GS Class of 1967

John Meretta ’66, ’67 MAT, of Cincinnati; Mar. 2, of lung cancer. He taught math at Samuel Ach Junior High School in Cincinnati before deciding to move to St. Croix, U.S.V.I., in 1970. There he taught middle school math for several years before changing career paths and purchasing a fixer-upper apartment building in 1976. As owner and resident manager, he transformed the complex, which he named Bay Garden Apartments, into a successful business. He soon added another property to his portfolio, Bay Court Apartments, and with entrepreneurial spirit also created side businesses that included repairing copy machines and installing burglar alarms. After more than 20 years living and doing business in St. Croix, he sold off his assets and moved back to Cincinnati, where he purchased and managed multiple rental properties. He enjoyed the arts, especially attending the symphony and opera, and was an avid fan of the European masters. He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially waterskiing. He is survived by two daughters and their spouses, including Julia Meretta Keller ’89; five grandchildren; and two siblings.

David M. Nicholas ’67 PhD, of Clemson, S.C.; Nov. 10. He taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1967 to 1989 and retired from Clemson University in 2006 as the Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor Emeritus of History. In retirement he continued to teach at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Clemson, including classes in classical music. He was an accomplished classical pianist and playing the piano was one of his favorite hobbies. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; a daughter; a son and daughter-in-law; three stepchildren; and eight grandchildren.

Francis Crowley ’67 MAT, of Portsmouth, R.I.; Aug. 14, 2019. He was a teacher with positions at Cranston West and Moses Brown schools, and later at Roger Williams and Rhode Island College. In 1970 he entered the private sector and began a 20-year career with CIBA-GEIGY Corporation, from which he retired in 1991 as a corporate director. After retiring, he entered Portsmouth Abbey Monastery and taught in the science and Christian Doctrine departments. For 15 years, Brother Francis also served as the community’s master of ceremonies, overseeing the liturgies and celebrants and altar servers. He is survived by two daughters, a son-in-law, and a sister.

Gerard H. Martineau ’67 ScM, of Falmouth, Mass.; June 26, one day short of his 83rd birthday. He was a physics instructor at Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, R.I., for eight years. He later worked at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and for the United States Air Force radar site PAVE PAWS Cape Cod. Finally, he worked at the Naval Undersea Systems Center in Newport, R.I., retiring after more than 20 years. He was an avid supporter of the arts and frequently attended classical music concerts both in Boston and Cape Cod. He is survived by two sisters-in-law, a niece, and a nephew.

Judith Naughton Mitchell ’67 AM, of Providence; Dec. 2, from myelofibrosis. She joined the faculty of Rhode Island College in 1972 and retired from teaching as professor emerita, though she continued as an adjunct for several years in retirement. During her years as RIC she taught a range of courses, wrote for publications and professional journals, presented papers at numerous conferences, and provided workshops for teachers and other educators in Rhode Island and throughout New England. From 1990 to 1999 she held a joint appointment in secondary education, where she was instrumental in the training of student teachers. She was the recipient of the 1987 Paul Maixner Distinguished Teaching Award for Arts and Science. She retired from RIC and was called to the ministry. In 1992  she was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood. In 1993 she was the rector of The Church of the Advent in Pawtucket, R.I., followed by the position of rector of St. Matthew Church in Barrington, R.I., where she served for 10 years. After Barrington she was Priest in Charge of Saint John the Divine in Saunderstown, R.I. She retired due to health issues, but returned to be Vicar of St. James Church in North Providence and Priest in Charge at All Saints Memorial Church in Providence before her death. She is survived by her husband, Raymond; five children; three grandchildren; her parents; and five siblings.

Patricia Malafrone Caizzi ’67 MAT, of Bristol, R.I.; Aug. 4, after a long illness. She was a retired English teacher. In retirement she enjoyed reading, traveling, and playing duplicate bridge. She is survived by her husband, Frank; two daughters, including Carolyn Caizzi ’02; a son; four grandchildren; and a brother.

Geoffrey H. Spranger ’55, ’67 MAT, of Middletown, R.I.; Aug. 2, following a brief illness. While at Brown he was captain of the sailing team and during summer breaks he was a sailing instructor at Bristol and Barrington Yacht Clubs. Following graduation, he was hired as an English/social studies teacher, sailing coach, and dorm master at St. George’s School in Middletown, where he remained on the faculty until 1971. In 1958 he purchased a Hereshoff Class S-Boat, which he raced for 10 years, winning the class championship in 1968. In 1971 he left teaching to become an associate editor at Sail magazine, where he remained until 1979. He then accepted the position of editor for The Practical Sailor, steering the publication until 1987. In his final working years, he was the salesroom manager at Jamestown Distributors, retiring in 1998. Highlights of his sailing and racing career include being a member of the Newport to Bermuda Race crew in 1964, reporting on racing for the America’s Cup for the Newport Daily News, and acting as copublisher of the America’s Cup Report in 1980 and 1983. His last boat, a custom yacht he spent 10 years building, allowed him and his wife to cruise and race for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Betsy; a daughter; a son; and five grandchildren.

Joseph N. Scionti ’67 PhD, of North Dartmouth, Mass.; July 1. He was a history professor at UMass Dartmouth and recipient of the Leo M. Sullivan Teacher of the Year award in 1971. He lectured and enjoyed Celtics basketball and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Elsa; a daughter; a son; a daughter-in-law; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.