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 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”

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 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.”

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.

John m. smith ’57 John reports, “After leaving Rectory, I chose to go to Norwich’s high school, Norwich Free Academy and then onto Alderson University in W. Virginia where I got a BA degree. The education I got at Rectory has helped guide me to a career in sales and the father of three wonderful children, all girls, and six grandchildren.”

1960s

clAudiA ABBott ’60 Claudia reports, “During the pandemic, I learned more about my Finnish ancestry and discovered two second cousins, one of whom lives in Finland and the other in Canada. We are having such an interesting time as penpals on the Internet. In addition, my husband and I joined the Pomfret Historical Society to research and learn more history about the Quiet Corner that is our home. Memories of my Rectory days both as a student and faculty member remain extremely special. To open an email from a former student is the best gift of all!”

williAm hAmill ’61 Bill reports, “In August 2020, we were finally able to enjoy a family get together under the big sky in Keene, NY.”

Bill Hamill ’61 with his family in Keene, NY.

chArles wAlBridge ’62 Charlie reports, “I live in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, a place I moved to 20 years ago because of my love of the area’s whitewater rivers. I have played a key role in a successful effort to protect river access at the Jenkinsburg Bridge, at the confluence of the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers in the mighty Cheat River Canyon. Representing Friends of the Cheat, I worked with Dave Hough, the landowner, to create an access agreement in 2006. This included a fundraising campaign that raised almost $20,000 to repair damage and build infrastructure and qualified for a matching grant from the State. Over the last two years, I have been the driving force behind the sale of this property to the West Virginia Land Trust to guarantee public access in the future.

Charles Walbridge ’62 works with Friends of the Cheat, an organization that aims to preserve and increase public access to the Cheat River Canyon (pictured here).

John BABson ’63 John reports, “Since graduating from Rectory, I graduated from Sterling School (now Sterling College) in Craftsbury Common, VT, graduated from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI, with a double major in history and philosophy. In 1971, I had a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ. I became born again by the indwelling Holy Spirit. I then spent four years at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA, graduating in 1975 with a Masters of Divinity. All these graduations despite learning with dyslexia since the 4th grade. I have been an evangelical pastor, serving Christ in three countries and seven US states. It’s been a wild ride with life’s ups and downs, meeting wife Nancy at seminary in a Youth Ministry class, having 47 years together serving a host of leadership positions in the US, Singapore, Philippines, and Canada, and having three college graduated children, all positively employed in their chosen career choices, with 5 grands between them.”

michAel stowe ’69 Michael reports, “My wife, Lisa, and I will be moving to Elmira, NY, during September, 2021. After 30 years of dodging and sometimes not dodging hurricanes and the extreme heat of south Florida (10 months hot, 2 months not hot) we are heading to the cold weather again. Hopefully this will help Lisa’s heath improve. Looking forward to the change in seasons and a visit back to Rectory.”

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1970s Class of 1971: 50th Reunion

BriAn powers ’72 Brian reports, “My wife, Cybil, and I saw our oldest daughter graduate from Tufts University last Spring. We have another daughter at Trinity College and a son at Connecticut College. Both will be sophomores in the Fall. Cybil and I have been married for 26 years and have lived in Rye, NY, since 2001. While I am retired from The Insurance Brokerage and Risk Management Business, Cybil has been with Ralph Lauren Corporation for 35 years. Cybil and I enjoy playing tennis, and all of us like to sail. We are avid hikers in the high peaks region of The Adirondacks and have completed 32 of the 46 high peaks mountains.

I have fond recollections of Rectory, and I have enjoyed seeing Terry Lefton recently who lives nearby, as well as Nico Kean. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking a short time ago with Richard Roberts and try to keep up a bit with Tony Cahill on Facebook.

A very warm greeting to Mr. Gorman who was my 8th grade dorm master and soccer coach. I must say I am sorry I only scored one goal all season in 8th (or 9th?) grade, but hey, it was a game winner. After that game, Mr. Gorman made me feel like I was going to the World Cup, which I thank him profusely for.”

Brian Powers ’72 and his wife, Cybil.

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