Search all obituaries on iBerkshires.com:
 Alfred 'Butch' Gallese Jr., 84
 July 13, 2025
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Alfred "Butch" Francis Gallese Jr., 84, of North Adams, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
He was born in North Adams on Jan. 10, 1941, to Alfred F. and Evelyn (Peters) Gallese. Alfred attended schools in North Adams, graduating from St. Joseph High School in 1958. He attended the Butera Art School in Boston and then graduated with a BA in History and a Master's in Education from North Adams State College.
He first taught at Freeman School in North Adams and went on to teach at the Gabriel Abbott Memorial School in the town of Florida, where he eventually served as vice principal. After retirement, he taught physical education.
Alfred was a member of the North Adams American Legion, where he enjoyed spending afternoons with his friends. He served as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard. Alfred also had an artistic side, which showed when painting and writing poetry for every major family life event, bringing not only tears but happy hysteria to all who heard them. More than anything, he loved spending time with his family.
Butch, as he was known to his friends, was not a man to stay idle. He enjoyed running and staying physically active. He especially enjoyed his Wednesday night basketball league at the Florida school. He also tended bar at the Jaeger Haus in Pownal, Vt., where he not only poured drinks but also served up laughter with his quick wit and jokes.
He married his wife, Veronique Ann (Plante) Gallese, on April 20, 1963, who passed on July 29, 1979.
Survivors include his loving children, Claudine Preite (James), and Jeffrey Gallese (Valerie); grandchildren, Fallon Preite Tierney (Ryan), Chase Preite (Kaitlyn), Thane Preite (Hannah), and Alicia Davis (Kevin); great-grandchildren, Logan, Lauren, Tate and Grace; sisters, Marilyn Carlson (Roger), Diane Gallese Parsons, and Leslie Schmidt (Arnold); stepson, Sean Scanlon; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Butch was predeceased by his brother Roger Gallese and stepson, Robert Scanlon.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services to celebrate the life of Alfred "Butch" Gallese will take place Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will be prior to the service from 10 to 1. Memorial donations are suggested for the North Adams American Legion through the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
Dear Claudine and family,
Butch was one reason I spent many a Friday night at the Jaegar Haus. The bar was like Cheers and we all came to enjoy the company and the laughs. I will remember Butch for his quick wit and funny laugh. His athletism was amazing too, watching him run plays at Floida Elementary on Wednesdays, playing beside Cap and Kevin and friends. Rest easy now my friend | | from: Nancy Bullett | on: 07-17-2025 |
|
| Sending thoughts of peace and comfort to Mr. Gallese’s family. He was an important addition to our town.Honing our literary and grammar skills to such a finesse that our secondary education teachers recognized us as his students by our abilities in those areas. His leading of the Hoaress Chorus, poetry, limmerick or shanty w/ the aplomb of the scholar he was!, was a privilege of our students for decades. My middle daughter at first was fearful of and Leary of him and ended up wishing he was like Mr. Feeny In Boy Meets World following thru the rest of her academic career. I plant Jet Star tomatoes every year used to be for him and now b/c he had me grow them for so long I don’t think I d recognize summer w/ o them. Thank you so much for sharing him w/ us. He improved us all. The Lewis Family | | from: | on: 07-17-2025 |
|
| My Sincere condolences go out to Claudine and Entire Family. So Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you All during this difficult time. | | from: John Brown | on: 07-16-2025 |
|
My children had Mr. Gallese for a teacher in our FL Mt days and benefited greatly from him. He always greeted his former students with a handshake and a big smile. A great guy.
Sending out condolences to his family. | | from: Janice Poirot | on: 07-16-2025 |
|
| Claudine and family, I’m so saddened by the news of Butch’s passing. We worked together for many years at the Jaeger Haus, and believe me when I say, Butch was the reason it was so crowded on Friday nights. His quick wit will always be remembered, it was like our own little version of Cheers. The world was a much better place with him in it. I will cherish these memories. | | from: Renee Royal | on: 07-16-2025 |
|
Jeff , Claudine and Sean
I’m very sorry for your loss, your dad touched many lives over the years , his early input on us as children and him as a great teacher molded us mountain folk in some way or another . I was always impressed how fast he could draw something with chalk and make it look so good | | from: Bryan Rennell | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| So sorry for your family’s loss. May all the memories fill your hearts during this difficult time. | | from: Joni Dunn | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| So very sorry to hear of your family’s loss~ | | from: Cheryl Lefave | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Sorry for your loss Claudine and Jeff and Sean and the entire family. Your Dad was a great teacher. Still my favorite after all of them and a good man. A pillar of a tight knit community. I will always see him jogging the loop. | | from: Daniel Burdick | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Very sorry for your Family Loss Claudene | | from: Cheryl Slick | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Jeff, Claudine & Jim, I am terribly sorry to learn of the passing of your father. May your memories bring you great happiness and peace. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with you during this most difficult time. | | from: Alex Tetlow | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Claudine and family Tom and I are so sorry for your loss. We hope the many memories of your wonderful father will be a comfort for you in the days to come. | | from: Carmel Kushi | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| A true gentleman. May you find comfort, in all the beautiful memories associated with him. | | from: Laura Soave | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| A true gentleman. May you find comfort, in all the beautiful memories associated with him. | | from: Laura Soave | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Diane, so sorry for your loss. Remember all the good times you shared. It sometimes can help get you through the pain. | | from: judith clarno | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| So sorry for your loss, Absolutely best teacher ever. Always had so much respect for your dad. | | from: Jeff and Claudine | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Truly a legend in the classroom, playing basketball and running the roads of Florida Mountain! Jeff and Claudine we are sorry for your loss…somewhere up there he is teaching the importance of diagramming a sentence and having students write a Florida Mountain Turnip tale! | | from: The Dugals | on: 07-15-2025 |
|
| Dear Diane and family , I am so sorry for your loss??My thoughts and prayers are with you.Karen Davis | | from: | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
Claudine, Jim & family, so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Sending prayers.
| | from: Dave & Connie Yorke | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
| Claudine and family. Our deepest condolences on your father's passing. He sounded like a really fun guy!! | | from: Maureen and David | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
Jeff and Claudine,
I am so soon for your family's loss. Your dad was a great man, and a great teacher. | | from: Patti Wheeler Phillips | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
Dear family
I very sadden to hear of Butch passing. He was my teach at freeman school. Also I am thankful for the time I had with him aand sister and Saturday. .
He was a great person. Prayers are with u all???? | | from: Nanette Schmidt | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
| Diane and family- So sorry to hear this sad news. May your cherished memories of Butch comfort you and your family. | | from: Dale Waterman | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
It is with deep sadness that I have learned of the passing of my life long friend, Butch Gallese. Hard to believe. May he Rest In Peace, until we meet again…
Your former next door neighbor and friend, Tony Abuisi, Jr. | | from: To the family of Alfred “Butch” Gallese | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
| Diane and family, may we express our sincere condolence in the passing of Al. I remember his good nature and soft spoken manner. My he rest in peace with the Lord. Bill and Joan Haddad | | from: Bill and Joan Haddad | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
YOU were the best of the best. Hmmmm’ heated toilet on the mountain ***and the best bartender at the JAEGAR HAUS****we love you ?????
| | from: Mary Cwalinski culverwell | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
Diane and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother.May the memories get you through... | | from: TammySantelli Lefebvre | on: 07-14-2025 |
|
|
