Amherst:  William Richard Doherty, 87, resident of the Holyoke Soldier’s Home and formerly a lifelong resident of Amherst, MA passed away on December 12, 2022. Born April 20, 1935 in Amherst MA he was the son of the late Francis John Doherty and the late Agnes Mary (Murphy) Doherty and was also pre-deceased by nine brothers and sisters (Frances S., Marjorie S., Rita B., Eleanor R., Jack D., David D., Anne D., Robert D., and Gary D.) as well his wife Donna Mae (Magliola) Doherty originally of Northampton who passed in 2017.  Bill and Donna had been married for 55 years before her passing. He was a loving husband and father.  He is survived by two daughters Kellie M. Doherty of Arlington MA and Alicia A. Doherty of South Hamilton MA a brother James D. Doherty of Ocala FL, a sister Bonnie C. (Doherty) Curtin of Hadley MA; and the large extended Doherty family.

 

Bill was an avid athlete at Amherst High School and graduated there in 1952. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Army where he achieved the rank of Corporal before his discharge. He worked for many years as a self-employed contractor and remodeled many of the homes throughout the Amherst region. He also worked at Hampshire College where he was a Director of Facilities before he retired. He always loved to garden, and golfed on the infrequent occasions that he had any spare time. His strong work ethic and green thumb led to post retirement work at a local garden center until his struggles with dementia began. In 2014 those struggles finally led him to the Holyoke Soldier’s home where he resided for 8 years and where he expanded his family to include the many doctors, nurses, and aides that cared and comforted both he and his family in his final years.

 

Calling hours will be 4-6pm on Wednesday, December 21st at the Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA. A memorial reception will follow that evening (6pm-8pm) at the Inn at Boltwood in Amherst MA (formerly the Lord Jeffrey Inn). Funeral Service will be private the following Thursday December 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William’s memory to the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke MA 01040 or the Hospice of the Fisher Home where Donations may be made via www.fisherhome.org or by mail to 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 Attention Donations. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

LEVERETT, MA: Gordon Fretwell, 85, passed away on Wednesday December 1, 2022 at Baystate Medical Center. Gordon believed in building up the people around him, and dedicated himself to supporting his family, his field, and his community.

Born in Adrian, Michigan to Elvin and Esther Fretwell, Gordon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and his Master’s degree from University of Michigan. As a Librarian at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and as a consultant for the Association of Research Libraries, Gordon was highly regarded in his field for supporting public services in University Libraries for nearly 50 years. In retirement, he took up woodworking, volunteered with Village Neighbors, and was active in local activities and community organizations.And yet above all else, as the patriarch for his younger siblings, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and extended family, the center of Gordon’s life was his family. His family relied on ‘Bumpa’s’ steadfast advice and unending support, and he was sustained by the joy brought to him by his children and grandchildren, frequently observing how blessed he was to have the family that he did.

Gordon was predeceased by his parents, an infant sister, brother Steven, and his sister Patricia. Gordon is survived by his wife of 44 years Fay Zipkowitz, along with his brothers Charles and John Michael and their families, first wife and mother to his children Sharon Wick, his daughter Kristin Tyrrell, his son Lane, daughter-in-law Lisa, and sister-in-law Robin Goldstein. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kenna (Tyrrell) Ventura, Tyler, Kiefer, Danielle, and many beloved nephews and nieces.  

Gordon worshiped regularly at Trinity Lutheran Church in Easthampton. He requested to be interred with his big brown poodle Willy, Gordon’s loyal dog and close friend.  A funeral service and calling hours will be held on Friday, December 9 from 5pm – 7pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst, MA. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Gordon’s memory to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Dakin Shelter, Univ Massachusetts Library, Leverett Library or the library of your choice.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

LEVERETT, MA: Gordon Fretwell, 85, passed away on Wednesday December 1, 2022 at Baystate Medical Center. Gordon believed in building up the people around him, and dedicated himself to supporting his family, his field, and his community.

Born in Adrian, Michigan to Elvin and Esther Fretwell, Gordon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and his Master’s degree from University of Michigan. As a Librarian at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and as a consultant for the Association of Research Libraries, Gordon was highly regarded in his field for supporting public services in University Libraries for nearly 50 years. In retirement, he took up woodworking, volunteered with Village Neighbors, and was active in local activities and community organizations.And yet above all else, as the patriarch for his younger siblings, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and extended family, the center of Gordon’s life was his family. His family relied on ‘Bumpa’s’ steadfast advice and unending support, and he was sustained by the joy brought to him by his children and grandchildren, frequently observing how blessed he was to have the family that he did.

Gordon was predeceased by his parents, an infant sister, brother Steven, and his sister Patricia. Gordon is survived by his wife of 44 years Fay Zipkowitz, along with his brothers Charles and John Michael and their families, first wife and mother to his children Sharon Wick, his daughter Kristin Tyrrell, his son Lane, daughter-in-law Lisa, and sister-in-law Robin Goldstein. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kenna (Tyrrell) Ventura, Tyler, Kiefer, Danielle, and many beloved nephews and nieces.  

Gordon worshiped regularly at Trinity Lutheran Church in Easthampton. He requested to be interred with his big brown poodle Willy, Gordon’s loyal dog and close friend.  A funeral service and calling hours will be held on Friday, December 9 from 5pm – 7pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst, MA. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Gordon’s memory to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Dakin Shelter, Univ Massachusetts Library, Leverett Library or the library of your choice.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Raymond (Fritz) Williams of Montague, MA (formerly of Sargent, NE) passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022 surrounded by loved ones.

 

He is predeceased by his mother, Helen (Lybarger) Williams, his father Howard Williams, and his brother Jim Williams; he is survived by his brother, Robert (Bob) Williams. He leaves behind his loving wife Pat (Blasko) Williams and their lovely four children, Lawna, Pam, Gayle, (spouse, April) and Chris. He leaves three amazing grandchildren, AJ (Bonet), Brody, and Alyssa, two wonderful step-grandsons, Mathew and Trevor, and two delightful great-grandchildren, Alex and Ari.

 

Fritz was a 1958 graduate of Sargent High School in Nebraska. He met the love of his life, Pat, at Westover Air Force Base and they were married for 61 years. He was well-known throughout Franklin and Hampshire County and is the former owner of B & J Appliance, Inc. of South Deerfield, which he owned and operated with his wife for many years. He was an excellent craftsman, considered a jack of all trades, and excelled at woodworking. He was quick with a joke and always willing to help a friend or neighbor in need. He touched many lives and will be missed by those who knew him. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

AMHERST, MA. – Dr. Bernhard (“Berni”) Leidner, a social psychologist, 39, resident of Amherst, Ma. born in Bonn, Germany and died November 19, 2022 at BayState Medical Center in Springfield, Ma. due to complications from his lifelong disability.

Berni was predeceased by his mother, Irmgard Leidner, of Germany. He is survived by his brother, Andreas Leidner and his wife Christiane, their sons Julian and Jakob, two nephews which Berni cherished, also of Germany. Berni leaves many Colleagues of UMass Amherst and many dear friends. He also leaves his caretaker and confidant, Christie Fournier, of 6 years.

Berni graduated from the Free University of Berlin in 2006, and received his PhD from the New School of Social Research (NSSR) in 2010.

Berni devotedly taught at UMass Amherst for 11 years, achieving tenure in 2017 and promotion to Full Professor in 2022. He touched the lives of many colleagues, students and staff, and he was grateful for the ability to do what he loved for a living.

He carried out wide-ranging and multidisciplinary research on social identification processes, morality, peace, the role of collective trauma and narratives in the perpetuation of violent intergroup conflict, political polarization, science communication and public trust in science. Berni was a devoted mentor who cared deeply about his students, and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 5pm-8pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of his commitment to pluralism, open inquiry and viewpoint diversity be made to Donate – Heterodox Academy

Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Germany at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneralservice.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. – Dr. Bernhard (“Berni”) Leidner, a social psychologist, 39, resident of Amherst, Ma. born in Bonn, Germany and died November 19, 2022 at BayState Medical Center in Springfield, Ma. due to complications from his lifelong disability.

Berni was predeceased by his mother, Irmgard Leidner, of Germany. He is survived by his brother, Andreas Leidner and his wife Christiane, their sons Julian and Jakob, two nephews which Berni cherished, also of Germany. Berni leaves many Colleagues of UMass Amherst and many dear friends. He also leaves his caretaker and confidant, Christie Fournier, of 6 years.

Berni graduated from the Free University of Berlin in 2006, and received his PhD from the New School of Social Research (NSSR) in 2010.

Berni devotedly taught at UMass Amherst for 11 years, achieving tenure in 2017 and promotion to Full Professor in 2022. He touched the lives of many colleagues, students and staff, and he was grateful for the ability to do what he loved for a living.

He carried out wide-ranging and multidisciplinary research on social identification processes, morality, peace, the role of collective trauma and narratives in the perpetuation of violent intergroup conflict, political polarization, science communication and public trust in science. Berni was a devoted mentor who cared deeply about his students, and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 5pm-8pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of his commitment to pluralism, open inquiry and viewpoint diversity be made to Donate – Heterodox Academy | Heterodox Academy.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Germany at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneralservice.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. – Dr. Bernhard (“Berni”) Leidner, a social psychologist, 39, resident of Amherst, Ma. born in Bonn, Germany and died November 19, 2022 at BayState Medical Center in Springfield, Ma. due to complications from his lifelong disability.

Berni was predeceased by his mother, Irmgard Leidner, of Germany. He is survived by his brother, Andreas Leidner and his wife Christiane, their sons Julian and Jakob, two nephews which Berni cherished, also of Germany. Berni leaves many Colleagues of UMass Amherst and many dear friends. He also leaves his caretaker and confidant, Christie Fournier, of 6 years.

Berni graduated from the Free University of Berlin in 2006, and received his PhD from the New School of Social Research (NSSR) in 2010.

Berni devotedly taught at UMass Amherst for 11 years, achieving tenure in 2017 and promotion to Full Professor in 2022. He touched the lives of many colleagues, students and staff, and he was grateful for the ability to do what he loved for a living.

He carried out wide-ranging and multidisciplinary research on social identification processes, morality, peace, the role of collective trauma and narratives in the perpetuation of violent intergroup conflict, political polarization, science communication and public trust in science. Berni was a devoted mentor who cared deeply about his students, and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 5pm-8pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of his commitment to pluralism, open inquiry and viewpoint diversity be made to Donate – Heterodox Academy | Heterodox Academy.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Germany at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneralservice.com

 

 

William Saylor, 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 13th after a brief illness. He was born on November 12th, 1955 to Thomas Saylor and Joyce (Kellogg) Saylor in Northampton MA. He was a lifelong resident of Hadley and attended Hadley schools. Willie worked as a mechanic for over 50 years. He was the owner of WEL’S Place Automotive in Hadley for many years. He also co-owned Northern Performance in Greenfield and owned a garage/car sales center in Holyoke. He began his career as a teenager with his father at Tom and Willie’s VW Service in Amherst during the 1970s. He also worked for Mike’s Speed shop, Automania, the town of Greenfield, and various other businesses over the years. He was a beloved husband, loving father, devoted brother and uncle. He is survived by his wife Lori Saylor of Hadley, MA, his daughter Ember Whitworth of Westfield, MA, his sister Bonnie Dutcher of Turners Falls, MA, his brother Thomas Saylor of Cameron, NC, sister Debbie Brochu and husband Kevin of Whitingham, VT. He is also survived by his nephew Mike Chudzik and his wife Linda of Gill, MA, his nephew Walter Chudzik and his wife Davina of Virginia Beach, his niece Stephenie Hubert and her husband Jason of Colrain, MA, his niece Jennifer Dalton and her husband Eddie of Durham, NC and nephew Thomas Saylor of Fayetteville, NC. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law Timothy Fleury and his wife Patricia Halpin of Sunapee, NH, his sister-in-law Maria Fleury of Wilbraham, Ma, his nephew Jonathan Fleury of State College , PA, his niece Gina Fleury Vavrek and her husband Frank of Saugus, MA, his nephew Frank Fleury of Wilbraham, MA and his nephews Connor Fleury and Ryan Fleury of Sunapee, NH. Willie is also survived by his chosen family of many friends. He had a heart of gold underneath his gruff exterior. He would help anyone who needed it whether it was a friend or a stranger and cared deeply about others. He enjoyed hosting his 4th of July parties and his holiday dinners with friends. He loved to drag race and go to cruise nights with his classic cars. He was a member of the Over The Hill Gang car club. He will be missed by many people. He had a deep love of animals especially dogs and loved his rescue dogs Mini, Shadow and Moose. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Bobby, his brother Marty, his mother and father-in-law Janet and Leo Fleury and his brother-in-law Charles Fleury. Calling hours will be on Monday, November 21st at Douglass Funeral Home from 5 -7. There will be a graveside service at the Old Hadley Cemetery in Hadley on Tuesday, November 22nd at 11:00. Reception to follow at the Hangar Pub and Grill in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA, the T.J. O’Connor Animal Shelter, 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Carol Frances Chunglo, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Pelham, Massachusetts, on November 1, 2022. She was born November 26, 1939, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Victoria Chunglo Greenough. She was the step-daughter of the late George Kenneth Greenough.

 

She retired in 2015 from Interface Precision Benchworks in Orange, Massachusetts, where she was honored as the company’s longest-serving employee, and one of its most productive workers. In 1997, she was featured by The Boston Globe Magazine in a cover story titled “Ready, Willing, and Disabled.”

 

Carol loved her job and the ocean, vacationing often on Cape Cod. Most of all, she loved coffee and ice cream.

 

She grew up in Florence, Massachusetts, and lived for several years at the former Belchertown State School until its closing in 1992. For the past 25 years, she has lived in a group home operated by Almadan, Inc., where other residents and loving caregivers became her extended family.

 

Carol is survived by her devoted sister, Gail Greenough Orzechowski of Florence, who advocated for Carol her entire life. Gail and her husband Ed were Carol’s co-guardians for many years. She is also survived by her brother Kenneth George Greenough of Chandler, Arizona. She leaves her nephews Darren and Scott Orzechowski, both of New Hampshire; nieces Donna Cantalupo and Lisa Rossiter of  South Carolina, Kenna Smith of California, and Sheila Cyr of Missouri; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

 

There will be a calling hour at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 No. Pleasant St., Amherst MA at 10:00 AM on November 9, with graveside service to follow at 12:00 pm at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton.

 

Donations may be made to: Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton MA 01060-9938; or Trees of Love & Thanksgiving, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., PO Box 5001, Northampton MA 01061-9915. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

            Rhoda Honigberg, a native New Yorker who came to Amherst as a young UMass faculty wife in 1950 and lived in the town the rest of her life, passed away on November 2 at age 96.

            In her 72 years as a town resident, Mrs. Honigberg and her many friends enthusiastically took part in a variety of civic endeavors. She taught in elementary school prior to becoming a mother. She was active in the League of Women Voters, including service as president, and remained interested in politics and campaigns her entire life. She served on the Amherst School Committee as a member and then chair from 1968-71. She was a member of the school building committees for Wildwood Elementary and Crocker Farm Elementary. This experience enabled her to write the chapter entitled “Public Education in Amherst,” which appeared in Essays on Amherst History (Vista Trust, Amherst 1978).

She served on the town solid waste commission, which selected the site and oversaw the opening of the transfer station and recycling center on Belchertown Road. She also supported the proposed change to the town’s government structure in 2018 and, at age 92, recorded a telephone message urging residents to support the change.

            Mrs. Honigberg was born on November 13, 1925, and grew up in Brooklyn, the daughter of Michael and Sylvia (Bien) Springer. She advanced at an accelerated pace through the City’s public school system, graduating from high school at age 16. She received her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queens College and her master’s degree in Shakespearean Literature from Columbia University.

            Mrs. Honigberg was predeceased by Bronislaw M. Honigberg, Ph.D., her husband of 44 years, who was a Professor of Zoology at UMass from 1950 until his death in 1992. Mrs. Honigberg worked as her husband’s editorial assistant on several prestigious scientific journals. She also helped acclimate the many doctoral students and post-doctoral scientists from around the world who worked in Dr. Honigberg’s laboratory.

            Mrs. Honigberg traveled extensively. She accompanied Dr. Honigberg on sabbaticals and to international conferences in, among others, France, Scotland, Germany, and Kenya. She also traveled with friends throughout Europe and North America, including Alaska, Hawaii, and passage through the Panama Canal. She was an avid reader and solver of crossword puzzles.

She was devoted to her family, her friends, and her town until the end.

Mrs. Honigberg is survived by her sons Paul Honigberg, of McLean, Virginia, and Martin Honigberg, of Concord, New Hampshire; her daughters-in-law Carol Honigberg and Ann Honigberg; and five grandchildren.

            Mrs. Honigberg will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made in her name to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, Inc., for the purchase of periodicals and monograph serials in the biological sciences; the Jones Library, Inc. (Amherst); or the League of Women Voters Education Fund (Amherst). Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com