GREENFIELD — Cars lined up for nearly the entire length of Silvio O. Conte Drive on Saturday afternoon.
Inside those cars were the family and friends of Greenfield resident Mark A. Adamski, who died on April 4. They were there to be part of a drive-by memorial procession, organized by Adamski’s longtime friend, Donna Depretto.
Depretto said she and some friends realized after his death that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, they wouldn’t be able to gather to say their goodbyes. That was when she had the idea for a drive-by memorial procession.
She said she began to let people know personally. But soon, news of it “went viral.”
“I had no idea it was going to be like it was,” Depretto said. “Originally, we were going to meet at Stop & Shop’s parking lot, but after having it posted out there for 24 hours, I realized it was going to be too many people.”
Those who knew Adamski and wished to participate in the procession on Saturday were instructed to meet on Silvio O. Conte Drive at 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m., Depretto lead the cars past Adamski’s house on Adams Road, where people could honk, wave and hold signs for his family to see.
Depretto, 62, said she met Adamski about 40 years ago through her husband, who used to play on the same softball team as him.
She was overwhelmed by the show of support on Saturday.
“We live in a great community here,” she said. “It’s amazing how, when times get hard, they reach out and help and support.”
Depretto, who lives in South Deerfield, added that she wanted to thank everyone who came out to show their support and love.
“It really warms me to think of all the support,” she said. “I’m very grateful we could do this and for the amount of people that came out.”
Reach Mary Byrne at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbyrne@recorder.com.