1941
John P. Long, Santa Claus, IN, died March 27, 2008. John worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army Security Agency, retiring in 1971. He was a pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in World War II in the Pacific Theater, where he attained the rank of captain. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Reserves. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, a son, a daughter, a sister and extended family. His first wife, Martha, died in 1977.

1942
Frank F. Collins, South Hadley, MA, died March 14, 2008. A Saint Michael’s Alumnus of the Year in 1975, he served on the college’s board of associate trustees in the 1970s. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and was wounded at Saipan and later at Iwo Jima, receiving a second Purple Heart and Silver Star for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” in a charge with grenades and flame-throwers to overrun enemy pillboxes. For many years he co-owned Collins Plumbing Supply Co. in Holyoke with his brother. He volunteered for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and the Council on Aging. He is survived by his wife, Helen, two sons, including Tim ’75, two daughters and extended family.

Raymond J. Peters, Groton, CT, died February 4, 2008. After Saint Michael’s, Raymond enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years in the South Pacific including at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After the service he worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and obtained an engineering degree at the University of Maryland. He worked for 23 years as an engineer at Electric Boat in Connecticut and finished his career at Avco-Lycoming. He was a longtime member of the Society of Experimental Stress Analysis, an engineers group. He is survived his wife, Mary; four daughters, two sons and extended family

1944
Gerald E. Devan, Willsboro, NY, died March 12, 2008. Gerald had a 44-year career in education at Willsboro Central School starting when, at the age of 20, he taught math, French and Latin. He later earned a master’s and certification in guidance, serving the last 25 years as high school guidance counselor and part-time vice principal, retiring in 1988. Gerald graduated from high school at 16 and was his class valedictorian at Saint Michael’s as an education major. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rita; a son, two daughters and extended family.

1948
Eugene J. Clerkin, Sun City Center, FL, died February 13, 2008. Gene served in the U.S. Army in World War II between entering and graduating from Saint Michael’s, and attended the Illinois College of Optometry before a long career in private practice as an optometrist. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Genier; two sons, a daughter and extended family.

1950
Clement C. Hamelle, Swanton, VT, died March 24, 2008. After college, “Jack,” a Burlington native, began his long career in retail at his father’s Church Street store, Shepard and Hamelle. He later assumed ownership of the men’s shop and ran it until 1978. Among many other business ventures, he owned the Children’s Shop in Burlington and was creator and co-owner of Jeans North, one of the nation’s first jean boutiques. Jack was active with the National Association of Menswear Buyers and president of the Champlain Valley Association of Retarded Citizens in 1968. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; four daughters and extended family.

Marshall K. Lovelette, West Yarmouth, MA, died Marcy 31, 2008. He operated Marshall K. Lovelette Insurance Agency and Colonial Realty for more than 50 years. Born and raised in Vermont, he attended the University of Vermont before enlisting in the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served from 1942-1946, reaching the rank of torpedoman’s mate first class. He served in both the North Atlantic and Pacific theaters and saw action in major Pacific sea battles, receiving a commendation in the sinking of an enemy submarine off Saipan, along with numerous other decorations. After the war he helped disarm enemy warships for the U.S. Occupancy Force in Japan. Marshall came to Saint Michael’s after his discharge, and then lived in Worcester, MA, before moving to Cape Cod. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen; two sons, including Tim ’75, two brothers, two sisters and grandchildren, including Amy ’03.

Donald A. Macksey, North Adams, MA, died March 15, 2008. He grew up in North Adams, enlisting in the Army for a two-year stateside stint after high school. Following Saint Michael’s he earned a law degree at Georgetown University, becoming a corporate lawyer with Sprague Electric Co. for seven years. He then went to practice law in Boston with the Powers and Hall Firm, where he was an associate for 16 years before entering a partnership with Attorney John Burns. He initiated a sole practice in Quincy/South Boston, retiring several years ago. He is survived by his mother, a brother, a son, and extended family.

1951
Richard W. Fitzgerald, Summerville, SC, died March 28, 2008. Richard served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He retired as a financial manager with General Electric in 1985. He was a founder of the Flowertown Players in South Carolina, a Summerville medical volunteer and active in Senior Friends and Saint Michael’s alumni activities. He is survived by his wife, Rhea, three daughters, a son and extended family.

John C. Russell, East Hampton, CT, died February 23, 2008. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force, then earned a civil engineering degree at Texas A&M University. After working briefly for the State of Connecticut, he worked 33 years at Hartford Hospital, retiring in 1993 as Director of Facility Development. He was a member and past chapter president of his Rotary Club and loved golf and travel. He is survived by his wife, Diane, three sons, a daughter, a brother and extended family.

1952
Marcel “Tom” R. Simoneau, South Burlington, VT, died May 7, 2008. A Massachusetts native, he worked many years as a credit manager at Sears Roebuck in St. Johnsbury and Burlington. He and his wife of 56 years, Claire, then owned and operated a convenience store, “Simmy’s” in Burlington, for 20 years before they became product demonstrators at Costco. In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by three sons, three daughters, a brother, two sisters and extended family.

Daniel F. Tarpey, Milton, MA, died February 1, 2008. He was Saint Michael’s College Alumnus of the Year in 1971.A World War II Navy veteran, Dan had been a teacher and swimming coach at Boston English High School and in 1964 coached the team to the state title. He umpired high school and college baseball games and officiated for high school and college football. He also helped develop the Yawkey Baseball League, a Boston amateur program, and was commissioner at the time of his death. He belonged to Kiwanis, the American Legion, Irish American Veterans and the Donegal Club. Dan was a lifelong Saint Michael’s enthusiast and a member of the Boston English High School, Massachusetts Swim Coaches and Kiwanis Halls of Fame. Predeceased by his wife, Mary, for whom he established a scholarship at Saint Michael’s, he is survived by five sons, including Dan ’77 and Kevin ’87, a brother and extended family.

1953
Kenneth G. Kirby, Auburn, MA, died January 28. After Saint Michael’s he received his master’s of education from Worcester State College and was a chemistry teacher and Science Department head from 1960 until 1967 at Old South High School in Worcester. In 1968 he was appointed assistant principal at Chandler Junior High and later was assistant principal at Burncoat Junior High, where he worked until his 1990 retirement. He belonged to the Massachusetts and National Teacher Associations and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ken was proud that three generations of his family graduated from Saint Michael’s (daughter Patricia Poirier ’77 and grandson Derek Poirier ’05). He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gwendolyn; two sons, a daughter and extended family. He was predeceased by a daughter in 1981.

Eugene J. Lemaire, Alburgh, VT, died February 6, 2008. Born in Connecticut, he was adopted by his uncle and aunt in St. Albans, VT, at the age of 2 following the death of his parents. He graduated from Augustinian Academy in Carthage, NY., in 1945 and served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga before enrolling at Saint Michael’s. Eugene was employed with Fuller Brush Co. for 17 years and retired after 15 years with John Hancock Life Insurance, both while living in Burlington. He moved his family to Alburgh in 1985. He belonged to the American Legion and Big T Veterans Association. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rita; two sons, a daughter and extended family.

Thomas K. McKnerney, Hartford, CT, died February 12, 2008. He had practiced dentistry in Southington, CT, for 40 years and belonged to the Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife, Arline, three sons, two sisters and extended family.

1956
Frederick Blais, South Burlington, VT, died February 14, 2008 in Florida. He served in the Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring in the 1980s as a lieutenant colonel, then had a successful real estate career culminating in the establishment of his own appraisal business, Fred Blais Appraiser, Inc. He was a former associate trustee at Saint Michael’s , was active in South Burlington community affairs, belonged to Kiwanis and the Knights of Columbus and was a member and officer of the South Burlington Community Chorus. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, a son, three daughters, two brothers, including Bernie ’53, and extended family.

John W. Kiernan, Phoenix, AZ, died January 12, 2008. He retired as an Air Force colonel after 32 years that included service during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During service he completed his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate at the University of San Francisco. He was a pilot and flight instructor for the U.S. Air Force, and studied history and political science while an Air Force ROTC guest professor at Saint Michael’s, earning alumni status. He also was a guest professor at University of Pittsburgh. In retirement he was a volunteer case worker with the Red Cross, a member of the Order of Daedalians and an active supporter of veterans. He was a long-time regional president of the American Contract Bridge League. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley; three sons, three daughters and extended family.

Thomas H. Sullivan, Manilus, NY, died November 15, 2007 of cancer. Tom served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps in Germany from 1960 to 1964 after graduating from Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He had his own dental practice in Manilus from 1964 to 1999. He belonged to many dental professional groups and served on the board of directors of Syracuse Brick House from 1980 to 1999. Tom worked devotedly to help dentists suffering from alcoholism and addiction, pursuing training in substance abuse counseling and treatment. He was a member of the New York State Dental Association Council of Chemical Dependency since 1990 and was the Association’s first peer assistance coordinator since 1999. He was honored with several awards for his activity on this issue. Tom was also Manilus Citizen of the Year in 1995, a member of the Rotary Club, an avid outdoorsman and traveler. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Judy; three daughters, a sister and extended family. A son predeceased him.

1957
Rodolphe P. Bruneau, Attleboro, MA, died March 19, 2008. Rudy served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean conflict. He was a school teacher in the Attleboro school system for 33 years and had served as president of the Attleboro Teachers Association. He also was a director of the Bristol County Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and was a past president of the Municipal Employees Credit Union. He was a past grand knight in the Knights of Columbus, a past president of the Sandcastle Association and an avid golfer. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mariette, two daughters and extended family.

1966
Paul J. Bilik, Green Township, NJ, died March 31, 2008. After Saint Michael’s he earned his master’s in administration from Montclair State in 1969 and his education doctorate from Nova University in 2000. Paul worked for the New Jersey Department of Education as a special education supervisor for two counties. He was a past president and longtime member of his local Rotary Club chapter and been had been president of the Green Township Board of Education and a planning board member. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marie; a son, four daughters, a sister and extended family.

1967
Peter A. Day, West Brookfield, MA, died Mary 7, 2008 of cancer. He joined his father and brother in business, eventually became president, director and part-owner of both FADCO and Bradley Industries, Inc., both manufacturers of precision-machined components. During 35 years in manufacturing he served in leadership positions for regional and national professional organizations in his field. Pete also was a Realtor in Massachusetts, Connecticut and North Carolina and was on the Loan Committee of Community Savings Bank in Bristol, CT. In recent years he was very active in West Brookfield’s natural preservation and as an adviser on municipal finances, and he belonged to the Elks. Pete enjoyed travel, kayaking, sports car racing, fishing, trail-riding and reading. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sandra; two daughters, including Kimberlee ’93, a sister, a brother and extended family.

1970
Stephen T. Lilley, Colchester, VT, died April 22. “Barney” worked for over 20 years in sales for Burlington-area construction supply companies, most recently A. Marcelino Hydraulic Co. He was a past Exalted Ruler in the Elks and a member of the Eagles and American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Vicky, two daughters, three sons, a sister and extended family.

1976
Leslie A. Hoffman Leduc, Barrington, N.H., died May 12, 2008 of ovarian and endometrial cancer. She was the first woman to be a member of the Saint Michael’s Rescue Squad, elected first lieutenant. She went on to nursing school at the University of Vermont and was an emergency room nurse for 12 years at Fanny Allen Hospital and Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire before becoming a school nurse in 1990. She received a master’s in nursing from the University of New Hampshire in 1996 and worked as a family practice nurse practitioner for 10 years, and spent the last two years as a pain care specialist in Somersworth, NH. She is survived by her husband, Curt, a daughter, Erin’02, two sons, her mother and five siblings.

1980
Mary Ellen Murphy Stidham, Bartow, FL, died February 17, 2008 of respiratory failure. After Saint Michael’s she graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She was a reporter for The Catholic Free Press of Worcester and the Tampa Tribune, and had been communications director for the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research in Bartow for the last 14 years. She was active in the arts, civic activities and especially her church in Bartow where she taught religious education and served on the parish council. She had traveled to Peru and the Middle East for work and to Europe with her family. Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, Jeffrey; a daughter, her mother and father, Owen Murphy ’53, a sister, two brothers and extended family.

1997
Mark J. Fizulich, Hoboken, NJ, died March 9, 2008 of leukemia. A graduate of Bergen Catholic High School where he was a basketball star, he attended Saint Michael’s on a full basketball scholarship. Mark ranked ninth in career scoring at Saint Michael’s and second in career steals, and was the only Purple Knight basketball player to be named All-Conference four straight years. He also was a two-time All-ECAC selection. He was inducted into the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. After graduation, Mark made his career at Bear Stearns in New York. He is survived by his wife, Kristin, his parents, two brothers, a sister an extended family

Faculty and Staff

Rev. James R. Coombs, SSE, Vernon, VT, died January 29, 2008. “Father Jake” was a professed member of the Society of Saint Edmund for 59 years and an Edmundite priest for over 55 years. He graduated from Fordham University in 1947 with an education bachelor’s degree, after military service in World War II as a U.S. Navy lieutenant interrupted his studies mid-way. Ordained in 1952, he was a math and science teacher and later returned from 1962 until 1964 to be principal at Cardinal Mindzenty High School in Dunkirk, New York First called to Saint Michael’s in 1954, he taught education and served as dean of men and guidance counselor until 1962, and was a guiding light to the campus radio station that became WWPV. After an assignment at South Shore Catholic High School in Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada, as chaplain, Father Coombs returned to Saint Michael’s in 1965 and directed the master’s program in counseling, served as associate professor of education, director of continuing education for Edmundites and director of the college’s extension services and summer session until his retirement in 1990. He remained active in pastoral assistance and adult faith formation at West River Missions in Putney until 2004 and at Vernon Advent Christian Home in Vernon until 2007. He is survived by extended family.

Roy Kennedy, professor emeritus of art, Underhill, VT, died January 24, 2008Roy was on the faculty from the mid-1960s to 1985 and founded the studio art program. He studied art at the Academy Julien in Paris on the GI bill following service in the U.S. Navy, and was a master of many art forms including print-making, sculpture and painting. He also was a blacksmith and woodworker and made nearly all the easels now in the art studios in Sloan. He was accomplished at silk screen, wood-block print-making and etching too, and created the college mace. He was also a master watercolorist who did numerous landscape paintings around Vermont. Roy was a long-time resident of Underhill. Survivors include his son Guy ’78.