Nelson Phelps

Nelson Raymond Phelps, 99,a longtime resident of Adams, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2013, at Williamstown Commons with his family at his side. Born in Savoy on January 6, 1914, he was a son of the late Richard R. Phelps and Leah (Robitaille) Phelps. He moved to Adams with his family as a child, graduating from Notre Dame Elementary School and from Adams High School in 1933, where he was a member of the Berkshire County championship track team of 1931. Following graduation, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Savoy and later was employed by Viale Florists in Adams. He served in the U.S. Army 108th QM Regiment, Bakery Co., in North Africa, France and Germany during World War II and was a member of Adams American Legion Post 160. After his army service, Mr. Phelps was employed at Brightwater Paper Company in Adams for many years and subsequently worked at Sprague Electric Company in North Adams for 15 years before retiring in 1979. Following his retirement, he was a school crossing guard, worked with the Green Thumb Program and volunteered his services at the Adams Council on Aging senior meals program. He was a communicant of the Parish of Blessed John Paul the Great and served on the parish council of the former Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church, Adams. Mr. Phelps was a town meeting member for 20 years and served on the Town of Adams Personnel Board for five years. He was vice president of the the Barrett House board of directors from its inception in 1978 until 2003. He was an avid reader and gardener, at one time operating a greenhouse next to his home on Country Club Extension in Adams. Above all, he was a loving and caring husband, son, brother, parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. He leaves his wife of 68 years, Muriel (Bourdon) Phelps. The couple were married on July 23, 1945, at Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Church, North Adams. He also leaves a daughter, Virginia P. Duval, and her husband, Gilbert, of Adams; a grandson, Jeremy N. Duval, his wife, Jennifer, and two great-grandchildren, Miles and Lara Duval, all of Malvern, Pennsylvania; a sister, Evelyn Degen of Adams, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Francis, Leroy, Ronald and Ernest Phelps, and four sisters, Constance Voltoline, Violet Tetreault, Glorina Paquette and Theresa McConnell. The funeral will be on Thursday, September 5, at 9:00AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in the Parish Church of Blessed John Paul, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Wednesday, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial Donations in his memory may be made to the Adams Ambulance Service185 Columbia St, Adams, MA 01220 or the Adams Free Library, 92 Park St., Adams, MA 01220.