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Archive for the ‘Obituaries’ Category

PostHeaderIcon MARTHA CHASE MITCHELL of AMHERST, MA, March 28, 1930 – February 11, 2024

AMHERST, MA. Martha Aldrich Mitchell passed at the age of 93 after a brief illness on February 11, 2024.

 Martha grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts where she graduated from Brookline High School in 1948. She attended Emerson College in Boston, majoring in theater and was active with the Boston Tributary Theatre, playing lead roles in their productions in the late 1940s. In 1951, Martha left college to begin a family and raise her five children, first living in Arlington and then Acton. She also spent many summers in Maine. 

Martha was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Merritt James Aldrich and Doris Cuzner, the eldest of three girls.  She is survived by her sons Andrew J. Scott, Amherst, MA, David Laird Scott, Los Angeles, CA, daughters Elizabeth C. Wells (Michael), Grand Haven, MI, and Deborah L. Scott (David Rogers), Brooklyn, NY, her sister Deborah A. Dufton (Richard), Hampden, ME, her half-brother Merritt James Aldrich,  Jr., Los Alamos, NM, granddaughters Courtney A. Rogers (Chris Tomei), Brooklyn, NY, and Briana Rogers (Frank Visciano), Amsterdam, Netherlands, three great grandchildren Lucy, Jude and Olivia, as well as numerous beloved nephews and nieces. Martha was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Alison Mitchell and her youngest sister, Suzanne Fletcher.

 Her love of plays and theater led her to being active in Community Theater at the Arlington Friends of the Drama and the Dettor’s Theater in Acton, Massachusetts. She volunteered for high school productions in Acton, designing and sewing costumes, and supporting local students.  In 1980, she moved to Amherst, Massachusetts to study playwriting at the University of Massachusetts where she received her BA degree. Later, she completed a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in playwriting at Smith College.

 She worked for the Western Massachusetts Food Bank and was active in Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst.  Martha loved gardening and grew beautiful English style gardens like those she saw on her many trips to England visiting the birthplace of her mother, Doris Cuzner Aldrich, and visiting her English cousins. Martha also loved history, reading, writing, and her cats Ivan, Gabriel and Blaise. 

 Her greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

A Memorial Service will be held on June 8, 2024, 11:00am, at the Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave. Amherst, Ma. 01002

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

PostHeaderIcon ANNE STUART of TURNER FALLS, May 20, 1968 – February 6, 2024

TURNER FALLS,MA: It is with great sadness that the family and friends of Anne Elizabeth Hollis Stuart are sharing the news of her passing on February 6, 2024.

Anne was born in Raleigh, NC on May 20, 1968 to Alastair MacDonald Stuart and Dr. Elizabeth Sutton Stuart. The family moved to Amherst, Mass. where Anne made life-long friendships with neighbors and classmates. She was a 1986 graduate of Amherst Regional High School and she then went on to earn her associate’s degree at Greenfield Community College and her bachelor’s degree in interior design at the University of Massachusetts.

Anne met her soul mate and fiancé, James E. Dresser III, when they both worked at Yankee Candle. Thus began a whirlwind romance that started with a trip to Aruba and culminated in 26 years filled with adventures and beautiful memories together. They had houses in Amherst and Turners Falls, which Anne furnished using her design skills, and they made friends and built community wherever they were.

Anne worked in the fundraising departments at Smith College and the local Girl Scout Council. She also worked for the Town of Montague and volunteered for many organizations, including Greenfield Community College, 4-H and The Montague Reporter. She was a member of Amherst Rotary, following in the footsteps of her parents. She supported many other local organizations such as Hospice of the Fisher Home, Leverett Co-op and numerous others.

Her compassion overflowed and she was known to always lend a hand or an ear for friends in need. Known for her lists and organization, Anne never missed a birthday and always took the time to send hand-written letters and care packages to friends and family, near and far.

She cherished all the children in her life and had special relationships with her niece, Rachel and her nephew, Andrew. Rachel lived with Anne and James when she was going through a hard time and Anne nurtured and helped her to see a bright future. Rachel recalls that Anne was also a best friend and her biggest advocate.

 Anne loved fine food, high tea, entertaining and the arts. She and James were season ticket holders at Tanglewood for many years, always inviting friends to join in the experience.

Survivors include Anne’s brother, Samuel Stuart (Michelle) of Sunnyvale, CA and her niece and nephew, Rachel Stuart and Zachary Stuart; her niece Jacquelyn Larios (Brandon) and nephew Andrew (Abigail) and their daughter, Elizabeth Jane. She also leaves James’ two sons, Robert L. Dresser and James E. Dresser IV (Brittany) and their three children: Owen, Joel and Aiden. She leaves many cousins, aunts and uncles and countless friends. Anne was predeceased by both parents .If you knew Anne; you knew the spark of joy that she brought to every room she entered. Those who loved her know that Anne’s light shines on.

A Celebration of Anne’s Life will be held on March 17 from 1 to 5 p.m.at St. Brigid’s Parish Hall, 122 N. Pleasant St., Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Anne’s name to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002 or to Girl Scouts of Central & Western Mass., Worcester Leadership Center, 115 Century Dr., Worcester, MA 01606.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

PostHeaderIcon SYLVIA JOAN BURRUTO of AMHERST, MA, October 31, 2024 – February 15, 2024

 

Sylvia Joan Burruto passed away on February 15, 2024, in the presence of her loving husband of 61 years John Burruto following a prolonged period of declining health.

Sylvia was born in Brooklyn, NY on Halloween in 1939 to a Jewish refugee mother fleeing Nazi tyranny carrying her daughter in her womb.

Sylvia’s biological mother at age 18 started a new life in the U.S. and gave her baby, then named Dinah Casewitz-Oppenheimer, over to the care of a Jewish social service agency hoping her father would soon follow her to New York.

 

Tragically, baby Dinah’s father, along with his parents, were deported to concentration camps where they were subsequently murdered.

After a year or so in foster care, baby Dinah was adopted by her new parents; Harry and Pearl Felderstein, and began a new life as Sylvia Joan Felderstein of Rochester, NY.

Raised by her new parents Harry & Pearl and surrounded by an extended and close-knit family, Sylvia went on to study art at Syracuse University and later the University of Rochester where she met a man from the other side of the tracks who turned out to be the love of her life, John Burruto.

Married to John in 1963, the couple sought out adventure in Los Angeles, California where they had their first son Justin. Returning to Rochester, John and Sylvia had their second son David.

As John’s career in public education advanced, they moved to Amherst, MA where they settled for the next 50 years and where John served as the principal of the Amherst Regional Junior High School for over 20 years.

 

During her time in Amherst, Sylvia raised her two boys and pursued many career endeavors including as the founding secretary of the Jewish Community of Amherst.  

Sylvia’s professional life was a lesson in reinvention, taking on new challenges and overcoming obstacles.  She was a devoted mother, wife, and businesswoman with a sharp wit and ready retort for any circumstance – mostly for the better.

In the 1980s, Sylvia pursued a career in real estate becoming a local agent as she was by then a well-known figure in the community.  

In the next decade, Sylvia started her own business by taking over the former Alexander’s Jewelers in Northampton specializing in estate jewelry – a discipline she learned by working in and mastering the lessons of the trade.  

After leaving the jewelry business, Sylvia, always with an eye for crafts and style, again reinvented herself by learning about and mastering the dealing of antiques, specifically American primitive pieces – a discipline informed by living and working in New England.  Sylvia maintained booths in antique shops in various retail houses in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut stocked by her purchases gleaned from area auctions, estate sales, and markets.

Sylvia is survived by her husband John, her eldest son Justin and his husband Michael Duffy, her son David and his wife Star and granddaughter Daisy.

Services will be announced at a later date. Donations to the World Jewish Congress in her name would be preferred in lieu of flowers.

 

 

PostHeaderIcon MYRNA DALE COOK of HADLEY, MA, July 27, 1949 – February 6, 2024

HADLEY, MA. Myrna Anderson Cook, age 74, of Hadley MA, passed away February 6th, 2024, peacefully in her home with her husband at her beside, after a short illness.  
She was born on July 27, 1949, in Southbridge, MA, to John and Dorothy Anderson.   She lived her childhood there, attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, where she graduated in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education.   Upon graduation, she taught third grade at Brookfield Elementary school. She married Richard Cook on September 7, 1974, and settled in Montpelier, VT.  Her first son, Kevin, was born in 1980 and her second son, Kenny, was born in 1989. Myrna and her husband, along with Kenny, relocated to Richard’s hometown of Hadley, MA in 1999 after 25 years in VT, to be closer to their aging parents.

Myrna enjoyed many home-making hobbies, including gardening of flowers, vegetables, and fruit, as well as cooking, baking, and latch-hook-rug making.  She also had a love of Golden Retrievers, of which she had many. Throughout her life, Myrna was a devoted mother to her son Kenny, who had Downs Syndrome, and required much hands-on attention and care. She also was a loving grandmother to her 3 grandchildren, and always loved spending time with them she was able, including her weekly phone calls to them in NJ as well as visits on holidays and and in the summer. 

Myrna is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard Cook, of Hadley, MA; her three grandchildren, Bryce Richard, Paige Taylor, and Quinn Kevin, along with her daughter-in-law, Sara Webb Cook, all of Lebanon Township, NJ; her twin brother, John Anderson, and wife Mary Ellen Anderson, of Sturbridge, MA; brother Robert Anderson of Ma.; brother-in-law, Peter Cook and wife Betsey, of Hadley MA; brother-in-law, Gordon Cook, of Hadley, MA; brother-in-law, Todd Loebel, of Hadley, MA; and many nieces and nephews, close friends and neighbors. 

Myrna sadly was pre-deceased by her two sons- Kenny on May 16, 2016 and Kevin, on March 11, 2023; she was also pre-deceased by her two sister-in-laws, Judith Cook Loebel and Beth Cook, both of Hadley, MA.

Calling hours will take place on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 10a-12p at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 north Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.

A short memorial service and prayer will be held immediately following calling hours. 

Food and Fellowship Celebration of Life will be held at Hadley American Legion, 162 Russell Street, Hadley MA., from 1pm-330pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverside Industries, 1 Cottage St, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

PostHeaderIcon MARTHA A. BELANGER of SUNDERLAND, MA, April 30, 1942 – January 29, 2024

Martha Ailine Belanger completed her earthly journey and joined the Lord in Heaven on Monday January 29th. Martha was born on April 30, 1942, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada to the late Dollard and Alphena Page Belanger. She was one of seven children. Always outgoing and adventurous, Martha studied to become a secretary before leaving Canada at the age of 21 and venturing to Connecticut to begin the next chapter of her life. Even though Martha spoke English as a second language, as she was French-Canadian, her determination and persistence allowed her to quickly find administrative work for a large insurance firm in Hartford, CT. It was during this time that she met the man who would become the father to five of her children, Joseph, at a YMCA dance. Joe will tell you that he saw her instantly across the room, drawn to her infectious laughter. They went for a grinder and that led to marriage and five beautiful children. Although the marriage ended in divorce, the two remained lifelong friends. 

After years in offices Martha changed careers and went into healthcare, eventually retiring as a CNA helping people in their homes. Martha was known to be among the most loving and selfless people you could ever meet. Her time was spent helping others, not just those she worked with, but especially her children. Never one to put herself first, Martha’s every thought and action was in the service of others. A devout Catholic, her daily prayers included all members of her family both in the US and Canada. 

Always full of love and a zest for life, Martha caught the eye of another gentleman, Paul, and together they had Martha’s sixth child. Paul and Martha were together for over 35 years before Paul’s passing in 2020. 

Family was everything to Martha. She could often be found with at least one of her children but If Martha was with one of her children, she would call another, and another, and before long plans were being made for a family outing to a park, or beach, or a meal, or just a nice visit. She was happiest when all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were gathered enjoying food, music, singing, and dancing together. Martha, along with most of her family, especially loved to dance. Martha enjoyed the simple, often overlooked things in life. A ride in the car made her smile, as did a simple hot dog, and let’s not forget the grinder that led to five of her six children, or donuts with Paul. 

Time in nature was an important part of Martha’s life. She walked every day and would watch the birds and admire the flowers, seeing the beauty in everything from a finch or wildflower to the brightest Cardinal and most delicate rose. She would also point out the various creatures as they went about their activities. Martha loved animals and spent time caring for her many dogs and cats over the years.

Martha was greeted in heaven by her parents, three of her siblings, her daughter Suzanne, her grandson Andres, and her longtime companion Paul. 

Martha is forever loved and missed by her children Dorine, Anna Ponchita, Bella, David, and Paul Shawn; 10 grandchildren, Taja, Vanessa, Maya, Sean, Harmony, Juan, Aurora, Alizea, Fernando, and Starlight; seven great-grandchildren, Annabell, Owen, Odin, Ellabell, Odysseus, Melanie, and Adorabell, and many nieces and nephews. 

Arrangements are with Douglass Funeral Services in Amherst, MA. Calling hours will be Monday February 5, 2024, from 4-6PM. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday February 6, 2024, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Amherst, MA at 11:00AM followed by burial in Wildwood Cemetery. 

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

PostHeaderIcon MINNIE JEWEL WHITE of BELCHERTOWN, MA, January 26, 1936 – January 26, 2024

Minnie White (nee Crawford), of Amherst, MA passed away 1/26/2024.  Minnie was born in Ozark, AL in 1936 to Carlton Crawford and Sarah McKinnon.  Her siblings include sisters Grace, Maureen, Nettie, Sarah, and Blanche, and brother Major and the family relocated to Utica, NY, where Minnie eventually met her future husband Robert White.

Minnie worked in various positions throughout her career, most recently retiring from University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she worked as an accounting and payroll specialist.  Minnie was also a faithful member of Goodwin Memorial AME Zion church for many years prior to her illness, performing regularly with the church choir.

Preceded in death by Robert, Minnie is survived by her son, Warren White, her daughter-in-law, Alanna White, her grandson, Samuel White, as well as several nieces and nephews.  Minnie was a loving wife, a devoted mom, a caring mother-in-law, and a doting grandmother.  Her memory is a blessing to us all.

A calling hour will be Thursday, February 1, 2024 form 1pm-2pm with a service following at 2pm. Minnie will be buried in the Mass. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam with her husband Robert.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

PostHeaderIcon DAVID W. WILLS of SOUTH HADLEY, January 25, 1942 – January 18, 2024

David Wills, 81, of Amherst, passed away peacefully on January 18, after a year-long battle with lymphoma. He will be remembered as a kind, generous, and profoundly insightful man who valued his family, his faith, and his professional craft as a teacher and scholar.

David was born on January 25, 1942 to Theodore and Elizabeth, in Portland, Indiana. David eventually moved to Monrovia, California, where he met and married Carolyn Montgomery in 1964. The two went on to have three sons, John, Ted, and Thomas, who, in time, produced six grandchildren.

David enjoyed a long and rewarding career in academia.  After earning his A.B. in history from Yale University in 1962, he continued his education, graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1966, and earning his Ph.D. in Religion and Society in 1975 from Harvard University. He joined the faculty of Amherst College in 1972, where he would teach until his retirement in 2018. Profoundly dedicated to his scholarship and teaching, he was a mentor to students and colleagues, alike. A discerning, insightful, and meticulous historian, David’s scholarly interests were broad and diverse, often exploring the nexus of history, religion, and the African American experience. Although he spent some time in the Black Studies and American Studies departments at Amherst College, the Religion Department was his true home. 

David was a man of great personal integrity, epitomized by his commitment to social justice in both his personal conduct and his scholarship. He was thoroughly thorough, and conscientiously conscientious, and these qualities permeated all of his loves and passions. He took delight in thinking deeply, and in engaging in lively discourse. This was true in his scholarly pursuits, but equally true when discussing the Red Sox’s prospects – poor, given their questionable starting pitching – or the optimal time to depart for a 6:00 dinner reservation – 5:23, clearly – or how to approach dessert – get one of everything and extra forks. He delighted in his family, and particularly in his role as granddaddy, and treasured annual family gatherings on North Carolina’s coast, and later at Lake Champlain in Vermont. To his family, his students, and his colleagues he was generous with his time, his energy, and with his thoughts (not to mention his extensive supply of jelly beans, gum drops, fudge, and malted milk balls). He was a great listener, adept at making the comments or asking the questions that would help one reach clarity without being prescriptive or overtly directive. He was a devoted member of the Grace Episcopal Church congregation throughout his years living in Amherst and contributed regularly and generously to innumerable charities and organizations.

David was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn, their son John Wills and his wife, Cynthia, and their two children, Alexandria and Elliot; their son Theodore and his wife, Melanie, and their three children, Maya, Ethan, and Owen; and their son, Thomas, and his daughter, Samantha. David also leaves an older brother, Theodore.

Calling hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Home, Amherst, on Monday, January 29, from 4:00-6:00 PM. A Memorial Service followed by a reception will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, in Amherst, on Tuesday, January 30, at 11:00 AM.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Hospice House of Fisher, in Amherst, in recognition of the loving care they provided to David in his final days.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

PostHeaderIcon ORRIN B. CLIFFORD of EAST LONGMEADOW, MA., March 1, 1936 – January 8, 2024

AMHERST, MA: Orrin Benjamin “O.B.” Clifford, recently of East Longmeadow MA, passed into eternal rest on January 8, 2024, after a long struggle with dementia. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy Burke Clifford, who cared for him with unwavering patience and devotion throughout the stages of his illness. 

Born in Augusta, Maine in 1936, O.B. was the only child of Elva Black and Halstead Clifford. He lived in Augusta throughout his childhood, graduating from Cony High School, where he met Nancy in French class, in 1954. He attended the University of Maine at Orono and graduated in 1958 with a chemical engineering degree. He married Nancy shortly after graduation and they returned to Orono where O.B. obtained a post-graduate certificate in pulp and paper manufacturing from the University of Maine.  His career in paper manufacturing and sales took him first to Frenchtown and Milford, NJ and then to Hinsdale, Illinois and to Basking Ridge, NJ. He retired from James River Corporation in 1995. After retiring from James River, he rejoined the paper business and he and Nancy relocated from Basking Ridge to Amherst, MA where they made their home until recently. 

Following his second retirement after working in sales for Esleeck Manufacturing in Turners Falls, MA, he devoted most of his free time to volunteering in the community. He became the President of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Auxiliary after many years of tirelessly giving his time at the hospital. He answered phones, delivered flowers and assisted countless patients and visitors. Always ready with a joke and a kind word, O.B. made friends everywhere he went. At St. Brigid’s church in Amherst, he served as a lector, a member of the finance committee and an integral part of the fundraising team. He and Nancy chaired the annual Mardi Gras event and for years he worked to help organize the annual St. Brigid’s golf tournament. He used his persuasive sales skills to solicit prize donations from nearly every business on Route 9 year after year.

Nancy and O.B. enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada and to Maine and their family trips to Ship’s Watch on the Outer Banks where O.B. taught all of his grandchildren how to catch crabs from the dock and how to surf cast in the Atlantic. He loved live music concerts and visiting major league baseball stadiums all over the country and was a lifelong Red Sox fan and frequent visitor to Fenway Park. He also enjoyed attending UMass football and hockey games and played competitive cribbage weekly at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst. He was a devoted “Gramps” to his five grandchildren and cheered them on at countless soccer, baseball, hockey, ultimate and tennis sporting events and proudly attended all of their elementary, high school and college graduations.

In addition to Nancy, O.B. is survived by his daughter Linda Hadley and her husband William of Longmeadow MA and their three children, Meredith (Jason Brown), Matthew (Sarah) and Andrew.  He is also survived by his daughter- in- law Christine Clifford of New York, and grandsons, Kevin and Brian Clifford. He was recently blessed with three great grandchildren, Hannah Hadley and Bodie and Otto Brown. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Tyson of Longmeadow MA, nephew Matthew Tyson and niece Kim Lavallee and their families, and two cousins, Cynthia Lagacé and Norma Vontell. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Jim, who passed away in 2017, and by his brother-in-law, Forrest C. Tyson III.

The family will receive visitors at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA from 2PM to 4PM on Sunday, January 14. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by O.B.’s longtime friend Father John Smegal at St. Brigid’s Church, 122 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst MA at 10AM on Monday, January 15, followed by burial at St. Brigid’s cemetary. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in O.B.’s memory may be made to Cooley Dickinson Hospital, P.O. Box 329 , Northampton MA 01060-0329.

The family is grateful for the staff of East Village Place, the angels from Chanda Care and the nurses of Baystate Hospice for all their help and support of O.B., Nancy and Linda during the past year. 

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

PostHeaderIcon Mary C. Foley of Adams, December 1, 1958 – December 29, 2023

Mary C. Foley of Adams, MA died from complications of Covid on December 29th.  Born in Northampton, MA on December 1, 1958, Mary attended public schools in Easthampton and graduated from Amherst Regional High School with the class of 1976.  After high school she went on to receive her Associate’s degree in Medical Record Technology from Holyoke Community College.

Mary retired as a staffing coordinator at Springside Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center in Pittsfield, MA and previously worked at Greylock Pavilion in North Adams Regional Hospital.  Mary enjoyed working with people and collected many friends from all over the country.  She was also a collector of unique banana oddities. 

Mary is pre-deceased by her parents James P. Foley and Patricia M. Foley of South Amherst.  She is survived by her sister Trish Bachand and her husband Paul of Belchertown, nephews Brian (Jes Bolduc) and Dylan Bachand (Trisha Collette), niece Chelsea Loomis and her husband Nathan of Poultney, Vermont.  Along with her little ‘banana babies’ Bailey, Brayden, Marianna, Kinsley Bachand and Hattie and Abigail Loomis.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mary this spring at the convenience of the family.  In Mary’s honor drink a banana cocktail or play “Aunty Ry’s homeschool math” (aka scratch tickets) while listening to Bobby Sherman music.

Special thanks to Douglass Funeral Home of Amherst. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

PostHeaderIcon John J. Mara of MA, November 30, 1927 – January 5, 2024

NOVEMBER 30, 1927 – JANUARY 5, 2024

John J. Mara of Shutesbury, MA, enjoyed a long, healthy, active life well into his 96th year and even in his last months he said he felt like age 50 inside! His secret for a long life was “never stop moving, practice gratitude and have faith in God”. He died a natural death in the peace and comfort of his own home on Lake Wyola at dawn on January 5, 2024 in the care of his loving family.

John Joseph was born at home to Italian immigrants from Sicily on November 30th in the year 1927 in South Boston, MA, the 5th of 10 children with a rich family history. He graduated from Boston’s Abraham Lincoln School in 1942 and Boston Technical High School in 1945 with a degree in drafting.

He married his beautiful wife Rose (Guazzerotti), of East Boston, in 1951. They met at a dance hall in Boston and John knew she was “the one”, vowing she would never return to the dance hall for risk of another man setting his eyes on her. His favorite song at the time was “Rose Marie” and when she told him that night that her middle name was Marie he knew they were destined to be. They were married 58 years before her passing in 2009. They were blessed with 4 children and the family resided first in Jamaica Plain and then Saugus, MA.

John was an exceptionally talented and highly respected draftsman/technical illustrator for MIT, working for Professor Arthur Von Hipple (“The Prof” as he affectionately referred to him) and other scientists from 1945-1990. That was back in the day when drafting was all skillfully done by hand. He had the privilege of meeting and designing drawings for distinguished and renowned individuals such as Nobel Prize winner Niels Bohr, artist MC Escher, oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, the “Queen of Carbon Science” Mildred (Millie) Dresselhaus, Itzhak Perlman the famous violinist and the visionary photographer Don Edgerton (Papa Flash).

He stood alongside the scientists who witnessed the creation of liquid helium for the first time in history and even drove with them around Boston to see what would occur. If you’re at all curious, it evaporated. His work can be found in the scientific literature of educational and government institutions. After 45 years at MIT, he retired and moved with his wife Rose to Lake Wyola in Shutesbury, MA.

John entertained family and friends with his sense of humor and joke telling, always leaving the crowd wanting more. Sometimes this was to the dismay of his family who might have heard one of his jokes a few too many times! His wife was the exception, she was all ears, reveling as if she was hearing each joke for the first time. “Have you heard the one about…..?!”

John was a kind and generous man who helped others in inconspicuous ways. He was known to literally give a stranger a sweater or coat out of the trunk of his car, or hand out coins and grocery totes at Aldis Market. He would gather his returnable cans and pass them on to the infamous plastic bag woman who collected them on the street. You might have even bumped into him in the grocery store aisle proclaiming the harm of high fructose corn syrup or bestowing the virtues of organic extra virgin olive oil because he sincerely wanted you to eat healthy! When you take advantage of the family discount at Salvation Army, you can thank John for that as he convinced the manager that it’s not just seniors who need a break but even more so for struggling families.

John was inquisitive and interested in science, history and marveled at how things are made. He had great admiration and respect for Albert Einstein. Got a question about WWII? He could answer it. He loved music (a disc jockey in his youth), and the dancing of the Fred Astaire era, and he was a dandy dancer himself, a fabulous jitterbugger back in the day with his favorite partner Rose. He enjoyed puzzle making, entertaining and cooking all kinds of delicious meals. He was a bowling enthusiast and lifetime bowler, most recently with friends at French King Bowling Center until age 92. He and Rose enjoyed taking bus tours around NE taking in musical theater and making new friends.

He loved to “hunt” through flea markets, tag sales and second hand stores always in anticipation of some treasure or bargain. If it was broken, no problem he could fix it. Can’t find what you need? To his glory, he had a way of making it appear from his trove of treasures. He was quite the handy man, enjoyed woodworking and took great pride in transforming his retirement home on Lake Wyola from a cottage to a comfortable year-round residence.

Most importantly, he lived with gratitude and was a man of devotion and faith in God which sustained him up until his passing. He wonderfully embraced his role as provider for his family and was a loving and proud father and grandfather. He says “goodbye for now” to his four beloved children, and devoted sons-in-law: Paula (Paul) Lyons of Shutesbury, MA; James Mara of Littleton, MA; Louise Mara (James LaBonte) of Leominster, MA; Ruth Mara, of Shutesbury, MA; and two adored grandchildren and their spouses, Jaron Lyons (Elise Flynn) of Wendell, MA and Kendra Lyons (Dan Whatley) of St Petersburg, FL; and one precious 3 year old great-granddaughter Zia Colleen. He also bids farewell to a dear brother Paul and his wife Diane from CA, his little sister Doris of MA, and many, many nieces and nephews.

You know how there are those character actors in the movies who play a quiet but memorable part? Well, in this drama of life that’s how we see John’s part and how we will remember him; a talented, simple, loving, kind and generous man who touched our lives in a unique way. His physical presence among us will be dearly missed.

Services are private with interment of his ashes in the Springtime to join Rose’s at St. Brigid’s Cemetery in Hadley, beneath a tombstone that’s engraved with “I Remember You” a song he sang to her many times. With our hearts united as a family we celebrate his life and reunion in Spirit with his beloved wife.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the Hospice Angels at Pioneer Valley who lovingly and tenderly supported our family and cared for John over the last several months of his life. He says to them, it was “nice” to have known you.

Current Obituaries
To view full obituary details and/or sign the Memorial Guestbook click desired individual below.

ERIC DAY of EASTHAMPTON, MA died on March 1, 2024

ROBERT GRAY of AMHERST died on March 22, 2024

JOANNA HAYES of SHUTESBURY died on March 15, 2024

DENISON HARTMAN JONES of FLORIDA died on March 9, 2024

DONNA LEVIN of AMHERST died on March 23, 2024

MARTHA CHASE MITCHELL of AMHERST, MA died on February 11, 2024

LORNA M. PETERSON of AMHERST, MA died on March 16, 2024

PETER ALBERT (PAW) WARD of AMHERST died on March 3, 2024


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