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Obituaries

Helyn Irene Billieux, 88, formerly of Housatonic

Helyn worked at Monument Mills, the former Yurkee’s Drug Store and was a manager of the former Smith Drug Store in Great Barrington.

Jean N. Choquette, 71, of South Egremont

Jean worked as a receptionist and secretary for Tom Dawson Accounting for over 20 years and also was a waitress for numerous area restaurants.

Jane Elizabeth Toolin, 84, of Housatonic

Jane had previously worked at the former Rising Paper Co. She also worked as a medical assistant, and as a tour guide and office manager for the Massini Bus Company.

Charles Allen Farrington, 54, formerly of Great Barrington

Chuck was an avid nature photographer and studied poetry, meditation and most recently wood carving. His creativity and initiative were evident in his contributions to all. At the Berkshire Corporation he designed equipment when none was available to do a specific task.

David Raynolds Merrill, 92, of Lenox

He was a bright light who will be missed by many and most especially by the Kimball Farms community, of which he himself said, “It doesn’t get any better.”

John Holmes Bodnar, 72, of Monterey

John received a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Connecticut School of Social Work.

Michele J. Boibeaux, 53, of Stockbridge

She was an avid fisher, enjoyed music and attending concerts. She loved animals, traveling and especially spending time with her family and friends.

Ann T. Gurney, 68, of Great Barrington

She was educated in local schools and was a graduate of the former Searles High School class of 1964. Ann worked for many years as an Office Manager at Custom Extrusions.

William ‘Bill’ Sloan Mayo, 76, of Stockbridge, retired Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force

Bill was involved in his community as a volunteer at Hospice of Northern Virginia as a care giver. He volunteered at St. Ann’s Infant Home in Washington, D.C., caring for children with special needs and those he said “needed love.”

Kenneth R. Tinker, 56, of Great Barrington

Ken worked doing home construction specializing in taping dry wall. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

Kelton Miller Burbank, 80, of New Ashford

In 1999 the Berkshire Natural Resources Council dedicated a trail on Yokum Ridge in his honor for the then "30 years of mostly anonymous but invaluable service" in ensuring the preservation of vast swatches of land throughout Berkshire County.

John H. Drumm Jr., 86, of Great Barrington

John worked as a farm hand on The Great Pine Dairy, Alford Road, Great Barrington where his father John H. Sr. was the Dairy Farm manager. The farm and estate were owned by the Blodgett Family until the land was given to the current owners, Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

Shirley Dewkett Drumm, 71, of Great Barrington and Lenoxdale

Mrs. Drumm was employed for many years at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and Kmart, both in Great Barrington.

Thomas J. Casey, 26, journalist, of Great Barrington

"Tom Casey is an excellent reporter who covers his beat conscientiously, who thinks deeply about the issues involved, who has developed strong, fertile relationships with his sources, writes imaginatively and accurately and is a warm, intelligent and good humored presence in the newsroom." --- Letter of support from fellow journalists at the Hudson Register-Star

Thomas Michael Andrus, 56, of Mill River

After graduating high school in 1977, he traveled across the country on his motorcycle. Once back in his home town of Monterey, Mass., his passion for automobiles fueled him to buy and establish Precision Autocraft in 1979.

Harriet Rothstein, of Egremont, concert pianist, beloved teacher, dies at 78

“I never heard her play a single note that was not filled with care, meaning and communicative power. She always had something urgent, beautiful and deeply personal to say through her music.” -- Evan Rothstein, Deputy Head of Strings at the Guildhall School of Music in London