William E. Roberts, 49
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — William E. "Moose" Roberts, 49, of 37 Beacon St. died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004, at home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in North Adams on Jan. 13, 1955, son of Lawrence Roberts of North Adams and Helen Maynard Roberts LaCross of Adams, he attended schools in North Adams, including Charles H. McCann Technical School.
Mr. Roberts was employed as a toolmaker at Steinerfilm Co. in Williamstown, until retiring because of poor health in 2000. Before that, he was employed for several years at Parker Machine Co.
He was an active member of First Congregational Church and sang in the church choir.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of the Tunnel City Bass Fishing Club and enjoyed riding his motorcycle.
He was a longtime volunteer for many youth sports programs, including Little League baseball, for which he managed the concession stand for many seasons. In 1991, he received the North Adams Little League Volunteer Award for his support and dedication. He also was a coach for the North Adams Soccer League for several seasons.
He and his wife, the former Donna Larabee, were married Dec. 2, 1977, in Notre Dame Church.
Besides his wife and parents, he leaves his stepmother, Theresa Champagne Roberts of North Adams; two sons, Thomas E. Roberts of Sagamore Beach and Nicholas A. Roberts, a student at the University of Vermont; two sisters, Elizabeth Roberts of Adams and Robin Sigsbury of North Adams; a brother, Richard Roberts and his wife, Diane, of North Adams, and four stepsisters, Nancy Roy and Alice Vigna, both of North Adams, Celeste Daniels of Heath and Annette Dudley of Succasunna, N.J.; three brothers-in-law, Michael Larabee, Christopher Larabee and Kenneth Larabee; three sisters-in-law, Deborah Rock, Lynn Larabee and Beth Larabee; his father-in-law, Kenneth Larabee; a godchild, Kayli Larabee; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many loyal friends.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Roberts will be conducted Friday at 1 at First Congregational Church of North Adams by the Rev. Jill Graham, pastor.
Burial will follow in the family plot in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St. Memorial donations are suggested for the William E. "Moose" Roberts Scholarship Fund through the funeral home.