BORN
1949
DIED
2026
Upcoming Events
Mar
9
Celebration of Life
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
3West in the NORAD mill
60 Roberts Dr., Suite 305, North Adams, MA
Send FlowersJohn Estes Obituary
John was born in North Adams on May 7, 1949, the eldest son of Lester "Flash" Estes and Ida (Maroni) Estes. He graduated from St. Josephs in 1967 and from North Adams State College in 1971. It was at NASC that he met his wife to be Donna (Marie) Jolin. They were married in May of 1972. After college, John started teaching at Clarksburg Elementary School, where he would stay for 35 years, retiring in 2006. During the summer months, you could find John working at Natural Bridge State Park.
Coaching was a passion of John's. He coached at Clarksburg, North Adams State, Drury, and McCann, amongst others. He was inducted into the Berkshire County Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, John was a diehard Packers and Dodgers fan, teams that he latched on to by tuning into distant radio broadcasts on his AM radio. Horse racing was another of John's passions, which started with selling programs at Green Mountain Racetrack. Summer treks to Saratoga in August with friends were frequent.
Spending time with his grandchildren brought John great joy. Even while battling illness at the end of his life, he almost never missed one of his grandchildren's games.
John is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Donna (Jolin) Estes, his two children Deron Estes and his wife Suzanne-Newby Estes of Amherst and Amy (Estes) Cyr and her husband Carl Cyr of Hadley, his four grandchildren Jackson Estes, Sadie Cyr, Teddy Cyr, and Henry Estes, his brother David Estes and his wife Judi Estes of Bennington, VT, his aunt Maryann Maroni and many cousins.
We would like to thank his family and friends who stayed in touch and supported him when he most needed it and CDH Hospice for their gentle care and guidance through some very difficult times. We would also like to thank Berkshire Medical Center Oncology, CDH Cancer Center, and Brigham & Women's for all the care they provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (thsaratoga.org/donate).
Please join us for a Celebration of Life at 3West in the NORAD mill (Suite 305, 60 Roberts Dr., North Adams, MA) on March 9th from 4pm to 7pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
14 Entries
Glenn and Sandy Girard
Yesterday
We are sorry to hear of John's passing. I will always remember when he gave me a beautiful chess set. John was a great guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at the difficult time
Mary Paree
Yesterday
Donna so to hear of Johns passing sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family
Debbie Darling
Yesterday
Donna and family, I am so sorry for your loss. John was such a nice man. Sending prayers.
Stephen Marceau
Yesterday
Sad to hear of John's passing, I was fortunate to have him as a youth basketball coach in the old St Francis league and then see him around town through the years and share some laughs. My condolences to the family and Johns many students and friends, RIP John
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Lisa Berry
Yesterday
What a beautiful obituary. I am so sorry, this is truly a great loss. He was such a special soul, I feel lucky to have known him, if only for 10 years. His sweet, thoughtful nature and kindness live on in those who loved him. He was a model to the rest of us.
Colleen Field (Moore)
Yesterday
An amazing man, teacher, and coach. I had the honor of being one of his students and basketball players at Clarksburg School. A truly special soul who touched many lives. The world will miss you, Mr. Estes.
Susan Colvin (King)
Yesterday
So many wonderful childhood Memories with the Estes' family. Sending so much love and hugs to Mrs. Estes, Amy, Deron and all of their families. A good one lost way too early.
Jeanna Tinney
Yesterday
Coach Estes was a great man and a great coach. He will surely be missed!
Deborah Ann Moser
Yesterday
To Johns family. From Your cousin, Debbie Estes/Moser. Carl was my dad!! Uncle flash brother! I have memories of us all as very small children. My deepest condolences to all the family.
Donna Armata Sanford
Yesterday
My sincere condolences to John Estes' family and loved ones. I was fortunate to have had him as a teacher and as a basketball coach at Clarksburg from grades 6-8. It was obvious that he loved to teach and he loved the game of basketball. His commitment to coaching us to be better players and better people was inspiring. I have many great memories of playing on his teams. I will always remember him fondly.
Dave Nuvallie
Yesterday
He was just a great person and gentle man. My three children were taught by him at Clarksburg School. He stayed in touch for years with them. This was the man who I would would chat at Big Y during the holiday season asking why he was standing near the cash registers. John said and I quote, " I buy gift cards and pay for groceries for people that need help."
Josh Morin
Yesterday
So sad to hear of Mr. Estes passing. A great man , a great educator and all around great who the world was better because he was a part of it. He would always call me Mussina after an Orioles pitcher. RIP and condolences to his family
Josh Morin
Colleen Martin
Yesterday
My heart aches reading this. He was so much fun to teach with, always making me laugh. He volunteered me to coach the junior high school softball team, which totally caught me off guard when Amy and her peers came to my classroom to sign up. What a terrible loss to all who loved him. My heart goes out to all. Rest in peace, my friend.
dennispinsonneault
Yesterday
Donna so sorry to hear about John I will see you the 9th and family
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Upcoming Events
Mar
9
Celebration of Life
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
3West in the NORAD mill
60 Roberts Dr., Suite 305, North Adams, MA
Send Flowers