William H. Shores
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Bill passed away at his home in Bernardston on 16 January 2021 He was 92.
Born in Easthampton, MA on 1 March 1928 the son of Paul and Carolyn (Breen) Shores, Bill grew up on the Shores family farm located in North Bernardston.
He attended Powers Institute and graduated in 1946 from the Mount Hermon School for Boys (now the Northfield Mount Hermon School).
Shortly thereafter he served for two years in the Army, with the 347th Harbor Craft Division in Yokohama Harbor, Japan. After the Army, Bill returned to Bernardston to operate his own dairy farm. In 1955 he and Greta M Gahn married on September 25th at the First Congregational Church in Brattleboro. They continued to dairy farm until 1958, when eminent domain took the heart of the farm for construction of Interstate 91. Bill then returned to poultry and tree farming on the remaining land between Interstate 91 and Route 5. He owned his own bus and became a contracted bus driver for Pioneer Valley Regional School for 9 years.
He also served as a volunteer fire fighter responding to many local emergencies and was a charter member of the Bernardston Kiwanis club.
Starting In 1966, he was a bulldozer operator for almost 30 years for several different local companies, until he retired in 1993.
Bill then began an even more active role in civic affairs. He was elected to, and served as a Bernardston Town Selectman for over 21 years. He served as President of the Franklin County Selectman's Association three times and was on its Executive Board for nearly 40 years, and once served as the Franklin County Delegate to the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association. Bill was a past member of the Franklin County Housing Authority, the Franklin County Regional Transportation Authority, and the Franklin County Economic Development Committee. As a veteran, Bill served on the town's Veteran's Committee and helped erect the monument to service for Bernardston Veterans which stands proudly in Cushman Park today.
He later became dedicated to the restoration of the Powers Institute. He was the driving force in improving the maintenance and upkeep of the historic building. He coordinated and led work parties on Saturdays to make as much progress on the restoration as possible with volunteer labor. The accomplishments of the work parties helped to obtain state resources which allowed for the development of the Bernardston Museum on the upper floor, as well as the Senior Center on the main floor of the Institute. He was elected as a Powers Institute Trustee, and was a member of the Bernardston Historical Society, and Chair of the Bernardston Historical Commission. He was awarded the Recorder Citizen of the Year in 1997. His leadership and community involvement were recognized with this award. However the community support was heartwarming as over 100 citizens showed up to honor him despite a a foot of snow that had fallen during the day.
Later in their years, Bill and Greta moved from their farm to the center of town, where they continue to reside. Bill enjoyed painting, an ancestral family skill and his duties as an election officer for the town.
Bill also loved geology and minerals and could tell you the origins of the mountains of the Northeastern United States as well as the glacial activity. He was a member of the Keene Mineral club and was past President of the Mineralogy Society of Brattleboro for several years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years Greta (Gahn), and his sister Pauline F Fritts of Springfield NH. He is also survived by his three daughters Carolyn Shores Ness (husband Eric) of Deerfield, MA; Paula Ann Reid (partner Fran Colson Jr) of Bernardston, MA; and Sarah Jane Shores (partner Mark Kerski) of Amissville, VA. He has six grandchildren: William (wife MyKyoung) Ness, Andrew Ness, Samuel (wife Diane) Ness, Victoria (husband Stanley Yazwinski) Ness, Daniel (wife Kate) Reid, and Christopher (wife Aleshia) Reid. He has seven great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his younger brother, Richard C. Shores, of Springfield, NH and sister Marion D. Shores, of Guilford, VT.
Due to COVID there will be no services. A small family graveside service will be held in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Bernardston Senior Center P.O. Box 504 Bernardston, MA 01337 or the Bernardston Fire Department at 18 Church Street Bernardston, MA 01337. ATTN: Chief Peter Shedd
Kidder Funeral Home at 1 Parker Ave Northfield, MA is handling the arrangements and condolences can be left at www.kidderfuneralhome.com