Mr. E. Richard Carmel

PITTSFIELD- E. Richard Carmel, 92, of Melbourne Place passed away peacefully Friday, August 14 at Mt. Carmel Care Center in Lenox. He was born August 21, 1922 in Pittsfield the son of Edward and Yvonne Gagne Carmel. He was a 1940 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Dick enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1942 and served for 3 ½ years until his discharge December 8, 1945. During his service time he participated in campaigns in the Marshall Islands, The Marianas and Okinawa. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, a Purple Heart and a Naval Citation. Following his discharge from the Marines he was employed as an insurance agent with the family insurance business, Marsden Insurance, then at Reynolds, Barnes and Hebb until his retirement in 1980. He enjoyed sailing, hiking, tending to his garden, building model ships and playing chess which he taught his children how to play. However, his greatest love and passion was for music. Dick was a lifelong talented, professional musician playing the trumpet and tuba. In 1936 he started playing the bugle at the Pittsfield Boys Club camp at Onota Lake. Pursuing his love of music he taught himself to play the trumpet, which led him to play in many area bands, including The Eagles Band and Bob Exford’s Dance Band. He was a member of the Red Robinson Band and Union Break house bands at Eastover Resort for 29 years. In 1981 he formed the Carlins Orchestra, playing music from the big band era at local venues and private parties. In 2000 he helped to form and conduct the Eagles Stage Band, for which he composed and arranged the music they performed. In 1939 he joined the Pittsfield Eagles Band and remained a member until his retirement in May 2015 after 75 years, making him the longest and oldest standing member in the history of The Eagles Band. Dick’s greatest love and commitment was to his family, his wife of 65 years the former Shirley T. Keefe, whom he married November 22, 1947. She predeceased him February 6, 2013. He is survived by his children Alison A. Phillips and her husband William of Pittsfield, Stephen A. Carmel and his wife Jo-Anne of Jamesville, NY, Jeffrey W. Carmel Sr. and his significant other Deborah Davis of Pittsfield, grandchildren Heather M. Ancora, Susan L. Lescarbeau, Jeffrey W. Carmel Jr., great-grandchildren Derek R. Lescarbeau, Joshua W. Lescarbeau, Emily R. Ancora, Brendan J. Carmel and Auden C. Carmel, all of Pittsfield, and his sister Yvonne M. Vincent of Dalton. He was predeceased by his brother Arthur (Buddy) Carmel who was killed in action during World War II. FUNERAL NOTICE- A funeral service for E. Richard Carmel will be held Wednesday at 11 AM at WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, with the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Rennie, HospiceCare in the Berkshires, Chaplain. Burial with military honors will follow in the Pittsfield Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Pittsfield Eagles Band in care of the funeral home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Please visit www.wellingtonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family.

Mr. E. Richard Carmel

August 21, 1922 - August 14, 2015