Ronald L. Goyette

PITTSFIELD -- Ronald L. Goyette, 58, of 32 Hampshire St. died Wednesday at home after a long struggle with inoperable cancer.

Born in Pittsfield on Dec. 7, 1948, son of Gaston and Helen Benson Goyette, he was a 1966 graduate of Pittsfield High School.

Mr. Goyette was employed by Moldmaster as a mold maker, retiring in November 2001 because of ill health.

He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church and a former communicant of the former Notre Dame Church, where he volunteered for many years at bingo. He also volunteered at RSVP as a driver and as a reader at Capeless Elementary School. He enjoyed gardening and watching old cowboy movies.

He and his wife, the former Nancy Cahalan would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary Nov. 18. They were married in Richmond.

Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Kerry Scarpitto of Pittsfield; a son, Jay Goyette Sr. of Pittsfield; a sister, JoAnne Sottile of Pittsfield; three brothers,Bud Benson of Henderson, N.D., Raymond G. Goyette of California and James V. Goyette of Palm Coast, Fla.; and five grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for Ronald L. Goyette, 58, who died peacefully at home on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, surrounded by his loving family, will be conducted tomorrow, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. at DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME by Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor of St. Joseph's Church. A private burial will be conducted Monday in St. Joseph's Cemetery. The family will receive friends tomorrow from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, Ronnie asked that you appreciate your blessings, value your family and friends, and find joy in your lives. If so desired, donations in his memory may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home. He also leaves his grandchildren, Leigh-Anne, Nicholas and Meghan Scarpitto, Samantha Goyette and Jay Goyette Jr.; his son-in-law, Jim Scarpitto; and daughter-in-law, Debbie Goyette. He was predeceased by two brothers, Donald and Thomas. Ron cherished memories of his childhood, especially the time he spent with his father, who handed down to Ron his "glad to be alive" gene. One of Ron's most enjoyable times was when he opened his home up to friends and family on Christmas Eve. He will always be remembered greeting everyone at the door in his Christmas attire, flashing Christmas tie, hat or antlers, socks, and red-and-green high-top sneakers, with a hearty welcoming smile. Anyone who knew Ron respected him for the way he handled every chemo and radiation session with dignity and humor. Throughout the painful and prolonged struggle, he never complained. He always had a smile and a nice word for each of his caregivers, and he refused to give up. The extended Goyette family would like to thank Ellen and Tim Kushi, Ron's health Gurus, for their kindness during Ron's long illness.