The Rev. Richard F. Beal died on July 7, 2021 at the age of 76. Richard is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Barney (Liz) and grandson, Jayden; his sister-in-law, Pamela Beal; as well as his nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Donald.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held in September at the First Universalist Church of Norway, 479 Main St, Norway, ME 04268.
The Rev. Gail A. Berger died on June 28, 2021, at the age of 67.
Gail is survived by her sister, Kathy Ockenfels, and partner, Ernie Arellano; her brother, Don Berger, and his wife, Cynthia Moss; her niece, Natalie; and nephews, Jackson and Peter Berger; as well as a great group of very special friends.
A celebration of her life will be held by her friends and family on Saturday, October 23, 2021, in her recent retirement community in Durham, North Carolina.
Elissa Beryl Bishop-Becker, beloved partner of the Reverend Dr. Randy Becker, died 27 April 2021, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in New York on 20 July 1947 and grew up on Long Island. A journey through several universities (American, New School, Hofstra, Adelphi) brought her a bachelor’s degree in English from Hunter College. Her early work was in editing and writing, especially poetry.
By her own admission and delight, her greatest achievement was the birth of her daughter, Ericka Brindl Bishop in 1975. A single mother for many years, she supported and encouraged Ericka’s growth and education.
In 1992, Elissa married Randy Becker, a longtime friend to both herself and Ericka. In their married life, Elissa and Randy lived on Long Island; Williamsburg, Virginia; Park Forest, Illinois; eventually settling in Key West, Florida.
Ericka’s tragic death in 1995 by a drunk driver, at age 20 was a turning point in Elissa’s life. She entered the community counseling program of the College of William and Mary in 1997, and in 1999 graduated with highest honors, became a licensed professional counselor, and a nationally certified counselor. Her specialization was grief and loss. Her professional work has touched the lives of many and her book Loss and Growth: The Grief Spiral has received wide acceptance and use.
Her personal life, as a spiritual person and medium, opened her to spirit communication. Nearly 26 years of those afterlife communications form the foundation of a spiritual approach known as Spiritual Persistence which emphasizes the unity of all existence, the holistic nature of spirit, and the promise of essential good amid infinite potential.
Elissa is survived by her mother Hazel and a brother Richard, both of Long Island; her husband Randy; three bonus daughters: Elizabeth McCann Mackay (David); Lee Lehman-Becker (James Larsson); Suki Lucier (John), and four grandchildren.
The Rev. Howard Box died on April 15, 2021 at the age of 94.
Howard was born on May 22, 1926, in Newark NJ to Harland D. Box and Helen C. Box. He graduated high school in 1939 and entered the Brothers College of Drew University, Madison NJ graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1946. As a student, he variously worked part time as a junior high group leader in a Presbyterian sponsored Community House Summit NJ, and at the YMCA in New Haven CT. He also had a student dry cleaning business of his own and was an Assistant Minister for a year at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, Newark NJ. In 1949, Howard received his Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, New Haven CT.
Rev. Box was ordained on March 20, 1949, by the Community Church (UU) in Summit NJ. Following his ordination, he was called to the First UU Church of Girard PA where he ministered until 1951. He then served the Unitarian Church, Newburgh NY (1951–1955), and the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa ON, Canada (1955–1960).
Thereafter, Rev. Box was drawn to community ministry and served as a leader at the Brooklyn Ethical Center for sixteen years (1960–1976). He again served in parish at the Oak Ridge UU Church TN (1976–1991) where he helped write curriculum on the Prophets, developed a stronger R.E. program, and contributed towards an expanded ecumenicalism. Each congregation that Rev. Box served had significant experiments with the arts—drama and poetry services, art exhibitions, and unusual music. The UUA Department of Education reprinted his materials and one of the texts that he wrote for a Hungarian Christmas carol appeared in Singing the Living Tradition as hymn 227 “Crèche Flickers Bright Here”.
On August 15, 1991, the Oak Ridge congregation designated Rev. Box as their minister emeritus. On August 31, 1991, he retired from his active ministry.
Coming to the liberal ministry from a Methodist background, including a college with a Methodist theological school adjoining, Rev. Box always saw religion as a broader movement than any institution. This early ecumenical direction made it easy for him to accept a Universalist settlement before merger.
Rev. Box always attempted to build bridges to those representing sharply divergent views. He had a strong focus on peace and international liberal religion. He led in reorganizing the UU Peace Fellowship, and edited UNIPAX for the UU Peace Fellowship (1979–1981). He was on the Friends of Religious Humanism panels at the General Assembly in 1984 and 1985. He served the Meadville Conference Board, was President of the Oak Ridge Ministerial Association for three terms, and a speaker for the Liberal Religious Youth (LRY).
Many of Rev. Box’s articles were published in Religious Humanism (RH), some of which include: “Death of God Theology: A Humanist Evaluation” (Fall, 1967); “Hymnals and Humanist” (Winter 1989). An article on JFK’s death, “The Kennedy Shock” ran in the September 1973 issue of the Humanist. He also contributed to a symposium on “Religious vs. Secular Humanism” in RH (Summer, 1984).
Howard long held a title of a Humanist Counselor with the American Humanist Association. He was founder of the Fellowship of Religious Humanist. In 1986, he visited the Soviet Union with the first informal Humanist delegation, which resulted in Soviet participation in the International Humanist and Ethical Union.
In New York, he served the Liberal Ministers Club and the Metropolitan Board for Conscientious Objectors. He was a chairperson and organizer of the Flatbush Civic Council, and secretary of NY Clergy Concerned. He was active in the Vietnam War Protests and the SANE Nuclear Policy organization. He was in The March on Washington when Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream Speech.”
In Canada, he was active in the Kiwanis Club, Children’s Aid Board, and the Meadville Conference Board.
Music was a major “outside interest,” to Howard. He accompanied his wife’s excellent flute and often played his own service on the organ. He collected Atlases, and books in general. He also enjoyed watching birds and swimming.
Howard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jean Newton Box; daughters: Ruth Westfall, Carol Box and her husband, Alessandro Nicita; son Gordon Box and his partner, Betsy Williams; as well as his grandchildren: Robert Westfall, Sofia and Mateo Nicita.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations honoring Rev. Box can be made to the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge TN 37830.
Samuel “Sam” Berliner III, the partner of the Reverend Lilia Cuervo, died 29 Dec 2020 at age 86. Sam was born 15 February 1934 in Manhattan, where his father was well known as a funeral director. He was educated at Champlain College in Plattsburg, New York, which he says, “no longer exists,” and studied engineering at MIT. He worked 15 years for Pall Corporation on Long Island, which made ultra fine fluid filters. He left that to pursue his interest in ultrasonics, which comprised the biggest part of his life’s work. Working independently and with companies in that industry, Sam developed patented processes and devices to apply ultrasonic solutions in a variety of situations. In 2011 he was given an honorary membership by The Ultrasonic Industry Association Board of Directors.
Sam maintained a website that held a great deal of his other interests — language, theology, railroads (and model railroads), and more. He describes himself as “Technical and Historical Writer, Oral Historian, Popularizer of Science and Technology, Rail, Auto, Air, Ordnance, and Model Enthusiast, Light-weight Linguist, Lay Minister, and Putative Philosopher.” His website confirms and endorses that description.
A great number of people posted tributes on the sites that are established for those purposes. They come from people he encountered working on a group that studies the Long Island Motor Parkway, and from the Boston Chapter National Railway Historical Society. And several from people whose lives he had touched in UU Congregations. Sam was fully involved in anything that interested him, and as a minister’s partner.
Sam Berliner, discussing the Motor Parkway History
Sam is survived by his daughters Nancy Cordes and Elisabeth McKinnon, and grandchildren Natalie and Eric Cordes; and by Lilia, his wife of over 14 years, her son Xavier Hernandez, and two daughters, Nilza Wise, and Shani Hernandez, and her granddaughter Javale Wise.
The family plans to hold an in-person Memorial when it is safe to gather.
Lilia can be reached at 6 Apache TRL, Medford, MA 02155-1471 and at cuervouu@comcast.net.
The Rev. Carl Victor Bretz died on October 4, 2020 at the age of 94.
Carl is survived by his daughter Stephanie Cox and husband, Craig; by son Jonathan Bretz and wife, Linda; by daughter Rima Michaud and husband, Eric; and by grandchildren Molly Panos McDonald, Philip Panos Jr., Jamieson Bretz, and Barbara Michaud Bowers. He leaves 11 great-grandchildren: Ayden and Mackenzie McDonald, Kennedy Panos, Jackson and Oliver Bretz, Allison, Evan and Lyla Bowers, Erin Michaud, Kaiden Hayes and Desmond Hayes.
Carl was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his children, Janice Miller Bretz-Howe; his last wife Rosemary Burns; and his granddaughter Rita Michaud.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Ridge, TN. Interment will be in the ORUUC Memorial Garden.
Condolences may be sent to Rima Michaud, 1711 Hillcrest Drive, Eustis, FL 32736; to Stephanie Cox, H.C. 61 Box 4058, Ramah, NM 87321, or to Jonathan Bretz.
The Rev. Ellen L. Brandenburg died on September 4, 2020 at the age of 75.
Ellen is survived by her older siblings Peter Boyd, Mary Davis, and stepsister Sue Oates. She also leaves her daughter Anna and granddaughter Ivy Brandenburg, her son Peter Brandenburg, and his wife Krisztina Holly.
A Memorial Service was planned to be held on Nov. 6, 2021, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at First Church Unitarian Universalist, Salem MA. The service will be in person and streamed. An outdoor reception is planned following the service.
Susan Elizabeth Benner, the surviving spouse of Reverend Richard Benner, died 23 August 2020 in Sarasota Florida. Her medical condition had been improving, but suddenly worsened, leading to a heart attack in hospital.
She was born 17 October 1940 In Wellington, New Zealand, to William E Thurgood and June Brodie. Her formal education culminated with her graduation from The Hewitt School in New York City in 1960.
Susan married Dick Benner on 21 December 1965 in Falmouth, Maine. After he was ordained in 1974, they lived in the places where he served Unitarian Universalist churches – Fort Meyers FL, Garden City NY, Sarasota FL, and Omaha NE. When he retired from parish ministry, they returned to Sarasota. She remained there after Dick died in 2013.
She was, first of all, fully involved in her family, even taking out photo albums to share stories with her caretakers as her health declined. Her family, in turn, remembers her love of animals, her love of music, her days on the tennis courts, and her affinity for crossword puzzles. A minister who knew them after they returned to Sarasota remembers her as being personable and fun.
Susan is survived by her two sons; Andrew, who lives in Sarasota, and can be contacted at googa69@gmail.com; Christopher, who lives in San Diego, California, with his wife Yinghong and their daughter Sophia, can be contacted at cbenner2076@gmail.com. Condolence messages might be directed to either address.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew “Andy” C. Backus died on January 22, 2020, at the age of 75.
Andy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine L. Backus; his sister Leslie Claire Backus, and his brother-in-law Greg Cassidy; his nieces Alisha and Hema Sarang-Sieminski and their children, Thendral, Kavyn and Suriyan Devi.
The Rev. George Briggs died on November 21, 2019, at the age of 89.
George is survived by his daughter Irma Polster and her husband Mark Polster; and his three grandsons, Aaron Polster, Julius Polster, and Elliott Polster.
