On Nov. 6, 2024, Dr. Edward M. Peters Jr., 88, a longtime resident of Guilford, Connecticut, passed away at his home.
Husband of the late Patricia (Knapp) Peters, Dr. Peters was born in New Haven in May, 1936, son of Mr. Edward M. Peters, Sr. and Mrs. Marjorie (Corcoran) Peters. Loving father and father-in-law to Greg and Nicole Kane of Fairfield, Moira and Dave Pakulniewicz of Berlin, Maryland, and Clare and Edward M. Peters, III of Austin, Texas. He is survived by his five grandchildren, Caroline, Charles, Timothy, Mary Elizabeth, and Peter; his beloved sisters, Teri Ciaburro of East Haven and MaryEllen DelVecchio of Woodbridge; and his sister-in-law, Ann Peters of Guilford, widow of his younger brother, John.
Dr. Peters was a graduate of Hill House High School, New Haven, The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and of Yale University, from which he held a B.A., an M.A., and was the first Ph.D awarded in medieval studies. After a brief stint teaching at the University of California at San Diego, Peters settled in at the University of Pennsylvania as the Henry Charles Lea Professor of History and the curator of the Henry Charles Lea Library, where he remained for 41 years. His studies spanned many wide-ranging topics, including the Crusades, the Inquisition, witchcraft in Europe, and niche topics such as curiosity and torture. Peters has been called “One of the greatest medievalists of his generation.”
Even after retirement from teaching, Dr. Peters continued to research, write, and edit scholarly work. He was an avid reader of thrillers and loved nothing more than having a cocktail on the deck overlooking the beautiful salt marsh in Guilford, followed by a well-cooked meal.
Friends are invited to attend a 2:30 p.m. burial on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at West Side Cemetery, 55 Three Mile Course, Guilford, and to share a memory with the family from 4 to 6 p.m. at Café Allegre, 725 Post Road, Madison, following the burial.
Tag Archives: Class of 1954
Joel Schiavone ‘54
Joel Schiavone, of New Haven, CT, died in hospice Monday, April 22, 2024, at the age of 87, after a period of declining health.
He is survived by his partner Emily McDiarmid; his children Allyx ‘88, Josie, Bryan, and Maxim Schiavone; and grandchildren Penn ‘20, Josie and Ripley.
Michael R. Polczwartek ’54
Michael R. Polczwartek, 87 of Williamsburg, Massachusetts, passed away at home on March 6, 2023. Mr. Polczwartek was the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Kulessa) Polczwartek of Northampton.
He served our country in the army for four years during the Korean War. He began his working career as a barber in his fathers’ barber shop in Northampton, then went on to nursing school where he received a Masters Degree in Psychiatric Nursing. He was the first male nurse to graduate from UMASS Amherst in 1971.
Mr. Polczwartek became Director of the Sloan Clinic at Baystate Medical Hospital in Springfield, Ma. and worked for many years before his retirement. He and his wife were very active in their church, Holy Name of Jesus in South Deerfield, Ma.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Pauline, in June of 2022. He leaves his younger brother Stephen Polczwartek and his wife Marie in Whittingham, Vt. along with his 2 daughters Lynn O’Connell and her husband Donald and Lori Polczwartek Cahillane, two grandsons Sean and Martin Cahillane and 2 great grandsons Orion and Wyatt Cahillane as well as many nieces and nephews.
Michael was a lifelong New York Yankees and Giants fan along with enjoying NASCAR racing.
Czelusniak funeral home is handling arrangements and a private service will take place in the future.
Jun Uramatsu Smith ’54
Jun Smith, 88, a resident of Concord, Massachusetts since 1968, died at her son’s home, Timothy Smith, of Southborough, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, following an extended illness and recently sustained injuries as a passenger in an auto accident.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, on January 29, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Samitaro and Fuki (Wooyenaka) Uramatsu. Mrs. Smith received her primary education from The International School of The Sacred Heart in Tokyo, whose mission is to provide an education for women that prepares them for success in an ever-changing world. At seventeen, she came to the U.S. to attend The Williston Northampton School, graduating in 1954. Mrs. Smith received her bachelor of arts from Wellesley College in 1958. Professionally, she was an accredited Japanese-English translator. She worked at Wang Labs as a technical editor for 12 years and was an editor at Dun & Bradstreet Software.
Jun was a lifelong lover of music. She played the piano, guitar, soprano, treble, tenor, and bass recorders and was active in many choirs in Concord. Growing up, she was involved in sports and enjoyed figure skating, cycling, hiking, camping, and gardening.
She enjoyed a more than 40-year marriage with her late husband, Henry Clement Smith II, who passed away in 2002. She leaves her sons Jeffrey U. Smith of Block Island, R.I., and Timothy W. Smith of Southborough, MA.; two of three sisters, Kiyoko Uramatsu of Northwood, NH. and Kei Zehr ’61 of Tiburon, CA.; her three grandchildren, Scarlett Hovenstot, Gavin J. Smith and Jayden U. Smith, as well as many nieces, a nephew, and seven grandnieces.
A memorial service announcement will be made at a later date. If you want to be notified, please get in touch with: Tim Smith 6 Winter Street, Southborough, MA. 01772 Tsmithtennis@mac.com
Roderick Stuart Thomson Jr. ’54
Roderick “Stu” Thomson Jr., of Sarasota, Florida, passed away July 13, 2023. You can read more about Stu’s life at A Champion for Williston.
Beverly Butterworth McEntee ’54
Beverly Ann McEntee, 85, died peacefully, with family by her side, on November 4, 2022, following complications from a fall taken a few days earlier.
Beverly was a thoughtful, beautiful, kind, considerate, positive, and fun person and so much more. She travelled the world, loved her family, and was gracious to all.
Born in Salem, MA in 1937 to parents Edward R. and Elizabeth (Learned) Butterworth, Beverly was the oldest of five girls, affectionately known as ‘The Five Belles.’ The Butterworths raised their daughters in Nahant, MA, and during Beverly’s high school years, the family moved to Swampscott, MA.
Beverly was graduated from Northampton School for Girls and Bradford College, with classmates who hailed from all over the country, many with whom she maintained lifetime friendships. She furthered her education at Katherine Gibbs School and in 1957, embarked on an exciting career in the travel industry. She moved to Chicago, IL to work for United Airlines and run the 100,000 Mile Red Carpet Club, under the direction of the President of United Airlines.
Two years later, she happily transferred back to Boston with United. A year later, she met and married Leon J. McEntee, of Lynn, who obtained his law degree and went on to practice law in MA. They were married for 29 years, raised two daughters on Rockland Street in Swampscott and often said their daughters were their proudest accomplishments.
In the era before personal computers and websites, Beverly booked leisure and corporate travel arrangements for clients from all over the North Shore and Boston, for Aladdin Travel of Swampscott. Instrumental in generating group sales, she started Flagship Travel in Marblehead as Vice President, joining forces with a group of business partners. Her loyal clients appreciated she went the extra mile to make sure their travel arrangements were always top notch.
Beverly met her life partner, Roger B. Conant of Lynnfield, MA. In the 1990’s they moved to Marblehead, MA and wintered in Naples, FL. When the couple moved permanently to Naples, Beverly enjoyed working part-time as a concierge at the Bella Sera, the 5-star boutique hotel in downtown Naples. Following Roger’s death in 2015, she relocated to Kings Beach Towers of Lynn and enjoyed a community of wonderful neighbors.
She was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Church in Swampscott, the Little Sisters of the Assumption Guild, North Shore Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Junior Aid Society, and Corinthian Yacht Club. She volunteered for many organizations through the years in the North Shore area and in Naples, FL.
She leaves two daughters, Pamela (McEntee) Thomas of South Portland, ME, and Elaine McEntee-King, and son-in-law, Donald L. King, III of Salem, MA. She leaves three sisters Barbara (Butterworth, Cleary) Bostley and brother-in-law, Paul Bostley, of Peabody, MA, Betty (Butterworth) Fitzgerald and brother-in-law, Attorney John P. Fitzgerald, of Marblehead, MA, and her youngest sister, Martha Butterworth Bartlett (formerly of Plymouth, MA) and brother-in-law Shawn F. Michaud, of Bonita Springs, FL. Her sister, Brenda Butterworth Palleschi, preceded her in death. She leaves many special nieces, nephews, and godchildren, who dearly loved their ‘Auntie Bev.’ She leaves her Shea family (formerly of Lynn) cousins. She leaves dear and cherished friends. She will be greatly missed.
Service Information: Beverly’s family will welcome family and friends on Friday, December 2nd, from 9AM to 10AM in the new reception area of the main entrance of St. John the Evangelist Church, 174 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA. A Funeral Mass, celebrating her life, will follow at 10AM. Interment will immediately follow at Swampscott Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Beverly’s memory to:
The Beverly School for the Deaf, Beverly MA, The St. Vincent de Paul Society, Naples, FL, The Natalie Norton Scholarship Fund, Springfield, MA.
Arthur B. Locke ’54
Arthur Bailey Locke of West Granby, CT, passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. He was the son of Alice Bailey and William S. Locke. Born in Hartford in 1936, Art moved to West Hartford a few years later where he lived until moving to Bloomfield in 1961. A graduate of Williston Northampton School, Hobart College, and Harvard Law School, Art joined the law firm Murtha, Cullina (then Shephard, Murtha, and Merritt) in Hartford where he practiced law until his retirement in 1992. An outdoorsman at heart, Art enjoyed gardening, splitting wood, building stone walls, and making maple syrup. He liked walking around in the woods, especially after moving to West Granby in 1994 where he could walk in “his” woods.
Art is survived by his wife of 56 years, Aurelle Smoot Locke; three daughters, Alison Perchuk (Andrew) of Santa Monica, CA, Amanda Locke (Jonathan Chesler) of New Milford, CT, and Katharine Locke (Julian Wiggins) of Orono, ME; and his granddaughter, Hazel Bailey Wiggins.
Calling hours will be Sunday, February 6, 1:00 pm at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby CT. A celebration of his life will follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Northern Woodlands Education, PO Box 270, Lyme, NH 03768, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
George L. Pezzini ’54
George L. Pezzini passed away peacefully in Camarillo, CA on May 15, 2021. He was born July 2, 1931 in Pittsfield, MA. Attended Williston Academy and University of Massachusetts.
George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 1949, assigned to Head Quarters 85th Maintenance Group where he received the Occupation Medal (Germany). He was honorably discharged in November 1952.
George is a past member of the IBEW, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club member and Hillcrest Hospital Board of Directors. He was a St. Mark’s Catholic Church parishioner and Knights of Columbus member until moving to Anaheim California in 1977, where he and his family joined St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church and then St. Mary Magdalen church in Camarillo, CA. He was also a mentor with Casa Pacifica Child Advocacy Group in Camarillo.
One of George’s proudest professional accomplishments was his leadership in the electrical design and contracting of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
George is predeceased by his parents George L. Pezzini, Sr., and Jane Cavallaro Pezzini, and son Stephen Pezzini.
George is survived by wife Claire Guiltinan Pezzini of 65 years, sons Peter (Margit) of Rosamond, CA, John (Debbie) of Heath, TX, Michael (MaryJo) of Wasilla, AK, daughter-in-law Pierangela Davisson of Woodinville, WA, daughters Catherine Nelson of Wimberley, TX and Anne Parker (Kevin) of Park City, UT. Nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held in Camarillo, CA at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, June 18, 2021, followed by a reception at Spanish Hills Country Club.
Sydney W. Russell ’54
Sydney W. “Syd” Russell, 84, a resident of Pine Circle, Bennington, VT, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation following a lengthy illness.
Syd was born on July 16, 1936 and raised in Easthampton, MA where he graduated from Williston Academy before going on to Boston where he graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.
Syd married the former Marilyn Simkins on November 25, 1967 in Dekalb, Illinois.
Syd began his long career as a pharmacist at Hillcrest Hospital in Pittsfield, MA before moving on to Putnam Memorial Hospital in Bennington where he served as Chief Pharmacist for 20 years. Syd served another 20 years as a friendly and recognizable face at The Pharmacy on North Street where he remained until his retirement.
Syd was a long time member of the Second Congregational Church in Bennington where he also served as a trustee. He was a former member of the Bennington Lions Club and also a member of both the Rattlesnakes and Gezzers coffee clubs. His passion was cheering for the Boston Red Sox and going to the races at Saratoga every August.
The family would especially like to thank the many members of the Second Congregational Church for their numerous acts of kindness during Syd’s long illness. They would also like to thank the staff at CLR, especially Brooke, and the caregivers who assisted him while he was living at home.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Russell of Bennington; three sons, Andrew Russell of Montclair, NJ, Todd Russell and his wife Jennifer of North Brookfield, MA and Eric Russell and his wife Leigh of Bennington; four grandchildren, Haley, Natalie, Lilly and Jacob Russell; his step-grandson, Jonathon Russell; a sister, Mary Russell of West Concord, MA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside committal services will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 12 noon at the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington .
Should friends desire memorial contributions in Sydney Russell’s memory may be made to either the Second Congregational Church or the Parkinson’s Foundation through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.
James E. Dowd ’54
James Edward Dowd, 86, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. James was the eighth child born to the late Jack and Grace (McGowen) Dowd of Worcester and had fond memories of growing up on Westover Air Force Base with his 12 siblings. He attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Chicopee, Cathedral High School, Williston Academy and graduated from Fordham University in 1958, where he studied a year abroad in Avignon, France. James attended Boston College Law School and received his law degree from Western New England Law School in 1965. He worked in both private practice and with the City of Springfield in the roles of City Solicitor and Labor Relations. James married Maureen Coughlin in October of 1958 and lived most of his life in Springfield. James was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years in 2007. He is survived by his son Michael Dowd and his wife Regina of Southport, CT, daughters; Patricia Lutch and her husband Scott of Milton, MA and Sheila Byrne and her husband Stephen of Longmeadow, sisters Dorothy McMahon of East Longmeadow and Eileen O’Keefe of Ware, grandchildren; James, Kelly, Ryan, Matthew, Kelsey, Brendan and Eamonn and two great granddaughters; Rose and Victoria. In addition to his wife, James was also predeceased by his son James E. Dowd, Jr. in 1978 and his grandson Sean M. Byrne in 2017. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 28th from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Family and friends may meet for James’ Funeral Mass on Monday at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sean Byrne Music Foundation, 17 Cherry Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106.