William J. Blay, 84

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — William Joseph Blay, 84, of 546 Union St. died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at Sweet Brook Care Centers in Williamstown.

Born in North Adams on Feb. 26, 1926, son of Godfrey and Valeda Desormeaux Blay, he attended North Adams schools.

Mr. Blay was employed as a licensed plumber and pipe-fitter at the former Carol Cable Co. in Williamstown. He first worked at Mount Hope Farm in Williamstown and at the former Clark Biscuit Co., Sprague Electric Co. and Arnold Print Works.

He was a communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and working in his yard. He particularly enjoyed dancing and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle with his wife, the former Margaret Rose LaBonte.

His wife, whom he married on Nov. 30, 1946, died July 24, 2003.

He leaves a daughter, Mary Rose Coury and her husband, Joseph, of Cheshire; three sons, Donald Blay and his wife, Mary, of North Adams; Robert Blay of Clarksburg and Richard Blay of Granby; three brothers, Joseph Blay of Williamstown, Arthur Blay of North Adams and Godfrey F. Blay of North Hebron, N.Y.; two sisters, Cecile Wojnicki and Mary Rose Marony, both of North Adams; six grandchildren, Donald Blay Jr., Mary Goodermote, Lisa Coury Wotkowicz and her husband, Chad, Chad Coury, William Blay Jr. and John Barrett; seven great-grandchildren, Robert Goodermote, Nolan Goodermote, Tiffany Goodermote, Ileana Whiteman, Zaynah Wotkowicz, Cazimir Wotkowicz, and William Blay III, and close friend of the family George Robert, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was predeceased by his son William Blay, in 1989, and his sister Valeda Frank.

FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Blay will be held Friday, Oct. 1, at 10 from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Sept. 30, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire or St. Mary's Church in care of the funeral home.