18 minute read
Class Notes
1930s
The Hartford Courant newspaper recently profiled James Elsner ’37, who was part of fighter group that kept Japanese soldiers from returning to Alaska during World War II.
1940s
Gerald Goldsmith ’48 reached out to let us know he celebrated his 90th birthday in February, and is still pumping iron. He urges everyone to never give up.
Robert Caron ’49 was recently inducted into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame. He was a standout multi-sport athlete at each level who went on to coach youth sports in Bristol, including 20 years with Bristol Midget Football. He was a member of the Bristol Blues semi-pro team and the Forestville Eagles. Honors passed his way have been multiple, including being recognized by the Bristol Tramps in 1984 with the Harp Broderick Award.
1950s
Peter Hubbard ’56 says he continues to stay active. “Working with our local high school football team in the offseason doing strength and agility training. Cannot wait for New England Dragway to open as both my wife and I love to drag race our cars.” They also look forward to their annual bass fishing trip at a secret smallmouth lake. “As I tell the folks I do personal training for, ‘You have to age, but you do not have to grow old.’ My best to all the classes of the Academy. Remember each day is a new adventure—enjoy every one of them!”
NEWS? UPDATES? MARRIAGE? BIRTH?
Submit your news and photos to: alumni@cheshireacadamy.org
1960s
After living for 10 years in Boynton Beach, Florida, Michael Kates ’62 reports that his family has settled in quite well after moving back to Montreal, Canada.
Art Cirkus ’62 is now retired and is living with his wife in a small community called Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego county, California.
Don Scott ’62 refects that he left Cheshire at the age of 18, moved to Alabama, and worked as an auto mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership. At 19, he joined the United States military, serving from 1964 to 1970 with two deployments throughout southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. When his service concluded, he was hired with the Penn Central Railroad, working in the engineering department. In 1978, he moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where he worked for the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority until his retirement in 2017. Scott adds that he was married from 1983 until his wife’s passing in 2017. He moved to Burnham, Maine in 2017 and currently owns and operates a 42-acre mini-farm.
Cary Palulis ’64 says, “Susan and I are both fully retired here in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, but still spend summer months in Avon, Connecticut. I had three straight heart attacks over eight days in late October and survived, but had to wear a life vest for many weeks, and now have a permanent defibrillator implanted. This delayed our trip to Florida by more than two months. I’m doing good now, golfing three times per week, and belong to the PGA Golf Course in St. Lucie, which has four tough courses. I still get together as often as possible with Bob Burg and Paul Malone from our class, and get back to Cheshire Academy for all the big celebrations and our five-year class reunions. I hope to see more of you at the next one (60 years) in 2024—health issues aside.”
Joe Wigley ’66 reached out to say, “Retirement is feeling good. We moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 2019, and bought our retirement home overlooking the Mesilla Valley. Catherine and I couldn’t stay retired for long, so we recently bought a small project home which we flipped and are taking the profits from it, and are in the initial stages of developing a site for homes to house the 600-plus homeless children in the Las Cruces school system. We hope to expand the site to house homeless veterans in the next four years. Other than that, we chill out watching the sunsets.”
Former Board of Trustees member Lenny Simpson ’68 was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame on Jan. 18 during a ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia. As part of his induction, the Southern Tennis Foundation recognized Simpson’s involvement and success in the sport beginning at the age of 5, as well as his founding of the Lenny Simpson Tennis & Education Fund. The primary program of the LSTEF—One Love Tennis—brings tennis instruction and an academic enrichment program for free to develop children both academically and athletically during and outside of the school year.
1970s
Rick Morris ’73 has been working in broadcast television and films since 1978. From 2007-2010, Morris worked as the documentary producer/videographer for the Census of Marine Life and the Encyclopedia of Life projects. Rick has shot and produced programming for many of the major networks and cable channels, as well as for non-profits and NGOs like The Nature Conservancy, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the New England Aquarium, Oceana, and the Conservation Law Foundation. Rick was the primary cameraman for the political commentary television show, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.” During his tenure with the Census of Marine Life, Rick produced and contributed to more than a dozen films and productions for National Geographic, PBS, BBC, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Rick’s footage has been seen on programs from “Nightline” to “Late Night with David Letterman” and most recently on the network show, “Sunday Morning” on CBS with Jane Pauley. In 2015, Rick was chosen as Scuba Diving Magazine’s Sea Hero for the months of September and October.
Dana Benson ’75 submitted this poem after returning to CA to celebrate the school’s 225th anniversary: “Cheshire Alive, 225! Hello old friend. I needed you more then. Now, a different mission; A career transition. Back then, my family tent was faming; Kindled by my adolescent braining. I was not ill or a fool; Advisors suggested we try a new school. Shopping began; Doctor Beaulac was headman. He, a calming surprise; Cheshire got “the prize.” My parents left; Leaving me happily alone; unbereft. I had my 140-square-foot Heaven, Horton Hall, Number 211. 1974! A baby no more. Finally My Door! Chris Tennyson was in charge of the Hall; He taught, coached, and watched over us all. One day, All-American Bevan Dupre arrived, with beautiful Barbara by his side. Von der Porten Hall (I think) was his first hide, 40 years, what a ride! Today, Cheshire is a growing family, 225 years young. Me a writer finally begun. Thank you old friend, for not joining every new educational sing along, and for sticking with your way until proven wrong. During his Hall of Fame induction yesterday, Jason Curry did say, nightly study hall transformed his way. For me the same bounce of the ball; The study hall, the study hall; key to all! Professor Gardiner’s one-room schoolhouse beginning still inspires me today. A toast to humble starts and great endings, Yay! To Professors Sweetkind, Cash, Tennyson, and Dupre, and to all who taught me back in the day; Thank you for introducing me to the Classics the Cheshire Way. You encouraged me to pursue the truth where it led. No ideology was jammed into my head. To all of you who worked on the celebration plan, Thank you! The event you created for us was grand. All schools need a flow of funds to thrive. To Barbara Davis and the fundraising team, thanks for your drive! To fellow alums, most whom I don’t know; thank you for your donations and helping Cheshire to grow. We don’t want the Academy to go away; a Pompeii, buried under mounds of Condo Clay.”
1980s
Greg Grossman ’83 shared, “I wanted to share encouraging news. I passed my oral defense last Friday. I earned my Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies from seminary. Cheshire Academy is a part of my academic and life success. I appreciate all that you do for the students at Cheshire Academy.”
Andrea Morris ’83 recently shared with us what was exciting in her life these days. “Well, what’s exciting for me is that, after 39 years, I am returning to Liberia as a curriculum coordinator for an international school that is preparing to implement the PYP/ DP program. I’m also excited because I am now the associate director for Africa in the Odyssey of the Mind organization, and held the first Odyssey of the Mind Afrifest competition in Liberia, inviting school teams from Europe, U.S., and throughout Africa to compete in March in Liberia.”
Aimee Sheeber ’84 is living the dream in Aspen, Colorado, and is excited her daughter, Gia Knight, is a member of the Cheshire Academy class of 2021.
Bruce Owen and Lara Foldvari ’85 were married on May 6, 2019 in their backyard, surrounded by friends and family.
1990s
Dr. Aleesha Grier-Rogers ’90 has joined the faculty at Cheshire Academy as the new diversity, equity & inclusion coordinator.
Satoshi Kawanobe ’91 and his wife, Fanny, welcomed their third daughter, Aimi, on Jan. 22, 2020. Congratulations also to Satoshi for becoming a Boeing 757/767 pilot.
Brenda Mulligan ’95 with Peter White ’07, director of alumni relations.
Brenda Mulligan ’95 began her new role as head of global oncology communications for Sanof Genzyme in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September 2019. Sanof is a global healthcare leader, providing healthcare solutions in more than 170 countries around the world.
Suhi Koizumi ’96 is a partner at Minami Tamaki, LLP, in San Francisco, California, where she practices immigration law. She and her husband live in Oakland, California, with a radiant grade schooler.
Ricardo Greer and Jared Pinsker.
Jared Pinsker ’97 visited his former Von der Porten roommate Ricardo Greer ’97 in Maui in November. Greer is an assistant coach for the Dayton mens’ basketball team.
Kinga Gawron-Akerley ’98 and her husband, Brian, welcomed Hudson Jack Akerley on June 12, 2019.
Kathy Ewen ’99 has been working at Chapel Haven for 15 years as a job coach and loves every day of her job. During the Memorial Day Parade held in Bethany, Connecticut, Ewen rode her mother’s horse, Ariel, in honor of Blackhorse 4 Heroes, a therapy program for veterans offered at the Blackhorse Equestrian Center.
Jessica Colin-Greene ’99 and her husband Jerry Schwab welcomed a son, River, on Nov. 19, 2019.
2000s
Alana and Jonathan Marks ’00 welcomed a second son, Logan Ryder, on Aug. 5, 2019. Congratulations to big brother, Jayden.
Kalea Edwards Flynn ’04 shares, “I just accepted a position with Novant Health Care Systems in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the lead clinical psychologist at Dilworth Pediatrics! Thank you to Duff, my CA family, my family, and friends for supporting me along the way!”
Adam Mejerson ’05, co-founder and executive director of FitLot, opened the company's eighth AARP-sponsored outdoor fitness park in Springfield, Illinois, in September.
Brittany Barberino '05 and Jeff welcomed a son, Pierson Graham Barberino Gormley, on Sept. 17, 2019. He joins a brother, William, and a sister, Lux.
Jennifer Leedham ’05 was named the head coach of Great Britain’s U16 Girls’ 2020 FIBA European Championship team. Leedham said, “I am honored to be selected. I believe I have a major opportunity to grow and help influence the future of British Basketball. I am proud and excited to work with such a phenomenal group of young girls.” Leedham is the lone female head coach to represent Great Britain throughout all age groups in the European championships. The 2020 U16 Women’s FIBA European championships are set to take place during the month of July in the countries of Gibraltar, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkans, and Matosinhos, Portugal. Leedham will be inducted into the Cheshire Academy Kevin D. Slaughter Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame this June during Reunion 2020.
Asha and Jai Farswani.
AshaPops, the popped water lily seed snack created by Jai Farswani ’07 and his mother, Asha, are now being sold in Whole Foods Market stores.
Michael Sandler ’05 is now the senior director, brand partnerships at: Billboard | Dick Clark | The Hollywood Reporter | MRC Films (MRC MEDIA, LLC).
Jim Kallinich ’06 started a new job as manager of corporate partnerships for the Boston Celtics.
Annette and Shak Saunders ’07 welcomed their frst child, Zoey Evelynn Saunders, on April 5, 2019.
Moshood Olatokunbo ’07 completed his MBA at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Olatokunbo is the associate director of strategic sourcing at United Technologies.
’07
Gil Scherpo with Peter White, director of alumni relations.
Gil Scherpo ’07 is the director of sales at Snappy Gifts. He was the first hired employee for the startup in 2017.
Jonathan Bozzuto ’08 and Stacey Farrell were married on Nov. 16, 2019. Peter White ’07, Bobby Slauson ’08, Michael Feinstein ’08, and Noah Leonowich ’08 were members of the wedding party.
2010s
Tanner Cook ’12 and Bronte Escobar Cook ’13 were married on Aug. 10, 2019.
Xiangting Tong ’13 says, “I am back to China and my baby is almost 2! Miss everything in Cheshire. Happy New Year!”
Robert Ryan ’14 is living and working in downtown Boston. Ryan is working for RxSense, a health and pharmacy technology company that specializes in pharmacy benefits management solutions. He recently received a promotion and took on a new role at work. Ryan has also completed several cycling century (100-plus miles) challenges last summer, including the 200-mile Pan-Mass Challenge. He will be running in the 2020 Boston Marathon, fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of his uncle, Steve. He is also hoping to complete the Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid in September 2020, which will mark his first triathlon.
William (Sifso) Chapman ’15 accepted a new position as deputy director for voter registration at 360 Campaign Consulting in Wisconsin.
Phatravit Watanasiri ’15 is the site operations associate at Ora, Inc. in Portland, Maine. Ora is the world’s leading independent, full-service ophthalmic clinical research and product development firm, with offices in the United States and Japan.
Zhaoyu Sun ’16 was recently accepted by Duke Law School’s Juris Doctor program.
Miura Wiley ’17, a junior at The College of Wooster, was named North Coast Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Year. In addition to her successful year as a forward, Wiley’s game-winning goal during a double-overtime clincher against DePauw University on Nov. 9 allowed the Wooster Fighting Scots to capture the 2019 NCAC Women’s Soccer Tournament Championship.
Jenna Denomme ’19 shares, “I’ve been greatly enjoying my time at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. During the first three weeks of January, I participated in an experience the college offered called the May Fellows Colloquium, where intellectually curious students are put into small groups and tasked with answering a given question through extensive research and the creation of a final product. The question for this year’s colloquium was “Who are we?” My group of four chose to address this prompt by creating an art piece that would inspire a community conversation about diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. We sent out a survey to Wheaton students, faculty, and staff asking for symbols that represented an aspect of their identity; something like a fag, a logo for an organization the individual was involved in, or something more abstract or personal. We got more than 90 symbol submissions, which we then printed and covered the mannequin with as a manifestation of how these disparate people and values come together to form the community’s unifed identity. If you would like to see photos of the fnal product or learn more about the thought behind it, you can check out the website we made as part of the project: https:// anatomyofacommunity.wordpress.com/ Though I was apprehensive about the intensity of the project going in, I ended up having a wonderful experience. I forged strong bonds with my teammates, and we all further developed our skill levels in time management, cooperation, research, analysis, professional writing, public speaking, and more. I was even able to bring in one of the skills I was taught as part of my IB History courses at Cheshire Academy—source evaluation via the OPVL method—in putting together an annotated bibliography of our sources. I am very thankful that my Cheshire Academy education put me in a position where I was not only able, but also well prepared, to participate in such a unique project.”
Tara Lynch and Jesse Palmer, college football analyst with ESPN.
Tara Lynch ’18 worked on the sideline for ESPN at the Sugar Bowl— held on Jan. 1 in New Orleans— alongside ESPN staff, including Jesse Palmer, college football analyst.
IN MEMORIAM
Alumni
1940s
William “Bill” Flint ’42 died on April 21, 2019. He lived over 60 years in Woodbridge, Connecticut, as well as in Stuart and Vero Beach, Florida.
Herb Frumkes ’44 “The Colonel” passed away peacefully on December 20, 2019. Frumkes was most recently a partner at Tradex Brokerage Service Inc. He was an avid golfer and lifetime member of Fresh Meadow Country Club in Great Neck, New York. He served in World War II and Korea.
A. Norman Into ’45 died on February 9, 2019 in Youngstown, Ohio. Into was a Navy pilot during World War II and stayed on in the Naval Reserve.
Joseph Santa Barbara ’49 died on March 3, 2019.
1950s
James Bozzelli ’50 died on December 8, 2018.
Harry Ludwig ’50 died on February 2, 2019. Ludwig retired after serving as a manager with Shell Oil Company for 38 years.
Alan McCoy ’53 died on September 10, 2018. He was a longtime resident of Palm Coast, Florida.
Robert Hummel ’55 died on November 17, 2019.
1960s
David Johnson ’62 passed away on January 9, 2020. His wife, Peggy Johnson, reports that he had fond memories of CA and his classmates.
John Caron ’63 died on March 21, 2019.
Christopher Carney ’65 died March 3, 2018 in Decatur, Georgia.
1970s
Andres Romero ’74 died on September 8, 2019.
1980s
Robert Humphrey ’82 died on February 3, 2020.
1990s
Wayne Drapeau ’90 died on October 28, 2019. He was a 16-year veteran of the Truck Company 8 firefghters unit of Bethesda, Maryland.
2000s
Jason Wells ’02 died on Aug. 5, 2019.
Former Faculty
Dr. Joseph Edmund Hickey of East Hampton, Connecticut, former chairman of the Board of Trustees for Cheshire Academy, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Thursday, December 26, 2019. Throughout his consulting career, he published numerous journal articles and papers. Through a collaborative effort between the State of Connecticut and Harvard University, he was director of the “Just Community Project” at the Niantic Women’s Prison and published a book entitled “Toward a Just Correctional System,” the subject of which highlighted how educational opportunity for a certain segment of the prison population had the potential to turn lives around.
Dr. Hickey later concentrated his efforts in the classroom at the University of New Haven as an associate professor and department chairman, where he taught many members of Connecticut‘s law enforcement community. Dr. Hickey spent 15 years serving on CA’s Board of Trustees. He leaves behind his wife and best friend of 60 years, Amy (Danaher) Hickey, son Joseph 3rd ’85, daughter Amy Cady ’88, and his son Lt. Col. Cornelius Hickey, USMC, among others.
Dr. Howard Krieger passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, February 7, 2020. A longtime clinical psychologist, Krieger served on the Health Team at Cheshire Academy, and was the father of Jacob Krieger ’14 and Daniel Krieger ’19.
Remembering Dr. Howard Krieger
NOVEMBER 2, 1952 – FEBRUARY 7, 2020
Dr. Howard Krieger
Julie Anderson P’19, ’23, Head of School
The Cheshire Academy community suffered a great loss on Feb. 7, when longtime clinical psychologist, alumni parent, and friend Dr. Howard Krieger died.
Krieger is survived by his wife, Susan, and his children, including sons Jacob Krieger ’14 and Daniel Krieger ’19. Beyond his private practice, Krieger served as CA’s consulting psychologist, and member of the school’s health team, providing support for students, parents, faculty, and staff faced with difficulties.
Director of the Richmond Health Center Debra Bond knew Krieger both professionally and personally, as their families lived close by to one another. She said he had an immense gift for listening to others, and a strong passion for his work and family.
“He was such a gifted psychologist, but also such a wonderful man who was so supportive to his family, friends and, really, anyone that he met,” Bond said. “He was just a loved individual and provided such compassionate care to others.” Krieger had been employed at Cheshire Academy since 2015. Together with faculty and staff, Krieger helped to address issues brought forth by students, faculty, and staff.
“He understood how much the faculty cared for and supported the students,” Head of School Julie Anderson P’19, ’23 said. “He had the perspective of a parent on one hand, and professional on the other. By sitting on the health team, he saw how the faculty and staff really go above and beyond and helped us understand that our students are going to have periods where they may struggle for different reasons, and helped us develop a comprehensive plan to help them become successful.”
Krieger will also be remembered for his sense of humor, incredible patience, and calm, supportive demeanor.
“He cared so much, not only about the students, but about the community, and really wanted to help us,” Anderson continued. “I think he thought so highly of the school, our mission, and what the faculty are able to help the students accomplish with that support.”
