Avis de décès de Donald F. Williams

Donald F. Williams, 94, of 244 Leyden Road, Greenfield, passed away peacefully on Dec. 11, 2014, at the Chapin House in Springfield. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 10, 1920, the son of Alfred and Mary (Cucarese) Guglielmo and was a member of this nation's "Greatest Generation".Donald was a young boy when the family moved to Greenfield. He attended local schools and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1939, where he was a member of the varsity football, hockey and track teams.On Aug. 3, 1940 Donald joined the Marines, where he proudly served for seven years. He was a veteran of both the Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester campaigns. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action during the Cape Gloucester campaign. On Aug. 7, 1944, he married Mildred Garner, who predeceased him on May 17, 2008. He is survived by a daughter, Nancy Sherk of Brattleboro, Vt. and a son, David and his wife, Cindy, of Greenfield. Donald also leaves four grandchildren, Donald and Cristopher Sherk and Brian and Rebecca Williams. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. A brother, Frank Guglielmo, and a sister, Mary Colletti, also predeceased him.In 1961 Donald passed the State Board exams and became a registered architect after studying with the International Correspondence School. Before opening his own architectural office in 1969 at 278 Main Street, he was employed by Bernie Dirks, James Britton and Bednarski Stein Architects.One of his many designs include his own home at 244 Leyden Road, which he built in 1953 with the help of his father, in the style of his idol and mentor Frank Lloyd Wright. He also designed the North Amherst Fire Station, Jewish Community Center in Springfield, Greenfield Animal Shelter and several housing units for the Greenfield Housing Authority, One Arch Place in Greenfield, the addition to the Greenfield Fire Station and the 33 Riddell Street Medical building. Donald was also very proud to have designed and helped to construct the current Pumping Station Bridge.At the age of 91 in 2011, he reluctantly closed his office after 42 years in operation. This gave him more time to enjoy painting, playing his piano, listening to classical music and going for walks. A private ceremony and burial was held on Dec. 18 at Calvary Cemetery, with Rev. Fr. Timothy Campoli, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church, who offered committal prayers. Full military honors were observed, with a detachment of the USMC in attendance, assisted by the Hale-Clapp VFW Post #3295 of South Deerfield, MA, who provided a firing detail. Visiting hours were omitted.The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA, were entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com.