Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home

Veronica C. Shea (n?e Higgins), born April 7, 1941, in Holyoke, MA, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, in Springfield, MA. A devoted daughter of the late Charles and Catherine (Prescott) Higgins, Veronica's journey in life was defined by her compassion and commitment to serving others. A proud 1962 graduate of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, she dedicated herself to the care of countless individuals, working as a supervisor at two nursing homes in Westfield and as the director of adult day health for the Salvation Army in Springfield. Family was at the heart of everything Veronica did. She shared a loving marriage with her late husband, Kevin Shea, until his passing in 1998....

George A. Place, a cherished family member, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025, in Palmer, MA. Born on May 1, 1931, in Glen Ridge New Jersey, George lived a full and meaningful life, enriched by his deep love for his family, commitment to his craft, and dedication to his community. Raising his family in New Jersey, George spent many years in the roofing industry, where he was known for his strong work ethic and membership in the local roofing union. George was actively involved with the Masonic Lodge. A consummate professional, he contributed significantly to the trade until his retirement in 1991, when he and his beloved wife Anna relocated to the tranquil surroundings of...

Robert Lee Crawford passed away on July 13, 2024. He was born July 18, 1933, in Worcester, MA, the son of William J. and Rose C. (Jensen) Crawford. Educated in Worcester public schools, he graduated from Classical High School in 1951 and Clark University in 1955 with a B.A. in Physics. He volunteered to serve in the United States Navy, attended Officer Candidate School and commissioned as an Ensign USN in 1955. Accepted into the Navy Flight Training Program, he completed basic flight training in Pensacola, FL and advanced flight training in Hutchinson, KS and qualified in Aircraft Carrier Operations and was designated as a U.S. Naval Aviator. He was stationed in Brunswick, ME while...

Springfield-Sarah J. Cox, passed away on May 13, 2024. She was a resident of Springfield, Massachusetts. She was born on April 25, 1950, to the late Barbara K. (Kelton) Boyton. Sarah graduated from UMASS with a bachelor's degree and earned a master's degree from Springfield College. Her lifelong work was serving people with special needs. Beginning her career, she worked for the Department of Mental Health. At Belchertown State School she worked as a direct service worker, and assistant unit director. She finished her career as a service coordinator. Sarah was predeceased by her brother George A. Cox. She leaves her cousin Judith Kelton, and her lifelong friend Will Reed. Sarah will be...

Roy Louis Roberts, 92, passed away March 13, 2024. He was born on August 12, 1931 in Springfield to the late Ernest G. and Nellie Mae (Lynn) Roberts. Roy grew up in Brimfield and attended the Hitchcock Free Academy and later UMass Amherst. He was a proud Air Force veteran who served 4 years as Staff Sargent during the Korean Conflict. Following his time in the service, Roy worked as a self-employed electrician for many years before joining Nokia as an Electrical Engineer. Roy was married to his beloved wife Eleanor (Ducey) Roberts for 63 years before she passed away in 2020. Roy and Eleanor lived in West Brookfield for 64 years, during which time he served on a variety of town boards for...

Diana L. Adair, 70, passed away January 22, 2024. Born in Northampton, MA on July 26, 1953, she was the daughter of Howard I. Mann Sr. and Marietta Tataro. Diana grew up in Belchertown, the eldest of 8 children. Living most of her life in Amherst she was well known in the real estate profession, as well as the horse community while owning, and operating Heartland Farm for over 20 years. Her son, Robert H. Adair, and family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 27 from 12-3 pm at Andrew's Greenhouse, 1184 South East St., Amherst, MA with refreshments will be provided and a time of reflection observed. Please visit www.beersandstory.com

Diana L. Adair, 70, passed away January 22, 2024. Born in Northampton, MA on July 26, 1953, she was the daughter of Howard I. Mann Sr. and Marietta Tataro. Diana grew up in Belchertown, the eldest of 8 children. Living most of her life in Amherst she was well known in the real estate profession, as well as the horse community while owning, and operating Heartland Farm for over 20 years. Diana lovingly cared for the horses, students, families, and professionals that were a part of Heartland Farm. Diana worked as a supervisor at McMannas's restaurant in Hadley, before attaining a brokers license with D. H. Jones Real Estate, and later Sawicki Real Estate, before finishing her career with...

Joy Adams Parrish, 73, passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2024. She was born on February 9, 1950 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to the late Edward and Barbara (Ralph) Adams. Joy was a graduate of Seekonk High School and Johnson and Wales University. She had long career as a legal secretary in Amherst, Massachusetts. Joy was an avid reader, and besides her extensive collection of print books, she had almost 700 e-books on her Kindle reader. She also had a deep appreciation of the beauty and bounty of the Pioneer Valley, and a deep love of animals. She was a consummate gift-giver, always finding the perfect thing. She will be dearly missed by her husband of 43 years, Carey Parrish, and their...

Scott S. Czupryna 1970 - 2024 Stafford Springs, CT Scott S. Czupryna, 53, of Stafford Springs, CT passed away January 3, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford after a long battle with complications due to kidney failure. He was born on December 28, 1970, in Springfield MA. He will be forever loved and missed by his husband of 13 years, Scott Ginter and their fur babies Jack, Patsy and Edina. He is survived by and will be deeply missed by his mother Linda J. (Nunes) Ugraz and husband Ilhan of Three Rivers, MA. Father Stephen S. Czupryna and wife, Mary Jane of Belchertown, Ma. Brother Chris Czupryna, and wife Christine of Three Rivers, MA. His godson and nephew Tyler Czupryna, and niece...

Belchertown, MA - John Hunting Belding, Jr, 74, passed away December 22, 2023. Born June 10, 1949 in Delhi, New York, John was the son of John H. and Eva R. (n?e Westerlund) Belding. John grew up in Hyde Park, NY and lived in Belchertown for the last 9 years. He lived in Grafton, MA for over 30 years prior to that. John graduated from Stony Brook University and received his MA in Anthropology from UMass Amherst. He was the Director of Planning at the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging and taught Anthropology and Sociology at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA. In recent years, he volunteered locally by leading a walking group at the Belchertown Senior Center and was active...

Christopher A. Euvrard, 54, passed away December 14, 2023 as a result of a serious car accident that took place on December 1st. Born October 12, 1969 in Athol, he is the son of Robert Sr and Marilyn (Cutting) Euvrard of Athol. Chris grew up in Athol and has lived in Belchertown since 2000. In his youth, Chris was a wrestler and started the wrestling team in Athol. Chris was an avid sports fan. He loved to cheer on Boston teams. Chris always looked forward to his Fantasy Football league and loved participating in March Madness. For over 30 years, Chris worked in the Millimeter Wave Industry. He was co-founder of Precision Millimeter Wave Company. His love for travel brought him to...

Heaven took another angel home on October 28, 2023, Marilyn Elma (Long) Tibbetts of Shutesbury, with her loving son Walter by her side. Marilyn was born on March 2, 1936 to Walter James Long and Elma Edith (Lemke) Long. She grew up in the Willimansett section of Chicopee. She married Robert Howard Tibbetts on August 11, 1956. Marilyn enjoyed living in and serving the Town of Shutesbury in many capacities. Like her father, husband and son Walter, her favorite and longest lasting service to the town was on the Shutesbury Fire Department. Marilyn had many careers during her lifetime starting with clerical work at Springfield Freightlines. She managed Long's Package store in Shutesbury, owned...

Wesley Korenewsky, 68, sadly passed away in a housefire on July 10, 2023. Wesley was born in Hadley, MA to Wassily and Erna Korenewsky on September 11, 1954. He attended the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton, where he studied to be an electrician. Wesley would go on to work as a logger across New England and later as a farmhand in Hadley, MA. He had a true passion for nature and the great outdoors, sharing his appreciation of forestry and woodworking with so many others. Wesley leaves behind his wife Denise Korenewsky; his sons Aaron (Aylin) and Matthew Korenewsky; his brother Fred (Sue) Korenewsky; sister Olga Gustin (the late Marvel Gustin); sister Dora...

Marguerite E. (Prescott) Harris, 82, passed away March 23, 2023 with the love of her family surrounding her. Born August 15, 1940 in Pelham, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Esther (Squires) Prescott. Marguerite grew up in Pelham and has lived in Belchertown for over 50 years. In her younger years, Marguerite worked at Umass and also in the Belchertown Public Schools. She then when on to run the office for her late husband, Roger E. Harris, at Harris Milk Transportation. In her leisure, she enjoyed sewing, puzzles, was an avid Red Sox fan along with feeding and watching the birds. Marguerite's greatest joy was the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2014,...

Betty E. (Campbell) Lannon, 94, formerly of Amherst and Belchertown, MA passed away January 25, 2023, at Elaine Center at Hadley. She was born on May 19, 1928, in Brattleboro, VT. Betty lived most of her life in Amherst, MA until she and her late husband, Dick, relocated to Belchertown, MA and lived for 20 years. She retired from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where she worked for many years in the Dean of Men's office. Betty and Dick enjoyed traveling; they traveled to the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii and their favorite place Aruba. She was also an animal lover and always had cats and dogs. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Richard L. Lannon and a brother...

Brian Ivar Persson, 30, passed away on December 18, 2022. A visitation will be held Friday, January 6 at 1:30- 3:30 PM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home with a service to conclude at 3:30 PM. Please visit www.beersandstory.com for full obituary notice.

Maureen H. (Russell) Saltis, 72, passed away at home with the love of her family surrounding her. Born August 15, 1950 In Northampton, she was the daughter of the late William Jr and Raphaela (Natale) Russell. Maureen grew up in Amherst and lived in Easthampton for 30 years before relocating to Belchertown in 2013. She was a teacher for 27 years with many of those years spent in the New Hingham Elementary School. She was a warm, kind, and loving woman of great strength. To Maureen "family was everything and everything was family." She never missed an opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren, who lovingly called her "amma." Whether that was attending sporting events to cheer them...

Barbara A. (Goodhind) Stockwell, 80, passed away unexpectedly on November 9, 2022 with the love of her family surrounding her. Born in Northampton on May 31, 1942, she was the daughter of John R. and Marion (Gralinski) Goodhind. Barbara grew up and lived in Amherst for many years until moving to Pelham 25 years ago. She was a LPN at Cooley Dickinson Hospital along with working for many years at Northampton Area Pediatrics. Barbara loved the outdoors, whether it was traveling and camping with her family, tending to her gardens or fishing, and of course feeding and watching her backyard birds. Her greatest passion was her family and love of her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by...

After a courageous battle with ALS, Stanley H. Libucha of Belchertown passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the age 84, with his family by his side. Born in Indian Orchard, he was the son of Edna (Warchol) Libucha Land and Thaddeus Libucha. He graduated from Technical High School in Springfield and served in the U. S. Navy on USS English. After military service, he attended Western New England College. Stanley was married to the love of his life, Patricia (Lisowski) Libucha for more than 56 years. They lived in Amherst for 35 years, raising two children. He worked at the University of Massachusetts for nearly 30 years as the Assistant Foreman in the Grounds...

Nancy A. (Brighenti) Kwiatkowski, 68, passed away September 12, 2022 with the love of her family surrounding her. Born February 22, 1954 in Athol, she was the daughter of Laurina (Gibbs) Brighenti and the late Albert J. Brighenti. Nancy grew up in Belchertown and graduated from Belchertown High School. She furthered her education at UMass with her BA in education. Mrs. K, as she was affectionately known by students and staff, taught third grade in Belchertown Public Schools for 36 years. She touched the lives of hundreds of children while teaching and being a longtime member of the Rec Dept Commissioners, as well as a devoted communicant of St. Francis of Assisi. She was loved and cherished...

John "Jack" F Henry, 62, of Greenfield, MA passed away June 15, 2022 at his home. He was born on July 10, 1959 in Holyoke, MA to Walter and Eunice (Austin) Henry. John grew up in Belchertown one of six children and graduated from Belchertown High School. He was an avid New England Sports fan and enjoyed a friendly political debate. He is survived by two children, Kayla Hicks of KY and Zachary Henry of GA and three grandchildren. He also leaves five siblings, Walter "Bud" Henry, Michael Henry and Anne-Marie LaValle all of Belchertown, Patrisha Henry of GA and Christopher Henry of FL. John's family would like to thank Meredith and Dan for their care and kindness. A graveside service was...