Roger J. Fachini, 65
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Roger John Fachini, 65, of 189 Stratton Road died Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center following a cardiac incident on Friday, June 19, while on the 11th hole of his beloved Taconic Golf Course. Mr. Fachini was assessor for the city of North Adams for 11 years.
Born in North Adams on Oct. 6, 1943, son of John J. and Rena Colo Fachini, he was raised in Williamstown and was a member of the first graduating class from Mount Greylock Regional High School in 1962. He attended the Williams College School of Banking and the Robert Morris School of Commercial Lending at the University of Massachusetts.
He served in the National Guard for seven years.
Mr. Fachini was first employed by First Agricultural Bank in North Adams, and went on to spend more than 15 years in various management roles in the land development industry. He was appointed North Adams assessor in 1995 and chairman of its Board of Assessors, a position he held until his retirement in 2006.
After retiring, he renewed his real estate license and joined longtime friend Thomas Elder at Elder & Associates Real Estate in Williamstown.
He was the current president of the Stratton Hills Association Trust and had served on the board since moving there in 2005. He was active in the Berkshire County Assessors Association, serving as vice president from 1998 to 2000, as president from 2000 to 2002, and as a member of the executive board until his retirement.
Mr. Fachini had a passion for golf, snowshoeing, walking, fly fishing and anything that got him outdoors. He was a long-standing and supportive member of Taconic Golf Club, and a regular at Williams College football games, Clark Art Institute events, and Board of Trade functions. He was a true native son of Williamstown and had a deep and abiding appreciation for the beauty of the Berkshires, said family.
They described his as a generous and loyal friend, ready to lend a hand, do a favor, offer thoughtful advice, an honest opinion, and always armed with a quick-witted and humorous comeback, and respected and loved by his co-workers. He counted his family and friends as his richest treasures, they said, and was greatly loved in return and will be missed by all who knew him.
His favorite role was that of a loving, proud, and devoted father. The times he cherished most were spent with his daughter, Jennifer Helies, and her husband, Brad, at his home in Williamstown or with them in New York City.
Besides his daughter and son-in-law, he leaves his former wife, Judith Dawson Fachini of Bennington, Vt., and numerous cousins throughout the area.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A celebration of Mr. Fachini's life will be conducted Thursday, July 2, at 4 p.m. on the lawn of his home at 189 Stratton Road by the Rev. Mr. Bruce Ziter, deacon of St. Elizabeth's Church in North Adams, officiating. A reception will follow at Gala Restaurant at the Orchards.
In lieu of flowers are suggested for the Village Ambulance service or The Fund for Williamstown through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.