Richard J (Jr.) Powers

Richard J. Powers, Jr. age 71, of 196 Pine Grove Dr. Pittsfield and Ocala, FL, died Thursday Aug. 2nd following an illness.
He was born Nov. 15, 1946, the son of the late Richard J. Powers, Sr. and Geraldine Breen Murphy. Dick began his education in the Pittsfield schools and upon his family moving to Greenfield, he attended Greenfield High School. As a sophomore, Dick started on Greenfield Division 1 varsity basketball team. Returning to Pittsfield, he attended Pittsfield High School where he captained one of the great PHS Baseball teams. Upon graduating from PHS in 1964, he enlisted in the US Army and served stateside at several postings during the Vietnam War.
Returning to Pittsfield following his service, Dick enrolled at Berkshire Community College in the Liberal Arts program. He then became employed at Eastover and then later at the Berkshire County House of Correction for a period of time.
Dick then established the former ShortStop, a variety store and luncheonette, which was located on East St. in Pittsfield. He operated there for many years prior to its sale in 1992.
For the past 10 years, he enjoyed spending his time between Pittsfield and Ocala, FL.
Dick was a 30 plus year member of Berkshire Hills Country Club and he and his wife Jan, bred, raised and raced thoroughbred racehorses. They loved Saratoga Race Track and enjoyed attending Opening Day there for many, many years.
He played softball for the former James Jewelers team in the Men's Slow Pitch League. An OTB enthusiast, he bowled in the leagues at Ken's Bowl and later managed the operation for a period of time. Dick very much enjoyed following his nieces and nephews various sporting events
He and his wife, the former Jeanette "Jan" A. Wesley, would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this coming Dec. 11th.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Kate Powers and her husband, Joshua Pepper, of Albany, N.Y. and their daughter, Alexandra Powers, his brother Dan Powers and his wife, Lynn of Pittsfield, his sister, Rosemary Day and her husband Dick, of Dalton, his sister-in-law Elaine Fiske of Pittsfield, as well as 3 nieces and 5 nephews.
SERVICES: Calling hours at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME will be Sunday, August 19th from 4-7PM. Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 20th at 11AM at the ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHAPEL MAUSOLEUM of St. Joseph Cemetery with Rev. Christopher Fedoryshyn, administrator of St. Mark's Church, officiating. Please meet inside the cemetery gates.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club, in care of the Funeral Home.