Hatfield, MA – Timothy J. Carroll (Tim), 82, of Hatfield, MA passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst just before sunrise.
Born in Warren, MA, Tim spent his childhood on Hillside Ave with his three siblings, Peggy, Kathy and Bill, engaged in shenanigans that we will never know about. He was a talented high school athlete and a member of the 1958 and 1959 Tri-State Champion basketball teams from Warren High School. Tim later went on to attend Fitchburg State University where he played baseball and was a proud member of the Mohawk Club. It was at Fitchburg where he met Veronica (Sullivan), whom he married in 1967 and affectionately called “Sull” for over 58 years as they moved from their first tiny apartment in Northampton to Hadley, finally settling in Hatfield where they made their home and lifelong friends. Tim taught Industrial Arts for over 36 years, beginning his career at Hopkins Academy, then Hampshire Regional and returning to Hopkins for the latter part of his career. His students will always remember Mr. Carroll for his signature crew cut, a pencil tucked behind his ear and a firm belief that you should always measure twice and cut once. He was a talented woodworker who could fix nearly anything and made annual handmade Christmas gifts that continue to be pulled out of the attic year after year as a testament to his creativity and craftsmanship. Beyond teaching, Tim was a coach, an athletic director, a cucumber farmer, a bartender and a collector of gently used golden retrievers. He believed in the hand-written note, a firm handshake and keeping your word.
After retiring from teaching, he continued to keep himself busy driving for a student hosteling program out of Conway, shuttling cars to auctions and even driving vans for Hampshire College. But most of all, he became a grampa extraordinaire. He could often be found on a sideline of a sporting event, at science fairs or delivering early morning munchkins. Tim loved puttering at his lake house in Becket, fishing off the dock with his grandkids and relaxing on the deck with Sull and a dog or two by his side. And more than anything, he always showed up. He showed up to support Beth at her Special Olympic events both locally and nationally. He showed up religiously at Julie’s college games even on days when he should have been doing bus duty. He showed up when things got tough.
Tim was a doer and had the ability to help and instruct on all projects big and small (except for installing his own kitchen cabinets). He was often your one call when you needed someone to help fix a water heater, relace a softball glove, paint your house, build a treehouse or move anything or anywhere.
Tim leaves behind his wife Veronica, his two daughters Elizabeth Carroll (South Hadley) and Julie Carroll Fay and her husband Michael (Southampton), and three cherished grandchildren, Timothy, Jack and Maggie. Tim also leaves behind his sister Margaret (Peg) Gorman (Warren, MA); younger brother, best friend and partner in crime, William (Bill ) Carroll and his wife Suzanne (West Brookfield, MA); brothers-in-law Royal Theberge (Kingston, MA), Mark Sullivan (Timonium, MD) and Jim Sullivan (Naples, FL); sisters-in-law, Teresa Geary (Old Lyme, CT) and Monica Parker (Greenville, NC), and many loved nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Margaret (Peg) Carroll and sister Kathleen Theberge. His family is exceptionally thankful for the kindness and support of his neighbors and friends on Plantation Road and beyond during this last year.
Calling hours will be Monday, January 26th 4-6 pm at Czelusniak Funeral Home in Northampton. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, January 27th at 10 am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 11 School St. Hatfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tim’s name may be made to Jericho, the Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults, 537 Northampton St, P.O. Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01040.
Please go to Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.
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