Alumni News Archive

Class of 2012 alumnus Curtis Antrum graduated from the University of Connecticut with his Ph.D., in Health Promotion Sciences. He is now focusing on pursuing postdoctoral opportunities in health policy research.

William "Bill" Ostrander of Clinton, Conn., died peacefully on May 24 at the age of 83.

Kathryn "Kathy" Griffin Coppola, of North Haven, died on May 22. She was 72. Kathy is survived by her husband of 40 years, Jeffrey Coppola.

Kathy was a longtime administrative staff person, having started at Hamden Hall in 1978. She began as a medical secretary and assistant during the 1978-1979 school year and eventually served as the administrative assistant to the Director of Lower School. Kathy became the assistant to the headmaster in 1993 under Jim Maggart and continued in that position for more than two decades. She completed her service to Hamden Hall during the 2016-2017 school year. Kathy established friendships with myriad alumni after they graduated from our halls, and remained connected up until the time of her passing. 

Kathy loved to spend time with family and friends. Besides her husband, she is survived by three of her eight siblings, including her brother, Peter Griffin, a former Hamden Hall staff member, sister-in-law, Beth Paradis Griffin, Class of 1972, also a former Hamden Hall staff member; her nephew, Varsity lacrosse and Wrestling Coach Kiernan Griffin, Class of 2000, and her niece, Cameron Griffin Porter, Class of 2011. She was also a great aunt to former student Nelly Griffin. 

Hamden Hall extends deep condolences to Jeff and family during this difficult time.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 4 - 7 p.m., at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. A Service celebrating her life will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. 

To read full obituary, please click here. 

Kathy's niece, Cammie Griffin Porter, Class of 2011, eulogized Kathy. Click here to read.

Rolf C. Margenau of Bethlehem, Penn., died peacefully at his home on February 13 at the age of 90. Rolf was a non-graduating student in the Class of 1952. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Hamden Hall alumna Nancy McKinster Margenau, Class of 1952, three daughters, four grandsons, and three great-grandsons.

Jeryl "Jeri" Vets Gagliardi-Levy died peacefully, in New Haven, on April 23, at the age of 90. 

Class of 1982 alumnus Rob Chapman married Sue Collin last month and had a little help from his Hamden Hall friends. The ceremony was officiated by Class of 1984 alumna Stephanie Zanker-Rivera, who was recently sworn in as a Justice of the Peace. 

Class of 1985 alumna Ellen Astrachan-Fletcher, PhD, FAED, CEDS-C, has made a career of helping individuals, families, and organizations cultivate resilience. Based outside of Chicago, Ellen just established two new psychology consulting businesses.

Martha "Molly" Palmer Mithoefer, Class of 1968, of Trescott Township, Maine, died on April 22, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. 

It was recently brought to our attention that Hamden Hall alumna, Karly Elizabeth Mossberg, Class of 2005, unexpectedly passed away on September 10, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The love of sports and strategic thinking led Class of 2014 alumna Sara Bennett to her new position with the National Hockey League (NHL) as she is the new senior manager of digital innovation and growth strategy for the NHL.

Cooper Woolston, son of Hamden Hall Alumna, Robyn Ramsey, Class of 1973, has died. He was a former lacrosse star, coach, and inspirational figure in the Seattle community.

1995 classmates Lou Mangini, Ian Alderman, and David Solomon were joined by Class of 1997 alumnus Colin Caplan at a fundraiser last month at BAR New Haven for A Broken Umbrella Theatre’s upcoming production of Family Business: (A)Pizza Play.

Class of 1995 alumna Jennifer Olayon, and her husband Adam Galinsky, are living, working, and traveling the world — Singapore, Honolulu, and New York City. Along the way, they’re also raising two boys and learning from them.

Former faculty member, Robert Wallace McClenahan Jr., died on March 22, in Barnstable, Mass., at the age of 90.

Class of 2022 alumna Ava Vingiano is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in registered nursing from Clemson University and recently shared that she secured a summer position in her field.

Gregory "Greg" Sawyer, Class of 1989, of Hamden, Conn., died of sudden heart failure at home on January 21. He was 53.

Robert "Bob" Louis Garofalo of Woodbridge died peacefully at his home on March 18, surrounded by his loving family.

Growing up playing and watching sports, Class of 2018 alumnus Michael Johnson II knew his career would involve that passion, and he is now working towards his master’s degree in sports management.

Class of 2008 alumna Alexa DellaRocco married Krystin Rothenberger on February 21. The wedding took place at the Casa Feliz Historic Museum in Winter Park, Fla., which is known for its beautiful brick architecture.

Class of 2009 alumna Nicole Anastasio and husband Lou Negri welcomed the birth of twin boys, Luca and Santino, to their family in January. The boys join their big sister Isabella, who is now two years old.

Alumnus David Bender, Class of 1970, of Westbrook, Conn. died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 1.

The passion for the game of basketball has transcended into business management and the opportunity to teach youth for Hamden Hall alumni Alejandro L. Pabon-Rey 2011, Michael DiMartino 2016, and Victor “Vic” Joshua Jr. 2012, as they work together at The Lab Branford.

Class of 1974 alumnus Prof. John Abelson is now able to focus on his love of the humanities as he embarks on a journey of discovery in retirement following a long-standing career in education.

Class of 1984 alumni Austin Baskett and Tom Greiner took on the waves during a recent outing in the island of Bonaire.

The beauty and creative nature of the arts has allowed Class of 1972 alumna Jill Medvedow to build a life full of transformative experiences. As she is in the process of navigating a career shift, Jill shared parting wisdom from a lifetime of modern art.

An early interest in computers and an unwavering curiosity of how they work led Class of 1997 alumnus Matthew “Matt” Ahrens to an engineering career in the area of file systems management at high-tech companies.

This is the third and final part of my blog series on returning to Hamden Hall as the new Director of Alumni Relations. I’ve covered Hamden Hall’s past (my past) and present, but I now want to look into the future.

Matthew Kennedy, of New Haven, alum from the Class of 1997, died over this past weekend.

Class of 2013 alumnus Jamie DeNicola built a transformative career as a broker in New York City real estate, but has shifted gears to tackle sustainability and energy efficiency challenges within the industry as the founder and chief revenue officer of Source Forward.

Joan Rice Douglas Gordon, Hamden Hall alumna from the Class of 1945, died on July 1, 2024,  in Jacksonville, Fla. She was 95.

Class of 2005 alumnus Christopher “Chris” Wang assists clients in sourcing new investment opportunities across the office, industrial, and multifamily sectors in the commercial real estate business for Parkway in Miami, Fla.

Understanding the financial landscape and precious metals industry has allowed Class of 2009 alumnus Jacob “Jake” Gottlieb to not only join the family business, but successfully lend his expertise to clients as the vice president of finance at Colt Refining, Inc.

George H. Romania, 65, of Cheshire, died peacefully on December 25, with his family by his side, ending his long battle with MSA. 

Advocacy in action is the blueprint for Class of 1984 alumna Stephanie Zanker-Rivera as she works to help others in her role  as a behavioral health clinical manager with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. She also serves as the Director of the Young Parents Program.

Carol M. Merrill, 87, died peacefully with her family beside her on December 19, 2024, after a brief hospitalization.

Thomas "TG" Sullivan III, Class of 1987, passed away on December 14, 2024. 

Former faculty member Thomas Butler, 77, passed away on January 2 in Ithaca, N.Y. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Joyce Ryan, and his son, Nick, who is a Hamden Hall alumnus of the Class of 2000.

Class of 2011 alumna Morgan Massey and husband Neville Graham welcomed their first child, son Logan Neville Graham.