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Donald D. Gerry '56
Donald D. Gerry ’56, November 19, 2007, in Bourne, Mass., at 73. He served in the Navy for nine years, spending time on the salvage vessel USS Preserver and the destroyer USS Davis. In 1968 he became proprietor of the Little Fan Gift Shop in Mashpee, Mass., which he ran until he became ill. Survivors include his wife, Rita, a son and two daughters, and seven grandchildren.
Russell A. Nahigian '56
Russell A. Nahigian ’56, January 31, 2008, in Arlington, Mass., at 73. He served in the U.S. Air Force before earning a master’s in engineering management at Northeastern. He was a computer specialist and worked for 15 years as a mathematician for the Department of Transportation. Survivors include his wife, Carol, three children, three grandchildren, and a sister.
Jean Haurand Furman '57
Jean Haurand Furman ’57, December 14, 2007, in Bridgewater, N.J., at 71. She was a chemist and earned a master’s in library information science from Pratt Institute. She worked as a technical information specialist for several companies including American Cyanamid and Exxon Biomedical Sciences and was honored by Sigma Xi, the scientific research society. An accomplished nature photographer and avid alpine gardener, she had photographs published and gave lectures on gardening and photography. Survivors include her husband, Frank, two sons, a brother, and three grandchildren.
Dana F. Danforth '66
Dana F. Danforth ’66, December 21, 2007, in Belfast, Maine, at 63. He earned an M.A.T. in French from the University of Maine and taught French for 36 years at Mt. Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown, Mass. From 1981 to 2004 he and his wife served as resident directors of the Williamstown chapter of A Better Chance, helping underrepresented youth. He was predeceased by his great-aunt, Ninetta M. Runnals 1908. Survivors include his wife, Judith, two sons, two brothers including Stephen C. Danforth ’63, two sisters, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren.
Frederick H. Burr '71
Frederick H. Burr III ’71, January 13, 2008, in Manhattan Beach, Calif., at 58. He lived in Steamboat Springs, Colo., for many years and was co-owner of the Coral Grille Seafood Restaurant. In California, he owned the Action Smog Center. Sports, the outdoors, skiing, and coaching his sons’ teams were his passions. Survivors include his wife, Lynn, two sons, and a sister.
Richard J. Gleason '75
Richard J. Gleason ’75, February 13, 2008, in Mansfield, Mass., at 53. He earned a master’s in geology from Dartmouth and established a career in environmental restoration and hazardous waste remediation. Survivors include his wife, Ellen, a son and a daughter, a grandson, a brother, and his parents.
Ellen C. Ross '78
Ellen C. Ross ’78, July 3, 2007, in Basking Ridge, N.J., at 50. She earned a doctorate in physical therapy from New York University. She taught at Columbia University and at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey. An avid gardener, she also enjoyed the ocean, hiking, and bicycling. Survivors include her husband, Bob, two children, her parents, and two sisters.
John A. Lancaster '79
John A. Lancaster ’79, December 2, 2007, in Caribou, Maine, at 51. He graduated from the New England Institute of Mortuary Science and became a funeral director and co-owner of Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home in Caribou. He was a competitive chess player, worked on and rode motorcycles, and played bass guitar. Survivors include his sons, Tyler and Casey, and his mother.
W. Jeff Dropo '80
W. Jeff Dropo ’80, January 17, 2008, in Sandwich, Mass., at 50. He was a business executive for TNT Fireworks, headquartered in Alabama, but made time for lobster fishing off Cape Cod. A triathlete and avid swimmer, he was a volunteer swim coach at the YMCA-Cape Cod, and had as his motto “Never Give In.” Survivors include his wife, Susan, three children, and two sisters.
Andrew Peff '11
Andrew M. Peff ’11, January 19, 2008, in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, at 19. He died in a snowboarding accident at Sugarloaf. A first-year student, he had arrived on campus two weeks earlier, following a semester at the Colby in Dijon program. Originally from Jenkintown, Pa., he is survived by his parents, Thomas and Ann, and three siblings.
Paul E. Feldman '34
Paul E. Feldman '34, June 23, 2010, in Longmeadow, Mass., at 98. He was an Army medic during World War II. He worked as national sales manager for 30 years at Wallace Manufacturing and was active with Sinai Temple. He served on Colby's Alumni Council for six years and was awarded a Colby Brick in 1975. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Ruth, and his children, Carol Feldman Roberts '69 and Charles Feldman.
Lewis E. Rush '37
Lewis E. Rush '37, July 1, 2010, in Greenfield, Mass., at 97. He graduated from Tufts Dental School and then enlisted with the Army Air Force in 1941. He fought in Europe, then was in charge of dental services in England. Later, in Shelburne Falls, Mass., he had a dental practice for more than 45 years. Survivors include his children, William, Carolyn, John, and Doris.
