Shelburne Falls & West County Independent

03/15/2026

Paul Delman Atherton

Beverly Hills, FL – Paul Delman Atherton, 84 passed away Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 in Beverly Hills, FL.

He was born July 22, 1941 in Northampton. He was raised in Buckland by his parents, Robert Atherton and Pauline {Packard} Atherton.

Paul attended Arms Academy and was drafted to the U.S. Army. Paul worked for one employer, AGWAY, for over 30 years before retiring from Greenfield Farmers Exchange in 1989 as store manager.

Paul moved to Florida upon retirement; there he worked on Citrus Hills Golf Course for many years.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Susan Atherton.

He is survived by his wife, Corrine G. Atherton; his brother, Lewis Atherton; and sister, Shirley Davis. Paul has two sons, Michael P. Atherton and Raymond R. Atherton; a stepson, Edward Connery (Yvonne); two granddaughters, Felicia Atherton and Megan Milewski (Atherton); seven great grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren; two nephews, Luther Davis, Ethan Davis; and one niece, Katherine Whipple.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hernando United Methodist Church in Hernando, FL.

A memorial for Paul will be held in Massachusetts at the convenience of his family.

03/15/2026

Michael Purington

COLRAIN – Michael A. Purington, 75, of Colrain, passed away peacefully on Feb. 27, 2026, surrounded by his wife and two children.

Born on April 6, 1950 in Greenfield, Michael was the son of Walter and Lillian (Joy) Purington. He grew up in Colrain, attending Colrain Central School, Arms Academy, and was a member of the first graduating class of Mohawk Trail Regional School in 1968.

Enlisting in the Navy in 1968, he served 3 years, mostly on the USS Ajax battleship and the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War. He was able to enjoy visits to Japan and Hong Kong while overseas. He returned home to work at Kendall Mills for many years. Afterwards, he was employed in jobs where he could enjoy nature; logging, stonework, and tree work with Blue Sky, among other opportunities.

Michael has always had a deep love and respect of nature. He knew the expansive woods behind his family home intimately. On a walk, he often pointed out specific landmarks with a story or memory. He could see the beauty in nature and produced natural stone birdbaths and beautiful wood turned bowls. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was certified as a Maine Guide during his few years living in Ripley, ME. He carried fond memories of fishing in Homer, AK with his father and Uncle Richard as well as bear hunting in MI, VT and MA. Long rides by muleback, whether for hunting or pleasure, allowed Michael and others to go far off the beaten path bringing him great joy.

Since retirement in 2018, he spent a great deal of time feeding and watching the birds as well as working in his garden, including tending his beloved fruit trees. He loved to share his passion for gardening projects, especially biochar and bark mulching. He also enjoyed sharing any plants or produce with others.

Michael leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Jana (Gallup), and children, Ellen of Ashfield and Lou of Brooklyn, NY.

He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Lillian, and his brother, Tim.

He is survived by his siblings, Donna MacLeay (Doug) of Colrain, Joan Powell of Shelburne Falls, and Lee Purington of Fairbanks, AK; his aunt, Peggy Phelan of Dallas, OR; his uncle, Richard Purington of Homer AK; cousins and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express great gratitude for the care given at Baystate Franklin ER, the VA Medical Center at White River Junction, and the VA staff at the Brattleboro clinic.

In lieu of flowers, we ask others to consider spending time enjoying the outdoors whether hiking, gardening, bird watching or simply sitting peacefully.

A Celebration of Life for Michael will be held April 25 at 1 p.m. at Colrain Community Church, 306 Main Rd., Colrain.

03/15/2026

Herbert (“Herb”) Francis Geiling

ASHFIELD —Herbert (“Herb”) Francis Geiling (Sept. 4, 1949 – Feb. 28, 2026) of Ashfield, suddenly and peacefully passed on from this world at the age of 76 surrounded by his family.

Herb was born in New York City, raised in Teaneck, NJ, and attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, a Jesuit Catholic school for boys. From his earliest days, he possessed a sharp and irreverent sense of humor and was a natural-born prankster.

After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in English, Herb moved to Randolph, Vermont where he taught 6th grade.

His journey led him to Conway, MA, where he met the love of his life, Jean. They married in 1983 and settled in Ashfield to raise their three children: Luke, Ethan, and Caroline.

More than anything, Herb was a most wonderful husband and father who filled the home with music, games, books, and a never-ending sense of fun. His devotion to Jean and his children was the foundation of his life and his legacy lives on in the curiosity, open minds, and confident spirits he instilled in them.

Beloved by the Ashfield community where he lived for 42 years, Herb built a life surrounded by neighbors who became as close as family. He and Jean raised their children alongside a tight-knit group of friends, embodying the true spirit of the phrase “it takes a village.”

Herb had an entrepreneurial career path. He opened a bicycle shop in Vermont, followed by another one in Conway (Pine Cycle Bicycles) with his brother, Chris, where they sold bikes and led tours. After a stint selling computers for HP, he launched his own business (Will Run Computers) in the 1990s during the early days of personal computing.

Herb was a deeply present father, helping with school projects, building theater sets, and coaching softball. Whether through extended letters from the tooth fairy, a shared book, or a fierce game of Scrabble, he had a unique gift for sparking imagination. From dreaming up magical backyard adventures to encouraging a love of reading, he instilled in his children a lifelong curiosity and a relentless sense of fun in everything they did.

He was predeceased by his parents, Herbert Sr. and Eleanor, and his brothers, Larry and Paul. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean Ferris; his children, Luke, Ethan, and Caroline; and his siblings, Linda Gagne (Joe), Tricia Geiling (the late Walt), and Christopher Geiling. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Barb, and a large, loving extended family of in-laws, nieces, and nephews on both the Geiling and Ferris sides.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tulgey Wood (www.tulgey.org), the Ashfield Fire Department (EMS), and Highland Ambulance EMS.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 23 at 2 p.m. in Ashfield Congregational Church, followed by a reception.

For condolences and more information, visit www.everloved.com/life-of/herb-geiling

03/15/2026

Bill Perlman

ASHFIELD — SNCC Freedom singer, Bill Perlman of Ashfield, died rushing into a burning building to save some adorable kittens. All of the cats survived.

Not really. . .I just wanted to get your attention.

I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands lately and decided to write my own obituary. While I sincerely hoped that it wouldn’t be needed anytime soon, I guess that is not the case.

I’ve read a lot of obituaries lately. My favorite was written by a man who eulogized his wife by saying, “She used to make hats from scratch. Once she made me a hat from a pizza box and some tin foil.” Can’t top that.

I don’t want my wife to have any say in this whatsoever. Although she is one of the smartest women I have ever known, she will get facts and dates wrong. She will misspell names and place events in the wrong city and decade. She is a fine actress who embellishes each story with what can only be described as a wild Irish imagination. She will highlight my good points and diminish my faults to the point where you won’t recognize me.

Please help Trish as much as you can. If you know her at all, you know she is unlikely to ask for assistance, but she will need it. I’m afraid that I have left quite a mess for her to sort out. Don’t let her sell the Tesla stock. Make her rent the cottage by the ocean for the month of August. Let her listen to Christmas music whenever the mood strikes her. Most importantly, if you visit, please remove at least one item from my numerous collections.

You don’t need to know where I went to school, what my jobs or hobbies were, or who survives me. Figure it out.

You need to know that I wanted to thank each and every one of you personally for giving me the honor of being a part of your life and hopefully making a difference in some way. I will not name names because I agree with Alexander Hamilton who opposed the bill of Rights based on the “Dangerous Omission” argument. He and I believed that a list is inherently incomplete, and that by listing some important things (people) you risk implying that others aren’t important. James Madison did his best to rectify this with the ninth amendment, but I’m sticking with the Federalists.

I will make an exception for my grandchildren, Erin, Max and Jamie. Go make the world a better place and you will make me proud.

The rest of you should already know how very special you were to me.

I don’t know if I am in a better place, but if you are reading this, I sure am in a different place. Or so the voices tell me.

Bill’s life will be celebrated at a future date in both Ashfield and New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center. (splcenter.org)

03/04/2026

Richard A. Barnicle

CONWAY – Richard A. Barnicle, 96 of Hoosac Road passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Barney, as family and friends called him, was born in Waltham, MA, son of the late Francis A. and Vena (Albert) Barnicle. He was raised in Waltham, graduating from Waltham High School in 1947. He attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in 1951.

He settled in the Valley after school, beginning his career in the farming industry. Barney worked as the assistant supervisor of the UMass farm in South Deerfield and rose to superintendent of the farm during his career.

Barney was known throughout the New England area as the salesman for Sirum Equipment in Montague for more than 50 years, selling and servicing John Deere tractors and implements to the Valley farmers and beyond.

He was an avid sportsman with much success in the woods over the years.

In addition to his parents, Barney was predeceased by his siblings, Francis M. Barnicle, who died in WW II; and Doris Gledhill and Betty Kroll. Barney leaves his sons, Richard F. Barnicle and Robert M. Barnicle, both of Conway; his grandchildren, Jacklyn H. Barnicle and Katelyn E. Barnicle, his sister, Joan Krosnowski of Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews; and his close friend, Kathleen Jenks of Shelburne Falls.

The family will receive friends for calling hours at Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Road, Northampton, on Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Barney will be cremated and his ashes will be interred in the spring in Conway.

Donations in Barney's memory may be made to the Conway Fire Department or Conway Police Dept., PO Box 240, Conway, MA 01341. (please specify which dept. in the memo line).

03/01/2026

Marion J. Taylor

SHELBURNE — Marion Jane Taylor of Shelburne passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 23, 2026 after a period of failing health.

Marion was the daughter of Eli H and Julia (Howland) Felton and grew up in Pittsfield, graduating from Pittsfield High in 1950.

During high school and college, she was an active girl scout, working as the waterfront director and then camp director at Camp Marion White in Richmond, MA. While in high school she won a school safety contest securing a $2,000 scholarship that greatly aided her plan to attend UMass/Amherst, where she graduated with a B.A. in history.

After college, Marion taught at Chester, MA High School, then returned to UMass as assistant to the Protestant chaplain. In 1959 she became executive director of the Franklin County Girl Scout Council, which brought her to Greenfield. It was there that she met her future husband, Gordon E. Taylor, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage.

A devoted mom and grandmother, Marion was masterful at creating activities that harnessed the energy of young minds, whether in her teaching, girl scouting, Sunday school, and especially with her own sons and grandchildren. Known by her grandchildren as Mimi, she lavished attention on them by watching music and dance performances, attending sports events of all kinds, endless card and game playing, and baking the best grape pie, cinnamon rolls, and cream puffs around.

Described as a "dynamic community leader," Marion positively impacted many community organizations in the area through her dedicated work and leadership. Recognized as the Franklin County Citizen of the Year in 1990, her volunteer work included serving on the 1983 committee to restore the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, chairing the Shelburne School Committee and later the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Committee, founding member of the Mary Lyon Foundation, active participant in the Shelburne Falls Area Women's Club, First Congregational Church, and local Girl Scouting. As a member and former president of Shelburne Grange #68, she served in various roles of community service for the Connecticut Valley Pomona Grange and Massachusetts State Grange as well.

Marion joined her husband as an insurance agent and business manager at the Blackmer Insurance Agency in Shelburne in 1980. She is credited with leading a revitalization of the village of Shelburne Falls, working with such other local icons including Marvin Shippee, Larry Rancourt, George Needham, Rolland Gifford, Mike McCusker, and many more in the Shelburne Falls Area Business Association, and also inspiring new programs at Memorial Hall, the Senior Center Foundation, and the Village Information Center.

Somewhere, somehow, in her spare time, Marion also took time for creativity, enjoying oil painting, cultivating and caring for her flower gardens, and arranging those flowers into bouquets which brightened many lives.

Marion is survived by her husband, Gordon; sister Doris Felton of Lenox; sons John and his wife, Sherry, of Shelburne and James and his wife, Erin, of Annandale, VA; grandchildren Emma, Joshua, Matthew, William and Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, William and George.

A celebration of life will be held for this special lady on March 14 at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne UCC, 21 Church Common Road, Shelburne at 11 a.m. Calling hours are scheduled for March 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church Street in Shelburne Falls. A brief Grange memorial service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the Mary Lyon Foundation, PO Box 184, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370; the Bridge of Flowers, PO Box 335, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370; the First Congregational Church of Shelburne, 21 Church Common Rd, Shelburne, MA 01370; or a charity of your choice.

02/27/2026

Beverly Ellen Giard
Beverly Ellen (Young) Giard of Burlington, VT passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on Feb. 19, 2026.
Bev was born on Jan. 1, 1929 in Claremont, NH to Donald and Marion (Potter) Young.
Mom spent most of her younger years in Shelburne Falls, where she attended Arms Academy. She married David Giard on Sept. 9, 1950. They spent many happy years together until his passing on Jan. 10, 2009.
Mom was a stay-at-home mom until her children James Giard, Stephen Giard and Diane (Giard) Cota were in high school. At that time, she worked at S& H Green Stamps then completed her career at IBM.
Mom and Dad first lived in Williamstown, MA then moved to Malletts Bay, VT to reside most of their married life. Summers were spent at the” lake” in their home in South Hero, VT. Later in life they moved to live in Florida for the winter months then back to South Hero in the summer. While in Florida they volunteered whenever an opportunity came up.
Mom loved her family deeply and enjoyed entertaining her family and friends, especially at their summer home in South Hero. She was welcoming and loving to all who knew her. She loved boating and being on the water. She enjoyed volunteering in both church- and community-related events. Mom was a hard worker both at work and home. She could be found on the beach in the summer, raking stones and seaweed so there would be a sandy beach for all to enjoy.
Mom is survived by her son, James D Giard (Jeanne); daughter, Diane (Giard) (Donald) Cota; grandsons, Curtis Corse and Joshua Giard (Lynn); granddaughter, Krista Corse; great-granddaughters, Alyssa, Savannah and Sophie Corse; and great-grandson, James Giard.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, David; son, Stephen Giard; and grandson, Jason Corse.
Services will be held June 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Internment will be at the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Cathedral Square Assisted Living, 3 Cathedral Square, Burlington, VT 05401; Bayada Hospice Care, 463 Mountain View Drive, Suite 100 Colchester, VT 05446; Colchester Lions Club, c/o Mike Cabral 156 Meadow Drive, Colchester, VT 05446; or to a charity of your choice.

02/26/2026

Steven E. Lively

GREENFIELD – Steven E. Lively, 76, of Greenfield, passed away on Feb. 18, 2026 after a courageous battle with chronic kidney disease. He spent the last three years of his life on dialysis, facing each day with the same stubborn determination and strength that defined him.

Born on Aug. 19, 1949 to Edward and Alice (Hebard) Lively, Steve grew up in Colrain and attended Arms Academy with the class of 1967.

In 1968, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Dix, NJ. During his service, he completed a six-month tour in Germany with the 516th Engineering Company, where he served as a bridge specialist. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and qualified as sharpshooter with the M14 rifle and Expert with the M16 rifle. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

During April vacation of her senior year in 1971, Steve eloped with Helen Shulda and together they had three children: Derek, Jill, and Jeremy. Although they divorced in 1980, they later reconnected and remained dear friends for the rest of his life, a testament to the deep bond they shared.

After leaving the Army, Steve worked as a mechanic for the Boston & Maine Railroad for several years before becoming shop foreman for the town of Montague in 1990. He retired in 2014 after many years of dedicated service.

Steve had a lifelong love of machines and anything with an engine. He was passionate about model trains, building an entire working track and miniature town in his basement. He loved everything Harley-Davidson, spending several years rebuilding his 1980 Shovelhead – in his living room – and proudly riding both it and his Sportster whenever he could.

He shared an especially close bond with his younger brother and best friend, Russ, who predeceased him in 2019. They spoke nearly every night, swapping stories about work, trucks, motorcycles, and the many shenanigans they found themselves in over the years. Their friendship was truly one of a kind.

Steve loved children deeply, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made his eyes sparkle more than their laughter. He treasured their visits and took great joy in watching them grow.

He carried a special fondness for the midwest – especially Cheyenne, WY – after spending time long-haul trucking in his early years. He would happily regale anyone who would listen with stories from his days on the road.

He cherished visits with his siblings and spent much of his time with his sister, Elaine. A stubborn old cuss with a heart of gold, Steve was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was a master storyteller – animated, expressive, and especially vivid when recounting tales of mischief with Russ.

He leaves behind his loving children, Derek and wife Celia of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; Jill and her husband Shamus of Buckland; and Jeremy and wife Jessica of Greenfield.

He was a proud grandfather to Gabrielle, Jocelyn, Jacob, Gavin, Lilly, and Ruby, and a joyful great-grandfather to Kennedy, Lincoln, and Julian. He also leaves his sister, Elaine, and her husband, Lee of Colrain, who was not only his brother-in-law but his high school best friend; his brother Tom and wife Cindy of Colrain; his brother Jim and wife Deb of Rowe; his sister-in-law Cindy, Russ’s widow; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Steve was predeceased by his father, Edward, in 2008; his mother, Alice, in 2023, whom he dearly missed, especially their nightly phone calls after Jeopardy!; his brother and best friend, Russ, in 2019; his cherished granddaughter, Autumn, in 2018; and his niece, Laura, in 2015.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Yankee Family Dialysis Center for their compassionate care over the past several years, especially his nurse, MacKenzie, whom he adored and often referred to as his “other daughter.”

Special thanks also to Sonny Walters and her daughter, Laila, for bringing light and comfort to his life in his final months.

Steve will be remembered for his laughter, his loyalty, his stories, and the deep love he carried for his family. He will be profoundly missed.

A graveside service will be held in the spring.

02/26/2026

Michael Corrigan

COLRAIN — Reverend Michael Corrigan of Colrain died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Feb. 1, 2026 at the age of 80.

Born in Baltimore, MD to Bishop Daniel and Elizabeth Corrigan, he grew up in St. Paul, MN; Denver, CO; and New York City.

Informed by his parents’ dedicated works of civil disobedience and gender equality in the Episcopal Church, Michael spent his early adult years at Columbia University, where he protested the Vietnam War, served on the Strike Coordinating Committee during the historic, student-led University shutdown of 1968, and volunteered at St. Stephen and the Incarnation in Washington, D.C.

Fortified by these experiences, Michael sought a career in the ministry. He graduated from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA and was ordained by Bishop Paul Moore at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He served first as curate at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, IL and shortly thereafter became rector at Church of the Good Shepherd in Granite Spring, NY.

Michael then moved to the Boston area, where he served first as chaplain at Boston University then as rector at St. John’s Church in Westwood, MA, and finally as rector at Church of Our Savior in Brookline, MA, where he faithfully and tirelessly served for 17 years.

Michael’s vision for Church of Our Savior was that of a thriving, multi-generational community, built on a dedication to the Gospel, Christian intellectualism, education, and acts of service and kindness. The lives and families he touched during his ministry there will always be a part of the church’s legacy.

Upon his retirement from Church of Our Savior, Michael was appointed chaplain at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA. Drawing from the deep love he had for his own boarding school experience, he enthusiastically taught, coached, mentored, and ministered both teacher and student alike, reinvigorating the church’s role in the community of NMH.

Michael served as a trustee for his beloved alma mater, the South Kent School, as well as for Hebron Academy.

In 2001, Michael provided counseling and spiritual guidance to survivors and responders at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11.

In his retirement, he was an active member of St. John’s Church in Ashfield, where he was assistant treasurer and served on the liturgy and mission committees. He also traveled widely from Machu Picchu to Rome, sang in the Greenfield Community College chorus, relished his daily runs, and was an avid Boston University hockey fan.

Michael Corrigan was a remarkable and giving father, husband, partner, friend, confidant, and healer. His compassion, warmth, and infectious humor is deeply loved and missed.

Michael is survived by his adored partner, Nancy Boyd; his children, Nell Waters, Sam, James, and Patrick Corrigan; and grandchildren Max, Luke, and Logan Bernegger, Sienna, Fiona, and Celine Corrigan. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law, Alexandra Pirozzi and Julia Corrigan; loved co-parent, Sylvia Robinson Corrigan, mother of Nell and Sam; and his many beloved nieces and nephews.

Michael was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 35 years and parent of James and Patrick, Patricia Corrigan; his brothers, David, Robert, Daniel, Patrick, and John Corrigan; and his parents, Bishop Daniel and Elizabeth Corrigan.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m. at Grace Church in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Church in Ashfield.

02/26/2026

02/21/2026

Ronald Szpila

MONTAGUE — Ronald Martin Szpila of Montague died unexpectedly on Feb. 15, 2026.

Born in Adams MA to Julian and Lucille Szpila, he was the oldest of five children.

He married his childhood friend, Annette St. Hilaire, 56 years ago. They enjoyed taking on big projects and adventures together. His love for her and the family they built was his highest purpose and where he found his greatest joys.

Ron was an electronics engineer and life-long educator, both in and outside the classroom. He rarely missed a moment to point out the small wonders of the world to those around him. Ron loved rock music, Harley Davidson motorcycles, chickens, photography, traveling the world, and entertaining many friends; he loved the stage. He loved being outdoors and was in his "happy place" when working on the lawn, cutting down trees and moving rocks. Ron loved talking with strangers and, though he stumbled sometimes, was always trying to brighten their day. He also revelled in the telling, and retelling, of a good family story. It did not matter to him that the details changed over time.

Ron was a loving father to Michelle and Robert. He was deeply devoted to his nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and embraced his role as Dziadziu.

At 79 years old, the challenges of aging weighed heavy on Ron. The world is a duller place without him.

He leaves behind his wife, Annette Szpila; sisters, Cynthia Daunais-Lawrence, Jeanne Millette; brother, Steven; children, Michelle Wright and Robert Szpila; grandchildren, Annie Bright, Emily Wright, Ryan Szpila, John Peter Wright, Thomas Szpila, Lucy Szpila, Elizabeth Wright, Sarah Wright, and Grace Szpila; great-grandchildren, Emil Bright, and Simona Bright. He was predeceased by Denise Desanty.

A memorial mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh Street, Turners Falls. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

Calling hours will be held Friday evening from 5-7:30 p.m. at Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Montague Center Fire Department Association, 28 Old Sunderland Rd., Montague, MA 01351 or to the Montague Police Association, 180 Turnpike Rd., Montague, MA 01351.