image description — Radio host Bill Sturgeon has been named grand marshal of this year's hosted Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade.

Sturgeon Named Grand Marshal For Pittsfield Parade

01:31PM / Thursday, June 20, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — William P. "Bill" Sturgeon is the latest honoree chosen by the Pittsfield Parade Committee to be the grand marshal of the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade.

He joins a list of local people to be so honored including retired city police and fire chiefs Michael Wynn and Robert Czerwinski, respectively, as well as Julianne Boyd, the artistic director for Barrington Stage Company.

"I'm blown away," Sturgeon said when asked about his reaction to his selection. There are so many deserving people," he said, adding, "It's such an honor. It's the one non-family event I missed the most when I was in the Army."

Sturgeon served a tour with the 101st Airborne Airmobile in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal before his 1971 discharge.

His career in criminal justice has spanned more than 45 years locally and with the U.S. Department of Justice. Sturgeon also had assignments with foreign governments including South Africa, the United Kingdon, Haiti, the Netherlands, and the Philippines.

Sturgeon co-authored two books with the late Barry Glick, Ph.D., "No Time to Play" and "Recess is Over." In 2023 he co-authored with Francesca Spina, Ph.D., "Think Like a Terrorist to Combat Terrorism" and "Radicalization in Prison."

Sturgeon has a bachelor of science and master of arts degrees in criminal justice administration and has worked for the Pittsfield and Lanesborough Police Departments.

Sturgeon is married to the former Rose Ann Marcinczyk. They have been married 53 years and have one son, Patrick, and their daughter-in-law, Tina. They have a 19-month-old grandson, William, and another grandchild on the way.

The 77-year-old stays active in the community hosting WTBR's "Morning Drive," serving on Pittsfield Community Television's board of directors and WTBR's Community Advisory Board. Previously, Sturgeon served on the Advisory Board for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. He also served on the board of the Berkshire County Historical Society and hosted a radio show at United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts' radio station WRRS. He is active on issues involving veterans, the elderly and the handicapped.

Earlier this year Sturgeon was named Irish Person of the Year 2024 by the Irish American Club of Berkshire County. Prior to the Parade Committee's unanimous vote for Sturgeon as grand marshal co-coordinator for this year's parade, Rebecca Brien said, "He really checks all the boxes for this."

Asked how he wants to prepare for his day of march, Sturgeon said he wanted to visit the Shrine of the Blessed Mother in New Lebanon, N.Y., where he will light a candle to honor all Vietnam veterans, living and deceased.

Tags: 4th of July, grand marshal, parade,

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First.

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said.

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers.

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center. It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said.

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it."

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County.

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle. The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said.

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