Tag Archives: Williston Academy

Peter P. Gerquest ’51

Peter Prior Gerquest, of South Freeport, ME,  passed away June 1, 2018. Peter was an impassioned sailor, hobby lobsterman, and a career shipbroker; the sea was his garden. For the last 20 years of his life, Peter watched the sea every day from his home in South Freeport, overlooking Casco Bay. Peter was brought into the world by poet, family friend, and physician William Carlos Williams, in Passaic, N.J., on March 3, 1932. He was the son of Llewellyn Prior Gerquest, a painter and sculptor, and Arthur Stevens Gerquest, an engineer and potter. Peter and his sister, Sonja, grew up among a community of creatives who influenced his lifelong appreciation for art and music. Peter attended Williston Academy, Hamilton College, and graduated from Columbia University, with an interim stretch serving in the Korean War. As an avid sailor, Peter raced on such famous yachts as The Weatherly and The Ticonderoga. He lived with his wife Mabel in Riverside, CT for 35 years. There, they raised their children, Heidi and Chris, while Peter ran his own shipping company Sea Quest, later renamed Sea Reef Chartering and Beaufort Navigation. Peter traveled the world in both personal and professional capacities throughout his life. In 1995, Peter and Mabel moved to Freeport, where they lived down the street from their daughter, Heidi and granddaughter, Fiona. He was deeply involved in his community both by land and sea. Peter devoted his time to the Harraseeket Yacht Club, the Freeport Historical Society, served as the president of the South Freeport Congregational Church, and as a board member of the Maine Maritime Museum. For those lucky enough to have received a knowing smile from Peter, his charm and wit were an understated but ever-present way of connecting with friends, family, and strangers alike. He will be greatly missed by many. Peter was predeceased by his sister, Sonja, and his much-beloved dog, Phoebe. Surviving members of the family include his wife, Mabel Gerquest; his daughter, Heidi Gerquest and her partner, Johnny Walker; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Heather Gerquest, and his adored grandchild, Fiona Prior Harbert.

“But the sea, which no one tends, is also a garden” -William Carlos Williams.

William L. Wright ’59

William L. Wright, age 76, of Ogdensburg, NY, passed away with complications from lung cancer on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center with his wife by his side.

Bill was born on March 15, 1942 in Ogdensburg, NY, a son of the late Archie & Leona (Prosser) Wright. He graduated from Heuvelton Central School in 1960, and later enlisted in the US Army from 1964 – 1966 as a paratrooper medic, serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. After receiving his honorable discharge, Bill earned his RN at Canton College and worked in geriatrics at veterans’ hospitals. He also worked at United Helpers Nursing Home as a nurse for a few years. In 1973 he attended the NYS Ranger School in Wanakena NY, graduating in the Class of 1974. After working for Finch Pruyn Paper Company as a logging supervisor, he returned to Ogdensburg. He found his life’s work at Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg, where he earned a degree in alcohol treatment. In 1986 he began his career at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center Alcohol Treatment Center where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

Bill was a member of Friends of The Ogdensburg Public Library, the Society of American Foresters, the National Rifle Association, the American Chestnut Foundation and the Planetary Society. He enjoyed being in the woods, hunting, reading, gardening and being with friends & family.

Surviving is his wife Karen; two sons Noah Wright of Lake Hill, N.Y. and Thomas Wright of Boulder, CO; daughter Ellen Wright & her fiancée Joshua Baublitz of Henrietta, N.Y.; brother Timothy Wright of Ogdensburg; mother-in-law Dorothy Lauber of Heuvelton and brother-in-law Brian Lauber & his wife Cheryl of Virginia, along with many cousins.

A sister Dr. Nanette Gordon, sister-in-law Bonnie Wright, and brother-in-law Robert Lauber predeceased him.

 

Thornton M. Henry ’62

Thornton Montagu Henry, 75, of West Palm Beach, Florida went to be with his Loving Father, on Saturday, July 7, 2018. He was surrounded by his family and supported by the prayers of his community. “Tim” was born in Bermuda to Otis and Barbara Henry. He attended Washington and Lee University for his A.B and J.D. as well as Georgetown University for his LL.M. He worked at Jones, Foster, Johnston and Stubbs as a trust and estate attorney. He also was a published author and participated in over 30 mission trips. He was actively involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors, The Order of St. John, A Place of Hope and Urban Youth Impact were just some of the ones that he held dear. He adored travel, gardening and most of all spending time with family. He is survived by his wife of 46, Ann, his daughter Ruth Keyes, his sons, Brad and John Henry as well as their spouses, Chris, Ashley and Monica, 12 grandchildren and his brother Gordon Henry ’66.

Noel J. Belcourt, Jr. ’53

Noel John Belcourt, Jr., 83, of Sarasota, Florida passed away Wednesday morning June 28, 2018.
Born in Hartford, Ct., he was a son of the late Noel J. Belcourt and the late Frances Llewellyn Belcourt. In addition to his parents Noel was preceded in death by his son, David Belcourt.
Noel attended schools in Wethersfield, Ct. and graduated from Williston Academy in 1953. He then attended Boston University and graduated in 1957 and was a graduate of Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University. Noel served his country in The United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961. He was a past President of the Manchester, Ct. Rotary Club. Noel retired after 32 years in banking with Connecticut Bank and Trust Company. He was a property a manager for several home owners associations. He also served on the board at Bent Tree and served as treasurer at Laurel Lakes. Noel volunteered at Habitat for Humanity for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lee Gowdy Belcourt; three sons, Kenneth Belcourt and his wife, Stephanie, Richard Belcourt and his wife, Joanne and Douglas Belcourt; his brother, Llewellyn N. Belcourt; granddaughter, Angelica Mack and daughter in law, Leibia Willis.

Anthony C. Berg ’52

Anthony (Tony) C. Berg, of Williamsburg, VA,  passed away at age 83 on June 24, 2018. He was predeceased by his wife, Camille and his parents, Renie and Marcus Berg. Tony was born in Halifax, England and grew up in Stuyvesant Falls, NY and Easthampton, MA. Tony graduated as Valedictorian from Williston Academy in Easthampton. He then attended and graduated from WPI. After graduating from WPI, Tony was hired by Raytheon. In 1958, he took a leave of absence from Raytheon to serve his country in the Army where he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. Upon honorable discharge in 1960, he and Camille moved to Massachusetts where Tony resumed working for Raytheon until his retirement in 1997. After retirement in 1997, he and his wife moved to James City County. Having enjoyed golfing throughout New England, he and his wife joined Williamsburg Country Club. Shortly after moving to Ford’s Colony Tony began building and maintaining blue bird boxes. Through his effort Ford’s Colony became a bird sanctuary. Tony also enjoyed ten pin bowling and joined a bowling league in Williamsburg. Tony had a love of antique cars and would frequent local car shows. In recent years, he enjoyed studying the stock market and trying different investment strategies. Tony’s favorite pastime, however, was his Ham Radio. He enjoyed making contacts and friends all around the word. He was an active member of FOC and ARRL. Now W1OT will join the ranks of the “Silent Keys”. Left to remember Tony are daughters, Gretchen Queeney and Karen (Jack) Primiano; grandchildren, Sean and Mia Primiano, Nicole Floria and Kellen Queeney; cousin, Sandra Garner; and nieces, Georgia (Steve) Schumacher, Elizabeth (Cal Thomas) Stoehr, and Pamela (Winston) Cavin.

Eugene M. Pfeifer ’58

Eugene “Gene” Michael Pfeifer, Esq. died June 10, 2018 of pancreatic cancer at his home in Alexandria, VA in the company of his loving family. Born on May 17, 1940, Gene was predeceased by his second wife of 31 years Jill Bothwell Pfeifer, stepson Thomas Bothwell, sisters Anne and Teresa. He is survived by his children Chris Pfeifer (Daniela Spigai) and Laura Pfeifer (Edgar Fields), stepdaughter Maria Bothwell (Jeffery Kline), daughter-in-law Laurie Bothwell (Keith Burgess) and grandchildren Marc Blanch-Baldwin, Amelia Bothwell, Max Kline, Lily and Zane Pfeifer, Jackie Tilley, and a host of grieving family and friends. Gene was a graduate of Williston Academy 1958, Brown University 1962, and then moved to Alexandria, VA to attend Georgetown University Law Center, graduating in 1967. He enlisted in the National Guard while at law school and served 1962-64. While at Georgetown, he clerked for the first African American judge in DC and was an ardent civil rights activist, attending many marches and demonstrations in DC in the 1960’s. His children are inspired by his sense of civic duty. Gene was well and widely read. He always had a book in hand. His penetrating intellect made him a formidable conversationalist enhanced by a dry sense of humor. A marvelous raconteur and bon vivant, Gene enjoyed travel; when his children were young, Gene and his first wife Debbie Baldwin pulled their kids out of school for a year-long road trip across The United States and Mexico in a van he had converted. Gene’s children, Chris and Laura, forever grateful, remember this as their most profound education and a life changing experience. He was quite the adventurer. His love of sailing started as a child growing up in New England. Summers on the water at a young age seeded his passion for sailing that lives on in his grandson Max. On land, he loved to bike. He rode 100 miles in 2014 and 2015 for Bike to the Beach for Autism. Sports were a big part of his life. He was a gymnast, played hockey for Brown, and skied every winter. Gene loved his family and in his last year, he did not shy away from telling his children how proud he was of them and his grandchildren. He left comforted by knowing he had passed on his values, morals, and integrity to his children and grandchildren. Generous of spirit, Gene was a wonderful grandfather and could often be found undertaking projects with the grandchildren including building a playhouse and tubing behind the Grady White in Easton. Gene had a remarkable legal career rooted first at the Food and Drug Administration. He was a law partner at King & Spalding in Washington DC and prior to that was a law partner at Burditt, Bowles & Radzius. Among his many accomplishments, Gene was a major participant in the development of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984. He provided regulatory advice and representation on a wide variety of FDA, FTC, and DEA regulated activities, including product approval and compliance issues. Prior to his law firm work, Gene served for a year in the General Counsel’s office of the Federal Trade Commission, where he represented the FTC in Federal Court to enjoin violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act. He had served ten years in the Chief Counsel’s Office at the FDA as Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement, Associate Chief Counsel for Drugs, and Deputy Chief Counsel for Regulations and Hearings. During his tenure at the FDA, he was the FDA’s lead litigator and Appellate Court advocate, and he briefed six major FDA cases before the Supreme Court. He was an active volunteer professionally and personally, serving on the board of Elite Pharmaceuticals, and as volunteer at Habitat for Humanity in Easton, MD.

Alan Kennedy ’43

Alan Kennedy, 91, died April 11, 2018 at Swedish Medical Center in Edmonds, WA of complications from esophageal cancer.

Al was born June 7, 1926 in Worcester, MA to Madelene (Bell) and Owen W. Kennedy Sr. He had an older brother Owen W. “Bill” Kennedy Jr. (’41) who he loved and admired.

He served in the Navy and was a Lt. Commander in the reserves until his death. In 1946 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, OH.

Al moved to Seattle finding work with The Boeing Company where he helped design the landing gear for the Boeing 707. Al later transferred into the Marine Systems Division working on Hydrofoils mainly on the military side. He remained with MSD for the rest of his 36-year career.

Al married Mary Patricia “Pat” Nollan. They adopted two children and raised their family in Bellevue, Washington. Al is survived by son Thomas Alan Kennedy and his wife Margaret Kennedy and their two children. He was preceded in death by son Keith Henry Kennedy and survived by Keith’s wife Jill Kennedy and their two sons.

He later married Janice “Jan” Cleveland  and continued to live in Bellevue, WA. Al and Jan were married 36 years. On retirement, they moved to Whidbey Island where they spent 20 years living in Green Bank on Honeymoon bay. Al and Jan later relocated to Panorama City in Lacey, WA. They remained there till Jan passed away.

Al is survived by Jan’s two sons Robert Scott Cleveland, wife Pamela Cleveland and their daughter and Frederick Earl Cleveland, wife Kathy Cleveland and his children.

Recently, Al moved to Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, WA to be closer to family.

Al loved nature, mountains to sea. As a longtime cabin owner at Crystal Mountain, he was an avid skier, active with the ski resort, and an early Ski Patrol volunteer. He enjoyed camping, fishing and exploring Mount Rainier National Park. The Sunrise area was special to him. You could often find him eating his lunch admiring a last look at Mount Rainier before heading home.

On Whidbey he enjoyed clamming, crabbing, building oyster beds and eating a ton of mussels. He was an enthusiastic volunteer at the local Lighthouse working at the visitor center.

He was very generous with his time and support of causes close to his heart including his passion for education.

The family would like to thank everyone at Chateau Pacific for their kindness and friendship and Swedish Medical Oncology in Lynnwood for the care and medical treatment Al received.

John K. Haines ’67

John “Nick” Haines, 68, of Alexanders Lake, Dayville, CT, died peacefully Tuesday, April 10th, 2018. Nick was born in Niagara Falls, NY on May 15th, 1949. He was the son of the late Ellis K. Haines and Natalie (Nana) Dean Haines. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Tracy and her husband Vincent DiProspero, and son Rusty and his wife Jamie; grandchildren Meadow, Summer, and Logan, his sister Linda Beck, and several cousins, nephews, and extended family. Nick owned and operated Friendly Spirits in Danielson for 45 years. He greatly enjoyed interacting with customers and working with his son each day. He was a dedicated member of the community serving as past president of both the Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary and the Northeastern Chamber of Commerce, among a variety of other community organizations. He loved days on the lake with his family since he was boy and even more so with his grandchildren.

Brian F. Kernaghan ’63

Brian Kernaghan, most recently of Clemson, SC, previously of Mt. Pleasant and Pawleys island, SC passed away suddenly at home on May 27, 2018. He was 73 years old. Brian was born in Bronxville, NY on September 17, 1944 to Mary and Charles Kernaghan. Brian grew up in Upstate, NY and Pittsburgh, PA enjoying summers on Lake George, NY with his friends and family. He attended both St. Edmonds Academy and Williston Northampton School, where he excelled in baseball and basketball but also told many stories of stealing grapes to ferment wine in his room. Brian finished his senior year of High School in Schenectady, NY (Linton High) where he was elbowed in the face blocking out Pat Riley for a loose basketball. He was always willing to show the scar on his eyebrow to prove his brush with greatness.
Brian moved on to Siena College in Loudonville, NY where he finished in 1968. As a graduation gift, Brian received a free trip to basic training from the US Navy. He spent 4 years in the Navy as a writer and photographer but his greatest moment was meeting his future bride and love of his life Jane Huey in Maryland while stationed there. They married in 1971 in Rock Hill, SC.
After finishing up his stint for Uncle Sam, Brian moved on to Law School at the University of South Carolina where he excelled in the classroom. After graduation and still having a year of free tuition left from his GI Bill, Brian was accepted to NYU Law School where he earned his LLM in Tax.
Brian enjoyed a distinguished career in law that lasted over 40 years and included an 8 year stint as president and general council of Wild Dunes and Dunes West. Brian worked the last 24 years as a partner for Nexsen Pruet representing clients all over the United States.
Brian wasn’t just a great lawyer, he also enjoyed photography and playing guitar at church. Brian was a very active member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, Church of the Resurrection in Surfside, SC and most recently Christ The Redeemer in Pendleton, SC.
Brian is survived by his wife Jane of 46 years, his sister Sheila Germain of Williamsburg, VA and her three daughters, Elizabeth, Cindy and Katie and their families. His son and daughter in law Charlie and Stephanie Kernaghan of Clemson, and his two favorite grandchildren, Eli and Blair.

C. Lawrence Reece ’53

 

Christopher Lawrence “Larry” Reece III 81, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away April 28, 2017 in South Bay Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his two children, Alison and Jennifer; grandchildren, Nicole, Echo, and Delta. Larry and his wife Mary were longtime residents of Longmeadow, MA. Once retired, they moved to Sun City Center where Larry was an active association member.