Philip A. Tetreault Jr.

1927 - 2015

MONTAGUE - Philip A. Tetreault Jr., 88, passed from this life on July 22, 2015 at home.
He was born on June 28, 1927 to Philip A Sr. and Rosalba (Brunell) Tetreault in Feeding Hills, MA. At age five the family moved to Cambridge, MA. They then lived in many of the hill towns of western MA before settling in Greenfield, MA. He was educated in Greenfield schools.
Phil served in the U.S. Army, on occupational duty in Japan from February 1946 to April 1947, World War II. He married Blanche C Seredejko on May 29, 1948 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish.
They lived in Turners Falls and Greenfield, MA; Tucson, AZ, Eugene, OR and then South Deerfield, MA and lastly back to Turners Falls and raised their family in Turners Falls. In the highlight of his years when living at Hillcrest Homes where he spent many years making of the sliding hill and ice skating rink in the back of the project for all the children to use during the winters. He played baseball with the boys during the nice weather. There are several of these children, now grown adults who still remember him fondly and the good times at the projects.
Phil worked with various painting contractors before going into business for himself as proprietor of the original Tate's Painting for over forty years, painting many homes and businesses in the region especially Amherst College. He was known to say ""If I had a dollar for every gallon of paint I brushed or rolled in my 60 plus years of painting, I'd be a rich man"". Phil you were rich beyond words.
He loved playing softball and was the founder and coach of Tate's Painting softball team in the Montague Men's softball league in the late '60s and early '70s, ten pin bowling men's leagues; traveling to many tournaments throughout the north east, miniature golf as well as chip and putt. At age 16 he played with the Millers Falls Tool men's fast pitch league as their rover. He played Semi-pro baseball in the Franklin County league in the '40s. An avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, among many other sports teams. He always said he didn't need the sound on the television because he knew what the commentators were saying.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards and board games as well as making jigsaw puzzles with Blanche.
He loved to cook, making the Thanksgiving and Christmas Turkeys complete with his homemade stuffing and gravy. In his later years he ventured into making his own versions of homemade soups, and oh yes his fudge amongst a variety of baked goods and tasty delights.
He leaves his wife of 67 years, three daughters Denise (George) Hemingway with whom he resided, Karen Phillips of Turners Falls, Phyllis (Matt) Teater of Greenfield, one son Philip III of Turners Falls as well as 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, a great-, great-grandson, a brother Raymond (Martha) of Tucson, AZ, and three sisters Elizabeth Underwood of Greenfield, Shirley Nadeau of Southampton, and Arlene Milowski of Turners Falls.
He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers Robert and Ernest, a daughter Mary, a granddaughter Kelli James and two great-grandsons Caleb and Noah James.
A memorial service will be held Saturday August 1 at 11 a.m. at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls with the Rev. Charles DiMascola officiating. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery in Turners Falls.
A calling hour will be held Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701-9376 or to the Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway Street, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Sympathy message available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.