Westfield: Darren Fredrick Tarr, 48, a son, brother and uncle, passed away in the comfort of his home in Westfield. Darren was born January 4, 1966 in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was predeceased by his father, Brent Leighton Tarr, who died July 15, 1973. Darren was a graduate of Minnechaug High School Class of 1984 and earned his Associate degree of Arts in Journalism from Holyoke Community College, his BS in History and Journalism from University of Mass and a Bachelor’s degree in Science, History and Journalism from Charter Oak. He enlisted in the United States Army and served eight years in the Army Reserve. Darren was a graduate of the Defense Information School, Indianapolis, IN, and served in the Persian Gulf War in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. During this period he was the editor of the Logger News/U.S. Army Central Command Journalist, interned at the National Portrait Gallery Smithsonian, and served as a Staff Assistant for the Foreign Policy Magazine, Assistant Editor of the Chicopee Herald and American Lung Association of Connecticut. Darren was full of life and all it had to offer and will be sadly missed by all. He is survived by his mother, Sylvia Tarr and her fiancé Robert Knapik of Westfield; a sister, Tracie Tarr and her fiancé Clay Berry of Gray, ME; his brother, Christopher Tarr and his wife Denise of Three Rivers, MA; two nieces, Brianna Fortin of Gray, ME and Ashley Tarr of Monson, MA; maternal grandmother, Arlene Monteith as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, October 25th at 1:00 p.m. at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a hour of visitation prior to his service at the funeral home from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Darren’s name can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Please visitwww.forastierefuneralhome.com for additional information.
