Stephen M. Rys

PITTSFIELD -- Stephen Michael Rys, 86, formerly of Belchertown, died Saturday evening at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility, where he had resided since 2002. He moved to Pittsfield in 1998.

Born in Chicopee on Sept. 1, 1916, the son of Stanley and Mary Rys, he was a graduate of Chicopee High School and Charles F. Gaugh School of Business in Springfield.

An Army veteran of World War II, he served as a technical sergeant with the medical corps at Camp Edwards.

Mr. Rys was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail handler at the Tapley Street Annex in Springfield for 21 years, retiring in 1981.

His former wife, the former Exilia Provost, whom he married May 17, 1945, died in 1998.

He leaves a son, John S. Rys of Dalton; three brothers, the Rev. Paschal Rys of Chicopee, Henry Rys of Brookfield and Edward Rys of Dallas, and two grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- Stephen Michael Rys, who died Saturday, July 12, 2003, also leaves his two granddaughters, Carrie Rys and Katie Rys, both of Pittsfield. The funeral will be Wednesday, July 16, at 10:30 from DERY FUNERAL HOME, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Joseph’s Church celebrated by his brother, Father Paschal Rys, a retired Franciscan priest. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield on Wednesday at 2. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Homeless Shelter or Food Pantry at the Berkshire County chapter of the American Red Cross, 480 West St., Pittsfield.