James R. Ayer
STERLING - James R. Ayer, 64, of Rowley Hill Road, formerly of Worcester, died March 31, 2001 in HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster, after an illness.
He leaves three sons, Adrien and James Ayer, both of Oakham, and Jason Ayer of New Braintree; a daughter, Audrey Brooks of Templeton; and five grandchildren. A brother, Ronald Ayer of Utica, N.Y., died in 1976. Born in Port Byron, N.Y., son of Roderick and Dorothy (Miller) Ayer, he graduated as valedictorian from Livingston Manor High School. He received a master's degree with high honors from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. with high honors from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Mr. Ayer was a professor of English at Worcester State College for 37 years, retiring last year.
He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Worcester. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Fay Brothers Funeral Home, West Boylston, is handling arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Liver Transplant Unit, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA 01655, or St. John's Episcopal Church, 166 Holden St., Worcester, MA 01603.
Steven A. Koski Jr.
HOLDEN - Steven A. Koski Jr., 56, of Bailey Road, formerly of Barre, died March 30, 2001 in UMass Memorial Medical Center-Memorial Campus, after being stricken ill at home.
He leaves his wife of 27 years, Carol Ann (Nygard) Koski; his mother, Sophie J. (Toboiko) Koski of Holden; and nephews and nieces. A sister, Ellie Koski, predeceased him. Born in Worcester, son of Steven J. Koski Sr., he graduated from Classical High School, Worcester. He lived in Barre and then Holden for the last 20 years.
Mr. Koski worked seven years as a school van driver for Catholic Charities, Worcester. Previously, he was a draftsman at Morgan Construction Co.
He enjoyed woodworking.
The funeral will be private. There are no calling hours. Miles Funeral Home, Holden, is directing arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities, 10 Hammond St., Worcester, MA 01606.
Helen V. Seman
HOLDEN - Helen V. (Dynowska) Seman, 92, of Holden, died March 30, 2001 in Holden Nursing Home, after an illness.
Her husband, Bohdan Seman, died in 1984. She leaves two daughters, Barbara V. Smith of Jefferson and Carol Palinkas of Freemont, Calif.; a sister, Marie Adamski of Norwalk, Conn.; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Born in Newark, N.J., daughter of Ignac and Michelina (Brigider) Dynowska, she lived most of her life in New York City.
During World War II, Mrs. Seman worked at Sperry Gyroscope in New York City. She later was a waitress at Shrafft's Restaurant. She enjoyed home decorating, knitting, crocheting and reading.
The funeral was held April 4, from Miles Funeral Home, Holden with a Mass at St. Mary's Church, Jefferson. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.
Richard R. Stratford
HOLDEN - Richard R. Stratford, 58, of 56 Boyden St., formerly of Millbury and Sutton, died March 27, 2001 in St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center.
He leaves a son, Richard Stratford; his mother, Ruth D. (Stratford) Puchek of Sutton; a half-sister, Sandra J. Puchek of Sutton; grandchildren and nieces. His stepfather, Paul J. Puchek of Sutton, died in December. A half-sister, Sharon R. Emery of Sutton, also predeceased him. He was born in Worcester and graduated from Millbury Memorial High School.
Mr. Stratford was formerly a machinist. He was a member of St. Brigid's Church in Millbury. He was an artist and painted by mouth because of his paralysis.
The funeral Mass was held March 31, in St. Brigid's Church, Millbury. Burial was private in Central Cemetery, Millbury. Memorial donations may be made to a charity. Mulhane Home for Funerals, Millbury, directed arrangements.
Bartev DerBagdasarian
HOLDEN - Bartev "Bart" DerBagdasarian, 90, of 370 South Main St., died March 19, 2001 in Holden Nursing Home.
His wife of 50 years, Virginia (Gazoorian) DerBagdasarian, died in 1991. He leaves two sons, Bartev DerBagdasarian Jr. of Holden and Gary DerBagdasarian of Holmes Beach, Fla.; a brother, Ralph DerBagdasarian of Santa Barbara, Calif.; a sister, Aznev Moore of Providence; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. He was born in Constantinople, son of Setrak and Aznev (Mantarian) DerBagdasarian, and has lived in Holden since 1951. He graduated from Commerce High School and from Northeastern University.
Mr. DerBagdasarian founded several businesses, including training facilities for job-related skills. His companies were R and M Company and Marathon Products. He was a member of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, a former member and treasurer of the Parish Council. He served as a Diocesan Delegate, Sunday School Superintendent, and was co-chairman of the church bingo committee. In 1984, he was given the Saint Vartin Award bestowed by Archbishop Khajig Barsamian. In 1997, he was presented with the Encyclical Gontiag Award by the Armenian church for his contributions to the church and bingo program.
The funeral service will be held today at 11 a.m., March 22, at the Armenian Church of Our Savior, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery. A Dungark service was held at 7:30 p.m. March 21, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609. Caswell-King Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
William J. Kallio
HOLDEN - William J. Kallio, 66, of 826 Main St., formerly of Paxton, died March 16, 2001 in Oakham after being stricken ill while working.
He leaves his wife of 43 years, Norma T. (Griffin) Kallio; a son, Jeffrey A. Kallio of Worcester; three daughters, Kimberlee Morrow, Julie Lemon and Jennifer Kallio, all of Rutland; a sister, Esther Silverberg of Fitchburg; 10 grandchildren; many nephews and nieces. A sister, Betty Stevenson, died in 1997. He was born in Gardner, son of Oscar E. and Irene (Ross) Kallio, and graduated from Gardner High School. He attended the University of Miami in Florida. He was a Marine Corps veteran. He lived 15 years in Paxton and 18 years in Holden.
Mr. Kallio was a real estate appraiser for 40 years. He was self-employed for the past 20 years, and previously worked for Worcester County National Bank. He was a member of First Congregational Church in Paxton. He was a member and past Exalted Ruler of Gardner Lodge of Elks 1426. He was past district deputy for the West Central District for Elks.
The funeral was held yesterday, March 21, in First Congregational Church of Paxton. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church of Paxton, 1 Church St., Paxton, MA 01612. Miles Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Emil A. Lampron
HOLDEN - Emil A. Lampron, 79, of 45 Redgate Lane, died March 17, 2001 in UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus, Worcester.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Jacqueline A. (Bonneau) Lampron; two daughters, Nancy E. Jacobs of Worcester and Janine V. Christiansen of Holden; two brothers, George Lampron of Boston and Harvey Lampron of Spencer; a sister, Elaine Marion of Worcester; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. He was born in Spencer, son of Athan and Victoria (Gagne) Lampron, and graduated from Worcester Boys trade High School in Worcester. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Battle of the Bulge.
Mr. Lampron worked 20 years for the Stars and Stripes, an Army publication, and lived in Germany. He returned to America in 1968, and was a printer for the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester and National Envelope Co., Worcester, retiring in 1990.
He was an avid fisherman and golfer.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, March 20, in Caswell-King Funeral Home, Holden. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.
John W. Walsh Jr.
HOLDEN - John W. Walsh Jr., 72, of Montague, formerly of Holden and Hubbardston, died March 11, 2001 in Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, after a short illness.
He leaves two daughters, Katherine Leander of Las Vegas and Wendy M. Walsh of Hubbardston; and a sister, Irene A. Walsh of Connecticut. He was born in Worcester, son of John W. Walsh Sr. and Margaret M. (Dominitis) Walsh, and lived in Holden and Hubbardston before moving to Montague. He attended Worcester schools and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.
Mr. Walsh owned and operated John W. Walsh Plumbing and Heating, Worcester.
The funeral service was held March 19, in Miles Funeral Home, Holden. Burial will be private in Brookside Cemetery, Hubbardston.
Martha H. Gardner
HOLDEN - Martha H. (Anderson) Gardner, 76, of 169 Holden St., died March 21, 2001 in UMass Memorial Medical Center-University Campus, Worcester, after an illness.
She leaves her husband, Virgil L. Gardner; a son, Paul L. Gardner of Holden; a daughter, Susan J. Gardner of Holden; and a nephew. Born in Worcester, daughter of Martin L. and Josephina M. (Anderson) Anderson, she lived most of her life in Holden. She graduated from Holden High School.
Mrs. Gardner worked at Heald Machine Co., Worcester. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, Chaffins Women's Club, the Women's Auxiliary of Harold N. Keith American Legion Post in West Boylston and the Persis Putnam Order of Eastern Star, Rutland.
The funeral service was held on March 24, in Miles Funeral Home, Holden. Burial will be at a later date in Grove Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, Massachusetts Affiliate, 1 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108.
Pamela Holmberg
HOLDEN - Pamela K. Holmberg, 34, of 56 Boyden Road, formerly of Auburn and Dudley, died March 19, 2001 in Wachusett Extended Care where she was a patient for several years after an automobile accident 10 years ago.
She leaves a daughter, Candace M. Holmberg of Auburn; her parents, John L. Holmberg Jr. and Blanche M. (Provost) Holmberg of Auburn; three brothers, John J. Holmberg of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Robert L. Holmberg of Orange Park, Fla., and Mark F. Holmberg of Whitinsville; three sisters, Jeanne M. Simeone of Narragansett, R.I., Susan Y. Auger of North Grosvenordale, Conn., and Christine C. Arsenault of Leominster; several nieces and nephews. She was born in Worcester, and lived in Holden, Auburn and Dudley, and graduated from Bay Path High School in 1985. She also graduated from Rob Roy Beauty Academy in Worcester, and attended Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.
Ms. Holmberg was a merchandise picker for Crabtree and Evelyn in Connecticut before her accident.
The funeral was held March 24, from Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, Auburn. After cremation, burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made to the Massachusetts Brain Injury Association, 484 Main St., Worcester, MA 01608.
