Edward Noel Jr, 80

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  Edward J. Noel, Jr. died unexpectedly on September 13, 2023.  He was born in North Adams on August 28,1943 to Edward Noel, Sr. and Viola Luscia Noel.  Ed, also known as Noely, Deleon and Leonde, attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School in 1962. He was a three sport athlete in high school and, in addition to being the captain of the baseball and basketball teams he was All Berkshire in both sports in his senior year. He was also his class’s President his junior and senior year.

Ed graduated from North Adams State College with his bachelor’s degree in 1967 and his Master’s in 1984. Ed taught mathematics in the North Adams public schools for 35 years, primarily at Drury. He was chosen as the teacher of the year at Drury in 1996. In addition to teaching he was the Yearbook Advisor for 13 years and was the primary photographer for the yearbook throughout that tenure.

He was also a well-known, respected and accomplished coach in basketball and baseball. From his start as a youth coach he coached at McCann, Hoosac Valley and Drury high schools. Highlights of his coaching career include his Drury girl’s basketball winning the Division 2 Western Massachusetts title in 2001. His McCann boy’s baseball team won 3 Southern Division titles. More important than the many victories on the courts and fields were the hundreds, if not thousands, of young student-athletes who played for Ed and learned the importance of sportsmanship, competitiveness, teamwork, dedication, discipline and his overall focus on the fundamentals of mastering their sport. These lessons were always imparted in the context of the team putting in the hard work to achieve wins but understanding that they must be gracious in a loss but also realizing that if they continued to work hard and put in the necessary effort they would be successful not only in their sport but in their life. Ed instilled confidence and inspired all who he taught, coached and mentored.

Ed had many hobbies and was always active and involved. He was surrounded by friends because he was always there for them. He was an accomplished gardener, he raised rabbits to give away to many children, he was a skilled doll house constructor and also made all of the furniture and furnishings and then gave them away to youngsters. His eclectic backyard garden became known as Mass MoCA II for all of the found and refurbished objects he artistically displayed around his trellised footpaths and ponds. He was a winning golfer though he took up the sport later in life and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his five grandsons. If you wanted to have a good time then Ed was the person to be with. 

Ed is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Judith Benedetti Noel, his daughter Kimberly Christiansen and her husband Tom and his son Kirby and his wife Caralyn. He is also survived by his five grandsons, McKee and his wife Marissa, Shalor, Liam, Christian and Jack. Ed also leaves his brother Jeff and his wife Lynn and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Carol.

A private family service is planned. Public Calling hours will be held on Monday, September 18th between 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm at Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home at its West Chapel on 521 West Main Street in North Adams.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made to Berkshires’ Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS), 529 Main Street in Williamstown, MA 01267 or to PopCares, PO Box 482 in Williamstown, MA 01267. To add to the book of memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com