Scott Russell Rockefeller

Scott Russell Rockefeller, 71, of Lee, MA died suddenly on Monday May 31, 2021.  It is fitting he was passed away on Memorial Day, a day of Remembrance for Service to others.  He was the son of Edward and Grace (Kellogg) Rockefeller, born December 31, 1949 in Great Barrington.  He attended schools in Great Barrington, MA graduating from Searles High School in 1967.  As a teenager, he worked at the Front Desk at Berkshire Motor Inn.  He also helped out at the Texaco Station in Great Barrington helping out Charles Casey, who became a second Father to Scott.  Scott continued to visit and assist him until his death. 

Scott attended Springfield College after high school.  He received his Bachelor Degree in Professional Studies from State University of New York, Empire State College in 1990 while raising a Family and working countless hours.

Scott went to work at the Kimberly-Clark, now Schweitzer-Mauduit, in Lee, MA at age 18.  While there, he was a member of the Emergency Response Team.  He received various promotions with the last being an IT Project Manager, where he was transferred to South Carolina for the last year he was employed.  He decided to retire in 2010 to spend more time with his Family.

Scott became an American Heart Association CPR Instructor in 1977.  He has literally trained thousands of EMS, Police, Fire, First Responders, School Faculty, and lay people including elementary and high school children.  He also became a Stop the Bleed Instructor.

He wanted to become a patroller with National Ski Patrol (NSP) but didn’t know how to ski.  He learned to ski at the age of 45 and took the OEC (Outdoor Emergency Care) Course in order to join the Butternut Ski Patrol in 1993.   He completed the OEC Instructor Training Program in 1999.  He held the position of Western Mass Region, National Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care Administrator 2000-2005.  He was responsible for delivering the National curriculum where he assured strict quality control measures.  He coordinated the work for approximately 450 National Ski Patrollers which comprised 10 ski patrols located in the Western Mass Region.   He was known for building props, creating scenarios, and doing moulage to make the scenarios realistic.  He received the NSP Yellow Merit Star in 2004 in recognition of Leadership and years of Service to all who ski and again in 2005 for outstanding service to Western Mass Region for implementation of a Region-wide OEC Course.  Seven months later, he received another one for being selected as an Outstanding Instructor for the Eastern Division.  In 2011, he received one for his time and expertise in the development of the OEC 5th Edition serving as a Text Reviewer, stating he was “instrumental in making the book the most successful emergency care book in the history of NSP.” 

Scott received various awards: Western Mass Region Director’s Award for outstanding contributions to the OEC program, and a Leadership Commendation Appointment from the National Office in Colorado.  Scott served on the Eastern Division of NSP on the Board of Directors for the Outdoor Emergency Care Committee in an advisory capacity.  He received an NSP Maine Region award for his outstanding support of the Maine’s OEC Programs in 2013.  When he was no longer physically able to ski, he joined the Butternut Alumni.

Scott became an EMT in 1995 where he joined the Lee Volunteer Ambulance Service.  He mentored many new EMTs and was often sought out for his training skills.  He most cherished being a ride partner with Eileen on Sunday nights.   He call sign was L-30.  Often times, he went directly to the scene in his personal vehicle if he was close, he was soon nicknamed “Lee Car 30 ½”. He missed many dinners and sleep to answer the call to anyone in need.  He taught numerous continuing education, CPR, and First Responder classes to EMS, Police, and Fire organizations throughout Berkshire County.  He was co-partner in EMS Training of the Berkshires where he taught many people who wanted to become Basic EMTs.  Scott would only charge for the cost of materials but never for his time, only to cover the cost of materials.  He was appointed a Physician Designee for Western Mass EMS to teach and evaluate the semi-automatic defib program for Basic and Intermediate EMTs.  Scott received numerous Save Awards and was awarded the Berkshire County Basic EMT of the year in 2006.  Once the ambulance service merged to become the Lee Fire Department, a paid service, he vowed not to get paid but to remain a Volunteer, which he did.  He became a Massachusetts EMT Examiner in 2007.  He travelled to all corners of the State whenever he was needed.  Before the use of GPS, he made Street directions for all towns that Lee Ambulance served. 

Scott was named a Berkshire County Hero by the Berkshire Eagle in 2002 for all his volunteer time to the Community.  He was credited for finding two lost twin girls on Monument Mountain, as he knew the Mountain so well having hiked it numerous times.  He was nominated by his sister Margot.

Scott was a member of the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, MA.  He was an active member always involved in pot luck dinners, building a popcorn wagon and a manger for the Nativity set.  He especially enjoyed attending the Sunrise Easter and candlelight Christmas Eve Services.  He delivered meals and did various errands or projects for those members who could not attend Church Services.

He volunteered to be a Community Helper at Cheshire Elementary school where his grandchildren attended.  He was a reader for the Dr. Suess Read Across America Day for several years at the Lee Elementary School.

He had many hobbies, among his favorites were golf, projects of any kind, dinner and movie dates, camping, beach trips especially numerous trips to Aruba, his Bucket trip to Alaska with Eileen in 2017, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.  He was an avid Red Sox and Patriot’s fan.  He so enjoyed his visits with his fur grand animals, especially Callie who always greeted him at the door with a ball or frisbee.

Scott always enjoyed telling jokes, pulling pranks, and always found time to laugh.  His smile was infectious.

Scott leaves behind the love of his life, his wife, Eileen (Meczywor) Rockefeller of 23 years, two daughters, Melissa Hill and her husband Daniel of Cheshire, MA and Tracey Murtha and her husband Tom of South, Lee; five grandchildren: Michael, Christopher, Sarah, Garrett and Makayla and two great grandsons.  He leaves his sister, Margot Rockefeller and her husband Dale of Pittsfield, MA and his brother-in law, Jeffrey Meczywor of Lenox, MA.  He leaves many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  In addition, he leaves a multitude of friends, too numerous to count.  Scott & Eileen will be forever thankful to Paul Mihlek for arranging us to meet.  He was predeceased by his brother Bruce in 2016.

Calling hours will be from 4 pm-6pm at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Please enter through the Main Street entrance and exit through the back door. Funeral Services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Lee on Thursday, June 10, 10AM. Please note that those unvaccinated for COVID are kindly asked to wear a mask at all services.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Scott’s memory may be made to Butternut Ski Patrol or Lee Ambulance Squad in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA  01238.

If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the Family, please visit our website at www.kellyfuneralhome.net