Deaths

Published on May 09, 2008

Douglas Wilson, journalist, Amherst College editor

AMHERST - Douglas C. Wilson, 67, of 136 Pomeroy Lane, Amherst, died May 5 at home.

He was a former Washington journalist who served as public affairs officer and editor at Amherst College for 27 years. Before joining the college's administration in 1975, he worked for 13 years as a reporter for The Providence Journal, first in Rhode Island and later as Washington correspondent. On Aug. 7, 1974, he was the first newsperson to report Richard Nixon's decision to resign as president - a breaking story for which he received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award from the White House Correspondents Association. Wilson edited Passages of Time: Narratives in the History of Amherst College, an anthology of essays on the college's history, which was published in December 2007 by Amherst College Press. He wrote eight of the 28 essays, most of which had appeared in Amherst, the alumni magazine that he edited. Earlier this year, the Amherst Historical Society honored him with the second annual Conch Shell Award for his contributions to local history, including his recent book.

Wilson was born in Providence, R.I. on Dec. 18, 1940, a son of the late William E. and Ellen (Cameron) Wilson. He grew up in Bloomington, Ind., where he attended University School. He graduated with honors from Amherst College in 1962 with a major in American history. He also earned a master's degree in international studies from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

He joined the staff of The Providence Journal upon graduation from college. He also served Rhode Island's Army National Guard from 1962 to 1968. In 1968-69, Wilson was a Congressional Fellow of the American Political Science Association, working in Washington as a staff member in the office of Sen. Frank Church (D-Idaho) and Rep. John V. Tunney (D-Calif.). Subsequently, as a reporter in the Journal's Washington bureau, he wrote stories that included regular coverage of Capitol Hill, a series on the regime of President Salvador Allende in Chile, U.S. presidential politics, and other assignments. Wilson left the Providence paper and returned to his alma mater in 1975 as associate secretary of the college, becoming secretary for public affairs two years later. He edited the college's alumni magazine, served as Amherst's media spokesperson and helped produce several books for the Amherst College Press, including The College on the Hill, a book of historical photographs from the college archives. He was named college editor in 1998.

Wilson retired in 2002 and was awarded the college's Medal for Eminent Service in 2003. Wilson maintained a lifelong interest in both colonial and 19th-century American history. His essay of historical detective work, "Web of Secrecy: Goffe, Whalley, and the Legend Of Hadley" [Mass.], about the English regicide judges who found exile in Hadley in the 17th century, was published in the New England Quarterly in 1985. It received that year's Walter Muir Whitehill Prize of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts. From 1979 to 1981 Wilson was chairman of the town of Amherst's historical commission. During that time, the commission published "Lost Amherst," a book of photographs of town, university and college buildings that no longer exist. At different times, Wilson also served as a member and chair of both the town's conservation commission and the Western Massachusetts Broadcasting Council.

He is survived by the local newspaper writer and columnist Cheryl (Bailey) Wilson and three children, Jay Wilson, and his wife, Jennifer Zinsser Wilson, of Bronxville, N.Y., Emily Wilson of Brooklyn, N.Y., Samuel Wilson, also of Brooklyn; and a granddaughter, Isabella Rose Wilson, in Bronxville. He is also survived by his older brother, William E. Wilson of Georgetown, Colo., and his twin brother, Swami Anantananda of South Fallsburg, N.Y. He also is survived by a nephew, Gordon Wilson, of San Francisco, Calif., with his wife Melissa Townsend, and their son, Jesse, and by his niece, Ellen Wilson of Carrboro, N.C. and her son, Pablo.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609-1634, or to the Windham Housing Trust, 68 Birge St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in honor of his life long friendship with Russell Janis. The funeral will be Friday at 1 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, followed by a reception at Amherst College Alumni House. Burial in South Cemetery will be private. The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

UMass professor Marvin D. Rausch

AMHERST - Marvin Rausch, 77, of Amherst, died Friday at Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. Born June 27, 1930 in Topeka, Kan., he was the son of the late Grover H. and Ruby R. (Laing) Rausch.

Marv attended schools in Kansas and earned his BS and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He received his doctorate in organic chemistry in 1955.

Marv served in the U.S. Air Force as a projects officer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio from 1955 to 1957. This was a period of active Air Force interest in organosilicon and organometallic chemistry. He remained in the Air Force reserves until his discharge as a captain in 1967.

He traveled to Munich in 1957 as the second post-doctoral associate of Prof. E. O. Fischer, a Nobel Prize recipient. Upon his return from Germany, Marv joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and became full professor in 1968. He remained active in the field of organometallic chemistry throughout his career. He was one of the first chairmen of the Organometallic Subdivision of the American Chemical Society's Division of Inorganic Chemistry. Marv was also the Permanent International Secretary of the International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry.

His "hobby" was minerology and he had one of the finest private mineral collections in New England. In recent years, his passion was UMass athletics and particularly the UMass basketball team.

He is survived by his wife, Jane (Meyer) Rausch; a daughter, Kathleen Rausch Henchey, of Saline, Mich; two grandchildren, Craig and Laura, and also by his former wife, Carol Kreischer, of Ann Arbor, Mich.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Edwards Church, 297 Main St., Northampton. Burial in Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pease and Gay Funeral Home in Northampton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UMass Athletic Department for scholarships.

Paulo Zina

LUDLOW - Paulo S. Zina, 35, died at his home in Ludlow on May 1. Paulo was born in Springfield on Jan. 30, 1973, to Augusto and Maria (Salvador) Zina of Belchertown. He went to the Ludlow public schools and graduated from the high school in 1991.

After two years at the University of Connecticut, Paulo transferred to Westfield State College, where he graduated in 1995. In that year, he began teaching Spanish and Portuguese at Ludlow High School and met his beloved wife, Jennifer (Kokoski) Zina, of Hadley; they were married on March 25, 2000. A few months later, Paulo received a master's degree from UMass at Amherst. Paulo also worked at Chmura's Bakery in Indian Orchard, where he made many friends while making deliveries and working behind the counter. In 2003, Paulo and Jen had their first child, Jack, an energetic individual not unlike the father who loved him dearly. In September 2007, they were blessed with their daughter Sofia, whose time with her father was sadly to short.

Initially, Paulo's students at Ludlow High did not quite know what to make of his formidable presence, roaring voice and dramatic style, but soon they discovered that Senor Zina was a creative, inspiring teacher who took a genuine interest in them and their learning. Paulo also brought new energy to the faculty by his infectious good cheer and organizing many social events for his colleagues. His unique wit and sense of humor were at once wickedly clever and ironic. People wanted to be around Paulo to laugh and be energized by his dynamic personality. Paulo also had a tender side, which embraced many adults and students seeking a sympathetic ear and a generous heart.

He was active on several educational committees and served the Ludlow Educational Association as its negotiations chairman in 2004. For a short period, he was also the school's Advanced Placement coordinator and chairman of the Foreign Language department. Paulo rejuvenated the Spanish Club, led student trips to Europe, directed the annual Senior Show and initiated the student talent show. His classroom was always cluttered with the paraphernalia of these activities and an array of student projects.

In 2005, Paulo began working as an educational manager for the College Boards of Waltham. He welcomed the challenges of his new career and earned the respect of his co-workers, who recognized his intelligence and professionalism.

In addition to his parents, wife and children, Paulo leaves his dear sister, Nancy Zina; his maternal grandfather, Armando Salvador; his father- and mother-in-law, John and Elaine Kokoski, of Hadley; and numerous family members, friends, colleagues and former students. Paulo was predeceased by his grandfather, Torcato Zina, and his grandmothers, Maria Alice Salvador and Beatriz Zina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Paulo's memory to: Paulo Zina Memorial Fund, care of Bank of America, Cherry Street, Ludlow MA, 01056.

Shirley MacConnell

AMHERST - Shirley Nestle MacConnell, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Amherst on April 30, surrounded by her family. Shirley was born in Northampton on March 13, 1918, the daughter of Frank and Eleanor (Dragon) Nestle. She was the eldest of four children.

Shirley graduated from Amherst High School in 1936 and from the University of Massachusetts in 1940 with a B.A. in Economics. She was married in 1942 to William P. MacConnell. During the war years, Shirley returned to school to earn a degree at Northampton Commercial College. She was employed in various laboratory and clerical positions at Amherst College, while Bill was enlisted in the service, and subsequently, completing his graduate education at Yale.

Shirley volunteered her time at Amherst High School during the time her three children were attending school. She enjoyed the outdoors; especially downhill skiing and tennis. Her favorite vacations were to the ocean or to the camp on Loon Lake in Plymouth, N.H. In later years, she was a frequent visitor to the Cozy Corner Nursing Home, where she brought her lifelong love of music to patients and staff. Shirley will be remembered for her sharp wit and independence.

Shirley is survived by a son, Peter, and his wife, Susan, of Amherst, and two daughters, Sandy Doolan and her husband, Barry, of Fletcher, Vt., and Heather Bessey and her husband, Skip, of Ashland, Maine. Shirley is also survived by seven grandchildren, Michael MacConnell and his wife, Courtney, Erica MacConnell, Kristan Doolan and her husband, George VanVlaanderan, Katie Doolan, Erick Bessey and his wife, Katie, Leslie Bessey, and Brock Bessey. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families. She is survived by three sisters, Connie (Nestle) and her husband, Dr. Donald Bashaw, of South Burlington, Vt., Dorothy Nestle, of Amherst, and Nancy (Nestle) Bak and her husband, Tona Bak, of Chatham. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Prof. William P. MacConnell, who died in March 2007.

There will be no funeral services at this time. Obituary and register are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Angelina Konieczny

EASTHAMPTON - Angelina "Angie" "Baci" (Kania) Konieczny, 86, formerly of Easthampton, died Monday, April 28, in Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Fla. She had resided in St. Augustine for the last four years. Born in Easthampton April 27, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Annette (Pulaski) Kania.

For many years, she owned and operated the Hadley Public Market with her late husband, Joseph M. Konieczny. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Frank, Philip, and Edwin.

She leaved her son, Richard, and his wife, Judy, of St. Augustine, Fla. She also leaves four grandchildren, Sondra Sanchez and her husband, Frank, Justin Searles and his wife, Jennifer, Meghan Gardner and her husband, Andrew, and Robin Searles and his wife, Sara Ludwig. She also leaves four great-grandchildren, Emily, Aaron, and Carly Sanchez and Charlotte Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Easthampton Council on Aging or the Community Center in Easthampton, the Athletic Booster Club of Easthampton High School, or the Athletic Booster Club of Hopkins Academy in Hadley.

Dorothy Staszko

AMHERST - Dorothy Kelley Staszko, 91, of Amherst, passed away May 1 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton after a short illness. She was born Sept. 2, 1916 in Amherst, daughter of the late Thomas and Theresa (Coggan) Kelley.

She graduated from Amherst High School in 1934, attended Smith College and in 1940 married Peter Staszko in Amherst before moving to Enfield, Conn.

During World War II, she worked at the Army Air Base at Bradley Field in Connecticut as an assistant chief clerk of supply, supervising 200 employees. After the war, she went to work at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Conn. and retired from there in 1982. She moved to Enfield to Amherst in 1998.

She is survived by her son, Paul Staszko, and his wife, Jo-Ann, of Westmoreland, N.H., a grandson, Peter Staszko, also of Westmoreland, her beloved cousins, Mary and Joseph Fitzgibbons, Bill Dion, John Devine, and their families of Hadley who were her constant companions for the last 12 years, her sister, Gertrude Goularte, of Medfield, and her brother, Thomas, of Tucson, Ariz., sister-in-laws, Statia Staszko, of Longmeadow, Margaret Stazsko, of Bristol, Conn., and Dorothy Staszko, of Suffield, Conn. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter, in 1979, sisters Frances, Teresa, Marguerite, and brother Lawrence.

A memorial Mass will be held Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church on Russell Street in Hadley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in Mrs. Staszko's memory. The Douglass Funeral Service of Amherst is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Rose Poirrier

AMHERST - Rose Stratioti Poirrier, 85, of Amherst, died on April 29 at Hospice of The Fisher Home in North Amherst after an extended illness. Rose was born in Duluth, Minn. on Nov. 12, 1922 of parents Antonio Stratioti and Maria Froio.

She and her husband of 61 years, Clarence "Frenchy" Poirrier, moved to the valley from Rockville, Md. in 1998.

Rose was know among her friends and family as a person who loved beauty and enjoyed life. She took great delight especially in creating a comfortable home and in being with her family. Rose was much loved by all who knew her. Her humor, graciousness and generosity of spirit extended to everyone whom she met, friends, strangers and acquaintances alike. She was a member of the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley.

Rose is survived by her husband and two daughters, Sherry Poirrier and Janet Poirrier, all of Amherst. She leaves two sisters, Lenore Penney and Frances Stratioti, both of California.

The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of The Fisher Home for its extraordinary compassion and respectful care giving, both of residents and bereaved.

A private family service is planned. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to The Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA 01002. The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst is entrusted with arrangements. Obituary and register are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Vittoria Graiff

AMHERST - Vittoria Graiff, 97, died peacefully Wednesday, April 30, at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst. Born and raised in Romeno, Italy, Oct. 7, 1910, she was the daughter of the late Fiorenzo Graiff and Giuseppa (deRomedis) Graiff.

Vittoria came to the United States in 1947 immediately following World War II and settled in Amherst. She worked on occasion with her husband, Ermanno, as a tailor and seamstress employed as needed by the House of Walsh, Cliff Allen Clothing, and Thompson's Clothiers. She was an avid gardener known for her extraordinary ability at growing flowers and maintaining a bountiful vegetable garden. She loved fishing and spent many hours at ponds and streams across western Massachusetts. A reader and lover of opera, she was an extraordinary seamstress, tailor and knitter. Her family always marveled at her patience, generosity and wonderful sense of humor that kept her going through her many years.

She is survived by her sons, George, of Amherst, and John, of Northampton; eight nephews, Louis Graiff, of Albany, N.Y., Antonio Graiff, of Milan, Italy, Ivo Graiff, of Romeno, Italy, Bruno Graiff, Marco Graiff, Pierre Giorgio Graiff, all of Bolzano, Italy; Sandro Graiff, of Trento, Italy, and Father Franco Graiff, of Florence, Italy; and a niece, Armanda Graiff of Bolzano, Italy; special friend Lois McCabe; and the residents and staff at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst. She was preceded in death by her husband Ermanno, her brothers, Elia, Guido and Father Luigi Graiff; and her sisters, Maria and Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the VNA/Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061, or The Residents Council at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst, 150 University Dr., Amherst, MA 01002. Obituary and register book are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.