“The Phantom Tollbooth” Author Norton Juster Dies at 91

Norton Juster, author of “The Phantom Tollbooth,” one of the most beloved children’s books of the past century, died March 8, 2021 at his home in Northampton, Massachusetts. The cause was complications from a recent stroke, said his daughter, Emily Juster.

Remembering his friend and collaborator of more than 60 years, “The Phantom Tollbooth” illustrator and Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist Jules Feiffer said: “Norton had a twinkle in his eye from the moment we met. He was one of the quickest, smartest, most immediately engaging people I’ve ever known. His singular quality was being mischievous. He saw humor as turning everything on its head. It’s incredible the effect he had on millions of readers who turned ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ into something of a cult or a religion. There aren’t many people who you can look back and say they made a recognizable and real contribution to our culture. Norton was certainly one of them.”

Juster, who began his career as an architect, called himself “an accidental writer.” Yet, over five decades, he produced many highly regarded titles. He wrote and illustrated “The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics” (1963), which was adapted for the screen by MGM and famed animator Chuck Jones and narrated by Robert Morley. It won the 1965 Academy Award for Animated Short Film. In 2017, it was adapted as a musical piece and performed at Carnegie Hall featuring John Lithgow as narrator.

Juster wrote two picture books illustrated by Chris Raschka and inspired by his granddaughter: “The Hello, Goodbye Window” (2005), which won the 2006 Caldecott Medal for its illustrations, and its sequel, “Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie” (2008). Other books include “So Sweet to Labor (1979: later retitled “A Woman’s Place: Yesterday’s Women in Rural America”), “Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys (1965),” “Stark Naked: A Paranomastic Odyssey (1969),” “Otter Nonsense (1982),” illustrated by his friend, Eric Carle, and “As: A Surfeit of Similes (1989).” In 2010, Juster and Feiffer reunited to write and illustrate “The Odious Ogre.” At the time, Juster quipped, “We realized it was such fun working together that we made a pact: we are prepared to do a new book every 50 years.”  He and Stoo Hample received an Emmy Award for the television production of “Children’s Letters to God.”

Yet, of all his books, “The Phantom Tollbooth” (1961) was beloved to countless fans, some of whom named their children Milo after the main character or proudly showed off tattoos of their favorite character. With its playful language and whimsical drawings, the fantasy adventure tale had a cult-like following among readers of all ages and was frequently compared to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

“Conceived in Brooklyn during the Cold War 1950s, the book is about much more than a bored little boy who travels through a tollbooth to the Lands Beyond to rescue princesses named Rhyme and Reason,” said Hannah Jayanti, director of the 2013 documentary, “The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations.” “It’s also about the value of learning, the state of children’s literature, the creative journey and the importance of the written word.” 

Winner of the George C. Stone Centre for Children’s Books Award, “The Phantom Tollbooth” has been translated into many languages and sold almost four million copies since its initial publication. An animated version of the film was produced in 1970 with a live action version directed by Carlos Saldanha reportedly in the works. The 2008 audiobook is narrated by actor David Hyde Pierce while a 2019 version features actor Rainn Wilson. In addition, Juster collaborated with Sheldon Harnick and Arnold Black on a musical adaptation, which premiered at The John F. Kennedy Center in 2007 and went on to be performed in schools and theaters around the country. 

The 50th anniversary edition of the book features an appreciation by Maurice Sendak (which ran in the 35th anniversary edition as well) with celebratory essays by authors Jeanne Birdsall, Michael Chabon, Suzanne Collins, Philip Pullman and Mo Willems; Harvard Law School Professor Martha Minow; Swedish literary critic and academic Maria Nikolajeva; retired school librarian Pat Scales; and retired teacher Bev Walnoha.

The book’s back story may be as interesting as the book itself and is the topic of Jayanti’s documentary (which is being released this week as a gift to Juster’s many fans). In 1957, when Juster returned to the U.S. after serving in the Navy, he got a grant from the Ford Foundation to write a book about urban perceptions. Instead, he began writing a story about “a boy named Milo who didn’t know what to do with himself—not just sometimes, but always.” The story was based on his own childhood and became “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Juster wrote the book while living in a brownstone in Brooklyn Heights and would share drafts with his housemate, a young Village Voice cartoonist named Jules Feiffer, who started producing sketches to illustrate the text.

Juster recounted how early feedback to the draft was that “the vocabulary was too difficult for children” and “fantasy is bad for children; it disorients them.” This was at a time when the country was preoccupied with improving education and literacy through making learning more accessible and less challenging. Yet when the book was published in 1961, the quirky story with its puns and word play became a hit.

Born on June 2, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, Juster studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. From 1952-53 he was a Fulbright Scholar in city planning at the University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture. After spending three years in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps, he returned to New York to begin his career as an architect by opening his own firm.  He and his life-long friend, Earl Pope, taught design at Pratt Institute and together joined the founding faculty of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1970.  At that time, he moved to Buckland, Massachusetts where he and Pope expanded their architectural practice as Juster Pope Frazier. Projects included buildings on the Hampshire, Smith, and Amherst campuses and buildings for Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

Juster retired from teaching in 1992 and from architecture practice in 1996. Since then, he found great pleasure in writing and speaking at schools, writing conferences and workshops. He serve on the board of Reader to Reader, an organization that supplies books to libraries and schools that do not have funds to purchase their own books. Calling himself “an amateur cook and professional eater,” he also enjoyed long walks and travel, making friends of all ages along the way. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Juster’s wife of 54 years, Jeanne, passed away in 2018. He is survived by his daughter Emily and granddaughter Tori, both of Amherst, as well as several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Juster’s life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Jones Library or to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, both in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Marion Violet Britt Bak passed away peacefully at the Arbors Assisted Living in Amherst, Massachusetts on March 26, 2021. She was a devoted wife of 64 years, a loving mother and fiercely proud grandmother and great-grandmother.   

She was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on July 20, 1926, the daughter of Michael and Alice Britt, two Irish immigrants who instilled in their family a culture of core values: hard-work, modesty and caring for others.      

Marion proudly lived her entire life in Amherst. She attended Amherst grammar schools and graduated from Amherst High School in 1944. She attended the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston. As a young woman, she embraced her sense of fashion and style, working at Peck and Peck Clothing Store in Northampton prior to marriage and starting her family.

She was blessed with an independent Irish spirit, a strong will and a love of her family – a love that was returned 100-fold.  She was predeceased by her husband, John Bak. They enjoyed a long and happy life, working and living side by side together until his death in 2020.   

She was a supportive, protective and loyal mother to her four children, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren (and counting). She was affectionally known as Mimi and Nina to the family that adored her.    

Marion is survived by her four children: Susan Hitchcox of Hadley, Peter Bak and his wife Lauren of Marshfield, MA, Paul Kevin Bak and his wife Emily of Greenfield, MA and Terry Bryson and her husband Neil of Westbrook, ME. In addition, she leaves seven grandchildren: Kristen (Hitchcox) Enright and her husband John, Douglas Hitchcox and his wife Alex, Hilary (Bak) Previte and her husband Jake, Matthew Bak and his fiancé Gina Murray, Kayla (Bak) Interlande and her husband Tony, Abigail Bak and her fiancé Josh Johnson, and Kelly White and her husband Lee Terrazas. Finally, she leaves seven beloved great-grandchildren: John, George and Maxwell Enright, Vivian Previte, Calvin Interlande and Ayer and Leonel Terrazas.

Marion was a well-known resident of the town of Amherst, especially in the Crow Hill neighborhood, where she was considered one of the neighborhood Moms to the multiple children who grew up there. She was a woman of strong faith – a pillar member of Saint Brigid’s Church and a member of the Daughters of Isabella. She was known for her endless hours of volunteering her time for those needing a helping hand.

She had a zest for life. She loved dancing with her friends as a member of the Purple Stars, and spending time with her grandchildren in the backyard around the pool. She was an ardent supporter of their interests, and attended multiple events to cheer on and support them. The family barbeques were some of the happiest moments the family shared.      

Marion was predeceased by her sister Alice Childs, brothers Robert and George Britt of Amherst and Henry Britt of South Deerfield.

The family extends their deep gratitude to all those who took such wonderful care of Marion during her final journey. We will be forever grateful for the care and support extended to her by her loyal caregiver and “adopted daughter”, Beth Bachand.

There will be no calling hours. There will be a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002

Shutesbury – Geraldine L. “Gerri” (Pariseau) Strangman 72, of Shutesbury Ma., passed away peacefully Friday evening, March 19, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Gerri was born February 8, 1949 in Beverly Ma., daughter of the late Alfred F. Pariseau and Emily K. (Moser) Pariseau of Sandown, N.H.

Gerri graduated from Pentucket Regional High School in the class of 1967. She graduated with her LPN in 1989 from the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Nursing Program. Gerri retired from The Center for Extended Care in Amherst, Ma after 30 years of service on the Dharma Unit. She also worked at The Family Garden in North Hadley Ma. Previous to moving to Amherst, Gerri worked at the Hale Hospital in the X-Ray department and the business office at City Hall, Haverhill Ma.

To say that Gerri was an avid shopper would be an understatement. She had many favorite stores that she would frequently visit, there isn’t a sale she could not find or a coupon she could not clip. Her children have fond memories of shopping in stores as Gerri would be more of a kid interacting with the kids and playing with any toys she could find. She had a very carefree and free spirit.

She loved reading, baking and doing puzzles. Her baked goods were shared to many of her friends and family. Gerri was a voracious user of the Spear Memorial Library of Shutesbury. Thank you to the dedicated staff for always providing interesting novels for Gerri to enjoy.

Gerri also enjoyed making crocheted afghans for her family and friends.

Gerri was an avid Boston Celtics and New England Patriots fan, watching many games with family and friends.

Gerri was a member of the Saint Brigid’s Parish in Amherst, Ma.

Gerri is survived by her husband of 39 years Richard J. Strangman Jr., her son, Zachary F Strangman of Shutesbury Ma., and her daughter, Nicole M. Strangman of Concord, N.H., her siblings, Judith McCarthy of Haverhill Ma., Thomas and sister-in-law, Dolli Pariseau, of Colrain, Ma., Susan Bryant of Sandown, N.H. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Gerri is preceded by her sisters, Jane Beverage and Jacqueline Albright.

The Strangman Family would like to thank the Shutesbury EMT’s and the nurses of VNA Hospice for their devotion and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Geraldine’s name to the Cooley Dickinson Cancer Center, VNA Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the Spear Memorial Library of Shutesbury, Ma.

There will be a celebration of Geraldine’s life when it is safe to do so.

Private Services were handled by Douglass Funeral Home of Amherst, Ma. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Gladys H. Beaulieu, age 76, of Amherst passed away at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield on March 19, 2021.  Gladys was born August 13, 1944 in Northampton, MA.  She was a longtime resident of Amherst and worked as a medical receptionist until she retired.

She was the daughter of the late Ampolido (Paul) Battistoni and Helen Tess Zumbruski.  She was predeceased by her brother Paul Battistoni.

Gladys leaves behind her loving husband of 59 years, Robert P. Beaulieu, daughter Veronica Mathews and husband Michael Mathews of Belchertown, son Robert Beaulieu and wife Bonnie Beaulieu of Ware, daughter Margaret Coffey of Amherst, her grandsons Robert Beaulieu of Amherst, Alex Beaulieu of Amherst, Christopher Beaulieu of Ware, and Kyle Coffey of Amherst, granddaughter Raquel Fontaine of Belchertown, as well as 2 great-granddaughters.

She is survived by her sisters RuthAnn Hatt of Shutesbury and Elaine Jarvis of South Hadley and several nieces and nephews.

Gladys was a homemaker at heart and focused her attention on her family and beloved pets.  She was an avid reader, loved crafts, bird watching, camping, gardening and family gatherings.  We will be forever grateful for the years of research she did into our family ancestry and preserving it for us. A graveside service will be held Thursday March 25, 2021 at 11:30 am in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. All social distancing and Covid-19 practices need to be observed.

Robert J. Mikalunas Jr, 51, died unexpectedly Monday March 15, 2021. He was born in Northampton October 16, 1969 to his parents, Robert J. Sr. and Rosalie {Vassallo} Mikalunas. Robert was a graduate of Smith Vocational School in Northampton; he loved fishing especially in the Quabbin Reservoir and his dog Brandy. He is survived by his Father Robert Sr. and Mother Rosalie, nieces; Mikayla and Mackenzie Mikalunas and their mother Kelly Egan, he was loved by many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Robert was predeceased by his brother Michael. A graveside service will be held Tuesday March 23 at 11:30am in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Please practice all social distancing and Covid-19 protocols. 

Benjamin A. Povoli passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 listening to Argentine Folkloric music and surrounded by his family members – his loving wife of 59 years Nora (Nievas) Povoli and children.  He was born in Salta, Argentina on August 26, 1937 to the late Benjamin and Aida (Ansaldi) Povoli.  Benjamin left Argentina in 1970 with his wife and two young boys to seek a better life in the U.S.A.  After settling in Columbus, Ohio and with the generous help from his older sister Dr. Blanca (Povoli) Kent and the stewardship of several wonderful families (Mrs. Doreen and Dr. John Paul King, Drs. Jennie and Morse Smith, Jane and John Dell) Ben and Nora built a life in the suburb of Bexley.  Ben’s family grew to five children.  Throughout his working career as an electronics technician, Ben was celebrated for his strong work ethic and his ability to smile through adversity.  Once retired, he pulled up his roots in the Midwest and moved to Amherst, Massachusetts to help raise his grandchildren (J.B. and Nate Mills).  Ben’s love for cooking soon became the backbone of family gatherings.  His asados and empanadas were coveted treats.  Ben is survived by his wife Nora (Nievas) Povoli, his sister Graciela Povoli, his children Alex Povoli, Dario (Melissa) Povoli, Peter Povoli, Angela (E.J.) Mills, and Christina Povoli, his grandchildren, Candyce, Alexis, Sinjen, Gabriella, Nicholas, J.B., Nate, Benjamin, and Levy, his great-grandchildren, Case, Everly, Heidi, Ellie, Ishla, and beloved nieces and nephews.  Ben was preceded in death by his sisters: Dr. Blanca Kent, the beloved Ana Rivadeneira, Felisa Moran, Ofelia (Povoli) Bett, and his granddaughter Marisa.  The family wishes to extended special thanks to the staff of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital ICU unit for their generous loving care during Ben’s end of life.  Private family Mass.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a memorial contribution to your favorite charity or consider contributing to Ben and Nora’s parish, St. Brigid’s Catholic Church of Amherst, MA. 

Timothy Adrian Westmoreland, 55, died on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.  Born and reared in Dallas, TX, Tim graduated from Skyline High School in 1984. Following high school, he studied physics and taught astronomy at the University of Texas at Arlington under the guidance of Dr. Ulrich Herrmann until lifelong diabetes threatened his eyesight and his ability to pursue the astronomy career he had wanted since elementary school.  Thanks to beloved faculty members Emory and Dorothy Estes, Harry Reeder and Larry Bromley, Tim seamlessly transitioned to a major in English with a minor in philosophy and graduated with honors in 1991.  This new career path led him to Massachusetts, home of his beloved Boston Red Sox, to pursue an MFA in creative writing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he had the privilege of studying with John Edgar Wideman. Amherst became home and Tim lived the remainder of his life there after completing his MFA.

In 1985, Tim’s dear high school friend, Heidi Deuel Lawler, introduced him to her co-worker, and his future wife, Debbie Anthony, at Hastings Records in Mesquite, Texas.  Their mutual love of music–and Debbie’s initiative in asking him out–brought them together for what would be a lifelong love and partnership. Married in 1992, Tim and Debbie never had children, but Tim considered the six bull terriers they had the joy of sharing their lives with–Mary, Annabel, Lyle, Trinity, Betty and Matilda–to be their “fur children” and adored them with all his heart.  Tim and Debbie had a beautiful life together, sharing joy and adventures and always facing Tim’s health challenges as a devoted team.  They were best friends and soulmates.

Despite facing extreme health challenges since childhood, Tim had extraordinary achievements in his life.  He taught astronomy at the University of Texas Arlington at the age of 18 and received the top fellowship for his creative writing submissions to the MFA program at UMass.  While at UMass, his story Near to Gone was selected for Scribner’s Best of the Fiction Workshops 1998 and Darkening of the World was selected for Best New American Voices 2001. Upon completing his MFA, Tim published a very well received collection of short stories, Good As Any, that drew upon his experience with lifelong illness.  Based on his writing, he was named a Dobie Paisano Fellow by the Texas Institute of Writers and was selected as a Distinguished Alumni at the University of Texas Arlington in 2008.  Tim touched numerous lives through his career as a college professor.  He taught creative writing at Hampshire College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  At Indiana University, he taught creative writing and also had the opportunity to work in the Cognitive Science department with one of his early influences, Douglas Hofstadter. Although health issues forced Tim into an early retirement, he never lost his passion for teaching and lifelong learning.

Tim was preceded in death by his mother Mary Louise Smith Westmoreland, his father Harold Westmoreland, and his mother-in-law Kathleen Anthony. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years Debbie Anthony Westmoreland; his sister Pam Westmoreland Wood and husband Gary; his brother Sy Westmoreland and wife Lanetta; his father-in-law Dan Anthony and wife Carolyn; his sister-in-law Marva Adkins and husband David; his brother-in-law Danny and wife Paige; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; his fur children Betty and Matilda; and a multitude of friends. 

At Tim’s request, there will be no funeral service.  For those who want to honor his  memory, please consider donating to the equine therapeutic organization he loved so much:

Courageous Strides

708 Colrain Road, Greenfield, MA  01301

courageous-strides.org

Edward P. Robert died in Keene, NH on March 5, 2021 at the age of 69.

Born in Springfield, MA in 1951 to the late Hubert E. Robert and Marjorie F. (Leddy) Robert, he grew up in Springfield and later Amherst, where he graduated from Amherst Regional High School.

Edward had a successful professional life as computer programmer, working for firms such as Amherst Associates and the Digital Equipment Corporation. In the latter part of his career he specialized in data base management for fund raising purposes, undertaking major projects for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Dartmouth College. Edward retired in 2009.

He last resided in Lebanon, NH, where he found enjoyment in fantasy gaming and exploring Northern New England on bicycle.

Edward leaves a brother, Hubert E. Robert of Amherst, MA and a sister, Suzanne E. Robert of Andover, MA; three cousins, Janet Fuller of Hayesville, NC, Judith Larson of Greenfield, MA, and Richard Tuthill of Essex, VT. He will also be missed by two life-long friends, Deborah Kainauskas of Jacksonville, FL, and Scott Jones of Framingham, MA.

Douglass Funeral Service of Amherst, MA is in charge of arrangements; there are no calling hours. An interment service will take place at the Old Cemetery, Chapin Road, Hampden, Massachusetts on Tuesday, April 27 at 11 a.m. All attending will be asked to wear masks and observe social distancing requirements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 438, Concord, NH, 03301.

Florence Rose Stern, 71, Died Sunday February 28, 2021 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. As a force for justice, honesty and compassion in this world, Flo was a fierce advocate for worker rights. She was born into a leftist political family, which instilled in her a commitment to social justice, on May 8, 1949 to Ralph and Florence Stern. As a student in New York, she quickly became active in the Progressive Labor Party where she developed many lifelong friends as well as a commitment to the working class.

This political affiliation led her to becoming active in her union, Local 215 American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, as a young nurse. She rose through the ranks of the union, rising to president where she was known as a tough negotiator and passionate advocate for her members.  Later she led a campaign to democratize District Council 1707, running unsuccessfully for Executive Director.  She was an active leader and instructor at the Union and College Educators Association Northeast Summer School where she met her wife, Nancy. Soon after meeting her, she joined her in Amherst, where she continued to do union work for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 285, Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) and the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2322. Flo has served on many boards, including the Town of Amherst Personnel Board, the Amherst Town Meeting, and the Boards of the Jewish Community of Amherst and the World Fellowship Center in Conway NH.

Nancy and Flo raised three children in the Pioneer Valley Cohousing Community, in Amherst and she became a well loved mother figure to Nancy’s extended family of children.

Flo is survived by her sister Lisa Frohne and close cousin Marian Morvillo, as well as daughters, Jaye and Natasha Stern of Amherst, and son Michael deProsse of New London Ct.  She is also survived by Nancy and Flo’s extended family of children, Iyamoro Baker and wife Davida Baker of Belmont New Hampshire, Mishiara Baker of San Francisco, and Kelly Orlando Gonzalez and her husband Steve Gonzalez; as well as grandsons: Isaiah, Emet, Micah, Ahmed, Adam, Xander, Carter and Julian, and granddaughters Jaeliese, Kaelen, Silin, Lanny, Elodie, Dahlia, and Jasmin. She is predeceased by her brother Steve Stern and extended family daughter, Kathy Alasfoury.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Amherst Survival Center or the Jewish community of Amherst in memory of Flo.  A private graveside service will occur at the Jewish Community of Amherst cemetery, and a ZOOM Shiva will be led by Rabbi Ben Weiner of the JCA.

N.J. Demerath III (a.k.a. Jay), devoted father, husband, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away on February 5, 2021. He was a cheerful and positive presence, and took delight in people of all kinds. He would greet people at the door with a hearty, “Well, look who’s here!”  He was a researcher, a writer, an administrator, and always a teacher – constantly trying to help his sons be more concise writers, more interesting conversationalists, and better close harmony singers. He also wanted them to develop jump shots and spin serves.

Born in 1936 in Boston, Jay attended the Lawrenceville School, and then Harvard College, where he met his wife Judy Richie Demerath in the glee club. He earned his PhD at University of California, Berkeley. He first taught at University of Wisconsin – Madison, where his Introduction to Sociology course, taught with lifelong friend Gerry Marwell, was picked up by Wisconsin Public Radio. After serving as Chair of the Department of Sociology at Wisconsin, he accepted a two year stint as Executive Director of the American Sociological Association, and in 1972 he became Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he would remain for rest of his career. 

The common focus of over a dozen books, and countless articles and presentations was how religion and politics intersected. He first explored this in the American civil rights movement after gaining permission from Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young. The book that emerged from the study, written with Gerry Marwell and Mike Aiken, was entitled, Dynamics of Idealism: White Activists in a Black Movement (1971). After numerous other projects, including a local case study of Springfield, MA, with Rhys Williams (1992), Jay took his interests to a much broader scale, undertaking a global comparison of 14 secular states that allow for religious politics. He published his findings in Crossing the Gods: World Religions and Worldly Politics (2001). Jay was also a forerunner in the study of the non-religious. He coined the term “sacralization” to refer to “the process by which the secular becomes sacred or other new forms of the sacred emerge” (2007, p.66). Later in his career he became the Emile Durkheim Distinguished Professorship of Sociology at UMass.

He relished wordplay. When he retired, he changed the title in his email signature from “Distinguished” to “Extinguished” Professor. He was a loyal friend, corresponding with, hosting, visiting, and supporting, people from all over the world, and from the many different chapters of his life. A life-long New England sports fan, his sons are still coming to terms with the fact that his favorite Boston Celtic was Danny Ainge. He was a stylish and vigorous dancer. His partners often left the floor with wan smiles as though they had just successfully survived a cycle in the washing machine. But Jay knew we all deserved credit for surviving the cycles of life’s washing machine. He was an unabashedly enthusiastic cheerleader of his sons, daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and friends; sharing their latest news and exploits with all who would listen. 

Jay was predeceased by his loving wife Judy, who passed away in 2011, and to whom he was devoted during their 51 year marriage. He will live on in the hearts and minds of his sons and their wives, Loren and Janine, Peter and Ellen, and Ben and Mary; his brother Jeff and his sister Julie; and his grandchildren, Oliver, Rafaela, Olivia, Emma, Gus, Annie, Sophia, and Jacoby. 

There will be a virtual memorial for Jay via zoom on March 13 at 4 p.m. EST.  Donations in his name may be made to the American Friends Service Committee (www.afsc.org), or the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (sssreligion.org).  His family would also cherish your thoughts and memories of him.