to around 17,000, as it covered some of the most turbulent events in Bermuda’s modern history, including the 1977 riots, the 1981 general strike, and the devastating Hurricane Emily in 1987. He was also in the editor’s chair for seven Bermuda general elections. As editor, Mr. White withstood often intense criticism from both government and opposition politicians but always backed his reporters and did not back down from defending what he regarded as right. He is survived by his former wife, Sarah White, and his daughter, Leslie.
Mr. John Griffith ’61
NICKNAME: Jack, Griff HOBBIES: Skiing, cars, traveling ACTIVITIES: Football, cross country,
basketball, track, Wildcat staff, glee club, science club, outing club
of humor, a smile that would light up a room, and genuineness. He fought his illness with grace and courage along with a never-give-up attitude, fighting every step of the way. He was one of the good ones and will be truly and deeply missed by those whose lives he touched and the people who loved him. Jack was the cherished son of the late Dr. Wayne and Emily (Murray) Griffith, beloved brother of the late Patricia (Griffith) Duprey, and predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Judy (Kemp) Griffith. Jack is survived by his best friend and wife, Lynn DeMeulesGriffith, of Jericho; his son, Daniel Griffith, and his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Ellie and Jackson, of Wilmington, MA; his daughter, Carrie (Griffith) Margolis, and her husband, Joe, of Wellington, FL; nieces Pam Perry and her husband, Ken Bugosh, of Littleton, CO, and Debbie Phelps and her children and her husband, Mark, of Chester, VT; Brenda and Martin Stevens and their daughter, Jaime, of Maine; Neil and Lynn Darling and their family, of Virginia; Joyce Darling, of Virginia; and countless friends and loyal business customers he met over the years. In lieu of flowers, Jack would have liked people to make a donation to their local pet rescue organization.
Mr. Alan Donaldson ’64 John R. Griffith, “Jack” to those he knew and loved, died at age 71 on July 2, 2014, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, VT, after a courageous yearlong battle with esophageal cancer, ultimately succumbing to a massive pulmonary embolism. He passed peacefully with his wife, son, daughter, and friends at his bedside. Born to Dr. Wayne and Emily (Murray) Griffith in Springfield, VT, on December 31, 1942, he grew up in Chester. He attended Vermont Academy, where he participated in skiing and track and field. Jack went on to Dean Junior College, finishing his academic endeavors at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Upon his return to Vermont, he initially lived in Montpelier, working in the insurance industry while serving as a proud member of the National Guard as a reservist. During this time, he met Judy Kemp, whom he married in 1970, and they had two children. They moved to Barre, VT, and Jack decided to launch a business venture in 1976, Green Mountain Color, which he successfully owned and operated until his death. During his time in Barre, he was an active and proud member of the Barre City Jaycees. In 1992, Jack relocated to the Burlington area and shortly thereafter met his best friend and soul mate, Lynn (Darling) DeMeules. They wed on June 12, 1993, and were inseparable. The couple opened a second business venture, Northern Colours Activewear, which he also successfully owned and operated until his death. In addition to his love for his wife, children, and grandchildren, Jack was also a New England Patriots fanatic, having owned season tickets for two decades, enjoyed watching and attending NASCAR events, was passionate about traveling, especially his biannual trips to Aruba with his wife each spring and fall, and loved the various animals throughout his life that he kept as pets, particularly two dogs named George and Katie, as well as two cats named Kramer and Beiderman. He was also very spirited in his political beliefs. Anyone who knew Jack would attest to his good-natured love of life, rapier wit, sense 6 2 | W I N T E R 2 015
NICKNAME: Al, Bert PET PEEVE: Midnight track meets ACTIVITIES: Academy Voice, camera
club, science club, outing club, current events club, record club, trail crew, basketball, hockey manager, rec tennis, rec skiing, senior softball
Alan L. Donaldson, 68, of Lincoln, MA, died on August 4, 2014. He was born on November 24, 1945, to Malcolm and Eleanor Donaldson. He graduated from Vermont Academy and Suffolk University and spent many summers working on the Flint Farm in his youth. A longtime resident of Lincoln, Mr. Donaldson served on the Lincoln Fire Department from 1969 to 1999, retiring after 30 years as captain of the Call Fire Department. He retired after a long career working at Acorn Structures/ Deck House in Acton. Mr. Donaldson is survived by his mother, Eleanor Donaldson, 99, of Concord; his brothers, Douglas of Needham and Malcolm of Beverly; his daughters, Kristin of Carlisle and Stephanie of Aiken, SC; and three grandchildren. To share a remembrance in Mr. Donaldson’s guest book, visit deefuneralhome.com.
Mr. Kenneth Leavitt ’68 Kenneth Read Leavitt, of Sherborn, MA, died on December 17, 2013. Born in Englewood, NJ, he grew up in the US, Lebanon, and Brazil. Ken had a lifelong love of music. In Brazil, he started and was the lead singer/guitarist in a rock band called The Trolls. Ken was an entrepreneur, leader, and visionary who enjoyed many successes throughout his life as CEO of CGX Corp., GraniTech, and Soundwalls. Ken’s true passion was the outdoors and his desire was to unite families through adventures in nature. At the time of his death, he was