In Memoriam
Board of Advisors member Gary Krantz ’81 passed away on January 21 at the age of 65.
Krantz had a long and successful career in radio and founded Krantz Media Group (KMG) LLC, where he worked with such brands, companies, and organizations as Viacom Networks, iHeartMedia/Premiere Radio Networks, Disney’s ABC Radio Networks, and CBS Radio Networks. Before establishing KMG, he launched many of network radio’s most successful shows and brands, including The Grammy Awards Radio Network, The CMA Awards Radio Network, Cinemax’s CenterStage performance series, Rockline Classic, Country Live Tonight!, American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, On the Air with Carson Daly, Desert Island Discs, and the groundbreaking series The Comedy Hour, hosted by the late Len Belzer.
A proud Emerson alum, he served on the Emerson Board of Advisors from 2003 until his death, served on the WERS advisory committee, and in 2014 was inducted into the WERS Hall of Fame.
Krantz is survived by his mother, Lila Krantz; his brothers, Scott and Mark Krantz; and his children, Michael, Jane, and Jacqueline Krantz.
Longtime Emerson staff member Joe Knoll, director of facilities, passed away on March 17 after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.
Knoll began his Emerson career three decades ago, as a carpenter on the College’s Back Bay campus. He was instrumental in bringing the Little and Walker buildings online as the College migrated to its current location in the 1990s. Over the years, he worked his way up through the Facilities ranks, ultimately becoming a shift foreman before assuming the role of assistant director of facilities.
He was promoted to director of facilities eight years ago, and even after he became ill, he wanted to continue working at Emerson, said Duncan Pollock, who recently retired as associate vice president of facilities and campus services and who had worked with Knoll for 13 years. “Joe was one of the most dedicated employees I have ever worked with,” Pollock said.
According to Knoll’s Facilities colleagues, many will remember his morning meetings in the “treehouse,” the name given by the team to Knoll’s office located in a back stairway between the Little and Colonial buildings.
“Joe made sure the College was always in a good place. [He was] respected by everyone—really, loved by everyone—and his team really enjoyed working for him,” Pollock said.
In 2024, Knoll received an ERA (Emerson Recognition and Achievement) Award of Distinction, given by students to staff and faculty who have gone above and beyond for the community.
Knoll is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, James and Josh; two brothers, a sister, and their families; nieces and nephews; and his cherished dogs.
1948
Rachel Labrache of Marlborough, MA, died on January 30, 2025, at the age of 98.
1950
Beatrice Davis of Oakwood, OH, died on October 3, 2024, at the age of 95. Davis graduated with a BA in Communication Disorders.
1950
Eleanor Graff of Seaside Park, NJ, died on February 11, 2025, at the age of 96.
1957
Marilyn Breslau of Chestnut Hill, MA, died on December 25, 2024, at the age of 89.
1959
Linda Wallace of Hernando, FL, died on January 25, 2025, at the age of 87. Wallace graduated with a BSSp.
1961
Vincent Raciti of Windham, NH, died on January 9, 2025, at the age of 86. Raciti graduated with a BA in Communication Disorders.
1965
Polly Rose of Santa Fe, NM, died on January 14, 2025, at the age of 82.
1969
Ann Page of Shelburne, VT, died on December 7, 2024, at the age of 85. Page graduated with an MSSp.
1970
Lucinda Kidder of Bothell, WA, died on November 2, 2024, at the age of 80. Kidder graduated with an MA in Theatre Education: Acting.
1970
Rosemary McDonald of Lebanon, ME, died on December 18, 2024, at the age of 76. McDonald graduated with a BSSp as well as an MSSp in 1976.
1971
Franklin Shiner of Berlin, VT, died on October 15, 2024, at the age of 79. Shiner graduated with a BSSp.
1972
Dean Bramson of Mandeville, LA, died on October 28, 2024, at the age of 76. Bramson graduated with an MA.
1972
Marlene S. Wise of Sharon, MA, died on February 14, 2025, at the age of 74. Wise graduated with a BSSp.
1974
Franklin Sanders of New York, NY, died on January 1, 2025, at the age of 73. Sanders graduated with a BFA.
1977
Judy Taddei of Hamden, CT, died on December 3, 2024, at the age of 69. Taddei graduated with a BS in Communication Disorders.
1983
Debbie Flachs of San Marcos, CA, died on January 7, 2025, at the age of 63. Flachs graduated with a BSSp in Communication Studies: Management and Organizational Communication.
1986
Danielle Legros Georges of Boston, MA, died on February 11, 2025, at the age of 60. Georges graduated with a BSSp in Communication, Politics, and Law. She also received a Doctor of Humane Letters in 2016.
1988
Cara Birrittieri of Lakewood, NY, died on February 12, 2025, at the age of 65. Birrittieri graduated with an MA in Mass Communication.
1990 Suzanne Owens of Harvard, MA, died on January 24, 2025, at the age of 87. Owens graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing.
1996
Michelle Kaczynski of Roxbury, MA, died on January 16, 2025, at the age of 66. Kaczynski graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing.
2001
Lawrence Bayles of Pittsfield, MA, died on November 1, 2024, at the age of 55. Bayles graduated with an MA in Theatre Education.
2006
Joshua Antoon of New Brighton, PA, died on December 16, 2024, at the age of 43. Antoon graduated with an MA in Theatre Education.
2025
Nora Onanian of Bridgewater, MA, died on December 24, 2024, at the age of 22. Onanian graduated with a BS in Journalism.
Marlboro College
1958
Hallie Hebb of Plymouth, MA, died on January 22, 2025, at the age of 88.
1979
Tommy Durkin of Brattleboro, VT, died on December 3, 2024, at the age of 67.
1990
Gina LeDuc of Freeport, ME, died on February 16, 2025, at the age of 57.
Expression magazine was notified of the passing of these community members between October 1, 2024, and March 15, 2025.
