Edward William DeGere

02/06/2003

Edward William DeGere, 74, of 134 Bellevue Ave., a longtime Adams businessman and civic leader, died early Thursday at Berkshire Medical Center following several weeks of failing health. Born in Adams on June 8, 1928, son of George and Helen Thompson DeGere, he attended Adams schools. He was the owner and operator of E.W. DeGere Trucking in Adams, which specialized in excavation, snowplowing and landscaping. In 1949, DeGere first transported children from Camp Hamelin Road in Adams to local schools. In 1953, he purchased his first school bus. By 1970, he had established E.W. DeGere Transportation, which provided school buses to the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District until 1992, with a fleet of 28 buses and a staff of 40. He was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of Berkshire Lodge of Masons AF & AM in Adams, and was a charter member of the Berkshire Shrine Club, starting its go-cart team. A 32nd-degree Mason, he was a member of the Connecticut Valley Consistory of Masons in Springfield. He was a member of the Adams Lions Club and was a member of the town Finance Committee from 1980 until 1985. His first wife, the former Margaret Rashdorf, died in 1983. He leaves his wife, the former Judith A. LaFreniere, whom he married on April 27, 1984, in St. Mark's Episcopal Church; two daughters, Lisa M. Harrison of Averill Park, N.Y., and Jodi L. O'Neill of Adams; and three grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Edward William DeGere will be held on Monday at 9 from the AUGÃ‰-PACIOREK-SIMMONS FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., followed by a Requiem Eucharist at 10 in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, celebrated by the Rev. Michael McCue, rector. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 2 to 5 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society through the funeral home. Survivors also include two sons-in-law, Frederick Harrison of Averill Park and Peter O'Neill of Adams; three grandchildren, Courtney O'Neill and Victoria O'Neill, both of Adams, and Matthew Mancino of Averill Park; and his beloved pets, Abbie, Callie, Rosie, Annie and Susie.

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