W. Ross Hawkins, 80

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Mr. W. Ross Hawkins, 80, of Shunpike Road in Sheffield, Mass., passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Mass.

Born December 27, 1936, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of William and Agnes Murray Hawkins. He graduated in 1960 from Bowdoin College in Maine with a BA in European History and a minor in French and went on to earn his Master’s degree in Education from the University of Hartford.

A dedicated educator for 37 years, Mr. Hawkins taught European History and French at Berkshire School until he retired in 2003. He loved hockey and spent many seasons as the hockey coach at Berkshire School.

Ross liked horse racing and loved to go Saratoga. He took several trips to Europe, with England and France being two of his top places to visit.

Ross is survived by his wife Joyce Budinski Hawkins; two sons, Leigh Hawkins and wife Deborah and son Scott Hawkins and wife Natalie; and two granddaughters, Samantha and Sydney.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Jeanne Cushing Hawkins in 1996.

Funeral notice: A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. at the Jackman Stewart Center at Berkshire School, 245 North Undermountain Road, Sheffield. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the W. Ross Hawkins Memorial Fund at Berkshire School, 245 North Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA 01257. Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington is caring for the arrangements.