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Obituaries
'We Will Remember': Loved Ones Honor Mom, Daughter, Teacher Killed In Regional Plane Crash 'We Will Remember': Loved Ones Honor Mom, Daughter, Teacher Killed In Regional Plane Crash
'We Will Remember': Loved Ones Honor Mom, Daughter, Teacher Killed In Regional Plane Crash Communities across Connecticut are reeling following the death of four residents in a small airplane crash on Sunday, Sept. 8, as they returned home from a luncheon in Rhode Island.  The victims were:  Paul Pelletier, age 55, of Columbia, in Tolland County Frank Rodriquez, age 88, of Lebanon, in New London County Susan Van Ness, age 51, of Middletown, in Middlesex County Delilah Van Ness, age 15, of Middletown, in Middlesex County Pelletier was an aviation teacher at Middletown High School and Delilah Van Ness was his student. Susan Van Ness was Delilah's mother.  Ori…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In New York Home Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In New York Home
Iconic Actor James Earl Jones Dies At 93 In New York Home James Earl Jones, the beloved actor and voice behind one of cinema's most memorable villains, died Monday, Sept. 9, at his home in Dutchess County, Variety reported.  The "Field of Dreams" star was 93. No cause of death was given.  Jones, a Pawling resident, is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. From the Broadway stage, the silver screen, and a galaxy far, far away, the Mississippi-born actor had a range that few others could replicate.  He was a large man but could play gentle and meek characters, and his baritone voice could be calm and reassuring like in "The Lion …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Veteran, Great-Grandfather ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Motorcycle Crash Veteran, Great-Grandfather ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Motorcycle Crash
Veteran, Great-Grandfather ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Motorcycle Crash A 75-year-old Berkshire County man was identified as the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash last week, authorities said.  Al Salvatore, of Pittsfield, was riding his Harley Davidson with his friend in Lanesborough on Sunday, Sept. 1, when he collided with an SUV, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said.  Salvatore was driving east on Route 7 onto the Route 8 connector when his bike crossed the double yellow line and into the path of an oncoming SUV, the prosecutor's office said. He died at the scene. Salvatore was born in Pittsfield and graduated from Wahco…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Strong New England Ties Dies At 51 'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Strong New England Ties Dies At 51
'Dawson's Creek' Actor With Strong New England Ties Dies At 51 An actor with ties to the region who was known for roles on several popular television shows such as "Dawson's Creek" is being remembered for his enduring positivity following a battle against an eating disorder.  Actor Obi Ndefo died on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at the age of 51 after a long illness, his sister Nkem Ndefo announced in a social media post on Monday, Sept. 2.  "Tragically, Obi’s heart gave out in his longstanding battle against the eating disorder orthorexia," Nkem Ndefo wrote in a post on X, adding, "As his family, we share this news to bring attention to …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Boston College Remembers NHL Star, Brother Killed In Crash: 'No Words Can Express Our Sadness' Boston College Remembers NHL Star, Brother Killed In Crash: 'No Words Can Express Our Sadness'
Boston College Remembers NHL Star, Brother Killed In Crash: 'No Words Can Express Our Sadness' The Boston College community is reeling following the news that brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were standouts during their time with the Eagles men's hockey team, were killed in a crash in New Jersey. The duo were in Oldsman Township for their sister's wedding and were riding bikes on County Route 551 Thursday evening, Aug. 29, when a suspected drunk driver crashed into them, authorities said.  Original Report: NHL Star, Brother Killed In New Jersey Crash Johnny, 31, played three seasons at Boston College and helped lead the team to a national championship in 2012, t…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
10-Year-Old Killed In Suspected DUI Crash In Mass. ID'd As Rising 5th Grader 10-Year-Old Killed In Suspected DUI Crash In Mass. ID'd As Rising 5th Grader
10-Year-Old Killed In Suspected DUI Crash In Mass. ID'd As Rising 5th Grader School officials identified the 10-year-old boy who was killed over the weekend following an alleged stolen vehicle crash that sent six others to the hospital and left the child's father clinging to life.  Jaylen Bush-Victorian, a rising fifth-grader at Downey School in Brockton, died Saturday, Aug. 24, at a stop light on Route 1 near the intersection of Route 495 when a Jeep crashed into the car he was in with his family. Two adults and three children were in the Nissan Altima with Jaylen.  Original Report: Intoxicated Driver Sends 6 To Hospital In Plainville Cra…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Worker Killed At Sterling Quarry ID'd As Townsend Man Worker Killed At Sterling Quarry ID'd As Townsend Man
Worker Killed At Sterling Quarry ID'd As Townsend Man A 67-year-old Middlesex County man was identified as the worker who was killed when a rock ledge fell on Thursday, Aug. 22, and crushed an excavator at a Massachusetts quarry.   Brian Curtis Derby, 67, of Townsend, died just before 8 a.m. when the rocks fell on his heavy machinery at the Sterling quarry along Stone Crest Way, the Worcester County District Attorney said.  Firefighters and crews worked through the day and night to retrieve Derby's body from beneath the rubble.  Sterling leaders ordered that workers stop all earth removal operations until the Occupati…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Body Pulled From Western Mass Pond ID'd As Missing 22-Year-Old Body Pulled From Western Mass Pond ID'd As Missing 22-Year-Old
Body Pulled From Western Mass Pond ID'd As Missing 22-Year-Old Police believe the body pulled from a Hampshire County lake belongs to a 22-year-old man who has been missing   several days, authorities said.  Rodney Yankson, of Easthampton, was reported missing on Tuesday, Aug. 13, and was found on Friday afternoon at Lower Mill Pond in Easthampton, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  A father and his son who were going fishing found the body.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the man's ID and the cause of death.  Yankson's family created a GoFundMe to help pay for his …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Douglas Hawley Died 2 Weeks Ago In Berkshire County; His Friends Want To Keep His Spirit Alive Douglas Hawley Died 2 Weeks Ago In Berkshire County; His Friends Want To Keep His Spirit Alive
Douglas Hawley Died 2 Weeks Ago In Berkshire County; His Friends Want To Keep His Spirit Alive If there is a silver lining that could have come on Tuesday morning, July 30, in Berkshire County, it is that Douglas Hawley never heard the train that him. The 40-year-old father of a teenage son and young daughter and an adult stepson had always struggled with his hearing, and a witness who saw the train strike said he never looked up before the crash. "It was a pretty awful day," Douglas' older brother Daniel said in an interview with Daily Voice. "It's one of the worst days of my life." Related: Police ID Man Hit By Train; Second Fatal North Adams Train Strike Douglas Hawley was killed…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
(UPDATE) 'Megan Will Be Greatly Missed': CT Teen Killed In Western Mass Crash ID'd; Funeral Set (UPDATE) 'Megan Will Be Greatly Missed': CT Teen Killed In Western Mass Crash ID'd; Funeral Set
(Update) 'Megan Will Be Greatly Missed': CT Teen Killed In Western Mass Crash ID'd; Funeral Set Update: A GoFundMe to help pay for Megan Davis' funeral has raised more than $20,000 as of Sunday, Aug. 4, surpassing its original goal.  More than 350 people have donated to the cause. Click here for more information on the campaign.  Original: A 17-year-old Connecticut girl who was killed in a Hampden County car crash earlier this week is being remembered for her bright smile that was only matched by her bright future.  Megan Davis, of Enfield, Connecticut, died on Sunday, July 28, after dying in a crash on North Blandford Road in Blandford, about 45 minutes west of S…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Western Mass Father Of 2 ID'd As Man Killed By Train Strike Western Mass Father Of 2 ID'd As Man Killed By Train Strike
Western Mass Father Of 2 ID'd As Man Killed By Train Strike A Berkshire County father of two young children was identified as the victim of a fatal train strike Tuesday morning, July 30, authorities said.  Douglas Hawley, age 40, of North Adams, was killed just before 11:30 a.m. after being hit by the train in North Adams, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said.  Investigators said he was hit between the American Legion and the Brien Center, both on American Legion Drive in North Adams.  The train was traveling at a slow speed when it struck Hawley, the prosecutor said.  It's unclear what led to the crash, but pol…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'Friend To All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Ex-Stoughton Selectman Killed In Crash 'Friend To All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Ex-Stoughton Selectman Killed In Crash
'Friend To All': Community Rallies Around Family Of Ex-Stoughton Selectman Killed In Crash David "Spanky" Sousa spent his life giving back to the Stoughton community he loved. After he was killed while picking up debris along a highway, they're paying it back to his family.  "Spanky loved his hometown of Stoughton and helping people in need," an obituary for the 57-year-old said. "He was a former Selectman for the Town of Stoughton and was also the Chairman for a time. He played Santa for many charities in the area at Christmas time. He was a founder of the Parade of Lights holiday parade in Stoughton. He loved riding his motorcycle, meeting new friends, and the character Fre…

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by Josh Lanier