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Winter 2002

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OBITUARIES: 1946-60

THEODORE CALIANOS ’48, 77, founder of the Calianos Insurance Agency in Roxbury, died Friday in his home in Plymouth.
Mr. Calianos was born in Haverhill. He graduated from Boston College and earned a master’s degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
He owned and operated the Calianos Insurance Agency in Roxbury, which is now operated by his son.
He leaves four sons, Theodore of Cotuit, Andreas of Northampton, Jason of Hingham, and Jonathon of Upton; a sister, Evelyn Manolios of Bonita Springs, FL; and eight grandchildren. . .

(Boston Globe,6/19/01)

JOHN THOMAS DICKMEYER ’49, 80, an intelligence specialist in the Middle East and Asia who retired in 1985 from the Defense Intelligence Agency, died of congestive heart failure September 19 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He lived in Oakton.
Mr. Dickmeyer’s intelligence-gathering career began in 1949 with the CIA. He was assigned to Foreign Service and Army posts that included Alaska, the U.S. Embassy in Manila and the consulate in Tabriz, Iran. He joined the new DIA in 1962. He was a national intelligence advisor to Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey during the 1968 presidential campaign.
Mr. Dickmeyer was born in Boston and raised in Northampton, MA. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
He served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division in Europe and North Africa during World War II and was awarded a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. He was recalled to duty during the war in Korea, where he recruited and trained intelligence officers.
Mr. Dickmeyer was president of the Kiwanis Club of Arlington and Post Cana Alumni Association of Northern Virginia. He served on the Vienna Planning Commission and the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the parish counsel of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna, St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Vienna, Army Navy Country Club, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, 82nd Airborne Division Historical Society, and the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
He was a fundraiser for the Democratic Party in Fairfax County and a trustee of the University of Massachusetts Alumni Association. His interests included golf.
His first wife, Virginia Parker Dickmeyer, died in 1986. His second wife, Gloria Roeder, died in 1995.
A son from his first marriage, John Dickmeyer Jr., died in 1994.
Survivors include his four children from his first marriage, Patricia Robertson of Fairfax, Joanne Thompson of Los Angeles, Christine Ramsey of Chesterfield, Va., and James Dickmeyer of Seattle; and eight grandchildren.

(Washington Post,9/26/01)

CHARLES B. BAILEY, JR. ’52, 71, of Agawam, died Monday at home. He was a civil engineer for Northeast Utilities for 40 years, and retired as a manager in 1993. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was an Army veteran of the Pacific theater in World War II, and received the Army of Occupation (Japan) Medal and a Victory Medal. He leaves a son, David of Taunton; three daughters, Donna Butman of Chicopee, Deborah Lindman of Enfield, CT, and Diane West of South Hadley; a brother, Bruce of East Hartland, CT; and 10 grandchildren. . .

(Gazette,7/18/01)

ROBERT S. CLARK ‘52S, 69, died Nov. 4, 2001, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a brief illness.
He was born in Boston, a son of Maurice and Elvera Norgren Clark, and graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1949 and from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Stockbridge, in 1952. Mr. Clark was a field agent for the Massachusetts Farm Bureau before entering the Army. He served in Japan from 1953 to 1955.
In 1959, he opened the Laurel Lea Poultry Farm in Weymouth, MA.
He came to Bridgton in 1963 and built the Laurel Lea Motor Lodge, which opened in 1971. While operating the motor lodge he also worked at several construction jobs and later formed his own home construction company.
Mr. Clark also owned and operated Norgetown Laundry and Dry Cleaners, and in 1975 built Jon’s Restaurant, which he operated until his retirement in 1985, when he moved to New Harbor.
He was chairman of the board of trustees of Northern Cumberland Memorial Hospital, where he was also chairman of the project to combine the hospital with a nursing home.
He was chairman of the board of trustees of the First Congregational Church of Bridgton and served as church treasurer. He served on the Bridgton Planning Board, Budget Committee and Board of Appeals. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Lorielie Cobb Clark of New Harbor; Jonathon B. of O’Fallon, Ill.; two daughters, Susan L. Pizano of De Peu, Ill., and Pamela J. Cash of Middletown, Ohio; and eight grandchildren. . .

(Portland Press Herald,11/6/01)

HENRY R. HEALY ’52, 73, died October 15 at home.
Born May 6, 1928, in Springfield, he was the son of the late Henry J. Healy and Florence (Donahue) Healy.
He grew up in West Springfield and was a 1946 graduate of West Springfield High School. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Westfield State College.
Mr. Healy had lived in Southampton for 40 years.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, stationed in Korea with the military police.
A teacher in the West Springfield schools for 30 years, he retired in 1992. He enjoyed working with students and coached the math and chess clubs and wrestling.
He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield.
He leaves his wife, Jean (O’Connor) Healy; a daughter, Patricia Arizpe of Tucson, Ariz.; a son, Henry Healy Jr. of Easthampton, CT; three sisters, Mary Cunningham of Bass River; Florence O’Grady of Louisville, Ky., and Joann Geoffrion of Sandwich; two brothers, John Healy of Denver, CO, and Paul Healy of Brewster; and three grandchildren. . .

(Gazette,10/17/01)

JOYCE ANN NEAL ’52, 69, of Florence, died August 31 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
Born February 18, 1932, in Westfield, she was the daughter of the late William and Molly (Enko) Price.
She had attended Easthampton schools, graduating from Easthampton High School. She attended Concordia Institute in Bronxville, NY, and in 1952 she was a cum laude graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
In Easthampton, she had taught at the Parson Street school, where she was head teacher, and the Park Street School, where she had been acting principal. Earlier she taught at the Berkshire Day School in Lenox.
She worked as a test writer and consultant for National Evaluation Systems in Amherst.
After her retirement from the Easthampton schools, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Northampton school system. She was a member of Florence Congregational Church. Mrs. Neal was an active volunteer at Lilly Library and from 1986 to 1999 worked as both assistant director and director at the library.
She was a member of the Pacumtuck Conservation Commission and served on the board of directors of the United Way from 1982 to 1991, her last year as chairman. She was a Girl Scout leader and past president of the Jayceettes in Northampton and on the state level. She was also a member of the Florence Business and Civic Association and the Helping Hand Society in Easthampton. She leaves her husband of 49 years, Alton Neal; a son, Mark Neal of Hatfield; two daughters, Griffin Bear of Southampton, Pa., and Amalia FourHawks of Florence; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson. . .

(Gazette,9/4/01)

PAUL LAWRENCE ’53, 75, of Murrysville died Monday, May 14, 2001 at his home after a prolonged illness. He was born October 28, 1925 in Holyoke, MA; son of the late Hervie H. and Berthe LaPlante Lawrence. After high school graduation in 1943, he attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and upon completion of this course on June 29, 1945, he served as a junior 3rd Assistant Engineer on the Sea Owl with the Merchant Marines; transporting troops and supplies to the Atlantic War Zone. He graduated in Accounting and Financial Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was employed with GTE Sylvania as an accountant and supervisor of purchasing for 30 years until his retirement in 1980. An avid golfer, Paul belonged to the Meadowink Golf Club for 20 years and also was a lifelong member of the Elks, Warren, PA Lodge. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Ruth M. Gagne Lawrence; three children, Virginia Haberman of White Oak, PA, Paula Bowley of Beacon Falls, CT and Richard Paul Lawrence of Calverton, Long Island, NY; three grandchildren, Christopher Ward, Nicole and Kristin Bowley and several nieces and nephews. . .

(Submitted by Ruth M. Lawrence)

JOAN MULLANEY ’54, 68, of Manchester, formerly of Turners Falls, MA, died Saturday (8/11/01) after living with Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years.
She was born in Worcester, MA, April 26, 1933, the daughter of George F. and Ellen (Cooney) Wrightson.
Mullaney graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1950 and from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1954. She was an English teacher at Saugus (MA) High School, East Hartford High School and later retired from East Windsor High School in 1993.
She was a communicant of St. Bridget Church in Manchester and was active in the church and other community affairs.
Survivors include her husband, Robert; two sons, Michael of Boston and John of Hebron; a daughter, Mary T. of Driggs, Idaho; a sister, Ellen Wrightson of Haverhill, MA; a grandson, two nieces, a nephew, two grandnieces and a grandnephew. . .

(Recorder,8/13/01)

MARY E. (MURPHY) BELANGER ’56, 66, of Somerset, a retired Seekonk elementary-school teacher, died yesterday at Charlton Memorial Hospital.
She was the wife of the late Alfred F. Belanger. Born in Fall River, a daughter of the late James E. and Mary H. (Harrington) Murphy, she had lived in Somerset all her life.
She was a teacher at George R. Martin School, Seekonk, for 35 years, retiring in 1998. Mrs. Belanger was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church.
She was a 1952 graduate of Somerset High School and a 1956 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Mrs. Belanger was a member of the UMass Amherst Alumnae Association.
She was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan.
She leaves two sons, Michael of Plainville, MA, and Daniel E. Gannon of Raynham, MA; two daughters, Kathleen M. McWey of Boca Raton, FL, and Lisa M. Belanger of Los Angeles; a stepson, Donald H. Belanger of Somerset; and three sisters, Joan M. Whittington and Dorothy L. Devaney, both of Somerset, and Claire Thibodeau of Tiverton. . .

(Providence Journal-Bulletin,11/30/01)

JOHN R. ROSENBERG ’57, 65, of Warren, died Saturday after a farm accident in Warren. He was a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in the West Springfield school system until he retired. Born and raised in Springfield, he was a graduate of Classical High School, Springfield, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he earned a doctorate degree in education. He was the former president of the Massachusetts State Teachers Association. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Spencer, serving as first counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency. He was also a member of Ramapogue Historical Society of West Springfield. He leaves a brother, James of Simsbury, CT; a niece, and two nephews. . .

(Union News,9/10/01)

THOMAS J. BOWLER ’58, 69, of this city, died Saturday at Baystate Medical Center. Starting in 1962, he was a supervisor in the city’s Welfare Department. Born and raised in this city, he graduated from Cathedral High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He leaves a son, Thomas A. of Vail, Colo.; two daughters, Norah E. Bowler of Queens, NY, and Katie M. Bowler of Bedford, NH; a brother, Edward of Northampton; a sister, Mary (Bowler) Iglesias of the Wyben section of Westfield; and his former wife, Laurie Bowler of Coventry, Conn. . .

(Sunday Republican, 6/3/01)

GEORGE P. GROMACKI ‘58G, 69, of South Deerfield, died Thursday (11/23/01) in Cozy Corner Nursing Home.
He was born in South Deerfield, February 20, 1932, the son of Adam and Josephine (Ciborowski) Gromacki.
A lifelong resident of South Deerfield, he graduated from Deerfield High School in 1950 and went on to graduate from American International College in Springfield with a bachelor of science degree. He then graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1958 with an MBA. In 1964 he graduated from western New England Law School.
In 1962, he started the G. P. Gromacki Insurance Agency and sold it in 1995. He had also developed King Phillip and Gromacki avenues in South Deerfield.
Gromacki was a veteran of the Army and was a member of the American Legion Post in South Deerfield.
He was a member of the law faculty at Holyoke Community College, Franklin/Hampshire Independent Insurance Agents, Franklin Bar Association, and Polish American Citizens Club of South Deerfield.
Gromacki was also a communicant of St. Stanislaus Church and was a member of its Parish Council for many years. He was also parade marshal for the Deerfield Memorial Day parade and was former moderator for the Water Department for many years.
Survivors include his wife, the former Jean Klocko; a son, George P. "GP" II of Canton, NY; a daughter, Susan Lathrop of West Point, NY; three brothers, Edward of Pittsfield, and Stanley and Alec, both of Springfield; two sisters, Beatrice Zink and Catherine Golash, both of Springfield, and several nieces and nephews. . .

(Sunday Recorder,11/26/01)

JOHN R. SMITH ‘59, ‘69G, 68, of Hadley, died Friday in Dunkirk, New York. Born in Gardner Sept. 11, 1933, he was a son of the late John S. and Valeria (Brazinskas) Smith. He was educated in Gardner and Athol School and was a 1951 graduate of Athol High School. He later received a Bachelor’s Degree and a Masters Degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was a guidance counselor at the South Hadley Middle School and South Hadley High School for 31 years, retiring in 1994. He was a United States Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War. He was a communicant of the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley. He was a member of the Massachusetts Schools Counselor Assoc., the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Assoc., the Massachusetts Education Assoc., the American Legion Post #271 in Hadley, the VFW in Athol, MA and the Knights of Lithuania in Worcester. He is survived by his wife, Cathleen F. (Clark) Smith; a son, David P. Smith of Chicago, IL; two brothers, Paul Smith of Sinclaire, ME and Peter Smith of Sierra Vista, AZ; a grandson, Matthew L.F. Smith; several nieces and nephews and cousins. . .

(Union News,11/6/01)

JOHN O. BROADHURST ‘60, 67, of Agawam, died Thursday at his home. He was born June 26, 1934 in Bayshore, Long Island, NY, the son of the late Charles J. and Thecla K. (Phelan) Broadhurst. He wed Mary J. Pelissier in 1969 in Holyoke; she survives him. He graduated from Chester High School in 1952, later going on to receive a BA in Mathematics from UMass in 1960. He served in the US Air Force, stationed in the Azores as a radio operator during the Korean War. He retired in 1990 as an assistant manger at the U.S. Social Security Administration in Springfield after 29 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Post 185 in Agawam. Besides his wife, Mary, he is survived by his sons, Owen R. of Agawam and James I. Of Holyoke; his two brothers, Charles J. of Dalton, MA and Francis I. of Centerville, MA; his sister, Kathleen M. Roy of Pownal, VT; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Thomas R. Broadhurst. . .

(Union News,11/3/01)

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