Tag Archives: Williston Northampton School

Geoffrey A. Barnett ’72

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barnettGeoffrey Angus Barnett, 63, of Chester, NH, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at the Catholic Medical Center, Manchester, NH. He was born in Clinton MA, on October 28, 1953, a son of Roger and Beverly (Davis) Barnett. Geoffrey was a Derry Firefighter retiring in 1996 after 17 years of service. Prior to his career with the Fire Department, he attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He was very active in his community, holding positions such as a trustee of Village Cemetery, a former Chester Selectman, a member of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department, and even being named Citizen of the Year. Geoffrey also loved to plow snow and assisted with the Chester Boy Scouts Troop 163. He was an avid fan of the Highland Games and fiercely proud of his Scottish Heritage.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Roxanne (Cowley) Barnett, his daughter Jessica Mansur and husband Aaron, his son, Kevin Barnett and wife Shannon Barnett, four beloved grandchildren, Keira, Alex, Allison, and Kyle; two sisters, Alex Erickson, Amy Hinton, step mother Susan (Curry) Barnett and many nieces and nephews.

Posted in: 1970s

Sterling J. Wiedemann ’10

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Sterling Wiedemann ObituarySterling Joseph Wiedemann was born on April 22, 1991 in Dallas Texas. He died on July 27, 2016 in Dallas.

Sterling was the third born son of Harden and Cynthia Wiedemann and the youngest brother of Hardy and Neth Wiedemann and the grandson of Frederic and Dr. Flo Wiedemann and Jean Robinson Gulley. He was the nephew of adoring aunts, uncles and cousins to many

Sterling (known as Sterl) attended Meadowbrook pre-school, Highland Park Presbyterian Day School grades K-4 , Parish Episcopal 5-8, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts 9,10, 12 grades and his junior year at boarding school Williston Northampton in Massachusetts. Sterl attended Texas Tech University for his Freshman Year and transferred to the University of San Francisco where he was a second semester Senior at the time of his death.

Sterling, at 25 years old, gave new dimensions to the word eclectic. His interests and passions were far ranging and multitudinous. They spanned the latest Japanese electronica music to neuropharmacology and everything in between. He was a champion of social justice and believed strongly reforming the criminal justice and prison systems. Sterling was a lover, too. He felt deeply and while struggling with depression and addiction, he was capable of being truly joyful over the smallest things – a day in the park, a Miyazawa movie, voraciously reading and learning about a new interest, spending time with family and friends. Since he was a very small boy Sterling was cut from a different bolt of cloth and it showed through in some delightful and unexpected ways. He loved words and was an exceptional writer. He avidly listened to and composed music producing pieces on the piano like “ice caves.” He had an impressive list of aliases including “King Lalula.”

Everyone agreed from an early age on he was wise way beyond his years and if you were lucky, you would catch him in a moment where he would open a window and let you see. It was staggering. People attributed it to his being smart or highly intelligent, but really, it was a deep love and ancient wisdom.

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John D. Hayden, III ’97

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John David “J.D.” Hayden, III, Petty Officer 1St Class, USN, died Friday, February 16, 2015 in Las Vegas, NV. J.D. proudly served in the US Navy for nine years, specializing in electronics and communications. He was the recipient of several awards and commendations for outstanding service. After his discharge, he was employed by the State of Nevada in the same field. Born on Nov. 8, 1978 in Springfield, MA, he was raised in Somers, CT. J.D. leaves his mother, Concetta (Pio) Jez; his two brothers, Christopher Jez and his wife, Sara, and their daughter, Sophia, and Nicholas Jez, all of Somers. He also leaves his maternal grandfather, Pasquale Pio, of Somers, and a very close extended family and many friends.

Posted in: 1990s

David Brakey ’76

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BrakeyDavid S. Brakey, 44, of Natick, died unexpectedly Sunday, April 27, 2003, at his home.

He was the husband of Ellen (Rosenfeld) Brakey. Born in Holyoke, he was the son of Gladys (Pryor) Brakey of Easthampton and the late Walter Brakey. He was a resident of Natick for the past 11 years.
He was employed as a chemist at Abbott Bioresearch and formerly was employed by DuPont and New England Nuclear Laboratories.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, hiking, backpacking and skiing. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts and received his master’s degree from Northeastern University.

Besides his wife and mother, he leaves two children, Jesse and Danielle Brakey, both of Natick; a brother, Glenn Brakey of South Hadley; a sister, Laurie LaPointe of Greenwich, Conn.; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robert and Ida Rosenfeld of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Posted in: 1970s

Priscilla Walker ’76

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Priscilla WalkerPriscilla Elaine Walker was born in Mt. Kisco, New York on November 22, 1958 to the late Reverend John Wesley and Alice Suzanne Walker.
She was called home to be with the Lord on October 28, 2011.

Priscilla leaves three lovely children, Kyle Francis (Kate) of California; Daeveon Alyce and Adriene Sylar both of Beacon. Also two sisters Sharon T. Allen-Ladson and Barbara A. Walker-Brickhouse both of Beacon. Three nephews James Laroy Reddrick(wife Mary),Palmer Lamont Allen(wife Beatriz) and Turone Wesley Walker;two nieces, Ashley Dawn-Suzanne Walker and Janai BreeAnnie Brickhouse all of Beacon. Two greatnieces Alaetra Lyn and Grace Teresa and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Posted in: 1970s

Sherrie Ann Gordon ’00

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SherrieSherrie-Ann Latoya Gordon was born to Beverly and Dorrick Gordon on May 5, 1982. Sherrie was a spicy, creative, giving, selfless person.

Sherrie believed and exemplified what it meant to put GOD first. She was brought up in a loving Christian home and at a very young age made the Individual choice to dedicate her life to Jesus Christ. She made it clear to everyone she came in contact with that her goal on earth was to bring glory to GOD in everything she did. Making God pleased with her life was her number one priority; no amount of money or status would ever change that for her.

She attended Bethlehem Baptist Academy, Williston Northampton School and Trinity College.

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Posted in: Class of 2000

Paul Loiero ’73

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Paul LoieroPaul J. Loiero, 59, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center.

Born in Utica, NY on October 29, 1955, son of the late Dr. Francesco and Edith (Marotta) Loiero, he lived in Westfield for the past fifty one years.

Paul was a graduate of Williston Northampton, Class of 1973 and Bates College, Class of 1977 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Biology and Chemistry. In 1983 he earned a Masters in Business Administration from American International College.

Paul was a supervisor for Midac Corp. and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a member of Mt. Tom Amateur Repeater Association with the call sign of NIFI and loved his time on Cape Cod. He was also an organ donor.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of twenty six years, Cynthia A. (Krenzul) Loiero; two loving step-children, Richard W. Conroy and his wife Rebecca, of Westfield and Ronald A. Conroy and his partner Ramona Cavallini, of West Springfield; two cherished grandchildren, Samuel and MacKenzie; several cousins; and his faithful dog and best buddy, Solo.

Posted in: 1970s

Margaret Ross ’82

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Margaret Ross '82Margaret Ellen Ross, Esq. 50, of Somerville, CT died after a brief illness on April 9th, 2015.

Born in Princeton, NJ, she attended Woodstock Elementary School and The Rectory School in Pomfret, CT, and was a graduate of the Williston Northampton School, Union College, and the Suffolk University Law School.

She was a practicing attorney in Boston, MA, a dedicated family court advocate for youth and others in state custody and was well-respected by her peers. Passionate about human rights, Margaret was an active member of Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty. Earlier in her career, she was a Program Coordinator at the Harvard School of Public Health.

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Posted in: 1980s

Christopher Farmer ’73

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Chris Farmer '73Christopher Hurley Farmer passed away on April 17, 2010, in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the age of 56. Chris died of a heart attack while hiking with his girlfriend and her family.

Chris was born in Troy, New York and lived in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts before settling in Olympia.

Chris is survived by his mother Jeanne Farmer of Newburyport, Massachusetts; brothers Malachy Farmer of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Michael Farmer of Amesbury, Massachusetts; sisters Kate Pallotta of Dublin, New Hampshire; Dodie Farmer of Lake George, New York; Debbie Farmer of Newburyport, Massachusetts; and Candy Farmer of New York City; and by his girlfriend Sophie Stimson of Olympia, Washington.

Posted in: 1970s

Jahmal Nelson ’89

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nelsonJahmal N. Nelson, 41, of Pelham Hill Road, passed away Dec. 26, 2012, of complications due to a long term illness.

Born Oct. 10, 1971, in Garberville, Calif., Jahmal was the son of Donald and Suzanne (Breen) Nelson. He was educated in local schools and lived most of his life in the Amherst area.

Jahmal worked in the maintenance department at the University of Massachusetts for many years. He was also a house painter in the Amherst area. Jahmal enjoyed cooking and the arts.

He will be remembered by many for his smile and hugs.

Besides his parents, Donald and Suzanne of Cambria, Calif., Jahmal is survived by his brothers, Paul Nelson and T.J. Nelson of Cambria, Calif.; his sister, Alanna Nelson of Baltimore, Md. and several cousins.

The family requests that donations in Jahmal’s memory be in the form of any act of kindness to others.

Posted in: 1980s, Class of 1989