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Mark E. Brefka '77
Mark E. Brefka ’77, April 6, 2008, in Verbank, N.Y., at 52. He earned an M.B.A. from Cornell in 1982 and established a career in investment banking, most recently with Everlands in New York. He was an expert sailor, belonging to the American Yacht Club and navigating Stampede, which twice won the J-44 Class in the Newport Bermuda Race. He loved fly fishing and bird hunting, supported the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and was a member of the Angler’s Club of New York and of Verbank Preserve, where he died unexpectedly while walking his dogs. Survivors include his parents, Paul and Ruth, two sons, a sister, his former wife, Cornelia Armbrecht Brefka ’80, and his companion, Jan Allardt.
John N. Nicoletta '04
John N. Nicoletta ’04, April 11, 2008, in Girdwood, Alaska, at 27. After Colby he moved to Aspen, Colo., where he tended bar and pursued his dream of becoming a professional skier. Described as passionate, warm, and outgoing , he was an intelligent skier who sought snow and big terrain. He died after falling at the 2008 Subaru World Freeskiing Championships in Alaska. Survivors include his parents, Stephen and Elizabeth, two sisters, and both grandmothers.
Katherine Franklin Merrill '36
Katherine Franklin Merrill '36, Dec. 6, 2008, in Barrington, R.I., at 94. A mother and housewife, she belonged to the First Christian Congregational Church in Swansea, Mass. Survivors include her husband, Arthur, three children, eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Andrea Getchell Bradley Solmonte '40
Andrea Getchell Bradley Solmonte '40, September 1, 2008, in Quincy, Mass., at 90. A mother and a homemaker, she worked at the Doten & Thompson Dress Shop in Quincy until 1982. Survivors include her stepson, Robert Solmonte, a brother, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Marjorie Smith MacLeod '41
Marjorie Smith MacLeod '41, Nov. 27, 2008, in Ellsworth, Maine, at 87. She received her teaching certificate from Lesley College and taught in schools in Maine. She was the founding educator of the Katahdin School for Exceptional Children in East Millinocket, Maine. Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Donald, four children, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Hubert Stanley Beckwith '43
Hubert S. Beckwith '43, Oct. 12, 2008, in Springfield, Va., at 86. He received a bachelor's in divinity in 1945 from Andover Newton Theological School. He was founding pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of Fairfax (Va.) County, which became Little River United Church of Christ, and he led the church until 1987. He received the James Floyd Jenkins Pillar of Faith Award from the Howard University School of Divinity in 2003. Survivors include his sons, Hubert and Paul, and four grandchildren.
John M. Lomac '43
John M. Lomac '43, Sept. 29, 2008, in San Diego, Calif., at 90. During World War II he served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific. He earned a Bronze Star in Korea and retired as lieutenant colonel in 1967. For the next 20 years he worked at Grossmont Community College as superintendent of grounds and facilities. The basketball legend known as “Johnny Lomac” is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary, three children, a brother, a sister, and four grandchildren.
John C. Calahan '44
John C. Calahan '44, Nov. 8, 2008, in Abington, Pa., at 86. He served in the Army during World War II and then served three more years in the reserves. He held executive positions at General Electric and Philco-Ford and retired in 1989 as general manager of consumer electronics for Sharp Electronics. Survivors include his wife, Frances, his daughter, Paula S. Calahan Andre '69, his son, Jack, three stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, and a brother.
Frederick S. Wood '44
Frederick S. Wood '44, Oct. 7, 2008, in Chambersburg, Pa., at 87. He enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam as well as peacetime postings, retiring as a colonel after 32 years. He earned a master's from George Washington University and another from Tufts. He served 15 years as an administrator for a nursing home before his second retirement in 1988. Survivors include his son, Andrew, and his beloved dog, Misty.
Donald M. Hinckley '45
Donald M. Hinckley '45, Oct. 13, 2008, in Augusta, Maine, at 88. An ordained minister of the Universalist Unitarian faith for 60 years, he served parishes in Maine and Massachusetts. He served on school boards, volunteered with Goodwill Industries, and studied opera and classical music. He played tennis until his 84th year. Predeceased by his brother Burton '48, he is survived by his wife, Rosalyn, a daughter, a son, a brother, a sister, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Margaret Harper Howard '47
Margaret Harper Howard '47, September 29, 2008, in Scarborough, Maine, at 84. She graduated from Boston University and then became a nurse, working in Portland and Orono. She served on the boards of the Maine State Nurses Association, Ingraham Volunteers, and the YWCA. Survivors include her children, Margaret Persavich, Mary Whitehead, and Charles Howard Jr., and three grandchildren.
