Westfield- Neil E. Powers 89, of Westfield MA was called home on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Neil was born in Agawam, Ma on March 5, 1928, and son of late Ernest J. and Jennie M. (Perusse) Powers. Neil graduated from Springfield MA Trade School and then served in the US Army during World War II in the 27th infantry regiment; he was a Reconnaissance Car Driver while stationed in Osaka, Japan during the occupation of Japan. Neil worked for Ferrara Springs Company for 44 years before retiring to DeFuniak Springs, Florida and in summer would work part time at Ferrara’s for the next 15 years while in Massachusetts visiting children. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, working on cars, lawn mowers, riding his motorcycles, Square Dancing, traveling when they could like driving cross country and vacationing in Hawaii. Neil and his wife Thelma were in the square dancing part of the movie Reincarnation of Peter Proud which was filmed in the Springfield area. Neil moved back to Massachusetts in 2015 after his wife passed away to be closer to his children. Neil is preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years Thelma J. (Harrison) Powers in 2014, a brother Ernest A. Powers in 1966 and Sister Elmyra M. Hamelin in 2011. Neil is survived by his son Barney Powers of Easthampton, MA and daughter Barbara Powers of Westfield, MA. A celebration of Neil’s life will be held Wednesday June 14th at the Firtion-Adams Funeral home, 76 Broad Street Westfield, Ma. at 2 P.M. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 1-2 pm. Burial will follow in the Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Firtionadams.com
