Ronald Joseph "Ron" Kochapski, Jr. 59, of 175 Burke Avenue, Pittsfield died peacefully at his home on Saturday morning surrounded by his loving family. Born on March 4, 1950 in Northampton, MA the son of Ronald J. Kochapski Sr. and Frances A. Kozikowski Kochapski. He was a 1967 graduate of Northampton High School and was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he received his bachelors and masters degree in sociology. Ron was a science teacher at the Berkshire Union Free School in Canaan, New York for 28 years until October of 2008. In October of 2008 he began teaching for the Pittsfield Public School System at Herberg Middle School where he taught 8th grade science until becoming ill in July of 2009. After his marriage he and his wife joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corp and taught in the mission schools in Ketchikan, Alaska. He was a longtime parishioner of Saint Mark's Church and had taught the confirmation program for many years, he also at St. Mark's served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was currently a communicant of Saint Joseph's Church in Pittsfield. He enjoyed playing with his adored grandchildren and he enjoyed nature, the ocean, crossword puzzles, oldies music and New England Sports. He was an accomplished trumpet player. He leaves his wife the former Barbara A. Wicker whom he married at St. Mark's Church on July 21, 1973. Besides his wife he leaves a son, Daniel J. Kochapski of Pittsfield; two daughters, Sarah E. Powell and her husband Jabari of Lanesboro, and Amy E. Aldrich and her husband Jeffrey of Dalton; three sisters, Joanne Gessing and her husband Greg Bartus of Hatfield, Carol Dunn and her partner Michael Meehan of Easthampton and Robin MacDonald and her husband Kenneth of Whately; his four adored grandchildren, Aiden Aldrich, Jackson Powell, Natalie Aldrich and Madison Powell and many beloved nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Ronald J. Kochapski, Jr. who died February 20, 2010 will be held Tuesday with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:00 A.M. at Saint Joseph's Church in Pittsfield celebrated by Rev. Monsignor Michael A. Shershanovich, pastor and the Rev. John C. Salatino, pastor of St. Mark's Church. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA will be Monday from 4 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers memorials in his memory may be made to the Ronald J. Kochapski, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in care of the funeral home.

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