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Donald J. Westall, 62

06/10/2009

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Longtime Berkshire County businessman and civic leader Donald J. Westall, 62, died Wednesday morning, June 10, 2009, at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center after being stricken several days earlier. He was surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Westall, a principal in Alton & Westall Agency, was a devoted alumnus of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a member of its foundation for many years. He was a member of both the Williamstown and Berkshire chambers of commerce. He was active in the Williamstown Community Chest and a former member of the Williamstown Affordable Housing Committee and former director of the Williamstown Youth Center. He also was a corporator of Northern Berkshire Healthcare and Mountain One Financial. He was extraordinarily kind to everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him in this life, said friends and family. Whether someone needed advice, a door held open or just a warm smile, he did so without hesitation. As an organ donor, his generousity extended beyond this lifetime. Born in Concord on Sept. 24, 1946, son of Anne T. Ryan Westall and the late James R. Westall, he graduated from Mount Greylock Regional High School with the class of 1964 and then went on to receive his bachelor of arts in English from North Adams State College, now MCLA, in 1969. He resided at 310 Bressett Road. He taught at Mount Greylock for several years before becoming a partner in the former Salvatore's Shoe Store on Spring Street in 1974. In 1983, he joined the Philip M. Alton Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Williamstown and, in 1985, it was renamed Alton & Westall Agency. Mr. Westall enjoyed vacationing on Hilton Head Island, S.C., relaxing and taking long walks on the beach with his wife, the former Cheryl Gajda. A longtime member of the Taconic Golf Club, he had a love/hate relationship with his golf game, but loved to be out on the Taconic golf course whatever the day was, bringing with his clubs for he truly appreciated the beautiful scenery and just being outside with friends and family. He always rooted for the underdog, whether he was watching a major sporting event or just hearing about a situation close to him. Mr. Westall loved life and it showed to everyone around him, said his family; he was very social and exuded a warmth and friendliness that people gravitated toward. He especially treasured spending time with and going out to dinner with his family. He and his wife were married Aug. 10, 1968, in the former St. Francis of Assisi Church in North Adams. Besides his wife and his mother, of Williamstown, he leaves his loving daughter Nicole Westall and her fiance, Daniel Trombley, and Jacqueline Draper and her husband, Mark, all of Williamstown; two brothers, Richard E. Westall and his wife, Ann, of Wheaton, Ill., and David J. Westall and his wife, Darcy, of Williamstown; his brothers- and sisters-in-law Thomas and Catherine Gajda of Williamstown and Walter and Laura Gajda of Columbia, Mo., and several nieces and nephews and a grandniece. FUNERAL NOTICE — Per Mr. Westall's request, there will be no memorial service. There will be a celebration of his life on Thursday, June 18, at the Clark Art Institute on South Street from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Don Westall Scholarship Fund at MCLA. Donations may be sent in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.

Recollections & Sympathy For the Family Post Comment

Don joined my former employer, Phil Alton, several years after I established my own firm. Phil was a wonderful teacher and mentor for me and obviously for Don as well. It was equally sad and unexpected when Phil Alton passed away but Don took full charge of the agency along with Phil Alton's widow, Marion, and built it in to the fine firm it is today, with a large staff and group of outstanding agents with a strong following throughout Williamstown and beyond. I marvel at the number of organizations Don served. How he managed to do all of that, play golf as often as he did, and still be so successful in real estate, is a testament to his character and the enormous circle of friends and clients he built over many years. Don was a most honorable business person and he won and earned the respect of his associates, his peers and the public. Don had a magnetically warm and unassuming personality, never putting on any airs or self-importance. He was very humble, for all of his success. Few others come close to Don's level of popularity; that was his gift. We shall miss him in our little community for his easy smile, disarming humility and candor. Don was an easy person to be with. I admired him from my perspective and honor him and his life. I extend my deepest sympathies to his very sweet wife, Cheryl, who clearly was devoted to him and who in her own quiet and humble manner, was a perfect companion. I extend my deepest sympathies also to his children, his siblings and his extended family, all of whom will surely miss him and feel his loss deeply. Of one thing I am absolutely certain though, is that undoubtedly he will be playing his best golf ever in the hereafter and will be waiting for the rest of us to join him in time...and I may even take up the game too.
from: Paul Harsch	on: 06-14-2009

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