Tag Archives: Williston Academy

Eugene Berman ’46

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BermanNoted bankruptcy lawyer and civic leader Eugene B. Berman of Enfield and Woodmont, CT died peacefully at home on September 14 after a long and productive life.

He was born in Holyoke, MA on June 1, 1928, the son of Gustave and Lillian Berman.

Berman was a graduate of Williston Academy, the University of Nebraska and Boston University School of Law, and a member of the Hampden County, MA and American Bar Associations, the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and several U.S. District Courts.

He authored the 1972 book “How to Collect a Debt” and served as President of the Commercial Law League of America in 1980. In 2009 the Massachusetts Bar Association and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly honored him for his work for the victims of the foreclosure crisis and to bring judicial foreclosure to Massachusetts.

Berman is survived by his loving partner Patricia Kozaczka and her granddaughter Taylor, by his son, E. Bruce Berman, Jr. and his wife Patricia, by his daughter Caren Berman Nemtzow, her husband Andy and their sons Zachary and Alexander, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Eugene Berman left the world a better place for his having lived, achieving immortality in the hearts and minds of those who survive him, especially the many descendants of Chonan and Khasia Berman.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946, Uncategorized

Dr. William Joule ’50

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jouleDr. William Walter Joule quietly passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2015, having led a full and accomplished life.

A proud veteran that served as a medical officer with the United States Army during the Korean War.

Dr. Joule went on to have a long and successful career as a Louisville radiologist, eventually retiring from practice while affiliated with the VA Medical Center.  Dr. Joule was an avid reader, and believed strongly in the power of education to better the human condition. He was beloved by all that knew him. 

He is survived by his devoted wife JoAnn, sister Betty Frances Joule, his step-son Stephen Carson, daughter Kristina Suttles and sons Tom and David Joule. He was also a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

William Opsahl ’54

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OpsahlWilliam Gerald Opsahl,  age 79, of Minneapolis, passed away Sept 1, 2015.

Preceded in death by parents Morris and Eileen, Bill attended Duluth East High School, graduating from Williston Academy and Yale University (’58). He sang with the Yale Glee Club, Bakers’ Dozen and Whiffenpoofs.

His lifelong involvement with the arts included president of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, performances with the Minnesota Chorale, and Basilica Choir. He was an appointee to the Minnesota State Arts Board, served on the Board of the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council and Duluth Zoo, advocated for passage of Minnesota’s 2008 Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Amendment, and was active in Minnesota’s Republican party.

He was Minnesota representative for the Yale Alumni Association and trustee emeritus of The Williston School. He was the Executive Vice President of Superwood Corporation and later engaged in venture capital and consulting.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Voss; his children Lee Stubenvoll (John), Laura Bordelon (Brett) and Michael Opsahl (Lisa); grandchildren Megan Knetsch (Jonathan), Michael Stubenvoll, Ari Opsahl (Harley), Matthew and Thomas Opsahl, and Maxwell Bordelon; and great granddaughter Ella Knetsch.

Posted in: 1950s

Frank Schwelb ’49

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schwelbFrank E. Schwelb, a onetime Justice Department civil rights lawyer who became a D.C. judge for more than three decades, known for his sometimes floridly written judicial decisions, died Aug. 13, 2015 at a Washington hospital. He was 82. He had Parkinson’s disease and complications from cardiopulmonary ailments, said his wife, Taffy Schwelb.

After fleeing his native Czechoslovakia with his family on the eve of World War II, Judge Schwelb grew up in England before coming to the United States in his teens. He served as an attorney with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division from 1962 to 1979, when he was appointed to the D.C. Superior Court. Judge Schwelb quickly became known for his lengthy and sometimes verbally inventive writings from the bench. He turned to Shakespeare to brighten a decision on juvenile justice, John Keats in a case about trash collecting and composers Gilbert and Sullivan in a landlord ­tenant dispute. Quoting from the operetta “The Mikado,” Judge Schwelb wrote, “My object all sublime / I shall achieve in time / To let the punishment fit the crime / The punishment fit the crime.”

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1949

Paul Bechard ’44

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BechardPaul Bechard, CDR, USN, C.F.P., joined his beloved, Polly in heaven, July 11, 2015.

Born September 8, 1926 in Holyoke, Ma. to Joseph and Zelda Bechard, and survived by his three daughters; Paula (David) Hirst, Pamela (Cole) Hanner and Marie-Anne (Ted) Layne, grandchildren Avery (Joel) Solomon, Adam (Dorothy) Willis, Townshend Hirst, Phillip (Rebecca) Hanner, Ginnie (Greg) Stawicki, Whitney (Nate) Heatwole, Paul and Renee Layne, 7 great grandchildren and many family members and friends.

After graduating from Williston Academy (44), Ma. Maritime Academy (47), he served as a Merchant Service Officer for a year before being called to active duty in 1949 on USS Midway until 1951.

He met his wife Polly in Norfolk and married her in 1951. She predeceased him two years ago after 62 years of marriage.

Paul lived in Plymouth, Ma., after his marriage, completing his MS from Babson (53) and running the family insurance agency. While living in Norfolk (1954 to 1969) he ran Brown, Bechard Insurance agency, was active in Kiwanis, and had an unsuccessful run for House of Delegates. The family moved to Birdneck Point in 1969 where 40 years of making wonderful memories and having fun were spent. His career included serving on many financial boards as well as starting a Mutual Fund Company, owning an insurance agency, serving in the Navy reserves as an intelligence officer. He was a scrabble and chess aficionado and very difficult to beat, a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. He leaves a legacy of life lessons.

Paul was lovingly cared for by Hazel, Maribel, and Mila during his extended illness.

Posted in: 1940s

Charles Ryan ’35

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RyanCharles Francis Ryan, of Framingham, 100, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, August 7, 2015.

He was the born in the family residence on December 10, 1914 in Williamstown the son of the late Anne (Fleming) Ryan and Francis A. Ryan.

He graduated from Williamstown High School and Williston Academy in 1935 and from Bentley College in 1937.

He served his country proudly as a Technician | 4th Grade with the United States Army during World War II in the European Theater of Operation from Dec. 1942 to Jan. 1946.

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Posted in: 1930s

Bruce Yarber ’48

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Bruce YarberBruce A. Yarber passed away on July 9, 2015 at the Holyoke Soldiers Home.

The beloved husband of Suzanne (Patterson) Yarber, he was 85 years of age. Born and raised in Holyoke, Bruce was the youngest of three children born to the late Clifford Yarber and Ida May (MacMonegle) Yarber.

Bruce attended Holyoke schools until the eighth grade, when he went to the Williston School for Boys in Easthampton. He graduated from Williston in 1948. Following Williston Bruce attended Brown University, graduating in 1952. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army serving during the Korean War.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1948

Robert LaPrade ’48

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Robert LaPradeRobert M. “Bob” Laprade passed away on June 17, 2015 in Leeds, MA surrounded by friends.

He was born in Easthampton, MA on June 22, 1924 to Peter Ovide and Aurore (Michaud) Laprade.

He was educated in Easthampton schools, graduating from Easthampton High School and after service in the U.S. Army in WWII, he graduated from the Williston Academy. Robert graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business with a degree in accounting and received a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Boston College.

Robert lived for over 40 years in Washington, DC practicing law for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Federal Court System. In 2009 he returned home to Easthampton.

He is survived by his niece, Catherine (Kitty) Maxey and her husband Dee of Dallas, TX and many friends across the country.

Robert was predeceased by his parents; sisters Georgette L. O’Connor and Pauline C. Jurkowski; brother-in-law Jerry O’Connor; and nieces Maggi O’Connor and Joni A. Jurkowski.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1948

Terry Light ’53

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Terry LightTerry Barnum Light, of Vienna, VA, died on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Tall Oaks Assisted Living in Reston, VA.

Beloved husband of 49 years to Emily Pierce Light; loving father of Brig Joyner (Kagan), Thomas Barnum and George Allen (Sandra) Light and cherished grandfather of Kathryn Ann, Emily Jordan, Terry Travis, Mary Caroline, Halley Eliza, Ella Pierce and Tillery Evelynn Light. He is also survived by the greatest caregiver God could have sent, Teresa “Joy” Descalzota and a special daughter Kimberly Rodgers.

Terry was a graduate of Yale University class of 1958, served in the US Marine Corp 1958 to 1974. He left the military with the rank of Major. Terry was a graduate of Marshall Wythe School of Law (William & Mary 1970) and an Attorney from 1970 to 2006. He was an avid trumpet player and member of the Jazz Masters.

Most importantly, Terry will be remembered as a great family man. He reached his goal of leaving his family better then he found it.

Posted in: 1950s

Bion Howard ’69

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Bion HowardThe building performance industry has lost another friend with the passing of Bion D. Howard on 11/21/2011.

Bion was a tireless advocate of home energy ratings and building science. His background includes service with the National Association of Home Builders, the Alliance to Save Energy, NAHB Research Center, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and consulting as the owner of Building Environmental Scientist and Consulting (B.E.S.T.). Mr. Howard also served on the RESNET Technical Committee.

RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden commented, “I had the pleasure to work closely with Bion on a number of initiatives ranging from the Department of Energy/Housing and Urban Development National Collaborative on Home Energy Ratings and Energy Efficient Mortgages to the planning committee of the Affordable Comfort Conferences. He was a tireless advocate for building science and home energy ratings. Everyone who worked with Bion appreciated his technical expertise and commitment. The building performance industry has loss a good friend.”

Posted in: 1960s