Mr. Paul Clermont

The Last Column By Paul Clermont To paraphrase Charles Dickens; I grew up in what I believe were the best of times, and in my case one of the best of places. One of the advantages of being diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis is that this disease has given me enough time to not only "Get my affairs in order,"but to also write my final op-ed piece. My parents Paul Arthur Clermont & Rita Evelyn Clermont (nee Peat) gave me the gift of life in Adams, Massachusetts on Thursday, December 21, 1944. I am happy about having had a full life, and not despondent over having to die. I take great comfort and solace in memories of: movies at the Adams Theatre on Friday nights, sipping Cokes at The Crest, shooting pool at Billy Guerin's pool room, swimming at Peck's Falls, and in Anthony's Pool, and growing up in a small town that I have always loved and that has, in turn, loved me back. I would like to thank the nuns at Notre Dame School in Adams for teaching me to read. They did however fail to teach me to write in the classic "Palmer Method". I was the only member of my eighth grade graduating class who did not receive a Palmer Certificate. My love of reading was nurtured by my parents as was my introduction to history by the first hardcover book I ever owned "Lee and Grant at Appomattox, by McKinley Kantor, a Christmas present from them in 1958. The formal parts of my education took place at Adams Memorial High School and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I acquired the remainder of whatever wisdom and knowledge I have from being a voracious reader; and travel destinations that have included: a great many of these United States, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Haiti and many other Caribbean islands. I also want to thank Martha Nordstrom at Berkshires Week, Tom Morton, Ruth Bass, Helen Southworth at The Berkshire Eagle and Claire Piaggi at The North Adams Transcript who encouraged me as a writer and a photographer. In my professional life, I worked as an illustrator with the Ordnance System Division of the General Electric Company, a construction worker, a wine steward (Sommelier if you prefer) a bartender, a photography teacher, co-owner along with Cheryl (my ex-wife and still a friend) of a successful photography studio, a photojournalist, op-ed columnist for the Berkshire Eagle and The North Adams Transcript, and finally as the author of 2 books. It appears that in my case, a career might have been somewhat a rather unimaginative idea. I have been preceded in death by my parents, and my beloved younger sister Gail Sandra Clermont-Wellington. I am survived by my significant other, Susan Bradshaw of Melbourne, Florida, 2 children: my daughter Laurie LaVigne and her husband Mark of Adams and my son Adam and his wife Ruth Hon of Hong Kong, China, and by my Grandson Mark Therrien Jr. and his wife Caitlin of Stamford, Vermont, as well as several nieces and nephews. I traveled extensively in my life, photographed and wrote about what I saw and experienced and was given the gift of being able to share it with others. I learned what I wanted to learn and loved who I wanted to love. The love of my family and friends has truly eclipsed all of the successes of my life. A special note of thanks to Richard Shea and Joel Bolshaw whose love, advice and guidance saved my life. If reading this brings to mind a photograph that I took or a column that I wrote that touched your heart, or tickled your funny bone, or made you just say "What?" That's good enough for me. Stop by at the services and re-tell stories I can no longer tell. Some of those stories may contain "R" rated material, parents of younger children should exercise caution. And now it is time to give that gift of life back. Metaphorically speaking, I hope we shall meet again on the other side. Funeral services and burial will be private for the family. Calling hours are Friday from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams. The family requests the omission of flowers and suggests memorial donations be made to Pop Cares, P.O. Box 482, Williamstown, MA 01267.

Mr. Paul Clermont

December 21, 1944 - May 3, 2016