Verne Lariviere remembered as dedicated family man and coach

Verne Ernest Lariviere passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born on October 29, 1956, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Verne was 69 years old at the time of his passing. He was raised in Granby, Massachusetts, and graduated from Granby Jr/Sr High School, where he excelled in wrestling and soccer. It was during his junior high school years that Verne met his lifelong partner, Deborah L. (Racicot) Lariviere, with whom he shared a 57-year partnership and 50 years of marriage.

Verne pursued higher education at Holyoke Community College, earning an associate degree. His professional career spanned 20 years as a maintenance mechanic with Coca-Cola, followed by roles at Ice River Springs Bottling and Premium Water Bottling Company. Beyond his career, Verne was a passionate soccer coach, dedicating 21 years to inspiring young athletes. He was also an outdoorsman, exploring over 150 lakes in New York and New England with Deborah, and fulfilled a bucket-list dream by visiting Alaska in June.

Verne's legacy is carried on by his mother, Rita (Gaudette) Lariviere; his wife, Deborah; and their sons, Justin and Jason, along with his four grandchildren. He is also survived by seven siblings. The family invites friends and loved ones to pay their respects during calling hours on Friday, October 9th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and The D'Amour Center for Cancer Care in Springfield, MA.