Alan R. Jacque

Alan R. Jacque

Williamsport, MD - Alan R. Jacque, Amherst native and longtime resident of Hadley, passed away after a battle with cancer at his home in Williamsport, Maryland on September 17, 2025. He was 81.

Alan Robert Jacque was born on March 23, 1944 to Robert and Lillian (Monchamp) Jacque and grew up on the family farm on South Pleasant Street in Amherst. His early years were spent with his five siblings and extended family sharing a house and chores. He regaled his children with tales of life on the farm which included feeding the calves or helping with the morning milkings before school, driving teams of horses in the fields, avoiding the wrath of angry roosters, doing pushups with his younger siblings on his back, showing the family's Jersey cows at the local fairs, and growing an appreciation for home-cooked meals.

Alan attended Amherst Regional Schools and excelled at football, basketball and baseball earning many awards for his athletic abilities. Following graduation in 1963 he enrolled at Keene State College where he earned a B.A. in Education and a B.S. in Industrial Arts and continued his athletic endeavors playing soccer and baseball. He would recount stories of away games and stopping at McDonalds with the team when hamburgers only cost a nickel. He loved remembering the price of food from the 50s and 60s where one dollar would be enough for a weekend away.

After graduation he spent two years in Concord, Vermont as the Industrial Arts teacher before a position opened up at his alma mater. In 1969 he returned to the Amherst Regional School system to teach Industrial Arts, and he would stay for the remainder of his career teaching middle and high school students and passionately coaching basketball and football. He gave his time generously to all aspects of education becoming the President of the teachers' unions at both Concord and Amherst. Alan enjoyed his job and set a good example of work ethic for his children, never complaining about early mornings or unruly students. If you had Mr. Jacque as your teacher or coach, he remembered you, your name, and likely a funny anecdote of your awkward teenage years. Alan retired from teaching in 2002 after 33 years and thousands of students.

In 1978 he married his wife Lisa (Gettier) and they raised their family in a house they built together in Hadley. The home was full of the things that characterized his childhood: a prolific garden; homemade applesauce and jams; and a menagerie of livestock.

As their children grew, Alan's involvement in local organizations did as well. Always one to volunteer his time, Alan ran for selectman in Hadley in 1990 and held the position for a total of 11 years. He loved being involved and working closely with town employees. He also volunteered at the Three Country Fair holding various roles including many on the Board of Directors for over 15 years. Alan loved fair season, walking the grounds and seeing familiar faces, catching up with old friends in the cow barns, and having a milkshake from the 4-H milkshake booth, which was often being managed by his sister, Joyce West.

He loved driving his Allis-Chalmer tractor which he used to plow his oversized garden as his children collected worms from the freshly turned soil behind him and to push massive snow piles that were then used to make snow forts. He loved watching Marty Stouffer's Wild America and This Old House on PBS, NY Giants football, and pretty much any football, basketball or baseball game on TV especially if enjoyed with a bowl of ice cream. He wouldn't turn down a soft serve twist cone in the summer, a stop at the Pittsfield bakery for an eclair, or a cup of coffee (and sometimes a donut) with Chip Parsons in the afternoon. He loved giving directions to destinations around New England and comparing other peoples' directions to see who could come up with the best "shortcut". Regardless of where you were headed, it is likely that he would advise you to avoid I-95 at all costs.

After retiring he did not slow down. He continued to coach Hurricane football, eventually handing over the whistle after more than forty years having coached with great pride many athletes who went on to play at the collegiate and professional levels. He took a part-time job at Parsons Farm in Hadley where he drove piglets and lambs to research hospitals around New England, a role he definitely would have done without pay. He loved waking early, driving to the farm, talking about the weather with the Parsons family, giving tips about when to cut and bale hay, and setting off on a few hours round trip. After relocating to Williamsport, Maryland with his wife he continued to develop his wood-working skills by teaching himself how to turn bowls on the lathe using wood from places of sentimental significance. He generously gifted many of these beautiful bowls and handmade wooden items to family and friends. He also became a regular at the local gym, using the space as an equal parts workout room and social club.

Alan had many gifts, but the greatest was being able to talk to anyone. If Al Jacque went to the airport or traveled to a new city, he was guaranteed to see someone he knew or meet someone who knew someone he knew back in Massachusetts. He relished in striking up conversations with strangers making comments about sports, weather, cars, college affiliation, or pretty much anything. Alan loved laughter and sharing the laughter with others. It was a real talent and often elicited a playful eye roll from his wife and children.

In addition to his parents, Robert and Lillian Jacque, Alan was predeceased by his siblings Georgianne Conte, Joyce West, and James Jacque, and grandson Francis Dixon. He is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Lisa, who cared for him tirelessly throughout his treatment, and his children: Tammy (Matt) Dixon, Emily (Matt) Sanson, Laura (Michael) Bok, and Robert Jacque. He is also survived by his adored grandchildren Christopher and Daniel Dixon and Brooke and Caroline Sanson, his siblings Thomas (Barbara) Jacque, Mary (Fred) Conte, brother-in-law Arthur West, sister-in-law Kathleen Jacque, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

Alan was proud of rising early, working hard without complaint, growing up on a dairy farm, having a deep knowledge of woodworking and carpentry, and the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, students, and athletes. His children will remember their dad most when they smell fresh sawdust and a newly mowed lawn, hear the familiar sound of a chainsaw, see a freshly plowed corn field, make pancakes on a Sunday morning, or need to google how to fix something around the house.

A family graveside gathering will take place at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst, MA at a future date at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Alan's memory to The Three County Fair (Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society, PO Box 305, Northampton, MA 01061-0305, www.3countyfair.com) or Hospice of Washington County (1710 Underpass Way, Suite 300, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, www.hospiceofwc.org).

Online condolences are accepted at www.minnichfh.com.