In Memoriam – Donald Levitan

NORTHAMPTON - Donald Levitan, 90, died peacefully at his home at the Lathrop Retirement Community in Northampton on April 3, 2018, after a short illness.

Don was a big man with a big spirit. He loved ice cream, opera, travel, children, nature and people-watching. He talked to every clerk and waiter, every person in line at the grocery store, interviewing them about their lives with a big smile.

In Memoriam – Bernice O’Donnell

NORTHAMPTON - Bernice O'Donnell (Kubera), 88, a long-time resident of Florence, died Friday, Dec. 15, at Baystate Hospital.

Born Dec. 17, 1928, in Whatley, Bernice lived in Hatfield and Florence all her life. She is predeceased by her husband Luke O'Donnell and her five siblings.

In Memoriam – Joseph W. Kielec

HADLEY – Joseph Walter Kielec was born Oct. 7, 1918, to Josef Kielec of Padew, Galicia, Austrian Poland, and Rozalia (Chrusciel) Kielec of Grochowe, Galicia, Austrian Poland, on the family farm on North Maple Street in Hadley. Joseph graduated from Hopkins Academy in Hadley in 1937 where he was President of the Senior Class.

A child of the depression raised on the family farm in Hadley, Joseph learned at an early age to respect honest hard work and taught by example that "any task worth doing was worth doing well" a habit that he passed on to his family.

In Memoriam – Ruth Pardoe

HUNTINGTON – Ruth Wood Pardoe died Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Joy Hill, her home in Huntington, with her family by her side.

Ruth Wood was born July 31, 1924, in West Springfield, the eldest of five sisters, to Berton Wood and Helen Bessie Moore Wood. She graduated from West Springfield High School in 1942 and went on to attend Smith College, graduating with a bachelors degree in American Studies in 1946. She later earned an masters degree in History from Ohio State University, and certification as a school librarian from C.W. Post College of Long Island.

In Memoriam – William Mackey

NORTHAMPTON – William R. Mackey, 69, of Northampton, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at home, with his loving family by his side. He was born May 31, 1947, in Holyoke to the late Arthur and Shirley (Morton) Mackey. He was a graduate of Northampton High School and served in the United States Army. When he returned home, he became an arborist at Cotton Tree Service and Asplundh. He later went to work at the Coca Cola Company for over 25 years as a filler operator.