We are sad to announce the passing of Gerald Glass Naylor, of Ann Arbor, MI. He died in his home at age 81 on Friday November 3, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.
Gerry was born on March 22, 1942, in Hartford, CT and grew up in Wethersfield, CT.
He attended boarding school at Williston Northampton, then Brown University. He went on to dental school at Georgetown University. Soon after graduation he joined the public health service during the Vietnam War, serving merchant marines in both Cincinnati, Ohio and Staten Island, New York. He then went on to complete his dental training in periodontics at University of Michigan. After graduation, he opened his dental practice in Ann Arbor, serving the community for 40 years until he retired in 2011.
Gerry was a true intellectual, who surrounded himself with books and loved lively discussions on politics, history and economics. According to his older brother Jim, “Gerry knew a lot about every topic,” and often outdebated his older brother (despite having an almost identical education). Gerry particularly loved American history, has read countless historical biographies, and loved talking about the Civil War.
Gerry was also passionate about gardening. Gerry spent a lot of time researching plants and caring for his extensive garden that included a wide variety of Orchid species. He enjoyed hosting garden parties with his friends. He was president of the Ann Arbor Dean Fund, where he oversaw the selection and plantings of trees throughout Ann Arbor.
He was also an avid supporter of the arts, and member of the University Musical Society. He regularly attended many musical and dance performances in Ann Arbor. He was also an activist for GLBTQ and feminist rights in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
He is survived by his dear friend and partner William (Bill) Garvey, who he met in 1974 and who served as his dental office manager for over 30 years. He is also survived by his brother James E. (Danielle) Naylor ’57, sister Susan Naylor (George) Krouse, and 5 nieces and nephews.
The family is planning a private memorial service in Ann Arbor at a later date.

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.

Robert F. Thomas passed away on September 30, 2023 at home with his beloved wife, Patricia (Patsy) and his dog Hansel. Robert was the son of George A. Thomas and Josephine Fairbanks Thomas. He was born on March 9, 1935 in Harford, Connecticut.
To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his beloved wife of 47 years, Patricia (Patsy)Thomas and a brother-in-law Paul A. Anderson. He had 3 children from a previous marriage: Heather Edelson and her children, Michael and Katelyn; Robert F. Thomas Jr. and his daughter, Emma; Blaise Thomas and his children Sara and Jess. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Valerie Ann Thomas.
He graduated from Williston Academy and Amherst College and did undergraduate studies at John Hopkins and Trinity colleges. Robert was an executive with Travelers Life Insurance Company where he held various positions. Robert was Senior VP of Administration for the Copeland Companies, a subsidiary of The Travelers. He was President of Travelers Life Insurance Overseas, a company having offices in the Caribbean as well as Hong Kong, Guam and the Pacific Islands. He was also on the board for President Reagan’s Caribbean Action Plan.
Robert played numerous sports. He taught tennis at Marble Head Country Club, during the summer while in school. He was a camp counselor at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. He played semi-pro baseball and was a gifted skier. Robert was an ardent golfer. He had his MGA Card and taught golf at Boca Raton Country Club and at Boca West.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any animal association, St Jude Hospital or cure for Alzheimer’s disease. He will be greatly missed. His wishes were to be cremated and be buried in Fitchburg, MA, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Jamie Thompson Irvine IV, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Vero Beach, FL on Wednesday September 27, 2023, surrounded by his family.
Born on June 10,1939 in St. Louis, MO to Jamie T. Irvine III and Kathryn (Waychoff) Irvine, Jamie spent his childhood in Old Greenwich, CT. He later settled in Darien, CT where he raised his family. He attended The Williston Northampton School where he was the President of his class. He continued his education at the University of Virginia where he was a member of St. Elmo Hall (Delta Phi Fraternity). He went on to attend business school at the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He then worked as an insurance executive in New York, holding roles at Johnson & Higgins and Carroon and Black.
An avid sailor, Jamie participated in many East Coast regattas including the Block Island Race and the Bermuda Race. One of his proudest accomplishments was racing the original maxi yacht, Stormvogel, across the Atlantic Ocean. He was a member of the New York Yacht Club and also a longtime member of the Riverside Dyer Dinghy Association. He spent most of his winter weekends frostbiting.
Jamie, better known as “Turbs” by his closest friends, was known for his contagious personality and lived a full and energetic life. At home he was often outdoors in his bountiful vegetable garden, growing tomato plants from seed over the winter which he delivered to friends in the spring. He was also an excellent cook, baking bread or making chili which was enjoyed in front of a roaring fire, watching favorite sports events with family and friends. Jamie was an avid tennis player and golfer, and played paddle tennis in the winter months; “I got it!” was a constant refrain on the courts. One of his favorite events that is a fond memory for all who participated was the “Turkey Day Paddle” tournament. Started with just four players, this annual event grew to a full forty player roster, hosted Thanksgiving Day morning for nearly twenty years. Donations from the event went to support many local organizations.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Alicia (Cici) Irvine; and children Kathryn (Trevor) Tasker, Alicia (Michael) Pizzi, Katie (Brian) Hastreiter, and Victoria (Frederick) Klorczyk. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren A private family service will be held in his memory.

Richard J. Sandulli passed away peacefully on July 23, 2023, at his residence in Juno Beach, Fla., after a brief illness.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1940, to Louise P. Sandulli and Dr. Gaetano R. Sandulli of Waterbury, Conn., and attended McTernan School (now Chase Collegiate School) in Waterbury, Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass., and Duke University in Durham, N.C. He later obtained a law degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a M.A. in tax law from the University of Connecticut.

Richard had a long and noteworthy career in corporate finance, starting at Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., and continuing with a variety of other investment banking firms for almost 40 years.

He leaves a wife, Betsey Parsons Sandulli of Juno Beach, Fla., and two sons, Walter E. Sandulli of Whitehouse Station, N.J., and Richard P. Sandulli of Kamuela, Hawaii; as well as a brother, Joel C. Sandulli of Watertown, Conn. Mr. Sandulli is survived by two grandsons.

A celebration of life will be on Nov. 4 at 10.30 a.m. at the Hickcox Funeral Home in Watertown, Conn. Friends and acquaintances of Richard are cordially invited to attend and celebrate the memory of a man whose love and generosity affected all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Richard Hale Wendin, 83, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. He was born Sept. 18, 1939, in Detroit, to Sigurd R. Wendin and Martha C. (nee Rich) Wendin.
Dick attended Maire Elementary School and Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. He graduated from Yale University in 1962, and served in military intelligence with the U.S. Army in post-war Germany. Dick had a lifelong career with Heber, Fuger and Wendin and remained active as an investment advisor through July of this year.
The beloved “City Man” leaves many friends as a member of the Detroit Racquet Club and welcomed patron to local eastside haunts. He proudly served as commander of American Legion Post 372 for many years. Dick cherished his lifelong visits to the family’s Castle Park resort community in Holland, Mich.
His parents and his sister, Constance W. Sholem, predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, Sigurd Robert Wendin Jr. (Caesara) of Connecticut; nephews, Sigurd Robert Wendin III (Louise) and Michael Sholem (Sadie) of the United Kingdom and Theodore F. Wendin of New Jersey; and nieces, Caesara W. Brungraber (Griffin) of Oregon and Joanna Margaret Sholem of the U.K. He also leaves behind grandnieces and grandnephews, Sigurd R. Wendin IV, Sasha Wendin and Henrik Wendin, Bruce, Zoe and Chase Brungraber, and Florence, William and Reuben Sholem.
The family is most grateful for the great care Dick received, especially from the staff at Beechwood Manor in St. Clair Shores. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Torrey Arnold Welch, age 84, of Lincoln, California passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

Lawrence “Larry” Ball was born August 10, 1933 in Albion, NY. He passed on August 10, 2023 in Grand Junction, CO, on his 90th birthday with his children at his side.

Larry attended Williston Academy, Antioch College, and The University of Ohio. Geophysical Engineering is the core field of his study and profession. Combining two of his loves, cave exploration and radio communications, he developed radio technology to communicate through the earth, especially to trapped miners.

As a pioneer in this field, he was called upon by a few world governments. He started working in his field for DECO/Westinghouse and eventually changed jobs to work for the Department of Energy.

After retiring from DOE in 1993, he became very busy with many activities, including the Colorado Head Injury Foundation, SCUBA diving/rescue, Ham radio/emergency communications, fishing, Ski Patrol, long-distance bicycle riding, Rotary Club, and many others.

Larry is survived by children, Daniel, Logan, and Stacey (Lucero), six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Caroline Ball, his youngest son Ryan ’87, and two granddaughters.

During this difficult time, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for the support and care we received, especially by the HopeWest Hospice care team. The departure of Dad has left a profound emptiness. Your kind words and presence mean a lot to our family as we live through this grief. We will never forget him for his love, wisdom, and the time we shared together. Thank you for being here for us.

Memorial Services are planned for 10 AM Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at the Patterson Road Church of Christ at 2893 Patterson Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81506.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”. – Revelation 21:4

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.