Thayer
MAGAZINE
Special Spring Issue 2021
A CELEBRATION OF TED KOSKORES
'70 P '10, '13
THAYER'S 8TH HEAD OF SCHOOL
H E A D O F S C H O O L . A LU M N U S . PA R E N T. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | T H AY E R , T H AY E R F O R E V E R . THE MISSION OF THAYER ACADEMY IS TO INSPIRE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS TO MORAL, INTELLECTUAL, AESTHETIC, AND PHYSICAL EXCELLENCE SO THAT EACH MAY RISE TO HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON GOOD.
Thayer MAGAZINE
P U B L I S H E D
B I A N N U A L LY
magazine@thayer.org
PRINCIPAL EDITORS
HEAD OF SCHOOL Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHERS John F. Grant, Chris Bernstein
Craig Salters ’86 P ’24 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
CHIEF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Joanna Skoler Gilman ’86 P ’25, ’27
Joanna Skoler Gilman ’86 P ’25, ’27
CHIEF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, LAYOUT & DESIGN Paul W. Kahn CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Melissa Tuthill Forger ’92 P ’25 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPAL WRITER Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
SUPPLEMENTAL WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & IMAGES Rebecca Delaney; Paul W. Kahn; Adobe Stock; Depositphotos.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Julie Burke-Blanchard ’93, Stefanie Hollister, Tina Lim, Tiffany Macauley, Lesley Leibowitz Snyder ’93 P ’23, ’25, ’28, Rachael Rouvales Vassalotti ’79 P ’07, ’11, ’12
READ THAYER MAGAZINE ONLINE: Scan this QR code to view this issue of Thayer Magazine online at ISSUU. To view all past magazine issues, visit:
ON THE COVER This special spring issue celebrates retiring Head of School Ted Koskores '70 P '10, '13, the Academy's eighth head of school and its first alumnus to serve in that role.
www.thayer.org/magazine Using QR Codes with your mobile device
THAYER ACADEMY 2020-2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Open your mobile phone camera
Tap the banner that pops up
Aim your phone at QR Code
BOARD OFFICERS
BOARD MEMBERS
Michael Joe P ’17, ’20, Chair
Danya Abrams Sr. P ’20
Joseph Farmer
Melissa Bayer Tearney P ’14, Vice Chair
Donavan Brown ’01
Kevin Gill P ’1 1, ’1 3, ’22
Maureen Pace P ’19, ’21
James Cashman ’73
Jennifer Havlicek P ’18, ’21, ’21
Allison Kent Trumbull ’00
Leigh King Schwartz P ’21, Secretary
Elaine DeLuca P ’20, ’21, Treasurer Julaine McInnis, Assistant Treasurer Thayer Academy CFOO
P ’19, ’21
James Coughlin P ’24, ’26
Kathy Horgan P ’20
Guy Daniello P ’22
Greg Lally ’92 P ’22, ’26
Rob DeMarco ’86 P ’19, ’21
Brenda Lyons P ’12, ’14, ’18
Sean Doherty P ’19, ’20
Brendan McDonough ’87
Thayer Academy | 745 Washington Street | Braintree, MA 02184
Michael McNally P ’22, ’24, ’27
P ’23
Ex officio as President of the Alumni Board
Ted Koskores ’70
P ’10, ’13, Head of School
P ’18, ’22
Send correspondence to: magazine@thayer.org
F RO M T H E H E A D O F SC H O O L
A final Magazine note from
Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13 Dear Thayer Community, As is the case with every Thayer Magazine, this issue provides a lens to examine our communal life from a variety of vantage points: assemblies dedicated to the complex issues surrounding our justice system; thoroughly prepared and passionately delivered Middle School declamations; fond farewells to long-serving faculty; summaries of notable achievements in the arts and athletics; updates from alumni; and tributes to members of our community who have passed. This issue is also my last opportunity in this forum to express my gratitude for an experience that has enriched immeasurably my life and the lives of my wife, Karen, and our two children, Tom ’10 and Kristina ’13. Indeed, we have been fortunate to be part of a community supportive of shared experiences that encourages its members to identify, develop, and share their interests, skills, and passions -even as they embrace important opportunities and responsibilities to support one another and learn and grow from each other’s experiences. We are fortunate, too, to have been able to draw from Thayer’s rich diversity. We, like so many others, traversed each day in companionship with students, faculty, staff, parents/guardians, and alumni who came from a wide range of circumstances but were linked by common aspirations and empowered by the kind of mutual support and affirmation that only comes from knowing and caring about one another.
In that regard, our school community has advantages that are regrettably diminishing in the broader culture. We actually do share space and time as we work together to address our challenges and to mark a path forward steeped in the Common Good. In doing this together, we so often meet the daunting challenge of finding the right balance in acknowledging our strengths, our shortcomings, our commonalities, and our differences in ways that reinforce the companionship which nourishes a truly healthy community. While Thayer is not immune to forces that are fracturing our national culture, I am comforted to know that the scale, purpose, and practices of our own community offer our students a venue to exercise their passions and skills in service to a Common Good and impart a responsibility to employ what they have learned here to become active and responsible leaders in their communities going forward. I wish you each the very best. My dearest hope is that Thayer has been as good to you as it has been to me and my family. Sincerely,
T E D KO S KO R E S ' 7 0 P ' 1 0 , ' 1 3 HEAD OF SCHOOL
Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
THE MISSION OF THAYER ACADEMY IS TO INSPIRE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS TO MORAL, INTELLECTUAL, AESTHETIC, AND PHYSICAL EXCELLENCE SO THAT EACH MAY RISE TO HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON GOOD.
A TOWERING PRESENCE FOR 18 YEARS Head of School Ted Koskores '70 P '10, '13 chats with an alum in front of Main Building; Koskores took the helm of his alma mater in 2003.
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TA B L E O F CO N T E N TS
Letter from the Head of School
1
Table of Contents
3
Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13
Around Campus
4-11
- Thayer announces the Middle School Transformation Project 4 - Kevin D. Richardson Speaker Event Draws 500 6 - Noted Attorney Scapicchio P ’12, ’17, ’20 Enthralls Students 7 - Faculty Notes 7 - Declamation Celebration Offers a Variety of Voices 8 - Academy News & Highlights Timeline 8 - Farewell & Goodbye 8 - Making the Years Count (Peter Robarts P ’01, ’04, ’06) 9 - At Home in the Classroom (Carter Harrison) 10 - A Style of Her Own (Karen Koskores P ’10, ’13) 11
Thank You, Ted pp. 12-27 12
Plan the Work, Work the Plan...
14
A Letter of Appreciation from Betty Bailey ’63
15
A Brother's Scouting Report
15
From the Black & Orange
15
The Ted Timeline
17
Behind-the-Scenes Initiatives for Faculty
18
An Architect's Mentality
18
A Campus Transformed
22
A Conversation with Oreo
25
A Letter of Appreciation from Steven Branfman P ’00, ’02
26
A History of Thayer's Heads of School
Thayer Arts
28
Thayer Athletics
29
Alumni House News & Notes
30
- Founders Day Wrap-Up - ThayerNetwork
Class Notes
30 31
32-38 36 38
Thayer Weddings Thayer Babies
Southworth Society Giving
39
Remembering A Life of Energy & Purpose: Rosemary (Crotty) Lavelle ’45
In Memoriam
40-47
The Final Word
48
Sign of the Times
Errata
F Destiny Palmer was erroneously listed as a new faculty member (not pictured) in the New Faculty photo caption. She joined Thayer's Middle School as the Art Teacher in the 2019-20 School Year.
Mistakes unfortunately sometimes happen - here are a few we caught from the last issue. We apologize for these errors!
F The photo of Shane Cote's (class of 2011) son Julian was accidentally left off. It's included in the Thayer Babies section on page 36. F In the Thayer Annual Report of Giving, three donors were erroneously left off: Joseph Cunningham
(Class of 1957); William Reardon
(Class of 1964); & Paula Lamson Brown
(Class of 1966)
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AROUND CAMPUS
The Academy announces the Middle School Transformation Project
Comprehensive expansion to break ground this summer
The Thayer Academy Middle School Transformation Project seeks to give physical form to the warm, welcoming, and supportive community already thriving there. While expansion and innovation thread themselves throughout the design plans, the driving force behind the project is connection: among students and classes, among faculty and departments, and with an Upper School which shares its ambitious mission. Upon completion, the two-story structure will complement the Middle School’s academic rigor and inclusive culture in both form and function. It will feature, among other improvements, an additional Grade 5 classroom, a new dining hall, a digital media classroom, increased space for the arts, and new classrooms for the English and History programs. Three skylights will wash the building in natural light as a large window wall offers views of the Upper School and the Academy’s playing fields. An open Central Hall / Gathering Space with tiered seating will serve as the hub of school activity, creating room for everything from assemblies and classes to snack time and casual conversation. Added interactive spaces, both indoors and outdoors, will reinforce a sense of community. The Academy plans to start construction this summer (2021). The project is slated to be finished one year later, and the Middle School will begin the 2022-23 school year in its new building. The Thayer Academy Middle School Transformation Project will enhance program flexibility, scheduling autonomy, and a spirit of true collaboration while making the Middle School itself more visible to the larger community. The end result will be a school reimagined to more fully address the needs and expectations of today’s students and families.
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We hope that with this new building and new spaces for design thinking, it will enable us to vertically align our curriculum so that every student is exposed to design thinking from fifth to eighth grade. - MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
GALEN HAMANN
Read about Thayer's Middle School Transformation Project here: thayer.org/mstransformation
AROUND CAMPUS
Scan the QR code on your mobile device to view a video walkthrough that highlights interesting details of the new Middle School design by Eck MacNeely Architects. Learn more online here: thayer.org/mstransformation
Former St. Francis of Assisi School to serve as temporary Middle School One great advantage to launching the Middle School construction project at this time is the Academy’s access to the former St. Francis of Assisi (SFA) School, which will be able to fully absorb the Middle School program for the duration of the work. The former SFA facility is located at 850 Washington St., just down the street from Thayer’s main campus, and is already under lease; the Upper School used it while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent need for physical distancing. During the Middle School construction period, however, the facility will be completely repurposed to serve only the needs of Academy students in Grades 5 through 8. Those needs include dedicated space for a library, a Collaborative Design Lab (CDL), and the Hale Learning Center. With its cafeteria, classrooms, stage for performing arts, internet access, and parking, the former SFA site offers a temporary Middle School location well equipped to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.
View a “Before & After” comparison of blueprints of the Middle School, videos from Head of School Ted Koskores '70 P '10, '13 and Middle School Director Galen Hamann, and an FAQ section to learn more about the project at: thayer.org/mstransformation.
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Kevin D. Richardson speaker event draws over 500 guests by Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
From the day of his wrongful arrest at age 14 in April of 1989 until his exoneration in 2002, Kevin D. Richardson heard everything: that he was a rapist; that he deserved castration; that he was fit for hanging or the electric chair; and that he was a monster, an animal, something clearly less than human. And seven of those years were spent in prison for a crime he did not commit. "I still know my registration number from when I was in prison," Richardson told more than 500 guests during a Feb. 3 Zoom webinar co-sponsored by the Thayer Academy Parent Association (TAPA) and the Academy's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. "There's some things that won't go away." But Richardson — a member of the Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five — also told the crowd that his story, at turns harrowing and healing, is part of who he is and something that makes him a stronger person. "I'm not bitter," he said. "I'm angry, but you need to channel that anger into something constructive. Bitterness will take you to the grave." Richardson's "something constructive" is his work as an advocate for criminal justice reform in partnership with the Innocence Project. The group seeks to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted by providing access to post-conviction DNA testing and spotlighting areas in need of reform such as inadequate defense, eyewitness misidentification, and false confessions.
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
Today, Richardson said, he wants to be known as a good man, a good husband, a good father, and a good friend. That said, he can never escape the time he and four others — Korey Wise, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, and Antron McCray, all minorities and all between the ages of 14 and 16 — became caught up in larger forces of racial injustice and class warfare. "We felt that we were screaming that we didn't do it but our voice was just a whisper," Richardson said. Richardson told the audience he is now looking forward to the spring commencement at Syracuse University when he is scheduled to be the first recipient of an honorary undergraduate degree from that university. He will receive an honorary bachelor's of fine arts in music, a nod to his childhood dream of attending Syracuse University and playing trumpet in that school's band. The university has already established the Our Time Has Come Kevin Richardson Scholarship in his honor. The Feb. 3 event, the last in this year's TAPA Speaker Series, was moderated by Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Jenn Welch and TAPA Vice President Martha McNally P ’22, ’24, ’27, coordinator of the speaker series. It ended with a lively questionand-answer session. It was the most highly attended speaker event in TAPA history. The story of the Exonerated Five is the subject of When They See Us, a dramatic miniseries from director Ava DuVernay and available on Netflix.
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Faculty Notes
Noted Defense Attorney Scapicchio Enthralls Students by Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
Theater Arts Director Kelly Hines P ’18, ’19 is starring in a “proof of concept” film for a
Rosemary Scapicchio P ’12, ’17, ’20, an experienced Boston criminal defense attorney who has represented clients wrongfully convicted and often sentenced to prison without the possibility of parole, discussed her work virtually Feb. 1 during the Upper School's Monday Morning Meeting.
potential sitcom based on Cape Cod. “It has been very nice getting back into an acting role and finding that the performing arts are alive and well,” Hines told The Hull Times, which ran a profile piece on both
The spirited presentation and following discussion were part of the theme
Hines and the production this spring.
"Contributing to the Common Good: The Justice System," which was the focus of study that week at the Upper School.
The potential sitcom is called Combers — short for “Beachcombers” — and Hines
Scapicchio discussed a number of her cases, including that of Sean Ellis, who served more than 21 years in prison before charges against him were dismissed in 2018. This case is the subject of an eight-part documentary series, Trial 4, currently streaming on Netflix. Scapicchio noted how difficult it can be and how long it can take — often years — to gather information when working on cases like these.
plays a zany character named Peggy who is married, has two grown children, and owns a gift shop on the Cape. The character, according to the article, is passionate about life but sometimes finds herself trying to break free from “predicaments of her own making.”
When asked if she ever felt like giving up, the attorney replied: "If you
The show was created by Kristen Arute in
know the truth, you can't give up." She said that getting to the truth is
partnership with the Company Theatre. A
what drives her passion for criminal defense in these very serious cases.
Hull native, Hines filmed several scenes at Nantasket Beach, a perfect stand-in for the
Scapicchio also suggested ways for students to use their voices in getting involved in the system, including registering to vote, taking jury duty seriously (if ever called to serve), and using social media to point out injustices or to highlight biased media coverage that they see. Many students and faculty thanked Scapicchio in the Zoom chat room
shores of Cape Cod. Filming is complete, and the footage is in post-production. After that, a halfhour package will be shopped to various production companies to gauge interest.
for what they described as an "amazing" presentation.
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SPRING 2021
TA
AROUND CAMPUS
TIMELINE
FEB
Kevin D. Richardson, a member of the Exonerated Five, speaks to over 500 guests via Zoom (see pg. 6)
Declamation Celebration Offers a Variety of Voices by Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
The Model United Nations of Thayer Academy (MUNTA) hosts a Model U.N. Training Conference for Middle School students
MAR
Art New England names Middle School Arts Faculty Destiny Palmer one of 10 emerging New England artists
APR
Brandy Fisher-Bailey is named Thayer's new girls varsity hockey head coach
Thayer Academy Middle School recently held its 35th annual Declamation Celebration, and the event brought a "Who's Who" of inspiring men and women, both past and present, or at least their inspiring words, ably and dramatically conveyed by more than three dozen student orators from all grades. The beloved tradition featured no less than President Abraham Lincoln and the succinct genius of his Gettysburg Address. There was President George Washington, President Theodore Roosevelt, and General Douglas MacArthur along with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, author Candace Bushnell, and author Nora Ephron. There was Lady Diana, but there was also Prince Ea (Richard Williams). The words of Michelle Obama appeared several times, as did the musings of one William Shakespeare.
Bailey-King Author Series holds a Zoom "Evening with Brit Bennett" where the NY Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half speaks to the Thayer community about race, gender, identity, and systemic injustice
"To all the declaimers, well done," said Middle School English Faculty and Director of Studies Carter Harrison, who has overseen the Declamation Celebration for years. At one point in the celebration, which was held virtually over three separate days (Grades 5 & 6, Grade 7, Grade 8) because of COVID-19 protocols, participants thanked Harrison, who is retiring at the end of this year, for his hard work and dedication. The Declamation Celebration begins a focus on public speaking reinforced at all grade levels in both the Middle and Upper Schools. Preparation for the March celebration begins late the previous fall. Students consult with teachers, librarians, and family members before finalizing their selections. Students receive teacher approval in early January and then begin memorizing their selections. While not all students reach the finals, all students do perform a declamation before their classmates in their English classes.
Scan the QR code on your mobile device to view a playlist of the three Declamation Celebration events. Go to Thayer's YouTube page to view these and other videos.
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
Farewell & Goodbye RETIRING: Carter Harrison Karen Koskores P '10, '13 Ted Koskores '70 P '10, '13 Peter Robarts P '01, '04, '06
DEPARTING: Clarque Brown David Dodge Thomas Foote Stefanie Hollister Sara Kelley-Mudie
Pedro Neto Ivan Shiu Andrew Thorn Jenn Welch Jarvis Wyche
AROUND CAMPUS
Making the Years Count "PR" made memories as he made an impact
| by Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
Middle School Science Department Head and Faculty Peter "PR" Robarts P ’01, ’04, ’06 marks 40 years at Thayer Academy this spring, but he can still remember when he first stepped onto campus in the fall of 1981. “Nervous and wet behind the ears,” is how he remembers that younger version of himself beginning his first full-time employment after college. He continues: “(Current Admissions Office Manager) Barb Kenslea and I were rookies learning the ropes together. I shared an office with Coach (Richard) Sawyer P ’68, ’71. He had such a calming demeanor and served as a sounding board; he offered insightful advice to me as a new teacher.” PR, who worked at the Upper School before heading to the Middle School in 2001, has served the Academy as a physical education instructor, an athletic trainer, an assistant athletics director, an interim athletics director, and an athletics co-director. He’s coached football, ice hockey, and track & field over the years. “As in any private school, you wear many hats,” he says. PR says he will treasure the memories of coaching track & field with Jeff Browne P ’04, ’05; Steve Branfman P ’00, ’02; and Larry Carlson P ’02, ’05, ’10,
He’ll also remember 1986 (the 1986-87 school year), which he points out was the “Year of the Tiger” on the Chinese zodiac and a time when Thayer’s football, boys basketball, and boys ice hockey each won their respective ISL championships. And he’ll remember the reactions of his eighth grade students when they conducted dissection labs in their science classes. Even as he emphasizes that there’s simply too many to mention in full, PR singles out a few colleagues who’ve been so helpful to him in his career. Along with Kenslea, Sawyer, Browne, and Toussaint, the list includes: Arthur Valicenti ’51 Price ’48; Peter Benelli P ’75, ’80, ’81
P ’75, ’75, ’77 GP ’10, ’14;
GP ’09;
Margery
Marshall Litchfield
P ’78;
Lawrence “Skip” Adams P ’85, ’87; Karen Geromini; Paul Pantano P ’12, ’14, ’18;
and Angela Toussaint. PR then adds special mention of
his Middle School Science Department colleagues: Steve Sirrico P ’98, ’03;
Marie Jimenéz; Jon Butler P ’25, ’28; and Natalie Young.
As retirement nears, PR says he’s looking forward to traveling across the country and perhaps abroad. He says he’ll miss the students — “They kept me coming back each year” — and the camaraderie of colleagues who’ve taught beside him over the decades. “Thayer has quality people who are proud of what they do,” he says. “The collegiality of the faculty and staff made this a wonderful place to work.”
especially when PR’s daughters, Stacie ’01 and Callie ’04,
were on the squad. Ditto for coaching football with Jeff Toussaint ’82,
including a 2005 NEPSAC Championship team with PR’s son
Taylor ’06.
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At Home in the Classroom Carter Harrison reflects upon a lifetime of teaching
| by Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
When asked whom he’d like to thank regarding his time at Thayer, Middle School Director of Studies and English Faculty Carter Harrison is wonderfully general. “Almost everyone on the faculty and staff,” says Harrison, who arrived at the Academy in January of 2003. When asked to name a great Thayer memory, however, he says “there are so many” but then becomes wonderfully specific. “My favorite is the time I asked the then newly former head of the Middle School (Melinda Reuter) out to lunch after she stepped down from that position to resume English teaching in the Upper School,” he says. “We got married three years later.” Harrison graduated from college in 1980 and began teaching in 1981. “It took a year to get my sea legs,” he says. In addition to his director of studies and teacher roles at Thayer, Harrison served for several years as the English department head at the Middle School and also coached crew for many years. Elsewhere, he’s also worn many hats: history, science, and math teacher; an admissions director; and the founding head of a middle school. But the pull of administrative duties could never quite lure him from the classroom, where he always taught at least two classes, one of them always English. “One day many years ago, back when I was more of an administrator,” recalls Harrison, “I was rushing to one of my classes a little late, delayed by something supposedly more important. On my way, I passed a colleague walking to the faculty room who ran a hand across her forehead and said, ‘Phew … I finally have a free period!’ Continuing my fast pace down the hall, I realized I would be stepping into my class feeling much the same way — in other words: Phew ... back in the classroom!”
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With complete candor, Harrison notes that he’s enjoyed teaching at other schools as well — “I was at Dedham Country Day School for a long time, a school I love as much as Thayer,” he says — but emphasizes that what’s special about Thayer is not what’s changed over the years but what’s stayed the same. “Thayer is still a place that provides a challenge coupled with support,” he says. “While that message is usually focused on our students, we do the same for our faculty.” Harrison acknowledges the difficulties encountered by Middle School faculty and staff working to create “a new normal” under COVID-19, but he’s grateful for what he calls “important and welcome support.” “I feel our faculty — which struggled, suffered, and reached deep within themselves — provided an outstanding student experience at a time when our kids really needed it,” he says. Looking forward, Harrison says he has great faith in Middle School Director Galen Hamann’s leadership and is excited about the upcoming Middle School Transformation Project. On a more personal level, he’s looking forward to a life where he and wife Melinda (who retired in 2020) can have a clean slate every day and an opportunity to explore whatever comes next. Asked to provide advice for any new teachers starting this fall, Harrison urges them to have an extra seat in their classrooms and leave their doors open all that they can. “Welcome company,” is how he puts it. But the veteran faculty member adds that it’s the relationships teachers have with students that truly provide the opportunity for great teaching. “One mantra I have for every day is, ‘Bring joy!’” says Harrison. “I know it sounds hokey, but it works for me.”
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A Style of Her Own
Karen Koskores P ’10, ’13 made connecting with students her masterpiece
Upper School Arts Faculty and Gallery Director Karen Koskores P ’10, ’13 wears her heart proudly on her sleeve and doesn’t mince words, so when she uses a verb three times in succession, that’s exactly what she means. “I love, love, love teaching art. You teach these students when they’re open to being creative and comfortable taking risks. There are just so many students whom I think of fondly, and I care about them all. I cherish experiences like teaching my Freshmen Foundations class and encouraging all students to discover their talents and embrace the joy of creating. It’s a true gift to have those opportunities as part of teaching.” Until 2005 Koskores was busy in her role as a mother and also representing Thayer in the larger community when she was asked to become a long-term substitute in the arts department, first for US Arts Faculty and Pottery Instructor Steven Branfman P ’00, ’02 and then for US Arts Faculty and Photography Instructor Nicki Pardo. Although in the past she had been the head of an art department at an independent school for many years, at this time she was focused on raising her young family. Finding herself back in the classroom, however, she embraced the role at Thayer with enthusiasm. “It was rewarding to be back in the classroom,” says Koskores. “It gave me an even more complete connection to know the school and the students firsthand.” As she says this, students are in the background painting and working on projects. They’re not enrolled in any particular class; they just stop by to create, to talk to Koskores and to one another, to relax in a crazy world made even crazier by the yearlong COVID-19 pandemic.
| by Craig Salters ’86 P ’24
Notes from students -- both past and present -- invariably point to how grateful they were, and are, for this art room oasis where calm is the rule and not the exception. And what does this veteran teacher get in return? She says it’s the chance to connect with the energy and optimism of generations of Thayer students as they begin to understand the world and their place in it. “I’ll miss that,” says Koskores, who as the mother of Tom ’10 and Kristina ’13 also got to see Thayer from the perspective of a parent. “Thayer students are incredible. They juggle so much — demanding classes, community service, sports, theater, and so on. They are so impressive.” Koskores made special mention of the late Marilyn Legg P ’88, who served as the longtime assistant to the head of school. “Marilyn was my friend, my confidante, and the one who truly understood the nature of Ted’s job,” says Koskores. “She was always that smiling face when I came around the corner.” Koskores says she and her husband are looking forward to having flexibility in terms of travel — “When the world opens up again,” she adds — and not setting their pace to the rhythms of a school calendar. She urges fellow faculty and staff “to be kind to one another and to remember to see this world through the eyes of a student.” And as for any new faculty member in the fall of 2021, she offers this advice: “Smile, reach out to students and colleagues, and be friendly. Just embrace the community that Thayer has always been.”
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TED KOSKORES
Plan the Work, Work the Plan...
Koskores legacy is a Thayer community invested in one another’s success by Craig Salters ’86 P ’26
Sometimes, be it a random song lyric or an obscure pop culture reference, a senior yearbook quote is a throwaway line, something to submit to one’s advisor on the way to math class or study hall. And sometimes that quote hits the nail squarely on the proverbial head. “An able man shows his spirit by few words and resolute actions,” reads the senior profile page of one William Theodore “Ted” Koskores of Torrey Street in Brockton, proud member of the Thayer Academy Class of 1970. And while that page provides a few more tidbits — for instance, captaincies in football, basketball, and track — that simple, declarative sentence (A Google search reveals its author to be Lord Chesterfield) offers an accurate description of a man who has been too busy building a legacy to talk that much about it. The Academy’s eighth head of school and its first alumnus head of school, Koskores will retire this summer after 18 years of work to leave an already strong institution
better than when he found it, proving that actions do speak louder than words. “Mr. Koskores cares deeply for every single student at Thayer, whether he’s taught them personally or not,” says Kaelen Chandler ’21, who was a student in Koskores’s U.S. History course her junior year. She recalls a recent winter morning in the CFA when the head of school smiled and congratulated her on her acceptance to the University of Richmond, her early decision school. “It made my day,” Chandler says. Chris Barrett ’22 remembers being incredibly nervous on his first day of school, a fear that only increased when he had to meet the head of school for the first time. “When I got there, however,” he says, “I felt so welcomed and included by Mr. Koskores that all my anxiety disappeared. It’s a day I’ll never forget.” Like many students, Meghan Webb ’20 noticed Koskores’s involvement in the daily lives of students, from watching sports events to attending concerts to “just strolling around, saying hello to students passing by and beaming proudly at the beautiful campus.”
STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 14
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
An able man shows his spirit by few words and resolute actions. Ted's Senior Quote from the 1970 Black & Orange
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TED KOSKORES
A Letter of Appreciation From Betty Bailey ’63
A class valedictorian and standout three-sport athlete during her student years at Thayer, Betty Bailey '63 retired from the Academy in June 2005 after more than 30 years as an English teacher and a multisport coach.
Dear Ted, senior year — your her and coach in 1969-70 — your teac a as yer Tha to rned retu I’d e By the tim hed. athlete had already been well establis reputation as an outstanding student hardworking. Like most t (shy?), thoughtful, disciplined, and In your English classes, you were quie r, as Thayer’s Head criticism and encouragement. Late both to well ed ond resp you , ents Thayer stud ce Bernen’s English class. orable experience you’d had in Gra mem a of me told e onc you ool, of Sch ment stayed with you. Ms. ten to the class, and that acknowledg She had read something you’d writ s confidence. t a long way to developing a student’ Bernen knew that a little praise wen
Retired English Faculty Betty Bailey ’63 received the Academy’s 2018 Alumni Loyalty Award from Head of School Ted Koskores ’70, P ’10, ’13. Bailey’s return to Thayer as a teacher was also Koskores’s senior year.
yer taught me a great deal etball in the early ’70s, Coach Saw bask girls hing coac of s year first my In ll and track, and that makes . He also mentored you in basketba about both basketball and coaching girls basketball practiced lives. What’s more: since boys and him an influential figure in both our got to see a lot r brother Ed was your teammate, I nge you my and gym e sam the in and played supportive “good guy” a great deal about what a helpful and rd hea rt, cou the on on acti in you of k with you and your ut basketball by watching Coach wor you were, and learned more than abo teammates. had a special character as a headmaster back then, felt Thayer our elli, Ben r Pete that you told I’ve names of scores of families alumni directory and you’ll see the family school. Browse through the of faculty who enroll their and those families include dozens who’ve sent their children to Thayer, coached, and advised with “faculty brats.” We’ve taught, ol scho to t wen I and You . here children such a caring environment . It’s no wonder that Thayer creates dren chil es’ eagu coll and tes’ sma clas our children. for its students: we treat them like ’13, your son Tom ther Nick ’63, your daughter Kristina bro r you re’s The rse. cou of , that You know art e’s your wife Karen, the Academy’s ’10. Most important, ther e Alli -law r-in ghte dau r you and , ’10 yer run deep in our family.” ’ve often said: “Connections to Tha teacher and gallery director. As you
Future Head of School Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13 back in his playing days. Behind him is Coach Richard Sawyer P ’68, ’71. The Sawyer Athletic Center honors that man’s decades of contributions to Thayer.
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know that you’ll always Karen retire, wherever you roam, I and you en Wh g. thin d goo a ’s And that s to come. ard to seeing you and Karen for year feel at home at Thayer. I look forw Until next time, Betty '63
Commemorating milestones from Ted's 20+ years at Thayer Academy as a student and as its head of school The Student Years: 1967-1970
Ted's senior class entry from the 1970 Black & Orange:
1967-1970 Ted arrives on Thayer's campus in the fall of 1967
Ted named a three-sport varsity captain in football, basketball, and track
As an athlete he was very intense and very driven. He was a great athlete and you could just tell he wanted it. He wanted always to do as best as he could, just as he has done now, as a head. - FORMER TRUSTEE CHAIR, FELLOW ALUMNUS BILL SMITH '68 P '01, '04
A Basketball Scouting Report on Ted "Gunner" Koskores Ted's older brother, Nick, also a Thayer alum, from the Class of 1963, broke down his brother's basketball game.
Known for his jump shot, Ted is hailed as "Gunner" on the hard court (see scouting report on Ted by his older brother, Nick '63, on this page)
Teddy was an elegant shooter. There was something memorable about the way he released his jump shot. It was a perfect follow-through rolling off the fingertips. I would always marvel at those long fingers of Teddy. I would say right now, today, in our whole family, Teddy and my youngest son, Peter, are the best shooters, and they both have an elegance to their game.
If Teddy was known as "Gunner," obviously some people were very jealous of him, and they were probably just as appreciative of his shooting ability that when he shot, he made it — simple as that.
To view a video with more quotes from the Thayer community, go to: www.thayer.org/tedkoskoresfarewell
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Ted Timeline:
Ted graduates from Thayer Academy as a member of the Class of 1970 and is awarded the Thayer Varsity Club Award at Commencement
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TED KOSKORES
CONT'D FROM PAGE 10
And Sal LaRosa ’21 recalls a time when Koskores was almost too involved, as LaRosa had studied hard one night for a test in a different class only to fall asleep in Koskores’s history class. LaRosa opened his eyes to find Koskores smiling directly at him.
“More important than the brickand-mortar achievements has been Ted’s devotion to and support of the students, faculty, and all members of the Thayer community,” says Goodale. “He has embodied Thayer’s mission statement in all his words and actions.”
“Am I boring, Sal?” Koskores asked to the amusement of the teacher, the class, and (eventually) LaRosa.
But, oh, those brick-and-mortar achievements. During his 18year tenure, Koskores shepherded through such projects as the Center for the Arts (CFA), a renovated Southworth Library; the Fish Fitness Center; new turf fields both at the South Athletic Campus and on Main Campus; a new Computer Science and Robotics Wing in Glover Building, and Cahall Student Commons. In September 2019, the Academy cut the ribbon on the Thayer Sports Center (TSC) at South Athletic Campus. In addition to a field house with ample room for basketball and tennis and other activities, the TSC features Valicenti Rink, an actual home ice rink for Thayer hockey, a grail of the Thayer community since the days Ike was in office. (see a more comprehensive list on pp. 18-19)
A focus on students and the entire Thayer community is perhaps Koskores’s greatest accomplishment, say faculty, parents, and trustees who note that things like campus improvements, professional development, the addition of a Grade 5 at the Middle School level, and curriculum design were always in service to something greater: the school’s mission to educate. “Ted had a clear vision for Thayer, and he inspired people to work for its attainment,” said former US English Faculty Sue Witt P ’00. “He strove to improve all aspects of the school — curriculum, technology, international travel, faculty development, and buildings and grounds. Ted was an ideal school head, as he was a master teacher before he came to Thayer. He put students first and expected faculty to do the same.” Former US English Faculty Geoff Goodale ’62 P ’84, ’91, ’97, a fellow alum like Koskores, agrees.
And Athletics Director Rick Foresteire P ’19, ’21 points out that, in addition to those turf fields and the fitness center, Koskores has worked with the Athletics Department to refurbish the track and tennis courts and construct an outdoor pavilion for students and families.
STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 18
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Commemorating milestones from Ted's 20+ years at Thayer Academy as a student and as its head of school F R O M T R U S T E E S PA S T & P R E S E N T
Ted has created a collegial environment that encourages the participation of students as well as faculty members in setting the direction of the school. And he has been open to change and modification over his past two decades. - FORMER BOARD CHAIR LARRY O'TOOLE P '97, '99
He's inspirational, he's reflective, he's positive, he's measured, and he's very patient. And a sixth attribute would be "Lincolnesque," which is a combination of all five. - FORMER BOARD CHAIR TOM KENT P '00, '03, '09
When we look at the decisions of the board, whether they've been Ted's idea or not, he has an ability to get everybody to agree, to reach consensus, but also to think through the different aspects of that decision thoroughly before we arrive at it. - CURRENT TRUSTEE DONAVAN BROWN '01
Ted sought to ignite the passions of his students. He felt that once they had discovered those passions, they could then become the best that they could be.
Head of School: 2003-2007
2003 Ted returns to Thayer's campus in July 2003 as Thayer's 8th Head of School, the first alumnus to hold that office
2004
- FORMER BOARD CHAIR PAULA BECKER P '12, '14
A new wing is added to Glover Building, housing new biology labs - the first of many campus improvements F R O M F O R M E R FA C U LT Y M E M B E R S
He proved to be both a good listener and someone willing to take decisive action. If the answer was "no" to one of our ideas or requests, he was always ready to explain his thinking. I think these are invaluable traits in a leader. - FORMER THAYER FACULTY NORMA ATKINSON GP '07, '11, '16
If any of us really needed help person-to-person, Ted was always there for us. That is a mighty important quality for a head of school to have, and Ted really lived Thayer's community ideals. - FORMER THAYER FACULTY DAN LEVINSON
I found Ted to be friendly, supportive, and someone who always had a kind word for all students, faculty, and staff.
When I think of Ted in his role as a head, you see that he managed to keep an amazing number of things of all different shapes and sizes in the air at the same time.
- FORMER THAYER FACULTY BILL EARLE P '01
- FORMER THAYER FACULTY JIM KING P '01, '04, '06
Ted taught me to always consider all aspects of any situation before coming to a decision. One of Ted's strengths is considering the impact of any major decisions on all of the school's constituencies - students, faculty, and parents - as well as on the Academy itself, as well as its traditions and history. While he was willing to help me talk through half-baked ideas, he also taught me the importance of thoroughly contemplating the effects of programmatic changes. Not a week passes during which I do not in some way draw upon the lessons I learned from Ted, and I will remain grateful to him for the duration of my own career. - FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR CARSON SMITH
To view a video with more quotes from the Thayer community, go to: www.thayer.org/tedkoskoresfarewell
International travel and sister school programs are enriched by initiatives started by Ted, beginning with the "Learning Through Travel" program
2005 The Fish Center for Physical Fitness opens
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Ted Timeline:
2006 The South Athletic Campus is officially added to the Thayer footprint
2007 The Hale Learning Center is created at Thayer, supporting all types of student learning
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1. Glover Building Addition (2004) 2. Fish Center for Physical Fitness (2005) TED KOSKORES
3. South Athletic Campus (2006) 4. Cahall Observatory Upgrade (2006)
“An Architect’s Mentality” Academy construction projects marked by a larger vision for the campus
5. Hale Learning Center (2007) 6. Fernand LaChance House (2007) 7. Jared Branfman Sculpture Garden (2007) 8. Center for the Arts (CFA) (2008) 9. Hale Theater (2008)
Story by Rebecca Delaney
10. LaChance Physics Lab (2009) 11. Southworth Library Renovation (2010)
In the 18 years that Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13 has served as Thayer Academy’s head of
12. Benelli Writing Center (2011)
school, the campus has undergone a dramatic transformation. Important upgrades
13. Thayer Gallery Renovation (2011)
include the addition of Cahall Student Commons, the renovation of Southworth Li-
14. Memorial Gym Renovation (2011) 15. Hale Courtyard (2011)
brary, the construction of the Center for the Arts (CFA) and the Computer Science
16. Hanflig Technology Center (2012)
& Robotics Wing in Glover Building, and the opening of the long-awaited ice rink
17. Brickyard Renovation (2013)
at Thayer Sports Center, to name just a few.
18. Admissions Office Renovation (2013) 19. Pulsifer College Counseling (2013) 20. Cahall Campus Center Renovation (2013)
And as head of school, Koskores has worked diligently to ensure a unified and in-
21. Second Floor Tiger's Den (2013)
formed campus aesthetic, say two of the principals of Eck MacNeely Architects, the
22. Student Commons (2013)
firm that designed those projects.
23. Campus Store Renovation (2013) 24. Cahall Dining Hall Renovation (2015) 25. Upper School CDL (2015)
“Ted has an architect’s mentality,” says Paul MacNeely, a principal at Eck MacNeely.
26. Softball Field Renovation (2015)
“The first time I met him in 2003, he talked about the importance of creating an
27. New Turf Fields (2016)
environment where students felt safe and where the environment was focused on
28. Alumni Gym Renovation (2016) 29. Thompson Hall Renovation (2016)
teaching. His vision and thoughtfulness have percolated through all of the work
30. Grade 6 Wing Update (2016)
that’s been done on campus throughout his time there.”
31. Middle School Library Renovation (2017) 32. Middle School CDL (2017)
MacNeely recalled a time when he and Koskores were walking on the walkway
33. Main Building Renovation (2018) 34. Fish Center Renovation (2018)
around the Teardrop and the head of school inquired about replacing the asphalt
35. Hospitality Pavilion (2018)
with pea stone to reinforce the notion that students are in a different environment
36. Glover Computer Science & Robotics Wing (2019)
when they’re at school. Snow removal considerations nixed the pea stone idea, but the message was clear.
37. Thayer Sports Center (TSC) (2019) 38. Valicenti Rink (2019) 39. Hospitality Center (2019)
“I thought that it was remarkable that he was thinking at that level,” says MacNeely. “It was nice for an architect to hear.”
40. Track Renovation (2019) 41. New Alumni House (2019) 42. Thayer Academy Middle School Transformation Project (Planned 2021-22)
Jeremiah Eck, a founding partner and principal, agrees. “Campuses that we admire most across New England and even the country are those that show cohesiveness of style and space,” Eck says. “Given the many constituencies that are part of all academic settings — administration, faculty, staff, students, board members, etc. — it’s not hard to imagine that it can sometimes be hard to reach such a consensus, especially when it comes to a building project.
3
“Ted’s masterful effort over many years was to build that consensus, inspiring and creating a much more cohesive and beautiful campus than when he first arrived.”
37 39 38
Jeremiah Eck (left) and Paul MacNeely (right) of Eck | MacNeely Architects.
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Read about Thayer's campus and architectural continuity here: tinyurl.com/TAM-architectmagazine
Some of the many areas on campus that were created or updated during Ted's tenure as Head of School
40 30
29 42
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27 31
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22 24 21
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14 12 17
11 7
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CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
A Campus Transformed
41
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TED KOSKORES
CONT'D FROM PAGE 14
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Ted on these amazing projects,” says Foresteire. A transformed physical campus is one thing, but Koskores has also spearheaded improvements to the curriculum and students’ overall learning experience. “Ted has never sat idle but has always sought to ensure that our programs were relevant, preparing students for college and the wider world,” says College Counseling Director Thad Robey P ’17, ’19. “This is why we now have enhanced offerings in computer programming and robotics, the writing center, the college counseling center, the Collaborative Design Lab (CDL), the Global Scholars Program, international travel, and on and on. Ted listened to the faculty, acknowledged the work that we and the students were doing, and stayed committed to strengthening those learning experiences.” For Upper School Director of Studies and History Faculty Lynette Sumpter, Koskores’s strong and early
support of the Global Scholars Program will always be appreciated. She also notes the school’s coordinated response to the global crisis caused by COVID-19. “Ted’s leadership was admirable,” she says. “I can only imagine the complexity of leading a school in the midst of a widespread panic. His honesty and sincerity on difficult topics that arose was critical, I think, to messaging that we would continue to work together to get through this particularly tough time.” Among others, Middle School Foreign Language Faculty Angela Toussaint highlights the Academy’s unstinting generosity regarding professional development under the leadership of Koskores. “I’ve grown as a teacher and a person because of Ted’s focus on professional development,” she notes. “I’ve traveled to places I’d only dreamed of seeing, honed my teaching skills through world-class programs, and formed invaluable friendships with people from all over the world. Merci beaucoup, Ted, et bonne continuation! ” STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 22
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R E G A R D I N G C H A L L E N G E S O F T H E PA S T Y E A R
Ted's support gave me the boost I needed to know that we would be able to become a place where all students and families are cared about, loved, heard, and seen while they're on our campus. - DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION JENN WELCH
His connection and perspective as a parent in his earlier years allowed him to be much more in tune with the perspective and the concerns of parents as well. - THAYER ACADEMY NURSE KATHY CUNNINGHAM RN, MSN P '07, '10
We faced many obstacles this year with the pandemic and social unrest. And through it all, Ted's concern was always for the students, their parents, the faculty, the staff, and the coaches; they were of paramount importance. And I deeply appreciated that. - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER JULAINE MCINNIS
Behind-the-Scenes Initiatives for Faculty Koskores championed many initiatives for faculty throughout his tenure. Chief among them was his providing funding and resources to teachers and departments for Professional Development (PD) - support for which many faculty members expressed gratitude. Ted expanded the reach of the summer sabbatical program to having three $10,000 summer sabbaticals available so that more people received awards. He was also instrumental in building the peer review program (which started as a voluntary program). Teachers got the opportunity to sit in and observe other teachers in the classroom and give constructive feedback. "This was so very helpful in getting another set of eyes in the classroom," noted Upper School Math Faculty Deb Siegel P '22, who leads Thayer's Professional Development initiatives. "Moreover, it brought faculty closer together, giving teachers more of a sense of camaraderie and connection."
Commemorating milestones from Ted's 20+ years at Thayer Academy as a student and as its head of school The Head of School Years: 2007-2009
2007 The Fernand LaChance House is converted into a Net Zero Energy house and used to teach environmental science
Thayer celebrates its inaugural Diversity Day
2008 Thayer's Center for the Arts (CFA) opens with its 540-seat Hale Theater, choral & dance studios, set building shop, and instrumental practice rooms
2009
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Ted Timeline:
Fernand LaChance Science Lab in Glover Building is dedicated O N H I S S U P P O R T O F FA C U LT Y
Ted consistently encouraged faculty to take advantage of professional development opportunities, which were truly enriching for me as a teacher of history, and I continue to draw on them when I discuss those extraordinary places with my students.
Ted's commitment to Faculty Professional Development was unwavering. I always felt supported by Ted. If I could find something that I felt was worthwhile and would benefit the students - he would support it.
- MS FACULTY JEFF TOUSSAINT '82
- US FACULTY JAMISON SMITH
To view a video with more quotes from the Thayer community, go to: www.thayer.org/tedkoskoresfarewell
2011 Southworth Library undergoes a dramatic redesign
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TED KOSKORES
A Conversation with Oreo
Outgoing, effervescent, and friendly. Warmhearted, welcoming, and playful. Trusting, loyal, and loving. Did we mention loving? Yes, it’s Oreo, the beloved bow-wow of the Koskores Family. Whether it’s watching over the neighborhood, livening things up as the hit of the holiday party, or just offering much-needed snuggles at the end of a long day, this dog is the cat’s meow at Thayer. Luckily, Thayer Magazine obtained an exclusive interview with the pooch you love to smooch, the tail-wagger with big swagger, the quadruped of cool. Taking time from packing his favorite chew toys, Oreo sat (and stayed) and answered a few questions, proving that while his Ted and his Karen may be retiring, he is anything but. THAYER MAGAZINE (TM): Thanks for the interview. What’s life like now in the Koskores household? OREO (O): Hectic. There are a lot of details about the big move, but my Ted and my Karen are mostly focused on the students and making sure they have a great school year. I don’t quite understand it, but apparently humans have started biting one another because they all need to wear these cotton muzzles over their faces. Must be hard to pick up any dropped food. Plus, there’s always somebody saying “thanks” or “farewell” or “we’ll miss you.” TM: So is “home” Ted different from “school” Ted? O: Oh, his bark is worse than his bite … I think. I’ve never actually seen him do either. TM: But still, he commands respect as the unquestioned leader of your family pack, right? O: (laughs) Oh, so you’ve never met my Karen? TM: Ahem, moving on. So, do you do any funny tricks? O: (stares at the reporter) Funny? Funny how? Like I’m a clown? Like I make you laugh? TM: No, no, no, forget that! And moving on: What’s your opinion of Thayer students? O: The kids are okay, I guess. I mean, don’t get me wrong: “Thayer, Thayer, Forever,” right? But they certainly demand a lot of time and attention from my Ted and my Karen, time and attention that could be better spent … with me. Also, I see squirrels running rampant across both campuses, and the students don’t lift a finger, not even a few
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Commemorating milestones from Ted's 20+ years at Thayer Academy as a student and as its head of school The Student Years: 2011-2015
warning barks. What’s up with that? I’ve also heard rumors that some kids blame dogs for eating their homework. Not a thing, and definitely not cool. TM: C’mon, is that how you really feel about the students? O: … no, I love them! They’re the best, so friendly and fun-loving. But would it be so bad to drop a syrupy Popsicle stick or some popcorn every once in a while? Mr. Pantano might be mad at them, but I’d love it! TM: What’s a perfect day for you and the Koskores Family? O: Oh, that’s easy: beach party! They love taking me to the beaches of Cape Cod, and I love going. There’s the sun, the surf, the sand — it’s doggone wonderful! I sniff everything from seaweed to dune grass to the occasional crabshell. Once I even found an old cigar, a piece of driftwood, and a wet sock. Ah, memories. TM: Is there any part of the Cape you don’t like? O: Flea markets. Ugghhh.
2011 The Benelli Writing Center in Southworth Library is established The Student Commons and the second floor Tiger's Den are established in Cahall Campus Center
2012 The Hanflig Technology Center and the Hanflig Tech Fellows program are created
TM: So the family really unwinds on the Cape? O: Most definitely. We call it our “off-the-leash time” except for, you know, when I’m actually on a leash -- please don’t get me started on the bureaucrats. After all, I believe it was Henry David Thoreau who once said: “The path of leashed resistance leads to crooked rivers and crooked men.” TM: Least. I believe Thoreau said “least resistance.”
2013 The Pulsifer College Counseling Center in Main Building's lower level officially opens
O: Oh … well, that makes much more sense. TM: No worries, Oreo. Do you feel your lack of literary knowledge is because your Ted is so focused on history and your Karen is so focused on the arts? O: (shakes his head) It’s because I’m a dog. TM: But isn’t this humor just a facade to mask some genuine sadness? We love the Koskores family here at Thayer, and the Koskores family loves the Thayer community. In one word, what’s it going to be like to say goodbye to a place where you’ve invested so much? O: (bows his head and issues a low whelp) Ruff. TM: (rubbing Oreo’s ears) Oh, don’t worry, Oreo. We’ll never forget you or Ted or Karen or anyone in the Koskores Family. We’ll be counting the days until the first visit. And you are a good boy! Oreo suddenly jumps off of the couch, leaps onto the reporter, and begins licking his face. TM: Yes, Oreo, I think the interview went well, too.
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Ted Timeline:
2015 The Collaborative Design Lab is created in the Upper School
2016 New turf fields installed on Main Campus
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TED KOSKORES
CONT'D FROM PAGE 18
Upper School English Faculty Denise King P ’08, ’10 remembers strong support for the Senior Project program as well as increased funding so that students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds could explore the world through travel. Former US English Faculty Jim King P ’01, ’04, ’06 offers the analogy of Ted as “a master juggler” deftly handling various constituencies individually while never taking his eye off the big picture. And current Thayer Academy Board of Trustees Chair Michael Joe P ’17, ’20 remembers how the Academy strove to address both the global pandemic and the nation’s ongoing reckoning with race almost simultaneously. “You learn a lot about a leader during challenging times, and it’s been a real privilege to work alongside Ted over the last few years, working through the challenges of COVID-19 and responding to the issues of racial inequity and injustice that pervade our society,” says Joe. Melissa Bayer Tearney P ’14, a former board chair, believes that, as important as they are, the best part of the Koskores years can’t be found in a new building, a new robotics lab, or a revamped curriculum.
THE KOSKORES FAMILY: KAREN, KRISTINA, TOM, AND TED
“Ted establishes a tone for the entire community, and that, I think, is his greatest contribution,” Tearney says. For many, that tone is marked by kindness. Denise King is grateful for a head of school who stood by her as a single mom fighting breast cancer. Upper School Pottery instructor Steven Branfman P ’00, ’02 is grateful for the “personal kindness” shown to his family by Koskores during the construction and dedication of the Jared Branfman Sculpture Garden, which honors the memory of Steven’s son, Jared Branfman ’00, who died at age 23 after a battle with cancer. And Dick Legg P ’88, husband of the late Marilyn Legg P ’88, Koskores’s longtime assistant who lost her own battle with cancer in 2018, feels that no words can match the deeds of the Academy’s retiring head of school. “His understanding of my wife’s health issues … it was just amazing what he did for her,” says Legg. Legg says that his wife would often joke with Koskores that he could never retire because she wasn’t about to break in yet another (in her case, fifth) head of school. But alas, that day is fast approaching. “I don’t know another way to say it,” says Legg. “Ted is a gentleman.” LONGTIME ASSISTANT MARILYN LEGG WITH TED BEFORE THE START OF COMMENCEMENT 2016.
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Commemorating milestones from Ted's 20+ years at Thayer Academy as a student and as its head of school The Student Years: 2016-2021
F RO M T H E DIVISION
2017
HEADS
The Collaborative Design Lab is constructed in the Middle School One area Ted has made his mark is in making sure that students have international experiences and get outside of what might be their small bubble here in Braintree and see the world. So with our partnerships, with our sister schools and other travel groups, I think that is what will be a lasting tribute to Ted's devotion to broadening kids' experiences. - UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR HIGHLEY THOMPSON P '20, '23
A Letter of Appreciation From Steven Branfman P ’00, ’02 It was about a year after Jared passed away that Ted called me into his office. I sat and we talked a bit about how I was doing, about Ellen, Adam, school, and life. His face wore a calm, delicate expression, and his voice was soft, gentle and had a tone of care and compassion. We talked for about five minutes. After a moment of silence in the conversation he
2018 Thayer launches 5th Grade Class
told me that the school wanted to design and create a sculpture garden in memory of Jared. I was completely blindsided, shocked, and overwhelmed. I was silent and immediately started to sob. As I began to compose myself, he asked me if Ellen and I would give our permission. I nodded. It was all I was able to do. Ted presented the concept and the location, and asked me for my thoughts about the sculpture; what would it be, where would it sit, who would the artist be, and why we would
2019 The Computer Science & Robotics Wing of Glover Building opens Thayer unveils the Thayer Sports Center (with Valicenti Ice Rink) on the South Athletic Campus
choose her or him. I didn’t have any immediate answers and Being a new member of the Thayer community during an unusual year for everyone, I got to know Ted this summer as I watched him navigate challenging conversations about race and about the experience of black and brown students here. I really appreciated his willingness to jump into those conversations and to lead those conversations at a time when the community really needed that.
Ted didn’t expect any.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR GALEN HAMANN
always be to me.
Over the course of the next year Ellen, Adam, and I were inti-
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Ted Timeline:
mately involved in the design of the space and were in regular contact with the sculptor, Paul Chaleff, as he designed the piece. Very early on he invited Adam to visit the quarry with him so he could help him choose the stone for what would ultimately become a fountain. Sitting across from each other in his office, Ted shared a per-
2020 ThayerConnect - Thayer's distance learning program - launches
sonal kindness to me and my family and a dedication to keeping alive the memory of our son, Jared, that was overwhelmingly emotional. It spoke to his thoughtfulness, humanity,
Thayer shares its Strategic Plan for Racial Equity & Justice
care, and devotion to others that I will never forget. It was the ultimate exhibition of the family that Thayer was, is, and will
From my heart to yours, thank you.
2021 Ted to be the Commencement Speaker for June 2021
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TED KOSKORES
A History of Thayer's Heads of School Story by Larry Carlson P '02, '05, '10
Thayer Academy has a long history of strong leadership due to the
as a member of Thayer’s faculty. Under his guidance, there was
individuals who have held the title of headmaster, now head of
important growth in both athletics and the arts. He was succeeded
school. Of the eight who have held this post, most have served a
by William (Bill) Elliott (1991-1995), who had also been a Thayer
term of nearly 20 years, which is remarkable indeed.
faculty member and whose tenure was unfortunately cut short for reasons of health. His successor was Eric Swain (1995-2003), who
Beginning with Jotham Sewell (1877-96) and William Gallagher
began a trend toward further expansion of facilities and enroll-
(1896-1920), both ordained Congregational ministers as well as
ment, which has continued to the present day.
distinguished educators and scholars, Thayer’s headmasters have overseen an expanding enrollment and campus, which continued
Ted Koskores (2003-21) is the Academy’s eighth head and its first
despite economic difficulties and national crises. In their time, the
to have also been one of its graduates. Like those who have gone
nation and the Academy both experienced sharp recessions, wars
before, he has led the Academy through both political and eco-
in several corners of the globe, a frightening “Red Scare,” and last
nomic crises while presiding over steady growth, and he remains a
century’s influenza pandemic; and the Academy not only survived,
distinguished scholar and educator.
but it also grew in both size and reputation. Thayer’s headmasters have been strong leaders, scholars, and Like their predecessors, Stacy Southworth (1920-48) and Gordon
educators, whether they have been asked to join (and lead) our
Thayer (1948-66) were distinguished scholars and well-known
community or were already one of its members. Their long tenures
members of the community. Under their guiding hands, the
have been one of the most striking and important characteristics
Academy continued to prosper despite enduring even more severe
of the Academy’s proud history.
crises, which included a period of even greater economic hard times, extensive war, and internal strife. Thayer’s influence reached further not only in the local community but also nationally and internationally, as the Academy extended its offerings year-round. Peter Benelli (1967-91), like Gordon Thayer, was promoted to the position of headmaster, having already distinguished himself
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY FACULTY LARRY CARLSON P ’02, ’05, ALSO SERVES AS THE ACADEMY’S ARCHIVIST, HELPING TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE SCHOOL’S HISTORY AND TRADITIONS BY MANAGING THE WENTWORTH ARCHIVES.
’10
EDITOR'S NOTE: Chris Fortunato will begin his tenure as the ninth Head of School of Thayer Academy this summer. Read more at thayer.org/nextheadofschool
1st
Jotham Sewell 1877-96
the
2nd
William Gallagher 1896-1920
the
3rd
Stacy Southworth 1920-48
the
4th
Gordon Thayer 1948-66 F R O M C U R R E N T FA C U LT Y
the
5th
Peter Benelli 1967-91
the
6th
Bill Elliott 1991-95
the
7th
the
8th
Eric Swain 1995-2003
Ted Koskores 2003-21
Thayer was always a pretty place, but he's made it a beautiful place to work. And all of the resources that we have in our physical plant really make it a lot easier for us to communicate with our students and to work more closely with our students. - UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY DON DONOVAN P '10, '13
Ted brings such an honesty to all of his interactions. He's very sensitive to the idea that learning takes place outside of the classroom; that learning about other cultures and being a citizen of the world is so important. - UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY MARC RANDO P '18, '20
To view a video with more quotes from the Thayer community, go to: www.thayer.org/tedkoskoresfarewell
Over the last 18 years, I've noticed that he never rushed a thought. He never really rushed into anything. He was a truly deep thinker as far as what happened here at the school. And you get a sense that he definitely put Thayer Academy first in every decision he made.
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF HEAD OF SCHOOL TED KOSKORES THAYER ACADEMY'S EIGHTH HEAD OF SCHOOL
the
- MIDDLE SCHOOL FACULTY ANDY GIBSON P '21, '22, '25
I've never seen an arts program successful without support from the head of school, and Ted was supportive of us right from the start. One of the main reasons we're successful is because, right from the top, Ted believed how important the arts are to Thayer. That belief has affected so many lives and helped us to create what we can do on our end to make things work for students. - UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY JEFF BROWNE P '04, '05
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27
Arts
▲ The Thayer Art Gallery during the pandemic: from art gallery to a hybrid work/display space for anti-racism classes and study halls as well.
Thayer Academy Upper School Arts Proudly Presents
IN CONCERT
LIVE!
May 7-8, 2021
on an outdoor stage!
▲ In May, the Upper School held an outdoor performance of Rocky Horror: Live! in Concert. The stage was built to accommodate the production and to allow for a small (100-member) audience to watch each night (see photo).
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
NOTE: he fall issue of Thayer Magazine will feature highlights T from Middle and Upper School productions (Rocky Horror; Showstoppers, etc.) as well as student art.
Athletics
1
2
1
Jack McCarthy '24 follows through on a drive on the golf course.
2
Co-captain and second-baseman Bella Bodio '21 takes practice throws with her teammates prior to a scrimmage this spring.
3
The girls varsity tennis team, masked up and ready for a match: Ally Gilbert '21, Magda Lazowski '21, Eloise Daniello '21, Meg Corry '21, Caitlin Hayes '21, Jordan Ruddick '21, Mary Costello '21, Tess Myers '21.
3
NOTE: T he fall issue of Thayer Magazine will feature more spring sports highlights and pictures, along with NCAA athlete destinations.
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29
Alumni
Alumni House News & Notes
Founders Day Wrap-Up A day of virtual community yields big results
The Academy is incredibly grateful to the 1,034 members of our community who showed their support during the sixth annual Founders Day: A Day of Giving this past March. This was the most successful Founders Day event to date, having raised over $373,000 – $80,000 more than last year! Moreover, the day itself - due to the pandemic and social
www.thayer.org/foundersday
distancing - necessitated a different way of bringing people together on a day usually spent in community. To that end, there were five different Zoom calls (ranging from cooking demonstrations to an overview of Thayer's anti-racism curriculum to art/pottery discussions), a livestream of the Declamation Celebration in the CFA, pre-recorded music and dance numbers from students, a video of the annual Founders Day speech by Larry Carlson P ’02, ’05, ’10, and a T.I.G.E.R. (think H.O.R.S.E.) one-on-one basketball game between Brandon Odom ’04 and Billy O’Dwyer ’02 (you’ll have to watch the video to see who won!). Thanks again to those who generously gave, especially during times like these.
www.thayer.org/foundersday
If you are interested in hosting an alumni event (even a virtual one!), please contact Rachael Rouvales Vassalotti ’79 P ’07, ’11, ’12, Associate Director of Development, at 781.664.2504 or rvassalotti@thayer.org.
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
We are excited to announce the launch of ThayerNetwork, our very own networking community.
This platform allows you to connect with fellow alumni who have similar interests, careers, and locations; promote your business; search for job opportunities; and join a mentoring program.
Sign up today at ThayerNetwork.com
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Alumni THAYER CLASS NOTES
Class Notes
ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE THAYER COMMUNITY
CLASS OF
Above: The desk of Frank Tenore '62 at his Florida home has become something of a tribute to Thayer Academy.
1950 Janet Field Kyne ’50 Janet writes, “Since the pandemic struck the US over a year ago, our retirement community with over 400 people escaped the dreaded virus. Both the staff and the residents took every possible precaution. Shelter in place became the theme for months. While Zoom and phone calls helped, some residents admitted to losing the art of good conversation. Vaccinations arrived in February 2021. How thankful we are now to finally visit family and friends elsewhere and go to restaurants.” CLASS OF
1954 John Arapoff ’54 John writes, “I just completed 58 small works of art mounted on six 3x4 panels to be exhibited at the Brockton Public Library after the pandemic is over.” CLASS OF
1961 David White ’61 David writes, “Still keeping in touch with classmates and hope to get to a Red Sox game this year (Last one was Yankees vs. Red Sox a couple of years ago. Fun
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
time. Yanks won, but I discovered beer with blueberries. Made it all worthwhile!). Getting ready for some gardening. I'm sticking to basics this year — things like tomatoes, green beans, and squash. I tried watermelons last year, and they turned out to be pumpkins. Somebody mixed up the seeds. Imagine bragging about what great watermelons you got and they all turn orange!” CLASS OF
1962 Frank Tenore ’62 Frank shared a number of photos including his Thayer tribute desk (see photo above), as well as photos with his wife Sandy, Van ’62, and Campbell Whisnand (see right); and with Ginny Burns Graham ’62 at his house in Florida (see below). He notes, “We both looked the same as our yearbook, AND we actually met hubby, George; he is not a ghost!”
CLASS OF
1965 Paula Lombardo ’65 Due to the pandemic, Lombardo's, a premier wedding and event venue in Randolph, will also host jury trials. The Massachusetts Trial Court has entered into a license agreement with Lombardo’s for four months to hold jury trials for Norfolk County. Due to social distancing, the county’s courthouses were deemed unacceptable.
CLASS NOTES: 1950s-80s
away in 2010.). I have been running the world's first virtually 100% sustainable custom photo "lab" at EcoVisualLab.com since she was diagnosed, founded because I could no longer go back into a chemical darkroom. (I remarried in 2018.) We print for galleries, museums, collectors, image makers, artists, and photographers daily. I'd love to talk photography, sustainability, construction, or design with fellow Thayer alumni anytime!” CLASS OF
1970 CLASS OF
1966 The Class of 1966 On March 3, 21 members of the Class of ’66 joined a “Zoom-union” with the help of Lis Tarlow and Warren Pierce to say “hello,” reminisce, and catch up with each other and their lives. At the same time, they shared much laughter! Joining them was Head of School Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13; Director of Development Melissa Tuthill Forger ’92 P ’25; and Associate Director of Development Rachael Rouvales Vassalotti ’79 P ’07, ’11, ’12 for an update on happenings on campus and their Class of 1966 Endowed Fund established in 2016 at the celebration of their 50th Reunion. Zoom classmates included: Betsey Sylvester Blakeslee ’66, Paula Lamson Brown ’66, Howie Cutler ’66, Bonnie Goldman Dehner ’66, Robin Wassersug Dushman ’66, Helen Gioulis ’66, Penny Schwartz Grossman ’66, Chuckie Karp ’66, Bill McGrath ’66, Debby Caldwell McNeil ’66, Bob Nye ’66, Christy Outchcunis ’66, Barbara Robinson ’66 and Doug Pinney ’66, Cynthia Bestoso Rettig ’66, Phil Richenburg ’66, Anne Rogal ’66, Ann Hoffman Scott ’66, and Kevin Tedeschi ’66.
CLASS OF
1967 Jo Stuetzer Duval ’67 Jo writes, “We are going to be grandparents for the first time. Our son Greg and his wife, Katie, are expecting in late July. We are thrilled!”
CLASS OF
1969 Alan Colson ’69 Rick writes, “I recently established a sustainability consulting business, EcoVisual LLC. Our focus is on consumers, small businesses, homeowners, builders, architects, and others who haven’t been able to afford sound advice on sustainable products, designs, and/or construction. Our approach is based on practical, affordable solutions, not esoteric advice that's impractical or impossible to implement. As part of this effort, I recently invested nearly a half-million dollars in a residential rehab project as a way of ‘putting my money where my mouth is.’ This will likely be the single most sustainable rehab ever done in Western Massachusetts. It was featured in The Daily Hampshire Gazette, the Pioneer Valley's biggest newspaper, a couple of weeks ago. My interest in sustainability began with my late wife’s environmental cancer diagnosis in 2007 (She passed
Dennis Lombardo ’70 See Paula Lombardo ’65 James McKenzie ’70 Jim writes, "Amazingly, I'm still working in IT management at age 68, but this will be my last year, I suspect. I'm also now a proud grandfather of two! I was planning on attending our 50th reunion, but … COVID-19. A shame, as I was looking forward to attending. I did kind of have a mini-reunion last year when I went to see classmate Karen Lafleur’s art exhibition at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. She showed an amazing collection that was very well-attended. I'm living on Cape Cod now, though making plans on retiring to Vermont or New Hampshire next year. Still playing guitar, but not professionally any more. Considering going for my doctorate, but we’ll see! I hope life has gone well for all of my classmates and that everyone is both happy and healthy.” CLASS OF
1974 Nina Lombardo Barros ’74 See Paula Lombardo ’65
CLASS OF
1982 Barbara Tagaris Alavi ’82 Congratulations to Barbara for achieving top 20% and joining the Presidents Club 2020 for her sales with William Raveis, Milton.
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33
CLASS OF
CLASS OF
1984
1993
Sandra Shirley Somerville ’84 Sandra writes, “I have switched careers and am currently the Lead Mental Health Clinician of a community team which serves people with major mental disorders so that they may live independently. This second career after my children have grown has helped me realize that nobody should foreclose on their dreams at any age.”
AlegrÍa De La Cruz ’93 Alegría, the first director of the Sonoma County Office of Equity, was featured in Sonoma Magazine where she candidly discussed her take on racial disparities within Sonoma County government.
CLASS OF
1997 Adam Symmons ’97 Adam writes, “Currently living on Long Island, NY. Married for the last 14 years with two daughters, ages 11 & 10. Working at Point72 which is a hedge fund based out of Stamford, CT. Also, working with new leadership in the New York Mets front office on their data analytics and engineering needs. I hope everyone is staying as sane as possible and staying as healthy as possible.”
CLASS OF
1989 Tiffanie Williams Needham ’89 Nomination papers are in for Tiffanie as she runs for Rockland Town Selectman. Good luck, Tiffanie! (Ed. Note: Tiffanie won the election - congratulations!) CLASS OF
1991 Michael Jacobs ’91 Thank you to Mike for helping our 2021 Founders Day efforts by joining US Foreign Language Department Head Marc Rando P ’18, ’20 for a fun Zoom Room cooking demonstration. We all learned from the best how to make delicious crab cakes!
CLASS OF
1994 Louis Bello ’94 Louie dropped his latest country single titled “Rescue Me” and featuring Jason Tucker, a country artist from Nashville, TN. Gaining buzz, US Weekly magazine featured Louie and the official music video in the February entertainment edition of the magazine. The meaning behind the single is to inspire us to think about the important people in our lives, especially after the challenges of the past year.
CLASS OF
1992 Sean McElligott ’92 A successful trial attorney, Sean has joined Silver Golub & Teitell LLP, the Connecticut trial law firm, as a Partner. Tanisha Sullivan ’92 Tanisha was listed as #27 on Boston Magazine's "100 Most Influential Bostonians" issue (May 2021) congratulations!
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
Kaitlyn Morrissey Brosnan ’96 Kaitlyn and her husband, Troy, are cofounders of the first cannabis-infused seltzers, LEVIA, which launched in March. These products are made in Georgetown, MA, and are available for sale at over 45 licensed cannabis dispensaries across Massachusetts.
CLASS OF
1996 Matthew Salloway ’96 Matthew writes, “I am excited to announce my engagement to the beautiful, amazing, and wonderful Kimberly Lerner!”
CLASS OF
1998 Lindsey Gillooly Gordon ’98 Lindsey is the proud owner of two local medical spas: Hingham Medical Aesthetics and Easton Medical Aesthetics. See photo below of one of the spaces.
1999 Lindsey Kasabian ’99 Lindsey Kasabian, who most recently led casting efforts at Touchstone Television (aka Fox 21 Television Studios) as Vice President, has been named Senior Vice President of Casting for Freeform. Working closely with Freeform President Tara Duncan, Kasabian will be responsible for identifying and helping to select the acting talent for all ongoing series and pilots at the cable network. The new assignment is effective immediately.
Jessica Courtney Reilly ’01 Jessica Courtney Reilly welcomed baby Casey James Reilly on January 26, 2020! See photo on p. 38. CLASS OF
2002 Billy O'Dwyer ’02 Billy participated in a game of T.I.G.E.R. with fellow faculty alum Brandon Odom ’04 as part of the Founders Day: A Day of Giving virtual event. See more on Founders Day on p. 30.
Mike Jones ’03 Congratulations to Mike and Sophie Browne Jones ’04 as they welcome Monroe William Michael Jones to their family. Monroe was born on February 23, 2021, at 12:37 a.m. weighing in at 6.6 pounds! See photo on p. 38.
CLASS NOTES: 1980s - 2000s
CLASS OF
Maggie Kingsbury Hansen ’03 Maggie and her husband Wes write that their son Felix Kingsbury Hansen was born on June 2, 2020. See photo on p. 38. CLASS OF
2004
CLASS OF
Jennifer Smith ’99 Jennifer and husband Billy welcomed Molly Jennifer into the world on June 24, 2020. See photo on p. 38. CLASS OF
2001 Paul Badger ’01 Paul was married on November 2, 2019, in New Bedford to Jessica Orlowski. Many Thayer alums were in attendance. Photo below of Paul's father, Don '63 P '98, '01; best man Donny '98; Aunt Jennifer Damon Badger '67 P '95, '98; uncle Frank Badger '67 P '95, '98; groomsman Jon Earle '01; cousin Jessica Badger Severance '98; Joe Costello '01; Rob O’Leary '01; Mike Montani '01; and Brian Mahoney '01. Missing from picture: Mathew Smith '97.
2003 Elyse Boyle Alexander ’03 Elyse and husband Mike welcomed their second child, Caroline Grace Alexander, on May 15, 2020. She joins big brother Charlie (age 3). See photo on p. 38. D'Lynn Jacobs ’03 D’Lynn writes, “I’m currently working as the Director of Programming and Training for Peace Corps Vanuatu. I’ve been here a little over two years and previously was the supervisor for the agency’s Intercultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training team. In that role, I was blessed to visit many of the agency’s 65+ posts globally to ensure our staff had the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to support a dynamic volunteer corps representative of the diversity in the U.S. population.” See photo below.
Sophie Browne Jones ’04 See Mike Jones ’03. Ryan Gould ’04 Ryan married Rebecca Christin Riegel on December 17, 2020, in Hingham. See photo on p. 36. Brandon Odom ’04 Brandon, Thayer’s Associate Director of Admissions and Upper School Assistant Dean of Students, participated in The BASE’s three-part series “designed to bring together sports thought leaders locally, regionally, and nationally.” The BASE convened panels to discuss the role that sports play to advance justice and equity, one way being industry careers.
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35
Alumni WEDDINGS & BABIES
icebreaker in the North Sea and half-scale models of skyscrapers, for example). Not sure yet if we’ll win, but as they say, it’s an honor just to be nominated!” (Ed. note: the team from Tenet won this category - congratulations!)
Tim Roche ’05 See Rob Melchionda ’05.
Brandon also joined fellow faculty alum Billy O'Dwyer ’02 for a game of T.I.G.E.R. as part of the Founders Day: A Day of Giving virtual event. See more on p. 30.
CLASS OF
2006
Jason Luippold ’04 Jason and his wife, Janaina, are excited to share that on July 12, 2020, they welcomed Benjamin Thomas Luippold. Yes, the godfather is classmate PJ McGinnis ’04. See photo on p. 38.
Jessica Luccio Hull ’06 After 10 years in New York City and Chicago, Jess and her family relocated back to the East Coast. She lives in Norwell with her husband, 4-year-old son, and 2-year-old daughter.
Chris Howard ’06 See Rob Melchionda ’05. Ashley Jaundoo Oguadimma ’06 Congratulations to Ashley as she recently joined Jewish Vocational Service as Vice President of Academic Services. In her role, Ashley will lead a team that provides JVS clients with programmatic pathways for academic advancement and economic independence.
CLASS OF
2005
Joseph Rosano ’06 Joseph was recently made Partner at SkyBridge Capital. SkyBridge is a global multi-asset class alternative investments firm, specializing in hedge fund solutions and opportunistic investment vehicles in New York City. CLASS OF
Rob Melchionda ’05 Rob writes: “I was married to Megan Mulcahy on September 6, 2020, at the Searles Castle in Windham, NH. My best man was my brother Anthony ’08. Tim Roche ’05 and Chris Howard ’06 were groomsmen of mine.” See photo below.
2007
Mark Patch ’06 Mark writes, “This year, I was part of a team nominated for the Academy Award in Visual Effects for the film Tenet (2020). We spent almost two years on the film, traveled to seven different countries, and blew up lots of interesting stuff (15-foot flying model helicopters launched off an
James Gallagher ’07 James writes: “My wife Heidi and I recently had a baby boy; his name is Finley James Gallagher and he was born on February 1, 2021.” See photo on p. 38.
Thayer Weddings
1
Paul Badger ’01
(P. 33)
2
Ryan Gould ’04 (P. 33)
3
Rob Melchionda ’05
Newlywed? Share the good news with your fellow Thayer alums! Please email your high-resolution photo to: magazine@thayer.org
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
(P. 34)
2010 Grace Curley ’10 Grace, the executive producer of the Bostonbased Howie Carr Show and a Boston Herald contributing columnist, is now live on iHeartMedia’s WRKO. The Howie Carr Radio Network launched The Grace Curley Show in January. The show is live from noon to 3 p.m. “I am ecstatic for this huge opportunity,” Curley said, adding she’s learned the ropes while being mentored by Howie Carr over the past six years.
CLASS OF
CLASS OF
2012
2019
Juliana Melchionda ’12 In March, Braintree Mayor Charles Kokoros announced his nomination of Juliana to fill the vacancy on the board of health previously held by her mother, Laurie. “It is most fitting that she continues to do the great work done by her mother in serving in this position,” Kokoros said in a letter to the town council. Juliana is currently a registered nurse in the cardiac unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Owen Drometer ’19 A sophomore at Davidson College, Owen made the A10 All-Conference First Team in Cross Country. The season, normally run in the fall, was held during the winter 2020-2021 due to the pandemic. His second year running cross country, Owen finished the 8K (4.971 miles) championship race with a time of 24:54.1.
Megan Greeley ’12 Megan has started a new position as Director at Chartwell Strategy Group in Boston where she advises clients on a range of public affairs, government relations, and strategic communications matters. Kunal Agrawl ’12 Kunal started a new position as Software Engineer at Thirty Madison.
CLASS NOTES: W E D D I N G S & 2000s- 2020s
CLASS OF
CLASS OF
2020 Laura Marcus ’20 Laura was named to the Dean's List for the 2020 fall semester at Elon University. Congratulations, Laura!
CLASS OF
2013 Anna Mandell ’10 Anna launched Millennial Women Mastermind, a group for networking and empowering women. www. millennialwomenmastermind.com CLASS OF
2011 Marissa Daly ’11 Congratulations to Marissa for starting a new position as Renewal Specialist at VMware Carbon Black. Vanessa Kelly ’11 Vanessa writes, “I opened up my own massage therapy and alternative healing wellness center called Unwind in Jacksonville Beach, FL.”
Jessica Kenny ’13 Jessica writes, “I will be graduating this spring 2021 with my Masters of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University in the City of New York.”
CLASS OF
2015 Louise Nessralla ’15 Louise currently works as a licensed realtor in the Greater Boston area. When she's not helping people find their ideal home, she is freelancing as a filmmaker. She is also in post-production for her debut short film.
Attention, Alums! Know fellow Thayer alumni who are doing something interesting or amazing? Do you know of someone who continues to live out our motto by inspiring others to excellence or by their many contributions to the common good? Let us know so that we can feature them in these pages! CONTACT US!
✉ magazine@thayer.org
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37
Thayer Babies Welcoming the newest members of the Thayer community!
Caroline Grace Alexander
Julian Cote
Finley James Gallagher
BORN: May 15, 2020 Elyse Boyle ’03 & Mike Alexander
BORN: November 4, 2020 Ellen & Shane Cote ’11
BORN: February 1, 2021 Heidi & James Gallagher ’07
Felix Kingsbury Hansen
Monroe William Michael Jones
Benjamin Thomas Luippold
BORN: June 2, 2020 Maggie Kingsbury ’03 & Wes Hansen
BORN: February 23, 2021
BORN: July 12, 2020 Janaina & Jason Luippold ’04
Sophie (Browne) Jones ’04 & Mike Jones ’03
New Parent?
Share the good news with your fellow Thayer alums! Email us your newborn’s full name and date of birth - and be sure to include a high-res (300 dpi or higher) photo to us at:
magazine@thayer.org
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
Casey James Reilly BORN: January 26, 2020 Jessica Courtney Reilly ’01
Molly Jennifer Smith BORN: June 24, 2020 Jennifer (Last) Smith ’99 & Billy Smith
REMEMBERING A LIFE OF ENERGY & PURPOSE THE ACADEMY MOURNS THE LOSS OF A DEVOTED ALUMNA By Ted Koskores ’70 P ’10, ’13 Thayer was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of our dear alumna, Rosemary (Crotty) Lavelle '45. (read her obituary on pg. 41) As a student, Rosemary immersed herself in the life of her school. As an alumna, that same commitment to Thayer — a school from which her late husband John '45 and late brother Carlton Crotty '37 both graduated — drove Rosemary to work tirelessly to keep her classmates connected, to energetically maintain her own engagement with current programs, and to generously support any number of annual fund drives and capital campaigns. In that light, it was not surprising that Rosemary was honored with the Alumni Loyalty Award at her 50th Reunion. Still, we were quite stunned when we learned that Rosemary had named Thayer Academy as the sole beneficiary of her estate —- a most touching expression of further regard for the school she held so dear. As we contemplate the significance of this remarkable gift, we are, of course, reminded that Rosemary was not only giving thanks for her years here but also trusting Thayer to stay true to its mission. Therefore, it is with the deepest gratitude, humility, and responsibility that we embrace this enduring measure of devotion from Rosemary.
THE
SOUTHWORTH SOCIETY
PLANNED
GIVING
AT
T H AY E R
ACADEMY
We invite you to consider planned giving as a means to supporting Thayer while creating a personal and meaningful legacy. Planned gifts can often provide valuable tax benefits and, in some cases, income for life to the donor. Whether you use cash or other assets, such as real estate, artwork, or stock, the benefits of funding a planned gift can be significant. By including Thayer in your estate plans, you can help strengthen Thayer while preserving your existing assets. Individuals who make a planned gift to Thayer are welcomed as members of The Southworth Society. Planned gifts can be tailored to the unique circumstances of each donor, and some typical options include bequests, charitable trusts, annuities, or a life insurance policy with Thayer as the beneficiary. To find out more about how you can benefit from including a planned gift to Thayer in your financial planning, contact Melissa Tuthill Forger ’92 P ’25, Director of Development, at 781.664.2501 or mforger@thayer.org or Rachael Rouvales Vassalotti ’79 P ’07, ’11, ’12, Associate Director of Development, at 781.664.2504 or rvassalotti@thayer.org.
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In Memoriam Former Faculty & Staff Peter Leavitt
Peter Leavitt, age 84, of Scituate, passed away January 5, 2021. Peter was the most loving husband of the late Barbara Leavitt, to whom he was married for 52 years. Born in Quincy, he was the son of the late Frank Leavitt and Hazel Duncan Leavitt, and older brother to Rick Leavitt (wife Ella) of Chatham. He was the cherished father of Jacqueline Brady, her husband Stephen of Boston, Elizabeth Monaco, her husband Michael of Scituate, and Douglas Leavitt, his wife Monica of Bethlehem, PA. He was the grandfather of eight beloved grandchildren, Robert McCaw (Sabin), Alyssa Falkowski (John), Paul J. McCaw (Michelle), Kimberly Conrad (Corey), Robin Monaco (Sebastian), Michael Monaco, and Jeremy and Phyllicia Leavitt; three step-grandchildren, Daniel, Trevor, and Sarah Brady; great-grandchildren, Hamzah and Zainah Ahmed McCaw; and one step-great-grandchild, Brady Livas. Peter grew up in Quincy and graduated from Quincy schools. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard aboard a weather patrol ship, the Castle Rock, based in Boston and stationed off the Atlantic during the Korean War, and later graduated from Union College with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. He worked on the administrative staff at M.I.T., serving as Assistant/Associate Director of Admissions and the Joint Center for Urban Studies of M.I.T. and Harvard. In his second career, he taught English, History, and Latin at Thayer Academy for 20 years; and coached Thayer sailing and crosscountry track. Peter, a racing sailor, sailed the Snipe "Jackpot" to several Squantum Yacht Club championships. Later, he built
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
the 26 Thunderbird "Siren" and sailed to two New England championships. He enjoyed running with the Hingham Striders, and he ran the Newport and two Boston Marathons. A civic leader and historian, in Scituate Peter was elected Town Moderator for 19 years and to the school committee for two terms and served as an appointed member of the Scituate Historic Commission and the Community Preservation Committee. He was a member of the Scituate Historical Society and the Friends of South Shore Fisheries. He did extensive research on Judge William Cushing of Scituate. Peter was an avid nonfiction reader, listened to classical music, and cared for many dogs throughout his life. During their marriage, Peter and Barbara traveled extensively, including 19 trips to Europe and several to the Bahamas and Latin America. Every Friday for 30 years, they dined at the Mill Wharf Restaurant in Scituate Harbor. Peter will always be remembered.
Eleanor (Manning) Scanlon
Eleanor M. "Ellie" (Manning) Scanlon, of Pembroke, formerly of South Weymouth, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Ellie worked at Thayer Academy for over 20 years before retiring in 1994, and many of her coworkers became lifelong friends. She was a member of the Women's Sodality at St. Francis Xavier in South Weymouth, the Wonderful Wacky Widows of St. Joseph the Worker in Hanson, and a longtime volunteer for the Council on Aging in Pembroke. Ellie enjoyed spending time on Cape Cod at
the beach with family and friends. She also had a great love of music, especially Frank Sinatra, and would sing along as the radio played. She will forever be remembered as being caring and selfless. Beloved wife of the late Joseph A. Scanlon for 56 years. Devoted mother of Stephen Scanlon (Cora Humberson) of San Diego, CA, and Sheryl Scanlon of Halifax. Cherished Gramma of Augustin Scanlon of San Diego, CA. Loving sister of Karen Weisbaum of Reston, VA, and sister-in-law of Jean Scanlon of Pewaukee, WI. Ellie was also blessed with her nephews, Michael (whom she had a special bond with), David, and Joshua, and nieces Kelly, Kerry, Donna, Pam, Susan, Dianne, and Jill. She also had many grandnieces and grandnephews, along with extended family and close friends. She was predeceased by her dear sister Dorothy M. Kelly, her brother Joseph Manning, and her nephew Arthur Murch.
1939 Walter White
Walter Burtis White, 99, World War II Navy veteran and a former ice cream manufacturer, passed away December 27, 2020. A summer resident since 1955, he moved from Weymouth to Barnstable Village in 1980. The son of the late Howard C. and Olive Sawin White, he was born in Wollaston and grew up in Braintree where he attended Thayerlands School and was a 1939 graduate of Thayer Academy. He then continued his education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. During World War II, he enlisted in the
Rosemary Crotty Lavelle, of Hingham, died March 21, 2021. Rosemary was born in Quincy and had lived in Hingham since 1952. She was a Thayer Academy and Wellesley College graduate. She and her late husband John ’45 enjoyed traveling the world by cruise ship, and even after he passed, Rosemary continued to travel, visiting all seven continents in her lifetime. Rosemary was a longtime sacristan at Church of the Resurrection in Hingham. Photography and being her class representative for Thayer Academy were other passions for her. In 1995 at the celebration of her 50th Reunion, Rosemary was awarded the Thayer Academy Alumni Loyalty Award for her many years as a volunteer and exceptional dedication to the Academy. She will be remembered as a wonderful conversationalist, a thoughtful friend, and an astute listener who never forgot the special details of your life. Beloved wife
Priscilla Cole
Priscilla Alden Webster Cole of Plymouth passed away on February 25, 2021. Born in 1928, she was 92 at the time of her death. She died at home on Long Pond after a long and happy life. Priscilla grew up in South Weymouth and attended public school up to the 8th grade. She then went to Thayer Academy for grades 9 through 12, where she participated in basketball, soccer, and music club. She attended Clark University in Worcester and Flora MacDonald College in North Carolina. On April 26, 1952, she married her childhood sweetheart and her brother Bob's best friend, Richard (Dick) F. Cole ’47. Together they had five children, eventually moving to Marshfield in 1959, where they raised their children. She was a deaconess of the First Congregational Church in Marshfield, as well as the pastor's secretary and a member of the choir. Priscilla worked for the Town of Marshfield as Assistant to the Veteran's Agent for over 20 years. She and her husband Dick were active in youth hockey and other sports booster clubs for her very athletically talented offspring; she could always be found cheering them on in the stands. Right up to the end she was an avid follower of the Boston Bruins and the New England Patriots. A talented pianist, Priscilla had at one time aspirations to perform at concert level. Most of her life she continued to take piano lessons, and her daughters remember dancing around the house to the music when she was practicing. The house on Highland Street in North Marshfield was the center of activity for her children's many friends, where they were always welcomed, encouraged, and adopted as part of the family. The family was fortunate to live in a small, close-knit neighborhood where the Cole, Harris, and Osborne family played together outside all year long. In 2001 Priscilla and Dick sold their home to their son, Bill, and moved to Harwich, following their dream of living on the Cape. In 2007 they moved into a comfortable apartment in their daughter Lynn's home which was built on Priscilla's
Duncan MacDonald
Duncan MacDonald died at 89 on January 11, 2021. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Shepard ’39, and his parents Harrison and Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, his three children, Heather, Kendrick, and Malcolm, and six grandchildren. Duncan attended Thayer Academy and was involved in the performing arts, music club, and track.
1930s-1940s
Rosemary Crotty Lavelle
1946
Bassett family's ancestral property on Herring Way, on Long Pond in Plymouth. Priscilla stayed in touch with many people, sending letters and cards and words of encouragement to all of her many and far-flung family members and friends. She is survived by her husband, Dick, and her five children, Laura, Lynn, Bob, Bill, and Steve as well as her beloved grandchildren Elise, Brenna, Bradford, Anna, Victoria, and Will.
FORMER FACULTY & STAFF -
1945
of the late John A. Lavelle ’45. Devoted daughter of the late James F. and Elizabeth Crotty. Loving sister of the late Carl Crotty ’37. Rosemary is survived by many dear friends. See note on page 39.
IN MEMORIAM:
Navy, serving for three and a half years in the fire control division of the destroyer USS Cony. Assigned to the ship for its deployment in the South Pacific for the duration of the war, he saw action in many major battles, including those of Leyte Gulf, the Solomon Islands, and Treasury Island. At the latter, the USS Cony sustained heavy bombing attacks and lost a number of crew. Following the war, Walter returned to the University of Massachusetts where he was a member of Alpha Tau Gamma fraternity. He graduated from the university's Stockbridge school in 1947. Later that year he married Kathleen "Kay" Harkins of Bath, ME. They celebrated their 71st anniversary in 2018. At one time associated with the Keith Ice Cream Company of North Dartmouth, Walter was employed for 31 years by Hendries, Inc, of Milton, from which he retired in 1980. A resident of Weymouth for over 30 years, he was an active member of First Church in Weymouth. After retiring to Cape Cod, he volunteered at the NOAH Shelter in Hyannis. He enjoyed gardening, tennis, boating, and reading. He is survived by a son, John "Jay" White ’67, and a daughter, Nancy Barrie. He was predeceased by his wife, Kay White, and his sister, Ervina Marstin ’34.
1948 David Curry David
Howard Curry Sr., of Hingham, died of natural causes, at age 91, on Friday, December 18, 2020, at Brandermill Woods Health Care Center in Midlothian, VA. David was born on September 1, 1929, to Frank Burns Curry Sr. and Elvira Vi (Rhind) Curry, the youngest of four children. During his early life, David was an accomplished sailor, earning a 4th overall ranking in the Winabout class in the Quincy Bay/Boston Harbor/ Marblehead area sailing clubs. He raced his family's boat Omaha starting in 1941. As a 17-year-old, he earned a headline in a Boston newspaper entitled, “Young Curry's Sailing Should Go Down as Some Kind of a Record.” He also played tennis up to his late 80s. David was always first to try out his figure ice skating during winter on Cushing Pond. Once he was out on the ice, neighbors knew it was safe to join him. Graduating from Thayer Academy in 1948 and MIT with an engineering degree in 1952, he served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). David then served as an officer and electronics instructor at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In 1954, David returned to Massachusetts after leaving the military. With his two brothers, Frank Bub Curry Jr. and George Curry, he
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helped manage his father's Boston millwork company, Frank B. Curry Co., eventually becoming president of the company. His father, Frank B. Curry Sr., had befriended Howard Johnson, and thus designed and installed the millwork in most of the interiors of Howard Johnson’s restaurants. In 1959, David built a Usonian-style home on Cushing Pond in Hingham, designed by Imre Halasz, a renowned Hungarian architect and MIT professor. The interior of the home featured a hyperbolic paraboloid ceiling and 26 types of rare and exotic hardwoods from around the world, provided by the family's millwork company. David is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mildred G. Middie Curry. He is also survived by his daughter, Jane Curry Chapin (Bill), and his son, David H. Curry Jr. (Mary Beth). Also surviving are four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one brother, George Curry. David will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his kindness, generosity, and unique point of view.
1951 Natalie Small
Natalie Settimelli Small (87), of Gainesville, FL, Newton, and North Truro, died peacefully in Boston on Feb 10, 2021, surrounded by her family. Natalie, the daughter of Joseph and Edmea Settimelli, was born in Quincy in 1933. She graduated from Thayer Academy where she was incredibly involved in tennis, field hockey, chorus, and publications and served as class officer. Natalie also attended Tufts University where she was the first woman editor of the Tufts yearbook. She spent the subsequent year on a scholarship studying in Florence, Italy. She fell in love with Parker Small Jr. at Tufts, and they were married upon her return to the United States in 1956. The couple moved to Cincinnati where Parker completed medical school and she taught first grade. Their career journey took them to Philadelphia, London, Washington D.C., and Switzerland, with a growing family. In 1966, the family moved to Gainesville, FL, where Parker joined the faculty of the University of Florida and Natalie earned an MA, EdS, and PhD degree in counseling. Deeply involved in children's issues, Natalie helped establish one of the first Ronald McDonald Houses in the country in Gainesville where she served on the Board of Directors for more than 25 years. In 1995, the board
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acknowledged her contributions and decades of caring commitment with their highest honor. Natalie was also a founder and board member for 30 years of the Gainesville Association for the Creative Arts and volunteered with the Gainesville Suicide and Crisis Intervention Center for 26 years. Natalie was a member of the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Patient and Family Resources at Shands Hospital at UF. At the time when some parents had to travel for hours to get their seriously ill child treated at Shands, Natalie founded Child Life, a program to counsel and educate the families of hospitalized children and to normalize the hospital experience for sick children. She produced multi-media productions to educate children and their families about pediatric illness and hospitalization, including her booklet, "Mothers Know Best," and was a lecturer in her field. She supervised the Child Life Specialists, social workers, and chaplains. When the new disease "AIDS" had children asking Natalie why they were dying, Natalie joined her husband, Parker, in founding the Center for Cooperative Learning that developed educational materials for small-group learning to teach Florida's high school children about the disease. Their curriculum was used widely throughout Florida and beyond and was selected as the best in the nation by the National PTA and CDC. Natalie also taught medical students about pediatric death and dying, smoking prevention and cessation, and teenage risk reduction. In 2006, Thayer Academy presented Natalie with its Humanitarian Award for her work in pediatrics. In her retirement, Natalie continued with her passion for teaching medically related students how to become effective professionals by becoming a standardized patient and served as a research subject for many of the studies about aging at UF. Natalie was happiest when with her husband, children, and their families … whether tubing on the Ichetucknee River in North Florida or walking the vast dunes of Cape Cod. Her greatest gifts were comments from her grandchildren such as, "Nonna, I love it when you read." Natalie was predeceased by her son Parker III, who bravely lived with a brain tumor for 21 years and died in 2010, and her beloved brother Peter Settimelli ’48 and his wife Patricia Settimelli. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Parker A. Small Jr., her daughter-in-law Katherine Small of Wellesley, her son Peter Small (Delaney Ruston) of Seattle, WA, and daughter Carla Small (Robert Cronin) of Needham. Also, seven grandchildren: Margaret and Luke
Small, Chase and Tessa Small and Brendan, Michaela and Matthew Cronin and nieces Paula and Ellen Settimelli and grandnephew Christopher Poillucci.
1953 Julian Cherubini
Julian H. Cherubini, 85, of Boston, a man with a passionate commitment to "helping people help people," founded and for over 50 years led AliMed, which built a FORMER long history and reputation TRUSTEE on developing innovative and unique healthcare products designed to improve patient outcomes and experiences from hospital to home. As an engineer with a BS in Metallurgy from MIT and an MS in Radioactive Chemistry and Metallurgy from the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge, Julian began to rethink how to address the needs of caregivers and patients when he turned his attention to improving healthcare solutions. His wife, Barbara, raised in a family-business mindset, filled in the rest, and in 1970 they founded AliMed. This dynamic teamwork began with Julian selling to medical practitioners while Barbara stitched tabs onto knee braces and stuffed envelopes with mailers late into the night. An early success came by padding medical devices and splints with QuickStick to bring convalescing patients added comfort. Once AliMed sold enough product to move from the Cherubini living room to a downstairs office in the South End, Julian set up a desk for his then pre-school-aged daughter, Nicole, and found a way to combine lollipop runs with sales calls to local drug stores. Through subsequent relocations to the North End, Chinatown, and its current location in Dedham, the AliMed companies grew to up to 200 employees. It was not uncommon for Julian to have a simple interaction about a customer need and for a new product to result. His unique combination of marketing and engineering talents led to a total of a dozen-plus patents and the creation of over 255 products. Julian was born in Quincy on December 23, 1935, to Columbo and Rose Cherubini, a first-generation Italian seamstress who started a successful wedding dress-making enterprise, and famously designed gowns for many generations of Boston-area women, Miss America pageants, the wives of ambassadors, and even an "orbit gown" for
& David Schwartz and Janice Rose Cherubini Lamartine & Jose Arreguin, his grandchildren Malachi Bosch & Roma Josephine Cherubini Purcell and Jason & Andrew Schwartz and great-grandchildren, Amelia & Lilian Schwartz.
Stephen Cutler
Stephen D. Cutler, 84, a successful investment manager and philanthropist, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, after a sudden illness. Admired for his business acumen, leadership, and generosity, Steve will be remembered above all for his warmth, kindness, and easy sense of humor so treasured by his family and friends. Steve was born and raised in Quincy, son of Henry ’26 and Lillian Cutler, and older brother to Robert (Robbie) Cutler ’57, who predeceased him. Also cousin to Eileen Cutler ’62 and cousin Jane Cutler ’58 (who predeceased him). Steve attended high school at Thayer Academy where he served as class officer and was a three-sport athlete playing basketball, baseball, and football. He graduated in 1957 from Brown University, where he made enduring friendships as a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. In 1959 Steve met Alice, the love of his life, and they shared a remarkable 60-year marriage. With Alice's encouragement, Steve earned his MBA at Babson College and embarked on a successful career in investment management. In 1962 Steve was called to serve his country in the Air National Guard. Upon his return, Steve earned leadership positions at the Massachusetts Company, Baring America, and ultimately Essex Investment Management, where, since 1989, he was President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Steve was active in the community and an engaged philanthropist. He supported numerous causes, but was most passionate about Babson College, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Steve served as a Trustee of Babson, where he and Alice established the Stephen D. Cutler Center for Investments and Finance, a world-class lab that advances financial education for the entire Babson community. Most of all, Steve was a model for how to live a meaningful life. He built an extraordinary legacy of learning, listening, laughing often, and giving back. He achieved success in his career yet always acted with humility, gratitude, and kindness. He worked hard
yet also found plenty of time to enjoy golf at Willowbend, bridge, travel, the Red Sox, and his grandchildrens' sporting events, school plays, and Parcheesi games. Steve is survived by his wife Alice, his children Ellen (David), John (Rebecca), and Nancy (Mark), grandchildren Henry, Ben, Molly, Erin, Thomas, Coco, and Zeke as well as many devoted nieces and nephews.
IN MEMORIAM: 1940s-1950s
John Glenn's wife. She supplied baubles to Julian's daughter, Alexandra, a natural entrepreneur who at the age of 11 set up a home-based bead-selling business. Julian was a great mentor and supporter of her founding her company, EquiFit, which combines her fascination with state-ofthe-art materials with her love of horses to bring innovative products to equestrians. Alexandra is also the President of AliMed and has been a member of its Board of Advisors since 2013. An avid photographer whose work is in the permanent collection of the MIT LIST Visual Arts Center, Julian earned a Copley Society of the Arts Award, and curated numerous shows at the St. Botolph club. His vivacious appetite for the arts in every form whether music, drama or visual arts inspired his daughter Nicole, a celebrated visual artist and educator whose work also uniquely rethinks materials and structure. In 2019, she was moved by becoming an Artist in Residence at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as she spent many Sundays there as a child, freely exploring the intricacies of the collection while her father listened to chamber music in the tapestry room. This love of music has flourished in his grandchildren as Malachi has become an accomplished young harpist and Roma studies voice and dance. It is also evident in the enthusiasm Julian demonstrated as a patron of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Fine Arts, Lyric Stage, and the Longy School of Music at Bard College. With his insatiable curiosity and his love of learning and teaching, he participated in and taught at Harvard's ILR program, sat on the Thayer Academy Board of Trustees and was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in 2008, and was particularly inspired by Benjamin Zander's work with young musicians at the Boston Youth Philharmonic masterclasses. He became a dedicated supporter of the Michael J. Fox Foundation's quest for a cure for Parkinson's when his wife was diagnosed over 20 years ago. Julian's joie de vivre, unique interests, and exuberant sense of humor left an indelible impression. Those who knew Julian well understood his enjoyment of debate, oysters, trips to Costco, long walks, nor'easters, showtunes, and shopping with quarters. He was never more content than when sharing a delicious meal with family and friends -- complete with champagne. Mr. Cherubini leaves his wife, Barbara of Boston, his daughters and their spouses Alexandra Agbay Cherubini & Camilo Alvarez and Nicole Agbay Cherubini & Patrick Purcell, Stephanie
Anne Weaver
Anne Vonckx Weaver, 84, of Scituate (most recently of Allerton House, Weymouth), passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021. She is survived by her children, the six Ms: Marc Weaver of Boulder, CO; Marcia Weaver (Michael Chapko) of Seattle, WA; Martin Weaver (Jennifer Pasanen) of Brooklyn, NY; Megan Tooker ’88 (John) of Bellefonte, PA; Matthew Weaver of Freeport, ME; Meredith Weaver (Paul Piquado) of Geneva, CH; her 10 joyful grandchildren (Alana, Makara, Andrew, Julia, Quinn, Sean, Adele, Tate, Danica, and Adam), her brother Paul (Skip) Vonckx (Zanny Milo) of Seattle, WA; and her nieces, Elizabeth Vonckx (and her son, Martin) and Hilary Vonckx (Alex Clark) also of Seattle, WA. She was predeceased by her husband Wayne Weaver, her parents Paul and Alice Vonckx of Hingham; and niece, Jennifer Vonckx of Seattle, WA. Anne was born in Arlington. She grew up in Hingham and spent much time in Hingham Harbor sailing and swimming. She loved music and was a gifted piano player. She graduated cum laude from Thayer Academy where she played tennis, basketball, and field hockey. She also graduated from Smith College, where she was known fondly as Marty because of her appreciation of martinis. She moved to New York City to work in publishing at Scholastic and Book-of-the Month Club. Her adventures took her to Los Angeles and Denver where she met Wayne. After enjoying the Flatirons, they moved to the South Shore to raise their family. Anne loved Scituate and all it had to offer: her garden, the Spit, sailing, reading a good book, and plenty of opportunities for enjoying time with her many great friends. She prided herself on not being beholden to the clock and believing that rules could be bent for the benefit of good contributors to the community. She was adept at making new friends, making people comfortable, and sharing her pies. She is known for her thoughtful, if odd, gifts and leaving them unprompted on
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her friends’ doorsteps. She was a longtime member of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church and was active with their music program and choir. She traveled the world and shared this joy with her family. She took her grandchildren on sailing trips, sightseeing in Egypt and Uganda, learning about evolution in the Galapagos, enjoying the arts in Paris, experiencing nature in Alaska and Yellowstone. She most recently traveled with family members to Argentina, Italy, Mexico, Maine, U.S. Virgin Islands, New York City, and Quebec City. She enthusiastically shared her passions for adventure, nature, conservation, women's rights, music, and culture. She was always up for getting something planted, jumping in the ocean, and digging for clams. Her can-do and will-do attitude will be missed.
1955 Gail Barton
Gail M. Barton, MD, MPH passed away peacefully at her home on December 27, 2020, with her daughter by her side, following a sixmonth battle with metastatic gastric cancer. She was born April 20, 1937, in Massachusetts to Elsa and Walter Barton, MD. Her family frequently moved around the East Coast, finally settling again in Massachusetts. Some of her formative years were spent on the grounds of the Worcester State Hospital where her father was the Medical Superintendent and her mother was the head of nursing. It was there that she would accompany her father on rounds each weekend. It was quite the walk to school during that time, passing seven cemeteries, a boy's detention center, a zoo, a rat-infested dump, and of course the grounds of the State Hospital that housed 3,000 patients. She later bussed to Thayer Academy for high school, where she acquired a love for tennis, field hockey, skiing, and the fine arts. Dr. Barton graduated from Tufts University with a major in Fine Arts and a minor in Sociology and also attended a program at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts to further solidify her interest in the arts. While working at the Fernald School, she was on the cutting edge of human chromosome research, taking notes on autopsies, and capturing microphotographs of chromosomes, so she could later cut them out and pair them up to determine whether odd shapes or sizes were present. She went on to obtain
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her MD at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, now known as Drexel. With her internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, and Residency in Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident, she began her focus on Emergency Psychiatry. She was one of the first female interns and psychiatry residents, and she was a strong advocate for equality between men and women in all aspects of training and education. It was in Ann Arbor that she met and married Duncan Kretovich; they would later divorce. She continued her education with a Masters of Public Health at the School of Public Health at University of Michigan, with an emphasis in Community Mental Health. Dr. Barton was a board-certified Forensic Examiner, Neurology and Psychiatry, and Medical Examiner. She held several academic appointments including Associate Professor of Psychiatry (with Tenure) at the University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Psychiatry (Clinical) at the University of Vermont Medical School, Professor of Psychiatry at Dartmouth, and Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Dartmouth. Dr. Barton co-authored many articles and textbooks with esteemed colleagues including two textbooks in hospital administration and a time-management textbook entitled Shrinking Time, co-written with her father, Walter E. Barton, MD, who was also a distinguished psychiatrist. Dr. Gail Barton was an outspoken advocate throughout her life for equality and freedom for all and used the platform of her numerous memberships in professional and honorary societies to advocate for equality. Among other leadership positions, she served as President of the Vermont Psychiatric Association, President of the American College of Mental Health Administration, and even found a way to harken back to her artistic roots by serving as the President of the American Psychiatric Association Arts Association. She worked tirelessly on behalf of her patients to educate them and their families on how to best manage their illness and work towards long-term success. After relocating to the Upper Valley, she joined the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she used her background of education in the arts to pioneer an art therapy program within the Department of Psychiatry that introduced art therapy students onto an inpatient psychiatric unit. There she again championed women's resources and equality within a male-dominated organization. She also introduced pet therapy to the inpatient psychiatric
unit, later broadening the scope to other inpatient units. She delighted in the reaction of patients when her happy-golucky golden retriever, Scrappers, complete with her own name badge and nose-print, entered a room with tail wagging and gentle nudges to patients in need of cheer. Her involvement in many professional organizations gave her a platform to share her viewpoints on emergency psychiatry, disaster preparedness, civil and women's rights, and equality. She was never one to let her voice go unheard. She was a fiercely strong and independent individual and very proud of her career accomplishments. She enjoyed helping her many patients with their mental health struggles and found creative ways to engage, on an individual basis. She forged patient-doctor relationships so strong that some patients followed her from her time at the VA into private practice. Dr. Barton was extremely proud of her advancements in training, planning, and teaching emergency psychiatry as well as her contributions to the community response in these situations. She believed in a multi-faceted approach, from training first responders to appropriately assess and handle mental health situations to chairing a task force for the APA on Emergency Care to ensure that psychiatric patients would receive appropriate treatment early on. Throughout her life, Dr. Barton enjoyed the outdoors, finding pleasure in various activities such as canoe trips, hiking, skiing, and backpacking. She incorporated these activities in many business trips around the country and Europe, including a favorite ski trip to Austria. Following her partial retirement, she rekindled her love for the fine arts and began spending more time creating works of art as she traveled around the region to experiment with various forms of media. She could be found rooted in tall grass with her easel as she painted the New England landscape or snapping a photo of her family while they celebrated. She shared these pieces with friends, family, and the community through art galleries. She spent her Thursdays with her art group, Odanaksis (Little Village Artist) as they traveled around the region doing plein air. Dr. Barton was an active member of the community, a member of Windsor Rotary, the Historic Preservation Committee, and many more. She would host garden tours and a Victorian Tea on her front porch during Windsor Heritage Days. She created lovely shade gardens around her home and was able to maintain them for many years on her own, only requiring assistance in recent years. She is
1957 James Hunt
James Atherton Hunt (Jimmy), 80, of Bourne, went to be with the Lord on April 27, 2019. Diagnosed with unexplained liver failure in Boston, he was held in the loving arms of Elizabeth, his wife of 54 years, as he made his transition. Jimmy lived his life with vibrance, love, and humor. He was born January 19, 1939, in Brockton to Edward 1919 (Ted) and Catherine (Maxwell) Hunt. He was a graduate of Thayer Academy, where he was a multisport athlete, and Marietta College in Marietta, OH. He served in U.S. Navy for two years and continued studies at Bentley College. Jimmy was a charismatic hydraulics salesman and business owner for over 50 years. He bought the company where he was employed, Stewart-Hunt, and ran a successful business for decades. He loved gardening, planting many flowers, often filling up a whole garden. He enjoyed restoring his antique home in Cohasset and cherished spending time with friends and family. He was an especially enthusiastic Red Sox and Patriots fan. A passionate sailor, he and Elizabeth spent 25 years cruising with his twin and his wife as far as Maine, Nova Scotia, and Florida. He was an avid churchgoer and member of The Vineyard in Kingston. In addition to Elizabeth, he is survived by their daughter Kimberly and husband, Alex Messinger, of Burlington, VT; and two granddaughters Anna and Chenoa; and also by sisters Eleanor Keenan ’45 and the late Lawrence Keenan of Scituate, and Margery Price ’48 and the late George Price of Hingham; as well as two brothers, Edward Jr. and wife Susan of Lynchburg, VA, and Robert Hunt ’57, his twin, and wife Barbara of Berkley.
Diane Simpson
Diane Simpson, Ph.D., passed away January 12, 2021. Diane was born on December 31, 1939, to Theresa and Michael Lear. She graduted cum laude from Thayer Academy where she was involved in student government, art, and publications. Diane then attended Regis College in Weston, graduating in 1962. She completed graduate studies at Boston University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology and Personality. In February of 1969, Diane married Dr. John "Jerry" Simpson, an MIT scientist, and together they lived in Japan for three years where Diane completed a dissertation at Sophia University. After relocating to New York in 1976, Diane spent time working for the United Nations in Nairobi and New York, and traveled to South Africa on trade missions. Afterward, she worked on Wall Street as an intern for Nomura Securities and served as a consultant to Nomura in London and Tokyo. Japan held a special place in Diane's life. She spoke fluent Japanese, visited the country frequently, and founded the NichiBei Exchange, a bicultural organization that provided a forum for presentations on U.S.-Japan-related topics. In 1971, her Japanese calligraphy appeared in an exhibit at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Throughout their lifetimes, Jerry and Diane enjoyed museums, gardens, theater, exhibitions, and music clubs. They loved trying new restaurants with friends and colleagues. Together, they visited all 50 United States and over 75 countries. Many of her memorable foreign visits were to ruins of old civilizations, such as the Mayan ruins in Yucatan, Mexico, Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, and Ankgor Wat in Cambodia. In her free time, Diane kayaked, sailed, performed tai chi, practiced yoga, and swam. In recent years, she continued to challenge herself through art lessons, acting lessons, and playwriting. One of her more recent endeavors was involvement in a playwright collective. She wrote her own plays and in 2014 played the lead role in Granny Apple at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre. Jerry passed away in March of 2020. Diane is survived by her daughter, Rita Ann VanHorne. Diane was an exceptional individual, and her ebullient spirit will be missed dearly.
1965 Carl Engstrom
Carl H. Engstrom, 73, of Marshfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 15 , 2021, at South Shore Hospital, Weymouth, following a two-year struggle with Neuro-endocrine pancreatic cancer. Carl was born in Boston January 12, 1948, to the late Barbara Christenson Engstrom and Elliott Edward Engstrom. He was raised in Braintree and graduated from Thayer Academy in 1965. After attending Tufts University for a time, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a communications technician. After his service in the Navy, Carl returned to Boston to work and eventually would take over his father's watchmaker and jewelers supply company, Mahar and Engstrom. Robert Mahar and Carl partnered for many years in the Boston Jewelers Building and in Quincy. Carl was a passionate history buff and enjoyed collecting and sharing his vast knowledge with others. He loved all things red, white, and blue. Carl was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Norwell, serving in many leadership positions. His love of music and his deep bass voice made him an enthusiastic choir member over the past 45 years, and he is no doubt now singing with the angels. Carl is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara, of 52 years, his loving daughters Amanda Lemay and her partner Jake Barbour of Boston, Abigail Engstrom of Duxbury, beloved granddaughters Amelie and Madeleine Lemay of Boston, brothers Walter ’60 (Karin) Engstrom of Hanson, Ralph ’64 (Suzanne) Engstrom of Wellesley, a sister Janet Ek of Rockland, many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Carl will be remembered for his kind and generous nature, his contagious laughter, his interest in all things historical, his love of New England sports teams, the ocean, Humarock Beach, his pool, and most of all his cherished family.
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IN MEMORIAM: 1950s-1960s
survived by a sister in-law, Betty Barton (John Barton), her brother, Paul Barton ’64, her daughter, Mariah and son in-law, Steve Connolly, granddaughters Kayla and Ellynor Connolly, and great grandson, Abel Connolly, as well as several nieces and nephews from across the country. She leaves behind many friends and family throughout the local community and around the country.
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IN MEMORIAM: 1950s-1970s
1966 Elizabeth Hester
Elizabeth Ann Hester, 68, died unexpectedly on November 13, 2016, at her home in Northwood, NH. She was born September 1, 1948, in Boston, and was the daughter of Helen (Pierni) Fontana and the late John D. Hester. She grew up in Saugus. She graduated from Thayer Academy in 1966, and then went on to earn an associate degree from Northeastern University. Elizabeth was always a very hard worker. Her first career was as a registered dental hygienist. Later she became an accounting clerk, which she did for 15 years. Her last profession is the one she truly enjoyed, which was as a home health aide for Caring Companions, which is a division of Easter Seals. Elizabeth was currently residing in Northwood, but she was enthusiastically looking forward to moving to Norway, Maine, with her son, as they were building an addition for her at his home. She was an avid animal lover who faithfully donated to the MSPCA in Methuen. It was there she adopted her dog, Sam. Elizabeth was deeply saddened when Sam predeceased her. Her hobbies included reading and bird watching. Elizabeth was a very kind and sensitive soul. She loved spending time with her family, and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter and sonin-law, Catherine and Michael Tobin; son Michael DiPerri; two grandchildren, Isabella Tobin and Nathan Tobin; her mother and stepfather, Helen and Joseph Fontana; and a brother, John Hester.
Frederick Mullen Jr.
Frederick T. Mullen Jr., of Quincy, died March 24, 2021, at the age of 72 after a valiant five-year battle with cancer. Fred was a graduate of Thayer Academy and Tufts University. He worked as a senior systems analyst for the phone company for 23 years. Fred is survived by his longtime friend, Patricia A. Coleran of Weymouth.
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
1976 Martha McCormick Calmar
Martha McCormick Calmar of Stonington, CT, passed away on March 29, 2021. Martha was blessed with ethereal beauty, grace, and an infectious laugh. She loved and inspired everyone who knew her. Martha’s early education was at Thayer Academy where she graduated cum laude and was a multisport athlete playing basketball, field hockey, and tennis. She attended Bowdoin College and Wesleyan University, and taught American and British Literature, Ancient and Medieval History, and American and British Poetry at The Marvelwood School, St Bernard High School, The Xavier School, and The Williams School. She was an accomplished athlete and loved playing tennis and coaching. She spent her free time skiing, swimming, boating, and visiting museums with her family. She was a devoted mother to her three children. She loved her walks in the Stonington Borough with her dear girlfriends. Martha is survived by her husband the Honorable Harry E. Calmar, her children, Harry and Margarete, and a large extended family that included her mother-in-law Thalia Moschos Calmar, her devoted siblings and their families Anne ’66 and Jim Heller ’67, David McCormick ’70, Norah McCormick ’71, Sarah ’73 and Michael Regan, Sheila ’79 and Jack Hocking, Bridget ’81 and Kevin Giovanucci ’81 and Hal’s siblings Leigh Calmar, Dr Elizabeth Calmar and Dr George Kasparyan, and Charles Calmar. Martha was adored by her 20 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her daughter Isabelle Calmar and her parents Jane Hickey McCormick and Jack McCormick. Martha was loved and cherished. Her death will leave a void in our family that will never be filled, but we take heart in the certainty that she is now at peace with Izzy and free of all earthly imperfections.
1981 Michelle Lambiase Geist
Michelle Janis (Lambiase) Geist, 57, of West Wareham, died unexpectedly on February 10, 2021, at Tobey Hospital. She was the wife of Douglas Richard Geist and the daughter of Josephine (Ciano) Lambiase and the late John Lambiase. She was born in Arlington, grew up in Hingham, and lived in Dartmouth before moving to West Wareham in 1991. She graduated from Thayer Academy and attended Quincy Junior College. Survivors include her husband, Douglas Richard Geist; her mother, Josephine (Ciano) Lambiase of Wareham; her children, Jessica Geist of Somerville, Nicole Geist and Douglas Geist, both of West Wareham; her siblings, John Lambiase of Abington, Nancy Morano of Upper Saddle River, NJ; Mary-Jo Lambiase of Litchfield, NH, and Jo-Ann Lambiase ’76 of Wareham. She was the sister of the late Michael Lambiase. Michelle was a devoted mother, wife, and dog mom to her Weimaraner, Nora, and her Great Dane, Oliver. She was the beloved cook at the Ansel S. Gurney House for over 10 years. She enjoyed walks on the cranberry bogs with her husband, children, and two dogs. She never refused a Russell Stover’s chocolate. She cherished time at the beach with her family. She was a kind soul, compassionate, selfless, had a sense of humor, loved to laugh, and always put her family and loved ones above everything else.
Arthur Romano
Arthur Michael Romano, known by family and friends as Artie, of Norton, formerly of Plymouth and Pembroke, boarded his final first-class flight (non-rev, positive space) on February 3, 2021, joining his loving parents in eternal rest. Artie was born on January 8, 1963, at Kenmore Hospital in Boston to Mary Alice “Molly” (Reilly) and Arturo Romano of Weymouth. An only child, Artie was the world and the light of his parents’ lives. Artie and his parents moved to Indian Cliffs in Milton, where he lived a golden childhood: riding his dirt bikes;
airports and stop to tell Susan that Artie was the greatest pilot they had ever flown with; that he always greased his landings. Artie liked fast cars, fast planes, and the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean. But most of all, Artie loved his son. Tony was the world and the light of Artie's life. Although they were no longer married, Artie & Susan remained family, speaking most mornings on Susan's way to work. Artie lost his fight with alcoholism, but he never lost the love of his family or his love for them. Artie was 58 years old. Artie is survived by his son Anthony (Tony) Romano of Marshfield, his former wife Susan (McGaffigan) of Pembroke, his Reilly/O'Connell family and cousins who were siblings to him, and his friends throughout his lifetime. All who loved him ask that you only take your good memories of Artie with you. Let all painful memories go. Be assured, Artie is in his glory right now, listening to Billy Joel while his mother cooks him a steak and his second pan of Boxty. A small, private celebration of life was attended by classmates Tom Geraghty Jr. ’81, Kathy (Lang) D'Amore ’81, and Al Norton ’81.
traveled extensively, but Mexico, BVI, and Switzerland held special places in his heart. Above all else, Stuart's happy place was Sunapee, NH, where he spent countless days on the lake with his family and friends enjoying water sports, floating at the sandbar, throwing sticks for Benny, and getting ice cream at the Quack Shack. Stuart is survived by his loving wife of 10 years Patricia (Rohrer) Babb; his daughters Grace and Lilly; his mother Darlene ’54; his brother Lee ’81; his extended family; many dear friends; and his dog Ben.
IN MEMORIAM: 1960s-1980s
playing golf; and traveling with family and friends — mostly to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. This is where Artie discovered his love of flying. Artie always said as a small boy, he could never sleep the night before a vacation because he was so excited for the plane ride. This excitement followed him into adulthood. Artie lived golden teenage years, attending Thayer Academy, Class of 1981. Artie loved to ski (with special memories of the Thayer Academy European ski trip to the French Alps), drive his red Trans Am, perfect his golf game, and earn his pilot’s license at Norwood Memorial Airport. Artie earned a bachelor’s degree in 1985 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, and his master’s in Aeronautical Science in 1986. Along with his degrees, Artie earned his Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine rating, Commercial Certificate, Flight Instructor (CFI) and Instrument Instructor (CFII). At “Riddle,” Artie flew hundreds of hours flight instructing, teaching both Riddle students as well as Air Force cadets hoping to become Air Force pilots. During his college and grad school years, two things changed his life: he met the love of his life, Susan McGaffigan Romano ’83, and the 1986 release of the movie Top Gun which he could quote line by line (I feel the need, the need for speed!). In 1987, Artie and Susan married, and Artie took his first commuter airline position with Eastern Express (Bar Harbor Airlines) where he was first officer in the Saab 340 and had his first experience with a glass cockpit in the ATR 42. Artie was 24. After a year in the commuters, Artie was hired to fly the right seat of a Boeing 737-300 for USAir (later USAirways), based at their main hub in Pittsburgh, PA. After earning enough seniority to fly a line out of Boston Logan Airport, Artie and Susan moved home. While flying the DC-9 out of Boston, Artie and Susan were blessed with a beautiful son and bought their first home in Pembroke. After 12 years in Pembroke, and flying various planes including the Airbus 320 where he became Captain, Artie and his family moved to Plymouth for the next 12 years. Artie's final plane before an early retirement was the Airbus 330 out of Philadelphia. During his flying career, Artie enjoyed taking his family, his friends, and his in-laws on beautiful Caribbean vacations and cruises. Susan recalls how pilots would greet them in
1983 Stuart Babb
Stuart Dearborn Babb, 55, of Milton, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2021, with his wife and eldest daughter by his side. Born and raised in Norwood, Stu graduated in 1983 from Thayer Academy where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He received his BA from Colby College and his MBA from the University of Colorado. Stuart had a successful career in consumer marketing, working at Polaroid, New Balance, Kaz USA, Dorel, and most recently as VP of Global Marketing for SharkNinja. Stuart was an exceptionally kind man with a big heart and a deep love for bad dad jokes and playing pranks on his daughters. He loved all animals (except cats), but his heart belonged to Ben, the family dog. During his brief illness the one thing Stu missed the most was long walks through Blue Hills with Ben; it's where they did their best thinking. He
Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
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The Final Word
Sign of the Times
New gallery name honors the shared legacy of Karen & Ted Koskores In appreciation of their years of service and dedication to Thayer Academy, the Board of Trustees recently announced that the Thayer Gallery will be named in Ted and Karen’s honor and become the Karen and Ted Koskores Gallery. The Board was joined by other generous donors from the Thayer community in support of this gift. As a leader, Ted emphasized the importance of the arts as a fundamental part of the Thayer experience, alongside academics and athletics. He understood the important contribution of the arts to the life of a school, enriching and enlarging student life. Ted's commitment to the arts is perhaps best reflected in the 2008 opening of the Center for the Arts with its 540-seat Hale Theater. Coupled with the renovation of Frothingham Hall as a hub for the visual arts, the CFA further energized and enhanced an already stellar arts program and proved a powerful draw, increasing interest and involvement in the arts at Thayer. As a teacher of the visual arts and director of the Thayer Gallery for many years, Karen contributed deeply to the creative growth of the community. It is therefore fitting that this space be named for them and enjoyed by all for years to come.
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Thayer Magazine /// Special Spring Issue 2021
Use the QR code to view a farewell video from members of the Thayer community reflecting on Ted's tenure as Head of School. Or go online to: www.thayer.org/tedkoskoresfarewell
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@thayeracademy THE MISSION OF THAYER ACADEMY IS TO INSPIRE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS TO MORAL, INTELLECTUAL, AESTHETIC, AND PHYSICAL EXCELLENCE SO THAT EACH MAY RISE TO HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON GOOD.