Floyd Ernest Pettibone

WILLIAMSTOWN -- Floyd Ernest Pettibone, 87, formerly of 150 Ashland St. and a resident of Sweet Brook Care Center in Williamstown, died Monday at North Adams Regional Hospital after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Born at home on Cole Avenue in Williamstown on Dec. 12, 1919, son of Daniel and Pearl Gurney Pettibone, he attended schools in Cheshire, Adams and North Adams.

He served in the Marine Corps for six years, joining in 1940, including nine months in Iceland with the First Marine Brigade. He spent 2 1/2 years in the South Pacific during World War II with the First Marine Division. He participated in action at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester on New Britain and Pelileu in the Palau Islands. He received an honorable discharge at the rank of staff sergeant on Nov. 12, 1946. He was decorated with several ribbons and combat stars, and a Southern Cross patch from Australia. He also served for several years in the Marine Corps Reserves.

After the war he lived in North Adams, moving to Cheshire in 1974. He moved to Ashland Street Apartments in April 1995, and then to Sweet Brook Care Center in November 2006.

He was employed at James Hunter Machine Co. in North Adams beginning in 1946 and spent the last few years in the maintenance department before retiring on March 23, 1983. After retirement, he worked part-time for several years driving for Scarfoni Ford, Bedard Brothers and Gateway Chevrolet.

He was a musician, saxophonist and clarinetist for 25 years in many bands in and around Berkshire County. He also played the piano and accordion. Also in his later years, he entertained the residents of the High Rise at 150 Ashland St., playing keyboard.

Mr. Pettibone attended First United Methodist Church of North Adams. He was a life member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion in North Adams, and a member of Dr. George L. Curran Post 996 VFW in North Adams.

His wife, Clara Stuka Pettibone, whom he married Dec. 12, 1944, in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., died Sept. 29, 2002.

He leaves a daughter, Jeanne Moulthrop of Clarksburg; a son, Robert F. Pettibone of West Suffield, Conn.; a sister, Marion Sondrini of Pittsfield; and a brother, Loren Pettibone of Ocala, Fla.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral to celebrate the life of Floyd Ernest Pettibone, who died Monday, March 12, 2007, will take place Friday at 11 a.m. at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPEL, 521 West Main St. North Adams, with the Rev. Susan Stewart, pastor, First United Methodist Church of North Adams, officiating. Burial with military honors will take place in the spring in Cheshire Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may go to Elder Services of Berkshire County, in care of the funeral home. Mr. Pettibone also leaves a son-in-law, Raymond Moulthrop; a daughter-in-law, Ann Pettibone; five grandchildren, Carolyn Robare, Timothy Robare, Tyler Pettibone, Karli Pettibone and Katheryn Pettibone; two step-grandchildren, Linda Hurlbut and Bruce Moulthrop; one step-great-grandson, Joseph Pettibone; and seven step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Doris Connors Belanger, and two brothers, Herman and Gordon Pettibone. His greatest pleasure was spending time with his family.