Tag Archives: Williston Academy

Lindsay Mathewson Collins ’41

CollinsLindsay Mathewson Collins, 91, died Saturday, February 8, 2014 at his home in Elkins, NH. He was born in Springfield, MA in March of 1922 the son of William Oliver and Edna Lindsay Collins. His early schooling was in Westfield, NJ. He earned his BCE at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1947 and an MS in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Lindsay served in the Navy during World War II as an enlisted man and officer doing convoy escort, mine sweeping, and three years in the Pacific with amphibious forces on the USS Rushmore, LSD 14. His professional career was as a municipal engineer in New Jersey and Colorado, as a consulting engineer doing all phases of sanitary and civil engineer’s duties, and as a New Hampshire state employee handling state and federal grants for municipality waste water projects.

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Alex MacFarlane III ’70

MacFarlaneAlexander “Alex” MacDougall MacFarlane III of Brentwood, Tennessee passed away peacefully on May 20, 2014.

Alex was born in Torrington, Connecticut on August 18, 1952. He grew up in Connecticut and spent his early adult life in Bermuda before returning to the United States.

During his life he was an avid reader, skilled guitar player, and patient gardener. Alex enjoyed a diverse range of literature and letters. He was a talented guitar player and spent hours picking at his Ibanez, Martin, and Gibson guitars. His love of nature and green thumb were expressed by growing roses and a large assortment of other flowers in his home garden.

Alex is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his son, Alexander and daughter, Kathryn; his stepmother Jean MacFarlane, his sisters, Jean MacFarlane and Alison MacFarlane-Barnes and husband Ed Barnes, his nephew, Stephen, and niece, Anna, and his brother, Carson Brown. His parents, Alexander MacFarlane Jr., and Kathryn Brown preceded him in death.

Robert Henry Matthias ’41

MatthiasRobert H. Matthias passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 28th while looking out a window where he lived at Maris Grove.

Bob was born in Bridgeport, CT, to the late Virginia and Frederick William Matthias, Jr. and was raised with his two brothers, Bill and Donald, by his mother after his father passed away.

He graduated from the Williston Northampton School in 1941 and then went on to study at Amherst College. Postponing graduation with fellow classmates, Bob entered the US Navy where he served as a WWII pilot and flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida. He resumed his studies after the war and graduated with the class of 1945 from Amherst in 1947. He also attended Brown University and University of North Carolina before starting his career with DuPont in 1952.

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Rev. George Higgins ’45

The Reverend George B. Higgins died on April 25th, 2014 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, NY at the age of 87. Reverend Higgins He is survived by his loving family.

“The Rev” will be fondly remembered as a lively presence in the pulpit and throughout the communities where he lived during his many successful pastorates. With his tartan Tam O’Shanter, his Scottish mustache and walking stick (aka: his companion) he was always ready to engage anyone he crossed paths with – on just about any known subject.

George was born and raised in North Adams, MA and always maintained a healthy pride in all things New England, especially with regard to the Red Sox, The Berkshires, Cape Cod and his Pilgrim roots all the way back to the Mayflower. George also loved to honor his Scottish and Nova Scotian heritage.

After graduating from Williams College in 1949 he entered the US Navy. After an honorable discharge, he answered his call to the ministry earning a Master’s in Divinity from New York Theological Seminary.

During that time, he married Marie Stovel of Devonshire Bermuda and accepted his first pastorate at the Congregational church in Vernon CT where they also began their family. Thereafter, he went on to serve multi-year stints at churches in Milford NH, Dover DE, Stony Stratford UK, Dalton MA, Briarcliff Manor NY and Hawthorne NY.

Known as an excellent builder of congregations as well as a thorough and entertaining preacher, many will fondly remember his different pulpit traditions – most especially his Christmas Eve rendering of the birth of Christ in the Braid Scotts translation.

George enjoyed a life-long affiliation with Camp Beckett where he spent his childhood summers and Williams College returning each year for alumni reunions. He also enjoyed his many civic involvements including terms serving as Town Moderator in Eastham MA, Dalton MA and Milford NH, Chairman of the Cape Cod Conservation Committee, active membership in local Rotary Clubs and his time as Chaplain and ambulance driver at the BMFD.

George invested 65 years of his life in Christian ministry and was actively preaching until one month before his passing. He touched many lives with his booming voice and outgoing personality – and will not soon be forgotten.

John Joseph Bergen III ’69

John BergenJohn Joseph Bergen III passed away March 26, 2014.

A man of generosity, integrity, precision. Dedicating his mathematical and scientific aptitude to a career in Aerospace Engineering, earning three honorary Phd’s. No brag here, nor for his creative and artistic brilliance, developing graphics software and interactive entertainment before its time. Well done, John.

But his steaks, keep ’em rare, artichokes tender. Foodie, palate pleaser, environmentalist at heart, east coast to west, rock climbing to riflery, wingtips or white tennies, his character always true. Another round, drinks and ammo, another drag, cigarette and Boss 302.

We will watch Cosmos.XO Rhonda, John IV, Jacqueline, Wendy, Mimi, and friends.

Dr. William David Michael, Jr. ’39

Williams David MichelDr. William David Michael Jr. passed away Saturday, May 3, in Weymouth. He was 95 years old.

Dave was born in Quincy, in 1919, to William David Michael Sr. and Mary (Alexander) Michael. He graduated from Thayer and Williston Academies and received his Doctor of Optometric Degree from Pennsylvania State College of Optometry.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, he joined his father’s Optometric practice in Quincy.

He married Marion Ross Scudder, his childhood sweetheart, in 1942. They settled in Weymouth and later moved to Hingham. Dave continued his Optometric practice in Quincy until retirement, when he and Marion moved to Hilton Head, S.C., in 1978. In retirement, they pursued their love of travel and Daves dream of golfing year round.

Dr. Michael was predeceased by his wife of 65 years Marion, his parents, a daughter, Marion Leslie Michael, and a grandson, David Monroe. He is survived by his three daughters, Joan Monroe of Weymouth, Wendy Mauch of Lochmere, N.H., and Meredith Schubach of Tucson, Ariz. Dave is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

William Wenk ’50

Williams WenkWilliam Bible Wenk, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, in Springfield.

Born in Springfield, MA, loving son of the late William J. and Helen (Bible) Wenk, he was a lifetime resident of the Springfield area. William graduated from Springfield Technical High School 1948, Williston Academy 1950, University of Connecticut 1952.

Upon graduation he joined his father William Joseph Wenk, at Wenks Florist in Springfield, MA. He attended the Naval School of Mine Warfare in York Town, Virginia, where he studied underwater mine ordinances, served aboard the aircraft carrier Essex during the Korean Campaign and returned home to manage and later own Wenks Florist.

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Richard M. Austin ’47

Richard AustinRichard M. Austin , 86, of Keene, NH peacefully passed away April 17, 2014 at Maplewood Nursing Home after a period of declining health.

He was born in Worcester, MA April 13, 1928, the son of James and Clara (Marsh) Austin. Mr. Austin spent his childhood years growing up in Dudley, MA, a neighbor to his “love of his life” and future wife, Lucille Bates. He attended Bartlett High School; Webster, MA and subsequently graduated from Williston Academy; East Hampton, MA in 1947 and Clark University; Worcester, MA in 1952 with a degree in business administration. During his high school and college years, he played basketball and football, however his true passion was baseball which he excelled at. Post college, he pitched on several semi-pro teams and was even invited to try out for his beloved Boston Red Sox.

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