Obituaries | 1940-1949

BRUCE W. CUNNINGHAM, who retired as treasurer of the Tennessee Eastman Company, died Jan. 4, 2017. He was 90. A member of Eclectic, he received an MBA from Harvard University. He was with Tennessee Eastman, a global chemical company, for 37 years in both Rochester, N.Y., and in Kingsport, Tenn. A community volunteer, he was active with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 75 years as an Eagle Scout, scoutmaster of three troops that produced 46 Eagle Scouts during his tenure, and scoutmaster to two World Jamboree troops. Among those who survive are his wife, Mary McKown Cunningham, three children, eight grandchildren, and his brother.

BERNARD R. PAJEWSKI, a retired attorney, died Nov. 28, 2016, at age 89. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received a degree from Cornell University. Survivors include his nephews and a niece.

JOSEPH A. DIPAOLO, a renowned cancer researcher, died Nov. 3, 2015. He was 91. A member of Delta Upsilon, he was elected to Sigma Xi, received a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University, and a doctorate from Northwestern University. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. His wife, Arleta Schreib DiPaolo, predeceased him. Survivors include his son, John K. DiPaolo ’89, his daughter, and a granddaughter.

WILLIAM B. DUANE, a retired insurance broker, died Feb. 18, 2016, at age 92. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, when he flew 36 missions in Europe. He had a successful career as an insurance broker, specializing in life, group and pensions. He was also a talented photographer and an athlete, and he served several terms as the president of the Wesleyan Club of Boston. Predeceased by his wife, Carolyn Bittner Duane, survivors include three children, one granddaughter, two sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

WALTER N. PLAUT, a business executive, died July 4, 2016, at age 97. A member of Beta Theta Pi, after graduation he worked for the Westinghouse Corporation at a job critical to the war effort. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a top turret gunner on B-17s and flew his first combat mission over Normandy on June 6, 1944. An associate of the management consulting firm, Frank C. Brown & Co., Inc., he was also president for many years of the Lehn & Fink Products Company, a consumer products company, which first introduced Lysol to the U.S. He was an alumnus of the Lawrenceville School and remained active in the alumni association, while also leading other volunteer development efforts in Fairfield County, Conn. His wife, Sally Hayes Plaut, and one son predeceased him. Among those who survive are his second wife, Beryl Plaut, three children, and ten grandchildren.

JAMES FIZZOLIO, 95, an attorney, died Aug. 10, 2015. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving his degree with honors and with distinction in French, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a graduate of Yale Law School and began his long career as an attorney on Wall Street. He later moved to Southern California where he and his twin brother, Tom, opened the firm Fizzolio and Fizzolio in North Hollywood, where he practiced for more than 20 years. Later, he was a partner in the law firm Fizzolio & McLeod. He was a member of the Los Angeles Bar Association, Unico, and the San Fernando Bar Association, where he was recently honored for more than 50 years of service. Predeceased by his wife, Joyce Krause Fizzolio, survivors include three children and five grandchildren.

DOUGLAS R. ROSS Sr., a banker, died Feb. 6, 2015. He was 95. A member of Psi Upsilon, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in the battle for Guam and participated in the battles for Iwo Jima, Guam, and Bougainville, along with many others. He worked for Fortune Federal in Clearwater, Fla., for many years and was an active member of the community. His wife, Elizabeth (Betsy) Carmack Ross, predeceased him. Survivors include two sons, one daughter, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.