obits

Barbara S. Brannen

Barbara S. Brannen, a resident of Lincoln for over 50 years, died of cancer February 16 at the age of 83.

Brannen grew up in Olympia, Wash., and attended the University of Washington. After moving to Massachusetts with her husband Buz in 1957, she taught home economics in Newton and at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in the 1960s and 70s. Later, she was an award-winning weaver of rugs; she also ran the Grain Exchange Gallery in Boston.

In Lincoln, Brannen served on the Lincoln Cultural Council and as the chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Brannen was a great lover of art and music, particularly Italian art and opera. She was a devoted gardener, creating lush vegetable gardens and elegant flower gardens wherever she lived. She and Buz, who celebrated their 60th anniversary last Thanksgiving, traveled extensively, taking countless trips to Italy. Most of all, she enjoyed the beauty of nature and wilderness. She had a special fondness for the coast of Maine, where she and her family sailed and boated for decades.

As well as her husband, Brannen leaves two daughters, Sarah and Jennie; two granddaughters, Katherine and Lizzie; and four sisters. As per her wishes, there will be no memorial service. Donations in her memory may be made to Island Heritage Trust, P.O. Box 42, Deer Isle, ME 04627.

Marilyn Kasputys

Marilyn Kasputuys, 80, an accomplished ice dancer, passed away during the Super Bowl on February 5. When the Patriots came from behind in overtime to win, her children attributed it to their mother’s influence from beyond, as described in this Boston Globe article.

There will be a service on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. the First Parish in Lincoln for Michael Lytton, who died suddenly of an aortic dissection on December 5 at the age of 59. You can read his obituary here. There will be a short reception after the service at Bemis Hall.

 

 

 

Peter Pantazelos, 85 (November 26) — Executive nice president and CFO of Thermo Electron for 40 years.

Edward Gerrig, 87 (November 14) — husband of Bernice “Bunny” (Hoffman) Gerrig; resident at The Commons.

Mary T. Tori, 90 (November 17) — wife of the late John E. Torri, great-grandmother of five.

 

Alan Krentzel, 65 (November 3) – computer information consultant; tai chi and qigong teacher.

John P. Kennedy, 80 (October 15) — former accountant and St. Joseph’s Church congregant.

Larry Kroin, 70 (September 29) — former owner of kitchen and bath design firm.

Elizabeth Marble, 82 (September 12) — former teacher at Magic Garden Children’s Center in the early 1990s.

Edna Grason, 96 (July 11) — Lincoln historian and co-founder of Grason-Stadler, Inc.

John Stankard, 48 (July 9) — worked in the family excavating business, Stankard Excavation in Lincoln.

Family and friends are welcomed to gather for a remembrance for Joseph Rosen on Friday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Joe was a long-time board member of The Food Project, for which the family has requested donations in lieu of flowers.

Christopher “Kit” Carmody, 77 (August 2) — held positions in banking; former president and board member at Codman Community Farms.

Myra Beecher, 81 (August 8) — artist and mother of five.

Lincolnites are invted to a memorial service at Bemis Hall in honor and remembrance of Haskel Straus on Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Haskel passed away on February 3, 2016 after a long illness. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 9, 1950 to the late Velma Lukko and Haskel Strausberg. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Barbara Owens Straus, as well as many beloved relations and friends.

Haskel graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the City College of New York in 1971 with a B.A. in mathematics. After graduation, he entered U.S. Navy Officer Training School in Newport, R.I., where he studied aircraft maintenance and student training. During his service in the Navy, he served on aircraft carriers in both Europe and Asia, eventually achieving the rank of commander.

From active duty in the U.S. Navy, Haskel moved to Silicon Valley and worked as a private pilot, software developer and instructor, real estate broker and eventually worked for the author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. He moved back to Massachusetts in 1990 to start a Robbins Sales Training Center. Haskel’s next successful career was a software developer.

Haskel truly loved the town of Lincoln and devoted his time to many local activities, including the Alliance for Democracy, the Labyrinth Society, and the Alan Watts Fellowship. Haskel was a contributing member on the board of the Friends of the Lincoln Library and taught personal growth classes at the Council on Aging.

Haskel believed in the intrinsic goodness of all people and devoted his time and energy to helping others expand their human potential. The fact that Haskel was a natural teacher—coupled with his amazing sense of delight, worldliness, intellect, humor and kindness—brought out the very best in him as well as others. Haskel enjoyed life to the fullest and never lost his childlike sense of natural joy and happiness. Of course, he devoted himself to his students as he taught personal classes covering spirituality and enlightenment. Haskel was also an avid line dancer and loved the company of fellow dancers. He enjoyed being the lone male dancer in his group; accordingly, the group named itself “Haskel and his Twinklelettes.”

In addition to his many generous gifts, Haskel had a charismatic personality and was incredibly kind. He was in love with life and enjoyed the beauty and diversity of all living things. Haskel was also known for his great sense of humor. The very first time he met his wife Barbara’s parents, he brought sparklers and firecrackers, he announced, “because it is a cold night in February” as he urged everyone to go outside and set them off. Haskel did this just to make everyone smile.

A favorite quote: “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” (Simone Weil)

Haskel loved people and being with others. What an honor he would have felt that his friends and loved ones acknowledge how much they miss his bright smile and bright spirit. We all miss you, Haskel!

— Submitted by Sally Kindleberger