Dwyer Funeral Home

Ms. Elizabeth Donna (Hallock) Hatch "Trouble", 94, of Washington MA, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield MA, due to complication from "Long COVID-19". Born in Cambridge, MA, on August 1, 1929, the daughter of the late Richard and Donna (Buck) Hallock. Betty is a Daughter of the American Revolution. She was a charter member of the Civil Air Patrol, an Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, joining the first day it opened on December 1st, 1941, and continuing her service until 2015. She graduated from Reading High School in 1947, and Mount Ida College in 1949, a private girl's college in Newton MA. She would tell us she could wear her...

Mrs. Barbara J. Westermann, 90, of Pittsfield, MA, and formerly of Stewart Manor, NY, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Born in Queens, NY, on June 24, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Alice Hake Hundt. As Alice passed at a young age, Barbara was also raised by her stepmother, Margaret Donohue Hundt. She graduated from Dominican Commercial High School with the class of 1951. Barbara's family meant the world to her, and seeing that each of their needs was met with nothing but love and support always brought a smile to her face. Barbara enjoyed gardening and arranging flowers and many arts and crafts. She created beautiful things! She also enjoyed celebrating the...

Mr. John Anthony Maiorano, of Pittsfield, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, just one day shy of celebrating his 71st birthday. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on November 30, 1952, the son of the late Frank and Nancy Pisani Maiorano, he graduated from Taconic High School and later attended classes at Berkshire Community College. John was an enlisted member of the U.S. Coast Guard with an honorable discharge for service time completed. For most of his career, John worked as a floor installer, and later as a General Manager for Scott's Carpet One in Pittsfield. It was from there that he retired after over 25 years of dedicated service. Above anything, John loved spending time with his...

Richard "Dick" French, 80, of Pittsfield, MA, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Born in Pittsfield, the son of the late John and Katherine Rice French, he graduated from Pittsfield High School and later from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he was a marketing major and the president of his fraternity, Q.T.V. Dick was a Vietnam War veteran. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1964 and completed a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam. He later served as an instructor at the Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, until his honorable discharge in 1967. He was the proud owner of Electric Supply and Repair Co. in Pittsfield, which his grandfather founded in...

Mary Lou Powers Decker, of Pittsfield, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023, just months after celebrating her 90th birthday. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on September 15, 1933, the daughter of the late Edward and Mae Carey Powers, she graduated from Pittsfield High School. Mary Lou's family was always of utmost importance to her. She loved spending time by their side, seeing that each of their needs was met with love and support. Mary Lou was proud of her work at General Electric, England Brothers, and local banks, but she was especially gratified by her twenty-years as a HospiceCare in the Berkshires volunteer. She enjoyed playing her organ, spending holidays with family, and...

Mr. Albert "Al" Nachbauer, of Pittsfield, MA, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on December 5, 1947, the only son of the late Walter and Romilda (Zavattero) Nachbauer, he graduated from Pittsfield High School and later from Westfield State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Special Education, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Administration. "Mr. Nachbauer" devoted his entire 36 year career to the Pittsfield Public School System. His deep passion for education awarded him the UNICO Massachusetts Special Education Teacher of the Year Award. He taught special...

Georgina Cid, 93, formerly of Waltham, MA, passed away peacefully at Springside Rehabilitation Center on Friday, November 10, 2023. She followed her beloved husband, Rodolfo, who also passed away at 93, on November 11, 2019. Georgina emigrated from Cuba in 1962 with her husband, Rodolfo, and her eldest daughter, Georgina. They expanded their family in the United States with the birth of their youngest daughter, Laura. She was a proud citizen of the United States, grateful for all the freedom and opportunity this country offered. Georgina gratefully gave back to her community as a loyal and productive worker, a good neighbor and friend, and an active member of Saint Andrew's Episcopal...

Ethel E. Connors, of Pittsfield, died at home on November 7, 2023, just two weeks after celebrating her 105th birthday. Ethel was born in Pittsfield, MA, on October 24, 1918, the daughter of the late Frank and Celia Serra Earle. Ethel graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1935. As a young woman, Ethel worked as a radiologic technologist. She married Raymond T. Connors in 1946 and they raised 5 children. She earned an Associate Degree in Arts from Berkshire Community College in 1977. Ethel worked as a teacher's aide in special education for the Pittsfield School system for 25 years until her retirement in 1993. Ethel attributed her longevity to family, friends, healthy diet and especially...

Mrs. Anne M. Lacker, 86, of Dalton, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Born in New York City, on February 3, 1937, the daughter of the late H. Earl and Alice Gormley Illick, she graduated from Mary Louis Academy, Queens, NY and in 1987 earned her nursing degree from Berkshire Community College. Anne cared for her children at home for many years. She then worked as a registered nurse for Hillcrest Educational Center. It was there that she dedicated 20+ years until her retirement. Among many things, Anne enjoyed gardening, quilting and knitting. She made many quilts and sweaters for her beloved family members. Anne is survived by her sister, Susan Sabert and husband Paul of NY,...

Mrs. Josephine Maltese Brunjes, 99, of Pittsfield and Lenox, passed away peacefully at her home at PineHill Assisted Living of Kimball Farms on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Born in New York City on May 1, 1924, the seventh of ten surviving children of the late Damiano (Thomas) and Antonina Maniscalco Maltese, she graduated from Julia Richman High School in Manhattan. As a young woman in New York City, Jo worked as an executive secretary for the Vanadium Corporation and other firms. On November 1, 1957 she married John W. Brunjes, former General Counsel of Berkshire Life Insurance Company (now Guardian), who predeceased her in 1995. After the birth of their two children, they moved in 1965...

Mr. Arthur T. Dermody, Jr., 76, of Pittsfield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 19, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on October 4, 1947, the son of the late Arthur and Ella Potter Dermody, he graduated from St. Joseph High School. For the majority of his career, Art was employed by the laborers' union. It was there he worked for the Local 473, from where he retired after 15 years of dedicated service. Among many things, Artie was a big fan of New England sports, and especially enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots. He liked following the horse races and was also fond of testing his luck on a...

Mr. Thomas "Smitty" Smith, of Pittsfield, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023, just shy of his 81st birthday. Born in Hinsdale, MA, on November 14, 1942, he was the son of the late Paul and Eleanor Russell Smith. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mr. Thomas "Smitty" Smith will be Tuesday, October 24, 2023, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 am at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by the Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, October 23, 2023, from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia...

Mr. Michael W. DeRagon, of Lanesborough, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023, shortly after celebrating his 77th birthday. Born in Hartford, CT, on August 1, 1946, the son of the late Lionel and Arlene McNamee DeRagon, he earned his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at Trine University in Angola, Indiana. He became a Professional Structural Engineer while employed at Hill Engineers in Dalton, MA later becoming a co-owner of Hill, Engineers, Planners and Architects of Dalton, MA until his retirement in 2010. He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 in Germany with the 56th Military Pershing Missile Division Besides reminiscing about his army days with former members...

Mrs. Catherine A. Mlynarczyk, of Pittsfield, passed away on Monday October 16, 2023, just months shy of celebrating her 91st birthday. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on December 12, 1932, the daughter of the late Victor and Catherine (Pyrzanowski) Mierzejewski, she graduated from Pittsfield High School with the class of 1950. On November 22, 1952, she married the love of her life, Edward K. Mlynarczyk of Pittsfield. They went on to have three sons before his untimely death in 1965. Catherine worked as a Teacher's Aide in the Pittsfield schools before going to work for General Electric/Lockheed Martin. She retired from Lockheed Martin after 25+ years of dedicated service. Catherine was very...

Gertrude Eleanor Potash (Trudy), 88, of Pittsfield, MA, passed away while surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Berkshire Medical Center. She had been a patient at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Center for the past three and a half years. Trudy was born in West New York, NJ, on September 11, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Howard and Gertrude Hanlon. She graduated from Holy Rosary Academy in Union City, NJ, and later, after raising 5 children, from Berkshire Community College. As a young woman, Trudy entered the convent at age 17, but after two years, she realized that God had different plans for Sister Margaret Charles. She met the love of her life, Chester...

Ms. Mary M. Kelly, 63, of Pittsfield, passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on June 11, 1960, the daughter of the late Robert and Norma Turner Plankey, she graduated from Lee High School in 1978, and later completed the nursing program at Berkshire Community College. Afterwards she earned her Dietitian and Nutrition Degree at The State University of New York SUNY. For the majority of her career, Mary worked at Berkshire Medical Center and Kimball Farms. Later in life while semi-retired she worked for the Italian American Club, and donated countless hours to UNICO. You may even have seen her serving the best pizza in town at East Side Cafe. She enjoyed watching...

Ms. Carolyn E. Brophy, of Pittsfield, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, soon before celebrating her 76th birthday. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on November 23, 1947, the daughter of the late Luke and Lorraine Forgey Brophy, she graduated from St. Joseph High School and then from the former North Adams State University, where she earned her degree in elementary education. For the majority of her career, Carolyn worked as patient representative at Berkshire Medical Center, from where she retired after 40 years of dedicated service. Among many things, she enjoyed gardening, as well as the arts. Carolyn was a huge animal advocate and often volunteered her time at the Berkshire Humane...

Mr. Edward "Ed" Tatro, 79, of Pittsfield, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on May 25, 1944, the son of the late William and Genevieve Ballardini Tatro, he graduated from Pittsfield High School. Ed worked as an electrical technician for much of his career. He was employed by Hobart, from where he retired after 22 years of dedicated service. Among many hobbies, he enjoyed reading, science, fixing things, and spending time with friends. Ed also loved his family's company, especially when playing video games together or going on day trips with them to Vermont and Connecticut. Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, the former Mary Ann...

Mr. Earl "Skip" Appleton, Jr., of Pittsfield, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 29, 2023. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on November 15, 1953, the son of Beverley Connors Appleton and the late Earl F. Appleton, Sr., he graduated from Mount Greylock Regional High School. While Earl worked in various fields, he retired from Berkshire Medical Center in 2019, where he worked in their housekeeping department. He enjoyed all things outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Skip's family was always a priority for him, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Earl is survived by his children, Amy G?lvez (Christian), Jason Appleton (Nikki), and Dianna...

Carolyn Maureen (Sitzman) Farley passed from this life to her eternal home in heaven on September 25, 2023. Born in 1930, and a native to Pittsfield, Carolyn grew up surrounded by the love of her parents, her brothers and her beloved grandmother. She loved to recount her Saturday afternoon adventure of meeting her grandmother at the laundromat after work, walking to the soda fountain for a "Buffalo Nut" sundae and then off to take in a movie, with the news reels of course! Blessed with a deep and abiding faith in Jesus, Carolyn entered the order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph at age 18. As a nun, and later as Mother Superior, she taught and administered in Catholic elementary schools...

Pauline Keyburn "Keye" Hollister, 84, of Pittsfield, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023. Keye was returning from her mother-in-law's 100th Birthday Celebration in Pennsylvania, when she became ill suddenly and was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, PA where she was confirmed to have died. The cause of death was heart failure. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on March 31, 1939, the daughter of the late Norman and Rose Pender Hollister, she graduated from Miss Hall's School in 1956, attended the Sorbonne University in Paris, France and Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Newton, Ma before graduating from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1974. She earned her Juris Doctor...