Daniel R. Hawkins

BELCHERTOWN - Daniel Robert Hawkins, 54, of 25 Rural Road, died on October 7, 2016 at Wingate of South Hadley Nursing Home after a brief Illness. He was born on May 8, 1962, in Washington, DC., to Sonya & Bobby G. Hawkins and had lived in Belchertown since 1970. Daniel was a Jack of all trades and had worked as a gun parts specialist, a locksmith and drove tractor trailer trucks during his life. He was capable of doing just about anything he set his heart on. Daniel loved his motorcycle and enjoyed tinkering in his garage and could fix anything he worked on. Daniel took care of his parent’s home in Belchertown for the past two years and due to all of his hard work it continues to be a beautiful family estate. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Mary Lou Madigan of Amherst, MA, his father, Bobby G. Hawkins of Hadley, MA, and his two sisters, Dardanelle Hawkins of Whately, MA and Monique Stifter of San Antonio, TX. He leaves behind eight children, Shawn Hawkins-Collella and his spouse, Salvatore Collella, Kristy Lee Hawkins and her fiancé, Meaghan Cripps, Justin Hawkins and his fiancé, Becca MaeHaeger, Joy Hawkins, Mandi Hawkins and Alyssa, Eric and Hope Hawkins. He is also survived by his step children, Brandi and Brandon Gamble and their children, Sierra & Tawreak, he was pre-deceased by his two step-nephews, Ryan and Adam Gamble. Daniel also has three grandchildren, Destiny, Savannah and Lilihna. He leaves two nieces and a nephew in San Antonio, TX, Kimberly Clemente, Heidi and Benjamin Stifter and Jose Clemente and his precious wife, Beth and their three children, Lucas, Madigan and Michael of Ludlow, MA. He will be extremely missed by the family of his pre-deceased companion and dear friend, Rebecca Fitzgerald Turner, her parents, Bruce and Paula and her brother, sisters and her young sons Kyle & Jordan Turner of Belchertown. Services will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 3pm at South Cemetery, Route 181, Belchertown followed by a memorial service at Hope United Methodist Church. Daniel has many loyal friends who have stayed by his side and supported him during his time of need and a wonderful church family who has guided and sustained us with their strong faith, prayers and loving hands during our greatest time of need as we waited for him to pass to a gentle place with no more pain. We believe he is now with his mother, Sonya, his best friend, Becky, his nephews, Eric, Ryan & Adam and his dear sister, Heidi Hawkins Tyler at a huge welcoming party in heaven. There is not space enough to name all of his relatives and friends, but we know you have cared for him and kept him in your prayers. Please feel free to contact the family to get additional details about the service. Peace. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.nefcc.net

Daniel R. Hawkins

May 8, 1962 - October 7, 2016