IN MEMORIAM Holy Cross Magazine publishes In Memoriam to inform the College community of the deaths of alumni, trustees, students, employees and friends. In Memoriam content, which is based on obituaries published in public forums or provided directly to HCM by the family, is a limited overview that includes service to alma mater and a survivors listing. Family members are welcome to submit an obituary or additional information, which will be included at the discretion of the editor; due to time and space constraints, the final obituaries will not be sent to family members for approval. Portrait photos from the Purple Patcher appear as space permits and at the discretion of the editor (photos provided by the deceased’s family are not accepted). Obituaries appear in the order in which they are received; due to the volume of submissions and magazine deadlines, it may be several issues before they appear in print. To notify the College of a death, please call the Alumni Office at (508) 793-3039 or email AlumniRecords@holycross.edu, attaching a copy of an obituary, if available.
1941
Frank D. Berry, M.D.
1945
John E. diPretoro
children and their families, including
White Mountain Freezer Company,
two grandchildren and one great-
Mr. Thurber had a 45-year career in
Frank D. Berry,
John E. “Jack” diPretoro, of Harrison,
grandchild. He was predeceased by his
banking, first as president of the Second
M.D., of Los Altos,
Maine, died on Feb. 24, 2021, at 96.
wife of 60 years, Sheila; his parents; two
National Bank, then as president, chief
California, died on
He attended Holy Cross as a naval
sisters; and one brother.
operating officer, chairman and CEO
Feb. 2, 2021, at 101.
cadet before enlisting in the U.S. Naval
After graduating,
Training Program. Commissioned as
John R. Kilsheimer
he enlisted in the U.S. Army and
an ensign, Mr. diPretoro received his
John R. Kilsheimer, of New Smyrna
years, Patricia “Pat”; three children;
attended Tufts University School of
naval aviator wings, and his service in
Beach, Florida, died on Feb. 17, 2021,
one son’s spouse; two stepchildren; one
Medicine. An ophthalmologist and
World War II included combat in the
at 97. At Holy Cross, Mr. Kilsheimer
stepdaughter’s spouse; two daughters-
eye surgeon, he practiced medicine in
Pacific Theater aboard aircraft carriers
studied chemistry and participated in
in-law; two former daughters-in-law;
Los Altos for more than 40 years. Dr.
USS Franklin and the USS Hornet,
Band and ROTC. He was a member
one nephew; 13 grandchildren; several
Berry supported Holy Cross Athletics
flying TBM Avenger torpedo bombers.
of the HOIAH Marching Band Alumni
great-grandchildren; and other nieces
and was a member of the President’s
Campaigns included the Philippines,
and O’Callahan Society, and was
and nephews. He was predeceased by
Council. He is survived by four
Leyte, Formosa, Bonin Island and the
affiliated with Naval ROTC. He served
his first wife, Shirley Amos; one son; one
children; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-
Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, for
in the U.S. Navy during World War II,
stepson; one sister; and one brother.
grandchildren; and his companion,
which he was awarded the Air Medal,
as an officer on a LST ship during the
Nora Buys. He was predeceased by
as well as Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
invasion of Leyte. He later earned his
his first wife, Jean; his second wife,
Medal with three stars, Presidential
master’s at Fordham University and his
Elizabeth; his mother; one brother;
Unit Citation, a China Service Medal
Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Syracuse
James N. “Jim” Bar-
and one sister. His father was the late
and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
University. His career in agricultural
rett Jr., of Houston,
Francis C. “Frank” Berry, class of 1913.
At the end of the war, he served as a
chemistry included positions at Union
formerly of Water-
naval aviator and test pilot until his
Carbide (West Virginia), Mobil Oil (New
town, Massachusetts,
retirement as a lieutenant commander.
Jersey) and Esso (New Jersey), and as
Mr. diPretoro is survived by two sons,
a senior vice president at the Scotts
at 94. Mr. Barrett attended Holy Cross
Robert E. Maher, M.D., of Shrewsbury,
two daughters and their families,
Company (Ohio). Upon retirement,
on a U.S. Navy scholarship and served
Massachusetts, died on Feb. 3, 2021,
including eight grandchildren and five
he and his wife worked together as
at sea during World War II. He later
at 98. Dr. Maher studied premed at
great-grandchildren; and two nieces
real estate agents, and he authored
received his law degree from Boston
Holy Cross and also graduated from
and their families. He was predeceased
four books. Mr. Kilsheimer is survived
University and his MBA from Harvard
Tufts University School of Medicine.
by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie; his
by six daughters; five sons-in-law; 11
University, and during his professional
He served in the U.S. Navy and
parents; and one son.
grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren;
career, he spent time in South America,
one brother; and 11 nieces and nephews.
Europe and across much of the U.S.
He was predeceased by his wife,
Mr. Barrett supported the College as a
Elizabeth “Betty”; and three siblings.
member of the 1843 Society, President’s
1944
Robert E. Maher, M.D.
practiced obstetrics and gynecology
of the Bank of New Hampshire. Mr. Thurber is survived by his wife of 50
1946
James N. Barrett Jr.
died on Jan. 8, 2021,
in Worcester for more than 35 years;
Donald E. Grahn
he was an attending physician on the
Donald E. Grahn, of Batavia, formerly
staffs of Worcester City, St. Vincent and
of Barrington, Illinois, died on Jan. 8,
Hahnemann hospitals. He was also
2021, at 95. At Holy Cross, Mr. Grahn
the first chief of OB-GYN at Fallon
studied naval science; he was affiliated
Davis P. Thurber,
is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eva;
Clinic after having worked in private
with NROTC Oct 1945 Class and
of Nashua, New
two sons, James N. “Jim” Barrett III ’90
practice. He was a member of the
Naval ROTC, and he was a member
Hampshire, died on
and David J. “Dave” Barrett ’95, and
former Alumni Sodality of Our Lady at
of the O’Callahan Society. He went
Feb. 14, 2021, at 95.
their families; and one brother. He was
Holy Cross. Dr. Maher is survived by
on to earn a bachelor’s degree from
At the College, Mr.
predeceased by one sister; and one
four daughters; three sons, including
Tufts University and an MBA from the
Thurber participated in ROTC; he was
Jeffrey D. Maher, D.D.S., ’74 and Robert
University of Chicago. He served in the
a member of the O’Callahan Society
E. Maher Jr. ’72; one daughter-in-law;
U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet as a lieutenant
and affiliated with NROTC Oct 1945
five sons-in-law, including David
before embarking on a successful
Class and Naval ROTC. He served as a
Rev. Stephen M.
J. Rose ’76 and Paul J. Shea ’75; 15
career in commercial insurance. He
lieutenant in the U.S. Navy at the end
Mulkern, of Portland,
grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren;
was deeply involved in sales and
of World War II. In addition to Holy
Maine, died on
and many nieces and nephews. He
service to Fortune 1000 business firms,
Cross, he also attended Bates College
Feb. 11, 2021, at 96.
was predeceased by his wife, Barbara;
including AON’s Casualty and Claims
and MIT Sloan. After working for five
one daughter; his parents; and three
departments, until his retirement.
years in sales at Amos Thompson
from Holy Cross, Fr. Mulkern studied
siblings.
Mr. Grahn is survived by two
Corporation and for a brief stint at the
at St. Mary’s Seminary & University
8 4 \ H O LY CROS S M AG A ZINE \ SUMMER 2021
Davis P. Thurber
Council, Board of Advisors and Holy Cross Lawyers Association. Mr. Barrett
brother.
Rev. Stephen M. Mulkern
After graduating
