2020

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Alexander Blane, Jr.

December 8, 2020

Alexander Blane Jr., of North Andover, Massachusetts died suddenly on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Known as Alex, he was an accomplished athlete and a congenial companion remembered by his classmates for his easy manner.

 Alex was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland on January 4, 1950, to the late Alexander and Ann (Murray) Blane. In 1951 he emigrated with his parents to the United States to experience the American Dream. His childhood home was Levittown, Long Island where he graduated from Division Avenue High School.

While at Princeton, Alex played football and lacrosse earning a varsity letter. He also played Rugby. Sophomore year, he roomed with Peter Hunter and Greg Magee (D). That year,  he joined with other classmates to reopen Dial Lodge. Junior year he roomed with Dennis Burns ’71, Bill Zwecker ‘71 and Brian McCullough ’71. He majored in Mathematics. 

Following graduation, Alex earned an MBA in Business from Marist College and worked for Mobil Oil Corporation as a senior marketing representative.  His career carried him to Massachusetts eventually making his home in North Andover.  He worked for Charles River Laboratories, American Management Services and eventually Challenger Gray & Christmas.

 A member of Andover Country Club, Alex was an avid golfer who shot an 84—his best round ever just before his death.  He played with his golf group regularly on Wednesday and on Friday would meet friends for lunch at Palmer’s, a local restaurant and tavern.

Alex maintained his passion for lacrosse and officiated high school and collegiate games for more than 30 years earning the respect and admiration of peers, coaches and players. Some of his proudest moments were those spent refereeing with his son and namesake, Alex. He loved local sports and was a devoted fan of University of New Hampshire Football, Merrimack Women's Basketball and University of New England Men's Lacrosse. In addition, he dedicated countless hours at each of his grandchildren's sporting events.

He especially loved traveling with his wife Susan to their home in Naples, Florida. He had a knack for telling long stories and a sincere interest in learning about each and every person with whom he spoke. His beloved Labrador Retriever, Middie, was almost constantly at his side.

Alex is survived by his loving wife of 32 years,  Susan (Kurth) Blane, son, Alex Blane III, his fiancée, Anisia Lundberg; daughters, Kristine Thomas (Matthew) of Chelmsford; Allison Ryan (Sean) of Nashua, New Hampshire; sister,  Eileen Dunn of Ft. Collins, Colorado; brothers, Brian (Kathy) of Parker, Colorado and William (Linda) of Lake Kiowa, Texas; grandchildren, Matthew Jr., Kaylee and Peter Thomas, and Peyton and Nolan Ryan, along with many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours for family and friends is Wednesday, December 16, from 4-7 PM at the Conte Funeral Home at 28 Florence Street in ANDOVER, Massachusetts.  A private service will be held on Thursday, December 17 at 11 AM at Christ Church Andover. Services will be live-streamed on the Christ Church website at www.christchurchandover.org

The Class sends our condolences to the family. 

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Mark Albert Boada

November 11, 2020

Our classmate Mark Albert Boada died suddenly on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, after sustaining a heart attack while cycling with a friend in Tyler State Park, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was 70 years old.

Mark was born in Elizabeth, N.J and came to Princeton from JFK Memorial High School in Metuchen, New Jersey.  At Princeton, he majored in English, was a member of Wilson College and dined at Stevenson Hall. He also participated in the Glee Club.

 After Princeton, Mark earned a Certificate of Marketing from the Columbia School of Business in New York and would earn a stockbroker’s license.

He enjoyed a varied career, which included working as a reporter for The Daily Record of Morristown, N.J., and the Newark Star Ledger. He held public relations positions with Lockheed Martin and Citibank in New York and served as Vice President of Marketing Communications for Merrill Lynch.

Mark worked for CEI Group, Inc. for 11 years as chief writer, editor, and public relations representative, then joined Fleet Management Weekly in 2017 as executive editor.  He was an award-winning writer and a keen observer of politics and government affairs and served as vice-chair of NAFA Fleet Management Association Government Affairs Committee.

Mark and wife Evelyn were longtime residents of Newtown, where they raised their family and are active in the community. He was a member of The Newtown Democrats and Newtown Township Finance Committee. He enjoyed playing soccer, cycling, and many walks in Tyler Park. He was a prolific reader, writer, chess player, and devoted father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Evelyn Christiansen Boada; daughters, Sarah and Lauren Boada, son, Andrew Boada, and daughter-in-law, Helen Miller; his beloved grandchildren, Eli and Nora Momtahan, and Eva Louise Boada; his brothers, Chris, Eric, Jeff, Albert, Larry, Stephen, his sister, Angelica, and step mother, Jean Boada.

Due to health concerns for all, a celebration of life will be planned in the summer of 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Newtown Ambulance Squad: 2651 S. Eagle Rd. Newtown, PA 18940 www.newtownambulance.org, or Anchor House: 482 Centre St. Trenton NJ 08611 www.anchorhousenj.org in memory of Mark Boada.

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Eric A. Melum, MD

November 4, 2020

We received the sad news that Eric Arthur Melum, MD of White Bear Lake, Minnesota died in Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale, MN with his loved ones at his bedside.  His peaceful passing ended a protracted and heroic resistance to a deep seated brain tumor diagnosed in early September of 2018. He is remembered for his affable manner and steadfast commitment to his family and profession.

Eric joined our class from the newly opened John F. Kennedy High School in Bloomington, Minnesota.  Freshman year, he rowed lightweight crew and he roomed with several fellow oarsmen sophomore year.  Tom Hoster recalled

“Eric and I were roommates sophomore year in Holder Hall, along with Jack Griffin, John Callison and Tom Gunn, all of us former freshman lightweight oarsmen.”

Princeton’s Class of ’73 expanded the admission of women and brought Eric the love of his life in Mara Minerva ‘73. Eric and Mara married between junior and senior year, beginning a lifetime of inseparableness. The couple would join the class on several trips including to Shenandoah-Monticello, Napa America’s Cup, and the Czech Republic sojourn.

Eric majored in Philosophy; his thesis is entitled, Relativity and the Reality of Future Events. Following graduation, the couple earned a Masters of Public Administration in 1974 before moving to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota where Eric enrolled in medical school at the University of Minnesota, receiving his degree in 1978.

Eric’s personality, intelligence, strong work ethic, and ability to stay calm under pressure served him well during his career as a respected anesthesiologist. For almost forty years he cared for patients of all ages and backgrounds. He became Chief of Staff of United Hospital in 1992, serving as a mentor, leader and a partner to all those who had the pleasure of working with him. He spent his career as a practicing anesthesiologist in the St. Paul area until his retirement.

 He loved to travel and he also treasured his home on White Bear Lake, MN. In his spare time Eric could often be found golfing, skiing, grilling, boating or relaxing by the water watching the sunset. He was a skilled woodworker, and taught himself how to build everything from Adirondack chairs to a kitchen island. Eric was a chef, a pianist, and an avid reader of history books and suspense novels. He appreciated fine food and cars, enjoyed listening to jazz music, watching classic film noir movies, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Eric is survived and cherished by  his loving wife Mara Minerva Melum ‘73; along with his daughter Arielle and son Daniel Melum ’10  (Faryn); sister Kris; and mother Evelyn Melum. A memorial service for Eric will be streamed live at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85816922988 on Sunday, November 22 at 3:00 PM central standard time from White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church for all who wish to honor Eric and his legacy. Visitation will be postponed until a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Regions Hospital Foundation (640 Jackson St Stop 11202C, St. Paul, MN  55101 or www.regionshospital.com/donate) or to White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church (328 Maple St., Mahtomedi or https://whitebearunitarian.org/donate/).

Eric Melum Celebration of life Nov 22, 2020 here

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Roger McEwan Ferry

April 19, 2020

Roger M. Ferry died of cancer on April 19 at his home near Carlsbad, California.  Though born in California, Roger grew up in Denver and came to Princeton from Culver Military Academy in Indiana.

He roomed with Jeffrey Raub(D)and Douglas Whallon sophomore year. The trio moved to Blair Hall for junior and senior years. Doug recalls Roger as a ”a good, supportive and generous roommate.”  Roger was a member of Terrace Club. He also participated in club sailing. He followed an early interest in design into Architecture but eventually majored in Civil and Geological Engineering. His final project was Land Use and Engineering Studies on the Newark Watershed analyzing several structures.

After graduation he returned to Denver.  His career included work on medical facilities, solar energy projects, military facilities and urban engineering for Newark, NJ. Roger was also a construction manager on the Keystone ski area, Vail, and the renovation of Lower Denver. He then moved to California and a variety of positions with construction companies while he worked on his MBA at San Diego State University.

Roger started the Environmental Risk Group at the Interstate Bank (Los Angeles) in 1988 and eventually joined the Bank of America as assistant manager of the Environmental Services Department supporting risk and liability due diligence for world-wide acquisitions and mergers.

In 2002, he joined Professional Associates Construction Services in San Diego managing projects such as removing the top floors of an office building that exceeded FAA height restrictions near Montgomery Field, ski areas, stadiums, hotels, Symphony Center and other commercial and industrial projects

Roger was an avid golfer, played hockey, and enjoyed skiing with his granddaughter.

In 1984, Roger married Moira McCristal Noonan. He is survived by Moira, their daughter Malia, granddaughter, Emma, brother David and sister Patricia.

The Class sends condolences to the family.