Obituaries | 1950-1959

John T. Arnold ’58 passed away on Nov. 7, 2018. A full obituary can be found here.

Benjamin A. Di Iorio Jr. ’55 passed away on Oct. 9, 2018. A full obituary can be found here.

George A. Lewis ’53 passed away on Dec. 22, 2018. A full obituary can be found here.

Duncan M. Nelson ’52 passed away on Dec. 20, 2018. A full obituary can be found here.

Charles O. Culver ’51 passed away on Sept. 12, 2018. A full obituary can be found here.

Harold M. “Hal” Treen Jr. ’50 passed away on Oct. 1, 2018. A full obituary can be found here.

William C. Gordon ’55 passed away on July 9, 2018. He was 85. Gordon was a devoted Wesleyan alumnus and member of Eclectic. At Wesleyan, he majored in economics and earned a master’s from Wesleyan. He went on to earn an MBA from UConn. He was an Army veteran who served in post-war Korea. His father, Carlton C. Gordon 1922; cousins Gary ’50, Alan ’56, and W. Clark Gordon ’45; uncles David W. Gordon 1916 and Donald Gordon 1919, father-in-law and former trustee, Frank Wenner Sr. 1918, and brothers-in-law Frank Wenner Jr. ’49 and Richard Wenner ’59, all attended Wesleyan. He interviewed for admission with his future father-in-law long before he had ever met his wife, Marilyn Sue Wenner. His grandsons, Stefan Skripak ’13 and Ryan Breen ’17, also attended Wesleyan. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Marilyn Sue (Wenner), son David (Pamela Skripak) two grandchildren, Hallie and Braden Skripak Gordon, sister Margaret Barber, many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family.

We thank Mr. Gordon’s daughter-in-law for this information.

Elliott DeGraff ’55 passed away on Oct. 24, 2017 at the age of 84. DeGraff majored in psychology at Wesleyan. After transferring, he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from New York University. He worked as an engineer for NASA’s unmanned spacecraft and satellite programs. A member of the United Flying Octogenarians, DeGraff was a flight instructor and a volunteer pilot for an animal rescue organization. He was also an accomplished musician who played the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. He is survived by his wife, Martha Jo, his brother, Chris, and wife Sandra, his brother, Eric, and wife Nancy, his daughter, Pamela Porter, and husband Hobart, his daughter Jill Thorpe, and five grandchildren.

We thank the family of Mr. DeGraff for this information.

Milton L. Smith ’53 passed away on Aug. 23, 2018 in Georgia. Smith majored in English and went on to earn his master’s in teaching at Wesleyan. Smith retired from his role as an executive at SUNY at Utica, where he was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

James D. Griffis ’53 passed away on July 6, 2018. Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, Rev. Harold William Griffis and Evelyn Theresa Dutcher, his brothers David Griffis and John Harold Griffis and his loving wife Margaret ‘Peggy’ Hart. Jim is survived by his son James Fredrick Griffis (Susan) and his sister Nancy Evelyn Griffis. He was very proud of his grandchildren Patrick Griffis (Laura), Michael Griffis, Kevin Griffis, and Megan Griffis, and his grand daughter in law Jenna Beck. He adored his great grandchildren Kylie Griffis, Colton Griffis, Patrick Griffis, and Madelyn Jancigar-Griffis. Jim was also proud of his nieces and nephews and their families, Mark Griffis, David Griffis (Romina), John Griffis, Andrew Griffis (Ceci), Shari DiMeo (John), Kimberly Homeyer, and Tara Sherman.

Family and close friends, who essentially became part of his “family,” are what mattered most to him. He genuinely and fiercely cared for this small group of people in his life. He supported, in a wide range of ways, all those he loved through thick and thin. Jim was the backbone of his family.He also accepted everyone in that circle for what and who they were and was quick to forgive whatever shortcomings or misfortunes they experienced. He never held a grudge. He was proud of everyone’s accomplishments. He wanted everyone to get along and have a good life.

He had a great sense of humor and could laugh at other’s experiences as well as his own. His personality and presence were felt by all who came into contact with him. He loved life and those around him. He could be funny evenwhen he was grouchy. Who else could lose a tuba on a weekend away in college or have Carl Sandburg quip during class while looking out a classroom window, “I see Mr. Griffis has elected to sun himself on top of the fraternity house rather than be present for our poetry class!”? His stories were countless, and he would light up any room he entered.

He loved his sports and enjoyed seeing his family in sports. He was a four-year varsity letterman (football, basketball, track, and tennis) and was inducted into the Troy High School hall of fame. Whenever he could, he went to all of his grandson’s games.

He believed in brevity and directness when communicating. He stressed working hard and achieving one’s best, playing fair, and respecting people regardless of their social position and not taking yourself too seriously. There are many virtues and values that many of his family have inherited from him. Jim loved music. He played trumpet, baritone and an occasional tuba in Dixie land bands in college. He taught himself to play piano in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis and loved county music.

Jim graduated from Wesleyan University and had a successful career in sales in the commercial building sector, first with Kimmey Company in Troy, N.Y., Sanymetal Company in Cleveland, Ohio, and All American Company in Long Island, N.Y. His ultimate success and personal pride were establishing his own company, Gratton Building Specialties in Mentor, Ohio, before he retired.

Everyone has their own stories of Jim that will live on. He has made an indelible impact on those he loved. These memories will soften the heartache of his passing.

We thank Mr. Griffis’ son for this heartfelt obituary.