Tag Archives: Class of 1973

Robert S. Little ’73

Robert Shackford Little, 68, of Winchester, Massachusetts, and Laconia, New Hampshire, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, June 2, 2023 after a brief illness.

He leaves Mary Beth née Livingston, his wife of 43 years; his daughter, Kate Little; and his son, Matthew Little, daughter-in-law Erika, and granddaughter Eliana. He also leaves his sister, Jo Binette née Little, and his brother Geoff Little and his wife Esmé Little, as well as nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Bob grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, and graduated from Williston Academy. He attended Bates College, and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He also received a business degree from Northeastern University.

Bob spent all or part of every summer of his life on Lake Winnipesaukee, making many life-long friends. His passion was being on the lake in a boat: driving one or building one. As a teenager, he raced a yellow Tahiti in Class A Division water skiing, winning many trophies. Recently, he was active with the New Hampshire Boat Museum in Wolfeboro.

An avid snow skier, Bob travelled around the country skiing various mountains with family and college friends. He was a member of the Gunstock Ski Patrol. Bob was an extremely loyal and loving person, valuing family above all. He loved family traditions and holiday gatherings.

A Memorial Service is planned for later this summer.

Francis A. Gnatek ’73

Francis “Bud” Andrew Gnatek, 67 of Hadley, MA passed away on March 2, 2022 in Dover, VT. Bud was born on March 22, 1954 in Northampton, MA. The son of Edward and Joanna (Szych) Gnatek. He attended Hopkins Academy, Williston Northampton School, and Lehigh University, where he studied engineering and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Bud was a veteran of the United States Army and worked in engineering and management for Judd Wire for 33 years. He enjoyed rebuilding his 1962 Porsche 356, playing guitar, singing karaoke and running. Bud is survived by his wife, Gail Gnatek (Gilbertsen); children, Andrew Gnatek of Hadley, Daniel Gnatek (Cleo Zancope) of Easthampton, MA, and Katrina Gnatek (Georgi Evlogiev) of Berlin, Germany; grandchildren, August Gnatek and Griffen Gnatek; and siblings, Edward and James. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joan Baj. Memorial donations in Bud’s memory may be made to Operation Homefront, The Nature Conservatory, or the charity of your choice c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Richard P. Dec ’73


Richard Peter Dec of Hadley, MA, born January 31, 1955, passed away on March 29, 2020 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a long illness. Rick graduated from the Williston Northampton School where he excelled in soccer, hockey, baseball and art. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UMass and a Master of Arts Degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City.

While studying for his Masters Degree, Rick became interested in carpentry while renovating apartment units in Brooklyn. After graduating from Pratt, he returned to the Pioneer Valley and embarked on a 30-year career that would become the Northampton Brewery. He was a big fan of all Boston sports teams, especially the Bruins and Red Sox. After 30 years of building construction, with an artist’s talent for finished work, his knees gave out, and he returned to his love of art.

Rick was predeceased by his parents Doris and Wallace Dec. He is survived by his sister Doreen Dec, brother David Dec (Mona Balicki) of South Hadley, and brother Steven Dec (Claire Largesse) of Louisville, CO.

There will be no funeral services, but a retrospective of Rick’s artwork is being planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Williston Art Department, Williston Northampton School, 19 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027.

Czelusniak Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Paul Loiero ’73

Paul LoieroPaul J. Loiero, 59, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center.

Born in Utica, NY on October 29, 1955, son of the late Dr. Francesco and Edith (Marotta) Loiero, he lived in Westfield for the past fifty one years.

Paul was a graduate of Williston Northampton, Class of 1973 and Bates College, Class of 1977 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Biology and Chemistry. In 1983 he earned a Masters in Business Administration from American International College.

Paul was a supervisor for Midac Corp. and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a member of Mt. Tom Amateur Repeater Association with the call sign of NIFI and loved his time on Cape Cod. He was also an organ donor.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of twenty six years, Cynthia A. (Krenzul) Loiero; two loving step-children, Richard W. Conroy and his wife Rebecca, of Westfield and Ronald A. Conroy and his partner Ramona Cavallini, of West Springfield; two cherished grandchildren, Samuel and MacKenzie; several cousins; and his faithful dog and best buddy, Solo.

Christopher Farmer ’73

Chris Farmer '73Christopher Hurley Farmer passed away on April 17, 2010, in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the age of 56. Chris died of a heart attack while hiking with his girlfriend and her family.

Chris was born in Troy, New York and lived in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts before settling in Olympia.

Chris is survived by his mother Jeanne Farmer of Newburyport, Massachusetts; brothers Malachy Farmer of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Michael Farmer of Amesbury, Massachusetts; sisters Kate Pallotta of Dublin, New Hampshire; Dodie Farmer of Lake George, New York; Debbie Farmer of Newburyport, Massachusetts; and Candy Farmer of New York City; and by his girlfriend Sophie Stimson of Olympia, Washington.