Colonel Howard Katsumi Sonoda, 78, of Amherst, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 2, 2021. 

            He was married to Sybilla Sonoda for 46 years and is survived by his daughter, Soleil Sonoda, his step-son, Alexander Predel as well as a grandson, Maxim Predel-DeBuhr.

            Howard was born on November 29, 1942 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  His father, Dick Katsushi Sonoda, was a railroad worker and his mother, Kimiko Egami Sato, was a domestic helper.  According to Howard’s classmates, he was known for his preternatural ability to free-hand sketch anything. In 1965, Howard earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii. While there, he participated in the Air Force Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC). Following college graduation, Howard began his Air Force career commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served in various roles from being a Squadron Supply Operations Officer General  at Northeast Cape Air Force Station on Saint Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, to being a Director of Logistics at Sembach Air Base in West Germany. In 1968, Howard met his wife Sybilla as a Captain stationed at Wunstorf Air Station in West Germany. After getting married in November 1972, he spent the last 20 years of his Air Force career serving in various roles such as being an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (1976-1979), military attaché to Luftwaffe High Command (1980-1983), and being an American liaison to Allied Command of West Berlin (1983-1986).            

             In 1975, Howard earned his MBA in Business Administration from The Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1992, Howard retired from the Air Force after serving for 27 years and made the decision to return to Amherst, Massachusetts. In 1996, Howard earned his MS in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He worked for H&R Block and the IRS as a CPA. Howard was active in Amherst town meetings and participated in parent activities with Amherst Public schools.  He was an avid reader of history and science fiction, and he took great pleasure in dining out with friends and family.  Howard’s final wish was to be in the company of his daughter. He passed away without pain and without fuss. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Stephen “Steve” Walas (Berthiaume) 50, passed away quite suddenly Sunday August 8 at Baystate Medical. He had been suffering from an illness for sometime but complications ultimately led to his passing.

Steve was born in Northampton MA May 24 1971 to the late Patricia Ann Walas (Ocicki). Steve attended the Amherst schools and graduated from Amherst regional high school, he later went on to graduate from IT schooling for computers.

Steve loved to travel he spent a great deal of time in the southern states and Nantucket where he worked as a mason building houses making friends and where he met Jimmy Buffett. When Steve moved back to the area he settled down a bit with a girl he met while traveling and became a father to a girl.

Steve loved anything fast and art especially music; to him music was his own little world an escape from everything. He loved going to concerts and seeing as many bands as possible but he also enjoyed the quiet times alone just listening to classical music and reflecting on life.

Steve leaves behind his daughter Emma Rose Castillo (Walas), and grandson Elijah Castillo both of Naples FL. His loving sister Mandy Lynn Ocicki of Hadley, niece Lidia Healy and sister in law Laura Mendes both of South Hadley.

Steve was a unique person, to him this life was both a gift and a curse but he took it all in stride with a smile and a wise crack remark. Steve could see the good in the bad by making one of his infamous jokes just to see you smile and no one else can ever fill that void and that’s what made him so special you never knew what would come out of his mouth good or bad truth or lies but always funny. He always looked out for others even if it meant putting himself on the line and was always loyal to the ones he loved and held close. Steve will be sorely missed by his family friends and those who knew the real Steve. May you rest at ease in the tiki hut in the clouds.

A graveside service will be held Today, Tuesday September 21, at 1PM at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Amherst, MA. Mitchell Bruce “Mickey” Gervickas passed away on September 10, 2021 at home. He was 79 years old

Born in Ware, Ma. Mitchell enlisted US Marine Corps in May of 1959. He completed his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Paris Island, SC on August 18, 1959. One of Mickey loves was fishing with his father and 3 brothers. A favorite thing for Mickey to do was play pitch with his friends at the VFW.

As a young boy Mickey loved playing baseball. He was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox.

He proudly served as a Police Officer and Detective for the Springfield Police Dept for 18 years. He retired from the police force in 1988. He then went on to work as a custodian for the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.  

He was married to the late Barbara Knowels. Mitchell is survived by his son Shawn Gervickas, his daughter Robin DeAngleo, his three brothers Steve, Peter and Jeff as well as his sister Susan. Mitchell is also survived by four grandchildren, Anthony, Emily, Felicia and Ryan as well as two great-grandchildren, Savannah and Madison.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday September 21, at 10:00 am at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

A loving generous soul, and just the nicest person anyone would ever want to know, Clare Hawes, 91, of Hadley, passed away peacefully on Friday August 27, 2021.

She was born on December 8th, 1929 in Bar Harbor, Maine to Austin and Clara Gooch. Clare was raised in Bar Harbor, graduated from Bar Harbor High School with the class of 1948, and from the University of Maine with a degree in Child Psychology in 1952.

She worked as a Service Representative at the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company in Ellsworth, Maine. Later she worked at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for 24 years.

She was active in the community throughout her life, serving in multiple positions including being a member of Young Homemakers, the Women’s Fellowship where she served as Secretary and Vice President, and a member of the Red Hat Society – Lady Bug Chapter in Hadley MA. Clare was a member of the First Baptist Church in Amherst MA where she served as a clerk for many years.

She was a Girl Scout Leader in both Brunswick Maine and Hadley MA, and was an avid Square Dancer, and a member of the SAGE Swingers of Topsham Maine and Jumptown Twirlers in Orange MA.

Clare loved reading, sewing counted cross-stitch, jigsaw puzzles and knitting. She was a volunteer at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, donating her time and energy by knitting hundreds of hats for the newly born.

She left the corporate world after meeting her future husband, Virgil Hawes. Clare and Virgil married, in July of 1953, and moved to Ohio where they started their family. Their journey brought them to Massachusetts, then back to Maine for a short time, returning to Massachusetts to Hadley in 1969 to raise their family of four girls.

Clare is survived by daughters, Nancy Hawes of South Portland Maine, Mary Allen of Hadley MA, Karen Chauvin and her husband Lou of Gurnee IL, and Sarah Darling and her husband Roy of Greenfield MA. Clare’s husband Virgil passed in January of 2017. Clare is also survived by her brother Vaughn Gooch and his wife Suzanne of Chapin, South Carolina. At her death, Clare was predeceased by her brothers, Brison, and Alden.

Her greatest pride, joy and accomplishment was her family. She is survived by her grandchildren Rebecca Labonte (Zachary), Jason Chauvin (Ashley Smith), Katie Allen (Ryley Palmer), Rachel Ketchum (Eli), Kristen Chauvin (Nash Witkin), and Stacy Kurtyka (Kyle), step-grandchild Cathi Darling, and great-grandchildren Samantha, Kash, Dylan, Heather, Gavin, Reagan, Joel, and Sophia.

Services will be at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Amherst MA on Wednesday September 1. There are no calling hours. Please note that masks are required in the town of Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Amherst MA, or the Friends of the Goodwin Memorial Library of Hadley MA.

Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

A loving generous soul, and just the nicest person anyone would ever want to know, Clare Hawes, 91, of Hadley, passed away peacefully on Friday August 27, 2021.

She was born on December 8th, 1929 in Bar Harbor, Maine to Austin and Clara Gooch. Clare was raised in Bar Harbor, graduated from Bar Harbor High School with the class of 1948, and from the University of Maine with a degree in Child Psychology in 1952.

She worked as a Service Representative at the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company in Ellsworth, Maine. Later she worked at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for 24 years.

She was active in the community throughout her life, serving in multiple positions including being a member of Young Homemakers, the Women’s Fellowship where she served as Secretary and Vice President, and a member of the Red Hat Society – Lady Bug Chapter in Hadley MA. Clare was a member of the First Baptist Church in Amherst MA where she served as a clerk for many years.

She was a Girl Scout Leader in both Brunswick Maine and Hadley MA, and was an avid Square Dancer, and a member of the SAGE Swingers of Topsham Maine and Jumptown Twirlers in Orange MA.

Clare loved reading, sewing counted cross-stitch, jigsaw puzzles and knitting. She was a volunteer at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, donating her time and energy by knitting hundreds of hats for the newly born.

She left the corporate world after meeting her future husband, Virgil Hawes. Clare and Virgil married, in July of 1953, and moved to Ohio where they started their family. Their journey brought them to Massachusetts, then back to Maine for a short time, returning to Massachusetts to Hadley in 1969 to raise their family of four girls.

Clare is survived by daughters, Nancy Hawes of South Portland Maine, Mary Allen of Hadley MA, Karen Chauvin and her husband Lou of Gurnee IL, and Sarah Darling and her husband Roy of Greenfield MA. Clare’s husband Virgil passed in January of 2017. Clare is also survived by her brother Vaughn Gooch and his wife Suzanne of Chapin, South Carolina. At her death, Clare was predeceased by her brothers, Brison, and Alden.

Her greatest pride, joy and accomplishment was her family. She is survived by her grandchildren Rebecca Labonte (Zachary), Jason Chauvin (Ashley Smith), Katie Allen (Ryley Palmer), Rachel Ketchum (Eli), Kristen Chauvin (Nash Witkin), and Stacy Kurtyka (Kyle), step-grandchild Cathi Darling, and great-grandchildren Samantha, Kash, Dylan, Heather, Gavin, Reagan, Joel, and Sophia.

Services will be at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Amherst MA on Wednesday September 1. There are no calling hours. Please note that masks are required in the town of Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Amherst MA, or the Friends of the Goodwin Memorial Library of Hadley MA.

Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Gloria A. Thornton, of Amherst, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 at her home.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Howard E. Thornton. She is survived by her five children, Kathy Cortright and her husband Robert, Rusty Thornton and his wife Judy, P.J. Thornton, Todd Thornton and his wife Patti, and Carson Thornton and his wife Kate. Gloria is also survived by her four grandchildren, Tanya, Christine, Ben, and Mike and four great-grandchildren, Noah, Evan, Anna Mae, and Dean.

Gloria had a tremendous love for her family. She greatly enjoyed holidays, especially Christmas and Sunday dinners, when she would prepare elaborate meals and have her family gather in the kitchen, the place she loved most. Gloria was well known for her amazing artistic talents. She made beautiful and delicious cakes (her carrot cake was the BEST) and created the most exquisite decorations for all occasions.  She leaves behind a legacy of creations with her family and friends. Gloria has a love for watching all sports and could always be found watching a game or yelling at the television.

Gloria retired from the University of Massachusetts after many years of service. She was well known and loved by many.

All services will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Leon “Lee” L. Dickinson, III, 84, of Easthampton, Massachusetts, died peacefully on August 8, 2021 after a decade’s long battle with cancer.

Born November 21, 1936 in Northampton, MA, he was the son of the late Leon L. Dickinson, Jr. and Monica (Nanartonis) Dickinson Igleheart. After graduating from Amherst HIgh School, he attended college in Boise, Idaho where he met his late first wife, Beatrice (Dorman) Dickinson. They lived for many years in both Massachusetts and Idaho with their five children. Lee started his working life as a lab technician at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA and later at St. Luke’s Medical Center in McCall, ID. He furthered his career in the medical field by earning his license as a hospital administrator in American Falls, ID. He later finished his career as a nursing home administrator in Northampton, MA.

Lee will be remembered for his intelligence, generosity, and caring spirit. Many of his employees became lifelong friends. Lee had a witty sense of humor and would often “get” you with his sarcasm. He often regaled his children and grandchildren with his humorous stories of life events. Lee loved to travel and experience new places. He was always happy to enjoy adventures; his last, at the age of 83 was to Disney World with his grandchildren.

Lee is survived and forever loved by his partner of 42 years Sandra Bell; his sisters Sandra Sacco and Barbara Young; his daughter Trina Raucher and son-in-law Donald Raucher, granddaughters Taylor and Lyndsey Raucher; his daughter Tanya Dickinson Abbatessa, grandsons Colin and Conor Abbatessa; grandsons Cody and Mathew Dickinson and granddaughter Alexandra Dickinson; daughter Angela Dickinson; son Bruce Dickinson and daughter-in-law Jacqueline Ammendolia Dickinson, grandsons Dakota, Ashton and Blake Dickinson; and several nieces and nephews. Lee was predeceased by his son Leon L. Dickinson IV; and his sisters, Constance Dickinson and Shirley Martinbeault.

Services will be private.

Robert Louis Oldershaw, of Amherst, died Monday August 9th at age 74. He passed peacefully at the Fisher Home in Amherst MA where he was surrounded by his son, daughter and wife. His family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the staff at the Fisher home for their compassion and care.

A lifelong problem solver, Rob predicted that he had an uncommon and difficult to diagnose form of myeloma – a prediction borne out by the eventual diagnosis.

Predictions, even in the face of disbelief, were a significant part of his daily life. Robert put much of his energy toward exploring the theory of a self-similar universe, a niche field of astrophysics and cosmology with many open questions. He took comfort and pleasure in the lone and challenging pursuit. His predictions are catalogued at https://rloldershaw.people.amherst.edu/

He credits Mr. Evans, his 8th grade science class at John J.Lynch Junior High School in Holyoke in 1961 with sparking this interest in fractal patterns.

Rob was born November 3rd 1946 in Holyoke MA.  He attended Holyoke public schools, followed by Suffield Academy and Colby College. He spent childhood summers on the coast of Maine swimming, sailing, and exploring, experiences which led to a lifelong love of the ocean. 

Following a brief stint in the Air Force, he continued his education at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he received Chemistry and Oceanography degrees. He returned to the East Coast to work at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, joining many ocean voyages with stops across Europe, Africa and South America. 

Despite his wide travels, his time in Woods Hole, MA was his fondest. There, he met his wife and, in his own words, found “ something that I felt might be my life’s work: a weird but appealing cosmological paradigm that totally captivated me.” 

He will be remembered for his deep appreciation for nature, authenticity, and purposeful way of living. He took daily walks on the Robert Frost and other local trails and always carried a bag for removing litter left by others. He aimed to live simply, and with gratitude. He wore clothes until they were threadbare and delighted in fixing broken things and using materials resourcefully. 

His children remember being treated as smart and capable and being allowed to take risks. They climbed trees, jumped (and occasionally fell)  into freezing water, and developed their own loves of nature. Rob believed that “if you live well in the present, the future takes care of itself.”

Rob is survived by his wife Pat Wadsworth and their two children Catherine A. (Ricky Zacharias) of Philadelphia, Will W. (Anna Rizzo) of South Hadley and grandson Derek. He is survived by his two brothers, David L. (Keren Whiting) of South Hadley and Peter W. (Alex) of Fairfield CT, and nieces Lindsay and Alex and nephews David (Steph),  Andrew Merrell (Matt), Jamie (Michelle) and their children.

Consider a donation in Rob’s memory  to the Kestrel (https://www.kestreltrust.org/give/donate/)  or Boothbay Maine land trusts (https://bbrlt.org/). Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Amherst, MA – Karen A. (Wilson) Mientka 68 of Amherst MA after a long struggle with cancer, died at her home on Sunday August 15th with two close friends and her husband at her side.  

Karen was born in Northampton MA on November 12, 1952. Raised in Northampton, she had a loving childhood. She attended Northampton High School, graduating in 1970. She went on to UMass Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture, graduating with a degree in Floriculture. She was a full time floral designer at Knowles Flower Shop in Amherst for many years. She stepped aside from full time work when her daughter Kristie was born.   

Karen enjoyed her home, gardening, and truly cherished raising Kristie. There was a special place in her heart for their mini-longhaired dachshund, Jesse. She became proficient at painting water colors, especially of  flowers. A highlight for her was painting designs on bird houses that her father in-law Ed Mientka Sr. had built. She enjoyed music and beach vacations. She would always look forward to their vacations on Cape Cod or at the house in Georgetown Maine. One of her proudest moments came when Kristie graduated from Tufts University-Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She also felt joy when hearing the news and seeing the first photograph of her new granddaughter, born just two days before her passing.   

She is survived by her husband Eddie Mientka Jr., her daughter Kristie Mientka and son in-law Sam Shoolman, of Somerville MA, along with her new granddaughter Fiona Willow.   

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Sam, Gabby, Meghan and all the Nurses and PCA’s of Cooley Dickinson Hospital who provided her with extraordinary care and compassion. A thank you also to the nurses and staff of Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice.   

Per Karen’s request, no formal services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to the Dakin Human Society, www.dakinhumane.org.  

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Randy Beachemin, , 58, passed away peacefully at his home on August 14, 2021 after a long illness.

Born on July 6, 1963 in Athol, MA, Randy lived his life in a variety of towns before settling in Ashfield, MA, in 1999. In 2007, he moved to Amherst, MA, where he resided until his death. 

Randy was an inspiration to all who knew him.  His enthusiasm and love of adventure was contagious.  When asked if he wanted to try something new, his response was usually an emphatic, “Yeah!!!” He loved being on the water, whether that meant a whale watch, a harbor or canal cruise, deep sea fishing, or going kayaking through All Out Adventures.  Music was always his first love, and he appreciated genres from heavy metal to polka.  He particularly enjoyed live music, but if that was not an option, you could find him in his room with headphones on enjoying his choice of music for that day.  He looked forward to his yearly vacations, especially to the shore. Often, you would find him at Fenway Park cheering on the Sox, attending plays or performances, or locally at the movies, on the Rail Trail, or at area restaurants.

Randy remained very connected to his former Ashfield community, and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ashfield.  He particularly enjoyed attending the annual Fall Festival, Pancake Breakfast, and Plant Sales, or getting a bite to eat at the Ashfield Lake House.  He always brought baked goods to the Fall Festival to be sold as part of a fundraiser for the church, and his cookies and breads were well known and highly anticipated!  He will be sorely missed by all of his friends there, particularly Bruce and Diana Bennett.

For over 30 years, Randy attended Riverside Industries in Easthampton, and made many friends there along the way. Some of the activities he enjoyed there included outings, cooking, art classes, and the music workshop. As an Easthampton Town Board Member, he advocated for increased wheelchair accessibility in town, and was recognized by other members of the Board for these efforts.

Randy will always have a special place in the heart of his friend and guardian, Debra Ray, of Belchertown.  She would like to thank all of the people who supported Randy at his home, staff at Riverside Industries, members of the Ashfield Church and community, Hospice of the Fisher Home, and all of his friends who enriched his life.  He found joy in each day because of all of you.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 10:00AM at the South Amherst Cemetery, 1205 S. East St., Amherst, MA.  In lieu of flowers, Randy would appreciate donations be made to All Out Adventures, a local non-profit that helps people of all abilities participate in recreational adventures.  Randy enjoyed participating in their programs, and would like to see others have the same opportunity.  Donations can also be made through their website (alloutadventures.org) or by check made payable to All Out Adventures, 297 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA  01060.  Please include Randy’s name on the notation line of your check. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com