THEODORE GILBERT

AMHERST, Theodore Gilbert, of Baltimore and more recently, Amherst MA, died July 22 in Amherst with his family at his side.  Just 12 days earlier, he had been the life of the party as family and friends celebrated his 99^th birthday.

Ted was born in 1914 in Ithaca, NY, to Celia and Isaac Ginsberg.  He grew up mostly in Washington, DC, with a few years’ interlude when his father worked in Key West, Florida. His stories from that time revolved around never-ending battles against snakes and mosquitoes. 

A pharmacist who worked in several drugstores over the years and retired from the University of Maryland Hospital Pharmacy in Baltimore, he was a lifelong hobbyist whose interests knew no bounds.  In the 1950s he built a car engine from scratch that he installed in a rattletrap Studebaker body.  The “Teddybaker” got plenty of odd looks but easily transported the family from Baltimore to the Mexican border and back.

Ted was an avid gardener and at various times took up painting, mandolin, and guitar.  He built clocks, radios, and a prized stereo system from kits.  His passion for woodworking resulted in countless tables, chairs, shelves, lamps, trays, and knickknacks now gracing the homes of family members.

Once he retired, Ted had more time to indulge his social and political interests.  He was an ardent union man and could be found at meetings and marches in the pursuit of peace and social justice.  He was a devoted fan of limericks, Robert Burns, “Hamlet,” Mozart’s clarinet concerto, “The Three Penny Opera,” Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger.  If Ted were to serve as an example, anyone seeking longevity would do well to feast on a steady diet of donuts, potato chips, and chocolate.

Ted was predeceased by his parents, his sister Vita Schach, and his first wife Anita Kanner Gilbert.  He will be deeply missed and remembered with great love by his wife Magda Gilbert of Baltimore; his daughter and son-in-law Lynn and Leonard Lempel of Daytona Beach; his son and daughter-in-law Mark and Nancy Gilbert of Amherst, with whom he lived for the last six years; stepson Louis Shillman of Austin TX; stepdaughter Ilona Shillman of Los Angeles; granddaughter Erica (Scott) Fisher of Belchertown MA; grandson Tom Gilbert of Las Vegas; grandson Brian (Diana) Lempel of Cambridge MA; step-grandson Grant Garson of New York City; and the lights of his life for the past four years, great-grandsons Charlie and Leo Fisher. In addition Ted will be missed by extended family Wayne Guider and his wife Daryl Ann Hornyak, many cousins, and special friends Carlos and Mary Santiago, Jane Kristal and Don Towsley, Pearl-Anne and Nathan Margalit, and Andrea Cutrumbes.  A special thank you is extended to Ted’s special caregivers through the past 5 years Margie and Karen, and also to the staff at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst who lovingly cared for Ted during the past 2 months.

Donations may be made in Ted’s memory to La Paz Centro Nicaragua Sister City Committee c/o Kathleen Mullin, Treasurer, 39 Mill Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

A celebration of his life is planned for the fall. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

Alice P. Wysocki

EXETER, NH – Alice P. Wysocki, 87, of Exeter NH, died Tuesday, July 23, 2013 in Exeter Hospital, after a sudden illness.

She was born on February 23, 1926 in Amherst MA, the daughter of the late Alexander J. Wysocki and Anna Silvonic Wysocki.  She attended Amherst schools.  Alice graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1948, with a BS in Chemistry.  She spent her working career as a research chemist, working for a short time in Easthampton MA, with the balance of her career in Boston MA.  She retired to Exeter NH in 2007.

Alice enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

She was predeceased by her two sisters, Sophie T. Sadoski of South Deerfield MA, and Anne W. Rogers of Amherst MA.

She leaves two nephews, Peter Sadoski of Logan Utah and James Rogers of Hadley MA, and one niece, Nancy Singleton of Stratham NH, as well as their families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 29, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst with burial following in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. A Calling Hour will precede Mass from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

DWIGHT HOWARD MARINE

AMHERST, On Wednesday, July 24, 2013 Dwight H. Marine died at home in Amherst in the presence of his family after a two year battle with cancer.

Dwight Howard Marine was born October 6, 1955 in Iowa City, Iowa to Leroy Donald Marine and Mabel Elizabeth Coxon Marine. He graduated from Lone Tree Community High School, in Lone Tree, Iowa; Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dwight worked for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority for over a quarter of a century and his final position was that of Supervisor.

He married Touch Heav February 7, 1987 in Amherst, who survives him, along with their daughters Hanna and Sophia, son Sokem Mang, daughter-in-law Laty Mang and grandsons Mureno and Shane, mother-in-law Lap Bou, all of Amherst. He is also survived by his mother Mabel Marine of Lone Tree, Iowa, sisters Nancy (Najeeb) Khan of Michigan, Pat (Ricardo) Munoz of California, brothers Wendell Marine of California and Leonard (Sherri) Marine of Iowa. An extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews also survive.

Services will be held at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple, 100 Cave Hill Road, Leverett, MA 01054 on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 9:00 and at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 No. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, on Sunday, July 28, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Donations may be made in Dwight’s memory to the charity of your choice. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

Beverly J. Baker

1930 – 2013

GREENFIELD – Beverly J. (Bauss) Baker, 83, of Greenfield passed away peacefully, Friday morning July 19, at Charlene Manor in Greenfield with her son James by her side.

            She was born in Springfield, May 6, 1930, the daughter of Marion & Herman Bauss, was married to Robert Ruder (deceased of Amherst) and in the later part of her life traveled the country in her motor home with her second husband Milford Baker (deceased).

            She leaves her son James Ruder of Bernardston, and now joins her other two children Donna L. Ruder whom passed in 1985 and her oldest son Robert R. Ruder Jr. whom passed in 2006 and who will join her in this place of rest. Also joining her in this place of rest is her granddaughter Samantha L. Ruder, daughter of Donna, who passed away in 2005.

            There will be a grave side service in NorthAmherstCemetery, Amherst, Tuesday July 23, at 10am. Douglass Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

AMANDA K. MUNDT

1991 – 2013

AMHERST, Amanda K. Mundt of Amherst, MA died in a tragic automobile collision in the south of Haiti last Wednesday, July 10. Amanda was in Haiti to kick-off “Lekol Dete 2013” (Summer School 2013) in Les Cayes, Haiti, the third year of an innovative program she launched in 2010 that shatters social and cultural barriers between the “Restavek” (indentured servant or “slave”) and “free” children of Haiti. Lekol Dete had grown to serve over 200 children and employed a staff of 20 local teachers, administrators and kitchen staff.

Amanda graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 2009, having completed her senior year at Greenfield Community College.  She was a senior at Clark University in Worcester, MA, majoring in International Development and Social Change but had taken a year of leave to recuperate from a head injury sustained as a third-year varsity field hockey player. She was working at Bayshore Athletic Club in Braintree, MA as well as completing an internship at the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti in South Boston. Amanda was recognized as a Making a Difference Scholar at Clark.

Amanda leaves her parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth Mundt of Amherst, her sister and best friend Sarah and her dear friend Ryan Poteat, both of Boulder, CO, her brother Zachary of Amherst, her significant other George Sweet of Weymouth, her Grandparents Jean and Arthur Mundt of Hadley, and many relatives, friends and admirers.

Calling hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant St., Amherst on Fri. July 26 from 3 – 8 pm. A service in celebration of her life will take place at South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst, MA, on Sat. July 27 at 11:00 a.m. followed immediately by a light lunch reception at the Church.

Contributions in honor of Amanda and her work in Haiti may be made to Opportunities for Communities, Inc., 260 Lincoln Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002, a nonprofit educational organization that she helped found and continues to inspire. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

DIANE J. MUNDT

1955 – 2013

HULL, MA – Diane J. Mundt, PhD was tragically killed along with her niece, Amanda Mundt, and Meagan Bell who were all returning to the airport in Port au Prince, Haiti, after completing a work project for the people of Haiti.  Her brother, Kenneth Mundt, Meagan’s parents Dave and Beverly Bell and two Haitian coworkers were injured in the accident. Diane was a resident of Hull, MA, formerly from West Springfield.  Her husband, Alan Soudakoff, passed away November 1, 2010.

Diane was born in Springfield on Dec. 29, 1955 to Arthur and Jean (Symancyk) Mundt. She was a graduate of West Springfield High School. Diane attended Concordia College in Bronxville, NY and was a graduate of Valparaiso University in Indiana. She earned a Masters degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and a Doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has worked in the field of epidemiology and public health policy in Washington DC, Chicago and Massachusetts and was a Principal Consultant at ENVIRON International Corporation.  Diane served as a member of the Board of Directors of MEDICHEM, the international scientific association for occupational and environmental health in the production and use of chemicals.

Besides her parents who reside in Hadley, formerly of West Springfield, she leaves her brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and Elizabeth Mundt of Amherst. Also, her niece Sarah Mundt of Boulder, Colorado and nephew Zachary Mundt of Amherst and extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours for Diane and Amanda will be held at the Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant St., Amherst on Fri. July 26 from 3 – 8 pm. A service in celebration of their lives will take place at South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst, MA, on Sat. July 27 at 11:00 a.m. followed immediately by a light lunch reception at the Church.  Burials will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Opportunities for Communities, Inc., 260 Lincoln Ave., Amherst MA 01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

AMANDA K. MUNDT

1991 – 2013

AMHERST, Amanda K. Mundt of Amherst, MA died in a tragic automobile collision in the south of Haiti last Wednesday, July 10. Amanda was in Haiti to kick-off “Lekol Dete 2013” (Summer School 2013) in Les Cayes, Haiti, the third year of an innovative program she launched in 2010 that shatters social and cultural barriers between the “Restavek” (indentured servant or “slave”) and “free” children of Haiti. Lekol Dete had grown to serve over 200 children and employed a staff of 20 local teachers, administrators and kitchen staff.

Amanda graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 2009, having completed her senior year at Greenfield Community College.  She was a senior at Clark University in Worcester, MA, majoring in International Development and Social Change but had taken a year of leave to recuperate from a head injury sustained as a third-year varsity field hockey player. She was working at Bayshore Athletic Club in Braintree, MA as well as completing an internship at the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti in South Boston. Amanda was recognized as a Making a Difference Scholar at Clark.

Amanda leaves her parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth Mundt of Amherst, her sister and best friend Sarah and her dear friend Ryan Poteat, both of Boulder, CO, her brother Zachary of Amherst, her significant other George Sweet of Weymouth, her Grandparents Jean and Arthur Mundt of Hadley, and many relatives, friends and admirers.

Calling hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant St., Amherst on Fri. July 26 from 3 – 8 pm. A service in celebration of her life will take place at South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst, MA, on Sat. July 27 at 11:00 a.m. followed immediately by a light lunch reception at the Church.

Contributions in honor of Amanda and her work in Haiti may be made to Opportunities for Communities, Inc., 260 Lincoln Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002, a nonprofit educational organization that she helped found and continues to inspire. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

CLIFTON H. MORTON

Amherst, Clifton H. Morton, 90, died July 12, 2013, at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst, MA.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Jane Lannon Morton.

Born in Easthampton, MA on Feb. 11, 1923, he was a son of the late Elmer Morton and Ruth Graves Morton.  He was a graduate of East Bridgewater High School and resided in Amherst, MA since 1948.  He is survived by a daughter, Dale Hooper (Terry) of Aiken, SC; a son, Brian Morton (Susan) of Amherst, MA;  a granddaughter, Julie Alcantara (Miguel) of Soddy Daisy, TN; a grandson, Michael Hooper (Audrey) of Taylors, SC; two great-grandchildren, Rachel Hooper and Eric Hooper; a sister, Carolyn Feldman of Ellington, CT; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his great-grandson, Daniel A. LaLalonde, Jr. (DJ), two sisters, and three brothers.

Cliff was an active member of VFW Post 754 after serving in WWII as a Corporal in the Army Air Force, Detachment A, Flight 3, 8^th Fighter Command.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, the New England Patriots, and Red Sox.  He had a great sense of humor and loved hearing and telling a good joke.

A memorial service and reception will be held at the VFW Post 754, 457 Main St., Amherst, MA at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 5. Friends and family are invited to share stories and memories of Cliff.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Earl J. Sanders VFW Post 754, 457 Main St., Amherst, MA 01002 or the American Cancer Society. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

Mary (Wanczyk) Grandonico

HADLEY, Mary T. (Wanczyk) Grandonico, 98, of 95 Huntington Road Hadley, died July 6 at Genesis HealthCare in Hadley.

Born September 30, 1914 in Hadley, she was the daughter of the late Joseph S. and Tekla (Baj) Wanczyk.

A 1933 graduate of Hopkins Academy, Mary’s pride of her alma mater never waned.

On August 31, 1936 she married Julius V. Grandonico at Holy Rosary Church in Hadley; they lovingly shared 55 years of marriage until Julius’s death in 1991, residing at various times in Amherst and Hadley.

In addition to raising four children, Mary worked in numerous capacities throughout her life. With her husband, they owned and operated Grandonico’s Shoe Repair in Amherst; the Little Store in Amherst; and the Belchertown Townhouse restaurant in Belchertown. She then worked at the University of Massachusetts until her retirement. She always spoke fondly of her co-workers and associates at UMass.

Mary’s varied interests and hobbies included traveling with friends, bowling, cards, reading, crafts, raising African Violets, the Red Hat Society, and the Hadley Council on Aging. A bingo game was never too far away to attend with friends! When her husband was alive, they loved thoroughbred racing.

She made friends easily. She was a proud woman, especially regarding her family; her Polish heritage; lessons learned growing up on a farm; and her beloved Hopkins. One of her most admirable traits was her forgiving-heart.  She looked for the good in people and chose to leave judgment to a higher power.

In addition to her husband, she was pre-deceased by siblings John, Edward, Joseph, Tony, Annie (Kostek) and Michael Wanczyk.

She leaves her loving children: Julius Grandonico, Jr. and his wife Marisa of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Sandra Knightly and her husband David of Amherst; Peter Grandonico and his wife Kathleen of Hatfield; and Vincent Grandonico of Sunderland.  She also leaves beloved grandchildren: Barry, David, Todd, Dean, Peter, Kathryn, Victoria, and Gary; nine great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces; and her sister, Nellie Matysiewicz of Sunderland.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Ross Midler as well as the staff at Genesis HealthCare in Hadley for their professional and loving care and support.

The private funeral will be held this morning at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst; there are no calling hours. Burial will be in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley.

Memorial gifts in Mary’s name may be made to Hopkins Academy 350^th Celebration, PO Box 386, Hadley, MA 01035 or to Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell Street, Hadley, MA 01035. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

Emil Dihlmann

SHUTESBURY – Emil Dihlmann died June 27, 2013 at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.  Emil was born September 6, 1916 in Shutesbury, MA.  The fifth of eight children, he was the son of Fannia (Rehorka) and Hermann Dihlmann.  He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Shutesbury and graduated from AmherstRegionalHigh School.  His first job was driving a 12 ton truck during the construction of the Quabbin Reservoir.  He then worked for the Threadwell Tap & Die in Greenfield before the start of the war.

Emil was a World War II veteran and served in the Army Air Corps 350th Bombardment Squadron as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber based in Alconbury, England.  He flew many missions over Europe.

After the war he settled in Greenfield where he met his wife Leona (Beaulac) who died in 1969.  They had three children Robert, Diane and Emily.

Emil was a self-employed carpenter and, as well as building four houses, he also worked for several general contractors in the area, including working on homes in Historic Deerfield.  He also was a carpentry teacher for many years at GreenfieldVocationalHigh School and ArmsAcademy in ShelburneFalls.

Later, he moved back to Shutesbury where he lived with his second wife Dorothy Bradley and his adopted daughter Andrea. During this period in his life, Emil was employed at the University of Massachusetts.  He worked in the Physical Plant as a carpenter and estimator.  He retired from the University at the age of 70.

After retiring he decided to sit back, not have a daily schedule, and do the things that interested him and gave him pleasure; spending time with his children, fishing, working on carpentry projects and other projects that sparked his curiosity.

Emil will be remembered as a skilled carpenter and avid fisherman as well as a Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.  He is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was much loved and will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and the Center for Extended Care in Amherst for the excellent care and love he received over the past two years.  The family would also like to thank the Shutesbury Fire Department who watched out for him in his later years.

A memorial service will take place at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Emil’s memory to the Shutesbury Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 295, Shutesbury, 01072. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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