All Obituaries

Phyllis J. (Thomas) Stickney, 76, was set free from this world to join her family in heaven on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Phyllis was born in Brattleboro, VT on September 24, 1943 to Richard M. and June A. (Smith) Thomas. She was the first born of six children and attended school until the 9th grade when she left school to help raise and care for her siblings. Later in life, Phyllis was able to return to school and proudly earned her G.E.D. from Greenfield Community College. Phyllis...

Ruth Vandenburg Loudermilch, 94 passed peacefully at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA. on January 1, 2020.  She had been residing at the Arbors of Greenfield for the past five years. Born in Springfield, MA on June 13, 1925, Ruth was the daughter of Gerard Vandenburg and Bessie L. (Dowd.)  She grew up and attended schools in West Springfield. In 1947 she graduated from Westfield State College with a teaching degree. On June 10, 1947 she married Robert C. Loudermilch,...

Lionel M. Martin, 77, of Union St., died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. He was born in Madawaska, Maine on March 26, 1942 the son of Cecile and Leonard J. Martin. After graduating from Madawaska High School in 1960, Lionel received an associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the former Wentworth Institute in Boston. On June 24, 1967 Lionel married the love of his life Doris L'Heureux of Wallingford, Connecticut. In his early years Lionel was employed...

Robert W. Pearce, 80, formerly of Highland Village, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 at the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility in Greenfield. Robert was one of 11 children born to Alfred and Helen (Rodgers) Pearce. He was born on August 4, 1939 in Brandon, VT. He started working at any early age to help support the family. Always hard working, Bob had many occupations over the years from farming to working at a sawmill. His most recent job was working as a custodian at the Buckland-Shelburne...

Joseph W. Castine, 75, passed away at home with his loving family at his side on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Joe was born in Athol, MA on October 8, 1944 the son of  Marion (Riel) Castine and Frank Castine, Jr. He was a graduate of Mahar Regional High School, class of 1962. Following high school, Joe began working for the family business Castine Moving and Storage based in Athol. The company was started by his grandparents Hazel and Frank Castine Sr. in 1923 and is a fourth...

Kimball L. Estes, 78 of Greenfield, MA. died at his home Wednesday, December 18, 2019.  He was born on August 29, 1941 the son of Ralph L. and Ann (McCormack) Estes.  He attended schools in Greenfield and was a graduate from the GHS Class of 1959. Following high school, Kim attended Oregon State University Agricultural Farrier Training Program, received an Associate’s degree from Northampton Commercial College and graduated from the Missouri Auction School. He also served in...

John A. Gancarz, 73, of Phillips Rd., died Saturday morning at home with his loving family at his side. John was born in Adams, MA on June 4, 1946 the son of John and Gladys (Cravish) Gancarz. He attended Drury High School. He was a union carpenter with the Local 108 based in Springfield for many years. John’s true passion was his family and the outdoors. A life-long outdoorsman he loved fishing, hunting turkey, bear, deer and rabbits. More than a just hunter, he appreciated the...

Donald E. Morton, 84, of 45 Willcutt Road, died Thursday, Dec. 12 at home. He was born in Shelburne, November 18, 1935, the son of Austin E. and Delia B. (Billiel) Morton. He attended Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls and later enlisted in the United States Navy. Following the service he was employed for many years by the Town of Cummington Highway Department. In 1997 he retired from Lamson & Goodnow Manufacturing Co. in Buckland. Survivors besides his wife of 61 years the former Edith...

Mark E. Choiniere, 75, a resident of the Farren Care Center for over 18 years, died on Friday, December 6, 2019 at the facility. Mark was born in Greenfield on August 29, 1944 the son of Everett and Mary (Annand) Choiniere. He graduated from the Greenfield Vocational School in 1962. In November of 1962 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was assigned to the 5008th Support Squadron at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska until his honorable discharge in 1966. Following his service in...

Thomas W. Bean III, 73, of 46 Nimrod Drive, Concord, MA,  lost his battle with a high grade metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor on Sunday, November 24, 2019. He took his last breath in the peace of his long-term home, surrounded by his family. Thomas was the oldest of 3 siblings born to Thomas W. Bean, Jr. and Helen Lombard Bean in Greenfield, MA, during September 1946 on his lucky day, Friday the 13th. He grew up in the Brookside Ave neighborhood with his brother John Bean...