Remembering Leadership Lost in 2022
Wentworth Institute of Technology remembers a trio of longtime university stalwarts who passed away in the past year.
Dick Sheridan ’55
A longtime dedicated member of the Wentworth community, Richard “Dick” Sheridan passed away in October.
Sheridan was the past president and owner of Gateway Equipment Corporation, a company he founded in 1966 and operated until his retirement in 2012. Gateway Equipment Corporation operated primarily in the construction and mining machinery and equipment merchant wholesalers’ industry. Prior to starting his own company, Sheridan held several positions with Westinghouse Air Brake Company.
Mr. Sheridan served actively in leadership positions with government, nonprofit, and community organizations. He received his associate degree in Steam and Diesel Engineering from Wentworth in 1955 and pursued additional education and study at Merrimac College, Bradley University, and Boston College. Sheridan served on the Wentworth Board of Trustees between 1998 and 2013. He was elected as a Trustee Emeritus by the Board of Trustees in November 2014 and elected to the Wentworth Corporation in 1995.
George Chamillard ’58, Hon. ’97
The Wentworth community lost a longtime and dedicated friend in George Chamillard on August 24. He was a highly respected member of the Board of Trustees for 15 years and was elected as a Trustee Emeritus in 2015.
After his tenure as a Trustee, Chamillard continued his engagement as a University Advisor and Trustee Emeritus.
Chamillard served 35 years at Teradyne, Inc., in a variety of roles including vice president, president, CEO, as well as chair of the Board of Directors. He was a past chair of SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials) and the Massachusetts High Technology Council, and past vice chair of the Northeastern University Board of Trustees. He earned his associate degree in 1958 at Wentworth and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern in 1966 and 1970, respectively. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Wentworth in 1997.
Edward J. O’Leary, AC ’48, DET ’06 (Hon.)
In his 98 years on this earth, Ed O’Leary contributed mightily to his country, his industry, and his alma mater.
Mr. O’Leary was a General Partner at Development Associates, a company that provides development, leasing, brokerage, and management services for all types of industrial and commercial properties. Mr. O’Leary earned a reputation as one of the most successful contractors in Western Massachusetts. Previously, he owned the O’Leary Company, a company he founded in 1955, which specialized in building prefabricated buildings. He sold his interest in O’Leary in 1982, retired briefly, and then co-founded Development Associates in 1986. He served in the United States Army from 1943 through 1945.
Mr. O’Leary received a degree in Architectural Construction in 1948 from Wentworth and served as an active member of the Wentworth Alumni Association, receiving the Gold Leopard Award in 1990. Mr. O’Leary was elected to the Wentworth Corporation in 1994.
Ed O’Leary passed away on Dec. 16.