Ralph E. Anthony, Jr.

Mr. Ralph Edgar Anthony, Jr. 87, of 13 West Road, Adams, died on Thursday, March 31, 2011, at North Adams Regional Hospital. He was born in North Adams on June 3, 1923, the only child of the late Ralph E. and Hazel M. (George) Anthony. He attended schools in Adams and graduated from the former Adams High School. Mr. Anthony was a Veteran of World War II, having served with the 92nd Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Corps in the European Theater from January 29, 1943 until he received his Honorable Discharge as Sergeant on January 9, 1946. Mr. Anthony worked as a methods manager in the Power Transformer division of General Electric Co. in Pittsfield, until retiring with 47 years of service. He also operated the former Anthony's Pool in Adams with his late parents, where he taught scores of local children to swim, and operated the former Anthony's Cider Mill in Adams from the 1940's until the 1990's. Mr. Anthony was a firefighter with the Alert Hose Company in Adams, where he was elected to membership on September 10, 1946. At the time of his death, he completed nearly 65 years of service, the longest serving member in the company's history. He had also been the former Chief of the Adams Forest Warden's Department for many years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Adams. He was a member of the Berkshire Lodge of Mason, Adams, a member of the Shriners, and was a Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor for many years. He was also a member of the General Electric Quarter Century and Pensioner's Clubs. His wife 64 years, the former Margaret A. "Irish" Haggerty, whom he married on July 6, 1946, died 17 days ago, March 14, 2011. He is survived by 3 Daughters, Linda McDonald of Newtown, CT; Lucy Czaja of Adams; and Virginia Gajda of Adams; 8 Grandchildren - Heidi McDonald Craigue, Sarah Czaja Sookey, Shannon McDonald Campbell, Angela Gajda, Gretchen Czaja Mahood, Kelly Gajda Martinek, Brian Gajda and Morgan Czaja; 7 Great Grandchildren - Richard Sookey, William Anthony Lawrence, Summer Sookey, Aiden Deane, Sidney Sookey, Harrison Mathew Craigue and Ada Mahood. The funeral procession will commence on Tuesday, April 5th, at 9:45AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by the funeral service at 11:00AM in the First Baptist Church, Commercial St. (Rt. 8), Adams. Rev. Donald E. Gray will officiate. Burial will follow in the Anthony family lot in Maple Street Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Monday from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Alert Hose Company or the Adams Ambulance Service through the funeral home.

Ralph E. Anthony, Jr.

June 3, 1923 - March 31, 2011