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Archived News 2014 November 24,
2014:
Congratulations to Jim Finnen who calls
150th meeting of Lafayette-Lehigh and his 50th year
as announcer. See folowing links:
http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/mc-finnen-lafayette-announcer-lehigh-lafayette-yankee-stadium-20141122-story.html#page=1
http://www.csnphilly.com/ncaa/lehigh-lafayette-set-historic-game-yankee-stadium
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/11/lafayette-lehigh_150th_--_jim.html
September 21,
2014: Check for latest address changes at
left.
September 12,
2014: Jim Finnen, `54, Recognized by Lafayette
College for his 50 years as public address
announcer. The link that follows
describes Jim's announcing career and the honor he
will receive at Yankee Stadium at the 150th meeting
of Lafayette and Lehigh on November 22, 2014.
Our best wishes and congratulations to Jim and Bea!
FinnenLafayette.pdf
Jim was President of Potter Club in 1954.
August 31,
2014: In Memoriam:
Joseph E. Persico,
`52, passed away at
10:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2014, at St.
Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY after a long illness.
His family was with him. Mr. Persico followed 11
years as chief speechwriter for New York Governor
and Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller with a
career as biographer and historian. He wrote his
first book, My Enemy My Brother, about the Battle of
Gettysburg, as he once put it, while moonlighting
from my speechwriting job, out of desperation at
having to write in somebody else's shadow. After
leaving government and politics in 1977, Mr. Persico
began writing books full time. His works include
several acclaimed biographies and histories. Eric
Sevaried described Mr. Persico's Edward R. Murrow:
An American Original as the definitive biography of
the broadcast pioneer. The New York Times reviewer
said of Mr. Persico's, The Imperial Rockefeller, No
one has written a book like this about Nelson
Rockefeller before. His Nuremberg: Infamy On Trial
was described by the broadcast journalist, Howard K.
Smith, as simply the best account of the trial. The
Nuremberg book was adapted by Turner Network
Television for a miniseries winning two Emmy Awards.
Mr. Persico also co-authored Secretary of State
Colin Powell's autobiography, My American Journey,
which remained for 20 weeks on the New York Times
bestseller list. Mr. Persico's other books include
Casey: From the OSS to the CIA, Piercing the Reich,
The Spiderweb, a novel, Roosevelt's Secret War, A
New York Times, Notable Book of the Year, Eleventh
Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day
1918, Franklin and Lucy and most recently
Roosevelt's Centurions: FDR and the Commanders He
Led to Victory in World War II. As a member of the
American Battle Monuments Commission he wrote the
Announcement and Field of Gold Stars inscriptions
inscribed on the World War II Memorial in Washington
DC. Mr. Persico also served as a consultant, writer
and on camera commentator on several television
documentaries for PBS, A&E and The History Channel.
Joseph E. Persico was born in Gloversville, New York
on July 19, 1930, where his parents, Thomas and
Blanche Persico, worked in the local glove trade. He
graduated from the State University of New York at
Albany in 1952, and entered the Navy where he served
as a lieutenant junior grade aboard a minesweeper
during the Korean War and later with NATO
headquarters in Naples, Italy. He subsequently
joined the U.S. Information Agency and was posted to
Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Washington, DC. He
then went to work for Governor Rockefeller. In 1996,
his alma mater awarded Mr. Persico an honorary
degree as Doctor of Letters, for your outstanding
contributions as a writer in illuminating the human
actor on the public stage. Of his career Mr. Persico
once said, I was infected with the writing virus
after winning a ninth grade essay contest prize, $10
in 1944 War Savings Stamps and I never recovered. In
recent years, Mr. Persico divided his time between
homes in Albany, NY and San Miguel de Allende,
Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia LaVista
Persico; daughters, Vanya Perez, and Andrea Holder;
five grandchildren, Amanda and Joshua Perez, and
Georgia, Daniela and Sofia Holder; a brother,
Richard Persico; and sister, Annabelle Townson. The
calling period to pay respects will be held on
Thursday, September 4, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. at
Guilderland's DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 5216
Western Turnpike (Rt. 20 just west of Carman Rd.
(Rt. 146)). A private burial service will be held at
the Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made in Mr. Persico's name to the
University Library at Albany, which houses Mr.
Persico's archival papers. Checks may be made
payable to the University at Albany Foundation, and
sent to the University Library, LI-123, 1400
Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222. Alternatively,
donations may be made to Mr. Persico's beloved
hometown library, the Gloversville Public Library,
58 E. Fulton St., Gloversville, NY 12078. - From
Schenectady Daily-Gazette.August 20,
2014: Ken Doran Takes to the Skies -
Ken Doran, `39, who
recently relocated to
Wisconsin
to be near his son, will be one of six to take part
in the Ageless Aviation Foundation 15 to 20 minute
flight in a 1940s Boeing Stearman Bi-plane on August
26, 2014.
A Media Alert from the
Foundation said of Ken, "Ken Doran, 96 and a
resident of Hyland Park of Sun Prairie, served in
the 8th Air Force in World War II (England) under
General Eisenhower. Ken's rank during the war
was a first lieutenant but he eventually became a
lieutenant colonel after his 20 years of service.
He was a special services officer, meaning he was
responsible for the health and wellness of the
troops at his base. He was, in other words,
the "Morale Officer" Ken is very excited about his
opportunity to take flight in an open cockpit plane.
He says that it is "going to be a thrill". His
wife and son, "Ric", will be present to share the
experience with him."
The Potter
Club Alumni wish him well on the adventure. If
you want Ken's address, contact me by email or
phone.
July 27,
2014: In Memoriam:
James E. Panton, `53
James E. Panton
passed away peacefully on July 3, 2014 with his wife
at his side. He was born in April 1931 in Worcester,
Mass., to Ella (Hill) and James H. Panton, deceased.
He spent his early years in Worcester until the
death of his mother when he was seven. He and his
younger sister moved to Emporium, Pa., to be with
their grandmother, and returned to Worcester two
years later. The family moved to Albany in 1943 and
he graduated from the Milne School in 1949. He
briefly attended Albany State College and joined the
Potter Club. He left college in 1951 to join the
Navy and later graduated from Miami University at
Oxford, Ohio. In 1961 he received his MPA from the
Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He worked for
the New York State Senate Commission on Coordination
of State Activities in late 1950s and early 1960s.
He authored parts of the then-new Motor Vehicle Law
and created multiple classes of driver licenses and
also worked on creation of the Department of Mental
Health. Following that he worked in Gov. Nelson
Rockefeller's Program Office and then moved into
management consulting. He was a consultant for
several years with Case and Company, Ernst and Ernst
in New York City and with the Jacobs Company of
Chicago, later working independently as Aspen Hill
Consulting Group. He served in local government as
town of North Greenbush assessor and was a licensed
real estate broker. Before retiring he was an
analyst in the Office of Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse. Mr. Panton was a lifelong learner and an avid
reader. He shared a love of music and art with his
wife of 52 years and they shared an interest in
politics and a belief in community service. In
retirement he was involved in a variety of
activities. At his passing he was a longtime member
of the board of the Albany Symphony Orchestra and
served as a vice president, member of the program
committee, the development committee and in other
capacities. He was also on the board of Albany
Center Gallery and was a former president. He was a
former member of the University at Albany Foundation
and chaired its Citizen Laureate Committee for
several years. Previously he was on the board of the
Art Center of the Capital Region and was a founding
member of the Dutch Acres Neighborhood Association.
For several years, no matter the weather, on a
weekly basis he picked up car-loads of surplus
produce from area supermarkets and delivered it to
food pantries. He also remained active with the
alumnae groups of the Milne School and Potter Club.
He was honored in 2010 to receive with his wife
Georgiana, the Third Age Achievement Award in Arts
and Culture from Senior Services of Albany and in
2012 he received Albany Center Gallery's Les Urbach
Lifetime Achievement Award and SCORE's Outstanding
Contribution Award. Mr. Panton is survived by his
loving wife, Georgiana; daughter, Diane Panton, M.D.
of San Diego; grandchildren, Jonathan and Georgiana;
and son James G. Panton, P.E. of Duxbury, Mass., and
his wife, Kimberly and grandchildren, Cody and
Taite. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary
McKinney, and is survived by his sister, Elouise
Barnett, and brother, Donald Panton. A memorial
service will be held at the Fort Orange Club, 110
Washington Ave., Albany, on Saturday, August 2, at 2
p.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to are
encouraged to make a contribution to the Albany
Symphony Orchestra, Albany Center Gallery, or the
Art Center of the Capital Region. Condolence page at
wjlyonsfuneralhome.com.
William F. Helmer, 87, of Skyline
Drive, Morrisville, passed away on July 10, 2014,
surrounded by his loving family. He was born on
November 12, 1926 in Oneida at the original Broad
Street Hospital, the son of Floyd Nelson Helmer and
Helen Ottaway Helmer and spent his early years in
Oneida Castle. A 1944 graduate of Oneida High
School, Bill earned an A.A.S. in auto mechanics at
Morrisville Agricultural & Technical Institute (now
Morrisville State College) and a B.A. at the New
York State College for Teachers at Albany. He
received his M.A. and Ph.D. in old English
literature at the University of Pennsylvania. After
a courtship of five years, on August 27, 1955 Bill
married Joan E. Smith at St. Patrick's Church in
Oneida, and they were almost inseparable ever after.
He was a devoted family man who liked nothing more
than spending time with his loved ones. He lost his
beloved wife and best friend Joan on January 17,
2010. Bill had a lifelong fascination with
railroading and wrote two railroad histories: "O&W:
The Long Life and Slow Death of the New York,
Ontario & Western Railway (1959), considered a
"classic" in the genre and Rip Van Winkle Railroads
(1970), deemed to be a "definitive history" of
railroading in the northern Catskills. More
recently, Bill was featured in the new documentary,
Rails to the Catskills. For several years he was the
Morrisville correspondent for the Mid-York Weekly
newspaper. He was also a contributor to The
Encyclopedia of New York State and the local
histories, Country Roads and Country Roads
Revisited. He had an extraordinary level of
knowledge about Upstate New York history and his
Helmer ancestors who settled in the Mohawk Valley in
the early 1700's. Bill taught English in the
Stockbridge Valley and Whitesboro Central Schools
before accepting a position at what was then
Morrisville Agricultural and Technical Institute
(which became Morrisville State College). Dr. Helmer
retired in 1985 after serving the College for thirty
years first as an English professor and for the last
twelve years he was the dean of the Liberal Arts
Division. Bill was active in community affairs, as
the first leader of the Madison Hall Association,
the Morrisville Improvement Committee, and the
Morrisville Historic Preservation Commission. He
also served on the boards of the Morrisville
Library, the Mid-York Foundation, and was the
Morrisville Village Historian for many years. He
also was an usher and served on the Parish Council
at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church for several
years. He was an ardent supporter of environmental
causes and a tireless advocate for historical
preservation. During
World War II, Bill served as a heavy equipment
mechanic with the U.S. Army 748th Engineer Depot
Company in Manila and the 410th Engineer
Construction Battalion at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and
during the
Korean War he was a member of the 984th Engineer
Field Maintenance Company. He was awarded several
military honors and received the
Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Korea.
Bill was a proud father and is survived by his
adored children, William S. (Maureen) of Delmar,
Stephen (Susan) of Manlius, Mary Claire of
Morrisville and Guilderland and Michael (Lori) of
Summit, N.J. He is also survived by his
grandchildren, Billy, Katie and Elizabeth of Delmar;
John (Jackie), Maura, Caroline and Meggie of Manlius
and Annie, Michael, Jr., Grace Catherine, Andrew,
Christopher, Daniel, Mary, Grace Elizabeth and Sean
of Summit; his sister Barbara Sanderson of Sherrill;
brother, Daniel Helmer and wife Patricia of Bel Air,
Md.; sister-in-law Phyllis King of Oneida Castle; a
very special niece, Christine Calogero, her husband
Michael and children, Matthew and Clare; and many
other devoted nieces, nephews and cousins. He was
predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Eileen Kenny
Helmer in 2006 and by a special nephew, John J.
King, in 1995. Funeral services will be held at
10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 from
Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc. 260 Main Street,
Oneida and 11 a.m., from St. Patrick's Church.
Interment will be made in St. Patrick's Cemetery.
Friends may call 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, at St. Joan of
Arc's Church, Morrisville and 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday,
at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home. Contributions in
Bill's memory may be made to SEVAC Ambulance Corps,
Box 1030, Morrisville, NY 13408 or Madison Hall
Association, P.O. Box 115, Morrisville, NY 13408.
Envelopes for these funds may be obtained at the
funeral home. To leave a message of condolence,
please visit
campbell-dean.com.
July 8,
2014: In Memoriam:
Thomas R.
Yole Sr., 83,
formerly of 94 Oak St. in Hudson Falls and more
recently of Angel Lane in Queensbury, passed
away peacefully July 6, 2014 at his home
surrounded by his loving family, Sunday.
Born June 13, 1931, in Glens Falls, he was the
son of the late William J. and Clara (Beecher)
Yole. On June 30, 1951, Tom married
Patricia White at St. Mary’s in Hudson Falls.
She passed away Dec. 17, 1992. He married his
second wife, Patricia Busher Taylor on May 7,
1994, at St. Mary’s in Hudson Falls and
Adirondack Friends Meeting in South Glens Falls.
In 1948, Tom graduated
from Hudson Falls High School and continued his
education at SUNY Albany, graduating in 1952. He
then received his master’s degree in math and
science from Union College in Schenectady.
Following graduation from SUNY Albany, Tom
started his teaching career in 1952 at the Fort
Ann school district. He then continued his love
of mathematics education at the Lake George
school district, Hudson Falls school district
and Glens Falls school district until 1972.
Starting in 1972, Tom was the Hudson Falls
junior high principal, until his retirement in
June 1986. During his career, he was an
instructor at the Education Department at the
University of New Brunswick, Canada, and at the
University of Prince Edward Island, also in
Canada. Tom was a mathematics consultant for
American Cooperative Schools in Tunisia, Algeria
and Morocco. He also taught an in-service course
in mathematics for elementary teachers at BOCES.
He belonged to several
education organizations. Tom was a member of the
National Education Association, New York State
Teachers Association, Tri-County Teachers
Association, Association of Mathematics Teachers
of New York State, National Council of Teacher
of Mathematics, Mohawk-Hudson Valley Area
Mathematics Association, Glens Falls Teachers
Association, where he was president and first
chief negotiator, School Administrators
Association of New York State and the National
Association of Secondary School Principals.
From 1965 to 1972, Tom was very involved in his
community, having served as town councilman for
the town of Kingsbury, where he was
secretary-treasurer of the Inter-municipal Water
Survey Committee. One of his proudest
involvements was as treasurer of the Hudson
Falls-Kingsbury Swimming Pool Committee. This
committee raised funds and solicited labor to
complete an outdoor pool which was given, debt
free, to the town of Kingsbury. Tom was also on
the Board of Directors for the Washington County
Unit of the American Cancer Society and chairman
of the first Swim-a-Thon. He once served as
chairman of the United Way Drive for the village
of Hudson Falls and Hudson Falls Central School.
Tom was also a trustee for Hudson Falls Free
Library.
Throughout Tom’s life,
his love of family, his love of children and
education, his love of community and service can
be seen through his giving back as husband,
father, grandfather, educator and as a pillar of
the community. Besides his parents and
first wife, he was predeceased by his siblings,
Richard Yole, James Yole, Jack Yole, Gerald Yole
and Rosemarie Hafner. Survivors include
his wife of 20 years, Patricia Yole; his
children, Susan Kearns and her husband, Gerald,
Barbara Scherer and her husband, Hans, Diane
Yole, TR Yole and his wife, Mary, Patti Barrett,
Jeffrey “Spit” Yole, Lisa Webb, Scott Yole and
Mary Beth Moreau and her significant other,
William McCullen Sr.; his stepchildren, Susan
Pate and her husband, Michael, Anni Stewart and
Peter Taylor and his wife, Kathy; his
grandchildren, Keith Scherer and his wife,
Casey, Hans Scherer and his wife, Michele,
Andrew and Lindsay Yole, Shannan Wierzbicki and
her husband, Tim, Timmy Barrett Jr. and his
wife, Nikki , Jennifer Bardin and her
significant other, Jay Riehl, Todd Barrett and
his wife, Lisa, Connor and Colton Webb, Kaitlin
Ingalls Faour and her husband, Rabie, Lauren and
Ian Moreau and Ryan Patrick Johnson; his
step-grandchildren, Julie Wardell and her
husband, Judd, Taylor Stewart and his wife,
Lisa, Christina Taylor and her husband, Sasha
Tochilosky, Alexander Taylor, Kelsey Taylor,
Tracy Brayton and her husband, Jeff, Michael
Stewart and Jed Stewart and his wife, Jean; 13
great-grandchildren; four
step-great-grandchildren; his brother, Robert
Yole, and his wife, Helen; and several nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Friends may call from
2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hudson Falls
Middle School, 131 Notre Dame St. in Hudson
Falls. A funeral Mass will be celebrated
at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s
Church on the park in Hudson Falls. The Rite of
Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in
the town of Fort Edward. Bearers will be
his grandsons. The family suggests
memorial donations be made to High Peaks Hospice
& Palliative Care Inc., 79 Glenwood Ave., Second
Floor, Queensbury, NY 12804; West Glens Falls
Emergency Squad, 86 Luzerne Road, Queensbury, NY
12804; or Fort Edward Rescue Squad Inc., P.O.
Box 226, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Online
condolences may be made by visiting
www.carletonfuneralhome.net.
Richard
“Dick” Earl Jacobson, 82, of
Schuylerville, New York, died Friday, July
4, 2014, at Wesley Health Care Center in
Saratoga Springs, New York. He was
born Jan. 16, 1932, in Newton,
Massachusetts, to Earl William and Lavina
Raynor Jacobson. Dick was a graduate
of Middletown High School in Middletown, New
York, and later received his Bachelor of
Arts degree in English literature, speech
and drama (1953) and his Master of Arts
degree in guidance and administration (1954)
from the New York State College for Teachers
at Albany, where he was a member of Kappa
Phi Kappa, a National Education Honorary
society and the Edward Eldred Potter Club.
In January 1954, he married Margaret Ann
Eckert of Tuckahoe, New York. He and his new
wife moved to Massachusetts for the two
years he served in the Army Security Agency
at Fort Devens as an instructor in the Army
Security Agency School during the Korean
conflict. In 1956, Dick began his
career in education in Wappingers Falls, New
York, where he taught high school English
for two years at Roy C. Ketcham High School.
He later served in positions there as a
guidance counselor, director of guidance,
director of pupil personnel services,
assistant superintendent, associate
superintendent and acting superintendent. In
his final year at Wappingers, he was hired
as deputy superintendent. Following his
service at Wappingers, he attended SUNY
Albany to work on a doctoral program in
educational administration. He completed all
the course work by 1977, when he became
superintendent of schools for Schuylerville
Central School. Upon leaving SCS in 1987, he
began his post-retirement career as a
guidance counselor at St. Mary’s School in
Glens Falls, New York, for two years. He was
then hired as director of the Head Start
Program for Washington/Warren Counties from
1990 to 1995 and as a consultant in 1996.
An
accomplished tenor, Dick sang as a paid
soloist in churches in Poughkeepsie and
Albany, and was a member of the Community
Mixed Chorus in Poughkeepsie, as well as
Voices of the Southern Adirondacks. He was
active in Schuylerville Community Theater,
where he appeared in lead and supporting
roles in several musical productions and as
producer for “The Music Man.” He was most
proud of being selected to play the role of
Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” Dick was a proud
collector of antique clocks and enjoyed
attending antique car shows, having owned
several vintage cars. Playing tennis was a
favorite pastime, which he continued well
into his 70s. He and his wife loved Cape
Cod, as well as boating in their cruiser on
Lake George. His dog, Simba, was a beloved
companion for the past 10 years. Dick
is survived by his wife, Margaret, of
Schuylerville; his son, Glenn Jacobson, and
his wife, Connie, of Ballston Spa; his
daughter, Gail Emich, and her husband, Rob,
of Poughkeepsie; his grandson, Kyle Emich,
and his wife, Li, of New York City; sister,
Barbara Cook of San Luis Obispo, California;
niece, Linda Workman, and her husband, Ron,
of Pismo Beach, California; and nephew,
Brian Cook and his wife, Mary, of Memphis,
Tennessee. A memorial service to honor
Dick’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday,
July 11, 2014, at Old Saratoga Reformed
Church, 48 Pearl St., Schuylerville.
Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Gerald
B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200
Duell Road, Saratoga, New York. Those
wishing to remember Dick in a special way
may send a memorial contribution in his name
to Old Saratoga Reformed Church or Yaddo
Garden Association, P.O. Box 395, Saratoga
Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are
under the direction of Flynn Bros. Inc.
Funeral Home in Schuylerville. Messages for
the family may be left at
www.flynnbrosinc.com
.
June 1,
2014: In Memoriam:
David A. Brown`54
- Albany: David A. Brown, 81, died peacefully on
Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at Our Lady of Mercy Life
Center. Born in Middletown on May 2, 1932, David was
the son of Victoria (Clement) Brown and David P.
Brown. He is survived by his brother, Robert T.
Brown and sister-in-law, Bonnie Brown of Naples,
Fla.; nieces, Holly (Brown) Schoonmaker of Naples
and Jana (Brown) Denny of Woodstock. He is also
survived by special friends in the McManus and Jeram
families. David graduated from Middletown High
School and the New York State Teachers College at
Albany where he obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees.
Dedicated to the education of young people, he
taught business education classes to high school
students in McGraw and Medina. In 1963 David
returned to the Capital District to begin his 26
year tenure in the City School District of Albany.
Initially he taught business education at Albany
High School and subsequently directed federally
funded programming. He continued to become deputy
superintendent for business. While serving in this
position he drafted the legislation enabling the
district to become fiscally independent when the
City lost its "Big Six" designation. Prior to
retirement in 1989, David served his remaining seven
years as superintendent of schools for the Albany
City School District. David also served as a
legislator in the Albany County Legislature. In
later years he was active in real estate. David
enjoyed many years of membership at the Fort Orange
Club where he was a contributing and valued member.
He also held membership in a number of educational
associations including the New York State Schools
Association of Superintendents. Family and friends
wish to express their deep appreciation to the
caring staff at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center and to
Dr. John D. Filippone, Dr. David Hart, Dr. Thomas
Schumacher, Dr. Denis Chagnon and their staffs. A
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday,
May 9, 2014 at 10 a.m. in Historic St. Mary's Church
on Capitol Hill, corner of Lodge and Pine Streets,
Albany. Relatives and friends are invited and may
also call at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490
Delaware Avenue, Albany on Thursday, May 8, 2014
from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will take place in
Calvary Cemetery, Rte. 9W, Glenmont. In lieu of
flowers, contributions may be made in David's memory
to Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 So. Pearl St.,
Albany, NY 12202 or to the Regional Food Bank of
Northeastern New York, 965 Albany Shaker Rd.,
Latham, NY 12110. For on line condolences, please
visit danielkeenan funeralhome.com.
Robert DeMichiell, `55 -
Waterford, CT -
Captain Robert L. DeMichiell, U.S. Coast Guard
(retired) passed away on Friday, May 23, 2014, at
Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was
a seasonal resident of Waterford. Captain
DeMichiell was born in West Point, N.Y. to the late
Stella and Giovanni DeMichiell of Highland Falls,
N.Y. He graduated from Highland Falls High School
and then attended the State University of New York
at Albany where he met his beloved wife, Nan McEvoy
of Little Falls, N.Y., at a freshman dance. At the
end of his second year, he received one of the 200
appointments to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and
graduated with 60 fellow classmates in the class of
1957. The young ensign was assigned to the Coast
Guard Cutter Barataria in Portland, Maine and to the
buoy tender Cowslip in South Portland. His next
assignment was a two-year tour as commanding officer
of the LORAN Station in Kodiak, Alaska. Captain
DeMichiell was fortunate to have his young family
accompany him to this new duty station.
Captain DeMichiell returned to the Coast Guard
Academy in 1962 to teach in the department of
computer science and physical sciences and was later
appointed to the Permanent Commission Teaching
Staff. Cadet life continued to be an integral part
of his life as he coached JV basketball and
supported many athletic events and student-centered
activities. Captain DeMichiell earned a master's
degree in chemical engineering and a Ph.D. in higher
education administration from the University of
Connecticut to continue his strive for excellence in
education and technology. The Academy honored him
for his achievements as an educator and
administrator for college-wide computing activities,
as well as designating him professor emeritus.
Upon his retirement from the U.S. Coast Guard, Bob
joined the faculty at the University of New Haven
and served as director of the southeast branch of
UNH at Groton. His professional teaching career
continued at Fairfield University where he taught
undergraduate and graduate students and served as
head of the department of information systems. He
was awarded professor emeritus upon his retirement
from Fairfield University after 15 years of devoted
service. Bob continued his lifelong adventure in
education and served as a visiting professor at Nova
Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,
teaching and advising doctoral students. He
dedicated his life to his family and to his
students, mentoring many long after their college
days concluded. In his retirement, Bob formed
Robert DeMichiell and Associates, a consulting and
executive seminars company which focused on
technology management for government business and
education. Bob truly enjoyed collaborating with
colleagues nationally and internationally and
traveled extensively to share his knowledge and love
of education. Throughout his distinguished career he
published numerous works and participated in
seminars and presentations which enlightened,
inspired and provoked thinking.
Bob is survived by
his beloved wife, Nan, of 57 years on June 8; and
their children, Robert DeMichiell Jr. and his
husband, Jeffrey Wilson, of New York City, Lynn
Lynch and her husband, Brian, of Waterford and their
children, Matthew Lynch of Waterford and David Lynch
of New York City, and Gail DeMichiell and her
daughter, Jessica Harran, both of Waterford. He is
also survived by his two brothers, Ronald DeMichiell
of Waterford and Raymond DeMichiell of New York
City. Bob dearly loved being with his family
and friends. He took great pleasure in planning
events and vacations to celebrate their lives and
achievements and was passionate about documenting
the events with his own specially produced films.
Calling hours will
be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at
the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean
Ave., New London. A funeral mass will be held at 11
a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014, at the U.S. Coast Guard
Memorial Chapel. For security purposes, the Academy
requests that all occupants in all vehicles present
a valid ID upon entering Academy grounds. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations
be made to The Class of 1957 J.W. Kime Ethics Forum
Endowment, c/o The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni
Association, New London, CT 06320. Online
condolences may be expressed at
www.neilanfuneralhome.com. Published in The Day
from May 26 to June 1, 2014
May, 18,
2014: Albany Luncheon held Wednesday May 14.
Those attending included: Joe Zanchelli, `49; Bob
Umholtz, `51; Tom Singleton, `52; Paul Ward, `53;
Peter McManus, `54; Jack Higham, `57; Fred Culbert,
`65; Gerry Leggieri, `68. Guests: Geoff Williams and
Mark Wolfe, UAlbany. Unfortunately no pix were
taken. More discussion on archiving the web
site with Geoff and Mark, and info shared on regrets
from several not able to attend. Get well
wishes to Milan, still on the recovery list.
Next Albany Luncheon, Wed. October 8, 2014.
April 15,
2014: A little business to attend to...
Please read below.
Pages for Past Presidents and Myskania:
Discovered that only the first pages for these lists
had been posted on the web site. Now all of
the pages are there. Check `em out!
David A. Golden demise greatly exaggerated! A
message from Henry Klein, `71 (not an EEP), roommate
of David Golden, `71, asking for info on locating
David's next of kin, since his demise was reported
in the recent UAlb Alumni News. Upon checking
he found David to be alive and well and in the State
of Washington. The UAlb News will print a
retraction in next issue. Seems another David
Golden, Albany Alum had passed.
In Memoriam:
Carlton Coulter,
`35 - New Paltz - Carlton Alexander Coulter, 99,
died Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Vassar Brothers
Medical Center in Poughkeepsie after a very brief
illness. He was the husband of Elsa (Munch) Coulter
and the late Rosemary (Peck ) Coulter. Born June 3,
1914 in the Town of Jackson, Washington County, New
York on the family farm, he was the son of William
Selfridge Coulter and Bertha (McClarty) Coulter. He
was the last of six generations to live on the farm.
After graduating from Cambridge Union School
(Cambridge, NY), class of 1931, he went on to New
York State Teacher's College in Albany, graduating
in 1935. He later earned his Master's Degree in
Education. He and Rosemary were married in 1941 and
raised their family in New York. Carlton proudly
spent 39 years in public education, 19 in the
classroom and 20 in administration. He was working
in West Islip on Long Island at the time of his
retirement. In July 1991 he married Elsa. They moved
to New Paltz, to be near their children and spent
summers in Ontario, Canada. Along with his wife, he
will be deeply missed by his children, Carol Ann
Shoreborn and partner Linda Tisdale of Dexter, ME,
Jonathan Selfridge Coulter of Brodnax, VA., William
David Coulter and his wife Carolyn of Wallingford,
CT, Jennifer Linda Weijer and husband Kornelis of
Groton, MA, Thomas C. Stratton and wife, Sally and
Richard E. Stratton and wife, Leslie of New Paltz,
NY, 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He
was predeceased by his wife Rosemary, a grandson,
Christopher Coulter and granddaughter, Amani Joy
Pinder, 2 brothers, Clarence and Robert Coulter and
2 sisters Elizabeth Wallace and Margaret Talmidge. A
memorial service will be held in Connecticut at a
time to be announced. A graveside service will be
held in the spring at Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge,
NY, when Carlton is buried with Rosemary. The family
is being assisted by Ackley & Ross Funeral Home,
Cambridge, New York.
[N.B. Carlton was President
of Potter Club, 1934-1935, and was there at the
beginning of EEP, having joined the Club in his
Freshman year, 1931-1932.]
William Haller, `41 -
Saratoga Springs - Bill Haller, 94, passed away on
Tuesday, April 8th at Saratoga Hospital. He
was born in Dexter, New York, and was a 1941
graduate of Albany State College where he was the
President of the Men’s Athletic Association and The
Potter Club Fraternity. Bill began working as
a Chemical Engineer in 1941 at General Electric in
Schenectady and continued working there for nearly
30 years. He later worked for Roymal Coatings and
Bradley Laboratories as an Industrial Coatings Sales
Specialist. He married the late Shirley Eastman
Haller of Deansboro, New York in 1943. Bill was an
avid bowler into his 90’s and participated in the
Florida Senior Olympics in recent years. He enjoyed
playing cards, watching baseball and basketball
right into this spring. Bill wintered in Sebring,
Florida and he spent many happy summer hours in
Pillar Point, New York fishing for perch, northern
pike and smallmouth bass in the waters of Chaumont
Bay, Lake Ontario. He also enjoyed and excelled at
croquet and horseshoes. Bill was a member of the
Masonic Lodge in Dexter for over 50 years.
After Shirley’s death in 1967, he married the late
Bette Russell Haller of Niskayuna and the late
Dorothea Pettit Haller of Pillar Point.
Ted Bayer, `51, had lunch with Bill just a day or
two before he passed away. It seems they both
resided at the same facility in Saratoga Springs and
may have just met.
[N.B. Bill was President of
Potter Club, 1940-1941, and was a member of Myskania.]
Carl F. Schrader, `58 -
Oneonta Daily Star, April 2, 2014
SENECA, S.C. — Carl F. Schrader of Bayshore, Seneca,
S.C., died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. From an
early age, Carl was a person who developed an
interest in many fields. He walked and hitchhiked to
Albany, where he earned his college degree. Over the
years he enjoyed music, art and trips to places
around the world — Peru, South Africa and Thailand,
to name a few. When Carl became a school
superintendent, he set out to help the gifted and
talented as well as those who needed help. He added
extra adults to assist teachers in classrooms so
help could be given and those who needed it could
stay mostly with their classmates. He built a
new school keeping the above in mind, Cherry
Valley-Springfield Central School, Cherry Valley.
One of his favorite pastimes was breeding and
showing Norfolk terrier dogs in places such as New
York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta. May he
dwell in peace, may he know we care and share and
may love always be there and open many interesting
doors. He is survived by his wife, Faith; son,
Austen; daughter-in-law, Debbie; grandkids, Tyler,
Casey, Derek and Riley; sisters-in-law; and many
nieces and nephews.
Roy McEnerny, `65 - Roy McEnerney, 70, of
South Glens Falls, passed away suddenly at his home
Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. He was the loving husband of
Cynthia S. McEnerney, and the loving father of Kerry
A. (McEnerney) Ozmelek and John R. McEnerney. Born
June 28, 1943, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of
the late John and Marjorie "Louise" (Osborne)
McEnerney. On June 15, 1963, he married the love of
his life, Cynthia Pettey, in New York Mills, N.Y.
Roy graduated from SUNY Albany in 1965 with a
bachelor’s degree and was employed by IBM and
Executone. He was an amazing entrepreneur, amassing
some five to 10 businesses in his lifetime,
including Communication Management Associates, a
telecommunications firm, and Rollerfun Inc., a
traveling group of roller skaters who introduced the
fun of skating to elementary school children all
over the area. Most people in the Capital District
will remember him as the cool guy with the plaid
pants who ran Rollerfun with his wife for 20 years.
After residing in Latham for many years, Roy and
Cindy sold their businesses and relocated to South
Glens Falls, where they took over the SaraGlen Motel
in 1997. He will always be remembered for his quick
wit and sharp sense of humor. Roy was proud to
be a Rotarian and received the Rotarian of the Year
award in 2011 from the South Glens Falls Rotary Club
and was also a Paul Harris fellow. Roy also served
as the Alumni Association President of SUNY Albany
from 1983-85. Roy also greatly enjoyed golf and
spending time with his family. In addition to
his parents, Roy was predeceased by a sister, Judy
Schuetz. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of
50 years, Cindy McEnerney; his son, John McEnerney
and his partner, Lyle Houston; his daughter, Kerry
Ozmelek, and her husband, Raif; his grandchildren,
Evan and Ryan Ozmelek; and his father-in-law, Robert
Szarek. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at St. Michael the
Archangel Church, 80 Saratoga Road, South Glens
Falls, NY 12803. Arrangements are under care of M.B.
Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens
Falls, NY 12803. To leave online condolences or to
view Roy’s Book of Memories, please visit
www.kilmerfuneralhome.com. A memorial Mass will be
celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at
St. Michael the Archangel Church, directly following
calling hours. The Rev. Guy A. Childs, pastor, will
be officiating. Burial will be private and at the
convenience of the family. Memorial donations in
Roy’s name can be made to South Glens Falls Rotary
Club, 233 Reynolds Road, Fort Edward, NY 12828.
Obituaries for Carl and
Roy were forwarded to us by Fred Culbert, `65.
Fred worked with Carl at Cherry Valley. Fred
and Roy were classmates at Albany. William's
obituary was forwarded by Paul Ward. Carlton's
obituary was discovered online.
Spring
Albany Luncheon, Noon, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at
Route 7 Diner, Latham, NY
A full announcement will be sent to all on the
"official list" which includes about 50+ Pottermen.
If you are not receiving the mailings (either email
or paper) let me know and we'll add you to the list.
The mailing will go out in about 10 days. Note
the Route 7 Diner is our new location.
February
16-20, 2014: Address changes:
Art Weigand, `53, Sven Sloth, `54, and Don
McGurrin, `65, new or
recent address/email/phone changes. Check
Address Changes link at the left. For new
phone, contact me.
January 25,
2014: In memoriam:
Dr. Benjamin H. Button, 80, of
Golf Course Road, Amsterdam, NY went to be with his
loving Lord on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at River
Ridge Living Center, Amsterdam, NY. He was
born on a family farm in the town of Canajoharie to
Phelps and Josephine Schwabrow Button on June 13,
1933. He graduated from Sharon Springs Central
School in June 1950. He then went on to
college at SUNY at Albany and graduated with a
Bachelor of Science degree in June 1954. He
then attended SUNY Medical School at Syracuse and
received his MD degree in June 1958. Dr.
Button then went on to Rhode Island Hospital,
Providence, RI, for 5 years and became an Orthopedic
Surgeon. In July 1963 he came to Amsterdam and
worked at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital and St. Mary's
Hospital. On September 19, 1964 he married the
former Jane Burton. During 27 years of
practice he was Chief of Staff at both St. Mary's
and Amsterdam Memorial Hospital in addition to many
other positions. On July 9, 1990 he retired
and did volunteer medical missionary work for the
next 15 years. This was with Samaritan's Purse
in many African countries and Afghanistan.
In June 1999 Dr. Button received a Distinguished
Alumni Award from the Alumni Association of SUNY at
Albany. In the Fall of 2002 he received the
Award of Excellence in Medical Missions from World
Medical Missions (Samaritan's Purse). In
January 2008 he received the Sister Catherine
Bernard's Award for Life Time Service from the
Foundation of St. Mary's Hospital. In January
2011 he received the Herbert T. Singer Community
Service Award for his history of volunteer
work from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
He was also an active member of the Inman Senior
Center in Amsterdam. Dr. Button was a founding
Charter Member of the Adirondack Baptist Church in
Gloversville, NY. He is survived by his wife,
Jane, of Amsterdam; two sons, Scott of Arlington, VA
and Christopher (Sheila) of Virginia Beach, VA; a
granddaughter, Pauline of Virginia Beach, VA and a
sister, Virginia (Nathaniel) Jones of Florida, and
cousins. A memorial service was held on
Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Adirondack Baptist
Church, Gloversville, NY. Burial was in
Fairview Cemetery, Amsterdam, NY.
The obituary was mailed by Claude Palczak to
Paul Ward who forwarded it for the web site.