Amherst, Susan Kastor, who passed away on May 8 at age 78, was a resident of the Clark House in Amherst for 13 years.   She enjoyed exploring the town through long walks and the broader area via the PVTA bus system.   She had a deep love for the intricacies of the natural world and for the music of diverse peoples and times.  She made a great many friends and acquaintances around town who will miss her warm and generous spirit.

Susan lived most of her life in Trenton, NJ, growing up with her parents Helen and Henry Richard on Center Street.  A graduate of Trenton High School and Trenton State Teachers College, she taught kindergarten at the Mott Street School, before moving on to life as a full-time mom and homemaker in nearby Lawrence Township with her husband Sven Kastor.  Following their divorce, she moved back to Trenton and worked as a clerk at Dwyer’s Stationers, a long-term mainstay of the downtown business district. 

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, also in downtown Trenton, where she was an enthusiastic singer in the choir, having performed in earlier years with the Mercer County Chorus.  She spent much of her free time exploring the Trenton-Hamilton Marshlands, observing the ways in which it changed with the seasons, and always carrying a bag to pick up stray trash. 

In Amherst, she particularly delighted in helping to raise her granddaughter.  As health issues increasingly limited her mobility, Susan adapted by watching the world with an even keener eye, as it moved more slowly past her.  She leaves behind her son David Kastor, daughter-in-law Jennie Traschen, both physicists at the University of Massachusetts, and her granddaughter Kalyani Kastor, a student at Amherst Regional High School. 

Donations in her memory can be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton, the Friends of the Abbott Marshlands, or the North Amherst Community Farm.  Visiting hours will be held at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst on Monday, May 18, from 3:00-5:00PM. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

AMHERST   Ralph Craig

Ralph P. Craig, age 82, of West Pomeroy Lane, died peacefully in his sleep, at home, early Tuesday morning, May 6^th, 2015.

Ralph Parsisson Craig was born October 16, 1932 in Easthampton, MA.  The son of Ralph Aiken Craig (1902 — 1941) and Florence (Parsisson) Craig (1904 — 1996), Ralph grew up in Easthampton, son of the local milkman. He was a graduate of Easthampton Public Schools, and Westfield State Teachers’ College.  He received his Master’s plus Thirty from University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

He taught public school in grades 5 – 8 for 33 years in Easthampton, Dalton and Amherst, He spent 20 years teaching 5^th  and 6^th  grade students at Crocker Farm Elementary School, in Amherst, (when it was a new experimental school with grand ideas) and was a very popular teacher. He retired early in 1987 to regain his health and enjoy hobbies.

Ralph is survived by his wife Grace (Johnson) Craig, daughter Talli McCormick, and grandson Ned McCormick.  In the past year, he lost his Aunt Florence, his best friend Tommy and his cousin Barbara, as well as his younger brother Bob.

Ralph loved teaching children about math, science and the wider world.  He used materials such as those from his long planned trip to explore the monuments and history of Ancient Egypt. He enjoyed music, particularly jazz and popular music of the 40s and 50s, with favorites like “Night and Day”.  His ever present baseball cap for the St. Louis Cardinals proclaimed his love of baseball.  He often told old basketball stories of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, completing 3335 consecutive USA Today puzzles, with the last one done Tuesday May 5th.  He delighted in playing cribbage, and usually won!  He took great pleasure in his garden, called his “park”, where he spent many hours relaxing, enjoying flora and fauna or just puttering!

A memorial service will be held on Sunday May 31, at 1:00 pm, at the Douglass Funeral Home, Amherst.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital or Doctors without Borders or Habitat for Humanity. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Hadley – Doris Yvonne (Jette) LeCourt of Hadley, died peacefully on May 10, 2015. Born January 3, 1935 in Worcester, MA to Beatrice (Cote) and Henry Jette, Doris was the sixth of ten children.  She lived most of her life in Worcester, first in the south end neighborhood and then, when married, in the north end.  She worked for the City of Worcester for many years at the now closed City Hospital in the kitchen.  It was here that she met her husband, Charles LeCourt, whom she married in 1958.  They enjoyed 52 years of marriage before Charles’ passing in 2010.  Together they had two children, Bruce and Donna. After retiring from City Hospital, she helped Charlie manage their businesses:  The Paddock Lounge in Worcester and the Panda Lounge in Auburn.  She lived with Donna in Hadley, MA for the past 12 years where she was an active member of the Most Holy Redeemer Church and the Hadley Senior Center. 

Doris’ greatest joys in life were her family, knitting, shopping, and playing cards.  From canasta to bid-wist, she was a competitive card player who enjoyed learning new games.  She spent most of her time with family and shopping at the outlets with those women who she “adopted” as second daughters, especially Susan Glatki and Jayne Vranos.  Always up for an adventure, she frequently went on trips to the beach or to Foxwoods.  Active until the end, she was most happy surrounded by others talking, laughing, and being part of the group.  Her family was deeply blessed by her kind spirit, infectious laugher, and unfailing support.  She lit up a room with her love and was warm to all she met. 

She leaves behind many who loved her:  her daughter, Donna; best friends and in-laws, Alice and Joseph Landry of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; two sisters, Cecile Jette of Sherbrooke, Canada and Estelle Martinelli of Webster, MA; one brother, Richard Jette (and wife Barbara) of West Palm Beach, FL; and 21 nieces and nephews, including her favorite nephew and godchild, David Landry of Shrewsbury, MA.  She is predeceased by her husband, Charlie; her son, Bruce; her brothers, Omer, Roland, and Rene; and her sisters, Rita, Yvette, and Theresa. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, May 15, 2015 at 10:00am at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley. Calling hours will be Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Burial will take place at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, MA at 2:00pm on May, 15, 2015.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Roger A. Carlsen

            Roger A. Carlsen, 94, passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst on April 25, 2015.  He was born November 9, 1920 in Haverhill, MA, the son of Trygve and Bernice (Wormwood) Carlsen.  He grew up in West Newbury, MA and graduated from West Newbury High School.  He attended the University of Iowa, served in the Coast Guard during World War II, and graduated from Springfield College after the war.  He taught physical education and coached basketball, soccer and baseball in both the Pittsfield and Colebrook, NH Public Schools.  He retired as the Director of Physical Education and Health for the city of Haverhill, MA Public Schools.  Roger had a great love of the mountains of New England as well as its seacoast.   He grew up hiking, camping,  swimming, canoeing, sailing and skiing and passed that love on to his family.

            In January of 1946, Roger married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Bennett Johnson, who predeceased him in 2004. Roger was also predeceased by his brother, Norman Carlsen and his sister, Barbara Pittendreigh.  He is survived by his three children Karen C. Bucala of Whately,  Christina Carlsen of Rochester, NH, and Iver R. Carlsen of Scarborough, ME; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  Roger also leaves his friends and staff of Lathrop Home where he enjoyed the past nine years of his life.  The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Fisher Home for their compassionate care during his final days.

            A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke.  The family will receive visitors during the hour prior to the service.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in West Newbury.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Lathrop Home, 215 South St., Northampton, MA  01060;  or to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant St.,  Amherst, MA 01002.   Douglass Funeral Service of Amherst has been entrusted with his arrangements.

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

Amherst, Judith Ann( Hilliker) Krueger Johnson of Amherst, died peacefully April 26, 2015. Born January 14, 1941 at the Florence Lying Inn Hospital, to the late Winifred Louise Upham Hilliker and Howard Foster Hilliker. Educated in the local school system including Hill Institute, Florence Grammar, Northampton and Williamsburg High Schools.

She later completed college, earning an AA degree from Greenfield Community College, a BS degree from UMASS Amherst in 1975, including a Commonwealth of Massachusetts teaching certificate K-8 and Real Estate Broker licensure.

Judi spent several years in teaching and social service fields working at the Belchertown State School, Massachusetts Division of Employment Security and Massachusetts and Mississippi welfare departments.

She Transitioned into banking and then to Property Management and Real Estate, where she owned and operated Townhouse  Management Associates and managed the Townehouse of Amherst Condominium Association and housing development, for the remaining 25 years of her working career.

Judi was a long time member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and had belonged to Hampshire County Business Women’s Association.

After retiring, the next 10 glorious years were spent having fun in the sun with friends and family in the Ellenton area of Florida’s West coast, finally returning home to be close to family.

She leaves behind her beloved family; first born infant son Howard Christian Krueger (deceased), favorite son William Henry Krueger Jr., his wife Kathleen (Bouchard) Krueger and their daughters Kimberly Marie Krueger and Nina Marie Krueger, of Fall River Massachusetts. Favorite Daughter and caregiver, Becki-Lyn (Krueger) Sharpe, her husband Robert A. Sharpe Jr. (deceased) and their daughters Kristi Marie Sharpe and Alicia Ann Sharpe, her fiance’ Richard M. Perrault Jr. of Belchertown, Massachusetts,  She leaves one Aunt; Myrtle Bean Reese of East Hartford, Connecticut, many cousins, friends and business associates.

A memorial service will be Saturday May 2, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A calling hour will precede the service from 10 – 11 am. Burial will take place at Spring Grove Cemetery, Florence, MA at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Brain Cancer Research or Dakin Animal Hospital. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Amherst, MA – Graham Worthington Smith, 64, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at home with his loving family by his side.

  Graham was born June 14, 1950 in Eugene, Oregon, to the late Robert Worthington and Velma Louise (Sise) Smith.

  He had a lifelong interest in learning and discussion across many topics.  He was a voracious reader of history, science, social and economic policy and well-written fiction.  He also developed wonderful woodworking skills over his lifetime, creating beautiful Shaker style furniture in hand tooled cherry, oak and black walnut.  Graham had a rigorous academic career, including a B.S. in Biology from University of Oregon, a M.S in Wildlife Biology from Washington State University, and a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University.  His research was wide-ranging, including work with population ecology, quantitative methods, migratory birds, and mammalian biology. 

  Dr. Smith had a long and well-respected federal career, first with the Bureau of Land Management in Idaho, then nearly 15 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Division of Migratory Bird Management), and finally ten years with the U.S. Geological Survey (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) in Maryland.  At his retirement in 2012 and thereafter, so many of his friends and colleagues have expressed their gratitude and admiration for his intelligence and keen insights into science and logical problem solving, balanced by his generosity, patience, and humor.   His family is deeply and forever blessed by his gentleness, thoughtfulness, and remarkable dignity and integrity.

  Graham is survived by his loving wife, Mary J. Ratnaswamy, daughter, Elizabeth W. Smith, stepdaughter, Selena R. Burke, his four sisters, Ellen (and husband Russ) Wilcoxson, Gretchen (and husband Randy) Prakken, Adrienne Smith, and Anita McKey, many nieces and nephews, extended family and close friends.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Alice P. Wywialowski, and brother-in-law, Jeff McKey.

 Those interested in donations in his memory are encouraged to consider Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org), Ducks Unlimited (www.ducks.org) or The Wildlife Society (www.wildlife.org) and please note the donation is in honor of Graham Worthington Smith.  A memorial celebration may be planned at a future time. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Harry Arthur Delano, known by most as Chick, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 16, 2015. Chick was a long-time resident of Amherst, where he owned several businesses, including the Amherst Deli and Delano’s. Family was everything to Chick. He was also a great friend to many and a dedicated member of the community. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Hospitality Mutual Insurance Company and also served as the President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.  

Born November 12, 1945 in New Rochelle, NY, Chick grew up in Connecticut, and lived in New York City, where he was a police detective, and in Provincetown and Edgartown, MA, where he owned leather shops with his brothers, Sterling Parker Delano and Joseph Sharpe Delano. Most recently, Chick was a realtor with Jones Group Realtors. 

Chick is survived by his wife Suzy Reder-Delano, his four children Sara Delano Collins, Cassy Delano, Jason Delano, and Harry Delano, his brothers, his sisters-in-law, Ann Delano and Jane Weiss, his son-in-law Kyle Collins, and his granddaughter, Addison, as well as a devoted extended family.  

A memorial service will be held Sunday April 19 at 2 pm at the Lord Jeffrey Inn in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jones Library in Amherst.

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

Amherst, George R. Richason, Jr., 99, died Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born in Turners Falls, April 3, 1916, attended Gill public schools and graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1932. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts in 1937, a M.S. from Umass in 1939, and an Honorary D.Sci. in 1991. He did other graduate work at Bowdoin College, M.I.T., Clark University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Ames National Laboratory.

He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1942 as an Ensign, served active duty from 1941-1946 and in the active reserve until 1969. He was retired as a Commander, USNR. Assignments included teaching advanced electronics at M.I.T., Officer in Charge of the Patent Section of the Office of Naval Research {Boston}, and Radar Officer of Fleet Air Wing 16. He was a member of VFW Post 754.

He taught science and mathematics at Turners Falls High School from 1939-1942 and 1946-1947. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Umass in 1947, Associate Professor in 1957, and Professor in 1964, and served as Associate Head of the Chemistry Department starting in 1959. He did part-time teaching at General Electric and Holyoke Community College. He served as a Reviewer-Consultant for Van Nostrand Reinhold, Holden Day Inc., Houghton-Mifflin Co., McGraw-Hill Book Co., John Wiley and Sons, and Worth Publishing Co. Professional affiliations included the American Chemical Society, New England Association of Chemistry Teachers, and Sigma Xi. Professional honors included election to Phi Eta Sigma, a National Science Foundation Fellowship, and designation as the Umass Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1963. As such he served as Mace Bearer at all Umass Commencements and other events where an academic procession is appropriate. He served as Radiological Safety Officer and Chairperson of the Nuclear Energy Council and Radiation Use Committee. He was elected to the Faculty Senate and Chairperson of tits Rules Committee. He has served on virtually every University standing committee many ad hoc committees, and numerous selection committees. He retired in 1976, he then served under contract until 2002, as part-time Associate Head of the Department of Chemistry. He continued to serve as an Under Graduate Student Advisor until his death.

He served as assistant coach of football, basketball and baseball at Turners Falls High School. He was one of the founders of the Turners Falls Athletic Club and served several terms as president and continuously on its Board of Directors. At the University he was appointed to the Athletic Council in 1961 and served as chairperson or secretary for over 30 years. He was chairperson of committees to select a Dean of the School of Physical Education, three Head Football Coaches, three Head Basketball Coaches, associate Athletic Director, and Business Manager. He was elected to the Umass Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.

He was active in the Umass Alumni Association, and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors from 1968-1994, its Executive Committee from 1968-1991, Chairman of Awards and Honorary Degrees from 1965-1994, Nominating Committee for 20 years and numerous selection committees. He received the Associate Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to the University in 1974, and numerous special citations. In 1994 he was named a lifetime member of the Board of Directors, Emeritus.

A resident of Amherst since 1947, he served many terms as a town meeting member, and several terms on the Amherst Developmental Commission. He was one of the founders of the Amherst Little League, and then the Amherst Babe Ruth League. A longtime member of the Amherst Golf Club, he was President for 4 years and a member of the Board of Directors for 14 years. He was active at the Thomas Memorial Golf Club in Turners Falls as well.

He was a communicant and lector at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst, and a lifetime member of the Amherst Council of the Knights of Columbus.

George is survived by his son Mark John, of Amherst. He was predeceased by his wife Frances Joan {Lipinski}, and sons, George R. M. III and Craig Alan.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 9:00 am from the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be Monday, April 20, from 5 – 8 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the George Richason, Jr. scholarship fund c/o the Department of Chemistry 710 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA 01003.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Harry S. Beall, Jr. (1927-2015)

Amherst, Harry S. Beall, Jr. died Saturday April 11 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton MA after a brief illness.  He was born on March 4 1927 to Harry S. Beall Sr. and Hazel Long Beall in Rockville Maryland.    

Harry was a boy soprano for the St. Albans School at the Washington Cathedral in Washington DC, on a full scholarship, until his voice changed and he returned home to graduate from Richard Montgomery High School.   He attended Western Maryland College until he was drafted into the Army towards the end of WWII. 

In the early 1950’s he worked for Community Concerts and set up local concert series in over 100 cities across the USA, followed by several years as the mid-west sales rep for Columbia Artist Management.  From 1959-1964 he was the first full time Press Secretary for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.   

In 1964 he was a founding partner in Judson O’Neill Beall and Steinway that was the beginning of his career as a classical music manager, which he did until his retirement in 1992.  During his career in classical music he worked with Lily Pons, Van Cliburn, Arthur Fiedler, Gary Graffman, Jessye Norman and the Guarneri String quartet for 35 years as well as many others.  He made many dear friends in the business of producing classical music concerts. 

In 1956 he married Mary Jane Lester of Saratoga Springs NY.  They spent 58 years together, raising a family and making countless friends along the way. 

Harry is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his son Martin Beall and Jane Beall of Midlothian VA and his son Andy Beall and Hut Beall of Pelham MA as well as his three cherished grandchildren Christopher, Alexandra and Charlie. 

All who knew Harry will remember him for his outgoing personality, his quick wit and the twinkle in his eye.  Whether you knew Harry casually or for a lifetime, you witnessed his love of life and friendship and the joy he spread wherever he went.   

There will be a brief Committal service at the columbarium at Grace Church in Amherst on Thursday April 16 at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of Massachusetts, Fine Arts Center. 

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Hadley, Amezquita, Nereida, with deep sorrow, the family of Nereida (Nelly) Amezquita, announce her return to her Heavenly Father, on Thursday April 2, 2015.  The Lord needed an additional angel on the anniversary of His death and called her home.  She lived her life in service to many and was a mother to all her nieces and nephews.  Her last days were spent with family, friends and her church community singing Praises to her Lord and Savior.  We love you Nelly! 

Funeral Services will be Tuesday April 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A calling hour will precede the service from 6 – 7 PM at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The American Cancer Society.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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