Aida Luz Caraballo, better known as Cherry, passed away peacefully at home in Amherst on Saturday July 16th. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on May 7, 1936, Cherry spent her childhood between Puerto Rico and New York. As the oldest of four, she helped care for her younger sisters Blanca, Mercedes and Zoraida, and was a maternal figure to many throughout her life. 

Cherry moved her family to Puerto Rico in 1968. Prior to the move she was the quintessential stay at home mom for her children, Bobby, Debbie and Frank.  Upon arriving to Puerto Rico, she joined the workforce to ensure that her children could attend the best of schools.  She often worked two jobs.  Her strong work ethic, warm personality and natural leadership led to a variety of jobs and business endeavors in which she was warmly regarded and excelled.   

Her favorite job came in 1992, after retiring from her position as office manager for Black Hawk Shipping.  She relocated to MA to be close to her children Frank and Debbie and help care for her grandchildren.  She alternated her time helping to care for Laura, Miguel, Carlos and Armando during the week and Carol Anne and Bobby during weekends and summers.  

Cherry will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, fiercely independent spirit, delicious home-cooked meals, sense of humor, and penchant for keeping a spotless home. But most of all, she’ll be remembered for her unconditional love and support of her entire family, her friends and neighbors and the joy she brought to their lives.

A Celebration of Cherry’s life will be held on August 12, 2022 at 3 PM at the First Baptist Church of Amherst,

434 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Ware, Donald L. Reynolds, Don left this earth on August 1, 2022, surrounded by his family. Donald was born in Holyoke on Friday October 11, 1957. He is predeceased by his father Donald R. Reynolds. Donald had many jobs and passions throughout his life, but his greatest passion was Wildlife management. He was able to start his own business helping homeowners learn how to coexist with wildlife. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and anything that could be done outdoors. He was an amazing father and grandfather. He loved spending his days learning new things with his grandchildren and putting smiles on their faces. He leaves behind his wife Julie, his three children Joshua Reynolds and his wife Brittany, Rebecca Leissner and her husband CJ and Ariel Reynolds. He also leaves behind his 5 cherished grandchildren, Joshua Jr, Adeline, Caroline, Luna Mae, and Eliana Skye.

Calling hours will be at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Friday, August 5th from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Ware, Donald L. Reynolds, Don left this earth on August 1, 2022, surrounded by his family. Donald was born in Holyoke on Friday October 11, 1957. He is predeceased by his father Donald R. Reynolds. Donald had many jobs and passions throughout his life, but his greatest passion was Wildlife management. He was able to start his own business helping homeowners learn how to coexist with wildlife. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and anything that could be done outdoors. He was an amazing father and grandfather. He loved spending his days learning new things with his grandchildren and putting smiles on their faces. He leaves behind his wife Julie, his three children Joshua Reynolds and his wife Brittany, Rebecca Leissner and her husband CJ and Ariel Reynolds. He also leaves behind his 5 cherished grandchildren, Joshua Jr, Adeline, Caroline, Luna Mae, and Eliana Skye.

Calling hours will be at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Friday, August 5th from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

            Charles (Chuck) Nathan Roys, 82, of Leverett, MA passed away on Monday, July 25, 2022 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born in 1939 in Lafayette, IN to the late Carl and Ursula Purinton Roys.  After moving to Leverett, MA, Chuck attended Leverett Elementary School and Amherst Regional High School lettering in football, basketball, and baseball.  Attending Springfield College, he was their starting catcher for 3 years.  Chuck served in the US Army from 1961-63 and was stationed at Fort Lee, VA.  While in VA he met his life-long partner and wife, Sarah.  During his stint in the military, he was the starting catcher for the USA baseball team in the Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil where the team won a silver medal.  Upon leaving the Army, he became an Asst. Prof. of PE and varsity baseball coach at Lyndon State College in VT.  While there he also became the Asst. to the President.  He and Sarah moved back to VA where Chuck became Asst. Prof. and head baseball coach at Virginia Military Institute for 2 years.  He then moved back to his alma mater, Springfield College, becoming an Asst. Prof. of PE, JV baseball coach and then head baseball coach taking the SC Division II baseball team to the finals in Montgomery, AL.  After retirement he became Asst. baseball coach at Amherst College for 2 years.

            During his long baseball career, he was inducted into the Amherst Regional High School Hall of Fame, Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame and the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame.  He was the recipient of many awards including NCAAII New England Baseball Coach of the Year, the Jack Butterfield award for outstanding service to New England Collegiate Baseball, and the American Baseball Coaches Association Meritorious Award.  He was also a former member of the NCAA National Baseball Rules Committee for 6 years.

            In retirement Chuck enjoyed golfing at Amherst Golf Club, a 3-day golf trip with friends to the Country Club of NH, travelling abroad, hunting at his cabin in VT and fishing.  He was always happy painting with acrylic paints. He loved painting birds and pictures of friends’ homes and making clocks then giving many of them away.  He was very active in the Leverett Congregational Church, serving on the Board of Trustees and participating in many capacities.

            Chuck is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sarah Dunkum Roys, his sister Dorothy Morrissey of East Sandwich, MA, his brother Arthur Roys of Brooksville, FL and many loving nieces and nephews including his devoted niece, Dorothy Spadola.  Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his sisters Mary Valiton of Hillsboro, NH, Eleanor Woodard of Brookline, NH, and brother Robert Roys of Juneau, AK.

            We wish to thank the staff at Hospice of the Fisher Home for their wonderful and loving care.  Also, many thanks to Pete Keyser for visiting his golf buddy every day.  Thanks for those from near and far who visited and for the cards, calls and many messages of encouragement.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of your choice.  Calling hours will be at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Friday, July 29 from 5 to 7 p.m.  A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at the Leverett Congregational Church, 4 Montague Road, Leverett, MA on Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m. with burial immediately following the church service at the East Leverett Cemetery.  Masks are not mandatory but would be appreciated by the family. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

BRADENTON, FLA.- Peter passed away peacefully at his home in Bradenton, Fl on May 23, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul C. French and Margret Eastman French, his wife of over 61 years Norma Jean Nash French and grandson Eric E French. Peter is survived by his two sons, Scott and his wife Susan, Howard and his wife Patricia, their children Catherine, Emily and Thomas and his daughter Laura and her husband John.  Peter left behind his sister, Robin and her two children Andy and Sarah.

Peter was a long-time resident of Amherst Ma. Peter attended Deerfield Academy then graduated from Tabor Academy. Peter served in the United States Army during the Korean war. Later he went on to graduate from Colby College. While in Amherst, Peter owned and operated the Peter E French Insurance Company, was a long time Little League baseball coach and founded the Amherst Youth Football League in the early 1970’s. He coached the McManus Vikings for several years where he had multiple undefeated seasons. Peter was also a high school and college lacrosse referee, as well as, a past president of the New England Lacrosse Officials Association.

In 1974, Peter moved he and his family to Cape Cod where he purchased EEC Swifts general store. Here he worked countless hours, especially in the summer and had many celebrity customers. After thirteen years of running the business Peter retired. He and Norma then became snowbirds, spending winters in Florida and summers in New Hampshire. Together they enjoyed traveling New England antiquing. In 2016 Peter made Bradenton his year-round home. There, he continued his lifelong love of playing Bridge, something he enjoyed right up until the very end.

A private graveside service is planned for July 23, 2022 at Wildwood cemetery, Amherst, MA. Flowers may be sent to Douglass Funeral Home, 87 N Pleasant St. Amherst, MA.

Krystal Ann Marie Gambill, 31, of Springfield, MA, passed away from a blood clot on July 10, 2022. She was born on April 29, 1991, in Northampton, MA. She attended Westfield Vocational High and worked for many years in health care as an HHA and PCA.

She leaves behind her heartbroken family, including her mother, Lori Ann Gambill (Wentworth), sister Sara Jessica Gambill, a son she adored, Ashtyn Savicki, Grandmother Sandy Wentworth, longtime partner Joe Gorman, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly. She also leaves behind close friends.

She shared a deep love of Tim Burton movies, especially “A Nightmare Before Christmas,” with her sister Sara. She loved cooking and baking and was known especially for her meatloaf, french onion soup, and pineapple upside-down cake. She was always happy to see you, was a great hugger, and was wild and spirited. Her family and friends will deeply miss her.

Douglass Funeral Service is assisting the family. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 1PM at Summer Hill Estates Pavilion, 111 Daniel Shays Hwy, Belchertown, MA. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Headline: Legendary DJ David LaSalle

Amherst, MA.  David LaSalle, formerly of Provincetown MA, passed away peacefully on July 4,

2022, at his home with his loving husband Wayne and best friend Peter Goldman by his side.

Son of Ann D. (Childs) LaSalle & Edwin LaSalle of Amherst MA

Predeceased by sister Linda LaSalle

Beloved husband of Wayne A. Johnson 

Born and raised in Amherst MA, a graduate of Amherst High School and a graduate of University of

Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Hotel Management.

David began his career playing music at frat parties around Amherst and his choices of music led

someone to suggest he work at a bar called Poor Richards. His knowledge of all types of music,

unique ability to read a crowd and play the right music was obvious during his early career. He

later moved on to Boston to be a DJ at Pipeline and worked with the likes of Sylvester and Divine. 

Once again, his crowd-pleasing music inspired someone to suggest he audition for a DJ spot at a

club called The Boatslip, in Provincetown, MA. Shortly thereafter, he was living in Provincetown

working as a DJ at the club. His heart-thumping mixes always filled the dance floor. The owner of a

little-known bar called The Atlantic House lived across the street from the Boatslip and loved hearing

David’s music as he watered his lawn. David was loyal but he eventually accepted an offer to DJ at

the now infamous A-House. In 1983, he became the club’s resident DJ and stayed for 37 years until 2020

because he never wanted to spin anywhere else. His passion and love for music and ability to always

keep the crowd hopping turned the A-House into the go-to club for visitors from all over the world. It

earned him the utmost respect of his peers and led to him being accepted as a Billboard Magazine

reporter, a group that decides which songs make the weekly Billboard charts.

Beyond his love and passion for music, David was devoted to his loving husband Wayne Johnson,

whom he met in 1989. Over the last 33 years, they enjoyed travelling around the U.S. as well as

internationally, experiencing the cultures of Paris, London, and Italy. In the U.S., they were in DC the

weekend of Obama’s inauguration, ventured to Hawaii to see close friends Tom and George, and

were frequent visitors of NYC. This included attending Billboard Magazine’s music festivals, seeing

the latest Broadway show, shopping in SOHO, and attending Saturday Night Live. While in NYC,

David and Wayne loved checking out the variety of bars and restaurants that offered cuisine from all

over the world and spending holidays with their close friend Peter. After spending a winter in Florida,

they fell in love with the Ft. Lauderdale area and recently bought a condominium in Pompano Beach.

When David wasn’t listening to the latest ”fresh” music track for an upcoming set, he was a teddy

bear of a friend. To those who were fortunate enough to get close to David, they had someone who

was always there for them, to listen, to talk and offer sage advice and perspective, with no judgement.

David was thoughtful and caring, never missing an opportunity to send a birthday or holiday card. He

had a dry sense of humor, often sending hysterical pictures and silly memes that would put a smile on

your face. He loved animals and was a doggy daddy to Maddie, Cecelia, and Bunny. The serenity of

Provincetown and the beauty of the lakes and mountains around New England were a joy to David.

When COVID-19 forced everything to close in 2020, David and Wayne decided it was time to leave

Provincetown so they could enjoy their time together in Florida and in David’s hometown of Amherst,

where his family has deep roots. They enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding towns

and spending time at David’s cousin’s Sandy and Tom’s Pine Island lake home.

To quote a January 2020 article from Edge Media Network “David doesn’t travel that much as a DJ,

he doesn’t have to.  As the longtime resident DJ at the A-House in arguably gaydom’s most popular

and charming resort, the world comes to him.”   Now the world is yours David. Godspeed.

A private service will be held for immediate family. A celebration of David’s life will be arranged in the

near future.

Donations can be made in David’s honor to:

MSPCA – Boston (https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/boston-adoption-center/)

or

Animal Rescue League of Brewster (https://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/74704-animal-rescue-

league-of-boston-cape-cod-branch-brewster-massachusetts)

 Memorial Guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com

Janice A. Shumway, 88, of Amherst MA died peacefully March 26th 2022, after a brief illness.

She was born in Concord, NH,, the oldest daughter of the late Louis and Thena Ansaldo.

Janice attended schools in Amherst, Massachusetts and graduated from the former Amherst High School in 1951.  Janice married Richard Shumway and then attended Nursing School at the Holyoke Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse. Janice worked as a Registered Nurse in Home Health Care and left to care for her family and later to join her husband in the family business.  Janice was a devoted wife, mother and later grandmother and great grandmother.

Janice and Richard enjoyed their life in Amherst while building, owning and operating Shumway Wallpaper and Paint store. In their later years, as their son Paul bought the family business, they were afforded time to travel and later settle in Fort Myers, Florida for the winters, returning to their family in the late spring, summer and fall. Janice was able to spend time with her 2 granddaughters and frequently spent afternoons with them and their cousins in their pool on Whitney Street.  She was known for her care in stocking the refrigerator and freezer in the basement with the best frozen treats, soda and Lemonade.

Janice was an avid gardener and also dabbled in photography. She could be seen most mornings, on the sidewalks of Amherst, walking with her walkman, always making her health a priority.

Janice was predeceased by her husband Richard in 2010 and her four siblings, Barbara Curtis, Robert, Mary and Michael Ansaldo.

She is survived by her daughter Deborah and her husband Greg Herbold of Colorado, her son Paul and his wife Amy of Pelham, her son Steven and his wife Sharon of Greenfield, her granddaughters Brittany and her husband John Czarick of Montague, Alexandra Shumway and her husband James Burbige of Greenfield and her great grandchildren Charlotte Rose, Catherine Lilly and Neff Richard.

Janice was a loving wife,, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who is greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday July 16, 2022 at 10:00 am in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst.

Memorial guest book at www.douglassfuneral.com

Groveland, Ma. William Miller Bates, 86, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

He was born in Northampton, Ma. on April 24, 1936, the only child to the late Donald H. and Florence L. (Miller) Bates.

William (Bill) grew up in Amherst and was a 1954 graduate of Amherst High School. He was married to Nancy A. Rule in 1964 and they continued to live in the Amherst and Hadley area until relocating to the eastern part of Massachusetts. Prior to moving to Groveland, they lived 3 years in So. Weymouth, Ma. and 12 years in The Pinehills of Plymouth, Ma. After relocating to Plymouth Bill found he was a descendant of some of the original Mayflower passengers John Billington, Edward Doty and Stephen Hopkins.

William retired from the University of Massachusetts in 1996 after almost 40 years of service. Throughout those years he worked for the: Electrical Engineering Dept., Audio Visual/Media Center, and for the last 20 years in the Physics Dept. He received a Chancellor’s Citation Award in 1987. Following retirement, he kept busy being a home handyman, and a good neighbor.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy A. Bates; his sister-in-laws: Barbara A. Rule of So. Hadley and Nancy A. Rule of Belchertown; a niece Joanne L. Wheeler of So. Hadley; a nephew Darryl L. Rule of Ballston Spa, NY.; as well many grand nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Honoring William’s wishes there are no calling hours. A private burial of his ashes will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date.

Contributions in his memory can be made to: Rattlesnake Gutter Trust, P.O. Box 195, Leverett, Ma. 01054, or Nichols Village Residents Association, 1 Nichols Way, Groveland, Ma. 01834

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Amherst, Ma. Thomas Baker Aldrich passed away unexpectedly on June 27th, after a long illness.

“Tommy” as many of his friends and family called him, served in the US Navy as a Petty Officer 3^rd Class on the USS Willis E. Lee from 1956-1960 as a Radarman. Initiated as a “Bluenose”, he traveled all throughout the Mediterranean, Cuba, the Caribbean, and the North Pole and was exceptionally proud of his service in the Navy. After his enlistment he went to work at the University of Massachusetts as a mason.  He retired with 40 + years of service and served in the Masonic Temple as a Grand Master in the Amherst chapter.

Tom led a colorful and unique life, doing it “HIS” way. He loved everything nature, and all that he did was with true passion and grit. If he wanted to learn about something, he wanted to know it all. From building a cabin in the woods, mushroom scavenging, going to Rendezvous – the reenactment of the French and Indian war, the annual pilgrimage to the blue grass festival with his tee pee and hand hewed poles, the Red Sox and fishing were just a few things that he enjoyed doing with his brothers, his children and friends. He was a great storyteller and remembered the small details to tales from long ago. Tom took pride in being one of the founding members of the Woodlot gang in Pelham.

He was predeceased by his parents Schuyler Aldrich and Verne Harvey Aldrich and survived by his two children, Timothy Aldrich (Sunderland, MA) and Kim Aldrich (Pine Island, NY), two brothers, Melvin Brook Aldrich & Gregory Aldrich, his grandchildren: Skyler Aldrich, Jake O’Shea & Leah O’Shea, and nieces and nephews, Julie Aldrich Woynar, Jake Aldrich, Taylor Aldrich, Mark Aldrich and Michelle Aldrich, and a great grandchild, Sean Aldrich.

At Tom’s request there will be no public calling hours.