Robert Burt Doolittle passed away peacefully at home on October 11, 2017. He was eighty-seven. Robert was born on March 23, 1930, in New Haven, Connecticut. He attended Roger Ludlow High School in Fairfield, Connecticut for two years. Then, in 1945, he became a student at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts where he was active in sports and captain of the hockey team. He graduated from Williston in 1948. Robert attended both the University of Vermont and the University of Bridgeport, before he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1950. While in the Coast Guard, he was stationed in Groton, Connecticut. After completing his military service, Robert attended Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut, and graduated with an accounting degree. After he passed the State of Connecticut Certified Public Accountant exam he worked as a public accountant at Byxbee Company in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1960, Robert moved from New Haven, Connecticut to Glastonbury, Connecticut and worked as Financial Analyst at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, and later as Senior Financial Analyst at United Technologies, Inc. in Hartford. After retiring in 1987, Robert studied fine woodworking at Leeds School of Design in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he devoted his time to the art of furniture making and finishing. In 1996, he left Glastonbury, Connecticut and moved to Ormond Beach, Florida, where he lived for the rest of his life. Robert leaves behind his wife Elaine Whiteman Doolittle (Pat) of nearly sixty-five years, his brother Charles King Doolittle ’50 (Chas) of Auburn, California, his sons Robert Monroe Doolittle (Rob) and Rob’s wife Laurie, Charles Henry Doolittle (Chuck) and Chuck’s wife Karen, and his daughter Elizabeth Louise Doolittle (Beth). He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Sarah Lund, Ross Monroe, Erin Louise, Sydney Francis, Lexi Kate, Beatrice Georgiana and Michael Eden, and poodle Dorie.
Tag Archives: Williston Academy
G. Alec Harwood ’60
George “Alec” Harwood, 75, of Homosassa, Fla., passed away August 28, 2017.
He was born in Scarsdale, N.Y. Alec was an avid computer geek and worked as an internal consultant for Hewlett Packard prior to retirement.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judith Harwood of Homosassa, Fla.; two daughters, Sarah Whittemore (Mark) of Maui, Hawaii, Amy Williams of Lake Mary, Fla.; step-son, Brian Barbieri (Kim) of Salem, N.H.; brother, Hugh Harwood ‘59 (Nancy) of Aiken, S.C.; five grandchildren, Dakota, Cassidy, Makena, Jacob, and Kayley. Alec had one niece and one nephew and two great-nephews, loving family, and friends.
G. Arnold Haynes ’45
G. Arnold Haynes, Visionary and Pioneer Of Wellesley, MA. died peacefully on October 15, 2017 at his home; just four days before his 90th birthday. He attended Wellesley Public Schools and graduated from the Williston Academy (Easthampton, MA), Nichols Junior College (1950) and Boston University (1951). He served in the U. S. Army (1946 – 1948). Arnold was the beloved husband for 61 years of the late Carol Congdon Haynes who died on October 13, 2012. He and Carol shared passions for family, education, reading, art, and travel. Arnold formed G. Arnold Haynes, Inc. in 1953; later becoming Haynes Management Inc, a real estate development and management company based in Wellesley Hills, MA. He became a legendary residential builder and developer in Wellesley, Weston and surrounding towns. He was a visionary and one of the first pioneers to develop and build suburban office buildings along Rte. 128. Haynes Management grew to be a major commercial property owner and management company in the western suburbs of Boston. It was Arnold’s pride and joy and he actively ran the company until his death. He was also passionate about banking and was a director of Newton Cooperative Bank, Pioneer Bank and Chart Bank spanning four decades. Arnold was a creative force and generous benefactor who supported many schools and organizations, included Williston North Hampton School, the Rivers School in Weston, Vanguard School in Lake Wales, FL, Wavus Camp in Jefferson, ME, the Boy Scouts of America (Knox Trail Counsel), Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, the Castle Preservation Society in Moultonborough, NH, the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, NH and the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, NH. He was a member of the Wellesley Country Club, Bald Peak Colony Club and Mountain Lake Colony Club, where he was an avid golfer. He is survived by his three children and their spouses; Melinda and Stephen Bradley of Wellesley, MA, Jonathan and Bernadette Haynes of Boston, MA, and Andrea and Stephen Perry of Greenville, SC, and his sister Carol Nelson and long-time caregiver, Kathy Caldwell. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Jessica Bradley Roberson and her husband Neil, Chandler Bradley and his wife Lara-Anne, Christina Bradley, Whitney, Melissa and Meredith Haynes, Madison and Leland Perry and two great grandchildren Reid and Brooke Roberson.
Thomas S. Cottrell ’51
Thomas Sylvester Cottrell, M.D. of Cutchogue, NY died at age 83 of a stroke at his home on Sept. 17, 2017. Tom Cottrell was born in Chicago to Sylvester V. and Cleo Medley Cottrell, spent his childhood in Detroit and graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1955 he returned to Williston to teach English. Training at Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., led to a commission in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1960 aboard the USS Scanner, based in California. Tom married his wife of 58 years, Jane Chichester Cottrell, in San Francisco in 1959. Lieutenant (LTJG) Cottrell received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1965. Dr. Cottrell earned his M.D. from Columbia University in the City of New York, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1965. His fellowship in pathology at Yale University in 1967 researching diseases of the lung was recognized for excellence by the John and Mary Markle Foundation. In 1968, Dr. Cottrell began his career in academic medicine as Senior Associate Dean of New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y. He joined the Stony Brook University faculty in 1979 as a founding architect of the School of Medicine, where he was affectionately known as Doctor Tom. At Stony Brook, few could evade the personal focus that Doctor Tom brought to all those he interacted with during his 21-year tenure as Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Pathology, leading up to his retirement in 2000. At that time, he was given Professor Emeritus status in recognition of his valued service to the university. Doctor Tom’s impact extended beyond the Dean’s Office to all those students and colleagues who confidently sought out his insight and advice as a mentor and friend. Survivors include his wife, Jane; his brother, Stephen; three adult children, including Matthew Thomas Cottrell, Anne Cottrell Patin and Sarah Jane Lazar; and grandsons, Nicholas Cottrell Patin and Andre Thomas Patin.
William H. Aydelotte ’55
William H. “Willie” Aydelotte, 82, passed away October 3, 2017 at his home in Reno, NV. Willie was born in Schenectady, NY on August 14, 1935 to William and Margaret Aydelotte. Willie grew up in Schenectady and attended Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA and Bryant College in Providence, RI where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Upon graduation, Willie went to work for the Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, CT. Although he was trained in all facets of the Life, accident and Health Departments, he eventually was placed in the Employee Benefits Division. After a year of training, The Travelers transferred him to their branch office in San Francisco, CA.
After several years in the insurance industry, Willie was lured away by a client who wanted him to head a recreational facility near Heavenly Valley, CA. Willie sold his insurance agency and moved to South Lake Tahoe where he helped to develop several townhouse and recreational facilities. Eventually the real estate venture failed and Willie was forced to move to Reno where he became a real estate agent until his retirement in 1995.
One evening, a friend invited Willie to square dancing class to learn the dance and meet a lovely friend of theirs who was well versed in the dance and would be his “partner for the evening.” The “partner for the evening” turned into a partner for life and Mary Anna and Willie were married in August 1991.
Willie was very active in Free Masonry. He was Worshipful Master of his Lodge, Potentate of Kerak Shrine and president of many clubs and organizations, both in Reno and Ft. Myers, FL where he retired. He loved to play golf and was a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association. He was also an avid skier also belonged to the National Ski Patrol.
Willie is survived by his wife Mary Anna, his sister Margaret Mills of New York, his brother G. Thomas of Greenwich, CT, nieces Julie Levine and Lee Aydelotte Boffey, nephew Tommy Mills, two stepsons, Chris and John and many, many other relatives by marriage.
Herbert Fisher ’45
Herbert Fisher of Bloomfield Hills, MI died peacefully in his sleep on September 30, 2017, aged 89. Mr. Fisher had a long career as a market research and advertising executive. He retired from corporate advertising in the 1980s to become co-founder of Allison-Fisher, Inc., a market research firm. Mr. Fisher was a graduate of Williston Academy, Harvard College and University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in sociology. Among his numerous non-profit endeavors, he served as a Trustee of Cranbrook School. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ann (“Betty”) Dederick Fisher, his four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. The family plans a private service in the Bahamas.
Barton D. Kagan ’52
Barton David Kagan of Randolph, MA, on September 10, 2017. Beloved husband of 62 years to his dear wife Barbara (Block) Kagan of Randolph. Cherished father of Phyllis Kagan Clayman and her husband Larry Clayman of Massachusetts, Rory Kagan and her husband Rafael Garces of Virginia, and Anita Kagan of Massachusetts. Devoted grandfather of Gregory Clayman of California, Julie Clayman of Massachusetts, Raquel Garces of Virginia and Renee Garces of Virginia. Adored brother of Richard G. Kagan ’60 and his wife Celia of Massachusetts and Florida. Treasured brother-in-law of Nelson E. Block and his wife Rhonda of Massachusetts. Revered son of the late Sidney J. and Mildred B. Kagan of Malden. Also survived by many nephews, nieces and cousins. Bart was a cum laude graduate of Williston Academy where he was a member of the Chess Club, Debate Club, the school newspaper and the school yearbook, as well as holding a state record in Track. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and his Juris Doctorate from The New England School of Law, where he was his class valedictorian. He had many interests, most notably anything to do with New England sports teams, which he followed with a zealous passion. There wasn’t a math problem he couldn’t solve, and a dog he didn’t love. He was a true family man and derived his greatest pleasure from his wife, children and grandchildren.
Paul V. Gabel ’47
Mr. Paul Voigt Gabel died Wednesday, May 4, 2016 in Tyler, TX, at the age of 87. He was born Monday, March 11, 1929 in Syracuse, NY.
He was an entrepreneur and a member of the N.E.T.A.S.A. American Indian Horse Trail Riding Club. He was 46 years clean and sober in the fellowship of A.A. and a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Survivors include his wife, Dorene Gabel of Quitman; goddaughter, Nichole Chiarappa of Ft. Lauderdale; children, Paul Gabel, Jr. of Florida, Mark Gabel of Florida, Haley Gabel Bitterman of New Orleans, Jon Paul Gabel of Long Island, NY, Christopher Gabel of Hartsdale, NY and Jennifer Gabel of Wilmington, NC and five grandchildren.
Edward S. Duncan ’47
Edward “Ted” Duncan, 88, husband of Ann (Kennedy) Duncan, of New Britain, passed away Saturday (September 2, 2017) at Jerome Home in New Britain, CT. A lifelong New Britain resident, he was born on June 13, 1929, the son of the late A. Stanley Duncan and Catherine W. Duncan. Edward attended New Britain schools and then graduated High School from Williston Academy. He then went on to become a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. After graduation from college he joined the U.S. Navy in 1952. Accepted in the “S” class of Officers Candidate School at Newport R.I., upon graduation commissioned as an Ensign, and received orders to report to the USS Hailey, a destroyer based in Newport. During his three years aboard the Hailey the ship made a 7 month “around the world cruise” leaving Newport September of 1952 , returning in April 1953 that included three month duty in Korean waters during the Korean war. After being discharged from the Navy in 1955, he married his love, Ann Kennedy in 1956. Edward was employed by Tectonic Industries in Berlin CT for 27 years, retiring as VP of Sales in 1996. A very active member in the church life at the First Church of Christ in New Britain, he served as a deacon, chairman of the Visitation Ministry and as a member of the church council. After retirement he volunteered at the Hospital for Special Care, in New Britain, with the Equipment Exchange Program. He enjoyed playing golf and being with his friends on the golf course. Edward was a member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club and the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association. Besides his beloved wife of 61 years, Ann, he is survived by a son Michael Duncan and his wife AnneMarie of Kensington; a daughter Carolyn Anderson and her husband Stephen of Killingworth; four granddaughters, Sarah Duncan and her fiancé Joel Park of New York City, Alison Duncan of New York City, as well as Elizabeth Anderson and Cailey Anderson both of Killingworth; and two nephews William and Chris Lumm. He was predeceased by his sister, Grace Lumm and brother-in-law, Charles Lumm. Ted’s family expresses sincere thanks to all the staff at Jerome Home for their loving care shown during the past year.
Richard M. Hoyt ’50
Richard Merrill Hoyt, of Ewing, New Jersey, passed away on July 2, 2017.