Today's Obituaries and Guest Books

Helen Theresa Baumann

1922 - 2013 HOUSATONIC Helen Theresa Baumann, 90, of North Plain Road, passed from this earth peacefully at home to begin another life with her loved ones who have made the journey before her on Friday May 17, 2013.

She was born in Housatonic on Nov.24, 1922, daughter of Wadislaw and Eva Mouska Ptak. Helen was educated in Housatonic schools and graduated in 1941 from the former Searles High School.

She was a former member of the PTA in Housatonic and took pride in her early years helping her father at the family market. She also worked side by side with a carpenter to help build her family homestead, while taking care of their children at the same time.

Helen's biggest and proudest joy were her seven grandchildren. After raising her own four children, she was instrumental in caring for each one of her precious grandchildren as they grew up.

Helen was an expert seamstress, making clothes that include prom dresses and wedding gowns. She was avid at quilting, cross-stitch and rug braiding, all the while keeping an immaculate home and garden.

Helen was a communicant at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church, Corpus Christi Parish.

Helen is survived by her husband, Paul M. Baumann Sr., whom she married April 28, 1945, at the former All Saint's Church in Housatonic; one son, Paul "Butch" Baumann Jr., and wife, Lynn, of Sheffield; three daughters, Patricia Salvi and husband, Gene, of Great Barrington, Christine Jennings and husband, Harry, of Housatonic, and Cathy Brandt and husband, Neal, of South Egremont; one brother, Frank Ptak of Housatonic, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Helen was predeceased by brother, Anthony Ptak; by sisters Virginia Russo and Louise Vachinna, and by her granddaughter, Heather Mead, who passed on Nov. 17, 2003.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Helen Theresa Baumann, who died May 17, will be held Monday, May 20, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church, with the Rev. William P. Murphy officiating. Burial will follow in St. Bridget's Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Sunday, May 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Helen's memory may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires in care of the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South Street, Great Barrington, MA. 01230. Condolences may be made through royfuneralservices.com.

Harry "Bud" Blish

NASHUA, NH Harry "Bud" Blish passed away at Kindred Healthcare-Greenbriar Center on May 14, 2013, surrounded by his loving children.

Bud was born in Claremont, N.H. where he grew up and graduated from Stevens High School. He was employed by Continental Baking Company, where he worked in Pittsfield before moving back to Claremont in 1978. While in Claremont he worked for Synergy Gas Company and became District Manager for them in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He returned to Claremont in 1995.

Harry was married to his wife, the former Mary Margaret Bynan, for 45 years. She passed away June 28, 2008. He was also predeceased by a son, Thomas M. Finn, who passed away March 9, 1974.

He is survived by eight children, James Finn (Nancy Rowett), Mary Antonangeli (Alfred), Patricia Anderson (James), Barbara Martin (Edward), Annie Finn-Waddell, Kathleen Bunnell (Dale), Kristine Wyatt (Mark), and William H. Blish (Suzy). He also leaves 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren who all loved him dearly.

There will be a celebration of Mass, June 1, 2013 at 12 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 23 Central Street, Claremont, N.H. with a private burial for the family in Pittsfield.

Theresa D. 'Tessie' Brown
of Tewksbury

Theresa D. "Tessie" (DeAngelis) Brown, 79 years of age, of Tewksbury, formerly of Charlestown, unexpectedly, May 10, 2013. Beloved wife of the late Joseph W. Brown Jr. (Ret. B.P.D.). Devoted mother of Elizabeth Armstrong & her husband, Walter of Chelmsford, the late Joseph M. Brown & his surviving wife, Lisa Brown of Pelham, N.H. Loving Nana to Emily & Camden Armstrong & Joseph & Sarah Brown. Beloved sister of the late Florenda Forlizzi, Mary Marelli & Michael De Angelis. Also many nieces & nephews. Relatives & friends are invited to attend Tessie's Funeral on Monday at 10:30 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St., CHARLESTOWN followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown at 11:30 A.M. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Visiting hours Sunday 2 - 6 P.M. in the funeral home. For obituary, directions & online condolences, www.carrfuneral.com.

Donald G. Covington
of Fitchburg; 58

FITCHBURG -- Donald G. Covington, 58, died on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Health Alliance Leominster Hospital, after an illness.

He was the son of the late Willie and Mary E. (Singleton) Covington. He graduated from Monty Tech.

He was a welder-mechanic. He was previously employed at Hollingsworth and Vose.

Don leaves his daughter, Teala S. Covington; his son, Michael L. Hughes; and his step-son, D'Von Thomas Hughes.

He also leaves his sisters, Donna Dorsey, Margaret Scott, and Geneva Brown; five grandchildren; and one-great grandchild.

His wife, Katrisa (Hughes) Covington died in 1995.

COVINGTON -- Calling hours for Don will be held on Monday, May 20 from 9 to 11 A.M. followed by a service at 11:00 A.M. in the Bosk Funeral Home, 85 Blossom St. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. boskfuneralhome.com

William F. Hoppe

FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside services for William F. Hoppe will be, Monday, May 20, 2013, at 11 a.m. in the Center Cemetery in Richmond.

Donations in his memory may be made to the , 54 Wayside Suite C, West Springfield, MA 01089 or the , 30 East 33rd St. New York, NY 10016.

WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas A. Malloy III
Professor Emeritus

WESTMINSTER -- Thomas A. Malloy III, passed away peacefully at Park View Kindred Hospital in Leicester, MA, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, due to respiratory illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Gloucester, MA on July 12, 1943, to the late Mary (Cirella) Malloy and Thomas A. Malloy Jr. In 1961, he graduated from Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford, MA and received a BSEd. from Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA in 1965; an MA from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI in 1968; and a Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MA in 1982.

During his early collegiate years, he served in the USMCR.

In 1966, he joined the History faculty of Tewksbury High School, Tewksbury, MA and, in 1967, the History faculty of Billerica High School, Billerica, MA for three years and also became an adjunct faculty member of the Fitchburg State College Raytheon Institute. Then Tom joined the history Department of Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA in 1970 for a 33 year tenure. During his last 12 years at MWCC, he became the first coordinator of the College's new Honors Program. Under his direction, the Program was the first in Massachusetts higher public education to receive Commonwealth Honors status, a distinction for which, in 2000, he received a certificate of recognition from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Upon his retirement Tom was awarded Professor Emeritus status and, beyond other awards that he received from the College, he was awarded with a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar at Columbia University in 1974, National Jaycees Outstanding Young Men for 1977, and "Who's Who Among American Teachers for 2002.

Tom was an avid student and practitioner of regional history, a subject that he instilled in the classroom and in the community. Some of his endeavors, in this field, included conducting an historic assets survey for the town of Templeton, MA, in 1978, advisor to the Tsongas Industrial Center in Lowell, MA, in 1988, and the preliminary preparation of National Register Historic District application for the Gardner Uptown Historic District. In 1978, he and Jim Murphy, illustrator for The Gardner News, began a four year collaboration to produce a bi-monthly newspaper column on local history that was titled "The Locals." Then in 1984 those articles were combined and printed by the Miller's River Publishing Co. as a book titled "Profiles of the Past, an Illustrated History of Ashburnham, Gardner, Hubbardston, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon, Mass."

In his civic engagement roll for regional history, Tom gave scores of presentations on various related topics to community groups and organizations; was a life member of The Westminster Historical Society where he did volunteer work; simultaneously served as the first chairman of The Gardner Historical Commission and the first chairman of The Westminster Historical Commission, positions that he held from 1974 to 1991; served on The Gardner Museum Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2007 and during that period served as its president on two separate occasions. He also served on The Gardner Heritage State Park Advisory Committee.

Tom's greatest interest in regional history was that of gravestone studies and from 1989 to 2000 he gave over 25 presentations on this subject at the annual conferences of The American Culture Association and The Association for Gravestone Studies. He and his wife, Brenda, co-authored several articles on this topic for "Markers, Journal of The Association for Gravestone Studies" and Tom became an assistant editor of this journal from 2004 to 2013. He also served as vice president of that Association from 2002 to 2006 and then as president from 2006 to 2008. As a result of his endeavors, in gravestone studies, he and his wife have turned over an inventory of nearly 8,000 slides and photographs to the Special Collections of the WEB DuBois Library at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MA. In 2010, they were both awarded with The Harriette Merrifield Forbes Award for their contributions to the field of gravestone studies.

Tom is survived by his wife of 46 years, Brenda (Werner) Malloy; his son, Thomas A. Malloy IV and his wife, Carolyn of Worthington, Ohio, and his daughter, Laura Malloy of Beverly, MA. Also surviving him is his brother, Michael Malloy of Oaxaca, Mexico. He leaves his beloved granddaughters, Grace and Margaret Malloy; his godmother, Marion Cirella and his aunt, Cecile Cirella of Magnolia, MA; his uncle and aunt, Anthony and Mary Lee Cirella of S. Natick, MA; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the doctors of Mass Lung and Allergy, the staff of the CCU at Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster, MA and the staff of the Park View Kindred Hospital in Leicester, MA for their very compassionate care of Tom during his illness.

MALLOY -- The Funeral will be held from the Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 123 Main St. Westminster on Mon., May 20, 2013, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 105 Nichols St., Gardner, MA 01440. Burial will be Private, in the Woodside Cemetery, Westminster, MA. Calling Hours will be in the Funeral Home on Sun., May 19, 2013, from 3 -- 6 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to: The Westminster Historical Society, P.O. Box 177, Westminster, MA 01473 or The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, 444 Green St., Gardner, MA 01440.

See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information.

Richard N. 'Rick' Pierce Jr.

Manager at La Boniche

LOWELL -- Richard N. "Rick" Pierce Jr., 57, of Lowell, died after a brief illness Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Lowell General Hospital.

Born November 30, 1955, in Lowell, he was a son of the late Richard N. Pierce, and the late Helen (Moriarty) Pierce. He attended the local schools, graduated from Lowell High School, and earned a degree in Marketing at Northern Essex Community College.

He resided in South Lowell, and was a communicant of the former Sacred Heart Church, more recently he attended St. Joseph the Worker Shrine.

He was employed as a Manager for over 20 years for La Boniche. Rick enjoyed traveling, especially to coastal Maine, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his siblings, James W. Pierce and his wife, Carol of Pelham, Helen C. Quigley of Lowell, Winona M. Allen of Lowell, and Maureen D. Couture and her husband, Robert of Lowell; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and many close friends.

He was also the brother of the late Rita E. Dumont and the late Patricia R. Kasilowski; and the brother-in-law of the late Richard Quigley, Robert Dumont, Richard Kasilowski, and Frank Allen.

PIERCE -- YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS FROM 2 UNTIL 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY, MAY 19 AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL, 978-458-6816. ON MONDAY, HIS FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN THE FUNERAL HOME AT 10 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME MAY BE MADE TO THE CENTRALIZED MEMORIAL PROCESSING CTR, 30 SPEEN STREET, FRAMINGHAM, MA 01701-9376. PLEASE VISIT WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE.

Robert Shelton of Princeton

Robert "Bob" Shelton, 66, of Princeton, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, unexpectedly while on the annual maiden voyage of his beloved Sojourn sloop as it sail upon the crystal clear waters of Buzzards Bay. The Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements which are incomplete.

Percival E. Sherman

1925 - 2013 ADAMS Percival E. Sherman, 87, of 52 Alger St., died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Hillcreast Commons Care Center in Pittsfield.

Born in Liberty, Maine, on Sept. 19, 1925, he was the son of Warren and Josephine Curtis Sherman. He came to Adams as a child with his parents and attended Adams Schools.

Percy worked for several years for the General Electric Co. in Pittsfield, as a welder, then also for several years for the Hunter Machine Co. in North Adams until 1960 when he became an Adams Police Officer, retiring in 1980 after 20 years of service.

He was a World War II Navy war veteran, serving an the Pacific Theatre, aboard the USS Princeton aircraft carrier as an Aviation Machinist's Mate, and was one of over one thousand survivors when, on Oct. 24, 1944, the ship was sunk in the Pacific. He was awarded the Victory, the American Theatre, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, and the Philippine Liberation medals.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Adams, a 59-year member and Past Master of Berkshire Lodge of Masons AM & FM in Adams, a member and Past Worthy Patron of Franklin Chapter No 92 Order of the Eastern Star in Adams, a member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Adams Lodge of Elks 1335, and a former member and Past President of the Adams Lions Club.

Percy enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, the former Bernice Wilbur, whom he married Aug. 12, 1950; a daughter, Jean Sherman of Adams; two brothers, Granville C. Sherman and his wife, Leona, of Orwell, Vt., and Ferdinand Sherman and his wife, Mabel, of Adams; a sister, Hazel Ann Sullivan of Las Vegas; a granddaughter, Tara Aldrich and her husband, Keith, of Taunton; four great-grandchildren, Hanna Bernice Aldrich, Hayley Arline Aldrich, Brooke Lynn-Jeanne Aldrich, and Bree Elizabeth Aldrich, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Roland Sherman.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Services for Percival E. Sherman will take place Monday, May 20, 2013, at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church in Adams, with the Rev. Michael Mullany, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Shriner's Hospital's in care of the TROTTIER PRINGLE FUNERAL HOME, 6 Summer St., Adams, which is in charge of arrangements.