Middle School Makes Gruesome Discovery

Staff reportsiBerkshires
10:02PM / Monday, September 15, 2008Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS — A body was found near the sports field up behind Adams Memorial Middle School shortly before 10:30 Monday morning.

While authorities have declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the death, it is believed to be a suicide.

"The matter is under investigation and we do not suspect foul play," said First Assistant District Attorney Paul J. Caccaviello late Monday afternoon.

Middle school Principal Kimberly Roberts-Morandi said only "a very small number of children were aware of the incident."

She said the school has support programs in place to help any child having difficulty coping with the incident. She did not believe the deceased had any connection to the school.

"In any emergency or disaster, the school is in a position to keep the children safe," said Roberts-Morandi, noting there are plans in place for a range of emergencies. "Clearly, our concerns are for the well-being of the students."

It was decided to keep the students at school for the regular day. Parents were notified by letters sent home with their children that an incident had occurred, that it did not directly involve the school and that support was available if needed.

According to the police log, the school reported a possible hanging at 10:31 a.m. First an ambulance and then the medical examiner was summoned, and the body removed.

Roberts-Morandi said the blinds on the west side of the school facing Willard "Beaver" Bard Field were closed as emergency vehicles arrived both to shield the students and out of respect for the deceased.

"Everyone deserves privacy," she said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the person's family."

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

First of all, my deepest sympathy to the family affected... Also, many thanks to Mrs. Morandi for putting to action, support for the very small amount whom witnessed the discovery and for providing a safe gaurd for the students on the West side of the building. In addition, In these difficult days in which many are experiencing, my hope is soon there will be a help line (1-800#) with educated or trained people to provide a listening ear or encouragemnt to those that may seem so alone and suicidal.
from: A mother of a middle schooler-Mrs. G	on: 09-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

that man was a dear friend of mine..may he rest in peace...my son slso goes to that school, and i would have to say that the school did a great job on keeping the news on what happen away from the children...may my friend rest in peace and god bless his family and friends
from:	on: 09-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

doess anyone know who it is? This is a small town and I wonder if it is someone I know?
from: shocked	on: 09-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I have to agree that Mrs. Roberts Morandi and the school staff did a wonderful job in keeping the kids sheilded from the outside. I know the family and my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this hard time. I am also praying that the kids that were subjected to this tragedy will be able to continue on the best way that they will be able to.
from: middle school mom	on: 09-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

such an unfortunate thing for someone to feel they had to do, but i have to say what a$$hole thing to do near so many children hopefully the children directly affected by this tragedy will in time forget this grisly ordeal
from:	on: 09-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Let's not judge the deceased. Lets try to look at this compassionately. Apparently, something happened where at the midst of the moment he did what he did. Was he in the right state of mind? At the moment, absolutely not. But understand any and let me repeat myself any person at any given moment can snap due to a tragedy or other life altering incident. Lets pray they have someone that can work with them through that very dark time (Faith,A family member, A friend or even a 1-800 number) Yes, there are 1-800 numbers out there but they can't be tucked away in a booklet to be effective they need to be on bill boards throughout the Berkshires. People dealing with these issues need a visual reminder, yes...there is hope... Remember working with a person dealing with these darkened days has a 50/50 chance of making it through that time....I believe each and every individual is entitled to that chance!
from:	on: 09-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

While it certainly is difficult to know what personal demons one suffers from, I am appalled that someone believed ending their life at a children's athletic field, located next to a middle school, seemed like the only option. It takes less than a moment to realize just who would be making that discovery. It is a shame that a place that has always been asociated with fun, sports and laughter is now a place that will bring forth so many frightening thoughts for the children and parents of this community. My heart goes out to our children and parents who are now dealing with such a horrific shock.
from: MIDDLE SCHOOL MOM	on: 09-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

First of all, let me say this community is so blessed to have Mrs. Morandi and her staff watching over our children. They did an amazing job protecting our children during this tragedy. Unfortunatly, while it is true there was only a small percentage of children who were witness to this incident, there is not a child at that middle school who is not aware of just what happened on their athletic field. While my thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the family of the deceased, I am most saddened for our children. They now have images, real or imagined, that no child should ever have to deal with and now associate a place of fun and laughter with fear and confusion. Saddly, our community lost much more that a life early Monday morning on Willard "Beaver" Bard Field.
from: another middle school mom	on: 09-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

my sympathy goes to the affected family....nobody should have to endure such a tragedy. God bless you all. My daughter is well aware of what happened...that a person felt that things were so desolate in their life, that was the only way to settle the pain. I've also made sure she understands that this is NOT CSI...TV, it's real life, that people unfortunately feel this way, all the time, and it's all in the way we treat other human beings. Middle school is the worst place to learn this lesson, and I'm hoping that parents are also honest with their children. If anything needs to come of this, it's a lesson learned.
from: AMMS parent	on: 09-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Before there was another suicide incident with an older man that cut his wrists and slit his throat
from: More info	on: 09-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Cheshire Town Meeting Oks Budgets, Debates Potential Prop 2 1/2 Override

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:12PM / Monday, June 08, 2026

Moderator Carol Francesconi, left, and Anne Marie Furey were presented flowers in memory of the Rev. William Furey, their brother and husband, respectively. The town report was dedicated to him.

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Town meeting on Monday approved all 35 articles on the annual meeting warrant, including a total spending for fiscal 2027 of more than $8.5 million.

Some 77 of the town's more than 2,500 registered voters filled the Cheshire Community House meeting room, debating on a number of articles during the meeting that lasted nearly three hours

The town dedicated its annual report to the Rev. William David Furey, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church and more recently Berkshire Union Chapel in Lanesborough. Furey died last year at age 77.

His wife, Anne Marie Furey, and his sister, Town Moderator Carol Francesconi, were presented with a bouquet of flowers in tribute to him.

He was an exemplary member of the community who left a lasting impression in each and every life that he touched, said Town Clerk Whitney Flynn.

Voters approved several warrant articles that make up an operating budget of $3,840,314 for fiscal 2027. Of this amount, $1,642,481 is allocated for the general government budget, which was approved after clarification of a few questions.

One item was the administrative assistant's salary. Prior to the annual meeting, the town eliminated the executive assistant salary of $54,309 in favor of a part-time administrative assistant salary of $27,155, to reduce costs considering the financial constraint the town is in.

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