AMHERST, Adam Gamble, 32, died suddenly, Tuesday January, 12, 2016. He was the son of Mary Lou Madigan and Henry Gamble.  Originally from Amherst, he attended Amherst Public Schools at a young age, later graduating from Belchertown High School.

Adam leaves behind 14 brothers and sisters Todd Palmisano and his wife Ansley Palmisano, Brandi Gamble-Lucas, Brandon Gamble, Danny Rodriguez,  Mandi Hawkins, Valerie Gamble, Daryl Gamble, Keith Gamble,  Kim Gamble, Kevin Gamble and his wife Linda Gamble, Ava Ward and her husband Jim Ward, Shelda Lavalle, Kim Burell and Sherri Oconnor. He is also survived by his special nieces and nephews, Sierra, Madison, Tawreak and Deshean Gamble and Savannah DeChristopher.  He was predeceased by his brother Ryan Gamble in 2013.

A graveside service will be Monday January 18, 2016 at 12:30 PM at St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley, where Adam will be laid to rest beside his beloved brother and best friend, Ryan. Calling hours will preceded the service on Monday at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst from 10 – 12:15 PM.

Amherst, Donald Catlin, of Amherst, MA, died peacefully on Monday, January 11th after a short illness. Don was born on April 29th, 1936, in Erie, Pennsylvania, son of the late Marian Carlson and F.H. Catlin. 

Growing up as an only child with an English Teacher and Electrical Engineer as parents, he was precocious and curious. He made elaborate cards for his mother whenever she was ill, and entertained them both with magic tricks. Magic was one of his lifelong interests, and he was talking with friends about current magicians just two weeks ago. 

Don attended Academy High School in Erie, graduating in 1954. While still in high school he met his wife of 53 years, Mary, at a 4th of July beach party on Presque Isle. The photos we have from that time show what an elegant young couple they were. After a summer job which included changing truck tires and “running numbers”, Don moved on to Pennsylvania State University, where he earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1958, followed by a Masters in Mathematics in 1961.  Clearly he had overcome the dislike of mathematics he had during his grade school years. 

Married in 1961, Don and Mary moved to Gainesville, Florida so that Don could pursue his Doctorate Degree. One might think working on a PhD would be enough to keep one busy. Not true if you are Don Catlin. Don’s hobbies and interests included cave diving (with full scuba gear), French cooking, weight lifting, and fancy cars.  He was probably slowed down a bit with the birth of his son Jeffrey in 1964, but not too much, as he went on to successfully earn his PhD in Mathematics in 1965.  He and Mary moved to Amherst in 1965, and Don’s daughter Jennifer was born in 1968. 

Don became a professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Massachusetts in 1965, and stayed there until his retirement in 2002. While a professor, he continued to pursue his passion for French Cuisine, and his family and friends benefited greatly from his enthusiasm for “all things gourmet”. During his sabbaticals, he worked for TASC in Reading, MA, and while he was not allowed to tell his family at the time, he designed submarine guidance systems for the government.  At the other end of the spectrum, he also worked as a consultant to the casino industry concerning game design and results. After retiring from teaching, he was able devote more time to this passion, and was a regular contributor to Casino City Times and Rolling Good Times.  

After retiring he took more time for travel, and he and Mary made a trip to Australia and New Zealand, cruised to Alaska, and traveled extensively in the Southwest and West Coast of the U.S. He made his final trip to Las Vegas in the summer of 2015 with his friend Mary Jane. 

Don was predeceased by his wife Mary in January 2015. He is survived by his son Jeffrey and his wife Andrea; his daughter Jennifer and her husband Larry Burcroff; his grandsons Scott, Tyler, Nathaniel and Jacob. Don was very proud of his family, and during the last year commented often about his terrific family and wonderful grandsons. 

Don was a determined, kind, generous and intelligent man, who always loved to entertain those he met with a joke and a story. He was loved dearly and will be missed.

Calling hours will be held at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst, MA on Thursday, January 14th, from 5 -7 PM and a memorial service will be held on Friday, January 15^th at 10:30am at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson.

Amherst, Louise Wojtowicz, 95, passed away January 3, 2016 at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst. She was born in Holyoke, MA on Feb. 29, 1920, attended schools in Holyoke, and was a life long resident of Amherst. She is survived by her son, Richard, many nieces and nephews that she was extremely fond of, as well as many dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward, to whom she was married for almost 64 years. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Sidonia Ironside and Catherine Demski, as well as her brother, John Hlystek. She was a “stay at home” mom and homemaker who worked hard to provide family and friends delicious home cooked meals, desserts, and canned goods that were a result of her husband’s one acre bountiful garden. She knitted dozens of afghans, some of which adorned her home and many of which were cherished gifts given to family and friends. She was a loving, kind, humble person who will be missed by family, friends, and anyone who came to know her.

She was a member of St. Brigid’s Parish in Amherst.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff and caring aides at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst for the high quality of care provided to Louise, as well as for the many acts of kindness and love shown to her. As the engraved, embedded stone at the front door of the nursing home reads; “Caring for people with God’s help,” Louise was a fortunate recipient of that special kind of care that led to her longevity.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 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 will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 5 -7 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service.

Amherst, Francis B. Lyman, Jr. died peacefully on December 13, 2015 after a long illness. Francis was born May 15, 1929 in Pelham, MA., to the late Brainard and Dorothy {McKnight} Lyman. He graduated from Amherst High School and attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

Francis enjoyed working his whole life on the Lyman farm and orchard in South Amherst. He was also a long time mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. After he retired, he enjoyed working at Stop & Shop.

Francis is survived by his wife Margaret {Webster} three daughters: Cynthia Durkee, Janet Lyman, and Ruth Barrett and her husband Steven; his brother Edward of California; his seven grandchildren: James, Meagan, Kimberly, Andrew, Jeffrey, Aaron, and Nathaniel; and his great grandson Mason.

Calling hours will be Wednesday December 16, 2015 from 4 – 6 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Private burial will be in South Amherst Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of one’s choice.

Laura B. Santos passed away on December 11, 2015. She was born on August 9, 1919 in Webster, MA.

Laura leaves behind four children: Frank Santos (Barbara) of Prescott, AZ, Jacque Running (Stephen) of Phoenix, AZ, Lori Olson (Mark) of Phoenix, AZ, and Mark Santos (Holly) of Pelham, MA. She is also survived by her sister Beatrice Swistak of Chicopee, MA. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Laura is predeceased by her husband Frank Santos. Laura was a devoted mother and grandmother, and she will be sorely missed.

Calling hours will be Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 4-6PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, 87 N Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. The funeral service will be Friday, December 18, 2015 at 10:00AM at the First Baptist Church, 434 N Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.

AMHERST – George Robert Aubrey, 84, of Amherst died peacefully on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at the Center for Extended Care after a stay of just five days.

George was born in Norwich, CT to the late John A. and Alicia (Bellows) Aubrey, the middle of their nine children.  The family moved from Norwich to Florence, MA, where George attended school, graduating from St. Michael’s high school in 1949.  He began his schooling for Pharmacology at Mass College of Pharmacy in Boston, MA, but was drafted and served two years in the US Army, stationed in Germany, from 1953 to 1955.  He completed his pharmacy training when he returned from Germany and started his career as a pharmacist in Northampton.  He married his late wife, Nancy (Butler), in 1957 and they had three children, David, Susan and Kevin.  The family moved to Amherst in 1963 and George continued his career at the College Drug Store in Amherst and then managed his own store, University Pharmacy in Hadley.  He retired from CVS in 1996. 

George was most proud of his home and his beautiful gardens and spent many hours enjoying the outdoors.  He will miss watching the bluebirds and other wildlife in his backyard and he will miss his wonderful neighbors on Valley View. 

George was predeceased by his wife, Nancy, in 1999 and is survived by his three children and six grandchildren, David Aubrey and his wife, Nancy, of Northborough (Matthew and Meghan), Susan Clark and her husband, Jerry, of Belchertown (Jennifer and Christopher) and Kevin Aubrey and his wife, Margaret, of Montague (Alysha and Natalya).  He also leaves his brother, Robert Aubrey and his wife, Shirley, of West Springfield and very dear friends, Robert and Louise LaPointe of Medway and many nieces and nephews. 

There are no calling hours, private burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst.

Avtandil Makharoblishvili, most adoring father of two daughters Marina and Tamara (Tamuna), and a dedicated grandfather to Lawrence, Nino, Ilya, Salome and Gio, died at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton on November 24^th, 2015.  Avtandil was 90 years old. He was born and brought up in the Republic of Georgia.  He served in the Soviet Army during World War II, and was a very successful civil engineer, important to the modernization of Georgia’s capital city after the War. He was loved deeply by his wife, Babilina Dolidze (d. in October 2001), by his elder brother Vakhtang, and by his large extended family. He moved to the USA to be with his daughters and their families in 2002.  All of us – his colleagues, his friends, and his family members, will always remember Avtandil as the most loyal friend, loving parent, devoted brother and doting grandfather.  He made a difference in all our lives.

Marina, Tamuna, Stephen, Gogi, Dato, Manana, Darejan, Levan, Kathleen, Lawrence, Nino, Ilya, Salome, Gio, Vato, Atuka, Datuna and Tornike.

Amherst, Donald T. Lashway, 89, life-long resident of Amherst, died Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born, the oldest of ten children, in Amherst, May 30, 1926, son of the late Leo E. and Anna L. {Reynolds} Lashway. 

He worked for many years driving truck with his father and brothers in the family lumber business. Later in life he was employed at Hampshire College in the custodial department until his retirement. Donald continued his truck driving with his sons at Berkshire Blacktop, and drove until his was 82 years old. He was recognized in Cushman and throughout town for his several daily trips with his cocker spaniel Snoopy riding shot-gun. Donald was a tough as nails guy who could out work the best of the best, and be ready for more. He treasured the little things in life. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Helen {Ryznic} Lashway, a grandson Michael and two brothers {Leo and Buddy} and three sisters Shirley, Bev and Marion. He is survived by two daughters, Kathy {Ernie} Weaver and Terry, six sons, Donnie, David, Peter {Linda}, Chris, John and Jim; ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He also is survived by a brother, Ronnie {Cyndy} Lashway, Sr., and three sisters, Doris {Ed} MacDonald, Patricia {Richard} Connly, and Loretta {Jim} Hurston, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at 11:00AM from The Douglass Funeral Service, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon in St. Brigid’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 5:00-8:00pm at the funeral home. 

Memorial Gifts may be made to Dakin Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA 01054.

Amherst, Donald T. Lashway, 89, life-long resident of Amherst, died Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born, the oldest of ten children, in Amherst, May 30, 1926, son of the late Leo E. and Anna L. {Reynolds} Lashway.

He worked for many years driving truck with his father and brothers in the family lumber business. Later in life he was employed at Hampshire College in the custodial department until his retirement. Donald continued his truck driving with his sons at Berkshire Blacktop, and drove until his was 82 years old. He was recognized in Cushman and throughout town for his several daily trips with his cocker spaniel Snoopy riding shot-gun. Donald was a tough as nails guy who could out work the best of the best, and be ready for more. He treasured the little things in life.

He was predeceased by his wife, Helen {Ryznic} Lashway, a grandson Michael and two brothers {Leo and Buddy} and three sisters Shirley, Bev and Marion. He is survived by two daughters, Kathy {Ernie} Weaver and Terry, six sons, Donnie, David, Peter {Linda}, Chris, John and Jim; ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He also is survived by a brother, Ronnie {Cyndy} Lashway, Sr., and three sisters, Doris {Ed} MacDonald, Patricia {Richard} Connly, and Loretta {Jim} Hurston, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at 11:00AM from The Douglass Funeral Service, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon in St. Brigid’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 5:00-8:00pm at the funeral home.

Memorial Gifts may be made to Dakin Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA 01054.