Hadley, MA – Hadley – Allan Dale Zuchowski, 138 West Street, died August 27th, while doing what he liked best, working on his beloved farm & premises. Born in Northampton, Massachusetts on June 11, 1957, he was the son of the late John and Marion (Mackiewicz) Zuchowski. Well-read and studious throughout his life, he graduated from Hopkins Academy High School and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with honors, having earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History while working every day on the Zuchowski family farm, Lazy Acres Farm.
Allan loved farming and grew a wide variety of crops and vegetables including asparagus, peas, string beans, summer & zucchini squash, sweetcorn, cucumbers, fall squash, sugar & ornamental pumpkins, corn for tortilla chips, sunflowers for oil, ancient & heirloom wheat grains like spelt and Red Lammas for making bread and vodka, and tobacco used as wrappers on fine cigars. Also, combining his love and expertise in farming and history, he raised some unusual crops for his own enjoyment, such as broom corn in recognition that Hadley was once the “broom capital of the world”.
He was a pioneer in being one of the first farmers in the area to purchase and employ a zone builder subsoiler which lets plants “stretch their roots” by opening passageways through the hardpan with minimal soil disturbance helping to reduce the loss of nitrogen and other vital soil nutrients and to save on fuel and time to prepare the land for planting. He was a long time member and contributor to the Pioneer Valley Growers Association (PVGA). And the Pioneer Valley Heritage Grains Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). And he served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency County Committee. Most important to him, he had a positive influence on the lives of hundreds of teenagers whom he hired over his 40+ years as sole owner and operator of Lazy Acres Farm. He loved the kids and was an exemplary role model of good, honest, hard work. And he was always willing to help his fellow farmers be it in lending a hand, a piece of equipment or speaking on their behalf to state officials for financial relief after devastation to crops and property due to heavy winds, rain and severe flooding from hurricanes and storms.
Allan was an Inspired (“In Spirit”) devout Roman Catholic, who had boundless interests and talents. He learned Biblical Ancient Greek, in studying the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And he learned Polish and wrote to relatives in Poland encouraging them during the Solidarity movement of the 1980’s. And he sang with the church folk group and senior choirs for many years which included an audience with Pope John Paul II in Rome. And very near to his heart was lecturing at weekend masses at his church. He could meet people “where they’re at” in sharing his faith with others.
He could do something for the first time and it came out perfect such as painting religious icons incorporating egg tempera and gold leaf. Exhibiting skillful masonry, he constructed a 16th century style fireplace and chimney at his home, modeled after those he studied in houses in Hadley’s sister town, Wethersfield, CT. He enjoyed cooking on this fireplace with the old style trivets, pots and pans.
He was a “hands on” historian in making arrows from saplings which he had cut and bundled so they would dry without warping, in chipping arrowheads and utilizing turkey feathers so they would fly straight and true. And he enjoyed shooting his flintlock Revolutionary War era, and percussion cap muskets. And he spoke with great knowledge and authority in giving talks on American and local history to various groups and organizations including on the town common to Hadley’s elementary school children. On 03/08/2017, he gave a talk at the Hadley Historical Society Museum entitled, “Farming Today In Hadley – The Lazy Acres Farm Story”, as is immortalized on YouTube at Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25dq8XK31ro
Allan is survived by his brother, Mark J. Zuchowski, of Keene, N.H., sister, Susan J. Zuchowski, of Hadley, brother-in-law, Robert A. Stobaugh, of Park City, Utah, and six nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Yolanda A. (Zuchowski) Stobaugh.
Calling hours are Saturday, 10/03/2026, 9:00-10:45 AM, at the Most Holy Redeemer Church parish hall, 120 Russell Street, Hadley, followed immediately by his funeral mass at the church, interment at the Holy Rosary Cemetery, 134 Huntington Road, Hadley, and a reception back at the parish hall.
The family would like to thank the Hadley Police, Fire & EMS departments, the Massachusetts State Police and the Medical examiner & staff, for their professional, compassionate work on Allan’s behalf. And the Very Rev. Douglas McGonagle, Pastor, Most Holy Redeemer Church, staff & parishioners, for prayers, good guidance & counsel, and the use of the parish hall. And a special shout out and prayers for God’s blessings to his lifelong fellow farmers, business associates, many friends and neighbors. He will truly be missed!
Memorial contributions in Allan’s name may be made to the Hadley Historical Society, P.O. Box 174, Hadley, MA. 01035.
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