James G. Small

09/12/2004

James G. Small, 86, of Salisbury Road died Sunday at Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Troy, N.Y., on April 22, 1918, son of Herbert W. and Cecelia Mary Ford Small, he attended schools in Sheffield and was a 1935 graduate of the former Sheffield High School. An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he served as a bombardier/navigator on B-29s in the Pacific, flying 33 missions out of Guam. He received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from active duty in 1945 and served in the reserve until 1978, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. An electrician, Mr. Small founded James G. Small Electrical Contractors in 1950. He retired in 1980. He also served as wiring inspector for Sheffield, Egremont and New Marlboro from 1978 until his retirement in 1993. He was a founding member and two-time commander of the Sheffield American Legion. He also served as District 1 county commander in 1972 and was a life member of the James A. Modolo VFW Post 8348. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association and of the Sheffield Fire Department for 23 years, serving as fire chief in 1957 and 1958. Mr. Small served 20 years on the Democratic Town Committee, and was a charter member of the Mount Everett Knights of Columbus and past chairman of the Sheffield Council on Aging. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Valley Church and enjoyed cabinetmaking and football. His first wife, the former Marion Mulligan, whom he married in 1946, died in June 1972. He and his wife, the former Evelyn E. Bunce, were married in June 1974 at Our Lady of the Valley Church. Besides his wife, he leaves a son, James H. Small of Delhi, N.Y.; three daughters, Glynn Trombetta of Cody, Wyo., and Maureen Seward and Sheila Smith, both of Sheffield; three sisters, Cecelia Kay of Great Barrington, Ann E. Finn of Westford and Mary Ustico of Canaan, Conn.; a stepson, John E. Bailey of Mount Washington; a stepdaughter, Valerie Pickert of Ashley Falls; 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for James Small will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, at 10 at Our Lady of the Valley Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 7 at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Valley Church through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com. He was predeceased by his brother, Herbert Small, who was shot down in 1944 over France during World War II.

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