NEWS
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David Geary April 19,1945 -July 26, 2023
David "DL" Geary grew up in West Quincy, MA and moved with his family to Portland in 1961, joining us for our last two years at Deering. As you can imagine, not an easy transition, but David did manage to fit in! By senior year he was VP of the Pre-Med Club and on Student Council with new friend Mike True. The yearbook characterizes him as "entertaining all within earshot!"
Next David bravely made a new place for himself in the Midwest at Purdue University! He met his wife Karen Kramer there and earned a degree in English Literature. After graduation they returned to the Portland area with daughter Kelly. David worked for Ross/Laboratories/Abbott Labs. Soon there was a second child, Matthew.
Three Dollar Dewey's was a favorite night out spot. Owner Alan Eames introduced the couple toTraquair House Ales and thought they should meet the maker of these ales, Peter Matthew Stewart, the 20th Laird of Traquair. Peter taught David the basics of brewing. David followed up with a "short stint in England under the tutelage of Peter Austin at Ringwood Brewery. And the rest is history! In December 1986 three Dollar Dewey's would pour the first pint of Geary's Pale Ale. The craft beer, ale, and hard cider business in Maine and perhaps across the nation had begun!
Ten years later David, now called "DL" (for DL Geary Brewing, but please note that wife Karen was a very active business partner) was a keynote speaker at the National Craft-Beer Conference and Trade Show in Boston. FAME the finance Authority of Maine gave him an Entrepreneur of the Year Awarding the same year. In 2018 he was declared a Maine History Maker of the Year by the Maine Historical Society.
"DL liked to fish and golf and, and, not unexpectedly, to visit taverns and restaurants. His children list their mother Karen as having pre-deceased their father. Daughter Kelly (now Lucas) and son Matthew Geary refer to their Dad as "our funny, charming, gregarious, and cantankerous father -- larger than life and a great Dad!
Can you name these 5 guys in Physics Class? Wonder exactly what they were brewing up!
A mysterious woman...
John Small sent me this from the Press Herald. . . "Shirley Ann Seeger passed away on June 17th, 2023 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House of Southern Maine surrounded by her family. She grew up in Portland attending Deering High School class of 1963." But Elliot Woodbury couldn't find her in the Yearbook or among his Seger relatives. Had I left her out? Diana Bell Allen and Bonnie Thurlow Wright came to the rescue. They remembered her from Reed School. A great basketball player they said and a free spirit. Maybe she had left school to get married?
After searching I found Shirley in the Lincoln Junior year book and also in Amethyst 1960 and 61! And I remembered that at the time married women were no longer welcome in public schools.
Let's hear it for mothers and wives being able to finish their educations -- better for them and for their children! It sounds like she managed to have a successful career anyway. . . "first female general manager of a major hotel chain" and survived by son Mark and daughter Michele Turkewitz!
Do you know more about Shirley or wish to dispute or agree with my opinions? Please submit your info on the contact page.
George Cloutier 1945 - 2022
Many thanks to classmate Rick Waxman who went on an internet search to find his ex-debating partner George Cloutier! Sadly, a visit to his Amserv website revealed that George had died on April 30th, 2022 at age 76. George was born on August 1, 1945 in Duxbury, Mass. He was an eager participant in many ways at Deering -- a member of Student Council and Hi-Y, President of the Forum Club, a Ramblings reporter, and star of the Senior Class Play. He characterized himself in the yearbook as "never too busy for fun and frolicking in Saturday nights!"
Perhaps his greatest early achievements were being invited to join National Honor Society in his junior Year and being selected as a representative to both Boys State and then Boys Nation. After Deering George went to Harvard where he graduated cum laude in 1967. As many of you may know, he was a member of the management team for one of the earliest dating services entitled Computer Match as an undergrad. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1969/70.
"George's lifelong ambition was to start and develop his own business."
In 1986 he founded American Management Services with a "mission of helping independent business owners grow sales, profit and cash flow." He wrote a book entitled "Profits Aren't Everything, They Are The Only Thing."
George went all out for his New Year's wedding to Tiffany Spadafora, "the love of his life" in January 2009. The event included "monogrammed ice sculptures, crystal chandeliers, 4000 French tulips, and centerpieces with mini-fireworks that went off at midnight!" Tiffany and George were a big part of the social scene in Palm Beach and "generously hosted many charitable events to raise money for a variety of worth causes." The couple became proud parents of daughter Holidae on November 14th, 2016. George passed away when Holidae was only 5 and a half years old.
To see George delivering advice to entrepreneurs (live), type George Cloutier Amserv in your browser or go to https://www.amserv.com.
MAGGIE SNYDER BOGHOSIAN died on March 7, 2023 surrounded by her family. Sons Jeffrey and Michael and brother Stuart Snyder and his wife Patricia had tenderly cared for her since her brain cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2022. There had been a family celebration of her 78th birthday on February 19th, 2023.
Her sons described her in the obituary as a "woman who lived by numbers." They said that she has "a practical and kind outlook with a laugh and a smile as readily available to her as her recall of the Maine tax code!"
Born in Portland to Ruth and Ralph Snyder, she graduated from Deering High and then received her undergraduate degree from University of Maine. She worked as teacher in West Virginia and then later as an an accountant and comptroller for several businesses in New Jersey.
Many of her classmates were so happy when she returned to Maine. We thought of her as not only smart and sensible but also as feisty and funny! We loved having her at Ladies Nights Out as well as smaller luncheons!
She earned her CPA license and MBA from University of Southern Maine in 1995 and worked as a finance director and then as a corporate auditor for the State. After retiring she volunteered with the AARP Tax-Aide organization helping people to do their taxes and she also had good answers for any tax questions friends posed to her.
Dawn Bonney and I felt so privileged to have made frequent visits to her in the last few months. We found her to be welcoming and cheerful in spite of the seriousness of her illness.
Alas, our class had many losses in 2022
LINDA DORSEY EVEREST passed away on July 4, 2022. Linda married her high school sweetheart Teddy Everest and together they had three children: David, Stephanie and Lisa, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. They lived in 5 different states when their children were little and were happy to end up in Old Orchard Beach! Pine Point was Linda's favorite spot and you might have seen her driving there in her BCHBUM convertible. She also enjoyed evenings at Dunegrass Country Club.
ALONG THE WAY Linda acquired a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and combined with skills she learned raising a family, she was able to help elderly patients and she loved doing it!
FAMOUS FOR her fried haddock and Sunday dinners with homemade spaghetti or lobster, Linda loved evenings with close friends and family. Thomasina Walsh Cole describes her as a sweet girl and many would agree. She also had a daring spirit which lead her to rhinestone fashions and tattoos! She will be missed.
Barbara Williams Holmes went home to God on August 1st, 2022 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. She was predeceased by her husband James.
After Deering, Barbara graduated from Becker College in Masschusetts. She worked for GAB Robins in Scarborough starting as a claims adjuster and finally as a claims manager. She was recognized for her work ethic and kindness.
Barbara and James were married in 1965 and began to raise a family. She will be sadly missed by her son Keith, her daughter-in-law LoriAnn and granddaughter Rebecca.
A very dedicated volunteer, she had served at Gosnell Hospice and was a very active member of Rock Church for the past 20 years working as Greeter, Member of Dare to Care Team, and in the Nursery holding babies!
Barbara made friends wherever she went. She enjoyed bowling, slot machines, yard sales, reading and spending time with family. Elliott Woodbury remembers that " Barbara was a comedian, sat in front of me in homeroom. She'd turn around to me with her punch line, on the commentary of the moment, always a hoot!" Don Webber also in Barbara's homeroom thinks that she looks much as she did then, especially her eyes!
George Burnell passed away on September 14, 2022. At Deering he was a "D"Club member from Sophomore year on. He played football and baseball and also indoor track as a Frosh and later served as a team manager for several sports.
After graduating from USM he served in the Air National Guard. He worked Casco Northern Bank for more than 25 years. George became an avid golfer with a longtime membership at Willowdale Golf Club in Scarborough and an active member of the Eagles Club in Portland and the Moose Lodge in Scarborough. He liked to eat scallops at Bruno's. I think may of us can relate to that!
He was predeceased by Susan, his wife for 50 years.
Marie Cleaves Tysinger died on October 26th, 2022. At Deering you may remember that she was editor-in-chief of Ramblings, our school newspaper. She was also a 4 year band member, a member of the D Club, the swimming team, Tri-Hi-Y Vice President and Student Council Clerk. You will not be surprised that she continued to live a very active life!
After graduating from Katharine Gibbs in Boston, she married William Tysinger and shared his Air Force career with their two sons David and
Christopher, and their daughter Melinda --and later four grandsons and 2 granddaughters. Marie enjoyed traveling both stateside and abroad, setting up new homes and meeting new people. Whatever her work, volunteer or paid, she always completed it in 6 hours to be home with her children before and after school! Wish I knew her secret!
William and Marie retired to Waldoboro Maine and were able to attend several DHS reunions but Marie was reluctant to come after his death.
Kenneth Fogg passed away on October 31, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret in 2020. They had been married for 59 years. Starting out in Portland the family moved to Cape Elizabeth in 1971. Ken was a volunteer fireman there and in 1984 he joined the Cape Elizabeth Lions Club. Ken served on all the board positions including President. He also served as District 41L Governor from 1992-1993. After moving to Standish in 2015 he joined their Lions Club and again held a position on all seats of the board becoming President in 2017.
Ken was known for his love of cars especially race cars even in 1963. He raced at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in the mid '60's. In 1969 he switched to flagging races there.
Ken and Margaret had five children: Suzanne, Stephen, Alicia, Dawnalynn, and Katrina and they have been blessed with 16 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren!
M. (Merrill) York Stephens died on November 27, 2022 at Maine Medical Center after suffering a severe stroke on Thanksgiving Day. He was a National Merit finalist at Deering and after high school attended Colby College and University of Maine Portland. He worked as an insurance adjuster and appraiser at Norman Lincoln Mercury and as a general manager of the Acme Body Shop for nearly 20 years.
In 1994 he married Jeanne Palais. Together they had many adventures including trips to the Canadian Rockies, England, and Portugal. In 2020 their house burned down. It took 14 months to rebuild. York could not have been happier to be back in his home!
York is survived by his wife Jeanne, a son John, a daughter Marion and stepdaughter Hope Anne, 2 grandaughters and 2 grandsons as well as his faithful dog Mistymoor.
If you have specific memories of any of these folks please share them to enrich these write-ups taken mostly from Press Herald obituaries . . .and please stay well.
English Teacher from our High School Days turns 101!
Imagine our surprise when Terry's Clarion a newsletter for Retired Educators arrived and he read that one of our DHS Teachers Miss Francesca Perazzi had turned 101 on February 4th, 2022.
Clearly a cause for celebration!
Unfortunately, the Clarion had arrived on the 5th! Terry alerted Paul and MaryAnn Pendleton. (Miss Perrazi was Maryann's supervisory teacher during her practice teaching). They sent flowers right away but we decided to wait for Valentine's Day.
Diana Allen and I had such fun purchasing and arranging the flowers! Diana is a pro with arrangements! We even found a purple vase! Dawn Derice reminded us that Miss Perazzi was one of Judy Whitman's favorite teachers. Judy was available to help with delivery. When I called Miss Perazzi to make sure she would be home, she said "You don't need to bring flowers. Just come and talk for a little bit." So, of course we did that too!
What a delightful person! And not nearly so likely to struggle over words and names as I am at 76! Miss Perrazi says she owes her longevity "to what is now called the Mediterranean Diet." Both her mother and her father immigrated from Northern Italy. Sadly, her dad died when she was 12, but the trio of Mother, Miss Perrazi,and her sister (also a teacher) continued for many years They were able to travel together after the girls retired.
Clearly, she deserves the wonderful neighbors that she has. The man next door comes over to watch baseball and football games with her. His wife delivers supper regularly. Another neighbor was bringing a box of Haven's chocolates to her when we arrived with our bouquet. Someone else makes sure she has a ride to church.
Like everyone else her church was closed for a while during covid. She was able to attend Mass on TV, and she re-read some of the classics on her bookshelves. She asked about our '63 classmates and students from other classes, some of whom we had to research.
We stayed for two hours and we will likely go again. Let us know if you would like to come too! On the way home Judy saw this decoration on Stevens Avenue. A perfect end to a DHS Valentines celebration!
Elaine Carol McCarthy (nee Thomsen)
Elaine Thomsen as we knew her passed away on January 6, 2022 at her home in Pikesville, MD. Her brother Erik is a neighbor of Terry's and mine on Glenhaven West here in Portland. He is the one who first told us of her death by way of Bonnie Thurlow. Her obituary says that "she remained fond of her home state and never stayed away too long!" In 1964 she moved to Baltimore to train as a nurse at Seton Psychiatric Hospital. Soon after her arrival she met William McCarthy. They were lucky enough to spend the next 56 years of their life together. They had 4 children: Kelly, Colleen, Joan, John (perhaps named for her other surviving brother) and 8 grandchildren. She is remembered as a dedicated mother, a very good cook. Her specialties were pinwheel cookies for Christmas, Danish puffs, homemade devil dogs and apple cake! Yum! She spent many seasons as an unofficial softball and baseball mom cheering from the sidelines! Bruce McAfee confirms that she was a great hitter at the softball game at a reunion at Portland Headlight! In 1978 she finished her training as a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Towson, Md. She spent the majority of her career as an oncology nurse. Once retired she spent summers on her boat the Irish Viking. Elaine was proud of being Danish! She loved her dogs dachshund Slinky, chihuahua Taffy, and Jack Russell terrier Terry.
Please send any other memories of Elaine especially high school ones to the Contact page of this website!
A June passing. ..
More things you should know about Annie. . . She had 2 daughters and 2 sons and 11 grandchildren and a dog Ella and she loved them all dearly. She once won an international cooking championship for her recipe for "Maine Stew." Maybe we should have that recipe! Sam Brand shares the memory of the first time he met her. They were next door neighbors on Deering Avenue when he moved there in 1956. "She was sitting on a stone wall with her hair brush in hand. She introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Merle Ann and I brush my hair 100 strokes every day." Dawn Bonney describes her as "force for life. In the throes of dire illness, she was upbeat, funny, spirited and so welcoming to her friends." Clover Jordan agrees,"I am very sad to hear about Annie's passing. She was such a wonderful story teller. We shared many laughs with her at our Deering class ladies get togethers."
I'm sure more memories will be shared at the reunion and Sam will be there to receive hugs from the ladies and handshakes from the guys!
Tuesday June 22, 2021
I had a phone call this morning from Sam Band to let me know that Annie (Merle Anne) Chapman died yesterday. Sam has been with her throughout her struggles with glioblastoma (scroll down for more info). What started out as a crush in high school, blossomed into the love story of their lives in the last few years. I am imagining that Sam will need some support from classmates during this time . . .
More details later.
Two May Deaths . . .
It is my somber duty to report that two of our classmates died within a couple days of each other at the end of May 2021.
Barbara Balcolm Cappuccio on May 27th in Pompano Beach, Florida. After graduating from Deering, Barbara attended the Mercy Hospital School of X-ray Technology and worked at New England Baptist Hospital and Deaconess Hospital. She met Frank Cappuccio in Boston and they married in 1971. In 2000 they moved to Pompano Beach. Alas, Frank died in 2002,
but Barbara remained in Florida and kept busy doing crossword puzzles, reading Stephen King novels and caring for her cats. She is survived by a good friend William Coleman. Donations in Barbara's memory can be made to Boston Animal Rescue League, 10 Chandler Street, Boston, Ma 02116.
Brian (Huey) Briggs on May 29th in Portsmouth, NH. Brian attended University of Connecticut where he met and married his college sweetheart Mary Louise Connell. After graduate work at Northeastern and Texas Tech University He spent more than 25 years as an Accounting Professor at Winona State University. After 1970 Brian and Mary spent summers in Ogunquit and for more than 15 years wintered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Brian enjoyed attending dance recitals, high school sports and parades in which his daughter Beth performed. He is survived by Beth (now, Gooding) and her husband Dr. Erik Gooding and their three daughters as well as his wife of 56 years. Donations can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute https://www.dana-farber.org/
News Briefs:
from Jill Evans Davis: New email = jilldavis434@gmail Jill writes that she is a former high school teacher and a former police dispatcher. She lives on Cape Cod and is recently widowed with no children. I remember Jill from the band!
from Judith Durand Humphrey: New email = JVH820@aol.com Judith says she retired in June 2019 from Lemon Grove School District. She has lived in San Diego, California for 43 years, longer than in Maine. Her family moved north from Virginia in 1950.
from Bruce McAfee: Bruce completed 5 rounds of radiation in April to shrink nodules in his lungs. It has left him feeling very tired but be assured he has not lost his sense of humor! He said to me, "Why didn't you tell me that smoking was bad for me?"
The doctors were optimistic and he will get a CAT scan in a few months to confirm results. Home address is 176 Prospect Street, Portland, ME 04103.
Eileen Brownell honored as Police Chaplain of the Year 2020
Eileen explains that a Chico Police Chaplain does ride-a-longs with officers, provides death notifications, and also in her case, works with the Butte County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. She also checks in on other police staff, works with families after suicides, drug overdoses and other deaths. A Police Chaplain never knows what work she will be called to do each day.
During the Camp Fire in November 2018 she worked 25 days with the coroners recovering bodies, with fire fighters, search and rescue and police and at the FEMA Center helping families who came in for assistance or to have their DNA tested to help to identify bodies.
She says she loves her work and she is obviously good at it. This is the second time she has been honored with the department's Chaplain of the Year Award!
Congratulations to Bruce and Marcia!
Bruce and Marcia McAfee
celebrated their 53rd anniversary on
Wednesday June 17th.
Bruce made sure the news made it into the Portland Press Herald
and that Marcia knew that she "meant everything to him!"
I spoke with Annie Chapman on the phone yesterday and she is in good spirits despite her diagnosis of glioblastoma and several rounds of radiation and chemo! We laughed a lot! Her phone # is 207 807 6029 and her at home email is achapman45@yahoo.com. You can also send a card to 7 Kathryn Street in Gorham 04038 but you will be missing out on a lot of great conversation if you choose to go that route! She sent this picture so you will recognize her at the reunion!
Warren Titcomb 1945-2020
Warren Titcomb died on July 13, 2020 after a long illness. He and his wife TJ (Teri) had celebrated 50 years of marriage on April 21st. Much of Warren's life reflected the Warren we knew at Deering. "He was a long distance runner braving the heat and sun of the Phoenix area to compete in 10K runs and marathons." (see Mort Soule's remembrance below.) Warren continued his love of music by learning to play classical guitar. Even his occupation as a mental health therapist does not surprise for he always seemed a kind and gentle soul who "looked for and found the goodness and potential of each individual."
In 1986 the Titcombs moved to Lancaster, PA where Warren sang in the choir of the 1st United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife and a mother and two brothers Joel and Jason in Maine. "At Warren's request there was no service. He encourages friends to enjoy some good music, support a worthy cause, and think of him." excerpts from Portland Press Herald
Mort Soule remembers Warren. . .When I coached track at Deering, I would annually mention Warren's triumphs. I made it clear to all how important work ethic and commitment to a strenuous training schedule were to becoming a successful long distance runner. Because of Warren's dedication, he would always place and sometimes win the mile and/or the two mile event. The points that he got for the team were vital in close meets. Thank you Warren. Your contribution to Deering track benefited athletes long after you graduated!
Bonnie Thurlow Wright remembers Warren . . .When I started kindergarten at Reed School, I was so shy and cried and cried on the first day. I remembered all the little chairs in a circle in the middle of the room and this boy with red hair got up out of his seat and came over to me and sat in the chair beside me and put his arm around me. When I think back, that was such a kind gesture for a boy that age, especially during the late forties. Rest in Peace, Warren. You are my Knight in Shining Armor!
Dawn Bonney '63 Same great gal a few years later!
First thing we want to do is say a big THANK YOU to DAWN BONNEY DERICE who has been keeping in touch with all of us for many years now! If you've been checking out our ABOUT page, you know that it's going to take two people to replace her. At least. We're counting on all of you to help us.
In Memoriam . . . Jim Burns
Jim Burns passed away on January 4th, 2020. In the last two years he had suffered from Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Many of us who live locally were able to attend his Memorial Service at Temple Beth El on January 7th. As is often the case, we learned some things about Jim that we hadn't realized. We knew already he was the best ever Philadelphia lawyer and that he gave his family and the step-family he acquired from his wife Martha top priority in his life. Some of us knew that his first best friend was Barry Zimmerman who lived upstairs in Jim's early home on Forest Avenue. Barry was scheduled to undergo surgery on that day and unable to attend Jim's service. I did not even know that Jim had a younger brother and older sister.
We were surprised by the depth of Jim's feeling for Maine. His college roommate said that he often proselytized for the Pine Tree State. I wonder how many of us have. I know one evening in South Hadley, MA I was singing all those Maine songs we learned in junior high and high school and an upperclass woman from South Portland leaned out of 3rd story dorm window and yelled down " Hey, who are you?
Tell us your "I'm from Maine story."
photos supplied by Martha Burns
Jim often regaled his family with the Deering Fight Song!" We were invited to join in singing "Be loyal to the Purple" at the end of Jim's service by the wonderfully inclusive Rabbi Carolyn Braun.
Who knew that one of his favorite shirts was emblazoned, "Born in Maine, Living in Exile?"
How wonderful that Jim was able to spend his last two decades in Maine. He was a sternman for Martha's father on weekly lobstering trips. He and Martha went on many walks through the village of South Freeport where they lived. Jim skied Mount Abram and Shawnee Peak.
His other special place was his condo on Grand Beach in OOB. He was especially fond of eating fried clams at nearby Ken's Place. If you come to Maine this summer and if you eat at Ken's, be sure to ask for the special homemade tartar sauce. . . Jim's favorite!
Martha courageously spoke at Jim's funeral. She felt compelled to make a plea for an Alzheimers's cure and suggested that a donation to that cause would be a fitting tribute to Jim. Who knows how many of us will face a similar challenge in our future?. .. We will miss Jim. MA
Enjoying retirement. . .
Len Berman writes that he and his wife are relaxing these days and doing whatever they feel up to. They enjoy Red Claws and Seadog games . . .look for them there!
Merle Ann (Annie) Chapman recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. She is rehabbing right now to strengthen her left leg and hoping to be home next week. Cards or notes can be addressed to her at 7 Kathryn Street in Gorham, ME 04038. Thanks to Sam Band for submitting this info.
HERE'S THE LATEST FROM OTHER CLASSMATES
2/17/2020
Barbara Ryland is our first contributor to the site. She is a grandmother for the first time, and she travelled to Australia to meet Sammy, her new grandson. Here's a link to her blog about her trip: https://australia2019.com