Bulletin - Winter/Spring 2022

Belmont Hill t h e bu ll e t i n for be l m o n t h i ll s c h o ol

winter

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s p r i ng

2022

contents

features

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chapel talk

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athletics at belmont hill

12

donna david retires

15

ted martellini court

departments

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15

11

belmont hill archives

17

visiting speakers

22

arts on the hill

28

coaches’ corner

33

alumni & family events

40

class notes

52

faculty & staff news

54

in memoriam

our mission statement working together

Belmont Hill School educates boys in mind, body, and spirit to develop men of good character.

Our community encourages and challenges students to discover and pursue passions, seek excellence, and face adversity with resilience. We cultivate critical thinking and creativity, teamwork and competition, hard work and reflection, tradition and innovation. Valuing our differences and working together, we embrace camaraderie, compassion, and service to others. Our school strives to instill in each boy ethical judgment, a sense of common humanity, and a lifelong love of learning.

The cover features each of Belmont Hill’s 16 varsity sports in action.

Inside front cover: Mrs. Kaplan and Nick Pellagrini ’25 at the ceramics wheel.

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chapel talk

CHAPEL TALK

Remarks delivered by Gregory J. Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School, on August 31, 2021

continued to cycle up and down the stairwells of the World Trade Center. I am confident that many of you will have a chance to process all of the elements of his leadership in your classes and other gatherings.

I must also admit that this book was surprisingly hard for me to read, as I found myself sobbing on a number of unexpected occasions – even though I rifled through it in just a few nights. I am reminded that September 11 did not take place in your lifetime, so I suspect it does not feel quite as real as it does to those of us who lived it up close.

The descriptions in the book were re-traumatizing for me in some ways, compelling me to share my own September 11 story with you this morning.

For the remainder of our time together this morning, I want to shift our attention to The Red Bandanna, the book we were all asked to read this summer. It is a book that I trust none of you have put off reading until the upcoming long weekend. It was chosen for a number of reasons, but perhaps most importantly is that this year will be the 20th anniversary of September 11, the deadliest terrorist attack in our country’s history. As I read the book this summer for the first time, it was impossible not be struck by the heroism of Welles Crowther. It was so clear to me that he shared many qualities that we seek in Belmont Hill boys – character being chief among them. His story reminds us how sometimes people have heroism thrust upon them, and that courage and character are truly measured when no one else is watching. Welles surely knew there would be no trophy or honor roll during his lifetime as he

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As was described in the book, that morning was piercing in its blueness and its clarity, and I found myself waking up in the Hotel Harrington in Washington, D.C., preparing to take my group of juniors at Rye Country Day School for a walk across the National Mall during the final morning of their opening of year trip connected to their US History course. I worked at RCDS from 2000 to 2007 before becoming a Head of School, just on the outskirts of New York City. As our pod left the hotel on foot that day, I remember someone offhandedly mentioned to me: Did you hear that a plane hit the World Trade Center? So crazy – must have been some kind of prop plane. That seemingly random conversation was not nearly enough to knock me off our itinerary. I figured some random pilot had made a stupid decision and the impact would be minimal. I had a schedule to keep.

At just after 9:30 am, we were near the Washington Monument on the National Mall. At exactly 9:37 am, a mushroom cloud of substantial proportions emerged from the Pentagon, which we could see and hear so clearly. While all of us felt confused, we were still not sure how to react. Almost instantly my cellphone began ringing. It was the parent of a student in my group.

“What are you doing? We are under attack! Get my kid out of there now….let me talk to him….”

Still in my twenties, I had a distinct feeling of being out of my league as this parent started yelling at me in such a panicked and hysterical tone. I remember glancing skyward and seeing another plane buzzing through the skies, and I wondered if another attack was coming or if perhaps the military had already been scrambled. Shortly thereafter, another group from RCDS found us and we headed back to the hotel. No cellphones could get a signal given the instantaneous volume overloads. I had no way to be in touch with my own family. We learned that we would be quarantined in D.C. for at least another day as the government tried to understand if further attacks were coming. As chaperones, we began the process of manning the hotel payphones as so many of these juniors were hysterically crying, unable to speak with their parents. Almost all of these parents worked in New York City in some capacity, and a fair number were regulars in the World Trade Center. Miraculously, we lost no one in the end, but it took many days and many tears to get to that conclusion.

Eventually, a day late, the buses were loaded up and we were allowed to head back to Rye, NY – a bit more somber than usual. I drove home in a car with Jon, the trip leader and Assistant Principal of the Upper School – we coached the varsity football team together. We were both feeling so exhausted by the emotional burden of managing these kids while trying to figure out if our own families were okay.

Speaking of which, my brother-in-law, was actually starting his job in the Lehman Brothers training program that day. Fresh out of University of Virginia, he was looking to start his career in the financial world, not unlike Welles Crowther. He was getting a cup of coffee in close proximity to the World Trade Center before heading in to start his program. His training had originally been scheduled to start in Windows on the World in the North Tower, but it had just been relocated to another meeting room in the same vicinity. As the chaos began, he called his Dad back in Boston and asked him what he should do.

The answer was swift: run. Like many New Yorkers, he ran about 50 blocks north away from Wall Street in his new suit as the destruction began. Luckily, he made it to his midtown apartment safely, but it led to months of him sitting on a file cabinet in Jersey City as his company, like

so many others, figured out how to recover. Training his new group was not exactly its highest priority. He ended up moving in with us in our first home just outside of the city in Pelham, which we had luckily closed on just a few weeks prior.

In the weeks that ensued, as terror warnings were continually updated, I remember going to Home Depot and buying lots of duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover our windows. September 11 quickly morphed into an anthrax scare and a broader sense of hypervigilance and fear. Even years later, a massive blackout in New York City had us all convinced another terror attack was at our doorstep. It took a while for us to regain our balance.

One of my wife’s close friends at the time lost her husband, Blake, in the attacks. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 101st floor of the North Tower. I remember learning when someone discovered the remains of Blake’s body and the subsequent services. On the one hand, we were fortunate in our networks to have relatively little loss, and yet the impact and the sense of fear were not short lived.

But back to me and my ride home from Washington, D.C.: as my colleague Jon and I reached the Jersey Turnpike, the smoldering debris of the two towers was simply impossible to fathom – even from our distance across the river. I remember a blend of fear and anger that we both struggled to process together. When that same junior class graduated in 2003, they dedicated the yearbook to all the faculty members on that trip, whom they called the 9/11 ten. As teachers, we wrote a collective response to their dedication, which I would like to share with you today: The faculty members whom you graciously recognized with the dedication in your yearbook want to say thank you. We hope you don’t mind if we take a brief moment of your fleeting time to do so.

Perhaps every generation is defined by a youthful memory seared into its consciousness. For the younger faculty on your Washington trip, that event was the first space shuttle disaster. For the slightly older teachers, it was the assassination of John Kennedy. Mr. Fuller denies that, for his generation, it was the Gettysburg Address but we know better. Surely everyone your age will forever remember where you were on September 11, 2001. When people learn you are New Yorkers and ask you about that sad day, you will always surprise them when you say you

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chapel talk

were closer to the Pentagon than the World Trade Center. Indeed, many of you were a Metro stop away in Arlington National Cemetery or on the National Mall, close enough to see, hear, feel, even smell the crash.

Once everyone reassembled at the Hotel Harrington, we teachers tried to move from helpless observers of your fear, hope, and sorrow to helpful participants in your handling of the disaster…. In these last days of your high school career, we are extremely grateful for your generous recognition of our role in helping you make the best of your experience nearly two years ago, but we were even more grateful to you that day for your courageous and mutually supportive response to the tragedy. We remain impressed by your courage and generosity on that day and, subsequently, to us and to each other. We thought of you as a special group before 9/11 and we still do. The ten of us faculty – whom we have come to be called, we understand, the 9/11 ten – feel as bound to you by our experience together as you do to one another….

The 9/11 ten have all now moved on to different jobs, regions of the country, and lives. Yet every morning on September 11, my great friend Jon sends all ten of us an email that brings us back to the spot of working together to protect these students at a moment when our world had become completely unraveled.

Why do I share all of this with you this morning? Perhaps it is my attempt to make The Red Bandanna a bit more real for all of us. I grew up with no greater passion than Boston College football given my father’s allegiances as a double Eagle, and yet I am reminded of just how much deeper we need to feel this story than its connection to one great football game a year. Perhaps there is a little bit of needed emotional catharsis on my part – so thank you for letting me process that with you today. I will say that now when I transport myself back to those smoldering ruins driving along the Jersey Turnpike, I take heart knowing that Welles Crowther was in there – doing good for others – doing what he could. And I also know that his was but one story of heroism among so many others. And while I am so glad that his story is being told, I am reminded of how many stories are not – particularly of the firefighters, police officers, and other first responders who entered those towers and never looked back.

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So, as we start this special year together, my hope is that our shared experience of The Red Bandanna pulls us right back where we all belong – focusing upon our mission of developing young men of character in a new way. We are reminded as we return to normal at Belmont Hill, and we perhaps struggle with the pace and challenge of various pieces, that how we live up to our school’s mission and purpose will not be judged by the grades we achieve nor the championships we may win this year. How we will be judged at this school will be through our ability to act and grow with character.

Would I be willing to go back up those stairs one more time in the World Trade Center like he did? Rest assured, I cannot honestly say that I know I would. But I can say that this story inspires me in a new way to be the best possible man I can be. My hope is that the story of The Red Bandanna, along with the opportunity of this wonderful school year that lies before us, might just do the same for all of you.

Sixth Form.

Centennial Website Launch TO CELEBRATE OUR CENTENNIAL, Belmont Hill has proudly launched a website that we hope will reconnect you with the School in a new and exciting way. This is a moment to reflect upon the story of a school that has evolved from a scrappy local idea in 1923 to one of the truly outstanding schools in the nation. That success has flowed from a relentless pursuit of a mission centered upon character within a culture of excellence. As much as the campus and the community have changed, the soul of Belmont Hill feels as timeless and unchanged as ever.

The Centennial website showcases event updates and happenings on campus while reengaging with our incredible history. Whether it is through maps, videos, timelines, or pictures, this site leads towards one ultimate objective: having as many members of our community on campus as possible on Friday, October 13, 2023, to celebrate Belmont Hill’s 100th birthday. In conjunction with the Centennial celebration, the School has embarked on its most ambitious capital campaign to date. Just as we look back and celebrate the outstanding people who have made this school possible, we also look forward to investing in the future of so many more Belmont Hill boys to come.

CENTENNIAL EVENTS Centennial Campaign Kick-Off May 13, 2022 – 6:00 pm

Alumni Reunion Weekend May 13–14, 2022

Reunion events will be hosted by the following classes: 0s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 6s, and 7s.

Celebrations honoring Arts, Athletics, Academics, Faculty, and Chapel Celebrations will be held starting in January leading up to the culminating event in the fall of 2023.

SAVE THE DATE | Friday, October 13, 2023 BELMONT HILL’S 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

centennial.belmonthill.org

Visit us online for more information.

athletics at belmont hill

BELMONT HILL ATHLETICS: PLAY TO WIN; WIN THE RIGHT WAY

By Bill Mahoney

Since its opening in 1923, Belmont Hill has always stressed the important role of athletics in education, and has built a legacy of excellence that has endured through the years. The School’s mission of developing boys into men of good character is an important guidepost in how its athletic program is run. Strong character makes for good leaders, fierce competitors, and valued teammates.

“So many of our peer schools see athletics as purely transactional: come to our school, play for us, and you will go to the college level,” says varsity baseball coach Michael Grant. “I think what we do is far more transformational. Yes, we are successful—I’ll put our programs up against the best in the country. But we use sports as a tool to produce young men who will be successful leaders in their colleges, careers, and communities.”

That the School has always prided itself on a commitment to the highest standards of sportsmanship is no accident.

Belmont Hill always plays to win—but wins the right way.

“I like to think that we take pride in always ‘playing to win,’” states longtime varsity wrestling coach Don Bradley. “That means we do everything possible to put ourselves in the best position to achieve our goals. We may not always win or get there, but that only serves to motivate us more for the next challenge.”

“Participating in sports provides boys with the opportunity to learn about and live a healthy lifestyle, collaborate with teammates and coaches, and develop a strong work ethic. Being a student-athlete requires discipline and a sense of accountability that boys here learn at a very early age. They will be able to use these skills to help succeed in college and beyond,” she says.

Athletic Director George Tahan believes this approach ties directly to the School’s mission. Boys are assigned to teams as part of the School’s three-sport requirement. By doing this, it is immediately impressed upon them that they are part of something bigger than themselves. “They are taught the fundamentals of the sport as well as the very important ideals of competing hard within the rules, respecting their opponent, and exhibiting good sportsmanship.” He states that if boys learn to follow those fundamentals, the wins and losses will take care of themselves.

Mr. Tahan also believes that during a boy’s admission process, families are familiarized with the values of the Belmont Hill athletic program and are often drawn to it.

“We find families that are interested in and believe in the way we approach competition,” he states. “Those families and students choose us, and they are part of the reason our programs thrive.”

SETTING THE STAGE There are certain pillars upon which the School’s athletic legacy has been built. To begin, the goal of Belmont Hill’s athletic program has always centered on helping boys to develop lifelong good health habits and physical fitness, while at the same time allowing them to explore their passion for various sports. Maya Gorman, assistant varsity cross country and track coach, believes that the skills and habits boys develop through athletics at Belmont Hill will stay with them throughout their lives.

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... we use sports as a tool to produce young men who will be successful leaders in their colleges, careers, and communities.

– Michael Grant, Varsity Baseball Coach

Tim Sullivan, assistant varsity football coach and varsity lacrosse coach, is convinced that one of the main reasons Belmont Hill teams are so successful is that the boys understand how to compete. “They are not only playing multiple sports every year, but are also members of the music and theater programs, PoetryFest, and the Woodbury Speaking Contest, just to name a few. Being able to deliver and execute in these high-pressure situations is a learned skill that is ingrained in our boys from the time they arrive on the Hill,” he says.

LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Another important pillar is Belmont Hill’s belief and adherence to the teacher-coach model. Many schools tout their teacher-coach model, but Belmont Hill’s ongoing commitment to it is unique. “I think the thoroughness with which we do it is impressive,” says Chris Butler, assistant varsity football coach and assistant varsity lacrosse coach. “It’s really part of the fabric of the School.

With so many of my colleagues coaching, it’s just another important way we can reach the boys.” Chris Richards, varsity crew coach and Middle School cross country coach, adds, “These boys learn so much on our sports teams. Former faculty member and coach Eddie Gallagher ’66 always spoke of the ‘athletic classroom,’ and I firmly believe that the learning experiences on our teams— whether on the field, court, slope, or river—can be as profound and as important for our boys as those they have in our academic program.”

More than 75 percent of Belmont Hill coaches are faculty members, including all but two varsity head coaches, one of whom is a former Belmont Hill staff member. So important is the emphasis on teachers coaching that Mr. Tahan is directly involved in the hiring process for faculty.

“I interview every faculty candidate. Certainly, I don’t 8

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make the decisions, but I’m able to give input into what coaching ability they might have and how they can contribute. Faculty contracts are typically structured to include the coaching of at least two seasons or the equivalent in extracurriculars.”

What is particularly notable in the teacher-coach model is the relationships faculty can build with each boy.

Sometimes a boy who is struggling in the classroom makes a connection with a coach and important lessons can be learned in this process. “You will sometimes come across a boy who may be encountering some difficulty in the classroom; he may feel out of place, not ready for the workload, or facing a personal issue,” says Tyson Trautz, varsity cross country coach and assistant varsity Alpine skiing coach. “There have been several occasions when I’ve seen coaches who are able to make a connection with such a boy through the coach-athlete bond. It can lead to some insights into what the boy might be facing and allow the coach to help him find his way.”

What is at the heart of the teacher-coach model is that it creates a number of quality contact points for boys to forge relationships with teachers here. Not every teacher connects with every boy; not every coach connects with every boy. But when you create enough of those contact points, somewhere along the way a boy is going to make a connection, and many times it’s on the athletic side of campus. “The teacher-coach model at Belmont Hill is remarkable and a huge reason for our boys’ success both inside and outside the classroom,” notes Corey Cofield, varsity basketball coach and assistant varsity football coach. “Coaches have the ability to ‘pick up’ and help student-athletes who may be struggling in any way.

Providing support to a student-athlete in tough times and offering opportunities for success elsewhere is truly rewarding.”

ENCOURAGING AND DEVELOPING MULTI-SPORT ATHLETES Belmont Hill has always believed that athletes develop best when they play multiple sports. Several of our athletes play three sports through their time on the Hill, others two. It is also not uncommon to see a varsity athlete manage another team in a different season, giving them another perspective on what it means to be a member of a team. While specialization is desired by some students, the School works hard to encourage boys to develop the versatile skills that come from playing multiple sports.

Caleb Collins ’93, who coaches Middle School football and basketball, believes that athletes hone their skills by getting involved in other sports. “I’ve seen it many times,” he notes. “A varsity basketball player may run cross country just to build stamina. A wrestler may try throwing the shotput and find a new talent, and so on. Oftentimes, boys play other sports not to become stars—but just to stay in top shape and enjoy being part of a team.” Adam Harder, varsity track coach and assistant varsity cross country coach, adds, “We certainly encourage our multi-sport athletes, and it is rewarding to see their contributions.

That we have a prestigious Prize Day award to honor seniors who get letters in all three seasons demonstrates the value we place in their accomplishments.”

Ruth Sweeney, Middle School crew and soccer coach, says she is always amazed when boys try a new sport and fall in love with it. “I’ve always been a believer in playing multiple sports and taking a chance on a new sport,” she explains. “Boys get to work different parts of their bodies, and different parts of their minds. They also get to make new friends and form important bonds.”

Mr. Sullivan builds on this by noting that athletes at Belmont Hill play for more than just the game or the final score—they play for one another. The friendships that are built on Middle School teams and across playing multiple sports only strengthen as the boys come up the ranks to the varsity teams. “When it comes to a game day, our boys are playing for so much more than simply to beat the other team. Belmont Hill boys not only truly care about the final score, but also are playing for their brothers competing with them.”

THE HEART OF THE PROGRAM: WORKING TOGETHER The school motto of “Working Together” is certainly a crucial element of the athletic program’s success.

Student-athletes, coaches, families, and, of course, The Loop, combine to create a special energy on campus and an often-electric atmosphere at athletic events.

Providing support to a student-athlete in tough times and offering opportunities for success elsewhere is truly rewarding.

– Corey Cofield, Varsity Basketball Coach

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College Recruiting for Student Athletes In addition to the tremendous pride boys feel to play for their school and their teammates, in many cases Belmont Hill varsity athletes have the opportunity to go on to compete against some of the best talent in the country in college. The Bulletin spoke with Casey Bobo, Director of College Counseling, to get an idea of how athletic recruiting can affect the admission process for some students.

Bulletin: In general, how many of our student-athletes are recruited to play college sports?

Mrs. Bobo: Over the last 10 years, athletic recruiting has been a factor in 30 percent of our seniors’ college applications.

Many of our student-athletes draw the attention of college coaches who are familiar with the School’s academic rigor as well as the competitiveness of our teams.

Bulletin: How does the College Counseling office support these boys through the process?

Mrs. Bobo: The College Counseling office supports our student-athletes who endeavor to play their sport in college by understanding the role of the NCAA and other major college athletics organizations; helping students navigate the admission, decision, and committing process; and identifying key deadlines and the importance of finding the right college fit as well as how to preserve eligibility.

Bulletin: What are some of the common questions student-athletes ask?

Mrs. Bobo: Common questions we are asked include: 1. “How do I properly communicate with coaches?”

We first suggest that our student-athletes ask their coaches where they project their level of talent to the college level. Then, we help to identify colleges that might “fit” that boy. We help them with drafts of interest letters and guide them toward the online questionnaires for each respective school.

2. “How do I get recognized by coaches?” We advise student-athletes that their Belmont Hill and, if applicable, club coaches will help with that. They can recommend ID camps, tournaments, and showcases.

3. “What grades do I need to be recruitable?” We stress that student-athletes need to challenge themselves with the highest level of rigor at which they can achieve at their optimal level. Their athletic ability, grades, standardized test scores, and rigor will be a component of their recruiting process at any level.

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And there are many events to choose from. With 16 varsity sports and a total of 58 teams through the Upper and Middle School, there is always a place for a boy who wants to be involved. At times, if teams are full, new teams will be added to accommodate the need.

With such a variety of sports and the plethora of teams, there is an ever-present excitement about the program. “One thing that has always struck me about Belmont Hill athletics is how much joy it generates,” Mr. Richards states. “The joy of physical exertion after a day of classes, of teamwork, of competition, of seeing one’s own improvement in something, of school spirit.”

Mr. Tahan believes that a vital part of what makes Belmont Hill athletics special is the way the community rallies around the teams.

“We have coaches who are passionate about their sport and love working with the boys,” he says. “Parents here are very supportive.

And, of course, The Loop is extraordinary. I never even have to ask them to come. The bonds that our boys cultivate here always amaze me. They just love to strongly encourage each other, root for each other, and, most important, bring out the best in each other.”

WE HAVEN’T CHANGED: REMAINING TRUE TO OUR WAYS What remains unchanged at the School is our timeless belief that athletics are central to our mission and the concept of brotherhood that is foundational to the Belmont Hill experience. Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School, says he is inspired by the hours that our coaches spend away from their families with our athletes, because they know how much competing means to our boys and our mission. “There is a picture in my office of me standing in the middle of The Loop on a perfect spring day,” he explains. “Our boys are lining the sideline in front of Jordan, and a few are even painted Belmont Hill blue from head to toe. On the field, one of our players has just done something remarkable, and the brotherhood is responding to this moment of excellence. To me, that picture says it all.”

Mr. Schneider also states that he is a product of the impactful teacher-coaches who shaped him, and has no doubt that athletics taught him lessons of collaboration, work ethic, and character in ways classrooms simply could not. “Now at Belmont Hill many years later, there is no question the landscape of athletics has changed. Our young men are so much more talented than we were in high school, and their commitment to sport includes far more hours outside of their already demanding Belmont Hill experience.”

belmont hill archives

FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Caroline Cushman, School Archivist

THE LOOP They are there as the varsity football team makes its way out onto the field.

They are there when the varsity hockey team scores a goal in the final seconds of the third period. They are there when the varsity basketball team hits a three-point buzzer beater. They are The Loop.

The Loop was established in 1998 by a group of Upper Schoolers to gather students for games and promote school spirit. Possibly the most vocal student cheering section in the ISL, The Loop has remained dedicated to supporting Belmont Hill athletics ever since. Here’s a look at The Loop in action.

The original Loop, 1998.

Frozen Fenway game vs. Tabor Academy, January 2017.

The Loop doing push-ups on the field during a football game, ca. 2000s.

The Loop cheers on the football team as they make their way onto the field for a game against rival St. Sebastian’s, 2019.

The Loop cheering on the basketball team at the Garden, January 2015. winter–spring 2022

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donna david retires

DONNA DAVID RETIRES AFTER 42 YEARS ON THE HILL: “The Tears in My Eyes Say It All”

By Bill Mahoney

Donna David has always been so much more than a school nurse since she arrived at Belmont Hill 42 years ago.

When she first learned of the opening, she wasn’t certain that being a school nurse was what she wanted. But that would change. “I just grew to love everything about the School,” she says emphatically. And, for the many years she has graced our campus, the Belmont Hill community has returned that love to her.

Mrs. David recalls growing up reading Sue Barton stories about nursing and says her interest in a nursing career began at a very young age, even though no one in her family had any medical background. “I just grew up knowing that’s what I wanted to do,” she recalls. “There wasn’t a light switch that came on—that passion was always there.”

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Growing up, her family moved around quite a bit to accommodate her father’s work, but she primarily resided in the Midwest. She attended a three-year nursing school in Indiana, where she met Norman David, a minister-in-training, whom she would marry. She would go on to attend St. Louis University, while her husband was in the seminary there. Eventually, they moved to California, where she attended UCLA for her graduate degree. Years later, when her husband was assigned to a new church in Belmont, they made their move.

Mrs. David was told of a nursing position opening at Belmont Hill, but had little interest. “I thought I would never be a school nurse because my idea of a school nurse was that it’s regimented to lots of paperwork and not much

JOIN US ON CAMPUS to celebrate Donna David’s service to Belmont Hill on June 1, 2022 at 6:00pm. Visit us online or contact alumni@belmonthill.org to register.

donna david retires

involvement in diagnosing or working with students,” she explains. Nevertheless, she accepted the position. “I was sort of awestruck,” she recalls. “I was put in that office and told, ‘Here’s your notebook and there are the Band-Aids!’”

With no health forms and no formal system for calling and getting to know families, she knew she had a task in front of her in modernizing the office.

In time, she saw the opportunity to expand her role.

She recalls meeting with Ted Burt, a French teacher and wrestling coach who guided boys doing independent studies that were often off campus at community sites and non-profits. “I suggested to him that we expand this and reach out to more sites in the community,” she notes.

“That’s how the community-service program started. One of our first projects was at Sancta Maria Hospital, where the boys would go in the afternoon and wrap silverware.

We’ve come quite a way since then!”

Eventually, the program built trust in the community and more organizations approached the School for help. There was work on blood drives and in nursing homes where long-time commitments were formed. She also built the School’s Peer Leader program, which still thrives today.

From there, more and more activities and responsibilities were added to her work: Party with a Purpose, Haunted Houses to raise money for cystic fibrosis, flower and cookies sales for breast cancer awareness, PIN grants for students, student work crew, and the Meadow Green Poker group where boys play games with patients. And, who could forget the annual Turkey Drives that rally the community to help feed hundreds of families in need?

She also led 21 annual community-service trips across

the country. “The service trips became a true passion of mine,” she states. “I was sometimes asked why I did the trips, since we did so much good work in the Greater Boston area. But it’s different when you go to Appalachia or actually stand where Katrina hit. Where you see people who are struggling or in need, hear their stories, and then help them. It is so important to help boys connect with and understand the real world that they learn about in books. But the work we did wasn’t in the books.”

Mrs. David gets emotional when asked what she loves most about Belmont Hill. “The tears in my eyes say it all,” she says. “I love the everyday challenges—always something different—but I really love working with the kids and their families. I do love this school, so much. I remember once we declared a ‘random act of kindness day at school,’ but we soon realized you don’t need to do that at Belmont Hill.

Everyone helps each other, opening the door for you if your hands are full, greeting you with a smile and hello, asking how you’re doing—and so many other small but important courtesies. Belmont Hill boys have a heightened awareness and a sensitivity that they can make a difference.”

As Mrs. David prepares to retire, she has no specific agenda. She intends to travel more, and indulge her special love of cruises, while also spending time with her children, Jeremy ’91, Eric ’94, and Jennifer of the Dana Hall class of ’96, as well as her ten grandchildren. Mrs. David’s profound impact on the School will live on in the tremendous legacy she has built in demonstrating to everyone in the community the importance of practicing care, kindness, and compassion in everyday life. She will be dearly missed, and cherished always.

Donna David’s legacy at Belmont Hill is one of true caring, support, and commitment to Belmont Hill boys and the community as a whole. While her expertise on health matters has always been clear, her energy for other areas of school life, such as community service, peer leaders, and diversity initiatives, has been equally impactful. I suspect all would agree that Donna’s impact on this community has been far more wide reaching than the realm of health services. I know that I have called her a few times when my own children have been in crisis, and she has always been ready to help. She has also been such a dedicated member of the Belmont community, serving so well on the town’s Board of Health for many years. Certainly, a school can never replace someone like Donna David, but we wish her well in her new endeavors. I want to thank her for making Belmont Hill a better place in so many remarkable ways.

– GREG SCHNEIDER, RONALD M. DRUKER ’62 HEAD OF SCHOOL

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ted martellini court

With a Generous Gift from Josh Isner ’04

BASKETBALL COURT NOW NAMED “TED MARTELLINI COURT”

By Bill Mahoney

On the frigid morning of January 3, 2022, the community gathered for a special Chapel that was held outdoors for safety precautions. Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School, announced that he was eager to share news of “incredible Belmont Hill spirit” to kick things off for the semester.

Mr. Schneider explained that Josh Isner ’04 had recently given two spectacular gifts to Belmont Hill. The first was in honor of his mother, Linda Hajjar Isner, who served as a Belmont Hill Parents’ Council president. In a wonderful tribute, Mr. Isner would be naming the Director of Parent Engagement Office in the Jordan Athletic Center in her name (see photo, page 47).

The second gift was directed toward a member of the audience, who had no idea what was coming. Mr. Isner, who managed the varsity basketball team while Ted Martellini coached, had gifted the School with the naming of Ted Martellini Court.

A visibly touched Mr. Martellini appeared both overjoyed and shocked. “I had no idea this was coming, and I am both deeply humbled and honored by Josh’s kindness,” he explained. “Josh was a remarkable student, an incredible manager, and an even better person. I am overwhelmed by this honor, and very, very grateful.”

During his 14 years as varsity basketball coach, Mr. Martellini compiled a record of 205-125. He has sent many players on to the collegiate level, and was widely known for getting the most out of his players. “While the achievements were wonderful, they are surpassed only by the stories,” Mr. Schneider said. “At the heart of his coaching stories are relationships that changed lives.

He has held boys accountable and watched them routinely accomplish feats that they themselves did not think were possible.”

Greg Schneider, Ted Martellini, and George Tahan. winter–spring 2022

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Ted Martellini and Josh Isner ’04, February 26, 2022, prior to the court dedication ceremony.

At the heart of his coaching stories are relationships that changed lives. He has held boys accountable and watched them routinely accomplish feats that they themselves did not think were possible.

– Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School

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Mr. Martellini, a prolific teacher of math, has touched the lives of hundreds and hundreds of boys. His warmth, wisdom, and at times biting humor have always made him a favorite among students. The loud and prolonged ovation he received when the announcement of the court’s naming was made is a testament to his popularity among the Belmont Hill community.

Mr. Isner believes that during his years at Belmont Hill, Mr. Martellini exhibited as much energy and passion on the basketball court as he did in the classroom.

“He is the model teacher-coach,” he says. “While I’m not sure my calculus has withstood the test of time, the leadership and team-building lessons I learned on that court were foundational to my career. My family and I are so grateful for the opportunity to recognize Coach Martellini in this manner.”

visiting speakers

VISITING SPEAKERS rabbi marc baker | September 13, 2021 In a School Meeting, Rabbi Marc Baker spoke about the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rabbi Baker began by sharing his own life journey and faith and outlined the meaning of the High Holidays for Jewish culture and tradition. “Religion is a technology for preserving people’s cultural traditions,” he said, “for people to stay connected to their community and to know where they come from and who they are.”

Rabbi Baker went on to explain how the High Holidays speak to all of us as human beings and can help us strive to become better each day and year. “Here is the one-two punch of character development according to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: accountability and forgiveness.”

Rabbi Baker is president and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), and has spent most of his life in Greater Boston’s Jewish community. An organizational leader and educator, he served as Head of School at Gann Academy, Greater Boston’s pluralistic Jewish high school, for 11 years prior to joining CJP.

alison crowther | September 17, 2021 The Red Bandanna

Alison Crowther, whose late son Welles’s heroic actions on 9/11 saved many lives, spoke in Chapel to share her son’s legacy and the many life lessons that can be learned from his story. Welles’s life is chronicled in the book The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi, which all students read during the summer.

Mrs. Crowther urged the boys to consider the qualities that Welles embodied and see the importance of those qualities in living a good life: compassion, caring for others, kindness. “You all have the privilege of being well educated, with teachers and parents that are devoted to giving you the best education and the best opportunity. Embrace that privilege. Embrace the gift of life that you have, because you’re in a very special place.”

Hope Rupley, Alison Crowther, and Greg Schneider.

kenya barris | October 1, 2021 Multicultural Alumni Partnership Speaker Series “Tell your story” was one of the main themes communicated by Kenya Barris during his address to the School from his home in Toluca Lake, CA. Mr. Barris, the creator of ABC’s Emmy ®-nominated series black-ish, also spoke about the creative process and leadership. Belmont Hill is grateful to Philmore Anderson ’82, a co-director of Belmont Hill’s Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP), for moderating the virtual visit with Mr. Barris.

In addition to the interview-style presentation by Mr. Anderson, Mr. Barris also candidly answered the boys’ wide variety of questions.

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The TV series black-ish, which is based on Mr. Barris’s own life, has won a Peabody Award and an AFI Award and has held the NAACP’s title of Best Comedy Series for four consecutive years. After premiering the hit spinoff series, grown-ish, he has since announced his upcoming series Besties and Bewitched. He was awarded the Humanitas Prize in 2017, as well as the Outstanding Writing NAACP Image Award in 2016 and 2017.

Belmont Hill’s MAP Speaker Series, funded by the Diversity Initiative Fund, aims to partner with speakers whose views, work, and experience align with our mission as a school to develop men of good character by educating them in mind, body, and spirit.

dr. lee levison | October 8, 2021 Cum Laude

Following the recognition of student academic achievements at the Cum Laude Chapel, Greg Schneider introduced the featured speaker, his mentor, Dr. Lee Levison, the former Head of School at the Collegiate School for Boys in New York City. Previously, he was Head of School at Kingswood Oxford School, the alma mater of faculty members Don Bradley and Tim Sullivan. He was also Dean of Faculty at Nobles, where he was a teacher and coach for Mr. Schneider. Dr. Levison paid tribute to both Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Schneider. “Tim Sullivan’s and Greg Schneider’s intellects, curiosity, determination, kindness, integrity, and hearts set a standard for me in my own life and in my expectations of others.”

Dr. Levison opened by reminding the boys that Cum Laude selection is not based solely on grade point average, but on citizenship as well. “Your commitment to excellence inspires your classmates and your teachers,” he said. “What you’ve achieved is not only a result of your hard work and dedication but also of the indefatigable support and encouragement of your family and the ardor of your teachers.”

His talk revolved around the lessons learned from the book The Craftsman, by Richard Sennett, which had a significant effect on his professional life. He shared some of the principles outlined in the book and urged the boys to consider them carefully.

rich newton ’07 | November 8, 2021 Veterans Day School Meeting

To honor Veterans Day, students and faculty assembled in Hamilton Chapel to hear from Rich Newton, Belmont Hill Class of 2007. “It’s essential that we pause and reflect upon those who have sacrificed so much for us to be here each and every day,” said Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School.

Mr. Newton attended Colby College on an ROTC Scholarship and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the Army in 2011. He served as a Special Forces Officer until 2021, when he left active duty to pursue an MBA at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. While in the Army, Mr. Newton deployed to Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Mr. Newton said he wanted to share things he would have wanted to know when he was a Belmont Hill student and imparted lessons he learned in his ten years in the Army.

1. Be better. Every single day, try to find a way to improve yourself.

2. Be a professional. Be prepared and on time. Understand what is going on around you and act accordingly.

3. Be kind. Make the people around you feel comfortable.

4. Be humble. You will meet a lot of people in your lives. Many of them won’t have the same academic pedigree as you. That doesn’t mean they know less than you. Every single person you meet has something to teach you; you just have to be humble enough to hear it.

5. Be the change you want to see. I joined the military because it was exciting. I quickly found myself outside of my comfortable bubble. Everything I’ve learned in the past ten years was through service. You may not realize it right now sitting in these seats, but all of you have been given a lot...so make it count. Keep fighting for the change you want to see. Fight every day as hard as you can and never quit until you make it a reality.

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david brooks | November 15, 2021 David Brooks is a New York Times columnist and the author of The Road to Character and The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life. He is also a contributing editor at Newsweek and The Atlantic Monthly, and a commentator on NPR and the PBS NewsHour. Mr. Brooks spoke to the boys about his own thoughts on character. He gave the example of what he referred to as “Résumé Virtues,” professional rather than ethical, and “Eulogy Virtues,” which refer to how you might be viewed and remembered when you’re gone. He spoke of character as falling in love with a belief and building a structure around it. He urged the boys to consider what their true love might be.

Mr. Brooks explained that he writes at least 1,000 words every single day, usually before his first cup of coffee. He encouraged the boys to think about their writing and to exhibit structure and discipline to it.

He closed by talking about the concept of joy. Happiness, he said, is feeling big about yourself, while joy is “self-extinction.” The highest joy is spiritual—not necessarily religious—but not centered on yourself.

In the evening, Mr. Brooks engaged parents in a discussion. The basis of his talk stemmed from nurturing three desirable personality traits: seeing with understanding, affirming with insight, and critiquing with care.

tim sullivan | November 22, 2021 Thanksgiving School Meeting

In a moving School Meeting prior to Thanksgiving Break, Mr. Sullivan was honored with the Michael T. Sherman Chair in Mathematics and spoke about gratitude in a speech to the boys. The Chair was established in 2015 by Lyn and Tod Rodger and friends to honor a faculty member for excellence in the teaching of mathematics and for a broad commitment to students and school life.

After accepting the Chair from Mr. Schneider, Mr. Sullivan then addressed the students and reminded them of all they had to be grateful for. In particular, Mr. Sullivan paid tribute to the many staff members who often work behind the scenes to make the School run so well each and every day. “There are so many great people at Belmont Hill who make the campus go and make each day possible so that we can learn and play,” he stated. “Please make sure that you thank them.”

He closed by offering some words of wisdom on how the boys could best enjoy a restful and meaningful Thanksgiving Day. “Be present, be grateful for what you have, and who you have to spend it with.”

judge taswell papier | December 3, 2021 Kageyama-Hunt Lecture Series Speaking remotely from South Africa, Judge Taswell Papier, was joined

by Professor David Wilkins in the Chapel for the annual Kageyama-Hunt Lecture Series. Having grown up during apartheid, experiencing racism and violence, Judge Papier has dedicated his career to eradicating an unjust system. As a human rights lawyer, he became renowned for his pro bono work. In 2006, he was awarded the UK Global Lawyer of the Year Award, a first for Africa. In 2014, while at ENSafrica, the largest law firm in Africa, he was inducted as a fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in

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Boston. He attended Harvard Law School, where he and Professor Wilkins (a Belmont Hill parent of an alumnus and former trustee) became connected. In 2017, Judge Papier was appointed to the Western Cape High Court.

At the conclusion of his presentation, Judge Papier referenced the National Anthem of South Africa. The anthem was adopted in 1997 and is a hybrid song combining new English lyrics with extracts of the 19th-century hymn “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” and the Afrikaans song “Die Stem van Suid-Afrika,” which was used as the South African national anthem during the apartheid era. Koame Kota, a Form IV exchange student visiting from Bishops Diocesan College (Cape Town, South Africa), beautifully sang the anthem to close the program and received a rousing standing ovation from his classmates.

The Kageyama-Hunt Lecture Series, established in 2012 by Belmont Hill parents Bill and Yuko Hunt, brings speakers to campus who model global citizenship and can inspire generations of Belmont Hill boys to embrace the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world.

olympians chapel | January 6, 2022 Alexander Richards ’14 (Crew - Team USA), Dara Alizadeh ’11 (Crew - Team Bermuda), Andrew Reed ’10 (Crew - Team USA), and Ben Wanger ’15 (Baseball - Team Israel), participated in the Summer 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in the summer of 2021). ​​It goes without saying that it was extraordinary to have four Belmont Hill graduates competing last summer in the Tokyo Olympics. It was a privilege to have them together and back on campus to speak to the students. Crew and baseball athletes were in attendance in the Hamilton Chapel while students watched from a livestream feed with their advisory group. The School was honored to unveil their Olympic banners, which will proudly hang in the Jordan Athletic Center with the 12 Belmont Hill Olympians that preceded them.

julie nicoletti | January 13 & 27, 2022 As a nationally renowned sports nutritionist and founder of Kinetic Fuel, Julie Nicoletti draws from years of experience as a registered pharmacist and certified sports nutritionist to provide personalized education and counseling to high school, collegiate, and professional athletes, as well as motivated adults. She is the sports nutritionist for the NHL Boston Bruins and AHL Providence Bruins and consults with many NCAA Collegiate athletic programs, specialized camps, and elite travel sports teams. Ms. Nicoletti is a competitive athlete herself and a recent top 25 AG Ironman Finisher. In a series of sessions geared to sports teams and then by age group, Ms. Nicoletti presented “Fueling Your Day and Finding Success Through Nutrition.” She held a larger session for Middle School students and smaller group sessions for skiers and wrestlers as well as hockey, basketball, and squash players. She reviewed the importance of hydration,

Bryson Rosser, Julie Nicoletti, Hope Rupley, and Jen Ruys.

and offered tips for selecting meals (find a protein and then add three colors, opt for clean nutrition, eat recognizable food, select from the fridge and not the cabinet), and suggested healthy snacks that can keep you going throughout the day by planning, preparing, and packing. The sessions were engaging, with time for questions and answers. Belmont Hill is thrilled to partner with Ms. Nicoletti as a resource for our students through a collaboration of the Belmont Hill Athletics and Health & Wellness teams. Ms. Nicoletti also presented to parents on January 24.

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mayor ruthanne fuller | January 14, 2022 Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller (P ’06, ’06, ’09) spoke in the Chapel offering thoughts on leadership and public service. Mayor Fuller was invited to speak by Luke Carroll ’22, a Newton resident and Belmont Hill class president, who also introduced her.

Mayor Fuller began her talk by reflecting on leadership, which she feels is paramount at Belmont Hill. “Belmont Hill, at its core, is a school centered on imparting leadership skills,” she said. “Belmont Hill constantly creates a learning environment where leadership is on display and where the curriculum and pedagogy, your teacher-coach model, and your faculty, encourage each of you to develop and hone your leadership skills.” She explained the Greg Schneider, Mark Fuller ’06, Jeff Fast, Ruthanne Fuller, many ways both in the classroom and in other activities that students have Chris Richards, and Luke Carroll ’22. the opportunity to grow their leadership skills. “I know that many of you will go on to lead organizations; I hope some of you will run for public office, and even start your own families. Don’t underestimate the leadership skills and the service to others that each of those takes.”

She then went on to talk about her work as mayor, and the wide range of responsibilities that come with the job. “Beyond that, a mayor is certainly a community organizer, a listener-in-chief, a moral compass.” She outlined the many issues facing the City of Newton, some of which are quite complex and challenging.

Mayor Fuller stressed to the boys how fortunate they are to be at a school such as Belmont Hill, with the myriad opportunities it offers.

“Take your classes seriously, but take the practical lessons of life that you’re learning here at Belmont Hill even more so: acting with compassion, persisting in the face of diversity, valuing teamwork, working hard, serving others.”

Mayor Fuller was an active Belmont Hill volunteer beginning when her sons were students, serving on the board of trustees and chairing the committee on trustees.

imari paris jeffries | January 18, 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Program

To honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of King Boston, spoke to the School virtually about the legacy of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King. In opening the program, Mr. Paris Jeffries asked us to consider the inequities embedded within the technologies, structures, and ways of thinking we use every day. “The use of technology and high-speed internet used during the program is something not available in many communities of color, so I invite you to join King Boston in also acknowledging all this as well as our shared responsibility: to make good of this time, and for each of us to consider our roles in reconciliation, economic justice, cultural representations, and allyship.”

King Boston is a program of the Boston Foundation working closely with the City of Boston to create a living memorial to the Kings and their time and work together in Boston. The memorial is intended to inspire visitors to reflect on the values of racial and economic justice that both espoused. The memorial, entitled The Embrace, will be anchored on Boston Common, where, in 1965, Dr. King called Boston to live by its highest ideals. When it is completed, with a dedication currently planned for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Weekend 2023, The Embrace will provide a living space for conversation, education, and reflection on the racial and economic justice ideals of Dr. and Mrs. King, and will serve as a permanent monument to their time in Boston, a period in which they attended college, met and fell in love, and which helped shape their approach to a just and equitable society. The monument is an abstract interpretation of an iconic photo of them hugging.

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Arts on the Hill

arts on the hill

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Upper School Jazz Ensemble — Charles Geddes ’22, baritone saxophone; Derrick Huang ’25, alto saxophone; Davi Ribeiro ’23, alto saxophone; Will Lloyd ’23, tenor saxophone; and Tawanda Masiiwa ’25, tenor saxophone.

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Charlie Cave ’22.

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Andrew Drummer ’22.

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Zaara Mehra (Winsor School) and Wesley Lindstrom-Chalpin ’25 in Take Ten.

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Jarrett Chen ’22.

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T.Z. Snail ’26, keyboard.

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Kailen Richards ’22.

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Jeremy Eaton ’23 and Joshua Houston-Davis ’23 in Take Ten.

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Rafael Rodriguez Montgomery ’24.

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Upper School Jazz Ensemble — Daniel Bittner ’22, trumpet; David Carter ’22, trumpet; Andrew Bittner ’24, trumpet; and David Luo ’25, trumpet.

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(Foreground) Daniel Rashes ’22, (background) Jeremy Eaton ’23, and Julian Boutin ’24 in Take Ten.

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Greg Schneider, guitar and voice; Will Kelly ’23, voice.

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Rafael Rodriguez Montgomery ’24.

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Upper School Rock Band — Cameron Connell ’23, guitar; and Nathan Pappas ’24, keyboard.

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Nate Voss ’24.

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Orchestra — Meghan Carye, assistant conductor; inner ring, left to right: Howard Huang ’22, violin; Wesley Zhu ’25, violin; Cotter Healey ’26, violin; Jayden Lotin ’26, violin; Timothée Simonin ’22, cello; Jaiden Lee ’26, cello; Brian Lee ’24, cello; outer ring, left to right: Ryan Chang-Wu ’27, violin; Aleksander Vasu ’22, guitar; and T.Z. Snail ’26, violin.

17.

Vincent Mezzanotte ’25.

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T.J. Cannistraro ’24, bass guitar.

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Boston Ezedi ’26, Thomas Danahy ’26, and James Keefe ’25 in Take Ten.

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20. Yusuf Ibrahim ’25.

21.

B-Flats — Koame Kota ’24 (exchange student), voice; Jacob Czarnecki ’22, voice; Gabriel Klug ’22, voice; Will Kelly ’23, voice; and Mr. Patterson, keyboard.

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22. Thomas Dolan ’25.

23. Jin Lee ’25, William Achtmeyer ’26, and Davis Barrett ’26 in Take Ten.

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24. Middle School Glee — Henry Ramanathan, ’26, T.Z. Snail ’26, Nick Fantasia ’27, Jack Santonelli ’26, Marcus Huang ’27, Peter Wall ’27, and Donnell Patterson.

25. Yusuf Ibrahim ’25.

26. Upper School Jazz Ensemble — back row, left to right: Alexander Behn ’24, trombone; Daniel Bittner ’22, trumpet; David Carter ’22, trumpet; Andrew Bittner ’24, trumpet; David Luo ’25, trumpet; front row, left to right: Charles Geddes ’22, baritone saxophone; Derrick Huang ’25, alto saxophone; Davi Ribeiro ’23, alto saxophone; Will Lloyd ’23, tenor saxophone; Tawanda Masiiwa ’25, tenor saxophone; and Dan Fiori.

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Coaches’ Corner

coaches’ corner

Cross Country TYSON TRAUTZ, Head Coach

Throughout this season, the team made incredible strides towards self-improvement. Led by senior captains James Donahue and Thomas Romney, we finished with 11 wins and four losses.

Despite missing both captains because of injury, the team won its first race at Thayer. The following week, the team ran its only home race at Homecoming against St. Mark’s, winning 18-45. On October 2, the team competed in a quad meet at Nobles, including Tabor and St. Sebastian’s.

Nobles is known for its treacherous course due to the technical trails and rooty hills. Fortunately, the team came out healthy and victorious, defeating Nobles 20-35, Tabor 19-40, and St. Sebastian’s 21-38. James Donahue broke the course record of 16:52 set in the week prior by Cooper Austen of Middlesex School.

Over the next two weeks, the team had its most intense practices and picked up victories against Rivers, Brooks, and Lawrence. On October 23, we faced our most challenging competition yet on a muddy, hilly Groton course. We lost to Roxbury Latin, Groton, and Milton.

Despite the overall grim team performance, numerous individuals set PRs. Notably, Nate Voss ’24 and Mac Bobo ’23 shaved off over two minutes from their times the week before.

The following week, Belmont Hill faced off against Middlesex, St. George’s, and BB&N. The team endured a day of harsh conditions, including a downpour and 30 mph winds defeating two of the three teams. It was a positive race leading into the ISL Championship the following Friday, November 5. James Donahue broke the course record, running a 16:06, breaking the previous

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record by 14 seconds. Will Trautz ’27 ran very well, running as the #2 placing eighth with an 18:30. The team moved forward with a positive mindset and confidence through the next week of tapering with the hopes of peaking on the biggest race of the year.

The team prioritized sleep, nutrition, and mental preparation throughout the week, traveling to Wrentham on Wednesday to tour the new course. The race site is the premier MSTCA course for public schools, so it would be an excellent chance to compare our performances amongst the state. Friday arrived, and the team executed, defeating two groups that previously defeated us in the regular season, earning a third-place finish. Individually, the team made champions in both the varsity and junior varsity races. James Donahue finished with a time of 15:09.76, 36 seconds ahead of second place. Davis Woolbert ’25 had an impressive race, pulling away on the final stretch and dipping under the 18-minute barrier. Miles Sandoski ’24 finished with All ISL honors in a 17th-place finish. Will Trautz ’27, ran a 17:17 in a 27th-place finish. Will performed consistently all year as the third runner for the team.

Belmont Hill cross country’s final competition took place at Phillips Academy against the Division 1 prep schools.

The team placed 9th out of 15 teams. Donahue placed second, running a 15:36; Romney ran sub 18, finishing in 40th place.

Football CHRIS BUTLER, Head Coach

The varsity football team finished the 2021 season with a final record of 1-7. However, after not playing the previous fall due to COVID-19, the players and coaches were grateful to compete again. This year’s team worked extremely hard during the offseason to prepare. The team was led by senior captains Michael Ahonen, Henry Lodge, and Nolan Parchesky. In addition, several other members of Form VI served as key starters on the team, and numerous Form V and Form IV students earned the opportunity to start in key roles on defense and offense. During the preseason, the team played well in scrimmages against Middlesex and Avon Old Farms.

A young Belmont Hill team faced one of the most challenging schedules in the program’s history.

The season opener proved to be a thrilling and hard-fought game against Lawrence Academy, but Belmont Hill came up short on the scoreboard after two overtimes. After the opening loss, the team played Roxbury Latin. The boys rallied for an exciting 21-14 win. A highlight of the season was facing off against St. Sebastian’s at home in a game that was played in memory of Rich Faro ’82. The game provided an opportunity for alumni from the 1981 football team to celebrate their captain, Rich Faro, and the 40th anniversary of their championship season. Following the game, a current player, Calogero LoGrasso ’23, presented the Faro family with a game shirt. While the team did not fare well in terms of wins and losses, they improved and worked hard to support one another on and off the field each week. Throughout the entire season, they never backed down from adversity. In both success and defeat throughout the season, the team consistently displayed great character and strove to compete in each game and throughout practice each week.

The 2021 winner of the team’s MVP award was Michael Ahonen ’22. Albert McField-Zapata ’22 received the Most Improved Player Award. The recipient of the Henry B. Sawyer Sportsmanship Award was Matthew Martines ’22.

Nolan Parchesky ’22 (offensive line), Albert Greene ’22 (linebacker), Brian Gallucci ’22 (defensive back), and Thomas Rupley ’25 (defensive line) were named to the All-Independent School League second team. Michael Ahonen (wide receiver), Calogero LoGrasso (defensive line), and Albert McField-Zapata (running back) were named to the All-Independent School League first team.

Michael Ahonen was also selected to the First Team Class A All-New England Team. The captains elect for the 2022 season are Calogero LoGrasso and Christopher Milmoe ’23.

I am grateful for the consistent hard work and leadership of the graduating players. Throughout their careers, their contributions to the Belmont Hill football program have made them part of the football tradition at Belmont Hill and have paved the way for future success.

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coaches’ corner

Soccer JORGE MONTOYA, Head Coach

After an abbreviated 2020 season, the varsity soccer team was eager to take the field this fall with a full slate of ISL matches and three non-league games. This year’s roster included many players who were playing in their first varsity season with the team, and hopefully the players can learn from these experiences ahead of next year. After several years near the top of the ISL, the team finished in 8th place (7-7-1) and with an overall record of 7-8-3.

The season began on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in September with Belmont Hill welcoming Bridgton Academy to campus. The game ended 1-1 after both teams fought through some early season fatigue. Another draw against Andover, followed by a 3-0 defeat to Exeter set the stage for a showdown with rival BBN to open up the ISL campaign. In a thrilling game that came down to the final minute, both teams fought hard for a 2-2 draw. The result extended Belmont Hill’s unbeaten streak against BBN to seven games.

Belmont Hill was finally able to earn its first victory of the season, 4-3, against Groton the following Wednesday before adding its second win, 5-0, on the road against Tabor. The team struggled for results across the next three weeks, dropping four of the next five games against

Rivers (0-2), Nobles (1-2), St. Sebastian’s (1-3), and Middlesex (0-3) while picking up a difficult road win against St. George’s (2-1).

In what would become the team’s best performance of the season, Belmont Hill showed tremendous toughness to defeat previously undefeated Brooks 3-2 on Brooks’ home field. Belmont Hill’s back line of Ian Hendrix ’24, Kailen Richards ’22, Lucca Micciche ’24, Max Carboni ’23, and Scott Black ’24 was outstanding in stifling and frustrating a talented Brooks forward group. Two goals from Alex Vittal ’24 and a timely PK finish from captain Will Lloyd ’23 were enough to see out the victory.

Belmont Hill would then play four games in six days, a test of the group’s mental and physical endurance. A win against Thayer (4-1) and losses to Milton (1-3), Roxbury Latin (1-2), and Lawrence (1-2) were disappointing, although all three games were determined in the final 10 minutes. The team finished the year with two solid wins against St. Mark’s (4-3) and Governors (4-0).

Several individual players were awarded All-League selections this year: Will Lloyd ’23 and Jack Albers ’22 were All-League selections while Alex Vittal ’24 earned All-League Honorable Mention. In house, Lloyd and Albers were awarded the Coach’s Award (MVP), Kailen Richards ’22 earned the Most Improved Player Award, and Zach Dines ’22 was awarded the Sportsmanship Award. Next year’s captains will be Will Lloyd ’23 and Max Carboni ’23.

With such a young team, this year’s group relied on the experience and leadership of a large group of seniors.

Zach Dines managed the majority of the minutes in net this year and kept the team in so many close games thanks to his timely saves and competitive attitude. Jack Albers, Salman Yonis, and Sasha Vasu were formidable strikers, scoring key goals and contributing big minutes offensively and defensively. Owen Gerah also contributed throughout the midfield, showing his utility in the center of the field as well as on the wing. Charlie March, Kailen Richards, and Timo Simonin all logged valuable minutes in the back, making it difficult for opposing forwards to find room and time.

The returning players would like to thank the senior class for their commitment and contributions to the program.

Finally, the team would like to thank parents, students, and supporters for a fun season.

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Alumni & Family Events

alumni events

Young Alumni Red Sox Gathering August 10, 2021

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Matt Savage ’19, Yonas Dinkneh ’13, Dan Kreytak ’13, Teddy Mitropoulos ’11, and Tyson Trautz.

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Young and Recent Alumni assembled at Fenway Park for the annual Red Sox gathering.

3.

Tommy Smith ’19, Will LaFarge ’19, Matt Goguen ’19, Matt Smith ’19, Kevin O’Boy ’19, and Matt Savage ’19.

4.

Greg Loukas ’12, Matt Ryan ’14, Mihir Gulati ’14, and Jack O’Hara ’13.

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Class of 2020 Family Gathering August 17, 2021

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The Class of 2020 and their families gathered together in August for their long-overdue graduation celebration.

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Kristin McHugh, Jack McHugh ’20, and Robert Ramsey.

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Jason Wolf ’20 and his parents, Sherri and Doug ’84.

4.

Liam Peterson ’20 and Jack Weldon ’20.

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Charlie Donahue ’20 and his parents, Marie and Andrew ’85.

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alumni events

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Summer Reception August 25, 2021 1.

Shiyoung Roh and Willian Weiter ’16.

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Cecili Yoan-Tanie, Martin Tarlie, Lori Stanger, and Harry Stanger.

3.

Jianzhu Chen, Mekdem Abebe, and Samuel Shalemo.

4.

Anna Truman, Mike Ascione, Kate Ascione, Amy Schneider, and Greg Schneider.

5.

Imad Atalla, Kathleen Hamill, Carl Dawson ’72, and Karen Dawson.

6.

Karen and Paul Lynch with Carrie and Arnold Huang.

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30th Annual Henry B. Sawyer, Jr. ’32 Golf Tournament and Auction September 27, 2021

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The Golf Committee is excited to announce that this tournament raised the funds needed to complete a fifth endowed scholarship.

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1.

Christian Brunner, Joe Norberg, Jeff Drucker ’90, and Shawn Hurley ’90.

2.

Roger Cogswell ’53 and Bill Cleary ’52.

3.

Golfers gather outside the Concord Country Club for a reception.

4.

Chris Morrisey ’05, Kevin Yetman ’06, Garrett Hatton ’05, and Will Forde ’05.

5.

Dan Ronan ’94, Kenny Martin ’65, and Kevin McCafferty.

6.

Cole Durbin ’14, Greg Paul ’09, Joe Tully ’84, and Matt Ryan ’14.

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save the date Monday, September 19, 2022 31st Annual Henry B. Sawyer, Jr. ’32 Golf Tournament and Auction Concord Country Club

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alumni events

Homecoming September 25, 2021

1.

The Aldrich family: Alison, Charlotte, Scottie, and Scott ’01.

2.

Parents’ Council volunteers: Katie Healey, Krista Mezzanotte, Meghan Weldon, Mary Chen, Gemma Hogan, Kate Crowley, and Tammy Kastner.

3.

Carl Dawson ’72, Eric Dawson ’15, and Juliette Zener.

4.

Dave Bordeau ’96, Ryan Ganong ’09, and Lilly Ganong.

5.

Joe Curtin ’80, David Walker ’82, Rick Ganong ’82, Ken Chicos ’80, and Mike Travaglini.

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Head of the Charles October 24, 2021

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Cole Durbin ’14, Margaret Irwin, and Stephen George.

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Jack Richards ’16, Alex Afeyan ’16, and George Hu ’16.

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From stern to bow: Stephen Warming ’22, Howard Huang ’22, Andrew Bittner ’24, Charles Geddes ’22, and coxswain Brian Lee ’24. The crew finished 14th, one spot ahead of their seeded rank.

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Roseangela and David Edlin ’79 with Greg Schneider.

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Tom Morimor, Marshall Knight ’17, William Ryan ’17, and Tony Ryan.

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Class Notes

class notes

ALUMNI, FACULTY, AND STAFF: We would love to hear from you and share your latest news with the Belmont Hill School community.

Please email your notes and photos to alumni@belmonthill.org. Length and content are subject to editorial approval; some submissions may appear as excerpts. The deadline for the Summer/Fall Bulletin is June 1, 2022.

VETERAN’S PROFILE: Have you served in the military? To be publicly recognized in the Belmont Hill School Military Register, please complete the online form found under “Alumni” on the website. If you have any questions, please call the Alumni Office at 617.993.5203.

1952

70 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

Bill Cleary, Sr. (father of BILL ’52 and BOB ’54) was posthumously inducted into the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame in the Legends category for his work as a referee. Mr. Cleary was a longtime hockey referee and baseball umpire, who worked countless games in both sports at every level, from high school to professional. He was widely known as a hockey referee, making his debut in 1929, working a pair of GBI League games. In addition to high school, prep school, and college games, he refereed at the professional level. He officiated in National Hockey League games at Boston Garden, serving as a linesman. He refereed the first NCAA Championship hockey game in 1948, which was held in Colorado Springs. He also served as an umpire in the New England Baseball League and elsewhere. He was fortunate to be an umpire at Ted Williams’ first at-bat in New England in a pre-season exhibition game played at Holy Cross.

ELY PIERCE ’52 writes, “Retired 2012 in Maine after 40 years in consulting (Maritz Inc. in St. Louis for 15 years, BI in Minneapolis for 12 years). And, 12 years in residential real estate sales at Boston Otis & Ahearn. Split time between our retirement home in Topsham, ME and Tucson, AZ. Moving to Tucson permanently in October 2021.”

1957

65 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

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1962

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60 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

GEOFF WHEELER-BARTOL ’62 writes, “I graduated from Lawrence University and then got my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1972. I worked for the Tacoma Veterans Hospital as treatment coordinator, then director of the Vietnam Vets drug treatment program, then outpatient coordinator, for a total of 10 years. Married Ann Wheeler and we did a 10-month bike tour honeymoon across Canada and down the U.S. coast. We moved to Sisters/Bend, OR, commuting to Portland as Ann got her law degree and worked for Bend St. Charles Medical Center as the psychologist for the hospital and then the physical rehab program (head injuries, strokes, spinal injuries) another 10 years and then did psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for Social Security Disability. We bought a house on Salt Spring Island, BC, in 1996, vacationed there and then moved full time in 2013.

We became Canadian citizens in 2017.

Saw Mike Lee on his great tour and see Steve Landfried on his occasional trips west. We continued doing yearly bike tours in the U.S. and Canada until Covid.”

1964 JERRY GREEN ’64 writes, “I am now retired from medicine, spending almost equal time on Martha’s Vineyard and Santa Rosa, CA, where I’m a soccer Grandpa. I love living on both coasts.”

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Hockey referee Bill Cleary, Sr., father of Bill ’52 and Bob ’54.

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Sueli and John Murray ’53 celebrating their 30th anniversary.

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Sueli and John Murray ’53 spent Christmas with their relatives in Brazil. Lea, John, Sueli, Dona Lourdes, Suviene, Maria Luiza, and Silvana.

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class notes

1967

55 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

This from JAY PARIS ’67: “I’ve been making documentary films with a social justice emphasis through an organization I co-founded called beheard.world (www. beheard.world). I am pleased to report that my latest film, Invisible Imprints, won best feature documentary at the LA Sun Film Festival in January of 2022 and continues to have a strong festival run.

I am currently working with a team in Los Angeles on a docu-series about cops and kids. Having a lot of creative fun with no desire to retire. MARTY MUGAR ’67 and I stay in touch. Appreciated JOHN GRADY ’66’s missive with a link to the ’67 class yearbook where we all appear apple cheeked and unknowing about where life would take us. My wife, choreographer Anna Myer, and I split our time between a loft in a converted Chelsea, MA, factory and a renovated barn on the edge of the White Mountains when not on the road with projects or visiting family and friends. I wish all my classmates good health and happiness.”

1969 This from MIKE NASH ’69: “I ran the Paris marathon on October 17, 2021, and it was a great experience. Paris is a

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big marathon, normally close to 50,000 people. Even in this Covid-reduced year, there were 30,000-plus runners. The effort to spread out the runners resulted in an extended starting process. The elites left at 8:00 am. The last coral, which I was in, left at 11:30 am. We started after the elites had finished! This was nice since I had until 11:00 am to get ready and make the short walk from the hotel to the starting line—very civilized. My goal was to go out slow and then pick up speed at Mile 8 and again at Mile 22. That didn’t happen. My slow pace didn’t work well as, and despite the spread of runners, I was in the way. I was bumped and asked to move aside quite often. There were also several people in an extended wheelchair being pulled by teams of four to six people who wanted to move faster than I planned.

At Mile 22, I was free to run ‘as fast as possible.’ This was pretty slow for some time, despite my thinking I could pick up the pace when I planned the race. A short mile or so later, I entered the Bois de Boulogne, a second park, which had an uncomfortable stone surface. I ran on the dirt beside the road as a result. At about the start of Mile 24, a procession of official electric vehicles pulled alongside the runners. I was concerned that these were warning cars since it was close to the cut-off time for the race. A few runners

The course exits the park near the finish, which I did in good time. I was quite pleased to see Lisa at the agreed meeting point. In all, the weather was great, the course was challenging and rewarding, and the experience was first-rate. I recommend you try Paris if you are running marathons.”

1972

Jack Fisher ’66 visited the Alumni House in December and brought a gift of his father’s (legendary faculty member Jack Fisher) Belmont Hill game films for the School archives.

2.

Alan Woodward ’67 and his wife, Elise, and grandchildren, Hughes and Parker, in Bermuda.

3.

Jay Paris ’67.

4.

Mike Nash ’69.

50 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

From PETER GUILD ’72 comes: “I’m glad that I have lived my life. However, I have many years still to live. Many of my friends have died, which leaves holes.”

RICH O’CONNELL ’72 writes, “I live in the Augusta, GA, community, the place I have called home for the better part of 40 years. I met my beautiful wife, Kathy, a small-town South Carolina girl, back in 1978, and eventually added two children Laura (Derek) and Richard (Sarah), lots of dogs and cats, and a few acres of land.

Probably all I ever wanted or needed.

Shortly after receiving my bachelor’s degree from Brown in 1976, I took a position with a multinational company that assisted in improving potable water and natural gas systems throughout the

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picked up their pace, and I did too. I ran my fastest mile during Mile 24! Where I got the energy is not clear, but it worked.

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Western Hemisphere, often in Third World and developing countries. During this work, we were fortunate to live in some neat places. Two years in Chile and Easter Island possibly tops our short list. After seven years of basically living out of a suitcase, we decided to settle down and hopefully raise a family in a more stable environment. Augusta fit the bill for us, and we permanently moved here in 1984. I spent the next 12 years in management roles with an LTL (less than truckload) trucking company, Roadway Express, and then the next 24 in the waste and recycling industry. I retired from full-time work in 2019 as a district manager with Waste Management Inc. I continue to hold a part-time consulting role with Waste Management, primarily coordinating the waste and recycling program for the Augusta National and Masters tournaments. Golf is my passion, family and friends are my joy, Kathy is my love, and travel fulfills my need for adventure. Looking back on my four years at Belmont Hill, I’ve grown to appreciate the exceptional educational experience that I was afforded. Great teachers, sports, and classmates. I hope to catch up one day with some old classmates, but in the meantime, take care and God Bless!”

STORER (BOB) ROWLEY ’72 writes: “I have been at Northwestern University for 12 years, a former assistant vice president of Media

Relations for the University and now current co-director of the Politics, Policy & Foreign Affairs specialization in the MSJ Program at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, where I teach the Politics seminar to MSJ students and a Journalism in Practice class on Israel to Medill’s undergraduates. I also teach content and influencer marketing in the MSC Program at the School of Communication.

I lecture, too, on education, public policy advocacy, communication, and foreign reporting at Northwestern and other universities. Before that I spent 30 years at the Chicago Tribune, the final seven of them as national editor. I served as a member of the editorial board there, writing about foreign affairs and defense issues. I was a foreign correspondent for 12 years based in Mexico, Canada, and Israel, and before that served as the Tribune’s White House and Pentagon correspondents in Washington, D.C., and as a national correspondent based in Dallas. I still write op-eds for the Tribune and Washington Monthly.”

1975 Congratulations to DR. RACHEL LEVINE ’75, the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who made history as the first openly transgender four-star officer across the nation’s eight uniformed services. Dr. Levine was sworn in as the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps’ highest-ranking official on October 19, 2021.

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1.

Kelly and Andy Cadiff ’73 and their daughters, Sophie and Isabella, joined by Kelly’s parents, Kev and Sue Willis, on the occasion of their 60th birthdays. Looking down the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach.

2.

Andrea and Dan Schley ’73 competed in the mixed doubles event at the 2021 Head of the Charles Regatta in an extremely competitive field, finishing in the top half. They rowed with Belmont Hill oars and really appreciated the roar of enthusiasm as they passed the School’s dock.

3.

1973 classmates Jim McGrath, Jim Burnham, and Tom Magno take a ride on McGrath’s newly restored (by him) 1947 Century Sea Maid.

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Admiral Rachel Levine, MD ’75.

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class notes

1977

45 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

From JOHN EHRMAN ’77 comes: “I’m still living and working in London, where I’ve been since Labor Day 2019. It hasn’t turned out as expected, to say the least, and I’ll be returning to the U.S. this fall.

The good news, though, is that when the last lockdown ended this summer, I connected with DAVID TWEEDY ’77.

The attached photo is from December, when we went to hear Handel’s Messiah.”

DAVID TWEEDY ’77 writes: “After 35 years in mortgage finance, I retired in January 2020. I trained for a year to become a teacher, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. I qualified but chose not to take up a teaching role. I decided that, as a newly qualified teacher, it would be too much hard work for a man of my age. I am sure

I made the right decision. Teaching is tough, especially the first few years. So now, I’m trying to start another lender.

It would be my fourth startup. I’m still playing hockey and riding my road bike quite a lot, also sailing and skiing when I can. I became politically active in the last U.S. election, made many hundreds of phone calls to Americans abroad to encourage them to register to vote and to explain how they could register.”

STEVEN LUBRANO ’77 writes: “I’ve been at Tuck for almost 30 years, occupying most every administrative position one can imagine. As a 1987 Tuck graduate, going to work every day on a college campus feels very comfortable and Hanover, NH, has been a great place to raise a family. I get a special thrill out of meeting Belmont Hill alumni who are

looking at MBA programs, and I’ve found that THEY are among the top students we matriculate. As much as football and crew were great teams, I’ve got to tip my hat to the wrestling program for my fondest memories.”

This from CHRIS O’CONNELL ’77: “Graduated from West Point in 1981, followed by six years of active duty as an Infantry Officer. Began my civilian career in commercial real estate with Spaulding & Slye. Got married to Sue, now wife of 30 years, and transitioned to financial services. Opened the Private Bank in Boston and Providence for Webster Bank.

Have three children, which has kept me busy for the last 27 years. Enjoy my free time with the family. Some of my fondest memories were Mr. Duncan’s noon announcements from the podium.”

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John Ehrman and David Tweedy, 1977 classmates.

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1977 classmates Tom Darling, Curtis Whitney, Hal Melcher, and John Ehrman in front of Ted Saraceno’s gift shop in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Belmont Hill Wrestling, 1977.

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David ’80, Fran, and Pete Landau ’86 visited the Landau Gallery in February and enjoyed the current show, “Hooves, Paws, and Claws,” by Abigail Kaplan.

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1982 40 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022 Belmont Hill Football Game in Memory of Rich Faro ’82 November 4, 2021 Faro was co-captain of the football team, and an integral member of the back-to-back, undefeated, championship-winning Belmont Hill varsity football teams in the fall of 1980 and 1981.

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Brian McManus, Diane Faro, and James Faro.

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David LoGrasso ’23.

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James Faro, Lauren Faro Griffin, Diane Faro, David LoGrasso ’23, Christine Faro, and Brian McManus.

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Bob Sousa and Chip Dewar.

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Kneeling: Scott Webster ’82, Chris Sweeney ’83, Paul Stanton ’81, and Billy McNamara ’82. Second row: Paul Carroll ’81, Scott Fusco ’81, Chip Dewar, Bill Cleary ’81, and David Anderson ’82. Third row: Steve Kaplan ’83, Warren Fields ’81, Mark Vaughan ’83, Scott Gieselman ’81, David Kaplan ’83, and Rick Ganong ’82.

1986 FRANK MOONEY ’86 writes: “No travel needed for us April through October as our two sons work with us in the rafting business, so we travel abroad to see them.

One son and daughter-in-law will be at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Her name is Paula Moltzan, and she is an Alpine skier. Our son, Ryan, is a U.S. coach and technician. Cheer for her in February in the slalom and giant slalom events.”

1987

35 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

1992

30 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

This from GRAHAM ROBINSON ’92: “Twenty years ago, I would have told you I expect to live in the New York City area for the rest of my life.

Now, Belmont Hill’s 30th reunion is on the calendar, and my 12-year-old son is starting at the School. Amazing! I’ll keep it short, as we can catch up in May. I went to Penn, then to law school at Harvard, then worked in a law firm. I focused on M&A, spent some time in Manhattan, got married to a cancer surgeon (now retired and teaching), had a daughter, Sofie, now at Winsor, and then we decided to be closer to family and moved back to Weston.

Had a son, David, who starts Form I in fall 2021. Work and family keep us busy. I still find a little bit of time for photography and piano. Looking forward to catching up with many of you in the spring.”

MARK THACKER ’92 writes: “I live in Menlo Park, CA, and share custody of my two amazing kids, Cynthia Asha, 12, and Ronin Raju, 9. When I’m not working, you can usually find me at the gym, biking, on the beach, or traveling somewhere exotic.

I manage the litigation department at Environment Chemical Corporation, located in Burlingame, CA.” winter–spring 2022

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class notes

1997

25 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

This from EVAN MEAGHER ’97: “2021 was the best of times and the worst of times. Bex and I left San Francisco for Boulder, CO, I started as the CFO at CoreWeave, I published Have Bat, Will Travel, my memoir of playing professional baseball in France (thanks, Mr. Hobert!), and our son turned 1. I also snapped my fibula playing baseball, and there was that nasty pandemic. Looking forward to a more even, positive 2022!”

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1998 Congratulations to PAUL MARA ’98, assistant coach of the Women’s 2018 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal team, on being inducted into the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame. After a 12-year career as an NHL defenseman, Paul found new success as a coach of elite women hockey players.

He served as an assistant to head coach Robb Stauber when the U.S. won the gold medal in PyeongChang in 2018 and then, in May of that year, began his professional coaching career with the Boston Pride in the National Women’s Hockey League.

As a player, Mara went from Belmont Hill to the Ontario Hockey League, which prepared him for the long professional career that followed. Drafted seventh overall by Tampa in the 1997 NHL Draft, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, ROB ’94, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1994. During his dozen years in the NHL, Mara played for Tampa, Phoenix, Boston, New York Rangers, Montreal, and Anaheim. His professional career ended in 2013. He also played in three World Junior Championships from 1997–99 and in the 2004 World Championships.

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Congratulations to Alan DerKazarian ’86 on publishing another crossword puzzle: “Beam Us Down, Scotty!” in the Wall Street Journal on July 31, 2021.

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Dan O’Connell ’87, Sonia O’Connell, and Alex Otte ’88 in Washington, D.C.

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Congratulations to Ron Horsley ’93 on his new book, The Greater Union, about a nationwide celebration honoring the Union’s founders. Domestic terrorists kidnap Hector and massacre hundreds of thousands. Faced with the threat of extinction yet again, Hector will need family, friends, and foes alike to help thwart a cabal determined to finish what their alien conquerors began.

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Congratulations to Kit Hughes ’97, who was named the new director of intercollegiate athletics at Holy Cross. Kit is currently the athletic director at Bowling Green University in Ohio. He began his new role at Holy Cross in January 2022. The Hughes family, Katie and Kit ’97 with their children Finley, 14, Coady, 12, Griffin, 10, and Cullen, 10.

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Members of the Class of 1997 gathered: Kevin Connors, Kit Hughes, Cliff Goodband, Craig McKeown, and Jay Civetti.

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Have Bat, Will Travel: My Year in French Baseball by Evan Meagher ’97, published June 2021.

2002

20 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

Congratulations to BENJAMIN LONG ’02, who graduated from the Carroll School at Boston College, May of 2021.

2006 LORD NYADENYA OGHENOVO ORITSEBEMEGHO FRANCIS INYAGWA ’06 writes: “I started African Royalty in 2020 and hope to be incorporated soon.

If any Belmont Hill family is interested in learning more, I am available via email at nyadenyai@gmail.com.”

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Chris Bucci ’02 is living in Phoenix with his wife, Lydia, and sons, Brady and Luke.

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Megan and Chuck Sheehan ’04 were married on August 29, 2021, in Falmouth, MA.

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Belmont Hill attendees at the Sheehan wedding: Joe Sheehan, Chris Baker ’04, Steve Dilanian ’04, Matthew Sheehan ’05, Chuck Sheehan ’04, Steve Sheehan ’74, and Aaron Sawitsky ’04.

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Henry Joseph Hadzima, born August 30, 2021, to Anna and Jeff Hadzima ’04.

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Kinley Page Yates was born on January 21, 2022, to Chapin and Field Yates ’05.

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Congratulations to Samantha and Barry Gallup ’06 who welcomed Darren David Gallup on January 24. He joins big sister, Collette.

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Josh Isner ’04 and his mother, Linda Hajjar Isner. This winter, Josh named the Belmont Hill Parents’ Council Office in her honor.

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Dylan Hayre ’04 and Kendra Bradner were married in June, 2021 at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline.

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class notes

2007

15 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

ANDREW EDGERLY ’07 writes: “Update from Edge...I migrated west after graduating with my Mechanical Engineering degree from Northeastern University. I live in Carson City, NV, just 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe. My wife and I have two kids: Jackson, 2, and Maya, 3 months.

We love having the Sierra mountains in our backyard to play in—both skiing and mountain biking. Professionally, I focused my career in supply chain and have been working for Tesla for the past five years in their CAPEX purchasing team. I contract custom turnkey battery pack manufacturing lines for our vehicle factories in North America and Europe.”

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GEORGE SULLIVAN ’07 writes: “I’ll be entering my eighth year of teaching this fall, having taught at The Pingry School in New Jersey for five years and at Belmont Hill for the past three—I’m teaching history and economics and coaching wrestling and lacrosse.”

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The Edgerly family: Jackson, Maya, Andrew ’07, and Kaeai.

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Liza and Ron Hsin ’07 with son, Darren, and new baby daughter, Lana.

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Whitney and Kyle Gordon’s wedding: Mark Dube ’07, Mickey Wiswall ’07, Kevin McNamara ’07, Kyle Gordon ’07, Alex Fuller ’06, Whitney Schweizer, Mark Fuller ’06, Michael DiSanto ’08, Matt Gordon ’06, and Wes Stephanian ’06.

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In September, Mark Crane ’06 and Greg Paul ’09 were featured speakers for a meeting of Belmont Hill’s student-run Venture Capital Club.

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Rich Newton ’07 was the featured speaker for Veterans Day this fall. (See page 18.)

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Gathered following the Veterans Day School Meeting were Don Bradley, Andy Davis ’07, Rich Newton ’07, Daniel Williams ’07, George Sullivan ’07, Chris Butler, and Greg Schneider.

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Members of the Class of 2007 at the Wedding of Leslie (Sachs) and Sam Robinson ’07: Brian Alexander, Rich Newton, Sam, Leslie, Andrew Edgerly, Chris Simard, and George Sullivan.

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Mark Wachtmeister ’07, John Grady ’66, and Ian Fenwick ’07 at the Old Sandwich Golf Club.

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class notes

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Tim Toomey ’08 married Nicole Cimbak in August 2021 in Philadelphia. In attendance at the wedding, Maria Tyquiengco, Ben Driver ’08, Dylan Griffin ’08, David Cancian ’08, Ali Boyd, Conor Gilligan ’08, Peter Favaloro ’08, Timothy Toomey ’08, Nicole Cimbak, Matthew Trachy ’08, Alison Trachy, Danny Mahoney ’08, Stephanie Welsh, Brendan Laehn ’07, Stefanie Scheffer, and David Crowley ’08. Tim is finishing his internal medicine residency at Boston Medical Center, and Nicole is a surgical critical care fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital.

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Jeremy Miles Dziama, born on July 22, 2021, to Kiara and Tyler Dziama ’09.

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Meg and Kevin Connors ’10 were married on July 3, 2021. Cameron Connors ’16, Bobby Alexander ’10, Andy Dirks ’10, Meg Connors, Kevin Connors ’10, PJ Rufo ’10, Tom Muse ’10, and Sean Connors ’12.

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Emily and Tom Muse ’10 married on July 20, 2021. PJ Rufo ’10, Joey Dow ’10, Tom Muse ’10, Kevin Connors ’10, Andy Dirks ’10, and Bobby Alexander ’10.

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Graduates from 2011 and 2009 got together with Belmont Hill Athletic Trainer Dennis Chin. Front row: Michael Kenary ’11, Kevin Burpee ’11, and Daniel Kenary ’09. Back row: Woody Klemmer ’09, Robert Caggiano ’11, JR Arakelian ’11, Teddy Klemmer ’11, Dennis Chin, and Niko Davos ’11.

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2012

10 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

ANDREW LINN ’12 is pursuing a PhD in philosophy (Medical Decision Making) at the University of Edinburgh. Fridays at 1:00pm EST, his radio show, Soul Patch streams on the school’s website.

2014 MICHAEL FRIES ’14 married Lauren Ollerhead in Woodstock, VT, on October 2, 2021. David Hincks ’14 was the best man, and Sean Fahey ’14 was a groomsman.

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NOTICE: CLASSES OF

2015, 2016 & 2017 Health records for graduates from the Classes of 2015, 2016, and 2017 will be destroyed on June 15, 2022, having been held in accordance with state law for this duration. If you would like your personal record, contact Donna David in the Health Office at davidd@belmonthill.org with the subject line Please Save My Health Records.

Be sure to include: your full name, year of graduation, and the mailing address.

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2015 BENNY WANGER ’15 pitched the Israel team to a silver medal in the European Championship in the Netherlands on September 21, 2021.

2017

5 TH REUNION | MAY 14, 2022

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Tucker Gordon ’12 and Maika Phillips were married at Bretton Woods, NH, on August 21, 2021. Classmates Noah Roberts ’12 and Nick Cary ’12 were two of the groomsmen.

3.

On October 30, 2021, in West Point, NY, Christian O’Neill ’17 (left) and Eric Butte ’16 (right) faced off in the Princeton vs. Army West Point game. Special guest, General Mark Milley ’76 dropped the puck.

4.

Colin Braun ’19 ran into faculty member Stephen George at the Buzzards Bay triathlon at Horseneck Beach, Westport, MA in September.

Colin was racing with the Dartmouth club triathlon team and is back at Dartmouth after taking a year off, studying Environmental Science.

5.

Chris O’Connell ’21 and Jack Barry ’21 in Alumni Stadium after a fall season men’s club lacrosse game between Northeastern University and Boston College. Northeastern won the game 9-8, and both Christopher and Jack scored goals for their teams. A beautiful night and a great event for friends to come together in competition.

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FACULTY & STAFF NEWS

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In a School Meeting prior to the Thanksgiving break, Tim Sullivan was presented with the Michael T. Sherman Chair in Mathematics. This endowed faculty chair was established in 2015 by Lyn and Tod Rodger and friends to honor a faculty member for excellence in the teaching of mathematics and for a broad commitment to students and school life. Mr. Sullivan with his wife, Betsy Blazar, and their children, Charlotte and Jack.

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This winter, Belmont Hill was honored to recognize Ted Martellini with the naming of the basketball court in the Fritz Gymnasium. (See the article on page 15 to learn more about the leadership gift from Josh Isner ’04.) Mr. Martellini’s family surprised him by attending the School Meeting when the news was revealed. Janet Smith, Ted, and Marco Martellini ’10.

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Belmont Hill athletics and coaching staff gathered for lunch over the summer in Belmont with Pete Kimball. Coach Kimball started coaching at Belmont Hill in 1977. His final season was in 2019. During his time at Belmont Hill, he coached football, basketball, baseball, and track at numerous levels.

He was hired by legendary Belmont Hill Athletic Director Bill Croke. From left to right, standing: Ken Martin ’65, Jim Peck ’77, Peter Kimball, and Dave Greer. Seated: Shawn Anderson, George Tahan, Corey Cofield, and Ted Martellini.

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Former faculty member Patty Whitney (left) reported that she participated in two ladies golf tournaments this summer.

Coincidentally, she ended up playing with Linda Mattlage, spouse of Stefan Mattlage ’68. Many readers will recall Stefan’s father, Herb Mattlage, faculty member from 1946 to 1982.

5.

Congratulations to faculty member William Ryan ’17, who completed the Boston Marathon in 3:29:14! Mr. Ryan ran to raise money in memory of his sister, Maggie, for the Maggie Ryan Endowed Fellowship for Global Health at Boston Children’s Hospital.

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Congratulations to Kaitlyn and Eric Smith on the birth of their daughter, Aurora Jane Smith, on January 19, 2022.

Aurora is welcomed by big sister, Edie.

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Congratulations to Rachel and Dan Duarte on the birth of their son, Wyatt Ryder, on December 27, 2021. Wyatt joins his almost two-year-old brother, Owen.

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ANNUAL BELMONT HILLROXBURY LATIN ALUMNI SOCCER GAME In Memory of Terry Iandiorio On October 2, 2021, Belmont Hill and Roxbury Latin alumni gathered for a game in memory of former Belmont Hill faculty member TERRY IANDIORIO. 1.

Chris Sweeney ’83, faculty member and long-time friend of Terry Iandiorio, spoke prior to the game. Terry’s wife, Ann Iandiorio, and daughter, Ellie Iandiorio.

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The Iandiorio family gathers on the field to hear Greg Schneider’s pregame remarks.

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Back row: Chris Bracken ’15, Jorge Montoya, Jimmy Lennox ’13, Mihran Deirmendjian ’07, Ryan Goodband ’98, Greg Paul ’09, Joe Tully ’84, Cam Gordon ’17, John Halverson ’02, and Colin Hutzler ’06.

Front row: Dave Seeley ’98, Doug Wolf ’84, Mason Smith ’98, Todd Jackson ’84, and Zach Toth ’03.

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John Halverson ’02.

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Rick Melvoin and Greg Schneider.

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Belmont Hill Alumni and Roxbury Latin pose together for a photo before the 2nd Annual Terry Iandiorio Memorial Game.

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In Memoriam

in memoriam

WILLIAM D. COCHRAN ’41

William D. (Will) Cochran, of Lexington, MA, died on October 8, 2021. He was 98.

Born in St. Paul, MN, in 1923, the fifth of six children, he moved to Massachusetts at the age of 14, attended Belmont Hill, and graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1941. He went on to Harvard College but left after his freshman year to join the U.S. Navy in World War II and became a night fighter pilot assigned to the USS Saratoga in the South Pacific. Despite an invitation to re-enlist and join the Blue Angels after the war, he left the Navy and flying to return to Harvard and pursue a career in medicine.

In 1946 he married Marybelle Herman, whom he met when completing his undergraduate degree and she was a student at Radcliffe College. While he completed medical school and then did his residency at Mass General and Boston Children’s hospitals, Marybelle raised an expanding family of five children, delaying her ambitions to become a social worker.

Their joyful and devoted marriage was to last for 72 years until her death in 2018.

Dr. Cochran returned to Boston in 1960 to participate in the nationwide Maternal and Child Health program as a pediatrician at the Boston Lying-In Hospital (now part of Brigham & Women’s). Over the subsequent decades, he became one of the pioneers in the pediatric field of neonatology and with others around the country developed the expertise and technology to help premature infants and those born at term with significant compromises to survive and thrive. He was a highly respected teacher who helped generations

of anxious medical students examine their first baby and taught pediatric residents, fellows, and junior staff to love their shared profession.

He was committed to supporting underrepresented minorities in medicine and was an active, longtime member of subcommittees for minority admissions.

Dr. Cochran was also an avid supporter of nurses, whom he respected as equal colleagues. Prior to the formal development of the nurse practitioner field, he encouraged nurses who worked with him to play a greater role in clinical care.

Whether he was mentoring medical students; skiing with his children, nieces, and nephews down the black diamond trails at Wildcat Mountain; or simply regaling his companions with his innumerable (and oft-repeated) stories about flying, fishing, or sailing, Dr. Cochran’s warmth and ebullience lifted up everyone around him.

He is survived by his five children, David, Sue, Nan, Martha, and Tod; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

MOSES F. CARR, JR. ’44

Moses F. (Pete) Carr, Jr., of Cohasset, MA, and Pike, NH, died on November 15, 2021, in Hingham, MA. He was 95.

Son of the late Moses and Helen Carr, Mr. Carr went on to Harvard College in the Class of 1949, where he majored in English and by his own admission played a lot of

pinball. His college years were interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Navy. While still in his twenties, he and his oldest brother, Samuel, founded their own printing business. Later, while working at Allyn and Bacon, he met Lee Payne, of Allendale, IL, and they married in 1954. After settling in Hingham, Mr. Carr and his wife raised four children on Cottage Street, and when she died in 1992, he moved to Cohasset.

Mr. Carr spent most of his publishing career working as a book designer and later as head of trade manufacturing at Little, Brown and Company on Beacon Hill in Boston. He developed decades-long friendships with colleagues at Little, Brown, as well as with representatives from companies selling pre-press services, paper, cloth, and printing and binding. He was a longtime member of Bookbuilders of Boston.

Classical music was a key part of his life, dating back to when his father took him to Boston Symphony concerts at Harvard’s Sanders Theater in the 1930s. He taught himself to play the piano and loved opera as well. The peace and quiet of the outdoors were important to him, also.

He owned property in Pike, NH, on the western edge of the White Mountains, where he taught his children to appreciate hiking, skiing, and canoeing.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Irmalee (Lee) Payne Carr, Mr. Carr was preceded in death by his brothers, Samuel and Frederick Carr ’43. He is survived by his daughters, Bridget P. Carr, of Milton, MA; (Helen) Maggie Carr, of Glencliff, NH; and Sarah Lee Carr of Pembroke, MA; his son, Moses (also known as Pete) Carr, of Waltham, MA; his grandchildren, Rose Carr Moerschel, Lily Carr Moerschel, Naomi Louise Carr, and Owen Gabriel Baldwin Carr; and his sister, Cynthia Rodman of Hingham.

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JAMES A. ANDERSON ’47

James A. Anderson, of Windsor Locks and formerly of Windsor, CT, died on July 24, 2021. He was 93.

husband Christopher, Hillary Mowbray and her husband Bradley, Lindsay Holland and her husband Adam, Rachel Anderson and her fiancé Blake Barnes, James (Trey) Anderson III and his wife Megan, Emily Lefebvre and her partner Brocton Rand, and Carrie Wicks and her partner Duane Cronkite; and seven great-grandchildren, Cooper and Tucker Mowbray, Joseph and Jennifer Bauch, James IV (Drew) and Mackenzie Anderson, and James Holland, and two great-grandsons on the way. Along with his parents and his wife, Lucile (Tucker) Anderson, he was preceded in death by his brother Walter T. Anderso, Jr.

Born in Cleveland, OH, son of the late Walter and Frances (Decker) Anderson, he was raised in Belmont and went on to earn his B.A. at Bates College. Mr. Anderson served proudly as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. His long professional career was in specialized equipment leasing.

He was a past master of the Belmont Beaver Lodge AF&AM and was a dad advisor for the Belmont chapter of the Order of DeMolay. He also served as a Little League coach in Belmont. In 1968, he and his wife, Lucile, moved their family to Windsor, where they became active in the Poquonock Community Church. Mr. Anderson served as chair of the diaconate and the church executive council as well as a member of two building committees and the pastoral search committee. He enjoyed participating in the Windsor men’s golf league and in retirement spent several years as a professional assistant for the Carmon Funeral Homes.

Mr. Anderson is survived by his son, James A. Anderson, Jr. and his wife Donna; three daughters, Karen A. D’Esopo and her husband Barry, Kathi A. Wicks and her husband David, and Kristen A. Lefebvre and her husband Kenneth; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Bauch and her

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What most people who knew Mr. Cameron will remember is his great warmth, unfailing hospitality, and irrepressibly dreadful puns. He was, as another friend remarked, a true master of those key arts of civilization: food, wine, and song.

He was a very fine singer, with a voice described by an early reviewer as one that he would stand in the snow to hear.

Eventually his second career, that of psychoanalyst, claimed a degree of commitment which left no time for professional singing, but those who worked with him knew his worth. During the last months of his life, living in the strange space between fatal diagnosis and death, Mr. Cameron listened more and more to Irish music, saying that there, as in Beethoven’s late quartets, one could touch “the hard flint of the soul.” In his reading too, he was exigent, returning over and over to Shakespeare, Donne, and Beckett.

(With thanks to The Irish Times.)

RICHARD M. CAMERON, JR. ’47

Word has only recently been received that Richard M. (Dick) Cameron, Jr. of Ireland, died on June 3, 1997. He was 68.

Born in 1929 and raised in Concord, MA, the third of five children of the late Richard Morgan Cameron, a professor of church history at Boston University, and Evelyn Gray Cameron, he went on to Haverford College. As a young adult, following the pacifist and nonconformist tradition of his family, he refused conscription to the U.S. Army and was sentenced to serve a year and a day in a federal prison. After his release, he eventually went to Ireland in the mid 1950s and pursued two careers there. He first became a folk singer, then a psychoanalyst.

ROBERT G. STETSON ’47

Robert Gray Stetson, of Ashland, OR, died on December 31, 2021. He was 92.

Born in Cambridge, MA, in 1929 to the late Edith and Henry Stetson, Mr. Stetson was the eldest of three siblings. His family moved to Belmont, and he went on from school to Yale University, graduating in 1953 after a two-year leave to serve in the National Guard during the Korean War. In 1960, he received a law degree from the

Boston University School of Law and married Joanna Leigh Lloyd. They moved to Concord, MA, and raised a family of three. Later they divorced, and Mr. Stetson moved to Providence where he worked for the law firm of Edwards & Angell, LLP, drafting wills and trusts.

Growing up, he spent his summers in Falmouth, MA. He enjoyed sailing and could often be found aboard a Herreshoff in Buzzards Bay. He also enjoyed biking and skiing with his children. Over the course of many years, he attended his children’s sports events, where he would take photos and quietly cheer them on.

In addition to being active outdoors, Mr. Stetson also loved the arts and joined a contra dancing group for a time. He was fond of attending Gilbert and Sullivan musicals and was a huge fan of classic movies, of which he amassed a sizable collection.

An avid reader with a large library, he devotedly read the daily newspaper his entire life and enthusiastically pitched into the crossword puzzle, rarely leaving any letters blank. His favorite topic was history, particularly of the Civil War and WWII eras, and he visited various battle sites with his son. Maps were one of his great passions, and he always had an atlas or two on hand.

After living in New England his whole life, Mr. Stetson moved to Oregon in 2011 to be near his daughter, Hilary. There, he settled into a 55+ independent living community, where he enjoyed fitness classes and outings for concerts and other activities.

His grandchildren, Timmy and Zea Palthey, flew out from Vermont to share in his joyful and memorable 90th birthday celebration.

Mr. Stetson is also survived by his children, Timothy, Wendy, and Hilary.

He was the brother of the late Thomas Stetson ’50 and Polly Hankins.

NORMAN E. CORWIN, JR. ’48

He is survived by his daughter Dawn Seward and her husband Marc, and his son Scott Corwin and his wife Kim; his stepdaughters, Lynn Rockwell and her husband Nate, Cate Veazey, and Barbara DeWall and her husband Scott; and his and Carol’s combined 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as his extended family and dear friends.

Norman Edgar (Skip) Corwin, Jr., of Boxborough, MA, died on September 27, 2021. He was 91.

Originally from Somerville, MA, Mr. Corwin married Nancy Gelotte in 1953 and proudly served in the U. S. Air Force from 1952 to 1958. After leaving the Air Force, he joined Eastern Airlines, for which he flew for 33 years and over 33,000 hours.

The Corwin family moved to Acton, MA, and he built a custom home at Spectacle Pond in Littleton that served as the go-to location for many gatherings of family and friends, countless hours of swimming in the warm months, and hockey on the pond during the winter. He expanded his building vision with the Pelican condos on New Smyrna Beach, FL, where other memories were made.

After the loss of his wife, Nancy, Mr. Corwin married Carol Veazey, of Acton, in 1976. He became stepfather to her three daughters and lived with the family in Andover and then Ipswich, MA. He, with Carol, once more had the vision to build a spectacular custom home in New London, NH. The couple spent many happy years there, flying their amphibian airplane and golfing. After Carol died in 2018, Mr. Corwin lived closer to his daughter and son, where he was surrounded by compassionate friends and caregivers at Brookdale Centre of New England Senior Living.

THOMAS R. STETSON ’50

Thomas R. Stetson, of Falmouth, MA, died on February 6, 2022. He was 90.

Born in Boston in 1931, he was the son of the late Edith and Henry Stetson. At school, he designed and built an instrument to measure light intensities at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton that won a prize at the MIT Science Fair. He went on to Brown University, where he majored in science and volunteered in the drama department managing props and creating sets.

Mr. Stetson enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve while he was an undergraduate, earning several specialist ratings. After graduation, he was called up for active duty in Japan and stationed in Kyoto as a sergeant with a specialty in cryptology.

He was discharged from the Army in 1957.

He spent some time doing seismic work for CONOCO in the Texas oilfields but soon moved back east. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) hired

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in memoriam

him to work in the geology department.

He spent the rest of his working life at WHOI, much of it at sea, beginning on Atlantis. Whatever ship he was on, Mr. Stetson loved his work at sea, figuring out how to make marine research tools work, and how to fix them when they didn’t work. He especially loved creating topographical records of the seafloor and the geology beneath it. It required him to carefully measure charges set to explode at a specific depth and drop them overboard. The resulting sound waves were then graphed on board. At WHOI, he became a certified diver to a depth of 130 feet. His certificate included a detailed chart of the timed decompression stops on the way up that were essential to avoid contracting the bends.

He was always fascinated by steam power, owning a steam engine, a model steam engine, and even a collection of steam whistles that he could blow, and did, once notably by attaching one to a steam radiator at Brown.

In 1960, Mr. Stetson married Judy Grace.

To celebrate the birth of their children, he had a local foundry cast in bronze a working replica of a long gun from the USS Constitution that he had made. For decades afterwards, that cannon made a splendid noise at many celebrations.

He remained active and healthy into his 80s, sailing, fishing, beachcombing, quahogging, shoveling snow, and chopping wood.

Mr. Stetson was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Gray Stetson ’47, and his sister, Polly Hankins. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, and two children.

At the time of publication, the Bulletin learned of the death, on March 15, 2022, of Truman S. Casner ’51. He was 88. His obituary will appear in the next edition.

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BRIAN P. BURNS ’53

Brian Patrick Burns, of Palm Beach, FL, formerly of San Francisco, CA, died on August 12, 2021. He was 85.

Born in 1936 in Cambridge, MA, Mr. Burns was the son of the late Hon. John J. Burns and Alice Blake Burns. He attended Belmont Hill from 1946 to 1949, St. Sebastian’s School, and went on to the College of the Holy Cross, where he later served as a trustee for more than a decade. He also attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated and obtained his law degree at the early age of 23.

Mr. Burns became a senior partner at several leading law firms in San Francisco.

Alongside his law practice, he executed more than 50 major mergers and acquisitions and played important and pivotal roles in companies that included the United States Banknote Corp., the Kellogg Company, Coca-Cola Bottling of NY, Beverly-Wilshire Hotel, Brinks, Inc., Boothe Financial Corp., Pacific Holdings Corp., Robert Half International Inc., and Kendall-Jackson Winery Inc., among others. He also served as the chairman and CEO of Boothe Financial Corp. and Robert Half International Inc., and was the chairman of BF Enterprises Inc., Palm Beach, FL. As a third-generation Irish American, he immersed himself in Irish culture and history. This dedication throughout his life caused him to be named one of the “Greatest Irish Americans of the 20th Century” by Irish America magazine.

Mr. Burns served as a trustee to the principal trusts of the Joseph P. Kennedy family for more than a decade and as an

advisor to the family for more than 15 years. In 1963, he became the youngest director of the American Irish Foundation, established by President John F. Kennedy and Irish President Éamon de Valera.

To expand its reach, he spearheaded the merger of the Foundation and the Ireland Fund. His service and leadership also extended to organizations that included the Ireland-American Economic Advisory, where he served as a board member from 1995 to 2011, and during his tenure with the Fulbright Commission in Ireland as its vice chairman from 1993 to 1998.

Mr. Burns took pride in establishing the Honorable John J. Burns Library of Rare Books and Special Collections at Boston College. Dedicated in 1986 and described as the “Guardian of Irish Culture,” the Burns Library houses the largest, most comprehensive collection of Irish research materials outside Ireland. The Burns Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies program he established in 1991 made it possible for Boston College. to welcome scholars, writers, and artists who made significant contributions to Irish culture and intellectual life. Mr. Burns, who served as a trustee at Boston College from 1998 to 2006, also helped to establish its campus at St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, Ireland.

A testament to his exploration of Irish heritage was his private collection of more than 200 works of Irish art, which he began forming in the 1970s based on his belief that “a people so well known for literature and music surely should also be able to paint.”

Among the numerous charities supported

by Mr. and Mrs. Burns are the Palm Beach Police Foundation, the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the Society of the Four Arts, the Norton Museum of Art, and the Palm Beach Pops Symphony Orchestra. He was a longtime member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Palm Beach.

In addition to his beloved wife, Eileen Corroon Burns, whom he married in 1994, Mr. Burns is survived by his siblings, Alice Therese Scanlon and Michael Burns; his children, Sheila Burns (Keith) McWilliams, Brian P. Burns, Jr., Sean Richard Burns, Roderick O’Connor (Jill) Burns, Stephanie Fairchild, Suzanne Fairchild (Bruce) Kovner, Samantha Fairchild (Chris) Storkerson, and Serena Fairchild (Tyler) Sheldon; and his grandchildren, Sean Bradford McWilliams, Justin Blake McWilliams, Caitlyn Mariah McWilliams, Ryan Munsell McWilliams, Fiona McKenna Burns, Kelsey O’Connor Burns, Conor Phillip Burns, John Waller Burns, Liam Fairchild Storkerson, Oscar Fairchild Storkerson, Caroline Corroon Griswold, Olivia Fairchild Griswold, Roger Parkman Griswold III, Margaux Fairchild Sheldon, and Luke Fairchild Sheldon. He also was the brother of the late John J. Burns, Jr., Daniel Blake Burns, Professor Robert Emmett Burns, and Ellen Moira Burns.

GEORGE W. FERGUSON ’53

George Winthrop Ferguson, of Needham and Centerville, MA, died on September 21, 2021. He was 87.

Mr. Ferguson was born in Boston and grew up in Belmont, where he and his brother Sandy (Hugh Ferguson ’48) often ran to beat the first bell at Belmont Hill. He went on to Boston University and spent his professional life in the insurance brokerage

business, ending his career as president of Accordia in Boston.

He was an active participant in his daughters’ educations at Tenacre Country Day School and Dana Hall School, serving as treasurer and trustee for both schools.

As a former resident of Sherborn and then Weston, MA, he was involved in those towns’ civic affairs.

There was so much more to Mr. Ferguson than his professional and philanthropic accomplishments. He loved his time on the ice or in the stands at hockey rinks around the Boston area. He often stopped at Mount Auburn Cemetery on his way to work to look for warblers, thrushes, and tanagers. Birdwatching took him to the ends of the earth in Alaska and, in later years, led him to become a docent at Myakka River State Park in Florida.

It was difficult to find a place that he cherished more than Cape Cod. Summers would find his wife, Jean, and him eating their lunch on CBA beach, surrounded by family and lifelong friends. And, if he wasn’t at CBA, he was on Sandy Neck, either on the beach or at “the shack.” He would take a daily swim in Wequaquet Lake, and in the winter, his iceboat would glide across the frozen water. Mr. Ferguson enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, and puttering in his yard. In the summer, he loved to put the dock in the lake, and in the winter, hand out gifts around the Christmas tree. He truly lived every day to the fullest.

Mr. Ferguson is survived by Jean, his beloved wife of over 60 years; his two daughters, Lee Frechette and her husband Peter; and Jenny Letowt and her husband Phil; as well as four grandchildren.

JAMES S. PARKHILL ’55

James S. (Sam) Parkhill, of Falmouth, ME, died February 18, 2022. He was 84.

Born in 1937, Mr. Parkhill was the son of the late Mary and James Parkhill. He went on to earn his A.B. at Williams College and later his law degree at Boston University Law School. From there, he joined the firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston.

His earliest memories were of wartime deprivations. Some called him cheap, but he would have said (and did, repeatedly) that he knew the value of money and the importance of setting priorities in life. His priorities were to live with integrity, build strong relationships, and shoot under his age in golf as often as possible.

After six years with Ropes & Gray, he became general counsel of Boston Gas Company and there progressed to becoming its chief financial officer and then executive vice president. In 1983, he joined the Stackpole (later Hall) Corporation, a diversified manufacturing company, and became its president in 1985. He retired in 2005 and relocated to Maine.

Mr. Parkhill was a director of the Big Brother Association of Boston for some years and linked up in 1969 with a then eight-year-old boy from a housing project in Roslindale. He kept in touch with him through all the later phases of his life and was proud to witness his success. A trustee of Belmont Hill for 18 years, Mr. Parkhill led two long-range planning processes winter–spring 2022

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during that time, the second involving consideration of the controversial issue of single sex versus coeducational makeup of the School.

Mr. Parkhill made friends for life, his oldest friendships going back to Belmont Hill and Williams in the 1950s, and in each new environment he found new groups to golf with, sail, ski, discuss politics, or read books. Never a musician himself, he channeled his late developing enthusiasm for opera and classical music into support for the Portland Symphony Orchestra as chair of the board of directors, and as a founding board member of #PortlandBachExperience and Classical Uprising.

His children remember that he loved to leave to-do lists for them on the kitchen counter, that he was always up for spectating at their sports events no matter how un-spectator-friendly, and that he lived by a strong moral code. “Treat people the way you want to be treated” and “Do the right thing even when it’s hard” were his common refrains and remained good words to live by.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy Parkhill, of whose business and volunteer careers he was supportive and proud, along with their children, Jay ’87, Lauren (Greg) Adey, and Andrew. He also leaves seven grandchildren, James, Ezra, Ben, Matthew, Tobin, Jeff, and Zoe, and his sister, Gracia (Bruce) Dayton. Among his other survivors are two nephews, Jon Dayton ’78 and Greg Dayton ’83, numerous friends made through decades of golf, business, and charitable activities, and a never-ending circle of relationships with Dunkin’ Donuts across New England.

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For 31 years as a volunteer, he ran the time clock at Harvard home hockey games.

DAVID C. HAWKINS ’56

David C. (Dave, Hawk) Hawkins, of Waltham, MA, died on August 27, 2021.

He was 82.

Born in 1939 and raised in Belmont, the son of the late Lester G. and Bessie Hawkins, he spent his summers in Duxbury, MA, making memories with his family and friends since he was a child. He went on to Harvard College and then to Harvard Law School. He co-founded Morrissey, Hawkins and Lynch in Boston in 1989 with Robert J. Morrissey. Mr. Hawkins was a mentor to countless law clerks and associates over the years and when consulted, was known for his insightful advice right up until his death. Later in his life, in 2000, he earned his teaching degree at UMass Boston and the next year fulfilled his passion by launching his second career as a beloved teacher of Latin for 20 years at Newton North High School. In addition, Mr. Hawkins was a law professor at New England School of Law, taught at Boston School of Architecture, and spent a semester teaching Latin at Belmont Hill.

His love of sports began at age seven when he attended his first Red Sox game and Harvard football games with his father, a coveted tradition he carried on with his sons, grandchildren, and nephew. Mr. Hawkins was an enormous fan, always favoring the teams and sports played by his offspring and was in the stands rain or shine. He coached Belmont Babe Ruth baseball for over 14 years and wrote the sports column for the Belmont Citizen newspaper when he was in his twenties.

He adored his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he cherished more than anything. He worked to better his community, was an avid reader, and lover of traditional country music. Mr. Hawkins was a force who touched many lives and guided many athletes, young professionals, and students over the years. He was an excellent friend and colleague to all who knew him.

Mr. Hawkins was the beloved husband for 57 years of Patricia Wanless Hawkins. He is also survived by his sons, Mark Hawkins, his wife, Carrie, and their children, David and Eylse; and Owen Hawkins, his wife Joanne and their sons, John and Dylan.

The youngest of four, he was the brother of the late Lester, Robert, and Janet Hawkins (Meal), brother-in-law of the late David Wanless and Gail Scannell, and a loving uncle to ten nieces and nephews.

LAURENCE D. HUNT ’56

Laurence Douglas (Larry) Hunt, of Westfield, MA, died on December 25, 2020. He was 83.

Born in Belmont, son of the late Ralph and Margaret Hunt, he went on to St. Lawrence University. Mr. Hunt worked for many years in the paper industry, beginning with Carter Rice Storrs & Bement and ultimately retiring from Xpedex, a subsidiary of International Paper, in 2000.

However, he found his true calling in his

post-retirement work as a sacristan and pastoral minister for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westfield, where he touched the lives of many people in the community.

Larry served as a lector and eucharistic minister and was a member of the Men of St. Joseph at St. Mary’s Church and volunteered at Our Community Table Westfield’s soup kitchen. He was also a longtime Friend of Bill.

Mr. Hunt was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Beth Hunt, and his brother, Donald Hunt. He is survived by his daughter Anne (Robert) Cappabianca, of Hillsborough, NJ; his son Timothy (Jennifer) Hunt, of Hingham, MA; his brother Gregory (Andrea) Hunt ’60, of Bainbridge Island, WA; and his sister-in-law Elaine (James) Tourtelotte, of Longmeadow, MA. He was the proud grandfather of Michael, Meg, and Caroline Cappabianca, and Ted and Bridget Hunt.

in 1959 and they raised three children.

He was later married to Kim Aldrich.

He ultimately became a filmmaker, involved in both script writing and production. Mr. Aldrich also was the author of Framing the Dark: Dread by Design in Motion Pictures, a groundbreaking study of horror films and a complete guide to making them.

CHARLES J. CORNWALL ’57

SAMUEL W. BARTOL ’57

Samuel Winkley Bartol, of Cotuit, MA, died on November 1, 2021. He was 83.

Born in 1938 in Chestnut Hill, PA, to the late George M. and Jane W. Bartol, he grew up in the Boston area. He attended Dexter School and went on to University College and graduated from Upsala College in New Jersey.

DAVID ALDRICH ’57

David Aldrich, of Boston, died on September 11, 2021. He was 82.

Born in 1939 to Judge and Mrs. Bailey Aldrich, he grew up in Cambridge, MA, and went on to Harvard College. He earned his A.B. in 1961 with highest honors in social relations, having written his thesis under the supervision of Erik Erikson. In 1963, he completed an M.A. in clinical psychology.

Mr. Aldrich married Katharine (Kaki) Wagner, a teacher at Shady Hill School,

He is survived by his loving wife, Annie (Marian) Bartol; his sons Geoff (Laura) and Alex (Sue); and his five grandchildren, Ryan, Trevor, Tylor, Karleen, and Olivia.

He became the president and chief officer of the former Samuel W. Bartol Construction Company, of South Natick, MA. Mr. Bartol loved all his golden retrievers (he raised six), but his real passion was Formula One Racing. As an avid fan, he traveled to many races around the U.S. and Canada. In his youth, he and a friend built a Formula V race car, which they raced for several years (not very winningly, but what fun!).

Another passion was his love of flying—he was a flight instructor at Wiggins Airways in Norwood for many years. And always, an avid New England sports fan, cheering on the Patriots and Red Sox. An athlete himself, he enjoyed playing golf and tennis and, on occasion, fishing and bird hunting.

Charles J. (Charlie) Cornwall, of Marblehead, MA, died on January 18, 2021. He was 82.

Son of the late William Edgar and Marietta Barnes Cornwall, he was born in 1938 and grew up in Winchester, MA. He went on to attend Yale University, and he served a non-combat term in the Massachusetts National Guard.

For over thirty years Mr. Cornwall was employed by IBM as an office equipment service specialist in Boston and Cambridge.

This was an era of great change in office equipment commonly used, and he enjoyed the challenges of adapting.

Even after his mandatory retirement he was engaged by IBM to resolve difficult office-related computer problems.

Mr. Cornwall was a resident of Marblehead for 57 years. He was a devoted and prolific vegetable gardener, and his other personal interests included family genealogy, music, and computer technology.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan Cornwall; his daughters, Cindy Cornwall and her husband Mike Dakota, and Kristina Cornwall; his granddaughters, Emma and Molly Dakota; and his brother Andrew Cornwall ’61 and sister-in-law Nancy Cornwall. winter–spring 2022

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DAVID G. MUGAR ’58

David Graves Mugar, of Boston, MA, died on January 25, 2022. He was 82.

Born in Cambridge, MA, in 1939 to the late Marian Graves and Stephen P. Mugar, he was raised in Watertown and Belmont, MA. Mr. Mugar’s father founded the Star Market supermarket chain and was known for his philanthropy to educational institutions in Greater Boston.

Mr. Mugar went on from Belmont Hill to attend the Cambridge School of Weston and Babson College. Later, as president and CEO of Mugar Enterprises Inc., Mr. Mugar owned or co-owned shopping centers, hotels, live music venues, and WHDH-TV in Boston for a period.

As a boy, he was inspired by the 1952 film The Greatest Show on Earth and the circus manager portrayed by Charlton Heston, which led him to dream of creating large-scale events. In 1974, Mr. Mugar and the late Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler propelled that idea by reimagining the Boston Pops Esplanade concert for the Fourth of July. The new additions included cannon fire, Back Bay church bells, and fireworks launched over the Charles River, all synchronized to the Pops rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Annual attendance grew, and in 2003, Mr. Mugar worked with CBS to turn the concert into a nationally broadcast event. For decades, Mr. Mugar personally funded the program, spending $1 million or more. He produced his last July 4th show in 2016.

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“His single-minded devotion to our iconic Fourth of July celebration was inspiring, and no one was more responsible for the creation and the preservation of the event than David,” Pops maestro Keith Lockhart said in a statement. Mr. Mugar was also one of the founders of Boston’s “First Night” in 1976, and in 1979 was one of three people appointed by then-Mayor Kevin White to oversee the visit of Pope John Paul II to the city, which drew 400,000 people to a Mass on Boston Common.

A generous philanthropist who preferred a low profile, Mr. Mugar supported universities, hospitals, and cultural organizations in the region. He was a life trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a member of the board of overseers for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, and a former trustee of WGBH and the Boston Museum of Science. He served Belmont Hill as a trustee from 1975 to 1981 and as a member of the Corporation.

Mr. Mugar is survived by his former wife, Martha S. Mugar, and his three children, Jennifer E. Flaherty, Peter Mugar, and Jonathan W. G. Mugar ’94. He is also survived by five grandchildren, including his grandsons Peter G. Flaherty ’17 and Matthew F. Flaherty ’24, his sister Carolyn Mugar, and his longtime companion Carolynn Cartelli.

HARVEY W. O’CONOR ’58

Harvey Wheeler O’Conor, of Harrisville, NH, and West Palm Beach, FL, died on January 25, 2022. He was 81.

Born in 1940 in Boston, Mr. O’Conor was the son of the late Margaret Ford O’Conor and Charles Wheeler O’Conor. He grew up in Belmont and went on to Harvard College, graduating in 1962. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business in 1966.

Soon after graduating from business school, Mr. O’Conor and his wife, Charlotte, settled in McLean, VA, and raised his first three sons. He embodied the same entrepreneurial spirit as his father and found business success by buying and bringing New Hampshire-based Findings Inc. to prominence.

Mr. O’Conor lived in many places across the globe, including New England, Virginia, and Switzerland. His second marriage, to Kristina Ryan, brought three more sons into his life. He continued his dedication to his six sons throughout his life as an avid fan of all their sports, occasionally taking issue with the refs, and a constant supporter in all their endeavors. He also loved his many dogs, a wide-open golf course, and the serenity of a crystal-clear lake. He enjoyed passing along the joys and pains of the game of golf to his sons and teaching them the art of perfectly docking his boat back at the lake house.

Harvey O’Conor lived for creating meaningful connections with people from all walks of life, including through his “Cosmo” evening cruise around Silver Lake.

He made many great friends, fostering these precious relationships throughout his lifetime. He was a perennial fan of Boston’s sports teams and would always be ready with a sharp analysis of a recent Red Sox game or Tom Brady’s prowess for the Patriots.

He truly enjoyed the creativity of business, whether in forming new companies, turning them around, or just running them well. He was a member of YPO, acting as chairman of the Swiss Chapter,

and he cared deeply for his Forum mates.

His business interests were varied and ranged from jewelry manufacturing in the U.S. to the retailing of PCs in Europe. Mr. O’Conor took immense pride in his business achievements and appreciated the many people that he employed throughout his career.

He enjoyed his retirement in West Palm Beach, finding love later in life with his partner, Diane Ousterhig. Along with his childhood friend Carl Norris ’58, he took pleasure in going out to eat great meals and enjoyed fine Italian wine.

Mr. O’Conor is survived by his six sons, George, Christopher, Thomas, Kevin, Philip, and Ryan ’06, as well as by his eight amazing grandchildren. He also leaves his three siblings, Patricia, Carolyn, and Paul ’64, as well as dearly loved brothers- and sisters-in-laws and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

EDWARD A. WATTERS ’58

Edward Anthony (Tony) Watters, of Belchertown, MA, and Venice, FL, died on July 28, 2021. He was 82.

Born in 1939 in Cambridge, MA, he became an Eagle Scout and went on to Harvard College, where he played football.

After graduation in 1962, and later completing the Marine Corps MIT ROTC program, Mr. Watters proudly served as a

captain in active combat as a rifle company commander in the Vietnam War. Following his discharge in 1965, he went to work for the S.D. Warren Company, a division of Scott Paper Company, covering most of the Midwest. He then joined the Lindenmeyer Paper Company in Boston, eventually becoming its president. Later, he resigned to pursue a career in real estate and ultimately opened his own office concentrating in land development.

Mr. Watters loved to make people smile, and he did so while proudly wearing his Marine Corps hat, whether he was ringing the bell for the Salvation Army or volunteering for elder care services. He also was an avid duck decoy carver, and he leaves behind a gaggle of award-winning decoys.

SAMUEL C. BROWN, JR. ’60

Samuel C. Brown, Jr., of Saratoga Springs, NY, died on September 23, 2021. He was 78.

Mr. Brown was born in Boston in 1943.

He went on to graduate with honors from Williams College and earn an M.A.T. degree from Smith College.

He was proud of his four grandchildren, Caroline and Edward Anthony (Teddy) Watters III, and Rowan and Harper Modestow, and was a dedicated fan of their sporting events, a great listener to their endeavors, a revered judge of whatever baked good was brought to him, and a master of nicknames such as “Rugrat.”

Health problems caused him to be disenrolled from U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, and to turn from teaching to his hobbies from childhood, writing and cartooning. Thereafter, he worked at home, keeping house and raising his son while his wife, Isabel, pursued a teaching career as a member of the dance faculty of Skidmore College.

In addition to his grandchildren, Mr. Watters is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diana Peck Watters; his children, Kirsten (Darius) Modestow, of Deerfield, MA, and Edward Anthony, Jr. (Gwen) of Carlisle, MA. He was preceded in death by his brother John Nickerson (Nick) Watters and is survived by Nick’s wife Carol, of Pennsylvania, and his brother David Watters and wife Lynda, of New Hampshire.

Mr. Brown served for seven years as local liaison for the PBS Channel 17 Auction, nine years as a member of the city’s zoning board of appeals, and three years as a leader of the boys’ Urban 4-H program.

He also spent 18 years as a route driver for Home Delivered Meals, 20 years on the board of directors of Pine Island Camp, a boys’ camp in Maine, and 10 years as cartoonist for his college class.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Isabel Harper Brown, of Saratoga Springs; his son, Eugene S. Brown, of Redondo Beach, CA; his brother, Andrew P. Brown, of Palm Springs, FL; his sister, Susan W. Brown, of Rowley, MA; one nephew, two nieces, two great-nieces, and six great-nephews.

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took the restoration of the carriage house, home to the guild for many decades.

WILLIAM E. SILK ’60

William E. (Bill) Silk, a longtime resident of Stoneham, MA, died on October 16, 2021. He was 79.

Mr. Silk was born in Keene, NH, on May 23, 1942, the oldest son of the late John P. Silk and Charlotte Marie (Erikson) Silk. He grew up in Somerville and Lexington, MA, and went on to Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where he met his wife.

He later became proprietor of MinuteMan Car Wash in Medford, MA, where he was known to many in the community.

His greatest joy was found with his wife, Winnie, and their family. Mr. Silk generously supported religious organizations, children’s charities, and those in need.

He was the beloved husband of 58 years to Winifred (Barczykowski) Silk. He is also survived by his children, Peter Silk and his wife Nina, of Tewksbury, MA, Mary Reese, of Chelmsford, MA, and Robert Silk and his wife Sandy, of Melrose. Mr. Silk was the proud and loving grandfather of Allison Reese of Belmont, and the brother of the late Paul Silk ’64 and his surviving wife, Jacoba von Gimborn, and of Richard Silk ’66, and his wife Meg.

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THOMAS L. CLARK ’61

Thomas Laing Clark, of Beverly, MA, died on December 16, 2021. He was 79.

Born in Cambridge, MA, to the late John and Cherry (Nichols) Clark and raised in Providence, RI and Rockport, MA, he was educated at Moses Brown School, Belmont Hill, and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

In 1965, he entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 13th Aviation Battalion in Can Tho, Vietnam, where he served with a helicopter unit and volunteered to teach English at a Buddhist monastery.

After a year, he was transferred to Dachau, Germany. He concluded his tour of duty in 1966 upon receiving the Vietnam Service, Good Conduct, Vietnam Campaign, and National Defense Service medals.

After serving as an aide to Senator John Chaffee in Providence, Mr. Clark became a reporter for Essex County Newspapers’ Beverly Times, first as a sportswriter and then as a reporter. There, he met Nancy Brewka, who became his beloved wife of 48 years. In 1978, he joined the reporting staff of The Salem News and spent the rest of his journalistic career covering local politics and the courts.

Mr. Clark served for many years on the Beverly retirement board. A patient advocate for the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Foundation, he was a powerful example of how to survive and thrive with a chronic illness.

A member of the Guild of Beverly Artists, he was a founding member of the Lynch Park Advisory Committee, which under-

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sisters and their spouses, Joanna and Joseph Swayze and Martha and Andy Rappoli of Rockport; two brothers and their spouses, John and Mia Clark of Manchester, VT, and Charles and Heather Clark of Beverly; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his in-laws and dear friends, Barbara Brewka and her husband James A. Lee. In recent years, he particularly enjoyed the company of his niece Joanna, her husband Chris McDonough, and their daughter Lucy, of Beverly.

EDWARD A. COUNIHAN IV ’65

Edward (Teddy) A. Counihan IV, of Reading, MA, died on September 1, 2021.

He was 74 years old.

Mr. Counihan was the son of the late Edward A. Counihan III and Louise Watson Counihan, of Cambridge, MA. He went on to Syracuse University and Suffolk Law School, and he practiced law in Boston as a public defender for many years.

His true love was music. He was an accomplished jazz pianist and an amateur songwriter. Mr. Counihan never missed a performance of his idol, Dave McKenna, when Dave came to play at the Copley Plaza in Boston, and he was a regular at the Newport Jazz Festival. He had a few local gigs of his own and never failed to please his audience with his charm, crooked smile, unique improvisational style, and passion for the music.

Mr. Counihan came from an athletic family and was an enthusiastic tennis player and golfer. He followed the Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots, and, like many Bostonians, he suffered greatly at the hands of the Red Sox while also delighting occasionally in their soaring moments of glory. His nickname, shared, was “Teddy Ballgame.”

He was a kind soul who will be greatly missed by his surviving sisters, Susan Counihan Fratus, of Keene, NH, and Carole Counihan and her husband Jim Taggart of Lancaster, PA; his brother, Christopher Counihan and his wife Eleanor Marks, of Cambridge; and the 16 nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews who adored him.

restaurants and farmers’ markets. “Farmer Jack” operated stands in Aspen, the valley, and western Colorado and was passionate about advocating and connecting farmers with local restaurants and families.

Mr. Reed loved going to farmers’ markets to acquaint customers with new foods and ideas. “That’s the beauty of markets: When the people meet the farmer, there’s an emotional charge that happens,” he said in a 2009 interview with The Aspen Times. “If they can put a face to the whole process— that there’s a person spending his whole day in the cheese factory making the loaf of chevre, that there’s a farmer spending 16 hours a day in his field—the people are happier with the food. And the farmer is happier with his chosen profession.”

motorcycles for 27 years at R&R Cycles in Manchester, NH. When he wasn’t working at R&R Cycles or building and riding his own custom-made motorcycles across America, Mr. Fisher kept busy exercising to stay in top physical shape, maintaining his college weight of 185 to the end. He was loved by the many friends he made in his travels, his Dracut neighbors, and his family, particularly his eight nephews and nieces, Tim, Dorrie, Laura, Ben, Sarah, Emma, Sam, and Sophie, each of whom held a special place in his heart.

He is also survived by his brothers, John ’66, David ’71, and Charles ’73.

Mr. Reed is survived by six children and two grandchildren.

GREGORY M. STANTON ’73

JOHN D. REED, JR. ’65

John (Jack) D. Reed, Jr., also known as “Farmer Jack,” of Paonia, CO, near Aspen, died on April 17, 2018. He was 70.

He went on from school to Harvard College, where he became an editor for The Harvard Crimson. He was among the first journalists to cover Woodstock, the 1969 rock festival. After decades of farming on the East Coast, Mr. Reed moved to Colorado at the behest of renowned chef Ryan Hardy, who was preparing to open the small Rendezvous Organic Farm near Crawford and wanted him to help operate it.

He became well known in the Aspen area for his love of farming and, for more than a decade, bringing thousands of pounds of fresh food and farm products to Aspen

PETER K. FISHER ’68

Peter K. Fisher, of Dracut, MA, died on October 17, 2021. He was 72.

Born in Waltham, MA, in 1949, he was the second of five children of the late John (Belmont Hill faculty member) and Madge Fisher of Lincoln, MA. His early years were full of high energy and a healthy dose of mischief. At Belmont Hill, he excelled in football, hockey, and baseball.

In 1973, he graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in business. He tried a traditional career path in banking and car sales, but found his true passion in building and repairing high-performance

Gregory Mark Stanton, of New York City and Fort Lauderdale, FL, died on October 23, 2021. He was 66.

A native of Belmont, he went on to Boston College and explored many interests, from his love of the outdoors to his passion for the canvas. His early career path included serving as an English teacher and track coach, an appointment as visiting professor at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, and working as an investment banker at Drexel Burnham and Lambert.

Mr. Stanton’s greatest accomplishment was the impact he made as founder and chief operating officer of Wall Street without Walls, a non-profit focused on bringing innovative funding approaches to expand low-income housing. winter–spring 2022

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In his retirement years, he enjoyed the ocean and beaches of Key West and Fort Lauderdale, and numerous trips with his husband. His circle of friends evolved over the years from New York City to the woods of Mt. Tremper, NY, to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Fort Lauderdale, with him bringing laughter to all with his bad jokes.

Mr. Stanton was immensely charismatic and a sparkling presence in so many people’s lives. He is survived by his loving husband, Dr. Lee Sider, and his extended family, including Rick and Mary Stanton, of North Hampton, NH; Jack and Mary Beth Cotter, of South Natick, MA; Carole Bailey and Jim Tiernan, of Wilmington, MA; and Chris Stanton, of Scottsdale, AZ. He was also a dedicated son-in-law to Lois Sider and absolutely loved being Uncle Greg to his nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, John Matthew, and Cece Cotter; Alex, Connor, and Kerry Bailey; Jen, Sharon, Rick, and Tim Stanton; Ryan, Catherine, Rory, and Garrett; and so many cousins and numerous friends. He also leaves his four-footed friend, Phineas. His sister, Sue, preceded him in death.

GREGORY S. ROBER ’75

Gregory Stewart Rober, of Lynnfield, MA, died on November 3, 2021. He was 64.

Born in 1957 to the late Edna and Donald Rober in Natick, MA, he grew up in Belmont and went on to study architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.

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He took time off during his second year before transferring to UMass Amherst, where he met his wife-to-be, Gail Beth Moskovitz, of Bennington, VT. After graduating in 1980 with a degree in economics, he started working at his father’s tile company, United Distributors Inc. He and Gail married in 1980, and later in life, Mr. Rober worked with his brother Cliff as a surveyor at Rober Survey in Arlington, MA. His light touch and warmth were known to all around him. His interests varied widely, from motorcycles and cars to geology and flowers. He was just as keen to point out a souped-up Honda CBR as he was a brilliantly colored rhododendron.

He loved making the corniest of dad jokes, parading his beloved shelties around Glen Meadow, wearing solid wool socks, and playing The J. Geils Band too loudly.

Mr. Rober is survived by his loving wife, Gail Rober; his daughters Renée Rober, of Brooklyn, NY, and Monica McHugh and her husband Patrick of Washington, DC; his brothers, Cliff Rober and his wife Lisa, of Bedford, MA, and Don Rober, Jr. ’73 and his wife Wendy, of Concord, MA; his in-laws, Larry and Gerry Moss, of Worcester, MA, Alan and Jane Moss, of Newton, MA, and Richard Moss, of Burlington, VT; his Shetland sheepdogs, Lila and Holly; and several nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

CONRADO R. BONDOC ’80

Conrado R. Bondoc, of Boston, died on December 29, 2021. He was 59.

He went on to Boston University and later was instrumental in building Gemini Industries Inc. through the company’s first

ten years of operations. Mr. Bondoc then returned to his passion as a columnist and journalist at NBC, AOL, and the Improper Bostonian. Most recently, he worked in consumer electronics/technology at Best Buy. He was the son of the late Conrado C. Bondoc, MD, and Remedios Rosales Bondoc, MD. He is survived by his sisters, Josefina and her husband Rafael DeBaere, of Wayland, MA, and Victoria R. Bondoc of Lexington, MA; and his nephews, Christopher DeBaere ’13 and his wife Allison of Weston, MA, and Alexandre DeBaere ’15 of New York City.

GLEN A. PHILLEY ’94

Glen A. Philley, of Melrose, MA, died on December 17, 2021. He was 45.

Born in Melrose in 1976, Mr. Philley from an early age showed an interest and talent for art, especially drawing and painting.

He studied studio art at Belmont Hill and art history at Bates College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1998.

For graduate school he attended the University of Michigan and earned a master’s degree in architecture. He later held positions at the architectural firms of Whitney Atwood Norcross Associates and Touloukian Touloukian Inc. Mr. Philley excelled at games of skill and strategy, and poker was his passion. He was also an avid reader with a vast personal library of classic novels and essays

on pop culture. With friends and family, he enjoyed restaurant dining, movies, art museums, and conversations about books.

Recently, he renewed his painting practice and was exploring photography. A loyal and caring person, he was always willing to help those in need and make time for those he loved. He was a true individual with a distinct personal style and perspective that evolved from his eclectic interests. He will be warmly remembered and dearly missed.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Philley is survived by his sister, Jennifer Zolot and her husband Ken, of Cambridge, MA; his aunt, Martha Peabody, of Gloucester, MA; his uncles, Gerald Philley and his wife Heidi, of Davenport, FL, and Greg Philley and his wife Lynne, of Taberg, NY. He was also the nephew of the late Jonathan Peabody and his wife Norma, and Georgianna Ledgerwood and her surviving husband Tom. He is survived by many cousins and friends as well.

FACULTY

ROBERT G. CRESSEY

Robert George Cressey, of Brunswick, ME, a devoted and central member of the Belmont Hill faculty for 26 years, died on December 10, 2021. He was 89.

Born in Gardiner, ME, on April 15, 1932, Mr. Cressey was the son of the late Everett R. and Gertrude Harris Cressey. He was a graduate of Gardiner High School, where

he was an outstanding athlete, and the University of Maine in Orono. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and served in the U. S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955.

His career in education spanned 47 years as a dedicated teacher, administrator, and coach. Among other assignments in the years prior to his arrival at Belmont Hill, Mr. Cressey taught for 11 years at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY, was principal of the Upper School at Rutgers Preparatory School in New Jersey, and served as interim headmaster of Rivers Country Day School during the academic year 1978–79.

Mr. Cressey came to Belmont Hill in 1980 to teach arithmetic, algebra, and geometry and to coach Middle School football and basketball and J.V. baseball. In his later years at the School, he became director of the Middle School and assistant director of athletics. His contributions to the Hill community were numerous, ranging from his dedicated teaching of math fundamentals to systematically fashioning the School’s increasingly complex academic and athletic schedules, to advising boys and younger faculty, and to enthusiastically coaching First and Second Formers as they began their athletic journeys at the School. His colleagues on the faculty and staff, along with legions of his students, valued him for his love of problem-solving, particularly in scheduling matters, and for his friendship, sincerity, tolerance, selflessness, and utter lack of pretense.

Above all, Mr. Cressey was best known to everyone on campus for his patience, wisdom, and hard work. He could be seen regularly attending Belmont Hill games, even well into retirement, and his all-around support of the enterprise and its people signaled that he was truly the embodiment of the best kind of school-man, never complaining and meeting every need as it arose. No task was ever too small for Mr. Cressey.

After spending many summers at his waterfront home in Harpswell, ME, he retired in 2006 and returned to his native state full time. Living in Brunswick next to Bowdoin College, he was a loyal fan of both its football team and women’s basketball team and took the opportunity to welcome and reconnect with college-age Belmont Hill graduates arriving to compete against Bowdoin. In his later years, Mr. Cressey continued his enthusiasm for participation by cycling, running in several marathons, and hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety. He also served as a volunteer docent and guide on the Downeaster section of the Amtrak rail service.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Jacqueline (Best) Cressey, his sons David and Robert Brian, and a grandson, Austin. He was the brother of the late Richard and Everett Cressey, Lucy Morang, and Marion Duplessis, and grandfather of the late Kabrina Cressey.

Cressey Fund for Faculty Development The Cressey Fund for Faculty Development, established in 2002 by faculty, family, and friends of Mr. Cressey, provides financial support for teachers at Belmont Hill with conference fees, expenses connected with sabbatical leaves, compensation for curriculum development, and other professional growth experiences benefitting their students.

Gifts to this fund in Mr. Cressey’s memory may be made to the Alumni and Development Office.

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2021–2022

Belmont Hill School

Board of Trustees Jon M. Biotti ’87, President William F. Achtmeyer ’73, Vice President Gregory J. Schneider, Secretary Anthony W. Ryan, Treasurer Jinane Abounadi Dewey J. Awad Mark D. Chandler ’74 Gretchen R. Cook-Anderson Warren Cross, Jr. ’83 Carl D. Dawson ’72 Groom Dinkneh ’09 Jeffrey D. Drucker ’90 Ronald M. Druker ’62 Jean C. Egan Daniel S. Farb William A. Forde ’05 John T. Grady, Jr. ’66 Christopher J. Hadley Danielle A. Heard Jason H. Hurd ’90 Stephen R. Karp ’57 Jonathan A. Kraft ’82 George W. Lynch II ’88 ex officio

Emmett E. Lyne ’77 Amy B. Madden Carl J. Martignetti ’77 Kirk D. McKeown ’95 Sarah H. Pelmas Taggart M. Romney ’88 Jill M. Shah Brian J. Shortsleeve ’91 Margaret M. Wade Herbert S. Wagner III Meghan R. Weldon ex officio honorary trustees John M. Connors, Jr. John A. Pike ’49

350 Prospect Street Belmont, MA 02478 617.484.4410 www.belmonthill.org We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Please address all correspondence to the Bulletin Editor at the above address, or email us at communications@belmonthill.org. managing editor Bill Mahoney editors Amy Hirsch Lindsey Taylor class notes & in memoriam Eileen Foley Harold Prenatt photography John Gillooly, John Gillooly IV, Kristie Gillooly Dean, Neal Hamberg, Amy Hirsch, Bill Mahoney, Adam Richins, Matt Risley, and the Belmont Hill School Archives ©2022 Belmont Hill School. All rights reserved.

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Below: Form III students Sam Karp and Andrew Pimental at the board in Mr. Brownell’s class.

On back cover: Mr. Densmore teaches in the Lower School building (now Morse), ca. 1940s.

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alumni database update In an effort to honor requests made by members of our community, we have updated the Alumni database so that both names are reflected when we address couples.

As a part of this effort, we are also revising the format of our salutation from a formal standard to an informal standard. These changes are reflected in this publication of the Bulletin as well as in future mailings.

If you prefer your name to appear differently, please email alumni@belmonthill.org and we will gladly include it in our database in the format you wish to be addressed.

Thank you, as always, for being a part of the Belmont Hill community.

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