| TAFT, Frank S., Jr. 80, a lifelong resident of Newton died on April 20, 2010, after a long illness. Son of the late Frank and Gertrude Taft, he is survived by his sister, Susan Taft Brower and her husband John, of East Brunswick NJ, his brother, Daniel H. Taft and his wife Barbara, of Arlington VA, seven nieces and nephews, and twenty grand nieces and nephews. Mr. Taft was an Assistant and Instructor at the Newton YMCA until his retirement in 1995. Prior to that, he taught U.S. History and coached football at Brennan Junior High School in Attleboro. He resided at the Stone Institute in Newton Upper Falls. Mr. Taft graduated from Newton High School in 1947, then Boston College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received a Master's degree in Education from Suffolk University in 1957. After graduation from Boston College, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Security Agency, and during the Korean War, he served as a communications intelligence analyst near the front line. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1321 Centre Street, Newton Centre, on April 23, 2010, at 10AM. The family will be receiving friends at the church from 9AM until the time of Mass. Interment will be at Holyhood Cemetery, 587 Heath St., Chestnut Hill. Burke & Blackington Funeral Home West Newton. The Boston Globe www.boston.com Frank was a life-time member of ASA Korea since 1996 and served with the 501st CRG. His family recently submitted photos (including names) of the 501st football team that won the championship in 1952. See the photos on our Members Memories Page. http://www.asakorea.org/TaftsPhotos.html Condolences may be sent to his sister, Susan Brower, 129 Ainsworth Ave., East Brunswick, NJ 08816 |
| Howard (Sandy) R. Helfand, 78, of Upper Saddle River, passed away Sunday, February 20 after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his brother, Fredrick, in 1985. Sandy leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Sydney Sue (nee Behrman), as well as dear family and friends. Sandy grew up in New York and graduated from NYU. He served in the Korean War, in the ASA from 1952-55 with the 330th Communications Reconnaissance Company. He was a life member of the Army Security Agency Korean War Veterans Association and served as Vice President and Membership Chair. Following his time in the army, he worked for the government for 25 years. His great love, however, was the time he spent at Northern Highlands Regional High School. Sandy joined the faculty as a substitute teacher, where he became a regular fixture in the classroom, as much beloved by the students he worked with as by his colleagues. After a time, he used his business skills to assist and later lead an extracurricular program in Business and Marketing (DECA), which he has done for the last 16 years. Visitation will be at the Helfand’s home (10 Weiss Road, Upper Saddle River) Tuesday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 23 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sandy’s name to The Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 or The Sandy Helfand Scholarship fund at NHRHS, 298 Hillside Avenue, Allendale, NJ 07401. Sandy has served as our Vice-President and Membership Chair since 1997. He was also our go-to guy for legal and tax matters. Sandy served on our Board of Directors and never missed a reunion since 1997. Please enjoy his photos taken on a tour of Korea in 2008 on the ASA Korea Website at http://www.asakorea.org/SouthKoreaTrip/index.html. |