Douglas R. Hall, 83
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. â€' Douglas Richard Hall, 83, of Cherry Street died Monday evening, Nov. 9, 2009, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. Born in Stockbridge on Dec. 8, 1925, son of Robert and Elizabeth Hughes Hall, he attended local schools and graduated from the former Williams High School with the class of 1944. He also graduated from the Banking School at Williams College and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was in the Battle of the Bulge, and was a heavy machine gunner as well as a driver of "The Red Ball Express," the convoy system setup to provision the frontlines. He received the Good Conduct Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Victory Medal before being honorably discharged on Feb. 11, 1946.
Mr. Hall was employed in banking for 43 years, retiring from Lee Bank as assistant vice president of mortgage lending in 1988 after 23 years of service. He had first worked for Security National Bank in Los Angeles after the war.
He was a member of the Occidental Lodge, Adam Budz VFW Post 8183, Harold D. Rood American Legion Post 350 in New Marlborough and the Lee Sportsman's Club. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, competitive shooting and gardening.
He and his wife, the former Eleanor Brochu, were married on Oct. 2, 1948, in Great Barrington.
Besides his wife of 61 years, he leaves his daughter, Patricia Immediato of Poestenkill, N.Y.; his son, Norman Hall of Dahlonega, Ga.; his brother, Robert Hall of Peabody; his sister, Bernice Small of Cape Coral, Fla., four granddaughters, Cristy, Bethany, Nicole and Ashley, and his grandson, Matthew.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Kenneth Hall and Ernest Hall.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' A service celebrating the life of Mr. Hall will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 14, at noon at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington by the Rev. Jill Graham. Burial will follow in Stockbridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lee Sportsman's Club through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.