Tag Archives: Williston Academy

Jay S. Brisk ’54

Jay S. Brisk, 81, died of heart and kidney failure in Boston on June 20, 2017. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Susan Brisk; sister, Hazel Buchwald; nieces, grandnieces and grandnephew. At age 14, while watching a July 4th fireworks display, he was hit by an errant rocket. Despite a long and difficult recovery, he graduated Great Neck High School while also studying piano and music composition at Julliard School of Music. A dedicated New Yorker, he graduated Columbia University, School of General Studies and later taught writing at NYU and acted in some off-off Broadway plays.

Jorge Ibarra Cuesta ’50

At age 85, Jorge Ibarra Cuesta, died in Havana on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. The influential Cuban historian was  author of works essential to understanding the process of construction of the Nation.

For his merits he was distinguished with the National Prize of Social Sciences (1996), the Ministry of Culture and the Cuban Book Institute, and the National History Award (2008), awarded by the National Union of Historians of Cuba, in both cases For the work of all life.

Born in Santiago de Cuba on August 11, 1931, he studied in that city and then in the United States. On his return, he graduated as a lawyer at the Universidad de Oriente. In the Santiago of the 50 participated in the clandestine fight against the dictatorship.

After the revolutionary triumph he worked in the National Council of Culture, joined the Revolutionary Armed Forces, worked in the ICRT and the Institute of History and was developing a consistent work in which he emphasizes his contribution to the writing of the Manual of Cuban History , Of the Political Direction of the FAR. The University of Havana was awarded the title Doctor in 1997. He was an active member of the Writers Association of Uneac.

His height as an essayist was revealed in Mambisa Ideology (1967); Approaches to Clio (1979); Nation and national culture (1981); A psychosocial analysis of the Cuban: 1898-1925 (1985); Cuba: 1898-1921, political parties and social classes (1993); Cuba: 1898-1958, structures and social processes (1996); And Máximo Gómez in the face of imperialism (2000).

About himself, with modesty, he affirmed: “I have only thought of sketching problems, revising the conceptions of the past and discussing everything. I do not pretend to have created a new school or way of seeing things. If I have made some contributions it has been in the field to stimulate discussion and criticism among my colleagues. It is true that, like every historian, I have brought to light some unpublished facts, but the interpretation I have given it is yet to be discussed. In the end, it is not I who values ​​my work more knowledge of cause, but the new promotions of historians.

When Ibarra dedicated the XVIII International Book Fair of Havana in 2009, his colleague Fernando Martínez Heredia spoke these words to extol the legacy of who now says goodbye: “Jorge has come the long way with the upstanding flag of the social scientist And the difficult militancy of the intellectual, with unshakeable honesty, a lofty and growing prestige, and an ever-fighting spirit. ”

This is a translation of the following page:  http://www.granma.cu/cuba/2017-06-07/fallecio-el-historiador-jorge-ibarra-cuesta-07-06-2017-23-06-41

 

Stephen C. Finn ’66

Steve Finn passed peacefully in the arms of his wife Connie with his son Jeremy at his side and in the heart of his daughter Sarah at Brigham and Women’s hospital on Sunday evening, May 28, 2017. He fought a long courageous battle with many different illnesses for several years.

Steve attended Williston Academy in Northampton and Bentley College. He was the owner and President of E&J Distributors a third generation business in Northampton. Steve was among the first to break ground and move his business to the Northampton Industrial Park. Steve served on community and industry boards. In support of the Jimmy Fund, Steve organized and ran numerous Massachusetts Legislature golf tournaments.His favorite spot was Block Island and after retiring he was able to enjoy, even more, his love of sports and the outdoors. He was an avid golfer and sports fan with special love for the Red Sox and the Patriots. Steve enjoyed boating and fishing and gardening and riding his mower to make the most beautiful lawn. He loved all the birds and animals that would visit him on his deck especially his friend Mike the duck. Steve loved to travel and took numerous cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. He spent several weeks in Nevis, a gift from his friends Mike and Ronnie Hartnett. He had an amazing rock collection that he gathered on his early morning walks on the beaches of Block Island. He found heart shaped and Block Island shaped rocks that were special gifts to his nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Barbara “Bonnie” Snyder. Steve leaves his loving wife Constance Volante Finn; his son Jeremy Finn and his wife Erika; and their four children, Liam, Rian, Kiera and Owen; his daughter Sarah Finn Cullen and her husband John; and their two children, Daniel and Justin; his brother William Finn and his partner Holly Sherick; and many nieces and nephews. There was a special place in his heart for Bill Dawkins who was a second son to him. Most important Steve was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a kind and generous man who loved and was loved by many.

 

 

Daryoush Farshid Hakim ’54

Daryoush Farshid Hakim passed away on May 18, 2017 at the age of 84.  He died at Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Farshid was born on December 17, 1932 to Reverend Jollinous and Badieh Hakim and was the youngest of four sons.  He attended grammar school in Tehran, Iran and graduated from Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA.  He attended the University of Georgia where he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering.  After graduation, he returned to Iran and married his wife of 56 years, Faegheh (Fae) Hakim.  Subsequently, he completed his studies at Princeton Seminary. Farshid worked as administrator of Iranzamin – Tehran International School.  In Iran, he was an active member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Tehran and the Rotary Club International.  In 1979, Farshid moved his family to Cheshire, Connecticut. He quickly became an active member of the Cheshire community, joining the local chapter if the Rotary Club and the First Congregational Church.  Initially, he worked as business manager for the First Congregational Church of Waterbury.  He then worked for the Presbyterian Church USA as a missionary, assisting Christian refugees during their transition to life in America.  After his retirement, he remained active by helping students at Cheshire Academy Health Center with their transportation needs.  For the last few years, Farshid was an active congregant of the First Church of Christ, Wethersfield. Farshid served more than 50 years with the Rotary Club International.  During his tenure in Cheshire, he served in many roles, most consistently as the coordinator of the Scholarship Committee. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for his contributions to the Cheshire organization.  In 2014, he received the Rotary District Governor’s Citation for his service. A man of great devotion to the Lord, he faithfully served in several roles, including Deacon, Trustee and numerous boards and committees at all churches he attended.  He, along with Fae, led the Iranian Christian Fellowship of Connecticut for many years. He is survived by his loving wife, Fae, his children, son Ramin and his wife, Linda Boulanger, daughter, Noureen, his beloved grandchildren, Christian and Alexandra, and his brother, Dr. Jamshid Hakim and his wife, Margaret of Pocono Pines, PA.  He was predeceased by his brothers, Houshang Hakim (Redbank, NJ) and Parviz Hakim (Tehran, Iran) and his granddaughter, Alana Saba Hakim (Cheshire).

Carlo A. Marchetti ’51

Carlo A. Marchetti, loving and much loved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Saturday, December 17, 2016, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was born on June 13, 1931, in Springfield, to parents Serafino and Carolina Marchetti. He was a champion of the City, beginning his professional life as a City Assessor, moving on to become a Vice President of Real Estate for the Third National Bank and, ultimately, doing the job he loved most, as Executive Director of an organization he helped create, Springfield Central. Upon retirement, he moved to Sarasota, Florida where he lived for the last 16 years of his well-lived life. Carlo was a veteran, having served in the Marines, First Reconnaissance Company, during the Korean War. He was predeceased by his sister Esther Marchetti Ferrero and her husband Julian; and he is survived by his sister Rena Libera Jonathan and her husband Jack; his children, Carolyn Marchetti Branthoover, Lisa Marchetti Lamp and her husband Steve, and John Carlo Marchetti and his wife Karen. Carlo shared much love, joy and energy with his six grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, Katherine, Lauren, Alexander and Gabriel. Carlo was delighted when he was able to expand and deepen his friendships with extended family in Italy, in his later years. His trips to Italy became an annual occurrence, which he cherished. He was a world traveler whose favorite trips were those taken with family, the most recent of which was to Chicago in April of this year, organized for him by his Grandchildren.

Mark R. Berman ’69

 

Mark R. Berman, a fixture of the local business community who enjoyed a second career as a college administrator, died at his home in Williamsburg, MA on Friday, May 5, 2017, after a brief illness. He was 65.

Berman graduated from Williston Academy in 1969. He earned his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University in 1973, where he lettered in men’s swimming. He obtained an MBA and law degree from Syracuse in 1976. In 1977, Berman joined the management of Yale Genton, the venerable West Springfield clothier started by his grandfather. He served as general manager, vice president and eventually president of Yale Genton. In 2008, Berman followed his passion for education and joined the administration of American International College in Springfield as associate vice president for educational enterprise. He later became executive vice president for administration. During his tenure at AIC, Berman was instrumental in a number of major initiatives, including significant capital improvements on campus.

Throughout his business career, Berman devoted his time and talents to a host of local institutions, including as a board member at the Clarke School for the Deaf, the UMass Fine Arts Center, the Springfield Library and Museums, and Baystate Health Systems. He was a past director of the West Springfield Chamber of Commerce and a corporator at the Springfield Institute for Savings. His colleagues and associates will remember him as a leader and mentor who was wholeheartedly devoted to the institutions of which he was a part. He was a man of great personal dignity, and afforded that same dignity to everyone he met.

Berman is survived by his loving wife, Martha G. Baker; his stepchildren, Michael C. Moran and Jennifer E. Norris, and their spouses, Melissa M. Moran and William J. Norris; and his grandchildren, Claire, Ryan, Liam, and Henry. With Martha, Mark joyfully left the office behind, traveled the world, improved his golf game, read voraciously, mastered the grill, perfected the gimlet, relaxed on the beach in his beloved Westport, welcomed the arrival of four grandchildren, and relished in his new role as their “Papa.”

William E. Gwatkin ’59

William “Bill” Gwatkin, 76, died Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Bill was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He and his wife Nancy have been “snowbirds” between Cape Cod and Titusville and traveled the country visiting family and friends for over 20 years. Bill owned a Food Distributorship in Cape Cod. He was an avid golfer and loved traveling in his RV.

Bill is survived by his wife Nancy; his children Kristen Reed and her husband Ed of Colorado Springs, CO; Wesley Gwatkin of Massachusetts; David Gwatkin and his wife Betty Ann of Vermont; his grandchildren Emma, Tyler and Cambell; and his stepsons Jon and Greg Whyman.