Obituaries

1930S

Raymond R. Herrmann ’38 died at his home in New York City on August 21, 2021, just weeks before his 101st birthday. Ray was born on September 11, 1920, in Louisville, KY. He was a 1942 graduate of Princeton University. Ray unquestionably enjoyed one of the most respected, distinguished and accomplished careers in the beverage alcohol industry. Ray's family ties to the industry began with his grandfather, who settled in Louisville, KY in the late 1800s and founded a wine and spirits importing company, later forming Herrmann Brothers Distillery in Bardstown in 1880. Ray began his own iconic career as a liquor salesman in New York's distribution tier after honorably serving in the United States Army, 191 Field Artillery Group in the South Pacific Theatre from 1943 to 1946. He went on to hold various roles with Schieffelin Company and National Distillers Products Company before being recruited in 1973 by McKesson Corp. After becoming Vice Chairman at McKesson in 1984, in 1988 Ray led an acquisition of McKesson's wine and spirits businesses, forming a four-state distribution company known as Sunbelt Beverage Corporation. In 1994, Ray formed a formidable partnership with the late industry legend Herman I. Merinoff, joining forces to form The Charmer Sunbelt Group. In 2016, Charmer Sunbelt merged with Wirtz Beverage to form Breakthru Beverage, today the third-largest spirits and wine wholesaler in the U.S. Ray continued to proudly serve as Chairman Emeritus of Breakthru Beverage until his death, completing a legendary devotion to the wine and spirits industry that spanned more than five decades. Ray's professional leadership included extensive industry positions. He served as both Director and Chairman of the National Association of Beverage Importers from 1973 to 1985, and as a Director and executive committee member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) from 1973 to 1986. Ray proudly served on the Wine and Spirits Wholesale Association's Board of Directors for more than three decades, receiving the WSWA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Ray was a brilliant, tenacious and determined businessman. His love for the industry and its participants was perhaps best exemplified by his mentoring of the many wine and spirits industry members who have themselves become icons today. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mariana Herrmann, his daughter, Laura Nicholson, his grandson, Christian KaiNielsen, and his dog, Pancho II. Ray was predeceased in death by his sons, Mark Herrmann and Michael Herrmann.

1940S

Milton Mensch ’43 of Palm Beach Garde, FL, passed away on October 7, 2021 at the age of 96.

Gordon Robert (Bob) Edwards ’44 passed away on October 9, 2021 at his home in Houston, Texas. He was born on January 30, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, attended Poly and graduated from Princeton University in 1948 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He obtained an M.B.A. from New York University in 1960. Bob and his wife, Nancy, first met in June 1948 on Shelter Island, New York, where their parents, by sheer coincidence, had rented summer homes adjacent to each other. After graduation from college, Bob worked for a couple of years at the Borden Company in New York and then was drafted into the Army where he served three years as a 2nd Lt in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, serving in Korea until he was discharged at that war's conclusion in 1953. Shortly after that, he joined the M.W. Kellogg Company as a piping engineer and continued there for a 31-year career in engineering, project management, and sales, that culminated in the position of Vice President of Sales. Kellogg was one of the world's largest petroleum/petrochemical design engineering and construction companies. His job took him and his family to London for nine years, Toronto for two years, and finally to Houston in 1973 when Kellogg moved its headquarters there, where he remained. Retiring from Kellogg in 1984, he then spent eight years at a division of Dresser Industries until final retirement in 1993. Bob was an avid golfer who swung his first club at age three, urged on by his golfing parents. A highlight of his time in England was when he played the old course at St. Andrews. In 1974 he joined the Lakeside Country Club in Houston, where he spent many happy hours playing golf and hanging out with his buddies, especially once he retired which gave him time to play three times a week! He and Nancy also enjoyed the performing arts and were longtime subscribers to the Houston Pops and the Alley Theatre. Bob was predeceased by his adored wife of 66 years, Nancy Purtell Edwards, and is survived by his son Dr. Gordon (Win) Edwards and his wife Janet of Katy, TX, and their children Jennelle Berger and her husband Greg and Linda Wolfe and her husband Nick; his daughters Sharon L. Edwards of Atlanta, GA, and Susan E. Bopp of Houston, TX, and her children Austin and Lindsay; and his great grandchildren, Carson and Trent Berger and Ashlynn, Tyler and Brady Wolfe.

Art by Jocelyn Lu ’22

Professor Carl Felsenfeld ’44, who taught at the Fordham University School of Law, passed away on January 4, 2021 at the age of 93. A lifetime New Yorker and World War II veteran, Carl earned a JD from Columbia University and worked as an executive in the banking industry before transitioning to his distinguished teaching career, during which he authored multiple legal publications before retiring in 2017. Carl was a good natured, cheerful, and fun-loving family man. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Judith. He is survived by son, Peter, daughter-in-law, Vida, sister, Betty, granddaughter, Sierra and greatgrandson, Otto.

Dr. Donald B. Louria ’45, prominent physician and medical author specializing in infectious diseases, preventative medicine, and drug abuse, of Bernardsville, NJ, died July 26, 2021. He was born July 11, 1928 into a family of physicians. Donald graduated with honors from Poly Prep. Subsequently, at Harvard College, he graduated with honors while collectively earning 11 varsity letters in soccer, wrestling (two-time captain), and lacrosse. He then entered Harvard Medical School and graduated with honors in 1952. After graduating, Donald completed two years of residency training in internal medicine at Cornell University Medical School and The New York Hospital, followed by two years at the National Institute of Health focusing on infectious diseases. While at NY Hospital, he was the lead author analyzing the effects

of lung complications observed in the 1957 influenza epidemic. Subsequently, he served a 10-year tenure as the Head of the Cornell Infectious Diseases Laboratory at Bellevue Hospital in NYC where he became interested in the medical complications resulting from heroin and other drug abuse. This resulted in his authoring several published papers as well as two books, The Drug Scene and Overcoming Drugs. This led to several direct appointments from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, including Chair of the Public Health Committee of the New York County Medical Society and President of the New York State Council on Drug Addiction. By age 40, in his new athletic passion, squash, he was ranked fourteenth overall in the United States and second in the over-40 category. In 1969, he was appointed Chair of the Department of Preventative Medicine and Community Health at the New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ–a position he held for 30 years. During his prolific career, Dr. Louria authored over 450 published papers on infectious diseases, preventative medicine, drug abuse, and systems thinking. His 18-point health promotion and disease prevention program became law in New Jersey as the Health Wellness Promotion Act. Donald is survived by his daughter, Anne Ludes; son-in-law, John Ludes; his daughter-in-law, Agi Louria; grandchildren, Johnathan, David and his wife Dvora, Stephen, Hannah, Andrew, Gwen, Isabel, & Grace, as well as great-grandson, Lawson. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Wayne Jeffrey Watson, as well as his nieces & nephews, Lorie, Maureen, Jeffrey, Leigh, Susan, Tyler, Amanda, Reed, Myles, Holly, Brad, and Tracy. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Watson Louria, with whom he celebrated a 65-year marriage; daughter, Dana; son, Charles; his parents, Dr. Milton and Lucy Louria; sister Dana; brother, Lee; sisters-in-law, Mary-Ruth, Patricia and Barbara, as well as his nephew, Christopher.

Jay Kane ’49 passed away on March 15, 2021. He was born on June 4, 1931 in the home of his grandparents in Brooklyn. His parents were Margaret Brassler Kane and Arthur Ferris Kane. When he was a child, Jay accompanied his parents to museums where his mother, a prominent sculptor, exhibited her work. Later in life, he helped his mother with the acquisition of her work by museums, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum that has her stone carving "Harlem Dancers" on prominent display. Jay attended PS 139 and Poly Prep, afterward receiving an AB from Columbia College in 1953, and an MBA from the NYU Graduate School of Business in 1961. Following college, Jay joined Bankers Trust Company where he worked for 35 years in various capacities including Senior Investment Officer for employee benefit funds, as well as Vice President for marketing and administration of corporate pension funds. Upon retirement, he became Regional Director in the NYC office of Russell Investments where he was engaged in consulting and management of public pension funds for seven years. Having lived for most of his life in Greenwich, CT, Jay built a house next to his son's home in Darien, CT. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Darien. An avid sailor, Jay was a lifelong member of the New York Yacht Club and the Riverside Yacht Club. He is survived by his companion Ann Dudley Belknap; his daughter, Lisa Brown and her husband, Mike, and grandchildren Katie and Jenny; his son Jim Kane, wife Kate, and grandchildren Jack and Lucie.

IN MEMORIAM

Gilbert H. Feldman ’42, P’83, ’85 Poly Prep mourns the passing of Gil “Feldy” Feldman, a devoted alumnus, dedicated and much-loved teacher of the classics for 34 years, and Latin scholar, on January 6, 2022. After graduating from Yale, Feldy returned to Poly and taught here from 1955 until his retirement in 1989. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Latin Department, sometime Chairman of the Athletic Committee, and President of the Cum Laude Society. Upon his retirement, he was described in The Polygon as having a “perfect balance of intellectual passion and good humor.” Feldy will be dearly missed by all who knew him and students who were greeted each day by his classic “How are you?” Feldy was a reliable presence at Reunion, where he enjoyed reconnecting with former students. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, and children, Nancy ’85 and Edward ’83. This year would have been the celebration of Feldy’s 80th Poly Reunion as part of the Class of 1942. An in-person memorial for Feldy will be held at Reunion on Saturday, April 30.

Art by Caleb Kim ’22

1950S

Ronald Keith Howie ’50 passed away on November 29, 2020 at age 87 in Saint George, UT. After graduating from Poly, he attended the University of Virginia. He worked in South Louisiana before returning to New York City and worked as a stockbroker for Shields and Company. After leaving Wall Street, Ronald raised capital for an investment fund with the investors in the Bahamas and Florida while working from Boston and New York. In 1981, he left the East Coast and moved to San Diego where he became interested in a new age spiritual program before moving to Hawaii, where he resided for years. In 1998, he relocated to Reno, Nevada, and then Houston, and then back to Mesquite, Nevada. Ronald is survived by his two sons, John and Tim, and a daughter, Jennifer, and a brother, Jerome.

Raymond E. Howie ’53 of Stroud Township, PA, passed away on July 16, 2021, at age 85, at Pleasant Valley Manor in Hamilton Township where he was a resident since March. Born on November 22, 1935 in Brooklyn, he was a son of the late Michel and Alma (Khoury) Howie. In earlier years Ray worked at Empire Lincoln Mercury in New York City. After moving to Monroe County he was parts manager at Ray Price Stroud Ford and then at Ray Price Chevrolet where he worked from February 1984 until retiring in February 2014 after 30 years of service. He was an avid bowler at Skylanes and golfer, enjoyed swimming and roller skating, and in younger years was a Golden Glove Boxer. Known to many in the Monroe County area, Ray was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1106 in Stroud Township and a frequent diner at Besecker's Diner. He was the husband of the late Eleanor (Little) Howie who died in 1991. Surviving are two brothers, Dennis Howie of Old Tappan, NJ and Kenneth Howie of Manila, Philippines; a sister, Nanette Gettis of Norwood, NJ; several nieces and nephews; and many good friends including Carmen Coco, Bob and Jane Storm, and his Ray Price Chevrolet "family." He was preceded in death by a sister, Diane Zipf.

William Schwartz ’54 of New York and formerly of Holmdel, NJ and Matawan, NJ, passed away on July 9, 2021. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Bill was predeceased by his parents Albie and Ruth Schwartz. Bill graduated from Poly Prep in 1954 and Columbia College in 1958, and was for many years President of Blackstone Company, an East Brunswick, NJbased distributor of building materials. His numerous civic and charitable involvements included service as the President and Board Chair of the AmericaIsrael Cultural Foundation, President of the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County, Captain of the South Aberdeen Emergency Medical Service, Trustee of the Kaufman Music Center, and Governor of the Mannes School of Music. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janet, his sons David (Hannah) and Marc (Margot), and his grandchildren Avital, Andrew, Matan, Eliana, and Alon.

John Kells ’56 passed away on November 7, 2021 at age 83. Born in April 1938 to David and Evelyn Kells, John grew up with his brother, David, and sister, Mary, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. John and family spent summers up at their home in Brookfield, CT and on the waters of Candlewood Lake, where his love of sailing was born. John met his beloved wife, Pat, in high school and went on to a post-grad year at Poly, where he met lifelong friends Andy Gurley and Ted Fuller. John began his college career at Colgate University where he studied engineering, however upstate New York proved to be both too cold and too far from home. He transferred to NYU and graduated with a degree in economics and accounting. With the requisite diploma in hand, John succeeded in getting a “YES” to his proposal, and he and Pat were married in January 1962. John embraced the mantra of 'work hard, play harder' his entire life. A member of Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT, The Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA, and The New York Yacht Club in Newport, RI and NY, NY, John was an avid sailor and loved to race his Thistle, aptly named Pandemonium, and later Celebration, his Pearson 36. He learned to ski in his twenties and fell in love with Stratton Mountain, VT, where he spent many winter weekends. John's professional life spanned over 40 years in sales at major technology firms, starting as a sales rep and Branch Manager for Honeywell, then VP of Sales and Marketing for Nixdorf Computer USA and TD Systems, and Sales Manager for Stratus Computer. John, never one to retire, ultimately settled in Stratton, VT, where he served on the board of his condominium association, joined the Stratton Mountain Guides, and embarked on a career in property management and real estate sales with TPW. John is survived by his four children: John Ryan Kells (Deirdre Kleinschmidt Kells) of Maynard, MA, Colleen Kells Sepich (Jon Sepich) of Manchester, MA, David Bryan Kells of Tahoe, CA, and Peter Christopher Kells (Gina Boland Kells) of Waterville, VT, and seven grandchildren: Matthew Sepich, Siobhan Kells, Meghan Sepich, Nicolas Kells, Jack Kells, Monica Kells, and Charlie Kells. John was predeceased by his parents, David and Evelyn Kells, his brother, David, sister, Mary, and beloved wife, Patricia.

Robert Shear ’56 passed away on August 13, 2021.

Eugene Anthony Sirianni ’56 passed away on April 28, 2021. He was the eldest son of Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Sirianni. While at Poly, “Gino” was captain of the undefeated championship football team. He was a first team All City and All Ivy League tackle. He also lettered in lacrosse and wrestling and was a member of the Varsity Club

and school Color Leader. Gene attended Bucknell University. Upon graduating, he worked as an executive at Steelcase Office Equipment and subsequently opened his own firm in Saratoga Springs, NY. Gene was also owner and founder of “9 Maple Ave,” a famous local jazz lounge in Saratoga. As an avid hunter and sportsman, Gene was very active in several hunting and wildlife clubs in Upstate NY. He will be missed by all who knew him. Gene was the cherished husband of Judith; the devoted father of Nick, Mike, and Jennifer; three grandchildren; one great grandson and the loving brother of Nick ’57 (deceased) and Tony ’59.

Robert Samuel Brower ’58 passed away on August 19, 2021 at age 81. Robert was born in Brooklyn on July 6, 1940, to Ed and Marian (Massler) Brower. Robert, also known as Bob and Bobbie to many, grew up in Rockaway Beach, NY, and attended Poly, where he was a star athlete and where he broke a school basketball record by scoring 42 points in one game. He always talked fondly about those days and stayed in touch with many of his childhood friends. Robert received his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1962 and obtained his master's in counseling from NYU. After college, Robert worked with anti-poverty and social justice organizations in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of NYC before moving to Boston where he worked as a school counselor. Robert married the love of his life, Margaret Scott "Scottie" Brower, in 1973 and they moved to Vermont to be close to Robert’s two children from his first marriage, Pepa Brower and Joshua Brower. Caitlin Brower was born to Robert and Scottie in 1977, the same year they built their family home in Middlesex. In 1974, Robert founded Woodbury Associates with two friends, Larry Mandell and Jim Ritvo. Robert developed a counseling program, which later became a mediation program when Woodbury gained accreditation and became Woodbury College. Robert later left Woodbury to start a private counseling practice, which he maintained until 2010. In 1989, Robert studied Spiritual Lifestyle Training at the Kripalu Center, in Lenox, Massachusetts, where yoga became a foundation of his personal, spiritual, and physical health, and he began teaching yoga in the 1990s. Over the next 25 years, he taught hundreds of yoga classes to many students who became and remained cherished friends of both Robert and Scottie. Robert and Scottie enjoyed teaching a process of dream work they learned together, and always had a “dream group” meeting regularly until 2019. Robert was active in the community and loved supporting the Savoy Theater in Montpelier by volunteering and seeing as many movies as he could. Robert is survived by his wife, Scottie; his children, Pepa and her husband, Andre Neeley, Josh and his wife, Erin Brower, and Cait; his grandchildren, Owen Brower, Eliza Brower, Miles Moore, Upendo Moore and Naji Neeley; as well as his sisters, Bonnie Brower and Vicki Brower, and her partner, Michael Gottsegen; and countless other family and friends.

Richard Warren Hafely ’58 of Naples, FL, passed away on October 25, 2021.

William F. Arida ’59 passed away on June 23, 2020 in Austin, TX at age 78. He was preceded in death by his parents Hickimet Arida and Isabel Armstrong Arida. William is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Delia Guerrero Arida; his daughter and her husband, Ann-Marie Kiser-Sloan and Garth Sloan; grandchildren: Christian Sloan, Lucas Sloan, Aubrey Kiser, and Jameson Kiser; and numerous other loving family and friends.

Richard (Rick) Gertz ’59 passed away on October 20, 2021 after a brief illness. Rick was a football, baseball, and wrestling letterman in the late ’50s and a member of the Mediterranean Men's Club. He graduated from Columbia and subsequently received his MBA from Columbia University as well. He was a CPA, Broker, and a GC before moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL with his family to become a successful real estate developer ultimately building over two million square feet in South Florida. His most important achievement in life was the family he created with the love of his life, Ellie. Together, they had three wonderful children and six loving grandchildren who adored him. He is survived by fellow Poly grad, brother James (Jim) Gertz ’62.

1960S

Michael D. Sendar ’63 passed away on December 12, 2021. Michael graduated from the University of Rochester (BA Political Science, cum laude) and the University of Michigan Law School. He also held a Master of Law in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center. Michael started his legal career with the office of the chief counsel of the IRS and continued to practice law for over 40 years, representing small businesses. In 1971, he founded and ran Big Wheel Bikes, a multistore retail chain. He is survived by his wife, Luann Sinclair, and two children, Jake and Shawn Sendar.

Elihu H. Estey ’64 a pioneering AML (Acute myeloid leukemia) researcher, physician, and scholar died unexpectedly on October 8, 2021 in Seattle. He was 75. Eli grew up in Brooklyn, attending Poly, where he believed a major part of the development of his critical thinking took place. He graduated from Yale University with a major in mathematics in 1968 and received his MD degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1972. His post-MD training was in medicine and neurology at New York UniversityBellevue Medical Center. In 1978, Eli moved to Houston to begin a fellowship in oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, intending to specialize in neurooncology. There he met his lifelong mentor and colleague Prof. Emil J. Freireich. Under Freireich’s influence, Eli redirected his career to leukemias as a fellow and assistant professor in the Department of Developmental Therapeutics. From 1983 to 1984, Professor Estey worked as a cancer expert at the NCI Investigational Drug Branch of the Division of Cancer Treatment. He returned to MD Anderson as an associate professor and became a professor in the Department of Leukemia in 1993 and chief of the Section of Acute Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes

in 1997. In 2008, he and his family moved to Seattle, where he became a professor at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. There, he built one of the largest clinical AML programs in the U.S. that quickly gained national and international prominence. Improving the lives of people with leukemia was his lifelong passion. His tools were astute observation, hypothesis testing, and especially rigorous data analyses. An out-of-the box thinker, he would routinely question or challenge the validity of widely accepted medical practices. Eli is survived by his wife, Cynthia David, an accomplished radiologist in her own right, his children, Andrew and Emily, and his beloved dog “Hutch.”

1970S

Sigurd Qualben ’71 passed away on January 8, 2021 in Brooklyn at the age of 67. He was buried in a graveside funeral at Green-Wood Cemetery near his brother Lars ’69, who was a 9/11 victim, and parents Paul & Ruth Qualben.

John Stephen Mascatello ’78, golf agent of the Wasserman Golf Group of St. Simons Island, GA died on June 27, 2021 at age 61. John earned his JD and MA degrees from American University Washington School of Law. He joined Wasserman Golf Group as Vice President in 2011. Wasserman Golf Group is one of the world’s leading sports marketing companies, represented in major sports such as the PGA Tour, the NFL, MLB, NHL, and media personalities.

1980S

Kandace Violet Simmons ’84 passed away on July 6, 2021. She was the daughter of Harry Simmons (deceased) and Sharon Edwards Simmons. Along with her younger brother, Harry Simmons III (Hank), Kandace grew up in Brooklyn in a loving home where she was greatly influenced by her parents. They instilled in her a religious foundation, her social consciousness, a strong work ethic, and an appreciation for education. Kandace attended Brooklyn Ethical Culture from K to the third grade; Berkeley (now Berkeley Carroll) from the fourth to the eighth grade; and Poly Prep from Grades 9 to 12. Kandace was a trailblazer from an early age. At the age of 16, she was the second African American female to graduate from Poly Prep in 1984. She was very engaged in school activities and was sought after for a variety of leadership roles. Kandace took great pride in serving as the Editor-in Chief for her yearbook, enjoyed playing the flute as a member of the band, and embraced portraying various roles in school musicals. After completing Poly Prep, Kandace attended Yale University. Many of her friends recalled Kandace's beautiful smile, winning personality, social conscience, and love of gospel music. An excellent communicator, Kandace regularly spoke out on the injustices of apartheid and offered support to striking college staff that included underpaid cafeteria workers. Kandace was a member of the Yale Gospel Choir. She truly enjoyed touring with the choir. When the choir performed in New York, her parents

Art by Chloe Guedes Smith ’26

generously opened up their beautiful home to provide accommodations for many of her fellow choir members. Her brother Hank would always get excited when the tour bus arrived in front of their home. Choir members would gather in a circle to pray before departing the Simmons home to return to Yale. Kandace graduated from Yale in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Kandace embarked on her impressive professional career in both the private and public sectors which expanded over 33 years. Initially employed by Chemical Bank as a financial analyst, Kandace excelled at management reporting, planning, and analysis. Kandace joined the NYC Department of General Services (DGS) in 1990 where she became a member of DGS's internal consulting planning group which resolved operational, financial and management issues. Her keen business acumen and demonstrated project management accelerated her advancement to Senior Policy Analyst at DGS. Kandace became an integral staff member to the agency Commissioner responsible for managing the City's portfolio of leased and owned buildings, construction, purchasing and maintenance of the piers. She loved her job and was passionate about the responsibilities entrusted to her. However, in October 1994 upon the sudden passing of her father, Harry Simmons Jr. the founder and CEO of Simmons Architects, Kandace left DGS to assume leadership of her father's firm and to complete projects under contract with Simmons Architects. At the age of 26, Kandace became President/CEO of Simmons Design Group, Ltd., where she managed a staff of 11 and oversaw a solid building design firm with projects of over one million square feet with multi-milliondollar annual billings. Kandace capably stepped into her new challenging role, worked tirelessly and never complained. To enhance her skills, she enrolled part-time at the Pratt Institute's School of Architecture while running the firm. Kandace applied her knowledge of property management and development, building design, architecture, marketing, and finance to maintain and complete 37 contracted projects. Over a 10-year period, she worked side by side with builders, and represented the firm to clients, community boards and other public agencies to achieve approval of projects. In 1997, The Brooklyn NAACP honored her as CEO of the Year. Among Kandace's most rewarding accomplishments was the completion of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral which her father had started. Having developed an extensive track record in the real estate market, Kandace returned to the private sector in 2004 as a licensed real estate broker and consultant. She was recruited by the head of E.L. Martin Partners LLC., a boutique real estate brokerage firm. As their Director of Investment Sales, Kandace helped transform their commercial/ investment property sales business. Kandace was a Strategy Management Consultant for Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation , owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods. She also served as Senior Director/Consultant for Management Consulting & Controls Group, Inc. , where she worked on projects that included the development of a $35 million new health care construction stimulus project, a $8 million rehabilitation and conversion of a landmark firehouse to a museum in Harlem, and a $3 million church renovation and expansion in the Bronx. Kandace served for eight years as Mayor Bloomberg's representative to the NYC Public Design Commission, which approves the design of all buildings, parks, and installations of permanent artwork on city property. At the time of her passing, she was employed by Civic Builders, Inc, the nation's first nonprofit charter school

developer, where she served as Director of Real Estate Development. Beyond her professional achievements, Kandace was active in her community. She served on the Board of Directors of the Weeksville Heritage Center from 2001–2009 and was a charter Board Member of the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art (MoCADA). She also mentored young people. Kandace was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving mother, Sharon Simmons; her devoted brother Harry Simmons III; sister-in-law, Candice Cook Simmons; nephew Harry Simmons IV; and a host of dear relatives and friends. Her half-brother, Carlton M. Tarver, predeceased her.

1990S

Nicholas Magalhaes ’92 passed away suddenly on February 8, 2021. Born August 11, 1974, he spent childhood summers playing baseball with his friends in the neighborhood with his dad and grandfather by his side coaching, and eating Chinese roast pork sandwiches with his mom at the diner. His love of sports continued in high school where he was a star player on the football team at Poly Prep and developed friendships that continued throughout his life. He attended Ithaca College (Class of 1996) where he played rugby and made friends who were thought of as brothers. He married his wife, Chrissy, in 2009 and they had their first son, Nicholas, in 2010, followed by Lucas in 2013. That’s when Nick’s life truly began. He loved his boys more than anything and always spoke to them about growing up to be kind and respectful men. He taught them the importance of family and how to apply the lessons of Star Wars and the Avengers to life. He would always tell them “I love you 3000,” a line from their favorite Avenger movie. Nick is survived by his wife, Chrissy, and his sons, Nicholas and Lucas; parents, Nicholas and Michele Magalhaes; sister, Jayme Amoroso (Michael); brother, Philip Magalhaes; niece Elyse and nephews Christian and William. Beloved nephew of Ronnie and Freddie Scheferman and Nedra LeConte, great aunt, Theresa Magalhaes and loving uncles, cousins and extended family. He was predeceased by his mother, Elyse Magalhaes.

2000S

Timothy Boardman ’04 passed away on May 31, 2021. Tim was a Jordan Scholar who excelled in academics, arts, and athletics. As an alumnus, he remained connected to Poly as a class agent and served as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Governors. His classmates remember Tim as a stellar part of the community who truly upheld the standard of excellence that represented Poly at its very best. Tim had a career in finance on Wall Street and most recently had founded 8 Point Capital Partners, LLC. He was also Head of Institutional Client Group at Phoenix Financial Services. He is survived by his parents, Russell and Lynn, brother Russell, and sisters Kathleen '07, and Courtney '08.

John Capotorto ’06 passed away on August 30, 2021.

2010S

John Thomas Vigorita ’15 passed away on September 25, 2021 at his family home in Amagansett. He was 25. Vigorita, who was known as Tommy, graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut in 2020 with a major in business and finance, and had been working for Masterworks, an art investment company in Manhattan, at the time of his death. Tommy was born in Brooklyn on Jan. 27, 1996, to Dr. Vincent John Vigorita and the former Patty Johnson. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in Manhattan, the family moved to Amagansett. Tommy attended the Amagansett School and the East Hampton Middle School, but his family returned to Brooklyn so that he could spend his high school years at Poly Prep, where he was co-captain of the lacrosse team and starred in several theatrical productions. His interest in acting began in Amagansett, where he had a cameo role in a film called Treasure that made it into the Hamptons International Film Festival. In high school he received the school's best actor award for his role in Candide and played the lead in Horton Foote's The Dancers. Tommy grew up participating in the East Hampton Town junior lifeguarding program and went on to serve for several summers as a lifeguard in Amagansett and Montauk. His range of interests included cooking, investing, fishing, and music. Tommy played the guitar and piano and enjoyed surfing, skiing, and golfing with family and friends. While still in middle school, he played on East Hampton High School's junior varsity golf team. He enjoyed travel, as well, and had spent two summer semesters studying Spanish in San Sebastian, Spain. He had also traveled to the Balkans, on the Mediterranean, and to Australia and Hawaii. While growing up, Tommy attended St. Luke's Episcopal Church in East Hampton and Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights, where he helped at the homeless shelter. Tommy is survived by his parents, his brothers, Vinny Vigorita of Park City, UT, and J.W. Jordan of Westin, FL., and a sister, Jenni Gorman of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He also leaves his aunts and uncles, Louis and Rosemary Vigorita of Ventura, CA, Phyllis Mitchell of Wilmot, NH, and Amelia and Dominic Schirrippa of Springs, NY and his longtime girlfriend, Charlotte Biedermann of New Jersey.

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