Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Irving Yost
Irving Yost, 81, of Stevens Lake Road in Monterey, MA died gently Tuesday evening at Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on July 30, 1923, son of Charles and Ida Moskowitz Yoskowitz, he was educated there and in Manhattan.
For many years Irving ran the Turning Point Inn in Gt. Barrington with his wife, the former Shirley Kleid. Mrs. Yost died in 1993. He was a partner in the development of residential properties on Lake Garfield and Stevens Lake in Monterey. Prior to moving to the Berkshires in the early 70's, he resided in Closter NJ, where he raised his family, and was self-employed as an architectural designer of commercial retail space.
He served in WWII as a Navy Seabee, stationed in Hawaii.
Irving was passionate about politics, vegetarian food, and residential design/development. His circle of friends included a close group of Berkshirites who gathered together to study Yiddish and eat good food. In recent years, he and his loving partner Jane Black built a house at Stevens Lake, and enjoyed gardening and walks around the lake.
He will be missed by Jane, his siblings, Lee Stockman of Pembrooke Pines,FL, Jessie Goldeng of Memphis, TN, Harry Yost of Pembrooke Pines, FL and Phil Yost of Flushing, NY; his children, Cindy Rosenbaum of Golden's Bridge NY, Jamie Yost Vlcek of Monterey MA, and Gary Yost of Mill Valley CA; all of their families, including 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, and his many friends.
A memorial service will be held at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great. Barrington MA, on Friday September 24th at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Kerry campaign through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Victoria Ferreira
Victoria Ferreira, 45, of Plymouth Lane, Sheffield passed away Friday, September 24, 2004 at Fairview Hospital as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Born in Danbury, Connecticut on March 14, 1959 she was the daughter of Edward and Carmella Danise Ferreira. She attended Danbury High School.
Victoria moved to Sheffield in the late 1990's. Prior to moving to Sheffield she had lived in Lanesboro for ten years.
Presently she was working as a bartender at the Stepping Stones Restaurant in Canaan, CT. She had worked at various restaurants throughout the area including Boogies and Wind in the Pines, both in Great Barrington.
She was passionate about music and loved to sing. At one time she had been a singer in a band.
She is survived by her mother, Carmella, of Sheffield, MA; her father, Edward, of Ridge Manor, FL; her two sons, Michael Womack of Lanesboro, MA and Paul Womack of Sheffield; and her granddaughter, Hailee Raine Womack. She also leaves five brothers; Edward Ferreira and his wife Kathy of Bristol, CT, Phillip Martin and his wife Donna of Taunton, MA, Robert Martin and his wife Sandra of Oconomowac, Wisconsin, Manuel Martin and his wife Dolores of Hollywood, FL, and William Martin of Brooksville, FL. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Doris Martin, of East Greenbush, NY, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her brother Frederick Martin who died on February 19, 1978.
Everyone is invited to join the family for funeral services on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington with Rev. Ann Ryder, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in Sheffield, officiating. Burial will be in East Greenbush, New York.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, September 28, 2004 from four until seven p.m. at Finnerty and Stevens in Great Barrington.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Victoria Ferreira Memorial Fund through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Henry Eggenberger
Mr. Henry Eggenberger, 76, of Brewer Hill Road, Mill River, MA died Monday September 27, 2004 at his home.
Born in Wartau, Switzerland on January 18, 1928 he was the son of Heinrich Eggenberger and Agatha Nigg Eggenberger. He graduated from schools there and attended the Agricultural College of Switzerland.
Henry came to America with his wife, the former Martha Zahnd, in 1956. He was a dairy farmer for almost all of his life.
An active member of the community he was involved in many organizations. He served as a deacon at the Congregational Church of New Marlborough and was a member of the church choir. He was also a longtime member of the National Grange Association.
After retiring he continued to work part time for several neighbors and delivered mail locally.
Henry is survived by his wife, Martha Eggenberger. The couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on May 29, 2004. He also leaves their four children: Annemarie Auer of Baden, Switzerland, Edie Mallick of Torrington, CT, Walter Eggenberger of Rochester, NY, and Silvia Eggenberger of Mill River, MA. He also leaves six grandchildren: Emily and Andrew Mallick, Tess and Celeste Hardcastle and Monika and Madeline Eggenberger. He also leaves his sister Annemarie Eggenberger of Zurich, Switzerland.
Everyone is invited to a service to celebrate the life of Henry Eggenberger, which will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2004 at eleven o'clock at the United Church in Southfield, Conducted by the reverends Richard Phelps, Bruce Wagner, and John Whiteman.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, September 30, 2004 from four until seven at the Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the United Church of New Marlborough or to the New Marlborough First Responders through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230.
Eric Joseph Sonsini
After battling cancer for almost two years, Eric Joseph Sonsini, 3 year old son of Theresa and Joseph Sonsini was called home to Heaven on Sunday, November 28, 2004.
Eric is survived by his parents Theresa and Joseph of Housatonic, his two brothers Tyler and Ryan; maternal grandparents Peter and Carolyn Troiano of Housatonic; paternal grandmother Norma Sonsini of Pittsfield; his aunts and uncles, Michael and Cindy Troiano; Suzanne and Brad Forbes; Anthony and Holly Troiano; Peter and Jackie Troiano; David and Beth Troiano; Jamie and Tracy Troiano; Kathy Sonsini; his uncle and godfather Jason Sonsini; Nick and Brenda Burgoes; Angela and Jeff Yasinski; Paula Burgoes; his cousin and godmother Gina Troiano, along with numerous other cousins and extended family.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather Joseph Sonsini, Sr.
Liturgy of Christian Burial for Eric Joseph Sonsini will be celebrated on Friday, December 3, 2004 at eleven o'clock at Corpus Christi Church in Housatonic with Rev. Anthony Jutt, celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Bridget's Cemetery in Housatonic.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, December 2, 2004 from three until seven at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eric Sonsini Fund, which will go toward future neuroblastoma research, through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Cecil Adams Bartholomew
Mrs. Cecil Adams Bartholomew, 91, of South Undermountain Road in Sheffield died on Wednesday morning, December 1, 2004.
Born in New York City on September 4, 1913 she was the daughter of the late Arthur Reed and Cora Brown Adams. She was schooled in New York City and attended Denison University in Ohio.
A resident of Sheffield since 1930, she maintained a winter home in Nokomis, Florida until recently. She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist in Venice, FL. Mrs. Bartholomew assisted, owned, and operated with her late husband a dairy farm in Sheffield since her marriage in 1935 until 1972. She also established and operated a dairy bar in Sheffield from the late 1930's until World War II. She also owned and operated the Sheffield Market from the early 1950's until 1972. She also was a licensed real estate broker in Florida with Paradise Realty from the late 1970's until the late 1990's.
She was active in town affairs and was a member of the former Sheffield School Committee before it became regionalized. During World War II she volunteered with the American Red Cross and manned the Air Raid Observation Tower. She was a census taker in the 1950 federal project and was a supporter and volunteer in church affairs. She enjoyed happy times, family and community gatherings and parties, ballroom dancing and traveling world wide.
She married her husband Edward "Ned" Bartholomew February 3, 1935 in Lime Rock, CT. He predeceased her June 25th, 1980.
She is survived by her daughter Pamela Armstrong and her husand Richard of Greenwich, CT; her son, Dana Bartholomew and his wife Beth of Sheffield; her granddaughter Laura Bartholomew Guzzi of Franklin, MA; three grandsons, Dana "Bart" Bartholomew of Westwood, MA, Matthew Armstrong of Greenwich, CT, and Roderick Armstrong of Jupiter, FL. She also leaves eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Cecil Adams Bartholomew of Sheffield will be held on Saturday morning, Dec. 4th at eleven a.m. at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St. in Great Barrington. Burial will follow at Sheffield Center Cemertery.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening, Dec. 3rd from five to seven p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sheffield Tree Project, P.O. Box 72, Sheffield, MA 01257.
Margaret Eichstedt
Mrs. Margaret Eichstedt, 85, formerly of Sheffield died late Thursday evening, December 2, 2004. She had been living at Beckley House in Canaan, CT since March of 2002.
Born September 16, 1919 in Rouen, France she was the daughter of Joseph and Virginia Juann Trierweiler. In the early 1930's the family bought and moved to a farm on County Road in Sheffield, to this day the land remains in the family where the fourth generation is being raised. She attended the one room school house on Brush Hill and later Sheffield Center School.
She married the late Edward Eichstedt in Sheffield. In 1953 the couple moved to Sharon, CT where Margaret lived until going to the Beckley House. Margaret worked in Sheffield, Lakeville, CT and Sharon Hospital as a Nurses Aide for eighteen years until retiring in 1985.
Margaret was a member of the Sheffield American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 340. She also enjoyed gardening and was a communicant of Our Lady of the Valley Church.
She is survived by her son Edward Eichstedt of Coupeville, WA and her brother John Trierweiler of Sheffield. She also leaves her grandchildren Debbie, Jennifer and Jeffrey Eichstedt and Beth Comer; her great grandson Evan Beales Eichstedt along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edward, who died in 1976. She was also predeceased by her sisters Matilda "Tillie" Hitchcock and Constance Kotos and two brothers Yves and Nicholas Trierweiler.
Funeral services for the late Margaret Eichstedt will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at eleven o'clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. Al Dagnoli. Burial will follow at Sheffield Center Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 from ten o'clock until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Lenore C. Seidman
Mrs. Lenore C. Seidman, 80, of County Road in Sheffield died on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at her home.
Born on March 1, 1924 in Manhattan, New York, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Rasha Sabesan Cohn. She graduated from schools in Bronx, New York and later attended City College in New York City.
She worked as a secretary for Modern Maid in Jamaica Plains, New York.
Lenore married her husband Arthur Seidman on January 29, 1949 in Bronx, New York. The couple moved to Sheffield part time in 1977 and then made it their permanent home in 1986. Mr. Seidman died on May 14, 2001.
She was a wonderful mother, a devoted wife, a fun and loving grandmother, a great mother in law, dedicated sister and a loving friend. She had a heart of gold and was good natured, generous, always forgiving and saw the good in everyone.
Dancing was a passion of hers. She also enjoyed traveling, listening to jazz and going to the theater. She worked as a volunteer reading to the elderly and serving food to the homeless. She was a member of the Ethical Humanist Society for many years.
She is survived by her daughter Mrs. Rebecca Kronfeld and her husband Len of Stoughton, MA. She also leaves two grandchildren Danielle and Gabrielle.
She was predeceased by one son Benjamin Seidman who died in 1982.
Funeral services for the late Lenore C. Seidman will be held on Friday, January 21, 2005 at two o'clock at Wellwood Cemetery, West Babylon, Long Island, New York.
There will be no local services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ben Seidman Scholarship Fund at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family at through Mrs. Rebecca Kronfeld, 89 Lucas Drive, Stoughton, MA 02072.
Carleton Horton Mott
Mr. Carleton Horton Mott, 96, heir to the colonial Mott family who were among the first settlers of Long Island, arriving there from England in 1665, died on Saturday evening, January 22, 2005 at Great Barrington Rehabilitation & Nursing Center where he had been a resident for a few months. He maintained homes at Main Street in Otis, and Lake Worth, Florida.
Born on February 21, 1908 at Far Rockaway, Long Island, NY he was the second son of Guy and Viola Horton Mott.
His forbearers owned eight thousand acres of land on the Island, much of which was confiscated by the American Government after the revolution regardless of the fact that the Mott Iron Works made cannons and other hardware for the revolutionary army.
Mr. Mott graduated from NYU College of fine arts after which he served during WWII in the U. S. Army for four years in the Pacific Theatre. He then became a stockbroker and headed a public relations firm in New York City.
In 1961 he moved to South Egremont, from Long Island, where he and his sister Ruth took a prominent part in the social and community life of the area. Mr. Mott moved to Otis in 1983 dividing his time between the Berkshires and his home in Lake Worth where he indulged in the things he enjoyed most, such as entertaining, going to the races, playing bridge and world wide travel.
A life long Episcopalian, he was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Great Barrington and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Otis
He leaves a nephew Mr. David Mott of Northville, NY, three distant cousins, and several close friends including Mr. Reggie Taylor of South Egremont.
The funeral for Mr. Carleton Mott will be held on Wednesday at one o'clock at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Calling hours will be on Wednesday from noon until the time of the service. Burial will be in Trinity Church Church Yard, Hewlett, L.I. on Thursday.
He is predeceased by his sister, Ruth, who died in 1979 and a brother, Bejamin.
Those who desire may make contributions to his memory to the American Cancer Society through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Dr. E. Morgan Vigneron
Dr. E. Morgan Vigneron, M.D., 81, of 80 Lewis Avenue, died at home on January 25, 2005. Dr. Vigneron served the community as surgeon on the medical staff at Fairview Hospital for over 30 years.
Born in 1923 in Bronxville, N.Y. son of Margaret Lowry Blackburn and Eugene Morgan Vigneron, he moved as a boy to Salisbury, Connecticut where he completed high school at Salisbury School in 1943. He then served as an enlisted man in the U.S. Army Medical Department from 1943-1946. He entered Yale University and Harvard Medical School, receiving his Medical Degree from the latter in 1949.
Following surgical training, as chief resident at Boston City Hospital, he married Joan Elizabeth Nowak on October 9, 1954 in Sharon, Connecticut and moved to Great Barrington in 1954.
Dr. Vigneron served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 1955-1957 and as a surgeon at West Point Military Academy. He returned to Great Barrington in 1957 and established a surgical practice at Fairview Hospital where he served as Chief of Surgery. In 1985, he retired his surgical practice and worked in the Emergency Room at Fairview and subsequently at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut. In 1992, he assumed the position of Medical Director at Suffolk County Prison, Norfolk Prison and several other prisons in the Enfield Connecticut area until retiring in December of 2003 upon diagnosis of acute myelogeneous leukemia.
In any spare time you could generally find Morgan outdoors: vegetable gardening, fishing, hiking, or marathon running, if you could catch up. A private pilot continuously since 1964, along with his wife, Morgan flew out of Great Barrington Airport, amassing thousands of hours crisscrossing the country and even the Caribbean in their own small airplane, in the process discovering and declaring none better than his own home airport.
Dr. Vigneron is survived by his wife Betty, sons David, Tom and Dan and grandchildren Levi, Seth and Zara Vigneron. He was predeceased by a brother John, who died in 2002 and a sister Kathleen Brim who died in 2003.
There is no memorial service planned. Those who desire may make contributions in his memory to Fairview Hospital, Hospice Care of the Berkshires or Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
Thomas Patrick Fogarty
Mr. Thomas Patrick Fogarty, 85, of Christian Hill Road in Great Barrington died Sunday, January 16, 2005 in Lake Placid Florida.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on June 21, 1919 he was the son of Roselle Dolly and Thomas Fogarty. He attended school in New York and studied at Columbia University.
A veteran of World War II, Mr. Fogarty was a member of the United States Army Air Corps. He later joined the New York City Fire Department where he retired as a lieutenant in 1964. After his retirement the onerous job of keeping the refrigerator stocked for his eight sons was still a pressing responsibility so he purchased and operated a transportation business on Long Island.
Ultimately, the boys became men and he was able retire completely in 1992 at which time he went on to enjoy broad travels and extended stays in various ports of call, Ireland being his favorite.
Tom was all about family; his love was unconditional. His favorite retirement pastime was to travel and spend time with his eight sons and their families. An avid tennis player and consummate reader of history and economics, his exuberance for knowledge and his enthusiastic zest for expressing his unique viewpoints never wavered.
Tom lived his life as if his glass was always at least half full; shortly before he passed he woke briefly and said to his son, Gerry, "We have been very fortunate."
Indeed his family and friends would agree, we have all been very fortunate thanks to his positive influences. To paraphrase an old Irish verse, we will grieve not nor speak of him with tears we will laugh and talk of him as though he were beside us, He loved us so as wee did him Twas truly heaven to have had him here. May God bless him and keep him till we meet again.
He is survived by his sons, Roger and Tom of Lake Placid, FL; Dennis of Arlington, VA; Brian and Gerard of Turks and Caicos Island, Tim of Becket, Matthew of Sheffield and Kenny of Stockbridge. He also leaves his sister Muriel Hunt Boynton Beach, FL and 9 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother John Fogarty.
Funeral services for the late Thomas Patrick Fogarty were held on Saturday, January 22, 2005 at one o'clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Charles VanAusdall. Burial followed at St. Bridget's Cemetery in Housatonic.
The family received friends on Friday evening from four until seven at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Ramsdell Library in Housatonic or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Theresa Marie Consolini
Ms. Theresa Marie Consolini, 56, of State Road in Great Barrington, died Wednesday morning, January 26, 2005 at her home after a brief illness.
A native and life long resident of Great Barrington, she was born October 1, 1948 the daughter of Philip Consolini and the late Jane S. Hayes Consolini. She attended local schools and was a 1966 graduate of the former Searles High School.
She had been with the Hillcrest Educational Center for the past twenty-seven years, the last several years as payroll manager retiring this year due to ill health.
For the past twenty-five years she had been a member of the Wildcat Bowling League at the Cove Bowling Alleys and was a member of Studio 21.
She attended the United Methodist Church in Great Barrington.
Theresa is survived by her father, Philip Consolini of Great Barrington;three sons, Thomas Hankey Sr. and his wife Sheila of Great Barrington, Michael Hankey of Otis and Matthew Hall of Philmont; one grandson, Thomas Hankey, Jr. and a brother Phil Consolini Jr. of New Boston, New Hampshire.
Friends and family are invited to the funeral of Theresa M. Consolini of Great Barrington which will be conducted on Saturday, January 29th at eleven a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Great Barrington. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 28th from five p.m. until eight p.m. at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home.
Those who desire may make contributions to The Berkshire Oncology and Hematology Unit in Great Barrington through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St. Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Helen Louise Bowen Straleau
Mrs. Helen Louise Bowen Straleau, formerly of Main St. died on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, CT where she had been a resident for the past several years.
Born in Ashley Falls, MA. On September 12, 1907 she was the daughter of Albert C. and Emma L. Roberts Bowen. She attended local schools and was a graduate of the former Sheffield High School.
She was a member of Old Parish Church in Sheffield and had worked for twenty years in the accounting department of Connecticut Power Co. in Canaan, CT.
Helen married William A. Straleau on January 9, 1932 and they lived in the same house on Main Street their entire marriage. Mr. Straleau died on July 4, 1989.
She is survived by two nephews, Harold K. Agar of Palm City, FL and Donald A. Agar of Pittsfield, MA, and six nieces, Barbara Gilmore of Rocky Hill, CT, Janet Ryan of Deland, FL, Jean Shuts of Sheffield, MA, Hope Swanson of Ashley Falls, MA, Laura S. Becker of Lynnfield MA and Rosemary King of Worchester. MA.
Mrs. Straleau was predeceased by her brother, Irving Bowen and sisters, Ethel Donsbough, Alice Collins Hess, Gladys Payman and Margaret Agar.
Private services will be held on Monday at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. There will be no public calling hours.
Those who desire may make contributions in her memory to The Careing Tree account at Noble Horizons through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mrs. Doris Traub
Mrs. Doris Traub, 70, of Silver Street in Sheffield died Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington.
Born in Great Barrington on September 26, 1937, she was the daughter of Howard and Geralyn Spring Rhoades. Doris was a life long resident of the area, having lived in either Sheffield or Canaan, Connecticut all her life. She attended local schools in Connecticut and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School with the class of 1955.
Primarily a homemaker, Doris had worked at the Wash & Dry in Canaan, Connecticut, Sheffield Pottery and at the Mount Everett cafeteria, both in Sheffield.
She attended the Unitarian Fellowship of North Canaan, the Greenwood Community Church in Ashley Falls, (formerly the Grace Bible Church) and the Old Parish Church in Sheffield. At the time of her death she was a member of the Sheffield Council on Aging. Doris enjoyed traveling and reading, she cherished time spent with her family, her grandchildren had a special place in her heart.
She is survived by her husband of thirty years, Peter Traub. The couple married on December 11, 1976 in Canaan, Connecticut. Doris also leaves her son, Steven Jones and his wife Jeanne of Hyde Park, New York; two daughters, Laura E. Skorput and her husband Peter of West Stockbridge, MA and Eileen Rainville of Gansevoort, New York; along with her sister Linda Fitzgerald and her husband Timothy of Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as her three cherished grandchildren, Tricia Lynn Skorput, Shannon and Meghan Jones.
Funeral services for the late Doris Traub will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at eleven o'clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. Arthur Kaufmann. Burial will follow in Ashley Falls Cemetery.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sheffield Senior Center Building Fund through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mr. Vasco F. Zanconato
Mr. Vasco F. Zanconato, 97, of State Line Road in West Stockbridge, was called home on Saturday, October 20, 2007 surrounded by his family at Berkshire Medical Center.
Born on February 7, 1910 in Richmond, MA, he was the son of Angelo and Irene Roviaro Zanconato. He attended the former Williams High School in Stockbridge.
In 1974, after forty-four years working for the New Haven Rail Road, Vasco retired, as Forman of the Track Gang. Following his retirement he worked for Troy's Garage in West Stockbridge where he drove local school buses, he also worked as a grounds keeper for the West Stockbridge Grammar School.
He belonged to a bowling league, The Barrett's Milk Haulers, as well as being a part of the Senior Bowling League at the Cove Bowling Lanes in Great Barrington. He played Bocce Ball, and enjoyed spending time working in his five large gardens, where he supplied family and friends with various vegetables. He worked around the house and did carpentry work for family and friends, as well as being outdoors hunting.
He married the former Helen Barrett on February 26, 1938 at St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Helen, along with their four daughters, Anita Norton and her husband Joseph of Pittsfield, MA; Helen Nolan of West Stockbridge, MA; Lenora Campoli and her husband Peter of Bedford, MA, and Linda Ewing and her husband Michael of Colonie, New York. He also leaves his sister, Norma MacWhinney of Lenox, MA, as well as eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces or nephews.
He was predeceased by his son, Vasco F. Zanconato, Jr. three brothers, Attillio, Mario, Guerrino Zanconato, as well as one sister, Arimeda D'Aniello and one grandson, William F. Nolan, III.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at eleven o'clock at St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge, conducted by Rev. Christopher J. Waitekus, pastor of St. Patrick's Church. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery in West Stockbridge.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 from four until seven p.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Donations in his memory may be made to either St. Patrick's Church or to the Richmond Community Health Program, through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mrs. Mary Egesta Black Ward
Mrs. Mary Egesta Black Ward, 96, of Main Street in Monterey died Monday morning, October 15, 2007 at her home.
Born on August 16, 1911 in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of John Milton Black and Alta Bates Black. Growing up on a small subsistence dairy farm shaped her life-long love of nature and gardening. Mary attended local schools and in 1932 she graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College, now UMASS Amherst, with a degree in Chemistry and earned a Masters Degree in Psychology from for Hartford Seminary in 1937. She also earned a Degree in Education from the former Western Connecticut State College.
Mary taught primary grades in Connecticut schools for twenty years. She was active in many service organizations such as the League of Women Voters. Her life of service was guided by her belief in world peace and economic and social justice for all.
In 1933 she married her husband, the late Rev. Willard Raymond Ward and together they shared a life of community services. They managed Gould Farm in Monterey during the war years of 1942 1947. Together they served United Church of Christ parishes in Princeton, ME; Conway, MA; Monterey, MA; Monroe, CT and Mansfield Center, CT. Upon their retirement in 1976, they moved back to Monterey.
Mary is survived by her three daughters, Leslie Paine and her husband Curtis of Sutton, MA; Sally Pullen and her husband Steven of Monterey, MA and Louise Henry and her husband George of Williamsburg, MA. She also leaves her sister Ruth Black Koczela of Williamsburg, MA, along with four grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was predeceased by her husband Rev. Willard Raymond Ward, who died on February 27, 2001, along with her brother Lewis H. Black and her sister Juvenelia "Juvy" Black Harding.
A memorial service celebrating the life of the late Mary Ward will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at one o'clock at the Monterey United Church of Christ on Main Road, Monterey.
There will be no calling hours
In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the Monterey United Church of Christ or to Gould Farm through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mr. Richard N. "Dick" Schneider
Mr. Richard N. "Dick" Schneider, 86, of East Road in Alford and New York City, died early Tuesday morning, October 16, 2007, at Noble Horizons Nursing Center in Salisbury, Connecticut where he has been a resident for the past few years.
Born on March 7, 1921 in Cazadero, California, he was the son of Frank and Sylvia Thom Schneider. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Richard was an eleven time Emmy winning television director. He won his Emmys for directing Jeopardy and The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as being the Executive Producer of the Parade.
A veteran of World War II, Richard served as a Lieutenant on the battleship "Washington" in the Pacific before being honorably discharged.
Following World War II, he moved to New York City and joined NBC, where he started as a page and worked his way up to director and producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade. He also directed Jeopardy for many years and helped with various other NBC specials. Some of the specials the directed were, The Eleanor Roosevelt Special, Princess Margaret's Wedding and The Pope's Mass at Yankee Stadium in 1964.
Mr. Schneider was President of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for several years in the early 1980's and was a member of the Director's Guild of America and New York. Richard worked up until 1997 when Alzheimer's disease forced him to retire permanently.
Richard was a gourmet cook and great gardener. He enjoyed traveling around the world with his life partner James Maher. Together the couple traveled to various places including New Zealand, China, Brazil and Europe.
A Mass celebrating the life of the late Richard "Dick" Schneider will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at ten o'clock at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. William Murphy.
There will be no calling hours.
Donations in memory of the late Richard N. Schneider can be made to the Alzheimer's Association New York City Chapter, through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Ralph S. Newton
Ralph S. Newton, 93, formerly of Sheffield, died September 26, 2007 at home in Bradenton Florida.
Born in New York, NY on August 9, 1914, he was the son of Edward Wesley and Veda Larkin Newton. Ralph moved to Ashley Falls, MA as a boy and graduated from Sheffield High School in 1931. He married Bertha Ferris Conklin in 1938 and lived in Sheffield until 1991.
Ralph operated the Gulf service station in Sheffield, later worked in the Canaan, CT magnesium plant and was employed as a carpenter for Gilligan Brothers in Sheffield. Before retiring to Florida, he was self employed as a contractor for several years and also served on the Sheffield Board of Assessors. Mr. Newton was a recipient of the Golden Sheaf Certificate from the National Grange and was a member of the Housatonic Masonic Lodge No 61 A.F. & A.M. in Canaan, CT. He loved music and as a young man toured with a band of friends playing the trumpet. He also enjoyed deer hunting and cribbage.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Lynda Newton of Lee, MA, his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Skip Barber of Sharon CT, his daughter Jessie Schoonmaker of Pittsfield, MA and grandchildren Roger Newton Jr. of Lee, MA, Mary Ellen Richardson of Lanesboro, MA, Allison Newton of Lee, MA, Michael Bennett of Colorado Springs, CO, Megan Nordoff of Charleston, SC, Matthew Bennett of Exeter, NH and Brian Schoonmaker of Gt. Barrington, MA. Other survivors include 10 great-grandchildren and nieces Linda Marinelli of Manchester, CT and Marilyn Spencer of Nokesville, VA.
Mr. Newton is predeceased by his wife Bertha and his sister Olive Gaylord.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Ralph Newton will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at eleven o'clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Burial will follow in the Ashley Falls Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 2, 2007 from five until seven at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Warren B. Syer
Warren B. Syer, 84, of Great Barrington, died Sunday, December 2, 2007, at Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Great Barrington, after suffering for several years with Alzheimers Disease. Born in Somerville, Massachusetts, on March 9, 1923, son of Charles and Mabel Stevens Syer, he grew up in the Boston area and attended Northeastern University before joining the Army Air Force in November of 1943. Under the Army's college program, he attended the University of Kentucky and Antioch College for a short time before the Army stationed him at Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin, where he became fluent in the high speed transmission of Morse Code by using the typewriter.
Mr. Syer began his business career in 1946 as Credit Manager for the Sears Roebuck store in Lynn, Massachusetts. After two moves to larger Sears stores in Hartford, Connecticut and Schenectady, New York, he made a momentous decision to change his career. He wanted his avocation to be in the same field as his passion, opera and classical music. In 1952, he subscribed to a new magazine, High Fidelity, which had only been published for about a year in Gt. Barrington, Massachusetts. He drove 60 miles to that town and interviewed with Charles Fowler, publisher, and Milton Sleeper, owner, and was hired as the Promotion Manager. The publication had just moved its offices from Main Street to the Adams house on State Road. The age of electronic equipment, allowing the improved reproduction of recorded music, had became a phenomenon of its own, which was known as "high fidelity." Magazine readers wanted information about equipment such as tweeters, woofers, turntables, and phonograph needles. They also wanted to know which symphony orchestra or musical artist had recorded Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, and other composers. Sales of the magazine soared.
In fact, the success of the magazine published by this small company at the "Publishing House," as it was called locally, caught the attention of a New York firm, Billboard Publications, Inc. A company specializing in entertainment-related publications, Billboard was looking for a magazine to fill the void created by the decreasing popularity of vaudeville and circus events. In 1957, Billboard bought High Fidelity. However, Mr. Syer refused to move the Gt. Barrington office to the big city. While some employees occasionally had to travel between Gt. Barrington and New York City, they were usually happy for an all-expense paid trip to the "Big Apple," with an occasional Broadway show included.
As Vice-President of Consumer Publications for Billboard, in addition to High Fidelity, Mr. Syer was publisher of American Artist, Modern Photography, and Schwann Long Play Record Catalog. He also served as the Far East Liaison manager for two offices in Tokyo, Japan.
In 1972, he founded High Fidelity Cable Television, a multi-channel cable system for the towns of Gt. Barrington, Stockbridge, Lenox, and Lee. He was very anxious to have this service for his own home, but it turned out to be a great success since many people wanted the ability to view multiple television channels.
In 1972, American Broadcasting Company (ABC) created a new division called ABC Leisure Magazines and purchased all the magazines from Billboard's Consumer Publications. They hired Mr. Syer as President of this division, which included Musical America, Stereo International, and McCall's Needlework and Crafts, in addition to the former Billboard magazines.
In 1980, there came what he considered the opportunity of his lifetime. He accepted the position as CEO and President of Historical Times, Inc. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Their publications included American History Illustrated, Civil War Times, British Heritage, Country Journal, Early American Life, Opus, and Fly Fisherman. He was given complete control of the company in an effort to avoid bankruptcy. Thanks to his knowledge and publishing experience, the company recovered and became profitable. In 1988, Historical Times was sold to Cowles Publishing, Inc. During his years in publishing, Mr. Syer was a board member of Magazine Publishers Association, founder of their Internship Program, and for several terms, chaired the Education and Management Committees. Between 1989 and 2000, he was a publishing consultant for the Woodrow Wilson Quarterly, published in Washington, D.C, at the Woodrow Wilson International Center.
Mr. Syer was on the boards of the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and Fairview Hospital in Gt. Barrington. He also was instrumental in setting up the Four Town Cable Committee. He served as a member of the Gt. Barrington Housing Authority for 12 years, and as financial adviser for Elder Services, Inc. of Berkshire County. For 55 years, he was a member of the First Congregational Church and was the church's Investment Committee Chairman from 1990 until 2005.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara A. Syer; his son, Kurt W. Syer, Sheffield; three daughters, Deborah A. Syer, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey; Diane B. Brooks and her husband Stuart Brooks, Southington, Connecticut; Cassandra G. Mazzawy and her husband Toufie Mazzawy, Shokan, New York; and seven grandchildren: Kelly Syer Harris and her husband Greg Harris, Kristen Syer, Kara Syer, Rachel and Andrew Brooks, and Toufie and Amira Mazzawy.
He was predeceased by his brother, Henry W. Syer, died in 1989.
Funeral services for the late Warren B. Syer will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Congregational Church, 251 Main Street, Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. Charles VanAusdall, pastor. Burial will follow at Mahaiwe Cemetery in Great Barrington.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening, December 7, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the First Congregational Church Organ Fund or the Alzheimer's Association through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mrs. Jane E. Ryan
Mrs. Jane E. Ryan, 49, of Clayton Mill River Road in Southfield, MA died on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
Born on September 12, 1958 in Freeport, New York, she was the daughter of Jean Pierce Goldsmith and the late Lawrence Goldsmith. She attended local schools in New York until 1974 when the family moved from Long Island to the Berkshires and in 1976 she graduated from Mount Everett High School in Sheffield.
She worked at Sheffield Pottery for over 15 years. She continued working there throughout her battle with cancer even up to the time when she was admitted into the hospital. Prior to her working at Sheffield Pottery, Jane waitressed and bartended at several area restaurants, including the Depot in Canaan, CT.
Jane enjoyed gardening and knitting; her dogs and her cat were very special to her; she loved entertaining for friends and family, and above all else Jane cherished spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband Scott Ryan. The couple married on September 17, 1988 at Christ Church in Sheffield. She also leaves her mother, Jean of Plymouth, MA, her brother Edward Goldsmith of Tallahassee, FL, her sister Adrienne Falconer and her husband Steve of Carver, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family invites everyone to join them for the funeral services celebrating the life of the late Jane E. Ryan of Southfield on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at eleven o'clock at Old Parish Church in Sheffield, conducted by Rev. Jill Graham, pastor.
The family will receive friends on Monday, December 10, 2007 from four to seven p.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jane E. Ryan Memorial Fund, which will be used to support area breast cancer work. Donations may be sent to Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mrs. April Ehrenman
Mrs. April Ehrenman, 73, formerly of State Road in Great Barrington died on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility in Manchester, Missouri. In 2005 April moved to Saint Louis, Missouri to be near her son, Matthew.
Born on July 25, 1934 in Grafton, West Virginia, she was the daughter of Ivan and Jessie Maureen White Headley. She attended local schools and graduated from St. Vincent's Nursing School in New York City. April worked as a nurse in New York, Florida and California, she was set nurse for the "Here's Lucy Show," and a surgical nurse in pioneer heart surgery.
April married her husband, the late Howard N. Ehrenman in Tarrytown, New York in 1965. The couple moved to Great Barrington and in 1968 they purchased L'Abbe property on State Road where they opened Red Horse Antiques. April owned and operated Red Horse Antiques for many years.
In her last days of her life she enjoyed love and peace in her soul. She enjoyed close loving relationships with her family. She was a valued member of her church and community.
April is survived by her son Matthew Ehrenman and his wife Penelope of Chesterfield, Missouri along with three grandchildren Esther Grace, David John and Anna Hope Ehrenman.
She was predeceased by her husband Howard N. Ehrenman who died on February 13, 2001, and a son John Davis who died shortly after birth, along with one brother and one sister.
Funeral services for the late April Ehrenman will be held on Monday, December 10, 2007 at ten o'clock, conducted by Rev. Mark Saruer at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 9, 2007 from four until five p.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Presbyterian Church through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
