David H. "Briggy" Brighenti, 73, passed away, unexpectedly, Saturday, May 8, 2021 at BayState Medical Center. David was born July 31, 1947, the son of Philip and Angelina Laurenti Brighenti. He was raised and educated in Lee graduating from Lee High School, Class of 1966. Briggy enlisted in the U.S. Army and was awarded two Bronze Stars for meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He consistently showed exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. David worked for Girardi Distributers for decades then for the Massachusetts Turnpike until he retired after surviving a near fatal...

J. Kevin Blache, 71, of Lee, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Thursday evening at Berkshire Medical Center. Kevin was born September 12, 1949, the son of the late John E. and Josephine Tolvo Blache. He was raised and educated in Lee, graduating from Lee High School, Class of 1967. Kevin received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from St. Anselm College in 1971. He worked for many years at Berkshire Corporation in Great Barrington as a Quality Control Technician while also bartending at The Lee Men's Club. In addition, he worked at Kimberly Clark Corporation in Lee and was a Rural Route Postman for the Post Office. Through retirement Kevin was the Club House Manager at...

Richard Edward Sitzer, 93, of Jupiter FL., died on April 26, 2021 with his family by his side. Born August 19, 1927 to Edward A. and Wilma A. Sitzer, Dick grew up in Lee, MA where he attended school, graduating as president of his class in 1945. After graduating he entered the U.S. Marine Corps. Dick was honorably discharged as a private first class at the end of the war. He then entered Dartmouth College and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. On June 24, 1950 Dick married Joan Kellar in Newton, MA. His career began at U.S. Envelope Company. Then he was hired by Hurlbut Paper Company as controller. Hurlbut was purchased by Mead Corporation, Dick ultimately rose...

Mr. George E. Mabee, 68, of East Otis, MA, died unexpectedly on April 17, 2021. To view the full obituary and service information or if you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net

Hilda "Betty" Beatrice Frissell (1922-2021) passed away at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA on April 16, 2021 surrounded by her loving family after a short illness. Betty was predeceased by her parents, Philip and Gladys Mary Kinnish-Salmon. Betty is survived by her brother, Philip A. Salmon of Brooklyn, New York and her sister Joyce, G. Cochran of Orlando, Fl. She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Frissell of Lee, MA, Nancy Frissell Spencer (Keith) of Becket, MA, and Evelyn Pepicelli (Warren) of North Easton, MA. She is also survived by her grandsons, Colin Mackie of Becket, MA and Alex Pepicelli (Taylor) of Winthrop, MA. She was born in December 1922 in Liverpool, England and...

William T. Tierney, Jr, 91, of Pease Terrace in Lee, died Thursday after a short battle with cancer. Born in Waterbury, CT on February 3, 1930 he was the son of William and Ethel Tierney. He attended Wooster Academy and after graduating high school he served in the US Navy from 1947-1951 on board submarines. After returning he embarked on a career in plastic engineering until his retirement in 1988. After retiring, he and his wife of 64 years, Vivian Tierney, toured the country for 12 years traveling to 49 different states. When not traveling he would thoroughly enjoy his time spent at Fox Hill campground reminiscing and enjoying the company with family and friends. William...

Alan "Mickey" Sparks, 74, former Chief of the Lee Fire Department, died peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center, with his family by his side, from a brief battle with cancer. He was born on July 4, 1946, the son of Everett and Marcia Andrews Sparks. He was a lifelong resident of Lee, graduating from Lee High School in 1965 and shortly after graduation he entered the US Army and served in Vietnam. Returning from his service, he joined the Lee Police Department until 1978 when he started his own business, Lee Painting Company. He also worked for many years at the MJ Kelly Funeral Home in Lee and at the time of his death he was employed as the custodian at the Lee Public Library. Sparky was...

Ronald Tatro, 81, of Lee, died Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at BayState Medical Center. Ronald was born December 1, 1939 in South Lee, the son of Roger L. and Gertrude Wilson Tatro. He was educated in the Lee schools. Mr. Tatro married Joan Gilligan June 5, 1958. Mr. Tatro worked as a mechanic for the Kimberly Clark Corporation for 34 years. Ron was also a special police officer for the Town of Lee for 30 years and a member of the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department for 30 years. Ron served in the U.S. Army and then in the Navy Reserves as a Seabee for 23 years. Ron was an avid gun and car collector and enjoyed tinkering with each. Besides his wife, Joan, he leaves behind his three...

Rita R. Bartini, 87 a sixty year resident of Fairview Street in Lee, passed away early Friday morning April 2, 2021 at BMC. Born on July 12, 1933 to John P. and Isolina L. Ranzoni, Rita graduated from Lee High School in 1951. On July 5, 1952 she married Elvin "Al" Bartini?a marriage that would thrive for over sixty eight years. A loving stay-at-home mom while her children were young, Rita later went to work as a secretary at Mead Paper. In their retirement Rita and Al wintered in Florida and maintained very busy social lives dancing, playing cards and visiting friends. They were inseparable. Along with her beloved husband Al, Rita is survived by their four children: Mark Bartini and his...

On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, Ruth A. Crawford, of Lee, Massachusetts, passed away at age 91. Ruth was born on June 21, 1929 in Norwalk, CT to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dorbath. Ruth worked at her father's bakery, Lee Bakery, as a young woman and kept her passion for baking throughout her life - baking cakes for every occasion for family, friends and semi-professionally. She also worked at Lee Price Chopper for almost 40 years and retired at age 83. On July 28, 1947, she married William H. Crawford, together they raised three sons: Bill, Guy and Scott, and three daughters: Snookie, Lisa and Kelly. Ruth's husband, Bill, her son, Scott, and her sister, Yutta Baker, all predeceased her. In...

Rena "Renie" DalBarco Masiero, 94, of 45 Taconic Ave., Lenox, MA died peacefully at home on March 26, 2021, surrounded by her seven children. Renie was born at the family home in Lee, MA on March 5, 1927, the daughter of Eliseo and Fabrizzia (Pellizzari) DalBarco. She was one of five strong, inseparable Italian sisters. Renie was the last remaining of the beloved "DalBarco girls". Renie was the proud valedictorian of the Lee High School Class of 1945. She and her husband Guido "Guy" Masiero raised their family in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, where her well-run, spotless, bustling house was a refuge to many. Renie was always happy to share a delicious meal at her table and offer a cozy spot...

Joseph A. Guzman, known to family and friends as Alex and to the classical music world as Jos? Alejandro Guzm?n, passed away at home on March 17, 2021. He was born in New York City on July 17, 1946, the son of Maria Col?n Guzm?n. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Hunter College and became a New York State Court Officer, rising to the rank of Captain. He retired from that position in 2002 to pursue his music career full time. For over 50 years, Maestro Guzm?n was an orchestra conductor, serving as music director and guest conductor for many symphony orchestras and opera companies in the New York City metropolitan area, including the Regina Opera Company, the Staten Island...

Dear God, On May 28, 1932, You smiled upon the world and out of the love within Your heart was born a little girl who was named Marjorie which means pearl. And what a pearl she was. Marjorie was raised in New Jersey and lived there until You oh Lord led her to New York to care for Your priests for twenty years in the Archdiocese of New York. Dear Jesus, You then moved Margie and asked her to work with the littlest of your children, the preschoolers, which she did for a few years. While in New York Margie was active doing parish work as well. Prior to coming to New York, Margie was a Third Order Carmelite, but since coming to New York she was in the Alter Rosary Society, Legion of Mary and...

John "Jack" Kelly, 83, died peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center, with his wife by his side, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Pittsfield on September 4, 1937, the son of John and Mary Cowhig Kelly. He graduated from St. Mary's School in Lee, from Lee High School in 1956, attended Boston College then graduated in 1960 from the New England Institute in Boston. He then joined the family business as a third generation Funeral Director at the Kelly Funeral Home, which he later owned and operated until his death. On June 16, 1962, he married the former Norma P. Biasin. Jack served in the Massachusetts National Guard from 1960 until 1966. He was a communicant of St. Mary's...

Antonio "Tony" Febbroriello, 83, of Goose Pond, Tyringham, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, at his home with his family at his side. Tony was born on February 8, 1938, the son of Carmine and Catherine Spadaccini Febbroriello. He was raised and educated in Canaan, CT. Tony received a Bachelor of Science degree from UCONN. He married the former Sandra Kane and they moved to the house he built on Goose Pond in 1964. Mr. Febbroriello worked as a purchasing agent for Kimberly Clark, from where he retired in 1995. Tony loved the outdoors. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling with his wife. He was a handyman of all sorts, always at the ready to repair...

Najat Nejaime, 83, formerly of Tyringham Road in Lee, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Fairview Commons where she has resided for the last several years. Najat was born in Beirut, Lebanon on June 1, 1938. She immigrated to the United States in 1984. She married George Nejaime February, 21, 1960; he died January 12, 2017. Mrs. Nejaime was a loving grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Anyone who had the pleasure of entering Najat's home always left with a full belly. Mrs. Nejaime was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Lee. Mrs. Nejaime leaves behind her two sons: Naji Nejaime and Fadi Nejaime and his wife...

Sheila M. Hughes passed away unexpectedly and suddenly at BMC on February 16, 2021. She was born in Pittsfield, MA on June 16, 1960, the daughter of John T. Hughes and the late Rosemary B. Hughes, Lee, MA. She will be sadly missed. Sheila loved The Boston Red Sox, politics, and animals, but above all she loved spending time with family and taking Zeva for daily walks. She enjoyed going on vacation and Saturday lunches with special people in her life (Nancy, Carol, Shaunie and Katie). Sheila attended Lee Public Schools and Johnson and Wales University. She was a Bakery Manager at Big Y and Price Chopper making many lifelong friends along the way. Most recently she was a 911 dispatcher...

Donald B. Hale died Sunday January 31, 2021 at Berkshire Medical center after a short illness. He was born Feb. 9, 1929 at the family home in Tyringham, the son of Arnold B. Hale and Elizabeth B. Loring. He was educated in the Tyringham School and Lee High School graduating in 1947. After working on the family farm he got a job with Walter Stedman learning the building trade. Eventually he started his own building company until an accident at work rendered him disabled in 1975. He was also the Tax Collector in Tyringham for many years. In 1995 he attended Berkshire Community College receiving a chef certificate. Upon graduating, he opened up his own restaurant at Sunset Farm in...

Marita Dick Stratton, beloved family matriarch and lifelong volunteer, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 102. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Charles William Stratton III, MD, and her second son, James William Stratton. Her memory will live on in her four sons, Charles, Robert, Richard, and David, and in her 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Marita was born on June 11, 1918 in Lawrence, MA to Walter and Kathryn Dick. Growing up, music was central to her family life. She played drums in the Worcester Girl Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, and played in a band?The Dix Sisters?with her three sisters. She graduated from Bates College in...

It is with profound sadness that the family of Beverly Joyce Nickerson announces her peaceful passing on January 12, 2021. Born in Keene, NH on December 16, 1933, she was the daughter of William J. O'Loughlin of Keene, NH and Viola Dunn of Pittsfield, MA. Beverly was a 1953 Graduate of Lee High School. She married her high school sweetheart and started a family. After raising her children she received a Certified Nursing Certificate and began working for the Lee Visiting Nurse Association as well as the original Berkshire Place in Pittsfield. She later moved on to Private Duty Care, where she took great pleasure in her work, making many life long friendships along the way. She was a devote...

Raymond Matthew "Skip" Whalen, 80 of Stockbridge, MA passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Born in Pittsfield on February 24, 1940, he is the son of Joseph and Louise Whalen. Skip worked for a short time as a Stockbridge Policeman, Quality Manager at Nuclear Components and most notably as an OSHA/MSHA Safety Inspector for the Massachusetts Department of Labor for nearly 30 years. While there he resolved many wage and labor disputes and helped make workplace safety a priority for area businesses. Affectionately known as "Safety Skip", he had an uncanny ability to help others recognize and adhere to safe practices whilst violating nearly all of them himself. Raymond served in the US...