PITTSFIELD: Richard Francis Ploss, 73, of 352 Lakeview Drive, Smithfield, Maine, formerly of Dalton Division Road, Pittsfield, died Thursday, September 2, at his home in Maine. Born in Pittsfield on November 21, 1936, a son of Charles C. and Evelyn King Ploss, he was a 1954 graduate of Pittsfield High School. A Viet Nam War veteran, he served as a Private First Class with the United States Army from October 2, 1962 until November 17, 1964, where he received distinction as an expert sharpshooter. Mr. Ploss was employed by Berkshire Custom Coating from 1973 to 2001 and had worked for R. R. Leduc in Holyoke. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Ploss leaves his wife of 38 years: Jacqueline A. Ploss, whom he married September 29, 1973, in Pittsfield. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Thomas Ploss of Westborough; another son, Michael Rizzo and his wife, Susan, of Smithfield, Maine; a daughter, Donna Rizzo of Cape Coral, Florida; as well as a brother, Charlie Ploss, Jr. of Pittsfield; two sisters, Maureen Wilker of Pittsfield and Shirley Waterman of Lanesborough; and eight grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Patricia Hoag.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Richard Francis Ploss will be held Wednesday, September 8, at 11 a.m., at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, with Rev. John C. Salatino, Pastor. Burial will be at 2 p.m., in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's memory to HealthReach Network 10 Water Street, Suite 307 Waterville, Maine 04901.