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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
Obituaries
Teen Who Drowned In Western Mass Pond ID'd; Community Rallies Around Family Teen Who Drowned In Western Mass Pond ID'd; Community Rallies Around Family
Teen Who Drowned In Western Mass Pond ID'd; Community Rallies Around Family The 14-year-old girl who drowned in a pond in Berkshire County last week was remembered as a smart, caring, and intelligent person with a promising future.  Earl Giver Essien was found unresponsive at Benedict Pond at Beartown State Forest in Great Barrington just before 2 p.m. on July 17. Police and witnesses pulled her from the water to perform CPR before paramedics rushed her to Fairview Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.  Pittsfield Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis said the rising eighth-grader at Herberg Middle School's "bright light shone brillia…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Motorcyclist Killed In Head-On Groton Collision Remembered For His Compassion, Love Of Animals Motorcyclist Killed In Head-On Groton Collision Remembered For His Compassion, Love Of Animals
Motorcyclist Killed In Head-On Groton Collision Remembered For His Compassion, Love Of Animals The family and friends of a 27-year-old man killed in a head-on collision earlier this month in Groton said he was a kind and loving young man with an accomplished past and bright future.  Cody Trudel, of Ayer, was killed just after 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, when a car drifted over the center line on Boston Road and collided with him, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office said.  An email to the prosecutor's office on Wednesday, July 17, for updates on the investigation or any potential charges for that driver was not immediately returned.  Memorials have flooded social media sinc…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Man Killed In Western Mass Shooting ID'd As 38-Year-Old Man Killed In Western Mass Shooting ID'd As 38-Year-Old
Man Killed In Western Mass Shooting ID'd As 38-Year-Old Authorities have identified the 38-year-old man who was shot and killed on July 9 in Hampden County.  Dexter Ortiz, 38, of Holyoke, was gunned down just before 11:30 p.m. in the 50 block of West Street, the Hampden District Attorney said. Police responded to the area after receiving a ShotSpotter call. The shooting remains under investigation. Police have not named the shooter. 

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Autistic 4-Year-Old Central Mass Girl Drowns In Neighbor's Pool Autistic 4-Year-Old Central Mass Girl Drowns In Neighbor's Pool
Autistic 4-Year-Old Central Mass Girl Drowns In Neighbor's Pool A 4-year-old autistic girl named Eva was found unresponsive in her neighbor's pool in Worcester County on Thursday, July 11, after she went missing from her home. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital a short time later.  Police in Sutton received a 911 call around 3:50 p.m. that the girl had gone missing in the Peachtree Drive area, the Worcester County District Attorney said. Officers quickly began a search and found the girl in the pool. Responders rushed her to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where doctors pronounced her dead, authorities said.  Police did n…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'He Brought Tremendous Joy': Western Mass 15-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In I-91 Crash 'He Brought Tremendous Joy': Western Mass 15-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In I-91 Crash
'He Brought Tremendous Joy': Western Mass 15-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In I-91 Crash The family of the 15-year-old Berkshire County boy who was killed last week in a crash on I-91 in Springfield was a loving and giving young man who had a bright future ahead of him.  Jayden Andre, of Lee, was killed around 4:30 p.m. on July 2 near exit 5 on the interstate. Jayden was a rising junior who had finished his sophomore year at Lee Middle and High School in June, his obituary said.  His family said he loved sports, his friends, and bringing joy to others.  He always gave the best hugs and brought tremendous joy and light into our lives with his kind heart and beautiful smile. Jay…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Tony Voce, First Philly Native To Star For Flyers Organization, Dies At 43 Tony Voce, First Philly Native To Star For Flyers Organization, Dies At 43
Tony Voce, First Philly Native To Star For Flyers Organization, Dies At 43 Tony Voce, the first Philadelphia native to play in the Flyers organization, died suddenly Monday, July 8, following an esteemed career representing his hometown franchise for years. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms announced Voce's death, noting he was a former Calder Cup Champion and running down his impressive and historic career. A cause of death was not made public. We are incredibly saddened to share the news of the passing of our dear friend, coach, and mentor Tony Voce. Your... Posted by Philadelphia Flyers Warriors on Monday, July 8, 2024 "We are incredibly saddened to sha…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Plane Crash IDs: 5 Killed Were Family Members Who Were In Cooperstown For Baseball Tournament Plane Crash IDs: 5 Killed Were Family Members Who Were In Cooperstown For Baseball Tournament
Plane Crash IDs: 5 Killed Were Family Members Who Were In Cooperstown For Baseball Tournament Five people killed in a small plane crash in New York have been identified as members of a family who were in the region for a baseball tournament in Cooperstown, the site of the sport's Hall of Fame and Museum. The single-engine Piper PA-46 went down in Catskill Park around 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30, in the small Delaware County village of Sidney. According to the Federation Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane had departed from Oneonta about 20 minutes earlier. Drones, ATVs, and helicopters were used during the hours-long search, leading to the discovery of debris and, ultimately, to th…

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by Joe Lombardi
Obituaries
Passionate, Always Smiling: Loved Ones Remember Mom, Son Killed In Western Mass Murder-Suicide Passionate, Always Smiling: Loved Ones Remember Mom, Son Killed In Western Mass Murder-Suicide
Passionate, Always Smiling: Loved Ones Remember Mom, Son Killed In Western Mass Murder-Suicide Driven and walking: That's how family and friends remembered Dylan and Sima Pariseau, the mother and son killed in a murder-suicide in Hampden County earlier this month.  Sima's longtime partner, Peter Donaldson, is believed to have shot and killed the two in the basement of their home in Wilbraham home on June 16 before turning the gun on himself, the Hampden District Attorney's Office has said.  Related: Police Release Details, IDs In Wilbraham Murder-Suicide Obituaries for the Pariseaus paint the picture of a passionate young man at the beginning of a promising career and…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'An Incredible Artist': Family Remembers Western Mass Woman Killed By Train 'An Incredible Artist': Family Remembers Western Mass Woman Killed By Train
'An Incredible Artist': Family Remembers Western Mass Woman Killed By Train Jennifer Grace Jarvis's death made headlines, but her family said she will be remembered for her many talents as an artist and loving caregiver.  Jarvis, 45, of Greenfield, died around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, when she was struck by a train in Shelburne Falls in Franklin County.  Related: Greenfield Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike Her family released her obituary on Friday, painting a picture of a gifted woman who provided a great deal to her loved ones and community.  Jenny brought a hands-on approach to her many interests and endeavors. She loved gardening, …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
(UPDATE) Western Mass Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike (UPDATE) Western Mass Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike
(Update) Western Mass Woman ID'd As Victim Of Fatal Train Strike Update: Jennifer Jarvis' family wrote in her obituary that she was a talented artist who gave grace to those she loved. Click here to read what people have said about her.  Original: Authorities have identified the woman who was struck by a train in Franklin County early Monday morning, June 10.  Jennifer Jarvis, 45, of Greenfield, was killed when she was struck by the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad freight train around 5 a.m. in Shelburne Falls, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  Related: Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Shelburne Falls The crash happened about half …

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by Josh Lanier