Tributes

CHICOPEE-Margaret M. (Peg) Bednarz, nee Reilly, 81, a long-time resident of Chicopee and most recent resident of Wingate of East Longmeadow passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers on September 2, 2019.  Peg was born in Springfield MA, the youngest of five children of Michael and Kathleen Reilly. Peg was raised in a tight-knit family of proud Irish decent in the Hungry-Hill section of Springfield.   Her Irish heritage, large and extended...

SOUTH HADLEY-Mary A. Denis Dufault, 96, formerly of Lathrop Street in South Hadley passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday morning at Holyoke Health Center. Mary was born in Glens Falls, New York on June 27, 1923, a daughter to the late Thomas and Mary E. (Moran) Dwyer. She was raised in Glens Falls, known as Hometown USA by Life Magazine, was educated in local schools and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. Mary worked as a clerk in her younger years in for JM Fields...

CHICOPEE- Joseph A. Chicorka, 74, of 517 Chicopee Street passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2019 in Westfield. Joe was a lifelong Chicopee resident, residing at the Honeyman Residence. He loved to draw and was a very philosophical person. He leaves his many friends at the Honeyman Home as well as the dedicated staff who cared for Joe over the years, affording him much dignity and a wonderful quality of life. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his...

CHICOPEE- Elise Marie (Morin) Pion, 93, a lifelong Chicopee resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at Willimansett Center Nursing Home. Elise was born in Springfield on May 3, 1926, a daughter of the late Charles and Rita (Desilets) Morin. She was raised and educated in Chicopee, attending local schools including St. George Catholic School in Chicopee Falls and Cathedral High school. She was a devoted Catholic and was a communicant of the former St. George Church and Mary,...

SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA/CHICOPEE~ Henry L. Therrien, 94, of Sebastian FL, passed away July 7, 2019 at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fl. Henry was born July 10, 1924 in Holyoke, MA and was a resident of Sebastian for the past 25 years. Henry was predeceased by his wife Bernadette L’Heureux and sons, William and Mark and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his son, Leonard and wife Patricia with whom he lived. His daughter Celeste Beaulieu and husband Joe. His sons, Gerard and wife...

CHICOPEE-Frances M. Kuselias, 76, of Chicopee passed away at her home with her daughter at her side on Monday, June 17, 2019. Fran was born in Springfield on September 15, 1942 the daughter of the late George and Edith (Christian) Williams. She was raised and educated in Springfield. Fran worked for many years for the Chicopee School department with the transportation department and also in the cafeteria. She also worked for many years for De’Angelos Sandwich Shop, Septembers, Kmart...

CHICOPEE- Phyllis P. Rzewnicki, 83, of Chicopee passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Heritage Hall Nursing center surrounded by her family. Phyllis or “Phyl” as family and friends knew her as, was born in Chicopee, attended local schools and was a lifelong resident of the city. She was a longtime communicant of the former Holy Name Church in Chicopee.  Phyl graduated from the Baystate Medical School of Nursing and later in life furthered her education, receiving her...

EASTHAMPTON-Ann Sheridan St. Marie, 70, died on May 27, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, surrounded by loved ones, after a long period of declining health. Throughout her life, she saw the best, brought out the best, and was, quite simply, the very best of people. Her family is unmoored by her death, and friends are devastated, but all are steadied by their certainty in the abiding impact of her fierce, unconditional love.  Ann was born on January 11, 1949 in...

CHICOPEE- William W. Stewart, 95, of Collins Street in Chicopee passed away peacefully on April 24, 2019 in Florida with his family surrounding him. Bill was born in Holyoke on January 12, 1924, a son of the late William M. and Helen (Kureck) Stewart. He was educated in Chicopee, attending local schools including Kirby Jr. High and graduated from Chicopee High School in the class of 1941. Bill enlisted in the US Army in 1943 serving with the 164th Infantry Regiment. Bill was stationed in the...

WEST HATFIELD ~ Gilroy P. Arbour, 87, of West Street passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Gil was born in Kauai, Hawaii on October 30, 1931, a son of the late Lawrence E. and Louise (Santos) Arbour. He grew up on the family farm in Kauai and was educated in schools there. He graduated from Frankfort Military Post High School in Frankfort, Germany. He moved to the States many years ago settling in West Hatfield where he has resided for the...