All Obituaries

George J. Carmel, 90, passed away at home in Westfield, MA on December 4th . George was born in Agawam, MA November 20, 1933 to George N. Carmel Sr. and Ages Carmel. He graduated Westfield High School and worked at Kaman Air Craft, CT as a foreman for 30 years and also worked at Westfield Coatings as a foreman for 30 years. He was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church for many years. George was a hard worker, working two jobs, building his own house and raising a family. He loved his dogs,...

Melanie Diane Victoria (Bolin) Galcenski was taken to eternal rest on December 3, 2023 after a 12 year battle with cancer. She was pre-deceased by her parents Margaret Kay (Russell) Bolin who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and Eskil R.H. Bolin. They resided in Wilbraham, MA in the home they designed and helped build. Vicki was a 1963 graduate of the original Minnechaug Regional High School which was the first four year graduating class. She was employed by Massachusetts Mutual Life...

Donald I. McLean, husband of Joyce Piper McLean, died Saturday, December 2, 2023 after a long illness. Donald was born February 3, 1939 in Lexington, MA, but while he was a young boy, his family moved to first Agawam and then to West Springfield. Early on his father would pick him up after school and take him to his workplace to put together lawnmowers and other related equipment. He grew up working at the family business, Allen Lawnmower and eventually became part owner. He was a...

Alan D. Gilbert, 76, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023 peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on August 3, 1947 to the late George and Elizabeth (Greenlaw) Gilbert. He resided in Agawam for the last 36 years. He was a 1965 graduate of Westfield Trade. Alan served in the United States Navy for four years, reaching the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. He worked for many years in the Local 481 Painters and Allied Trades Union, retiring in 2012. He leaves behind...

Aljitha “Ann” (Duval) MacDonald, 84, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Vantage of Wilbraham. She was born in Westfield and was a graduate of Westfield High School. She worked as a short order cook for Andy’s Variety in Westfield, and as an E.M.T. for Forest Park Ambulance and Charter Ambulance Co. working out of Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Raymond L. MacDonald, her parents and 5 siblings. Ann is survived by her...

Carol Ann (Bressani) Van Heynigen, 86, of Naperville, IL, formerly of Westfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 1, 2023, after a long illness. Carol was born to the late Charles and Amelia (Symancyk) Bressani on April 16, 1937, in Westfield, MA. She was raised in Westfield and attended local schools, graduating from Westfield High School in 1955. Carol and her husband Winthrop married on May 11, 1957, and raised three children. She worked for many years as an...

Peter C. Slater, 77, passed away at Westfield Gardens Nursing home. He was born in Westfield to the late Everett and Ida (Katalina) Slater. Peter served his country in the United States Army from 1964-1966 during Vietnam. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and playing hockey. He used to race cars at Lebanon Speedway for many years. Peter was employed by Columbia Manufacturing and retired from the Highway Department for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Besides his parents, he was...

Helen Brzys passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023. Born in Westfield on January 26, 1934, Helen was the daughter of the late Frank and Stacia Wojcicki; she was also predeceased by brothers Walter, Henry, Edward and Alexander Wojcicki. A graduate of Westfield High School in 1952, Helen spent her time working in the community; her last two positions were serving as secretary for Mayor John Palczynski’s second term in office and working at City Hall in the Treasurer and...

Joseph Francis Pescitelli, Jr., a long-time resident of Westfield, MA, passed away on November 28, 2023. He was born in Springfield, MA on May 11, 1952. After graduating from Westfield High School in 1970, he earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT in 1974. He taught history at Westfield, Agawam, and Southwick High Schools before working for many years at Westfield City Hall in the Community Development Department. Joe always had a great passion...

Janusz Kosciolek, 56, passed away November 28, 2023. Born in Poland on November 7, 1967; He was a loving, hardworking and selfless husband, father, brother and son. He is survived by his wife Maria Kosciolek, son Michal Kosciolek, daughter Anna Mongeon and her husband Mason. His sisters Edyta Stanuch, Malgorzata Pikul, Brother Mariusz Kosciolek, their families as well as his father Edward Kosciolek. The liturgy of Christian Burial for Janusz will be on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:30AM in...