To the Williams Community,
We were saddened to learn of the death of a retired Williams staff member over the holidays. Jeremy “Jerry” Dupell, 96, died on Dec. 25 in New Oxford, Penn. Born in North Adams, Jerry attended schools in Williamstown and graduated from Williamstown High School.
Jerry started working with the Buildings and Grounds staff at Williams in 1941 and remained here until his retirement, except for a two-year period when he served his country in World War II as a turret gunner with the 793rd Bombardment Squadron as part of the air offensive in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1946. He returned to his job at Williams after the war, learned the electrical trade, and worked at the college as an electrician for many years. He retired as the assistant to the director of preventative maintenance in 1985.
I’m told that Jerry was very dedicated and knew the mechanical and electrical infrastructure of the college like the back of his hand. He’d often walk the steam tunnels looking for leaks and ensuring the lights were working. He’d be available any time during the day or night for a question, and he was responsible for the sound systems at the home football games and commencement ceremonies. Jerry started the preventive maintenance program here, and it’s still in operation today.
An avid golfer, Jerry played on the Building and Grounds Golf League at the Taconic Country Club for more than three decades. He also loved to fish, especially on Lake Champlain. He served as a member and past commander of the Walter A. Reuther American Legion Post 152 in Williamstown, and later as a member of the Ira E. Lady American Legion Post 262 in Biglerville, Penn.
Jerry and his wife Ruth moved to Pennsylvania in 2000 to live with their daughter. Surviving Jerry are two daughters, Karen Dupell Drickamer of Biglerville, Penn., and Christine Dupell Parrett of Montague, Mass.; four grandchildren, Robert E. Brownsword III, Heather, Melanie, and Jason Scott; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. His wife Ruth predeceased him in 2013.
The family is planning a memorial service in Williamstown for a later date.
Our thoughts are with Jerry’s family.
Regards,
Adam Falk
President
Megamenu Social