2007 Christopher C. Baker, unexpectedly in a tragic car accident on June 28, 2012. Chris attended Loomis Chaffee before graduating from Albany Academy. He then received his associate’s degree, with highest honors, in science and physics from Hudson Valley Community College. At the time of his passing, Chris had just completed his junior year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on the Honor Roll in applied physics. In secondary school, Chris was an avid and successful soccer player and wrestler. He was also an outstanding snowboarder, among many other interests. Chris was predeceased by his grandfather. He is survived by his parents, Nancy Petersen and Brian Baker; his sister, Emily; his grandmother, Edith; and aunts, uncles, and cousins. A funeral was held on July 3, 2012, at the Stephentown Federated Church in Stephentown, N.Y.
Former Faculty Robert Anthony diCurcio, peacefully on April 17, 2012. Bob grew up in Cranston, R.I. His determination and hard work led to a bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology from Brown University and a master’s degree in physics from Princeton University, the first advanced degree for his working-class family. A summer job during his college years, in the early 1950s, brought Bob to Nantucket, Mass., for the first time. That early visit sparked a love and appreciation for the quiet and remote island, and it became a place he visited frequently and ultimately settled year-round. During the 1960s, Bob worked as an engineer at IBM and Pratt &
Whitney. In 1972, he joined the Loomis Chaffee faculty. He loved teaching and wrote The History and Philosophy of Science as a resource guide for his classes. He led students on scientific inquiries that presaged the now-mainstream “green” movement, such as testing the water in the Connecticut River to trace the origin of different pollutants. A demanding and inspirational teacher, Bob inspired his students with his love of science, music, and art and his fascination with important scientists such as da Vinci, Pythgoras, and Galileo. Former student Steven Strogatz ’76 remembered Bob as, “Brilliant, feisty, curious, stubborn — that was Galileo, and that was Bob.” Bob left Loomis Chaffee in 1979. Around the same time he acquired a modest home on Nantucket — a minimal structure which he transformed into a charming cottage. As a year-round resident on Nantucket, Bob composed musicals, learned languages, and pursued his varied interests, including physics, astronomy, history, and art. One such interest was sundials. He created several of them, and the one he made in 1989 for the Maria Mitchell Observatory in Nantucket maintains a time accuracy of one to two minutes year round. His other publications included The Tried-Out MobyDick, a reader’s companion essay to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick; and Vermeer’s Riddle Revealed. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Anne. He is survived by two daughters, Laura ’76 and Leslie ’80; three granddaughters, Mollie, Anna, and Eva; a niece; and four great-nephews.
Former Staff Jill M. Holcomb, peacefully on August 1, 2012. Jill was born in Hartford and raised in Wethersfield and New Britain. She graduated from New Britain High School. Jill worked in the Business Office at Loomis Chaffee for 19 years beginning in the late 1970s. She had a great love for her family, travel, and winters in Florida. Jill is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bruce; three children and their spouses, Lorna Giannuzzi, helpdesk coordinator in the LC Information Technology Department, and husband Frank Giannuzzi, Lisa and Jeffrey Horowitz, and Lynn and Steven Bialakis; five grandchildren and their spouses or partners, Brett Giannuzzi and Erika Travella, Erik and Shauna Giannuzzi, Chad Giannuzzi and Kelly Christian, Scott and Katelyn Horowitz, and Alex and Alyssa Bialakis; and two great-grandchildren, Braelyn and Nicholas Giannuzzi. A private service was to be held. Donald Hoxie, on June 21, 2012. Born in Norwich, Conn., in 1925, Donald grew up in Putman, Dayville, and Windsor, Conn. He graduated from Windsor High School at the age of 16 and began to work with his father at the Loomis Institute dairy farm before serving in the U.S. Army during the final months of World War II. After discharge from the service, he made his home in southern Maine, where he worked as a service station mechanic in Kennebunk for 10 years. He developed an interest in flying and earned his pilot’s license. Later, he even began to build an airplane in his home. He and his wife, Joan,
then moved to Stonington, Conn., where he worked as technical lab supervisor for Davis-Standard for 27 years. An accomplished craftsman and builder, Donald built his homes in Stonington and Wells, Maine. After his retirement, he returned to southern Maine, where he was a member of the Maine Antique Power Association and enjoyed building and displaying model engines. Donald was predeceased by his brother, Hermon Hoxie ’39. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan; two sons, Dale and Eric; a daughter, Sharon; and three grandchildren, Andrew, Alison, and Kathleen. A memorial service was held on June 26, 2012, at Bibber Memorial Chapel in Kennebunk, Maine.
More News The Alumni Office has learned of the passing of Richard Porter ’30, on December 18, 1997; Perry M. Smith ’42 on February 12, 2012; Fred Lennox Hudson Jr. ’47 on May 8, 2010; Alan David Crowley ’49 on September 22, 2011; James Newell Skinner III ’51 on June 7, 2012; James T. Robinson ’58 on December 23, 2010; LaVentrice Delaine Taylor ’74 on June 9, 2007; Ann W. Koucky ’80, on October 21, 2011; and Kimberly Hurwitz Awao ’83 on June 16, 2010. More information, as available, will be printed in future issues.
loomischaffee.org | 63