It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Varick M. Warren of Warwick, NY on February 1, 2024.
Varick was born September 15, 1960, in Douglaston, NY to Marjory Ann (nee Thomas) Warren and the late Douglas James Warren of Warwick, NY. He lived in Douglas Manor, NY until age 12 when his family moved to Manhattan. He attended Waldorf School in Garden City, NY and New Lincoln school in Manhattan, NY and graduated from Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA where he played on the ice hockey team. He was a great player and still played multiple times a week in Newburgh, NY, until his passing, and of course was a huge Rangers fan. Varick was an active member of the Ultimate Advantage weightlifting community, spending multiple days per week supporting and mentoring others. Varick loved Fire Island where he spent most of his childhood summers and continued to vacation there every summer. There he flourished, going fishing, body surfing, and sailing, among a few hobbies while developing lifelong friendships which he cherished dearly.
Varick had an accomplished career beginning on Wall Street back in the 1980’s. Eventually he transitioned into the produce industry where he excelled for over 30 years. Most recently he was Chief Operating Officer at Solata Foods, Newburgh, NY. He was an innovator and an esteemed fixture in the industry, always thinking ahead and developing new products. He was highly respected by his colleagues and co-workers. He had a huge heart and was known for offering opportunities to so many.
Varick was charismatic, generous, and knew how to make others laugh. He was a kind, big hearted man, who was always there to help those in need. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Varick was a very loved husband, son, father, brother, uncle, and friend, of which he had many. Varick is survived by his two children, Mckenzie and Molly Warren; his loving wife, Neide Vera; her four children: Amanda, Kimberly, Maria, and Anna Vera and their children: Alan Vera, Sophia Rajos, and Penelope Reales; his mother, Marjory Warren; two sisters, Shaun Bangert and Andrea (Oney) Huffman; and his cat, Kitty.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please reach out to Mckenzie Warren (mckenzie.j.warren@gmail.com) to support the creation of a scholarship fund in his name.
Tag Archives: Williston Northampton School
James A. Hardy ’74
James “Jim” Arthur Hardy passed away at home surrounded by family in the early morning hours of January 31, 2024. Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years June (Egan) Hardy, his mother Joan (Zielny) Hardy, his son Wesley Hardy ’04 and daughter-in-law Shelly, his brother John “Jack” Hardy ’71 and sister-in-law Kathy, and many nieces and nephews. An Easthampton native born July 10, 1956, James was known for his wit, and dry sense of humor. He graduated Cum Laude from The Williston Northampton School earning a medal in wrestling and went on to study art at UMASS under John Grillo. A lifelong recreational fisherman introduced to the sport by his grandfather Alexander Zielny, James maintained maps of the “best spots” both new and old. A job as a bank teller in his youth expanded into a thirty-year career in the securities industry, affording him the ability to create an at-home art studio later in life. His works have been on display in multiple local exhibitions; and fill his family’s homes. Donations can be made to The Hospice Foundation of America.
Calling hours will be Monday, February 5, 2024 from 3:30 to 6:30 pm at the Czelusniak Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Tuesday at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Annunciation Chapel, Beacon St. in Florence, MA at 10 am.
Morgan J. Hoye ’95
Morgan J. Hoye, 47, of Pawtucket, RI, passed away on January 12, 2024 following a long struggle with a chronic illness.
Born on April 23, 1976, in Wellesley, MA, Morgan graduated from the Fessenden School in 1992 where he captained the varsity football and basketball teams and received the Keppleman Cup for outstanding leadership. Morgan later attended the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA where he played varsity football. After graduating from Newton North High School in 1996, Morgan worked in the hospitality industry in Cambridge and Boston for fifteen years. Music, however, was always Morgan’s passion. He loved singing, writing song lyrics and performing as a karaoke DJ in Boston and Providence for over two decades.
Growing up in Massachusetts, Morgan loved candlepin bowling, the Bruins, the Patriots, collecting baseball cards, going to Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire on the weekends with his Nana, Priscilla Barnard, and riding his BMX bike all over town and having epic snowball fights with his brother Alex. Morgan shared a love of animals and pets with his mother, Jackie, enjoyed fishing with his father, Bob, in Maine and New Hampshire, and traveling in love and joy with his former wife Carlotta.
Morgan is survived by his former wife, Carlotta Carzaniga of Boston; his father, Robert Hoye (Michele) of Dover MA; his mother, Jacqueline Jacquiot of Boston; his brother, Alex Hoye (Helen) of Oakland CA, and a niece, Eva Hoye, and nephew, Julian Hoye.
The family will have a private burial.
Donations may be made in memory of Morgan J. Hoye, to the Fessenden School, 250 Waltham Street, West Newton MA 02465.
Richard Henchey, Former Faculty
Richard Francis (Dick) Henchey passed away this summer in Pensacola, Florida at the age of 93. He enjoyed a long and fulfilling forty-year career as an English teacher. He taught for twenty years at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He later taught at private schools in New York, Colorado, and California, and ultimately retired from Dunn School in Los Olivos, California. Dick opened many young minds to the possibilities of literature and philosophy over the course of his decades in the classroom and as a leader on the campus.
Dick was born in 1929 in Northampton, Massachusetts. He graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1946 and from American International College in 1951. He served two years in the United States Army. At UMass Amherst he was awarded both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English.
Dick Henchey is survived by daughter Ruth ’76 and son Paul ’74, by their mother Ann, by three grandchildren (Craig ’05, Laura, and Erin), by two great-grandchildren (Audrey and James), and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two older brothers – William and James. His passing will be memorialized privately by his family.
Meg Ciak Papalegis ’80
It is with overwhelming sorrow that we announce the passing of Meg (Ciak) Papalegis, who died suddenly and unexpectedly while touring British Columbia, Canada on October 15th, 2023. Born March 1st, 1963 in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of Frank and Elaine Ciak of Easthampton, Mass. Meg was a graduate of the Williston Northampton School, class of 1980. After losing her beloved mom Elaine in 2001, and with the grit and determination she was well known for, Meg re-entered school and earned her degree in Nursing at Southern Maine Community College, South Portland Maine at age 42. As a registered nurse, she worked tirelessly in the substance-abuse treatment field, providing care for thousands of patients in the NH Seacoast area. She was a beacon of light that shined brightly in so many lives. Meg loved and enjoyed the tranquility of nature, so much so the she and her husband retired to their cabin in the woods of northwestern Maine. Meg loved walks in the woods or the beach, rides in the country, travelling to Nova Scotia, searching for heart-shaped stones, music and her local library. She was an expert cribbage player, and a fiercely loyal fan of the Boston Bruins. Meg is survived by her loving husband, Todd Papalegis of Weld, her brother, David Ciak ’79 of Boston, Mass., her aunt Marilyn Gorski of Chicopee, Mass., and countless cousins, extended family, and friends including a very special group of friends from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A celebration of life is being planned, the date TBD.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Meg’s name can be made to the Weld Public Library, P.O. Box 120, Weld, Maine 04285.
“There is no path to happiness, happiness is the path”.
Raymond O. Bernard ’77
Raymond O. Bernard, 65, entered Eternal Life on October 5, 2023, with his family at his side after a brief illness. He was born April 19, 1958, in Holyoke to the late Raymond O. and Rita (Guertin) Bernard. Ray (known as Rusty in his younger years due to his red hair) grew up in Chicopee and attended Williston Academy. He then earned a Bachelor of Science Business Administration Degree in Finance from Northeastern University in 1982. Ray worked for Bank of Boston, Ann & Hope and the Toyota Corporation. Always having an interest in health care, he became a registered nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing from Springfield Technical Community College in 1993. Ray worked briefly at Baystate Medical Center before his 20-year career working as a correctional head nurse for the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections where he retired in 2013. He was awarded several Gubernatorial Citations for Preservation of Life in 1995, 2003, 2004, and 2005 and Circle of Merit in 2004 and 2005.
He was predeceased by his infant daughter Elizabeth M. Bernard in 1994 and his sister Michele R. (Bernard) Asselin in 2021. He is survived by his devoted wife of 31 years Margaret E. (Kelleher) Bernard and his loving son Nicholas R. Bernard. Also saddened by his loss are his sister’s children Mathieu R. Asselin of Somers, CT and Margaux R. Lamirande of South Hadley and his brothers-in-law Richard W. Asselin and Timothy J. Kelleher of South Hadley and Patrick J. Kelleher of Marshfield MA and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ray was immensely proud of his family and their achievements. He was very sociable with a generous heart and had a way of making others feel special. He had wonderful memories and experiences with sports and scouting and passed on his enthusiasm and knowledge to many by his involvement with coaching youth sports and scout leadership. In his retirement Ray enjoyed travel and cruises with his family and a treasured trip to Ireland where he had hoped to return.
An uncle introduced “Rusty” to fishing as a young boy, and this developed into a passion that only grew through the years. He became an avid fisherman and enjoyed many vacations in Maine where fishing rarely disappointed. Locally he treasured Quabbin Reservoir in his retirement. Great Pond in Maine was truly his happy place and he had returned from a month at Bear Spring Camps just two weeks prior to his illness. He was proud to recently have a trophy fish (with a story to match) mounted and displayed there securing his legacy.
Calling hours will be Wednesday October 11th from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the O’Brien Family Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., South Hadley. Funeral Mass will be Thursday October 12th at 11:00 am in St. Patrick’s Church. For more information or to make online condolences please go to obrienfamilyfh.com. In lieu of flowers Ray would be happy to have any contributions go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Richard R. Francis, Former Faculty
Richard Reid Francis passed away on July 8th, 2023 with his wife Marilyn by his side.
Rick was born in Middletown, Connecticut in 1934 to Paul and Ruth Francis. He graduated from Choate School in 1952 and Wesleyan College in 1958. He spent 2 years in the Army from 1955-1957. While at Wesleyan he lettered in Football, Baseball and Track and earned Little All-American in football.
Rick joined the Faculty of Williston Academy in 1958 where he became the head football coach and a math teacher. He later added Basketball Coach and Athletic Director to his titles. Rick worked at Williston for 42 years, retiring in 2000.
Rick married Marilyn Koch on September 2nd, 1961 and they remained married for almost 62 years. Rick has two children; Jeff ’81 and Todd ’83. He has 5 grandchildren; Brooks, Chase, Grant, Sam and Sasha and 3 great grandchildren; Anthony, Cody and Caden. Rick was predeceased by his parents and his bother Paul “Frosty” Francis.
Rick was elected to the New England Prep School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, New England Basketball Hall of Fame and the Williston Northampton School Hall of Fame. Rick served as the President of both the Western Mass Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame and the New England Prep School Athletic Council.
Rick began attending Camp Monomoy (Cape Cod Sea Camps) in 1945 as a camper. He remained there as a camper and a counselor and eventually became the Program Director. This is where he met Marilyn, as her father Grant Koch, was the Director of Camp Monomoy. Rick retired from “Camp” in 2012.
Rick (and Marilyn) were avid sports spectators watching as many of their sons’ and grandchildren’s games as they possibly could. In their retirement, Rick and Marilyn moved to Cape Cod and travelled the world extensively for as long as they could.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Williston Northampton School on September 30th, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Donations in Rick’s name may be made to the Rick and Marilyn Francis Appreciation Fund at Williston Northampton School.
Robert S. Little ’73
Robert Shackford Little, 68, of Winchester, Massachusetts, and Laconia, New Hampshire, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, June 2, 2023 after a brief illness.
He leaves Mary Beth née Livingston, his wife of 43 years; his daughter, Kate Little; and his son, Matthew Little, daughter-in-law Erika, and granddaughter Eliana. He also leaves his sister, Jo Binette née Little, and his brother Geoff Little and his wife Esmé Little, as well as nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Bob grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, and graduated from Williston Academy. He attended Bates College, and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He also received a business degree from Northeastern University.
Bob spent all or part of every summer of his life on Lake Winnipesaukee, making many life-long friends. His passion was being on the lake in a boat: driving one or building one. As a teenager, he raced a yellow Tahiti in Class A Division water skiing, winning many trophies. Recently, he was active with the New Hampshire Boat Museum in Wolfeboro.
An avid snow skier, Bob travelled around the country skiing various mountains with family and college friends. He was a member of the Gunstock Ski Patrol. Bob was an extremely loyal and loving person, valuing family above all. He loved family traditions and holiday gatherings.
A Memorial Service is planned for later this summer.
Richard C. Gregory, Former Faculty
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 13th at 1:00pm at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Easthampton (128 Main Street). All are welcome to attend a reception in the Dodge Room of the Reed Campus Center at the Williston Northampton School immediately following.
To livestream the memorial service, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/stphilipseasthampton
Richard C. Gregory, age 90, passed away on May 31, 2023, at Fisher House Hospice Care in Amherst, Massachusetts. Richard was born on August 5, 1932, in Providence, Rhode Island, to George E. Gregory and Catherine B. Gregory.
Mr. Gregory graduated from what was then known as Choate Academy in Wallingford, Connecticut, before matriculating to Yale, where he graduated in 1954 with a degree in English. While at Yale, Mr. Gregory was the pitch pipe for the famous male a cappella group, The Whiffenpoofs. The Whiffenpoofs continued to perform and tour well into the 21st century. Mr. Gregory also attended the Yale School of Drama from 1955-56.
After Yale, Mr. Gregory joined the United States Navy, where he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant, serving in Guam and Washington, D.C. Mr. Gregory’s service in Guam inspired some of his musical creations, most notably his arrangement “Christmas Soup,” a hilarious rendition of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” that has been played around the world.
After graduation, Mr. Gregory took a position at what was then Williston Academy in 1961, where he served through the transition to Williston Northampton School and until his retirement in 2004. While at Williston, Mr. Gregory taught fine arts, English, humanities and music. He also served as the Assistant Director of Admission; Founder and Head of Arts and Humanities Department; Head of Fine Arts Department; Director of Band; Advisor of Drama Club/Williston Theatre; Founder and Director of Caterwaulers; Founder and Director of the Widdigers; Housemaster of Ford Hall; and Director of Music.
Not content to rest on the above laurels, Mr. Gregory endowed the George E. and Catherine B. Gregory Instructorship, in memory of his parents, in 2007. Williston Northampton also has an endowed chair in his honor—the Richard C. Gregory Faculty Chair.
In addition to serving on numerous committees while at Williston, Mr. Gregory was particularly fond of—and noted for—being the longest Master of Ford Hall, the notable senior boys dormitory where numerous pranks, hijinks and general young boy behavior was to be found. Mr. Gregory could always be called on to assist with any musical production, and was noted for playing the piano to old silent movies.
Mr. Gregory was most proud of establishing the male a capella group the Caterwaulers while at Williston, a group that traveled around the world to sing to gatherings of various Williston alumni. He was also the Director and Founder of the female concert group, the Widdigers. Mr. Gregory wrote many of the tunes which the Caterwaulers delighted audiences with. The Caterwaulers fondly referred to Mr. Gregory as “Stump.”
While at Williston, Mr. Gregory, in conjunction with Ellis Baker, raised the level of the theater program to one on par with any other local professional theater. Mr. Gregory oversaw and drew the sets for countless numbers of plays, in addition to designing all of the costumes—the drawings of which are art masterpieces in and of themselves. He directed many plays both for the Williston Theater, the Valley Light Opera, and the Commonwealth Opera.
With Ellis Baker, Mr. Gregory was the founding director of the Easthampton Community Theatre Association, later known as the Hampton Players, which regaled the Easthampton Community from 1972 to 1983.
Mr. Gregory was a long-time member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he served on many committees; sang, wrote music for, and directed the Choir; and filled in as organist.
Mr. Gregory was a renaissance man: composer, director, and designer. He was a superb pianist and played violin, baritone, and tuba. Like Mozart, his preferred instrument was the viola. Upon his retirement, Mr. Gregory continued to write music for many organizations and particularly just for himself. His enormous talent will be greatly missed.
Richard is survived by his brother, George M. Gregory Sr.; his nephews Stephen P. Gregory and George M. Gregory; and his niece, Catherine Gregory Boyle. Richard lived a long and interesting life and will be missed by many, especially all those thousands of students who benefitted from his wisdom, humor, and musical genius.
A gracious thank you is extended to Elder Care Access, LLC, and particularly Sheryl Fappiano and Brenda Gendron for their kind and attentive care of Mr. Gregory in his declining years.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dick Gregory can be made to the Richard C. Gregory Faculty Chair at the Williston Northampton School.
Carol A. Steinheimer ’75
With great sorrow, the family and friends of Carol Ann Steinheimer announce her peaceful passing on April 24, 2023 at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of 65.
She was born on December 5, 1957 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to David and Dorothy Steinheimer. Growing up in Dhahran and later Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia Carol lived life to the fullest and developed close ties with many friends. In 1975, she graduated from high school at Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass. She kept many close relationships from Williston as well. Carol went on to receive her bachelors and MBA degrees from the University of Arizona in Tucson.
While advancing her successful career in software management, Carol moved to Denver for her dream job with EDS and lastly to Charlotte with Time Warner and Spectrum. In both places she enjoyed many of her friends from Saudi as well as making new ones. Carol always developed close ties with people and will be sorely missed by many.
Carol had enormous love for her mischievous huskies. Those huskies kept her busy on adventurous hikes in the mountains and chasing them down after their many escape antics.
Traveling was something that Carol enjoyed. She loved France and Italy particularly.
Ultimately, Carol found love in Denver when she met her boyfriend, Greg Bell. They eventually moved to Charlotte, NC and enjoyed the adventure of living in a new state. They decided to adopt a sweet greyhound, named Lucy resulting in no more running after huskies!
Carol is loved and remembered by her sister Jane, her brother Richard and her partner of 29 years, Greg.
Funeral service will not occur by request of the deceased.
