Carol Schabacker, 82, of Hadley, passed away on July 22, 2024, after a brief illness.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt to many. She was the daughter of Felix and Julia Peterson (Tidlund) and a sibling to David (Ellie) and Alan (Becky).  She graduated from Amherst Regional School in 1959. Her tenacity and expertise with numbers helped her begin her career at Amherst Savings Bank and later with the treasurer’s office at UMASS Amherst until 2000 when she retired.

She met her husband, Don, in March of 1962, and after a brief courtship married on June 1, 1963. While traveling with her husband’s job she had four children: Don Schabacker (Betsy); Gail Wright (partner, Michael Salvatore); Scott Schabacker (Melissa); and Kristi Callaghan (Jim). She also had six grandchildren: Patrick, McKenzie, Caroline, Sean, Ashley, and Samuel. She treasured her time with them when they were young making their birthday cakes, decorating gingerbread houses, making Halloween costumes, taking them for day trips, and spending time with them on several trips as they matured.  

Carol loved to read, play cards, and watch HGTV and UCONN women’s basketball. As a couple, they enjoyed traveling as much as possible to new places, but their trips to Maine was especially memorable. She was a careful listener and an exceptional friend to many. Carol, also known affectionately as Pete or Trinka, was a very selfless, thoughtful, and kind soul. She was a people person, and everyone who met her loved her. She will be missed tremendously, but her best attributes will live on through her family and friends. 

Calling hours will be held on July 31, 2024, at Douglas Funeral Home from 10:00-11:30 with burial service directly afterward.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cause of your choice. 

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Brian W. Thompson, 77, of Amherst and most recently Hopkinton and Chatham, MA, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on July 22, 2024.

Brian grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts and graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1964.  He earned a BS from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1968 and his MBA from Western New England University. 

Shortly after graduating college, Brian began what would become a five-decade banking career as a trainee at Shawmut First Bank in Springfield, MA, where he worked his way up to President by the time he turned 40.  When the bank was consolidated into the Shawmut Bank Holding Company, he left to join New Hampshire-based Pelham Bank and Trust Company as its President and CEO. That bank was sold in 1996 to First Essex Bancorp of Andover, MA, where he then served as President until it was acquired in 2004. He subsequently joined Commerce Bank and Trust Company in Worcester, MA and served as its President and CEO before the banks’ sale in 2018. Brian retired shortly thereafter to spend more time with family and friends. 

 Brian was regarded as a leader in his field, participating in many industry organizations, and was also an active board member of many non-profit organizations, including the United Way of Central Ma.  He loved banking because it enabled him to support the local communities that he served, and he would encourage others to be generous with their time, as well.  Over the years, he received much recognition for his leadership and service.

 Brian always reflected on how fortunate he was to have supportive mentors and the opportunity to continue growing professionally. He most enjoyed building teams of great people in the organizations he led; he was always so proud of those he worked with and treated everyone with respect and appreciation.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn (Bates) Thompson, also of Amherst. He leaves his three children – Laura and her husband, Matt Colleran, of Hopkinton; Mark and his wife, Natalie Telfer, of Toronto, Canada; and Matthew and his wife, Sarah Blank, of London, U.K. He also leaves behind his seven beloved grandchildren – Taylor, Teddy, Tucker, and TJ  Telfer-Thompson, and Riley, Jack, and Kennedy Colleran. He leaves a sister, Joanne Allen, of Naples, FL, a brother-in-law, Larry Bates, and his wife, Dottie, of Wareham, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Marjorie Thompson, of Amherst.

Brian always said he never had a bad day.  He loved his work, his community, his friends and, above all, his family; Brian made his family his life. He never missed his children’s games, from youth baseball and softball through to college sports.  As time passed, his focus turned to his grandchildren, with weekends and travels spent watching soccer, hockey and dance recitals. He took tremendous pride in all of the athletic, academic and professional achievements of both his children and grandchildren.

Over the years, Brian and Marilyn’s house in Chatham became a special place for the family to come together, especially over the 4th of July holiday.  He loved those moments and his family will always cherish the memories they shared with him there.

Brian enjoyed life to its fullest and treasured each day. He loved to play golf, always wishing he was a little better than he was. He was a member of Chatham Seaside Links and Cranberry Valley Golf Course. He also loved the Red Sox and Chatham A’s, the morning paper, a coffee from Cumberland Farms, a hot beach, boat rides in Essex I and time spent with friends.

 Brian is remembered for his kindness, generosity and selflessness. He would do anything to brighten the day of those around him.  He will be dearly missed by his family, former colleagues and many friends.

 Thank you to the UMass Memorial Medical team in Worcester, MA, whom Brian regarded as friends, for the care he received over the past years. 

 In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Brian may be made to UMASS Memorial Health in support of the ‘Cancer Center of Excellence’ (Leukemia designation).  Give online at donate.umassmemorial.org

 Calling hours will be held Thursday, August 1, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. 

 A Celebration of Brian’s Life will follow at 3:00 PM at the Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Ave,  Amherst, MA.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Paul Joseph Wysocki, age 73, passed away at home on Monday, July 22nd surrounded by family 

Known as the “Polish Kid,” with his 85 Pete Paul was a faithful family man and a beloved local resident. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Jeanne Wysocki, his son Patrick Wysocki, and granddaughter Molly wysocki.

Paul had a passion for attending tractor antique truck shows, and the fryeburg fair hobbies that reflected his love for tradition and passion for farming his family’s land. He will be remembered for his deep knowledge of fixing equipment “junk” and teaching others the same and his unwavering dedication to his family.

Paul’s presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A graveside service will be held Monday July 29, at 11:00AM in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst.

A reception will follow at the Hadley American Legion post 271.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

AMHERST, MA: Carol Aschenbach Lee, 90, of Amherst, Massachusetts died on July 13, 2024 after a short illness. 

Born and raised in the upper east side of Manhattan, she lived next door to her girls school, Brearley. There she was noted for arriving last each morning, along with the girl with the longest commute. Despite her imperfect language skills, she took french for 12 years, and spent the summer after graduation in Paris, contemplating being a couturier. Her father indulged her love of dresses when she wrote to him those magic words, “it’s on sale.”

One of her treasured possessions was a letter from Laurence Olivier rejecting her offer of knitted socks, because he only wore argyle.  Another treasured possession was a baby book created in 1934 by Dr. Seuss for her parents, back when he was just Ted Geisel.

She chose to go to Smith College over Radcliffe, because they had a program abroad and she very much wanted to go to Paris her junior year.  Although she regretted her choice at the time (Rural! No men!), she loved her school reunions greatly, and was sad the pandemic and age interfered with attending the last few that were held.

Carol majored in art history and had a lifelong love of history, art and politics.  Too arty to fit in a traditional world, and too traditional to fit in an arty world, she was always in a category of her own. 

She met her husband, James E. Lee, while in graduate school studying urban planning at Harvard where he was lecturing as a city planner.  They were married from 1962 until his death in 1985.  She was also the long term partner of Richard Mudgett, who died in 2018.  She loved them both dearly.  She was able to travel to many destinations with Richard, and enjoyed visits to China, India, Yemen, Scandinavia, Italy, Egypt, Turkey, and Russia.  She always regretted not being able to go with Jim Lee on a train trip across Canada, or on the Orient Express.

She leaves behind her daughter, Amity, of Amherst MA and her partner Michael Chiaravalle; grandsons Owen James Bradley and Ellis Edwin Bradley, myriad friends and family, including stepchildren David Lee and his wife Laurie (Winthrop, ME), Steven Lee and his wife Cathy Gerson (Barnardsville, NC), Kenneth Lee and his wife Vickie (Littleton, CO), Rebecca Rayfield and her husband Barry (Wake Forest, NC), Jon Lee and his wife Sally Richter (Arlington, MA), and Cynthia Lee (San Francisco, CA) and her partner Mike Valenza, along with many additional stepgranchildren.  A special shout out to Vivian Glassman (Newton, MA) and Margaret Malone (Amherst, MA) for being her adopted family for decades.

One of her greatest joys in recent years was having a martini at 30Boltwood, and the kindness shown to her there by the staff was extraordinary (a huge shoutout to Adam, for his exceptional compassion)..  She also loved her classes taken through Five College Learning in Retirement, her weekly Shakespeare class, and playing bridge. She was reading and thinking and learning, and yearning to talk ultra liberal politics, until the very end.

There will be no memorial, but if you want to remember her, consider subscribing to The Progressive Populist based in Storm Lake, Iowa, or watch an episode of Democracy Now with Amy Goodman in her honor at democracynow.org.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

David Cleon Booth (Booty), 65, of Pelham, Massachusetts passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2024.

David was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on February 13, 1959 the son of Cleon (Buzzy) and Dora Beaulieu-Booth.

After many years of service David retired from the University of Massachusetts Police Department Motor Unit in 2016.

David had a passion for music and was a talented guitar player.  He enjoyed fly fishing at the family cabin in Maine with his father, son Steven and cousin Chris.  Some of David’s favorite times were spent tailgating and cheering on the Patriots at Gilette Stadium with his son and friends. He was known for his sense of humor and loved a good laugh.

David was well loved and will be remembered and missed forever.  He is survived by his father Cleon (Buzzy) Booth, son Steven Booth and former wife Janice Booth of Shutesbury.  Also, Uncle Ernie Booth of Northampton and Aunt Lucille Guerrin of Easthampton along with many cousins and his fellow Law-Enforcement “family”.

He was preceded in death by his mother Dora Bealieu Booth and sister Doreen Booth.

Calling hours will be Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4p-7p at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, Ma. 01002,

A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Pelham Valley Cemetery, North Valley Road, Pelham, MA. at 11am.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Alfred D. Marcotte, 94, died at the Rockridge Retirement Community on July 12, 2024 in Northampton, MA. He previously lived in Amherst, MA for 60 years. Alfred was born on December 11, 1929 in Holyoke, MA to the late Dora Lafaille Marcotte and Alfred F. Marcotte. Alfred earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree in 1952 from the Western Massachusetts School of Pharmacy, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in its Medical Corps.  Alfred met and married Ruby Hall Marcotte in 1954 while stationed in Pensacola, FL, and later was stationed on Kodiak Island, AK. Upon his discharge, they relocated to Western MA, where Alfred owned Wellworth Pharmacy in Amherst. He earned a Master of Education degree from Springfield College in 1970, and became a science teacher in the Northampton, MA Public Schools.  For many years, Alfred and Ruby enjoyed traveling and meeting people from around the world. He was a voracious reader and a frequent patron of the Jones Library.

Alfred was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Ruby Marcotte. He is survived by their three children, David Marcotte and his wife Kimberly of Tucson, AZ, Ann Marcotte of Providence, RI, and Daniel Marcotte of Irvine, CA. He was predeceased by his grandson Paul Marcotte, and had three other grandchildren (Aurelie, Samuel, and Rachel Marcotte) and two great grandchildren (Carver Alfred Sommer and Matthew Bruce Lee).

All services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Amherst, 432 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Thursday July 25, 2024. A calling hour will be at the church from 10am – 11am, followed by the funeral service at starting at 11AM.

Burial will follow the service at North Amherst Cemetery.

If you would like to make a donation in Alfred’s memory, please consider The Friends of the Jones Libraries, 43 Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Eleanor L. (LaValle) Peterson, 87 of 258 Violet’s Crossing at RockRidge passed on July 5, after a short illness at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Born in Amherst, June 19, 1937, she was the daughter of Hazel (Pierce) and Frances LaValle. She graduated in 1955 from Amherst High School. She was a Wave in the Navy. She worked at Minuteman Dry Cleaners for many years, and later at the UMass Dinning Commons. She loved riding her bike, working in her flower garden and most of all spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ellie leaves her husband of 57 years David Peterson and her two daughters, Cathy (Gregg) Leonard and Tammy (James) Lyons, grandchildren, Megan (Scott), Samantha (Brian), Jason (Amber), Andrea & Jacob (Charlene), as well as her great-grandchildren, Stewart, Taylor, Eleanor, Zoey, Lucas, Grace, and Abby.  As well as many beloved nieces, nephews, brothers-in-laws, and sisters-in-laws.

She was predeceased by her parents, her son Duane, her two sisters Elizabeth LaValle and Helen Aldrich, and her five brothers-Frances Jr., Charles, George, Frank, and David LaValle

Calling hours will be Monday July 15, from 10:00-11:30 at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A graveside service will follow in Wildwood Cemetery.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Wildwood Cemetery

Lorraine (Weaver/Taylor) Lynch – 77 of 67 Enfield Road, Pelham passed away peacefully at BayState Medical Center after a brave fight with cancer on June 28, 2024. Lorraine was born in Northampton, MA on August 8, 1946.

Lorraine was a 1964 graduate of Amherst Regional High School, and worked for the Town of Amherst for 30 years at the Board of Health Department and Inspection Services. Lorraine was a member of the United Church of Pelham. She was instrumental in the restoration of the Community Hall in Pelham, and was a member of the Pelham Lion’s Club for 20+ years.

Lorraine is predeceased by her parents Emma (Burrows) Weaver and Lester Weaver; both of her brothers Robert Weaver and Michael Weaver. She leaves behind her husband Wayne Lynch of Pelham, her daughters Debbie Fuller of Belchertown and Kathy Griffin and son-in-law Tim Griffin of Pelham. She also leaves behind 6 loving grandchildren, Brian Fuller of Pelham, Ashley Fuller of South Hadley, Brianna Bartos of Shutesbury, Carissa Fuller of Pelham, Timmy Griffin and Alex Griffin also of Pelham.

Calling hours will be at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on July 11, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

There will be a private burial at the Quabbin Cemetery in Belchertown.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Lorraine’s name to: American Lung Association, National Direct Response Headquarters, PO Box 756 Osceola, WI 54020-0756.

You may also donate online at action.lung.org.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

LEVERETT:  Harold (Hal) Sewall Ricker died June 13, 2024, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass., from complications of pneumonia and dementia. He was born October 27, 1931, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Chester Sewall Ricker of Worcester and Elisabeth Clark Pomeroy Ricker of Longmeadow. He grew up on the family poultry farm in Northborough, Mass., graduating in 1949 from Northborough High School.

In 1949 he began studies at the University of Massachusetts. A couple years later Hal enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, supporting B-47 Stratojets at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, Ga., as part of the Strategic Air Command, with brief deployments to Morocco. During his USAF time he earned an associate degree from Armstrong College of Savannah, studying during the night shift while waiting for planes to come in. Following honorable discharge, Hal returned to UMass Amherst, as it is now known. Both parents had graduated from there in the 1920s in its Mass Aggie days. Hal graduated with a bachelor’s degree in poultry science in 1959 and went on to earn a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 1961, all thanks to the G.I. Bill. He then earned a doctorate in agricultural economics from The Ohio State University in 1964.

Hal married Judith Ann Hankinson in 1962 in Leverett, Mass., having met while both were students at UMass. They just missed celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary on June 16, 2024. They have three sons: Andrew Sewall Ricker, born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1964 now of Centennial, Colo., married to Linda Ricker; son Robert Hankinson Ricker born in Upper Darby, Pa., in 1966 now of Annapolis, Md. married to Monique Ricker; and son Douglas Harold Ricker born in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in 1970 now of Seattle, Wash., married to Claudine Hansen. He is survived by his wife Judy Ricker, sons Andy, Bob and Doug, and Andy’s children (Hal and Judy’s grandchildren): Kathleen Elisabeth Ricker and Timothy Sewall Ricker, both of Denver. He is survived as well by sisters Dorothy Ricker Brower (William) of Penney Farms, Fla., and Marian Ricker Calendrillo (Paul) of Miami, Fla., and numerous nieces and nephews.  His older sister Elisabeth Ricker O’Brien predeceased him.

Following Ohio State, Hal joined the faculty of the newly established Academy of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s College in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1964. In 1970 Hal went on to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, first in Beltsville, Md., then entirely in Washington, D.C. His first project evaluated the feasibility of placing universal product codes on grocery products. That particular early prototype bore a bull’s eye design.

He headed a number of programs at USDA. His work culminated in the 1996 publication of the first National Organic Standards, in collaboration with the National Organic Standards Board (created in 1992). Throughout his USDA career, he visited 49 states—all but Alaska. He was president of the Food Distribution Research Society. In addition, he was a lecturer at the University of Maryland. Hal’s office in the giant USDA building was at one end of the National Mall near the famous cherry trees and a Metro subway stop, yet he disembarked at Union Station at the opposite corner of the Mall and walked the considerable distance to his building. In Beltsville, Md., Hal pitched in as a Boy Scout leader including Scoutmaster, seeing sons Bob and Doug and many others through to Eagle rank.

Hal and Judy retired to Leverett in 1997, near UMass, Judy’s family, and his other New England-based family. They built a new home on family land and equipped it with a ground-source heating and cooling geothermal system—Hal’s choice. The New England spot got them closer to their Lake Winnipesaukee cottage where loons beckoned. Hal, along with sons, nephews, and neighbor kids hiked New Hampshire mountains and scavenged for low-growing wild blueberries. Hal and Judy joined the Leverett Congregational Church where Hal served as treasurer, sang in the choir, and pitched in on work party tasks. In choir he was a subtle tenor. At home he sang—not hymns or other logical choices, but frequent iterations of “Sing Along with Mitch” (Miller) found on numerous CDs. Hal was an avid gardener, both vegetables and flowers, all organically grown. Favorites included dahlias and iris. His gardens appeared on Leverett and Amherst garden tours. He was awarded a golden (foil-covered) shovel for helping install the patio garden at the new Leverett Library after it opened in 2003. Andy inherited his dad’s gardening genes. He volunteered for many years at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts located then in Hatfield.

Hal was a card player. Hal and Judy once teamed up to beat Ohio foes in euchre, winning only because Hal coached Judy ahead of time—a miracle. He chided Judy for not trying blackjack when she was in Las Vegas on business. He moved his HO gauge model railroad layout to the Leverett basement, and he collected stamps. He loved Maine lobster and soon loved Chesapeake Bay crabs, never wasting time disputing which was best. He enjoyed regular four-mile walks on Leverett’s Juggler Meadow and Teawaddle Hill roads. He was president of the Cushman Investment Club for many years.

Gratitude goes especially to Team Hankinson/Paulin whose crucial assistance made the past several years easier as Hal’s abilities declined, and meant that he could remain at home. Thanks as well to Comprehensive Home Care and its caregivers Luz, Joseph and Michael.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, 25 Carew St., Chicopee, MA, 91020; or the Leverett Congregational Church, PO Box 324, Leverett, MA 01054; or a charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Friday, June 28, from 5 to 7 p.m.

A celebration of Harold Ricker’s life will be held at the Leverett Congregational Church, 4 Montague Road, Leverett, MA, on Saturday, June 29, at 11 a.m. with private burial separately at East Leverett Cemetery.

 Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

LEVERETT:  Harold (Hal) Sewall Ricker died June 13, 2024, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass., from complications of pneumonia and dementia. He was born October 27, 1931, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Chester Sewall Ricker of Worcester and Elisabeth Clark Pomeroy Ricker of Longmeadow. He grew up on the family poultry farm in Northborough, Mass., graduating in 1949 from Northborough High School.

In 1949 he began studies at the University of Massachusetts. A couple years later Hal enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, supporting B-47 Stratojets at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, Ga., as part of the Strategic Air Command, with brief deployments to Morocco. During his USAF time he earned an associate degree from Armstrong College of Savannah, studying during the night shift while waiting for planes to come in. Following honorable discharge, Hal returned to UMass Amherst, as it is now known. Both parents had graduated from there in the 1920s in its Mass Aggie days. Hal graduated with a bachelor’s degree in poultry science in 1959 and went on to earn a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 1961, all thanks to the G.I. Bill. He then earned a doctorate in agricultural economics from The Ohio State University in 1964.

Hal married Judith Ann Hankinson in 1962 in Leverett, Mass., having met while both were students at UMass. They just missed celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary on June 16, 2024. They have three sons: Andrew Sewall Ricker, born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1964 now of Centennial, Colo., married to Linda Ricker; son Robert Hankinson Ricker born in Upper Darby, Pa., in 1966 now of Annapolis, Md. married to Monique Ricker; and son Douglas Harold Ricker born in Bryn Mawr, Pa., in 1970 now of Seattle, Wash., married to Claudine Hansen. He is survived by his wife Judy Ricker, sons Andy, Bob and Doug, and Andy’s children (Hal and Judy’s grandchildren): Kathleen Elisabeth Ricker and Timothy Sewall Ricker, both of Denver. He is survived as well by sisters Dorothy Ricker Brower (William) of Penney Farms, Fla., and Marian Ricker Calendrillo (Paul) of Miami, Fla., and numerous nieces and nephews.  His older sister Elisabeth Ricker O’Brien predeceased him.

Following Ohio State, Hal joined the faculty of the newly established Academy of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s College in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1964. In 1970 Hal went on to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, first in Beltsville, Md., then entirely in Washington, D.C. His first project evaluated the feasibility of placing universal product codes on grocery products. That particular early prototype bore a bull’s eye design.

He headed a number of programs at USDA. His work culminated in the 1996 publication of the first National Organic Standards, in collaboration with the National Organic Standards Board (created in 1992). Throughout his USDA career, he visited 49 states—all but Alaska. He was president of the Food Distribution Research Society. In addition, he was a lecturer at the University of Maryland. Hal’s office in the giant USDA building was at one end of the National Mall near the famous cherry trees and a Metro subway stop, yet he disembarked at Union Station at the opposite corner of the Mall and walked the considerable distance to his building. In Beltsville, Md., Hal pitched in as a Boy Scout leader including Scoutmaster, seeing sons Bob and Doug and many others through to Eagle rank.

Hal and Judy retired to Leverett in 1997, near UMass, Judy’s family, and his other New England-based family. They built a new home on family land and equipped it with a ground-source heating and cooling geothermal system—Hal’s choice. The New England spot got them closer to their Lake Winnipesaukee cottage where loons beckoned. Hal, along with sons, nephews, and neighbor kids hiked New Hampshire mountains and scavenged for low-growing wild blueberries. Hal and Judy joined the Leverett Congregational Church where Hal served as treasurer, sang in the choir, and pitched in on work party tasks. In choir he was a subtle tenor. At home he sang—not hymns or other logical choices, but frequent iterations of “Sing Along with Mitch” (Miller) found on numerous CDs. Hal was an avid gardener, both vegetables and flowers, all organically grown. Favorites included dahlias and iris. His gardens appeared on Leverett and Amherst garden tours. He was awarded a golden (foil-covered) shovel for helping install the patio garden at the new Leverett Library after it opened in 2003. Andy inherited his dad’s gardening genes. He volunteered for many years at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts located then in Hatfield.

Hal was a card player. Hal and Judy once teamed up to beat Ohio foes in euchre, winning only because Hal coached Judy ahead of time—a miracle. He chided Judy for not trying blackjack when she was in Las Vegas on business. He moved his HO gauge model railroad layout to the Leverett basement, and he collected stamps. He loved Maine lobster and soon loved Chesapeake Bay crabs, never wasting time disputing which was best. He enjoyed regular four-mile walks on Leverett’s Juggler Meadow and Teawaddle Hill roads. He was president of the Cushman Investment Club for many years.

Gratitude goes especially to Team Hankinson/Paulin whose crucial assistance made the past several years easier as Hal’s abilities declined, and meant that he could remain at home. Thanks as well to Comprehensive Home Care and its caregivers Luz, Joseph and Michael.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, 25 Carew St., Chicopee, MA, 91020; or the Leverett Congregational Church, PO Box 324, Leverett, MA 01054; or a charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Friday, June 28, from 5 to 7 p.m.

A celebration of Harold Ricker’s life will be held at the Leverett Congregational Church, 4 Montague Road, Leverett, MA, on Saturday, June 29, at 11 a.m. with private burial separately at East Leverett Cemetery.

 Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com