Attorney Gerald B. Heap, 64, passed away on Friday, March 22, at The Harmony House (Hospice), with his devoted brother Tom by his side. He was raised and educated in Springfield, MA with strong Irish roots. Jerry was predeceased by his parents Col. Harold A. Heap and Mary (McNulty) Heap. He was a 1972 graduate of Classical High School and graduated from American International College in 1976. He earned a Juris Doctor from Western New England Law School in 1982. He was admitted to the...

Florence Ann (Konicki) Strzempek, 88, formerly of Brainard Road in Wilbraham, passed away March 19 2019 at home in Laurel, MD surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Ware, MA on February 5, 1931 to the late Joseph and Mary (Malanek) Konicki. Florence grew up in Ware and then raised her family in Wilbraham where she resided until moving to Laurel, MD in September 2018. She was a faithful and devoted parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church and was a member of the Adoration Chapel...

Sophie V. (Rajca) Krowchenko, 92, of Indian Orchard, died Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the Wingate at West Springfield. Born in Springfield on Aug. 4, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Francis & Helen (Haluch) Rajca. Sophie worked for 44 years at the New England Telephone Company. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, was a member of the Rosary Sodality and volunteered at the church’s school library and...

Rogerio F. Dutra, 80, of Ludlow, MA, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Faial, Azores, he was the son of the late Antonio S. Dutra and the late Maria Faria Dutra.  At 17, Roger made the move from the Azores to Massachusetts, eventually settling in Ludlow, MA.  Roger worked as a set-up man and machine operator for over 30 years at Danaher Tool Group (formerly Easco) where he took early retirement to spend more time with his...

Helen Jean (Urban) Marczyk, 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2019. Born in Ware, MA, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Helen (Czupryna) Urban. Helen grew up in Ware and was an Indian Orchard resident for the past 60 years.  She was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church. She worked for 38 years, until age 80, as a cashier at Big Y in Palmer.  Helen enjoyed gardening and planting flowers, cooking, shopping, and trips to Maine, but most of all she...

Clarence L. “Butch” Scarfe, 81, passed away March 16, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center. Butch leaves his dear sister, Irene Webber of Monson; a very special friend of many years, James Fields of Springfield and several nieces and nephews. Butch retired from American International College in January, 2001. Services are private and at the convenience of the family.

Gary Paul "Gunner" Auclair, 68, passed away March 8, 2019 at home. Born in Springfield to the late Hector J. and Mary R. (Faita) Auclair, he grew up in Chicopee and was a long time resident of Three Rivers. Gary was a well-regarded carpenter, running his own business, "Gary Auclair Carpentry" for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman and naturalist. He enjoyed fishing, canoeing, bird watching and hiking. Gary had a passion for taking long drives and he explored all over...

John R. “JR” Setterstrom, 84, of Ludlow, died Thursday, March 7, at the Farren Care Center in Turners Falls. Born in Springfield on March 10, 1934, he was the son of the late Ernest & Evelyn (Schraeder) Setterstrom. John had lived in Ludlow since 1960 and worked as a machinist at the Springfield Armory and later at the Sweetlife Company in CT until he retired in 2003. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irene K. (Wdowiak) Setterstrom, his sons, Eric Setterstrom and his...

Gerald A. “Jazz” Gordon, 82, died Saturday, March 2, 2019 in his Springfield home. Born in Springfield on July 6, 1936, he was the son of the late Gerald and Alice (Gillette) Gordon. Jazz was a firefighter for the City of Springfield, at the Pine Street Station, the Oakland Street Station and the Indian Orchard station, and served for 32 years until he retired in 1993. He was a lifelong resident of Springfield, and served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. Jazz was a member...

Jennifer Jean Oczkowski, 42, passed away February 28, 2019. Born in Springfield to Kathleen (DeMino) Oczkowski and the late Eugene Oczkowski, she was a lifelong area resident. Jennifer attended Chicopee Comp and Putnam Vocation High Schools. Jennifer enjoyed crafting, Marilyn Monroe and Hello Kitty but most especially she loved time spent with her loving family and friends. Besides her father, she was predeceased by her long-time significant other, Kevin Desroches. She leaves to...