William J. Poulin

William Joseph Poulin, age 81, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at Christopher Heights Assisted Living Facility in Northampton. 

Born on May 8, 1936, in Florence, MA, Bill was one of twelve children born to the late Romeo and Annette (Campbell) Poulin. He took a job at 9 years old peeling potatoes at the Florence Diner to help support the family.  Bill joined the army in 1954 at the age of 18 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Hannilore Pfluger. They met at a pub  and started dancing. He spoke no German; she, no English.  They were married just three months later in 1957 and spent the next 36 years together. Bill was blessed to find another great love late in life with Beverly Blake. Both wives passed away from cancer.

Bill’s passions were many:  his love of cooking led to his working as a chef at the Whale Inn in Goshen and Hotel Northampton for many years.  As an entrepreneur, he started and ran many businesses in his lifetime.  He could be found dancing, deep sea fishing, entertaining, or traveling the world with his beloved Hannilore.  He discovered his religious calling at age 20 and developed a deep devotion to the Jehovah’s Witness faith, which he sustained his entire life. 

Bill leaves behind his five children; Kurt (Patty), Paul, Andrew (Charlene), Monika Sumner, Tina Beckwith (Shawn),  daughter-in-law, Sylvia Poulin and son-in-law, Keith Sumner. He is also survived by 16 beloved grandchildren and 12 precious great-grandchildren.  Bill also leaves behind his siblings, Rachel Kirouac (Guy), Theresa Houle, and Romeo, Jr., (Carol), his sister-in-law Helga Bruneau, and his brother in law, Ludwig Forster (in Germany).  He was predeceased by his first wife, Hannilore, his third wife, Beverly Blake, his parents, and 8 of his 11 his siblings.  Bill will be fondly remembered by countless loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends, as well as his Jehovah’s Witness family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 23, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 290 Shelburne Rd, Greenfield.  A Celebration of Life will follow the service at the Lodge of Elks, 2 Church Street, Greenfield.  There are no calling hours.  In keeping with Bill’s social approach to life and his sense of humor, all are encouraged to share stories or memories about him at the Celebration of Life. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Christopher Heights and Mercy Life for their constant care and support of Bill in the last year of his life. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (Memo Wind beneath our Wings)  and mailed to Tina Beckwith, 171 River Rd, Leyden Mass 01337 or the Worldwide Work of Jehovah's Witnesses, 290 Shelburne Rd, Greenfield.

If sending flowers, please have them delivered to Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 87 Franklin St., Greenfield

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