Roger A. Carlsen

            Roger A. Carlsen, 94, passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst on April 25, 2015.  He was born November 9, 1920 in Haverhill, MA, the son of Trygve and Bernice (Wormwood) Carlsen.  He grew up in West Newbury, MA and graduated from West Newbury High School.  He attended the University of Iowa, served in the Coast Guard during World War II, and graduated from Springfield College after the war.  He taught physical education and coached basketball, soccer and baseball in both the Pittsfield and Colebrook, NH Public Schools.  He retired as the Director of Physical Education and Health for the city of Haverhill, MA Public Schools.  Roger had a great love of the mountains of New England as well as its seacoast.   He grew up hiking, camping,  swimming, canoeing, sailing and skiing and passed that love on to his family.

            In January of 1946, Roger married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Bennett Johnson, who predeceased him in 2004. Roger was also predeceased by his brother, Norman Carlsen and his sister, Barbara Pittendreigh.  He is survived by his three children Karen C. Bucala of Whately,  Christina Carlsen of Rochester, NH, and Iver R. Carlsen of Scarborough, ME; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  Roger also leaves his friends and staff of Lathrop Home where he enjoyed the past nine years of his life.  The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Fisher Home for their compassionate care during his final days.

            A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke.  The family will receive visitors during the hour prior to the service.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in West Newbury.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Lathrop Home, 215 South St., Northampton, MA  01060;  or to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant St.,  Amherst, MA 01002.   Douglass Funeral Service of Amherst has been entrusted with his arrangements.

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

Amherst, Judith Ann( Hilliker) Krueger Johnson of Amherst, died peacefully April 26, 2015. Born January 14, 1941 at the Florence Lying Inn Hospital, to the late Winifred Louise Upham Hilliker and Howard Foster Hilliker. Educated in the local school system including Hill Institute, Florence Grammar, Northampton and Williamsburg High Schools.

She later completed college, earning an AA degree from Greenfield Community College, a BS degree from UMASS Amherst in 1975, including a Commonwealth of Massachusetts teaching certificate K-8 and Real Estate Broker licensure.

Judi spent several years in teaching and social service fields working at the Belchertown State School, Massachusetts Division of Employment Security and Massachusetts and Mississippi welfare departments.

She Transitioned into banking and then to Property Management and Real Estate, where she owned and operated Townhouse  Management Associates and managed the Townehouse of Amherst Condominium Association and housing development, for the remaining 25 years of her working career.

Judi was a long time member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and had belonged to Hampshire County Business Women’s Association.

After retiring, the next 10 glorious years were spent having fun in the sun with friends and family in the Ellenton area of Florida’s West coast, finally returning home to be close to family.

She leaves behind her beloved family; first born infant son Howard Christian Krueger (deceased), favorite son William Henry Krueger Jr., his wife Kathleen (Bouchard) Krueger and their daughters Kimberly Marie Krueger and Nina Marie Krueger, of Fall River Massachusetts. Favorite Daughter and caregiver, Becki-Lyn (Krueger) Sharpe, her husband Robert A. Sharpe Jr. (deceased) and their daughters Kristi Marie Sharpe and Alicia Ann Sharpe, her fiance’ Richard M. Perrault Jr. of Belchertown, Massachusetts,  She leaves one Aunt; Myrtle Bean Reese of East Hartford, Connecticut, many cousins, friends and business associates.

A memorial service will be Saturday May 2, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A calling hour will precede the service from 10 – 11 am. Burial will take place at Spring Grove Cemetery, Florence, MA at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Brain Cancer Research or Dakin Animal Hospital. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Amherst, MA – Graham Worthington Smith, 64, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at home with his loving family by his side.

  Graham was born June 14, 1950 in Eugene, Oregon, to the late Robert Worthington and Velma Louise (Sise) Smith.

  He had a lifelong interest in learning and discussion across many topics.  He was a voracious reader of history, science, social and economic policy and well-written fiction.  He also developed wonderful woodworking skills over his lifetime, creating beautiful Shaker style furniture in hand tooled cherry, oak and black walnut.  Graham had a rigorous academic career, including a B.S. in Biology from University of Oregon, a M.S in Wildlife Biology from Washington State University, and a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University.  His research was wide-ranging, including work with population ecology, quantitative methods, migratory birds, and mammalian biology. 

  Dr. Smith had a long and well-respected federal career, first with the Bureau of Land Management in Idaho, then nearly 15 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Division of Migratory Bird Management), and finally ten years with the U.S. Geological Survey (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) in Maryland.  At his retirement in 2012 and thereafter, so many of his friends and colleagues have expressed their gratitude and admiration for his intelligence and keen insights into science and logical problem solving, balanced by his generosity, patience, and humor.   His family is deeply and forever blessed by his gentleness, thoughtfulness, and remarkable dignity and integrity.

  Graham is survived by his loving wife, Mary J. Ratnaswamy, daughter, Elizabeth W. Smith, stepdaughter, Selena R. Burke, his four sisters, Ellen (and husband Russ) Wilcoxson, Gretchen (and husband Randy) Prakken, Adrienne Smith, and Anita McKey, many nieces and nephews, extended family and close friends.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Alice P. Wywialowski, and brother-in-law, Jeff McKey.

 Those interested in donations in his memory are encouraged to consider Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org), Ducks Unlimited (www.ducks.org) or The Wildlife Society (www.wildlife.org) and please note the donation is in honor of Graham Worthington Smith.  A memorial celebration may be planned at a future time. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Harry Arthur Delano, known by most as Chick, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 16, 2015. Chick was a long-time resident of Amherst, where he owned several businesses, including the Amherst Deli and Delano’s. Family was everything to Chick. He was also a great friend to many and a dedicated member of the community. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Hospitality Mutual Insurance Company and also served as the President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.  

Born November 12, 1945 in New Rochelle, NY, Chick grew up in Connecticut, and lived in New York City, where he was a police detective, and in Provincetown and Edgartown, MA, where he owned leather shops with his brothers, Sterling Parker Delano and Joseph Sharpe Delano. Most recently, Chick was a realtor with Jones Group Realtors. 

Chick is survived by his wife Suzy Reder-Delano, his four children Sara Delano Collins, Cassy Delano, Jason Delano, and Harry Delano, his brothers, his sisters-in-law, Ann Delano and Jane Weiss, his son-in-law Kyle Collins, and his granddaughter, Addison, as well as a devoted extended family.  

A memorial service will be held Sunday April 19 at 2 pm at the Lord Jeffrey Inn in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jones Library in Amherst.

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

Amherst, George R. Richason, Jr., 99, died Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born in Turners Falls, April 3, 1916, attended Gill public schools and graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1932. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts in 1937, a M.S. from Umass in 1939, and an Honorary D.Sci. in 1991. He did other graduate work at Bowdoin College, M.I.T., Clark University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Ames National Laboratory.

He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1942 as an Ensign, served active duty from 1941-1946 and in the active reserve until 1969. He was retired as a Commander, USNR. Assignments included teaching advanced electronics at M.I.T., Officer in Charge of the Patent Section of the Office of Naval Research {Boston}, and Radar Officer of Fleet Air Wing 16. He was a member of VFW Post 754.

He taught science and mathematics at Turners Falls High School from 1939-1942 and 1946-1947. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Umass in 1947, Associate Professor in 1957, and Professor in 1964, and served as Associate Head of the Chemistry Department starting in 1959. He did part-time teaching at General Electric and Holyoke Community College. He served as a Reviewer-Consultant for Van Nostrand Reinhold, Holden Day Inc., Houghton-Mifflin Co., McGraw-Hill Book Co., John Wiley and Sons, and Worth Publishing Co. Professional affiliations included the American Chemical Society, New England Association of Chemistry Teachers, and Sigma Xi. Professional honors included election to Phi Eta Sigma, a National Science Foundation Fellowship, and designation as the Umass Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1963. As such he served as Mace Bearer at all Umass Commencements and other events where an academic procession is appropriate. He served as Radiological Safety Officer and Chairperson of the Nuclear Energy Council and Radiation Use Committee. He was elected to the Faculty Senate and Chairperson of tits Rules Committee. He has served on virtually every University standing committee many ad hoc committees, and numerous selection committees. He retired in 1976, he then served under contract until 2002, as part-time Associate Head of the Department of Chemistry. He continued to serve as an Under Graduate Student Advisor until his death.

He served as assistant coach of football, basketball and baseball at Turners Falls High School. He was one of the founders of the Turners Falls Athletic Club and served several terms as president and continuously on its Board of Directors. At the University he was appointed to the Athletic Council in 1961 and served as chairperson or secretary for over 30 years. He was chairperson of committees to select a Dean of the School of Physical Education, three Head Football Coaches, three Head Basketball Coaches, associate Athletic Director, and Business Manager. He was elected to the Umass Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.

He was active in the Umass Alumni Association, and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors from 1968-1994, its Executive Committee from 1968-1991, Chairman of Awards and Honorary Degrees from 1965-1994, Nominating Committee for 20 years and numerous selection committees. He received the Associate Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to the University in 1974, and numerous special citations. In 1994 he was named a lifetime member of the Board of Directors, Emeritus.

A resident of Amherst since 1947, he served many terms as a town meeting member, and several terms on the Amherst Developmental Commission. He was one of the founders of the Amherst Little League, and then the Amherst Babe Ruth League. A longtime member of the Amherst Golf Club, he was President for 4 years and a member of the Board of Directors for 14 years. He was active at the Thomas Memorial Golf Club in Turners Falls as well.

He was a communicant and lector at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst, and a lifetime member of the Amherst Council of the Knights of Columbus.

George is survived by his son Mark John, of Amherst. He was predeceased by his wife Frances Joan {Lipinski}, and sons, George R. M. III and Craig Alan.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 9:00 am from the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be Monday, April 20, from 5 – 8 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the George Richason, Jr. scholarship fund c/o the Department of Chemistry 710 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA 01003.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Harry S. Beall, Jr. (1927-2015)

Amherst, Harry S. Beall, Jr. died Saturday April 11 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton MA after a brief illness.  He was born on March 4 1927 to Harry S. Beall Sr. and Hazel Long Beall in Rockville Maryland.    

Harry was a boy soprano for the St. Albans School at the Washington Cathedral in Washington DC, on a full scholarship, until his voice changed and he returned home to graduate from Richard Montgomery High School.   He attended Western Maryland College until he was drafted into the Army towards the end of WWII. 

In the early 1950’s he worked for Community Concerts and set up local concert series in over 100 cities across the USA, followed by several years as the mid-west sales rep for Columbia Artist Management.  From 1959-1964 he was the first full time Press Secretary for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.   

In 1964 he was a founding partner in Judson O’Neill Beall and Steinway that was the beginning of his career as a classical music manager, which he did until his retirement in 1992.  During his career in classical music he worked with Lily Pons, Van Cliburn, Arthur Fiedler, Gary Graffman, Jessye Norman and the Guarneri String quartet for 35 years as well as many others.  He made many dear friends in the business of producing classical music concerts. 

In 1956 he married Mary Jane Lester of Saratoga Springs NY.  They spent 58 years together, raising a family and making countless friends along the way. 

Harry is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his son Martin Beall and Jane Beall of Midlothian VA and his son Andy Beall and Hut Beall of Pelham MA as well as his three cherished grandchildren Christopher, Alexandra and Charlie. 

All who knew Harry will remember him for his outgoing personality, his quick wit and the twinkle in his eye.  Whether you knew Harry casually or for a lifetime, you witnessed his love of life and friendship and the joy he spread wherever he went.   

There will be a brief Committal service at the columbarium at Grace Church in Amherst on Thursday April 16 at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of Massachusetts, Fine Arts Center. 

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Hadley, Amezquita, Nereida, with deep sorrow, the family of Nereida (Nelly) Amezquita, announce her return to her Heavenly Father, on Thursday April 2, 2015.  The Lord needed an additional angel on the anniversary of His death and called her home.  She lived her life in service to many and was a mother to all her nieces and nephews.  Her last days were spent with family, friends and her church community singing Praises to her Lord and Savior.  We love you Nelly! 

Funeral Services will be Tuesday April 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A calling hour will precede the service from 6 – 7 PM at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The American Cancer Society.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

CODY RICHARD WATERMAN… FOREVER SMILING              

10/15/92-3/31/15

               AMHERST – Cody “Big Country” Richard Waterman, 22, of Amherst, died peacefully at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, surrounded by his numerous friends and family.            

               Cody was born on October 15, 1992.  He was the beloved son of Thomas R. and Cheryl A. (Therrien) Waterman.  Besides his loving parents, Cody also leaves behind one sister Melanie (Thornton) LaRochelle, his brother-in-law Darrin LaRochelle, his 2 nieces Kayle & Torrie and his nephew & Godson Brennan LaRochelle of Easthampton.  His Grandma Barbara Therrien & his late Grandpa Alfred Therrien of Amherst. His Aunt Chris & his late Uncle Ronnie from Amherst.  His late Uncle Rick from Amherst.  His Grandma Dee Waterman & his late Grandad Bob Waterman of Amherst. His Aunt Abby from Denver.  And his Uncle Warren and Aunt Margaret of Michigan.  Cody also leaves behind many cousins from Texas & New York. 

                He was raised in Amherst his entire life and was educated in the Amherst public schools.  In 2011 Cody graduated from Amherst Regional High School.  He was voted Most Spirited in his senior class and he was a defensive player (#21) on the Varsity Lacrosse team. 

               Cody was a man of many talents.  He had an incredible passion for writing.  He could merge words of such creativity, passion, pain and love together.  His brilliance could have been compared to legends such as Hunter S. Thompson and Edgar Allen Poe. 

Cody will leave a legacy behind him, he touched the lives of numerous people of all walks of life, the gentle giant that he was. Cody brought fun and laughter with him wherever her went, he told so many entertaining stories, some more inappropriate then others, he just enjoyed to make others  laugh. Cody was easy going and a free spirit, also the most loyal and kindhearted man who inspired so many to not only go for their dreams but to exceed them.

                  His friends & his family meant the world to him.  Whether it was kayaking & fishing on Leverett Pond with the Friedman family, cruising around in his car “Big Red” with his friends listening to music, going to concerts with his cool big sister, taking his nieces & nephew to 3am trips to McDonald’s, spending time camping & fishing on the river with all his cousins from his LaRochelle family, watching the Patriots or Red Sox games on TV with his dad, going out with his grandma shopping, talking about their day & doing errands, and ESPECIALLY just spending time with his very best friend, his mom. 

Funeral services will be Monday, April 6, 2015, at 7:00 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

Calling hours will precede the service from 4 – 7 PM at the funeral Home.

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

Richard Leonard Stromgren (“Dick”), 82 of Amherst, passed away peacefully on March 27 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.   Dick was a Professor Emeritus of the University of Massachusetts, and a passionate and enthusiastic gardener who spent countless hours pruning, planting and puttering in the flower gardens at the home he shared with his wife, Pip, in Amherst.  The love Dick had for family and friends will continue to bloom and grow through happy memories of him.

Dick Stromgren was born in Flushing, New York in 1932, the son of the late Carl A. and Violet M. (Johnson) Stromgren.  In 1940 the family moved to Southwick Massachusetts, and Dick graduated from Westfield High School in 1950.  Dick attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, majored in Speech and received a Bachelor’s degree in 1954.  While at UMASS, Dick was active in the Theater department, participating in many productions in different capacities – acting, serving as stage manager, assistant director and director.  Dick was also a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and after graduating from the university, served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Hawaii as a tank platoon leader.  Dick was honorably discharged with the rank of 1^st Lieutenant in 1956.

Following his service, Dick continued his education, completing graduate work at Northwestern University and earning an MFA in 1958.  While at Northwestern, Dick directed the film, “A Better Beginning” which was produced by the Northwestern Film Department and detailed the organization and operations of the Premature Babies’ Milk Bank at Evanston Hospital.

In September of 1958, Dick returned to the University of Massachusetts and joined the Speech Department (later the Communications Department) where he taught the first classes in film offered at UMASS, and later was instrumental in creating and establishing the department’s film program.  His book, Light and Shadows: A History of Motion Pictures, co-authored with Thomas W. Bohn, professor and chair of the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, was published in 1975.  Dick then co-authored a second book, published in 1984, Movies: A Language in Light, with Martin Norden, professor and associate chair of the Communications Department at UMASS.

After 48 years at UMASS, Dick retired in 1995 but continued to teach part-time at the university until 2004.  Dick was an active member of the Commonwealth Opera and the Valley Light Opera (VLO) for over 30 years; he possessed a rich baritone voice and performed in many productions, and additionally served on the board of directors for both companies, including two terms as president,  as well as lending his carpentry talents to assist with scenery construction for the VLO’s annual fall productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operas.  In addition to gardening and spending time with family and friends, Dick loved photography, travel, and was an avid stamp collector.  He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Dick is survived by his wife of 53 years, Philippa (“Pip”) Stromgren (Stevenson), of Amherst, sons Lindsay of Pelham, and Chel of Rockville, Maryland; grandchildren Merissa and Merrick, of Pelham, and Addison and Tate of Rockville; daughters-in-law Elise Sweet Stromgren of Pelham and Selen Altunata Stromgren of Rockville.  Dick was predeceased by his brother Norman and sisters Vivian (Hubeck) and Shirley (Wolfe).

At Dick’s request there will not be any calling hours or funeral service.  A memorial service is being planned  for early May.  The family asks that donations in Dick’s memory be made to the Valley Light Opera, P.O. Box 2143, Amherst MA 01004-2143; or Cooley Dickinson Hospital Cancer Center, c/o Development Office, Cooley Dickinson Health Care Corp., P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01060-9935.  Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Shutesbury, Charles E. Lehane, Jr., 67 of Shutesbury, MA, formerly of Amherst, passed away March 26, 2015 at his home on beautiful Lake Wyola.

Charlie, born in Northampton, was the son of the late Charles and Evelyn {Thayer} Lehane of Amherst, MA.

Charlie graduated from Amherst High with the Class of 1966. Then after graduating from Greenfield Community College in 1969, he entered the United States Army and proudly served with the 142^nd at Red Beach, Vietnam.

Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he worked at the First National Bank of Amherst, Cohn & Co. Insurance, and then the University of Massachusetts, where he retired after 30 years.

Charlie is survived by his wife Audrey, three daughters and their families: Amy Lehane and Jennifer Gundersen, their children Noah and Hannah; Corinne and Michael Briggs, their sons Connor and Austin; and Katie and Joe Heymann.

He belonged to the Knights of Columbus in Amherst #1619, DAV Chapter #33, Greenfield VFW and Amherst VFW #754. He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, in Belchertown, MA.

Charlie played on many sports teams in Amherst. Among the sports he loved were football, baseball, and watching his daughters play softball. He also loved to farm. He volunteered many years with the Lake Wyola Association and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, boating, catching the “Big one” out on his fishing boat, farming, hunting, and classic cars. Charlie will be remembered for his fun loving nature and the countless good times he had with his family and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Belchertown, MA. Burial will follow in South Amherst Cemetery, Amherst. Calling hours will be Monday, March 30, 2015 from 5 – 8 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Soldiers On at the Veterans Affairs in Leeds, MA.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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