Pamela Metaxas, 65, retired in June 2010 after spending 37 years at The Republican, and its predecessors, the Daily News and the Union-News.
Pamela MetaxasCHICOPEE – Pamela H. Metaxas, a former reporter for The Republican, was remembered on Saturday as an avid traveler and as someone who loved her job.
Police received a call just before noon on Saturday from her downstairs neighbor, who reported that an accident happened at the two-family home at 253 Fairview Ave. where Metaxas lived, according to Lt. Mark D. Gilbert.
Gilbert, who said the death is not considered suspicious, said she was not transported to the hospital. The exact cause of death remains under investigation, he said.
Metaxas, 65, retired in June 2010 after spending 37 years at The Republican, and its predecessors, the Daily News and the Union-News.
“The Republican family is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pam Metaxas,” said Cynthia G. Simison, managing editor. “She was a devoted member of our newsroom staff for more than 35 years, beginning as a lifestyle reporter. Her career ran the gamut from writing about fashion to covering breaking news. Pam also spent nearly 20 years covering the city of Chicopee, which became her adopted home, and earned the respect of many in the community.”
She was predeceased by her parents, Theodora “Dora” G. Metaxas and Harry Metaxas, and her brother, Louis Metaxas, a Boston police officer who died in the line of duty in 1989.
Metaxas traveled with her mother to Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Mexico and South America.
Reporter Ted LaBorde started working at the newspaper six months after Metaxas and kept in touch with her after her retirement from The Republican.
“She was enjoying herself,” he said.
As for reporting, “She loved it.”
In recent months, she contributed stories to the weekly Chicopee Register.
City Council President William M. Zaskey said he was shocked to hear about Metaxas, as he just spoke with her on Friday about an upcoming Finance Committee meeting.
“I really appreciated her as a reporter. I think she was very fair and very honest. She did investigative reporting and she would ask a lot of questions, but still her stories were never attacking anybody. I always appreciated the way she wrote,” Zaskey said.
Metaxas was a native of Shelburne Falls. Her parents operated the former Franklin Restaurant and “Harry’s Bar” in Shelburne Falls for 31 years.
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming, a family member said.