Lawrence "Larry" Bayles, 55

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Bayles, 55, of Pittsfield, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024 surrounded by lots of love and his family. Born in Rota, Spain, on a military base on May 18, 1969, son of the late Ronald and Patricia Martin Bayles, he graduated from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, VA in 1987, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and later earned his Master of Arts Degree in Theatre Education from Emerson College. Larry was a member of the US Army Reserves.

Prior to retirement, Larry was employed by Pittsfield Public Schools at Herberg Middle School, where he was a theatre arts teacher. While he was there he directed and produced productions such as: Our Town, Guys and Dolls, George Orwell’s 1984, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Alice in Wonderland, Yours Anne, among others. As an actor, Larry worked at Stagewest in Springfield, MA under the direction and guidance of longtime mentor, Eric Hill and performed in productions of The Tempest, A Christmas Carol and more. At Berkshire Theatre Festival, Larry performed in Wilder! Wilder! and Quills at the Unicorn Theatre and was a teaching artist with their education program until heading off to graduate school.

Among many things, Larry enjoyed music, especially David Bowie, David Byrne and The Beatles, a good book or comic book, hiking in the Berkshires, trips to The Cape, time by the ocean, spending time with his children, Star Wars, and of course, theatre.

Lawrence is survived by his devoted wife Allison Rachele Bayles, his beloved son Brendan Bayles and daughter Zooey Bayles who were his pride and joy, his brother-in-law Thomas M. Rachele and sister- in-law Jennifer Miller Rachele, nephew Alexander Rachele and niece Grace Rachele (Springfield, MA), his aunt Julie Golden (Corpus Christie, TX) his in-laws Thomas A. Rachele and Carolyn Rachele (Dumfries, VA), and his feline companions Charlie, Beckett, and Ralphie.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Stewart Bayles and his mother-in-law Susan Devine Rachele.

The Family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Hospice Team, Suburban Internal Medicine, Hillcrest, the staff at the Froio Senior Center’s Happy Club, the St. Mary’s School (Lee) and parish Community, Berkshire Theatre Group, and Berkshire Grown for their unwavering support.

Funeral Notice:

Funeral services for Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Bayles will be Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 11am at St. Mary’s Church in Lee, celebrated by the Rev. Brian McGrath, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lee. There will be a time of visitation at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, directly prior to the service, from 8:30am to 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s memory can be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or the Alzheimer's Association in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.