Tag Archives: Class of 1989

James F. Wzorek III ’89

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James (Jay) Francis Wzorek III, son of Capt. James Francis Wzorek Jr, USMC, and JoAnn (Shurigar) Wzorek, was born September 17, 1971, in Milton, FL. He passed away in Ogallala, NE on November 7, 2024 at the age of 53 years.

At the age of 2, the family moved to Easthampton, MA. Later he moved with his mother and sister, Anya, to Gillette, WY, and later to Lander, WY. The family moved to Anchorage, AK, where he attended school through the 8th grade. For his high school years, he attended Williston Northampton in Easthampton, MA.He graduated there as Salutatorian of his class. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He graduated in 1994 with a degree in Material Science Engineering.

Jay enjoyed sailing and his love of the water continued throughout his life. Later he moved to Montreal, Canada, where he worked with companies in the technology field. He left Montreal to work with technology companies around the world. He retired and resided in Denver, CO, and Ogallala, NE until his death.

He was survived by his partner Christina Workman, Ogallala, NE, his parents James Wzorek and step-mother Sue Lacy of Sun City West, AZ and JoAnn Shurigar of Kenesaw, NE, sister Anya Compton (Joe Lewis) Hastings NE, nephew Jonathan Compton, Hastings, NE, step-brother Mark Napier, Goodyear, AZ, step-sister, Nicole (Rob) Preble Rapid City, SD, and many relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life will be held on April 12, 2025, in Kenesaw, NE at the Senior Citizen Center.

Posted in: 1980s

Robert J. Youngs, Jr. ’89

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Robert J. Youngs, Jr. — father, son, brother, friend, athlete, power-lifter, and 3 gunner, passed at his home in Boynton Beach, FL on June 5, 2019. Growing up Bob was very competitive and an amazing athlete, excelling at hockey, baseball, and football. Bob graduated from Williston Northampton School in 1989 and went on to attend Marietta College in Ohio where he discovered Westside Barbell and powerlifting. He was a record setter having lifted 700 deadlift, 810 squat, and 525 bench. Eventually, he moved to Florida and created Southside Barbell. When wear and tear got the best of his body and he was no longer able to lift, Bob discovered competitive gun shooting. He was a top 3 Gunner and was a constant source of support. Bob touched many lives within the 3-gun matches, he was everybody’s favorite range officer. Bob’s greatest accomplishment, pride and joy was his son, Christopher. Bob is survived by his amazing son, Christopher Youngs; his father, Robert J. Youngs, Sr.; his dear friend, Sarah Moss; his younger sister and her husband, Cindi and Tom McGrath; his nieces, Lilla and Samantha McGrath; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and countless friends. He was predeceased by all of his grandparents; his mother, Donna Youngs; his uncle, Louis Vozzolo; and niece, Elisabeth Bean McGrath. A Celebration of Life will be held at World Famous Egg Rolls at 1701 Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL on Sunday, July 7, 2019 from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/donate.

Posted in: 1980s, Class of 1989

Katherine Nicholson ’89

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Katherine “Kate” Nicholson, of Hightstown, NJ, died of metastatic breast cancer on November 29, 2018. She is survived by her husband Brad and their children, Elizabeth, David, and Abigail.

Peter A. Quinn, headmaster at the Peddie School, shared this statement with his community:

We learned this morning that Mrs. Katherine Nicholson — beloved math teacher, swim coach, and advisor– died early this morning at her home in Hightstown. As you may know, Kate has been on medical leave since the end of the fall term because her cancer had progressed and treatment required all her strength. Unhappily, no program was able to save her life, but in her battle she was supported and loved by her family and a strong circle of friends both at Peddie and in the community of faith and friends beyond campus.

Kate Nicholson was a gifted and patient teacher with a matter-of-fact demeanor, a wry sense of a humor, and a deep, passionate commitment to the welfare of her students in whatever setting she met them. Whether in class, on the pool deck, or in the many less formal settings in which she did exceptional work as an advisor, Kate was a principled, forthright, and tireless advocate for her students. Her contributions to our school have been great and her passing is a great loss to many students, alumni, and colleagues as well as beyond Peddie.

The family’s service for Kate will be private. Her husband Brad and their children are aware of the great regard for Kate, but request privacy at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions to be made in her honor to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org).

Posted in: 1980s

Jahmal Nelson ’89

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nelsonJahmal N. Nelson, 41, of Pelham Hill Road, passed away Dec. 26, 2012, of complications due to a long term illness.

Born Oct. 10, 1971, in Garberville, Calif., Jahmal was the son of Donald and Suzanne (Breen) Nelson. He was educated in local schools and lived most of his life in the Amherst area.

Jahmal worked in the maintenance department at the University of Massachusetts for many years. He was also a house painter in the Amherst area. Jahmal enjoyed cooking and the arts.

He will be remembered by many for his smile and hugs.

Besides his parents, Donald and Suzanne of Cambria, Calif., Jahmal is survived by his brothers, Paul Nelson and T.J. Nelson of Cambria, Calif.; his sister, Alanna Nelson of Baltimore, Md. and several cousins.

The family requests that donations in Jahmal’s memory be in the form of any act of kindness to others.

Posted in: 1980s, Class of 1989

Bill Morrison, Jr. ’89

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William P. “”Bill”” Morrison Jr., 42, of Wilmington, Del., formerly of Painesville, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

He was born Dec. 27, 1970, in the Bronx, N.Y.

Bill was the managing director for the business development and strategic operations at Global Debt Registry, LLC. Before that, he was a senior director in marketing for Sallie Mae, SVP – national sales execution executive and west division mortgage executive for Bank of America, chief executive officer for MBNA Spain and senior vice president for MBNA USA and Canada.

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Posted in: 1980s, Class of 1989