In Memoriam

Sharing news about the passing of Williams faculty, staff, students and retirees.

In Commemoration of Bernie Bucky

Williams colleagues, I write, as promised, to commemorate the late Jean-Bernard (Bernie) Bucky, William Dwight Whitney Professor of Theatre, Emeritus. Bernie died on February 13 as a result of complications from an automobile accident and subsequent fall. He was 86. Bernie was born in Paris in 1937, to Gerhard and… Continue reading »

Remembering Toby Woods

Williams students, faculty, and staff, I am writing to share more information about Toby Woods, a first-year student and member of the class of 2027, from New Canaan, Connecticut, where he graduated from New Canaan High School. As I shared in an earlier message, Toby died… Continue reading »

The Death of Professor Emeritus Jean-Bernard Bucky

Williams colleagues, I write with the sad news that Jean-Bernard (Bernie) Bucky, William Dwight Whitney Professor of Arts and Theatre, Emeritus, passed away yesterday. I will send a full commemoration soon. In the meantime, my thoughts go out to Bernie’s loved ones and his many friends, former colleagues and students. Continue reading »

The Death of Charlie Kerzner

Williams students, faculty and staff, I write to mourn the passing of Charles “Charlie” Nathan Hawkins Kerzner, of Sheffield, MA. Charlie originally enrolled at Williams in the fall of 2018 and died on January 26, 2024. The college recently learned of their passing. At Williams, Charlie… Continue reading »

The Death of Kurt Tauber

The funeral will be held at the Thompson Memorial Chapel in Williamstown at 860 Main St., on February 8, 2024, beginning at 12:45 and will be live-streamed at: https://youtube.com/live/tz7Zb8SgRiU?feature=share To the Williams Community, I write to commemorate the Williams career of Class of 1924 Professor of… Continue reading »

The Death of Retiree Barbara Agostini

Williams mourns the death of retiree Barbara Agostini, who passed away on January 14 at the age of 80 from cancer. Barb joined Williams in 1984, as a secretary in the Alumni Relations office. In 1989 she moved to the Dean’s Office as Editorial Assistant. In 2004 she joined the… Continue reading »

The Death of Retiree Dolories “Dee” Garnish

Williams mourns the death in December of retiree Delories “Dee” Garnish. Dee passed away peacefully on December 21, at the Maple Ridge Memory Care facility in Essex, VT, at the age of 93. She started her employment at Williams in 1983 and retired in 2004 as Secretary/Receptionist in the Office… Continue reading »

The Death of Retiree Mary Gangemi

Williams mourns the death in December of retiree Mary Gangemi. Mary passed away peacefully on December 28, 2023, at the age of 92, surrounded by family in her home in Williamstown, MA. She had joined the college in 1975 and retired in 1997 as Clinical Nurse and Health Care Coordinator… Continue reading »

The Death of Retiree Zygmund “Ziggy” Cwalinski

With sadness, Williams notes the death of retiree Zygmund “Ziggy” Cwalinski, who passed away last Thursday, December 7, at age 96. Ziggy joined Williams in 1974 and retired as Paint Shop Foreman in 1993. A proud veteran, he also served in the U.S. Army from 1935 to 1947 and in… Continue reading »