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James Grimsley Jr., 58, of Pittsfield

An animal lover, he was a squirrel whisperer and amateur chipmunk trainer.

James Francis Grimsley Jr., 58, of Pittsfield died Thursday, May 14, 2020, at home after a courageous battle with ALS.

James Grimsley

Born Feb. 18, 1962, in Westfield  to James F. and Lorraine Adamites Grimsley, he attended Westfield schools. After high school, Jim entered the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1985. Mr. Grimsley was a self-employed carpenter until becoming disabled. He worked for a time in the addiction treatment field, first at Doyle Detox and most recently at Keenan House.

He loved watching his favorite sports teams: Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and the Bruins. Jim enjoyed fishing, traveling, being outdoors, attending concerts, and listening to music, especially Buddy Guy. He had a mischievous spirit and was well-known for his wet willies. An animal lover, he was a squirrel whisperer and amateur chipmunk trainer. Jim most of all loved spending time with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was also a longtime friend of Bill W.

Jim married Rebecca Joppru Connolly Dec. 13, 2018, in Pittsfield.

Besides his wife and mother, Jim is survived by son James Ribeiro of Indian Orchard; stepson Carson Connolly of Pittsfield; grandchildren James Ribeiro Jr., Lily Ribeiro, Suraya Nellis and Tiago Ribeiro; siblings Kent Grimsley of Rockland, Sharon Chambers of Westfield, Michele Bean (Aaron) of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Justin Grimsley (Jennifer) of Cheshire, Connecticut; maternal grandmother Ella Adamites of Southwick; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Due to the current pandemic, Jim’s services will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Compassionate Care ALS in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, visit rochefuneralhome.com.

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Alexandra Leys ‘Sandy’ Rickenbacker, 94, of North Andover, Mass.

In-lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover, Mass., in memory of Sandy Rickenbacker.

A. Peter Kulberg, 73, of Lenox

A memorial service was held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Grace Church Congregational, and a committal will be held in the spring on Hampton Beach.

Mary Anne Kirby, 85, of Lenox

The funeral will be Friday morning, at 11 a.m., at St. Ann’s Church, with the Rev. Monsignor John J. Bonzagni, Pastor, and Rev. Christopher J. Waitekus, Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Longmeadow, con-celebrating the Liturgy. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery.

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.