William L Barschdorf

William L. Barschdorf, 84, died March 19th  at Berkshire Medical Center.

He was born June 24, 1933 in Bennington, Vt., son of the late  Fred Barschdorf and Violet Pearl Sorell. He received his early education at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vt.

Mr. Barschdorf graduated from Bennington High School in 1951 and received an associate’s degree from the former Vermont Junior College in Montpelier in 1953. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1983 through the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

He began his newspaper career as a reporter-photographer and later sports editor at the Bennington Banner (1953-56). After covering the Northern Berkshire area as bureau chief for the Springfield Union (1956-57), he worked briefly in the Northampton bureau before transferring to the city staff, covering a variety of assignments. He later was business and industry editor and served on the night city editor’s desk.

In 1966,  he joined General Electric Co. in Pittsfield as community relations and employee communication specialist. Over a 26-year career he received several corporate communication excellence awards, primarily as writer-editor of the GE News. For a few years, he also was editor of the Hillcrest Hospital News.

During his GE career, he served on the board of directors of the Pittsfield GE Employees Credit Union (Greylock Federal) for 11 years; including terms as board chairman, acting CEO, clerk, and as a member of virtually all committees. After his retirement from GE in 1991 he worked part-time as a driver for Pittsfield Foreign Auto Parts and the Brien Center.

The Barschdorfs lived in Dalton from 1969-1983, when they moved to Pittsfield. While in Dalton he was active in several community organizations, including president of the Babe Ruth League, Junior League basketball and Little League baseball coach and a member of the Youth Center board of directors.

He leaves his wife, the former Geralyn Gros of Bennington, with whom he celebrated his 60th Wedding Anniversary in October 2017. He is also survived by  four children, Fred and his wife Karen (Fletcher), William Jr. and his wife Rosemary (Hitt), Nancy Quetti and her husband Russell and Julie Maffuccio and her husband Daniel of Dalton; grandchildren Erica Roccabruna, Scott Barschdorf, Jenna Duquette, Brendan Barschdorf, Kaylene Barschdorf; Jeffrey Quetti, triplets Rachel, Jacqueline and Diana Quetti and Matthew and Ryan Maffuccio; and four great grandchildren, Shane and Evan Roccabruna and David III and Jax Duquette.

He is also survived by his sister, Ethel Pratt of Bennington and his brother, James of Madison, Wis.. He was predeceased by his brothers, Arthur, Alfred ” Babe “ and John “ Jack” as well as two sisters, Jane Marino and Irene Joly.

Bill was anxiously awaiting the impending birth of three additional  great- grandchildren. 

The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Doctors, Nurses and staff of the Berkshire Medical Center for their very kind and compassionate care.

Barschdorf, William L., age 84, of Pittsfield, died Monday, March 19th. Calling hours at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME will be Thursday, the 22nd from 3 to 6 pm. Funeral services will begin immediately following with the Rev. Steven G. Montesanti, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Adams, officiating. Burial will follow in the Pittsfield Cemetery in the  Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in care of the funeral home.