All Obituaries

CHICOPEE Avis Irene (Reed) Bowler, 84, passed away peacefully at home on June 16th. Avis received Hospice care and was surrounded by her loving children at the time of her passing. Avis was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on July 1, 1936. Her mother was the late Arnetta Reed. Avis was raised in South Hadley and attended public schools. She was a 1955 graduate of South Hadley High School. Following graduation, her first job was as a soda fountain worker at Liggett’s Drug Store in...

Mary C. (Brunette) Riffenburg, age 83, of Holyoke, passed away on Monday, June 7, 2021 at her home. She was born in Vermont, daughter of the late Alfred R. and Daisy (Plamadon) Brunette, moved to Western MA with her family as a child, and was a graduate of Holyoke High School. Mary dedicated much of her life to raising her children and grandchildren, which brought her great joy, and was a faithful communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Church. She was the widow of Robert G. Riffenburg, Sr. who...

Alba I. Vazquez, age 81, of Holyoke, MA passed away peacefully on Monday, June 7, 2021 in her home after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s.  She was born on May 26, 1940 in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico to Isaias and Mercedes (Vega) Sanabria. Alba will always be remembered for her generous heart, sweet smile and laugh. She made you feel special in every way. Alba was a hard worker and successful at anything she put her mind to.  She loved to cook, do arts and crafts, and...

Carolyn Martha (Loescher) Gray, 84, of Southampton - Jesus came and took Carolyn by the hand and brought her before her heavenly father as all the saints of heaven welcomed her home on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Carolyn was born in Holyoke, MA and was the daughter of the late Herbert and Martha (Schneider) Loescher. Carolyn graduated from Holyoke High School in 1954, where she met her future husband, Norman R. Gray. They married on May 12, 1956 at First Lutheran Church in Holyoke. Carolyn...

Dr. Norman Gerard Roy, age 64, of Easthampton, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at his home. He was born in Pittsfield, son of Theresa (Siok) Roy and the late Norman Roy, attended Housatonic Grammar School, and was a 1974 graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington where he played the trumpet. After high school, Norm attended Quinnipiac University (1976) with a Double Major in Biology and Physical Therapy; while studying at Quinnipiac, he...

Maureen Ann (Forhan) Bussiere, age 79, of Holyoke, passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Holyoke Medical Center. She was born in Holyoke, a daughter of the late Jeremiah and Catherine (Allen) Forhan and was educated in the Holyoke Schools. Maureen was a lifelong resident of Holyoke and worked for more than 20 years at Holyoke Community College, retiring in 2003. She was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church; a member and Past President of the Elmwood Towers Tenants Association....

Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr. (a.k.a “Chunky”), the traveling Barber and long-life resident of Holyoke, MA, died suddenly and unexpectedly on June 4, 2021 at the age of 42.  Jose is survived by his parents; his children, Amylianie Rodriguez and Jeyden Rodriguez.  He will be missed by his sisters; Marisol Rodriguez, Elsie Rodriguez-Garcia, Wendy Rodriguez-Diaz, and Veronica Rodriguez; his brothers in law, nephews and nieces. Jose was born in Holyoke on September 9, 1978...

SOUTHAMPTON Robert Edward Couture, age 83, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Monday May 31, 2021. Robert was born Oct. 7, 1937 in Holyoke, son of the late Leo and Elizabeth (Schwinn) Couture, and served in the United States Army. A carpenter by trade, Bob was the Proprietor of Mahoney’s Package Store for over 30 years before retirement. He enjoyed gardening, making boats, and playing cards. Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years Eileen (Paquette) Couture;...

Frank Joseph Erricolo, age 70, of Holyoke, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 30, 2021. Frank had a long-term illness that he fought courageously for three decades. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Kathy Erricolo. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Frank, whether it being around his family, making sure his home stayed immaculate, or having his favorite meal of hot dogs and beans. In his youth Frank enlisted in the US Army and...

HOLYOKE James Arthur Ubertalli peacefully departed this life Thursday, May 27, 2021 at his home with his family by his side. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, November 4, 1928, the son of James “Jack” and Christine (Demers) Ubertalli, he attended Holyoke Public Schools and Williston Academy, and earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. While working in Atlanta as a technical advisor for Orkin Exterminating, he met his wife,...