces and nephews and their families. He is also survived by his “NY family – the Lashers” who cared for John in his last years.

Robert W. Hill, Jr

HillRobert Webber Hill Jr., father of Williston Northampton head of school Robert W. Hill III and the Henry Norman Hudson Professor Emeritus of English at Middlebury College, died at his Weybridge home Tuesday evening, Jan. 28, 2014, one week after his 80th birthday.

Born in Wilmington, Del., he attended the Tower Hill School through the seventh grade, distinguishing himself as an eager math and science student, a relentless classroom questioner, and a fearless competitor in any sport or game he chose to play, all qualities he continued to display throughout his life. In the fall of 1947, he entered the second form (8th grade) of Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn., the boarding school from which he graduated magna cum laude, despite the reputation of being “the most slovenly student” the school had ever seen. He entered Harvard in the fall of 1952 and began to consider English as a major while maintaining his interest in the physical sciences. Bob weathered an almost disastrous sophomore slump at Harvard, righted himself with a characteristic surge of determination in his final two years, and emerged again magna cum laude.

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James “Jim” Hamilton ’61

HamiltonJames Warren “Jim” Hamilton died Saturday, February 1, 2014 at his home in Cohasset following a brief battle with bladder cancer. He was 71.

Jim was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Marjorie and Harold Hamilton. He attended Williston Northampton School and Dartmouth College and received a masters degree in graphic arts under the tutelage of Alex Nesbitt at Southern Massachusetts University.

Jim had a long and productive career as a printing salesman for Nimrod Press, which later became part of Universal Printing. Well known in the printing industry of New England, he was a longtime member of the Society of Printers from whom he received the Benjamin Franklin Award for distinguished service in 1996. He was a member for many years of PINE, Printing Industries of New England, and chaired their scholarship program.

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Bayley F. Mason ’47

MasonBayley F. Mason, 84, of Cambridge, formerly of Weston and Belmont, a retired Senior Development Officer for Harvard University, died peacefully on January 27, 2014.

An avid historian, he will be greatly missed by his family, friends, students, advisees and colleagues. Beloved husband of the late Edith (Harwood) Mason. Devoted father of Beverly Mason Dillaway and her husband Lance of Weston, Stephen Mason and his wife Susan of Bethlehem, PA, and Christopher Mason and his partner Myrna Reevis of Browning, MT. Loving grandfather of Rebecca and Margaret Dillaway, David Mason, and Sierra Mason. Brother of the late Herbert P. Mason, Jr. and his late wife Jeanne. Dear cousin of Frederick J. England, Jr., step-brother of Joan (Sprague) Garry and T. Leslie Shear, Jr., Brother-in-law of Justine (Harwood) Laquer and LTC (ret) David Smith. He also leaves his caregiver Andrew Lenzini, and many nieces and nephews.

Born 1929 in Lynn, MA he graduated from Williston Academy, Harvard College 1951 and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Awarded his commission from Navy OCS, he was a Naval Intelligence Officer from 1952-55, serving on the staff of Commander, Naval Forces, Far East in Japan and Korea as Lieutenant, j.g.

A longtime dedicated fundraiser for Harvard University as Associate Dean for Development at both the Medical School and the Kennedy School, member of the 1951 Permanent Class Committee, he was also an Admissions Office alumni interviewer, freshman adviser, Crimson executive, instructor at Harvard Extension School (management of NGOs) and Senior Common Room member of Lowell House. Also Administrative Vice President for Oberlin College 1971-74 and Vice President for Resources of Boston University 1974-80. Private family services were held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston where he served as vestryman and senior warden. A memorial service will be held in the spring at The Memorial Church of Harvard University.

Kermit George Pratt ’39

PrattKermit George Pratt, 92, of Newport News, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013.

He was born Sept.12, 1921, in Windsor, Vermont, the son of George Henry Pratt and Mary Patterson Pratt of Windsor, Vermont. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Colin and Ann Pratt of Newport News; his daughter, Kay-Lyn Pratt Merritt of Ashland; five grandchildren, Lindsay Zanol (Max) of Gloucester Point, Adam Pratt of Henrico, Robin Merritt Liesfeld (Kenny) of Montpelier, Rebecca Merritt of Ashland, Catherine Merritt Blanche (Bradley) of Glen Allen; and three great grandchildren, Luca and Bella Liesfeld of Montpelier, and Abel Blanche of Glen Allen. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn, who died in October, 2000.

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Honour Buell Edgerton ’39

Honour EdgertonHonour Edgerton was an extraordinarily thoughtful and caring person. She listened, and you became the center of her universe. She was courageous. Blind for several years, she never wavered in her good humor or positive outlook. She is gone but her spirit remains.

Honour Buell Edgerton died on Nov. 10, 2013, at HillHouse Assisted Living in Bath from congestive heart failure.

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Allan J. Rosenthal ’36

RosenthalAllan J. Rosenthal, 96, of 1450 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2014 in Masonicares Hospice Unit after a short stay at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Born in Boston on January 1, 1918, he was the son of the late Louis and Sadie (Laskey) Rosenthal. He leaves his beloved wife of 49 years Barbara (Cohn) Rosenthal, daughter Connie (Milender) Goebel, son-in-law Jay Goebel, grandchildren Alec and Sally Goebel of Orange, CT, sister Helaine (Rosenthal) Meyers of Brookline, brother Irwin Rosenthal of Chestnut Hill and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.

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Robert Hutzler ’58

HutzlerRobert “Bob” Albert Hutzler, 74, of Delray Beach, Florida, passed away on Friday January 24, 2014. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family service will take place at a later date.

Bob was born in New Haven CT to Charles and Elizabeth Hutzler. Bob graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton MA. He attended Stetson University in Deland FL.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was active in the Florida Farm Bureau.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents. Bob is survived by his sisters, Priscilla (Charles) Sparks of Maryland and Ruth (Ralph) Shelley of Illinois; a brother, Arthur of Iowa; and 21 nephews and nieces.

Donations in Bob’s name may be made to Bethesda Memorial Fund, Bethesda Hospital, Boynton Beach FL.

View Bob’s guest book on PalmBeachPost.com here.

John Warfield Glaze ’43

Glaze '43John Warfield Glaze, a life-long Westfield resident, died on January 10 at his home surrounded by family.

He was born in Springfield, MA on January 2, 1925, the son of the late John Wallace Glaze and Marjorie (Warfield) Glaze

He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley (Alger) Glaze, and his sons Jeffrey W., Southampton, MA and Jonathan W. and wife Sandra, Westfield, MA, his brother Horace W. Glaze and wife Taylor, Killington, VT and 3 grandchildren Justin W. and wife Kellie in West Springfield, Jordan W., Southampton and Jocelyn W. Glaze, Northampton, MA. His Border Collie, Mollie, will miss him

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Homer Guy Perkins, Jr. ’62

Perkins '62Homer Guy Perkins, Jr., 69, of Lake Wyola, Shutesbury, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a brief struggle with cancer.

Born Sept. 23, 1944, in New Haven, Conn., he was the son of Homer Guy Perkins, Sr. and Dorothy Catherine (Stock) Perkins and the brother of Maribeth Grant (Russell) of Pascoag, R.I., Hazel Adolphson of Hatfield, Caroline Perkins of Huntington, WV, Dolly Perkins (Larry Novak) of Silver Spring, Md., Faith Perkins (Jim Crotteau) of Lamoine, Maine, and Ruth Sico (Joe) of Sanford, Maine.

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Remembering members of the Williston Northampton community