Astrida Strazdins Apse

Astrida Strazdins Apse passed away on August 30, 2016 following cardiac arrest, peacefully and with her family by her side in Brunswick, Maine.

Astrida was born in a World War II refugee camp in the American sector of occupied Germany in 1945, her late mother (and longtime Princeton resident) Austra Strazdins, had left Latvia months before. They both emigrated to the United States, first to Michigan and then to Philadelphia, Pa., before she headed to the University of Akron on a scholarship. She was a passionate English literature major, and completed her master’s degree and began a doctorate in the subject at Pennsylvania State University before moving to Cambridge, Mass. to teach at The Girl’s Latin School. In Cambridge, she met and eventually married Juris Imants Apse and moved to Princeton in 1972. In Princeton, Astrida raised 3 children — Colin, Kira, and Stefan — and over the years taught English at Peddie School (starting the English as a second language program there), the Lewis School, and Princeton High School while also tutoring many local students. She lived in Princeton for 35 years before retiring with her husband to Brunswick, Maine near her children, the ocean, and her four grandchildren.

Astrida was a wonderful mother, grandmother, friend, neighbor, book clubber, and partner — always ready to laugh and offer insights from her fascinating life. She might even offer a kind critique of the grammar of this obituary, as a lover of literature and of the rules of English. Few were as fond of teenagers as Astrida, and she not only did wonders with her own kids but also entertained and educated teenagers from Cambridge to Princeton to Brunswick. Astrida’s dedication to, and love for, her children is a trait that was quickly evident to all that knew her. Astrida’s dynamic personality will be missed.

A private celebration of Astrida’s life will take place in Brunswick, Maine. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or www.pancan.org/ in honor of her late mother.

Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME where memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.

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Jean Stewart Turner

Jean Stewart Turner, 100, of Stonebridge at Montgomery, Skillman died August 31. Raised in Summit, New Jersey, she graduated from Kent Place School and attended Smith College. Jean married her love, Gordon B. Turner, in 1939. The couple settled in Princeton following World War II, when Gordon returned to complete his education at Princeton University and then become a faculty member. They lived in Princeton until his death in 1996, enjoying many activities together — family, hiking, foreign travel, bridge, and a shared enthusiasm for politics.

Jean had a passion for the arts and was an active docent for many years at the Princeton University Art Museum. She enjoyed giving tours, especially to children, whose innate ability to see what others could not, never ceased to amaze her. Perhaps more than any other interest, nature claimed her heart. This deeply felt connection led Jean to develop a particular affinity for the museum’s Asian art collection.

Jean refused to be inactive in her later years, preferring instead to audit courses at Princeton, attend concerts and other cultural events, play bridge, and to read extensively. Her concern was with the sustainability of a sound, curious, and engaged mind. She had many friends of all ages. Open-minded and loving a good laugh, Jean’s friends could always count on her to be accepting and a source of fun.

Devoted to family, Jean is survived by her daughters, Michael Ann Walstad and Gazey Turner of Lawrenceville; two granddaughters and their husbands, Kim and Matthew Zablud and Avery and Doug Connolly; and two great grandsons, Lee Zablud and Silas Connolly, all of the Washington, D.C. area. Beloved by her family, she will be deeply missed.

At Jean’s request, a quiet family remembrance will be held.

Thinking of Jean on a walk in the woods or a visit to a museum would be a lovely tribute. Her family would like to thank the staffs of Assisted Living at Stonebridge and Princeton Hospice for their compassionate and devoted care.

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Thomas Hooker Paine

On August 16, 2016, Thomas Hooker Paine passed away peacefully at home in San Diego with his wife by his side.

Tom was the second child of Anna Hooker Paine and F. Rodney Paine of Duluth. His education was at Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton University, where he took a degree in economics.

As a child in Duluth, Tom was known as an excellent chess player. One summer when Nobel laureate Sinclair Lewis was in Duluth writing, he let it be known he could not find an adequate chess opponent; Tom spent the rest of the summer being that opponent.

While Tom was at Princeton, he wrote an article for the campus paper on the futility and danger of the United States’ pursuit of the Cold War. Albert Einstein, then doing research at Princeton, strongly supported this opinion and immediately invited Tom for an afternoon of tea and discussion on pacifism.

In 1950, Tom began a career in economics at the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, where he was soon published on the topic of the rise of formal employee benefits and the need for their sound regulation to protect the public. This work led to an offer of partnership in a small Illinois-based human resources consulting firm, Hewitt Associates. That firm is now part of AON Hewitt, which has nearly 30,000 employees worldwide.

Tom became a national thought leader on employee benefits and compensation, established Hewitt Associates’ New York office, and was a major driver of the firm’s rapid revolution of cash and non-cash compensation throughout the world. The firm was the only company asked by the U. S. government to consult on the Federal Interagency Task Force (1964-68) that led to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (1974). From this work flowed Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs, 1974) and new employee saving and investment opportunities through section 401(k) of the Revenue act of 1978.

In 1981, The New York Times quoted Tom on his work with American Can Company on one of the earliest Flexible Benefits Programs, enabling employees to customize their benefits to their own needs. “Flexible plans give you more bang for the buck,” he said. “This is not being done just to make people feel good.”

While he continued groundbreaking client work throughout the 1980s, Tom was recognized internally as a humble and unstinting mentor of young associates. In truth, he found his greatest rewards in these efforts.

In the early 1990s, Tom undertook major international projects for Hewitt Associates. He built a team to assist the People’s Republic of China in the privatization of its state-owned industries. Then, in 1994, Tom led a second team to help British Hong Kong develop a Mandatory Provident Fund to provide a retirement income structure for the country prior to its return to China. With this work finished, Tom formally retired from Hewitt Associates.

While living in New York, Tom had met Teresa Ann Norton, also a Hewitt Associates partner, and they were married in 1980. The two resided on the East Coast until 1990, when they made a major change in coasts and lifestyles.

Tom and Teresa relocated to Napa Valley where they founded Vineyard 29, an exclusive, estate Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard that grew to cult status in the ten years they were vintners. The wine remains in high demand today under new ownership. Through charity auctions, Vineyard 29 raises substantial sums for heath care and animal welfare.

Finally, in 2000, actual retirement seemed like a good idea. The couple moved to Rancho Santa Fe and then San Diego, where they devoted their time to charity and academics.

Tom was a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance, the Employee Benefits Research Institute, and the Napa Valley Vintners’ Association and was named Volunteer of the Year for Interfaith Community Services in North County San Diego.

Throughout his life, Tom was widely known for his charming absent-mindedness; in the 1950s Hewitt Associates abandoned its rule that consultants wear hats to client meetings partially because Tom left most of his hats at his clients’ offices. He also had an uncanny ability to divert almost any conversation onto the topic of prime numbers, leaving his friends fascinated if not somewhat speechless. And, although Tom was not an athlete, his physical ability to hang multiple spoons off his nose and face (especially in elegant restaurants) astounded audiences and embarrassed his wife.

Tom’s wife and best friend, Teresa, survives him. He leaves three beloved sons from an earlier marriage: Thomas H. (Lisa); John K. (Patricia); and F. Rodney (Li); five treasured grandchildren; and a dear brother and sister.

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Michael J. Fuschini

Michael J. Fuschini Sr. age 78 passed away September 3, 2016 at home. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., he lived in Princeton for 27 years until moving to Ewing 10 years ago. He was educated at St. Paul’s School and was a graduate of Princeton High School. Mr. Fuschini was employed over 40 years in the Harness Racing Industry.

Husband of the late Jackie Owens Fuschini, son of the late Helen and Michele Fuschini, and brother of the late John Fuschini.

Mr. Fuschini is survived by a son Michael Fuschini Jr. (Maria); daughter Jo Ann Fuschini Geter; grandchildren: Jazmin, Jaime, Jason, Sydney, Nicolas, and Luca; great grandson Christopher; brother Joseph; special nieces Michelle Boivin and Joanne Baloga; special extended family Maria, Chuck, Brad, and Katie Hector; special friend Lottie Leonard; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services are private. Arrangements are by the Hughes Funeral Home.

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Wilson J. Esposito

Wilson J. Esposito, 91, of Princeton died Friday, September 2, 2016 at University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. Born in Princeton, he was a lifelong resident. He was a United States Army World War II Veteran. Wilson retired in 1988 with over 43 years of service as a construction repairman with the New Jersey Department of Transportation. For many years, he owned his own taxi business and after his retirement, Wilson operated Esposito’s Lawn Service. He was a communicant of St. Paul’s Church.

Son of the late Michael and Mary (Caruso) Esposito; husband of the late June Esposito; pre-decesased by his brothers and sister Anthony, August, Joe, Peter, Mike and Elizabeth.

He is survived by 3 sons Kieran, Peter and Patrick Esposito, 2 grandchildren Andrew and Connor Esposito and many nieces and nephews. And, his caretaker and special niece, Christine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2016, St. Paul’s Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Burial in St. Paul’s Cemetery will be private.

Friends were asked to call on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.