Tag Archives: Williston Academy

Honorable (Ret.) Joseph R. Welch ’53

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joseph welchThe Honorable (Ret.) Joseph R. Welch of Plymouth, MA, a former Massachusetts Trial Court Judge known for his fairness and optimism, died on October 11, 2014. He was 79. Gov. Michael Dukakis appointed Judge Welch to the bench in 1990. He retired from the bench in 2004. Born in Randolph, MA, he was a graduate of Williston Academy in 1953 and Bates College in 1957. He served as a gunnery officer on the USS Hawkins DDR-873 of the 6th Fleet, U.S. Navy for 3 years. He earned his law degree at Boston College Law School in 1963.

He joined the law firm Welch & Welch in Randolph and began many years of public service from 1964-1990, including Town Moderator of Randolph. He served as an assistant district attorney in Norfolk County from 1968-1975 trying many felony and murder cases. Judge Welch was a past president of the Norfolk County Bar Association. In 1980, he was the founder of the Norfolk Bar Advocates program representing indigent defendants in all the courts of Norfolk County serving as president Pro Bono until 1990. He was the first jury judge at the Quincy District Court. He was the founder, executive director and general counsel for the Randolph Housing Authority for many years. As past President of the Mass. Heart Association and Vice President of the N.E. Chapter of the American Heart Association, he received the Paul Dudley White award in 1993. Judge Welch was a longtime member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and a retired Commander in the US Navy Reserve.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (West), two sons, George N. Welch, MD of NY City, Joseph R. Welch Jr, Esq. of Hong Kong, a daughter Breena W. Holmes, MD of Middlebury, VT. His legacy is left in Sam, Nick and Jane Holmes and Claire, Cate and Jack Welch, his six grandchildren. His wise voice will be missed.

Posted in: 1950s

Alfred R. Carl, Jr. ’67

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Alfred R. Carl, Jr., passed away Friday, Sept. 19, 2014.

Alfred was born Sept. 18, 1947, son of the late Alfred and Marian K. Carl. He grew up on his family’s farm in West Holyoke, raising berries, apples, vegetables and chickens, and keeping an apiary from the age of 12. Many old customers still fondly recall his egg route as a youngster.

He attended the Williston Northampton School, graduating with the class of 1967, and Holyoke High School, graduating from Hillsdale College in Michigan, and continued his graduate work in entomology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

As chief apiary inspector for Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources he was meticulous to details and a thoughtful and supportive mentor, helping countless beginner and experienced beekeepers navigate the science of apiculture, subscribing to numerous journals and publications to keep up with current research.

With his wife of 32 years he operated Roundhill Orchard in Southampton, raising apples, pears, stone fruits and berries for the farm stand and for Farmers Markets, especially in Amherst and Florence, where he established deep friendships with customers, many of whom remember his parents, and now appreciate his son Andrew continuing this work.

During Al’s illness, the responsibility for most of the farm work fell to Andrew, so there was opportunity to grow closer.

Al died at home from complications of lymphoma. His family was able to care for him to the end and for this they are deeply grateful to Baystate Hospice.

He leaves his wife Kate Miller Carl; beloved daughter Jenny Kapinos (James); adored twin grandchildren Elizabeth and Thomas of Easthampton, with whom he hoped to further explore the natural world; son Andrew Douglas Carl and his partner Tricia Brown; as well as sisters-in-law Elizabeth Miller Grasty (Warren) of Virginia, Louisa Miller Hoar (William) of Maryland, and Judith Miller Conlin (Michael) of Southampton; and brother-in-law Bruce Douglas Miller and his partner Annette Piskell of Florida. He leaves his aunt Maryjule Klopfer and her partner Leo in Holyoke, cousins Robert (Patricia) Klopfer and Jim Klopfer (Stan) of Connecticut. He also leaves nieces and nephews in the area and in Georgia, at the family farm Colonsay.

He was predeceased by his uncle Robert Klopfer, cousin Ken Klopfer (Ruth), and brother-in-law Michael Conlin.

Posted in: 1960s

Robert Francis Moylan ’48

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MoylanRobert Francis Moylan, 83, of West Hartford, CT passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Hebrew Home in West Hartford surrounded by his loving wife Carol and their children.

He was born on January, 13, 1931 in Hartford, CT, the son of the late Honorable Cornelius A. Moylan and Anne (Durkin) Moylan. Bob attended Williston Academy in Massachusetts and was a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford.

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Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1948

William Maginnis, Sr ’38

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Maginnis '38William T. Maginnis, Sr., 93, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at The Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton.

A graduate of Williston Academy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Northeastern University with degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering respectively, he went on to become the chief engineer at Prophylactic Brush Company in Florence, then retired from Osley-Whitney Engineering in Westfield. Because of his lifelong interest and commitment to the field of engineering, he was highly regarded for his knowledge and called upon frequently for private consulting.

He was a pioneer in the plastics industry and an avid reader, especially technical magazines. Other interests included working on exotic cars, particularly Fiats, and spending time reading with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Predeceased by his parents, William and Eunice Maginnis, wife Roslyn (Black) Maginnis and a son Michael, he leaves his children William, Jr., (Theresa), Timothy (Patricia), Stephen (Betsy), Dianne (William Dostal) and Katherine (Brian Begley) Maginnis, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren

Posted in: 1930s

David Cole ’49

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David ColeDavid A. Cole  passed away on 8/31/2014.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

David A Cole was a man fortunate enough to have lived entirely on his own terms. And those who knew him were fortunate enough to have enjoyed his humor, his wisdom, his mentorship and his altruism. A great and interesting character!

Loving husband, father, grandfather, stepson, (great-grandfather to Mila). College graduate, lover of lifelong learning, chicken farmer, Army veteran, investor, lover of music and Robert Frost poetry, philosopher, musician, planner, traveler, sports enthusiast, riddler.

David, The world will be a little dimmer without you (51 years).

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1943

H. James Wallace Jr. ’50

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H. James Wallace Jr. M.D, of Rutland died on August 8 at the Meadows at East Mountain following a long illness.

Jim was born on August 15, 1930 in South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, the son of H. James Wallace and Evelyn Mason Wallace. He graduated from Bellows Free Academy in Saint Albans, Vt. in 1949 and Williston Academy in 1950. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1954 and graduated cum laude from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1958. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington and subsequently did a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.

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Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1950

Douglas Wylde ’54

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WyldeDouglas K. Wylde, 79, of 1135 Main Road, Stamford, Vt., died Monday Aug. 18, 2014 at the BMC Satellite Emergency Facility in North Adams.

He was born on Feb. 17, 1935 in North Adams, a son of the late Edward and Grace (Kay) Wylde.

He graduated from Williamstown High School and Williston Academy and attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. In his younger years he was employed at Continental Air Lines in Colorado. Doug was part-owner in the family business BerkMatics until his retirement in June of 2014.

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Posted in: 1950s

James MacDonald ’63

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MacDonald“Coach Mac” James R “Mac” MacDonald died Tuesday January 14, 2014 at his home in Earlysville. Mac was born in Willimantic, CT on October 20, 1944. After an indifferent scholastic career, he became an inspired, distinguished and passionate teacher, coach and administrator. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY; then fell into teaching because he spoke fluent Spanish which he’d learned while working on the tobacco fields in Connecticut in the summers.

His teaching & coaching spanned 42 years at 3 schools: Eaglebrook in Deerfield, MA, Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA and St. Anne’s Belfield School in Charlottesville. During his career, he received many accolades; most notably the Malone Prize from St. Anne’s for not only his classroom & athletic contributions, but also his behind the scenes talents—especially setting up sound systems. He loved St. Anne’s; and he also loved coaching football and lacrosse.

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Posted in: 1960s

Andrew W. Korts III ’55

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Korts '55Andrew W. Korts III, 76, died on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Albany Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Rochester, he was the son of the late Andrew W. Korts Jr. and Helen Louise (Paterson) Korts Sauer. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass. and he earned a master’s degree in education from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Korts was an Irish Christian Brother and devoted his entire career to education. He was an accomplished organist and worked with Father Peter Young at Blessed Sacrament Church in Bolton Landing and at Mother Teresa Catholic Community in Albany, handling all of the liturgical music needs at both churches. He also was a secretary for the Peter Young Housing Industries and Treatment Foundation. Mr. Korts was a world traveler.

Survivors include his nephew, Michael Butler of Rensselaer; his “adopted niece” Dawn Dayter of Rensselaer; his cousins from England, Julia and Katie Henderson and his dear friend and colleague, Fr. Peter Young and everyone involved with the PYHIT Foundation.

Posted in: 1950s, Class of 1955

Robert A. Sears ’46

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Robert Sears '46Robert Allen Sears, a long-time resident of Longmeadow and Westport, MA, passed away on July 6th at the Charlton Hospital in Fall River, after a fall and brief illness at age 86. He was born in Torrington, CT and grew up in Ware, MA.  After graduating from Williston Academy class of 1946, he attended Tufts University both as an undergraduate and medical student. He later practiced medicine in Western Mass for thirty-four years as a specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology before his retirement in 1995.

Dr. Sears maintained a strong interest throughout his life in the outdoors, camping, and community service.  As a Boy Scout, he reached the rank of Eagle Scout. He twice traveled with his family across the country in a camper trailer visiting old battlegrounds and national parks in 46 different states. In later years, he visited all seven continents pursuing an interest in natural history, geography, and human cultures.  He was a member of the World Affairs Council of Western Mass, and remained a devoted alumnus. He served on the Tufts University Alumni Council and as president of the Tufts University Alumni Association. During retirement, he was instrumental in establishing the Tufts Institute for Learning in Retirement and received the Tufts Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award. He was formerly a member of the Field Club, Colony Club, and Longmeadow Country Club.

Dr. Sears leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Norma W. Sears; and sons, Robert Allen Sears Jr. of Los Angeles, James Andrew Sears II of London, England, Stuart Donaldson Sears of Sharon, and David Denison Sears of Arlington; and daughter Martha Wiley Sears Baker of Westwood, in addition to eleven grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert A. and Norma W. Sears Scholarship Fund, Williston Northampton School, 
19 Payson Avenue
, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Posted in: 1940s, Class of 1946