image description — An escort of first responders, Legionnaires and local officials accompanied the late Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher from Westover Air Force Base to Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield on Friday.

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Pittsfield Turns Out for Somber Homecoming for Galliher

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
08:54PM / Friday, December 15, 2023Print Story | Email Story

American flags were available at the Colonial Theatre and several other spots along the route.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The streets were somber and red, white and blue on Friday evening as community members welcomed Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher home.

"I think Pittsfield is proving what it's always been," Mayor-elect Peter Marchetti said. "When there is a tragedy or when there is a need to rally together, Pittsfield rallies together and it makes me proud to be a Pittsfielder today."

Galliher, 24, was killed on Nov. 29 when the Osprey aircraft he was on crashed off the coast of Japan along with seven other crew members. The Taconic High School graduate left behind his wife, Ivy, and 2-year-old and 6-week-old sons.

Members of the Pittsfield Police and Fire departments, the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office, the State Police, and the Dalton American Legion Riders escorted him home from Westover Air Force Base along a route through Lee, Lenox, and Pittsfield. Gov. Maura Healey had planned to meet the family at Westover.

At various locations in the city, people stood with flags and tears in their eyes as the long procession passed by. Hundreds gathered in front of the Colonial Theatre alone.

Mayor Linda Tyer was in procession of some 60 vehicles along with other local officials.

"I sincerely hope that we have given Jacob the hero's homecoming that he deserves," she said "While we can never truly know the magnitude of their heartbreak, we want Jacob's family to know that we stand with them in their grief."

The welcome home was a combination of efforts from the family, service members, and the city.

"I am in awe just at the number of people that have turned out to be here to welcome him home," Marchetti said.

Resident Carl Rose, whose son played football with Galliher, said he was a great man, a great father, and a great person to have a conversation with. He also noted that Galliher was a talented athlete.

"So I'm here to show my respect for him and his family and represent Taconic High School alumni," he said while wearing the high school's hat.

The wake for Galliher will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 2 to 6 at St. Agnes' Church in Dalton. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. also at St. Agnes.

The funeral will be livestreamed on the church's website, www.saintagnescc.com.

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Habitat for Humanity Selling Pittsfield Condos for $1,700/Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:21PM / Monday, February 09, 2026

The homes are being offered as condominiums with a homeowners association fee.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is selling two homes to income-eligible families who can afford about $1,700 per month.

On Friday, an open house was held for the newly built condominiums at 21 and 23 Murphy Place, and another will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 to noon. The each of the homes offers three bedrooms and one bathroom over 1,200 square feet.

Homebuyers services representative Chris LaPatin reported that there have been "quite a few" applications that are being reviewed.

The condos will be sold to families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the area median income, which ranges between $49,150 and $63,895 for a family of two and $66,350 and $86,255 for a family of five. A monthly payment of $1,673 will cover the principal and interest, property taxes, and home insurance. There's a monthly HOA fee on top of that.

Murphy Place is a dead-end street off Upper North Street, and the homes have yard space, parking, laundry, and a crawl space for storage. The washer and dryer are Whirlpool Energy Star, and the homes have energy-saving mini-split heat pumps for cooling and heating.

LaPatin pointed out that one way Habitat connects people to homeownership is through partnership hours. This program provides $2,000 toward a home purchase and an affordable mortgage from a third-party lender for completing financial and homeownership training and build site hours.

For one person, 275 hours are required, and 425 for a couple. Friends and family can help with partnership hours, according to Habitat's website.

Current income eligibility for families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the AMI:

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