Donald J. Westall, 62
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.