Charles Russell “Rusty” Ransford, 77, of North Adams, MA died on Saturday October 13, 2018 at Albany Medical Center. He was born in North Adams, MA on March 14, 1941 son of the late Charles Henry and Althea (Bacon) Ransford.
He attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1959, and The University of Massachusetts, with a BS in mechanical engineering. He also attended MCLA, and earned certification in secondary education from Westfield State University.
Rusty began his career working as a design engineer for Sprague and other area companies, lastly at the age of 27, as chief engineer for Anken Chemical Corp. Rusty holds several patents for machine and mold design. As a businessman, he restored the antique Cider Mill on Church Street, which he operated with his wife Dorothy, for over 25 years. Meanwhile, he established and operated Klean Kraft Janitorial Services. Rusty was a real estate developer and entrepreneur in Berkshire County, where he was the owner and operator of Ransford Properties. He also maintained and operated the 275 year old family farm in The Hopper in Williamstown.
Rusty was a master mason at the Layette- Greylock Lodge of Masons and a member of the Scottish Rite. He was a life member of the North Adams Elks, Past President of The North Adams Lions Club as well as the NA Eagles, the Doppleganger Motorcycle Club, and the Greylock Community Club. He was a mechanical " genius", and a collector of antique tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles and cars which he could repair and restore. Rusty loved taking long distance trips on his 1941 Indian Chief Motorcycle. He was a real outdoorsman and a true friend to all he encountered.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy Linda (Giusti) Ransford, whom he married at St. Anthony’s Church in 1963. He also leaves his son Charles R. “Randy” Ransford Jr. of North Adams, MA; grandchildren: Gabrielle Leigh Ransford; Briana “Breezy” Ransford; and MacKenzie Charles Ransford and his wife, Siobhan; and step grandchildren Mark Cottrel; Adam Cottrel; and Heather Morris. He was predeceased by his son Lee Hamilton Ransford who died in childhood.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Calling hours for Charles R. Ransford will be held on Sunday October 21, 2018 from 2-5 pm at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI FUNERAL HOMES, WEST CHAPEL, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. A memorial service will be held on Saturday October 27, 2018 at 1PM at Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, West Chapels 521 West Main St. North Adams. Donations in his memory may be made to either the Lee Hamilton Ransford Memorial Scholarship Fund at MCLA, or Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.