ALUMNI
alumni notes 1940s John Austin ’47 John reports, “I’ve had a wonderful life, spent my entire professional career as a curator and later director at Colonial Williamsburg. Although we traveled most of Europe, our favorite trips were safaris in Kenya, Borneo and the Panda part of China. As I approach 90, we are now in a cottage in a retirement community. That includes Scottie, my wife of 63 years and sister of the late Bob Lee ’52. Living in a cottage in a retirement community, I am still able to have my gardens in front and back. As I sit at my computer, I can look out beyond our bird feeders onto a long field on which deer often graze. I hope you are able to publish comments by some of my friends. I have fond memories of my days at Rectory.”
1950s Thomas Succop ’50 Tom reports, “Seventy-One (71) years ago I graduated from Rectory School. But before that... In the fall of 1947 as a 10-year-old, I arrived by train at the Pomfret railroad siding and was driven to Rectory. A group of other boys, unknown to me, and I had gathered earlier “Under the Clock” at New York’s Grand Central Station to be escorted to Rectory by “Mr. John’s” wife. We boys had been on the NY, New Haven and Hartford RR’s special railroad car bound for Pomfret. A lot of time and positive experiences have rushed by since that scary arrival. I was shown my dormitory room and introduced to Mr. and Mrs. “T” (Thompson). They were the Dormitory “Parents” as well as teachers for my three years. One of my challenges was that I was diagnosed as being dyslexic. I often think of them as my surrogate parents. The Thompsons were extremely sympathetic and understanding. The “rules” at that time were very strict. Nonetheless, and fortunately for me, the education at Rectory School provided a solid background for my future. I succeeded in graduating from Shadyside Academy in Pittsburgh, PA, and onto Hamilton College, thence a USN Officer for three years followed by a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture (University of Michigan). The keystone, of course, was Rectory because that is what Rectory did. My years of landscape architecture enabled me to work for the Canadian National Parks of Eastern Canada, firms in Rye, NY and Pittsburgh as well my own
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THE RECTORY NEWS | FALL 2021
company for 35 years. Intertwined with landscape architecture, I am very proud of my association with the Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, with Tree Pittsburgh, the successful transfer, with my wife Jo Ann, of the Succop farmstead to the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, and support of the Leonard Dokis Foundation in Ontario, Canada. My special thanks today is to all of the teachers of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. My observation of several visits to Rectory School and casual contacts of today is that the standards are still in place. I thank todays dedicated teachers as well. Best, Tom”
Norman Cooper ’55 Norman reports, “I had a nice phone call from Tom Corwin in July. I speak to Dave Norman often. Looking forward to celebrating with Rectory friends next spring at a Rectory reunion.”
Harold Anthony ’51 Harold reports, “After waiting five years my wife Karen’s daughter, Gloria (Chinese name Zhike Xu), and her child, Kate (12; Chinese name Jingqi Liu), have been given a visa to immigrate to the USA. They will be living with us until Gloria can find a good job. Should be very interesting as both have lived only in China. Karen and I have survived this virus by staying close to home. We pray all will be great soon. I talked often to David Allen ’51 as he was very sick and in the hospital but is now doing OK. Also, Dr. Bob Long ’51 is doing great woodworking, his hobby. I was sad to learn Dr. Robert Faust ’51 had passed.”
Blair Bigelow ’52 Blair reports, “Two years ago Meredith and I moved to Wake Robin, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Shelburne, VT, where Covid has more or less (mostly more) kept us and our fellow residents from the outside world. We can and do go off campus, but any substantive absence or visits from the outside requires quarantine and COVID testing.”
Anthony Woodworth ’52 Anthony reports, “My name when I attended Rectory was Anthony J. Ward, but my last name was changed to Woodworth after my mother remarried. My brothers, Richard Ward and Michael Nash Ward, attended Rectory. Mike changed his last name also but Richard did not. I was there in the 3rd - 5th grades, Mike in 4th - 6th grades and Richard only for 8th grade. Blair Bigelow was a classmate of mine along with John Wilkinson and Francis Knight Britton. All my brothers are now deceased. I have very kind memories from my three years at Rectory and send my best to all.”
Norman Cooper ’55 with Rectory schoolmates outside Cedars Dormitory.
Norman “Punch” Smith, Jr. ’56 Punch reports, “Just tested positive for COVID despite having my two Pfizer shots early in the year. No bad symptoms. I still play tennis three times weekly and walk with a neighbor the others. My twice per week volunteering is at our local food bank. I plan to be heavily involved in the annual Marine Corps Toys For Tots campaign once again come fall. Nancy (57 year anniversary 8/31) and I are really enjoying our first great grandchild, Norah, now 2. She lives in Beaufort just 75 easy miles south. I look forward to 2022 and the Rectory 100th.”
Marcie Marcotte Brogan ’57 Marcie reports, “I have been pretty sequestered for the past 18 months by COVID. So, I am really looking forward to Rectory’s 100th year celebration next April. I am very curious about the lives and doings of 1957 classmates.”
Marcie Marcotte Brogan ’57.
