Dario Politella, 81, of Sunderland, a retired professor
of Journalism and member of the Class of 1947, died Feb. 12.
He served the University for more than a quarter
century before retiring in 1990. He previously taught at Kent
State University in Ohio and Ball State University in Indiana.
In the middle of his career, he taught summer programs at the
Chautauqua Institution in New York for two decades. He also advised
and lectured to many college and high school publications.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean
War, he was an aviator for more than four years in the Rhineland
and Central Europe and a first lieutenant aviator for more than
a year from 1951-52. He received several Air Medals for his work
in World War II and a Bronze Star after his Korean service.
An unflagging advocate for freedom of the press,
before he taught journalism, he was an Army information officer,
CBS-TV writer and did public relations for Flying Magazine, Lockheed
Corp. and Red Devil Corp. He also wrote articles for magazines
and feature stories for newspapers and critiqued books for publishers.
He authored 10 books, including one on campus humor
and "When Hell Froze Over."
He was president of the National Council of College
Publications Advisers for two years in the late 1960s and the
recipient of several distinguished service awards, including one
for service to the Annual Press Institute of Savannah State College
in Georgia. As a student, he was editor of the Index yearbook,
the Collegian, Spectrum, a general-interest publication, and Yahoo,
a humor magazine. As a faculty member, he advised the Index and
the Collegian for many years.
In 1997, he donated $20,000 to the campus to renovate
a room in Bartlett Hall, where Journalism students could read
or gather in small groups. The Politella Reading Room received
new lighting, a couple of computers, comfortable seating, and
a magazine rack, among other things.
He held an M.A. and a Ph.D. in journalism from Syracuse
University.
An avid reader, he followed world events and community
affairs. He also loved art and painting and supported the Greenfield
Area Animal Shelter.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church
of Sunderland, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Deerfield
Valley Art Association, where he was president for 27 years. He
also chaired the Board of Directors of the Sunderland Library
Committee.
He leaves his wife of 60 years, Frances Politella;
a son, Dario A. of California; two daughters, Darian S. Robertson,
of Indianapolis, Ind., and Sunderland, and Daria K., clerk IV
in the Ombuds Office, of Easthampton; and three grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenfield
Area Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 786, Greenfield 01301.
Hazel M. Pratt, 79, of Deerfield, a former junior
clerk stenographer in several departments, died Feb. 7 in SunBridge
Care and Rehabilitation for Northampton.
She served the University for nearly 17 years, working
for Extension Services and Veterinary and Animal Sciences between
1946 and 1960 and for other departments between 1963 and 1965.
A member of the AARP, she was active in the Franklin
Senior Action Council and Educational Enrichment for Elders and
volunteered at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.
She also was a tap dancer with Nan McCarthy's Golden
Dancers of Greenfield.
She leaves two daughters, Lea J. Hosley of Cheshire
and Carol of Portland, Ore.; a son, David of South Deerfield;
a brother, Gilbert R. Bigelow of Keene, N.H., and three granddaughters.
At her request, her body has been donated to Tufts
Medical Center.
Memorial gifts may be made to Deerfield Rescue Vehicle, 84 Greenfield
Road, Box 211, South Deerfield 01373 or to Franklin County Home
Care Corp., 330 Montague City Road, Turners Falls 01376.
