Tag Archives: Class of 1970

Denise D. Wayne ’70

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Denise Deborah Wayne was born in Northampton, MA on March 19, 1952 to Frank D. Wayne and Lucille Ruth Wayne. Denise attended the Northampton School for Girls and went on to study English at UMass Amherst and later graduating from Montana State University.

Denise built a meaningful and impactful career as a mortgage lender. Over the years, she proudly helped thousands of individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership. She understood that a home was more than a financial decision—it was the foundation of a life.

Denise loved the outdoors and loved to travel. She cherished the memories of sneaking away from work to meet up with her children on the slopes at Big Sky, cross-country skiing at Lone Mountain Ranch, camping and fishing along the Madison River, and taking restorative “mental health days” at the beach with her kids. Later in life she had the pleasure of traveling throughout Europe with her son and his family and watching her grandchildren at swim meets throughout the country. These moments brought her great happiness.

Above all else, Denise loved her family. Her children and grandchildren were the center of her world, and her love for them was deep, unwavering, and unconditional. She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose presence will be profoundly missed.

Later in life, Denise met Tony Palano and together they shared many adventures and traveled the world. Denise introduced Tony to her love of hiking and the outdoors. Tony liked to joke that he loved to “hike to the front door of the Marriott,” a line that perfectly captured their shared humor and the joy they found in experiencing life together.

She is survived by her daughter, Sara (Tim) Gram; grandchildren, Will and Georgia Gram of Bozeman, MT; her son Karl (Jennifer) Weidhaas; granddaughter, Elizabeth Weidhaas of Salt Lake City, UT; the love of her life and partner, Tony Palano of Bradenton, FL; and a wealth of extended family and friends in New England, Montana and Florida. She will be missed by all those privileged to know her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 20th from 11 to 1 pm at Robert Toale & Sons at Lakewood Ranch.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to: Moffit Cancer Center Ovarian Cancer Research, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 or Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, PO Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141

Posted in: 1970s

P. Douglas Watkins ’70

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Paul Douglas Watkins, 70, of Marmora, NJ was taken from his loved ones unexpectedly on 4/21/2021. Doug was a loving and supportive husband to his soulmate and late wife, Suzanne, of 45 years. Doug was born in Coatesville, PA, grew up in Centerport, NY and graduated from The Williston Northampton School in MA. Doug was a proud Bucknell University alum as well as having many degrees from many other universities. He is dedicated to, and survived by, his two children Doug and Christine. His true meaning in life, however, was to be a grandfather. He was survived by four grandchildren: Breanna, Leah, Patrick and Carley, who he loved with his entire heart. He is survived by his sister, Lynn and preceded by his parents Paul and Nancy. Doug worked as a paramedic, firefighter, lifeguard, engineer, and just recently started as a substitute teacher. He believed in saving many lives before his own, a true hero. Doug had a big heart with a love language that consisted of giving everything he could to those he loved. He loved his days tanning on the OCNJ beach, taking his boat out, lifeguarding on Surf Road, and spending his time on many different tropical islands where he truly belonged. Living by the shore was his true calling, and it is where he met his very special loved one, Roisin Keough. His love for the beach and the ocean will comfort his loved ones, where we know he will be spending the rest of his eternity. His legacy will live on with all of his family and friends, whom he loved dearly. A memorial will be scheduled for a later date. Donations in his name can be made to the American Cancer Association, which are truly appreciated.

Posted in: 1970s

Gus (Pietraskiewicz) Peters ’70

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gusGus Peters, 62, of Strong Road, Southampton, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died suddenly Sunday, March 1, 2015, at the Holyoke Medical Center.

Gus was born June 16, 1952, in Northampton, and was the son of the late Stanley Pietraskiewicz and Frances (Swiatek) Pietraskiewicz. He was educated at the former Sacred Heart of Jesus School and was a graduate of Williston Academy in 1970, continuing his education at Franklin and Marshall College, Greenfield Community College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst receiving his bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in business in 1978.

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Posted in: 1970s

Alex MacFarlane III ’70

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MacFarlaneAlexander “Alex” MacDougall MacFarlane III of Brentwood, Tennessee passed away peacefully on May 20, 2014.

Alex was born in Torrington, Connecticut on August 18, 1952. He grew up in Connecticut and spent his early adult life in Bermuda before returning to the United States.

During his life he was an avid reader, skilled guitar player, and patient gardener. Alex enjoyed a diverse range of literature and letters. He was a talented guitar player and spent hours picking at his Ibanez, Martin, and Gibson guitars. His love of nature and green thumb were expressed by growing roses and a large assortment of other flowers in his home garden.

Alex is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his son, Alexander and daughter, Kathryn; his stepmother Jean MacFarlane, his sisters, Jean MacFarlane and Alison MacFarlane-Barnes and husband Ed Barnes, his nephew, Stephen, and niece, Anna, and his brother, Carson Brown. His parents, Alexander MacFarlane Jr., and Kathryn Brown preceded him in death.

Posted in: 1970s