Obituaries | Amherst Daily Voice

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Monday, nov 4

Obituaries

'A Quiet, Gentle Soul': Community Mourns Loss Of Central Mass Man, 25, After Crash

'A Quiet, Gentle Soul': Community Mourns Loss Of Central Mass Man, 25, After Crash

'A Quiet, Gentle Soul': Community Mourns Loss Of Central Mass Man, 25, After Crash Loved ones of Jake Brisbois, the 25-year-old who was killed in a crash on Monday, June 19, in Lancaster, said he was a stalwart friend, a hard worker, and a caring soul. Brisbois, of Princeton, was hit by a tractor-trailer on I-190 around 1:30 a.m., police said. The Wachusett Regional High School graduate worked as a team leader at Walmart, his obituary said. Jacob was a quiet and gentle soul often being referred to as a “gentle giant” by his family. An enthusiast for anything with a motor and two wheels, he loved to ride his motorcycles and dirtbikes. He had a passion for photography…

06/22/2023

Obituaries

CT Family Mourns Death Of 'Playful Father' Killed In Central Mass Car Crash

CT Family Mourns Death Of 'Playful Father' Killed In Central Mass Car Crash

CT Family Mourns Death Of 'Playful Father' Killed In Central Mass Car Crash A family from Northern Connecticut is "not mentally or physically prepared" to live without their 28-year-old patriarch, who suddenly lost his life last week. Windham County resident Rafal Lachcik, of Thompson, was killed in a car crash in Dudley, Massachusetts, on Friday, June 16. His unexpected death leaves a massive hole in his family's life that they are desperately trying to fill. Earlier Report: ID Released For 28-Year-Old Man Killed In Dudley Car Crash: Police "Rafał was the best husband to his beloved high school sweetheart, Talia, and the most loving and playful fa…

by David Cifarelli

06/21/2023

Obituaries

'Taken Way Too Soon': Teen Killed By Tractor Trailer In Palmer; Support Swells For Her Family

'Taken Way Too Soon': Teen Killed By Tractor Trailer In Palmer; Support Swells For Her Family

'Taken Way Too Soon': Teen Killed By Tractor Trailer In Palmer; Support Swells For Her Family A 16-year-old girl was killed when a tractor-trailer truck crashed into her SUV on Tuesday, June 13, in Palmer. As the community grieves its loss, hundreds have donated to a fundraiser for the girl's family, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars. Mary Collins, of South Hadley, was leaving Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School around 2:20 p.m. when the truck crashed into the driver's side of her 1998 Chevrolet Suburban on Sykes Street, authorities said. The truck driver remained on the scene and cooperated with police. Authorities have not releas…

06/16/2023

Obituaries

'A Fighter Til The End': Community Mourns 5-Year-Old Who Died Of Cancer In Western Mass

'A Fighter Til The End': Community Mourns 5-Year-Old Who Died Of Cancer In Western Mass

'A Fighter Til The End': Community Mourns 5-Year-Old Who Died Of Cancer In Western Mass Brittney Bliss, the 5-year-old South Hadley girl whose story inspired birthday cards from across the nation, died June 6, about a year after doctors diagnosed her with cancer. It all began last year when Brittney complained of an earache. Her parents — Elena and Brian Bliss — assumed it was nothing more than an ear infection and took her to see a physician, but after some tests, doctors came back with a devastating diagnosis. Her treatment began right away. And despite the rigorous chemotherapy and radiation sessions over the next year, Brittney never gave up or gave in to her illness, h…

06/13/2023

Obituaries

'Best Mechanic In Worcester,' Father Dies Unexpectedly In His Sleep At 54

'Best Mechanic In Worcester,' Father Dies Unexpectedly In His Sleep At 54

'Best Mechanic In Worcester,' Father Dies Unexpectedly In His Sleep At 54 A man many considered the "best car mechanic in Worcester" died last week unexpectedly in his sleep, his family said, and they hope to raise enough money to give him the funeral they say he deserves. José A. González died at home on June 6, his obituary said. He was 54 years old. He spent his life working on cars and had a reputation as someone who could fix anything with wheels, and he would take on side jobs as a truck driver to make ends meet. José started working at his dad’s auto mechanic shop in Puerto Rico when he was about twelve years old. For nearly 43 years, he practi…

06/12/2023

Obituaries

Family Wants Proper Goodbye For Late West Springfield Single Mom

Family Wants Proper Goodbye For Late West Springfield Single Mom

Family Wants Proper Goodbye For Late West Springfield Single Mom The son of a 44-year-old Hampden County single mother wants to send her off with the funeral he says she's earned. Tara Terenzi died unexpectedly on May 29, her son Logan said in a GoFundMe for her. He noted that she'd sacrificed for him while suffering from medical issues that left her unemployed late in life, and he wanted to give back for her hard work. According to her obituary, Tara served as a registered nurse at the former Parkview Hospital in Springfield and as a traveling nurse. It noted her life was punctuated by the depth of her caring. She will be remembered b…

06/06/2023

Obituaries

'She Loved With All Her Heart': Fund Set Up For Former Easthampton Mom Of 4 Killed In Maryland

'She Loved With All Her Heart': Fund Set Up For Former Easthampton Mom Of 4 Killed In Maryland

'She Loved With All Her Heart': Fund Set Up For Former Easthampton Mom Of 4 Killed In Maryland The family of a 33-year-old former Easthampton woman is demanding answers after she was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Maryland last week. But right now, they're focused on providing for the four children and fiance she left behind. Jaleisa Wilcox died on Wednesday, May 31, in Mechanicsville when a suspected speeding Corvette crashed into her and another vehicle, Maryland state police said. Wilcox's Camry rolled over after the impact and slammed into an earthen barrier. She died at the scene. Her friends have started a GoFundMe to help provide for her family. The campaign has raised …

06/05/2023

Obituaries

'Light Of My Eyes': Agawam Family Grieves Loss Of 17-Year-Old Son Who Drowned

'Light Of My Eyes': Agawam Family Grieves Loss Of 17-Year-Old Son Who Drowned

'Light Of My Eyes': Agawam Family Grieves Loss Of 17-Year-Old Son Who Drowned Ömercan Karaarslan was a special young man, his friends and family said. The 17-year-old was well-liked at Agawam High School and had big plans ahead of him. Sadly, those came to an end on Monday, May 30, when he drowned in a swimming pool in the Feeding Hills area of Agawam. He would have turned 18 next week. RELATED: Teen Who Drowned ID'd As Agawam High School Student Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the teen's death. Family members said in social media posts that he was swimming alone Monday night and was found by a family member following his death. His fami…

06/02/2023

Obituaries

'Loved By All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Beloved Western Mass Teacher After Her Death

'Loved By All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Beloved Western Mass Teacher After Her Death

'Loved By All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Beloved Western Mass Teacher After Her Death A lifelong teacher who died of cancer on Tuesday, May 23, will live on through a memorial scholarship if her family can raise enough money. Susan Kurpaska, 59, a lifelong Chicopee resident, was a dedicated second and third-grade teacher at Saint Joan of Arc School. Her love of teaching showed in the hundreds of students she molded over her decades in the classroom and the awards she collected during her tenure, such as the Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award for Western Massachusetts, her obituary said. Her loved ones have created a GoFundMe to cover her funeral costs, and any money r…

05/26/2023

Obituaries

'Beautiful Soul Inside, Out': Springfield Mom Of 3 ID'd As Woman Killed In Longmeadow Crash

'Beautiful Soul Inside, Out': Springfield Mom Of 3 ID'd As Woman Killed In Longmeadow Crash

'Beautiful Soul Inside, Out': Springfield Mom Of 3 ID'd As Woman Killed In Longmeadow Crash The Springfield woman killed earlier this month when she was thrown from her car on I-91 in Hampden County before being hit by an oncoming vehicle has been identified as a mother of three young children. Jemyliana Vargas, 21, was a passenger in a 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit that crashed into the back of a 2019 Dodge Ram truck just before 3 a.m. on May 7 in Longmeadow just past the Enfield, Connecticut, border, Massachusetts State Police said. The impact ejected Vargas onto the northbound lane, where she was struck by at least one oncoming vehicle, officials said. The Volkswagen driver — a 29…

05/25/2023

Obituaries

Beloved Western Mass Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded

Beloved Western Mass Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded

Beloved Western Mass Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded Donna Woodcock, a former Greenfield teacher, principal, and coach, died this week after being critically wounded in a car crash on Friday, May 5. Her parents, who were in the car with her, are still recovering from their injuries at Baystate Medical Center. Woodcock crashed on Mohawk Trail in Shelburne near Dragon Hill Road around 6 p.m. Paramedics rushed her and her parents (Courtney Woodcock, 92, and Barbara Woodcock, 87) to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said on Thursday. She turned 65 on the day of the crash. Woodco…

05/11/2023

Obituaries

Victim Of Texas Mass Shooting Was UMass Amherst Grad, Died Along With Wife and 3-Year-Old Son

Victim Of Texas Mass Shooting Was UMass Amherst Grad, Died Along With Wife and 3-Year-Old Son

Victim Of Texas Mass Shooting Was UMass Amherst Grad, Died Along With Wife and 3-Year-Old Son A family of four was visiting an outlet mall in North Texas when a gunman tore their family apart, killing a mother, father, and son. A gunman killed eight people on Saturday, May 6, one of whom was identified by the Allen, Texas Police Department as Kyu Song Cho, a University of Massachusetts Amherst graduate. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our UMass Amherst alumnus Kyu Cho, his wife, and their three-year-old son in the Texas mall shooting," said UMass Amherst representative Ed Blaguszewski. Kyu graduated in 2007 with a degree in political science. &…

by Morgan Gonzales

05/10/2023