Rachel Ringler Hexter passed away on April 9th at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst, MA. She was 90. Rachel is survived by her three children: son Jim and daughter-in-law Eileen, daughter Karen, all in the Boston area, and daughter Marla and son-in-law Larry of Schwenksville, PA. Rachel was the loving grandmother of Abigail, David, Lillian, and Nora. She is also survived by her three sisters, Jeanette, Ruth, and Beverly, and many nieces and nephews.
Rachel was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1929 to the late Louis Ringler and Lillian Kanner Ringler. The family moved to Los Angeles, CA in the late 1930s. After completing high school in Los Angeles, Rachel attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in Education. There she met her future husband, a PhD student named William Hexter who pre-deceased her in 2018. They married in 1950 and moved to Amherst in 1953.
Rachel started teaching at Cold Springs Elementary School in Belchertown in 1968. A dedicated educator, Rachel touched many young people over her more than 25 years teaching second grade. She retired in 1994.
In her free time Rachel enjoyed gardening, antiquing and reading. She and Bill split their time between Amherst and a second home in Seminole, Florida. They treasured their time with their grandchildren and family and traveled extensively.
Memorial gifts in her name may be made to the American Heart Association.

Davis, 26, died on April 7, 2020 in Amherst, MA. He was born on May 27, 1993 in Colorado Springs, CO to Marcia Smith, adopted by Alice and Jon Abbott. Davis was a talented poet, free spirit, old soul, and an inextinguishable light. He was gentle, loving, kind, generous, and incredibly hard working. He was well known and a great friend. Davis had a deep connection to the earth, he could wander in nature for days. He had a green thumb. He was also a fantastic chef. To know Davis was to love him.
He was a proud and loving father. The day his son was born, Davis cut his umbilical cord and cried. He said that his “heart exploded” with love. Davis’s mission in life was to help people with his words and to teach people to be kind. His life was cut short, yet he still made a difference in the world. We will carry on his legacy of compassion and generosity. We will honor his memory forever.
Davis is survived by his wife, Milena R. Somerville; child, Ambrose Amaris Somerville; parents, Marcia Smith, Alice and Jon Abbott; sisters, Esperanza Mott and Reagan Baughman; brother, Westly Baughman.

Brian K. Chalmers, 53, of Carlisle , PA and formerly of Amherst, MA, passed away April 8, 2020 due to complications from diabetes. He was the beloved son of Thomas and Jane (Shea) Chalmers of Lady Lake, FL, formerly of Amherst, MA.
Brian was in the class of 1985 at Amherst Regional High School. He went on to pursue his passion for auto mechanics and became a certified diesel mechanic. He had a quick wit and a kind heart and loved his nieces and nephews fiercely, who affectionately referred to him as Uncle Brownie. He also loved to cook where his specialties included chili and popovers. Brian was predeceased by his younger brother Tom in 2006 and his Uncle John Shea in 2016.
Besides his parents, Brian leaves behind his sister Karen Carey of Amherst, MA and her children Justin, Jameson and Ava, his sister Shawn Durocher of Princeton, MA and husband Rick Durocher and daughters Olivia and Christina, his Aunt Kathleen (Shea) Weatherwax of Lady Lake, Fl, his Aunt Barbara (Chalmers) Romashko of Springfield, MA, his cousin Lisa Daley and family from Springfield, MA and cousin David Romashko from Amherst, MA.
Brian was a 50 year survivor of juvenile diabetes. In his memory, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, MA.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Douglass Funeral Service.

Richard Michael Piccicuto, 71, of Hadley, MA passed away on April 7, 2020 in his home after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born in Fitchburg, MA on March 11, 1949, he was the son of Rocco C. and Josephine (Buttafuoco) Piccicuto. Richard was a small business owner, most notably owning Sheehan’s Cafe in Northampton, a hub for live music in the Pioneer Valley through the 1980’s and 90’s. Richard is survived by his brother, Sam Piccicuto; former spouse, Jane Kelley; two daughters Sara Ross and Adria Raphael; and four beloved grandchildren Claire Ross, Eamon Ross, Henry Raphael and Nora Raphael. Richard was predeceased by his sister, JoAnn Piccicuto. A private burial is planned at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Fitchburg, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or the American Diabetes Association.

Thomas Matthew Stolarski, of Hadley, passed away on April 14, 2020 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born in Northampton, MA February 20, 1944 and was the son of the late Matthew and Victoria Stolarski.
Tom attended Amherst schools, Holyoke Community College and earned his B.A. through the University without walls Program while has was employed at Umass as a property manager.
Tom also owned Eastern Stamp Company for 10 years {making rubber stamps} working nights and weekends. He farmed on the side too at the family homestead in Amherst, growing pumpkins, squash and broadleaf tobacco with the help from his family and many close friends.
Tom was always on the move and if not working, he was attending sports games of his three children. On weekends and summer vacations he enjoyed driving the family {sometimes his kid’s friends came along} to campgrounds in the family mobile home. There was a very memorable family trip cross country to CA and back and others to Canada, Florida and all over New England.
After retirement form Umass after 34 years Tom and his wife, Jeanne took many cruises all over the world including; Hawaii, Alaska, Poland, Vienna, Ireland, Paris, Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia and their last adventure in 2019 to Cuba.
Tom was in the Army National Guard and was a member of the American Legion Post 271 where he was commander for three years while running the pitch card league. He was a member of the Polish Club of S. Deerfield as well as a member of Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley.
Tom is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jeanne {Drwila} Stolarski, his daughter Danielle of Topsfield and husband Brandon Pratt and grandchildren, Ella and Hudson, daughter Holly of S. Hadley and husband Travis Caron and grandchildren, Katie and Scarlett, his son, Jason of Holden and wife Emily and grandchildren Coraline and Russell. He also leaves his sister, Jean and her husband Joseph Adams of Amherst.
Funeral services are entrusted to the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Due to the Corona virus, services will be private, with a memorial celebration held at a later date.

Richard Michael Piccicuto, 71, of Hadley, MA passed away on April 7, 2020 in his home after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born in Fitchburg, MA on March 11, 1949, he was the son of Rocco C. and Josephine (Buttafuoco) Piccicuto. Richard was a small business owner, most notably owning Sheehan’s Cafe in Northampton, a hub for live music in the Pioneer Valley through the 1980’s and 90’s. Richard is survived by his brother, Sam Piccicuto; former spouse, Jane Kelley; two daughters Sara Ross and Adria Raphael; and four beloved grandchildren Claire Ross, Eamon Ross, Henry Raphael and Nora Raphael. Richard was predeceased by his sister, JoAnn Piccicuto. A private burial is planned at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Fitchburg, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or the American Diabetes Association.

Gerald W. Clark (Jerry) was born on March 18, 1931 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Alfred and Marjorie (Flanders) Clark. Jerry graduated from Pittsfield High School and attended the Stockbridge School at The University of Massachusetts, where he gained a degree in Animal Husbandry. Upon graduation, he entered active military service and was stationed in Munich, Germany during the Korean War. After returning home, Jerry took a position with the Large Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at The University of Massachusetts where he would advance to the position of Technical Specialist. There he became proficient in a new procedure, defined as tissue culture, that was essential to the impending challenges of Reproductive Physiology and Recombinant DNA technology.
During his tenure at the University of Massachusetts, Jerry was fortunate to become associated with many visiting scientists and graduate students from all over the world, making many lasting friendships. Jerry was an avid disciple of country and bluegrass music and played 5-string banjo as well as bluegrass guitar, performing as a member of the “Poverty Mountain Clan.” He was also fond of tramping the local woodlands with his faithful dog and companion “Tyler.” The Clark family are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amherst and have been active in the church’s activities throughout the years.
Jerry suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia. He passed away peacefully on April 1, 2020 while under the care of the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Clark of Amherst and two sons, Eric Clark of Springfield, Massachusetts and Jonathan Clark of Amherst, Massachusetts. He also leaves a brother, Donald Clark of Pittsfield, Massachusetts and a sister, Marjorie Rollins of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Byron Clark and Emerson Clark, and a sister, Norma Clark.
There will be a private burial, and a Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.

Barbara Aldrich was born September 25, 1935 in Natick, Ma to Fred and Elaine Smith. She was raised on a farm with cows, pigs and chickens and ate veggies everyday which made her strong, (her words.) This is where she found her love for growing things. Her gardens and all of her flowers were one of the many things that brought her joy. Barbara also loved cooking and baking, which she did often. She shared many meals with friends and family. From her cowboy cookies,and whoopie pies to her famous sausage soup, she was always happy to make something just to share and enjoy with others.
She moved to Pelham in her late teens to help her sister Nancy and her brother in law Bert Ketchen with their business. There she met and fell in love with Teddy Weaver. They were married for a short time due to his untimely death in 1959. They had two wonderful daughters Janet and Valerie Weaver.
Barbara stayed in Amherst and married Brook Aldrich where they had a daughter Julie. The family moved to Leverett where she raised her girls with a strict hand and lot of laughter and love.
Barbara was a vital member of the Amherst Rotary club. She helped organize and put together the Teddy Bear Rally, which was a big attraction for the town of Amherst for many years.
Barbara worked at UMass of 32 years where she spent most of her career managing the Fine Arts Center. This is where Barbara really came alive. She loved the Fine Arts Center, it was her joy and her passion. She worked with a wonderful crew of people, who became not only her friends for life, but part of her family. She would start a conversation with anyone around her, and before you knew it they were laughing out loud and becoming her friend. She touched everyone with her love of laughter, her quick wit, her sense of fairness, adventure, compassion, and her pure lust for life. She was unstoppable.
She was a funny, kind, independent, compassionate, politically minded woman who was never afraid to speak her mind.
She had a house built for her in Hadley, with a lot of thought and care, she stayed in what became her oasi until the end of her life.
She was close to her brothers and sisters Nancy (Bert) Ketchen, Pam ( Newt) Youst, Fred (Chris) Smith and David (Vinn) Smith.
She will be missed mostly by her daughters Janet, Valerie and wife Robin, Julie Woynar, and adopted daughter Debroah and her wife Cheryl; she was a proud grandmother of Daniel LaClaire, Melissa Steinbeck, Charlotte and Joe Woynar, and great grandmother to Jordan and Mark LaClaire and Vivian Franceschi.
Following Barbara wishes there will be no services and please no donations. The family will share a date for a get together soon. She would like you to write down one of your many memories of her and share it with her daughters.
As you, her friends, are sad at the loss of such a spirited woman please remember: Grief is just love with no place to go.

Jeanne Potash, a long-time resident of the Applewood Community, passed away on March 27 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home after a brief illness. She was born in St Louis, Missouri, on April 21, 1925 to John and Gertie (Meyer) Feinstein, the younger of their two daughters. Her sister, Anne, with whom she was very close, died in 2004. Jeanne grew up in a warm, loving home that encouraged her to be confident of her ability to do whatever she set her mind to do. And, indeed, she went on to live a life filled with accomplishment.
After graduating from Soldan High School in 1942, where she had been elected vice president of her class, she enrolled at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. Three years later, she received her B.S. degree with Highest Honors in Mathematics, and qualified for a teaching certificate that enabled her to get her first teaching job serving as the entire math department in a small high school in a coal-mining town in southern Illinois.
On June 9, 1946, she married Robert Potash, a 1942 graduate of Harvard College, whom she had met when she was a sophomore and he was a soldier temporarily stationed at the University of Illinois. During the first two years of their marriage, while Rob was a graduate student, Jeanne supplemented their income by tutoring pupils in mathematics at the Shady Hill School and by working at the Harvard Law School Library. In 1948, she accompanied her husband on the first of many research trips to Spanish-speaking countries over the next sixty years. Over time, Jeanne’s skill for speaking Spanish enabled her to navigate daily life and develop warm friendships during these times abroad.
In 1950 their first daughter, Janet Ruth, was born in Boston, shortly before she and Rob moved to Amherst, where Rob joined the History Department of the University of Massachusetts. In 1954 their second daughter, Ellen Bess, was born in Northampton. They remained life-long residents of Amherst. Over the next six decades Jeanne played a role in a wide variety of Amherst organizations and, in doing so, demonstrated her talent for seeing through to completion any task she took on.
Jeanne was a Town Meeting Member for many years and in 2002-2003, was appointed by the Town Moderator to serve on a special committee that was given the task of recommending changes to improve the operations of Town Meeting. She also showed her love for the Town of Amherst by serving on the Citizens Advisory Committee (1968-70), and as a Relocation Specialist for the Redevelopment Authority (1973-78). She also served on the Council on Aging (1982-87) and its Health Task Force (1988). Furthermore, Jeanne gave her attention to many other organizations, including the Jewish Community of Amherst (JCA), the UMASS Faculty Women, the League of Women Voters, and Applewood at Amherst. For the JCA, she served on a variety of committees including the building design committee responsible for the new social hall and kitchen, the committee to restructure dues, and the search committee for a new rabbi. She served on the board and as corresponding secretary for the Faculty Women (1977-78). She served in many different capacities for the League of Women Voters including vice president and chair of the voter service committee. In the late 1980’s, she joined Applewood’s Board of Trustees, participating in decisions that have made it an attractive place to retire to. Indeed, in 1997 she and her husband moved to Applewood where she played a leadership role in many of its activities including as president of the Residents Council. She had a lifelong interest in children, an interest that led her to offer help to a head-start group, participate in an intergenerational program for children from disadvantaged homes, and serve for many years as an usher at the Fine Arts Center concerts for children. She was equally interested in elderly people and had a sense of comfort in their presence.
No listing of committees or organizations can convey the other important facets of her personality. Jeanne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister and friend to so many. She remains a role model for decency, integrity, acceptance, generosity and loving kindness. She was as caring and sensitive as a person can be and her instinct and ability to help others was remarkable.
Jeanne was predeceased by her daughter, Ellen Potash Arrick in 2005, and by her husband of seventy years, Robert, in 2016. She is survived by her daughter Janet Potash of Alexandria, Virginia and Applewood; by son-in-law Martin Arrick and his wife, Linda Arrick of Oakland, California, and by five grandchildren: Daniel, Graham and Alexander Arrick, Emma Bernstein Ago and Remy Bernstein.
In keeping with best practices of these times, the funeral was held privately at the JCA cemetery on March 30. The family hopes to hold a memorial gathering as soon as possible.

Timothy W. Brennan, 73, of Hadley, Massachusetts, the long-serving Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, passed away at his home on March 12, 2020. He waged a courageous battle with appendix cancer with characteristic grace and stoicism.

During his more than 46 years of public service, Tim was instrumental in bringing major improvements to the people of the Pioneer Valley, especially in the areas of transportation, recreation, and the environment. He worked tirelessly on the clean-up of the Connecticut River, on the expansion of train service to the Springfield area, and on converting old railroad rights-of-way to recreational use, including bicycle paths. A leader who was able to work effectively with government officials at all levels, as well as with academia, business and industry, Tim helped make the Pioneer Valley a vibrant and desirable place to live and work.

Tim was also a mentor to his staff and to others across the country in the field of planning. He taught urban planning at UMass Amherst and Westfield State University for several years as an adjunct professor, and received an Honorary Doctorate from WSU in 2015. Over the years, Tim held several leadership positions in regional and national planning organizations, and was the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his service. Upon his retirement from the PVPC in October 2019, additional accolades poured in, attesting to the respect and standing he earned from his peers.

Tim Brennan, a native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, was born in 1947. He received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his graduate degree in urban planning from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Upon graduation, Tim settled in the Pioneer Valley. Along with his former wife, the late Karen Leveille, Tim raised his beloved daughters Emily and Katherine Brennan, who survive him. Tim is also survived by his devoted long-time partner, Dr. Katherine Walsh, and by three aunts, numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins who all mourn his passing.

Tim achieved one of his early goals in life when he received his pilot’s license, and enjoyed nothing more than flying over the Pioneer Valley, marveling at its beauty. Those who knew and loved him will always delight in remembering his lifetime love of jazz, travel, and good food, and will remain forever humbled by his everlasting belief in the goodness of humanity.

His family would like to thank Dr. Paul Jodka, the Cooley Dickinson 3 North nursing staff, and Tim’s hospice team for their compassionate care.

A celebration of life memorial is being organized for later this spring. Memorial gifts may be made to the Tim Brennan Leadership Fund with Leadership Pioneer Valley, 1 Federal Street, Building 101, Springfield, MA 01105.