Joseph G. Guertin, 89
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Joseph George Guertin, 89, of Benedict Road died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his friends and family.
Born in North Adams on May 13, 1924, son of Arthur J. B. and Honorine Giguere Guertin, he attended the former Notre Dame Grammar School and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1942.
He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II.
Mr. Guertin joined the former General Electric Co., after completing the GE Apprentice Course. He was a senior designer in drafting in the Power Transformer Division until his retirement in 1984 after 42 years of service to the company. After retirement, he worked as a realtor with Guitian Realty Co.
He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church. Before moving to Pittsfield in 1957, he was an active communicant of the former Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Church in North Adams. He was active in the community and served as the president of both the Berkshire County Historical Commission and the Berkshire Family History Association through the Berkshire Athenaeum. He was an instrumental figure in the establishment of the Silvio O. Conte National Archives in Pittsfield.
Mr. Guertin also was a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and a founder of its Walking Tours of Pittsfield program, and a member of the board of directors of the Pittsfield Tree Watch. He also was a member of the Missouri Aviation Academy and participated in annual reunions with his former Air Force comrades.
His wife, the former Nathalie Regina Leona Serre, whom he married on Oct. 19, 1946, died on Sept. 18, 2013.
He leaves two daughters, Marie Guertin Fedoryshyn and Annette M. Guertin, both of Pittsfield; his sister, Agnes Rivers of the state of Florida; a grandson, Deacon Christopher A. Fedoryshyn, and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by siblings Jean Wheeler, Alice Trombley and Albert Guertin, and his son-in-law, Peter Fedoryshyn.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Guertin will be Saturday, Feb. 15, at 8:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 at St. Joseph's Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery in North Adams.
Calling hours will be Friday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 6 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pittsfield Tree Watch; Hospice Care of the Berkshires or the Serre and Guertin Family Scholarship at Berkshire Community College (checks payable to BCC Foundation) in care of the funeral home.