Joseph M. Kay

1928 - 2025

Joseph M. Kay, 97, died Thursday November 13th at Berkshire Medical Center. He was born May 24, 1928 the youngest of nine children to Stanley and Rozalia Horonzy 'Kijek' Kay. Raised on the family dairy farm on North Plain Road he attended local schools earning a GED in 1973.

Joe served in the United States Marine Corps from November 1945 to August 1948 Miyazaki Japan and in Tsingtao China as part of a peace keeping force during the Chinese Civil War. Mr. Kay was called back to active duty at Camp LeJeune North Carolina from September 1950 to September 1951.

Prior to his call back he met, and fell in love with his adored Cecelia 'Cece' Small. Joe and Cece were married on May 12, 1951 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield and spent 72 years together until her passing in August of 2023. A journeyman electrician in the building trades he was a member of Local 284 Pittsfield (now Local 7 Springfield) of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

He was a life member of the Gt. Barrington James A. Modolo Post 8348 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a long time participant in the Housatonic Adams-Budz Post 8183 VFW Honor Guard. He was a member of the Mount Everett Council 513, and the Bishop Conaty Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.

A communicant of St. Peter's Church, Joe was a constant contributor of time talent and treasure to the parish. He was the very first Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist installed at the parish in 1972. He participated in or led many building, fund raising and parish life initiatives. A passionate advocate for the unborn Joe was a long time member of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life North Adams Chapter.

In retirement Joe enjoyed playing golf at Wyantenuck Country Club especially with the Sunday Morning 'Polish Open' group and in the annual St. Peter golf fund raiser. He enjoyed time spent with family and friends. He was a regular at the Great Barrington Claire Teague Senior Center enjoying the activities and social atmosphere. He was also a member of the American Accordionists Association.

Besides his father, Joe was predeceased by his mother Rozalia who died the same day he was born, four sisters, three brothers, his wife Cecelia who died August 28, 2023, two sons; Herbert W. Kay who died at age 14 as the result of an automobile accident in Sheffield June 8, 1974 and Joseph M.(Patricia) Kay Jr. who died December 31, 2021 at his home in Framingham Mass.

He is survived by his brother Edward Kay of Gt. Barrington, two daughters; Elizabeth J. (Lee) Buck of Prescott Arizona and Mary C. Clark of Great Barrington, a son Stanley J. (Rebecca) Kay of Housatonic, nine grand children, four great-grand children, and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Sunday November 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and on Monday November 24 8:30 to 9:30 AM at the Birches-Roy funeral home which is in charge of arrangements. A Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev William P. Murphy will be at St. Peter at 10:00 AM on Monday November 24. Burial with Military Honors conducted by the Adams-Budz Post 8183 Honor Guard will follow at St. Peter Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Peter Building Restoration Fund and the Claire Teague Senior Center in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made throughbirchesroyfuneralservices.com.