PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Earl B. Pemble Jr., also affectionately known as "Skipper" and "Earl the Pearl," passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester surrounded by his loving family.



Born in Anchorage, Alaska, oon January 14, 1960, the son of Earl B. Pemble Sr. and the late Judith A. Phillips Pemble. He attended local schools and was a 1978 graduate of Taconic High School.



Earl was a jack of all trades. He worked as a chef and bartender and a groundskeeper at the Pittsfield Country Club and G.E.A.A. golf courses. However, he found his work as a counselor for Hillcrest Educational Centers the most rewarding.



Earl enjoyed cooking, gardening, fishing, hunting, golfing, softball, playing pool and watching movies. He also loved to go for rides in his PT Cruiser convertible with the top down regardless of if it was winter or summer. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, and his dog, Bo. Earl always looked forward to Thursday nights at the Pemble Farm where the family would gather each week.



He is survived by his father, Earl B. Pemble Sr., and his stepmother Johanna (Jody) of Stephentown, N.Y; his stepfather Robert Tauer of Pittsfield, with whom he resided; his daughters, Alysia L. Jamross and Ashlee M. Pemble, both of Pittsfield; his son, Trevor M. Pemble of Pittsfield; his three grandchildren, Janessa M.R. Jamross, Troy M. C. Sparrow and Brielle W.L. Mathews; his sisters, Judith M. Furey of Cheshire, Mass., and Deborah M. Zieba and her husband James (Mike) of Adams, Mass.; his stepbrothers, Michael Burgio and David Tauer; his stepsister, Melinda Deresienski; and many loved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.



In addition to his mother, who died January 25, 2008, he was predeceased by a sister, Susan L. Squires, who died March 1, 2009; his stepbrother, Jonathan Tauer; and his paternal grandparents, Marcel and Ruth Pemble, whom he loved dearly.



Funeral notice: Funeral services for Earl "the Pearl" Pemble will be held Friday, March 17, 2017, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., at St. Charles Church celebrated by Rev. Peter A. Gregory, pastor. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.



Calling hours will be held Thursday evening, March 16, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Earl's sister Deborah Zieba to start an educational fund for his grandchildren in care of the funeral home.