W&J
class notes
Constance A. Salvitti (1939–2011): Devoted W&J Supporter Constance A. Salvitti of Washington, Pa., passed away peacefully June 2, 2011, at the age of 72. She was the beloved wife of E. Ronald Salvitti ’59, M.D., a distinguished alumnus and trustee of Washington & Jefferson College. Together with her husband, Mrs. Salvitti extended her charitable efforts to institutions of higher education, including Washington & Jefferson College, the University of Pittsburgh, and her alma mater, Seton Hill University. Passionate about science education, the Salvittis played a significant leadership role in the construction of the College’s John A. Swanson Science Center, dedicating the building’s majestic atrium and Salvitti Teaching Wing last April. Cherished by her family and members of the Washington community, Mrs. Salvitti also was active in many local charities, including Washington Hospital, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Washington County Community Foundation and Washington Christian Outreach. Widely recognized for her generosity, Mrs. Salvitti was the 2010 recipient of the Philanthropy Award from Zonta International Women’s Club. A former member of the Seton Hill University Board of Trustees and president of the university’s alumni association, she also was honored by the university with its Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award.
Constance Salvitti, pictured with her husband, E. Ronald Salvitti, was a generous supporter of the College.
In addition to her biology degree from Seton Hill, Mrs. Salvitti received her master’s in physical therapy from the University of Pennsylvania. For more than 30 years, she served as the administrator of Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center, a family-owned eye care and ambulatory surgery center. She was a loving mother of four children, E. Ronald Salvitti II, John M. Salvitti ’88, Kara Conomikes and Jennifer Davis, M.D., and proud grandmother of 12.
James W. Maley III ’95, York, Pa., died Jan. 21, 2011, at the age of 37. He was a parts adviser at York Auto Group for seven years and an active participant in soccer and football. While at W&J, Mr. Maley played football and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Harold J. Cypher ’96, North Strabane Township, Pa., died Dec. 4, 2010, at the age of 70. He served as a petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy amphibious forces and was deployed during the 1961 Berlin Crisis and Cuban Crisis. His ship served as a tracking and capsule recovery vessel for the Project Mercury phase of the space program and as a security vessel for first lady Jacqueline Kennedy during her Mediterranean tour. Mr. Cypher retired from Cooper Power Systems and worked as a self-employed tax accountant for more than 20 years. He was a staff member at Peters Creek Presbyterian Church and a founding member of The Greater Canonsburg Heritage Society, serving as the society’s treasurer for many years.
FRIENDS Karen A. Collins, Milltown, N.J., died April 22, 2011, at the age of 48. Ms. Collins, who attended W&J, was employed for the past 15 years in the accounts receivable department for IBM. Julia DiBello, Greensburg, Pa., died Dec. 7, 2010, at the age of 93. She was employed in the food kitchens at W&J for more than 10 years. 40
SUMMER 2011 MAGAZINE
George Newton Eaves, Ph.D., Savannah, Ga., died Feb. 15, 2011, at the age of 75. Dr. Eaves taught general biology, general microbiology and zoology at W&J. John E. Eisaman, Greensburg, Pa., died March 7, 2011, at the age of 84. When he retired in 1992, Mr. Eisaman was the president and owner of McDowell Associates Inc. Insurance Agency. He attended W&J after serving in WWII. John Clark Eustis, Barrington, N.H., died Jan. 24, 2011, at the age of 85. Before attending W&J, Mr. Eustis served in WWII, having been trained as a U.S. Army Air Corps fighter pilot. He had a passion for aeronautics and engineering, designing and building airplane models, as well as his own ultra-light aircraft. Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Boston, died Feb. 28, 2011, at the age of 68. Rev. Gomes, one of America’s most prominent spiritual voices and authors against intolerance and the “religious case” against gays, spoke at W&J’s 2009 Baccalaureate service and participated in the Commencement ceremony, where he was presented with an honorary doctorate degree of divinity. Byron R. Lash Jr., Washington, Pa., died March 8, 2011, at the age of 85. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Combat Infantry badge, a Battle Star and the European-AfricanMiddle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one
Bronze Star. He retired from Conway Railroads in Beaver County. William A. Mathewson, Washington, Pa., died Nov. 28, 2010, at the age of 86. He attended W&J. Prior to retirement, Mr. Mathewson was a self-employed photographer. Palmer Joseph Restaneo, D.M.D., Los Angeles, died Jan. 13, 2011, at the age of 66. Dr. Restaneo, who attended W&J, was a pioneer in laser dentistry. He held a degree in pharmacy and a master’s in psychology. James Regis Scott, Washington, Pa., died Dec. 14, 2010, at the age of 85. After high school, he joined the U.S. Marines and subsequently attended W&J. Mr. Scott worked for Washington Steel for 31 years, retiring in 1987. He also worked for the U.S. Post Office and Prudential Insurance. Ralph Britton Shunk, Washington, Pa., died Nov. 25, 2010, at the age of 88. He served in the U.S. Army for nearly three years during WWII and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal and WWII Victory Medal. Mr. Shunk worked for 39 years at Washington Steel Corp., where he was a rolling mill foreman at the time of his retirement. He attended W&J. Joseph Kyle Thompson, Ph.D., Frederick, Md., died March 18, 2011, at the age of 90. Dr. Thompson was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in WWII. He retired from the Naval Research Lab, Washington, D.C., after 40 years of service. He attended W&J.