Obituaries

Oct 5, 2023

Raymond O. Bernard, 65, entered Eternal Life on October 5, 2023, with his family at his side after a brief illness.  He was born April 19, 1958, in Holyoke to the late Raymond O. and Rita (Guertin) Bernard.  Ray (known as Rusty in his younger years due to his red hair) grew up in Chicopee and attended Williston Academy.  ...

Oct 2, 2023

Kristen M. Sullivan-Smith, 49, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 2nd, 2023. Kristen was born in Springfield, daughter of Barbara (Delisle) LaRoche and the late John Sullivan. Kristen worked as a medical assistant and was a Leukemia Survivor. She loved spending time with her children, visiting the beach and spending time with her crazy cat, Luna. Kristen is predeceased...

Oct 2, 2023

Blanche Cooke, 94, passed away peacefully on 10/2/2023. She was born in Holyoke on 6/8/1929 to the late Clifford Cooke and Marion Dyer Cooke. Blanche graduated from South Hadley High School in 1947. She lived her entire life in Granby first at Cooke's Corner and most recently at Phins Hill Manor. She worked as a bookkeeper after high school...

Sep 27, 2023

Diane (Coulombe) Basile, 58, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born on July 8, 1965 in Ware, MA to Herman J and Joan A (Moore) Coulombe Jr. She is survived by her husband, Gerald Basile of South Hadley, MA. The love of her life and her best friend. She was predeceased by...

Sep 19, 2023

Teresa A. (Boos) Kelley, 92, died Tuesday September 19th in Florida. She was born in Springfield, daughter of the late Charles and Lida (Baudin) Boos and grew up in the South End of Springfield. Teresa received her nursing degree from Springfield Hospital and worked in Massachusetts for local physicians, schools and nursing homes as well as home care in...

Sep 14, 2023

Barbara Ann (Brewster) D'Astous, 89, died Thursday September 14th at Regal Care in Holyoke. In her own words, Barbara was born October 18, 1933 in Westfield, daughter of the late Fredrick Reed Brewster and Beatrice Roseandra (Whitaker) Brewster. She lived in Littleville, MA attended Chester schools and graduated from Doerr Academy of Cosmetology in Springfield. She married Zenon J....

Sep 10, 2023

Paul F. "Ruby" Ruel, 77, died Sunday September 10th in Holyoke Medical Center. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late Clarence and Loretta (Desmarais) Ruel and lived most of his life in South Hadley. Paul worked for John Hancock as a longtime insurance salesman. Paul was an outstanding athlete, playing baseball and basketball for South Hadley High...

Sep 7, 2023

Alden "Michael" McClafin, 63, passed away on Thursday September 7, 2023, surrounded by his family. Michael was born in Holyoke, son of the late Alden and Evelyn (Brown) McClaflin. He grew up in South Hadley before settling in Chicopee and worked professionally as a Custodian in the Springfield School District and as a driver for Hulmes transportation. Michael had...

Sep 6, 2023

William Joseph Allard of Media PA, formerly of West Springfield MA, died on September 6th at the age of 85.  He was a graduate of Commerce High School in Springfield MA and a veteran of the United States Army.  William worked for decades at Adams and Ruxton Construction Company and was an active member of the AFL-CIO union for...

Sep 5, 2023

James W. Dwyer, 79, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Holyoke Medical Center. James was born in Suffolk, England, son of the late William W. and Ella (Brunning) Dwyer. He grew up in Holyoke, before moving to raise his family in South Hadley in the 70's. James worked professionally as an installation engineer for Verizon. In his...

Aug 29, 2023

John F. (Jack) Root, 95 years old, passed away peacefully in hospice care at Renaissance Manor on Cabot in Holyoke on August 29, 2023. He was born in Holyoke, MA on November 2, 1927, to Arthur Root and Bertha Foster Root. He was a graduate of Holyoke High School and Holyoke Junior College (now Holyoke Community College). He trained...

Aug 23, 2023

Kevin Godek, 62, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Baystate Medical Center. Kevin was born in Holyoke, son of the late Philomene (Bach) and Edward J. Godek Sr. He worked professionally as an insurance agent for the Knight's of Columbus. Kevin was an avid gardener, cribbage player, and was responsible for running...

Aug 22, 2023

Claire L. (Menard) Cook, 84, died Tuesday August 22nd. She was born in Holyoke, daughter of the late Noel and Rita (Lemieux) Menard and has lived in South Hadley all her life. She was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and a proud democrat. Claire worked on and off for many years but primarily cared for her...

Aug 19, 2023

Douglas Brooksbank, 66, entered into eternal rest on Saturday August 19th surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of 45 years to Dolores Brooksbank. He was born in Holyoke, attended local schools, graduating from Holyoke Trade. Douglas retired from Kings Trucking as a driver and also worked for Overnight Trucking. Douglas enjoyed woodworking, camping with his...

Aug 17, 2023

Carolyn Maria Sears Michaud passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023. Carolyn was born on January 30, 1965 to Joan and William Sears Sr. in Chicopee. She was a graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive, and went on to get a degree in interior design from Cazenovia College. Carolyn worked for many years as a sales representative on the East Coast...

Aug 14, 2023

Ann Theresa Catherine Conway Koske, age 89, passed away in Holyoke, Massachusetts on Monday, August 14, 2023. Ann was born in Holyoke, MA, the daughter of James H. and Odenia (Mitchell) Conway. She was a graduate of the Sacred Heart High School in Holyoke and worked for the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company in Springfield, MA in the...

Aug 13, 2023

Arthur J. Dwyer, Jr. passed away at home on August 13th, 2023, at the age of eighty-one. Born on April 18th, 1942 in Quincy, Massachusetts, later sharing his special birthday with his daughter, he was a longtime resident of South Hadley. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and a pillar of strength for his family and friends.

...

Aug 10, 2023

Diane Louise Trudeau, of Westfield, MA, passed away on August 10, 2023. Diane was the daughter of Dr. Armand and Margaret (Leland) Trudeau of Holyoke, MA. She attended Holyoke schools and was a fixture at Holyoke Animal Hospital, which her father established in 1934. Her love of animals began as a small child at her father's side "helping" his...

Aug 5, 2023

Brent was the first of 5 children born to Annette and Jacob Schmidt in 1941. He attended Chicopee schools until taking a job working construction for his uncle, as well as being employed by Shurfine Foods. Somewhere along the way, his sister's best friend Dianne, caught his eye and they began dating. They married in 1963, and with great...

Jul 30, 2023

Gloria A. (Burelle) Coderre, 93, longtime resident of Mt. St. Vincent (now Mission Care), died Sunday July 30th. She was born in Holyoke and was the daughter of the late Aime "Pete" Burelle and Lea (Corriveau) Burrelle. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Roland in 2005. She was also predeceased by four brothers Anatole "Sid", Edward, Arthur and...