Czelusniak funeral home

Thomas Joseph Ruane Born August 25, 1954 and died July 19, 2023 Son of Gertrude Ann Ruane (Cantu) and Joseph John Ruane Bachelor's Degree in English (Creative Writing) from SUNY New Paltz in 1970 and Master's Degree in Computer Science from Union College in 1980. Tom was a Programmer at IBM, Poughkeepsie NY. Over his 43 years at IBM, Tom worked with many different divisions, ranging from tools development to hardware verification. He was essential in the design of the testing environment used across many IBM projects. Tom immersed himself into his assignments, learning new methodologies and consistently proud of his achievements. Always optimistic, Tom brought a brightness to a place...

July 24, 2023 Thomas B. Kusek passed away July 13, 2023 at the age 67. Born March 9, 1956 to Frank and Statia (Zygmont) Kusek. Tom was a proud 1974 graduate of Hopkins Academy and Holyoke Community College, 1976. Tom started his career farming with his father and switched to become an auto mechanic. He was a skilled mechanic for over 30 years. Tom was a member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). He drag-raced at LebanonValley Raceway in the NHRA Pro division, where he won his division for two years. As Tom began planning for retirement, he secured a long-term lease on his property and hosted one of the first large scale solar projects in Hadley. Later, he purchased another...

Charles W. Dragon, of Northampton, died July 12 2023, attended by family, he was 91 . He was pre-deceased by his brother Peter Dragon and his wife Barbra I. Dragon of Phoenix, Arizona; his mother Harriet W. and father Hector A Dragon. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Veronica (Ronnie) J. Dragon, his sons; Paul Dragon, daughter in law Ceil Reynes-Slater, Peter Dragon, daughter-in-law Mary Ruth Burke, Charles A. Dragon, daughter-in-law Susan Skorupski Dragon, daughter Martha Dragon, son-in-law Joseph Dunn, grandchildren; Alexa Dragon and Dakota Dragon, nieces; Debra Dragon Gortman, Laura Dragon, and Susan Dragon. "Chuck" attended Northampton High School, was a graduate of Monson...

Born in Greenfield to Armand V. Foote of Norwich, Connecticut, and Marion R. Whitcomb of Brockton, Massachusetts, Rusty attended elementary and secondary schools in Greenfield where he played coronet in the high school band, graduating from GHS in 1965. After a four-year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Texas, Mississippi, California and New York, he attended UMass where he was a member of the gymnastics team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Following his college years, Rusty began a long career of self-employment establishing businesses in high-pressure systems and electrical contracting. Rusty had a unique talent for designing and fabricating mechanical...

Beverly, 76, passed away peacefully after a brave fight against ALS. She was born on February 9, 1947 in Northampton, MA and was the daughter of the late Everett and Jeannette (Hall) Horne. Beverly was raised in Amherst, MA and graduated from Greenfield Community College's liberal arts program and Cooley Dickinson Hospital's School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse for 42 years. She lived in Massachusetts and Connecticut before moving to North Carolina to be closer to her daughter and grandsons. Beverly enjoyed traveling, shopping, dining out with family and friends, music, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. She leaves behind two daughters, a son-in-law and...

John A. Mazur, 73, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on April 24, 2023 following a short illness. John Anthony Mazur was born on January 26, 1950 in Northampton, MA. After a successful career in real estate in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, John retired to Nokomis, FL in 2010 with the love of his life, Irene. But John, who never could stay still and had worked his entire life, was restless. He tried a few odd jobs before ending up at the perfect retirement job for him - selling used boats for Coastal Marine in Nokomis, FL. John quickly became a highly- valued salesman and loved getting to do sea trials and spend his days around boats. He was employed there until his death. John...

David Tate Matusko, 54 of Church St in Newington CT. passed away April 10, 2023 at the Hospital of Central Conn. He was born in Northampton May 10, 1968 the son of Eugene Matusko and Marcia Prokop. He graduated from Plainville High School. David lived at the Church St Group home with five other guys and staff for over thirty years. David loved everyone he met and was quite a character. He was predeceased by his father Eugene Matusko. He leaves his Mother Marcia Prokop and her husband Bill; his sister Samantha Prokop and her son Blake; his brother Billy Prokop (Shannon) and his daughter Mia; his Aunty Sandy and Uncle Frank who always looked out for him; his many aunts, uncles and cousins; and...

The Reverend Roger Smith, (95), formerly of Beaufort, South Carolina, beloved husband of Headley Smith, died peacefully on March 13, 2023, at Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton, MA with family by his side. Born on February 21,1928, in Jackson, Michigan, Roger was the son of the late Genevieve Dunn Straight and Hugh Thompson Smith. He graduated from Howe Military Academy, the University of Michigan, Episcopal Theological School, in Cambridge, MA. He spent a year studying history at Oxford University, Oxford, England in 1971 before earning a MA from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He was always interested in spreading the news: from his early years, when he started and ran...

Robert Thomas Doyle Jr, better known as Bob Doyle, Dad, Grandpa Bob, Nana, Pa-pop, Beeba; was a Lawyer, Metaphysician, husband, poet, father, veteran, and Friend of Bill since 1976. Born in Northampton on June 10, 1937 to Robert and Katherine Doyle, Kay and Bob. Bob passed on October 7, 2022 in his home surrounded by Poppy, his wife of more than 63 years, their 8 children as well as partners, grandchildren and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Mary (John) and his granddaughter, Megan Ashley (David) Bob, a born storyteller, regaled many with his stories and filled a room with his booming laughter and enormous presence. His intelligence and heart brought people in and are how...

David Robert Grills, 82, of Northampton, MA and Misquamicut, RI passed away peacefully on July 25, 2022 with his loving daughters by his side. David was born in Westerly, RI on November 21, 1939 to Helen (Tosi) and Henry Grills. He attended Westerly High School, the University of Rhode Island, and received a Masters Degree at Westfield State. David worked as a Physical Education teacher at Williamsburg High School and Hampshire Regional High School, where he also coached cross-country, basketball, and baseball. After his retirement, he continued to coach baseball and girls' basketball. David began coaching baseball in 1959 and his career ultimately spanned seven decades with his continued...

Mr. Gale Alvin Giles born on February 13, 1936 in Hamilton Ohio died peacefully on July 9, 2022 in Northampton, Massachusetts. Gale spent his youth growing up in Hamilton, Ohio before going off to college to prepare for a long career in education. He graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. Gale proceeded to become a Spanish Professor. He thoroughly enjoyed his teaching career which included time at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY and at the Wilbraham and Monson Academy in Wilbraham, MA. Following his retirement from education he settled down in Northampton, MA. Gale enjoyed traveling, foreign cultures, reading, and art. He was predeceased by his parents, Earlston M. Giles, Sr...

Alexander (Alex) Bayne passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Born in 1936, Alex grew up in and around London, England, with his parents, William and Dorothy, and older brother Bill. His childhood was marked by the bombings of London in World War II, evacuations to the countryside, and a decade of rationed food post-War. These events sparked several of Alex's passions?a love for train and plane spotting, snacks, a good meal, and time with family. At age 16, Alex stopped attending school so he could work to help support his family?"I only had one pair of trousers, so I thought that meant we needed money." He later served 2 years in the Royal Air Force, based in England. He then...

Fred B. Grinnell Jr., 83, died Saturday, April 30, from a fall at his home. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 5, 1938, the son of Fred B. and Frances M. (Conz) Grinnell but lived most of his childhood years at "The Round House" on 32 Conz Street in Northampton where his mother, Frances grew up. Fred graduated from Northampton High School in 1956, and American International College in 1960, earning a B.A, in Business. He was an accomplished athlete in both high school and college, lettering in football, baseball and swimming. After college he worked as an underwriter for the Aetna Insurance Company in Springfield until he joined the Bailey-Doane Insurance Agency in Northampton in 1964....

Kate Fieldsteel (April 11, 1986 - February 28, 2022) from Needham, MA who lived in Northampton, MA passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 28th. Her kindness and jovial nature brightened up the lives of anyone lucky enough to know her. Kate appreciated humor, sarcasm, and her quick wit kept those around her perpetually entertained. She made all those in her family more patient, more kind, and more thoughtful. Kate helped her family through thick and thin and was as reliable as the sun. Kate was happiest when she was laughing with her family, cuddling with dogs, or 'just chillin'. Kate proudly graduated Needham High class of 2005, the College Internship Program in 2012, and Mildred...

Maxine McCormack Byrne died peacefully in Knoxville, TN on January 21, 2022 surrounded by her three children. Born in Groveton, NH in 1925, she is the daughter of James and Irene McCormack. Maxine is a graduate of Northampton Business College. In her early years she worked as Secretary for the Clark School for the Deaf in Northampton, MA, and for a time had the pleasure of serving as assistance to Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, among other worthy endeavors. While in Northampton, she met and married the love of her life in 1948. Maxine was married 62 years to John Francis Byrne, long-time professor of psychology at the University of Tennessee and Executive Director of the Oak Ridge Mental Health...

Kristin Marie Whalen, 30, of Sunderland passed away on January 19, 2022 unexpectedly due to complications of COVID. Kristin was a beautiful, ambitious young woman. She was thoughtful, caring and humble with a bright smile and blueberry eyes. She enjoyed hikes with her dog, gardening, cooking, baking, reading and feeding birds. She was the office manager at Connecticut Valley Oral Surgeons in Amherst. Kristin leaves her parents, Karen Malinowski-Cechvala (Huntington) and Joseph Whalen (Easthampton); sister and best friend Rebecca Whalen; brothers Brett Turban and Joshua Whalen. She also leaves beloved boyfriend Joseph O'Connor, with whom she lived; grandparents, Joseph Malinowski, MaryAnn...

Catherine Mary (Weitzel) Murphy, 91 of Prospect St. in Northampton, MA peacefully entered into eternal rest December 11, 2021 at home surrounded by her beloved family. Funeral services will be on Friday December 17 at 9 AM from CZELUSNIAK FUNERAL HOME, 173 North St. in Northampton, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 99 King St., at 10 AM and committal at St. Mary's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday December 16 from 4-7 PM. By order of the Northampton Board of Health, all guests will be required to wear a face covering. For online condolences, please visit Czelusniakfuneralhome.com. Memorials can be made to the Cooley Dickinson VNA,...

Gerald L. Wise, 79, of Blandford and Northampton, MA, passed away surrounded by his family at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on Sunday, October 31, 2021, of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Jerry was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on December 15, 1941, to Dale and Grace Watkins Wise. He was raised in Warren, Ohio, and worked along with his siblings and parents in the family business, Wise Florists. He was a fiercely competitive and talented athlete and a star basketball player at Howland High School. It was at Howland High that he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Patricia Love. Jerry graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois, and then earned a MA and MFA from Northern Illinois...

Antoinette B. "Jane" Rodak of Hadley, MA passed away peacefully at home October 29, 2021 after a prolonged illness. She was 96 years old. Born May 30, 1925 in Chicopee, Massachusetts to immigrant parents from southeast Poland, Stanislaw and Katarzyna (Wisniowska) Brzezowski, Antoinette was the sixth of nine children. Growing up in a crowded and busy home, all of the children were instilled with a strong work ethic and the importance of religious faith in family life. With the onset of World War 2, as her older brothers went off to war, Antoinette left school and took a series of jobs to help make ends meet in a reduced household. In the final year of the war, she met and fell in love with...

Robert T. Bartlett, Jr., 73, of Melbourne Beach, Florida formerly of North Hatfield, Massachusetts, peacefully passed away at home, October 29, 2021 surrounded by his family, as a result of ALS. He was born October 27, 1948 in Northampton, MA, the son of the late Robert T. Bartlett, Sr. of Orlando and the late Mary (DePaolo) Bartlett of Northampton. Bob grew up in Northampton, and graduated from Northampton High School. He later graduated with degree in Civil Engineering from Springfield Technical Community College. He continued his education at the University of Massachusetts. Bob proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army serving in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He...

Thomas D. Driscoll Sr., 76, passed away at Baystate Medical Center on August 28, 2021, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born on August 6, 1945, in Northampton to Jeremiah and Frances (Moriarty) Driscoll. He was a lifelong city resident and graduated from Northampton High School. Tom proudly served as a City of Northampton firefighter for many years. He suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty in January of 1982. Afterwards, he pursued his interest in cars, working for Bak Tire and Napa Automotive. Throughout the years, Tom coached Farm League baseball and youth basketball. He loved playing Santa for PTO functions at various city schools. He enjoyed model...