Spring 2006

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Full Obituaries

Elizabeth Bentley ‘35 was born on Dec 9, 1915 in Westhampton and died on April 18 at Hoosick Falls Health Center in Hoosick Falls, NY. She was the daughter of the late Gilbert I and Gertrude Flint. Her first and second husbands, Lewis H. Martell in 1953 and Casper L. Bentley in 1963, died before her, and she left three daughters, Theresa Corcoran and Donna Langlois, both of Greenwich, NY. and Linda M. Peters, of Cambridge, NY., and a son, Lewis I. Martell, of Eagle Bridge, N.Y.; nine grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and a niece and a nephew. Mrs. Bentley graduated from high school, and then studied agriculture for two years at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. After selling her farm near Battenville, NY, which she owned from 1949 to 1971, she moved to Shushan and worked as a housekeeper. She was an active member of: the Sushan United Presbyterian Church, the Sushan Grange, No. 12333 and Pomona and Sushan Covered Bridge Association. Mrs. Bentley was a great neighbor, a farmer at heart, and loved antiques. Gazette George Walker Simmons ‘36 died on January 16 from complications following surgery. He was born June 17,1913, raised in Amherst on Anatok Farm, his grandparents’ dairy farm, from age 4 until after his mother died. He was the son of the late George Walker and Julya Grant Groff Simmons Sr. As an active kid, he was in 4-H, sharing in raising a world-champion Jersey cow; in Boy Scout, attended the World Jamboree of Boy Scouts in England, where he met the founder of the organization, Lord Baden-Powell. After graduating Amherst High School, Mr. Simmons attended University of Massachusetts, Amherst to study landscape architecture, and ever since, he set up a scholarship for students of landscape architecture. He also studied at Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin and also studied MIT in Boston later. In Wisconsin, he was a landscape architect and a park planner and took part in environmental conservation. He was part of the First Congregational Church in Madison, and the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association and sang in the men’s choral group as well. When his family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1950, he worked as a city planner with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Administration. He also worked in Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas, for HUD, later on. While he was in San Antonio, he served as both deacon and elder in the Oak Hills Presbyterian Church. Not only did Mr. Simmons retire in 1975, he also started a new career as an income tax counselor, doing work for as many as 100 clients, until of late. He was a Scottish Rite Mason for over 63 years and made it to the level of 32nd degree Mason. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, the outdoors, and traveling with his wife, Jane (Reineking) Simmons, of 58, died in 1955. They traveled to New Zealand, Europe, Alaska and Mexico. Mr. Simmons provided a home for his disabled daughter, Marilyn Louis Simmons, of San Antonio, Texas. He also left another daughter, Barbara Jane Simmons Woods-Snyder, also of San Antonio, a granddaughter, a grandson, and great-grandchildren. He also had a brother, Chauncey Simmons, who died earlier. Gazette Harry L. Blaisdell Jr. ’38 died Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor, Florida at age 90. He was born in Dedham, MA on February 20, 1915 as the only child of Harry L. Blaisdell Sr. and Beatrice (Johnson) Blaisdell of Greenfield, MA. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and was a Navy veteran of World War II, where he served as a Communications Officer in the North Pacific. Then, he had a career in a jewelry business; designing, manufacturing and distributing distinctive jewelry throughout the United States. He owned Blaisdell and Company, Inc. based in North Attleboro, MA, which is where he and his family lived for 31 years. After his retirement, he divided his time between Orleans, MA on Cape Cod and Palm Harbor, Florida. He enjoyed being a tennis player and artist. Mr. Blaisdell left his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; two sons, Douglas, Berlin, Germany and Peter, Orleans, MA; two daughters Debbie McCauley, San Diego, CA and Carolyn Blaisdell, Palo Alto, CA; and four grandchildren. Recorder 2/16/06 Louise (Ruddu) Towle ‘38 Gerhard M. Wilke ’39, born in Werdau, Germany and died at 87 peacefully surrounded by his family on November 28, 2005. Over the years, he received degrees from University of Massachusetts, Middleburry College, and did advanced graduate studies at Harvard, Trinitym A.I.C., University of Freiburg as well as Frankfurt, Germany. He was the Chairman of the Language Department at Madison Military Academy, Suffield Academy, Technical High School, Coordinator of Language Instruction, Springfield, MA, and Professor of German, French, Spanish, Latin and Chairman, Division of Humanities and Fine Arts at Holyoke Community College; director of foreign exchange students program, fellowships from the Ford Foundation and a Fulbright Exchange Teacher in Germany. Mr. Wilke was also a Special Agent, Counter Intelligence Corps in Germany; his publications include Conversational Spanish, Guten Tag Workbooks and articles in F.L. Publications. He also belonged to Massachusetts Advisory Committee on Foreign Languages, AATG, AATF, MFLA, NEA, ACTFL, MRCCFA, MACC, Statewide Committee on International Exchanges and Programs, Past President and Treasurer P.V. Soccer Officials Association. He was a West Springfield School Committeeman, Town Meeting Member, Lay Preacher, Past Pres. Sec., Elder and Deacon Grace Lutheran Church. Mr. Wilke left his wife of 64 years, Eleanor (Weber) Wilke, a daughter, Gretchen Schwamb and her husband, Ted; six grandchildren, Jennifer Shea, Caroline Wilke, Erich and Adam Wilke and Travis and Gretta Schwamb; two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Meghan Shea; two daughters-in-law, Lois and Paula Wilke. His twin sons predeceased him. Republican 11/20/05 Anna E. Herring ‘41, age 87, died on Thursday, December 15, 2005 at the Sunrise Assisted Living Residence. She was born on April 2, 1918 in Palmer, MA; she was the daughter of the late William and Anna (O’Connor) Harrington. In 1936, She graduated from Amherst College, and in 1941, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in education. She taught special education and early childhood classes in the schools of the Hempstead Long Island School District for many years; was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in Washington, DC as a WAVE from 1943 to 1945. She lived with her husband, John “Jack,” formerly of Amherst in Uniondale, Long Island, where she was an active member of St. Martha’s Parish. Mrs. Herring left her five children: Daniel Herring (Veronica) of Albany, NY; Mary Beth Coco (Michael) of Glen Head, NY; Ann Murray (Chris) of Rockville, MD; John A. Herring (Margaret) of Lynbrook, NY; and William Herring (Jeanne) of East Meadow, NY; brother, William Harrington (Daphne) of Westfield, MA; brother-in-law, Douglas Herring of Northampton, MA; 14 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. Republican 12/22/05 Dr. Robert D. Firestone ‘41, born in Holyoke, the son of Saul J. and Esther (Hertzmark) Firestone, and died on Thursday, October 27 at his home surrounded by his family. He graduated Holyoke High School at age 16, and then graduated with honors after 3 years from the University of Massachusetts, and finally completing Harvard dental school, which he then enlisted in the US Army and was a proud veteran of World War II and was captain when he left the service. Mr. Firestone went back to Holyoke and practiced dentistry until retirement in 1994. He held the position of Chief of Dental Surgery at Holyoke Hospital, was a member of the Valley District Dental Society, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. He was a lifetime member of Congregation Sons of Zion, where he was an active board member and officer. Mr. Firestone also acted at a few occasions; he performed with the Mt. Holyoke Theatre and the Valley Light Opera. He loved playing tennis and always played at the Holyoke Canoe Club. He left his wife of 53 years, Adelaide (Posnik) Firestone; three children, Carol Bilodeau and her husband, Paul of Freemont, California, William and Susan Firestone of Longmeadow, and Alan and Pamela Firestone of Montclair, NJ; six grandchildren, Ester, Debra, Rachel, Andrea, Andrew and Madeline. Republican 10/29/05 Otto S. Nau Jr. '42 died in his home in Havertown, PA, at 85. He went to University of Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Science degree, and went to Boston University School of Medicine and graduated in 1945 with a doctorate in medicine. He served in the United State military at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and provided medical care and treatment for the Eisenhower children. Mr. Nau provided medical care at Arlington Pediatrics for over 50 years; he was board certified in both pediatrics and pediatric allergy, served as chief of pediatrics at Symmes Hospital in Arlington and joined with Mt. Auburn Hospital, Winchester Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Boston. Since 1959, he was an active member of the Arlington Kiwanis Club and was voted the citizen of the year in 1996; on board of the Arlington Visiting Nurses Association, was Boy Scout supporter as an Eagle Scout. He was a member of St. Eulalia’s Parish where he served on Parish Council and was a minister. He was also a doctor for the CAMPS Program until his retirement. He left his wife Mary Ann (McHugh), two sons, Richard of Framingham and David of Dallas; a daughter, Kristen of Havertown, PA; a brother, Norman of York, Maine; six grandsons; and close friends. BH 12/02/05 Walter Melnick ‘42 died on Sunday October 30, 2005 at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke at 85, and lived on 155 Pascah Road, Amherst. He was born in South Deerfield on August 1, 1920; son of the late Henry and Julia (Biley) Melnick. He attended local school and received a bachelor of science in agricultural economics and farm management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1942; and also his master’s degree in 1961 and received more education from Colorado and Wisconsin. From 1950 to 1955, he served Hampshire County as associate county agent manager, from being an agent manager from 1950 to 1955, to regional specialist from 1955 to 1961 and finally regional extension administrator for Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire and Franklin counties from 1961 until his retirement in 1984. He also worked as regional vegetable specialist, mostly asparagus and tobacco, for the Pioneer Valley and Berkshire region until 1972 when he became Pioneer Extension Administrator. He also took part in developing the Farmers’ Market Open House and led both the establishment of a greenhouse tomato industry, and the pickling cucumber growing enterprises in the Pioneer Valley during the 1960s. During 1972 to 1984, he guided the four county budgets through trying fiscal times effectively. He received distinguished awards from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and Epsilon Sigma Phi National Extension Faculty. He was the recipient of a service award from the Massachusetts Potato Growers Association and the prestigious award from the Massachusetts society for promoting agriculture in Massachusetts. Mr. Melnick also published weekly releases in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, was featured in the “Valley Grower” publication for his work in tobacco and was often a guest on a local radio program. He also served in the U.S. Army as a captain in the Calvary during World War II. He left his wife of 44 years, Anne (Duda) Melnick; a son, Gerald Melnick of Newton; four daughters, Deborah Vernell of Gypsum, Colo., Susan Melnick of Huntington, Katrina Marshman of Easthampton and Andrea McKittrick of Templeton; a brother, John Melnick of South Deerfield; two sisters, Sophie Buczynski of Sunderland and Florence Muldoon of Oakham; seven grandchildren and nieces and nephews. His first wife, former Maxine Snow, and a daughter, Jennifer, were predeceased. Recorder 11/01/05 Kenneth W. Williams Jr. ‘42 was born on May 27, 1921 in Sunderland, and died at 84 on January 5, 2006 in the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. He was the son of the late Kenneth S. and Charlotte (Wells) Williams Sr. He was raised in Sunderland, attended to Sunderland School, graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1940, and graduated from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts in 1942. He worked at the family farm for many years, and then served as vegetable inspector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and as co-owner of Williams Sugar House. He was a member of the Deerfield Men’s Club and the Deerfield Fire Department; was a big Boston Red Sox fan and candlepin bowler; he attended school sports events with his grandchildren. Mr. Williams’ wife of over 50 years, Marjorie (Patterson) Williams, died in 2002. He left his son, Kenneth S. “Sandy” Williams III of Deerfield; a daughter, Judith Phillips of South Deerfield; two brothers, Milton Williams of Deerfield and Richard Williams of Rehoboth, and six grandchildren. Gazette George D. Clark ‘48, of Easthampton, at 77, died in Epoch Skilled Nursing Facility in Providence, R.I. Born in Easthampton on February 8, 1928; son of the late George P. and Flossie (Schwam) Clark. He graduated from Foxboro High School and graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts degree; was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a fireman, first class, and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He worked as an industrial engineer by Kollmorgen Corp. in Northampton and American Optical, of Sturbridge, and retired from Bostich, in East Greenwich, R.I. in 1982. He was a member of the ST. Albans Lodge of Mason in Foxboro, and Seekonk Congregational Church. Mr. Clark’s wife, Nancy S. (Graham) Clark, died on March 12. He left two sons, David Clark, of Seekonk, and Paul Clark, of Gamaliel, Ark.; and a daughter, Kimberlee Ferreira, of Seekonk; and three grandchildren. Gazette Genevieve McKinney ‘46, “Geoff,” was born on May 26, 1926 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and died on Saturday, January 21, 2006. Her parents were immigrants from Poland; mother as a home-maker and father as a paper mill worker. She received her BA from Massachusetts State College, and her MA in microbiology from the University of Massachusetts, and then worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a citrus inspector, being placed in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa. She was assigned to Pasco Packing plant in the mid-1940s, and worked for other citrus plants in Auburndale, Lakeland, and Plant City, and also worked at Evans Packing Co. in Dade City. Inspecting all aspects of the production workflow from the beginning to the end was her responsibility. She was a Catholic and a member of the St. Rita Catholic Church in Dade City. Geoff’s husband, James D. McKinney, passed away earlier, and she left her sons, James and his wife, Jeanette (Lutz); grandchildren, Jeannie, James, and Stephen, all of Lutz; a brother, Martin Lekarczyk, and his wife, Dorothy, of Dade City; sons, Mark, of Germany, and Jeff; Jeff’s wife, Lisa and son, Luke, all of Tampa; a niece, Nina Sue Sturword, of Dade City; a nephew, Earl Sturword, and wife, Dena, of Dade City; nephew, Danny Ashcraft, of Greendale, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Edith McKinney, of Dade City; and a cousin, James Jyz, of Ludlow, Mass. Natalie Hambly Griffith ‘47 passed away on June 14, 2005, in Pensacola, Fl. She left her husband, Richard S. Griffith. Woodrow H. Miller '48, of Warwick, R.I., passed away on Friday November, 11, 2005, in DeLand after a long illness. Born in Westfield, MA on March 25, 1918, graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield, MA, in 1926, and attended Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, received a degree in animal husbandry. Woody was wounded in Germany in 1945, as the U.S. Army captain, and received the Purple Heart when he retired. He remained active in the Military Officers Association of America, Future Farmers of America, Rhode Island Agricultural Council, serving as secretary from 1970-1979, and the 4-H. He also served as an officer in the Pine Forest Homeowners Association of Orange City for several years, and was a member of the Shawmunt Lodge F&AM, Indian Orchard, MA. For more than 25 years, he served as farmer field agent, district manager and purchasing agent, for the former New England Milk Producers Association, now known as Agrimart. Woody was active in the Foster Memorial Congregational Church in Sixteen Acres, MA, Edgewood Congregational Church in Cranston, R.I., and the First Congregational Church, Orange City. He truly loved gardening and loved music. Parents were George S. and Mary (Cotton) Miller; brothers, George and James, and sister, Grace (Miller) Raymond, all predeceased him. Woody left his wife of 59 years, Shirley (Warwick) Miller, who lives in Orange City;three children, James of Fernandina Beach, Steven of Duluth, Ga., and Susan (Miller) Wakelin of Orange City; grandchildren, James, John and Alan Miller, Lisa (Wakeliin) Martinez and Brent Wakelin; great-grandchild, Kaylin Martinez. Recorder 11/16/05 Harold W. Bonneville ‘50, of Baldwinsville, NY, 81, died Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a long fight with cancer. Born and raised in Greenfield, MA, and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1050. He retired in 1988, after 30 years in marketing research with Carrier Corp, and was an Army veteran of WWII, serving with the 107th Evacuation Hospital in the European Theater and was also in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a communicant of Grace Episcopal Church in Baldwinsville. Loving golf, Bonneville was a member of Drumlins, Seneca, Oswego, and Cummings Cove golf courses. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and winning smile. He left his wife of 51 years, the former Ethel E. Madden; a daughter, Mary Ann (Steve) Bennett of Liverpool; two sons, Alan (Tammy) of Memphis, TN, and George (Corrine) of Baltimore, MD; a sister, Bettejane (James) Balcam of Boston; two brothers, Joseph Jr. (Alice) of Greenfield and Douglas (Ann) of Gainesville, FL; grandchildren, Amber Bonneville, Keri Byrd and Stephen Bennett; great-granddaughter, Maci Lee Byrd, and several nieces and nephews. Recorder 2/10/06 Charles E. Nichols ‘50, of Hampden, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at the Baystate Medical Center. Born in Ludlow in 1927, lived in Enfield, CT and lived in Hampden for the past 30 years. Graduated from the University of Massachusetts, and was a retired metallurgist, employed by the former Tenneco Gas Co., of Agawam, now the El Paso Gas Co. of Agawam. As an avid bowler, he was a member of numerous of leagues. Charles was predeceased by his wife, Estelle (Converse) Nichols in 1991, and left his sons, Charles E. Nichols, Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Simpsonville, SC; Keith A. Nichols and his wife Joanne of East Longmeadow; Richard Nichols of Hampden and his friend and companion Karen Barry of Hardwick, MA: grandchildren Jacob Nichols and Ian Nichols; sisters-in-law, Doris Nichols of Ludlow and Elva Mee of East Longmeadow; and numerous of nieces and nephews. Republican 2/5/06 Paul Roy Wilbur ‘50, of New Salem, passed away quietly on Sunday, February 5, 2006 at the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, after a long illness. Born on February 1, 1926 in Orange, to Anna T. (Nelson) and Daniel R. Wilbur; grew up in New Salem, graduated from the New Salem Academy, where he later taught, and then became the director. He also served in the Navy and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, served on the New Salem Board of Trustees, New Salem Fire Department as assistant chief, and drove school bus for many years after he retired. During Wilbur’s free time, he appreciated the outdoors, participating in local dramatic theater groups, working on his farm, and spending time with family and friends. He left his wife of 57 years, Carolyn A. (Waite) Wilbur; children Scott R. and his wife Karrie (Boston) of Lehi, Utah; and Lee Anne (Wilbur) and her husband Mike Snow of Bernardston; 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Recorder 2/7/06 William Lieberwirth ‘50, of South Dennis and former Northampton resident, passed away on October 26, 2005 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis after a short illness. He was born on May 4, 1925 in Northampton; son of the late John and Hedwig (Drechisel) Lieberwirth; grew up in Northampton, graduated from Northampton High School, and later, from the University of Massachusetts, he received a degree in economics. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and worked for MassMutual for 31 years, and retired in 1981. He lived in East Longmeadow for many years until he moved to South Dennis in 1982. William loved and followed all of the Boston sports, and was ecstatic to finally see his favorite Red Sox win the World Series in 2004. His wife of 46 years, Jean (Miller) Lieberwirth, died earlier in 1996. He left his sons, Gary Lieberwirth of Springfield, Paul Lieberwirth of East Longmeadow, Robert Lieberwirth of South Dennis, and Stephen Lieberwirth of West Yarmouth; and seven grandchildren. Gazette 10/29/05 Alfred N. Rabaioli ‘53, of Medway, known as “Buddy,” died at 74 on January 20, 2006. Known for being “everybody’s buddy;” mentioned by father Peter E. Rabaioli. Attended Medway High School, senior class in 1949, was President, and captain of the football and baseball teams; he once pitched a no-hitter. Mr. Rabaioli was a role model to many people and was popular in the community. Following high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1953, where he played baseball. Then, he served as a first lieutenant and tank unit commander in Germany, in the Army. He owned and ran Medway Travel for many years and at Keystone Liquors for 25 years. In addition, he also operated Medway Monument Co., which was founded by his father. Mr. Rabaioli was very active even though he was partially paralyzed for most of his life. He served on the Medway School Committee and regularly visited the veterans hospital in Boston to counsel returning veterans, especially those with life-altering injuries. He left his son, daughter, Diana B. Rabaioli of Edgartown; his fiancé, Donalee Brothers of Medway; and many nieces and nephews. The Boston Globe Donald Anthony Smiaroski ’53, of South Deerfield, at 71, died on Saturday, December 3, 2005, after a fight with cancer, at the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. Born in Deerfield on July 25, 1934, the son of Anthony and Viola (Dudzienski) Smiaroski, grew up and attended to Deerfield Elementary School, graduated from Deerfield Academy, and from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as well. During his youth years, he was active in 4-H, exhibiting prize-winning poultry at the Boston Poultry Show and the Franklin County Fair. After college, he started working in feed research for Eastern States Feed Research Center of Rockville, CT and then in 1954, he joined the Army and served in Germany during the Korean War until 1956. He married the former Pauline Togneri of Greenfield in 1958, and both lived in Delaware their first year of marriage where Don continued to work for Eastern States. A year later, Don and his family moved back to Deerfield to farm in partnership with his brother, Richard. They both operated one of the Valley’s large, dairy farms for 30 years. While he was farming, Don was active as a committeeman, director and president of the Northampton Cooperative Livestock Auction Association. He was involved in locating the auction’s new facility in Whately. He also served as member of the board and chairman of the Greenfield Farmers Exchange for many years. After leaving farming, he worked for Greenfield Farmers Exchange for 12 years where he became known as “Mr. Agway.” He also drove the employee shuttle for Yankee Candle Co. in South Deerfield during retirement. Don served the Town of Deerfield on the Finance Committee for over 15 years and for 18 years, he was the Deerfield member for the Wells Fund Scholarship Committee. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Church of South Deerfield, taught Religious Education classes, was a founding member of the Parish Council and was the first lay person to serve the Diocese of Springfield and St. Stanislaus Church as a lector. In addition, he was an active participant in the “Men’s Group” which meets at Grace Church in Amherst. One of his greatest happiness was being able to get away to the family home in New Harbor, ME, and enjoy the Pemaquid Light. Don was predeceased by one of his daughters, Gail Ann, who died November 12, 1979. Besides his wife of 47 years, he also left his children Mary Sue Smiaroski and her husband, Esteban Cabello of Waltham; Jeanie and her husband Bob Henskens of Wilmot, N.H.; Paul and his wife, Kelly of South Deerfield; and Neal and his wife, Michele of Leyden; grandchildren, Rowan Smiaroski, Victoria and Lilia Henskens, and Joel Smiaroski; brother, Richard of Deerfield; sisters Carol Foote of Warwick and Valerie Foley of Wellesley; numerous of nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Nansi Smiaroski; brother-in-law, Larry Foley and his brother- and sister-in-law, Lou Togneri and his wife, Natalie. Recorder 12/06/05 Paul John Sobala ‘54, of Salem, OR, passed away on October 15, 2005 at age 73 in his brother’s home in Salem, OR. He was born in South Hadley on January 21, 1932 to John and Antonina (Gondella) Sobala, lived in MA until November of 2004, when he moved in with his brother in Oregon. He graduated from S. Hadley High School and University of Massachusetts with an MA. Paul left his only brother, Daniel of Salem, OR, who was a school psychologist at Bellamy School in Chicopee for 32 years; and 12 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 3 sisters: Josephine Roberts and Florence Mandeville of South Hadley, and Evelyn Anderson of AZ. Republican 11/08/05 Marie E. Saunders ‘54, of Montague, passed away at 73, on Sunday, December 4, 2005 at the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. Born in Newport, RI, on April 22, 1932, to Herbert H., who was a Naval officer, and Gertrude (Clark), who was a teacher, Saunders, graduated from the Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, and received both bachelor of arts and a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. Both of her parents influenced her for having the knowledge and appreciation for all forms of education. Marie dedicated her career to helping students understand and appreciate English Literature. For 39 years, she taught at schools in Shelburne Falls, Holden, Bennington, VT, and Greenfield. Throughout the years, through cards and letters, a majority of the students expressed how she has made a difference in their lives. Because of Marie’s devotion, students had made the biggest impact. She was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. After Marie’s retirement from teaching, she was finally able to practice her interest in photo journalism. Together with a few friends, she also had an interest in thoroughbred horse racing, particularly the Kentucky Derby. She was also very devoted to her family and many friends. She left her sister, Jane Saunders and Patrick Page of West Barnstable; a niece, Amanda Masciotra and her husband Joseph of Agawam; a grandniece, Laura Masciotra; grandnephews, Daniel Masciotra and Richard Laferriere; a cousin, Robyn Peters, and many other cousins and friends. Recorder 12/06/05 Atty. William K. Danaher, Jr. ’56, a life-long resident of Springfield, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, November 23, 2005. He was born to the late William K. and Ruth (Duggam) Danaher, and graduated from the Cathedral High School, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his L.L.B. degree from Boston College School of Law. As a trial lawyer and partner, he practiced for over 15 years with Keyes, Donnellan & Danaher, PC of Springfield. He was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States District Court and the United States Supreme Court. He practiced under the Law Office of William K. Danaher, Jr., located on Main Street in Springfield until recently. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Hampden County Bar Association and a communicant of Sacred Heart Church of Springfield. Mr. Danaher left his children, William K. Danaher of Newton, MA; Deborah G. Danaher of Sunrise, FL; Joseph M. Danaher and his wife, Lisa of Chelmsford, MA; Kathryn E. Danaher of San Rafael, CA, and John Patrick Danaher of Whately, MA; several nieces of nephews; brother, late Michael Danaher and Mary Digan. Republican 11/28/05 Philip Kuzmeski ‘57, of Glastonbury, CT, died at 71, on Thursday February 16, 2006 at home. As the son of the late Joseph and Rose (Rastallis) Kuzmeski, he was born on July 5, 1934, and raised in Northampton, MA, and has lived in Glastonbury since 1964. He graduated from the Northampton High School and University of Massachusetts. Prior to his retirement in March of 2000, Phil was an assistant vice president in Claims and Workmens Comp for Royal & Sun Alliance. He also had worked for the Aetna Insurance Col, and Travelers. He had attended the U.S. Air Force pilot training in Bainbridge, GA; he was a pilot in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, seven years of active duty, and thirteen years in the reserves. After 20 years of service with the rank of major, he retired. He was a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy in CT, was a communicant of the Church of St. Dunstan in Glastonbury, was a Eucharistic Minister, taught CCD, and had been on the parish council. He was a charter member of the American Insurance Association, Worksmens Comp Claims sub committee, and was chairman of the committee from 1992 to 1995. He was a member of the Service Club of Glastonbury since 2000, and was an active tennis player. He left his wife, Martha (balzano) Kuzmeski; children and their spouses: Karen and Jonathan Bardwell of Hatfield, MA; Steven and Diane Kuzmeski of Tolland; Carolyn Kuzmeski and Saul Fussiner of New Haven; Pamela and Paul Hosek of West Hartford; brothers, Robert Kuzmeski of Northampton, MA; and Richard Kuzmeski of Clintin, MA; sister, Dorothy Korytoski of Pine Mountain, GA; nine grandchildren: Timothy and Nathan Kuzmeski, Harrison, Spencer, and Collin Bardwell, Charlie, Tommy, and Julia Hosek, Maya Fussiner; his mother-in-law, Jennie Balzano; and several nieces and nephews. Republican 02/18/06 Michael F. O’Sullivan ‘59, of Punta Gorda, FL, died on December 14, 2005. He was born in Holyoke, MA, on February 18, 1938, and moved to Burnt Store Marina in July of 1995 from Somers, NY. Graduated from Holyoke High School as class of 1955, and from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was the Vice President of Nielsen Marketing Research in NY and CT, was the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Twin Isles Country Club and was the Chairman of the Golf Committee. He was an passionate golf player. He left his wife of 38 years, Jean O’Sullivan of Punta Gorda, FL; sons, Michael K. (Jennifer) O’Sullivan of Tampa, FL and John B. (Laurie) Parkinson JR of Larchmont, NY; daughters, Barbara J. Parkinson of Punta Gorda, FL, and Kathryn A. (Steven) DeLee of Easton, MD; 10 grandchildren; brothers, David (Kathy) O’Sullivan of Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Robert (Mary) O’Sullivan of Meriden, CT. Republican 12/16/05 Nancy (Woodrugg) Georgiou ‘60, of Gainesville, FL, died at 67 on Monday, December 12, 2005 after 3 years of struggle with breast cancer. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a teaching degree and taught in the New England area for many years. Following her retirement, her and her husband, Archy Georgiou, moved to Gainesville in 1997, where she became an active member at St. Elizabeth’s Greek Orthodoz church, and served actively on the Philoptochos and Parish Council. Earlier this year, she was honored with the Archangel Michael award for her continued service to the orthodox community in Gainesville. Besides leaving her husband of 43 years, she also left their children, Rev. Father Nicholas Georgiou of Naperville, IL; Rev. Father Gregory Georgiou of Charlotte, NC; and Debra Buchman of Atlanta, GA; and seven grandchildren. Margery Barous ‘60 passed away on March 29, 2005, leaving her husband Roger Barous '57. Robert J. Heeley ‘66 passed away on March 1, 2005 in Ocala, FL. He graduated from the Stockbridge School at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Submitted by Janet A. Heeley Doris M. (Pimental) Anselmo, of Somerset, died at 59, on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at her residence. Born in Fall River, to Rose (Beaulineu) Pimental of Fall River, and the late Manuel Pimental, grew up and lived in Swansea for 35 years before she moved to Somerset. She graduated from Case High School as part of the class of 1963, University of Massachusetts in 1967 and received her Masters from Rhode Island College. In 1988, Doris joined the Rhode Island Department of Education in the Office of School Approvals as an Early Childhood Specialist; she was responsible for the approval of preschool programs in Rhode Island. In 1900 and 1995, she co-chaired the Rhode Island statewide conference in Early Childhood Education, served as a member of the Rhode Island Permanent Legislative Commission on Childcare for 10 years, was a member of the National Association of Early Child Specialists in State Departments of Education, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. In 1999, she served as Interim Director of the Rhode Island Office of Teacher Preparation, Certification & Professional Development and was appointed its Director in June 2001. While being tenure as Director, she was a tireless advocate for securing competent and caring teachers for all children. She was a leader in the development of teaching and mentoring standards, the revision of teacher preparation and initiated programs for the recognition of highly accomplished teachers in Rhode Island; she shared the results of her accomplishments with colleagues from around the country and provided leadership on national reform initiatives. She was a member, North Eastern Regional Director and Vice President of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), she was elected President in 2001. In addition, she was an active member of numerous state and national associations including the Rhode Island Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (RIACTE), the National Staff Development Council, the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC). She was also a former President of Somerset Teachers Association, and former member of the Somerset School Committee. Doris was a kindergarten and first grade teacher at Chase St. School in Somerset for over 20 years until July 2005, when she retired. Besides her mother, she left her husband of 38 years, Richard J. Anselmo; daughter Gia Renaud and her husband, Dennis of N. Dartmouth, MA; sister Nancy Shorrock and her husband Mark of Attleboro, MA; and a granddaughter, Allison Rose Renaud. Alan Robert Miller ‘68G passed away on December 30, 2005 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia, where he had lived for the last 14 years, and chronicled the history of Maine’s daily and weekly newspapers in “The History of Current Maine Newspapers.” He fought a battle against chronic lymphocytic leukemia for more than 13 years. He was born in Liverpool, England and immigrated at age 2, to the United States through Ellis Island with his mother and three sisters. He served in the Army with the occupation forces in Japan, after World War II, at the age of 18. After graduating from Boston University in 1952, he had been a journalist. His first full-time job in the press was working as the publisher and editor of the Amherst (MA) Journal Record, which he purchased after graduation. He worked in Darmstadt, Germany from 1955 to 1964 on the staff of the European Edition of the Stars and Stripes and was an overseas correspondent for the Springfield (MA) Union. From 1964 to 1967, he served as an assistant to the Secretary of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he also earned a Master’s Degree in education. From 1967 to 1991, Prof. Miller taught at the University of Maine at Orono, and also served as interim director of the press office at the University in the late 1980s. He was contributing author and evaluator in “Evaluating the Press: The New England Daily Newspaper Survey.” At the University of Maine, he taught and encouraged a generation of present journalists in his roles as teacher and advisor to the campus newspaper. He wrote in the preface of his history book of Maine newspapers. While on time off from the University of Maine in 1984, he worked in the press office of the U.S. Agency for the International Development, and worked on the copy desk of USA TODAY in the summer of 1990. Following Miller’s retirement in his sixties, he returned to graduate school at Catholic University, where he earned a second Master’s Degree in Library Science. He worked at the Arlington County Public Library as a reference librarian and later part-time at U.S. News and World Report as a copy editor. During his free time, he painted in oils and water colors. He and his wife of 24 years, Anne Lucey, owned a century-old farmhouse in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where they visited every weekend. His first marriage to Jean Miller ended in divorce. Besides his wife, he left his daughter, Heather Miller of Amherst, MA; sons Kendall Miller of Newark, Ohio; and Geoffrey Miller of Monmouth, Maine; four grandsons; a great-grandson; and three sisters. Washington Post Lawrence John (Jack) Baccari ‘69, of Alabaster, died on May 26, 2005 at age 61. He received his masters from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; was a Vietnam veteran, special forces; recipient of the Purple Heart twice and a Bronze Star. He was an Eagle Scout at age 13; legacy member of the United Way; Chairman of AOLAF; former board member of the Jefferson County Red Cross; former Labor Chair of the United Way; Vice President at Large Executive Board of Alabama AFLCIO; Vice President of the National CWA Staff Union; employed 30 years by Communication Workers of America, currently serving as The North Alabama State Director. His parents predeceased, Lawrence and Marion Baccari. Mr. Baccari left his wife, Judith Baccari of Alabaster; sons Chris Baccari of Kentucky; Jake Baccari of Miami, FL; and Luke Baccari of Murfreesboro, TN; daughter Melissa Atchley of Alabaster; brother, John Baccari of Redding, MA; sister, Janet Libby of Andover, MA; grandchild, Brock Baccari of Colorado. The Birmingham News 05/27/05 Alexanger G. Anagnos ’72 passed away on June 16, 2005 in San Francisco. Submitted by Peter J. Karl '72 Marjorie J. Sullivan ‘72, of South Hadley, passed away at age 80 on Tuesday, November 29, 2005. She was born to the late Francis and Agnes (Murphy) Doherty, and raised in Amherst, received her RN at the West Springfield School of Nursing, and then returned to school while raising 7 children as a pioneer. She attended to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, received her BSN (Magna Cum Laude) and Nurse Practitioner certification, at the same year in 1972, as her oldest daughter received her BS degree. As director of Nursing at Belchertown State School Hospital, Marjorie specialized in the care of chronically ill. Throughout her 30 years of nursing service, she was recognized on several of occasions. She was one of the first in the state to receive a BSN degree coupled with a Nurse Practitioner certification. People had such compassion for her, a lover of knowledge, laughter and poetry. Marjorie left her seven children: Susan, Jackie, Erin, Mary, Maggie, Kathy, and Bridget; and nine grandchildren. Republican 12/01/05 Eric D. Savage Jr. ’72, ‘74G passed away on October 17, 2005. Barbara Tabor Southworth ‘74G, of Amherst, passed away on November 24, 2005 at her daughter’s home in North Andover. She was born in Everett on February 22, 1923, to the late Bessie (Daniels) and Harry Burpee Tabor. She received a degree in English from Bates College in 1945, and worked for several years as an assistant buyer for Filene’s, and then as a remedial reading teacher. Barbara moved to Amherst with her family in 1961, and participated in community service as a member of the League of Women Voters and as a representative Town Meeting member. She also taught English at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital School of Nursing in Northampton. Barbara attended to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and received her doctorate in education to become a licensed psychologist. She became the director of student counseling at the former Northampton Junior College, and later, at the University of Rhode Island’s student counseling office, she worked as staff psychologist. She opened a private practice in Amherst in 1976, and taught part time, at the same time, at the University of Massachusetts. Following her retirement in 1992, she joined in the Five College Learning in Retirement Program. She served as president for a few years at the beginning of the program, and then continued as an active student and committee member. She truly loved reading and possessed lifelong intellectual curiosity, which were traits that helped, made her life well and helped her enjoy her book group. In addition, she loved to travel, visiting many parts of the world, and loved her family and friends. Barbara was predeceased by her husband over 20 years ago. She left her daughters, Lora Stewart, of North Andover; Martha Acheson, of Andover; a son, Carleton Southworth, of Warsaw, Ind.; and 11 grandchildren. Gazette 11/29/05 J. Roger Seabury Jr. ‘78, of Wakefield, passed away at age 50, on Sunday, May 1, 2005 at the Mass. General Hospital in Boston after a short illness. He was born to John Roger and Janet E. (Wass) Seabury of Wakefield, in Chelsea on February 1955. Growing up in Wakefield, Mr. Seabury graduated from Wakefield High School, class of 1973, and received his BS from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was the owner of the Warren Tavern and Tavern on the Water, which both were in Charlestown. In addition, he was a food and beverage manager for both the Bear Hill and Meadow Brook country clubs. He was a member of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. Mr. Seabury left not only his parents, but also his wife Sheila Ann (Stevenson); children, Holly M., Kelly A., Lauren M. and Roger W. Seabury; two brothers, Paul Seabury and his wife Jennifer; and Robert Seabury and his wife Sharon; nephews, Paul and Jack Seabury; and nieces, Samantha and Madeline Seabury; all of Wakefield; other relatives and close friends. Wakefield Newspaper, 05/02/05 Cynthia J. (Cowell) Nalewanski ‘78, of Easthampton, passed away at 50 on November 28, 2005, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. She was born on May 19, 1955 in Northampton to Robert S. and Elizabeth (Brooks) Cowell, of Easthampton. She grew up in Easthampton, graduated from Easthampton High School, and later graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Cynthia worked in the admitting office at Cooley Dickinson Hospital for the past 15 years. She was a member of the Easthampton Congregational Church. For enjoyment, she loved flowers, gardening and reading. Other than her parents, she left her husband, Stephen Nalewanski; son, Matthew Nalewanski; daughter, Rachael Nalewanski; brother, Robert J. Cowell Jr., all of Easthampton; sisters, Vernice Cowell, of Northampton, and Jennifer Sullivan, of Easthampton; and several nieces and nephews. Gazette 11/29/05 Robert E. Dowler ‘79 died on Friday, December 9, 2005 at age 57. He was born on March 6, 1948, in Springfield, to the late Ernest and Blanche Dowler, grew up in Springfield, and lived in Granby for a long time before settling in Belchertown in 1986. As a graduate of STCC and the University of Massachusetts, he held a degree in plant and soil science. He was a teacher, favored by students, taught ornamental horticulture at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer since 1979. Bob truly loved the outdoors and had high respect for the environment; he enjoyed mountain biking, cross country skiing and kayaking. He will be deeply missed by his son James, of Ware; sister, Carolyn and her husband David Hibner, of Sedona, AZ; and many friends, colleagues and students. He left his former wife Kathleen (Pike) Dowler, of Becket, as well. Republican 12/16/05 Bernice Elizabeth (Fians) Abbe ‘82, of Enfield, died at 86, on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at Heritage Hall in Agawam. Born to the late James and Edna (Richards) Fians in Barrington, MA, she grew up the Hazardville section of the Enfield community for most of her life. She started working at the former School Street Branch in Hazardville for several years, and later at the Enfield Central Library, which she was employed for over 40 years. Bernice attended to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and received her BS in Library Science. At 71, she returned to school at the University of Rhode Island, to receive her Masters Degree in Library Science. Working in many positions at the Enfield Public Library, she retired in 1998 as a Reference Librarian, which she held for several years. She was a past member of the Connecticut Library Association, the American Library Association, and on occasions, she wrote for the Springfield Newspapers. Previous to working at the library, she was employed as a stenographer with the Phoenix Fire Insurance Co. in Hartford and later in the Billing Dept. of Hallmark Cards. She was an active communicant of St. Bernard’s Church, a member of the Rosary Guild of the parish and was instrumental in establishing the library at St. Bernard’s School. In addition, she was a member of the Third Order of Carmelites and a member of the Claddagh Club of Enfield. She left her husband of 55 years, Albert H. Abbe; nieces and nephews Charles and Phyllis Larson of Agawam; Donna and Bruce Farnsworth of Enfield; Gary Abbe of Rockville; and Gail Montano, Bruce Abbe and Lynn Abbe, all of Florida. Her sister, Edna P. Larson predeceased her. Republican 12/01/05 Robert Patrick Scanlon ‘94, of Bennington, VT, formerly of north Adams, died at 39 when diving into the Hoosick River in Hoosick Falls, NY, to save Michael Hackett’s life. Born on October 6, 1966 in Holyoke, to Patricia Gougen Scanlon and the late Robert Paul Scanlon, attended all schools in North Adams, and graduated from Drury High School in 1984. Soon after, he attended to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, earned degrees in English and political science, and was on the rugby team. Robert had been a partner in the Bennington law firm of Barr, Sternberg, Moss, Lawrence, Silver, Saltonstall & Scanlon, since 2003. He started as a law clerk with the firm, which was known as Barr Sternberg in 1966. He accomplished a four-year clerkship and apprenticeship which included schooling at Albany Law School. In 2001, he passed the Vermont Bar examination on his first attempt, and was a member of the bars of the Vermont Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court of Vermont. Criminal defense and personal injury were his areas of concentration. He was also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Vermont Trail Lawyers Association, the Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Vermont Bar Association, and the Bennington County Bar Association, where he served in several leadership positions. He was a master-level Mason with the Mount Anthony Masonic Lodge in Bennington and a member of the Bennington and North Adams lodges of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. For enjoyment, Robert liked camping, hiking, four wheeling and snowshoeing. He left his mother, of Clarksburg; sons Robert Paul Scanlon, and Matthew John Scanlon, both of North Adams; brothers Sean Scanlon and James Scanlon, both of Wilmington, NC; and his former wife, Mary Michalenko Scanlon of North Adams. Republican 11/29/05 Rachelle Curry, age 34, of Mount Vernon, passed away in a tragic incident. She was in the car, driven by James Callahan III, when another vehicle cut him off, causing him to lose control. Rachelle attended Choate, a nationally known Connecticut prep school, and went to University of Massachusetts for undergraduate, in the early 1990’s. She participated in the ALANA community and worked with the University Cultural Center. She worked in a private wealth management department of Morgan Stanley for about seven years, earning her master’s in business administration at New York University. Rachelle will be deeply missed by families and friends. She left her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Curry; sister and her husband, Tanya and Eric Hoffman. Submitted by Tanya Hoffman, and in NY News 02/26/06 Duong Van Chu ‘96G, of Springfield, passed away on Monday, November 21, 2006, at age 61. Born and raised in Hai Phong, Vietnam, he came to Springfield in February of 1992. As a public educator, he worked and served for the Vietnamese Community. In September 2004, he received his PHD from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Duong was very religious; he was a member of Holy Name Church and involved in many of the churches’ activities and parish functions. As a husband and father, Duong was very loving, thoughtful, and devoted his life to his family and the Vietnamese Community. He left his wife, Son Pham; his son, Phuoc Trong Chu; and his daughters, Hong-Hanh Chu and My Dzung Chu; brother, Sien Van Chu of Belgium; nephew, Vu Tuan Chu; and a niece, Vy Chu, both of Belgium. Republican 11/23/05 Matthew S. Soumakis ‘97, age 31, formerly of Springfield, and East Longmeadow, passed away on Tuesday December 20, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. He was born in Springfield to Margaret T. “Peg” (Gemme) Soumakis, of Springfield, and the late Stephen E. Soumakis, who predeceased him in March of 1998. Matthew attended all of Springfield School System; he graduated from Central High School in 1992. After, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. The past two years, he was employed as a fund accountant with S. S> & C. Technologies of Windsor, CT. Other than his mother, Matthew left his wife, Kelly M. (Eaton) Soumakis; stepdaughter, Abigail L. Donaldson of East Longmeadow; brother, Christopher G. Soumakis of Springfield; several aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as many close friends. Republican 12/25/05 Jennifer Keller ‘80 passed away on December 3, 2005 at age 39, in her home in Springfield from complications related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was born in Oakland, California; the daughter of Charles Keller and Bonnie Keller. She grew up in between the two locations: Champaign, Illinois and Zambia, in Southern Africa. She attended Centennial High School and the University of Illinois, which she graduated Magna cum Laude in 1989, both in Champaign-Urbana. At the U of I, Jenny was involved in student politics; playing a leadership role in the fight to force the University of divest its finances from South Africa. The university wanted to nominate her for a Rhodes scholarship in 1988, but she declined it. She studied at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and was a teaching assistant and instructor in the Department of Political Science and in the Social Thought and Political Economy Program from 1990-1997. She was ABD with her dissertation in progress at the time of her death. Jenny completed comprehensive exams in three fields of political science, earning the grade of distinction in the two theory fields, an unusual honor. “The Incest Survivor: Power in Narrative” was the working title of her dissertation. She also served as department shop steward in the Graduate Employees Organization at UMass. She was also active in the 1991 strike, which won medical benefits for graduate students and their families. Jenny truly loved flower gardening, and after her daughters were born in 1999, she increased her priority to her children. Besides gardening, she enjoyed crafts and a wide community of friends. Besides leaving her twin daughters Yelena and Adrianna Keller-Wyman, who see her as “the bestest mom of twin girls,” she left her husband Dan Wyman; parents Charles and Janet Keller of Champaign, Illinois, and Bonnie Keller and her husband Peter Meyns, of Cologne, Germany; brother, John, of Champaign, Illinois; a brother and sister-in-law, Mark Keller and Amber Krieger, of Portland, Oregon; a grandmother, Ruthe Keller, of Urbana Illinois; and a grandfather, Charles Burnett, of Plattesmouth, Nebraska. Republican 12/07/05 Ayman Taha ‘02G, age 31, as Staff Sergeant, was killed by explosives in the town of Balad, Iraq, where he was preparing a cache of munitions for demolition, on Friday, December 30, 2005. He was born in Sudan, and raised by an academically accomplished international family, where both parents hold doctorates. While Ayman’s father was working for the World Bank, he attended elementary school in McLean, and went off to England for secondary school. He accomplished a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a master’s in economics from the University of Massachusetts, where he was working toward a PhD. Three years ago, he joined the Army to serve in the Special Forces, and just about a year ago, he was sent to Iraq. Ayman lived in many cultures and spoke in English, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. He had a great personality and character. Father said Ayman was patriotic and believed “in the mission.” Since childhood, Ayman showed his interest in military through the books he read and the toys he played with. According to the Pentagon, Taha was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, based at Fort Campbell, Ky. Taha left his parents, a Northern Virginia couple, Abdel-Rahman and Amal Taha; wife, Geraldine and child Sommer, who lived near the base; sisters, Rabah, of Fairfax County, who is a special education teacher; and Lubna, who attends to Marymount University; close friends Hisham Eissa, of Los Angeles, and Nada Eissa, who are siblings. Washington Post 01/04/06 Nancy Lee Beaty, of West Springfield, a former UMass English professor, passed away on January 20, 2006 at home, at age 82. She was born on April 15, 1923 in Rye, N.Y. to the late Julian and Constance (Peck) Beaty, and attended Rye Country Day School, part of graduating class of 1939. Nancy received her bachelor’s degree at Wellesley College in 1945, and her doctorate in English from Yale University. She taught at Chatham Hall School in Virginia, where she began her teaching career, and moved onto Dickinson College, as well as the Douglass College for Women at Rutgers University. She spent two years in Greece, and received a Fulbright Fellowship at the American School at Thessaloniki. Following her return, she became a professor of English literature at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst until her retirement, which was over 20 years. Nancy was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst for a long time, and was a member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. She was also associated with the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief and a volunteer for the NAACP. She left her brothers Julian B. Beaty Jr., of Wainscott, N.Y., and David C. Beaty, of Orange, N.J.; goddaughter, Dr. Margaret Young of Cooperstown, N.Y. Gazette Benjamin Ricci, of Amherst, died on Monday, January 21, 2006 ate age 82, at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton after an extended illness. He was born in Cranston, R.K. and entered the military in January 1943, and served in Europe during World War II. Later on, he served in the Air Force Reserve, retiring with the rank of colonel. He was a professor emeritus of exercise science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and was a principal plaintiff among a group of parents who brought a federal lawsuit against the state in 1972. This was to change the way mentally retarded are treated. Boston lawyer Beryl W. Cohen took the class-action lawsuit, Ricci vs. Greenblatt, for the Belchertown State School Friends Association. Ricci and his wife, Virginia, had to take his son to the former Belchertown State School. Ricci was admired by many; Palmer resident Richard H. Gowen, president of the Advocacy Network, which was an organization that fights to safeguard the rights and improve the living conditions of the mentally retarded, and Belchertown State School Friends Association became a part of it. Ricci made a big influence on Donald E. Vitkus, Chicopee resident and was a resident of Belchertown State School from 6-17 yrs old. The school took away the guilt and shame from him, according to the 62-year-old Vitkus. Finally, the school was closed in 1992. According to Palmer resident Edward Orzechowski, a member of the board of directors of Advocacy Network, mentioned that Ricci did not like the conditions at the school and did everything he could to fight for the retarded. Orzechowski’s wife, Gail, who is also a member of the board of directors of Advocacy Network, said her sister, Carol Chunglo, who lives in a home in Amherst, is severely autistic and Ricci provided priceless assistance. Until recently, Ricci was still talking about what else he could do to help the retarded. Ricci was a professor of anatomy and physiology at UMass from 1950 to 1986, and was also a visiting professor at the University of Milan and the University of Rome in Italy, as well as the Institute of Work Physiology in Oslo, Norway. He wrote three books on physiology, and chronicled his fight to close Belchertown State School in “Crimes Against Humanity.” He left his wife of 61 years, and his son Robert, both of Amherst; sons James of Williamsburg, and Thomas of Sacramento, California; and brother Rudolph of Johnston, R.I. Republican 01/22/06

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