NANCY ROCKLAND-MILLER

LEVERETT, Nancy Rockland-Miller died comfortably in her home in Leverett, Ma on April, 19 after 54 joyous years alive that included an extraordinary and courageous 15-year marathon with a rare Lymphoma.

Nancy lived life with abundance, integrity and passion, no doubt holding a world record for the most deep, abiding friendships. The curiosity, compassion, commitment and engagement she exemplified in her vast landscape of family and friendship made her a natural in her professional life as a psychotherapist. Graduating from Union College (B.A. Psychology) and Yeshiva University (MSW), Rockland-Miller began a psychotherapy practice that spanned positions from Connecticut to California to Western Massachusetts, where she moved with her family in 1992. She has worked as a therapist in the Valley for the last 21 years.  

In addition to her professional life, Nancy pursued a career as a singer-songwriter and a committed lifetime avocation in ballet. Nancy began her music career as a children’s singer-songwriter, forming a band with a group of physically challenged kids that went on to perform at venues including the Falcon Ridge music festival. As Nancy’s music and lyricism developed she became a folk-rock musician, exploring themes of love, friendship, and emotional resilience. She published two original CD’s and her recording and performance band included many of the Valley’s great local musicians.

However, above all else, Nancy’s greatest passion was her life as mother to her three children—Ari, Noah and Kyla. She is survived by her beautiful children and daughters-in law, Jenna and Carina. She is also survived by Harry Rockland- Miller, her partner of 27 years; her loving parents Larry and Charlotte Rockland; her younger brothers Tommy and Peter, who have both been her “rock”; and each of their loving and beautiful families. Nancy lives on in the memories of her many, many friends. All of us are so much the better, the more interesting, the more alive because of our lives close to Nancy Rockland-Miller. All of us, the more devastated to imagine the day-to-day world without her. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

DAVID A. MCDONALD

AMHERST, David A. McDonald, 74, a long time Amherst resident, died Monday, Apr. 8, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Born in Boston on June 7, 1938 he was the son of the late Anthony F. and Muriel (Kelly) McDonald. David worked for many years as a custodian for the Amherst school system. Upon his retirement in 2004 he moved to Florida before returning to Amherst in 2010 and becoming a resident at the Ann Whalen House. David is survived by his brother Daniel of Easthampton and his friend Eleanor Mielowszyk. Interment will be Tuesday, April 23, at 1:00 p.m. in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst. Family and friends are all invited to attend. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

GLENN W. ELLIS

SHUTESBURY, Glenn William Ellis, age 64, passed away peacefully after a short illness on April 14, 2013 at home in Shutesbury with his wife by his side. 

Glenn was born in Holyoke, MA, January 7, 1949, son of the late Robert Ellis and the late Barbara (Hay) Hutton. He grew up in South Hadley with his younger sister Peggy Carter and younger brother David Ellis. 

After studying photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, Glenn worked for several years as a commercial and wedding photographer.  He returned to school and studied business management at the University of Massachusetts and worked at several companies before returning to work at UMass in 1999 as a facilities supervisor.

Glenn had a deep love for nature and animals.  He enjoyed fishing, camping, boating, gardening, and caring for furry and winged creatures both wild and domestic.  He used his experiences outdoors as inspiration for his photography, a passion he pursued throughout his life.  He had an extraordinary talent for capturing images in the most beautiful ways, and his spirit will live on in his photos. 

Glenn leaves the three loves of his life – his wife of 42 years, Terresa Ellis, and two daughters, Rachel Ainsley Ellis and Olivia Andriana Ellis – and two beloved dogs, Poppy and Virgil.  He will be missed everyday. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

ROBERT A. BAKER

THREE RIVERS, Robert A Baker, 72, passed away peacefully in his home on 4/12/13.  He leaves behind his 3 sons, 3 grandchildren, 2 sisters and a brother. Bob was a longtime resident of Amherst, Ma. As a child Bob worked for the Jones Family Farm in N. Amherst and served his country for 23 yrs. He then retired from Jones Properties after 23 yrs. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, Apr. 20, at the N. Amherst Cemetery on E. Pleasant St., Amherst. All are welcome. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

Carlo Canales-Cancel

1925 – 2013 

Hadley, Carlos Canales-Cancel, 88, of Hadley died peacefully April 13, 2013 at the Fisher home, Amherst, after suffering from a long illness. It was his wish to return to his daughters’ home, but went to his real home in heaven before that could happen.

He was the third of twelve brothers and was the son of the late Carmelo Canales and Felicita Cancel. He is survived by his son, Celestino Canales and his daughter, Rev. Maria M. Pagan, Pastor of the First Hispanic Church A/G of Amherst.

Carlos helped raise 22 children, grandsons and great-grandsons alike. Born in Puerto Rico, he worked as commercial farmer and in construction. He moved to Amherst in 1990 and lived on Kellogg Ave. for more than 18 years. During that time he devoted himself to collecting cans and bottles from the streets of Amherst.

Carlos had a passion for wrestling, music and dancing. He was social with everyone he met, Policemen, Firemen and anyone on the street. He was a member of The First Hispanic Church of Amherst, where he was always helpful in setting up for worship.

Funeral Services will be Friday April 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with burial following in South Amherst Cemetery near his son Ismael Martinez. Calling hours will be Thursday April 18, from 6 – 8 PM 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.

Edith Wilkinson

AMHERST, Edith Wilkinson passed away April 13 at her home surrounded by her family after a long illness. Edith was born on the 14^th of January 1927 in Stapleton Georgia. She grew up in Vidalia Georgia and attended the Georgia State College for Women. She met her husband Thomas O. Wilkinson (T.O.) at DukeUniversity where she earned her master’s degree in sociology. Edie and T.O. moved to Amherst in 1953 so that he could take a job at the University of Massachusetts. Edie became passionate about town government and was a member of town meeting from the early 70’s until 2007, was a member of and chairman of the finance committee, served two terms on the select board (one as chairman). She was active in the League of Women Voters for many years. Edith raised three children in Amherst and was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She was predeceased by her husband in 1999 and is survived by her three children Sally (David), Lee (Scott), and Cliff (Catherine) along with 10 grandchildren Joe, Cory, Erin, Thomas, Michelle, Phoebe, Katrina, Grace, William, and Sarah and two great-grandchildren Owen and Ivy. There will be a private burial service. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, MA 18, at 1:00 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium, 170 Chestnut St. Amherst, MA 01002. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 54 Wayside Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

JORGE BENITEZ-OTANO

AMHERST, Jorge Benitez-Otano, 45, died April 12, at Baystate Medical Center. Born on Jan. 12, 1968 in Havana, Cuba, Jorge was a long time Amherst resident. He is survived by his mother, Hilda Benitez-Rojo. Jorge was predeceased by his father, Antonio Benitez-Rojo and his sister Maria. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 18, at 9:00 a.m. from the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

JORGE BENITEZ-OTANO

AMHERST, Jorge Benitez-Otano, 45, died April 12, at Baystate Medical Center. Born on Jan. 12, 1968 in Havana, Cuba, Jorge was a long time Amherst resident. He is survived by his mother, Hilda Benitez-Rojo. Jorge was predeceased by his father, Antonio Benitez-Rojo and his sister Maria. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 18, at 9:00 a.m. from the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

IRVING HOWARDS

AMHERST, Irving Howards, Professor Emeritus of political science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, husband, father, grandfather, friend, died suddenly at home in Amherst Monday April 8 at age 87. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 23, 1925.

Howards volunteered at 17 to serve in the signal corps and was a radio operator in the European theater following the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He met his wife Frieda while home on leave as the country was celebrating Victory in Europe.

With the help of the GI Bill, Howards earned a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, after changing his name from Horowitz to escape the anti-Semitism of the time, became a professor of political science. He founded the Hillel at Southern Illinois University and helped create the Jewish Community of Amherst.

Passionate about lessening societal inequality, Howards authored books and articles on the matter while a professor at schools including the University of Illinois Champaign, Kent University in Canterbury, England, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale where he also directed its Public Affairs Research Bureau. At UMass, he served as the director of the Bureau of Government Research and chaired a committee to establish the Institute of Government Affairs. Howards was deeply involved with AARP and served as chair of its national legislative committee and traveled the world – often on a bike — with his wife.

Interested in government on a local and national level, Howards chaired the Amherst Planning Committee, the Council on Aging, the recent Charter Commission and served for many years as a member of Town Meeting. Howards was active in the American Professors for Peace in the Middle East, and was involved in the planning for Israel’s Environmental Protection Agency.

Howards was pre-deceased by three brothers and a sister. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Frieda, children Marsha (Howards) Semuels, Steve and Mark and their spouses, Joel Semuels, Deborah Andrews and Anita Howards, grandchildren Alana, Andrew, Lissa, Casey, Emily, Koby, Jonah and many relatives and friends who will sorely miss his kindness, intelligence and wit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, NY NY 10163-4777. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

David P. Goodnow 

AMHERST, David “Grandpa” Goodnow passed peacefully on April 5, 2013 at Kindred Parkview Hospital in Springfield.  He was born in Orange, MA on Jan. 23, 1953 to the late Anthony Mercer and Ethel Goodnow.  David lived in Belchertown for many years before moving to Amherst in 1999.  He was a volunteer at the Amherst Survival Center for twenty-five years.  It was there that he met his good friend and mentor Vangie Westcott.  David loved people and made everyone feel like part of the family.  His good nature brought out the best in everyone in his life.  He appreciated the simple things in life that we so often take for granted. David loved spending time with the guys.  He liked bowling, fishing, vacations, snow plowing and especially the Patriots.  David will be greatly missed by his friends at the Amherst Survival Center, Service Net, Elaine Manor, Pioneer Valley Homes and his extended families, the Rogers, Bronners, Rooneys, Dunbars, Jerrom’s Habhabs, Boothes and Souzas.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 16^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with burial following in Wildwood Cemetery. A calling hour will precede the service from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Amherst Survival Center in David’s name. Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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