Greenfield – Richard J. “Gus” McKemmie, passed away Monday, August 10, at Highview in Leeds from Lewy-Body Dementia and diabetes. He was born in Pelham, MA on November 23, 1927 to John and Ebba (Tidlund) McKemmie. He was educated in the Amherst school system, graduating from Amherst High School in 1946.

He served in the US Army from 1950 to 1952 as a Corporal. He then went to work at the University of Massachusetts as a painter/foreman in the Physical Plant for over 39 years. Upon retiring, he enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, and skeet shooting. He also liked to travel to various states, Hawaii and Alaska.

He was a life-time member of Norwattuck Fish and Game Club, Amherst American Legion, VFW 754 in Amherst, and the R.S.C.M.E. Association of Massachusetts. He was also a charter member of the Five College Credit Union.

He leaves his wife of 60 years, Audrey Ann (Kolinka) McKemmie; three sons – David McKemmie and his wife Donna (Tudryn) of Sunderland, Peter McKemmie of Pelham, and Frederick Mckemmie and his wife Diane Burgess of Agawam; one daughter, Linda McKemmie of Greenfield; and three grandchildren – Peter John Koscinski of Hartford, CT, Calvin Joseph McKemmie of Sunderland, and Kurtis Alan McKemmie of Chicopee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to; Amherst American Legion Baseball, c/o Amherst Baseball Inc. P.O. Box 3501 Amherst, MA 01004

Calling hours will be Friday, Aug. 14, from 5-8pm at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. Services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10am at the Douglass Funeral Service, with burial in the family lot at South Amherst Cemetery, with military honors, immediately following the service.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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