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Official Obituary of

Clarence E. Rose

September 21, 1924 ~ June 21, 2015 (age 90) 90 Years Old

Clarence Rose Obituary

Bernardston, Massachusetts
Clarence E. “Bud” Rose, 90, of 20 Hartwell Street, died Sunday evening, June 21, 2015 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, MA following a period of declining health.
 
A native of Sunderland, MA, he was born on September 21, 1924 to Glenn and Gladys (Graves) Rose and was educated in Sunderland Public Schools and was a graduate of Amherst High School in the Class of 1942.
 
Following his graduation from high school, he went to work on the family farm in Sunderland, known as the Rose Farm.  There, he worked side by side with his father and mother, maintaining the farm and operating a private school bus service.  Following the death of his father, Clarence was joined by his siblings and the farm became known as Rose Brothers Farm, which they continued to operate until 1967.  
 
Bud then went to work for the former Chapin & Sadler Fuel and Bus Company, located in Montague Center, MA where he was an oil delivery and school bus driver for many years.  It was during this time that he developed a special bond with his employer, the late Clarence Sadler, who became his dear friend. After his retirement, Bud worked for a few years for the former Sweeney Ford dealership in Greenfield, as a parts delivery driver.  
 
He was active in the 1st Congregational Church of Sunderland, was a past member of the Sunderland Volunteer Fire Department and served as a past trustee and caretaker of the North Sunderland Cemetery.  In his leisure time, Bud could be found tending his vegetable garden and taking great pains to mow his lawn and to keep up his yard.  He was an avid Red Sox fan. He loved the ocean, in particular Wells Beach, where he could be found enjoying an occasional cigar and a lively exchange with the sea gulls. Bud enjoyed seafood, in particular a good lobster dinner, topped off by a nice dish of ice cream.  
 
He married the love of his life, the former Doris I. Boulden in Montague Center, MA on October 21, 1944 and they celebrated 70 years of marriage in October 2014.  Survivors include in addition to his beloved wife, his adoring children: Leroy Rose (Lorna) of Conway; Richard Rose (Virginia) of Millers Falls; George Rose (Julie) of Northfield; Marcia McCrory (Tim) of Bernardston and Donna Bezio (Bruce) of Erving, MA.  Additionally, he leaves his loving siblings:Bernice Joslyn of Westborough, MA; Barbara Boulden of Sunderland; Janet Burt (Richard) of Indiana and Kenneth Rose (Joan) of Bernardston, MA.  Bud is remembered with great affection by his 16 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren and by several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by four siblings.  
 
Funeral services in celebration of his life, will be conducted on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the 1stCongregational Church of Sunderland at 11:00AM.  Rev. Barbara Seamon, Pastor, will officiate.  Committal services will follow in the North Sunderland Cemetery. Visiting hours areomitted.  Expressions of affection are requested in lieu of flowers in Bud’s memory to the 1stCongregational Church of Sunderland, P.O. Box 453, Sunderland, MA 01375.  The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA, have been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com  

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