All Obituaries

HOLYOKE Patricia M. “Trish” (Shea) Griffin, 56, of Holyoke, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, February 28, 2020. She was born in Holyoke, daughter of Helen T. (Fitzgibbons) Shea of Holyoke and the late John J. Shea, and was educated in the Holyoke schools. Trish was a devoted wife and mother, and always put her family first. She was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Parish. Besides her mother, Trish is survived by her husband of twenty-nine years, Atty. Thomas G....

Claire A. (Gauthier) Fournier, age 92, of The Arbors in Chicopee, formerly of Holyoke, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2020 at her home.  She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Georgianna Gauthier and was a graduate of Chicopee High School.  Claire was a self-employed hair dresser for many years and a longtime communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church. She was also a Eucharistic Minister at Blessed Sacrament Church and the Holyoke Soldier’s Home. Claire leaves her nieces,...

CHICOPEE James Raymond Nichols, age 79, of Chicopee, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, April 5, 2020 at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late Nick and Helen (Dumkowski) Nichols, and lived most of his life in Chicopee. He earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Jim was a Police Officer for the City of Chicopee for over 20 years, retiring as a Detective. He was the former owner of Don’s Den in Chicopee, and after his retirement he...

Our dear mother, Nana and G.G., passed away on June 2, 2020 at the age of 93. A lifelong resident of Western Mass., Yvonne was born Sept. 23,1926 to the late Angeline and Elodien Frechette in Easthampton, where she grew up before settling in Holyoke to raise her family. She spent 25 years working in the Holyoke public schools, enjoying the friendships and camaraderie of her cafeteria co-workers, whom she fondly called “the girls.” She moved to South Hadley in 1994 where she was a...

HOLYOKE Gonzalo Pagan, age 79, of Holyoke, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Heritage Hall East in Agawam. He was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, was educated there, and had lived in Holyoke since 1960. Gonzalo worked as a machine operator at Hampden Paper Company in Holyoke for many years, retiring in 2006. He worshipped at Iglesia Cristiana Pentecostal Church in Holyoke. Gonzalo was the widower of Luz N. Pagan, who died on December 18, 2009. He is survived by five children: Gonzalo Pagan...

HOLYOKE Rita Madeline (Slater) Kaplan passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center in Holyoke. She was born in Holyoke on November 26, 1921 a daughter of the late Martin W. and Catherine (Sayers) Slater, and attended Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School. Rita was a faithful communicant of the former Mater Dolorosa Parish in Holyoke. She was the widow of Peter S. Kaplan who passed away in 1984, and dedicated her life to raising her children and...

HOLYOKE Florence (Jolivet) Lobik, age 86 passed away on Thursday May 28, 2020 at DayBrook Village in Holyoke. Florence was born in Holyoke on November 10, 1933, daughter of the late Joseph and Stacia (Borlikowski) Jolivet and was educated in the Holyoke Schools. She was an Orthodontic Assistant and Office Manager for Ira D. Gilbert Orthodontics for many years. Florence loved cooking and entertaining, especially for her family. She also enjoyed knitting and crafts.  Florence is survived...

HOLYOKE Maura Ann Monaghan of Holyoke passed on to the Angels on May 28, 2020. She was born August 23, 1980 in Northampton, MA. She attended Williamsburg schools and Hampshire Regional High School. Maura graduated from Elms College, Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Social Work and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Springfield College.  She was proud to be associated with Clinical and Support Options in Northampton where she worked as a mental health therapist....

BELCHERTOWN           Leo Plasse, age 89, of Belchertown, formerly of Holyoke, passed away Wednesday May 27, 2020 at Vero Health Care in South Hadley. Leo was born in Holyoke, son of the late Elphage and Blanche Plasse and was educated in Holyoke schools. Leo served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1952 during the Korean Conflict. He later worked for many years as a Millwright at Texon and Sunoco Paper Companies. Leo was a parishioner...

Robert A. Tillman, age 47, of Westfield, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center.  He was born in Jackson, MS to Curtis Edwards and Annie R. Tillman was educated in Mississippi. He worked as a machinist for many years for Anchor Manufacturing.  Robert is survived by his daughters, Ariel Tillman and Kerri Ann Tillman. Services are pending.