WESTFIELD—Virgil W. Liberty passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 11, 2015. Virgil celebrated his 100th birthday in September 2014. Virgil was born on September 21, 1914 in Southwick, Massachusetts to the late Wilfred and Arabelle (Holcomb) Liberty. A resident of Westfield, MA he graduated in 1933 from Westfield High School and worked for Arnold Brothers Tobacco. From 1938 to 1941 he worked on construction of the Knightville Dam. He was a Corporal in the U.S. Army and a veteran of World War II receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. From 1945 to 1947 he worked at Columbia Mfg. and met Margaret Clark at a camera club meeting and they were married in 1947. They enjoyed over 67 years together. Employed by the City of Westfield in 1947, Virgil started as a ground crewman and worked in many positions over the years progressing from Manager of the Westfield Gas and Electric Light Dept. in 1969 until his retirement in 1977. As an active member of the Southwick Congregational Church, he served as a Superintendent of Sunday School and a teacher. Virgil was a long-standing member of the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star and also served as Master of the Mount Moriah Lodge. When he and Marge moved to Vermont for 20 years after his retirement they were both members of the Church in Moretown. They lived in a house that Virgil built over time, starting in 1952. While living in Vermont, he was a member of the Mad River Lodge of Masons in Waitsfield, VT. Moving back to Westfield in 1997, he and Marge became members of the Second Congregational Church and he devoted much of his time to volunteering as a driver for the Senior Transport Program through their church. He had a passion for woodworking and made hundreds of beautiful items which he sold at local craft fairs and many others, which will be treasured by family and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, Richard and Donald (Pudge) Liberty; his sister, Phyllis Duval; and his grandchildren, Margaret Elizabeth and Ryan Patrick. Virgil leaves his wife Margaret of Westfield; son, Michael and his wife, Gail of Fenton, MI; son, David and his wife, Susan of Westfield; daughter, Carolyn Pierce and husband, Alan of Westfield; and son, Roger and his wife, Debbie of Westfield. He also leaves 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and many friends in both Westfield and Moretown, VT. The family would also like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at the Genesis Healthcare at Westfield Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 11 a.m. at Southwick Congregational Church, 488 College Highway, Southwick. There are no calling hours. Burial will be at a later date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home.
