Roche Funeral Home, Inc.

Valerie Eng, of North Adams, passed away peacefully on October 5th at Kimball Farms in Lenox after a brief illness. She was born in Pittsfield on June 17, 1953 to the late Gunnar and Mary Eng. Valerie was a graduate of the class of '71 in Lenox. She worked for many years at the Friendly's in Pittsfield. Valerie is survived by her sister, Cristena Roberts, her nephew Stephen Roberts (Valerie), her niece Julie Duffin (Matthew) and also by her good friends Victor and Diane Stringer and her good friend Kenny. She was predeceased by her triplet sisters, Mary Scott, Martha Potash and Marjorie Lindsey. Valerie's family would like to thank the staff at Kimball Farms for their kindness and...

Helen Joan Lafave, 86, a long-time resident of Lenox, entered into eternal rest on Monday, September 30, 2024 at her home in Norfolk MA where she resided since 2018. Born in Williamstown November 13, 1937, the youngest of eight children of Earl and Mary Donovan Green, she was a 1955 graduate of Williamstown High School, where she played drum majorette and fell in love with her fellow classmate and future husband, Alfred "Fred" Lafave, Jr. They were married June 18, 1960 at St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. Shortly after their marriage, Helen and Fred moved to Lenox, first on West St., and then on Housatonic St. to accommodate their family of seven children. Helen was employed at the...

Alice Tranowski Canning, 90, of Lenox, died on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at her home with her husband beside her. She was born in Tewksbury, Massachusetts on June 28, 1934, and was the second child of Helen Tranowski. Alice began her career as a housekeeper for the family of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Ferrarone in Springfield, MA, where she helped raise seven boys who with their spouses and children are her extended family. On October 10th of 1981, she married Thomas Canning in Holy Name Church in Springfield, MA; and moved to Lenox, MA. She is survived by her husband, two sisters-in-laws, Mary Cathey and Betty Canning; a niece, Audrey Novak and her children: Thomas Christensen (Katelyn) and...

Doris Coleman Bell, 100, died early Sunday morning, September 15, 2024, at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center, Lenox, MA. Born on Sunday, March 30, 1924, in Troy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Edward and Jane (Fitzpatrick) Coleman formerly of Watervliet, NY. Doris Anne Coleman lived in Watervliet, NY for 27 years. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, NY in 1941. She worked for ten years before marriage. She worked in the Property Office of the Watervliet Arsenal Field Service Department during World War II. Doris spent a couple of years working for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she met her future husband. She returned to the Watervliet Arsenal...

John Allen Miner (3/15/1950-9/07/2024) was a family man, psychiatrist, writer of plays, singer of silly campfire songs, lover of game night (because he always won), creator of adventures, voyager on the sea, and so much more. He lived by his motto: "leave every place better than you found it." He will be remembered for the playful way he lived his life and loved his family. He was incredibly kind, smart, creative, and thoughtful - he will be missed by so many. We will gather on Saturday October 5th at 1pm at the Stockbridge Congregational Church to celebrate John's life. FOR THE FULL OBITUARY VISIT THE ROCHE FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE: https://www.rochefuneralhome.com/obituaries/

Stuart Lee Shapiro, 74, of Lenox died peacefully on Saturday, September 7th at Berkshire Medical Center. Born on December 3, 1949 in Waterbury, CT., to the late Sidney and Ruth (Kastleman) Shapiro, he graduated Classical High School class of 1967. After high school, Stuart attended Northeastern University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy then attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received his Masters of Science in Management and went to Western New England College getting his Masters in Business Administration. Stuart worked at multiple Pharmacies throughout MA and CT., including Louis and Clark, Brooks Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Somers Pharmacy, Arthur Drug and...

Patricia Buchanan Moynahan, a reading specialist in the Pittsfield Public School system for 20 years and volunteer for adult literacy since retirement, died peacefully at the Kimball Farms Sunset Nursing home in Lenox, MA on Thursday, September 5, 2024. She was born to Florence B. Dorsey and Alvin F. Buchanan on March 22nd, 1934, and grew up with seven siblings in the Peekskill, NY. home in which her father was born. The view of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain from the house affected her profoundly; the home was the site of family gatherings for decades. She attended Peekskill public schools, where she met her high school sweetheart, John Francis Moynahan. They married in 1956 at the...

Teacher, mentor and Coach Alfred F. "Fred" Lafave Jr., 87, a long-time resident of Lenox, passed away comfortably, surrounded by family on Wednesday September 4, 2024 at his home in Norfolk MA where he resided since 2018. Born April 5, 1937, the son of Alfred F. Lafave Sr. and Thelma (Estes) Lafave, he was a 1955 graduate of Williamstown High School, where he was captain of the baseball and basketball teams. He was the first schoolboy in Berkshire County to score 1,000 points. He earned his teaching degree from North Adams State Teachers College (now MCLA) in 1960. That same year, he married his high school prom date, the former Helen J. Green at St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown....

Joann Woo, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she worked many jobs in the restaurant business, but owning Luau Hale restaurant was her greatest passion and success. To say she loved her work would be an understatement. She enjoyed her grandchildren, tending to her flower beds, and TLC and Bravo just lost their most loyal viewer. Joann is survived by her three children; Michael J. Cook (Nora), Samuel Woo (April) and Jodi A. Bloom (Luke), grandchildren; Riley and Taylor Cook, Charlie and Thomas Bloom, Zoe and Alex Woo, and her sister; Kathy Johnsen. She is predeceased by her husband Sam Woo in 2023. Per Joann's wishes, all...

Francis "Frank" Joseph Vahle of Lenox, MA died Friday, August 16, 2024, surrounded by his family. Frank was born at home on West Road (now Under Mountain Road) Lenox, MA on September 16, 1934. He was the eldest son of the late Franz and Anna Smith Vahle. Frank was a graduate of St. Joseph High School (Pittsfield, MA) in 1952. He was employed at New England Telephone as cable splicer, lineman, toll and special services technician, retiring as a Central Office Manager after 39 years. He achieved the rank of Sergeant in the MA National Guard; was highly skilled in marksmanship; and loved the outdoors. Frank married Virginia "Ginger" Sullivan on May 30, 1956, at St. Francis Church in North...

Xavier Matthew Powell, 29, of Pittsfield died unexpectedly on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Born on September 30, 1994, in Pittsfield, MA., to Derek and Pamela Powell, he attended Pittsfield High School and was a 2013 graduate. After high school, Xavier went to Hudson Valley Community College where he earned his degree in auto mechanics. He worked as a mechanic before deciding to enlist in the Army National Guard. He was currently stationed in Army Aviation Support Facility 1 at Joint Base Cape Cod, ranked as Specialist and a Veteran, where he was a helicopter mechanic. Xavier was most proud of being in the military. Xavier enjoyed photography, traveling across the country, spending time with...

Hascal Oscar Dodge, 82, of Lenox, MA., passed away on August 8, 2024, at Mount Carmel Care Center. He was the eldest son of the late Harold O. Dodge and Mildred D. Dodge of Pittsfield. He was born in Pittsfield on June 3, 1942; educated in the Pittsfield school system and graduated from the former Monson Academy in Monson, Mass. He graduated from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont in 1964 with a BS in Engineering. Upon graduation, he accepted a commission in the Army Corps of Engineer. He served his active duty at Fort Bliss Texas and in Vietnam with a construction battalion. After his military service he joined his father Harold as the fourth generation in the over 100-year-old...

Helen Joy Farrelly, n?e Stimm, age 97, of Williamsville, New York, passed away on July 28th, 2024, at her home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Born on September 17th, 1926, Joy was the second of three children of Howard Frank Stimm (1895-1969) and Mary Walker Stimm (1897-1993). She was the first girl born in five generations on her father's side of the family, leading her parents to give her the middle name, Joy. Joy grew up in a wonderfully supportive family that encouraged her many interests. Her childhood was filled with adventure, including tennis, Adirondack summers, archery, swimming, Girl Scout challenges, and even becoming the high school badminton champion. A favorite pastime of hers...

Wesley Ernest Olds, 82, died peacefully at Craneville Place in Dalton on July 26th. Funeral services will be held at First Congregational Church of Hinsdale, Massachusetts at 10a.m. on Saturday, August 10th. Burial will follow in Maple Street Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department or to Hospice Care in the Berkshires, both in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To view full obituary please visit rochefuneralhome.com

A Celebration of Life for Jeannette Y. Rotondo will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Greenock Country Club in Lee.

Jeannette Rotondo, 86 of Lee Massachusetts, passed away at home on Sunday, July 14, 2024, surrounded by her family. Jeannette was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on June 7, 1938, to Roger Besaw and Yvonne Gendron Besaw (both deceased) and is most remembered for her love of horses. Jeannette was raised on a family farm in Vermont, was a competitive trail rider and had a passion for music from all the time she spent with her father, who was an old-time fiddle player, often accompanying him on her guitar. Throughout her life, Jeannette gave her time to various causes including the Girl Scouts, the Red Cross, 4-H, Colonial Carriage and Driving Society of Berkshire County, Young Farmers and...

On July 4, 2024, Jeffrey joined God in Heaven after a sudden illness. He passed with his cherished wife Brandyn by his side. Jeff resided in Lenox, MA with his family. Jeff graduated High School in 1990 and earned his bachelor's degree and Doctorate of Law from the University of Maine. He practiced law for over 25 years, most recently with the firm of Lynch and Scrimo. He loved his family and was highly active in their lives. He loved running, biking, hunting, target shooting, and working on his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. He also enjoyed being a part of his daughters sporting events. Jeff and family loved to visit their vacation property in Central New York where they could run freely...

Claire Veronica Mooney, 94, Becket native and long-time Lenox resident, died Sunday at the home of her daughter in Albany, NY. Born Sept. 18, 1929, the daughter of Asidas and Theodora Germaine Daigle, she attended local schools and was a 1947 graduate of the former Chester High School. Claire was a secretary at General Electric Co. in Pittsfield prior to raising her family and later was Parish Secretary at St. Mary's Church in Lee for many years. She was a communicant of St. Ann's Church in Lenox where she sang in the choir, was a member of St. Ann's Parish Council and the spiritual life committee and volunteered each summer for the Big Event fundraiser. She was also a Hospice Volunteer...

Russell N. Jaehnig, 53, of Pittsfield passed away suddenly and peacefully at home June 20, 2024. He was born on November 4, 1970, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Robert and Mary Ann (Gerson) Jaehnig. He graduated from North Hills High School in '89 and the Culinary Institute of America in '93. Russell was the Executive Chef at 21 Federal on Nantucket for over 20 years and most recently employed as Executive Chef at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Over the years he achieved much recognition, many culinary accolades, and was featured in a multitude of respected magazines and cookbooks. Russell was most proud of having cooked for so many, whether they were family, friends, or celebrated...

George C. Jordan, III, 83, of Lenox died peacefully on Wednesday, June 19th at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility. He was born on September 7, 1940, in Winchester, MA., to the late George and Dorothy Patterson Jordan. He attended Cushing Academy and later Parson's College in Fairfield, Iowa, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in journalism. George worked as a newspaper reporter for the Springfield Union until his retirement. He was the founder of the Berkshire Beacon Newspaper in 2009. George enjoyed Williams College Football, Vacationing in Nantucket and Freeport, ME., and visiting friends in Florida. He was a member of the Elks Club of Iowa. Mr. Jordan married Christine Walger...

Sandra Hudesman Michel, 89, born September 2, 1934, to Maurice and Sylvia Hudesman, died on June 15, 2024, at Springside Nursing Home, where she had resided for the past few months. Sandra graduated in 1951 from Lefayette High School in Brooklyn, NY., and received her Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL., in 1955. She received her master's Degrees from New York University and Queens College. She retired in 1990 from teaching in the New York City school system. Sandra felt blessed by her higher power for the many miracles and gifts brought to her life. Most of all she was blessed by her wonderful, beautiful George who shared her journey for thirty years. They had...