AMHERST, Margaret B. Anderson, 91, of Amherst, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst.

Born June 16, 1922, in Pelham, MA, she was one of six daughters, born to Martin and Katherine Boguslawski. She was predeceased by her sisters; Anna, Helen, Irene, Catherine and Elizabeth.

On April 9, 1948, she married Lewis Anderson. They were married for 55 years. Lewis predeceased her in 2003.

Margaret was a retired Federal Government employee, having worked in several Federal Agencies.

She enjoyed cooking, collecting recipes, jig-saw puzzles and working in her flower garden.

She is survived by her two sons, James of Huntsville, AL and Jeffrey of Amherst.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 8, at 10:00 a.m. in Wildwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Allan R. McKinnon died April 22, 2014 in Amherst MA. He was born in Holyoke, MA on August 8, 1928 to Allan and Gertrude Engel McKinnon.

Allan “Big Al” graduated from the University of Massachusetts, class of 1952 and was a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.  He was a Registered Professional Engineer, first serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He was chosen Soldier of the Cycle after basic training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and taught Guided Missile Guidance Components at Fort Monmouth, NJ.   He returned to Holyoke to own and manage J.& W. Jolly, Inc., a fabrication and machine tool business.  In the early 1990’s he began working for the University of Massachusetts Athletic Department as an Administrative Assistant and Transportation coordinator, retiring in 2003.

He played golf throughout his lifetime, taking annual trips to Pine Needles, in Southern Pines, NC, but regardless of where he traveled always managed to find a golf course. Al also loved to ski and served as president of the Mt. Tom Ski Club. He was a fan of all UMass sports, holding season tickets for football, hockey and basketball.  He was a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins, but if his favorites weren’t on TV, most any game would do.

He served his community as a Life Member of the Mt. Tom Masonic Lodge, Holyoke;  Honorary Life Member of Rotary Club; Past President, Holyoke YMCA and United Way.  He also served as Chairman for the United Way Fund Drive (2 years); Member, Trustee and Corporater for People Bank; member of the Board of Directors of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and of the Forestdale Cemetery.  Allan also served others by being a life-long blood donor.

Allan was predeceased by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Gertrude and James Creighton; nephew James Creighton; stepdaughter, Cheryl Ann (Nagy) Burger and grandson Sgt. Kenneth J. Iwasinski.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Torma) McKinnon; children, Linda (Thomas) McGrath;  Jeffrey (Allison Blackfield) McKinnon; Laurie McKinnon (John Cotton); grandchildren Bryan and Heather McGrath;  Jeffrey, Clarke and  Kiley McKinnon;  Holly Huebner and Mcallan Craig.  Stepfamily Mark and Kim Nagy, Tracy (Nagy) Taylor and grandchildren Amber, Nathan, Rebecca Erskine, Emily and Samuel Burger; Luke and Jake Nagy; Amanda Taylor and great grandchildren Kirsten and Jillian Erskine.

Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, MA is in charge of arrangements.  Interment will be at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Al’s Life will be Wednesday, May 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the Amherst Golf Club, 365 South Pleasant St., Amherst, MA.

The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers of the Fisher Home for the loving care and kind guidance they provided to Allan and his family during the last leg of our journey together.  In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to The Fisher Home; 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 or a charity of your choice. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Daniel Charles Lashway Sr.

Goshen Sawmill Owner

GOSHEN, Daniel C. Lashway Sr., 72, of East Street, died Sunday, April 13, 2014, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.  His family had the privilege of caring for him during his last days, so that his wish to remain at home could be carried out. 

            Born in Northampton, December 22, 1941, he was the youngest of 16 children to the late William J. and Myrtie Belle (Nutting) Lashway. He attended Amherst schools and graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1959. 

            After working in the lumber business as a young man for both his father and his brother, he established Dan Lashway Lumber in 1969.  He was known for being a perfectionist and very meticulous, particularly when it came to his product and equipment. He will be remembered for his love of travel, trucks and trains. He was an honest and generous man who without hesitation would help those in need. He loved his family with all his heart and will be greatly missed by all of them.

            He and his wife loved to travel.  They made many trips throughout the country visiting national parks and historic places and recently spending winters in Florida with family and friends.

            Dan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diana (Damon) Lashway, his son David T. Lashway and his wife Tara of Goshen, his two daughters; Deborah L. Soto and her husband Dan of Goshen, and Elizabeth L. Proccacini and her husband Matt of Farmington, CT.  Five grandchildren: Danny, Devon, and Damon Soto, and Lauren and Jered Young, and his mother-in-law Alice K. Damon.

            He is also survived by three brothers; Lawrence L. Lashway of Williamsburg, William J. Lashway Jr. of Leeds, and Harry R. Lashway of Palm Coast, FL. Five sisters; Alice L. Adams and Joan B. Olanzk of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Joyce A. Matuszko of Amherst, Ethel Bozek of Feeding Hills, Harriet L. Eddy of Leverett, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

            He was predeceased by a son, Daniel C. Lashway Jr., three brothers, Edward, Leonard and Richard, and four sisters, Margaret Poole, Florence Powers, Helen Adams and Mary Nuzzi.          

            The family will receive friends at the Douglass Funeral Service on Monday, April 21, from 5-8 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 22, at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst, at 10 am.  Burial will follow immediately at St. Brigid’s Cemetery in Hadley. 

            Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to Hospice of Cooley Dickenson Hospital, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA, 01060 and/or The American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.  Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Peter G. Boisvert

 Proud Father, Beloved Husband, and Loyal Friend

AMHERST, Peter Boisvert, father of Michelle and husband of Ann, died on April 13 in Amherst, after a decade-long battle with Multiple Myeloma.  Peter graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst in 1974 with a degree in Chemical Engineering.  He then received his master’s from UC Berkley.  He returned to Amherst where he lived the rest of his life with his wife and daughter, in the house he and his father had built.  He worked as a chemical engineer at Bayer Corporation for the next twenty-three years; during this time he also graduated first in his class in Computer Science from University of Hartford. In 1999, he became the production manager at Deerfield Urethane and from 2007 to 2014 he worked as an independent contractor for Bayer.

A lifetime autodidact, he taught himself German, Japanese, and many computer languages. His curiosity was not limited to scholarly pursuits: he was a skilled craftsman and handyman, with an ability to fix anything. Despite his tremendous skills, he was a humble man and willing teacher.

Pete loved tennis and scuba diving; however, his love of nature drew him towards biking and he recently completed numerous century rides with his biking buddies. This love for nature further caused him to be an avid conservationist and environmentalist. His kindness extending to all beings, he was gentle, unpretentious, and benevolent.

He was predeceased by his mother Christina Crolla, his father Gilbert F. Boisvert, and brother Joseph Boisvert. His is survived by his daughter, his wife, his brother in law Matthew Corcoran, and Matthew’s son Jake.

Calling hours will be Thursday, April 17, from 5-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Funeral services will be private.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in Boston or the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Peter G. Boisvert

 Proud Father, Beloved Husband, and Loyal Friend

AMHERST, Peter Boisvert, father of Michelle and husband of Ann, died on April 13 in Amherst, after a decade-long battle with Multiple Myeloma.  Peter graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst in 1974 with a degree in Chemical Engineering.  He then received his master’s from UC Berkley.  He returned to Amherst where he lived the rest of his life with his wife and daughter, in the house he and his father had built.  He worked as a chemical engineer at Bayer Corporation for the next twenty-three years; during this time he also graduated first in his class in Computer Science from University of Hartford. In 1999, he became the production manager at Deerfield Urethane and from 2007 to 2014 he worked as an independent contractor for Bayer.

A lifetime autodidact, he taught himself German, Japanese, and many computer languages. His curiosity was not limited to scholarly pursuits: he was a skilled craftsman and handyman, with an ability to fix anything. Despite his tremendous skills, he was a humble man and willing teacher.

Pete loved tennis and scuba diving; however, his love of nature drew him towards biking and he recently completed numerous century rides with his biking buddies. This love for nature further caused him to be an avid conservationist and environmentalist. His kindness extending to all beings, he was gentle, unpretentious, and benevolent.

He was predeceased by his mother Christina Crolla, his father Gilbert F. Boisvert, and brother Joseph Boisvert. His is survived by his daughter, his wife, his brother in law Matthew Corcoran, and Matthew’s son Jake.

Calling hours will be Thursday, April 17, from 5-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Funeral services will be private.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in Boston or the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

MARIAN FRANCES (PAGANO) MATHESON

“One singular sensation”

SOUTH HADLEY, After leading a bright but far-too-brief life defined by a devotion to family and a mastery of joy, Marian Frances (Pagano) Matheson died at age 55 on April 4 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.  She passed away peacefully at her home in South Hadley, Mass., surrounded by family and friends.

Marian — known affectionately as “M” — was born in Flushing, N.Y., and raised on Guthrie Court in Northport, N.Y.  She built a successful career in higher education institutional research working with some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, but most impressive was her vast knowledge of Broadway show tunes and her willingness to break into song at any moment.  She loved dogs, golf, summer at the beach, the Peanuts comic strip, cocktails, good food, crossword puzzles, and, much to the chagrin of her friends and neighbors in Massachusetts, the Yankees.

Most of all, she loved her wife, Pam, and their daughter, Caroline.

Marian was Director of Institutional Research and Planning at Amherst College, where “her influence has changed the College for the better forever,” according to a statement by Amherst College President Biddy Martin.  Prior to that role, Marian served as Associate Provost for Planning and Institutional Research at Columbia University and was an analyst in institutional research at Tufts University. Marian was a leading and highly respected voice in the national Council on Financing Higher Education (COFHE).

Marian graduated from Juniata College, where she was a standout athlete in field hockey and softball.  She completed all but the dissertation for a doctorate in higher education curriculum, instruction and administration at Boston College and earned a Master of Arts degree in applied clinical psychology from the State University of New York, Plattsburgh, in 1982.

Active in the community, Marian served as a coach for her daughter’s softball team and was a dedicated supporter among the parents at The Common School.

In addition to her wife and daughter, Marian is survived by her sister, Janet Wood, and brother-in-law, Daniel, both of Mendham, N.J.; nieces Elaina, Kayla, and Laura of Mendham; her father-in-law, Roger Matheson and mother-in-law Yvonne Matheson of Litchfield, Mich.; her sister-in-law, Carol Kolongowski of Flushing, Mich., and nieces Jill and Beth Kolongowski; brother-in-law Douglas Schlosser of Homer, Mich.; sister-in-law D’Andra Clark of Hillsdale, Mich.; niece Arielle Clark and nephew Quinlan Clark, and many dear friends.  She was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Philip Pagano, and her brother, Chuck Pagano.

A celebration of Marian’s life will be held at Amherst College’s Johnson Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12.  A reception will follow at the home of Amherst College President Biddy Martin.  Calling hours will be held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

LEEDS, Agustin L. Castillejo, 96, a 10 year resident of Leeds, died Tuesday, at Overlook at Northampton. Born in Camaguey, Cuba, December 9, 1917, he was the son of the late Agustin Castillejo and Orfelia (Diaz) Castillejo. Mr. Castillejo was a bartender in the Washington D.C. area for 30 years before retiring to Amherst. Mr. Castillejo had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He was the beloved husband of the late Angelica M. (Colasanti) Castillejo. He leaves his son, Ronald J. Castile, of Cambridge, Massachusetts; a brother, Evelio Castillejo, and a sister, Carlota Infante, of Miami, Florida; two grandchildren, Natalie and Agustin T. Castile of Cambridge, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Brewster, New York. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Reverend Crystal L. Roberson, Pastor of Hope Community Church, has gone home to be with the Lord. Rev. Crystal, 59, died on April 5, 2014 after a brief hospitalization for complications due to asthma, a condition she lived with since childhood.

Crystal Lynn Roberson was born January 20, 1955 in Springfield, IL, the youngest child of LaVerne William Anderson and Norma Jean Brandon Anderson. She attended the Summit School in St. Paul, MN and Amherst Regional High School in Amherst, MA. In 1991, Crystal was ordained through the Life School Ministries and began her ministry as Assistant Pastor of Hope Community Church. She was installed as the Pastor of Hope in 2008 following the retirement of her brother, Rev. Carlos W. Anderson.

Throughout her ministerial leadership, Rev. Crystal led Hope Church in both a physical and spiritual restoration.  Along with the Board of Directors, she was able to procure funding for the preservation of the church building. As a result, the church was recognized for its significance in African-American history from the Town of Amherst and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Although restoring the building of the church was important, Rev. Crystal’s highest calling was in the physical healing of the sick. She will be known by all for her healing ministry that moved beyond the body and into the minds and hearts of those who knew her. Rev. Crystal’s deep faith was an inspiration to everyone who came into her presence.

Rev. Crystal was preceded in death by her loving husband, Kenneth Roberson; her parents, Rev. LaVerne W. Anderson, Sr. and Dr. Norma Jean Anderson; and her older brother, LaVerne Anderson, Jr.  She is survived by her son, Seth Mark Anderson Calloway, and his wife, Alexis Ponder Calloway (Nashville, TN); her brother, Rev. Carlos W. Anderson (Montague, MA); her sister, Rhonda Jean Gordon (Shutesbury, MA); an extended loving family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws, as well as her faithful and loyal family of Hope Community Church members.

A service in celebration of Rev. Crystal’s life will be held at Hope Community Church, 16 Gaylord Street, Amherst, MA on Saturday, April 12, at 1:00 p.m.  A reception will be held at the church following the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rev. Crystal L. Roberson may be made to Hope Community Church. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

GRANBY, Paul Vassallo, 58, passed away peacefully on April 5, at Country Estates of Agawam. Born on Jan. 9, 1956 in Northampton he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Pento) Vassallo. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1974 – 1985. Paul was a skilled handyman and had a passion for repairing and restoring cars. He always enjoyed cooking for large crowds and was an avid fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and NASCAR. Paul is survived by his son Nicholas of Granby, two daughters, Jennifer and Amy of VA and his closest friend and beloved golden retriever, Jack. He also leaves six brothers and sisters, Joseph and his partner Janet of Hadley, Rosalie Mikalunas and her husband Robert of Amherst, Carol Orrell and her husband David of Shutesbury, John and his wife Trish of Hadley, Michael and his wife Kathy of Sunderland, Robert and his wife Lynda of Shutesbury, sister in-law Helen Vassallo of Amherst,  as well as several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his brothers Angelo and Richard. Funeral services will be on Monday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m. at the Douglass Funeral Home, Amherst. Burial with military honors will follow in Pelham Valley Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday, April 13, from 1-3 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service. Memorial donations in Paul’s name may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513-3595. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.