All Obituaries

Hugh C. Pecon, 86, of Lee, died Monday, January 17th at Berkshire Medical Center. Hugh was born February 2, 1935, the son of Raymond and Lillian Johnston Pecon. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Irma Hubbard.  He was raised in Lee and a Lee High School graduate. He attended AIC and graduated with a BS in Economics.  After college Mr. Pecon enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served on the USS Forrest B. Royal.  He was honorably discharged in 1963. Mr....

Bertram E. Ketchen, 90, died Saturday morning at Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Pittsfield. The son of Andrew G. and Elenor (Gay) Ketchen, Bert was born in Belchertown on February 12, 1931. He graduated from Wayland High School in 1950 and served in the Navy from 1951 to 1954 aboard the USS Coral Sea Aircraft Carrier as a photographer. On January 16, 1954, Bert married the former Nancy E. Smith. Bert and Nancy owned and operated Circle Gulf in Natick for 27 years...

Dorothy Mary Mottarella, 103, of Lee, passed away on December 30, 2021. She was born in Lee on March 30, 1918 the daughter of Luigi and Florinda (Lena) Cuillo. She was raised and educated in Lee and, at the time of her death, Mrs. Mottarella was the oldest living citizen of the Town of Lee and had received the Silver Cane award. Mrs. Mottarella was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard, in 2003. Dorothy is survived by her nephews: Michael Fern, Francis Cuillo Jr., and Wayne Cuillo;...

Betty J. Clark of Pine Street of South Lee died Wednesday evening, December 22, 2021 at her home. Betty was born in Becket on November 6, 1930. She was the daughter of Charles and Flora Crane Farnham. Betty was a graduate of Lee High School. After graduation Betty worked on the Farnham family farm and Monument Mills in Housatonic. Betty married Francis Clark Sr. on June 1st, 1957. Together they raised eight children. Mr. Clark died in 2017. Betty remained a home maker until the children...

Todd Richard Morin, 52, of Lenox MA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and under the care of hospice on Monday, December 13, 2021, after a long battle with colon cancer. Born in Pittsfield MA on September 29, 1969, he was the son of the late Richard “Dick” Morin and Nancy Fishe Morin. Todd was raised in Lee and Hancock MA. He graduated from New Lebanon High School in 1987. He attended Berkshire Community College and North Adams State College graduating in...

Elvin J. Bartini, 90, a lifelong resident of Lee passed away Friday, Dec. 10, 2021 at Lee Healthcare. Born February 19, 1931 to Joseph and Eva Bartini, Al graduated from Lee High School in 1949.  He entered the Army in March of 1952.  Before leaving for Germany for two years, he returned home to marry the love of his life, Rita Ranzoni on July 5, 1952; a marriage that lasted 68 years until her death in April of this year.  Rita and Al had three sons and a daughter who...

Mrs. Helen Evelyn Twing, 101, of Tyringham, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at the Mount Carmel Care Center in Lenox where she has resided for the last several years. Helen was born March 30, 1920, the daughter of William and Florence Mead Bradway. She lived most of her life in Tyringham where she was a devoted wife to Edwin W. Twing, Sr. whom she married April 25, 1937. Mr. Twing predeceased her August 24, 1986. Mrs. Twing enjoyed gardening and canning her vegetables. She will be...

Gerald J. Hammerle, 78, died Sunday at Lee Health Care. Jerry enjoyed spending time with family and friends making them laugh with jokes and witty comebacks. Jerry enjoyed watching the Patriots, Red Sox and the Green Bay Packers. When he wasn’t watching sports he loved watching an old western or, according to his wife, one of his all time favorites, General Hospital. He enjoyed listening to Elvis especially the Christmas songs and had a love for fishing. He was born in Pittsfield,...

Karina Kruse, 79, owner of The Marskandiser Florist in Lee, passed away at her home on Sunday, November 21st with her entire loving family at her side. Karina was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 28, 1942, the daughter of Joergen and Mathilde Larsen Knygberg. Karina settled in Lee in 1970 where she showcased her many talents over the years. There are many left behind to cherish her memory including her four children: Robert Kruse, Michael Kruse, AnnChristine Gormley and her husband, Sean...

Mrs. Barbara L. Clayton, 90, of Otis, passed away at home on Monday, November 8, 2021, surrounded by family. She was born August 7, 1931, in Lynn, MA, the daughter of Ralph and Hazel Gosse Gleason. Barbara was a 1949 graduate of Hingham High School and a 1952 graduate of Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing. Barbara’s early career had her in Germany where she worked as an R.N. on a military base in the 1950’s. After returning stateside she worked at various doctor’s...