Lawrence E. "Larry" Brothers Jr.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lawrence E. "Larry" Brothers Jr. passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016, at Berkshire Medical Center.

He was the son of the late Lawrence E. Brothers Sr and Dorothy Atwell Brothers. He was born on September 22, 1933, in North Adams, where he resided until 1960 when he moved to Pittsfield. After graduating from Drury High School in 1951, he began his career in accounting and had been employed at General Electric, Petricca Construction Company, Apple and Albano, and Raynor's Bearings & Supplies, retiring in May 2000.

In December 2000, he became employed by Security Consultants Group as a security enforcement officer at the Social Security Administration office in North Adams until 2007. He then was employed by Guards Plus as a security guard at 877 South Street until 2013.

Larry enlisted in the National Guard in 1952 and transferred to the Army Reserve in 1965, where he commanded B Company 3rd Battalion 187 Infantry BDE and received several military decorations, including two Army Commendation Medals. He also served with the 173rd Medical Group and the 1049th US Army Reserve Training School stationed at Westover Air Base. He retired in 1986 from the Army Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1986 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel he was appointed as Deputy Sheriff by former Sheriff Carmen Massimiano and served as Commander of the Uniform Division until his retirement in 1998.

Larry was a “paid-up-for life" member of the American Legion, where he served as Berkshire County District Commander, finance officer and Post 68 Commander. At the time of his death he was a member of the Benjamin F. Sullivan Post 155 and member of the post's color guard.

Larry was an avid fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics. He enjoyed spending time with family, doing daily crossword puzzles and while in good health he enjoyed golfing and working in his yard.

His first wife Theresa A. Colo Brothers, whom he married on June 4, 1954, at St. Francis Assisi Church in North Adams, died on October 15, 2002. He was also predeceased by his brother, Robert A. Brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Clementine Krol Brothers, whom he married on January 31, 2004, at St. Charles Church; his sons, Craig (Aloha) Brothers of Ohio and Jeffrey (Lisa) Brothers of Pittsfield; stepchildren Joan (Gary) Dassatt of Michigan, Michelle (Michael) Casella of New York and Michael Dietlin of Pittsfield; grandchildren Jillian (Edward III) St. John, Scott Brothers, Benjamin Brothers and Alyssa (Randy) McLeod; step-grandchildren Gary Dassatt, Eric Dassatt, Brittany (Aaron) Woodruff, David Masdea, Matthew Dietlin and Ryan Dietlin; great-grandchildren Gianna St. John, Connor McLeod, Everett McLeod and Wyatt Woodruff; sister Linda Bruso of Maine; brother-in-laws Frank, John (Beverly) and Melchior Krol and sister-in-laws, Rosalie (Milt) Tulkoff, Dianne (David) Cornell; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Larry and his family have always been thankful to the nurses at HospiceCare in the Berkshires for saving his life in 2012 when he had a cardiac arrest at his place of employment.

Funeral Notice: Services will take place Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at 9 a.m. from the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Church, 89 Briggs Ave., Pittsfield, with the Rev. Peter A. Gregory, pastor, officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home.