Alvin Steiner, of Loomis Village Retirement Community in South Hadley and previously of Livingston, New Jersey, peacefully passed away at the age of 85 on January 15, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Alvin was born October 8, 1934 in the Bronx, New York, the second of three sons born to William Steiner, owner of Supreme Meat Market on Madison Avenue, NY, and Bella Steiner, a homemaker. After attending City College of New York, he married Shirley Goodwin in 1956 before serving as an army lieutenant stationed at Fort Benning, GA.

Following his service, Alvin worked for a time in the industrial lighting business before founding American Benefits Group, a pension administration company headquartered in West Orange, NJ, with offices in Manhattan, Armonk, NY, and Florida. He served as president for several decades, after which he worked in semi-retirement as a consultant and guest speaker at insurance conferences. He was frequently in demand for his knowledge and original sense of humor.

A musician and great lover of jazz, literature and American and Jewish history, Alvin spent his retirement engrossed in scholarship on Judaic history and philosophy, leading several discussion groups and film series and teaching computer skills in his communities in New Jersey and Massachusetts. His greatest joy came from spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Alvin is survived by his love Shirley. The two met at age 15 in 1950 and were married for 63 years. He is also survived by his daughter Abbie and her husband Myles Jacobson; his son Adam and Adam’s wife Ellen Mandel-Steiner; his brother Sheldon and Sheldon’s wife Marion Steiner; and his grandchildren: Mariel, Will, and Ezra Norris. Alvin was predeceased by his brother Herbert.

The family will hold a funeral service at the Jewish Community of Amherst on Monday, January 20, at 10 AM, followed by a green burial at the JCA cemetery in Shutesbury.

Ray A. Moore age 86, Amherst College Professor of History and Asian Languages and Civilizations, Emeritus, passed away peacefully on January 7 in Amherst. Prof. Moore was born in 1933 into a family of tenant farmers in Axtell, Texas. In search of a better life, he joined the US Army at age 14 and served in the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1952.
Prof. Moore earned A.B., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Michigan. During his studies, he met and married his wife, the former Ilga Kacerovskis, in 1957. The Moore’s then welcomed two sons, Mark and Kenneth.
In 1965, Prof. Moore joined Amherst College’s history department. He was instrumental in establishing: Amherst’s Asian Studies program; the Five College Center for East Asian Studies; the Associated Kyoto Program Junior Year Abroad at Doshisha University; and the Yushien Japanese Garden on the Amherst campus. To perpetuate their love of Japan and the College, Prof. and Mrs. Moore established a trust to fund Japanese studies. Prof. Moore retired from teaching in 2004.
In 2012, the government of Japan awarded Prof. Moore the Order of the Rising Sun, a medal presented since 1875 to honor lifetime contributions to US-Japanese friendship. Prof. Moore was a leading scholar and author on the history of modern Japan and the American occupation following World War II. His books include Partners for Democracy: Crafting the New Japanese State under MacArthur
Prof. Moore was an avid hiker, skier, traveler, and runner. He and his wife completed several Marine Corps and Boston marathons. Prof. Moore is preceded in death by his wife Ilga. He is survived by two sons Mark and Kenneth, his daughters-in-law Fran and Beth, and five grandchildren, Nicholas, Kelsey, Anna, Colin and Ethan.
Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Ray A. Moore age 86, Amherst College Professor of History and Asian Languages and Civilizations, Emeritus, passed away peacefully on January 7 in Amherst.

Prof. Moore was born in 1933 into a family of tenant farmers in Axtell, Texas. In search of a better life, he joined the US Army at age 14 and served in the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1952.

Prof. Moore earned A.B., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Michigan. During his studies, he met and married his wife, the former Ilga Kacerovskis, in 1957. The Moore’s then welcomed two sons, Mark and Kenneth.

In 1965, Prof. Moore joined Amherst College’s history department. He was instrumental in establishing: Amherst’s Asian Studies program; the Five College Center for East Asian Studies; the Associated Kyoto Program Junior Year Abroad at Doshisha University; and the Yushien Japanese Garden on the Amherst campus. To perpetuate their love of Japan and the College, Prof. and Mrs. Moore established a trust to fund Japanese studies. Prof. Moore retired from teaching in 2004.

In 2012, the government of Japan awarded Prof. Moore the Order of the Rising Sun, a medal presented since 1875 to honor lifetime contributions to US-Japanese friendship. Prof. Moore was a leading scholar and author on the history of modern Japan and the American occupation following World War II. His books include Partners for Democracy: Crafting the New Japanese State under MacArthur

Prof. Moore was an avid hiker, skier, traveler, and runner. He and his wife completed several Marine Corps and Boston marathons. Prof. Moore is preceded in death by his wife Ilga. He is survived by two sons Mark and Kenneth, his daughters-in-law Fran and Beth, and five grandchildren, Nicholas, Kelsey, Anna, Colin and Ethan. 

Ray A. Moore age 86, Amherst College Professor of History and Asian Languages and Civilizations, Emeritus, passed away peacefully on January 7 in Amherst.

Dr. Moore was born in 1933 into a family of tenant farmers in Axtell, Texas. In search of a better life, he joined the US Army at age 14 and served in the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1952.

Dr. Moore earned A.B., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Michigan. During his studies, he met and married his wife, the former Ilga Kacerovskis, in 1957. The Moore’s then welcomed two sons, Mark and Kenneth.

In 1965, Dr. Moore joined Amherst College’s history department. He was instrumental in establishing: Amherst’s Asian Studies program; the Five College Center for East Asian Studies; the Associated Kyoto Program Junior Year Abroad at Doshisha University; and the Yushien Japanese Garden on the Amherst campus. To perpetuate their love of Japan and the College, Dr. and Mrs. Moore established a trust to fund Japanese studies. Dr. Moore retired from teaching in 2004.

In 2012, the government of Japan awarded Dr. Moore the Order of the Rising Sun, a medal presented since 1875 to honor lifetime contributions to US-Japanese friendship. Dr. Moore was a leading scholar and author on the history of modern Japan and the American occupation following World War II. His books include Partners for Democracy: Crafting the New Japanese State under MacArthur

Dr. Moore was an avid hiker, skier, traveler, and runner. He and his wife completed several Marine Corps and Boston marathons. Dr. Moore is preceded in death by his wife Ilga. He is survived by two sons Mark and Kenneth, his daughters-in-law Fran and Beth, and five grandchildren, Nicholas, Kelsey, Anna, Colin and Ethan.

Martha Louise Fellers was born in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1926 to Carl Raymond and Josephine (Sanders) Fellers. She graduated from Amherst High School in 1944 and received her B.A. degree from Smith College in 1948. She went on to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and received a M.Ed. (1950) in education which she used to teach children, first in FL and later in CT.

Warren Averill and Martha Fellers of Amherst, MA were married in June of 1948. They had an amazing 70 years together. They raised four children, Stephen (1953), Anne (1954), Paul (1962) and Martha (1964). She is survived by her children, along with 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Warren and Martha lived in Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire before settling in Weston, CT for 25 years. Martha delighted in raising her children and working as a reading teacher. Her many retirement years were spent in Amherst, MA. She spent many hours studying and collecting antique glass, postcards, and books. She enjoyed many summers in North Eastham on the Cape and served as a trustee for the families’ Cape Cod trust for close to 40 years.

Martha was a well-loved wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She enjoyed a long, full, life and was able to travel extensively in later life. She traveled with her husband, Warren, all over the United States including California, Hawaii, and the Smoky Mountains. She was lucky to have memorable family trips to London, Paris and Ireland, as well as Rome, Venice and Pompeii.

A graveside service will take place on Monday, January 13th at 10am at the St. Brigid’s Cemetery in Hadley.

Bruce Newcomb Morton, age 76, died at his home in North Hadley on January2, 2020. Morton, a retired professor of law at Touro University in Huntington, New York, had lived in North Hadley since 2008. He is survived by two stepsons: Tim Hays, of Burlington, CT., and Brad Hays, of Burlington, VT; as well as by his brother, Keith, of Ashburn, VA. A graveside service will be held on Friday January 10th at 11:30 AM at the South Amherst Cemetery. 

Lois E. Dethier died peacfully at Hopice of the Fisher Home on January 6, 2020 at the age of 92. She was born at Nuangola Lake, PA. and was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Dean School of Business, Kingston, PA. Lois attended the University of Pennsyvania, where she met her future husband, the late Vincent G. Dethier there. Always a devoted advocate of music, upon moving to Amherst with her husband and sons, she attended Smith College as an Ada Comstock Scholar and received her BA in music. She was also an active member of the Amherst League of Women Voters. Lois is survived by her sons, Jehan, of Charleston, SC. , and Paul and his wife Maria of Sunderland, Ma. Burial will take place at the Seaside Cemetery in Blue Hill, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Ma. 01002

Mother to hundreds, friend of thousands, loved by all who knew her, Judith E. (Cook) Loebel died on December 11, 2019 as she lived, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her.
Judy was the heart of her large family. She was married for 54 years to Tod Loebel, with whom she built a family via blood, adoption, and determination. She leaves behind her children: Darlene, Stephen, Gretchen, Wendy, TR, Jennifer, Andrew, Zoe, Andi, and Noah, 27 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, as well as dozens of children she nurtured over more than 49 years as a foster parent. Judy was a fierce advocate for these children and was always quick to shelter those (of any age) in need.
Judy was a Hadley farmer’s daughter who applied the work ethic she learned as a child to all she did. She was born on August 5, 1943 at Cooley Dickenson Hospital to Gordon and Marjorie Cook. She grew up on Cook Farm with her three brothers: Gordon Jr, Richard, and Peter Cook. As an elementary school student, Judy joined the high school band as a clarinet player, later taking up saxophone and drums as well. She was a member of the local 4-H. At sixteen, she was crowned the Hadley Tercentenary Queen. She graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1961 as her class valedictorian. She went on to complete degrees in biochemistry and physiology at Mount Holyoke College, as well as a later degree in computer information systems from Rollins College.
For 45 years Judy worked as a clinical chemist, advancing from a research assistant at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, to laboratory supervisor at Holmes Regional Medical Center, to field representative at Instrumentation Laboratories, to the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Tosoh and DOCRO. Her expertise led her to consulting on clinical oncology trials and work with the FDA. She loved her work and continued it to within days of her passing.
Later in life, Judy volunteered at Lathrop Home and Harvest Club. She and Tod travelled the world, often sharing these experiences a with her children. In 2000, Judy and Tod opened the elegant Ivory Creek Bed and Breakfast on Chmura Road in Hadley. She loved meeting and hearing the stories of those who stayed at the B&B.
Judy was full of life, intelligent, strong, sensitive and wise. She was beautiful, although she didn’t know it. She lived an exemplary life that inspires all who cherish her memory. Her words continue to guide her family as they try to live by her example.
The family plans to host a celebration of life at a future date.

Belchertown,MA,Winthrop “Butch” Kellogg, 72, died December 29, 2019 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born on October 7, 1947 to the late Winthrop and Ella (Squires) Kellogg. He grew up in Amherst and was a graduate of Amherst High School.

Butch was a retired member of the Belchertown Police Department. Prior to becoming a police officer, he was employed by the Amherst Regional Schools as a custodian and school bus driver and instructor. He also previously worked for Western Mass Electric, and as an auto mechanic in Amherst.

Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and classic cars. He was an avid skeet shooter and was a life time member of the Norwottuck Fish and Game Club.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Mary Rhodes, Grace Rauch, and Joyce Saylor and brother Martin. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Donna (Kolasienski), sons Michael of Belchertown and Brian and his wife Sarah Rastallis of Montague, and one granddaughter Kasey. He is also survived by his sister Eleanor Killeen and her husband Bill and several nieces and nephews.

At Butch’s request there will be no calling hours or services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Belchertown Police Department, PO Box 901, Belchertown, MA 01007 to benefit the association scholarship program. Make checks payable to the Belchertown Police Association. Donations may also be made to the Norwottuck Fish and Game Association, PO Box 2492, Amherst, MA 01002.

Marvette Selanis, 93, died December 26, 2019 at the Buckley HealthCare Center in Greenfield. She was born May 20, 1926 in East Hartford, Ct to the late Wallace and Avis (Gilker) Johnson. Marvette grew up in Greenfield and was a graduate of Greenfield High School.
In 1946, Marvette met George Selanis at a dance in Northampton. They were married in 1949. Marvette and George shared many things in their life together. Most notably, they shared the exact same birthday – May 20, 1926.
Marvette was a long-time employee at Goodnow’s Department store. She enjoyed gardening and cooking, loved watching and rooting for the Red Sox and the Patriots, and was famous for her homemade apple pie.
Marvette is survived by her husband George, and their three children, Zane Selanis of Amherst, Debbie Guillotte and partner Ron Roy of Auburn, and Gary and Linda Selanis of Northfield. She also leaves three grandchildren, Rachel and Jake Guillotte and Jillian Selanis. Marvette is predeceased by her three sisters, Maxine, Gloria, and Patty.
Marvette’s family would like to thank the Buckley HealthCare Center and New England Hospice for their compassion and wonderful care.
All funeral services will be private.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Buckley HealthCare Center, 95 Laurel St., Greenfield, MA 01301.