Stewart  Jerome Rice, Jr., of Easthampton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at the age of 80, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, with loved ones by his side.

Stu was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and raised in Auburn, MA, to the late Stewart J. Sr, and Annette Lorraine Rice.

He spent many years as a truck driver at Rouse Trucking in Canaan, New York, where he collected milk from dairy farms throughout the Upper New York State region. After his years with Rouse, he drove for Southern States Trucking, delivering to Agway stores in the Northeast.  As he approached retirement, he continued to stay active by working with the Hartley Brothers Landscaping in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Stu had relocated to Western Massachusetts in the mid-1990s to reside with the love of his life, Katie McGiverin. Together, they shared 40 wonderful years, full of love and happiness in Easthampton, Massachusetts, until his passing. He will be lovingly missed by Katie, his lifetime partner and best friend.

Stu is survived by his sister Carol Rice, whom he cherished and loved deeply. The two were very close, spending the last minutes of his life together at his home, where she had resided with him for the past two years.

He is also survived by his son Jim, his wife Amanda, and children Jim, Michelle, and Rachell. A daughter, Jennifer Heath, and her children.

He will be deeply missed by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, all of whom shared a special bond with him: Joe and Jennie McGiverin, Barb and Bernie Grynkiewicz, Sue and Mike Leary, and John McGiverin and Karen Mickey.

He also leaves behind his beloved nieces and nephews: David and Sarah Grynkiewicz, Christine and Joel Mollison, Brenda and Jamie McGillicuddy, Kelly McGiverin and Pat Lacey, Amanda and Adam Kenney, Jessica Leary and Eric Batchelder, and Cokie and Tom Forbes. He was also a proud great-uncle to Henry Mollison, Alexis Kenney, and Abagail Kenney.

Stu's family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all at Holyoke VNA  Hospice Life Care, especially; Nancy, Laurie, Melissia, Heather, Nick, Anne and Sylvia for the care and comfort of Stu in his time of need. Also a special acknowledgment to our neighbor, friend and angel RN Brenda Gendron, for her love, comfort and care for Stu at the end and friendship through the years. 

Calling hours will be held for Stu on Thursday, June 5th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. A Graveside Service will be held on Friday June 6th at 10:00 am at Saint Jerome Cemetery, 1666 Northampton Street, Holyoke; please meet there.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Stew to The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or a charity of one's choice.