Roger Kane, Jr. G’67 Shrewsbury, MA, died September 21, 2007 Roger had been employed as a social worker for various Massachusetts and Connecticut social service agencies. He is survived by his uncle, James Bergin, and several cousins. Yvonne Gallant Martel G’67 Worcester, MA, died June 29, 2007 Yvonne was a French teacher for the Worcester Public Schools, as well as Assumption and Worcester State Colleges. She was a member of Holy Name Church, Alliance Francaise and Cercle Jeanne Mance. She received the award Chevalier des Palmes Academiques, given by the French government for contributions to French culture. Yvonne leaves sons Paul, Roger, Robert, Raymond, Richard, and Mark; 21 grandchildren, 20 greatgrandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Chester Sonta ’73 Worcester, MA, died September 18, 2007 Chester was born and resided most of his life in the Worcester area. He is survived by his sister, Carolyn; nephews Robert and Carlos; and several cousins. Roger Borden G’76 Worcester, MA, died October 29, 2007 Roger was a professor at WPI, teaching mechanical engineering for more than 25 years. He was also a retired pastor of the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ. An avid train buff and shutter-bug, he was always reading about or engaged in those hobbies. Roger is survived by his son, Andrew; daughter Meredith; and three granddaughters. Martha Robinson Schellinger ’83, G’86 Antrim, NH, died October 12, 2007 Martie was employed as an emergency services coordinator at Monadnock Family Services in Keene, NH. She leaves her husband, Kirk; parents Charlie and Heather; twin sister Robbie; and brother David. Elizabeth Kolak CE’85 York Harbor, ME, died August 29, 2007 Betty had worked many years as a bookkeeper and as an accountant, completing her career as a pension plan administrator. After retiring, she was very active in the York Senior Center and enjoyed cooking, reading, games, and computers. She leaves daughters Ann, Jean and Jennifer; sister Teresa; and four grandchildren.
Veronica Muruguru CE’85 Worcester, MA, died June 19, 2007 Veronica was born in Kenya and moved to Worcester in 1980. She was employed by Helen Bowditch for 10 years as a social worker. Veronica was a member of St. Peter’s Church and Worcester’s Kenyan community and enjoyed decorating and gardening. She leaves a son, Joseph; parents Joseph and Grace; six sisters; four brothers; three uncles and two cousins from both the Worcester area and Kenya. Joseph Mello G’92 New Bedford, MA, died August 2, 2007 Born in New Bedford, Joe lived there most of his life. Among his many professional achievements, he worked as a crisis-adjustment counselor at area high schools, at the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services. Some of his passions included working with the youth, coaching and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic events. Joseph leaves his wife, Clarinda; sons Joel, Nicholas, and Ian; brother John; grandchildren and a great-grandson. Gilbert Nelson, Jr. ’94, G’95 East Hartford, CT, died February 7, 2007 Gilbert had been a resident of East Hartford for several years; he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Gilbert loved the outdoors, photography and was a local musician. He leaves his mother, Helen, and several cousins. Paul Martin G’96 Shrewsbury, MA, died August 3, 2007 Dr. Martin was an internist and rheumatologist at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, where he founded the St. Vincent Hospital Arthritis Clinic. He practiced medicine for 35 years at the Vernon Medical Center, which he was instrumental in building. Dr. Martin retired in 1993 and received a grant to teach a program at Assumption and Anna Maria Colleges. Paul is survived by his wife of 25 years, Margaret; children Denise, Susan, James, David, and John. He also leaves his wife’s children, Dawn and Darlene, as well as his grandchildren. Marlyn Reyes G’99 Worcester, MA, died September 10, 2007 Marlyn was a 21-year veteran of Avon Products, Inc. She was named one of the top 10 division leaders and one of 40 world sales leaders in the United States last June. She leaves a son, Hector; parents Lydia and Hector; sisters Christina, Lydia, and Guanina; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
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-Friends of the CollegeRev. George H. Tavard, A.A. (1922–2007) Father George served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 1983–86 and from 1990 until he passed away on August 15, 2007 at the age of 85. He taught at Assumption, Mount Mercy College, Penn State University, and Methodist Theological School in Ohio, where he retired as professor emeritus in 1990. He had also been a visiting professor at various universities, including Catholic University of America and Princeton Theological Seminary. He lectured and wrote extensively in the areas of historical theology, ecumenism and spirituality. Father George studied at the Grand Seminare de Nancy and the Catholic Faculties of Lyons in France and earned a doctorate of sacred theology from Lyons. He was ordained in 1947. He attended Vatican Council II as a “peritus conciliaris,” named by Pope John XXIII and consultant to the Pontifical Secretariat for the unity of Christians.
Dora Asselin, sister of Raymond Gemme ’55; Virginia Bisceglia, mother of John ’84; Michael Caine, son of Mary Cocaine G’80; Julia Castronovo, mother of Neil, AC director of student development; Rosemarie Cherico-McGee, mother of Alfred AP’64, ’68, G’71; Margaret Deedy, mother of John ’82; Stephan Gross, father of Elise ’06; Robert Heiniluoma, brother-in-law of Robert Kenney ’65; Ruth Hickory, former AC employee; Dimitrios Kalpidis, father of Maria Kalpidou, AC assistant professor of psychology; Ethel Katcher, mother of Bill Katcher, AC assistant professor of computer science; Leo Kedderis, father of Pamela Kedderis ’78; Jeanette Lambert, mother-in-law of Janet CE’04 and AC employee, grandmother of Eric ’95 and Laurie Greenberg ’97; Pasquale Luzzo, grandfather of Michael ’02 and Jonathan ’04; Kevin MacKinnon, brother of Paul, AC Trustee; Helen Mahoney, grandmother of Mary Brunelle, AC reference librarian; Helena Maillet, mother of Carmen Dion, AC employee and mother-in-law of Richard Dion AP’55; Edgar Martel, friend of the College; Louise Martin, mother of J. Michael Martin ’63; Marguerite McQueen, mother of David ’81 and mother-in-law of Elizabeth ’81; Ralph Morris, father of Stephen ’72, AC Director of Sports Information; Mary Elizabeth Murphy, mother-in-law of Roger Racine ’57; Sean Nicholson, son of former AC annual fund employee Bonnie Davis CE’98; David O’Connor, father of Christine ’82 and Eileen ’86; Michael Schultz, brother of AC Professor Peter Schultz; Joseph Sharry, father of Judy White, AC annual fund employee; Omer Sutherland, father of Louise G’85; Amy Lapointe Toomey, daughter of Roland Lapointe ’68; Robert Zbikowski, Sr., father of David ’04; George Ziegler, brother of Paul, AC professor emeritus of history.
Assumption College Magazine • Winter 2008
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