William Chip Tornow

William Chip Tornow, 72, formerly of Easthampton, died Friday, June 7, 2024, at the Fisher Home in Amherst after a long struggle with chronic illness. Chip was born in Worcester on August, 26, 1951, the son of Dr. William Tornow and Marilyn (Staab) Tornow. Chip and his family moved back to Northampton when Chip was young, where he was raised by his mother and step-father, Ralph Gage. He was the grandson of Florence Staab of Northampton and was predeceased by his treasured sister Lynn Goodhue.
Chip attended Northampton schools and graduated from Northampton High School. He went on to attend the University of Massachusetts School of Management, where he graduated with honors. Chip worked for several organizations in his career, but had fondest memories of two. He worked for Digital Equipment Corporation in the late ’70’s, 80’s, and early ‘90’s in their Westfield and Springfield manufacturing plants and held several roles in Materials and Production Management. His last position was Manufacturing Manager at their Enfield organization founded to employ Team Based Management across their operations. In the early 2000’s Chip worked in the healthcare field at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, starting off in the role responsible to manage the purchase of all materials and equipment, including medical devices, to support the newly built Worcester Medical Center. He retired in 2013 as Vice President for Tenet Healthcare at St. Vincent Hospital overseeing contracting for all material, equipment and services at hospitals in greater Worcester area and Chicago.
Chip and Sharon raised two wonderful sons, Gregory William and Dennis Edward. Sharon was very important to Chip, providing him much love and support through his life’s journey. Chip was an active member of AA where he found recovery and maintained it by helping many other individuals face and overcome their struggles. His lifetime loves, beyond family and dear friends, included The Boston Red Sox to whom he was introduced by his grandmother Florence. They enjoyed many a game in person at Fenway Park and on television. And Chip was a big fan of Carl Yastrzemski, collecting his Rookie card and many memorabilia items over the years. He also loved the Patriots and the Celtics. Snow skiing with Greg, biking, camping with Dennis and his nephew David and travelling to Lake George were the pleasures in his younger adult years. Every year of their married life Chip and Sharon traveled to Gloucester and Rockport to enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea and the ambience of Commercial Street, Rockport shops and restaurants. After retirement, Chip and Sharon found respite from winter in the Dominican Republic and visited the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Nashville and Washington D.C..
Chip was sadly predeceased by his father, mother, and step-father, brother-in-law Paul Bittner and sisters-in-law Mary Drew and Att Drew. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sharon (Drew) Tornow, his sons Gregory Tornow and wife Kelly of Northampton, and Dennis Radgowski and wife Amy of Easthampton, and his grandchildren Michael Tornow of Northampton and Brady and Brookline Radgowski of Easthampton. He also leaves his brothers David Tornow and wife Susi of Galax, VA, and Richard Gage and his wife Maureen of Sandown, NH; and his brothers-in-law Fred Goodhue of Williamsburg, Sidney Drew of Belleville, Illinois, and Mark Drew and wife Carol of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and sisters-in-law Marsha Bittner of Greenfield and Cynthia Banning and husband Al of Turners Falls. He leaves 22 cherished nieces and nephews, including his nephew and godson Brendan Gage. Chip is also survived by his former wife Karen Moran of Northampton.
Calling hours for William will be held on Thursday, June 13, from 4-6 pm at the Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton. A memorial service for Chip will be held on Friday, June 14, at 11:00 am at the Edwards Church, 297 Main St., Northampton. A reception at the church will follow. A private burial will take place at Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence. Donations in Chip’s memory may be made to Northampton Recovery Center, 25 Armory St., Northampton, MA 01060 or Rays of Hope at Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01129