Mr. Joseph W. Coy

After a long and well-lived life, Joseph Walter Coy, retired Fire Chief and World War II Veteran, of Pittsfield, MA passed away on June 12, 2025 at Berkshire Place, in Pittsfield, MA. with his daughters by his side. He was born on June 17, 1926 in Pittsfield to Joseph G. and Elizabeth P. Coy. Joseph attended Pittsfield High School and graduated in 1944. He left his senior class in February of 1944 to enlist in the Navy where, after receiving basic training, he was deployed to the west coast of England in preparation for the D-Day invasion. On June 6, 1944, he landed at Normandy and remained on Utah Beach until October 1944, when he was sent to London as a military courier where he worked until his discharge from the Navy in 1946. Like his father, Captain Joseph G. Coy, Mr. Coy joined the Pittsfield Fire Department in January of 1947. He retired from the department as Chief after 38 years of service in January of 1985. During his tenure in the Fire Department he received an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Berkshire Community College, in the program that he instituted. He married the former Lucille T. Belisle of Adams, MA. in July of 1949, and they shared 57 years together, devoted to each other and their two daughters. Joseph and Lucille moved to the West Coast of Florida in 1985 and lived in Palm Harbor, Citrus Hills and Spring Hill before moving back to the Berkshires in 2016. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, playing golf, and relaxing with friends. He made several trips to Europe with family, including a return to Utah Beach to see the bunker where he lived in 1944. He returned to the Berkshires every year during the holidays and after the death of his wife in 2006, spent his summers with family in Lebanon Springs, New York. Joseph came from both French and Irish roots, where devotion to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church helped frame the admirable principles by which he led his life. He had the benefit of being raised in a close and loving family, where evenings were spent with aunts and uncles, roasts and cards, and where picnics by trolley to Pittsfield State Forest and Lake Buel in Great Barrington were fun excursions. He loved reading and was something of an expert on US Military History, carrying on conversations about admirals and generals with surprising knowledge of the details of their campaigns, particularly of WW2. He’d go anywhere and do anything, especially if it involved a road trip, accompanying his brother, son-in-law, grandchildren or friends to the races at Saratoga, to baseball games, to museums or anywhere planes could be viewed. He became very proficient with his simulated flying program and would take “flights” all over the country. In his later years, he could often be found at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport, watching for planes coming and going, wishing he were at the controls. He gave so many gifts to everyone who knew him, especially a clear example of what it meant to be a caring, giving man who could enjoy each day as it came and who, while strong, capable and competent, could also be humble and kind. He was always there to listen and give good counsel. He never said an unkind word to anyone. He and his bright smile will be deeply mourned. He is survived by two daughters, Karen Coy Ross of Lebanon Springs, NY and Lenox, MA, Deborah Coy of New York City and Tyringham, MA, his son-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey S. Ross, four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren: Alex Olchowski (Ana) of Lebanon Springs, NY, David Ross (Elisa) of Ballston Lake, NY, Meredith Ahearn (Luke Dale) of Edinburgh, Scotland, Morgan Ahearn of New York City, Dr. Marty Ross-Dolen (Eric) of Columbus, OH, Merrill Ross (Alissa) of New Lebanon, NY, and Dr. Michael Ross (Kay) of Gainesville, FL. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the excellent and loving care he received at both Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility and for his final year, from the devoted staff at Berkshire Place in Pittsfield. Funeral Notice: Funeral services to celebrate the life of Joseph Coy will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by the Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. A reception will directly follow. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery will be private and at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), 309 Pittsfield Rd., Lenox, MA 01240 or Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Mr. Joseph W. Coy

June 17, 1926 - June 12, 2025