Richard R. Jasmin

1944 - 2016

TURNERS FALLS - Richard R. Jasmin, 71, a resident of 31 11th Street, passed peacefully at home on Monday, March 7, 2016 surround by members of his loving family, following a period of declining health.
A native of Greenfield, MA, he was born on December 3, 1944 to Henry F. and Ethel M. (Coburn) Jasmin. He was educated in Greenfield Public Schools and later at Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, MA. Richard enlisted in the US Army during Vietnam, in January of 1966, and served honorably with the 338th Transportation Company, attaining the rank of Specialist 5th Class. He was honorably discharged in December of 1968.
Richard worked for several years as a machinist for the Bete Fog Nozzle Co., in Greenfield, MA. He was a former member of the Montague BPOE Lodge #2521, he was a coach in the GFLD Lassie Softball League and was a former Boy Scout in his youth. Richard was an avid angler, enjoying both fresh water and salt water fishing. He was a drag racing enthusiast and fan of the NHRA and collected die cast models of drag racers and funny cars. Richard was also a dedicated Red Sox fan, who enjoyed a ""walk well ruined"" on several local golf courses. He loved traveling to Europe, in particular to Ireland, as well as ""cruising"" aboard Carnival Cruise Lines to various destinations with his wife Susan. Richard was an accomplished ten pin bowler and a former ""Ham"" radio operator for several years.
He married his wife, the former Susan L. Rowland on June 10, 1998 in Bonita Springs, FL. Survivors include in addition to his loving wife of nearly 18 years, his adoring children: Richard R. Jasmin, Jr., (Penny) of Shelburne Falls, MA; Francis J. Willor of North Adams, MA; Marion LaCoy of Montague, MA; Laurie Newsome (Susan) of Greenfield, MA and Tracy Willor of Putney, VT. Additionally he will be remembered with great affection by his 8 grandchildren, as well as his remaining sister Janet Martin (James) of Cummington, MA and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Richard is remembered by his close friend Gideon Croteau and his wife Karen of Turners Falls, MA. He was predeceased by his first wife, Magdalena and by their daughter Michelle, as well as by five siblings.
Funeral services in celebration of his life and patriotism, will be observed on Friday evening, March 11, 2016 at 7 p.m. from the McCarthy Funeral Homes, 36 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA with Rev. Stanley J. Aksamit, Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church, Turners Falls, MA to offer a Catholic Rite of Burial Service. Full military honors will be conducted, with a detachment of the 54th Massachusetts Army National Guard in attendance, assisted by the Hale-Clapp VFW Post #3295 who will provide a firing detail. The Jasmin family will receive guests Friday evening prior to the services from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Inurnment will take place following cremation, in the Arms Cemetery, Shelburne Falls, MA and will be private and at the convenience of the family
The family respectfully requests that flowers be omitted and recommends that expressions of affection in the form of a charitable donation in Richard's memory be considered to the American Cancer Society on line at www.cancer.org or via 1-800-227-2345.
The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA have been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message for the Jasmin family available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com