William W. Ellis, 78, a longtime salesman for the Reynolds Metals Co., died Sept. 16, 2008. He was a member of Psi Upsilon and was recently named to the Wesleyan University Athletics Hall of Fame, as a member of the 1952 track team and captain of the 1953 track team. He placed first in the 100– and 220–yard dashes at the 1953 All Collegiate New England meet. A veteran of the Army, he served in France during the 1950s. Among those who survive are four brothers.
DAVID S. DUNAVAN, a retired electro-optical engineer, died Dec. 21, 2003 at age 72. The son of the late Caryl C. Dunavan ’22, he received a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran. An avid sailor and environmentalist, he was a longtime member of the Norwalk (Conn.) Harbor Management Commission. He is survived by his wife, Sally B. Dunavan; a son; and two daughters, including Caryl Dunavan ’85.
JOHN A. DAVIDSON, the retired proprietor of Goodsports and Company, and a retired principal in the firm of Davidson and Bigelow, Inc., died May 5, 2008, at age 77. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He is survived by his wife, Joan Griffiths Davidson, three children, five grandchildren, a brother, and a sister.
WILLIAM M. BUCK JR., a retired registered representative with the Lincoln Financial Group and a former human resources executive with the Peabody Coal Company, died July 29, 2010, at age 79. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. Predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Jacquelin Machin Buck, survivors include his wife, Marthann, two daughters, two grandchildren, two stepchildren, and two step-grandchildren.
WILLIAM M. BUCK JR., a retired registered representative with the Lincoln Financial Group and a former human resources executive with the Peabody Coal Company, died July 29, 2010, at age 79. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and received an MBA from the University of Chicago. Predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Jacquelin Machin Buck, survivors include his wife, Marthann, two daughters, two grandchildren, two stepchildren, and two step-grandchildren.
WALTER W. BUCKINGHAM, who retired as a manager of Sage-Allen department stores in Connecticut after a 30-year career with the company, died Oct. 24, 2011. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he received his degree from Dickinson College. He was the son of the Rev. Harold C. Buckingham of the class of 1923. In addition to managing the stores in Wethersfield and at Westfarms Mall, he was very active in his community, sponsoring inmates from the state prison system, hosting exchange students, and sponsoring families immigrating to the U.S. He sang in his church choir for more than 50 years. Survivors include his wife, Anne Campbell Buckingham; four children; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Robert C. Buckingham ’49, M.D., and Harold C. Buckingham Jr. ’52; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special extended family.
CHARLES A. BARSTOW, 78, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, died Mar. 21, 2010. He was a member of Sigma Chi and received his bachelor’s from Springfield College, after which he began his 30–year career with the Marines. Among those who survive are his wife, Dolores Barstow, four children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his brother.
The Reverend RICHARD E. BARRETT died Nov. 26, 2003. He was 76. A member of the John Wesley Club, he received his degree with honors and then received a master’s degree in divinity from the General Theological Seminary. He served a number of Episcopal parishes in New Jersey and New York before his retirement in 1992. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; a son; two daughters; two grandchildren; and his twin brother, Thomas R. Barrett ’48.
ROBERT S. BAILEY, an attorney who practiced law for more than 50 years, died May 8, 2011, at age 79. He was a member of Sigma Chi and received his degree with honors. After receiving his law degree from the University of Chicago, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and later elsewhere. Predeceased by his wife, Doris Furlow Bailey, he is survived by three children and seven grandchildren.
JOSEPH S. ALESSI ’53, who had a long career in construction management, died Mar. 26, 2012. He was 83. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he received his degree from Wesleyan, where he won trophies for football. His most notable projects were three of the Apollo S-1 S-2 test stands, the Veterans Regional Medical Center in Cleveland, and the skyscraper at 57th and Madison Avenue in New York City. Predeceased by a daughter and by several siblings, including Salvatore L. Alessi of the class of 1942, he is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Webster Alessi; two daughters; his sister; his former wife; and several nieces and nephews, including Lisa M. Lombardo ’96
