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Obituaries

Ronald J. Sturles, 71, of Pittsfield

with his five children and wife Patricia, Ron moved to the Berkshires in 1995.

Sadie Celine Kirkbride, 96, of Sheffield

Sadie worked in the office at Rising Paper Company for 24 years before retiring in 1984. She loved cooking, and her baking recipes are legendary.

Rev. William H. Grady, 80, of Ashley Falls, Mass.

Some of William's stories of growing up in Georgia and learning to read and write later in life can be heard at the national archives.

Marion Barnum, 94, of Sheffield

Marion was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sheffield Historical Society, and was co-owner of Mt. Everett Lumber in Sheffield.

Stefan Grotz, 77, of Monterey, attorney and former selectman

Stefan was a lifelong athlete and was once quoted by a local paper as saying “Everything I learned in sports is what I am today.” He played basketball, baseball and soccer as a youth and had fond memories of playing street ball near his Greenwich Village home.

Audrey Downie, 88, formerly of Ashley Falls

Audrey was secretary for Friends of Bartholomew’s Cobble for 10 years and a charter member of Berkshire County Christian Business & Professional Women where she also served on the board for 11 years.

Raymond Choquette, 72, of Great Barrington

Ray was a past commander of and very active member of the James A. Modolo (VFW) Post #8348 in Great Barrington. He served as a volunteer fireman in North Egremont.

Martha Isabel Wichman, 95, of Mill River

Family was most important to Martha. When her children were younger, she was a Girl Scout leader and taught Sunday school at St. James Church.

Ruby M. Nourse, 91, of West Stockbridge

Ruby was born in Lee on July 13,1924, daughter to John and Lena (Lasher) Wheeler. She was educated in Lee Schools.

Francis Joseph Majewski, 81, formerly of Housatonic, Mass.

A veteran of the Korean War Francis enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on January 23, 1952 and was honorably discharged on June 22, 1955. Mr. Majewski worked as a sales representative for Hallmark for many years.

Jeane Kolburne Weinstein, 90, former director of Kolburne School in New Marlborough

In 1968, with the relocation of Kolburne School from Norwalk, Conn., the Weinstein family made their home in New Marlborough.

Maggie Lynn Coughlin, 35, of Pittsfield           

Maggie loved kids, especially her nieces and nephew. Most of all she loved spending time with her son, Quinten.

Barbara Jean (Sinico) Gage, 62, of Pittsfield

Barbara was an avid New York Yankees fan, loved gardening and her lawn, and bowling at the Cove.

Bob Fred Batchelor, 83, of Amarillo, Texas, husband of former Great Barrington resident Alberta Swett Parry

An elder and member of First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo for more than 60 years, he also enjoyed attending First Congregational Church on his many visits to Gt. Barrington.

Thomas Martin Arienti, 85, of Stockbridge, founder of town Planning Board

Tom was a dedicated sports enthusiast, coaching Tri-Town Youth Hockey and Stockbridge Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball for many years.

Malrangam ‘Krishna’ Krishnamurti, 86, of West Stockbridge

A native of India, Krishna devoted most of his professional life to the sea, first with the British Navy, then with the Indian Navy rising to the rank of Commander.