Virtual Alumni Weekend 2021

James Vernon  Beattie ‘56 passed away on February 28, 2019 in Key Largo, Florida.

Stephen D. Chickering II, 39, of Poway, California passed away suddenly on February 7, 2021.

Steve was the beloved husband of Christina (Endriga) Chickering and father to his sweet daughter Cassidy.

Steve was the son of Stephen and Cheryl (Kilian) Chickering of Dudley, Massachusetts. Steve also leaves behind his loving brother Kyle, sister-in-law Kelsey, and niece Dorothea of Boston, Massachusetts.

He also leaves behind Teresa Endriga, Henry and Balbir Socorro, Albert and Maite Socorro, Thaddeus and Maria Endriga, many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Steve was born in North Adams, MA in September of 1981 and was raised in Dudley, MA where he established his life-long love of golf at the Nichols College Golf Course and his passion for fishing at many local ponds with his Dad and Grandfather.

Steve attended school in Dudley and graduated from Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson, CT. Marianapolis was where Steve met his adoring wife Christina. He also graduated from San Diego Golf Academy in Myrtle Beach, SC with a degree in Golf Course Management.

Steve moved to the San Diego area in 2003 where Christina and Steve, and later Cassidy, made their home for the last 17 1/2 years. The San Diego area was the ideal place for Steve, where he could enjoy many overnight fishing expeditions, daytime fishing adventures with friends while always in pursuit of tuna. Steve also made sure that, even when Cassidy was very young, she too would learn how to fish. They took several day trips together. The California sunshine allowed Steve to play golf whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Steve worked in the Telecom Systems Infrastructure industry, starting at Berg Electric as an Installation Technician and worked his way up to a Project Manager position. He later carried that knowledge to Baker Electric. Throughout his career he made numerous long-standing friendships. Through Cassidy's love of dance, Steve made another circle of friends that were called the "Dance Dads". They loved to hang out and support their daughters from the prop areas backstage. They even formed a softball team "The Bad News Bears". All of these friendships meant the world to Steve.

Francis A. “Frank” DiPippo, 83, of Bloomfield, loving husband of over 55 years to Carolyn “Cal” (Lang) DiPippo, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 7, 2021. Frank was born on May 16, 1937 in Torrington, son to the late Frank J. and Rose M. (DeDominicis) DiPippo.

Frank grew up in Torrington, attended local schools and was a graduate of Torrington High School where he was an outstanding athlete and the President of the Class of 1955. After a year at Marianapolis Preparatory School, Frank continued his education enrolling in Central Connecticut State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education. During those years, he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball for the schools, graduating in 1960. Upon his graduation from CCSU, Frank became a dedicated teacher with Bloomfield Public Schools impacting students in and out of the classroom for over 33 years. Frank’s passions centered around sports, both as an athlete and a coach. In the early 1970s, Frank enjoyed traveling the northeast playing semi-pro softball for the New Britain Mar Parks and coached several high school sports including basketball, baseball and golf for over 4 decades. He never missed an opportunity to play golf or watch his beloved Dodgers on the television all while sharing his knowledge with countless players, friends, family or whoever would listen. Frank’s greatest joy was spending time with his six granddaughters. He attended countless concerts, parades and sporting events and was a fixture at “his girl’s” basketball games for over 20 years. Grampy’s presence in their lives has been a gift they will always cherish. During the offseason, you could find him sitting by the pool, playing games, reading a mystery, eating ice cream or finishing crossword puzzles.

In addition to his wife, Frank is survived by his three children Amy Connors and her husband Edward of West Hartford, Andrew DiPippo of West Hartford and Francis DiPippo Jr. of Bloomfield; six grandchildren Alison, Haley and Delaney Connors and Kerrigan, Ella and Teagan DiPippo; a brother Fred DiPippo of Granby and a sister Carma LeTourneau and her husband Armand of Michigan. Frank was predeceased by his parents, many aunts, uncles, cousins and his niece, Michelle DiPippo Potter.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06111. 

Sr. M. Consolata Paglia, FMH, a daughter of Our Lady of the Garden, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2020 at the Convent of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden in Middletown, CT at the age of 83. She was born in the Boville Ernica, in the Province of Frosinone, Italy, on August 17, 1937. On March 6, 1954, at the age of 17, she entered the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden in Rome, Italy, professing her First Vows on September 12, 1954 and Perpetual Vows on September 8, 1962 in Rome, Italy. At the time of her death, she had been professed for 66 years in religious life. She entered into eternal life on the Feast of the Birth of Mary, one of the congregational feasts of her order, and her 68th anniversary of her Final Profession.

Sr. M. Consolata Paglia was one of the first five missionaries of her Order to arrive in the United States from Italy in 1962 and she became a naturalized citizen in 1968. In her 58 years of ministry here in the United States, she served first as a dietician and chef at Marianapolis Prep School in Thompson, CT. In 1971 she was transferred to Gianelli’s Early Learning Center in Middletown, CT where she served both her religious Sisters and the children at the Center up to the time of her death. Thousands of the children who attended Gianelli’s remember her and the delicious foods she prepared for them. She dedicated these years of her life in service of God’s little ones with exquisite care.

Sr. M Consolata was predeceased by her parents, Gaetano and Paolina Paglia and her 4 brothers and 4 sisters. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, as well as numerous cousins, both in Italy and New York. She is lovingly remembered by former students and their families, her many friends, and especially by the members of her religious family, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden in Middletown (CT), Johnston (RI) and Staten Island (NY). The religious sisters of her community are grateful for the care given to Sr. Consolata by many, especially Franciscan Health and Hospice Care in the last weeks of her life.

Mark R. Russell, 71 passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at his home in Spring Lake, New Jersey.  Mark is survived by his loving wife, Joanne, his mother, Evelyn, his two children, Jessica and Evan (Kristen), step-children, Brian and Taylor Wilson, as well as his younger brother, Jesse (Sunny).  He was the beloved grandfather of Juliana, Meghan, Benjamin, and Kathryn.

 Mark was born on March 30, 1949 in Hartford, Connecticut to Aldo Russell, a US Army Captain and accountant, and Evelyn Richards, a gifted musician and educator. Mark quickly grew to become an ambitious young man.  Feeling that education was most important to meet his academic and career goals, at the age of 14 Mark attended Marianapolis Preparatory School, Thompson Connecticut.  He was successful in this venture, as he was in most things he set his mind to. After completing high school at Marianapolis, Mark went on to graduate from Marquette University and earned a Masters of Health Administration degree from Washington University School of Medicine.  He soon established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of behavioral health and hospital administration.  Mark’s confidence, decisiveness and resolute nature helped him to rise in the business world.  Quickly attaining executive level status, he led an investor team to the acquisition of the largest private psychiatric facility in the US. He then went on to become owner/operator of behavioral health services and advisor to middle market equity funds sector.

 In addition to being a savvy businessman, Mark had an unusual talent for being able to retain and recall minute details in areas of trivia, geography, sports, history and current events.  He had a lifelong thirst for knowledge, was an avid reader, and enthusiastic sports fan and enjoyed the game of golf.  Mark spent a lifetime of summers at a cottage on Lake Chargoggagogg in Webster, Massachusetts.  There, he and his family created countless memories.  Later in life, Mark donated time, expertise and financial support to the Webster Lake Association as well as other philanthropic organizations.

 Mark remained an active part of the Marianapolis community throughout his life.  There, he served on the Board of Directors and taught classes in the business school.  To honor his dedication and legacy, Marianapolis plans to dedicate their school of business and entrepreneurship in his name. This is the first time in the nearly 100 year existence of the school that such an honor has been bestowed.  Mark’s family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be offered to the school he loved so much.

Charles Maurice Shea was born May 8, 1939 in Willimantic, Connecticut. His parents Charles Timothy Shea, Helen Welch Shea and a brother, Michael V. Shea predeceased him.

He passed away peacefully at home on August 20, 2020 from Parkinson’s disease. Charlie graduated from Fordham University in 1960 and while in New York ushered at the Metropolitan Opera which began a lifetime enthusiasm for opera.

Charlie graduated from Georgetown Law School in 1963 and began his law career at the office of the Comptroller of the Currency. In 1966 he became Regional Counsel for the Midwest region of the Comptroller’s office in Chicago. 

He married Mary Gruenheck in 1967 in Longmeadow, Mass during the Blizzard of that year. The couple lived in Lincoln Park where their three children were born, Maura A. Shea, Charles M.B. Shea and Julia Shea Hilmer. They were active in the Old Town Triangle and Art Fair in those early Chicago years.

Charlie served as the attorney for the Beverly Bank on Chicago’s south side making close friendships and business relationships which sustained his practice until retirement. He became involved with community banks in WI, IA, and IL where he served as a director.

The family moved to Wilmette in 1977 where he became active in local issues. He was a lifelong swimmer, global traveler, symphony and opera enthusiast. He used to say a perfect Chicago weekend included the CSO, the Lyric Opera and a Chicago Bears game. 

He enthusiastically completed the Basic Program at the University of Chicago. Charlie was a longtime Cubs fan and enjoyed sharing tickets with friends. A devoted family man, Charlie’s kindness and humor endeared him to his many friends. We were blessed to share our lives with him.