Kathy and Brian Hartley will serve as marshals for the Wyben Community’s 74th Annual Fourth of July Parade.
Reminder Publishing submitted photos
WESTFIELD — With five generations of Hartleys living in Wyben since 1831, their name is synonymous with Wyben and one of the many reasons Brian and Kathy Hartley will be honored as the marshals for the community’s 74th Annual Fourth of July parade.
The Hartley family is also associated with Wyben Orchards, which was started by Brian Hartley’s great grandparents, who were also dairy farmers, in 1940.
When most folks in the area think of the Hartley family, it’s in connection with the orchards that grew 27 varieties of apples, eight varieties of peaches, six varieties of plums, four varieties of pear trees, pumpkins and a variety of vegetables.
Running the orchard was hard work for Brian’s grandparents, his parents and his three brothers with tending the fruit and vegetables, working in the barn and manning the produce store where they were always busy.
The orchard ceased operations in 1994 after various state and federal regulations were implemented that made it unprofitable to keep it going.
The years the orchard was open many area families looked forward to visiting it regularly to find just the right pumpkin and savor the taste of its yummy fruits and vegetables.
The memory of those years working in the orchard helped shape Brian’s interest in the over 200 acres of property that he and Kathy purchased in 2016, that included the farmhouse which has been the center of life for five generations of Hartleys
Brian graduated from Westfield High School in 1988 and from Springfield Technical Community College in 1992, with an associate’s degree in horticulture. He has two siblings, his twin brother who lives in Blandford, and another brother who lives in the community. Their older brother passed away in 2016.
Kathy also grew up in Wyben with her three sisters, who still call Wyben home, and a brother who lives in Chicopee.
She is also a 1992 graduate of Westfield High School and married Brian in 1994.
“She had an immediate connection to my family,” he said of his wife. “And is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Lexi, born in 2008, was one of the newest members of the family. She is a junior at Westfield Technical Academy and concentrating on auto collision.
She enjoys baking, building Legos, swimming and designing clothes.
Brian works as a maintenance groundskeeper for the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District and Kathy has worked for a local business for 25 years.
With three generations, including Brian’s aunt Verna, residing in their household life is busy.
Each evening, the family gathers for dinner with everyone having specific responsibilities for the meal and cleanup.
Engaging, fun and lighthearted are words that come to mind when describing Brian and Kathy with Lexi, and, of course, this is not always easy to pull off living with a teenager.
Brian and Kathy have some ideas about the future of their farm when life is not so hectic, but for now Brian loves his 1992 Chevy 454 SS Truck.
It took eight years, but Brian finally got his 1973 tractor running, which serves as a touchstone of his days working at the orchards and driving it through the fields. He also proudly included the antique tractor in the now famous Wyben Lighted Tractor Parade, which only started last year.
As a couple, they enjoy driving around their property in a John Deer Gator, attending concerts, hanging out by their pool and going out to eat.
Bob Allen, a longtime resident of Wyben, described the Hartleys as living by the “Golden Rule.”
“They’re a strong and positive presence in the community,” Allen said, adding Brian does a great job helping to maintain the properties at Wyben Union Chapel and Middle Farms Cemetery.
“Kathy’s enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer to help expand events offered in Wyben,” Allen added.
The Hartleys’ deep affection for Wyben spans decades.
The family has entered floats in the parade, helped with Easter egg hunts, and recently donating a Christmas tree to plant and maintain at the Wyben Union Chapel.
Brian and Kathy worked hard to make sure the Lighted Tractor Parade went off without a hitch last year. The new 2025 event, the Family Kickball game, will be played on Hartley’s field.
To think about generations of the same family living in a house for almost 200 years is special.
Their pride in being a vibrant part of the Wyben community is obvious and uplifting.
Fortunately for friends, neighbors, family, and community they’ve chosen to live and embrace the lifestyle needed to thrive in Wyben.
