Amherst, Harold Wheeler Gould, the lively, joyful, and devoted part-owner of Atkins, friend, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on the morning of Good Friday after recent struggles with cancer.  He was eighty-two years old. 

          Born June 10, 1934, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, to Mildred Wheeler Gould and Robert Meredith Gould, he attended grammar school and then Arms Academy in Shelburne where he played basketball and baseball.  He and his sisters Doris, Margaret, and Lucille, grew up on the family dairy farm where they learned and understood the value of hard work among a loving family.  He attended the University of Massachusetts where in 1956 he earned a degree in animal husbandry from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.  He later spent time in the United States Army as a medical technician, a role that allowed him to travel for a time in Europe and to develop a love of German. When he returned home he took employment with Agway industries at various plants in the New England area. 

While still living in Shelburne, he met Sandra Brand via the church choir.  They had attended the same high school at different times, but it took another stroke of fortune for their attraction to cement.  They married in 1961 and lived for a time in Millbury, Massachusetts, and Londonderry, New Hampshire, before moving back to the Shelburne area in 1966.  They had a son, Jeffrey, in 1963, another son, Christopher, in 1965, and a daughter, Deborah, in 1968. 

In 1970 the family moved to Amherst where Harold–”Hal” to his wife and friends–took a job as store manager at the Atkins Fruit Bowl and helped to manage future expansions. Always the calm one in a conference, he felt that his and Howard Atkins’s personalities complemented each other.  Since that time the store has burgeoned to become the commercial essence that it is today.  As anyone that has ever met him knows, he poured his soul into the store and its employees and gave a first job to many teenagers, many of whom grew to become vital parts of the Atkins tradition and success. 

As his children and grandchildren grew, he filled the time with games for them even while continuing to do a bit of playing himself.  An avid bowler, card player, tenor, and tuba enthusiast, he loved the action and levity of a contest or concert.  When not watching the University of Massachusetts Marching Band, playing with the Shelburne Falls Military, Senior Concert and German Bands of Western Massachusetts, or Amherst Community Bands, or attending some other musical event, he might be found constructing remarkable systems of tubes for balls to roll through or obstacle courses for grandchildren to run, climb, balance, and jump.  He joined grandchildren for spectacular rides down the plastic slip ‘n’ slide in the summers even into his late seventies. The fun never ended. 

He wore many hats easily and without flamboyance.  Always there for co-workers, family, church members at South Congregational Church, neighborhood children and families, and committee associates, he also loved time with his wife.  They enjoyed bicycling and kayaking on Sanibel Island, trips to Tarpon Bay and Cape Cod, and adventures at Disney World with and without children and grandchildren.  An ardent Red Sox fan, he coached baseball at the Little League and Babe Ruth levels and leaves an indelible image of throwing batting practice while balancing ten or fifteen baseballs on his pillow-like mitt from the 1940s.  Also a talented candlepin bowler, he and Sandy have spent many weekends in the recent past haunting the Shelburne lanes with friends and then chewing the fat at the West End Pub afterwards.  

Finally, he took great pleasure in the exploits of his family members.  Over the course of his life he watched, excitedly, swimming, cross country, and track meets, and games including softball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, and lacrosse.  This hard worker, strong fellow with great character, lover of nature and sports, and man of faith and morals, brightened the community in which he lived. 

He leaves behind his wife Sandra, a sister Margaret of Ipswich, Massachusetts, a son Jeff and his wife Christine of Skillman, New Jersey, a son Chris and his wife Debbie of Pelham, and a daughter Debbie and her husband Wayne of New Windsor, New York.  He also leaves seven grandchildren whose adoration for their grandfather was mutual:  Harry, Graeme, Siena, Maia, Audrey, Lily, and Beatrice. 

Calling hours will take place at South Congregational Church from 4-7 P.M. on Thursday, April 20.  The memorial service will happen at the church on Friday, April 21, at 11:00 A.M.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hampshire County at Bangs Community Center 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002.