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Shelburne Falls & West County Independent, 95 State Street, Shelburne Falls, MA (2026)

02/01/2026

Jane (nee Sandberg) Vogt

St. Charles, MO – Jane L. (nee Sandberg) Vogt, 97 years old. Baptized into the Hope of Christ Resurrection, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Beloved wife of the late Ralph P. Vogt; loving mother and mother-in-law of Stephen (Shari) Vogt, Stan Vogt, Susan (Mark) Spann, Scott (Kathy) Vogt, and Shari (Morgan) Forrest; cherished grandmother and great-grandmother; dear sister, aunt, cousin, and friend of many.

Jane grew up on a farm in Ashfield where she learned how to drive at 14. She was a proud member of the Women's Army Corp and served in the military after WWII.

Her love for cooking had her working for a catering company for many years. When Jane had free time she loved crocheting for various children's charities, playing cribbage, and loved being outdoors, but most of all she loved being with her family, grand-and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Jane to the American Lung Association or the American Foundation for the Blind would be appreciated.

A memorial visitation will be take place Feb. 21 from 10-11 a.m. with a memorial mass will be at 11 a.m. at Sts. Joachim and Ann Catholic Church, 4112 McClay Road, St Charles, MO 63304.

02/01/2026

Tom Thompson

CHARLEMONT – Tom Thompson passed away Jan. 20, 2026 with his wife by his bedside in Charlemont. He lost his battle with cancer.

He was born in Burlington, VT on June 18,1953, the son of Jane and Charles Thompson. He was the husband of Barbara (Lawrence) Thompson. They were married on Dec. 14, 2006 in Greenfield.

His last employer was Springfield Terminal. He was a man who loved working on anything, cars and anything mechanical. Whatever he could do anything. He was very smart and intuitive.

He was predeceased by seven brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by siblings, two sisters, and four brothers, his wife, daughters Michelle Bond, Rebekah Thompson, Kristy Wandrei, and Bonnie Martel, six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

No services will held at Tom’s request. Send any donations to the Cancer Society in his honor, please.

02/01/2026

Baker may close briefly, but co-owner says it will not be permanent

(This is clearly an unfolding story with a lot of moving parts, a lot of voices, and a very lot of opinions. We'll stay tuned. Now that the fact of closing/not closing has been published and the owners know it has public attention — not to mention scrutiny — we hope the owners will, indeed, make every effort to rectify what's wrong internally at the pharmacy, accept the help being offered by regional business groups, and redouble every effort to remain open, knowing the community is supportive.)

SHELBURNE FALLS — Contrary to a sign in the store and much speculation on the street and on social media, Baker Pharmacy co-owner Tobias “Toby” Billups says the iconic drug store and soda fountain will not close.

At least, not permanently.

“Iʼm in communication and negotiation with a pharmacist as we speak,” Billups said Wednesday, Jan. 28. “If we do close, we will soon reopen and it will be under brand new management. Iʼm doing what I can to not close at all.“

Asked a second time if the store will definitely reopen, Billups, who co-owns Baker Pharmacy with Harsh Patel, a pharmacist in Lowell, MA and owner of Anderson Pharmacy, dba Baker,said, “absolutely, 100 percent, no doubt about it.”

“I understand the need for it and weʼre going to reopen — if we do close for a bit,” said Billups, a pharmacy technician who has been in the business for 30 years. “I own Springfield Pharmacy and that is moving to a bigger space. Itʼs not easy, but we do a great deal of community outreach and sponsorship. The more support I get, the more ability I have to help more.”

Billups said itʼs true there have been financial issues here for the business. One issue, he said, is competition when potential customers choose pharmacies and drug stores in big box stores and supermarkets over small, local shops.

Another is that many people donʼt see a local pharmacy as a small business in the first place.

“There is a support issue,” said Billups. “People love a small business, like a farm stand, but they donʼt see a pharmacy as a small business. When a pharmacy is going to leave an area, everybodyʼs up in arms, but when the fire started, no one was there with water. And insurance often pays me a lot less than a drug costs. You need the support and the volume. Pharmacy is a tough business to begin with, but itʼs even harder when itʼs in a small place.”

Billups said heʼs been talking with current pharmacist Mark Littlewood, who has been here 10 months. Littlewood declined further comment, but said he will leave next week.

Billups also said he plans to spend more time in Shelburne Falls.

“There will be more involvement on my part to mitigate any hiccups,” he said

01/31/2026

Paul Carlisle

GREENFIELD – Loving son and brother has passed away on Jan. 25, 2026. Paul was graduated from Mohawk Trail Regional High School in 1983.

Despite disabilities, Paul worked for the state for several years. He loved playing and watching sports with his younger brother, Mark. Paul was an avid Boston Redsox and Boston Bruins fan.

Paul is survived by his father, Edward Carlisle and brothers, Mark Carlisle and Michael Carlisle. He was predeceased by his mother, Sheila Carlisle; brother, Sean Carlisle; and sister, Susan Carlisle.

Paul will be missed and loved forever.

01/28/2026

Linda Robin Pearl Sidorsky

SHELBURNE FALLS – Linda Robin Pearl Sidorsky, 73, of Shelburne Falls, passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, 2025 after having spent over three years in hospice care.

She will be remembered for her seemingly unlimited capacity to love and care for those around her and a lifetime spent supporting communities and causes she believed in.

Born in 1951 to Gordon and Rhoda Pearl, Linda grew up in Hartford, CT with her older brother, Howard. After high school, her desire to explore the world led Linda to an Israeli kibbutz, where she met Robert Sidorsky while milking cows, and they fell in love. They would spend the next 53 years of marriage working and raising a family together.

After Linda put Robert through veterinary school working as a lab technician at Purdue University, they ventured to the Hopi Reservation, where Robert took a position as the reservation’s veterinarian. Linda assisted in caring for the reservation animals and volunteered as a doula for Hopi women. In 1981 she delivered their first son, Tivon, at their home on the reservation. They eventually made the decision to move to western MA. In 1986, at their home in Shelburne Falls, Linda gave birth to their second son, Misha.

With her unique sense of empathy and ability to comfort individuals and families in their greatest moments of need, Linda supported her local community by co-founding the Birthing Network, an educational organization for pregnant women at life’s beginning, and as an active member of the Jewish burial society, Hevra Kadisha, at life’s ends.

Broadening her reach overseas, Linda co-founded the nonprofit organization, Ultimate Peace, seeking to foster cooperation and mutual respect by bringing Israeli and Palestinian youth together to play Ultimate Frisbee. And by creating the “Israeli Dialogue Project”, Linda pursued her commitment to facilitating peace and understanding within her local community.

Above all, Linda was a profoundly dedicated mother and grandmother. Her passion for promoting the development of children around her extended beyond Linda’s immediate family. Whether it was as a director of the board at the Greenfield Center School, as a dorm parent at Northfield Mount Hermon School, nursing veterinary patients at the clinic or raising rescued baby racoons in her home, Linda was truly a mom to many.

Linda leaves her two sons, husband, two precious grandsons, Gordy (9) and Charlie (7), her brother, Howard, and an enormous community of dear friends. She has been profoundly missed.

A fund in her name at Temple Israel in Greenfield has been established as a way to honor and continue her work bringing individuals together to find common ground and shared values. Donations are welcomed.

01/28/2026

Ronald D. Patenaude

BERNARDSTON — Ronald D. Patenaude passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Buckland on June 30, 1942 to the late Eldridge and Denelda (Tetreault) Patenaude. Ronald graduated from Arms Academy in 1960.

After graduation, Ronald served in the U.S. Army as a National Army security agent from 1960-1963.

Upon returning home, Ron was a butcher at the Freezer Locker in Shelburne before becoming a railroad conductor at the Boston and Maine Railroad Company in Deerfield for 27 years.

After retirement, Ron was a jack-of-all-trades and dabbled in woodworking, carpentry, and electrical to keep busy. Ron enjoyed gardening, taking care of his lawn and pool, and watching Patriots football, but mostly spending time with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Anna (Zraunig) Patenaude; his daughter, Lisa (Robert) Letourneau, of Bernardston; his son, Steven (Karin) Patenaude, of Greenfield; and his grandson, Cody Letourneau, of Gill. He also leaves behind a brother, Lyle (Arlene) Patenaude, of Shelburne.

A funeral service will take place Friday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. at Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St., Greenfield. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Greenfield.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Jan. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. until the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, 10 Sandy Lane.

01/28/2026

Peter Miles Pearce Atkinson

CONWAY – Peter Miles Pearce Atkinson, 80, longtime resident of New York City and Conway and devoted dad and lifelong teacher to many students in multiple countries, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Northampton.

Born on Christmas Eve 1944,in New York City, Peter was the son of Miles Atkinson and Phyllis Pearce Atkinson, who emigrated from England to the U.S. in the late 1930s. He grew up in New York City and spent many cherished visits with family in Bath, England.

Peter attended St. Bernard’s School, Deerfield Academy, Harvard College, Oxford University, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

A lifelong teacher of history whose career began at Deerfield Academy and spanned decades and continents, he also served as coordinator of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at the International School of Moshi, Tanzania, and later at the United Nations International School in New York.

Peter will be remembered as a devoted educator for whom teaching was a calling. He was beloved by students across generations and continents and was repeatedly chosen by them to speak at important milestones, reflecting the trust and respect he inspired.

He was a man of international vision, having worked and lived in the UK and Tanzania, both of which were very close to his heart, yet he always carried the local soul of his beloved Conway and Ashfield, where he served briefly as editor of The Ashfield News.

He was also an unassuming supporter of multiple development and environmental causes and charities. His wit, wisdom, compassion, sharp intellect, and knowledge left a mark on everyone he touched in his life — his family, students, colleagues, and friends.

Peter was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Judith Wermuth-Atkinson. He is survived by his stepsons, Jassen Trenkov and Dr. Calin Atkinson Trenkov-Wermuth; his sister, Elizabeth Gilbert; and his brother, Professor Stephen Atkinson.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at the First Church of Deerfield.

01/23/2026

Steven W. Coutu

COLRAIN – Steven Wilfred Coutu entered into eternal rest on Jan. 19, 2026 following a courageous three-month battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Affectionately known to others as simply “Coutu,” he touched the lives of many through his humor, kindness, compassion, and friendship.

He was born on June 12, 1952 in Greenfield to Wilfred Joseph Coutu and Jean Pauline (Stone).

He graduated from Mohawk Trail Regional High School in 1971.

He shared 32-years of marriage with Billie Shirl (Demers) Rosenberg, whom he married on Aug. 6, 1983 and with whom he had three children: Erica L. Coutu; Amanda L. Jones, and Steven A. Coutu.

Family was very important to him and he loved cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with his daughter, Amanda; sitting in the backyard and visiting with his daughter, Erica; and her two Nigerian Dwarf goats, Lucy and Juniper; and golfing with his son, Steven. Birthdays were remembered each year with a yellow rose for Erica and a white rose for Amanda.

He loved to sing; some of his most memorable songs were “Daddy’s Little Girl,” which he sang to his daughters as they grew, and “The Turkey Song," which he sang to his grandchildren, Emilia Jean, Harrison Thomas, and Charlotte Marie, as well as other family over the years on Thanksgiving.

He adored his grand-dogs Henry Coutu and Re*****on Jones. Pheasant hunting with his grand-dogs Winston and Douglas brought him immense joy. He enjoyed barbecuing and was always up for an “excursion."

He held longstanding positions at Kendall Mills in Colrain and Mayhew Tools in Shelburne Falls, but the most rewarding work of his life was as at Mohawk Trail Regional High School where he worked as a paraprofessional in the middle school wing and coached girls softball for 25-years with Lee Lively and Sherri Lannon. He was also a fixture at home basketball games where he ran the shot clock and the field hockey clock.

He was a life-long parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Colrain.

Aside from his children, grandchildren, and former spouse, he leaves behind his sisters, Gloria Jean Purinton and Valerie Wheeler and her husband Butch; his son-in-law, Matthew Jones; his daughter-in-law, Lauren Coutu; his nephew, Joseph Purinton and his daughter, Jennifer; his niece, Michelle Purinton; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father in 1971, his mother in 2015, and his brother-in-law, Brian Purinton, in 2016.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Church, Church St., Colrain. Burial will follow in West Branch Cemetery.

At Steve’s wish, there are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Athletic Association, P.O. Box 111, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 in care of Jennifer Pease.

01/23/2026

Leonard Brodt

SHELBURNE FALLS – Leonard Brodt was born March 15, 1926 in Burrillville, RI.

He began his career in woolen and worsted mills at the age of 15, working in the same mill as his loomfixer father. In 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a gunner's mate on the USS Missouri.

After his service, he returned to Rhode Island, weaving in a Woonsocket mill. He became a loomfixer and worked at numerous mills for three decades. He also worked at the Rhode Island School of Design for 19 years, operating their Jacquard and dobby looms to weave student designs.

Lenny bought an industrial loom in 1982 to weave his own designs under the name Iron Horse Textiles.

He moved to the Shelburne Falls area in the late 1980's and wove with and mentored his friend, Peggy Hart, who had met him as a student at RISD.

His inventive work was wide ranging, from woven checkerboards to a modification to the W-3 loom, to manufacturing small carts which he pulled behind his electric scooter in the Shelburne Falls Memorial Day parades.

Leonard died Jan. 11, 2026 at the age of 99.

01/18/2026

With much sadness we note the passing of Tom Kuklinski of Shelburne Falls on Dec. 28. He was surrounded by many of his loved ones. A celebration of his life service will be held Feb 15 at 2 p.m. in Trinity Church. It will be followed by a potluck (vegetarian/non-dairy options appreciated).

01/15/2026

Kathleen P. Upton

SHELBURNE FALLS – Kathleen Patch Upton, 93, passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

She was born in Greenfield on July 14, 1932. Kathleen is survived by her children; daughter Julie A. Upton-Wang, her husband Peiming Wang, son Mark P. Upton, his wife, Joanne Upton and four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, as well as several nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Kathleen was predeceased by her husband, Donald T. Upton, her parents, William T. Patch and Viola C. Shippee, and brother, Willam H. Patch.

Kathleen was married to Donald T. Upton on June 20, 1954 in the Patch Brothers’ apple orchard decorated with a plethora of mountain laurel on Rand Road.

Kathleen grew up at 11 Masonic Avenue, where she and Don spent the majority of their married life. They were like two peas in a pod. Don was the love of her life, her knight in shining armor. They celebrated their 69th anniversary at the Shelburne Falls Pub and Brew, formally known as the Sweetheart Restaurant, where there is a long family history of wonderful memories.

Having grown up in Shelburne Falls, Kathleen attended and graduated from Arms Academy in 1950. The 1950 yearbook described her as “spending her spare time playing piano and writing to foreign countries”. It may come as no surprise to learn that Kathleen went on to study French at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she received her B.A. in 1954.

Her early teaching stints included working at Charlemont and Sanderson Academy. Her long-term teaching career began when Mohawk Trail Regional School first opened in 1967. She taught French, Spanish and Latin at Mohawk and was known by her students as “Madame Upton”. Madame was a stickler for doing homework and she could always be found at home in her favorite chair correcting every single student’s paper.

While working, she went on to obtain her M.A. in education from the American International College (AIC). During her teaching career, she organized a variety of exciting and educational trips to France and Canada (Montreal and Quebec). After receiving her master’s degree, she was elevated to the role of the Language Department chair for several years before retiring from teaching in 1996.

Kathleen and Donald acquired the Sawyer News Company on Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls in 1988. It had been owned from 1941-1960 by Viola and William T. Patch, Kathleen’s mother and father.

One of Kathleen’s favorite things to do was order greeting cards from Gibson, Hallmark, and American Greetings, ensuring that townspeople would always have a local source for their special occasions. This made Kathleen very happy. After almost 18 years of running Sawyer News, Donald and Kathleen both retired in 2006.

Throughout her teaching career and even in “retirement”, Kathleen was a dedicated community member by her commitment and involvement in a variety of local organizations.

She was a member of the Eastern Star. She joined the Shelburne Falls Women’s Club in 1981 and remained a member for 45 years. She was a member of the Trinity Women (Trinity Church) and as an Episcopalian, she took her responsibilities seriously to change, wash, and iron the linen paraments for the altar depending on the church’s season.

She served on and was chair for the Arms Library Board of Trustees, as well as serving on the Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust since 1976, sitting as chair from 1993 to 2022, and continuing her work as a member until 2025.

Lastly, Kathleen was proud of being a poll worker/election officer for the town of Shelburne for approximately 25 years. Kathleen was such a dedicated member of these various organizations for so many years that all who can recall, respond by saying, “It was decades of service."

Kathleen enjoyed traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles, planting her pansies, and caring for her African violets.

We will miss her greatly as the matriarch of the Upton family and she is remembered by all as “just a very sweet and special lady”. And a lady she was and always will be.

The family would like to express their sincerest thanks to the staff at Regal Care (some of them were her students) and New England Hospice for their loving care.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Trinity Church, 17 Severance St. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m.

A brief graveside service will be held immediately after the church service at Arms Cemetery just off Route 2 in Shelburne Falls.

The reception will be held at the Shelburne Falls Pub and Brew, also on Route 2 in Shelburne Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kathleen may be sent to Arms Library at https://www.armslibrary.org/donate, the Bridge of Flowers at https://www.bridgeofflowersmass.org/contribute, or to Judy Hoyt, chair, Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust, 135 North St., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 (Please make checks payable to: Arms Academy Scholarship Fund Trust).

For directions or to send condolences, please visit smithkelleherfuneralhome.com.

01/15/2026

Christopher F. Rose

Conway Festival of the Hills – Chris, a man who never met a stranger and could fix anything with a wrench and a smile, passed away Jan. 5, 2026.

Known for his legendary sense of humor and heart of gold, he lived his life defined by loyalty, hard work, and long conversations.

For 40 years, Chris was a dedicated fixture in the elevator industry. He took pride in his industry ensuring things ran smoothly – a philosophy he applied to every aspect of his life. If it was broken, Chris could fix it or find a way to make it work better.

He enjoyed his hayfields — a non-farmer who embraced farming. Chris found joy riding about in his JD, Harley, and Mustang; rewards for a day’s work. A fan of the gridiron and the racetracck. . .cheering on his favorite teams or NASCAR drivers. However, his favorite hobby was people; generous to a fault, always there to help or share words of wisdom.

Above all, Chris will be remembered for a smile that could light up your world and a spirit that made everyone feel like an old friend. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness that will be deeply missed by his family, friends, the many lives he touched and his adoring, loyal dogs, Tigger and Ms. Vicky.

Chris leaves behind his wife, Mary Parker (Altobelli), Conway; his sons, Marcus Rose of Shutesbury, Mitchel Rose and wife Abby of Chesterfield, Matthew Rose and wife Roni of Vero Beach FL; his step-son, Jason Parker and wife Dawn of Agawam; his step-daughter, Melissa (Parker) Borowiec and husband Matthew of Conway; his farm daughter, Samantha Snieder of Longmeadow; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Friends of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls, MA or the Conway Community Swimming Pool, Inc., 309 Whately Rd Conway, MA.

Calling hours will be Sunday, Jan. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. with an In- house service at 11 a.m. at the Wrisley Funeral Home, 90 Sugarloaf Street South Deerfield.

Shelburne Falls & West County Independent

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