Donald Shepard of Pelham, departed this world, full of love, on June 14th, 2019 with his devoted family by his side.

Don was born in Pelham on February 22, 1940 to the late Frederick W. Shepard and the late Ruth M. (Kennedy) Shepard of Pelham.

Don graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1958, where he met the love of his life, Diane (Keegan) Shepard of Amherst. Don and Diane were married on March 18, 1962 in Amherst and shared 57 wonderful years together, raising their cherished family. As a teenager, Don worked at Rowe’s Garage in Amherst, alongside his father and brother. Don also served as a volunteer fireman with the Pelham Fire Department until he left for the service.

Don served in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in Spokane, Washington. After leaving the service, Don and Diane settled back in Pelham. Don worked for the Town of Amherst, followed by 45 years as a heavy equipment operator and then as a truck driver for Warner Brothers, Inc. of Sunderland. Don previously served as a Deputy Sheriff in Hampshire County. In addition, he was a member of the Pelham Cemetery Commission for several years.

One of Shep’s greatest passions was racing, from snowmobiles to cars and anything in between. He raced in the United States Snowmobile World Championships in Boonville, NY in 1971 and in Ironwood, MI in 1972. He raced cars for several years all around New England and brought home the United Mini-Stock Championship at Monadnock Speedway in 1972.

Don enjoyed spending the winters camping in Florida with his wife Diane and meeting up with their friends and dear extended family, Steve and Mae Yingst of Leverett. Don also enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, puttering in the shop, running his old engines, spending time in the woods, attending cruise nights in his 1954 Chevrolet pickup truck, driving his father’s 1959 International tractor and anything involving his grandsons, from teaching them how to fix anything out in the shop, cheering them on at their games, driving them around on the green machine, going for ice cream or snuggling with them in his recliner. Don recently restored his son’s 1937 Cadillac LaSalle with him and drove it to its first show.

Shep was a man of few words who was known for his heartwarming smile. His heart was full of love and he would do anything for anyone. His famous sayings and sense of humor made everyone want to be around him. There wasn’t a problem, mechanical or otherwise, he couldn’t fix and he saw the positive in everything. He was truly unselfish and only wanted the best for his wife, children and grandchildren.
There was nothing more important to Don than his family who loved him dearly in return. Don leaves behind his loving and devoted family, his sweetheart, Diane of Pelham, his sister Sally Ann Shepard of Spokane, WA, his son Ronald and wife Debra of Pelham, his son Donald and wife Doreen of Sturbridge, his daughter Lavonne and husband Scott Rathbun of Pelham and his niece Trisha Dotts and her family of Spokane, WA. In addition, he leaves the other loves of his life, his seven grandsons, Frederick, Jeffrey, Levi, Remy, Jack, Scotty and James, as well as special cousins and countless friends. He was predeceased by his twin brother Ronald in 1961.

A memorial service will take place later in the summer for family and friends to celebrate Don’s life. A private burial will take place at Cook Johnson cemetery in Pelham. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Don’s memory to Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061.

Don will be missed beyond words and will forever be in our hearts and memories. He will forever be our idol. Bushel and a pecker and a hug around the necker. People’s people. 

Ruth Berger Crabtree died peacefully on June 9, 2019. She was 83 years old and lived in the Center for Extended Care in Amherst the last three years, where she received excellent care. She had been in failing health for some time.

Ruth was born in Wurzburg, Germany on July 15, 1935 and came to the United States as a young bride after marrying Lawrence Crabtree who predeceased her. She had two sons, Alan who predeceased her and Mark, who lives in and is well known throughout town as he works for the Amherst College grounds crew.

Ruth worked from 1968 until 1989 at Amherst College. She was a Gifts Supervisor for many years and then moved to Gifts Record Specialist in 1978. In January 1982 she was appointed to the position of Staff Associate in the Development Office where she also managed Donor Relations until she retired in 1989.

As a result of her compassion for others, Ruth was a strong advocate for the establishment of the Pomeroy Lane Co-Housing Association. She was a loving mother to her sons and loved hiking and bird watching with them and her many friends. She also enjoyed cooking and was known for her delicious Spaghetti Bolognese and baking her wonderful Flan Kuggen. If people wish, they can make a donation to an animal shelter of their choice or The Audubon Society in Ruth’s Memory. She would smile and be happy.

Nancy Nell (Lynch) Gregg, 77, passed away suddenly on April 22nd, 2019. She was predeceased in April of 2018 by her husband Harrison Lewis Gregg. She leaves her son Evan Hopestill Gregg, 39, daughter Leah Charity Gregg, 44, and grandson Jacob Gregory Jackson, 10.

Nancy was born on August 31st, 1941 in Lorain, Ohio to Carl and Nell (Goforth) Lynch. She graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1959. Upon graduating she joined the Teacher Corps and taught in schools in rural Kentucky then inner city New Orleans and Washington, DC. She stayed in Washington to work in the headquarters of the Peace Corps where she met Harrison.

After leaving Washington Nancy and Harrison lived briefly in Somerville where they ran an Indian imports store before settling in Western Massachusetts. Nancy began teaching at the New Salem schoolhouse and continued to teach 5th and 6th grade at Swift River Elementary School for more than 20 years.

A scholar of children’s literature she attained a masters degree from Umass in 1993.

After retiring from Swift River Nancy led a GED training program in Amherst. Also working for a time at National Evaluations Systems writing questions for teacher certification tests.

Nancy was a very active member of the Amherst community. She served in Town Meeting for more than 20 years. She spent several years on the board of the Amherst Survival Center including as board president. She was a longtime member of the Amherst Club and Amherst Woman’s Club. She also spent time on committees related to affordable housing and homelessness and on the board of the Jones Library. She spent several years as a docent at the Arthur F Kinney Center for Renaissance Studies.

Nancy loved music and sang for many years in the chorus of Commonwealth Opera and served on the board. She also sang with several other choruses and the South Congregational Church choir.

Nancy loved to travel and especially enjoyed visiting the southern Appalachian mountains, the Southwestern states, New York City and many towns throughout New England.

Nancy was known for bringing people together. She hosted holiday cookie parties and always shared a table with visitors.

A memorial service for Nancy will be held on Saturday June 29th at 11:00 AM at South Congregational Church 1066 S East St Amherst, MA.

Dana D. Rivette, age 56, of Greenfield died unexpectedly on June 7, 2019. Dana was an avid fisherman, spending as much time as possible on a lake, river, or stream casting a line. He was also a passionate, diehard Patriots fan who never missed a game! Dana is survived by his wife, Debra Rivette, of Greenfield, his daughter Shelley Poreda (Gaspari) and her husband Paul of Sunderland, and his son Shane Gaspari and his fiance Terri of Ware. Dana was blessed with five grandchildren whom he adored and loved deeply: Brady, Noah, Gabe, Brianna, and Scarlet. Dana is also survived by his mother Dorothy Rivette of Amherst, his father Donald Rivette and wife Barbara of Ludlow, and his siblings Dan Rivette of Turners Falls, Lesa Oles, and her husband Brian of Easthampton, and Don Rivette and his wife DraeAnne of Florida. He is predeceased by his brother, David Rivette. Additionally, he leaves behind his niece Ashley Blom and her husband Cory of Texas, and his nephew Andrew Blom of Easthampton.

A brief ceremony will be held Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence, MA at 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at Summit View Banquet House in Holyoke, MA at 12:30 p.m. The family is grateful for the condolences, but in lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude in Dana’s honor.

Dorothy H. Fradera of Hadley passed away in her home on May 8. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the former social worker, travel agent and actress, settled in Western Massachusetts 20 years ago where she enjoyed the culture and respite of our bucolic area. A memorial service will be held at Edwards Church, Northampton, at 7 p.m., Monday, June 10. She will be greatly missed by the many friends she made here. Her booming voice in the church choir is sadly stilled.

Margaret “Peg” Elizabeth {Banks} Fox, 93, passed away Saturday, June 1st, 2019 at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst, following a period of declining health. Born in Palmer, MA on October 13, 1925, the daughter of the late William G. and Mary Ellen {Diggins} Banks. She was a graduate of Amherst High School, in 1947 she graduated from Holyoke Hospital Nursing School and began her long nursing career of 45 years, first at Holyoke Hospital, then at Kane’s Nursing Home in Amherst, the Fisher Home for Aged Women in North Amherst, and in the latter point of her career as a private nurse for prominent residents of Amherst, including the President of the First National Bank.
Following the death of her mother in 1961, she and her husband, Francis {Bronc} Fox moved to the Crow Hill section of Amherst from Holyoke so that she could be a caregiver to her father and disabled brother, Richard. She also was a nanny for her two grandchildren in their pre-school years, which were the light of her life.
After retirement Peg and her Husband Bronc enjoyed trips to Ireland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Germany and camping trips with friends, the late Ed and Pat Bokum.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, and her brothers, Richard and Robert and her son in-law, Leslie Heath.
Peg leaves her two children, Elizabeth {Beth} Heath of Amherst and Francis Fox Jr. of Ludlow, retired Chief of Police for Belchertown Police Department; her granddaughter, Kristen Fox of Boston, and Courtney Fox of Belchertown. She is also survived by her brother’s, Timothy {Ted} Banks, and his wife Joan of Amherst and William {Bill} Banks and his wife Catherine, of Springfield, and her sister in-laws, Helen Banks of Belmont, and Marjorie Lawrence of West Springfield, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She enjoyed time with family and friends. Anyone that was blessed to know Peg knew that she was a loving and kind person, who always put helping others before herself. She will be missed by so many.
Calling hours for Peg will be Thursday, June 6, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Funeral services will be Friday at 9:00 am from the funeral home, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow at St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to; Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA 01002.
Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Barbara Mae Rockwell Rehorka passed away peacefully on May 29, 2019 with her beloved husband of 62 years, Frank Rehorka by her side. She was 88. Barbara (Bobby) was a loving wife, a devoted mother and the best grandmother. In her younger years Barbara worked at Sears Roebuck as an accountant and later as an Assistant Librarian at the Crocker Farm Elementary School in Amherst. Barbara loved spending her time outdoors at the family farm in Shutesbury where family Sunday dinners were a favorite tradition. Once her grandchildren came along she spent many hours caring for them and creating a lifetime of memories.

Barbara is survived by her best friend and husband, Frank Rehorka, their son Gary Rehorka and his wife Rachel Schwab and grandson, Benjamin of Shutesbury, as well as their son David Rehorka and his wife Michelle, grandson Devon and granddaughter Kelly of Montague.

Calling hours will be from 5-7PM, Wednesday, June 5th at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 N. Pleasant St. Amherst. Burial will be private and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association either online at www2.heart.org or at 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

John P. Gedmin, 91, a long time Amherst resident, died Monday May 27, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in New Bedford, MA October 27, 1927 to the late Charles and Helen Gedmin. John was a WW II Army veteran and Graduate of Greenfield Community College. In 1955 he began his career with the Amherst Police Department as a Patrolman, retiring as a Sergeant in 1985. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and he always enjoyed watching the Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots. John was a devoted family man and always found great joy in the time he spent with his grandchildren.
John is survived by his son Mark and his partner Michelle, his sister Bertha Gvazdauskas and his grandchildren, John and Rebecca. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 57 years Ann {Stanitis}, his brother Bruno and sister Ann Simchack.
Calling hours will be Thursday May 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday 10:00 am at St. Brigid’s Church, with burial following in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. A reception will follow services.
Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Dorothy Nestle passed away at the Elaine Center at Hadley in Hadley, Massachusetts on May 12, 2019. She was born in Pelham, Massachusetts on December 10, 1922 the daughter of Frank Edward Nestle and Eleanor Dragon Nestle. Dorothy attended Amherst grammar schools and graduated from Amherst High School in 1940. In high school Dorothy enjoyed hiking and skiing in the Outing Club, that along with golf she actively pursued throughout her life. She graduated from the Massachusetts State College in Amherst, Mass in 1944 where she was a charter member of the Gamma Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta.. Following graduation she enlisted in the women’s branch of the United States Naval Reserve better known as WAVES because of her strong desire to travel. She was disappointed that most of her duty was in the Navy Yard in Boston Mass where she worked in mail delivery services. She retired from Waves in 1946 after achieving rank of MAM 3/c.

Dorothy was a reliable and loyal worker. Her first job was as a stenographer at Mt Holyoke College in South Hadley Mass. In order to have a job closer to home and family she accepted a position in 1956 at her alma mater that by that time was known as the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in Amherst Mass. She kept her position in the UMass library until her retirement at the age 60 in 1983.

Dorothy was a well-known resident of the Town of Amherst. She was member of Amherst Golf course, loved playing bridge and volunteered in the community as a neighborhood election official. Dorothy also volunteered at the Amherst Senior Center and the coffee shop at the Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northampton Mass.

Dorothy loved travel. Her passports record numerous trips to Ireland, France, Switzerland, Italy and Barbados. She led a very active life and enjoyed the holidays with her numerous nieces and nephews. She was blessed with an independent spirit, a strong heart and a love of walking (especially when it became prudent not to drive a car). Amherst residents will remember her walking to downtown Amherst from her home on McClure Street on a regular basis even when she was well in her 90’s.

Dorothy was predeceased by her sister Constance M Nestle Bashaw of Wallingford, Vermont, and her sister Shirley A. Nestle MacConnell of Amherst, Mass. She is survived by her sister Nancy E Nestle Bak of Chatham, Massachusetts, as well as nine nephews and nieces, 22 grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. Dorothy will be fondly remembered by all her friends and relatives as Popsy.

David Newton Ferro of Amherst passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 11, 2019 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home with his two sons by his side. David was born on September 26, 1946 in San Bernardino CA to Richard and Arlene (Mitchell) Ferro. He graduated from Pacific High School in San Bernardino, CA in 1964. He married Margaret Stancer, also of San Bernardino, in 1967, and they had two children, Amanda (Ferro) Slocombe and Richard Ferro. David obtained his BA from San Jose State University in 1970 and his PhD in entomology from Washington State University in 1974. He held his first teaching position at Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand. Upon returning to the US in 1978, he took a faculty position in the Entomology Department at UMass Amherst, where he pursued teaching and research until his retirement. David published numerous scientific papers over the years; he said that the professional accomplishment of which he was most proud was working with local farmers in the Pioneer Valley to reduce the amount of harmful pesticides they used on their crops and to help them utilize Integrated Pest Management strategies instead. David was later married to Leanne Every from 1989 to 2006 and they had a son Stephen, in 1992.

In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by his daughter Amanda (Ferro) Slocombe. He leaves behind his son Richard Ferro, wife Hillary Wilbur Ferro, and their two boys, Skyler and Sawyer, of Leverett MA, as well as his son Stephen Ferro of Amherst. Also surviving him are his son-in-law Neal Slocombe and three grandchildren, Sam, Max, and Meghan of Sunderland MA. David leaves behind his sister Patricia (Ferro) Legler of Chula Vista, CA and his brother Douglas Ferro of Oregon.

David was a devoted father who never missed the multitude of athletic contests his children participated in. He loved competition and pushed himself physically at all times. He was a collegiate wrestler and picked up many new sports while working at UMass including; racquetball, tennis, golf, and squash. He also had a love of the outdoors and brought his family camping, backpacking, and fishing on countless occasions. David will be missed greatly by his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Hospice of the Fisher Home of Amherst. http://www.fisherhome.org/