Kerry and Grayson Pellegrino

LEE, Mass. — On Saturday, December 30, 2017, we lost two beautiful people, Kerry Kathleen Hamill, age 40, and Grayson Luc Pellegrino, age 3 1/2 years, tragically in a motor vehicle accident in Bedford, N.Y. They resided in Lee, Mass., at the time of their deaths. Kerry’s wife Lauren Pellegrino survived the crash with multiple injuries.

Kerry was born on March 11, 1977, in Stewart Manor, Long Island. Her parents are Daniel and Catherine Hamill of Stewart Manor. Kerry was the youngest of four amazing siblings: Danny, Christine and Jackie and their spouses. She was loved by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Her nieces and nephews brought her such joy.  

Lauren and Kerry celebrated their great love with marriage vows on June 7, 2008, at the Pellegrino family home in West Stockbridge, Mass. They would have celebrated their 10 year anniversary this June. The light of their lives, Grayson Luc, was born on May 17, 2014, at Berkshire Medical Center, creating a loving family life centered around their love for their precious son.

Loving grandparents to Grayson Luc are Catherine and Daniel Hamill of Long Island and Patricia and Franco Pellegrino of West Stockbridge, Mass.

Kerry attended Hofstra University on a full women's basketball scholarship and played for Adelphi University while working toward her five-year master's degree. She graduated with her master's segree in Health Education in 2000. She also earned a Certificate from Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in NYC and worked as a pastry chef for Del Posto and the Ritz Carlton, both in Manhattan. After they moved to the Berkshires, Kerry was employed at several local industries, such as Berkshire Mountain Bakery, before becoming a member of the Simon's Rock College community, where she worked for the past three years at Kilpatrick Athletic Center, as Front Desk Manager, before transferring to the Simon's Rock Registrar's office, where she was Associate Registrar. Kerry truly valued being a part of this team.

Grayson was enrolled as a preschool student at St. Paul's Children's Center in Stockbridge, Mass. He loved his teachers and classmates and looked forward to school every day. Grayson loved classical music, playing instruments, including his drums, guitar and horns. He loved being outside in nature so much; some of their favorite family activities were hiking, swimming, sports and spending time with his Grammie, Poppy, Grandma, PopPop, aunts, uncles and his special cousins. Grayson loved books: "Let's cuddle and read…!" He was a kind little boy, whose life was rich and full, giving to others as much love as he received from those who knew him.

Funeral notice: Calling hours for Kerry and Grayson will be held at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., in Great Barrington, MA 01230 on Friday, February 9, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. A combined service for the Celebration of Kerry and Grayson, mother and son, will be held at Simon's Rock of Bard College, on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 11 a.m. in the McConnell Theater.

Donations in memory of Kerry and Grayson may be made to the Kerry and Grayson Memorial Fund c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.  These donations will be used for educational scholarships as well as sharing Grayson's love of books with our local libraries, as he loved visiting them each week.

The Pellegrino Family, Lauren, Pat & Franco, and the Hamill Family, Daniel & Catherine, would like to sincerely thank their families, friends, acquaintances, our work families of: BCC, Simon’s Rock, PDC, our Atwood friends/neighbors, "The Deli Lives" family, as well as our amazing community, for the loving and caring support they have given to us during this sad time. Your strength and love of Kerry and our precious Grayson have helped us to move through the loss of them, to a place where we can honor their too-brief time with us. Thank you from our hearts.