Allen Vaughan Shaw passed away suddenly, October 16, 2024, in Rockville, Maryland. He was born May 19, 1940 at Hale Hospital in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the eldest child of Eugene Kenneth Shaw and Evelyn Frances (Vaughan). He grew up at the family homestead, Number 12 King Street in Groveland and as a teenager worked on a local dairy farm, which he reminisced about frequently. An animal lover from an early age, he raised a Holstein cow named Bobolink, after which his adventures in dairy farming came to a close.

Allen was educated at Williston Northampton School, where he was known as Al Shaw, graduating in 1959. He played varsity football and was a member of the varsity track team, boasting a 4 minute mile and excelled in the 440. Allen also participated in the school glee club, student council, and was sports editor of The Willistonian school paper.

Allen went on to study geology at Tufts University and received his Master’s Degree from Michigan State. He continued his formal education at the University of Arizona, University of Oklahoma, and University of Texas at Dallas.

His career began in oil exploration, working for Conoco in the Western United States. He lived in the Rocky Mountain region for many years before moving to Arizona and then to Texas to work for Sun Exploration. In the early 90s, he moved back to the East Coast and transitioned to environmental geology, working for URS Corporation and Bechtel. Allen stayed active in his field and served as past editor of AEG News, the newsletter for the Association of Engineering Geologists.

During his time in Wyoming, he met Dorsey Winchester and they were married in 1970, becoming an instant family with Dorsey’s children Lynne, Shannon, Casey, and Marty before adding two more daughters, Ryan and Morgan.

At the time of his death, he was living with his companion of 19 years Christine (Tina) Chisena and their kitties, Frank and Lola, in Maryland.

He lived a life of service and spent countless hours volunteering for many organizations, big and small. Allen regularly donated blood earning his 25-gallon pin and beyond. He also donated over 2500 hours of service to The Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney, Texas, clearing hiking trails and hosting education workshops. More recently, he continued to live out his love of nature by volunteering at Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, Maryland. Faith was important to Allen and he was dedicated in his service to Grace St Paul’s church in Tucson, Arizona as well as Holy Nativity Church in Plano, Texas. He served as lay reader, vestry member, event organizer, helped build the church playground in Plano, and served on the education board of the Montessori school at Holy Nativity.

Allen generously supported many organizations with monetary donations when he was unable to support them with his time and personal service. He was a faithful friend of the geology department at Tufts, his beloved alma mater, and made it a priority to support the department with a gift each year.

When he wasn’t out and about enjoying this beautiful world and its flora and fauna, many other hobbies and passions occupied his time. Allen was an accomplished baker (his focaccia bread had an informal fan club), chef extraordinaire (his butternut squash soup is a holiday favorite), and singer, his rich baritone voice was a joy to hear (just like his dad’s.) He was also an amateur photographer and an avid birdwatcher, often combining the two activities.

Allen was known to be competitive, an attribute often seen at the bridge table. He was an active member of the American Contract Bridge League, playing in local, district, and national tournaments throughout his life, from Casper, Wyoming, to Tucson, Dallas, and Washington, DC. He achieved the rank of Gold Life Master in the ACBL and won the Open Pairs at the National Capital 4th of July Tournament in 2023 with bridge partner and friend Jerold.

His talents as “Opa” boasted superb baby rocking skills, excellent bedtime story reader (he did all the voices, 10/10), nature walks, and teaching grandchildren how to bake the best treats ever.

Allen is survived by his companion, Tina, his children Marty Shaw (his wife Sandy, children Chris and Holly and their families), Ryan Shaw, Dr. Morgan (Shaw) McCormick (her husband Tim, children Keira and Maeryn), his brother David Shaw ’61 (his wife Janet, children Mark, Todd, Brett and their families), his former wife Dorsey, Lynne Livingston (children Todd and Cody and family), Shannon Smith Gray (husband Ken, children Kyle, Keefe, Kip and families ), Casey Digaetano (children Autumn, Beckon, Cameon, Jadon and families), and many friends that will cherish his memory. His sense of humor, wit, and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Allen to Tufts University or to The Heard Museum of Natural History in Texas. Allen’s final gift was to be an organ and tissue donor. Please consider donating blood or becoming an organ donor.

Robert (Bob) M. Stilson, 82, a longtime resident of Fairfield, died on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Maplewood of Southport. He was the son of the late Minott A. O. Stilson and Mary Edith Williams Stilson.

Bob attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, graduating in 1959, and spent a year at Kings College, England, as part of the English Speaking Union Exchange Program. He earned his B.S in Industrial Administration from Yale University in 1964 and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport in 1975. After graduating from Yale, Bob joined the US Navy in 1964 – 1967, serving as an operations officer on board a coastal minesweeper, MCS 290 Gannet, out of Sasebo, Japan, and as a Communications Officer in Norfolk, VA.

After the Navy, Bob joined Coopers & Lybrand in New Haven as an auditor, obtaining his CPA in 1972. His earlier employment consisted as an assistant production control manager at Risdon Manufacturing, Waterbury, controller for Broadstreet Communications, Hamden, controller for Turnkey Systems, Norwalk, and controller of Paper Sales involved in paper merchandising, converting, and warehousing. He joined Milton H. Friedberg Smith, CPAs, in Bridgeport as an audit manager in 1978. After a partnership with Stern & Stern CPAs, in 1982, Bob became Treasurer/Controller for Nutmeg Financial in Norwalk until 1985, when he joined Montrose Accounting Company, New York, NY, serving as Director of Finance/Controller until his retirement in 2010.

Bob also practiced part-time as a sole CPA, servicing Montrose Accounting clients who needed audit review or compilation services. He prepared tax returns and performed bookkeeping services until 2015.

His main volunteer activities included serving as Treasurer for Friends of Christ in India (a non-profit supporting programs in children’s education and care for the sick and elderly in India), VITA and AARP volunteer tax preparer assistance programs, Vice Chairman of Fairfield’s Solid Waste & Recycling Commission, WestBridge Inc. (a non-profit performing repairs to homes of low-income families and inner-city churches), SCORE mentor, and as a land steward for the Aspetuck Land Trust. Past involvements include being Treasurer of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport, and Community Sailing of Fairfield. He also served as an elected member of Fairfield’s Representative Town Meeting and its Board of Finance. His passions were sailing and auditing courses at Fairfield University as part of the Life Long Learners program.

Bob was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be missed by his wife of 54 years, Susanne Whitaker Stilson; daughter, Laura Stoltenberg (Scott Stoltenberg), of Wayzata, MN; son, David Stilson, of Fairfield; and grandchildren, Gavin Johnson, Tanner Stoltenberg, and Emery Stotlenberg, of Wayzata, MN. He was the brother of Ann Kidder, of Auburn, AL.

Bob was devoted to helping and serving others – whether it was to his family, work associates, friends, community, or church.

Martin (Bo) Byram Burke, 83, beloved husband to Ellen S. Burke, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024 following an illness. He was born on May 5, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut, son of the late Francis (Greene) Burke and Edmond Burke. Bo was raised in the close-knit village of Rockville. He graduated from Williston Academy (now Williston Northampton School); Colgate University and Albany Law School where he earned his JD in 1963.

Throughout his 54-year legal career, Bo held positions in several law firms, beginning in 1963 with Joe Shapiro in Hamilton, NY where his first case involved the loss of a farmer’s cow. He practiced law at 130 Union Street, Rockville, with the support of a dedicated, kind and loyal staff. Bo was passionate about the law and municipal government, he served in the Connecticut State Legislature in the 1970’s, where among other accomplishments he sponsored the Freedom of Information Act in the House. He also served on the Connecticut Judicial Review Council, the Connecticut Law Revision Commission, as well as serving as the Town Attorney and Assistant Town Attorney over several administrations in Ellington and Vernon. He was known as a lawyer who could get things done and as one who nobly served his profession. Throughout his long and accomplished career he quietly acted as pro bono to many who faced overwhelming legal issues.

Bo held a lifelong passion for Maine and began vacationing there in the mid-’60s, with his family continuing through owning a camp on Flying Pond in Vienna, ME. He relished the peace and tranquility of Maine.

He leaves behind Ellen Schopfer Burke, his wife of 60 years, his sons, Matthew Burke and his wife Melissa Watson and their son Angus Burke of Lisbon Falls, Maine; Jonathan Burke of Bethel, Maine; Andrew Burke and his wife, Ingrid Kessler of Eugene, Oregon and Benjamin Burke and his wife Lauren Burke and their son Sullivan Burke of Portland, Oregon. He also leaves behind his sister, Susan Evans Burke of California and his first cousin Mary Jane Dempsey of Phoenix, AZ.

Bo will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. His family has the deepest gratitude for all who helped Bo including friends and neighbors, A & B Homecare Solutions, Vernon Visiting Nurse and Connecticut Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bo’s memory to Doctors Without Borders.

Charles (Charlie) Pinnell II passed away peacefully in his home Thursday, February 24th, after a lengthy illness. He was born January 17th, 1940 to Kenneth and Marjorie (Knight) Pinnell in East Orange, NJ and raised in nearby Summit, NJ. Charlie prepped at Williston Academy in Easthampton MA, and graduated in 1959. Throughout his life, Williston held a truly special place in Charlie’s heart. It was there he developed into a fine student and where his academic curiosity and confidence were nurtured. He attended Tufts University, and graduated in Political Science in 1963, then attended Rutgers Law School, and graduated in 1966. While at Rutgers, Charlie met the love of his life, Joanne, and the two were married in September 1966. Immediately after their wedding, the couple left the east coast and moved to Washington State, settling in Bellevue where they raised their family. Charlie spent nearly his whole career with the US Attorney’s office in Seattle, representing the government in both criminal and civil cases. His friends and peers remember him as a highly capable attorney, friend, and mentor. He was a successful trial attorney who enjoyed the academic preparation for trial as much as the trial itself. He was also an excellent orator and writer, demonstrating and honing these skills throughout his career. After 30 years of service, he retired from the Department of Justice in 1998. In his retirement he pursued his love for the outdoors: skiing, fishing, and hiking with his family and friends whenever possible. Charlie was a lifelong learner and well informed. He was an avid Seahawks fan who held a season ticket for over 30 years. Amongst his strongest and most memorable traits were his sense of humor, his love for English Setters (not to mention all creatures, great and small), and sharing his genuine appreciation for the Pacific Northwest. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joanne V. Pinnell. He is also survived by his sister Mary and her husband Tom Zabresky of PA, his daughter, Christan Pinnell Seitz and her husband Tristan, his son Kenneth N. Pinnell, and his son Charles M. Pinnell and his wife Carla. He is also survived by his granddaughter Mahri Seitz, grandsons Brandt Seitz, Kalum Pinnell, and Mika Pinnell. He is mourned by his family, many friends, and colleagues who remember him for his wit, intelligence, and ability to find the best in others. A celebration of Charlie’s life is scheduled for June at his home in Monroe, WA.

Brewster Holman Staples, 81 of Pownal, ME passed away at his home on December 23, 2020 with his wife by his side.

He was born in Malden, MA, April 29, 1939 to Dr. Clark and Frances (Hall) Staples. After graduation from Williston Academy, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1964. He was a medical technologist during his years of study at Bryant and Stratton and Suffolk University in Boston. Brewster worked in the insurance and financial service industries; earning the LUTCF designation in 1988. He retired from Metropolitan Insurance Company and belonged to the Southern Maine Association of Life Underwriters; serving as its president and winning four National awards.

Bruce enjoyed his years of boating, camping, traveling to Nova Scotia and Key West many times with his loving wife of 51 years. He was an avid fisherman and looked forward each year to his week at Moosehead Lake in Rockwood. He was most happy at his home on the farm, always working the land and enjoying nature; talking with all who stopped by.

Brewster was a long-time member of South Freeport Church UCC, member of the Acacia Lodge #21 AF & AM in Durham, ME, Grand Organist of the State of Maine for many years and also a member of the AMVETS Post 2 in Yarmouth, ME.

Throughout his life, Brewster was recognized for his volunteer service to youth, including handicap children at the YMCA in Woburn, MA; raising rabbits for 4H in Massachusetts and Cumberland associations. Whether working seasonally at LL Bean for 15 years or participating in community activities, Brewster was respected and highly thought of by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, David and Clarke Staples. His is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate, Judith (Hayes) Staples; daughters, Deborah Staples Ferrara and husband Jim of Rangeley, Jennifer Staples LeClair and husband Robert of Key West; son Jay (John B.) Staples and wife Bonnie of Topsham; his dear sister, Anne Staples Dixon of Essex, CT and many loving grandchildren and special nieces and nephews. He is also survived by daughters, Tracie Staples Thomas and husband Dan and Kendall Staples and their families in Virginia.

A small graveside memorial will be held in June in Pownal, ME.

Richard T. Potsubay, age 79, of Clearwater, Florida passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Richard was born July 4, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York to Samuel F. Potsubay and Virginia Taylor. Richard lived a devoted life to his career and family. He enjoyed reading, writing, and traveling. There will be a graveside service at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park.