Thomas Styspeck of Hadley, MA passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 28, 2018,
surrounded by his family. Tom bravely battled a rare disease for 3 years, never letting it get
in the way of living his life to the fullest.
Tom, the son of Stanley J. and Irene M. Styspeck, was born and raised in Palmer, MA. He was
a graduate of Palmer High School and Monson Academy. He went on to earn his BS in
Chemistry from St. Anselm College and his MS from the University of New Hampshire. Tom
began his teaching career at Mahar Regional High School before moving to and, and
retiring from Amherst Regional High School after 40 years. While teaching at Amherst, he
twice received the Robert Frost Teacher of the Year Award. Tom also coached the boys
basketball team, leading them to several league championships and earning the Coach of
the Year Award. He was respected and admired by his students and players alike, many of
whom he remained in contact with.
Tom's passion for sports followed him into retirement. He worked on the line crew at UMass
football games and worked for the MIAA tournaments. These tournaments were an
opportunity for him to combine his love of sports with his extraordinary people skills.
Tom and his wife, Joanne, wintered in Stuart, FL, returning home to Hadley for the
remainder of the year. His summers were spent contributing to the family asparagus farm
where he enjoyed bunching asparagus while listening to Red Sox games on the radio. His
favorite pastimes included watching sporting events, reading, and spending time with family
and friends. He will be remembered for his infinite patience, unwavering compassion, and his
ability to make everyone feel special.
Tom is survived by his wife, Joanne Ford Styspeck, his sons, Mark and wife Phyllis of
Sunderland, Paul and wife Kristen of Hadley, and only daughter Ann Marie Fecteau and
husband Maurice of Gray, ME. He will be lovingly remembered by his five grandchildren:
Kristen and Jill Fecteau, and Mary, Nolan, and Carter Styspeck.
Family and friends are welcome to join us in a celebration of his life that will be held on July
7, 2018, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Hadley Farms Meeting House on Route 9 in Hadley,
MA.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Barrett Newsome, the nurses, and staff at
the Mass General Oncology unit at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital for their kind and
compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Tom’s memory be made to the Fisher
Home Hospice, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002.
His cremation was entrusted to the Williamsburg Funeral Home (Hampshirecremation.com).