Alfred M. Shutta Sr.

1936 - 2019

Alfred Michael Shutta, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 12, 2019. Al was born in Glen Lyon, PA on April 20, 1936, son of Steven Sr. and Myrtle (Grochowski) Shutta. After graduating high school, he joined the US Air Force in 1955. Over the next 21 years, Al served in Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, Alaska, New Jersey, Illinois and Massachusetts, accompanied by his growing family. Overseas, he served in France, Korea and Vietnam. He retired honorably from the Air Force in 1976 in the rank of Technical Sergeant. Thereafter, Al worked at both Hillside Plastics and Hardigg Industries in South Deerfield and later, as a chef in a number of restaurants including the Four Leaf Clover in Bernardston for many years.

On June 15, 1957, Al married Patricia Spear, daughter of Wallace and Katherine (Wanczyk) Spear of Amherst. They had met at a dance at Westover Air Force base in Chicopee. Six children followed over the next 8 years. Last year, they celebrated 61 years of happy marriage. They have lived in Bernardston for over 40 years.

Al was very proud of his Polish heritage. He enjoyed both hunting and fishing. Having grown up in Pennsylvanian farming country, he also enjoyed raising animals: rabbits, chickens, geese, even pigs. The family has rarely been without a dog. He was a great teller of family stories, a lover of new recipes. He was an enthusiastic fan of both the Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

Besides his wife Pat of Bernardston, he leaves a son Steven of East Hawley, son Joseph and his wife Lorie of Bernardston, daughter Susan Goodhind and her husband Timothy of Sunderland, daughter Sharon Parsons and her husband Steven of Northfield and son David and his wife Kris of Gill; 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. His son Alfred Jr. predeceased him in 2011. Also surviving Al are a brother Steven Jr. and his wife Ann of Easton PA; sister Lorraine and her husband Francis Riofski of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and sister Josephine Ann and her husband Henry Kowalski of Glen Lyon, PA. Another sister Loretta Muroski (wife of Henry) of Beer Creek, PA predeceased him. There are many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 4pm to 7 pm on Fridat, May 17,2019 with a Religious Service at 6:00PM with Fr. Philippe Roux officiating, at Wrisley Funeral Home in South Deerfield. Military Honors will be at 7:00PM Donations may be made to the Bernardston Firemen's Association, 18 Church Street, Bernardston, MA 01337. Attn: Chief Peter Shedd.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held by the family at a later date. Rest in peace, Dad, and give Al Jr. a big hug from all of of us.

Expressions of Sympathy are available at: www.wrisleyfuneralhome.com