by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 13, 2025 | In Memoriam
Lowell S. “Bud” Brooks, Jr., 90, of Allendale, NJ, passed away on August 13, 2025, in Allendale, NJ. He was born in Kingston, New York, in 1934, alongside his identical twin brother, Lynn, to his parents, the late Margaret and Lowell S. Brooks, Sr.
He attended Kingston High School, where he was on the ski team and began his lifelong service with the National Ski Patrol. A graduate of Norwich University (1957) and later Fairleigh Dickinson University (MBA, cum laude, 1968), Bud served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before beginning a distinguished career in engineering, information systems, and business management, retiring from Cytec Industries in 1999.
In 1963, Bud married Ellen Schutz, and together they raised two children, Lowell “Scott” and Amy, in Allendale, where they lived for over 50 years. Bud was a devoted husband and lovingly cared for Ellen in her final years, as she battled Alzheimer’s, until her passing in 2018.
He was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Allendale Planning Board for 18 years, as an Elder at Highlands Presbyterian Church, and with the Holiday Observers. Summers were spent in Weekapaug, RI, where Bud was an active member of the Weekapaug Yacht Club, the Watch Hill Yacht Club, as well as a former longtime member of the Weekapaug Golf Club.
A lifelong skier and patroller, he served 57 years with the National Ski Patrol achieving Lifetime Membership and received numerous honors, including National Appointment #2780, a National Certificate of Appreciation, and the Patriot Star.
Bud is survived by his children, Scott and his wife Gretchen (Ede), and Amy and her husband Jay Sarzen; his grandchildren, Charlie Brooks, Maggie Brooks, and Andrew Sarzen, his twin brother, Lynn, as well as other beloved family members.
He will be remembered for his devotion to family, his service to church and community, and his lifelong love of skiing, sailing, and golf. At the end of his life, he considered himself to be one of the most fortunate people in the world.
A visitation with Bud’s family was held at the VanderPlaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff, NJ on Thursday, September 4, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Weekapaug Chapel in Weekapaug, RI in the Spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Weekapaug Chapel, Weekapaug, RI.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 13, 2025 | In Memoriam
David R. Hanning, an alumnus of the Swain Ski Patrol in Swain, New York, died July 13, 2025 at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Greece, NY at the age of 98.
David joined the National Ski Patrol in 1964 and patrolled for 40 years, serving with distinction as an Assistant Patrol Director, Membership Chairman, Outdoor Emergency Transportation and Mountain Travel and Rescue instructor, and Western New York Region Chairlift Evacuation Program Administrator.
He became a senior patroller in 1966 after passing the senior ski & toboggan test during the blizzard of 1966 that left all the senior candidates and examiners stranded in the storm and unable to travel home for two days.
For his ski patrol leadership and dedicated service to the skiing public he received National Appointment Number 7099 in 1989 and the National Ski Patrol Distinguished Service Award in 2004. Upon his ski patrol retirement, the David Hanning Commendation Award was established in his honor to be awarded for cumulative career contributions to the Swain Ski Patrol.
In 1998, David initiated and managed the dedication ceremony and installation of graveside granite stones and brass plaques he had designed to commemorate Minnie Dole’s founding of the National Ski Patrol and the 10th Mountain Division. He arranged for the presence of NSP officials and 10th Mountain Division soldiers as well as members of the Dole family at the Paul Smiths, NY, cemetery celebration and co-authored an article describing the event that was published in the Fall 1998 Ski Patrol Magazine.
David was born in Saranac Lake, NY in 1927 and enlisted in the army upon high school graduation in 1945. Assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, he was sent to Yale University to study Japanese and was deployed to post-war Japan to interpret for army engineers overseeing the dismantling of fortifications and to inspect manufacturing plants for detection of munitions and weapons assembly.
Upon his return to the states, he served in the Army Reserve 98th Infantry Division and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He worked at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY for 34 years retiring in 1986 as Unit Director of the Materials Management Division.
David was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, and skiing. His hunting excursions included many trips out west in search of big game and birds with fellow patrollers and hunters.
He was an avid America’s Cup fan and traveled to Newport, RI to experience crewing the Weatherly after that vessel’s retirement from racing. David was a long-time member of the Rochester Ski Club, completing many of their trips over the years, especially his favorite annual trek to Sunday River.
David was preceded in death by his wife Jean Conheady Hanning, his eldest son, Paul Hanning, and his two stepsons Steven and Scott (Trucker) Wright. He is survived by his wife Korleen Dickinson, his son Stephen (Donna) Hanning, daughter Shauna (Ernest) Newcomb, daughter Maura (Kenneth) Hanning Sims, stepchildren Sheryl (Earl) Dunbar and Shellee Wright, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
David’s exemplary ski patrol accomplishments made him an inspiring role model for young patrol candidates and seasoned patrollers alike. David was a loyal friend to his fellow patrollers and his engaging personality, quick-witted humor, admirable leadership, and personal generosity will be remember fondly by all who knew him.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 13, 2025 | In Memoriam
John K. Jepson, Sr. of Simsbury, CT, the former husband of Anne M. T. Jepson and Andi Thorne Jepson passed to be with his Lord on July 23, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents John Jepson and Clarice Kincaide Jepson and is survived by his brother, Henry Lincoln Kincaide Jepson (Vicki) and his two sisters, June C. Jepson and Esther G. Gomez (Richard).
He is also survived by his three children, John K. Jepson Jr. (Kara), Jeffrey F. Jepson (Donna), and Kristin J. DuBois (William), his three stepsons, Greg Thorne, Rick Thorne (Jennifer), and Dan Thorne ( Michelle), and his thirteen grandchildren, Nicole Wolter (Matt), Ashleigh Jepson, Laura Jepson, Grace Trainer (Bennett), Emma McMahon (Dylan), Lincoln Jepson, Austin DuBois, MacKenzie DuBois, Caroline DuBois, Grant DuBois and Keegan DuBois, Alexa Thorne and Zachary Thorne.
John was born in Hartford, CT, attended Kingswood High School in West Hartford, and graduated high school from Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT. He briefly attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO before transferring and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from St. Lawrence University. He later attended the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Law School where he earned his law degree.
While at St. Lawrence, he started his long military career by completing the Reserve Officer Training Corp program where he earned a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, Infantry branch.
He lived, worked, and served most of his years in Simsbury, CT. In 2004, the town of Simsbury recognized his exemplary civil service by giving him one of its highest awards, the “Hometown Hero Award” recognizing John for his many years of exemplary community service.
John was an attorney by trade working for 13 years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut. He also served a number of years as the head of the Legal Department for the nation’s oldest bank, Connecticut Bank & Trust. He completed his legal career in solo private practice. While practicing, he served both as an Adjunct Professor of Law at UCONN Law School and as Chairman of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Veteran’s and Military Affairs Committee.
John had a heart for service and was a perennial volunteer. He served in the United States Army Reserve for 32 years retiring at the rank of Colonel. During his military service, he held four different commands, served as the 76th Training Division’s Public Affairs Officer, its Inspector General, and in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps.
John also volunteered as national legal counsel for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) advising and protecting the rights of our country’s “citizen soldiers” and veterans. He served on the national board for the Reserve Officer’s Association and was highly decorated with its highest award, the Legion of Merit.
John had a love for skiing and skied competitively in both high school and college. He served on the National Ski Patrol for 53 years with most of those years at Butternut Basin in Great Barrington, MA and was the Western Mass Region Legal Advisor. In his later years, he also became certified as a ski instructor where he was able to share his passion with others.
John loved music and served as a long-time board member and former Chairman of the Hartford Symphony and founded its Volunteer Association. He was one of the founding board members of the Talcott Mountain Music Festival in Simsbury, CT. Each year, the festival brings the Hartford Symphony and many other wonderful artists to Simsbury creating a community cultural event the entire town looks forward to.
John was a 50-year member of the Connecticut Chapters of both the Masonic Temple and the Shriner’s Organization and kept a long-standing family tradition by maintaining membership in the Royal Order of Jesters.
The family held a private service with full military honors at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT on August 8, 2025, where John was laid to rest with his late wife, Andi Thorne Jepson. In lieu of flowers, John requested that donations be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital of New England, 516 Carew Street, Springfield MA 01104 or shrinerschildrens.org.
The family expressed their extreme gratitude to all the healthcare workers and employees of Avon Health Center in Avon, CT who provided such professional and loving care for their father over these past years. To leave condolences for the family please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
by Joe Probst, Holiday Mountain Ski Patrol | Sep 13, 2025 | In Memoriam
Stanley J. Klima, age 94, has finished his last run. He passed away August 14, 2025, the same way he came into the world – at home. He was the son of Albert and Stella (Chojnacki), the beloved husband of 59 years to Mary Ellen (nee Maher), and loving father to Catherine Gletherow (Jamie), John (Jill), Mary Lynn Golliher (Doug), Carol Auth (Rodney), and Jim (Angela). Stanley (Stash) was an U.S. Army veteran, NASA engineer, and an avid skier.
Stash was always slightly amazed at how his life turned out. Hailing from the small town of Buck Lake in Michigan’s upper peninsula, his military service showed him the world. When he returned home, the GI Bill paved the way for him to go to Michigan Technological University, leaving work on the family farm and in the mines. He landed a job at the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio where he worked as a metallurgical engineer on research and testing that was used in the space program.
He was heard to say, “Hard work pays off, but you still need a little bit of luck.” Stash spent over 50 years volunteering for the National Ski Patrol working at both Brandywine Ski Resort in Ohio and Holiday Valley Ski Resort in New York.
Always eager to make one more turn, he was fond of telling friends and family that “some of the best skiing is in the rain” – a not-so-subtle reference to that fact that east coast skiers were a hardy breed and love of skiing overrode snow conditions.
Stash has nine grandchildren – Travis Auth (Maggie), Marin Auth, Hallie Auth, Julia Auth, Isabel Auth, Luke Klima, Kate Klima, Wesley Golliher, and Owen Golliher – and one great-grandchild – Dorothy Auth.
He was the brother of Nancy Horansky and the late Eleanor Boehm, Albert Klima, Mary Stanek, Jean Musial, Violet Miller, Frank Klima, Walter Klima, Ed Klima, and Leonard Klima.
by Laura Tucker, Editor | Jul 4, 2025 | In Memoriam
Fred joined the National Ski Patrol in 1984. From that date forward, he actively participated on all levels to better his patrol, his region, and his division. He acquired his Senior Patroller status in 1989 and immediately became a Senior OEC Trainer/Evaluator. He continued to maintain this status until he retired from patrolling, though his responsibilities grew over the years.
He was the editor of Toboggan Run, the Western Mass Region newsletter (1990-94), OEC Coordinator (1992-2000), 990 IRS 990 Return Coordinator (1997-99), Region Coordinator for Senior OEC Trainer/Evaluator Recertification (1998), and Assistant Region Director (1993-2000).
Fred held numerous positions of leadership and responsibility. He was the “go-to” guy who could always be depended upon for positive results. For six years, Fred was the Western Massachusetts Region Director. He took the position over in 2000 when the region was fragmented. His organizational and “people” skills brought the region and its patrols together and its programs thrived.
As Region Director, he served on the Eastern Division Board of Directors. He chaired the Finance Committee, which include the Investment Committee. Under his leadership, the following were accomplished:
• simplified ED investments,
• reduced investment costs,
• improved return on investments,
• dedicated percentage of investment income to support of programs,
• codified an Eastern Division investment policy/guideline, and
• selected and hired a single financial advisor/broker to implement investment policy/guidelines.
In 1992, Fred received the Western Mass Region Director’s Award. He was honored to be awarded National Appointment #9264 in 2000 and the NSP Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
Fred worked in the coatings industry his whole career, selling everything from kitchen cabinet finishes to military spec coatings for submarines. He finished out his career working for Sherwin Williams power coating division for over 25 years and retired in 2008.
Besides skiing, Fred loved camping, travel, music, and boating; anything from sailing a canoe to five years enjoying his pwer catamaran “Cat’s Paw.”
Fred is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue; daughter, Kristen Tucker; son, Matthew; grandchildren Emma, Jakob, Alyssa, Holden, and Tanner; great-grandchild, Asher; and his sister, Barbara Wilson.
Condolences may be sent to 3351 Campbell Road, Mountain City, TN 37683.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Jun 5, 2025 | In Memoriam
Donald Gardner Hicks Jr., 84, of Leominster, passed away on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, after a brief illness with his family by his side. He was born in Lowell, MA on December 12, 1940, to Donald G. Hicks and Mary S. (Gillespie) Hicks. He received his education at Lowell High School, Lowell State College, Lowell Commercial College, and the University of Massachusetts. In 1959, he began his banking career at The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell. He held several positions over the years at various community banks, including Worcester North Savings Bank in Fitchburg, before retiring as President & CEO of Reading Cooperative Bank in 2002.
Active in professional organizations during his career and leadership positions of multiple community organizations, he was a longtime member of Pilgrim Congregational Church of Leominster, serving over the years as Deacon, Trustee, and Treasurer.
He began his Freemasonry journey as a member of Lowell DeMolay. In 1962, he became a Master Mason at Wamesit Lodge in Tewksbury. In addition to holding multiple positions in various affiliated masonic bodies, he served as Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts from 2002 to 2004.
Don was an avid skier for over 60 years, right up until his illness this year. He enjoyed many ski trips with his children, grandchildren, and many other family members and countless friends over the years. He joined the National Ski Patrol in 1973 as a patroller and later served as Wachusett Mountain Patrol Director, EMARI Region Director, and Eastern Division Treasurer. He was awarded National Appointment 7020 for “Demonstrated Qualifications of Ability and Leadership” in 1988 and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1999. He remained an alumni member after retiring from active patrolling.
He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Nancy (Sargent) Hicks; a daughter, Karen and her husband Grant Thorne; a son, Andrew and his wife Patricia (Kane); a grandson, Brandon Thorne and his wife Meredith (Carr); two granddaughters, Emily Thorne and Megan Hicks; a great-grandson, Aiden Thorne; a brother, David and his wife Susan (Penney); and a brother-in-law Paul Sargent and partner Sandra Bogan, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his adopted brother, Arthur Iverson.
A Masonic Service was held at Wamesit Masonic Lodge in Tewksbury on April 22. The funeral service was held at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Leominster on April 24, followed by the burial in Lowell.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Masonic Education & Charity Trust, The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, or Pilgrim Congregational Church Food Pantry in Leominster.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Apr 15, 2025 | In Memoriam
Daniel Angelo Negrelli, 53, of Canton, beloved husband of Karen A. Brinkman and father of Keira B. Negrelli, died Saturday, February 22, 2025, following a skiing accident in Brighton, Utah. Born in Rockville, son of the late Joseph and Diana (Kosior) Negrelli, Jr., Dan was raised in Stafford Springs and graduated from Windham Tech. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts from Castleton University in Vermont.
Dan worked as a computer applications instructor at A.I. Prince Technical High School in Hartford, but his impact in education extended far beyond that area of expertise. An avid skier, hiker, and mountain biker, Dan had an unfettered enthusiasm for the great outdoors and was dedicated to sharing this passion with his students. He created unique experiences for them as the leader of the school’s hiking and skiing clubs, with the goal of opening their eyes to the expansive world around them.
After working to get permission from the school, he was elated to take students on an overnight adventure to the top of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington last summer. “I’ve always wanted to bring kids up there to experience the magic of being in the Alpine Zone,” he told Connecticut’s News 8, who covered their trek at the time. That adventure is a prime example of how Dan went above and beyond to immerse the young adults around him in outdoor activities. He used any means possible to get outdoor gear for kids, including using his own money or asking for donations.
Dan became a fixture on both mountains where he frequently skied, at his second home in Killington, Vermont, where he served as a ski instructor for nearly 30 years, and in Connecticut at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, where he was a member of the ski patrol for many years. In both places he fostered deep, lasting connections with locals, ski students, resort staff and far beyond.
Everywhere Dan went he brought joy with his easy smile, genial attitude, and genuine interest in every person he met. He shared his passions with the world and opened doors for those around him in any way he could. He had a gift for bringing out the best in everyone and selflessly volunteered his time and knowledge to anyone in need. Dan’s zest for life – whether on a hike, sailboat, camping trip, at a concert, or on a sandy beach – endeared him to everyone he met on his journey and will never be forgotten.
In addition to his wife and daughter, who Dan loved with his whole heart, he leaves behind a brother James Negrelli; a sister Catharine Rowe; an uncle and aunt Bernie and Jeannie Kosior; cousin Janette Kosior; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law Barbara Brinkman; brothers-in-law Eric and his wife Tara Brinkman and Kevin and his wife Traci Brinkman.
For condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Prince Tech Adventure Club can be sent to this address: Charles Shooshan, Principal Adventure Club, in Memory of Dan Negrelli Prince Technical High School, 401 Flatbush Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 To plant a tree in memory of Daniel, please visit their floral store.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Feb 18, 2025 | In Memoriam
Charles Alfred Riley, 74, of Windsor, MA died Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at his home after a brief battle with a very aggressive cancer. Born in Hartford, Connecticut on January 25, 1950, son of Charles H. and Merlyn Kelly Riley Charlie was also the grandson of his maternal grandparents Frank and Nel Kelly of Hartford CT.
He went to elementary school in Bridgton, Maine. His family moved to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire when he was in high school. He was a 1968 graduate of Kingswood H.S. in Wolfeboro. Continuing his education, he was a 1973 graduate of Northeastern University earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
From 1981 to 2015, he was employed as an engineer for General Electric/General Dynamics in Pittsfield, MA. Before that, he had worked at Sprague Electric in North Adams, MA.
Charlie was a communicant of St. Agnes Church. There were many happy memories of his sons, Andy and Matt’s time in elementary school at St Agnes.
Charlie loved the outdoors. He fondly remembered being a boy scout, especially when he was chosen to go to a national jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He grew up on a lake in Bridgton, Maine. He loved being on and in the water, whether on lakes or the ocean. He enjoyed swimming, sailing, and canoeing, and he had started enjoying snorkeling on recent vacations.
Skiing as a child and an adult was a passion. He joined the National Ski Patrol in 1994 and was a patroller at Brodie Mountain moving to Jiminy Peak in 2002 when Brodie closed. During his 28 years of patrolling, he served as an OET instructor at both mountains. His son, Andy, joined the patrol as a junior patroller serving until Brodie closed.
He thoroughly enjoyed attending all of Andy and Matt’s soccer, lacrosse, and cross-country running events.
Charlie was proudest about his service as a fireman and first responder with the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member for more than 40 years.
Everyone will lovingly remember his kindness, his beard, his friendly smile, his flannel shirts, his honesty, his strength of mind and body, and also that he was always such a great helper and one of the best huggers, ever.
Charlie leaves his wife, Susan Moglia Riley, whom he married on June 15, 1974. He and Sue celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year!
He is also survived by two sons, Andrew C. (wife Mayra Gonzalez) Riley of Winter Garden, Florida, and Matthew B. (wife Kat) Riley of Las Vegas, Nevada.; two brothers, Larry (wife Susan) Riley of Ohio, and Tom (wife Mary) Riley of Ariz.; and brother-in-law James Moglia (wife Izzy). Charlie was the beloved grandfather of his four grandchildren, Karolyna, Kayden, Lily, and Violet; as well as many nieces and nephews, and other family members. We cannot forget to mention that he was also a loving pet parent for their pup, Chloe.
The family would like to thank the 3rd-floor staff at BMC, especially Dr. Jason Toughey. His ability to listen and explain treatment made this very hard time much more bearable. Hospice Care in the Berkshires was also extremely helpful.
Funeral services for Charles A. Riley will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Church celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, Pastor. Calling hours will precede the Mass from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Dery-Foley Funeral Home in Dalton, Massachusetts. Burial will be in the Spring in Shaw Road Cemetery, Windsor. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Riley may be made to the Windsor Fire Department in care of DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 East Main Street, Dalton.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Feb 18, 2025 | In Memoriam
Joe Racanelli was a ski patroller at Stratton Mountain, Vermont from 1977-1981. He passed away at the age of 84 on July 25, 2024, on Long Island, New York. Joe considered himself a “full-time volunteer,” skiing as often as he could.
Joe was born into a multi-generational family construction business on Long Island. He was one of six brothers. His son, Brian, reported that Joe loved to hike and ski. On a trip to Tuckerman Ravine, Joe fell and broke his leg. He had it set and cast in New Hampshire, then drove himself back to Long Island. ‘
Arriving home, he sat in his car and repeatedly blew the horn. When his family came out to the driveway to investigate the commotion, they found that Joe needed to be lifted from the car because of the large cast on his leg.
Joe insisted on repeating the Tuckerman adventure the following year. He hiked in, climbed, skied down, and was pleased that he didn’t suffer the same fate as the last time.
When not skiing, Joe often played golf in Vermont at Haystack Mountain and, in later years, at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Joe is survived by his brothers John, Eugene, and Anthony; his wife Patricia; daughters Connie and Jenny, and son Brian, as well as seven grandchildren.
