Daniel Charles Lashway Sr.

Goshen Sawmill Owner

GOSHEN, Daniel C. Lashway Sr., 72, of East Street, died Sunday, April 13, 2014, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.  His family had the privilege of caring for him during his last days, so that his wish to remain at home could be carried out. 

            Born in Northampton, December 22, 1941, he was the youngest of 16 children to the late William J. and Myrtie Belle (Nutting) Lashway. He attended Amherst schools and graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1959. 

            After working in the lumber business as a young man for both his father and his brother, he established Dan Lashway Lumber in 1969.  He was known for being a perfectionist and very meticulous, particularly when it came to his product and equipment. He will be remembered for his love of travel, trucks and trains. He was an honest and generous man who without hesitation would help those in need. He loved his family with all his heart and will be greatly missed by all of them.

            He and his wife loved to travel.  They made many trips throughout the country visiting national parks and historic places and recently spending winters in Florida with family and friends.

            Dan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diana (Damon) Lashway, his son David T. Lashway and his wife Tara of Goshen, his two daughters; Deborah L. Soto and her husband Dan of Goshen, and Elizabeth L. Proccacini and her husband Matt of Farmington, CT.  Five grandchildren: Danny, Devon, and Damon Soto, and Lauren and Jered Young, and his mother-in-law Alice K. Damon.

            He is also survived by three brothers; Lawrence L. Lashway of Williamsburg, William J. Lashway Jr. of Leeds, and Harry R. Lashway of Palm Coast, FL. Five sisters; Alice L. Adams and Joan B. Olanzk of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Joyce A. Matuszko of Amherst, Ethel Bozek of Feeding Hills, Harriet L. Eddy of Leverett, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

            He was predeceased by a son, Daniel C. Lashway Jr., three brothers, Edward, Leonard and Richard, and four sisters, Margaret Poole, Florence Powers, Helen Adams and Mary Nuzzi.          

            The family will receive friends at the Douglass Funeral Service on Monday, April 21, from 5-8 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 22, at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst, at 10 am.  Burial will follow immediately at St. Brigid’s Cemetery in Hadley. 

            Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to Hospice of Cooley Dickenson Hospital, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA, 01060 and/or The American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.  Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.